The iPad: First Impressions

This has been a very long time in coming.  For the past 3 years it has been rumored that Apple will revive the MessagePad, and this time base it off of the iPhone multitouch technology.  It was rumored to be called the iPod Slate, iSlate, iPad, and various other references.  Lots of suggestions and comments were made, wishlists were created, including my own.  Now that I have seen Apple's presentation that was made today about the iPad, I want to go over my list:

1. Reasonable Price:  This was number one, and I think Apple hit it on the head.  At $499 for a 16GB WiFi only device, it's killer.  It's $130 more for a 3G enabled device, which has unlimited use on AT&T for $29.99.  If AT&T would let VoIP work on it, I could replace my cell phone for something far more valuable to me.  Yes, I'd say it's a good price.  ^_^
   


2. Multiple Apps At Once:  This one wasn't even touched on, so it most likely didn't happen.  That's a shame, because a lot of education buyers will want a book that would keep their place while they switch to their document, and then switch back.  No smile for this one.
   


3. iWork:  Woohoo!  The interface looks killer, and the programs are priced well.  You can get any one of the three iWork apps for $9.99, so it's a total $30 for the whole suite.  And it's a full suite, not a watered-down version.  That's killer.  ^_^
   


4. Voice To Text:  We will have to see if the Dragon Naturally Speaking app will work for this.  With a built in microphone, it should, or at least with a microphone jack, so I'm giving it a smile until proven otherwise.  ^_^
   


5. Bluetooth:  This one I'm not going to assume works, though I really hope it does.  Bluetooth is built into it, but there is no indication that one can tether anything to it, nor any mention of a bluetooth keyboard option.  Instead, there is a dock with a keyboard.  Well, we will see. 
   


6. Open 3G/4G:  Yes!  It's immediately open using a GSM microSIM card, and is unlocked!  Anyone can use any service they would like, if they get the 3G model, as long as the service is compatible.  I would say that this is a very good thing, because while I don't have any personal problems with AT&T, I don't want to be a slave to any one price structure.  Though, at $30.00 a month for unlimited use, it's a hard price to compete with.  ^_^
   


7. Display Port:  There isn't a display port, but it's claimed you can hook it up to a projector.  My guess is, it's through one of the docks that was presented, though The coverage I read didn't specify that.  I'll have to verify that to be sure, and find out how much the docks will cost.  Also, will the keyboard dock work on an iPod Touch?
   


8. Access To Stored Files:  The assumption is that iWork files are accessible, and could be shared with versions of iWork on the Mac.  That's what the presentation said, but didn't explain how.  Is it synced?  Do you have access to your stored files?  I don't know, and until I do, I'm going to keep this one with no smile. 
   


9. Full iTunes:  I don't think we have a full iTunes, though it almost looks like it.  I wonder how it will compare. 
   


10. Video Conferencing:  That's a big, fat, no.  Pity. 
    


11. FM Radio:  With 3G this wouldn't be too big a deal, but it still would have been nice. 
    


12. GarageBand for Podcasting:  I guess I'll just have to look for an App for that.
    


13. Battery Life:  I didn't have my hopes up for this one, but boy was I floored with a whopping 10 hours of battery life!  I figure it will be a full day's usage, which is at least twice more than I get from my iPod Touch.  ^_^
    


14. iBooks:  This one has me intriqued...  Will it be a part of iTunes?  Or will it be another application entirely that I can get for free from Apple and use on my Mac as well as on the iPad?  I'd like to be able to add any ePub books I already have into the iBooks reader.  If I can't, then I think I'll stick with Stanza as my default reader, which should look killer on the iPad.  ^_^

So, those are my takes on what was presented.  A lot of it comes from my focus on what I wanted.  Gaming looks awesome, but I'm not a big gamer anymore.  But the thing is, this device is so cool and powerful, I could easily imagine a version of World of Warcraft coming specifically for the iPad.  That would be cool.  But the best thing that came from this device is easily the price.  It's priced right there with a Netbook, and does just about everything I would want from a mobile computing environment.

What's even more exciting is the possibilities made available for the Autism community.  Here is a device, much like an AAC device, and yet it's not in the $10,000 range.  Therefore it's possible to use the already killer AAC software available on the iPod Touch on the iPad, and have it be more functional.  That, to me, is a huge benefit that will probably never get mentioned. 

OSR#1, Chelation, Supplements, And the FDA

On the 17th, the Chicago Tribune posted an article on OSR#1, a "supplement" that is supposed to help autistic children.  Many have claimed it works, and give the compound to their children regularly.  The maker, Boyd Haley, claims that he takes it every day with no side effects, and has been actively marketing it as a method to cure autism. 

The Tribune queried carefully into the supplement, and found the compound was originally developed as an industrial chelation compound, which separates heavy metals.  It was used in the mining industry, and is now being marketed to our little children as, essentially, a vitamin. 

Haley has made claims of safe testing on rats and 10 people, but has failed to produce the studies to prove these tests, either to the Tribune or, interestingly enough, the FDA, which would require such information for the supplement to be sold. 

Now, for those who follow my posts, you know I have a theory of autism that does NOT center around vaccinations, mercury, or heavy metal poisoning.  So chelation in general, being a very risky and dangerous procedure to begin with, is a huge red flag for me.  The second red flag is that the FDA has NO SAFETY INFORMATION FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT!  This just screams scam, snake oil, and even criminal action.  To market a potentially lethal compound to children, CHILDREN, purely for profit warrants at least a good tar and feathering. 

So why am I so enraged by this treatment?  Because the science in the study of Autism has already disproved any claims of mercury as the cause of Autism.  Instead, 22 genes have been identified with Autism behavior.  Autism, true Autism, is genetic, not caused by evil conspiracies within big business to poison our children, and covered up by Governments in all countries for the benefit of these businesses.  That's just absurd to even suggest it. 

Can the results claimed by parents in anecdotal situations be explained then?  Sure!  It's called the Placebo effect.  I'm sure if you gave these same parents sugar pills, told them they are OSR#1, they would see the same "improvements".  Until true clinical trials can be offered in the success of any drug for autism, I reserve the right to tell everyone and anyone to avoid it at all costs.  Don't be taken by snake oil salesmen. 

Oh, and Mr. Haley, shame on you.

Book Review: The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry

First off, I want to point out that I like mysteries, and ancient mysteries are great. There are few organizations in history that have taken the imagination of the world like the Templars, a 200 year old fighting brotherhood that rose quickly, and declined almost as fast. Fascinated with where the story would go, I kept reading.

The writing was great in a lot of areas, but a little, um, forced in others. jumps in logic needed to be made, and sometimes obvious decisions were ho-hummed by the characters for so long it became tedious. There were also some inconsistencies in the way the characters were thinking. Some characters even started to blend in together, and when not specifically identified, were difficult to tell apart. Also, the standard epic formula was pretty transparent, though I admit I look for it in every book I read.

And then the religious agenda was thrown in, questioning the divinity of Jesus of Nazareth. Regardless of your personal beliefs, attacking a religion isn't good form in my book. This was a personal aversion to the obvious bias of the author, and not a reflection of the literary abilities of the author.

But the good parts of the book were fabulous! I loved the historical references, the focus on the past and the future. And the knowledge that each location in some form or another exists today was great. The author clearly did his research. This book kept my attention about 2/3rds of the time, if not one hundred percent of the time.

Apple Tablet or iPod Slate Rumors

With Apple's planned presentation January 27th, there is a lot of speculation about the rumored iPod Slate, the tablet PC that has been highly anticipated for years (at least 3 from when I started blogging about wanting one).  The "details" are trickling in with everyone throwing their expectations and prognostications out there.  Well, I've posted a lot on my end on what I would want in such a device.  So now, in the 11th hour, let me review with some minor changes what I would want out of this iPod Slate tablet.

