English 490 (Or, Another Uninspiring Title, If You Prefer...)

Presentation

2007-12-06T12:17:00.000-05:00

Cover letter

2007-11-29T12:51:00.000-05:00

Dear Sir,

We have received your recent draft of your manual targeted at undergraduates applying to our graduate program. In reading this document, there are several things that occur to us. In principal, we believe this document has the potential to provide a useful tool to equip our advisers with, particularly in conjunction with the other materials you have submitted to us. In general, we feel that the document is well on it's way, but there are several things we feel it would be beneficial for you to implement in your final piece.

The only specific item we feel needs to be reworked significantly is the introduction you have written for the manual. While this is good, we feel that you can do better in convincing the students to make use of your document. Given that an adviser may, or may not actually sit down with his advisee and walk them through the document, this section may be all that convinces the student to make use of this document for it's intended purpose.

Next, we would like to see a checklist or worksheet included that will assist the students by keeping them on task. Perhaps the section of items that are required in addition to an application would be a worthy addition to such a worksheet.

The included components of your document are by themselves each useful, but in order to be more effective in providing assistance to the students, we recommend a slight reordering of the items. We feel that your presentation will be more effective if you move items like the Dates to the front of the document, where such a location will stress their priority. Similarly, other similar items may be best utilized in such a location, with exposition following afterwards.

We would also like to certain items expanded upon. Principally, we would like to see the Important Dates and Contact Information further fleshed out. There are other entities that a student will need to deal with, particularly if they did not attend this school as an undergraduate. Likewise, Dates could be further expanded to encompass other considerations, like Financial Aid and such concerns as recommendation requests .

Lastly, after these expansions are performed, and a final order is reached, we feel it may be beneficial for you to include a brief table of contents, principally as a preview of what the document holds for the reader, so that it will aid in their assessment of it's worth.

We feel that if these changes are implemented in roughly this fashion that your document will be well suited to our needs.

Progress Report, Nov 8th, 2007

2007-11-08T11:36:00.000-05:00

Purpose:

The document in question is a booklet designed essentially to increase awareness of the History Master's Program here at Clemson. The goal is to both provide information and persuasion, something along the lines of why you might decide to attend Clemson's History MA program, rather than going elsewhere or not at all. The document is meant to be provided by advisors to their advisees.

Work To Date:

Last week, I spent the majority of the week dealing first with a relative's funeral, and second, a nasty stomach virus that left me out of commission. The combination of the two pretty well left it a lost week. This week I have been working on a template for my booklet's covers and pages. I know that this decision may seem arbitrary when I'm still trying to get the writing done, but I know from doing trifolds in the past that what you get to say is often severely limited by the room you have to say it in. I've been designing the templates based on the assumption that I will use 8.5x11 sized press sheets, as they would be easy to deal with for a firm that does quick printing. I can adjust the template however if need be, and I plan to ask for input on the size today. I have also been continuing to try to output text for the booklet.

Work Planned:

Photos for the booklet will be had today, by hook or by crook. I have the template completed enough now that I can plug text into it without interfering with anything else that I plan on adding to the template. If I get some good photos today, I will look at using one or several to put together a poster. As it is, my camera produces shots of 48" by 32" at 71 PPI, so I can scale them down some to get a decent resolution for printing and still have a good poster sized image. If I do a composite with multiple images, I can get good resolution for certain, and size won't be an issue anymore.

Conclusion:

I'd really hoped to be further along at this point than I am, and while I can blame that on the fact that I lost a week, placing blame doesn't get the work done. So I need to get the work done, and that will mean sacrificing a lot of time I could have spent otherwise, to make up for that which was lost

Progress Report, Nov 8th, 2007

2007-11-08T11:16:00.000-05:00

Purpose:

This project is essentially a manual designed to make the application process to the Clemson History MA program easier to understand, and possibly make it faster and less tedious for the individual applying. The manual will attempt to compile all of the existing materials, and add relevant features such as a calendar and checklist of items. Other features will be useful contact information.

Work to date:

Last week, I spent the majority of the week dealing first with a relative's funeral, and second, a nasty stomach virus that left me out of commission. The combination of the two pretty well left it a lost week. This week I have been working on a template for my manual's covers and pages. I know that this decision may seem arbitrary when I'm still trying to get the writing done, but I know from doing trifolds in the past that what you get to say is often severely limited by the room you have to say it in. I've been designing the templates based on the assumption that I will use 8.5x11 sized press sheets, as they would be easy to deal with for a firm that does quick printing. I can adjust the template however if need be, and I plan to ask for input on the size today. I have also been continuing to try to output text for the manual.

Work Planned:

At this point in the game, I need to be compiling information and outputting it as fast as I possibly can. That week lost really hurt in terms of getting things done, and it just means I need to step up the pace from comfortable to not-nearly so comfortable if I intend to be done on time. Today is beautiful, and I will be taking my camera with me, so photos for the manual and booklet will finally be had as well.

