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Revision as of 04:50, 4 August 2011

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

Nuvola apps important.png
6/26/2011 Mega Personal Update Summer back to January

I am sitting in New York City writing my end of semester update more than a month and a half late. This update was actually written on 3 different days over 2 weeks… Updates are also getting longer and longer… This update covers this summer back to January/IAP and is the first to have subheadings....

Brass Rat Delivery.jpg 2013 Brass Rat.jpg

I received my class ring, the "Brass Rat".

Summer

This summer, I am working at NextJump[1], an online affiliate advertising firm. Their main business is running corporate perks websites. For example: "since you work at IBM you get 10% off Avis car rental." They recently launched their first direct to consumer site, OO.com. I like working at NextJump so far. It has gotten me back to coding, which I have not seriously done for a while. On the train in the morning, I am skimming over CodeCraft and the examples feel much more real. I also like the integration with business - my "pod" or team is "cross-functional" and I sit next to business people. I also really like how NextJump gets their employees involved in product design. Every 2 weeks they everyone in the company participates in a 3-hour brainstorming session; I'd just wish everyone was as existed about it as I am. They also have weekly whole company meetings. I think these really work and are worth the time.

I realize now how unusual my arrangement was last summer at Deutsche Bahn - sitting next to a business person and starting out a big project. I wish I had a bit more of a product design role here, but in tech recruiting it seems that if you can code, you're a coder. I also have not yet had the chance to make the transformative impact like at Deutsche Bahn, but that is because I am doing my assigned work and I am surrounded by people who are also at the top of their game. Still I try to rock the boat a bit to aim towards a better product.

The office environment at NextJump is much better than DB and State Street. The free food, free laundry service, and fully stocked gym certainly help. I think connect with my coworkers more; there is no language barrier (unlike DB) and they are my age (unlike State Street). I can also spend time with them, unlike last summer where I lived with relatives over an hour away.

New York City

I am also really enjoying living in New York City. I am living at the School of Visual Art's 101 Ludlow St. It's a brand new building; it was built in 2009. I am on the 18th floor and I have a view of the Williamsburg bridge and the constant 24-hour traffic flowing across it. I am in the middle of the "hip" Lower East Side neighborhood. Unfortunately my housing lasts only 8 weeks of my 10 week internship. I still need to find something for the last 2 weeks. Plus the dorm furniture makes me miss the Baker furniture. The all metal bed squeaks at the slightest movement and the chair is the most uncomfortable thing I have ever sat on.

Still I have spent much of my 2 weeks that I've been here exploring Manhattan. I walk home most days, covering the 33 blocks in about 40 minutes. It actually takes me 20 minutes by subway, in comparison, since it keeps stopping due to heavy train traffic. I've been to Wall Street, Times Square, the High Line, and Propect Park in Brooklyn. On the weekends I am meeting up with friends from home and MIT. I went to the Statue of Liberty last weekend with Ted.

I've also subscribed to The Economist for 12 weeks under their 12 weeks for 12 dollars program. Yesterday I just sat in the comfortable basement armchairs and read - without anyone bothering me - must have been a Saturday night... I like sitting back and not working on much. I also like that NextJump is giving me the resources to live fairly comfortably in NYC. Unfortunately MIT will "tax" much of that money at 50% - by pulling it off my financial aid for senior year. I would also appreciate settling down and not having to move so often. Then I could rely on real furniture - not cheap-o squeaky dorm furniture.

I have also been working on side projects at night. I've fixed up Baker House's voting system - fixing some bugs and adding new features. I next want to upgrade my wiki, re-do my dad's website and build a summer mail system for Baker.

So far in New York, I have met many of my friends from back home and MIT - 10 friend interactions so far in 2 weeks for a rate of 5 interactions/week. I am also hoping to see some Broadway shows. I really want to see Spiderman because I love technical theater. Many things go on only in New York. I was walking home from work and I stumbled into the HP TouchPad launch party at Best Buy.

MIT Classes

I am now halfway through undergraduate years at MIT. I took 8 classes this term - well I dropped one to listener, although I still attended. I always had to think a little when someone asked me what classes I was taking. "Normal" class load at MIT is 4 and many people do 5, but almost no one does 8 in one semester. I earned 79 units this term. One of the best things about MIT is there are no additional charges for an overload. It was tiring, and something that I do not plan on repeating. I was only able to do it because many of the classes this semester were management classes. I had expected that the schedule would harm my GPA; however, I had the best term GPA this semester, a 4.3 vs 4.1 in the fall and 4.0 freshmen spring (no GPA given your first semester at MIT). I also felt like I made a good connection with the faculty members, particularly in 4.211, 15.279, and ESD.051.

The only class I wished I had more time for was 6.042 Math for Computer Scientists. This class worked with math in a way I had no experience with; I never thought about math that way. It went fast as well. I am still amazed many students grasped the concepts so easily. I just made it by with a C-. I don't think I mastered the concepts or even understood why they were important. I hope the topics don't come up again….

14.02 Macroeconomics was a complete and utter disaster. The class was run by inexperienced TAs with absolutely no oversight. I wrote a complaint letter detailing my logistics complaints about the class. Plus it is taught in a very math and models way. You can get by with just knowing math - the class does not really cover economic principals and it has absolutely no empirical work. I think this is dangerous for future Wall Streeters; it may help you somewhat to be an econ grad student. Because of the poor instruction and strange coverage, I think I learned more about economics in high school AP Macro Econ.

4.211 was my favorite class of the semester. I was required to take a HASS-CI class; and I had my eye on this for a few semesters. We learned about the history of cities and urban development. It was a small class, seated at a large single table, where the professor talked about her work and led class discussions. (I guess that is how liberal arts colleges operate.) I got into many good intellectual fights with the professor. We read books and investigated a site in Boston. I researched Copley Place in Boston. I really enjoyed the deep research I did for Copley Place. Like STS.050 in freshmen spring, I've found I like doing original research - from primary source materials on something no one else has ever covered. I wished however that the class focused more the economic tools of urban development rather than the natural causes (the professors' specialty) and did away with the repetitive papers on our site.

ESD.051 was a very fun class. Blade Kotelly knows how to teach, making it a fun class. It was about design and engineering leadership. I was very familiar with the concepts, but it was good to hear it again from Blade. I dropped to listener in the class because I did not have the time to build a cool voice app. Instead I am getting an opportunity to practice my skills at NextJump with the intern project.

6.02 Intro to EECS 2 (Communications) was also a good class, like 6.01. Course 6 really cares about their teaching and has taken great care to coalesce their content into really well structured lessons. Each lecture and lab is almost perfectly structured. Chris Terman is also a good lecturer, with the right amount of jokes in his lecture. I think I learned a lot about the fundamentals of digital communications. I think that the 2 course 6 classes were a very good foundation for a different way of thinking about problems: break them down and abstract the pieces.

15.401 Finance 1 was cool for being a Sloan class. It was at 8:30am which gave the class a weird vibe. I bought the recommended textbooks for the class - they were big and long, but the Sloan class seemed to focus on the basics and teach them well, so you could learn it. Maybe because it was I already really busy, but I thought the class had just the right amount of content. I was not actually required to take the class, but I wanted to be able to understand the finance terminology. It was also was other Sloan students, which did not seem as big of an issue as I've had before.