Must Have's

1. Reasonable Price:  This often is lost on a lot of people.  The thing needs to be reasonably priced for what I get out of it.  If it's nothing more than just a glorified iPod Touch, I'll keep my touch, thank you very much.  Also, if it's priced well within a laptop range, i.e. $700+, then I would even think about getting a laptop instead of the tablet.  It needs to be priced well for the range, about $500 to $600 would be reasonable, in my mind.  I would prefer less, but I could live with something about that price.
   


2. Multiple Apps At Once:  I haven't posted about this before, but I would like to see more than one app at a time run on the device.  For instance, I would love to have, say, Skype run in the background while I surf the web or open a document or email relevant to the discussion.  I'd also like to have chat windows open while working on a document.  Make the thing a great mobile device for work, and I'm happy. 
   


3. iWork or MS Office:  Not sure if MS Office will be likely given their current legal issues, but a version of iWork would be great.  I'm not talking about something for hardcore development, but something that will allow for quick edits and a presentation. 
   


4. Voice To Text:  I realize that this is available through the new Dragon Naturally Speaking app for the iPhone, but it's not there for the iPod Touch, so I want it understood that I would want this on the Tablet.  I don't want it as the only option for text entry on the tablet, but it would be a convenient method for those on the go trying to write a book without actually having to sit and type. 
   


5. Bluetooth:  Yes, both the iPod Touch and the iPhone have Bluetooth, but they are horribly scaled back.  Open it up!  Let me sync my Voyager Bluetooth headset with it, and a Bluetooth keyboard while I'm at it.  Don't restrict the Bluetooth on the device, other than turning off discoverability by default. 
   


6. Open 3G/4G:  I don't like being bound to any one company when I make that big of a purchase.  If I'm going to have something that will use a cellular network, I want to decide which network and which plan.  This isn't anything necessarily against AT&T or any other network, I just want to be able to shop around.  Of course, this means a lot of different issues that Apple may not want to get into, at which time I would say give me the option of not needing a network.  That alone would make me happy. 
   


7. Display Port:  I need a way to attach the thing to a projector.  While there are a number of projectors that use the standard iPod jack, I'd prefer to have something less restrictive.  A display port would make that easy.  After all, this is a device I intend to use in class for presentations.
   


8. Access To Stored Files:  Right now on the iPhone and iPod Touch, apps keep their individual files within the App itself.  If iWork and a number of other apps are to be of any real use, they need to start sharing files.  Even if it's just a single Documents folder or Home folder, that would be fine.  Something that the Dropbox app and similar apps would be able to utilize for quick file syncing through an Internet connection.

Now for the "Nice To Have's"

1. Full iTunes:  I would love to have a full version of iTunes, letting me make playlists while out and about, delete songs, etc. without needing to sync with a computer again.
   


2. Video Conferencing:  This would be cool, if for nothing else than to have a truly portable video calling device.  It was rumored, but others have said that the rumor was just that.  We'll see.
   


3. FM Radio:  There is an FM radio receiver in the iPod Touch, which could easily be activated with software support from Apple.  I'd like that enabled with the Tablet.
   


4. GarageBand for Podcasting:  The tablet would be a killer way to perform mobile podcasting, making it easy to record your audio (and video, if there is a camera), do some quick edits, and upload it while on the road. 

So, that's about it for the tablet.  What else would I like to see come from the presentation?  There's a whole host of things that I would like to see, though most are not likely to be coming. 

1. FM Radio for iPod Touch:  Just turn it on already!  I want to listen to NPR while on my way to work.  I'm getting a lot of reading done, and I do some writing, but that early in the morning, I'd like to listen to some news rather than my neighbor's family issues being discussed loudly on their cell phone. 
   


2. Open Bluetooth for iPod Touch:  Open the Bluetooth to allow me to connect my headset to my iPod Touch, with microphone!  It's a pretty easy thing to do.  Also, enable Bluetooth microphones for the iPod Touch.
   


3. Open Network iPhone:  An open iPhone would be nice to have, one that could go to the network of my choice. 
   


4. Playlists for Videos on Apple TV:  Most likely not going to happen (if at all) until October and the Christmas season, it's still something I've wanted for a long time.  Please, make it possible to play a playlist of TV shows and Movies.
   


5. Games on Apple TV:  Allow gaming on the Apple TV.  Do you want to increase sales?  Have console gaming built into the Apple TV.  It's a simple concept, and one that could even tie into some of the apps available for the iPod Touch. 

So that's it for my list.  Apple, I hope you are listening.  Some of these things I am willing to wait on, but others are critical.  I've already resolved to wait and see what the price tag would be before I decide on buying a tablet.  Just be warned, if it's the same price as a Netbook and a Kindle combined, I'll probably keep my iPod Touch and get a Netbook (thank you free Kindle app for iPhone).

Croquembouche: My Attempt and Observations

Because my birthday was not too far away, and because I was sick for it, I thought I would make a birthday cake that was a little unique.  My friend Joseph told me about his desire to make a croquembouche, and so I thought I would give it a try as well.  After all, what can be so difficult about caramel and cream puffs?  Right?

The Croquembouche is a French cake, used for weddings and other special occasions.  It's made of cream puffs (or similar pastries), and generally glued together with caramel in a conical shape.  There have been other interpretations, but this is the one I have found to be the most common.  Therefore, it shouldn't be that difficult to make and put together.

First off, I cheated with the cream puffs.  I have made them in the past, and I don't mind making them, but I didn't have the time to dedicate to making them.  Instead, I purchased them from Costco at $11 for 110 miniature cream puffs.  So that means all I had to do was make the caramel and then start sticking them together. 

The caramel was simple, being just 2 1/2 cups of sugar with 2/3 of a cup of water, boiled until a very light, golden brown.  Once done, I pulled it off the stove, and started dipping and sticking.  Simple, easy, and I sneaked a couple of cream puffs while I did it. 

One thing I did learn very quickly was to be very careful with the caramel.  It's HOT!  I burned two fingertips in the process.  The cone was not perfect, but then I was a bit distracted while I was putting it together.  That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.  But it did end up looking pretty good with the thin slivers of caramel I had decorating the sides. 

Then, after it cooled and we had dinner, I gave it a try.  The cream puffs were great, but the caramel made it way too sweet.  I wasn't too happy with the results, and so I may think about using another adhesive, like chocolate, on the next one I attempt.  Who says French cooking has to be difficult?  ^_^

Color as a Therapeutic Intervention for Autism: Study

The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (Vol. 39, Iss. 5, P. 815-818) published an interesting article on the use of colored lenses and colored films to help an Autistic child with color and light sensitivity excel in reading and study.  The article outlined the work of one student, aged 10, who had trouble with bright lights, artificial lights, and other visual sensory issues.  His symptoms were severe in that he would have regular burn-out sessions every few months when he would sleep for days, and awake with a fever. 

Working with a psychiatrist, an educational psychologist, and a pediatrician, the parents helped their child by first using a filter of blue which instantly improved his reading skills, and then eventually giving him blue colored glasses.  his behavior improved, and his ability to concentrate increased.  Reading comprehension and speed increased significantly. 

The best thing about this article is the last paragraph, which states that this isn't a cure for Autism, nor is it ideal for everyone.  It was just found that this one patient, and two others, were able to better perform using the filters than without.  Therefore, before you spend the money on colored classes for your autistic child, have him tested with a psychiatrist and/or psychologist for a scientific approach for color filter treatment.  Perhaps this will help those with visual sensory over stimulation.  Anyway, it was a good article. 

