Tech Bootcamps and Prep

It took me awhile to decide on doing a tech bootcamp, but here are some of the lessons I've learned up to the admissions process:

• Marketing team will be aggressive
• Talk to them early, maybe visit onsite, even if you're unsure
• Create a spreadsheet on each program and their next start date, cost, etc.
• Basic grasp of the topics
• Watch Lynda.com videos to review content material 
• This website may be accessed for free via a library membership, e.g. NYPL.
• Apply to multiple bootcamps as soon as you decide to go to one
• There should be some assignment required to screen applicants for suitability. 
• Do not underestimate the time it takes to complete the admissions process.
• Try to apply 4 weeks ahead since it also gives you more time to do any assignments before the course starts.

Keys to Evaluating Bootcamps:

• Know the admission requirements:
• Admission homework
• Mac laptop
• Pre-work needed before the bootcamp starts
• Financing Options 
• Post-program tuition payment
• Scholarships
• Cost of living in loan amount 
• Refund Policy
• Are you able to attend the first week without owing tuition?
• Job and/or Career Help
• Mock interviews 
• Affiliations with companies
• Presentation events with companies
• Strong network
• Lifelong access to career help
• Portfolio and Presentations Work during the program

iPod Touch Tips

• Do not set iTunes to sync songs with the iPod touch if you don't have an updated iTunes library- it will wipe the songs in the iPod touch
• Regularly do a backup
• Do sync apps on iTunes. 
• If resetting your iPod touch make sure you have:
• Setup Find my iPod touch
• Set a PIN to lock the screen and set when Auto Lock should be initiated

Pilates

Another summer is about to start and thus another attempt at fitness. This time I turn to Pilates-no gym membership necessary, minimal equipment needed, and a low-impact exercise.

Yesterday was my first try and I hope today's muscle soreness is a good symptom. (FYI: A symptom is something which a person can feel but cannot be verified by someone else.)

All I needed were:

• Element: Pilates Weight Loss for Beginners (2008), DVD
  
• Thick Exercise Mat

Element: Pilates Weight Loss for Beginners (2008), DVD

• I'm a beginner in Pilates but I enjoyed working out to this video from start to finish. I found myself paying close attention to what she was saying all the time because they were helpful in making me do the exercises correctly. I started with the cardio section of the DVD and in less than 5 minutes I was a believer in Pilates as a serious fitness program. Once I finished the DVD I was sweating and my heart rate was up.
  

Exercise Mats

• Cutely designed and colored exercise mats for ~$20 are ubiquitous. I bought one last year and I regretted my purchase as soon as I used them on a hardwood floor. Once I decided to do Pilates last month I pinched the floor mats at the store to see how much of a cushion they actually provided. I can't remember now which brand but it looks like this GoFit Pilates Mat.

Afterthoughts

• As good as Brooke Siler's Pilates video is I do believe that as a matter of safety it's a must to not only see your doctor before starting a new exercise regimen but to also have a complete understanding of how exactly you're supposed to do the exercise. To do the latter you either have to have a session with an attentive pilates instructor or get a good pilates book. At the very top of my book list is reading The Pilates Body by Brooke Siler. I didn't realize the author was the same individual until I was writing this post. I bought the DVD and book together based on separate reviews.
  
• Another way of ensuring correct posture is having the ability to view what it is you're doing. A large mirror would be one solution but I guess one of these days I'll shoot a video to check my form. (Sorry but I have no plans of ever sharing that video.)
• I really appreciated working out with a 50+ inch screen but equally helpful was having a laptop as an extra screen. Whenever I was lying down and wanted to look at the video I didn't have to look up too high to look at the bigger screen.
  

Managing Images

I read an article this week on how people should really throw out things first before going and buying items in the Container Store. It was nice to have confirmation on what I suspected all along- getting rid of stuff is the best way to get organized.

One of the many many many perpetual spring cleaning projects I have deals with the images I store, online and in my hard drives.

I'm waiting for Lightroom 3 to be released so I can minimize the pain of sorting through all of my images. Plan of action- DELETE with impunity, ORGANIZE folders, and add TAGS.

I could sort through my online photo account, but I figured I'll wait until then. The main reason why I have an online photo account is to share photos. I guess for simplicity I should probably keep it that way so I don't have so many photo albums. It's not like I don't have an external hard drive where I regularly do backups.

In the mean time I've been more proactive in deleting photos I've taken recently. I import the photos into my computer, but if it has some serious flaw and/or I'm not especially attached to the photo then I hit the delete button. I've finally realized that as much as I plan to learn and do some photo editing, my time and energy are not limitless.

