#7 List of Research Questions/Problems (freewrite, 5-5-5 minutes)

Biometrics

Identify the parts and how they interrelate

What are the parts of your topic, and how do they relate to each other?

How do they scan for facial recognition?
What kind of computer architeture and systems are needed for biometrics security?
Can different types of biometric devices be used concurrently?

How is your topic part of a larger system?

Is biometrics better than normal types of security?
How is biometric security better than password security?

Trace is own history and its role in a larger history

How and why has your topic changed through time, as something with its own history?

Why is biometrics just becoming big now?
How will biometrics change in the future as technology grows more complex

How and why is your topic an episode in a larger history?

How will biometrics shape the future of security around the world?
Could biometrics fail at being secure in the future, making us revert back to other security measures?

Identify its characteristics and the categories that include it

What kind of thing is your topic?  What is its range of variation?  How are instances of it similar to and different from another?

How will biometric security better secure the systems that need securing?
Why are the security measures of today outdated and needing to be replaced by biometric devices?

To what larger categories can your topic be assigned?  How does that help us understand it?

How will computer security benefit from the advancement of biometrics?
We all know about fingerprints, but what other methods of biometric security measures are there?

Determine its value

What values does your topic reflect?  What values does it support?  Contradict?

Are the uses of biometric data again privacy laws or the privacy of individuals?
Should the authorities have access to your biological data such as hand and face patters?

How good or bad is your topic?  Is it useful?

Could biometrics be used for bad purposes?
What are the consequences and methods for fighting compromised biometric data?


Audio Compression


Identify the parts and how they interrelate

What are the parts of your topic, and how do they relate to each other?

How does audio compresssion relate to the actually devices that make the sounds?
Why is there a need for audio compression even when storage is so affordable?
What are the different methods of audio compression and how do they differ?
Among hte different methods of audio compression, which sound better to the human ear?

How is your topic part of a larger system?

How can the different audio compressions be used to trick your mind?


Trace is own history and its role in a larger history

How and why has your topic changed through time, as something with its own history?

How has audio compression changed with the invention of CD's, MP3's and DVD's?
Have differnt audio compression methods been designed to fit the new technology advances in sound storage?
How has audio compression advanced with the invention of newer and better audio technologies?

Determine its value

How good or bad is your topic?  Is it useful?

Does audio compression take the sound quality away form the listener?
What are the best methods of audio compression?


Network Security


Identify the parts and how they interrelate

What are the parts of your topic, and how do they relate to each other?

How are wireless and wired security similar?
Which is less secure, wireless or wired networks?

How is your topic part of a larger system?

How is cryptography used in the process of network security?
How is the method of data transfer across wireless networks vulnerable to attacks?


Trace is own history and its role in a larger history

How and why has your topic changed through time, as something with its own history?

With the invention of newer wireless technologies, has the advancement of security in the wireless field been less needed?

How and why is your topic an episode in a larger history?

What new technologies are on the horizon of breaking through, and will they be able to secure networks better?

Identify its characteristics and the categories that include it


What kind of thing is your topic?  What is its range of variation?  How are instances of it similar to and different from another?

How are the instances of a wired network and wireless network similar?
Of the wired and wireless networks, which are the more secure and why?
What are some different, unseen methods of securing networks?

Determine its value

What values does your topic reflect?  What values does it support?  Contradict?

Speaking of Google, Should their views on network security allow them to collect random information from their users?
What are the criminal charges placed against someone who infiltrates a computer network?

How good or bad is your topic?  Is it useful?

How could an attacker take advantage of a vulnerable wired or wireless network?

#6 Refined List of Research Topics (freewrite, 5-5-5 minutes)

Biometrics
This topic covers some very easily implemented programming concepts and some very intricate, complex ones.  The most basic, which I have done in a CS class, was to implement a very easy and basic eye scanner, something which could have been more complex and maybe fashioned into something usable.  Most of the biometrics stuff I have learned about deals with security issues on computers and many other places.  With a single eye scanner security can be made much more impermiable.  Just like your fingerprint, your eyes are also extremely unique, and now that I'm thinking about it, I think i've read that it is the most distinguishable thing about us humans.  Other uses of biometrics would be to test your gait.  I remember hearing about this in a lecture with Professor Heishman some time ago.  Apparently this can be used to detect people that should or should not be in the room at the time, almost like a under-floor security detection system.  Biometrics can also help with the disabled.  Just like scanners can use your eyes to secure certain places or things, they can also use them for people missing limbs so that they will be able to work in a better fashion in order to ease their lives.

