New Site for Changing Times

I established this web site about ten years ago while I was in my early years as a faculty member at Cedar Crest College. At the time, faculty web sites, at least at Cedar Crest College, were very uncommon. Furthermore, online information regarding courses taught at the college was scarce. Sure, there were a few faculty members with very basic web sites, including information about themselves, their courses, and various student resources, but nothing consistent by any means.

I found that a number of students were eager for information in advance of a course. They would often e-mail me asking what textbook would be required for a course, in an attempt to find a better buy than the college bookstore. Sometimes students would want to get an advance idea of the work that would be involved for a course. Hence, I established this site as a resource for my students. When I was presented with such questions, I merely needed to point the student, or potential student, to my web site.

Times have changed. Colleges are now required to provide textbook information to students via a common location on the Web. Syllabus archives are available on a college-wide basis. Online course management systems are readily available and in use by colleges whereby faculty members can make content and resources available to their students, and without specific knowledge of web site construction.

Quite frankly, the site I had established so long ago has outlived its usefulness. While some years ago it was a valuable resource, in today's world the same information is available in well-known common locations. As such, it's time for a change. It's time for me to change the mission of this site.

For some time, I had considered establishing a blog. There are several topics about which I am passionate, and about which I would like to share my thoughts in some publicly available manner. Education, obviously, is one of them, particular as related to computer science and information technology. Open source technology is another, as I specialize in open source technology in my consulting practice. I am also involved in professional and community groups which may inspire me to share some thoughts.

So with that, my blog is born, and it is well overdue. And as my site changes, times are changing for me in other ways as well. I will be posting updates here about once a week; more often if I feel the need. And as the changes on my horizon unfold, I am sure I will have plenty to share. Stay tuned.

Welcome to my blog.