Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- haas:vita2018 [2018/05/07 18:40] – [Professional Development] wedge
+++ haas:vita2018 [2018/05/15 13:29] (current) – [Overview] wedge
@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 In recent years, I would recall each semester as simultaneously the best and worst I'd ever experienced. There would be an ever-widening chasm between the good students and the terrible ones, with no signs of such trends letting up.
-For the first time in a long while, and I'm not sure what really brought it on, I've actually started feeling a general sense of the semesters being far more productive than detrimental.
+For the first time in a long while, and I'm not sure what really brought it on, I've actually started feeling a general sense of the semesters being far more enjoyable and productive than detrimental.
-To be sure, the terrible students are still challenging my perceptions of basic requirements of college eligibility and even human sentience, but somehow their embrace of mediocrity and ignorance isn't impacting me as acutely as it has in semester's past.
+To be sure, the terrible students are still challenging my perceptions of basic requirements of college eligibility and even basic human sentience, but somehow their embrace of mediocrity and ignorance isn't impacting me as acutely as it has in semesters' past.
 ====The bad====
@@ Line 91: / Line 91: @@
     * viewed a poster involving the mathematical simulation and visualization of a pendulum
     * among many others, sampled some posters/student projects on topics ranging from Discrete Structures to Financial Algorithm Modelling to Soundscape analysis. All in all, a very enlightening day, refueling many Computer Science interdisciplinary insights and giving me some new project ideas and concept presentation strategies/themes.
-  * wrote a suite of command-line math operation tools (pipemath), which was directly utilized in a project by students (making them go through the entire software build process-- download, read instructions, compile, install, use).
+  * continued to polish my suite of command-line math operation tools (pipemath), which was directly utilized in a project by students (making them go through the entire software build process-- download, read instructions, compile, install, use).
-  * wrote a suite of measurement unit conversion tools (unittools), which was also directly utilized in a project by students (similar software lifecycle process encountered). Additionally, it offered some students an opportunity to further bridge both their CSCS1320 and CSCS1730 classes together, seeing how the two classes and concepts covered therein were not two isolated entities.
+  * enhanced my suite of measurement unit conversion tools (unittools), which was also directly utilized in a project by students (similar software lifecycle process encountered). Additionally, it offered some students an opportunity to further bridge both their CSCS1320 and CSCS1730 classes together, seeing how the two classes and concepts covered therein were not two isolated entities.
-  * wrote a very feature-rich prime number computation tool (pncX), sort of a culmination of many of the in-class efforts, complete with extensive command-line arguments, file processing, process forking and threading. I then stripped it down and placed the skeleton in a repository for my CSCS2730 class to develop some important collaborative development skills on in completing the implementation.
+  * constructed, configured, and deployed two 4-node raspberry pi computer clusters, for use in both my UNIX and Systems Programming classes.
+    * My Computer Organization class utilized a raspberry pi to learn and implement programs in 32-bit ARM RISC assembly. This posed a nice comparison against the 64-bit x86 CISC assembly we also learned during the semester.
   * exploring patterns of factor pairs of numbers (prime, secondary, tertiary, etc.) and potential visualizations therein. My efforts so far are already hatching ideas for future CSCS1320 and CSCS2330 projects (at least), with areas spanning from output specification, algorithm implementation, algorithm optimization, and visualization.
-  * My "French relearning" efforts seem to have finally taken off from the plateau I've hit this last year (constant effort, less perceptible advances- par for the course in language learning).
+  * My "French relearning" efforts seem to have focused predominantly on listening and listening comprehension; I have specifically sought out French media (music, films) to aid me in this approach. Other general reading and writing efforts still persist, but seemingly less so compared to a recent preference to focus on audible pronunciation and other sound patterns present in spoken language.
-    * __Reading__: increased ability to read operating instructions, text.
+  * updated core server infrastructure (fall2017). Due to aging hardware and increased likelihood of eventual device failures (including an actual router failure), I completely recreated the server infrastructure leading up to the October break (to enable a clean switch-over, then continued to polish and implemented added functionality)