Conclusion:

I'd really hoped to be further along at this point than I am, and while I can blame that on the fact that I lost a week, placing blame doesn't get the work done. So I need to get the work done, and that will mean sacrificing a lot of time I could have spent otherwise, to make up for that which was lost.

Progress Report, Late and Lamented Part 2

2007-10-27T08:24:00.000-04:00

History Graduate Program Informational Booklet Progress

Purpose:

The document in question is a booklet designed essentially to increase awareness of the History Master's Program here at Clemson. The goal is to both provide information and persuasion, something along the lines of why you might decide to attend Clemson's History MA program, rather than going elsewhere or not at all. The document is meant to be provided by advisors to their advisees.

Work To Date:

Thus far work on the booklet has been mostly research and planning. I was given a trifold (If you want to get technical, it's got four folds, and is done in the oddest manner I've seen for a brochure, but essentially the same thing) that the Clemson Graduate School put out. I was also given some materials on the Graduate School itself that may prove useful. I'm currently trying to evaluate what will be useful to include in the document. I had hoped to be taking photos for use in the booklet, but the weather has been against me.

Work Planned:

I need to start working on the actual document itself. I have to decide what to incorporate from each of the various sources, and what I'm going to have to try to supply/obtain myself. Graphic design considerations need to also be examined. I need to be writing content, but I also should be developing a template for the manual at the same time. I intend to develop a template with a visual style that I can use in the related booklet as well, since I intend for them to be part of a package. So while I am planning, I will be attempting to put together a template as well.

Conclusion:

My biggest concern at this moment is trying to get the proper content established for the document. Writing needs to begin soon.

Progress Report, Late and Lamented

2007-10-25T07:59:00.000-04:00

As I neglected to get a set of progress reports up last week, I'm trying to remedy that.
History MA Application Manual Progress Report:

Purpose:

This project is essentially a manual designed to make the application process to the Clemson History MA program easier to understand, and possibly make it faster and less tedious for the individual applying. The manual will attempt to compile all of the existing materials, and add relevant features such as a calendar and checklist of items. Other features will be useful contact information.

Work to date:

To this date, I've been busy trying to wrap up my research, and begin planning out the document. Although to be fair, I believe that I'm going to constantly be spending time referring back to the source materials, because it's critical that I get this information right. By the same token, what I produce can't be too much like the original, or else it won't fill a unique niche.

While I had hoped to be able to take some photos for both this document, and the related brochure, the weather has not cooperated with me at any point that I've had an opportunity to do so. While a few images will make the manual more attractive, they are not essential to achieving the purpose of the document.

Work Planned:

I need to start working on the actual document itself. I have to decide what to incorporate from each of the various sources, and what I'm going to have to try to supply/obtain myself. Graphic design considerations need to also be examined. I need to be writing content, but I also should be developing a template for the manual at the same time. I intend to develop a template with a visual style that I can use in the related booklet as well, since I intend for them to be part of a package. So while I am planning, I will be attempting to put together a template as well.

Conclusion:

At the moment, I'm hoping that I'll be able to settle into a work routine that will keep the project from falling behind. It is early still, so my time would better be spent doing than worrying however.

Lay Document Proposal

2007-10-11T11:49:00.000-04:00

Problem Statement

While most history undergraduates should be aware that a graduate history program exists, how well informed about the particulars of the program is debatable.

Were more history undergraduates better informed about the program, it is conceivable that it could grow into a larger and more prestigious program. To that end, a document that both increases awareness of and interest in the program could be useful in addressing the problem.

Problem Section

As of Fall 2006, there were currently thirty three graduate students enrolled in the History MA program at Clemson[1]. A search using Clemson University’s online phonebook turns up 463 results for individuals with History as their listed major, which includes the graduate students[2]. That should leave 430 of the results as undergraduates, and even accounting for those students not currently active, the result should still be that there are over ten undergraduates for every one graduate student. While the graduate program enjoys a quite good student to professor ratio[3], the program could still likely benefit from more applicants.

More applicants could result in increased interest in the program from the administration, and possibly increased funding. With that funding it would be possible to do any number of things to improve the program, but chief among them would be hiring new professors, either to diversify the History Department as a whole, or to provide additional expertise in a given field. The addition of new faculty members and the funding needed to support them would be a tremendous boon to the department and to the students, undergraduate and graduate alike.

Significantly less than ten percent of the undergraduate history students seem to go on to attend graduate school at Clemson. The possible reasons are myriad, but one can argue that at least some of those students may have stayed here, or made a bid for graduate school at all had they better understood what the graduate program here involved. It is this apparent lack of awareness that bears addressing, as it could otherwise be holding the program back from growth.

Solution

The History department’s website has some useful and compelling information regarding the program available for prospective students, but it requires at least some pre-existing interest. Advisors should be much more effective in this regard, as they can make active inquiries as to their advisee’s intentions, and can prompt the advisees to consider the idea of graduate school. If they were armed with some material they could hand to interested students, they could further cement that interest. To that end, a booklet describing the program in general terms, as well as stressing the possible benefits of attending graduate school would be an excellent start towards strengthening advisors’ ability to generate prospective graduate students.