15.279 was a surprisingly fun Communications class. I went into it thinking that this was going to be boring and not useful, but the professor made the lectures fun by talking about his days in the publishing industry. I participated a lot in the lectures and learned to make things short/simple for short attention spans. I learned to look at what I make from someone else's shoes.

15.761 was Introduction to Operations Research. I chose this MBA Sloan class because I wanted to learn some of the formal management models. Unfortunately, the professor was new and seemed to not be knowledgeable about the topics or how to manage a class. It was also a large MBA class, just as 15.567 was last term. After two of these large MBA classes in E62 I found I just don't like them. The classes are really big (~70 students). This is ok in other departments when the classes are just lectures, but when the classes are discussions it does not work at all. Plus, I talked in my last update how the MBA students do not seem to be engaged in classes. It's a "I'll do the minimum work, but I'll suck up, so everything will be all right anyway attitude". I can't stand it; I'm going to avoid classes in E62. One MBA student even came up to me and offered me some "unsolicited comments" that "only a**h*** consultants talk that much." Well sorrrrry. I'm not changing my style. I think my attitude of continually trying to learn, improve, and solve problems, as well as rocking the boat for the good of the product has gotten me this far and I am going to continue doing it. It makes me consider dropping Course 15.

I calculated that this semester's stack of notes was only slightly higher than last term's, despite the extra classes.

MIT Work Spring 2011.jpg

MIT Dining

I was reelected as Baker VPFS for a second term and I also served as Baker's representative on dining. Although HDAG wound down after I joined, without a single meeting, I helped MIT select a new house dining vendor and I now serve on HDIG, the implementation committee. The selection committee was very fun and interesting. I learned a lot about the contracting process. I also traveled to other schools, and I often heard more about the details of the contracts than students at the schools I visited. The highlight was when I flew out to Chicago with our Dean of Housing and Director of Dining. We flew out in the early morning, visited the University of Chicago and Northwestern and then flew home early morning. It moved so fast, I barely had time to process the trip - I guess that is how business trips are. I also got a lot of time to talk with the administrators. When we were flying home, we were in the front row of the plane; it wasn't first class (it was Southwest and lots of people walked by the seats!) but it felt like it!

Chicago Trip Geo.jpg

We ended up renewing Bon Appetit, a division of Compass. I was stunned by how happily people spoke of them at Roger Williams. I also had no reason to cast them aside based on their work at MIT. I am now working on implementing the plan. The marketing needs a lot of guidance between promoting the plan while making MIT sound neutral towards the different ways that students can eat nutritiously. This is different from many schools, where the school funds other projects from the "profits" on meal plan sales. We need to work out how/what to do during orientation, what the hours should be, etc. We also need to diffuse concerns about what cuisine will be served where. One of the more important things is to negotiate the scope and scale of the take-out program. I am also hoping that BAMCO will make an API for the menu data. I have been pursing the cause, but BAMCO does not seem to have the technical resources to pull it off. Finally, I think one of the most important things to do is to define the metrics that will define the success of the program.


I've also found though my tour that the reputation of colleges actually really matters. When I was searching for a college, I considered everyone who sent me a flier; rather than just go after the schools with a top reputation. I now realize that for better or worse reputation is very important. Many companies recruit only at top schools, because the selection process to get in to the schools does the filtering for them. The self fulfilling prophecy. Now this is not all made up. I felt like I have learned a lot when I look back at one year ago and two years ago. I think that the difference comes from the resources the schools are able to attract worth reputation, as well as the faculty the school attracts. The other students also make a big difference, because you want to feel competitive with the other students.


IAP/State Street

Although IAP/January is now a while ago, I've realized I've never written about it. Over IAP (January) I worked at State Street. I did not enjoy my month there. It sounded like an interesting position, but I ended up doing secretarial work in a newly created department with no direction to it. I wanted to try something in finance to see if it would interest me. It did not.

In my report I wrote after the position, I talk about how entry-level management positions are mostly grunt work. However, this summer in New York, at both NextJump and hearing what my friends are doing, I think I over generalized about the uninterestingess/small impact of business jobs. I've realizing now that salary might correlate well with the interestiness of the job. I want an interesting job where I can make a big impact and use my skills. I think when companies offer a lot of money they expect the person to do a lot; because they are selective with who they select to fill those positions. I think, in general, I qualify for these positions and I actively want to do them. I would rather work hard on something interesting, than just pull a paycheck while I spend all day trying to minimize how much work I do.

During my experience at State Street, I decided to add a joint-major with Course 6. Since I was not doing anything interesting at State Street, I filed the paperwork for adding a double major in course 6. I realized that Course 6 would help build my skills. I wrote before that I did not like my course 15 classes. I also really liked 6.01; I thought it was really well done and improved my thinking process. Looking back now, one semester after filing the paperwork, I am happy with my decision. I think course 6 is where my future is, despite my prior apprehension at being a coder. I think if I work on it I can do it. (As I write this, I am realizing this is a common theme; I should just go for it in the future) Plus I want the challenge; course 15 is just too boring. After one year as a course 15 student, I have completed many of the course 15 requirements. I now need to catch up in Course 6. It is also harder for me to do well in course 6 classes.

MIT Long Term Plan.png


Website

I am very behind in uploading stuff to my website. I have not yet processed this year's work. The reason I am so behind is I spent much of my time home scanning old middle school papers and throwing them out; rather than posting stuff to the web. I need to find some time to do the boring task of uploading and organizing. I will also be uploading stuff from middle school - which was never before on the site, which was started in 9th Grade.

Montreal

For spring break, I traveled with my family to Albany and Montreal. I also got yet another camera, the Panasonic DMC-ZS6. My Samsung HZ30W started nice but it broke in a bunch of different ways, finally with a gash on the lenses. 3 months into the Panasonic, I am really liking it. I now have 65,000+ photos on flickr, and I am 2 weeks behind on NYC photos.

So there you go; have a good summer --ThePlaz 02:21, 10 July 2011 (EDT)

Leave Plaz a (public) message File icon.gif or send me a (private) e-mail.Mail icon.gif, Subscribe via RSS feed, Subscribe via email, Detailed feed, See past updates

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This site is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki wiki]. That means that anybody (including YOU) can edit and change the information found here. ([[Help:Wiki Markup Cheatsheet|Editing help]])

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

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[[Image:Nuvola apps important.png|25px|left]] 6/26/2011 Mega Personal Update Summer back to January

I am sitting in New York City writing my end of semester update more than a month and a half late. This update was actually written on 3 different days over 2 weeks… Updates are also getting longer and longer… This update covers this summer back to January/IAP and is the first to have subheadings....

[[File:Brass Rat Delivery.jpg|200px]] [[File:2013 Brass Rat.jpg|200px]]

I received my class ring, the "Brass Rat".

====Summer==== This summer, I am working at [[NextJump]][http://nextjunp.com], an online affiliate advertising firm. Their main business is running corporate perks websites. For example: "since you work at IBM you get 10% off Avis car rental." They recently launched their first direct to consumer site, [http://oo.com OO.com]. I like working at NextJump so far. It has gotten me back to coding, which I have not seriously done for a while. On the train in the morning, I am skimming over [http://www.amazon.com/Code-Craft-Practice-Writing-Excellent/dp/1593271190 CodeCraft] and the examples feel much more real. I also like the integration with business - my "pod" or team is "cross-functional" and I sit next to business people. I also really like how NextJump gets their employees involved in product design. Every 2 weeks they everyone in the company participates in a 3-hour brainstorming session; I'd just wish everyone was as existed about it as I am. They also have weekly whole company meetings. I think these really work and are worth the time.