Spectrum Academy: High School for Autistic Minds

This morning I was reading the news in preparation for my day, when I came across the announcement in the Deseret News of the opening of the Spectrum Academy High School for Autistic children in North Salt Lake.  Intrigued, I read on to learn more.  I've heard of it before, as they had a booth at the Autism Autumn Carnival, but I didn't learn a lot about it because my son is far from ready for High School, and we don't yet know what will be awaiting him for Kindergarten this next year (we find out in the coming months). 

The Spectrum Academy is a Charter School currently serving Kindergarten through 8th Grade, specifically for Autistic children.  They are located just West of Redwood Road and at about 600 North.  Because it's a charter school, they have funding from the State and have flexibility in their teaching methods.  While I am a supporter of public school in general, there are situations like disabilities where a special charter school is very useful.  I just have to look back at the incessant bullying and teasing that my older brother went through in public school to know that a special charter school for autistic children would be just what my son would need.  So, I started checking out their website.

On thing I absolutely love is the curriculum information listed for each grades, so parents can see what their children are using, and can tailor their own home experiences to reinforce their learning.  This is what I would expect from the public school system anyway, though it may be a little difficult to locate.  Handbooks for both the students and teachers are available as well.

What's more impressive is the flexibility the teachers have in managing their student's success.  Gone are the rigid rules about sitting up straight, not using toys as a tactile stimulant while learning, etc.  Children are able to take breaks when they need to in order to gain control of their attention when necessary.  The grade system is based on ability, not age, so there is no worries about being left behind while going through the school system.  Wouldn't it be nice if all schools were like that, as they were once? 

All in all, I was very impressed with the news of the Spectrum Academy.  It's a bit of a way out of my way to work, but I think I could make a special trip to get my son there if need be.  The only thing I didn't like was the lack of fee details, and how much fees would cost.  It being Winter Break (I don't know if they can call it Christmas and New Year's break anymore), I can't get firm information on that, but once I do, I will post it.  Until then, this is definitely a school and school system that needs to be watched!  I see this becoming a more common situation as the needs of Autistic children are met. 

Autism Genetics: Autism and Schizophrenia Possible Genetic Opposites?

The Boston Globe had posted an article on the 15th regarding a study that links autism and schizophrenia as genetic opposites.  I have to say, I was dubious at at first, but the article is well worth reading. 

It seems that Bernard Crespi, Philip Stead, and Michael Elliot identified a the same places within the human genome that cause both events.  The difference is in the number of copies the genes the genome has.  For Schizophrenia, there are multiple copies, for neurotypical people, they have just two copies.  For those with Autism, they have just one. 

So, it seems that Autism could be a genetic opposite to schizophrenia, making similar treatments possible at the genetic level.  The research was completed at the Simon Fraser University in Vancouver.  The research is interesting, and it reaffirms the genetic link to Autism.  What's even more interesting, is that once these evidences have been identified, real definitions can be made when it comes to Autism, beyond just the behavioral observance.  Perhaps one day, Autism can be treated as other mental conditions, and families can receive real support in every State.

Autism Christmas Poem

This poem was sent to me by a friend on Facebook, and I had to share it.  Unfortunately, I don't know who wrote it.  If anyone knows who the author is, please post it in the Comments.  I would be happy to give them credit for this wonderful and touching poem. 

Twas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house


The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouse
We tried melatonin

And gave a hot bath
Asleep early for Christmas?
...an unlikely path
The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When visions of Christmas
Ran through my OWN head
Did I get the right gift?
The right color and style?
Would there be a blank stare
Or even, maybe, a smile?
Friends & family come
But they don't understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from bending his hands.
"Just make him stop it," some say
"Just tell him "no",You must learn to be tough.."
On, and on they do go...
We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside

The debate is moot
Let them all take a side
We know what it's like
To live with the spectrum
The struggles and triumphs
Achievements, regressions.

But what some don't know
And what some don't see

Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity.
He said "hello"!
He ate something green!
He looked me in my eyes
He did not cause a scene!
He peed on the potty!
(Who cares if he's ten)

He stopped saying the same thing
Again and again!"
Some others don't realize
Just how we can cope
How we bravely hang on
At the end of our rope

But what they don't see
Is the joy we can't hide

When our children with autism
Make the tiniest stride
We may look at others
Without the problems we face
With envy, with wonder,
Or even distaste.

What we want them to know
What's important to see

Is that children with autism
Bring simplicity.
We don't get excited
Over expensive things
We jump for joy
With the progress work brings

Children with autism
Try so hard every day

That they make us proud
More than words can say.
They work even harder
Than you or I
To achieve something small
To reach a star in the sky
So, to those who don't get it
Or can't get a clue

Take a walk in our shoes
And I'll assure you
That even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You'll look at us all
With respect, even shock.
You will realize
What it is we go through
And the next time you see us
I can assure you
That you won't say a thing
You'll be quiet and learn
,Like the years I learned too
When the tables were turned.

                        -Anonymous

The Future of eBooks, Books, and Reading: A Historical, Technological, Consumerist, and Hopeful Writer's View

Lately Nathan Bransford, a literary agent and writer that I have been following for some time, has been posting information about the future of books.  With the Kindle, Nook, and the much-anticipated Apple tablet (which I have been blogging about for 3 years in high hopes), it seems that many people are already writing eulogies for the hard copy, bound book.  Often I'm surprise with the comments he receives from his readers, many if not all are writers in various stages of publication (from established to hopeful, like me). 

The discussion has interested me on four levels: as a trained Historian, a trained Computer Technician, an avid Reader (consumer), and a Writer (instructional and hopeful novelist).  Here is my view of each:

Historian

Books as we know them have gone though a lot of changes ever since man had learned to use writing as a method of communication.  What started as tablets of clay became scrolls of paper and papyri, which then changed to parchment and a codex, or bound book.  The codex didn't change for thousands of years, and now a move from the printed to the digital page is being made.  But is it really so recent?

Computers originally had a "monitor" that was a printer, printing out the results of commands as one navigated, executed, and errored their way through programs.  The digital monitor, the one we know and love today, both simplifies the reading of computer results, but also saves a tremendous amount of paper.  And ever since print could be read on a computer screen, people have been reading books on the computer screen. 

So the idea of an eBook is not new, but rather the mainstreaming of the eBook is what is so scary.  Just as ancient Egypt was afraid of the parchment codex (threatened their trade in papyri), those tied to the old methods of distributing the story both fear and hate the coming mainstream eBook consumption.

Computer Technician

The technology for eBooks have been around for years.  I had eReader on my PocketPC for years, and I loved being able to read while on the go.  But before it could become mainstreamed, there are some factors that needed to be met:

1. Battery Life:  The early PDAs were terrible in their battery life.  This hampered reading, as you needed to either change your AA's or recharge your book within just a few hours of getting into it. 


2. Performance:  There are a lot of old eBook readers out there that were so clunky to use they were not worth it.  I went through several before I settled on the couple of eBook readers I use today.  It all came down to performance.  I was looking for something that was easy to use, easy to customize, and had a small memory footprint (so I could have more books in less space).


3. Storage:  What good is it to have an eBook reader if you can only store at the most 10 books?  If you are going abroad, or spend a lot of time commuting, just a couple of books will not satisfy. 


4. Reputation and Appearance:  eBooks needed to have a good reputation behind them, or come from a reputable source.  Often times some books were, or at least appeared, to be bad copies, which creates distrust.