A booklet would make for an excellent way to fill this need, as it is capable of holding more information than a trifold, and not be too unwieldy at the same time. Further, the booklet should be visually appealing, something that makes the reader want to read it. Posters or other visually focused accessories could further aid in generating interest.

Qualifications

I believe myself qualified to take on this task for several reasons. First, I am a history undergraduate here at Clemson University, with aspirations of going on to graduate school, here or elsewhere. Hence, I feel I have a vested interest in the problem. Second, I have had some graphic design instruction, and some experience in producing similar documents, and I feel that I can make an attractive looking document. Third, my minor here is technical writing, and I feel I can make the document functional as well as attractive.

Work Plan

to be updated and revised as needed

Week of October 8^th

Week of October 15^th

Week of October 22^rd

Week of October 29^rd

Week of November 5^th

Week of November 12^th

Week of November 19^th

Week of November 26^th

Week of December 3^rd

[1] Current Graduate Students—Fall 2006. (Last accessed October 11, 2007)

[2] Clemson University Phonebook. (Last accessed October 11, 2007)

[3] The Master of Arts in History. (Last accessed October 11, 2007)

Expert Proposal

2007-10-11T11:43:00.000-04:00

Problem Statement

Potential History graduate students here at Clemson must go through the process of application to the program, a process about which information is available, but widely scattered. No singular source of information is available to candidates that could make the process easier. In order to rectify this, a document that amasses as much of the information regarding the process as is practical should be written, so that it may be distributed to interested students as an aid to the process.

Problem Section

A simple bit of investigation shows that there is information available on the History department’s website concerning the program. When one reads through the three pertinent pieces, the Guide to Graduate Study in History[1], Financial Aid[2], and Areas of Study[3], it becomes apparent that these bits of information are useful. But a close reading reveals many terms which are not addressed or defined within. The consequence is that the interested party must resort to hunting down information through other sources to begin piecing together an understanding of the process.

The next likely step for the inquisitive is the Clemson University Graduate School page[4]. The page itself features primarily information that is not major specific, but more focused on the general requirements and process of entering any of the graduate programs at Clemson. Some specific information is available for each program, but what is available for the history program is very brief, and is mostly mirrored in the Guide to Graduate Study in History. Much of getting useful information from this source is determining what is applicable at the time, and what is not.

Neither are more than references. They are not designed in such a fashion as to actively assist a graduate candidate, and force the individual to go through a good bit of back and forth to get what they need out of them. This is the point in which some of the associated frustration with the application process begins to become apparent.

In talking with graduate students of differing backgrounds and majors here, they mentioned among other things, that they wish they had known more about the GRE. This indicates that there information is not as accessible as it could be. Information is available in a link on the Clemson University Graduate School page, it is not a Clemson page, and is arranged differently in both stylistic and practical fashions[5]. To get pertinent information out of this source requires more decisions as to what is or is not applicable.

While the prospective student's advisor may be equipped to answer questions not covered by one of these sources, this is still contingent on the advisor having the time to either meet with the student or respond to their queries through other channels. And if the prospective student is coming from another university, then this may pose even more of a problem, as their face to face time with an advisor is going to be limited by the distance they have to travel. In either case, the students do not have a tool in hand that they themselves can make use of to ease their application process.

That these issues exist can potentially lead to frustration on the part of candidates, which can lead to possibly fewer candidates than would otherwise apply. Fewer applicants will likely result in less funding for the program, and make it much more difficult to maintain the quality of the program, much less increase it. It is also quite conceivable that in navigating the maze of the application process that mistakes can be made, although how problematic those mistakes may be could vary. At the very least, it is a source of distraction and frustration during the applicant’s senior year at college. In any case, these issues bear addressing.

Solution

It is necessary then, that prospective graduate students have access to a document that will function as more than just a reference, but as a tool to help guide them through the process of application. The document, which will take the form of a manual, will incorporate not just the program guidelines laid out on the history website, but would also explain general requirements for graduate school at Clemson, the application process itself in detail (including the GRE), financial aid available for graduate students, and would include a series of useful aids for the student, such as a timeline for the process and relevant contact information.

Such things would be inappropriate for a text that advisors would hand out. In addition, it seems certain that an argument would be made that an attempt to navigate the peculiarities of politics in the history department is a necessary part of becoming a more mature historian, and putting out a guide would in some way diminish the quality of applicants. Rather this document is about the established and concrete portions of the process, the ones that ostensibly applicants are bound by. In other words, the manual is going to be “by the book.”