The U.S. Supreme Court and Foreign Policy

A meaty and even-handed examination of the Supreme Court's recent rulings that are shaping U.S. Foreign Policy. LINK

Internet Security Setup

DISCLAIMER

On this page I will be discussing my Internet security setup. I am not making any warranties or guarantees whatsoever. Years ago I researched various sites and articles on Internet security, and found a mix that I was comfortable with. I highly recommend anyone who has a computer to do a thorough research on the topic, and come up with something they feel secure with.

INTRODUCTION

There are three types of softwares I think of to first install on a new computer: firewall, anti-spyware, antivirus. In addition, I would also install Mozilla Firefox, and I use it as my main browser.

I usually try to install the firewall before I even connect my computer to the Internet. But when that option was not available I settled for connecting online, and the first website I would visit is the firewall company's or http://www.download.com

I would then proceed to download and/or install my anti-spyware, antivirus programs, and an Internet Browser alternative to Internet Explorer.

Below are programs I use, have used, or would consider for use for each type. All of which are free (as of July 21, 2006), and unless noted otherwise are available at http://www.download.com:

Firewall:

ZoneAlarm

Anti-Spyware:

Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition

Spybot Search & Destroy

SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/)

Anti-virus

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

Browser

Mozilla Firefox

Any questions as to the basic use of the programs are covered on the Help file, usually on the menu or appears as a ? icon on top of the program's window.

REGULAR UPDATE CHECKS AND MORE TIPS

I usually check for updates on each one of these programs every 2 or 3 weeks. Two programs that require an extra step once updated are SpywareBlaster and Spybot:

SpywareBlaster- once updated make sure to read the prompt, and activate Enable All Protection

Spybot- once updated go to the Immunize section and click the Immunize icon (+) to ensure that any Immunize updates are applied

Also, I try to ensure that my Windows Operating System, Win XP, is properly updated using Windows Update (Start > All Programs > Windows Update). Windows XP usually gets an update once a month.

Lastly, I primarily use Mozilla Firefox as my Internet Browser, and only use Internet Explorer when I cannot properly view a page.

My "Internet Security" setup thus include: Firewall, Anti-Spyware, Antivirus, and Mozilla Firefox. Of course regularly updating these programs, and the Windows Operating System is vital in maintaining their effectiveness. In addition, a very important preventative method is to only visit reputable websites. Watch what programs are being installed in your computer, and what emails or instant message links you click that leads to a website or installation of a program. Be aware, educated, and vigilant.

SUMMARY TABLE

	Program Name	Download Site	Minimum Check for Updates
Firewall
	ZoneAlarm	http://www.download.com/	Every 2 weeks
Anti-Spyware
	Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition	http://www.download.com/	Every 2 weeks
	Spybot Search & Destroy	http://www.download.com/	Every 2 weeks
	SpywareBlaster	http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/	Every 2 weeks
	SpywareGuard	http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/	Every 2 weeks
Anti-virus
	AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition	http://www.download.com/	Every 2 weeks
Browser
	Mozilla Firefox	http://www.download.com/	Every 2 weeks
	Opera	http://www.download.com/	Every 2 weeks
Operating System
	Windows Update	http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com	Once a month

Solving Chemical Equations

I hate the guessing method in balancing equations. It's fine for simple equations, but at times it takes too much time without getting the actual results. It bothered me enough that I decided to look on the Internet for a different method. The best article was from wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_equation This page is my version of explaining the process in the article. ? CO + ? NO --> ? CO2 + ? N2 1. Instead of the ?, put in letters to represent the coefficients a CO + b NO --> c CO2 + d N2 2. Setup equality equations for each element in the equation. -list the elements involved in the equation -for each element, write its number of atoms in relationship to the coefficient in front of it, but differentiate between the left and right side of the equation by putting an equal sign in between. The last part should make sense in the example below For C, there is one C @ a on the left side of the equation, and on the right there is one C @ c. Thus, C: 1a = 1c We do the same for the other elements O: 1a + 1b = 2c N: 1b = 2d 3. Now using the equations above, solve for each variable in terms of a. a = 1a b = 2c - 1a c = 1a 2d = 1b -Looking at our variables, b and d are not in terms of a yet. c = a, thus 2c = 2a and we can use substitution on b b = 2c - 1a = 2a - 1a 2d = 1b, substitute b for a, so 2d = 1a , d = 1/2a 4. If all of the variables' coefficients of a are whole numbers then you now have your solution. If not, use the "problem" coefficient(s)'s lowest common denominator as the factor to multiply each coefficient by. Below are the coefficients we have, notice how d is not a whole number, and its denominator is 2. Use that number to multiply each variable's coefficient. a = 1a = 1*2 = 2 b = 1a = 1*2 = 2 c = 1a = 1*2 = 2 d = 1/2a = (1/2)*2 = 1 5. Substitute the numerical coefficients we just found in place of their respective variables in the equation. a CO + b NO --> c CO2 + d N2 2 CO + 2 NO --> 2 CO2 + 1 N2