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[[Image:Nuvola apps important.png|25px|left]] 7/23/2012 Summer Personal Update
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[[Image:Nuvola apps important.png|25px|left]] 9/9/2012 Back to School Personal Update
 
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We are one week into classes at MIT.  Well 3 days into classes. 
  
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[[Category:Site]]
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[[File:MIT Senior Fall-Schedule.png|thumb|Fall 2012 Schedule]]
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=====Classes=====
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This means I have had about one session of each class.  [[7.012|7.012 Bio]] looks interesting.  You have to get there 15 minutes early to get a seat.  We will see how long that lasts.  Plus the Professors said they are focusing on learning the patterns, not memorizing.  [[6.858|6.858 Computer Security]] started out with a lecture on the systemic aspects of security - something I am familiar with.  [[2.009|2.009 Product Design]] seems like a fun lecture, but I don't know if I want to put the time into the projects, let alone the homework.  [[14.72|14.72 Capitalism and its Critics]] had some interesting reading - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fountainhead The Fountainhead] - which is about individualism.  Ted, one of my friends, pulled me into his [[15.495|15.495 Quantitative Finance]] class.  I'm not that into making money via hedge funds  and the like - so while it would be interesting to learn, I don't think I will take it.  [[6.046|6.046 Algorithms]] looks like it will be hard, especially since they require formal proofs.  I am still not really comfortable with that.  [[STS.085|STS.085 Internet Policy]] seems really fun.  We have Hal Abelson, as well as Danny Weitzner, the former Deputy CTO for Internet Policy in the Obama White House, and Alan Davidson, the former Head of Public Policy at Google.  While I seem to already be familiar with much of the classes' material, it will be a fun semester to dive deeper with these lecturers.
  
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[[File:Disneyland.JPG|thumb|200px|Disneyland June 2012]]
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=====Baker REX=====
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====Disney====
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Before classes started, I had already been on campus for over a week and a half (since 8/23).  I've been on campus so long, because as [[Baker President]], I had to entertain over 130 freshmen living in [[Baker House]], plus the others who came to visit, during "[[Residence Exploration Week]]" or REX.
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I am now 8 weeks into my internship at [[Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online]].  WDPRO builds the websites and mobile apps for the Disney parks and other travel operations.  I’ve been having a great time here at Disney.  I'm working on a project for Cruise Line and a project to improve reference material here at WDPRO.  I'm a product management intern, working for the VP of the division.  I'm getting great exposure to what it is like to be a PDM intern here.  As at [[Deutsche Bahn]], I have a lot of freedom to use my time where I think is most effective.
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One change from [[NextJump|last summer]] is that Disney cares about quality.  In fact, quality is the number one concern here.  This makes the work environment 180 degrees different.  It means a lot of concern over issues that on the surface look trivial.  But when you consider the millions of people that pour though our parks every year, it starts making sense.  A Disney parks experience means quality.  If you think about the newly opened [http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneys-california-adventure/cars-land/ Cars Land], every little detail from the type of grass to the building architecture has been obsessed over for years by teams of people. Disney has a lot of people, who are managing every detail.  This means there are a lot of people involved in any project.  It’s very different from the small team mentality of other firms – but those companies don’t have anywhere near the integration that Disney has.
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I think we had a tremendous REX.  [[CPW]] and REX are our opportunities to brand Baker for the new students and establish the tone for the upcoming year.  We made signs and banners to advertise our events - all in the same visual identity as the rest of Baker.  We played music all weekend to try and liven up the campus area.   
  
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Plus it's my job as a PDM is to manage this. Somewhat jokingly, my job is meetings and emails.  A PDM is responsible to build the relationships with the business to be able to specify requirements and act as the “product owner” in Scrum/Agile terminology.  Though it’s been somewhat awkward working as a PDM intern.  You won’t be around after the summer, so it’s hard to take over a project full time.  But I’m doing what I expected.  I can envision what things would be like if I was doing this full time here. 
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[[File:Baker Skyline 2012.jpg|thumb|Skyline]]
  