Qualifications

Work Plan

to be updated and revised as needed

Week of October 8^th

Week of October 15^th

Week of October 22^rd

Week of October 29^rd

Week of November 5^th

Week of November 12^th

Week of November 19^th

Week of November 26^th

Week of December 3^rd

[1] Guide to Graduate Study in History. (Last accessed, October 11, 2007)

[2] Financial Aid. (Last accessed, October 11, 2007)

[3] Areas of Study. (Last accessed, October 11, 2007)

[4] Clemson University Graduate School. (Last accessed, October 11, 2007)

[5] ETS: Educational Testing Services. (Last accessed, October 11, 2007)

2007-10-09T12:02:00.000-04:00

Problem Statement

While most history undergraduates should be aware that a graduate history program exists, how well informed about the particulars of the program is debatable. Were more history undergraduates better informed about the program, it is conceivable that it could grow into a larger and more prestigious program. To that end, a document that both increases awareness of and interest in the program could be useful in addressing the problem.

Problem Section

To date, there are currently thirty three graduate students enrolled in the History MA program at Clemson. A search using Clemson University’s online phonebook turns up 463 results for individuals with History as their listed major, which includes the graduate students. That should leave 430 of the results as undergraduates, and even accounting for those students not currently active, the result should still be that there are over ten undergraduates for every one graduate student. While the graduate program enjoys a quite good student to professor ratio, the program could still likely benefit from more applicants.

Solution

The History department’s website has some useful and compelling information regarding the program available for prospective students, but it requires at least some pre-existing interest. Advisors should be much more effective in this regard, as they can make active inquiries as to their advisee’s intentions, and can prompt the advisees to consider the idea of graduate school. The advisors would be even more effective in this regard if they were armed with some material they could hand to interested students, so that they could further cement that interest. To that end, a booklet describing the program in general terms, as well as stressing the possible benefits of attending graduate school would be an excellent start towards strengthening advisors’ ability to generate prospective graduate students. Posters or other visually focused accessories could further aid in generating interest.

Qualifications

Work Plan

to be updated and revised as needed

Week of October 8^th

Week of October 15^th

Week of October 23^rd

Edit: Same basic issue as the Expert Proposal, with missing source citations. Will be included in final draft.

Expert Document Proposal Draft

2007-10-09T10:13:00.000-04:00

Problem Statement

Problem Section

A simple bit of investigation shows that there is information available on the History department’s website concerning the program. When one reads through the three pertinent pieces, the Guide to Graduate Study in History, Financial Aid, and Areas of Study, it becomes apparent that these bits of information are useful. But a close reading reveals many terms which are not addressed or defined within. The consequence is that the interested party must resort to hunting down information through other sources to begin piecing together an understanding of the process.

The next likely step for the inquisitive is the Clemson University Graduate School page. The page itself features primarily information that is not major specific, but more focused on the general requirements and process of entering any of the graduate programs at Clemson. Some specific information is available for each program, but what is available for the history program is very brief, and is mostly mirrored in the Guide to Graduate Study in History. Much of getting useful information from this source is determining what is applicable at the time, and what is not

Neither are more than references. They are not designed in such a fashion as to actively assist a graduate candidate, and force the individual to go through a good bit of back and forth to get what they need out of them. This is the point in which some of the associated frustration with the application process begins to become apparent.

In talking with graduate students of differing backgrounds and majors here, they mentioned among other things, that they wish they had known more about the GRE. This indicates that there information is not as accessible as it could be. Information is available in a link on the Clemson University Graduate School page, it is not a Clemson page, and is arranged differently in both stylistic and practical fashions. To get pertinent information out of this source requires more decisions as to what is or is not applicable.

Solution

It is necessary then, that prospective graduate students have access to a document that will function as more than just a reference, but as a tool to help guide them through the process of application. The document, which will take the form of a booklet, will incorporate not just the program guidelines laid out on the history website, but would also explain general requirements for graduate school at Clemson, the application process itself in detail (including the GRE), financial aid available for graduate students, and would include a series of useful aids for the student, such as a timeline for the process and relevant contact information.

Granted, there are things that relate to the application process which are not suitable for this document. Such things deal with the current politics of the department. This document is not to be a guide to ingratiating oneself to the applications committee. Such things would be inappropriate for a text that advisors would hand out. In addition, it seems certain that an argument would be made that an attempt to navigate the peculiarities of politics in the history department is a necessary part of becoming a more mature historian, and putting out a guide would in some way diminish the quality of applicants. Rather this document is about the established and concrete portions of the process, the ones that ostensibly applicants are bound by. In other words, the booklet is going to be “by the book.”

Qualifications

Work Plan

to be updated and revised as needed

Week of October 8^th

Week of October 15^th

Week of October 23^rd

Edit: The single most important omission in this draft are sources. Expect them to be included in the final draft.

2007-10-05T14:50:00.000-04:00

In talking to my history adviser, I found out that it is unlikely that I'm going to be getting any sort of support from the head of graduate advisers, as he'd be suspicious and mistrusting of someone in his own department writing such a thing, much less someone he doesn't know at all. I may still try to give him the files when it's all said and done, and let him see if they would like to revise them to suit their needs, but all in all, this is fairly disappointing.

