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[[Image:Nuvola apps important.png|25px|left]] 6/9/2009 ThePlaz.com Roundup
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[[Image:Nuvola apps important.png|25px|left]] 8/21/2009 ThePlaz.com Roundup Summer 2009 Edition
 
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So the summer is coming to a close.  I leave for [[MIT]] in about 48 hours.  Let me tell you what went on this summer.
  
I've graduated from [[Haverford High School|high school]]!  ([http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157619434958955/ pictures on flickr]) It has not really sunk in yet; it just feels like a normal summer vacation.  I am sad to be leaving my friends behindIn addition, I tried out to give the commencement speech, but Chris Denny wonYou can [[:Image:Graduation Speech.doc|read my speech online]].
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The first thing you may notice is that ThePlaz.com has a new look since July 12th!  It's called [[Nuvola Skin|Nuvola]] for the Nuvola icons it usesI wanted to make the site easy to use and make it look less like Wikipedia.  The first big change is that the dropdown menu is now "part of the site" instead of "part of the page".  In addition, the subjects have big icons and a better looking and working drop downThe drop downs was one of the first things I programmed in 2006.  Second, the sidebar is redesigned to make it easier.  User actions are hidden unless they are needed.  The edit button is big and yellow.  I separated out page operations and site operations.  I integrated the MediaWiki and Google search boxes.  The third big improvement is the new footer which has lots of info about me.  One colum is my friendfeed which brings together my flickr, twitter, delicious, blog entries, etc.  Once I publish this update, it will be on the list.  The second column is my most recent 10 flickr setsThe third column has my sites that used to be in the header and some info about me.  Finally, I spent several hours optimizing the site for quick loading on slow connections.  It should work with Firefox, Opera, IE 7 and 8, and WebKit (Opera, Safari, Palm Pre)IE 6 works without drop downs.  If you are using IE6, please do the internet a favor and upgrade.  ''Read more about the [[Nuvola Skin]]''
  
Our Senior Prank was regarded as the best everEven the Principal joined in.  [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VPl5d6K7c8 Watch the YouTube video]
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[[Geoov]] is a new prototype I created.  I was frustrated that there was no way to get an overview of your [[Geotaging|geotagged]] photos on [[flickr]]I did some investigation and I was able to use Google Maps's MarkerCluster in order to solve the problem of too many points on one page.  As you zoom in, the clusters break up smaller and smaller until you read an individual photo.  When you click on the pushpin, the photo appears.  [http://geoov.com Check it out!] Geoov only does my photos now, and make sure you are running the latest version of your browser.
  
Up until the last minute, I was involved with [[Haverford High School]].  With 3 other students, I wrote a [http://docs.google.com/View?docid=ah57cjpv95pz_2d5dbb7ch new technology policy draft] and presented it to the superintendent.  I have an opinion/editorial in the school newspaper, The Fordian.  I hear that the school is using my policy as a base for changes next year, and that they are currently planning a 3-month test period. Plans, however, are not finalizedThe best part, however, was to [[On Activism|pass on a tradition of activism]] to the 3 other students. I am also staying in touch on the new TV studio.
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I got a Palm Pre!! [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157621913975929/ photos] I felt that I needed a smart phone in order to stay connected at MIT and because I am interested in mobile developmentI like the Palm Pre because it seems like it is in middle of everything: business (keyboard, exchange) and personal (fun, graphical); open (hackable, homebrew) and usable (app store, Linux hidden); web programming (using JS and CSS) and native programming (stages, assistants); new (2 months old, not many apps) but liked by reviewers (not N800).  I did get the Touchstone (it was on sale!) and the [http://www.amazon.com/Palm-webOS-Mitch-Allen/dp/0596155255/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250859027&sr=8-1 webOS] programmers guide.  I have a few ideas..... 
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All summer, I have been doing [http://theweeklyspin.com The Weekly Spin] where my friends and I talk about the most interesting technology stories each week.  I have advanced access to Microsoft Office 2010, and I've talked about my experiences with that, along with plenty of talk about the Palm Pre. We are still ranting about the cell phone industry and the music industry, and Gdovin is still talking Apple rumors, so don't worry.  [http://theweeklyspin.com/feed Subscribe to the weekly audio] I hope that I can still do the show at MIT.
  