Audio Compression
Although I havn't had any formal classes on this topic, I have seen enough of it to be interested.  No matter what you're listening to, each file has a certain file type extension.  These correlate to the compressions that the audio has undergone.  I am really interested in figuring out what these compressions actually mean for us humans, and to what extent the sound quality drops in our minds.  I am also interested in learning about DRM.  I know that many music companies sell their music with this type of security integrated so that the buyer won't be able to do anything illegal with that piece of music.  While on the topic of audio compression, I would also like to know how the compression is done.  I know most of it can be done on a computer with various software, but in what manner does the program actually compress the file to make it smaller?  It would be interesting to learn about the function and algorithms put in place to actually compress the files.  Does the software just pick out pieces of the music in different increments so that the song sounds the same, or is there just another algorithm for piecing the music apart while still allowing the original sounds to come through?

Network Security
I haven't had a formal class on this topic either, but while messing around with the topic on Linux I have opened my interests for this topic.  I've heard many instances of network security being very easy to break, allowing intruders into your home network where a lot of delicate information can be stored.  I know that WEP is the source of the problems, but I would think that after a while of being used it would either be honed down to be perfect, or another passwording system with better integrity would be implemented and take over.  In this topic I also know that there is cryptography.  I did a short project on this within the first year of joining George Mason University, and I know that the very basic level is completely overwhelming for a beginner in Computer Science.  During that project we learned that there are many various ways to crypt data and other information that you don't want to be found, and I know that various network traffic can be made secure, both via your browser (for example Google https) and in a terminal via secure file transfer, both of which are still widely used today.  I would be interested in learning some of the more secure ways of crypting data, and learning the uses of each one and how exactly they crypt and secure your data.

#5 List of Research Topics (freewrite, 5 minutes)

Biometrics
Biometric security uses
Global Warming
Clean fuels
Audio Compression
Robotics
Software Engineering models
Computer hardware
Linux/Opensource(free) software
Operating Systems
Database integrity
Computer Ethics
Computer architectures
Unsolveable problems (Formal Methods and Models)
Social Networks
Programming languages
Network Security
Cryptography

#4 Current Major and Career Goals (freewrite, 10 minutes)

My current major is computer science.  At the moment I cant really think of any hard-set career goals, but if I had to note one I would say that I really need to get an internship as soon as possible.  Not only will this help me to get my foot in the door with a computer related job, but it will give me the experience that many employers are looking for in the job market.  This is my goal because it will put me ahead of most students, and in the end I will look better and more qualified for most of the computer jobs on the market.  I will get there by looking around (in fact i've already started) and applying to internships.  They really don't have to be paid, because just like college, I am there for the knowledge and the experience.  Hopefully if I can do a good job there for a semester or year long internship, they will decide to keep me for longer, hopefully under a paid job.  Now that we're talking about goals, I have another long-shot goal that would be one of my dream jobs (in my ind).  I would really like to work at Google, doing pretty much anything related to computers because I really don't want to say that I'll specialize in anything particular at the moment.  Preferably I would like to work at the branch in Germany, which would be perfect since both my fiancee and I plan to live in Europe as soon as we get out of college if not sooner.  This is my career goal because from what I've seen it is the total dream job.  If you like computer related activities, this is the place for you as they have anything and everything related to computers and even some other things.  If the job type isn't right on the target, they offer amazing benefits to their employees that would make the work place so much more enjoyable.

My current major will fit into my plans perfectly.  I really want to work in the computer sector, and my major will fit into that category perfectly.  I hope that the training and knowledge that I am getting at George Mason will actually be of some help to me in the job place.  I know most people say that the things we learn in college are useless, and most of the stuff done in the real world job force are completely the opposite of what we've learned.

