Ivy Tech – lee-lawmaster.com

Editing Schedule

I am currently between semesters, my last one at Ivy Tech and my first one at IU. In this downtime, I’m working in some editing of the “good” episodes of ROX that I have, which are a majority of season one.

On a good night I can crank out 2 episodes. Last night I was only able to complete one.

Most of these episodes are in pretty good shape, they still need a look over to make sure they meet my high standards before I’ll allow people to pay money for them. The biggest issue seems to be with transitions between shots and the beginning and end of the show. Luckily I have a ton of “stock” clips to use if one is bad.

If you look at all of my blog posts regarding ROX, you’ll see many ramblings about technical difficulties or just not having time. I’m finished with giving excuses. I’d like to get season one ready and launch it with my new LML Video Services website.

Once this “easy” process is over, I will start the tedious heavy editing process. Dissecting each episode ensuring the audio and video tracks are synchronized and making sure there are no other transitional issues.

After the editing process is complete, DVD authoring and design begin. This is where I actually create the look and feel of the DVD. Then I design the case and labels. Once the producers give their words of approval, it will be released.

The biggest difference between this time, and the last time is I have an active backup solution. My computer is backed up every night, and those backups are backed up weekly. If my hard drive fails, I haven’t lost any work. That is what put me over a year behind. I had to recapture everything and start from day one.

Wish me luck.

Summer Luxuries

This summer is wildly different than the last couple of summers. I’m actually working a regular schedule! That means we have the means to do more!

I’m also taking my last semester at Ivy Tech, the school I have learned to despise. Since I am transferring to IU, I didn’t have many choices because there are a limited amount of classes that transfer. So I am taking Econ-101 and Hist-125. Economics is well, economics; there isn’t much I can really say about such a dull class. History is a different story however, as the focus for this class is “The History of American Technology.” There is nothing that gets me as excited as history and technology, well I can probably name a few things but I must digress.

I also made the deans list for the Spring 2010 semester!

My econ class is online, and my history class was originally a “hybrid” class, which is essentially online; with the option of coming in for lectures and discussion. I guess not enough people registered for my section and it was canceled and moved to a online section. So no rushing to class for me this summer! Score!

Interestingly enough, one of the first classes I will be taking at IU is a similar class, but it is in relation to how the computer changed America. It is through the American Studies program.

I have had an average of 100 pages of reading per week thus far, and I expect that pace to stay the same. For someone who only reads something if it’s necessary, that’s a mountain of reading. Luckily I’m able to read and do my homework while at work, which opens up my time away from work for activities I’d much rather be doing.

Speaking of work, it seems as of the last few months that more and more people on campus are moving to Apple computers; the pressure for us to offer support for them has grown exponentially. I haven’t seriously used a mac since the original Macintosh. So with some preparation, I will be purchasing a macbook sometime this summer. I hope to learn the systems inside and out in the only way I know how; enveloping myself in it. Some think that it’s a large expense for just a learning tool, but I think it’s a small investment in my learning. Plus it will elminate our current battles over who can use the laptop. Even Amelia wants to play on what we call “the magic box.”

We’re currently talking (and planning) on adding a HTPC (Home Theater PC) to our endless collection of technology at home. The key issue is price at this point, neither of us want to spend too much money. With the lack of abilities a DVD player provides, a HTPC can offer us endless opportunities for whatever we want to do. I have many movies that we can simply watch over our home network, plus with things like Hulu, Boxee and my new fave, Netflix – we’ll never have the excuse that “nothing’s on.” With that in mind, I’m currently working on getting our LAN up and running. I just have to install the box, an outlet, and connect the wiring.

I’ve all but completed the new website for LML Video Services. I just need to raise the $60 I need to re-up my hosting package. I built this website from scratch through my Computer Information Systems class last semester, and then tweaked it for “commercial” use. It’s simple, just my style. I’m currently trying to make the decision to leave PayPal and use Google for checkout options, but that’s still on the drawing board. I also have a “Latest Updates” section that is essentially a blog. I would like to use Word Press or some other blogging type script to update this rather than hand code it. Unfortunately I cannot work on this until it is actually up and running.