I realize now how unusual my arrangement was last summer at [[Deutsche Bahn]] - sitting next to a business person and starting out a big project. I wish I had a bit more of a product design role here, but in tech recruiting it seems that if you can code, you're a coder. I also have not yet had the chance to make the transformative impact like at Deutsche Bahn, but that is because I am doing my assigned work and I am surrounded by people who are also at the top of their game. Still I try to rock the boat a bit to aim towards a better product.

The office environment at NextJump is much better than DB and [[State Street]]. The free food, free laundry service, and fully stocked gym certainly help. I think connect with my coworkers more; there is no language barrier (unlike DB) and they are my age (unlike State Street). I can also spend time with them, unlike last summer where I lived with relatives over an hour away.

====New York City====

I am also really enjoying living in New York City. I am living at the School of Visual Art's [[101 Ludlow St]]. It's a brand new building; it was built in 2009. I am on the 18th floor and I have a view of the Williamsburg bridge and the constant 24-hour traffic flowing across it. I am in the middle of the "hip" Lower East Side neighborhood. Unfortunately my housing lasts only 8 weeks of my 10 week internship. I still need to find something for the last 2 weeks. Plus the dorm furniture makes me miss the Baker furniture. The all metal bed squeaks at the slightest movement and the chair is the most uncomfortable thing I have ever sat on.

Still I have spent much of my 2 weeks that I've been here exploring Manhattan. I walk home most days, covering the 33 blocks in about 40 minutes. It actually takes me 20 minutes by subway, in comparison, since it keeps stopping due to heavy train traffic. I've been to [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157627053209450/ Wall Street], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157627053199326/ Times Square], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157626928504617/ the High Line], and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157626928524555/ Propect Park in Brooklyn]. On the weekends I am meeting up with friends from home and MIT. I went to the [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157627053106602/ Statue of Liberty last weekend with Ted].

I've also subscribed to [http://economist.com The Economist] for 12 weeks under their 12 weeks for 12 dollars program. Yesterday I just sat in the comfortable basement armchairs and read - without anyone bothering me - must have been a Saturday night... I like sitting back and not working on much. I also like that NextJump is giving me the resources to live fairly comfortably in NYC. Unfortunately MIT will "tax" much of that money at 50% - by pulling it off my financial aid for senior year. I would also appreciate settling down and not having to move so often. Then I could rely on real furniture - not cheap-o squeaky dorm furniture.

I have also been working on side projects at night. I've fixed up [[Baker House]]'s voting system - fixing some bugs and adding new features. I next want to upgrade my wiki, re-do my dad's website and build a summer mail system for Baker.

So far in New York, I have met many of my friends from back home and MIT - 10 friend interactions so far in 2 weeks for a rate of 5 interactions/week. I am also hoping to see some Broadway shows. I really want to see [http://spidermanonbroadway.marvel.com/ Spiderman] because I love technical theater. Many things go on only in New York. I was walking home from work and I stumbled into the [http://h41112.www4.hp.com/promo/webos/us/en/tablet/touchpad.html HP TouchPad] launch party at Best Buy.

====MIT Classes==== I am now halfway through undergraduate years at MIT. I took 8 classes this term - well I dropped one to listener, although I still attended. I always had to think a little when someone asked me what classes I was taking. "Normal" class load at MIT is 4 and many people do 5, but almost no one does 8 in one semester. I earned 79 units this term. One of the best things about MIT is there are no additional charges for an overload. It was tiring, and something that I do not plan on repeating. I was only able to do it because many of the classes this semester were management classes. I had expected that the schedule would harm my GPA; however, I had the best term GPA this semester, a 4.3 vs 4.1 in the fall and 4.0 freshmen spring (no GPA given your first semester at MIT). I also felt like I made a good connection with the faculty members, particularly in 4.211, 15.279, and ESD.051.

The only class I wished I had more time for was [[6.042]] Math for Computer Scientists. This class worked with math in a way I had no experience with; I never thought about math that way. It went fast as well. I am still amazed many students grasped the concepts so easily. I just made it by with a C-. I don't think I mastered the concepts or even understood why they were important. I hope the topics don't come up again….

[[14.02]] Macroeconomics was a complete and utter disaster. The class was run by inexperienced TAs with absolutely no oversight. I wrote a [[14.02 Complaint Letter|complaint letter]] detailing my logistics complaints about the class. Plus it is taught in a very math and models way. You can get by with just knowing math - the class does not really cover economic principals and it has absolutely no empirical work. I think this is dangerous for future Wall Streeters; it may help you somewhat to be an econ grad student. Because of the poor instruction and strange coverage, I think I learned more about economics in high school AP Macro Econ.

[[4.211]] was my favorite class of the semester. I was required to take a HASS-CI class; and I had my eye on this for a few semesters. We learned about the history of cities and urban development. It was a small class, seated at a large single table, where the professor talked about her work and led class discussions. (I guess that is how liberal arts colleges operate.) I got into many good intellectual fights with the professor. We read books and investigated a site in Boston. I researched Copley Place in Boston. I really enjoyed the deep research I did for Copley Place. Like [[STS.050]] in freshmen spring, I've found I like doing original research - from primary source materials on something no one else has ever covered. I wished however that the class focused more the economic tools of urban development rather than the natural causes (the professors' specialty) and did away with the repetitive papers on our site.

[[ESD.051]] was a very fun class. [http://web.mit.edu/gordonelp/staff/kotelly.html Blade Kotelly] knows how to teach, making it a fun class. It was about design and engineering leadership. I was very familiar with the concepts, but it was good to hear it again from Blade. I dropped to listener in the class because I did not have the time to build a cool voice app. Instead I am getting an opportunity to practice my skills at NextJump with the intern project.

[[6.02]] Intro to EECS 2 (Communications) was also a good class, like [[6.01]]. Course 6 really cares about their teaching and has taken great care to coalesce their content into really well structured lessons. Each lecture and lab is almost perfectly structured. [http://people.csail.mit.edu/cjt/ Chris Terman] is also a good lecturer, with the right amount of jokes in his lecture. I think I learned a lot about the fundamentals of digital communications. I think that the 2 course 6 classes were a very good foundation for a different way of thinking about problems: break them down and abstract the pieces.

[[15.401]] Finance 1 was cool for being a Sloan class. It was at 8:30am which gave the class a weird vibe. I bought the recommended textbooks for the class - they were big and long, but the Sloan class seemed to focus on the basics and teach them well, so you could learn it. Maybe because it was I already really busy, but I thought the class had just the right amount of content. I was not actually required to take the class, but I wanted to be able to understand the finance terminology. It was also was other Sloan students, which did not seem as big of an issue as I've had before.

[[15.279]] was a surprisingly fun Communications class. I went into it thinking that this was going to be boring and not useful, but the professor made the lectures fun by talking about his days in the publishing industry. I participated a lot in the lectures and learned to make things short/simple for short attention spans. I learned to look at what I make from someone else's shoes.