Others may outline more points, but it is my humble opinion that technology needed to advance to this point before the eBook could have even thought of being mainstreamed.  With ebook readers like the Kindle, Nook, and even with current Windows Mobile, Android, WebOS, and iPhone OS devices out there, we have finally made it to the point where big names feel comfortable in releasing their books in eBook form to reach a profitable audience. 

The thing is, dedicated devices are, at least in my opinion, doomed to a quick death.  Part of the reason why I have an iPod Touch instead of a Kindle or Nook is because I need more than just an eBook reader.  eBooks are a convenience, not a lifestyle.  I want other conveniences to be just as convenient, and preferably on the same device.  This is part of the reason why the iPod Slate (or Apple Tablet) is so important to me as a device, and why I have been so keen on it's release. 

Reader

I love to read, but I find that I have little time at home with the kids, and very little time at work.  But I also have a long commute, in which reading becomes convenient.  It's also convenient to work on my novel, get some work done, and listen to my music/old radio shows.  Suddenly carrying around even one bound book can take up more room than I am willing to give, as my bag becomes overloaded with various other devices.  But carrying an entire library in my pocket, which also will play my music, videos, and allow me to do some text editing; that's the way to go. 

Now I've heard the arguments against eBook readers because of eye-strain.  Well, I don't strain any more with an eBook reader on my iPod Touch than I do with any other book, and I can guarantee that, in the dead of night in winter, when the bus or train is dark, I can read my book without having to have a separate light.  I can also adjust the text on the book to make it larger or smaller based on my needs.  You can't do that with a printed book. 

Also, there is the convenience of purchasing and downloading the books.  I have the Kindle app for iPhone, eReader app from Fictionwise, the Barnes & Noble eReader app, and Stanza.  I have tried each one, and my favorite two so far are the Kindle app and Stanza.  Kindle because of it's flow (they have changed it a lot since Amazon purchased Stanza), and Stanza because it's so convenient to download books from the Gutenberg Press (free books in the Public Domain).  They are easy to configure, and easy to manage.  Within a few seconds I will have several new books that I have purchased and downloaded, ready to read.  It sure beats waiting for a book to ship, I can tell you!

Writer

Some day I hope to be published, as soon as I write something that I wouldn't be embarrassed to have someone else read.  I would also like my book to be quickly accessed by those who are interested, and I want to write a story that will flow well enough regardless of which format it is in.  So you can imagine that the interest in eBooks has had me thinking, and I'm watching this very closely.  Adding multimedia components for higher-end readers or computers (like the Slate, hint, hint!) can change a story as much as adding slides to a presentation, or video to a musical performance.  All of a sudden you have more content to relate to, all at the same time.  It's challenging, it's exciting, and it's a little scary. 

So what exactly will be the future of books?  I think most analysts out there are right:  the codex book will not be going away anytime soon.  There is a feeling of intimacy that comes from reading a well-worn and well-read book again and again that you don't get from an eBook.  Because of this a good hardcover or even paperback will not go away entirely.  But I think you will see a huge shift from the published book to the eBook by casual readers in particular.  The idea that one can turn on their device while waiting in line, riding a bus, or riding in the back seat of a car, read a couple of pages, and then turn around and do something else when the need arises?  It's huge, and it's happening more every day.  Add always-on 3G or 4G networking and integrated media, and you have a revolution that will absorb the mainstream out of pure convenience. 

Are there problems?  Of course!  But there were problems with first Gutenberg Press, the codex, the papyrus scroll, and even the clay tablet.  The real question is not whether or not we will manage with what we have, but rather how soon it will take the industry to adapt and make the situation better. 

Holiday Travel, Disneyland, and Autism: Avoiding the Meltdown For My Son

The Holidays are stressful, to say the least.  There are lots of people you don't normally see during the year that visit and occasionally stay, there are shopping trips, decorating chores, moving furniture, and big stints in the kitchen cooking meals and lots of fatty goodness.  All this extra stimulation is compounded when traveling. 

Now, I love to travel, as does my wife.  We spent a lot of time on the road, and both of us have flown enough times to know that the flight and a long haul on the road can be stressful for everyone.  That goes especially for those children with Autism. 

Now, this is not meant to be the one answer for all children with Autism, as each one is different.  This is what works for my son, so I thought I would share it.  If it's any help for anyone else, by all means, you are welcome to it.  But if your son doesn't respond to this type of travel or these travel tips, hopefully it will help you identify what might help. 

We have taken my son on both an airplane and in the car to San Diego, and he has handled both methods with stellar success.  It all comes down to how we get him to focus his mind, and how to keep his attention on those things he can control so he doesn't have to worry about those things he can't control. 

First off, we find A toy, not many toys, that he likes and will use the longest.  In the past this has been the water pen and tablet tools, or the magnetic stylus and slates.  Both are great because he can practice his letters and numbers, work on his writing, and it keeps his mind off the close quarters of both the car and plane.  Now we use the iPod Touch and the various apps he likes on that.  It's like having 20 different toys for him in one location, and each application we have for him is geared to help him learn something. 

Next, we have some snacks for him, usually fruit snacks.  Anything he will eat is fine, and he loves fruit snacks as a finger food (cottage cheese gets a little messy ^_^).  Finally, we make sure he is comfortable.  We sit with him, talk him through the experience, and walk him through each step as it comes up so he is prepared with what he needs. 

Now, Autism and Airlines have not gotten along in the past.  Southwest infamously forced a family with an autistic child off their planes and stranded them.  And people can be very, um, intolerant with children in general.  As such my wife and I have seen flying as a second option over driving. 

So we purchased a large enough vehicle to fit the family and a few extras for luggage, toys, food, etc.  I'm not saying it will work best for you, but it may work overall.  If you drive, keep in mind that children need to get out and stretch their legs.  Don't eat through the drive-through, but rather get out and eat if you can.  If you can't eat at the establishment you chose, look for a city park or something similar and have a picnic.  The exercise and open spaces can help reduce the stress of close quarters for long periods of time. 

As an example, my wife and I spent the last week in California at Disneyland and in San Diego.  We chose to drive, as we have a very fuel efficient vehicle for it's size.  It took us 12 hours to drive from Salt Lake City to Anaheim with all the stops for eating, changing the kids, and letting them run around for exercise. 

Disneyland was great, particularly because of a special pass available for anyone who is unable to stand in long lines for long periods of time.  It's called an assistance pass, and was definitely helpful for our son.  Instead of waiting for 40+ minutes in line, we were able to go right up to the ride.  For those rides with Fast Passes, it would work as a fast pass.  For those rides without a fast pass (i.e., the new Finding Nemo ride), we would enter through the accessibility entrance, and get placed as soon as possible. 

To get the pass, enter City Hall there at Main Street, and explain the disability your child has, and what would happen if they were to wait in long lines.  The distribution of the pass is not based on disabilities, but rather the results of the disabilities when waiting in long lines.  If you do get one, though, don't abuse it!  We want this pass to remain available for all children with Autism, so make sure you use it judiciously.  We chose to use it only on a select few rides, as our son could manage a 20 minute wait (just not 25, it turned out). 

Well, I hope this ends up being helpful.  If anyone else has any good recommendations that you don't see listed, feel free to post them!

Microsoft Office 2010 Beta: Initial Reactions

I'm a Mac user.  I've been a Mac User since 2007, and before that I was impressed with the Mac OS X line.  Why?  Because it uses UNIX as a core (version of BSD), and I could install retail software on it along with my open source software.  That was huge.  Before Mac OS X, I liked Linux, and used several distributions.  Before that, I used Windows like everyone else (though I preferred the DOS command line). 