I did my Senior Project on [[:Image:Senior Project.doc|Electronic Voting Machine Insecurity]].  Check out the very extensive 26-page paper and the [[:Image:Electronic Voting Machine Insecurity.ppt|PowerPoint presentation]].  I covered this topic from almost every angle and found that constant vigilance is needed to protect this fragile system.
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Tecker 911 has reached the end!  We have shot and edited 100 episodes!  Head to http://911.tecker.net to watch them all! I am so proud that we were able to reach our goal of 100 episodes.  Thank you also to Gdovin, Reed, and Jordan for hanging in there.  The last 40 episodes went especially quickly.  Watch [http://911.tecker.net/?p=370 episode 100 for a look back] at our history.
  
All of the OneNote Notebooks from [[12th Grade]] are now online. Unfortunately, they only works in Internet Explorer and Opera, because of the method I use. (Come on Microsoft!)
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At the end of the summer, I have been traveling a lot.  Not everything is online yet, but check out [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets my most recent photos on Flickr] including [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157619519053801/ New York City], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157621922050969/ Ocean City, MD] and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157622046974014/ Hershey Park]. As and always, everything is geotagged!  I also did a [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157622038373320/ stone project in my backyard].
  
I got a new desktopMy old desktop, an [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/3588140890/in/set-72157619121772802/ Inspiron 600m] from [[8th Grade]] was no longer able to chug through Facebook JavaScriptIn addition, because I will be going away soon, I needed my own high powered desktop to be able to edit HD video and manage all of my files.  I purchased a new [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157619121772802/ Dell Inspiron 537 desktop].  It has an Intel Q9400 2.66GHz Quad-Core processor and 4GB of RAM.  I bought 2 20" Dell displays and a dual DVI ATI graphics card to handle them.  I installed Windows 7 RC 64-bit.  It was all about $1000, and well worth it! [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157619121772802/ Pictures on Flickr].
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Next year, I will be at [http://mit.edu MIT]! ''([[Why MIT]])'' I did get into the [http://student.mit.edu/cgi-data/fas/Freshman_Advising_Seminars_A-J.html#6_A53 advising seminar I wanted].  This January, I will be going to China to learn about entrepreneurship, in part on MIT's dime.  I got into the dorm I wanted, [http://baker.mit.edu Baker House].  I will be in the [[Product Design FPOP]] next week.  I don't know what I am doing or what I will post, but look for it here. I applied to be a blogger for [http://www.mitadmissions.org/ the admissions office], so my next post may be on there.  Finally, I still plan on doing the [http://admissions.media.mit.edu/admissions/program-overview/freshman-year-program Media Lab Freshman Year program].  I am so excited to go up there.
  
Next year, I will be at [http://mit.edu MIT]! ''([[Why MIT]])''  I've already signed up for the housing lottery, taken an essay placement test, and put down 5 options for an advising seminar.  I most want to get into [http://student.mit.edu/cgi-data/fas/Freshman_Advising_Seminars_A-J.html#6_A53 6.A53 Entrepreneurship and China] since you learn about global entrepreneurship and get to take a 1 month trip to China for $1000.  I am also interested in [http://student.mit.edu/cgi-data/fas/Freshman_Advising_Seminars_K-Z.html#6_A54 learning more about the electric grid (6.A54)], [http://student.mit.edu/cgi-data/fas/Freshman_Advising_Seminars_K-Z.html#15_A03 operations research (15.A03)], and [http://student.mit.edu/cgi-data/fas/Freshman_Advising_Seminars_A-J.html#MAS_A19 designing consumer electronics at the Media Lab (MAS.A19)].  Finally, I may get the opportunity to have Walter Bender, the director of the OLPC UI "Sugar", as my adviser in [http://student.mit.edu/cgi-data/fas/Freshman_Advising_Seminars_A-J.html#MAS_A12 Games, Puzzlers, and Other Things to Think With (MAS.A12)].
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--[[User:ThePlaz|ThePlaz]] 09:03, 21 August 2009 (EDT)
 