[[15.761]] was Introduction to Operations Research. I chose this MBA Sloan class because I wanted to learn some of the formal management models. Unfortunately, the professor was new and seemed to not be knowledgeable about the topics or how to manage a class. It was also a large MBA class, just as 15.567 was last term. After two of these large MBA classes in E62 I found I just don't like them. The classes are really big (~70 students). This is ok in other departments when the classes are just lectures, but when the classes are discussions it does not work at all. Plus, I talked in my last update how the MBA students do not seem to be engaged in classes. It's a "I'll do the minimum work, but I'll suck up, so everything will be all right anyway attitude". I can't stand it; I'm going to avoid classes in E62. One MBA student even came up to me and offered me some "unsolicited comments" that "only a**h*** consultants talk that much." Well sorrrrry. I'm not changing my style. I think my attitude of continually trying to learn, improve, and solve problems, as well as rocking the boat for the good of the product has gotten me this far and I am going to continue doing it. It makes me consider dropping Course 15.

I calculated that this semester's stack of notes was only slightly higher than [[:File:MIT Fall 2010 Work.jpg|last term's]], despite the extra classes.

[[File:MIT Work Spring 2011.jpg|200px]]

====MIT Dining====

I was reelected as Baker VPFS for a second term and I also served as Baker's representative on dining. Although HDAG wound down after I joined, without a single meeting, I helped MIT select a new house dining vendor and I now serve on HDIG, the implementation committee. The selection committee was very fun and interesting. I learned a lot about the contracting process. I also traveled to other schools, and I often heard more about the details of the contracts than students at the schools I visited. The highlight was when I flew out to [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157625959913503/ Chicago] with our Dean of Housing and Director of Dining. We flew out in the early morning, visited the University of Chicago and Northwestern and then flew home early morning. It moved so fast, I barely had time to process the trip - I guess that is how business trips are. I also got a lot of time to talk with the administrators. When we were flying home, we were in the front row of the plane; it wasn't first class (it was Southwest and lots of people walked by the seats!) but it felt like it!

[[File:Chicago Trip Geo.jpg|200px]]

We ended up renewing Bon Appetit, a division of Compass. I was stunned by how happily people spoke of them at Roger Williams. I also had no reason to cast them aside based on their work at MIT. I am now working on implementing the plan. The marketing needs a lot of guidance between promoting the plan while making MIT sound neutral towards the different ways that students can eat nutritiously. This is different from many schools, where the school funds other projects from the "profits" on meal plan sales. We need to work out how/what to do during orientation, what the hours should be, etc. We also need to diffuse concerns about what cuisine will be served where. One of the more important things is to negotiate the scope and scale of the take-out program. I am also hoping that BAMCO will make an API for the menu data. I have been pursing the cause, but BAMCO does not seem to have the technical resources to pull it off. Finally, I think one of the most important things to do is to define the metrics that will define the success of the program.


I've also found though my tour that the reputation of colleges actually really matters. When I was searching for a college, I considered everyone who sent me a flier; rather than just go after the schools with a top reputation. I now realize that for better or worse reputation is very important. Many companies recruit only at top schools, because the selection process to get in to the schools does the filtering for them. The self fulfilling prophecy. Now this is not all made up. I felt like I have learned a lot when I look back at one year ago and two years ago. I think that the difference comes from the resources the schools are able to attract worth reputation, as well as the faculty the school attracts. The other students also make a big difference, because you want to feel competitive with the other students.


====IAP/State Street==== Although [[IAP]]/January is now a while ago, I've realized I've never written about it. Over IAP (January) I worked at [[State Street]]. I did not enjoy my month there. It sounded like an interesting position, but I ended up doing secretarial work in a newly created department with no direction to it. I wanted to try something in finance to see if it would interest me. It did not.

In my report I wrote after the position, I talk about how entry-level management positions are mostly grunt work. However, this summer in New York, at both NextJump and hearing what my friends are doing, I think I over generalized about the uninterestingess/small impact of business jobs. I've realizing now that salary might correlate well with the interestiness of the job. I want an interesting job where I can make a big impact and use my skills. I think when companies offer a lot of money they expect the person to do a lot; because they are selective with who they select to fill those positions. I think, in general, I qualify for these positions and I actively want to do them. I would rather work hard on something interesting, than just pull a paycheck while I spend all day trying to minimize how much work I do.

During my experience at State Street, I decided to add a joint-major with Course 6. Since I was not doing anything interesting at State Street, I filed the paperwork for adding a double major in course 6. I realized that Course 6 would help build my skills. I wrote before that I did not like my course 15 classes. I also really liked 6.01; I thought it was really well done and improved my thinking process. Looking back now, one semester after filing the paperwork, I am happy with my decision. I think course 6 is where my future is, despite my prior apprehension at being a coder. I think if I work on it I can do it. (As I write this, I am realizing this is a common theme; I should just go for it in the future) Plus I want the challenge; course 15 is just too boring. After one year as a course 15 student, I have completed many of the course 15 requirements. I now need to catch up in Course 6. It is also harder for me to do well in course 6 classes.

[[File:MIT Long Term Plan.png|300px]]


====Website====

I am very behind in uploading stuff to my website. I have not yet processed this year's work. The reason I am so behind is I spent much of my time home scanning old middle school papers and throwing them out; rather than posting stuff to the web. I need to find some time to do the boring task of uploading and organizing. I will also be uploading stuff from middle school - which was never before on the site, which was started in 9th Grade.

====Montreal==== For spring break, I traveled with my family to [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157626862324317/ Albany] and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157626986883902/ Montreal]. I also got yet another camera, the [[Panasonic DMC-ZS6]]. My [[Samsung HZ30W]] started nice but it broke in a bunch of different ways, finally with a gash on the lenses. 3 months into the Panasonic, I am really liking it. I now have 65,000+ photos on [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets flickr], and I am 2 weeks behind on NYC photos.

So there you go; have a good summer --[[User:ThePlaz|ThePlaz]] 02:21, 10 July 2011 (EDT)

''[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]]''

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[[Image:Nuvola apps kpovmodeler.png|30px]] [[AP Physics]] ''[[Science|(Science)]]''

{{OneNote Site|apphysics}}

  • [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN48G1COdBI Rube Goldberg Machine on YouTube]

[[Image:Nuvola USA flag.png|30px]] [[AP US Government]] ''[[History|(History)]]''

{{OneNote Site|apusgov}}

[[Image:Nuvola_apps_package_wordprocessing.png|30px]] [[English 12]] ''[[English|(English)]]''

{{OneNote Site|humanities}}

  • [[:Image:Literature in Review Dorian Gray.mp3|Dorian Gray Book Discussion Podcast]]
  • [[:Image:Macbeth Podcast Michael Dan Greg.mp3|Macbeth Scene Performance Podcast]]
  • [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKf9scuX1j8 Peter Paul Rubens Photo Story] (on YouTube)
  • [[:Image:Senior_Project.doc|Senior Project: Electronic Voting Machine Insecurity]]

[[Image:Mr Mullen ThePlaz Shirt.JPG|270px]]

[[Image:Nuvola apps kbrunch.png|30px]] [[Calculus]] ''[[Math|(Math)]]''

{{OneNote Site|calculus}}

[[Image:Nuvola apps edu languages.png|30px]] [[AP Psychology]] ''[[Psychology|(Psychology)]]''

  • [http://siggyappsy.pbwiki.com/ Teacher's Site] with review questions and notes
  • [[LoveSick Erica Character Analysis]] Summer Reading
  • [[AP Psychology Practice Question: Chapter 1: Experiments]]
  • [[AP Psychology Chapter 4 Review]]
  • Scholarly Papers Review
    • [[Fitts' Law]]
    • [[Union Steward's Self Confidence]]
    • [[September 11th's Self Perceived Benefits]]
  • [[Chapter 11 Assessment]]
  • [[Snow White and the 7 Psychological Disorders]]