Draft Website

We are coming close to the end of the spring semester, and I have been working on my final project in CINS-102 at a fever pace.

As I noted in a previous post, I am rebuilding my web site via this class. I lost the files from my original web site. My old website was just a free template I had found and changed up a bit. I must say it’s very fulfilling to say you created it yourself.

I have found through my studies thus far that I am really enjoying web design and programming. They almost go hand in hand, as the skills I’ve learned in programming have transferred somewhat to web design. Where that might take me I’m unsure of at this point.

The draft website is currently hosted at http://bob.ivytech.edu/~llawmaster/index.html please visit it! Any suggestions you have, especially in the areas of CSS, would be greatly appreciated. FYI, the “buy it now” buttons are only pictures – the site’s document type declaration is XHTML Strict, which doesn’t allow the syntax of the buttons to be used.

There are probably going to be some slight changes to it before the semester ends, but nothing dramatic. I am having my co-worker Kasey utilize her skills with CSS to help transform this basic site into something professional and dramatic. For her help, I’m going to give her credit for the styling of the website. The version with her assistance will not appear on the Ivy Tech domain, as that is for academic purposes – and having someone else do the work would be wrong.

Hopefully by the end of the year, the final version of this website will be on it’s real domain again, and fully functional. It’s exciting!

Making The Switch

Due to the economy and cutbacks in state funding to Indiana University, Technology Center Consulting has decided to strictly enforce a policy that hasn’t been enforced before. Effective this fall, they will no longer employ persons who aren’t students at the university.

This has posed some hard and serious questions about what I want to do with my education, and my life. My nerves got the best of me and I “fell off the wagon” and bought a pack of cigarettes.

While I enjoy many aspects of Ivy Tech, such as a laid back atmosphere, very cheap tuition and it’s proximity to my home, I don’t want to be out of work. I have spent almost 4 years trying to find a full time position that suits me, and I have yet to find it.

So this fall I will be enrolling in the continuing studies program at Indiana University. I will still be pursuing an Associate’s degree, but in General Studies instead of Computer Information Systems. Luckily most of my credits will transfer, so I will still be able to graduate in the same time frame. I had thought about transferring to a Bachelor’s, but 7 more years of school is just too much for me right now.

My application is complete on my end as of now. It’s in IU and Ivy Tech’s hands now. IU’s website states the application process takes 10 to 12 weeks, so I hope I am admitted early enough to enroll in classes I want to take unlike my father who always waits until the last minute and almost had to take Yiddish Studies last semester.

Part of me is glad to leave Ivy Tech, as it’s become a place of non-learning as of late. It seems as if most of the student body enrolls to get student loans or grants for some quick cash and leaves as soon as they can. It’s very hard for someone like myself to be in the same space as these people. I’ve learned that many of the classes I’m taking at Ivy Tech are “dumbed down.” That very well could be the reason why I don’t feel pushed there. I’ve had a long drawn out battle with education, and I’m finally enjoying education like I should have the first time.

I hope that IU leads me to more fulfilling educational opportunities and enlightens me. While doing this, I can sleep at ease knowing that I also have a job.

This That and the Other

I haven’t had a chance to post anything for a while as my life has became quite full lately.

This week is spring break at Ivy Tech and IU. It’s been a nice break from the organized chaos that has become my life. So I thought I would write about the goings on lately.

Backup, Backup, Backup!

I finally got a stable backup file server going. My original one died and I’m in the process of parting it out. If you’re looking for some cheap computer parts you can find ’em right here. I finally gave up on linux and went with Windows Server 2003. It’s essentially XP with additional goodies for server functions. I only have one step left, and that is setting up the RAID configuration. That’s for a safety net should a hard drive fail.