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''[http://theplaz.com/wiki/index.php?title=User_talk:ThePlaz&action=edit&section=new Leave Plaz a (public) message] [[Image:File_icon.gif]] or [[User:ThePlaz:E-mail me|send me a (private) e-mail.]][[Image:Mail_icon.gif]]'', ''[http://feeds.feedburner.com/ThePlazPersonalUpdates Subscribe via RSS feed], ''[http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=786542 Subscribe via email]'', ''[http://friendfeed.com/theplaz Detailed feed]'', ''[[Old Updates|See past updates]]''
Remember, I am on [http://theweeklyspin.com The Weekly Spin] where my friends and I talk about the most interesting technology stories each week.  [http://theweeklyspin.com/feed Subscribe to the weekly audio]
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I will be going to New York City tomorrow, look for (geotagged) pictures!  Meanwhile, look for pictures from [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157618295521515/ Dorney Park], and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157618778975428/ my families' Prius taken apart] to clean.
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Lastly, I am planning on redesigning the CSS drop down menu for ThePlaz.com.  It was one of the first things I coded 4 years ago. It works on some browsers, but breaks on others.  I can do better.
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-[[User:ThePlaz|ThePlaz]] 22:04, 9 June 2009 (EDT)
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''[http://theplaz.com/wiki/index.php?title=User_talk:ThePlaz&action=edit&section=new Leave Plaz a (public) message] [[Image:File_icon.gif]] or [[User:ThePlaz:E-mail me|send me a (private) e-mail.]][[Image:Mail_icon.gif]]'', ''[http://feeds.feedburner.com/ThePlazPersonalUpdates Subscribe via RSS feed], ''[http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=786542 Subscribe via email]'', ''[[Old Updates|See past updates]]''
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Revision as of 13:03, 21 August 2009

Welcome to ThePlaz.com

the site for all things Michael Plasmeier (ThePlaz)

This site is a wiki. That means that anybody (including YOU) can edit and change the information found here. (Editing help)

My site contains mostly my homework and projects as well as various stuff from my life. (Site Mission Statement)

Leave Plaz a (public) message File icon.gif or send me a (private) e-mail.Mail icon.gif

Haverford Crest small.jpg HHS New Tech Policy Proposal edit

In spring 2009, I was trying to get Haverford High School to change its policy to allow cell phones and iPods during select times during the day.

I believe that the next year, the school allowed cell phones and iPods during lunch and study hall.

Nuvola apps kpovmodeler.png AP Physics (Science) edit

30px-OneNote.png Open OneNote Notebook

Note: Works only in Internet Explorer and Opera. Firefox refuses to support MHT. More info

Nuvola USA flag.png AP US Government (History) edit

30px-OneNote.png Open OneNote Notebook

Note: Works only in Internet Explorer and Opera. Firefox refuses to support MHT. More info

Nuvola apps package wordprocessing.png English 12 (English) edit

Nuvola apps kbrunch.png Calculus (Math) edit

30px-OneNote.png Open OneNote Notebook

Note: Works only in Internet Explorer and Opera. Firefox refuses to support MHT. More info

Nuvola apps edu languages.png AP Psychology (Psychology)

Nuvola apps package editors.png AP Micro Econ (Economics)

Nuvola apps bug.png Biology (Science)

Nuvola apps kmplot.png PreCalc (Math)

Nuvola USA flag.png American Studies (History)