If i decided on a French minor, I think that it will greatly help with my current career goals and plans for the future.  If I really want to go to Germany to work, or even grad school, another language would be almost necessary.  I believe that even if I don't get to go to Germany, there are plenty of jobs and colleges in France that would fill my needs, meaning that the knowledge of the language would help me quite a bit.

In 5 years I see myself having a job, making a lower salary because I will just be at entyr-level status.  In both 10 ad 15 years I really see myself having a well paying job (hopefully) doing something I love, and hopefully by this time I will be completely proficient will all activities needed.

#3 One Significant Person or Significant Event freewrites and expand it (freewrite, 10 minutes)

Back to the study abroad event over the summer of 2009. As I said, it may not have been the most influential event in my life, but it sure was the most exciting. I remember first getting into Paris because I was so confused and scared of my unusual surroundings. Things got much worse when our luggage got stuck in London because of the plane having trouble and landing too late. This just put the clincher on a bad start to my new beginning in a different country. I remember vividly wondering around the airport at Charles de Gaule just being too overwhelmed by the heavily armed guards and culture shock in general. Once my fiancée and I made it out of the airport and to the hostel we were staying in, things got much better. Not only did i get to meet my study abroad leader and group, but I finally had a chance to have some time to myself to contemplate the culture shock that I was having at that point. Moving from this tense and delicate situation, I became much happier and content with the way the trip was turning out, so much that I could say that I actually loved living in Paris. By visiting the various landmarks and important places I really opened up an interest for wandering and adventure seeking in new ways. Other than this broadening of my horizons, I also became very deeply acquanted with the French way of life, which made me realize that the American way of life isn't the only way, and that just maybe our way of life is sub-par in some aspects. During the freetime when my fiancée didn't want to venture out, I stayed inside, contemplating the entire situation, and by the end of the trip I was sure that I wanted to travel more over the next several years so that I would be able to open myself to even more cultures and people. Not only do I want to roam all over the world, but i really miss and feel like I need to be back in Paris, it was just that good. Just from this single month in Paris my ideas were tuned, and my attitude matured as to how I wanted to live the rest of my life. I feel that without this I would probably have been stuck here in the United States, cloaked from the outside world without a clue about how the rest of the world actually functions in a day to day setting.

Science Article Summary - 5

Science Article Summary - 5

Shoes may have changed how we run

[1] V. Gill, “Shoes may have changed how we run,” BBC, Jan. 2010. [Online]. Available: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8483401.stm. [Accessed Jan. 27, 2010].

      Using slow-motion footage of experienced runners, highly sensitive scales and 3-D motion analysis scientists have uncovered the fact that barefoot runners run very differently from those of us who wear running shoes. The main difference is that barefoot runners hit the ground with their forefoot or mid-foot, while most people that wear shoes hit the ground with their heel. Although these seem like simple adaptations, the method that barefoot runners use has been proven to reduce risk for certain types of injuries that can be attributed to the impacts created from running with shoes. Rather than landing smoothly, those of us who run with shoes create an impact comparable to "hitting your heel with a hammer up to three times your body weight," showing just how injuries are so easily obtained with shoes. Don't be too worried, not all of this pressure gets directly placed onto the heel because most modern day shoes have become much more comforting, to the point where most of the impact is diminished. Although moderns shoes seem to save us from the pain that we should be enduring, it still is very true that striking the ground with your forefoot or mid-foot can almost completely eliminate the force, making barefoot running more comfortable in all senses.

      It is very unlikely that these findings will change the running shoe industry anytime soon, but it is a start to thinking of new and better things. Although barefoot running may be more efficient, many runners that are already used to running with shoes may find a hard feat in the switch. Professor Lieberman, the professor behind this research, notes that runners already accustomed to shoes will have to use their calf muscles and Achilles tendon much more rigorously, meaning that runners trying to switch their styles may end up hurting themselves in the long run.

Science Article Summary - 4

Science Article Summary - 4

Skydiver Felix Baumgartner seeks to break sound barrier

[1] “Dare-devil skydiver seeks record,” BBC, Jan. 2010.[Online]. Available: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8475288.stm. [Accessed Jan. 27, 2010].