[[Image:Nuvola apps package editors.png|30px]] [[AP Micro Econ]] ''[[Economics|(Economics)]]''

  • '''[[Micro Economics|See Notes]]'''

[[Image:Nuvola apps bug.png|30px]] [[Biology]] ''[[Science|(Science)]]''

  • [http://www.havsd.net/~vpollard/ Teacher's Website]
  • [[Biology Key Concepts]]
  • [[Properties of Water: Penny Lab]]
  • [[Antony van Leeuwenhoek]]
  • [[Islands of Adventure is like a Cell]]
  • [[Chapter 11: Intro to Genetics Study Guide]]
  • [[:Image:Biology 12.1 Study Guide.doc|12.1 DNA]], [[:Image:Biology 12.2 and 12.3 Study Guide.doc|12.2 DNA Replication and 12.3 RNA Study Guides]]
  • [[Chap 15 Darwin and Evolution Study Guide]]
  • [[Chromosome 14 - Alzheimer Disease]]
  • [[:Image:Meiosis Web Worksheet.pdf|Meiosis Web Worksheet]]
  • [[:Image:Biology Evolution Notes.jpg|Evolution Notes]]
  • [[:Image:Biology Classification Notes.png|Classification Notes]]
  • [[:Image:Animals Found During Creek Exploration.pdf|Animals found During Creek Exploration]]
  • [[:Image:Biology Final Review.jpg|Final Review (highlights from all chapters)]]

[[Image:Nuvola apps kmplot.png|30px]] [[PreCalc]] ''[[Math|(Math)]]''

  • [[:Image:PreCalc_Syllabus_Page_1.JPG|Syllabus]], [[:Image:PreCalc_Syllabus_Page_2.JPG|Page 2]]
  • [[:Image:PreCalc IS4 Identitiy Sheet Page 1.JPG|Identity Sheet]], [[:Image:PreCalc_Identity_Sheet_Page_2.JPG|Page 2]]
  • [[:Image:PreCalc_Unit_Circle.JPG|Unit Circle]]
  • [[:Image:PreCalc_Forumals_Sheet_Page_1.JPG|Forumals Sheet]], [[:Image:PreCalc_Forumals_Sheet_Page_2.JPG|Page 2]]
  • '''[[:Category:PreCalc Chap 1|Chap 1: Functions]]'''
  • '''[[:Category:PreCalc Chap 2 Part 1|Chap 2 Part 1: Polynomials]]'''
  • '''[[:Category:PreCalc Chap 2 Part 2|Chap 2 Part 2: Rational Functions]]'''
  • '''[[:Category:PreCalc Chap 3|Chap 3: Exponential and Log Functions]]'''
  • '''[[:Category:PreCalc Chap 6|Chap 6: Vectors]]'''
  • '''[[:Category:PreCalc Chap 7|Chap 7: Multivariable Systems]]'''
  • '''[[:Category:PreCalc Chap 8|Chap 8: Sequences and Series]]'''
  • '''[[:Category:PreCalc Chap 9|Chap 9: Analytical Geometry]]'''
  • '''[[:Category:PreCalc Final Review|Final Review]]'''

=====Chap 4===== ''(independent study)''

  • [[:Image:Chapter_4_Test_Topics.JPG|Test Topics]]
  • [[:Image:Chapter_4_Review_Page_1.JPG|Review]], [[:Image:Chapter_4_Review_Page_2.JPG|Page 2]], [[:Image:Chapter_4_Review_Page_3.JPG|Page 2]]
  • [[:Image:Chapter_4_Review_2_Page_1.JPG|Review 2]], [[:Image:Chapter_4_Review_2_Page_2.JPG|Page 2]]
  • Independent Study Withheld
  • [[:Image:PreCalc_Chap_4_Part_2_More_Pratice_Page_1.JPG|Part 2 More Practice]], [[:Image:PreCalc_Chap_4_Part_2_More_Pratice_Page_2.JPG|Page 2]]
  • [[:Image:PreCalc_Chap_4_Part_2_More_Pratice_After_Test_Page_1.JPG|Part 2 After Test]], [[:Image:PreCalc_Chap_4_Part_2_More_Pratice_After_Test_Page_2.JPG|Page 2]]

=====Chap 5===== ''(independent study)''

  • Independent Study Withheld

=====Chap 5/6===== ''(independent study)''

  • Independent Study Withheld

[[Image:Nuvola USA flag.png|30px]] [[American Studies]] ''[[History|(History)]]''

  • '''[[American Studies/Projects|Projects]]'''
  • '''[[American Studies/Projects|Notes]]''' from Out of Many Textbook
  • '''[http://www.teachingsolutions.org/ftce.html FTCE test]''' : FTCE test failure reveals how to rip through the FTCE test.
''developed [[Headline Notetaking Format]]

[[Image:Nuvola USA flag pen.png|30px]] [[English 11]] ''[[English|(English)]]''

  • [[Puritans in a New World: The Setting of The Scarlet Letter]]
  • [[The Forest in The Scarlet Letter]]
  • [[Pearl: A Byproduct of Sin]]
  • [[Religion: Then and Now Group Project]]
  • [[Grapes of Wrath Chapter 13]]
  • [[Uncertainty in The Grapes of Wrath]]
  • [[Think for Yourself: The Fallacy of Organized Religion in Huck Finn]]

[[Image:Nuvola apps edu mathematics.png|30px]] [[IAG 4H]] ''[[Math|(Math)]]''

''See [[:Category:IAG 4H]]
  • '''[[IAG 4H All Work by Date]]'''
  • [[:Category:High Dive|High Dive]]
  • [[:Category:Rational Functions|Rational Functions]]
  • [[:Category:World of Functions|World of Functions]]
  • [[:Category:Small World Revived|Small World Revived]]
  • [[:Category:IAG 4 Power Worksheets|Power Worksheets]]
  • [[:Category:IAG 4 Independent Study|Independent Studies]]

[[Image:Nuvola apps edu science.png|30px]] [[Chemistry]] ''[[Science|(Science)]]''

''See [[Chemistry]] for a list of all work
  • [[Chemistry#Matter and its Properties|Matter and its Properties]]
  • [[Chemistry#Gas Laws|Gas Laws]]
  • [[Chemistry#Atoms, Bonding, and the Periodic Table|Atoms, Bonding, and the Periodic Table]]
  • [[Chemistry#Combinations and Reactions|Combinations and Reactions]]
  • [[Chemistry#Acids and Bases|Acids and Bases]]
  • [[Chemistry#Review|Final Review]]

[[Image:Nuvola apps package network.png|30px]] [[World Cultures]] ''[[History|(History)]]''

'''[[World Cultures Daily Questions]]''' ====Units====

  • [[:Category:World Cultures Basics|Basics/Introduction]]
  • [[:Category:World Cultures Africa|Africa]]
  • [[:Category:World Cultures Middle East|Middle East]]
  • [[:Category:World Cultures South Asia|South Asia]]
  • [[:Category:World Cultures China|China]]
  • [[:Category:World Cultures Japan|Japan]]
  • [[:Category:World Cultures Korea|Korea]]
  • [[:Category:World Cultures Latin America|Latin America]]

====Portfolio==== '''''See [[:Category:World Cultures Portfolio]]'''''

