Random Thoughts
Apr. 23, 2009 by ravishan
I just realized that because I have been so busy for the past several weeks that I had not written anything in the blog. So, it is time to write. Since I have not had time to think about one topic to write about, I will simply write about a few thoughts that are currently on my mind.
First off, in the event you have not read yet, Oracle has agreed to buy Sun Microsystems. On the surface this may not be relevant to what we do, because, we stopped purchasing Sun hardware several years ago. However, we do use MySQL, an Open Source database software, which was purchased by Sun Microsystems last year. It is too early to tell what the future of MySQL is now that Oracle has taken it over. Especially the Open Source nature of it. There are two options: 1. continue to have a less developed open source version while promoting a commercial version of it. 2. Over a period of time, get rid of it and make the users transition to Oracle. Option 1 is most likely for the short run because of the MySQL installed base. Who knows what Oracle is thinking for the long haul!
The other thing that has been occupying my mind a lot is the student-ITS interaction. Whereas we have made some strides in the past year, we have a long way to go. We are fortunate that several students are interested in collaborating. At the request of WSA, for the upcoming year, I will Co-Chair the WSA-ITS Committee and that this committee will meet more often than before. We also plan to bring in several other staff members, both from ITS and elsewhere (Registrar’s office, and the Dean’s office especially) when the agenda calls for it. I am really looking forward to this. Internally, I have also been talking to the ITS Directors about ways to work with the students better and communicate with them better. Once we have a plan, I will write about it here.
I have been very happy to see the way the web redesign has been proceeding. It is a truly collaborative effort between the University Communication and the New Media Lab. In the event you are not aware of the web redesign blog, I strongly encourage you to go to: http://webredesign.blogs.wesleyan.edu/. This is your opportunity to voice your opinions and suggestions. And while you are there, please take the survey, the link for which is found on the blog.
How many times have you driven into the parking lot listening to NPR and you are in the middle of an interesting story? Wouldn’t it be great if you can continue to listen to the story as you get out of the car and walk to your office, rather than sitting in the car and listen to it? Well, that is exactly what I have been doing last couple of days. I downloaded the Public Radio Tuner app for my iPhone which lets you listen to your favorite public radio station on your iPhone.