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=====Opportunities=====
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We gave out over [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475720082/ 300 servings of Ice Cream and give tours to about 100 people].  We had about [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475727258/ 30 parents at our 2 parents events].  I think most parents came during CPW and didn't want to go to the same event twice.  About [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475731748/ 200-250 people came to our stargazing event] thrown by our former astronaut and Housemaster, Jeff Hoffman.  We had to move Sunrise inside due to the rain, but I think we still did about [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475743032/ 200-250 servings of waffles and freshly squeezed orange juice].  It takes the dining hall about a month to go through that much waffle batter.  Over [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475737402/ 740 people came to our party Skyline] - a record I think!  (The school newspaper ''The Tech'' called it "boring" and "not well attended". [http://tech.mit.edu/V132/N34/review.html] I'm not sure where they get their facts from.)  On the other hand, Baker Confidential, a new event imposed system-wide by MIT Housing, was a total disaster.  The administration also handed out meal tickets to other groups during that time who didn't respect our event.  However, overall we had one of the highest retention rates ever - only [http://tech.mit.edu/V132/N33/housing.html 4 out of 130] people wanted to leave Baker.  Normally, we have about 10 out of 100 wanted to leave.
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I’ve taken advantage of a number of great opportunities here at Disney. Every Disney employee goes through a training program called Traditions, where you learn the basics of working in the park and see “backstage”.  They also offer a program called Cross-U where office workers can help out in the park during very busy periods.  I was assigned to measure wait times at the Cozy Cone Motel on opening day of Cars Land.  I ended up giving out more help than collecting wait times, but it was fun to be part of Cars Land’s opening day.  Plus I helped beta-test a new game at Imagineering R&D.  They are working on some interesting questions!  Imagineering also has a big library with lots of books about the topics Disney works on and archives of the behind the scenes on the Disney attractions.  This was fun to pour over.  We can also over to the studio lot any time we want for lunch.   
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I also flew out to [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/collections/72157630614756080/ Orlando] to meet with colleagues.  This was my first business trip by myself.  I stayed at the [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157630614802316/ Yacht Club].  During the day I had set up back-to-back meetings with WDPRO and DCL colleagues in the Disney Celebration offices.  On Saturday, I drove out to the [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157630614854722/ Disney Fantasy] to take a tour and meet with shipboard colleagues.  After work, I visited [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/collections/72157630614756080/ Walt Disney World] – my first time there since elementary school.  I even go to walk around the [http://www.google.com/search?q=Utilidors Utilidors] – it looks exactly like the MIT tunnel system.
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Rooming also went pretty well.  We added a [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475750642/ BBQ outside] to allow people to mingle and find their roommates and people they want to live near.  For the BBQ we used our dining hall, Bon Appetite to provide pre-prepared food that we just had to cook.  To stand out from the other groups, we also did better food than hot dogs and hamburgers.  This all worked out pretty well.  We had some icebreakers prepared - but everyone seemed to get along so well we didn't have to use them.  I also redid the [[:File:Baker Rooming Sheets.pdf|rooming forms]] so the instructions would be more clear.  That was a fun exercise in information design.  We took 4 hours to do the [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475756146/ actual rooming].  We were trying to design the floors such that the majority of the people would be happy.  I think we largely succeeded. We had 2 rooms that were very unhappy, and a further 2-3 rooms that were somewhat unhappy.  We were able to move the very unhappy rooms so that they were then happy with their situation.
  
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=====Issues=====
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Overall, I am really happy how the everyone worked together to make the events come together and be a big success.  We did a much larger volume than most of the other dorms and it’s a challenge to move this many people through at such high volumes.  We only had a few hiccups - the little details have degraded our REX events in the past.  For example, we had a steady supply of cold drinks all night, arranged in an organized fashion.
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Disney has its typical big company issues as well.  There are so many managers for this and that everywhere that most of every project is simply coordination between different departments.  I realize that as a temporary intern, I might be cluttering up things further.  This is what I am trying to balance.
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I knew this coming in, but my base salary is quite a fair bit less than last summer and the only thing free in the office is free soda and breakfast one day a week.  We were also promised park passes, but those are still stuck in the Disney bureaucracy.  Also my work address is wrong in the internal company directory.  I think I’ve talked to 10 people about getting this fixed, and while one person was able to fix my work phone number, the address is still wrong.  Disney is very good at being very specific with its polices to the public, but backstage it’s a mess.  It’s certainly not Steve Jobs’ philosophy that good craftsmanship means doing a good job on even the parts not readily visible to the customer.
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=====Disney=====
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I enjoyed my time at [[Disney]].  I got first hand experience in how Disney manages its [[Disney Parks and Resorts Online|Parks and Resorts Online]] operations.  I got to think about not only the low level, concrete stuff (how often you release) but the larger strategy issues about team size, use of contractors, and team organization.  I also had incredible freedom to explore.  I met with MIT alumni around Disney, including both executives and recent graduates.  I really enjoyed doing these meetings and I think it was pretty informative  to learn about the different divisions of Disney.  On really busy days, Disney has this program called Cross-U where office workers can work in the park.  I did that twice.  I also learned about Disney's attention to detail in how they develop products - both on our websites and in the actual parks.
  
