Smallish Post, due December 10

     I think it is interesting that many companies and organizations feel a need to have a code of ethics. The content of these codes is generally good and every employee should follow it. This content is also almost exactly the same regardless of what kind of company or organization wrote it. I feel that almost everything within the code of ethics is generally common sense or is part of being a decent human being.I hope that one day we will no longer need to declare a code of ethics but live them for the sole reason that it is the right thing to do.

Smallish Post, due December 3

     I believe that technology cannot be considered good or evil. I think that objects themselves are rarely evil. It is the intention of the person using the object that really matters. I am appreciative that the church's stance on technology is generally positive. Technology is an extremely powerful tool that greatly advances the work of the Lord. While technology and specifically the internet can become addictive and lead to many social and potentially spiritual problems, the benefits far outweigh the cost. I believe that we do need to take the proper precautions to protect ourselves from technologies possible negative effects. As long as we do so we can enjoy all the benefits that technology has to offer and use it for good to progress the work of Lord.

Position Vlog, due Nov 26

Book-Inspired Post, due November 21

I read The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell.

      As humans we have an incredible desire to discover, categorize, and understand the world around us. We are not satisfied that an event has occurred. We also need to know why it occurred. If we hear that someone has died our first instinct is to ask how. If we see a magic trick we want to know how the magician fooled us. This desire leads us to constantly acquire more knowledge and can lead to innovation.

     I believe that knowledge without application is almost useless. Knowledge is being aware that something has occurred and maybe recognizing why. Application is what we do with our knowledge. As software engineers we will need both knowledge of computer science as well as how to apply our knowledge to create the products of the future.  In school we have massive amounts of labs so that professors can pound into our heads not only the theory of computer science, but also the implementation. I think that in our profession we will need to be constantly asking why things work they do and then apply that knowledge to be constantly innovative in our jobs. 

Smallish Post, due November 19

     I am always surprised at the limited number of women who choose the mathematical or physical sciences as a major. I have a great love for literature and history and thus can see the attraction towards other areas of study. One reason I chose a technical major is for the money. I admit that I want to earn well over an average salary and enjoy the benefits that the extra money would provide. I wonder if society has taught men to be more selfish in this way. Because of this they may be more likely to aim towards higher paid jobs despite potential other interests. Different sources seem to give different reasons for this phenomenon. I hope that we can address all these reasons and hopefully equalize what seems to be a growing gender gap.

Smallish Post, due November 12

     The idea of open source software can be baffling. Why would people choose to spend countless hours of their time to create a product that will produce no revenue? Thousands of people choose to work for free in their spare time with no direct benefit to themselves. I think open source software is absolutely great. I also doubt I will ever make major contributions to open source. After spending all day programming for work, I usually don't want to come home and do the same thing in my spare time. I applaud anyone who chooses to do so and at the same time question their sanity and possibly their social life. The open source phenomenon perplexes and amazes me. I can't wait to see what the next coolest open source technology is.

Smallish Post, due Nov 7

     I think that the church is fairly quick to adapt to new changes and technology in the world. Some say that the church is archaic and unvarying. I however think that some of the church is very fluid with the changes that are happening in the world. While the doctrines of the church are eternal and unchanging, the policies are subject to change with the times. In the past missionaries of the church had limited technology and most either didn't have cell phones or if they did could not text on them. Nowadays, some missionaries use social media, have tablets for email, or even have DVD players for training purposes. The church wants to use new technology to further the cause of the Lord and I think they are trying very hard to do so.