Govenor Brown Wants College Education To Take 4 Years Not 6

Govenor Brown Wants College Education To Take 4 Years Not 6

LA Times article, Thurs. May 16, 2013, LA Extra page AA, Brown urges UC to speed graduations.
By Larry Gordon

The California governor wants a college education to take 4 not 6 years.  There are some factors that are not readily apparent causing this problem.  I will list a few.  Please note that as I list each factor that factor in itself is a self sustaining problem that adds to the next factor.  To solve this problem, each factor should be dealt with.

Universities cherish research over instruction.  They thus hire some faculty that are deficient lecturers.

If a faculty member achieves tenure status, that person is protected from a culling process, if one exists, and I think the process is mixed from campus to campus in its effectiveness in getting rid of bad instructors.

Students compensate for bad instructors by trying to pick good or better ones by looking them up on evaluation web sites like http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/.

Universities fail the class enrollment process by listing “Staff” in course offerings.   This is simply an awful device that leads, in itself, to a slow education.  Departments hide who is teaching many classes.

Students counter the listing by “Staff”  by enrolling in extra classes.  They can thus find out who the instructor is when the first class begins and measure how competent that person is and how much work is required.  Students that work, to help pay education costs, not only want good instruction but can not afford to spend extra unnecessary time doing busy work.

Students who enroll in extra classes anticipating dropping ones with deficient instruction thus diminish the total number of classroom seats.  Students are signing up for classes that they know they will drop.  They are just not sure which classes until they attend the first or second class meeting.  This is a significant problem leading to making college a 6 year experience.

Education costs have risen.  Many students are working their way through college.  They only have time and money to take 4 or less classes a semester.  If education costs were lower, we might see students take more classes each semester.

Student anxiety is much higher today due to society and economic factors than years past.  These students, to minimize anxiety take fewer classes.  This is a significant problem that is getting worse.

What is being done by university officials to solve any of these issues?  Very little.  Governor Brown is trying to solve one problem but does he know that many factors are hidden from normal view and cause what appears to him to be a bigger issue?   Higher education has a lot of inherent problems and they all mainly seem to be concerned in raising money and not reforming to make their education business a better product.

Kayak DD Video Switcher Goes Down While I Watch It Happen.

Kayak DD Video Switcher Goes Down While I Watch It Happen.

I am at the end of my Monday proof of a million dollar TV studio and control room.  I run into snags every week and today is not any better.  Here are some examples for this day:  I can’t get the Deko character generator computer to turn on until I go through a special power up process.  It finally does power up very clean.  Camera one is divorced from the camera control unit because someone turned camera control lock off which means we have no way to communicate between CCU and camera head.  I find the switch and set it correctly.  All the camera head intercoms have been turned off.  I turn them on.  Camera two has talent tally light turned off.  I set the switch correctly.  The mouse for one of the in/out sources to the video switcher lost its mouse so I had to come up with a solution.  Well I am at the end of the proof process where I record on to video tape and computer hard drive output from the Grass Valley Kayak DD switcher and Yamaha D1000 audio board.  I just want this proof process to end and go and get my Starbucks Zebra drink and call it a day.  Everything gets recorded perfectly during this record test but I notice that I can not dissolve from preview bus either of the Ingest computers.  I can dissolve from the preview all studio cameras but not from Ingest one or two!  As I try to do more with the switcher its capabilities rapidly diminish.  This just does not make sense.  I have never seen this before.  As I look down on the switcher control head I see the lights on the rows of push buttons go out.  The switcher is going down!  Customers will come in any moment and productions start in two hours.  I do reset on the control head and later on the main frame computer.  I reattach each connector that runs between the control head and main frame.  The LAN connection does not look pristine.  I do notice that the LED light that normally flashes next to the Ethernet LAN connector is out.  Looks like the two boxes are not talking to one another.  The main frame LED lights all show which is good.  Both main frame fans are functioning.  I call Grass Valley start a ticket and ask for Art N, an authority for Kayak DD switchers.  He is not in.  About 45 minutes later Dave G. calls me and starts to tell me to check item after item.  I simply love Grass Valley technical support.  It soon becomes apparent that we have a major failure.  The customers will be walking in any moment and final semester productions are this week.  We talk the options over.  We discovered that the control head display fails to show the main frame on its menu.  I tell Dave that I noticed that the LED LAN does not light up.  Dave tells me of a secret method of forcing the main frame computer to communicate with the control head.  I am to turn the main frame off and then on again.  I am to rush over to the control head and watch for the Home and User 4 buttons to flash.  When they flash press down WHILE they are flashing and keep my fingers pressing down until the control screen shows.  This did not work.  Dave tells me that a bad LAN cable is a low probability for failure but he has seen it happen.  I tell him I will check my stock to see if I have an Ethernet cable and call him back.  I luckily have a Ethernet cross over type cable.  I install it and nothing happens.  I power down the main frame and power it up again.   I rush around from behind the equipment racks to the control head and wait for Home and User 4 buttons to start flashing.  They flash, my fingers press down on those buttons, and then the control screen starts to light up on the control head and the switcher begins its boot up process.  I stand back and watch.  It happens slowly but switcher buttons start to flash and light up.  Preview monitor shows image because I had a key set up prior to the switcher going down.  I look down and Black button on both preview and program are lit!  A lot of other buttons are illuminated!  I am getting excited.  I press camera 1 and see an image.  I am ecstatic.  I press camera 2 then three then Ingest 1, then Ingest 2.  I do dissolves between all sources including test and the switcher is working perfectly!  it was a LAN cable that went bad as I watched the switcher fade down and out – remarkable.