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=====Culture=====
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On the other hand, WDPRO had mostly people who were in the later stage of their career because they enjoyed the 9-5 aspect of the work and the stability of working for a large company.  I think I am looking for something a little different coming out of school.  I think the right moment for me at Disney is later on - I think it would be fun to be a VP - but how do I get there? What is the best intermediate step? It could be the right role at Disney - depending on what they offer.
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That being said there are a lot of very smart people here.  Stuff still manages to get done with relatively little problems.  But I think having a stable operational platform would allow things to get done more efficiently and would be less costly.  I’m writing about this not to criticize, but to wonder if its possible to do better. Disney is also a very relational company. I've recognized this and on the advice of others, I’ve set up what seems like 50 informational/getting to know you meetings.
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The culture is also fun here.  Many of the people in other Disney units have worked their way up from the parks so they are always happy and perky.  At certain business units, though not really at PRO, everyone wears their Disney name tags around the office. It’s a way of showing that you are helping out the parks. WDPRO Glendale doesn’t require it, but many people still dress according to the fairly strict “Disney Look” – basically be clean-cut and wear business casual.
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=====Summer Photos=====
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At the end of my summer in LA, I drove down to [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475318912/ San Diego] and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475466592/ drove to Las Vegas] ([http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475487998/ Day 1] and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475502562/ Day 2]) and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475521972/ Primm].  My brother also came to visit and we saw [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475376322/ USC], the [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475383752/ Hollywood Sign], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475400250/ Magic Mountain], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475409074/ Pasadena], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475417922/ CalTech], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475437664/ Harvey Mudd], and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475445922/ UCLA].  I also went to [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475561240/ Disneyland] and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475586182/ California Adventure] one last time with my friend Eddie.
  
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====Outside of Work This Summer====
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=====After MIT=====
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I'm really happy how this summer is turning out from a friendship point of view.  I'm being a lot more aggressive this summer to reach out and organize weekends with friends.
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This is also the time where I need to think about what I want to do after school.  I spent 6 hours thinking about what I liked about each of the 5 internships that I had.  I came up with a [[What Drives Me and What I Want to Do|list of characteristics]].  I realized that almost all of the items were related to characteristics of the work environment, not the industry or job title.  Now certainly each job implements each of the characteristics to a different extent, and this is something I have to think through. Here's a short summary:
  
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=====Travel=====
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*I want a challenging work environment
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At the start of the summer, I went to [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157630614359682/ Atlantic City] with my dad. 
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**The industry/work doesn’t matter as much as being pushed to learn something new and improve
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I went to [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157630614507044/ Universal Studios Hollywood], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157630614526666/ Warner Brothers Studio], and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157630614539170/ Venice Beach] with Eddie and Jeremy.  On my own, I walked around the [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157630614554252/ Hollywood Walk of Fame],  [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157630614580024/ Beverly Hills]  and the [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157630614606776/  X-Games at LA Live and Downtown LA].
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**I want an all-consuming project that I want to stay late for and to be proud of
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*A group of super smart peers to work with and motivate me to improve
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One week I drove up to [[Silicon Valley]] to meet with many of my friends in the area.  On the Fourth of July, I walked around [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157630614647334/ San Francisco with Jon], I stayed with [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157630614662258/ Jeremy in Palo Alto], saw the [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157630614678352/ Computer History Museum], and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157630614696768/ Stanford] with one of my friends from high school, Dave Groff.
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*A team that complements each other and provides unique perspectives
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*A boss that provides constant growth challenges
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*Somewhere where I can add unique value and make an impact
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*Somewhere I can take responsibility for my work
  