  • Africa: [[HDI Graph Reflections]] - [[World Cultures Portfolio/Africa|Decolonization Report]]
  • Middle East: [[World Cultures Portfolio/Middle East|Population Density Report]] - [[Middle East Essay|Essay: A Peaceful Vacation]]
  • South Asia: [[World Cultures Portfolio/South Asia|Rainfall Report]] - [[:Image:South Asia Graph.JPG|South Asia Comparisons Graph]] - [[World Cultures Portfolio/Postcards|Postcards]]
  • China: [[World Cultures Portfolio/China|Sphere of Influences Report]] - [[World Cultures Portfolio/Mao Button Journal|Mao Button Journal]]
  • Japan: [[World Cultures Portfolio/Japan|Natural Resources Report]] - [[World Cultures Portfolio/Japanese Violence Journal|Japanese Violence Journal]]
  • Korea: [[World Cultures Portfolio/Korea|Physical Map Report]]
  • Latin America: [[World Cultures Portfolio/Latin America|Landforms Report]]
  • Worldwide: [[World Cultures Portfolio/T-Shirt Trade|T-Shirt Trade Report]]

====Projects==== '''[[:Category:World Cultures Comparison Project|Comparisons (Final) Project on Globalization]] ([[World Cultures Comparison Project/Paper|Paper]], [[Globalization Video|Video]])'''

  • [[:Category:Pitts Article|Pitts Article]]
  • [[World Cultures News Articles|Category News Articles Project]]

[[Image:Nuvola apps korganizer.png|30px]] AP [[Macro Economics]] ''[[Economics|(Economics)]]''

  • '''[[Macro Economics Complete List|Complete List]]'''
    • [[:Category:ME Notes|Notes]]
    • [[:Category:ME Study Questions|Study Questions]]
    • [[:Category:ME Morton|Morton Activities]]
    • [[:Category:ME Econ Live|Econ Live Activities]]
    • [[:Category:ME Articles|Articles]]
    • [[:Category:ME Other|Other]]

[[Image:Nuvola apps file-manager.png|30px]] [[English 10]] ''[[English|(English)]]''

[[Image:The Power of One Book Cover.jpg|right|75px]] [[Image:Cultures Paper Instructions Page 1.JPG|right|75px]] [[Image:Red Scarf Girl Cover.jpg|right|75px]] [[Image:Nectar in a Sieve Book Cover.jpg|right|75px]] [[Image:In Beautiful Disguises Book Cover.jpg|right|75px]] [[Image:Chinese Seamstress Cover.jpg|right|75px]]

  • [[:Image:English 10 Syllabus Page 1.JPG|Syllabus]], [[:Image:English 10 Syllabus Page 2.JPG|Page 2]]
  • '''[[English 10 by Date|English 10 Work by Date]]'''
  • [[:Category:English 10 Vocab|Vocabulary]]
  • [[:Category:English 10 Grammer|Grammar and Literary Elements]]
  • [[:Category:English 10 Middle East Poetry|Middle East Poetry]]

====Projects/Papers====

  • [[Red Scarf Girl SSR Project]]
  • [[:Category:English 10 Response to Quote|Response to Quote Essay]]
  • [[:Category:Cultures Project|Cultures Project/Paper on Religiously Motivated Laws]]
  • [[Literary Criticisms Project]]
  • [[Nectar in a Sieve|Nectar in a Sieve SSR Project]]

====Books====

  • [[:Image:2006 Summer Reading List.pdf|The 2006 HHS Summer Reading List]]
  • [[:Category:Power of One|The Power of One Book Center]]
  • [[:Category:English 10 In Beautiful Disguises|In Beautiful Disguises Book]]
  • [[:Category:Chinese Seamstress|Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress Book]]

[[Image:Nuvola apps kig.png|30px]] [[IAG 3H]] ''[[Math|(Math)]]''

''See all at [[:Category:IAG 3H]]''
  • [[:Image:IAG 3H Syllabus Page 1.JPG|Syllabus]], [[:Image:IAG 3H Syllabus Page 2.JPG|Page 2]]
  • [[:Category:Fireworks Unit|Fireworks Unit]]
  • [[:Category:Orchards Unit|Orchards Unit]]
  • [[:Category:Small World Unit|Small World Unit]]
  • [[:Category:Meadows or Malls Unit|Meadows or Malls Unit]]
  • [[:Category:IAG 3H Final Review|IAG 3H Final Review]]
  • [[:Category:Logic Puzzles|Logic Puzzles]]
  • [[:Category:IAG Power|IAG Power Worksheets]]
  • [[:Category:IAG 3H PSSA Practice|IAG 3H PSSA Practice]]

[[Image:Nuvola apps bookcase.png|30px]] [[English 9]] ''[[English|(English)]]''

[[Image:Chocolate War Book Cover.jpg|right|50px]] [[Image:The Chosen Book Cover.jpg|right|50px]] [[Image:Romeo and Juliet DVD Cover.jpg|right|50px]] [[Image:Antigone DVD Cover.jpg|right|50px]] =====Reserach Papers/Essays=====

  • [[Hazing Paper|Bullying/Hazing Research Paper]]
  • [[:Image:“The Many Benefits of the Industrial Revolution” Brochure Copy.doc|“The Many Benefits of the Industrial Revolution” Brochure Copy]]
  • [[Romeo_and_Juliet_Book_Center#Essay|Is Romeo and Juliet still Relevant Today?]]
  • [[Antigone_Book_Center#Essay|Is Antigone is more stubborn then Creon?]]

---- =====Projects and Lessons=====

  • [[String|''Piece of String'' Short Story Project]]
  • [[Comma Rules]] Lesson

---- =====Book Centers=====

  • The ''[[Chocolate War]]'' Book Center
  • [[The Chosen Book Center]]
  • [[Romeo and Juliet Book Center]]
  • [[Short Stories]] Unit
  • [[Antigone Book Center]]

---- =====Homeworks=====

  • [[:Image:Parody – The Spy Apprentice.doc|Parody – The Spy Apprentice]]
  • [[:Image:Allegory and The Shepherd's Boy and the Wolf.doc|Allegory and The Shepherd's Boy and the Wolf]]
  • [[:Image:Aries A Sonnet.doc|Aries: A Sonnet]]
  • [[English Language Joke]]
  • [[:Image:Bildungroman Notes.JPG|Bildungroman Notes]]

[[Image:Nuvola apps kverbos.png|30px]] [[Western Civ|Western Civ]] ''[[History|(History)]]''

=====Projects=====

  • [[Philosophes]] Compare/Contrast Slideshow and Essay
  • [[French Revolution Timeline]]
  • [[Germany Unification]] Timeline
  • [[Russian Revolution Lesson Group Project]]

---- =====Outlines=====

  • [[:Image:Chapter 6.1 - The Scientific Revolution Outline.doc|Chapter 6.1 - The Scientific Revolution]]
  • [[:Image:Chapter 6.3 – Spread of Enlightenment Ideas Web Outline.doc|Chapter 6.3 – Spread of Enlightenment Ideas]]
  • [[:Image:Chap 9.1 Beginnings of Industrialization Outline.doc|Chap 9.1 Beginnings of Industrialization]]
  • [[Chap 11.2 – Imperialism and Nigerian Case Study Notes and Outline]]
  • [[:Image:Chap 13.3 Outline – The World At War.doc|Chap 13.3 – The World At War]]