In any case, it will be interesting getting together support for my argument without that sort of assistance. I've got an acquaintance in the grad program I should talk to, but the problem is I haven't seem him in a while, and don't know how to get in touch with him.

2007-10-02T11:00:00.001-04:00

Edit: Problem Section and Solution for Expert Audience Document:

<>
While there is certainly some information available to undergraduates concerning the history graduate program here at Clemson, information specifically related to the program does not go beyond being a reference. Effectively it states requirements and procedures for entering, continuing, and graduating the program. But given that at best it would be a seven to nine page document if presented in that format, there is a great deal of the process that it does not elaborate on.

To obtain more information on the matter, the Clemson University Graduate School page is probably the first place one will go. However, this is by no means an exhaustive resource either. More importantly, neither are one concise, complete resource that a prospective student can consult.

Moreover, neither are more than references. While the prospective student's advisor may be equipped to answer questions not covered by one of these sources, this is still contingent on the advisor having the time to either meet with the student or respond to their queries through other channels. And if the prospective student is coming from another university, then this may pose even more of a problem, as their face to face time with an advisor is going to be limited by the distance they have to travel. In either case, the students do not have a tool in hand that they themselves can make use of to ease their application process.

That these issues exist can potentially lead to frustration on the part of applicants, which can lead to possibly fewer applicants. At the very least, it is a source of distraction and frustration during their senior year at college, and they and the program both may suffer for it.

It is necessary then, that prospective graduate students have access to a document that will function as more than just a reference, but as a tool to help guide them through the process of application. Such a document would incorporate not just the program guidelines laid out on the history website, but would also explain general requirements for graduate school at Clemson, the application process itself in detail (including the GRE), and would include a series of useful aids for the student, such as a timeline for the process and relevant contact information.

EDIT: Thursday Oct 4th
I had sat down to try to revise this earlier this morning, but I decided that it would be best to wait till I hear some more comments about it. I certainly know it's not done yet,by any stretch of the imagination. I just thought it would be better to wait for more comments before reinventing the horse and accidentally turning it into a rabbit. So I would like to hear what sorts of things would be more relevant for the problem section and beginning of the solution.

2007-09-27T10:53:00.000-04:00

Expert Document Problem Statement:

Format 1: Prospective history graduate students have access to the basic requirements for the graduate program, but not any sort of additional resources that will make the application process easier. Therefore, I will try to incorporate these resources together in a document along with the basic requirements.

Format 2: Ideally, the graduate school application process would be relatively painless, but by accounts, it is far from it. Therefore, I will design a booklet that seeks to ease the process.

Format 3: Essentially, history undergraduate students currently applying to graduate school here lack aids that would make the process easier, and so potentially suffer all manner of frustration as a result of the process.

Lay Document Problem Statement:

Format 1: History undergraduates are aware that the history graduate program exists, but likely do not know exactly what it entails. In order to increase awareness of the graduate program, I would like to design a booklet that essentially explains what it is all about and the potential benefits tied to it.

Format 2:

EDIT: Apparently Blogger ate half my post at the time I published it, so I'll add the rest as best as I can remember it later.

2007-09-20T11:33:00.000-04:00

As per the planning worksheet:

The particular audience for my lay document are history undergrads who possess the potential to become history grad students, but as of yet lack the interest. Hopefully the doc will create

For my expert document, the audience will be those individuals that are interested or just beginning the process of applying to grad school.

For the lay document, I know the problem to be pressing, because I've never been approached with information about grad school here, and what I know comes from what I've been able to find, or what grad students I've talked to have told me. In terms of difficulties, it's rather hard to really get interested in a program if you lack even a basic knowledge of what it's about, or what makes it special.

In terms of the expert document, there is information available online, but this information is such that it is more of a reference than anything, and doesn't function as a very useful tool for someone actually going through the application process. If a student wants to know more of what they are doing, they are essentially at the mercy of their advisor.

Both documents will be booklets, with the lay document possibly featuring a sort of splash poster of some sort to accompany it.

The documents are intended to be a package deal, distributed by advisors to their students as needed.

The lay document will attempt to relate a bit of what the graduate History program here is all about, and in doing so, encourage interest in it. The intended outcome is to essentially create an audience for the expert document.

The expert document aims to provide not only the information already available, but also useful advice, relevant contact information, and tools like checklists and lists of deadlines (if feasible). The intended outcome is to make it a less stressful proposition for a student to go through the application process.

2007-09-18T10:08:00.000-04:00

In the time that's passed since Thursday, I've contacted Dr. Carney and Moise. Hopefully I should be hearing back from them soon. In addition, I've discovered that I'm also going to be talking to Dr. Marks, who coordinates graduate advising here. On my own, I discovered a guide online that is annoyingly similar to what I want to do, at least in purpose and content, if not in format. I've yet to discover if there is an actual printed resource available already to the department. If there is, it really isn't that big of a deal for the purposes of this project, and the department being able to use my material was really just a possible added bonus. In addition, I've been trying to think a bit about the sort of material I want to include in the document, in addition to the sort of stuff presented in the existing guide.