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=====Cell Phone=====
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I have already gone to a few info sessions and submitted a good number of applications for a full time position.  This seems to be what I am most excited about right now at MIT.  Hopefully the work wraps up before classes get hard.
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While I was in San Francisco, my Nexus S cell phone broke.  It would not boot up past the “Google” screen.  I had to go most of my Silicon Valley trip and all of my Orlando trip without a cell phone!  Luckily I had my LTE iPad which kept me connected.  I could make outgoing calls on Skype, but not receive calls.  This made me realize how much I depend on my phone.  My phone has been fixed for a week now, but I still feel like I am without it and disconnected from the world.  Battery life is also a great deal improved.
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=====Books=====
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That's all for now, back to work for classes, Baker, and job apps.--[[User:ThePlaz|ThePlaz]] 11:09, 9 September 2012 (EDT)
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I’m also getting to do a lot more driving than I ever have.  I think in my first week here I’ve driven more than I have my entire life.  It has also given me the opportunity to listen to some audio books.  I’ve listened to [http://www.amazon.com/The-Working-Poor-Invisible-America/dp/0375408908 Working Poor], the [http://www.amazon.com/Steve-Jobs-Walter-Isaacson/dp/1451648537/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0 Steve Jobs bio], [http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Deception-Controlling-Security/dp/076454280X Art of Deception by Kevin Mitnick].  I also read a book on the [http://www.amazon.com/Airline-Reservations-Sonic-Hedgehog-Software/dp/1422391760 History of Software Development], and I am reading a book on [http://www.amazon.com/Project-Management-Handbook-David-Cleland/dp/0442221142/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343084222&sr=1-1&keywords=0442221142 Project Management].
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====This Past Semester====
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My [[MIT Junior|junior]] spring semester was a solid semester. I finished 7 classes with a 4.3 GPA average.  This breaks my streak of having my GPA climb semester over semester,  but I still think I learned a lot.  My undergraduate cumulative GPA appears to be fixed at 4.3; this is the third semester in a row where it has not changed.  It's not a particular stunning GPA, but since I chose to focus on breath and leadership opportunities at MIT, I'm by-in-large happy with how this semester ended up.
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[[6.033|6.033 Computer Systems Engineering]] covered designing complex computer systems.  Most of my classmates hated this class; I didn't find it half bad.  The class is not well designed - the very thing it is trying to teach!  It seems that too many unrelated components have been slapped in.  In addition, I wish it focused more on the human side of building a system (more of a project point of view).  Anyway, I got an A in that class.  [[6.813|6.813 UI Design]] was right up my alley.  I think most people in the class couldn't care less (it's the easiest AUS and department lab).  Plus the professor was trying hard - too hard - to be objective.  I was not that happy with my final project, [[RScanVP]].  [[6.006|6.006 Intro to Algorithms]] was challenging for me.  I think I easily grasped the basic concepts, but the problems seemed to come out of no where with the TA unable to offer robust strategies to solve them.  I ended up with a C because I did not do well on the final.  Your grade basically dependent on if you "figured out" the problem.  I don't like making excuses, but I really don't know how I end up with a C in every math related class I take at MIT.
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[[15.565|15.565 Management/Web 3.0]] was a class I required to take.  I didn’t like the class, so I didn’t spend much time on it.  I even got in a big disagreement with the TA since I thought my approach was way better than his.  I ended up with an A-.  [[15.571|15.571 Business IT Strategy]] is perhaps my most favorite Sloan class ever.  I really like the work Jeanne Ross and the [http://cisr.mit.edu/ Center for Information Systems Research] is doing at Sloan.  I ended up with a B+ because the group project (which I really enjoyed) was graded lower than other students and Sloan has grade quotas.  [[15.301|15.301 Management Psychology]] was fun, although I don’t think the other students cared that much, but I really enjoyed the topic.  I ended up with an A.  [[18.06|18.06 Linear Algebra]] was a challenge for me.  Unlike other course 18 classes, this one was more about theory than calculations, though I am not very good at that either!
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I think at some point I had 6 group projects active!  This was a bit much, because there is a lot of overhead in scheduling group projects.  I think I also did much more group P-Setting this semester versus before.  I was much more conscious to take the time to cultivate relationships and set up times to work on homework.  Overall, I'm glad I'm being more social.  This is one of the life/soft skills where I am 180 degrees different from how I was when I entered MIT.
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====Outside of Classes====
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=====Baker House=====
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Also I was elected as the President of [[Baker House]], my dorm at MIT.  I was unsure about doing this role initially, but it has turned out to be a great experience.  I have a budget of about $50,000 per year and about 20 people are involved in house government.  It really is a fantastic leadership opportunity because you have to recruit really busy people to help out, train them, and then throw great events.  You also have the autonomy to try things out and make mistakes.  Our Piano Drop was a huge success with syndication on over 300 world-wide news outlets. Here is the big one from the [http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2012/04/24/years-after-quirky-ritual-began-piano-drop-still-strikes-chord-mit/rYJW5zNd356WTSswbwAusJ/story.html Boston Globe]. In addition, we had over 500 people at our annual CPW party.  My term runs one more semester until IAP 2013.
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=====MITCET=====
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This semester I continued to be involved in [[MITCET]] [http://mitcet.mit.edu/], the MIT Council on Educational Technology.  I can't believe I forgot to mention it in my last update, but MITCET was one of the groups advising then-Provost Reif on setting up MITx and EdX.  I was on the inside on the announcement of MITx and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157629993249096/ EdX] and I met with then-Provost Reif to discuss the issue.  I think MITx and EdX has the potential to revolutionize education.  I think education has economies of scale which, if taken advantage of, could radically change the course of the industry.  Why does every school need a different school curriculum?  Instead of having each teacher re-invent the wheel - invest in a few good solutions.  Then you are able to justify the extra work to refine the technology to be able to adopt to people's needs.   
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=====ThePlaz.com=====
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I made some small adjustments to the nav bar on ThePlaz.com.  Gone are the separate TI-83 and Video categories and instead I've added an engineering and business header entries, as well as getting all of the classes up to date in the header.
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Content from the spring is up.  I have scanned a fair bit of old content that I still need to work though.  Hopefully I get a few moments later this summer.
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=====Travel=====
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My brother is currently looking for schools.  Over Spring Break I was in [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157629993026940/  Pittsburgh with my family].
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====Semesters Ahead====
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For planning ahead, I have 10 classes left in order to graduate with a double major in 15 and 6-3.  I had originally thought I needed 11 more, but I realized I had actually satisfied a requirement without realizing it!  This means I only need a normal 5 classes per semester!  Plus, one of these classes is a PE class, which I have not historically counted in the number of classes I am taking, so we are down to 5 and 4 classes.
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I am planning on taking [[7.012|7.012 Intro to Biology]].  I've tried taking this GIR class every semester, but it always conflicted with my schedule.  Well I am finally going to take it!  It will be mostly freshmen - I've come so far in terms of my study skills from those years…  (See [[Working out a System]])  I'm planning on taking [[STS.085|STS.085 Ethics Online]].  I think I am going to really like this class; I enjoy working on the topic. It also wraps up my concentration in [[STS|STS: Science, Technology, and Society]].  I will have to take [[6.046|6.046 Advanced Algorithms]].  I'm not looking forward to this class at all!  Plus my extremely smart [[6.006]] partner, Shri, dropped out of MIT (is technically on-hold) to do a start up.  What am I going to do?
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For my AUS class, I picked [[6.858|6.858 Computer Systems Security]].  I heard that in the first lab with write a buffer overflow attack.  I hope to pick up low-level programming skills (i.e. C)  and learn how to actually write attacks.  I heard that the labs are long and hard, but it seemed like the best choice as to what I was interested in.  For my HASS D class, I picked [[14.72|14.72 Capitalism and its Critics]].  This seems like an interesting class about different economic systems - I picked it partially because it is from the econ department, something I want more exposure to.  My top choice was [[17.30|17.30 Making Public Policy]], but this has a time conflict with [[6.046]].  As alternate choices, I put down [[17.40|17.40 American Foreign Policy]] and [[STS.003|STS.003 The Rise of Modern Science]].  I liked the book [http://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Ashes-The-History-CIA/dp/038551445X Legacy of Ashes], but I prefer econ more; and I think I've heard enough about the start of science with [[STS.050]] and [[STS.011]]. 
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So with my 5 classes this semester I might be bored.  I'm considering picking [[2.009]], the famous product design lab.  I've always liked the idea of the class, so when I got an email from the professor announcing that the class was looking for non-course 2's I was intrigued.  I do want to spend more time on self exploration on other topics and greater depth on in-class topics, but I'm skeptical how much that will happen once the rubber meets the road. 
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So in the spring semester I still have to take [[15.053]] or [[15.058]] as well as [[15.075]], both Sloan math classes.  I probably should not be taking those so late, but that's when they fit in.  Plus I need to do a third HASS D class, as well as my course 6 project 6.UAP.  I also need to take 1 more PE class at some point.  I also want to take advantage of cross registration with Harvard for some class to say that I've done it...
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====After MIT====
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So what am I going to do after MIT?  I don’t think I am going to do grad school immediately.  I don’t feel like spending more time in school.  If I were to go to grad school, and if at MIT, I would do either Sloan for research, or the Media Lab at MIT.  I feel like I’ve already seen what a Sloan MBA would be like.  I don’t quite have the grades for M-Eng and since I don’t see myself doing that sort of work, I don’t think another year of access to course 6 classes at MIT is a good investment of time.  Looking at the class list, nothing really stands out.
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So what do I want in a job?  I want to be busy – at MIT taking 7 classes at a time forces me to get stuff done.  Without that pressure, I tend to be a lot less productive.  I want to work on hard problems.  I want to continue to have new experiences.  I don’t want to master a job – though I might master and formalize the process of working (as I’ve done at MIT).  I might do business consulting, PDM at Disney, or product management somewhere in Silicon Valley.  I might even do my own thing. 
+
−
 