---- =====Maps and Creative===== [[Image:French Revolution Napoleon-peque.jpg|120px|right]]

  • [[Ottoman Empire Acrostic]]
  • Fictional [[German Troop Journal]]
  • [[:Image:Despot Flyer.doc|Despot Flyer]]
  • [[:Image:Political Cartoon.png|Louis-Phillipe Political Cartoon]]
  • [[:Image:African Colonies Map.png|African Colonies Map I Made]]
  • [[:Image:Group 1 – Napoleon’s Rise to Power Script.doc|Napoleon’s Rise to Power Script]]
  • [[:Image:Letter from the Editor - Industrialization and Imperialism.doc|Letter from the Editor Re. Industrialization and Imperialism]]

---- =====Essays and Reports=====

  • [[:Image:History Government Quiz.doc|Types of Government Quiz]] [[:Image:History Government Quiz Answers.doc|(answers)]]
  • [[:Image:Europe – Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna.doc|Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna]]
  • [[Chap 9-2 Group Project|Industrialization Group Project]]
  • [[World War I without the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand]] - What would happen?
  • [[:Image:Legacies- French Revolution and Congress of Vienna.ppt|Legacies of the French Revolution and Congress of Vienna SlideShow]]

[[Image:Nuvola apps edu phi.png|30px]] [[IPS]] ''[[Science|(Science)]]''

  • [[Obstacle Course]] Unit 1 - Motion Obstacle Course design
  • [[Sports Video]] Unit 2 - Forces NASCAR Video
  • [[Electricty Handbook]] Unit 3 - HFE Home

[[Image:Nuvola_apps_kcalc.png|30px]] [[IAG 2H]] and [[IAG 1H]] ''[[Math|(Math)]]''

  • [[:Image:Solve It - Prompt -1.doc|Solve It Prompt 1]]
  • [[Bee's POW - You Must Be Wrong]]
  • [[Math Will Rock My World - Extra Credit]]

{{Main Page:IAG1}}

[[Image:Nuvola_apps_kate.png|30px]] [[Latin]]

===[[Latin 3]]=== =====Projects=====

  • [[Achilles Video]]
  • [[Commodus Report]]
  • [[Hyperbole]]
  • [[Latin Fable|Latin Fable: Rana et Musca]]

=====Notes=====

  • [[Scansion Notes]]

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

  • [[English: The Miracle of Language]]
  • [[Early Roman History]]
  • [[Rome: Year One]]
  • [[Rome: The Decline]]
  • [[Subjugating Ancient Women]]
  • [[Roles of Ancient Women]]
  • [[Empowering Ancient Women]]
  • [[The Fall of the Roman Empire]]
  • [[Odyssey Part 1]]
  • [[Odyssey Part 2]]
  • [[Odyssey Part 3]]
  • [[Dateline Troy Part 1]]
  • [[Dateline Troy Part 2]]
  • [[The Rage of Achilles]]
  • [[The Olympian Gods: Another Perspective]] Extra Credit

===[[Latin 2]]=== =====Projects=====

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

=====Journals=====

  • [[Origins of Latin and English]]
  • [[Rome FAQ]]
  • [[Roman History]]
  • [[Augustus]]
  • [[Roman Women]]
  • [[Tiberius]]
  • [[Caligula]]
  • [[Claudius]]
  • [[Nero]]
  • [[Perseus Myth]]
  • [[Hercules Myth]] Extra Credit

===[[Latin 1]]===

  • Very Basic [[Latin Grammer Notes]]
  • [[:Image:Roman Family - Double Entry Journal.pdf|Roman Family Note Sheet Project (PDF)]], [[:Image:Roman Family - Double Entry Journal.doc|(Word)]]
  • [[:Image:Latin Nurse Poster.pdf|Latin in Nursing Interview Poster (PDF)]], [[:Image:Latin Nurse Poster.doc|(Word)]]
  • Basic [[Latin Timeline]]

[[Image:Money-256x256.png|30px]] [[Entrepreneurship]] ''[[Business|(Business)]]''

{{OneNote Site|entrepreneurship}}

  • [[:Image:InstantClinic Business Plan.pdf|Business Plan]] (and [[:Image:InstantClinic Presentation.pptx|Presentation]]) for InstantClinic - a convenience health care clinic
  • [[:Image:Mark Zuckerberg.ppt|Mark Zuckerberg Presentation]]
  • [[:Image:Build'A Pizza.pptx|Build A Pizza - Pizza Chain Business]]

[[Image:Nuvola apps personal.png|30px]] [[Business Law]] ''[[Business|(Business)]]''

{{OneNote Site|businesslaw}}

[[Image:Nuvola apps amarok.png|30px]] [[Pop Music]] ''[[Music Classes|(Music)]]''

  • [[Pop Music#Unit 0: Intro|Unit 0: Intro]]
  • [[Pop Music#Unit 1: Elements|Unit 1: Elements]]
  • [[Pop Music#Unit 2: Roots of Rock|Unit 2: Roots of Rock]]
  • [[Pop Music#Unit 3: Vocal Harmony and the Producer|Unit 3: Vocal Harmony and the Producer]]
  • [[Pop Music#Unit 4: British Invasion; Folk and Rock|Unit 4: British Invasion; Folk and Rock]]
  • [[Pop Music#Unit 5: Counterculture and the Present|Unit 5: Counterculture and the Present]]

[[Image:Nuvola filesystems folder blue open.png|30px]] [[Template:Main_Page:OtherSchool|Other]] [http://theplaz.com/wiki/index.php?title=Template:Main_Page:OtherSchool&action=edit edit]

{{Main_Page:OtherSchool}}

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[[Image:Nuvola apps kuser.png|30px]] ''[[Template:Main_Page:About|About Me]]'' [http://theplaz.com/wiki/index.php?title=Template:Main_Page:About&action=edit edit]

{{Main_Page:About}} {{Main Page:Website Content}}

[[File:Theweeklyspin.png|30px]] ''[http://theweeklyspin.com The Weekly Spin]''

The Weekly Spin is a weekly rant about technology and tech policy with Michael Gdovin. We often cover the cell phone industry, the FCC, DRM, and Michael likes to throw in some Apple rumors.

Download the latest episodes: [http://theweeklyspin.com TheWeeklySpin.com] Audio Podcast

[[Image:Nuvola apps laptop pcmcia.png|30px]] ''[[Template:Main_Page:Student_Tools|Student Tools]]'' [http://theplaz.com/wiki/index.php?title=Template:Main_Page:Student_Tools&action=edit edit]

{{Main_Page:Student Tools}}

[[Image:Nuvola apps knewsticker.png|30px]] ''[[Template:Main_Page:News|News]]'' [http://theplaz.com/wiki/index.php?title=Template:Main_Page:News&action=edit edit]

{{Main_Page:News}}

[[Image:Nuvola apps multimedia.png|30px]] ''[[Template:Main_Page:Video|Video]]'' [http://theplaz.com/wiki/index.php?title=Template:Main_Page:Video&action=edit edit]

{{Main_Page:Video}}

[[Image:Tecker 911 Logo.png|110px]] ''[http://911.tecker.net Tecker 911]''

