Thursday, July 03, 2003
I really didn't realize how much Microsoft influences my life until today. No, I'm not praising Bill Gates for having the most popular OS in the world. Rather, I am just realizing how well I know the Windows system and especially the MS Office software. Let me explain fully.
So, I have been asked to lecture in a chemistry class tomorrow about oxidation / reduction reactions to students the equivalent of an American 11th grader, at least age-wise. Not a problem, I actually know the process pretty well and I managed despite the fact that I brought zero prep materials with me and all of theirs were in Japanese. You have to love the Internet. Well, I made my lecture notes and ran them by the chem teacher. He said it was good, but to help them, maybe I should make a guiding worksheet, mostly to compensate for the fact that I am lecturing in English, not the native language of most of these kids. No problem! Expecially since he also told me I could use PowerPoint. Double sweet! Now I can worry less about finishing in the 45 minutes I have. Ok, now to get to a computer and get busy. Well, at least as soon as I figure out how to get the thing to word process in English. After tinkering with every known menu, which were in Japanese by the way, and clicking on anything that looked like it had to do with changing the font I gave up. After asking some passersby who didn't understand my problem, I gave up and tried to figure out a plan. Maybe I could go back to the apartment and use a computer there. Well, don't know if they have any of the Office programs. Maybe, they're Windows XP, I think it's pretty standard to package those with it now. Keep thinking... Well, after more time than I would like to admit, I had a eureka moment. Why don't you ask someone in the English department? What a novel idea you idiot!
Well, now that language isn't an issue, let's get to work. Oh, great! All of the menus are in Japanese. On every program. Well, that's okay. See, here's where my statement from earlier originates. I knew what almost every menu selection was. I'd have to think a little, but I knew where they were. I can't say I wish I didn't, heck it even came in handy. It did take me a little more time than it would have on a regular English speaking box of circuits and wires, but I was able to do everything I needed to, down to the superscripts and subscripts for which my keyboard shortcuts were negated because it was a Japanese keyboard. What I'm saying is that good ol' BG done me right this time. Either that or I spend way too much time at the computer.
I know I am making some UNIX aficionado's head spin while simultaneously vomiting and expelling excrement from their bowels. Sorry dudes, but sometimes you have to use what's offered to you. Last I checked, not too many school systems using UNIX operating systems on their employee machines. To credit you guys though, I can say this. A lot of the people in education follow the old adage, you know, the one that goes "Those who can do, those who can't teach." Do you really expect someone with an undergraduate degree in Education to be able to handle UNIX? Now that you're settled, let me direct you to a site to help you clean up.'
PS - As a shout out to my buddy Josh, I heard a musical rendition of Springsteen's "Born in the USA" while I was grocery shopping yesterday. Now I have to respect their Muzak selections, too?!?!
So, I have been asked to lecture in a chemistry class tomorrow about oxidation / reduction reactions to students the equivalent of an American 11th grader, at least age-wise. Not a problem, I actually know the process pretty well and I managed despite the fact that I brought zero prep materials with me and all of theirs were in Japanese. You have to love the Internet. Well, I made my lecture notes and ran them by the chem teacher. He said it was good, but to help them, maybe I should make a guiding worksheet, mostly to compensate for the fact that I am lecturing in English, not the native language of most of these kids. No problem! Expecially since he also told me I could use PowerPoint. Double sweet! Now I can worry less about finishing in the 45 minutes I have. Ok, now to get to a computer and get busy. Well, at least as soon as I figure out how to get the thing to word process in English. After tinkering with every known menu, which were in Japanese by the way, and clicking on anything that looked like it had to do with changing the font I gave up. After asking some passersby who didn't understand my problem, I gave up and tried to figure out a plan. Maybe I could go back to the apartment and use a computer there. Well, don't know if they have any of the Office programs. Maybe, they're Windows XP, I think it's pretty standard to package those with it now. Keep thinking... Well, after more time than I would like to admit, I had a eureka moment. Why don't you ask someone in the English department? What a novel idea you idiot!
Well, now that language isn't an issue, let's get to work. Oh, great! All of the menus are in Japanese. On every program. Well, that's okay. See, here's where my statement from earlier originates. I knew what almost every menu selection was. I'd have to think a little, but I knew where they were. I can't say I wish I didn't, heck it even came in handy. It did take me a little more time than it would have on a regular English speaking box of circuits and wires, but I was able to do everything I needed to, down to the superscripts and subscripts for which my keyboard shortcuts were negated because it was a Japanese keyboard. What I'm saying is that good ol' BG done me right this time. Either that or I spend way too much time at the computer.
I know I am making some UNIX aficionado's head spin while simultaneously vomiting and expelling excrement from their bowels. Sorry dudes, but sometimes you have to use what's offered to you. Last I checked, not too many school systems using UNIX operating systems on their employee machines. To credit you guys though, I can say this. A lot of the people in education follow the old adage, you know, the one that goes "Those who can do, those who can't teach." Do you really expect someone with an undergraduate degree in Education to be able to handle UNIX? Now that you're settled, let me direct you to a site to help you clean up.'
PS - As a shout out to my buddy Josh, I heard a musical rendition of Springsteen's "Born in the USA" while I was grocery shopping yesterday. Now I have to respect their Muzak selections, too?!?!
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