-    * __Writing__: more related to grammar/structure of the language, I've made many subtle connections with respect to word roots and verb conjugations by composing/translating ideas/sentences into French as a means of practice or interest.
+  * Maintaining the student workstations, addressing the contemporary security issues of the day, and incorporating new functionality (much of it requested by top-tier students seeking added resources for exploring course concepts).
-    * __Listening__: a tangible improvement in listening comprehension skills in French. Able to pick out more words, even unfamiliar ones, and increasingly able to backprocess them in follow-on contemplation.
+    * the **spectre** and **meltdown** vulnerabilities reported in January of 2018 required notable interventions and added maintenance.
-    * __Grammar/Structure__: this has always been my primary focus, if not interest, and directly applicable to Computer Science. I've had many insights, especially pedagogical, as I realize something new and can map it to my students encountering new material, optimizing my presentation methods to be better suited for them. Word roots and language patterns reach a level of near infinite fascination for me, as they are insightful on so many levels (and informative of overall language structure, idea encapsulation). In many ways it ties into the value of solving a problem in multiple ways- it leads to a deeper understanding of algorithm development.
-  * Maintaining the lab systems, addressing the contemporary security issues of the day, and incorporating new functionality (much of it requested by top-tier students seeking added resources for exploring course concepts).
   * My development efforts, along with preparing new/updated projects, has had me revisit and become more acclimated with various development tools, including: Makefiles, version control/repositories.
 ====Service====
-  * Presented various department student awards at the 2017 Student Awards Luncheon
+  * Attended 2018 Computer & Information Science Advisory Board meeting
-  * Attended 2017 Computer & Information Science Advisory Board meeting
+  * Maintain Lab46, the public UNIX shell box that Computer Science and IT students utilize for much of their coursework and explorations (now celebrating its 19th year in existence)
-  * Assisted Institutional Advancement / Communications by playing the Geneseo Knight mascot for a CCC vs. Geneseo video during the 2017 SUNY Mascot Madness competition
+    * there were some notable security vulnerabilities this year, requiring quick and emphasized maintenance
-  * Maintain Lab46, the public UNIX shell box that Computer Science and IT students utilize for much of their coursework and explorations (now celebrating its 18th year)
+  * Maintain R108, the Computer Science/IT lab (aka "the LAIR"). This includes student workstations, project machines, servers, and network infrastructure.
-    * there were a few zero-day and local root exploits this year, requiring quick and immediate maintenance
+    * As stated above, various security vulnerabilities required some priority maintenance to ensure secure and continued operations.
-    * there have been at least two power outages experienced on campus, requiring maintenance
+    * The main router, in service for over 10 years, finally gave up the ghost with its drive finally failing (around October breakweek in the fall semester). A true testament to a well-configured machine, able to serve its purpose and doing so admirably.
-  * Maintain R108, the Computer Science/IT lab. This includes student workstations, project machines, servers, and network infrastructure.
+    * Setting up a new router and all its related services (firewall, routing, DHCP, DNS).
-    * As stated above, zero day/local root exploits required some priority maintanence to ensure secure and continued operations.
+    * The classroom workstations (pods) were upgraded to a customized Debian 10 Linux snapshot, and continued to be upgraded through this year. Two different system images have emerged, as I've "bulked up" one table with more resources/multimedia capabilities for more advanced project work.
-    * Power outages similarly required some dedicated time (unravel file server synchronization issues).
+  * Provided continued support and administration of cluster resources to Dr. James McLean for his physics particle simulations at SUNY Geneseo (supposed to have wrapped up by September of 2017, but as many things go, still crawl along).
-    * The file server this past year has been experiencing some odd performance degradations. No errors, merely unanticipated high load and stalling performance. I ended up building a new one and deploying it, and performance issues resolved.
-    * The classroom workstations (pods) that were upgraded to a customized Debian 9 Linux continued to be upgraded through this year. Two different system images have emerged, as I've "bulked up" one table with more resources/multimedia capabilities for more advanced project work.