Later this year Austrian Felix Baumgartner plans to try and break the highest parachute jump record which is currently held by American Joe Kittinger. It was over 50 years ago that Kittinger first broke the record, rising to a enormous 102,800 ft above the earth using a balloon. Baumgartner plans to do the job much the same way by using a 450ft high helium balloon attached to a pressurized chamber where he will reside during his journey. Although he plans to take the balloon to 120,000ft before he jumps, the task doesn't seem impossible as he has an extreme technological advantage over Kittinger. He will be completed suited with a pressurized suit and helmet in order to help his body to cope with the elements, but even with these safeties there are still many things to worry about at such heights. With such a long decent it has been calculated that Baumgartner will reach the speed of sound, something that no one else has ever done without the aid of a machine. This brings to light the problem of how his body will react at such speeds, including blacking out or going into a spin, both of which cannot be corrected at such heights.

As an outcome of this project, Baumgartner hopes that his decent will collect valuable data about the area above the stratosphere and information about how the body handles conditions at those altitudes. With such data, Baumgartner hopes that one day astronauts will be able to be saved when their space shuttles malfunction far above the earth.

Science Article Summary - 3

Science Article Summary - 3

The Ozone Hole Is Mending. Now for the ‘But.’

[1] S.N. Bhanoo, “The Ozone Hole Is Mending. Now for the ‘But.’,” The New York Times, p. A7, Jan. 2010. [Online]. Available: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/26/science/earth/26ozone.html?ref=science. [Accessed Jan. 27, 2010].

After many years of fighting over the truth and effects of Global Warming scientists have now found that the ozone layer which attributes to the warming is actually fixing itself, but there is a catch. Instead of helping to reverse the warming, the closing of the hole will lead to a growth in global warming over certain parts of the world. Since the hole began, it has been creating an environment with forceful winds that sweeps sea salt into the sky. This salt then forms to make light reflecting clouds over the Antarctic continent which reduces the effects of global warming. With the ozone hole closing this entire heat-restricting shield won't be there to save the Antarctic ice cap from rapid melting until the problems of global warming have been fixed in its entirety.

Judith Perlwitz, a University of Colorado professor notes that although these findings are true, they may not interpreted correctly. She notes that since greenhouse gas emissions are expected to continue to rise over the next several years then so will the temperatures on Earth too. The hopes are that this temperature rise will cause wind speeds around the Antarctic to increase again, creating an identical effect which would once again save the Antarctic from such rapid melting.

This ozone hole, which many learn about in school, is a direct consequence of our use of a chemical called chlorofluorocarbons which were found in early refrigerators and aerosol cans. Luckily in 1987 many countries phased out the compound, but the damage was already done. The World Meteorological Organization's most recent report notes that the ozone hole will not be back to its pre-chlorofluorocarbon state until at least 2060, showing just how bad this harmful chemical really is.

Science Article Summary - 2

Science Article Summary - 2

'Supersized' monarch butterflies evolved to fly far

[1] M. Walker, “'Supersized' butterflies fly far,” BBC, Jan. 2010.[Online]. Available:    http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8481000/8481380.stm. [Accessed: Jan. 27, 2010].

     According to many researchers, Monarch butterflies have become "supersized" in order to adapt to the issues of long distance flight during their migrations.  The migration distance on average is near 8000 kilometers of flying between the United States, Canada, and Mexico as the butterflies search for places with warmer temperatures.  Several other researchers have shown that all butterfly types adapt to long distance migrations in much the same way, but this study was the first to prove that butterflies of the same species can adapt and evolve in different ways depending on the presence or absence of migration.  According to a professor at the University of Georgia, the wing span difference between the migrating monarchs and the non-migrating monarchs varied drastically, allowing them to confirm that longer wings were suited much better for migratory butterflies.

     Most people only know that migrating monarchs exist because of their large migration groups which catch quite a bit of attention, but in reality there is a large population of monarchs in the tropical areas around the Caribbean which do not migrate and instead breed year round.  This radical difference between the lifestyles of different monarchs is the sole attributing factor to the 14% increase in wing length of those monarchs who migrate versus those who don't.  The researchers at the University of Georgia have also discovered that the trait which causes the long wings is an inherited trait instead of an actual adaptation, showing that the monarch population is continually evolving to fit their environment.