  • Projects
  • Notes from Out of Many Textbook
  • FTCE test : FTCE test failure reveals how to rip through the FTCE test.
developed Headline Notetaking Format

Nuvola USA flag pen.png English 11 (English)

Nuvola apps edu mathematics.png IAG 4H (Math)

Nuvola apps edu science.png Chemistry (Science)

Nuvola apps package network.png World Cultures (History)

Nuvola apps korganizer.png AP Macro Economics (Economics)

Nuvola apps file-manager.png English 10 (English)

Nuvola apps kig.png IAG 3H (Math)

Nuvola apps bookcase.png English 9 (English)

Nuvola apps kverbos.png Western Civ (History)

Projects

Outlines

Maps and Creative
French Revolution Napoleon-peque.jpg

Essays and Reports

Nuvola apps edu phi.png IPS (Science)

Nuvola apps kcalc.png IAG 2H and IAG 1H (Math)

Nuvola apps kate.png Latin

Latin 3

Projects
Notes
Journals

Double Entry Journals have 2 components: What I Learned (a summery), and Personal Response (a reflection)

Latin 2

Projects
  1. Roman Travel Project
  2. Sejanus
  3. Echo and Narcissus Myth
  4. The Journey of the Hero
Journals

Latin 1

Money-256x256.png Entrepreneurship (Business)

30px-OneNote.png Open OneNote Notebook

Note: Works only in Internet Explorer and Opera. Firefox refuses to support MHT. More info

Nuvola apps personal.png Business Law (Business)

30px-OneNote.png Open OneNote Notebook

Note: Works only in Internet Explorer and Opera. Firefox refuses to support MHT. More info

Nuvola apps amarok.png Pop Music (Music)

Nuvola filesystems folder blue open.png Other edit

Nuvola apps kuser.png About Me edit

UNIQ5247c46943696a94-html-00000002-QINU

Michael Plasmeier Spring 2009 Narrow.JPG

UNIQ5247c46943696a94-html-00000003-QINU

Michael Plasmeier Spring 2009 Narrow.JPG
Michael Plasmeier
"ThePlaz"
Yahoo APM: Membership and Geo Platforms

My name is Michael Plasmeier, but almost everyone calls me Plaz. I am a Associate Product Manager at Yahoo - working on the Membership and Geo-related platforms teams. I graduated from MIT in 2013 in Computer Science and Management. I am halfway between the tech and the business world, doing both web development and product development. My interest in doing both started while I was working on GridView, an app I built after 10th Grade that reached 1.3 million users on Facebook.

Internships

Last IAP, I was a Software Development Extern doing testing in Ruby on the back end at CardSpring. Last summer, I was Product Manager at Disney Parks and Resorts Online where I worked on a project for Disney Cruise Line. Last January, I worked in management/strategy consulting at Altman Vilandrie & Company. The previous summer, I was a web developer at NextJump, an online affiliate advertising firm in New York. Prior to that, I was an extern in the Office of the Chief Scientist at State Street. My freshman summer I worked at Deutsche Bahn, the German national railroad, where I designed the smartphone version Touch&Travel, an app that lets you pay for the train with your phone.

MIT

At MIT I was heavily involved in classes, usually taking 7 classes a term, while being involved in student government. (I wrote about how I do it in Working out a System.) senior was dedicated to wrapping up requirements. Junior year at MIT I focused on EECS classes, as well as being elected president of Baker House. My second year at MIT focused on management classes. I was also involved in the vendor selection and implementation of the new dining plan. Freshman year, I took core classes and served on the Athena and Printing Committee. (I wrote about just hanging on freshmen year in Learning to Learn.)

Websites

I built a lot of web projects in high school. My most popular project, was GridView [1], an app for Facebook which lets you add the profile pics of all of you're friends to your Facebook profile. GridView had over 1.3 million users and made me some money.