  • ''[http://911.tecker.net Website]''
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=370 100: Troubleshooting Tips and A Look Back (Final Episode)]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=367 99: Picnik]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=364 98: Maps Roundup]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=363 97: OpenID]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=361 96: Basecamp]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=359 95: eBooks]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=357 94: Netflix]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=355 93: Learning to Program]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=353 92: Live Sync]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=351 91: Mint]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=349 90: Power Saving Tips]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=347 89: Reusing Old Computers]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=345 88: VLC]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=320 87: Digg]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=318 86: Watching TV Online]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=317 85: Geotagging Photos]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=315 84: iPhone]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=312 83: Google Earth]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=310 82: Delicious]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=308 81: Zoho]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=306 80: Digital Video Workflow]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=303 79: Tablet PC]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=283 78: Wordpress Getting Started]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=281 77: Gmail]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=278 76: iLife]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=276 75: What We Use]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=258 74: U3]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=256 73: Twitter]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=254 72: iWork]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=251 71: Digital TV Transition]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=248 70: Electricity]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=218 69: Pandora]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=216 68: Online Backup]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=214 67: MobileMe]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=211 66: OneNote]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=209 65: GPS]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=207 64: Remote Access]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=204 63: Google Reader]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=200 62: Cloud Computing]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=198 61: Reinstalling Windows]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=174 60: Cell Phone Internet]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=172 59: Digital Camera Workflow]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=170 58: Firefox 3]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=167 57: Windows DVD Maker]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=164 56: iPod Backup]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=161 55: Mobile Computing]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=159 54: eBay]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=157 53: Speeding up Startup]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=154 52: Net Neutrality]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=127 51: Podcasting]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=125 50: Taking a Break]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=120 49: TiVo]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=117 48: OLPC]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=115 47: PayPal Security Key]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=113 46: Bookmooch]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=108 45: FiOS]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=109 44: Backup]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=106 43: Bluetooth]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=105 41: PayPal]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=104 40: DS vs PSP]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=103 39: Free Software]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=96 38: Mac]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=89 37: Burning ISOs]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=88 36: Facebook]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=87 35: Wii]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=86 34: File Zipping]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=85 33: Portable Apps]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=84 32: Web Hosting]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=83 31: Flickr]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=82 30: Haverford Township Day 2008]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=81 29: File and Printer Sharing]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=80 28: Truecrypt]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=79 27: Notebook Cards]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=78 26: Words: The Latin Dictionary]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=77 25: Behind the Scenes]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=76 24: Windows Movie Maker]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=75 23: Wikipedia Reliability]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=74 22: Firefox Add-Ons]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=72 21: Computer Storage]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=70 20: War Walking]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=69 19: Wifi]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=68 18: CollegeBoard.com Tools]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=71 17: Audacity]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=67 16: RSS]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=66 15: Destroying Stuff!]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=53 14: Ubuntu]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=49 13: Google Docs and Spreadsheets]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=49 12: Microsoft Office 2007]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=49 11: Windows Vista]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=49 10: LAN Party]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=48 9: MLA Formatting]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=39 8: TI-83+ on your Computer]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=37 7: Security Tips]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=37 6: YouTube on your iPod]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=36 5: Upgrading a PC]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=26 4: PowerSchool]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=25 3: Skype]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=24 2: Legal Music Downloading]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=22 1: Firefox]
  • [http://911.tecker.net/?p=54 Mac, PC, Linux Ad]
  • ''[[Tecker 911|Article]]''

[[Image:Nuvola filesystems camera.png|30px]] ''[[Template:Main_Page:Photos|Photos]]'' [http://theplaz.com/wiki/index.php?title=Template:Main_Page:Photos&action=edit edit]

{{Main_Page:Photos}}

[[Image:TI-83--rotated.png|65px]] ''[[:Category:TI|TI-83+ Stuff]]'' [http://theplaz.com/wiki/index.php?title=Template:Main_Page:TI&action=edit edit]

{{Main_Page:TI}}

[[Image:Nuvola apps kcmprocessor.png|30px]] ''[[Template:Main_Page:Tech|Tech Stuff]]'' [http://theplaz.com/wiki/index.php?title=Template:Main_Page:Tech&action=edit 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. {{Main_Page:Tech}}

[[Image:Nuvola apps gaim.png|30px]] ''[[Template:Main_Page:Misc|Miscellaneous]]'' [http://theplaz.com/wiki/index.php?title=Template:Main_Page:Misc&action=edit edit]

These are things I wrote for this site, but not required school work or are not tech things. {{Main_Page:Misc}}

[[Image:Nuvola apps remote.png|30px]] ''[[Special:Statistics|Site Statistics]]'' [http://theplaz.com/wiki/index.php?title=Template:Main_Page:Statistics&action=edit edit]

{{Main_Page:Statistics}}

|}

MIT Sophomore edit

Fall
  • 6.01 Intro to EECS (Potpourri Introduction)
  • 6.041 Probabilistic Systems Analysis
  • 14.01 Principles of Microeconomics
  • 15.501 Corporate Financial Accounting
  • 15.567 Econ of Information
  • 16.71 Airline Industry
Spring
  • 4.211 The Present and Future City
  • 6.02 Intro to EECS 2 (Communications)
  • 6.042 Math for Computer Science (Potpourri Introduction)
  • 14.02 Microeconomics
  • 15.279 Intro to Managerial Communications
  • 15.401 Intro to Finance
  • 15.761 Operations Research
  • ESD.051 Engineering, Innovation, and Design (Listener)
Politics

MIT Freshman edit

Fall

  • 8.01 Physics: Mechanics - Prof. Greytak
  • 3.091 Intro to Solid State Chemistry - Prof. Sadoway
  • 18.01 Single Variable Calculus - Prof. Brubaker
  • MAS.110 Fundamentals of Computational Media Design - Prof. Bove
  • 6.A53 Entrepreneurship and China Advising Seminar - Dr. Eng
  • SocialSaver UROP at the MIT Media Lab
  • Learning to Learn at MIT - My "near fail" experience that caused me to pull it together

Spring

Other Stuff

Nuvola apps kpovmodeler.png AP Physics (Science)

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)

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)

Nuvola apps kbrunch.png Calculus (Math)

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

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 [2], 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 [3] 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, [4] 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.

Website Content

On my site you will find:

  • Updates on what I am involved in
  • Links to my other projects
  • My comments on the world
  • Photos and videos I have taken
  • School work and notes I have made
School Work

I hope that this knowledge will help people less-fortunate than me persevere and succeed. All of my work is under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 license, meaning that you may use it and re-post it anywhere as long as you post my name/nickname, provide a link back to my site, and don't make money off my work. Many people visit my site from overseas where the school system is not as good. See Site Mission Statement for more

    • For 9th Grade I have posted projects I did on the computer
    • For 10th Grade I have posted not only my work I made on a computer but laboriously scanned all of my handwritten notes and worksheets
    • For 11th Grade I am only posting my own notes (no worksheets) from very structured classes; I am scaling back
    • For 12th Grade I used a tablet PC, so I have posted my OneNote notebooks from the class
    • For MIT Freshman year, I used a tablet PC for the first semester; realized this was a bad idea; so I used paper which I scanned and released as large PDFs the second semester. Note MIT actually does the same thing I do with MIT OCW.
    • For MIT Sophomore I will continue to post large, comprehensive PDFs.
    • See also my Notes Key
Tech

Theweeklyspin.png The Weekly Spin

The Weekly Spin is a weekly rant about technology and tech policy with Michael Gdovin. We often cover the cell phone industry, the FCC, DRM, and Michael likes to throw in some Apple rumors.

Download the latest episodes: TheWeeklySpin.com Audio Podcast

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

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.


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