August 2008 Archives

This fall, I am taking IST 220 which is all about networking and telecommunications.  The class should be pretty cool, as I will finally understand how networks work instead of just nodding my head whenever someone talks to me about networks.

Concerning networks, I stumbled upon a recent article that states that researchers from the University of California, San Diego have created a new algorithm that increases the efficiency of networks.  According to the article, the Internet currently works by constantly checking the best routes available.  The new algorithm reduces what the researchers called the "communication overhead" and checks for the best path less often.

After taking IST 220, I hope that I can understand what this article is talking about.  In the meantime, the only network that I understand is Cartoon Network.

According to Dr. Sabine Begall and fellow researchers from the University of Duisburg-Essen, cows automatically point north when they are grazing thanks to an internal compass.  Dr. Begall came to his conclusion by looking at thousands of images of cows across the globe using Google Earth.  Scientists believe that cows have this internal compass in order to migrate easier.

I would have never thought that all cows pointed in the same direction.  Whenever I see a cow, I usually get all excited, point, and say cow like a 5 year old.  Furthermore, it was a great idea to use Google Earth so then Dr. Begall and his researchers didn't really have to moove as much.

This semester at Penn State, I am taking a web class called ART 003 - Visual Images on the Web.  I have never taken a web class before at Penn State, but already, I am having fun creating a website.  Throughout the semester, I will be completing assignments using various software such as Adobe Photoshop CS3.  I have never used Photoshop before, but I am excited to learn.  Check out what I have so far!

Last semester, I was elected the webmaster of Science Lions, a student organization that performs science demonstrations at elementary, middle, and high schools.  Over the summer, I was able to revamp the Science Lions website.  I added some sweet powerpoint generated nittany lions and added calendar and meeting minutes sections.  I hope to further update the website through moving the "Ask Science Lions" section to the blog system at Penn State and other minor adjustments.  Check it out! 

Over the summer, I had the privilege of being a Global IT intern for Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.  Air Products is a Fortune 500 company that produces chemicals and gases for industrial use.  I worked at corporate headquarters in Allentown, PA.


Overall, my experience at Air Products was excellent.  My primary responsibility was to automate and improve the collection process for different metrics, or statistics related to cost, IT Infrastructure collected.  Much of the data was maintained and organized into various spreadsheets, so I achieved my primary responsibility through creating macros, a program that automated cutting, copying, and other manipulation of data through the use of Visual Basic.

After a nice summer, I have returned to the Happy Valley for my second year at Penn State.  My first year at Penn State was incredible, and I can't wait to start the journey all over again.  I still plan on majoring in Information Sciences and Technology, and this blog will chronicle my adventures in the world of IT.  Enjoy Part 2!