+
−
I think my 5 internships have given me good perspective on the good and the bad.  For some of the other interns at Disney this is their first internship.  Between my internships, school classes, and MIT leadership opportunities, I think I’m much more aware of the differences between places, the reasons those differences exist, and attempting to answer which is better.  As to another major change I've noticed, I think I've become much more Establishment.--[[User:ThePlaz|ThePlaz]] 21:57, 23 July 2012 (EDT)
+
 
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Revision as of 15:09, 9 September 2012

Resume

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)

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9/9/2012 Back to School Personal Update

We are one week into classes at MIT. Well 3 days into classes.

Fall 2012 Schedule
Classes

This means I have had about one session of each class. 7.012 Bio looks interesting. You have to get there 15 minutes early to get a seat. We will see how long that lasts. Plus the Professors said they are focusing on learning the patterns, not memorizing. 6.858 Computer Security started out with a lecture on the systemic aspects of security - something I am familiar with. 2.009 Product Design seems like a fun lecture, but I don't know if I want to put the time into the projects, let alone the homework. 14.72 Capitalism and its Critics had some interesting reading - The Fountainhead - which is about individualism. Ted, one of my friends, pulled me into his 15.495 Quantitative Finance class. I'm not that into making money via hedge funds and the like - so while it would be interesting to learn, I don't think I will take it. 6.046 Algorithms looks like it will be hard, especially since they require formal proofs. I am still not really comfortable with that. STS.085 Internet Policy seems really fun. We have Hal Abelson, as well as Danny Weitzner, the former Deputy CTO for Internet Policy in the Obama White House, and Alan Davidson, the former Head of Public Policy at Google. While I seem to already be familiar with much of the classes' material, it will be a fun semester to dive deeper with these lecturers.

