LRCC ITP100 Review

 

LRCC ITP100 Software Design Review

I recently took a beginning software design class at Laurel Ridge Community College, located in Middletown, Virginia. The course was ITP100 Software Design and it was conducted by Dr. José M. Nieves. This is my review of the professor and the class:

 

A quick note before my personal opinions on my professor(s): I work full-time. All my classes this semester (Spring 2024) were online with no Zoom meetings or classroom attendance. I think it can be difficult to judge someone personally when the class is conducted entirely online. All interactions with the professor are via email unless you schedule a meeting (in-person or Zoom) due to issues, which I did not.

 

Another thing I'd like to note is the course title - Software Design. I think the course would better named Intro To Software Design & Beginning Programming. The first couple weeks deal with software design such as the software development lifecycle and pseudo code. A lot of the class is starting to learn the basics of the Java programming language; it touches on Python in a similar fashion.

At first Dr. Nieves writing comes across as a bit pretentious. He is clear (in my opinion) on requirements in his course syllabus and module outlines. He was responsive to my emails. However, his initial responses at the beginning were not on point to my inquiries. At one point, I got terse with him, asking him to reread my email before replying (not recommended speaking that way to any professor). My patience wore thin after a few improper responses. Unfortunately, I'm not the most tactful, and my deference for position can be quickly overcome based on my age/ life experience (deference for position vs. deference for age and life experience; in other words I believe that all the professors are due respect based on their position, but I, being older than a typical college student (older than most of my professors) feel entitled to the respect of an apposite response to my inquiries and have no problem stating so as an equal in respect/deference owed due to my age and life experiences). After this brief exchange, where I received a light reprimand by Dr. Nieves about respect, all of Dr. Nieves's responses were on point and thoughtful.

 

I think an all-online beginner programming class is a mistake for those with little or no experience in a software design/ beginning programming class. I would have liked at least Zoom lectures from the professor. This isn't a reflection on Dr. Nieves but more a reality about the difficulty of learning something so new and different from what you may have learned before. If you have prior experience, you'll be fine. If you're new, you're likely to struggle. I put a lot of time and effort into this class. A lot of time. Expect it to be hard if you have little to no experience.

 

In my opinion, Professor Nieves grows on you over time. He repeatedly reminds the class about office hours and his availability to assist. I never utilized anything other than email for direct communication with him, so I can't speak on his in-person help. He coordinated and guided an extra credit activity regarding local data centers, which only a few students participated in (done via Zoom). While reading Rate My Professor, Dr. Nieves seems to get a lot of flack from students about how hard he is. I found this difficult to reconcile with the attendance for the extra credit. It leads me to believe that some people who had problems with his 'toughness' may just not have a great work ethic and are looking for an easy grade. Let me tell you now – it's not easy. It's work. I started out with an unfavorable opinion. My opinion changed over time. I think he's a professor that cares. I think learning programming is hard for people with no experience, and people have unfairly attributed the difficulty of the material to their opinion of the professor.

 

If I were to offer one criticism of the course, it would be that Dr. Nieves time-gates all the material. To me, it doesn't make sense to time-gate the material and prevent those able to proceed at a faster pace from doing so. There are no Zoom lectures or any other professor-led instructions that would warrant this policy. I would speculate that at best, it's to help the professor manage what he has to deal with when responding to student inquiries each day/week; limiting the type and amount of subject matter inquiries. If you're a fast self-pacer you will be disappointed by this restriction.

Would I take a class with Dr. Nieves again? Yes. I'm not really choosy in that manner though (unless it was someone whom I thought was terrible, then I'd avoid them). Bottom line is I'm there to learn. He's knowledgeable, capable, and approachable. He can also be reasoned with. As far as I'm concerned his grading is fair; but know that I put work in to get my (good) grade.

