NorthStarNerd.Org

New Year's Northstar Nerd Greetings

Over the Christmas Holidays the Northstar Nerd ventured deep into the northwoods of Minnesota near the Canadian border. I took this video of Poplar Creek, which I share as my New Year's Greetings. Take two minutes and enjoy a peaceful view of the deep forest ... miles from civilization. Expand either thumbnail for a full sized view (see all my content on BlipTV)
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Northstar Nerd ... Com or Org?

Why not both?! Earlier today, I decided I wanted to take the big step of getting my own domains. After some quick research via my blog host (Typepad) to insure ultimate compatibility, I chose GoDaddy.Com. Some questions:

• Did I choose GoDaddy because of their photos of Danica Patrick?
• Did I choose GoDaddy because of their racy Super Bowl commercials?

I would like to think "not"! After all, I am a happily married man of over 25 years. In my case integration with Typepad and value drove the decision. My total cost for one year's registration for NorthstarNerd.Com and NorthstarNerd.Org and web site hosting (two months) was only $24.14 ... such a deal. Thus I invite you to visit (a work in progress)

• NorthstarNerd.Org
  (or)
• NorthstarNerd.Com

Music in Engineering

Google Search Bots are wonderful things ... they help me find great new content (at least to me) with minimal effort. A few days ago I scored and found some great new engineering courses from Georgia Tech on the subject of digital music synthesis. These courses plus a Rose Hulman class I already knew about on using LabView for Musical Signal Processing made me decide I needed to add a new section to the Engineering Learning Wiki. The new wikispace is Music in Engineering! Here are direct links to the newest content:

• Music Synthesis: Theory and Design - Georgia Tech
• Music Synthesis: Electronics - Georgia Tech
• Musical Signal Processing with LabView - Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

If you've never used the Engineering Learning Wiki, link on over ... perhaps you can even add some content. No account is required, and you will not find a single advertisement.

Finally, link back to a post from over two years ago named Animusic. This computer generated music and animations will "wow" even the most jaded nerd.

Google Metadata Test Completed

Earlier this month I started a test of how Google indexes standard files found upon the web. The test is now complete with my new Northstar Nerd's Google Index Metadata Tutorial (opens in read only mode). To better understand the full test, and access the examples and source file, please link to my earlier post. (also includes a hi-res narrated version)
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Upping the College Scholarship Ante

I recently had a Mom of a prospective Rose-Holman student contact me about the scholarship process. While this example relates to the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, it really could be about any private college and the scholarship award process. Here is an edited version of my private response to her: (read original blog post by my son about his college selection)

Dear Mary Jane:

I had similar concerns (about Rose-Hulman's scholarship offer).  In fact, my son Erik had better offers from other schools ... some of which offered to pay for over 50% of his education.

However, I was able to get Rose-Hulman to increase their award. This is the approach I took:

1. I did NOT take the position that their award level was a mistake
2. I DID mention the other scholarship offers (by school name and amount)
3. I stressed how much Erik liked Rose-Holman (he did then, and is still very happy with his choice)

Now we get to the important part of my email (sent to the head of financial aide). I pointed out some aspects of Erik's background that were unique and unusual in a "good way". I pondered whether they knew these facts. I also discussed one or two items where Erik could have done better (always hard for a parent to admit shortcomings in their own children).

It worked, and our offer was increased. Basically I politely implied that the admittance and scholarship process was a competition to get Erik's acceptance. However, I communicated it in a manner that was both reasonable and allowed everyone to "save face".

Rich