Baker REX

Before classes started, I had already been on campus for over a week and a half (since 8/23). I've been on campus so long, because as Baker President, I had to entertain over 130 freshmen living in Baker House, plus the others who came to visit, during "Residence Exploration Week" or REX.

I think we had a tremendous REX. CPW and REX are our opportunities to brand Baker for the new students and establish the tone for the upcoming year. We made signs and banners to advertise our events - all in the same visual identity as the rest of Baker. We played music all weekend to try and liven up the campus area.

Skyline

We gave out over 300 servings of Ice Cream and give tours to about 100 people. We had about 30 parents at our 2 parents events. I think most parents came during CPW and didn't want to go to the same event twice. About 200-250 people came to our stargazing event thrown by our former astronaut and Housemaster, Jeff Hoffman. We had to move Sunrise inside due to the rain, but I think we still did about 200-250 servings of waffles and freshly squeezed orange juice. It takes the dining hall about a month to go through that much waffle batter. Over 740 people came to our party Skyline - a record I think! (The school newspaper The Tech called it "boring" and "not well attended". [1] I'm not sure where they get their facts from.) On the other hand, Baker Confidential, a new event imposed system-wide by MIT Housing, was a total disaster. The administration also handed out meal tickets to other groups during that time who didn't respect our event. However, overall we had one of the highest retention rates ever - only 4 out of 130 people wanted to leave Baker. Normally, we have about 10 out of 100 wanted to leave.

Rooming also went pretty well. We added a BBQ outside to allow people to mingle and find their roommates and people they want to live near. For the BBQ we used our dining hall, Bon Appetite to provide pre-prepared food that we just had to cook. To stand out from the other groups, we also did better food than hot dogs and hamburgers. This all worked out pretty well. We had some icebreakers prepared - but everyone seemed to get along so well we didn't have to use them. I also redid the rooming forms so the instructions would be more clear. That was a fun exercise in information design. We took 4 hours to do the actual rooming. We were trying to design the floors such that the majority of the people would be happy. I think we largely succeeded. We had 2 rooms that were very unhappy, and a further 2-3 rooms that were somewhat unhappy. We were able to move the very unhappy rooms so that they were then happy with their situation.

Overall, I am really happy how the everyone worked together to make the events come together and be a big success. We did a much larger volume than most of the other dorms and it’s a challenge to move this many people through at such high volumes. We only had a few hiccups - the little details have degraded our REX events in the past. For example, we had a steady supply of cold drinks all night, arranged in an organized fashion.

Disney

I enjoyed my time at Disney. I got first hand experience in how Disney manages its Parks and Resorts Online operations. I got to think about not only the low level, concrete stuff (how often you release) but the larger strategy issues about team size, use of contractors, and team organization. I also had incredible freedom to explore. I met with MIT alumni around Disney, including both executives and recent graduates. I really enjoyed doing these meetings and I think it was pretty informative to learn about the different divisions of Disney. On really busy days, Disney has this program called Cross-U where office workers can work in the park. I did that twice. I also learned about Disney's attention to detail in how they develop products - both on our websites and in the actual parks.

On the other hand, WDPRO had mostly people who were in the later stage of their career because they enjoyed the 9-5 aspect of the work and the stability of working for a large company. I think I am looking for something a little different coming out of school. I think the right moment for me at Disney is later on - I think it would be fun to be a VP - but how do I get there? What is the best intermediate step? It could be the right role at Disney - depending on what they offer.

Summer Photos

At the end of my summer in LA, I drove down to San Diego and drove to Las Vegas (Day 1 and Day 2) and Primm. My brother also came to visit and we saw USC, the Hollywood Sign, Magic Mountain, Pasadena, CalTech, Harvey Mudd, and UCLA. I also went to Disneyland and California Adventure one last time with my friend Eddie.

After MIT

This is also the time where I need to think about what I want to do after school. I spent 6 hours thinking about what I liked about each of the 5 internships that I had. I came up with a list of characteristics. I realized that almost all of the items were related to characteristics of the work environment, not the industry or job title. Now certainly each job implements each of the characteristics to a different extent, and this is something I have to think through. Here's a short summary:

  • I want a challenging work environment
    • The industry/work doesn’t matter as much as being pushed to learn something new and improve
    • I want an all-consuming project that I want to stay late for and to be proud of
  • A group of super smart peers to work with and motivate me to improve
  • A team that complements each other and provides unique perspectives
  • A boss that provides constant growth challenges
  • Somewhere where I can add unique value and make an impact
  • Somewhere I can take responsibility for my work

I have already gone to a few info sessions and submitted a good number of applications for a full time position. This seems to be what I am most excited about right now at MIT. Hopefully the work wraps up before classes get hard.

That's all for now, back to work for classes, Baker, and job apps.--ThePlaz 11:09, 9 September 2012 (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

Recent Activity from around the Web

__NOTOC____NOEDITSECTION__

[[Resume]]

Welcome to '''{{SITENAME}}'''

the site for all things '''[[User:ThePlaz|Michael Plasmeier]]''' ([[My Nicknames|ThePlaz]])

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]])

''[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]]''

[[Image:Nuvola apps important.png|25px|left]] 9/9/2012 Back to School Personal Update

We are one week into classes at MIT. Well 3 days into classes.

