Building a Search Engine

I am going to learn how to build a search engine.

I just signed up for a free class through a site called Udacity.  On the about page on their site it says,

We believe university-level education can be both high quality and low cost. Using the economics of the Internet, we've connected some of the greatest teachers to hundreds of thousands of students in almost every country on Earth. Udacity was founded by three roboticists who believed much of the educational value of their university classes could be offered online for very low cost. A few weeks later, over 160,000 students in more than 190 countries enrolled in our first class, "Introduction to Artificial Intelligence." The class was twice profiled by the New York Times and also by other news media. Now we're a growing team of educators and engineers, on a mission to change the future of education

The class that I signed up for is CS101 (Computer Science 101).  It says that there is no previous programming experience required, but after 7 weeks, you will be able to create a search engine like Google or Yahoo.  Since one of the teachers is a Google Fellow, I'm guessing that this is fairly accurate.

I am requiring my Web Design and Interactive Media Class to sign up for this as well.  I am hoping that it goes well, and that I learn some stuff along the way.

Here is a video from the site where the teachers are talking about the idea of the class.

Swimming in Computers

I feel like I am swimming in computers right now.

Two years ago my parents bought me a laptop.  It was a 17" Toshiba Satellite with Windows Vista installed.  It has been a really great computer.  We have used it at church for the power point and sometimes for the sermon recording.  It has also spent an extensive amount of time on Netflix.

Right now my wife is the primary user of this computer, but my boys have spent a little bit of time using this to play webkinz and starcraft.

Before Christmas I received a CR-48 from Google.  I got this one for free!  I signed up for the Pilot Program from Google to try out their new Chrome Operating System.  This is a web-only computer and takes some getting used to.  I am used to it, so I love it.

These computers are not for sale yet, but are rumored to be coming out this summer.  The CR-48 is a very basic computer, but I believe that the ones that hit the market will come with a little more punch.  This one has been great for me, so I have no complaints.  Plus, did I mention it was free?

This morning when I came into school there was a hp mini on my desk.  I heard that all of the teachers were getting these, but didn't know when they were going to show up.  This little laptop has Windows 7 Starter edition installed, but I have to give this one back at the end of the school year.

The school also purchased (through some grant) a projector for each of the classrooms.  They aren't installed yet, but I am trying to figure out how I could incorporate this each day.  (Could I just download other people teaching each day and just project that? hmm.... could work.)

I have yet to mention the old Dell computer at the other school where I work and the desktop computer that was already there and the old computer that I have at home for my son to do his home schooling on.  I am just swimming in laptops!

Truth is... I am not sure if this is a good thing.

this is your brain on computers

From a NY Times Article:

This is your brain on computers.

Scientists say juggling e-mail, phone calls and other incoming information can change how people think and behave. They say our ability to focus is being undermined by bursts of information.

These play to a primitive impulse to respond to immediate opportunities and threats. The stimulation provokes excitement — a dopamine squirt — that researchers say can be addictive. In its absence, people feel bored.

How true is that?!?

Read the rest of the article by clicking here.

Thanks to Challies for pointing me that way.