In conclusion,  I'm a little over a week away from our final project in this class, and my initial opinion that I am not made for software design & programming is re-affirmed after taking this class. I came into this class believing programming was not my cup of tea and I'm leaving it feeling the same way. I'm in the Cybersecurity degree program at LRCC and this is one of the required classes for the degree. There's one more I'm dreading - Python for Cybersecurity (okay, I'm also dreading Advanced Linux Administration too). In the end though (so far) I'm glad I'm being forced outside of my comfort zone in learning something new to me /hard for me. I don't regret the experience, the class, or my instructor; I view them all as beneficial to me.

Edit - 5/11/2024: Class is over. Capstone project complete. I loved the capstone project. It was hard for a beginner programmer, yet deeply satisfying to work through and apply all that we learned over the semester to complete the project. I actually got an 'A' on my project - which I was shocked on. I really thought my program looked sloppy (as I imagined an experienced programmer looking at it). I think the sloppiness was in part due to me switching my approach to a solution on more than one occasion. I was also certain the professor would find errors that I had missed in my own review of my programs functionality. If there were any, he did not fault me for them or point them out.

What has your experience been with Dr. Nieves and/or LRCC's ITP100 class? Let me know in the comments below.

College Bookstore Options Need Explanations

College Bookstore Options Need Better Explanations

Edit: 4/17/2024 - Classes are almost over now. I've found that my initial enthusiasm for the Red Shelf e-book has severely waned. I almost never used the ENG112 e-book throughout the course. First, it has DRM (digital rights management) restrictions on it limiting your ability to copy and paste. I'm old and like printing out the current weeks lesson on paper. It gives me something physical to touch and hold and write notes on. The e-book has a 'notes' feature but, it's just not the same to me. I ended up getting a .pdf copy of my book from Z-Library. The best feature of the Red Shelf book is it's ability to create citations in MLA format for you when you selected text. A really cool feature, but not a necessity. Bottom line, I would still purchase either a physical book or e-book from college bookstore (it would depend on my personal preference over the material being covered), but that's only because I believe you should pay for your textbook. Using a book from Z-Library feels like stealing by proxy. This way, if I pay for the book, I feel like I'm entitled to the copy I get from Z-Library (where the Z-Library copy is preferred because of the lack of DRM).

Was I duped?

At first I thought I was. Now I’m reconsidering it. It all started at my college bookstore. I signed up for ENG112 at my local community college. Compared to when I went to college the first time - over 2 decades ago - things have really changed.

The process of obtaining your college Textbooks can easily be done all online now. At my college it’s done through Follet Discover. First, you login to an internal college web service through the internet. You’re then given several app options to launch. You can launch the Follett app and it generates a page specific to you and the courses you signed up for. The page auto-populates with all the course material required for your class(es).

While checking out the course material I was informed by the web page that there were 2 required textbooks for my English 112 course. Both had the same title. I assumed one was a basic text and the other was a workbook or something related. 

When you clicked on the first required textbook you are presented with further options - physical or eBook, rent or buy. Me, being old school, chose a physical text. I read books for pleasure in my Kindle reader. But with textbooks I like to feel the pages. I like to be able to flip back and forth between the pages - searching for what I’m looking for. I like the feel of a pen as I write notes on the pages of my text. I like the feel of accessibility a physical book gives me. I chose to buy over rent hoping the text will still be required next semester and I can re-sell it.

When you clicked on the second required text there was only one option. Electronic. And it’s a time limited rental with no option to own your purchase.

So, about a week later I get my physical book and the Teacher opens up the course (by ‘opens up’ the course I mean she has allowed electronic access to the syllabus and the first course submissions). I started by examining the e-text that I thought was different from my physical book. It takes a few minutes to get used to navigating the text in a browser on my phone as it has a few quirky features.

To my initial surprise it’s not a workbook or other material, but contains the required reading material for the first week. I then move to my physical textbook to check it out. It’s identical. Honestly, at this point I felt like I’d been duped into purchasing the same thing twice. An unnecessary purchase of an already overpriced necessity.