ROX Update

While I haven’t had much time to concentrate on ROX, I have started recording episodes that still play on CATS. I have many of the episodes on VHS, but capturing them straight to a digital format makes things much easier. Given the advanced development of my daughter I might be able to start working on ROX again and finally get season one released in a few months.

Amelia

She is growing and developing at an alarming rate! She is now eating solid foods every night. She is also starting to move around on her own, she isn’t crawling yet but very close. She has learned that she has a voice and likes to use it often. I would say her favorite activity is getting mommy and daddy wet when she’s taking a bath. She’s a hoot and a very happy baby. We couldn’t ask for more.

The Semester From Hell

This semester I’m taking a class I’ve failed before (MATH-111) and a class that interests me (CINS-102). My math class is great, as the instructor does his best to ensure everyone in class understands the concepts and can do the work. 85% of the final grade in this class is based upon test scores, something I’ve never had to deal with before. Right now I’m earning a solid B, which makes me very happy. I plan on thanking him at the end of the semester for being such a good instructor, all teachers should be reminded how much they’re appreciated when they do a good job! My other class is a completely different story however. While I’m learning some much needed skills in this class (XHTML & CSS) the instructor seems to use the class has her way to release frustrations she has. There aren’t many people in this class, and many don’t seem to have the skills required or aren’t putting forth the effort required. The class has opened my eyes to the world of web programming, but it’s almost impossible to swallow her totalitarian attitude.

Give Me The Fiber

If you live in Indiana, you might have heard about what Smithville Telephone is doing. All of their customers are receiving fiber to the home. It’s exciting to say the least. Last year I rewired the phone lines in my house and installed a LAN in anticipation. This week we were “pre-wired” for it. This consisted of them installing a new network interface on the outside of my home, installing a battery backup system in my home, and installing a data jack. My area, called the “Fullerton Remote” should be completed by the last quarter of this year. With this upgrade broadband Internet download speeds are rising from 1.5mbps to 20! They are also adding television services which beat all it’s competitors, but that’s my opinion. This upgrade is amazing to say the least. Do you know anyone who has access to 100mbps download speeds at home? That will be their fastest rate, and I’ve seen it work. It’s almost like comparing a 14.4 modem to a 56k, a world of difference.

Spring is in the Air

Spring is upon us here in Indiana. The grass is becoming green again, and the temperatures are rising. That means the honey do list starts back up again. I listed what we want to get done around the house in an earlier post. Now it’s time to get into gear and get those items checked off the list!

Spring Semester 2010

It’s a new year and a new decade (for those who believe).

I’m still taking classes at Ivy Tech and this semester will make me or break me. I’m taking MATH-111, Intermediate Algebra and CINS-102, Information Systems Fundamentals.

I took the math course years ago, and failed miserably. I don’t know why exactly, but I do know that I have much more desire and drive to succeed than I did back then. My instructor seems like a really nice guy who is good at explaining concepts and ensuring everyone understands. Something lacking in instructors at that school.

My CINS course seems to be another story however. While I believe the content of the course shouldn’t be too hard, the instructor’s attitude clashes with me in a big way. I won’t go into specifics, but I would change courses if I could. This course focuses on XHTML, HTML and CSS. The main focus of this class is to create a web site and to learn how to manage it on a Unix server. Ivy Tech has one for student use, it’s name is Bob.

Little Amelia is growing and changing like never before. At her last checkup, Dr. Laughlin said this would be a period of “social explosion.” Boy was he right. She loves using her voice, and discovering what new sounds she can make. She also likes to support her own weight by “standing” with support from someone.

She has also learned how to grasp and hold objects. Her rattle and yellow duck are her favorites at this point. She tracks objects with her eyes, which are beautifully deep.

Rachel has been on maternity leave since the birth of our daughter. However, all good things must come to an end. She went back to work on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Next week she goes back full time. I’ve noticed it’s difficult on her, but it’s good for her to have time away and get a greater appreciation of our little miracle. We found a stay at home mom who will be watching Amelia. She has a 4 year old daughter, named Madison who adores Snow White.