But one thing I like about Microsoft is their Office Suite.  It's a great product overall, and very well done.  I've been teaching Office 2003 and 2007 classes since I started at the University of Utah, and the more I teach, the more I like it.  It's flexible, it's clean, and the Ribbon makes it easy to get a lot of things done. 

Yesterday I had a chance to download Microsoft Office 2010's Public Beta and give it a try.  Here are the initial impressions I got while running through the basic tools.

Excel 2010:

• No more Office button:  Now you have the File Tab, which does the same thing.  This is a transition tool that would have been helpful with Office 2007 - less confusion with a button that previously didn't do anything.  Now it's just going to confuse those people who just got used to 2007.  Microsoft, make up your mind and stick with it please!  As you can see, this is a pet peeve of mine.
  


• Sparklines:  I like them!  Mini charts in a cell that are not objects.  I like the concept, and it makes some of the conditional formatting tools obsolete.
  


• Slicers are cool too, because they make using PivotTables that much easier, and I love PivotTables.
  


• Equations:  Now you can write an equation in Excel.  For a program that is all about Math, this was a long time coming.  It also equalizes the Office Suite. 
  


• Adding Screenshots:  I'm not sure when I would use this in Excel, but I like it in Word and PowerPoint!  This is a good tool for training in particular.  Nice work!
  


• Automatic Themes updates:  This is cool, because there is a lot of potential in the Themes formatting tool. 

Word 2010:

• AutoText:  This was seriously lacking in Word 2007, but it looks like it's back in some form in 2010.  I had county clerks that refused to switch to Office 2007 because this feature was no longer available.  They will be happy now!
  


• Insert Table of Figures:  This is just cool. 
  


• Restrict Editing:  Nice, though I suspect it requires SharePoint for it to work.  That and Block Editors, so real-time collaboration can work properly.  Of course, this same feature is available in SubEthaEdit for the Mac, and without purchasing an expensive SharePoint Server.  ^_^

PowerPoint 2010:

• Equations:  Here again, I like it. 
  


• Animations and Transitions Tabs:  I like that they separated the two.  There is so much one can do for each, they needed to be in different tabs.  Not that you SHOULD be using all the transition options, or all the animation options, but it's nice to know you can separate what you want from what you need.  ^_^

Outlook 2010:

• Microsoft wisely didn't mess with Outlook much in 2007, because it is the lifeline of many in the business world.  They let everyone get used to the Ribbon before they threw it in Outlook, which they did in Office 2010.  I like the ribbon in Outlook, because you can see the features for which you normally have to hunt.  The only problem is, will it go over well in the office?  That's going to be an adjustment, and I'm thinking we will finally need to start offering Outlook classes just to get people used to it. 

That's about it!  I didn't get a lot of time to play with it in relation to collaboration, as I was the only person in the office who had it installed, but from what I see it's a good move.  Outlook is the only iffy thing, but other than that I see it being a much improved version of Office 2007.  But there are a lot of changes I'll need to make to my curriculum before I can start teaching the classes.  Luckily I'll have some time in the Christmas Holiday to get it done. 

If you are a Microsoft user and haven't upgraded to 2007, then upgrading to 2010 will be a good move.  Will you need to upgrade from 2007 to 2010?  Probably only if you want to have the new features, or need the new features.  Now I'm waiting (im)patiently for the Mac release, which will probably be Office 2011.

Armistice Day: A Day To Remember Our Veterans

Tomorrow is Armistice Day, Veterans Day, Remembrance Day, or what ever the day is referred to in your country, and commemorates the start of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918 on the 11th month, the 11th day, at the 11th hour.  Since it was delcared by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919, it has since become a day to remember all our veterans of any war, at least here in the United States. 

On this day, I thought it would be fitting to mention the veterans in my own family that I am aware of. 

My great uncle Buck was a veteran of World War II.  I don't ever remember meeting him, but we visited his grave every Memorial Day. 

My wife's grandfather who served in the Navy in World War II.

My uncle Bob was a veteran who served in the Army in France, though after the war.

My uncle George served in Vietnam in the Army. 

My father missed Vietnam by 3 weeks, and the Gulf War by 3 weeks.  He has served in the Army, National Guard, and the Army Reserves for years. 

My Father-in-law who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and the Gulf War.

My big younger brother is currently serving his Nation in Afganistan, and his tour of duty is due to be up in April, if I remember right.  He gets some time on the computer and can post on Facebook, letting us know he is still alive and doing well. 

I have cousins in the Air Force, Army, and Marines.  While I have not sought a career in the Military myself, the plight and concern for our veterans has been of interest to me for years.  My wife as well, as she grew up on a Naval Base in San Diego. 

As the 11th of November comes around, and you go about your daily routine because schools and businesses do not close anymore in honor of out veterans, I want you to think about why we have the holiday.  Take a minute and think on those friends and family that have served and are currently serving in the military, and what they are fighting for.  This isn't a day for political posturing, incriminations, accusations, or attacks on the Military, but rather a day to reflect on the freedoms we have and the freedoms others do not, and who made those freedoms available to you. 

These are the veterans that I am aware of that are close, as of the beginning of World War II. 

The Holidays and Autism: How to Cope With the Noise

Holidays are very stressful times of the year.  People spend money they don't have, cook tons of food that never gets eaten, and invite relatives over to their home they never want to see again.  Outside of the family dramas, stained carpets and floors, and the cleanup from all the gifts that will be returned after the party, there are some families that will have an added stress:  a child with autism that becomes overly stimulated and has meltdowns in the middle of the fish course or the turkey bowl. 

Please note that the above is a worse case scenario, and not necessarily the experience I have every year.  Yes, there is family drama, but no, it's not that bad.  I do want to see my relatives again...  sometime in the spring.  ^_^ 

Anyway, recently Reuters ran a public announcement from Autism Therapies, which I think is definitely worth mentioning:  coping with Autism and the Holidays.  Every holiday is different, and these seem to be focused around gift-giving holidays, but it works for all holidays in general from religious celebrations to reasons to get drunk and fall off the bar stool. 

Some of the suggestions made by Autism Therapies include:

1. Decorating the house in gradual stages:  this gives the child with autism more time to adjust to the change in their surroundings, and as such more able to deal with those changes. 


2. Avoid crowded malls and last minute shopping:  I think this is pretty much a no brainer.  As a rule I avoid crowded malls, and especially so with my autistic son.  But Holidays are a special time of year when the desire to get that special toy is stronger than the safety of other people.  Don't believe me?  I'm always shaking my head at the number of people who get trampled each year on Black Friday.  So, get your shopping done early, or get it done online.  Don't try to get it done at midnight on Christmas Eve, because it's just not going to be fair to your autistic child.


3. Wait until just before the holiday to set out gifts:  Very important in general if you have a child who is curious, but doubly so if your autistic child is curious.  The gifts will be unwrapped faster than you can say "Don't do that!", which to an autistic child is an invitation anyway (they don't hear "n't" in the conjunction, just the "do").  My wife and I have found it helpful to put the tree in a corner, and put gifts under the back of the tree, where they are out of sight.  That may work too, or you can place them in your attic, garage, or other out of sight and reach place. 

Now, I know I've had a little bit of fun with this article with a lot of sarcasm thrown in.  This is mostly because of my feelings about the holidays and the concerns of commercialism and such.  Sometimes I think Scrooge had it right, if you throw in a bit of Tiny Tim. 

Anyway, the important thing is to keep your autistic child in mind.  Don't have massive parties in a small space, if you can help it.  Give your autistic child plenty of space to stretch out and run around.  Often times you may find that some holidays can be booked at a local church or other community center for a lot less than your cleaning bills will be, and your nerves will be less of a wreck. 