The lesson for me is buy American or Canadian.  Buy from a company where technical support speaks English.  Buy from a company where technical support will not charge you.  Buy from a company where technical support really know their stuff.  Grass Valley is all that.  I love Grass Valley products!  Their technical support could easily be used as a ruler for all others to be measured.

 

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Keeping Nasal Passage Clear And Possibly Help You From Getting Sick.

Keeping Nasal Passage Clear And Possibly Help You From Getting Sick.

Problem: Protection from air-born disease.

Solution:  I had to attend a one on one orientation prior to receiving chemotherapy at Kaiser.  I had to watch a computer slide show followed by a talk with a nurse who covered some check list items that she was tasked to present.  At the end of this somewhat intimate presentation she asked me if I had any questions.  I brought up the concern that my immune system was going to be compromised and was there anything I could do to protect myself.  She presented a really clever solution that I have accepted as part of getting ready after showering each morning.  She told me that when she fly’s in planes and because you are confined and in close proximity to people that might be carrying germs that she takes a very small amount of Neosporin Wound Care on a Q-Tip and swabs the inside of her nose.  I have tried this and I am convinced it works.  I do not apply this remedy only when I think I will come into contact with the general public but every day.   I am very concerned with putting a foreign product into my body as it might cause cancer or some other problem.  I have taken this product almost every day for two years and have not had any problem.  My method is to put a very small amount of Neosporin on to the Q-Tip and swab only the nose that protrudes and is visible beyond the face.

Results:  I have found that my nasal passages are incredibly clear all the time.  Nothing grows in the nasal airways.  The smell of Neosporin is not all that bad and lasts, it seems, for less than an hour.  I have not had a cold for over two years!  I am a mouth breather and not a nose breather and yet this procedure seems to help which is a bit of a mystery.  I think emergency first responders should consider performing this procedure if they suspect they will encounter any air-born suspended particle that may be dangerous. This application might also be considered for valley fever protection.

 Disclaimer:  Please consult with your doctor before taking any of these products.  Each person is different and probably reacts to products differently.  Each person has or may have existing medical condition that precludes taking one or more of these products.  When taking a new product, take it slow.  Take even smaller doses than I describe as you begin.  Keep a journal of what you eat including these ingredients and write down any symptoms.  If you notice any symptom that is not beneficial or concerns you, STOP taking the product!  You are responsible for your health.  Read labels.  Research label ingredients so you know how each may affect you.  Be careful.

Health Problem: Arthritis

Health Problem: Arthritis

Problem: Arthritis of knee and hands.  I have tried Glucosamine and it did noting for me.  My knees were so bad that I was scared I would need a walker within a year.

Solution:  Schiff MegaRed Joint Care.  Just one pill cured my severe knee arthritis.  I was utterly shocked at the results!  I kept taking the pills for three days but found out that, for me, I got really tired.  I have Waldensrom macrogobulinemia so getting any more tired is a real drag for me.  I experimented and found that I only needed a pill occasionally.  This product is a 353 mg proprietary blend of Krill Oil, Hyaluronic Acid and Astaxanthin.

Where Available:  Just about any drugstore will sell this.  I have found this at COSTCO, Target and Walmart.

Note: This is so new for me that I am still researching this product.  I will next try just Krill Oil with nothing added and see if that is the component that is solving this problem for me.

 Disclaimer:  Please consult with your doctor before taking any of these products.  Each person is different and probably reacts to products differently.  Each person has or may have existing medical condition that precludes taking one or more of these products.  When taking a new product, take it slow.  Take even smaller doses than I describe as you begin.  Keep a journal of what you eat including these ingredients and write down any symptoms.  If you notice any symptom that is not beneficial or concerns you, STOP taking the product!  You are responsible for your health.  Read labels.  Research label ingredients so you know how each may affect you.  Be careful.