2007-09-11T18:22:00.000-04:00

Now that I have a direction to head in, I think the frequency of my posts should pick up. It's been suggested to me that perhaps an academic paper might be suitable for me, given that if I get my wish of going to graduate school one day, I will be doing a significant amount of such writing. More specifically, I'm working on a sort of set of guidelines for what is required for entry into the graduate program for history at Clemson. As I'd like to enter a grad program for history at some point in the future, this will be beneficial to me as well as students currently considering grad school here. I plan to discuss the matter with Dr. Carney and with my advisor, Dr. Moise. I'd like to find out what actually exists, and if there is any actual need of such a document in the history department. If they actually need a sort of introductory booklet to the grad program, I'd love to do one for them.

Interview Preparation

2007-09-09T20:18:00.001-04:00

When preparing for an interview, it is important to have some sort of rough idea at the very least of what sort of information you hope to take away from it. While it is inevitable that one can't prepare an ultimate, all encompassing set of questions for an interview, one can at least make a sort of general outline to follow. In thinking about what I will ask my interviewee (whenever I manage to corner one) these are the sort of general questions I would ask:

-What sort of educational background do you come from?

-What sort of interests prompted you to go into this line of work? (look for interviewee to run away with interview possibly)

-What brought you to the point you are now?

-Describe briefly if you can, exactly what you do here?

-How long have you held your position here?

-Just what sort of unique skills do you bring to your position?
>In your opinion, just what was it that made you attractive to your current employer, or past employers?

I'm hopeful that if I can keep the interviewee from running away with the interview, that I can gather some useful information. Granted, that's all just theory if I can't find one.

On the Hunt

2007-09-04T23:44:00.000-04:00

At the moment I'm still attempting to pin down an appropriate interviewee. I'm looking for an individual that has worked in position doing historical research for a company, or barring that, in a position that entails producing documents of external or internal consumption. I've been having trouble locating someone that works in that sort of position that would be willing to speak to me.
In any case, in terms of what I'm looking to do when I graduate, I'd love to go to graduate school, but I don't see being able to afford to do so immediately. Instead, I'm going to be seeking a job with a company that has use for my abilities. Hopefully I can find one in the Upstate area, as I've come to like this area, and wouldn't mind living here sometime.

New Years in August?

2007-08-29T21:22:00.000-04:00

For English 490 (Advanced Technical and Business Writing) I am being required to keep a blog essentially as a personal sounding board and as a means of turning certain things in, as I understand it. So rather than make a new account, I decided to hijack an old one I had to keep for History 323 (History of Technology in America). I suppose I'm going to leave the old posts archived, in case anyone wants to read them, but essentially they have nothing to do with the course, save for the fact that it was because of the same sort of interests that I found myself in that class as for this one. As for this course, I expect it to challenge the skills I currently have. I also expect it to be worthwhile, both in what I learn and in potentially having a document to show an employer what I am capable of.

In another course I am taking this semester, I've been tasked with devising a teaching aid that can articulate the differences and similarities between the US military space program and NASA, as it seems that students have been using the two somewhat interchangeably in essays when in fact, they are very much not interchangeable. Added to the mix is private entrepaneurs. She wants something visually interesting that can articulate all the ways in which these three distinct groups relate or differ from one another. She had mentioned a matrix, and I think that would work well for at least showing relationships between the two, but I'm struggling with coming up with something that can articulate all the unique qualities of each group as well. I am hoping that perhaps I can create a similar document in this course, or at the least, learn a few things that will help me create such a document.

Conclusion

2005-04-28T20:11:00.000-04:00

As I've been struggling to find one last interesting topic to write about, I've decided to finish this assignment off with a reflection, instead. As far as assignments go, I can think of far worse ones. I might even go so far as to say that it has been kind of enjoyable. The one thing that really dissapointed me however, was the lack of discussion that took place. I suppose I really shouldn't have expected much in the first place, but it certainly would have made this more enjoyable to do.
Looking back, I'm not certain that I've done much that was really directly to the material, and perhaps it would have been better to do more along those lines. Of course, looking at some of the other weblogs, I see that I'm not entirely alone in choosing a great deal of semi-off topic topics. I also didn't get to write about several of the topics I had originally wanted to do. A month or two ago, there was an article in a paper from home about chimeric experimentation (mixing the genetic material of two different species) that I had wanted to look at. I also had an article from Air & Space magazine that examined the Challenger accident and took a tour of the process of manufacturing the SRBs. I had planned on hosting the article on my server space here, so that people could read it, but I had some trouble in getting it scanned.