I hosted and produced the video podcast Tecker 911 [2] along with some of my friends. Tecker 911 was a series of 100 5-15 minute shows each which covers a technology topic in a way which is relevant for ordinary people, with a focus towards students and our community. Tecker 911 was also shown on our local public access channel Channel 11.

I started SeniorQuoter, [3] an open-source web application for senior quotes collections for high school yearbooks. In 11th Grade, I lead a Dynamic Website Building Instruction and Practical Experience Group Study at my high school. I helped 4 other students learn PHP and MySQL and then I project managed version 2 of SeniorQuoter, the administration interface.

Tecker and Conflicter were question and answer services I built in 10th Grade. They never really caught on, but they were the perfect way to learn PHP. Dictionary Robot is something I tarted last year, but abandoned later. In 10th Grade, I was a member of Team 484 and in 11th Grade I was their webmaster.

In 8th and 9th Grades I wrote bunch of programs for the TI-83+.

Tech

My first two years at MIT, I was a regular on The Weekly Spin, a weekly take on tech stories and tech policy.

On my Tech page I have had a few pages about Devices I own and other small things that I have built. For example, I also made some improvements for MediaWiki, the software that runs ThePlaz.com and Wikipedia. I made a new skin for MediaWiki and a few MediaWiki extensions


Other Accounts

I also tag a lot of stories on Delicious. I also have over 70,000 photos on Flickr. I Tweet kinda regularly. I also post things to YouTube. And of course I have a Facebook. It all comes together on my FriendFeed.

Nuvola apps laptop pcmcia.png Student Tools edit

Nuvola apps knewsticker.png News edit

ThePlaz in often mentioned or interviewed in the news

MIT
MIT Dining
MITx/EdX
Baker Piano Drop
Tecker 911
GridView
ThePlaz.com Praise
  • Sam's Praise about my site
  • Baron Harkonnen's Thanks
  • Thanks for uploading Flickr photos
  • Uses Many ThePlaz.com Wiki features
  • A Drexel professor told me on the first day of class that I take very good notes and I would graduate suma cum laude from Harvard due to the quality of my notes at Gov School
  • Hi I saw your page about that download for the ferris wheel unit for IMP4, I didn't download it but even the info you had on the page helped me out. I have no idea what I'm doing and just started this year- i really get stuck on my homework EVERY night. Right now im working on HW 2 "As the ferris wheel turns" and i have no idea what I'm doing. But i just wanted to say thanks cause I'm gonna download that once I'm farther into the unit!--A Facebook user (J. S.)
  • Just wanted to let you know: I stole your headline method of note taking from your website and it is completely saving my life in American Studies. -Rebecca C.
  • Hey, you do have one of the best designed websites I have seen lately. Good job. A little flashy, but still functional. --Email comment 8/18/2010
Videos

Nuvola apps multimedia.png Video edit

Tecker 911 Logo.png Tecker 911 edit

Nuvola filesystems camera.png Photos edit

Trips/Vacations
Universities
MIT
Haverford High School
Places/Events/Daytrips

(need to update)

Tech/Unboxing/Products
Pictures on the Wikimedia Commons

TI-83--rotated.png TI-83+ Stuff edit

Nuvola apps kcmprocessor.png Tech Stuff edit

I am a lot into technology. Here are links to some of my web sites as well as modifications and how-to articles about other software.

My Websites
Devices
MediaWiki Tweaks
Essays/Thoughts
Other

Nuvola apps gaim.png Miscellaneous edit

Nuvola apps remote.png Site Statistics edit

For up-to-date info see Special:Statistics

There are 6,499 total pages in the database, including 1,578 pages in the main namespace and 5,000 files uploaded. These counts do not include OneNote notebooks on minisites or SkyDrive, and count multi-page files (PDF and Word) as one page.

There have been a total of 5,163,449 page views, and 16,470 page edits since ThePlaz.com was setup. That comes to 2.53 average edits per page, and 313.51 views per edit.