One of my favorite things to do is looking round churches. I’m not a religious man, but whenever I visit a new city invariably the first thing I explore are the local churches or cathedral. To me, they represent timelessness and stability. They also represent a legacy. Somewhere there’s an architect whose life work was poured into that building. And here it is, standing hundreds of years after its designer has long gone, for all to see.

Legacy is something we programmers struggle with. It’s rarely discussed, and when it is it carries a negative connotation. Legacy code is a term that runs shivers down our spines. We rarely think of legacy in terms of making a mark.

I think we all have an urge to mark our stamp on this world, to graffiti ‘I was here–don’t forget me’. Yet, as a programmer, where is my legacy? Practically every program I’ve ever written has either been re-written by someone else, or discarded entirely. In another decade, there will hardly be a trace of my existence at all.

Perhaps a programmer’s only way to achieve any kind of meaningful legacy is by contributing to some lower abstraction that others build upon, like TCP or Linux. I’m beginning to think, though, that the best legacies are companies. They’re a living distillation of the original founders principles, and the best ones long outlive their creators.

The world’s oldest company was Kongō Gumi, a Japanese construction company specializing in building Buddhist temples which operated for over 1,400 years.

Every week we feature a set of comics created exclusively for WDD.

The content revolves around web design, blogging and funny situations that we encounter in our daily lives as designers.

These great cartoons are created by Jerry King, an award-winning cartoonist who’s one of the most published, prolific and versatile cartoonists in the world today.

So for a few moments, take a break from your daily routine, have a laugh and enjoy these funny cartoons.

Feel free to leave your comments and suggestions below as well as any related stories of your own…

Non profit for who?

Gotta wear shades

Better writer than the salesman

Can you relate to these situations? Please share your funny stories and comments below…

Clean Sans Serif Aneba Font Family with 10 Styles – only $7!

Maryland Senate President Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael Busch held a press conference today to announce a package of bills relating to economic development initiatives. The proposed legislation would leverage public and private sector resources for higher education research endowments; create a seed fund to invest in cybersecurity and privacy companies; and strengthen ties between key state, federal and higher education institutions and neighboring communities by creating Reduced Tax Zones (called RISE zones).

President Hrabowski spoke at the press conference (photo at right), emphasizing the importance of investment in endowed professorships and the RISE economic development zones to increase tech transfer. He joined USM Chancellor Brit Kirwan and representatives of the University of Maryland, College Park, and Johns Hopkins University in endorsing the proposed legislation.

UMBC Vice President for Research Karl Steiner and bwtech@UMBC Executive Director Ellen Hemmerly also attended the event.

State and national voices are increasingly articulating the need for expanded training and investment in cybersecurity. This week’s U.S. News includes cybersecurity in a story about hot career fields, noting that UMBC cybersecurity programs offer students essential hands-on experience.

ABC2 News reported on the press conference and Dr. Hrabowski’s remarks. Public Policy Professor and Chair Donald Norris was also interviewed about the event in The Baltimore Sun.

The following message was posted as part of the Dissertation House’s blog within the “Winter 2014 Challenge” thread.  It is repeated here so that those who read the general blog, will receive the message as well. At the time of the original post, there were 112 messages. Now, there are 134. Good job “DHers!”

The Winter 2014 Challenge thread is here: http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/winter-2014/. Feel free to join. The thread will be active until the end of June 2014.

————————————————————————-

January 23, 2014

Buenos tardes a todos!!/Good afternoon to everyone!!

Estoy en Ecuador y estoy muy feliz porque hay 112 mesajes aqui!/I am in Ecuador and am very happy because there are 112 messages here!

Congratulations to all of you on your persistence! What does your persistence mean? If you blogged in during the snow storm, you have already proven that you have what it takes. You have drive and determination. That is a large part of the battle. The Dissertation House exists to assist you with navigating the process and adding “knowledge of the process” to your enthusiasm.

My message for you today is simple:

1) Don’t stop until you’re done!
Dr. Carter-Veale, Dr. Cortes, and some of you have seen people in the DH who felt frustrated, tired, and upset, BUT … they finished. They defended, handed in their dissertations, and walked across the stage with the big robe and the thick bars on their arms. That will be you … soon.

2) Pay close attention to the tips that you will receive in the DH.
These are tried and tested methods. With a pure heart, I ask you to “just do it.”

3) As much as possible, stay in close contact with your advisor.
Your advisor needs to know that you are working.You also want to be sure that you are on the right page and that the expectations are in sync.

4) Utilize the community that is being established in the DH. It helps!
Working on the dissertation does not have to be a lonely, isolated process. You are now surrounded by a community of scholars with like minds and goals. There’s energy there. Feed on it. Use it. Bask in it!

5) Embrace the process.
This is the hard one. The process is difficult, but there are parts of the process that are worth the frustration. The dissertation process teaches you how to deal with long-term projects, how to deal with contrasting personalities (e.g., your committee), how to deal with rejection, and how to handle your own emotions. This is a maturation process. You may not know all of the answers, but you learn how to investigate solutions, and you learn to think through options. You may not like all of the people with whom you’re working, but you learn how to negotiate for what you need, and you learn to appreciate the strengths that people bring to the table, regardless of whether or not you care for them personally. You can still learn from “Painful People.” You can still learn from people, even when they aren’t providing information or assistance in a way that is amiable or projecting a feeling of giving. Take what they provide and find its worth. Above all, learn to appreciate the process of becoming more adept in your field.

Overall, I’m sorry that I’m not there in person for this session, but feel free to make an appointment with me to talk when I return to UMBC in February. Good luck to all of you! Congratulations on your hard work and keep it up. Those letters … “P,” “h,” and “D,” are dangling, hanging around, waiting for you to finish so that they can accompany your name!