#2B Three Significant Events (freewrite, 10 minutes)

     The single most important event that had the most impact on my current career goals would be when my father died in 2002.  I was just in middle school at the time, and really didn't know what I wanted to do with my life.  I probably would have ended up staying at my home, attending a different university much like the other people from my hometown do.  After my father died I realized that this wasn't really what I wanted to do.  I was lucky enough to meet my current fiancée then, and that also attributed to me going a different direction with my life.  Instead of staying at home, I decided that I needed to venture out of my normal realm and challenge myself in new ways with the hopes that in the end I would grow greatly.  Since coming to college I can certainly say that this event changed my life completely.  I couldn't be happier with my current situation, and it seems as if I was almost destined to be at George Mason University with plans to be married to the love of my life in just under 5 months.

     Another event that played an important impact on my current career goals would when I took and passed my Microsoft Office certification.  As I said in my other freewrite, my teacher in high school pushed me to do it, and I couldn't be any happier that I listened to her and actually followed through with it.  By doing this test, I broadened my horizons and realized that I actually wanted to move into a computer related field, which led me to be where I am today.

     The final event that had an impact on my current career goals was my study abroad trip to Paris.  This month long journey to Europe completely changed my viewpoints on the United States and now I almost would rather live there than here.  During my stay there I learned to handle and appreciate other cultures in a new way which in turn opened my love for the area and my love for traveling in general.  Since being there I have decided that after college I most definitely want to move overseas to work and live.  The area was just so compellingly beautiful and life changing that I cannot wait to go back, and when I do I hope I can stay for a much longer time.  By opening my mind to traveling and seeing that I actually love it, I am now more than willing to travel anywhere and work anywhere after college.  I feel this will be the biggest life-changer in the future as I can only broaden my viewpoints further by traveling and seeking out new things, and since my fiancée plans to travel a lot with job related activities our lifestyles should piece together almost perfectly.

#2A Three Significant People (freewrite, 10 minutes)

The most influential person in my life, not just with my career goals, would be Mr. Bange, a teacher at Broadway High School in Broadway, Virginia.  I have known his son for all of my life, and met Mr. Bange at a fairly young age.  Ever since meeting him I admired the way he handled life, and just the general vibe that I received from him each time I was around him.  When moving into high school I had the chance to take a class with him, just basic Earth Science, but that class was one of the best classes that I have ever had the chance to take.  Not only did I learn the material, but I learn so much more from the genius mentality of Mr. Bange.  Each day you walked into the class you would see the room light up with his enormous smile, and his attitude just made you completely content and happy to be in the class.  From this class I learned that I should be more open-minded about life, and not to worry about those small things which other people mind so much.  I attribute my leaving the area to Mr. Bange as I felt an urge to broaden my horizons in order to try and fulfill my life goals and make the most out of my time here on earth.

Mrs. Morris, also a high school teacher, really broke me into the Computer Science category with her seemingly simply class on HTML and C++.  After this class I was completely set on the major I wanted in college, and without this class I probably would have been wandering around for many semesters just trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.  Not only did she set me on the correct career path, but she also pushed me to get the most out of the class.  In this case it consisted of attaining the basic Microsoft Office 2003 master certification, but that was better than nothing at that age.  If nothing else I feel that this certification is something to thank her for, because I certainly wouldn't have been able to do it on my own.

Dr. Heishman is currently a Computer Science professor at George Mason University.  He is the complete teacher in my mind, no one can be more ideal than him.  He has such a calm, relaxing attitude that made his classes very easy going which made in turn made the class much easier.  I remember him having only a few gestures, but with his level of teacher I would expect that he would just want to get the information across to the students without worrying about gestures which add no support to powerpoint presentations.  One environment that I vividly remember him in is the path both outside of the Fenwick Library.  It seemed that almost daily I would run into him perched calmly and quiety on one of those benches enjoying a cigarette.