Induced Hibernation

2005-04-26T15:20:00.000-04:00

It seems that an interesting and useful new medical technology is in the works...
This article from CNN's site will give you the details. In short, small amounts of Hydrogen Sulfide gas can be used to tremendously lower the metabolism of lab mice, something on the order of 90%.
This reduction results in inducing hypothermia (a technique already being used in some operations today) and by greatly lowering oxygen/energy requirements of the subject. Merely supplying fresh air is enough to bring the subject back to normal metabolism. The principal application being looked at currently would be allowing people who are recieving organ transplants to survive waiting for a longer period of time. It would also seem that one of the staples of sci-fi, induced hybernation, is drawing a bit closer to becoming a reality.

Futurists

2005-04-19T16:17:00.000-04:00

While watching the video in class, I noticed that several of the guest speakers were given the title "Futurist". I had remembered reading something about Futurism in another class, but my memory was a little bit fuzzy, so I did a little bit of digging on the internet. Seems that Futurism was an artistic movement that originated in Italy, and was a denunciation of Romanticism. The movement also had very strong Facist overtones. Some of the ideas proposed in the stuff I remember reading does seem very bold and creative, but very... unsettling at the same time. Take these two quotes as examples of the more disturbing thoughts. Points 9 and 10 from the original futurist manifesto...

"We will glorify war—the world’s only hygiene—militarism, patriotism, the destructive gesture of freedom-bringers, beautiful ideas worth dying for, and scorn for woman."

"We will destroy the museums, libraries, academies of every kind, will fight moralism, feminism, every opportunistic or utilitarian cowardice."

Personally, I'm not sure where to begin to respond to something like this... As a history student, I feel more than mildly insulted. As someone who believes in the idea of a moral way of doing things, I feel further insulted. It only goes on from there.

And the authors very well knew what sort of impact that this manifesto would have on readers...

"You have objections?—Enough! Enough! We know them... We’ve understood!... Our fine deceitful intelligence tells us that we are the revival and extension of our ancestors—Perhaps!... If only it were so!—But who cares? We don’t want to understand!... Woe to anyone who says those infamous words to us again!"

I've included some links for your reading enjoyment. There seem to be a few popups associated with the last two, but nothing really malicious.
Futurism Manifestos
FLUXEUROPA: FUTURISM
Mark Harden's Artchive: "Futurism"

Something to fan the flames...

2005-04-12T13:55:00.000-04:00

I was doing a bit of research, when I happened upon this...
I took a screen cap because I thought it was interesting to note that there are others who draw a distinction between science and technology... I'm not going to make an argument either way at this point, I'm just putting that tidbit out there for others to discuss.

Yet Another Weapon Post

2005-04-04T23:59:00.000-04:00

Another new weapon system that I stumbled on while writing the last post.
In the course of reading, I saw a weapon called the Multiple Projectile Delivery System mentioned as being a possible armament for the Talon robots discussed in the previous post. The article contained a link which detailed the weapon system. The weapon system has also been dubbed DREAD (I couldn't find any mention of whether or not this is another acronym, or not). If you take the time to read the article and consider it a bit, chances are you'll probably agree that the name fits. From a military standpoint, this has the potential to be a dream wepaon. Extremely low maintanence, huge ammo capacity, no danger of ammo explosion, capable of extremly accurate and devestating fire, and no sound or muzzle flash to expose the operator or vehicle to counterfire. From the perspective of a soldier, this is probably another Pandora's Box. If I were a soldier, I would most certainly not like to be on the recieving end of something like this at all. The prospect of recieving fire that cannot be pinpointed by sound or sight that in all likelihood will be rather lethal is quite frightening to certain. This system, properly utilized could be even more devestating to moral than something like a sniper.

Hopefully, I won't keep stumbling on to stuff like this, so that there will be a bit more variety in future posts...

A Continuation of the Previous Post

2005-04-04T17:08:00.000-04:00

In my previous post, I talked briefly about a new type of gun. If you happened to take a peek at the official website, you probably noticed this little fellow. Well, the robot itself is known as Talon. The actual system is being called SWORDS, which is an annoying military acronym for Special Weapons Observation Reconnaissance Detection System. The Talon robot has been around for a while as a remote operated vehicle for hazardous duties like bomb disposal. Now it is being adapted for use as a support weapons platform for use in environments such as the current engagement in Iraq.

A few articles to provide more specific details:
Wired.Com
DefenseTech
News.Com

Always a Bigger Gun

2005-04-04T09:31:00.000-04:00

This isn't American originated technology per se, but if what one of the articles suggests is true, then it's likely to end up being used by the American military in the near future.
One of my friends came to visit me during the weekend, and during the course of supper one evening, he happened to mention a new type of gun that he had read about at some point.
After doing a little bit of digging around, I was able to find a few articles concerning this new style of weapon as well as the company's website. It seems that this gun, dubbed Metal Storm, is operated entirely through electronic rather than mechanical means. The gun itself basically consists of a barrel (or barrels) filled with rounds very similar to caseless rounds and a firing mechanism. The rounds are stacked inside the barrel with propellant sandwiched behind each round. Electricity is used to ignite the propellant for each round almost simultaneously. The effect is that a staggeringly high effective rate of fire can be achieved. Another selling point of the system is that it is easily locked down, so that unauthorized personnel cannot make use of the weapon. It will be interesting to see (and possibly terrifying, if the test-firing videos are any measure) of what becomes of this technology in the future.