Today I officially sent in my resignation to the CSR or what I would like to call “the window to hell.” I wasn’t scheduled at all for last semester, which was really hard on our checkbook. I looked and looked and in the end a co-worker at TS, Kasey became the connection to my new 2nd job, TCC or Technology Center Consulting. It is a division of UITS which is Indiana University’s information technology department. TCC’s primary objective is to staff the numerous computing labs around campus. We also help students in the dorms with networking issues. I have worked one week with them and it’s been interesting to say the least!

Feel Like a Number

While I am used to feeling like a number in our quantity over quality soceity, something just happened that I have to share.

I attend Ivy Tech Community College, and have since 1999 off and on. In that time they have exponentially grown to become the school with the largest enrollment in the state of Indiana, with currently over 110,000 students enrolled. As the state has lost it’s large manufacturing base of employment, people (like me) have went to school to help us find new careers.

Over the past couple of years, communications from the school have went downhill as far as information goes. Most communications are either a weekly job or volunteer posting, informational updates, or the one that really puts a thorn in my side, “Pick Ivy Tech.” Essentially an advertisment sent to students. Why are they wasting money sending letters and emails to people already enrolled asking them to pick Ivy Tech? Haven’t they already?

This last incident is the “straw that broke the camel’s back.” The Bloomington campus has outgrown it’s space, and until they can build additions they have leased annex campuses. While this can be great for situations such as this one, it can also be a nightmare. The Liberty Drive campus does not have adequate parking. While it is a pain, I’m not complaining. I work at IU where parking is sometimes not even a possibility.

This email was sent to all Bloomington students:

Additional Parking Options for Liberty Drive:

1. Park across the street from the Liberty Drive campus. The spaces
reserved for Ivy Tech students are located in the parking lot previously
occupied by the MCL Cafeteria; across the street and just south of the
Liberty campus.

2. Park at the main campus and take the Rural Transit shuttle to the
Liberty Drive campus.

Click the link below to download the Rural Transit schedule:
http://services.bloomington.ivytech.edu/media/pdf/academics/IvyTechBus.pdf

For more information about Rural Transit, go to:
http://www.ivytech.edu/bloomington/about/shuttle.html

While these options are helpful, they create equal if not larger problems. For those of you who know the area, Liberty Drive is a busy road that has many large businesses on it, and it is a major thoroughfare for the west side of Bloomington. Also crossing a 4 lane road is a dangerous affair, as a student in high school I remember students being severely injured and even killed on occasion trying to do the same thing to get lunch. Due to this, MCCSC closed their campuses and upgraded their cafeterias. There is no intersection near that has a crosswalk, and the road curves at this point as well making visibility for the drivers an issue as well.

I felt a response was necessary to highlight these potentially fatal flaws. While hindsight is 20/20, I could have left a couple paragraphs and a few remarks out. I was mainly trying to give them constructive criticism, and point out alternatives.

Here is my response:

While the additional options you have listed are helpful, please let me remind you of the hazards and reasons why these options are not feasible.

1. Park at MCL. While there is plenty of parking at that location, and in the scope of things, close, it is also very hazardous. It is hazardous for the same reasons why Bloomington High School South closed it campus. People were hurt and died. It is dangerous for people to cross 4 lanes of traffic at any time on that road, let alone rush hour. I hope your recommendation does not lead to serious injuries or death for anyone.

2. Park at the Main Campus and take the Rural Transit. While this option might be okay for full-time students, but for people like me who work full time and take classes when they can, this is impossible. I can barely make it to class on time, let alone wait for a bus that comes once or twice an hour.

My wife brought up a great idea that would really ease the parking situation at liberty drive. Perhaps you could lease (through your agreement with IU) one of their buses to use as a shuttle during the hours when it is needed most. This dedicated shuttle would be a better option than the rural transit, and make the students really feel like they are cared for.