[[File:MIT Senior Fall-Schedule.png|thumb|Fall 2012 Schedule]] =====Classes===== This means I have had about one session of each class. [[7.012|7.012 Bio]] looks interesting. You have to get there 15 minutes early to get a seat. We will see how long that lasts. Plus the Professors said they are focusing on learning the patterns, not memorizing. [[6.858|6.858 Computer Security]] started out with a lecture on the systemic aspects of security - something I am familiar with. [[2.009|2.009 Product Design]] seems like a fun lecture, but I don't know if I want to put the time into the projects, let alone the homework. [[14.72|14.72 Capitalism and its Critics]] had some interesting reading - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fountainhead The Fountainhead] - which is about individualism. Ted, one of my friends, pulled me into his [[15.495|15.495 Quantitative Finance]] class. I'm not that into making money via hedge funds and the like - so while it would be interesting to learn, I don't think I will take it. [[6.046|6.046 Algorithms]] looks like it will be hard, especially since they require formal proofs. I am still not really comfortable with that. [[STS.085|STS.085 Internet Policy]] seems really fun. We have Hal Abelson, as well as Danny Weitzner, the former Deputy CTO for Internet Policy in the Obama White House, and Alan Davidson, the former Head of Public Policy at Google. While I seem to already be familiar with much of the classes' material, it will be a fun semester to dive deeper with these lecturers.

=====Baker REX===== Before classes started, I had already been on campus for over a week and a half (since 8/23). I've been on campus so long, because as [[Baker President]], I had to entertain over 130 freshmen living in [[Baker House]], plus the others who came to visit, during "[[Residence Exploration Week]]" or REX.

I think we had a tremendous REX. [[CPW]] and REX are our opportunities to brand Baker for the new students and establish the tone for the upcoming year. We made signs and banners to advertise our events - all in the same visual identity as the rest of Baker. We played music all weekend to try and liven up the campus area.

[[File:Baker Skyline 2012.jpg|thumb|Skyline]]

We gave out over [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475720082/ 300 servings of Ice Cream and give tours to about 100 people]. We had about [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475727258/ 30 parents at our 2 parents events]. I think most parents came during CPW and didn't want to go to the same event twice. About [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475731748/ 200-250 people came to our stargazing event] thrown by our former astronaut and Housemaster, Jeff Hoffman. We had to move Sunrise inside due to the rain, but I think we still did about [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475743032/ 200-250 servings of waffles and freshly squeezed orange juice]. It takes the dining hall about a month to go through that much waffle batter. Over [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475737402/ 740 people came to our party Skyline] - a record I think! (The school newspaper ''The Tech'' called it "boring" and "not well attended". [http://tech.mit.edu/V132/N34/review.html] I'm not sure where they get their facts from.) On the other hand, Baker Confidential, a new event imposed system-wide by MIT Housing, was a total disaster. The administration also handed out meal tickets to other groups during that time who didn't respect our event. However, overall we had one of the highest retention rates ever - only [http://tech.mit.edu/V132/N33/housing.html 4 out of 130] people wanted to leave Baker. Normally, we have about 10 out of 100 wanted to leave.

Rooming also went pretty well. We added a [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475750642/ BBQ outside] to allow people to mingle and find their roommates and people they want to live near. For the BBQ we used our dining hall, Bon Appetite to provide pre-prepared food that we just had to cook. To stand out from the other groups, we also did better food than hot dogs and hamburgers. This all worked out pretty well. We had some icebreakers prepared - but everyone seemed to get along so well we didn't have to use them. I also redid the [[:File:Baker Rooming Sheets.pdf|rooming forms]] so the instructions would be more clear. That was a fun exercise in information design. We took 4 hours to do the [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475756146/ actual rooming]. We were trying to design the floors such that the majority of the people would be happy. I think we largely succeeded. We had 2 rooms that were very unhappy, and a further 2-3 rooms that were somewhat unhappy. We were able to move the very unhappy rooms so that they were then happy with their situation.

Overall, I am really happy how the everyone worked together to make the events come together and be a big success. We did a much larger volume than most of the other dorms and it’s a challenge to move this many people through at such high volumes. We only had a few hiccups - the little details have degraded our REX events in the past. For example, we had a steady supply of cold drinks all night, arranged in an organized fashion.

=====Disney===== I enjoyed my time at [[Disney]]. I got first hand experience in how Disney manages its [[Disney Parks and Resorts Online|Parks and Resorts Online]] operations. I got to think about not only the low level, concrete stuff (how often you release) but the larger strategy issues about team size, use of contractors, and team organization. I also had incredible freedom to explore. I met with MIT alumni around Disney, including both executives and recent graduates. I really enjoyed doing these meetings and I think it was pretty informative to learn about the different divisions of Disney. On really busy days, Disney has this program called Cross-U where office workers can work in the park. I did that twice. I also learned about Disney's attention to detail in how they develop products - both on our websites and in the actual parks.

