Never underestimate the power of friends

Never underestimate the power of friends; they can help you when times get tough… or when you’re trying to understand certain obscure concepts in Theory of Computing. In the first year admittedly I didn’t go to Zepler labs much, but since the end of last year I’ve discovered how useful it is to be able to talk to people about work and discuss any problems which you come across (within the guidelines of ECS collaboration policies of course!). I also made a few good friends doing this (you know who you are!). Also, the lab machine hardware is starting to become too good to be true: Quad-core CPUs, dual-screens, 3D screens and 12GB of RAM anyone? (By the way, can we have Ubuntu as well please? 🙂 )

I have to admit, the amount of courseworks we’ve been set and the proximity of deadlines is making us all sweat a bit. I know it sounds stupid, but I do forget I’m studying a degree in Computer Science. At one of the best universities in the country for its subject (http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/table/2010/jun/04/university-guide-computer-sciences-and-it). Whoa.

I’m working for ECS STACS (Student Teaching and Computing Support) which was formerly, ECS Helpdesk. I’m liking it at the moment; I’ve got to know a lot of new faces of both undergrads and postgrads alike. Usual support requests at the moment tend to involve VPN connectivity and the remote-desktop protocol. And compiling wireless drivers in Linux. Well-roundedness is a good quality to have in this line of work! <\brag>

You know that work I did for IT Innovation? I haven’t forgotten it. I’m doing a [short] annotated bibliography on “Privacy and Legal Issues with Mining Social Networks” and one skill I learnt from my placement was being able to go through loads of research papers to find “good” ie relevant ones.

Now, then. Time to start on this Scheme coursework.