I for one am tired of the “stupidity” in the communications from this school. The email you sent was “the straw that broke the camels back” for me. I don’t need pointless communication, I need real communication.

While this may not be your area, I must say the emails that say “choose Ivy-Tech” are pointless when I’m already attending. What am I going to do? Move to another state to attend a community college?

Respectively,

Lee Lawmaster

As I stated, hindsight is 20/20. Some of my comments were a mistake, but I was emotionally charged at the time. I would send an apology for some of my remarks, but as you are about to see it would only make the situation worse. I sent this email to the person who sent it, and I CC’d the Chancellor of the Bloomington Campus. I thought it seemed worthy of skipping any chain of command due to the safety issues involved.

Here is the response from the Chancellor:

Lew: You copied me, so let me respond. Your message was signed “respectively” and I assume you meant “respectfully”. It was neither. If parking is an insurmountable problem for you, I believe a full tuition refund is still available to you through Friday. Contact Jennie Vaughan in students affairs and she will assist you with your withdrawal. This concludes responses from campus staff to you on “stupidity” of “pointless” communication on this matter.
————————–
Please excuse any spelling errors. This message was sent from my PDA.

Whoa! From everything I’ve heard about this guy, he’s the nicest guy you’d know. I didn’t mention having a problem parking.

In the end I said some things I shouldn’t have. I do realize that. Although you would think a person in that position would see through that and see the serious safety issues with their plan. Since Ivy Tech has a monopoly on 2 year degrees in Indiana, I don’t have a choice of seeking another institution for education that is affordable. I know from talking to my fellow students that communications with the school are sub par though. I guess they just don’t want to listen.

I’ve learned where I don’t want my children to go when they reach college age.

One other note: I received a mailing yesterday, I made the Dean’s list for the Summer semester of 2009. While that’s great, I think this overshadows anything I could accomplish at this school.

Winding Down

My summer is quickly drawing to a close. My last class for the summer semester is tomorrow, I start working at TS again on August 10th and the birth of my second child is becoming more imminent as each day passes.

I’ve been pre-ocupied with class and remodeling the nursery. I don’t feel like the progress is coming along like I wanted it to with the nursery.

This is the first room that will be “complete” in the house. While we have painted, installed doors, ect. One thing we haven’t done is change our trim from stained to painted. This room will be. Once little one is born, we will take a remodeling break and then change the trim, each room at a time.

I’m very happy that I was able to take a break from work this summer and focus on my studies. While I only have one grade posted thus far, I believe I’ll have 3 A’s and a C. The C is due to some weird quizzes that had wrong answers! The professor would sometimes throw a few points our way, but nothing that made up for the loss. I now have a greater appreciation of what it’s like to be a college student. If our finances could support it, I’d like to continue going full time until I complete my degree.

My computer’s power supply died again, at least it’s still under warranty. I took it into PC Max, but it will probably be a couple of weeks before its return due to Antec’s slow warranty claim process.

We bought a new car, well new to us. With the impending arrival of a new member of the family, we needed a more family friendly vehicle. I didn’t want to trade in my truck, but I did due to it’s much higher trade-in value than the Kia. We bought a 2007 Chevrolet HHR 1LT. We’ve rented them on two occasions and love them! It looks small, but has a lot more room than you would think it does.

Once I get some time to coordinate my thoughts, I’ll write something with more focus. In the meantime, if you’re my friend on twitter or facebook – I’ll keep you updated.

I Can See the Finish Line

Much time and effort has been spent recently on finishing the basement. My dad came over 2 days this week and helped me, and Rachel has helped me when possible.

I finished installing the new paneling on Friday and we starting installing trim today. To help save money, we have went with a “rustic” look. Instead of using “regular” trim, we are using 1×4 standard boards for baseboards and ceiling trim. We are going to leave them unfinished to help with the effect. We are then using pre-finished trim for inside and outside corners and filler strips. These pre-finished pieces are interesting, as the finish isn’t a stain or wax, but like a sticker.