-  * Provided continued support and administration of cluster resources to Dr. James McLean for his physics particle simulations at SUNY Geneseo.
     * this is a continuation of activities related to the Armor Dynamics grant back in 2008. I've been maintaining the cluster for this project ever since.
     * in addition to general cluster administration, there has been increasing logistics of late as we deal with not only data backups, but drive replacements and RAID rebuildings.
+  * presented programming at the Kids to College Program (06/02/2017)
+  * presented programming at the College Life Program (04/13/2018)
+  * presented programming at the Kids to College Program (05/14/2018)
 ====Teaching and Curricula Objectives====
 ^  Objective  ^  Anticipated Completion  |
-|instantiate N-ary factor pair explorations into CSCS1320 project sequence  |possibly summer 2017, aiming for fall 2017  |
+|instantiate N-ary factor pair explorations into CSCS1320 project sequence  |aiming for fall 2018  |
-|instantiate N-ary factor pair explorations into CSCS2330 project sequence  |possibly summer 2017, aiming for fall 2017  |
+|instantiate N-ary factor pair explorations into CSCS2330 project sequence  |aiming for fall 2018  |
-|instantiate abundant/perfect/deficient number explorations into CSCS2330 project sequence  |possibly summer 2017, aiming for fall 2017  |
+|instantiate abundant/perfect/deficient number explorations into CSCS2330 project sequence  |aiming for fall 2018  |
 |continue my efforts to revive CSCS1460/CSCS2460, and retiring CSCS1320  |slow-going, but I'm increasingly seeing support in pursue this  |
 |general enhancements/evolutions/progressions of my data/content management efforts  |always on-going  |
-|in CSCS2320 or CSCS2330, explore the implementation of a graph and/or hash table project(s)  |assuming we get that far, fall 2017  |
+|in CSCS2320 or CSCS2330, explore the implementation of a graph and/or hash table project(s)  |assuming we get that far, fall 2018  |
 ====Advising Objectives====
@@ Line 134: / Line 133: @@
 |keep doing what I'm doing; I seem to be plenty accessible to students for advising efforts (both my own and those who are not my official advisees)  |on-going  |
+I should note my dissatisfaction with the removal of faculty's ability to issue instructor overrides. With the often prolific presence of banner errors, encountering a one-off issue turned out to be far more common than would be expected (ie prerequisite coding error, a student taking a higher math class being restricted from a class having a lower math course listed). Advising per student has now increased in duration and complexity, and far more sessions end up incomplete as additional actions need to be requested to sort out these issues. I can only imagine the increased burden and workload placed on the newly-deemed "privileged few" who are now being inundated with the sheer number of requests. Definitely not a viable optimization to the process workflow.
 ====Professional Development Objectives====
 ^  Objective  ^  Anticipated Completion  |
 |continue my French relearning endeavors  |the true aspiration of knowing a language is to never stop using it; ideally I'd love to create content, but in general, on-going insights from being multi-lingual (it really is the gift that keeps giving)  |
-|explore agriculture and carpentry, both as a developed skill but as a theme for concept presentation  |some students come from agricultural and carpentry backgrounds; it may be helpful to have deeper insight into these areas for encapsulating concepts in examples  |
+|continue to explore my agricultural pursuits, both as a developed skill but as a theme for concept presentation  |extended exposure to new domains allows me to better isolate familiar computing patterns  |
 |explore Calculus from a philosophical point-of-view  |this keeps popping up on my radar; I've just not had the opportunity to delve into it. With an increasing number of students being plug-n-chug calculator centric, I feel I need to expose them to the conceptual underpinnings of calculus, especially to aid in algorithm development  |
 |explore the haskell programming language  |Haskell is a functional programming language, and my endeavors have yet to really dig into this paradigm. Like French, it could offer up increasing insights and approaches to solutions  |
 ====Service Activity Objectives====
-|rebuild Lab46  |an activity I perform every few years to keep software up-to-date; depending on software release schedule  |
+|continue to implement resources  |with the major infrastructure reboot, there are still a number of auxiliary services not yet back in operation  |
-|update infrastructure to Debian 9 or similarly modern system  |whenever I get to it - not critical, but long term useful as current software ages  |
+|continue to maintain infrastructure  |whenever I get to it - not critical, but long term useful as current software ages  |
 |general content management system enhancements  |on-going, functionality generally implemented as needed  |

Lab46 Wiki

User Tools

Site Tools

Differences

Page Tools