Best regards,
Renetta Tull

————————————————————————————–

The Dissertation House is a program of PROMISE: Maryland’s AGEP

Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale is the “Head Coach” for the Dissertation House.

The following message was posted as part of the Dissertation House’s blog within the “Winter 2014 Challenge” thread.  It is repeated here so that those who read the general blog, will receive the message as well. At the time of the original post, there were 112 messages. Now, there are 134. Good job “DHers!”

The Winter 2014 Challenge thread is here: https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/winter-2014/. Feel free to join. The thread will be active until the end of June 2014.

————————————————————————-

January 23, 2014

Buenos tardes a todos!!/Good afternoon to everyone!!

Estoy en Ecuador y estoy muy feliz porque hay 112 mesajes aqui!/I am in Ecuador and am very happy because there are 112 messages here!

Congratulations to all of you on your persistence! What does your persistence mean? If you blogged in during the snow storm, you have already proven that you have what it takes. You have drive and determination. That is a large part of the battle. The Dissertation House exists to assist you with navigating the process and adding “knowledge of the process” to your enthusiasm.

My message for you today is simple:

1) Don’t stop until you’re done!
Dr. Carter-Veale, Dr. Cortes, and some of you have seen people in the DH who felt frustrated, tired, and upset, BUT … they finished. They defended, handed in their dissertations, and walked across the stage with the big robe and the thick bars on their arms. That will be you … soon.

2) Pay close attention to the tips that you will receive in the DH.
These are tried and tested methods. With a pure heart, I ask you to “just do it.”

3) As much as possible, stay in close contact with your advisor.
Your advisor needs to know that you are working.You also want to be sure that you are on the right page and that the expectations are in sync.

4) Utilize the community that is being established in the DH. It helps!
Working on the dissertation does not have to be a lonely, isolated process. You are now surrounded by a community of scholars with like minds and goals. There’s energy there. Feed on it. Use it. Bask in it!

5) Embrace the process.
This is the hard one. The process is difficult, but there are parts of the process that are worth the frustration. The dissertation process teaches you how to deal with long-term projects, how to deal with contrasting personalities (e.g., your committee), how to deal with rejection, and how to handle your own emotions. This is a maturation process. You may not know all of the answers, but you learn how to investigate solutions, and you learn to think through options. You may not like all of the people with whom you’re working, but you learn how to negotiate for what you need, and you learn to appreciate the strengths that people bring to the table, regardless of whether or not you care for them personally. You can still learn from “Painful People.” You can still learn from people, even when they aren’t providing information or assistance in a way that is amiable or projecting a feeling of giving. Take what they provide and find its worth. Above all, learn to appreciate the process of becoming more adept in your field.

Overall, I’m sorry that I’m not there in person for this session, but feel free to make an appointment with me to talk when I return to UMBC in February. Good luck to all of you! Congratulations on your hard work and keep it up. Those letters … “P,” “h,” and “D,” are dangling, hanging around, waiting for you to finish so that they can accompany your name!

Best regards,
Renetta Tull

————————————————————————————–

The Dissertation House is a program of PROMISE: Maryland’s AGEP

Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale is the “Head Coach” for the Dissertation House.

"UMBC Suits You" is collecting new and gently used professional clothing as part of Career Week in April.  Students will have the opportunity to learn about dressing professionally and will then be able to select one free outfit to use in their job search. We are asking staff to donate new and gently used professional clothing at collection bins around campus from February 11th - March 11th.

Starting February 11th, Professional Clothing can be dropped off at the following on-campus locations:

• Career Services Center, Math/Psych 212: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Mon-Fri)

• The Women’s Center, The Commons: 

9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Mon-Thurs), 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Fri)

• Commons Info Desk: 7:30 a.m. – 12 a.m. (Mon-Thurs), 

7:30 a.m. – 1 a.m. (Fri), 8 a.m. – 1 a.m. (Sat), 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. (Sun)

• Residential Life Office, Erickson Hall: 8:30 – 4:30 p.m. (Mon-Fri)

CWIT Office (ITE452)  8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Mon-Fri)

• RAC Front Desk: 7:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Mon-Fri), 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. (Sat-Sun)

• The Shriver Center, Public Policy Building: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Mon-Fri)

• Alumni House: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Mon-Fri)

UMBC Alumni and Community Members are encourage to drop off donations at some of our neighborhood locations:

• Alumni House: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Mon-Fri)

• UMBC Training Centers: 8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Mon-Fri)

• bwtech (Cyber Incubator): 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Mon-Fri)

• Catonsville Chamber of Commerce 10:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Mon-Fri)

• Baltimore County Public Library- Arbutus 9:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

 • Items that will be accepted: dresses, shell tops, button-up shirts and blouses, skirts, blazers, dress pants, belts, ties, skirt suits and suits. 

• Items that will NOT be accepted: jewelry, handbags, shoes, and general accessories.

For more information on accepted information check out the link here.

Clothing donations will be used to benefit UMBC students and will not be considered as gift-in-kind or donation to UMBC. Clothing donations are not tax deductible. Any leftover clothing will be donated to local non-profits, Suited to Succeed and the Franciscan Center’s Attire 4 Hire program.

Special thanks to ZIPS dry-cleaning and T. Rowe Price for partnering with us once again on this endeavor.

Any questions or concerns about this project can be addressed to Kate Phelps, Career Services Center, kphelps@umbc.edu, 410-455-2216.

***Students be on the look out for more information about UMBC Suits You occurring on April 5 & 7 when you will be able to pick up a professional outfit.***

UMBC Career Week will occur April 7- April 10. Detailed information will be available soon.