If you need to spend a lot of time preparing food or party favors, etc., make sure someone is watching your autistic child, and they KNOW they are watching the autistic child.  My wife and I always make sure we are looking at each other before we say, "You have him, right?"  That way we know the other person is aware of their responsibilities. 

Lastly, find some time during the party or dinner to have some alone time with your child.  I love this bit, because I get out of a lot of games, er, I mean I get to spend time with my son in a quiet corner.  Sometimes it's just sitting downstairs with my son next to me, letting him play a game on my iPod Touch while we watch or listen to a show.  Something like that can help your autistic child decompress and manage to take control of his senses.  He's focused, quiet, and not tearing anything apart.

Come to think of it...  these same rules can work for any family.  Hmm..  What a concept, having a non-stressful holiday.  What will they think of next?  ^_^ 

If any of you out there have some suggestions, feel free to post them! 

The Diagnosis of Autism: A Plea From A Parent

Recently a parent posted a question to one of my autism posts, stating the following (edited for their privacy)"

Hello,
My son turned 5 in March 2009. On Sep. 15 he started to go to K in public school in NE Philadelphia. Yesterday after few call of his teachers we've got a letter from the Principal telling us that his teacher is requesting help from another pro. & my son will participate in small group activities to help him to achive high education program needed...
I called counselor & she asked me about his eye contact & if I ever spoke to our pediatrician about that. I said "no". But since then I'm thinking about it...Can you pls help me with my concern about my little kid?
Thank you

Wow, this brought back a lot of memories, of fear, of pain, of uncertainty.  Here is what I wrote for this parent. First off, I want to point out that I'm not a psychologist, and therefore I'm not qualified to make a lot of diagnosis.  Much of what I state down here is based off of months of research, following that research, and from my own experience.  If you are ever in doubt, consult a psychologist who specializes in autism!

Hello!

I'm going to edit your post to remove your phone number, in order to protect your privacy.

Now, about your son. The first thing I would tell you is that his teachers, as concerned for his welfare as they are, are not psychologists, and therefore are not qualified to diagnose autism. This is probably why they raised their concerns with you, and why they wanted you to talk with your pediatrician, who will probably refer you to a specialist. But before you panic, know that there are a number of different disorders and causes of autistic-like behavior, none of them related to autism. Only a specialist can know for sure.

Next I would tell you that panicking in general is not going to help. Don't start rushing out and looking for "cures". Don't start looking for answers from anyone but those who are conducting clinical trials and studies. Why? Because there are a lot of people out there that continue to pander to fear and fear-mongering. Celebrities, doctors with questionable ethics, and people who feel they just "know". No one knows what causes autism, or I should say what triggers it. We do know there are now currently 22 identified genes that can cause autistic-like symptoms, but no one knows why those genes mutate as they do. So don't panic about vaccinations, gluten in the diet, bad parenting, or monosodium glutamate (for autism, at any rate). Get the facts, which your psychologist will provide.

So, the first thing I would do is check with your psychologist and see what he says. Yes, lack of eye contact is one common behavior characteristic of autism, but it is not the only one. Does your son give you regular eye contact? Does he look at people in the store? Does he respond to his name with eye contact? These are some questions your psychologist may ask of you.

Also, is your son verbal? Has he been speaking all this time? Has that changed? Does he speak less, is his speech slurred at all? Does he say random things out of the blue? These are other questions your psychologist may ask you.

Now, if your son does indeed get diagnosed as having autism by a qualified specialist (i.e., a psychologist), here are some things to keep in mind. YOU ARE NOT TO BLAME! Autism is not caused by bad parenting, pandering, or abuse. Regardless of what some radio talk show hosts have said, parents do not cause autism. Doctors do not cause autism. Vaccinations do not cause autism. Heartless corporations do not cause autism. Politicians of any party do not cause autism. Government does not cause autism. No one is "hiding the facts", no one has snuck in poisons to your son to make him autistic. It's a result of genetic mutation(s) that cause the brain to produce too many neurons (causing an enlarged brain or overly dense brain), and/or to slow or halt neuron pruning that begins roughly at the age of 2 and ends roughly at the age of 6. That is autism in a nutshell. All the meltdowns, the social issues, the lack of eye contact, the difficulty in speech, the sensitivity to sound, touch, light changes, etc. all come down to many more neurons within the brain than a neurotypical child.

1. Your son is in good company! Many of the geniuses of the past had autism. Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla, and Vincent van Gogh, to name a few. His mind will be thicker, more dense than a neurotypical child, and as such he can process and retain more information and more detail. The only side effect from this extraordinary ability is the inability to judge social situations on the fly. So, he may need more schooling in social interaction. There are a couple of ways to do this, which I will number.

2. Find out if your public school has an autism program. Many do across the nation, though not all do. I'm not sure about PA, so you may want to contact your district and find out. If they do, get to know the teacher and her aides. Do they seem like your son's success is important to them? Do they understand autistic children? My son is lucky, his teacher has an autistic child, and therefore completely understands what we parents go through. If they don't know, or don't seem to care, find another teacher. It's your right as a parent to demand a proper education environment for parents. Make sure they know what Applied Behavioral Therapy is, and how to implement it (It's called ABA, and there is a lot of good info on Wikipedia if you need more info).

3. Get a dog, if you can, or another animal in the house that your son can interact with. I don't recommend cats, because they are only social on their terms, and behave actually a lot like someone with Asperger's syndrome (on the autistic spectrum). That, and they can be less tolerant with children than many dogs (at least our cat is). Dogs are excellent for children with autism, whether or not they are trained as "autism dogs". You may have heard that horseback riding can help with autistic children.. This is true, at least as far as some clinical studies have shown. But it's the same concept: have a connection with an animal that requires some social interaction, but is non-threatening about it. Any animal can help, not just horses or dogs. If you can't get an animal, spend some time at a petting zoo. If there is no petting zoo, see if you have a friend with a dog. Animal interactions are great fun, and do help.

4. Be prepared for frustration, at every corner. Know that people are intolerant in general, and more so if they detect any deviance from what they consider the norm. Learn to grow a thick skin, it's the only way to deal with it. You can't change other people's perceptions, you can only change your own. I would recommend printing up cards that have links to various autism websites that explain autism, should someone suggest your child is just badly behaved or your parenting skills are not up to their standard. While I have never had to give out any, I've come close a couple of times. Though now you are more likely to meet someone who has an autistic child in their life than ever before.

And finally, my last bit of advice is to love your son. Love every new discovery. Love every funny, quirky personality trait. Autistic children are just like other children, but tend to live in a different world, or a different level of the world we are in. Encourage your son in his interests, looking always for a future career. If he has an interest in music at all, go for it! Nothing is better for an autistic child than playing an instrument of some sort. Even if it's the drums, it's something that will teach him creativity and meld it with the mathematical order that will appeal to his brain.

There are so many more things I could tell you, but I want you to have the joy of experiencing them yourself. If you do have any questions, feel free to post them on the blog, and I'll get back to you.

Good luck!