My plans for tomorrow are to work on the trim some more, and get as far as I can. I start summer classes on Monday, so I will need to rest up as my first class is at 8am. We are also going to look at 3 futons for possible purchase.

Our plans were pushed way up due to an unforeseen email I received from my aunt Beth. She’s coming out! They should be here July 3rd. We always stay with her when we go to see them in Oklahoma, so we need to return the favor and show her some Hoosier hospitality. We have currently planned taking a tour of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as they’re big racing fans, fireworks at Memorial Stadium and a tour of Monroe Reservoir.

We’ve decided to purchase 2 futons for our sitting area downstairs, to make it cozy and a good sleeping area. We are also bumping up our plans to install a shower downstairs for my aunts arrival. This way any guests we have will have their own full bathroom.

We will soon get to finally utilitize all of the space in our home, and not just half of it!

Catching Up

I’ve been too busy lately with all of my on-going projects to post any lately. Since I’ve got some free time, let me update you about the ongoings happening in my life.

It’s a Girl: We found out last Wednesday that we’re expecting a baby girl. While Rachel is happy she’s having her first child, I’m a bit indifferent. I’m not saying that I’m disappointed, I was just hoping for a boy – merely because I already have a daughter. She was acting up during the ultrasound and wouldn’t let the technician get a good look at her heart, so Rachel is going to have another ultrasound during her next appointment, just to make sure she’s developing normally. We have had a boy’s name picked out for over a year now, but have been having trouble with a girl one. We’ve finally decided on 2 – which we are keeping secret until she’s born.

Remodeling Blues: I’ve been over-occupied lately with remodeling. While I have made a lot of progress, there is still much to do. Last week I finished the next to last set of wires I need to pull. It was a complete nightmare, but this will give us some flexibility in the layout of our living room in the future. My next job is to cover up our duct run and post downstairs. We have decided to use some decorator panels downstairs instead of paneling or drywall. These panels are relatively inexpensive and will eliminate the majority of painting we would need to do with our original plan. I hope to get the downstairs almost complete by the time I go back to school in June.

No Flash: Friday while in the midst of “wire pulling hell” I wanted to take some pictures. I discovered our camera, a Nikon Coolpix 7600 has a problem. The flash isn’t cooperating, you can’t turn it on in most of it’s modes – and even in the modes it does “function” it doesn’t work. We’re working on finding a solution and have found a nice one with the Nikon Coolpix S210. Now it’s just a matter of purchasing it.

Demon’s Are Gone: The spring semester has officially ended. The last few weeks were quite the nail biter, as I did horrible on 2 chapter tests in my Math-050 course. I’m pleased to say that after 10 years of taking this course off and on, I have passed it with an 86%. This summer I am taking 5 courses, this will enable me to finish my degree in 7 semesters. With a baby coming, the sooner the better. The next course I am dreading is Math-111, I took it once and failed. I hope with 050 off my back, and a little help from Rachel I can conquer this as well. I’ve decided to change my degree and concentration. I originally was seeking an Associates of Science in Computer Information Technology with a PC Support & Administration concentration, after reviewing the coursework I know a little about everything. I don’t feel like I’ll be challenged or forced to use my brain to it’s full extent for that matter. I’ve decided to get an Associates of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems with a Programmer / Analyst concentration.

Free Tix: Being a smoker, I get mailings from time to time with coupons, offers, etc. from tobacco companies. I was pleasantly surprised when I received a voucher for free tickets to the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. My mother has received this same offer, but for Kentucky Speedway (as she lives in Louisville). I’ve decided to bring my mother, as I don’t think Rachel will be comfortable in the heat all day. We get free parking and free rental of headset radios to listen in on the teams. I’ve never been to the 500 before, and being free makes it that much better.