#1 Earliest Memory (freewrite, 10 minutes)

The oldest memory that I can recall is when I got in an accident over 12 years ago.  It happened on a normal day, normal at least for a 8 year old kid.  Days started with me playing around, just seeing what all I can get into.  I happened to be galloping around the house, seemingly just running around without purpose when all of a sudden I slipped on a cheap worn out rug that was laying in the kitchen.  This all wouldn't have been to bad if I wouldn't have ran into the corner of a rugged microwave cabinet stationed right beside the rug that I had slipped on.  From this point I remember yelling for my mother, and she of course came to my aid in astonishment at what I had managed to do to myself.  After the partial lapse of amazement she rushed me into the car with a cold, dripping wet wash cloth placed over my head to cover the gushing gash that I created by slipping, face first into the cabinet.  My father drove the car as fast as he could to the local clinic, and I remember the old, but energetic doctor coming to check me out.  His name was Dr. Glick, and he assured me that everything would be fine.  The only thing I remember after this is an image of Dr. Glick working overtop of me, and with this in mind I can almost feel the small sharp pricks of the needle that he was using to sew up the wound on my forehead.  After this point in time I don't really remember much.  I'm sure that I continued to romp around the house even after this accident, but I'm fairly certain that my parents started to keep a closer eye on me after this fiasco.  To this day I still have this scar on my forehead, although it is almost unoticable at this point.

Another memory has popped up in my mind, and it took place at Kings Dominion, in the southern part of Virginia.  I only remember running up to hug Yogi the Bear, and I can remember seeing all of the other usual characters running about around us.

Science Article Summary - 1

1.

Past Decade Warmest on Record

[1] J.M. Broder, “Past Decade Warmest on Record, NASA Data Shows,” The New York Times, Jan. 2010.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/science/earth/22warming.html

      Just as speculations into the truth of global warming start to rise, NASA releases a report which stated that the decade from 1999-2009 was the hottest decade to be recorded since weather data began being reported in the late 1800's. The hottest year ever record was 2005, with the rest of the most hottest years all being from that same decade. James Hansen, one of the worlds leading climate experts notes that the temperatures vary greatly because of the oceans temperature fluctuation cycles, but when you average those temperatures over a period of time the findings are conclusive that global warming is still continuing at a rapid rate.

      The National Climatic Data Center has also released studies recently that confirm NASA's findings, but nonetheless the arguments over the truth of global warming will continue, especially after the recent "climategate" fiasco. Climategate caused Hansen, like many other scientists, to be scrutinized over their use of temperature data, claiming that the data had been transformed to their liking in order to hide the real truth from the public.

      Despite the divided opinions after climategate, most scientists and leaders still agree that global warming is a real problem, and will be as long as the Earth's temperature continues to rise at its average of .36 degrees per decade. In order to solve these problems, the worlds leaders at the United Nations climate change summit agreed to try and stop the current global warming trends at 3.6 degrees so that the effects will be more manageable. We will just have to wait and see if these promises will actually be kept within the near future, because most of them are eventually overlooked and forgotten.

Researcher's Autobiography

My experience as a researcher and writer in college has been fairly short and tedious. The entry level English course didn't really challenge my abilities at writing or researching, mostly because the assignments were too easy and didn't really require it. The main part of my writing and researching experience came with English 201, where my critical thinking abilities were challenged more than my writing skills. I can honestly say that it was probably one of the most useful classes that I have had the chance to take, mainly because it challenged my idea of the much overused five paragraph static essay. Instead, I learned that all papers are different, and the normal five paragraph structure that was drilled into our heads from k-12 just doesn't cut it for most college and academic essays.

As for the researching portion of the class, it was again fairly straight forward and required nothing more than article searches online, which from the Craft of Research, isn't the best of ideas. To make matters easier, almost all of the essays were based off of a central issue, the earth's environment. This similarity between all of the essays allowed me to do as little research as possible since each of my sources could be kept and used over the course of the semester.

To be successful on my assignments I need to be patient when I work my way through them, making it a very tedious job when trying to work on essays. Most of the time this means lots of typing, reading, deleting and retyping as I work my way through essays making sure that each paragraph is exactly the way it should be. Unfortunately this process seems to take the most time, which is why I am trying to take less time in the rough draft process this semester. Instead of editing as I go, I am going to try to hold myself back, making sure to just type and save the editing for when I am done.

FIRST POST

So I'm finding this entire online class sort of confusing, but hopefully once everyone joins the google group found here we can finally get to being productive and less confused ;).