The following morning I decided to get on the Follet web page and screenshot the excessive/confusing  choices I was presented and complain to whoever would listen. Wouldn’t you know it? Apparently after you purchase your course material the Follett page does not go back to present you with the choices you need for your current class schedule.

What I’m actually presented with on the web page is the ability to launch my rented eBook in a new web page - something called RedShelf eReader & Brytewave. I try futilely to get back to the original pages I was presented with prior to purchase - to no avail - to get my screenshots.

So, after poking around I actually launch the app that opens my eBook in a browser and start poking around. It’s actually REALLY cool. Like with a PDF reader you can highlight text. But it goes even further; allowing you to create flashcards and notes. Better yet, in my opinion, is you can highlight a portion of the text with your mouse and it will create a citation and/or a bibliography entry for you! Not only THAT, but it will let you choose between an APA, Chicago, or MLA format for your citation. For an English class that requires you to use citations this is REALLY cool.

The physical textbook text is so small I found myself completing my reading assignment on my phone - where I could resize my text to a much more comfortable/ readable text size. Now, with these new-found features of the rental book... I wish I had known.

It’s only the first few days of my new learning endeavor. Classes don’t even officially start for 2 more days. But, I suspect my new go-to is going to be this Brytewave/ RedShelf eBook. I wish I had known. I wish the college bookstore had done a better job of explaining the options available. On the other hand, without this error, I might have never tried the Brytewave eBook in the first place. At first I believed I had been duped into purchasing an eBook I did not need. While it now appears it may be the physical book that was a waste of $105.

I do have one caveat to this post. I did not choose, nor have I ever chosen, the e-publication in the first option I was presented with at the bookstore. I am assuming it's essentially an eBook in a .pdf format. Something similar to what I would get on my Kindle.

Insurance Covereage For Weight Loss Medications

 

Why Medical Insurance Should Cover Weight Loss Treatments Like Zepbound and Wegovy

The Rising Trend of Insurer Withdrawal In recent times, a concerning trend has emerged with medical insurers discontinuing coverage for effective weight loss medications like Zepbound and Wegovy. These decisions have left many individuals, who were making significant progress in their weight loss journey, stranded. The personal stories of those affected are both heart-wrenching and alarming.

Understanding Obesity as a Chronic Health Issue Obesity is not a temporary condition; it's a chronic health problem, much like diabetes or hypertension. Medications like Wegovy and Zepbound have been pivotal in managing this condition, with some patients losing up to 15% to 25% of their body weight​​. Yet, the support for these medications is waning, mirroring a lack of understanding of obesity's chronic nature.

The Consequences of Stopping Treatment
Abruptly discontinuing weight loss medications can lead to rapid weight regain, worsening obesity-related complications. Wegovy, for instance, has shown a 20% reduced risk of serious heart problems in patients, emphasizing the health benefits of these medications beyond weight loss​​.

The Economic Perspective While the immediate cost of these medications seems high, the long-term economic benefits are significant. Continuous treatment can reduce future healthcare costs substantially. The potential savings in healthcare expenses, as estimated by the University of Southern California's Schaeffer Center, could be as much as $245 billion over a decade​​.

Success Stories and Popularity Surge The effectiveness of these drugs is not just clinical but also evident in the myriad success stories shared by users. The popularity surge, partly fueled by endorsements from celebrities and the extensive coverage on social media platforms like TikTok, underscores their potential in weight management​​.

Comparing With Other Chronic Conditions The inconsistency in how obesity is treated compared to other chronic conditions is stark. Medications for conditions like diabetes are not withdrawn once improvement is seen. This disparity raises questions about the rationale behind the different treatment of obesity by insurers.

A Call for Change The need for insurers to recognize obesity as a chronic condition requiring continuous treatment is more pressing than ever. This blog post advocates for policy changes and encourages readers to take action by contacting their insurance providers or representatives to support better health policies.