Health Problem: Can Not Digest Meat Properly

Health Problem: Can Not Digest Meat Properly

Problem:  Unable to properly process meat.   This is often times a hereditary factor passed on from parents.  My mother almost died from bowel impaction.  History on my mother’s side shows diverticulitis is prevalent.

Solution:  I use three over the counter products to solve this problem.  Two products, Metamucil and wheat grass are mixed with banana, Greek yogurt, berries and fruit juice to create a smoothie each morning.  By the way, I use a Vitamix blender.  That blender is simply the best.  The prune juice is consumed before going to bed, only on days I eat meat.  I do have some pretty interesting dreams as a result of drinking the prune juice.

  • Unfiltered prune juice prior to going to bed (1/4 to 1/2 glass).
  • Metamucil, orange flavor, mixed in a smoothie (1 tsp to 1 tbsp).
  • Wheat grass mixed as part of a smoothie.  This will cause gas so use small amounts (1/2 tsp) when you begin using this ingredient.  This product is not all that easy to find.  I use Amazing Grass Organic Wheat Grass Powder contains 100% organic, whole leaf wheat grass”.  I purchase mine from GNC.  This product is readily available using the Internet.

 Disclaimer:  Please consult with your doctor before taking any of these products.  Each person is different and probably reacts to products differently.  Each person has or may have existing medical condition that precludes taking one or more of these products.  When taking a new product, take it slow.  Take even smaller doses than I describe as you begin.  Keep a journal of what you eat including these ingredients and write down any symptoms.  If you notice any symptom that is not beneficial or concerns you, STOP taking the product!  You are responsible for your health. Read labels.  Research label ingredients so you know how each may affect you.  Be careful.

Ham Radio Station In A Go Box

Ham Radio Station In A Go Box

Ham Radio Station In A Go Box

I had heard a story of a long time ago where a police department somewhere in the United States needed ham radio operator help for some emergency.  I believe it was a RACES group.  The police needed to coordinate their efforts with the ham radio volunteers.  Within a very short time a ham radio operator showed up at the police station with a radio in a box solution.  He was told where to set up and the station was operational in a very short time.  I was most impressed with that story.  This type of radio in a carry container is also called “go kits”.  I decided to make my own go box.

Here are my requirements:

  • Must be easily carried from vehicle to operation site.
  • Must be useable inside a vehicle while moving.
  • As many components as possible must be contained within the box.

I deal with 19 inch rack equipment all the time and I simply love that solution.  I went to my local Guitar Center and found a very nice rack box encased in canvas with Velcro fasteners.  Each side of the wood box is 7 inches of rack ears.  The case comes with a zippered pouch, carry handle and shoulder strap.  It is made by Ace Products, Kaces III product.

I purchased a 19 inch rack plate on which I mounted the following components:

  • Kenwood TMD-710 dual band radio (2M and 440)
  • Green Light Labs GPS710 (To supply GPS capability to the radio)
  • Qty 2 MFJ 281 speakers.  I actually purchased 4 of these speakers and mounted the extra 2 on to a board that attaches to the driver seat head rest when the go box is used in a car.
  • RIGunner 4008 (Used to distribute power)
  • Watts Up battery Watt meter (Used for battery management)
  • RigLite, warm white version.  Used to supply illumination.

 Notes:

  • The RIGunner has a lot of power connectors and you might not agree with my selection.  But, I envision that a single DC power source will be provided either from a AC 12 volt power supply, car battery or generator.  Those devices simply do not offer power distribution.  This RiGunner offers a very large 12 volt break out for other operators to use.
  • I found that the rack plate could not screw in immediately unless I filed all 4 plate screw holes.  I decided to slip the plate upward until the plate holes matched the rack ears.  This turned out to be an advantage.  The radio control head is mounted to the plate using a single nut and wing nut.  Using a single bolt allow the head mounting plate to be easily removed.  I can also swing the head left and right a bit if needed by reaching under the plate and loosening that wing nut.
  • I carry extra head to radio I/O cables in the case pouch so the radio can be used in a car and the microphone can be used further away.

gobox-front

The image above shows the front of the go box

gobox-rear

The above image shows the rear view of the go box.  Note the small black box mounted behind the radio control head.  This box is the GPS unit.

gobox-front-case

The above image was taken before I purchased the RigLite.  Below you can see the aluminum bar over the radio hiding the LED components that light up the radio.

gobox-front-case-dark

The above image shows the where the microphone clip is located and where the RigLight is mounted and how much illumination it provides.  It does not overwhelm the area with light.

Dimensions and weight:

  • Height with document pouch full: 12 inches.
  • Width:  21 inches.
  • Depth: 16 inches.
  • Weight: 22 lbs.

 

 

Updated:  Removed Amazon link.  Removed outdated product link.  3-6-19.
Updated H1  July 11, 2022