The Diagnosis of Autism: A Plea From A Parent

Recently a parent posted a question to one of my autism posts, stating the following (edited for their privacy)"

Hello,
My son turned 5 in March 2009. On Sep. 15 he started to go to K in public school in NE Philadelphia. Yesterday after few call of his teachers we've got a letter from the Principal telling us that his teacher is requesting help from another pro. & my son will participate in small group activities to help him to achive high education program needed...
I called counselor & she asked me about his eye contact & if I ever spoke to our pediatrician about that. I said "no". But since then I'm thinking about it...Can you pls help me with my concern about my little kid?
Thank you

Wow, this brought back a lot of memories, of fear, of pain, of uncertainty.  Here is what I wrote for this parent. First off, I want to point out that I'm not a psychologist, and therefore I'm not qualified to make a lot of diagnosis.  Much of what I state down here is based off of months of research, following that research, and from my own experience.  If you are ever in doubt, consult a psychologist who specializes in autism!

Hello Marina!

I'm going to edit your post to remove your phone number, in order to protect your privacy.

Now, about your son. The first thing I would tell you is that his teachers, as concerned for his welfare as they are, are not psychologists, and therefore are not qualified to diagnose autism. This is probably why they raised their concerns with you, and why they wanted you to talk with your pediatrician, who will probably refer you to a specialist. But before you panic, know that there are a number of different disorders and causes of autistic-like behavior, none of them related to autism. Only a specialist can know for sure.

Next I would tell you that panicking in general is not going to help. Don't start rushing out and looking for "cures". Don't start looking for answers from anyone but those who are conducting clinical trials and studies. Why? Because there are a lot of people out there that continue to pander to fear and fear-mongering. Celebrities, doctors with questionable ethics, and people who feel they just "know". No one knows what causes autism, or I should say what triggers it. We do know there are now currently 22 identified genes that can cause autistic-like symptoms, but no one knows why those genes mutate as they do. So don't panic about vaccinations, gluten in the diet, bad parenting, or monosodium glutamate (for autism, at any rate). Get the facts, which your psychologist will provide.

So, the first thing I would do is check with your psychologist and see what he says. Yes, lack of eye contact is one common behavior characteristic of autism, but it is not the only one. Does your son give you regular eye contact? Does he look at people in the store? Does he respond to his name with eye contact? These are some questions your psychologist may ask of you.

Also, is your son verbal? Has he been speaking all this time? Has that changed? Does he speak less, is his speech slurred at all? Does he say random things out of the blue? These are other questions your psychologist may ask you.

Now, if your son does indeed get diagnosed as having autism by a qualified specialist (i.e., a psychologist), here are some things to keep in mind. YOU ARE NOT TO BLAME! Autism is not caused by bad parenting, pandering, or abuse. Regardless of what some radio talk show hosts have said, parents do not cause autism. Doctors do not cause autism. Vaccinations do not cause autism. Heartless corporations do not cause autism. Politicians of any party do not cause autism. Government does not cause autism. No one is "hiding the facts", no one has snuck in poisons to your son to make him autistic. It's a result of genetic mutation(s) that cause the brain to produce too many neurons (causing an enlarged brain or overly dense brain), and/or to slow or halt neuron pruning that begins roughly at the age of 2 and ends roughly at the age of 6. That is autism in a nutshell. All the meltdowns, the social issues, the lack of eye contact, the difficulty in speech, the sensitivity to sound, touch, light changes, etc. all come down to many more neurons within the brain than a neurotypical child.

1. Your son is in good company! Many of the geniuses of the past had autism. Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla, and Vincent van Gogh, to name a few. His mind will be thicker, more dense than a neurotypical child, and as such he can process and retain more information and more detail. The only side effect from this extraordinary ability is the inability to judge social situations on the fly. So, he may need more schooling in social interaction. There are a couple of ways to do this, which I will number.

2. Find out if your public school has an autism program. Many do across the nation, though not all do. I'm not sure about PA, so you may want to contact your district and find out. If they do, get to know the teacher and her aides. Do they seem like your son's success is important to them? Do they understand autistic children? My son is lucky, his teacher has an autistic child, and therefore completely understands what we parents go through. If they don't know, or don't seem to care, find another teacher. It's your right as a parent to demand a proper education environment for parents. Make sure they know what Applied Behavioral Therapy is, and how to implement it (It's called ABA, and there is a lot of good info on Wikipedia if you need more info).

3. Get a dog, if you can, or another animal in the house that your son can interact with. I don't recommend cats, because they are only social on their terms, and behave actually a lot like someone with Asperger's syndrome (on the autistic spectrum). That, and they can be less tolerant with children than many dogs (at least our cat is). Dogs are excellent for children with autism, whether or not they are trained as "autism dogs". You may have heard that horseback riding can help with autistic children.. This is true, at least as far as some clinical studies have shown. But it's the same concept: have a connection with an animal that requires some social interaction, but is non-threatening about it. Any animal can help, not just horses or dogs. If you can't get an animal, spend some time at a petting zoo. If there is no petting zoo, see if you have a friend with a dog. Animal interactions are great fun, and do help.

4. Be prepared for frustration, at every corner. Know that people are intolerant in general, and more so if they detect any deviance from what they consider the norm. Learn to grow a thick skin, it's the only way to deal with it. You can't change other people's perceptions, you can only change your own. I would recommend printing up cards that have links to various autism websites that explain autism, should someone suggest your child is just badly behaved or your parenting skills are not up to their standard. While I have never had to give out any, I've come close a couple of times. Though now you are more likely to meet someone who has an autistic child in their life than ever before.

And finally, my last bit of advice is to love your son. Love every new discovery. Love every funny, quirky personality trait. Autistic children are just like other children, but tend to live in a different world, or a different level of the world we are in. Encourage your son in his interests, looking always for a future career. If he has an interest in music at all, go for it! Nothing is better for an autistic child than playing an instrument of some sort. Even if it's the drums, it's something that will teach him creativity and meld it with the mathematical order that will appeal to his brain.

There are so many more things I could tell you, but I want you to have the joy of experiencing them yourself. If you do have any questions, feel free to post them on the blog, and I'll get back to you.

Good luck!

The Power of Media: The War of the Worlds, and Hitler's Airwaves

With the latest developments of hostility between Fox News and the White House, and the general feeling of incredulity within the Media with this open declaration of hostility, my mind has been focused on the impact of media, if any, on the general populace.  This seemed to coincide with an old tradition that I had and I am now resurrecting:  listening to the infamous original radio broadcast of Orson Wells' The War of the Worlds, and coupling it with the propaganda broadcasts made by Germany to England during World War II. 

In both cases, the Radio was the primary method of external communication to a mass audience.  Sure, telephone existed, and people could call each other using a handset, but to reach a large audience Radio was the method of choice.  And, like all methods of communication, information and entertainment were coupled together in one way or another. 

Germany's use of radio gave rise to Lord Haha and his spread of propaganda touting the strength of the German war machine and the futility of England's defense.  He raised the spectre of the Soviet threat, the willingness of the Germans to let bygones be bygones, and the defeats of Allied forces as proof that England needed to get out of the war.  As with all democracies, Germany assumed that England would capitulate if the people were to rise en masse to demand surrender to the Germans. 

The Brits, on the other hand, were more savvy than Germany I think had understood, having had their face slapped after the Munich treaty was completely disregarded and Neville Chamberlain was disgraced.  They instead remained vigilant against the German propaganda, no matter now disheartening it was, and with the assistance of all the Allies, managed to defeat Nazi Germany, ending what began in World War I. 

The broadcast of War of the Worlds was very different, as a small group of actors used the powerful media of radio to induce mass panic across the American countryside and through all of New York through a clever adaptation of H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds.  Because of the realistic presentation, the excellent understanding of their medium, and the credence given to the one mass portal of information, they managed to send the entire East Coast into the hills, running for their lives. 

In both instances, radio was used as a tool, and as a tool to frighten or dishearten people.  What's interesting is the reaction of the target audience.  How much trust can we place in the media, or those feeding information to the media?  It all comes down to where we get our sources of information, and how much we are willing to research those topics in debate. 