CNN Article
Another Article
Metal Storm website
I mentioned caseless ammunition earlier... This provides an explanation of what caseless ammunition is, and it tells the tale of the ill-fated H&K G11, which is an interesting enough story in and of itself

2005-03-24T21:20:00.000-05:00

A while ago in class, a scheme concocted during WWII to make use of bats as a delievery system for inendiary devices was mentioned. I remember listening to a bit of a show on the History Channel some time this past year concerning the project, but I couldn't recall much, other than the project had been scrapped, due to an embarrasing accident. So, in order to find out more, I did a bit of digging around, and came up with the following links... The first link concerns the project itself. The second link is an interesting little tidbit that makes mention of the project.
The final link appears to be a page owned by a drama group who wrote/ran a play based on the project.

Airforce Magazine Online
Free Republic
Brooklyn Drama Group

2005-02-07T09:09:00.000-05:00

I found this interesting little bit while getting my weekly webcomic fix...
This to me was a suprise, as the reviews/news site I normally frequent hasn't said a peep about this yet. So I decided to do some more digging, to see if I might find a few more articles elsewhere.

For your enjoyment:
Another Blog:
A thread on a forum:
Another reviews/news site:

If these reports are true, as I'm inclined to believe, then the attitude displayed by Sony Computer Entertainment president Ken Kutaragi is slightly disturbing.

"Offering additional testimony praising the handheld, Kutaragi said, 'I believe we made the most beautiful thing in the world. Nobody would criticize a renowned architect's blueprint that the position of a gate is wrong. It's the same as that.' "

I would seriously hope that if a "renowned architect" dropped the ball, somebody would call him on it. This unremorseful stance that Mr. Kutaragi holds about shipping a product that by most indications seems to have some moderate to serious problems absolutely baffles me. It may be his child, but his child is not the most beautiful baby in the world. And to those of you who say sticky buttons may not seem like much: They seem that way only until you actually have to deal with them. And on a controller for a console that wouldn't be as big an issue, because a controller can be relatively easily replaced, and if it's the stock controller that's the problem, then aftermarket companies will scramble to put out controllers without the particular flaw, and the parent company will have to respond in part with a "fixed" design. For a good example, ask an X-Box owner about the original controllers that shipped with the X-Box. (To Microsoft's credit, they at least worked properly) The original X-Box controllers were to put it simply; HUGE. The majority of people had trouble wrapping their hands around the controller, and in response, Microsoft released the XBox Controller S, which is much better proportioned. In a handheld, there IS no easy fix. PSP owners are stuck with this problem, unless Sony ships a new version which eliminates these problems. And given the way Mr. Kutaragi seems unwilling to admit that his company has done anything wrong, it seems like a long shot.

I suppose the question I want to pose to you is this: is it ethical for a company to ship a product with known defects, when said defects are such that they interfere with the primary function of the product, and/or pose the risk of damaging said product? In addition, does anyone else, as a consumer, find such an attitude as that posessed by Mr. Kutaragi as disturbing as I do?

2005-01-26T00:49:00.000-05:00

As my first post, I just wanted to take the time to pose some questions. Science Fiction has always been one of my favorite genres, and I ask you all out there in Internet Land this: Do you believe that Science Fiction can become Science Fact? Well, here is one soul desperately trying to prove that this is the case:

Homemade Mecha:

Some other semi-relate links:
A walker designed for forestry work:
An Exoskeleton Prototype being developed at Berkeley:

Edit: Clarification/Background:
This post was originally started as a semi-response to a thread I had been reading on a game forum I frequent. The game centers on mecha as war machines, and every so often, there is a thread asking about the feasability of such a thing in real life. Over the course of these threads, most folks tend to agree that a 3-4 story tall walking tank lacks a practical application, so that even if the technology were there (and some aspects of it are progressing that way, as indicated in the links) it would likely never become reality, except as a sort of fancy, as in the first link provided. That's not to say that there aren't legions of us in that community who'd love to see something of the sort, it's just that there's no market for it. However, a few believe that the Battle Armor in the game (basically exoskeletons) may see some practical use, in extreme circumstances, hence the link concerning the exoskelton.

If any of you are interested, the game I mentioned is known as Battletech, or Classic Battletech, depending on who you talk to. Several computer and console game series have been based on the Battletech universe, most notably the Mechwarrior series, and the Mechassault series (not very faithful to the source material, but probably the best chance for anybody here to recognize) on the X-box. In addition to the video games, a large body of fiction, as well as another miniatures game based on Battletech exists.
If any clarification is needed, feel free to ask...