Alexa vs. Google Assistant

 

Why I Currently Choose Amazon's Alexa Over Google Assistant: A Personal Preference Shaped by Functionality

As the world leans more into the digital age, our homes are becoming smarter, filled with devices designed to make our lives easier and more interconnected. Among the leading figures in this revolution are smart assistants, with Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant being two of the frontrunners. While both have their merits, I've found myself leaning towards Amazon's Alexa, primarily due to the distinct advantage of its wake word functionality, especially in a household filled with Android devices.

The Annoyance of Unintended Activations

In my experience, one of the most notable differences between using Alexa and Google Assistant comes down to the wake word. With multiple Android devices scattered around my home, attempting to summon Google Assistant often results in a chorus of devices responding. The ubiquitous "Hey Google" or "Okay Google" tends to activate my Android phones, often leaving the intended speaker ignored and me frustrated. It's an inconvenience and an unwelcome disruption that affects the flow of my daily interactions with my smart home.

Alexa's Wake Word: A Simple Solution to a Complex Problem

On the flip side, Amazon's Alexa operates on a wake word that doesn't overlap with other devices in my ecosystem. Saying "Alexa" rarely, if ever, triggers anything but the intended device. This straightforward solution elegantly bypasses the cacophony of responses I've come to expect with Google Assistant, streamlining my interactions and making them more predictable and reliable.

Navigating the Communication Barrier with Alexa

Despite my preference for Alexa's wake word, it's not without its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to understanding commands. One of my biggest frustrations with Alexa is its frequent inability to comprehend my orders accurately. Too often, I find myself in a repetitive loop of rephrasing and repeating requests, trying to find the magic combination of words that Alexa will understand. This not only disrupts the flow of my day but also diminishes the convenience that led me to favor Alexa in the first place. It's a stark contrast to Google Assistant's often more nuanced understanding of language and intent. This communication barrier with Alexa is a significant drawback, highlighting a compromise between avoiding unintended activations and achieving effective and efficient command execution. It's a reminder that while the wake word might draw me to Alexa, there's a larger context of usability and interaction quality that continues to influence my overall experience with smart assistants.

The Trade-Off: Smarts Over Convenience

It's important to note that my preference for Alexa's wake word doesn't blind me to the advantages Google Assistant holds in other areas. Personally, I believe Google Assistant showcases superior intelligence and capabilities, often providing more accurate and helpful responses. It's a testament to Google's extensive data and advanced AI. This acknowledgment makes my preference for Alexa somewhat bittersweet. I'm aware I'm choosing convenience over potential functionality, a decision that often leaves me wondering what advancements or conveniences I'm missing out on.

The Future of Alexa: A Diminishing Horizon?

Adding to my reservations is Amazon's recent decision to scale back funding for Alexa's development. This move suggests a potentially grim future where Alexa lags further behind its competitors, unable to keep up with the rapid advancements in smart assistant technology. It's a concerning prospect, considering how integral these devices have become to our daily lives and how much they stand to evolve in the coming years.

Final Thoughts: A Reluctant Preference Revisited

Upon reflection, the reasons behind my continued use of Amazon's Alexa, despite its limitations, become more nuanced and complex. The initial allure of a distinct and non-intrusive wake word has kept me in Alexa's grasp, but the growing recognition of Google Assistant's superior capabilities casts a shadow of doubt over my loyalty. My home is deeply entrenched in the Amazon ecosystem, with Eero wifi and Alexa devices in every room. This extensive integration represents not just a financial investment but also a comfort and familiarity with the system's intricacies.

The cost and effort involved in transitioning from Amazon's to Google's smart speakers are significant deterrents. It's not merely a matter of purchasing new devices; it's about uprooting a system that has become embedded in my daily life. Moreover, there's a certain reluctance, perhaps even a fear, of facing the same frustrations that initially pushed me away from Google Assistant. The idea of my phone misinterpreting my attempts to control smart speakers is an annoyance I am hesitant to revisit.

Yet, as I weigh the convenience of Alexa's wake word against the progressive decline in its understanding capabilities and the potential stagnation of its development, I'm left questioning the longevity of my choice. My preference for Alexa, once rooted in a clear benefit, now seems more like a path of least resistance — a familiar, well-trodden road that I continue down partly out of habit and partly out of apprehension about the unknown complexities of change.