Today, with the benefit (or detriment, you decide) of the Internet, first person accounts are more likely to be provided, and collaborative information provided through multiple sources.  If the War of the Worlds were conceived and broadcasted today, Twitter would quickly expose it as a piece of fiction through first hand accounts of people in Grover's Mill stating the lack of a cyllinder in their back yard. 

Does this mean that media has lost it's power?  By no means!  Many people find a single trusted source of information, and makes it their only source.  They don't like getting multiple points of view, because they don't want to take the time or make the effort to do the research themselves.  Instead they trust their news source to do it for them.  Whether they be Liberal or Conservative, the same holds true.

It also means that more complex and devious methods of propaganda, by any group, is easier to distribute.  With the complexity of media outlets now, one merely needs to identify their target audience, and utilize their one favorite method of communication.  It could be Radio, it could be Cable News, it could be Blogs, it could be Google News..  It doesn't matter, because once you find a person's habitual media source, you have them right where you want them. 

So in the end, the more things change, the more things stay the same. 

Ruby On Rails Contract Job Needed By Local Company

Recently a good friend of mine asked me if I knew of anyone who could take over a programming job for their in-house programmers who are expecting a baby soon.  So, I thought I would post here and see if anyone following my blog would be interested in a contract position.

If you are a Ruby on Rails programmer and would be interested, contact Jason Fowler at Freightlink Air & Sea International.  His email address is jason at freightlink.net, and his phone number is 801-264-6130. 

Making Yeast Doughnuts, Sliders, and Ice Cream

A good friend of mine, Joseph, let me borrow his Good Eats episodes a couple of weeks ago.  As we no longer have the budget for other than local television, I've been missing a lot of these shows.  One show recently that I am quite happy with was Alton Brown's yeast doughnut recipe. Now, like many men my age, I love my doughnuts.  When my wife and I went on our honeymoon to Las Vegas, we made sure we stayed in a hotel (or near one) with a Krispy Kremes.  

Since then I have been wanting to make my own, though in the past they have always been too bready for my liking.  Then I got a hold of Alton Brown's recipe. The recipe is linked to Food Network's website, so I won't bore you with the recipe.  But I will tell you how the making went.  

I don't have a Kitchen Aid with both a paddle and a dough hook, so I had to mix it by hand.  Not too bad, though the first time I tried this (on Wednesday), I think they were worked a little too hard.  kneading the dough was fun, and brought me back to the days of making homemade bread with my mom while growing up. I then fried the the doughnuts using vegetable shortening, because it cools hard and has a nice shine to it.  But, I didn't have enough shortening, so I added some canola oil to the mix.  I then tried to heat the required 365 degree temperature, and was called away to take care of the kids.  I came back with the oil too hot, and the candy thermometer, um, no longer useable.  Yes, it heated too hot, as I found out.

I started with the doughnut holes to test the temperature and to see how long it would take to cook to the center.  The recipe said 1 minute, but within 30 seconds a nice dark brown had developed..  Not good eats, as it turned out.  It was very nutty, close to burned on some.  It cooled down a little on the actual doughnuts, though not enough it would seem.  Hence the reason why I didn't blog about it on Wednesday.

Tonight, after missing both breakfast and lunch today, I was feeling hungry.  We also needed to use up some ingredients while they were still, ah, useable.  So I made some real ice cream (not frozen custard, by the way, so no eggs), and some sliders (which was really cool). The ice cream was just two cups of whipping cream with one cup of whole milk, a cup of sugar, two teaspoons of vanilla extract, and two tablespoons of peach preserves.  I heated it until simmering, and then placed it in the fridge for freezing tomorrow.  More on that later, if it turns out really good.  ^_^

The Sliders I made by rolling a pound of ground beef really thin on some parchment paper, and then seasoning them with a quick rub of salt, pepper, and onion powder.  Then I folded the ground beef on itself, cut it into six portions (to fit on the hamburger buns we had), and then threw it on the electric griddle heated to 350 degrees.  They were excellent, and very light with a lot of flavor.

By now the dough had risen for my doughnuts (after an hour), so I flattened it out and cut them out with a part from a sandwich cutter (that has never been used, interestingly enough), and the center cut out with a boiled egg cup (I love multi-taskers!).  I let them rise for 30 minutes more (bench-proofing), and ate my sliders (yes, I only had two).  At this time I also turned on the oil, and without a thermometer, I guessed that one notch below medium would do it (I have an electric stove, more's the pity).

By the time the half hour went by, the oil was ready, I thought.  So, I tested them with the doughnut holes.  I placed them in for a minute, and they didn't seem to heat up very fast.  I was worried it was too cool, but then when I turned them over, I had a lovely golden brown crust.  They turned out great.  I then went through all 20 doughnuts and their respective holes, and let them cool for 20 minutes.

Now I made the glaze.  I made the chocolate doughnut glaze as penned by Alton Brown, and it turned out great.  I had some left over, but as my son loves chocolate now, his fingers were forever in them.  I dunked each of the doughnuts, and quickly finished the doughnut holes myself (hence why they don't show up below).  Needless to say, the second time they were excellent.  I even think they were better than Krispy Kremes, if only because I know how they were made, and everything tastes better when you make it yourself.  Tell me what you think.

Taxes and the Romans: I Look Into History

Lately I have taken to reading Theodor Mommsen's History of Rome under the Emperors, and I have to say I am absolutely enthralled.  I love Roman History, but in particular I like to look at how complex governing systems worked.  Rome was a very complex system from it's Republic to even under the Emperor, and continues to surprise me with every new look.

Lately I have been reading the history under Vespasian to Caraculla, which is the Second Semester in the book.  Here Mommsen talks about the Imperial income, and how the government made money. Now I realize that I will be talking in generalities, so please forgive my lack of specifics.  This was just an idea I had from a night reading over a couple of nights.  I do not have exact numbers, and so I remain vague.  If you would like to provide specifics, feel free to do so in the comments.

Now, current governments make money through taxation.  For the American people, this means taxation at the Federal, State, and even municipal level through income taxes, excise taxes, property taxes, and sales tax.  Income is then generated, and distributed for the good of those governed.  That's the theory, at any rate.  Whether or not it's to the benefit of those governed is a completely different discussion that I want to avoid for this post. 

What's interesting in Antiquity is the method of income:  It's not taxation, though taxes did exist, but rather through government monopolies and land usage fees (rents).  The State controlled all mines, and the wares sold were 100% profit for the State.  Lands were, once a region was made a Province, automatically owned by the State, and any that wished to "buy" it back could do so through annual payments, and even pay it off completely within a short amount of time.  Those wishing only to use land for pasture, planting, etc, could then pay a usage fee based on the type of usage.

Because of these sources of income, the Roman State had roughly a 4% tax it levied on it's citizens, and even less on provincials.  I found this almost incredulous, but yet it was enough to build massive roads and works all across the Empire, not the least of which were in Rome itself. 

So why isn't this same method of State income still in use today?  A lot has to do with the history between Rome and now.  Let's look at property first.  The Feudal period in Europe caused a huge backlash against the idea of a central government taking ownership of land.  Partly because of small feudal families wanting to keep their lands, partly because of the concerns of religious land ownership, it all came down to the right to own property that is protected by the US constitution.

With State-run monopolies, they were generally discouraged (with a few exceptions) with various experiments in various other countries failing.  That, and the fear of Communism becoming the new world economic model starting in the early 1900's. 

Still, it's interesting to see how different Governments have chosen to make their capital, and what they choose to do with it.