On the other hand, WDPRO had mostly people who were in the later stage of their career because they enjoyed the 9-5 aspect of the work and the stability of working for a large company. I think I am looking for something a little different coming out of school. I think the right moment for me at Disney is later on - I think it would be fun to be a VP - but how do I get there? What is the best intermediate step? It could be the right role at Disney - depending on what they offer.

=====Summer Photos===== At the end of my summer in LA, I drove down to [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475318912/ San Diego] and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475466592/ drove to Las Vegas] ([http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475487998/ Day 1] and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475502562/ Day 2]) and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475521972/ Primm]. My brother also came to visit and we saw [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475376322/ USC], the [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475383752/ Hollywood Sign], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475400250/ Magic Mountain], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475409074/ Pasadena], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475417922/ CalTech], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475437664/ Harvey Mudd], and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475445922/ UCLA]. I also went to [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475561240/ Disneyland] and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475586182/ California Adventure] one last time with my friend Eddie.

=====After MIT===== This is also the time where I need to think about what I want to do after school. I spent 6 hours thinking about what I liked about each of the 5 internships that I had. I came up with a [[What Drives Me and What I Want to Do|list of characteristics]]. I realized that almost all of the items were related to characteristics of the work environment, not the industry or job title. Now certainly each job implements each of the characteristics to a different extent, and this is something I have to think through. Here's a short summary:

  • I want a challenging work environment
    • The industry/work doesn’t matter as much as being pushed to learn something new and improve
    • I want an all-consuming project that I want to stay late for and to be proud of
  • A group of super smart peers to work with and motivate me to improve
  • A team that complements each other and provides unique perspectives
  • A boss that provides constant growth challenges
  • Somewhere where I can add unique value and make an impact
  • Somewhere I can take responsibility for my work

I have already gone to a few info sessions and submitted a good number of applications for a full time position. This seems to be what I am most excited about right now at MIT. Hopefully the work wraps up before classes get hard.

That's all for now, back to work for classes, Baker, and job apps.--[[User:ThePlaz|ThePlaz]] 11:09, 9 September 2012 (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]]''

Recent Activity from around the Web

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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)]]''

  • '''[[:File:Pop Music Binder.pdf|Binder]]'''
  • [[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}}

[[Image:Nuvola filesystems folder blue open.png|30px]] [[8th Grade]]

  • [[IAG 1]]
  • [[Latin 1]]
  • [[English 8]]
  • [[Geography]]
  • [[8th Grade Health]]
  • [[8th Grade History]]
  • [[8th Grade Science]]
  • [[8th Grade Seminar]]
  • [[8th Grade Tech Ed]]

[[Image:Nuvola filesystems folder blue open.png|30px]] [[7th Grade]]

  • [[7th Grade History|History]]
  • [[Info Tech 7]]
  • [[7th Grade LA|Language Arts]]
  • [[7th Grade Math|Math]]
  • [[7th Grade Science|Science]]
  • [[7th Grade Spanish|Spanish]]
  • [[7th Grade Music|Music]]
  • [[7th Grade Sci-Sem|Sci-Sem]]

|width="45%" class="MainPageBG" style="-moz-border-radius: 1em; background:#f6ffff;border:1px solid #6495ed;vertical-align:top;"|

[[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]
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  • [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 Senior edit

Fall
  • Schedule
  • 7.012 Intro to Biology
  • 6.046 Advanced Algorithms
  • 6.858 Computer and Network Security
  • 14.72 Capitalism and its Critics
  • STS.085 Ethics and the Law on the Electronic Frontier
  • 2.009 Product Design Process (Listener)
  • 15.062 Data Mining (Listener)
Spring

MIT Junior edit

Fall
  • 6.004 Computation Structures
  • 6.005 Elements of Software Construction
  • 6.034 Artificial Intelligence
  • STS.011 Ethics and Politics in Science and Technology
  • 15.387 Technology Sales and Sales Management
  • 15.665 Power and Negotiation
  • 18.03 Differential Equations
  • Working out a System - How I take 7 classes at MIT and thrive
Spring
  • Spring Schedule
  • 6.033 Computer System Engineering
  • 6.813 User Interface Design and Implementation
  • 6.006 Introduction to Algorithms
  • 15.571 Business Strategy and the Role of IT
  • 15.565 Digital Evolution: Managing Web 3.0
  • 15.301 Managerial Psychology Laboratory
  • 18.06 Linear Algebra

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

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Nuvola apps personal.png Business Law (Business)

30px-OneNote.png Open OneNote Notebook

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Nuvola apps amarok.png Pop Music (Music)

Nuvola filesystems folder blue open.png Other edit

Nuvola filesystems folder blue open.png 8th Grade

Nuvola filesystems folder blue open.png 7th Grade

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

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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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