In this light, my allegiance to Alexa is a complex tapestry woven from practicality, financial considerations, and a certain inertia against adopting a potentially more disruptive but smarter system. As the smart assistant landscape continues to evolve and as my own understanding of what I value most in these technologies becomes clearer, the balance might tip. Until then, I remain with Alexa, aware of the compromises, but also cognizant of the barriers, both logistical and psychological, that keep me from making a change. My preference is reluctant, indeed, shaped as much by the circumstances surrounding me as by the capabilities of the technology itself.

How To Read Your Google Takeout Emails

 

How To Read Your .MBOX Emails From Google Takeout

December 10, 2023

Running out of free space in your Google account? Is most of your space taken up by emails and email attachments? This will help you to free up space. You can download all your old emails, delete them from Google, and still be able to read them. The instructions that follow in my blog post assume you have already downloaded all your emails via Google Takeout.

Doing a search on how to read the emails I downloaded was mostly unfruitful. There were some older items I found doing a Google search, but they did not work for me. Additionally, I kept getting results from sketchy looking websites that wanted me to download their .MBOX reading software. If you’re like me, that’s not a solution you’re going to use. 

Start by downloading Mozzilla Thunderbird https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/. Mozilla Thunderbird is a free program that you can use to view the .MBOX file downloaded via Google Takeout. 

Note: In order to import your Gmail archive (Google Takeout download in .MBOX format) into Local Folders within Thunderbird for searching and viewing purposes, you need to temporarily configure at least one account in Thunderbird.

The first time Thunderbird runs, you will be taken to the Account Setup tab.

  

Install & Set Up Thunderbird

1.    Go to https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US and click the Free Download button.

2.    Open the downloaded file and install Thunderbird.

3.    Uncheck the “Use Thunderbird as my default mail application” box on the Summary section.

4.    Configure it with your personal email account.

Install Thunderbird Import Tool

You will need to install a third-party import add-on within Thunderbird, to import the MBOX file.

1.    Click the hamburger/grid icon in the top right corner and select Account Settings from the drop-down menu.

2.    Click Add-ons and Themes from the bottom of the left sidebar.

3.    Enter Import in the search field at the top and press ENTER.

4.    Click the green Add to Thunderbird button next to ImportExportTools NG.

5.    Click Add and OK! in the dialog boxes that appear.

6.    Navigate back to the main Email tab (tab with your email address at the top).

7.    Right-click Local Folders in the left sidebar and select New Folder.

8.    Enter a name for your new folder such as My Old GMail Imported Email in the Name field and click Create Folder.

 

 

Import Your .MBOX File(s)

You will now import the .MBOX from your Google Takeout download. It will be imported into a local Thunderbird folder, which is stored on your computer’s hard drive.

Note: Make sure to extract the contents of your Google Takeout .ZIP archive before proceeding. 

1.    Right-click the Imported Email folder you just created, then hover over ImportExportTools NG in the drop-down menu, and select Import mbox file

2.    Select Import directly one or more mbox files from the dialog box that appears and click OK

3.    Navigate to the folder where your Google Takeout. MBOX file(s) is stored, select one or more of the files, and click Open. The contents of your .MBOX files will be imported into Thunderbird.

It may take several minutes to import your .MBOX file(s). Import times depend on how much hard drive space your computer has, how large the file is, and how many files you’re importing at once. If you have more than one large .MBOX file to import, we recommend importing them one at a time.

 

After your file(s) has been imported, you can click the Imported Email folder to view all of the emails included in the file. The .MBOX file imports should include the name of the Google label followed by “.mbox” (e.g., Inbox.mbox, Drafts.mbox, etc.).

Credit for almost the whole Blog to Swarthmore College. After the intro, I put in a few minor edits to the instructions. Their entire article can be found here: https://support.swarthmore.edu/support/solutions/articles/14000044855.