Everything Bianca

It's the topic of the day... for some people, for others it's about a speech. I'll read the summary of that tomorrow.

What did I think? I thought it looked neat.

Since I actually own a Samsung Q1, I've found a niche for not-quite-handheld / not-quite-laptop device. There are the things it excels at: music, movies, text, and photos. Full stop.

The most frustrating thing about a touch screen tablet these days is the keyboard. I am a touch typist, so any tablet makes me feel like a snail. It's also pitiful that they try to be a computer - and for anyone with an actual computer, it's an epic fail.

However, for an off side companion that keeps a few multi-media files, it's quite novel.

And that's the point. Novelty. Because if you want a computer, you should buy one, and if you want a hand held, you should buy one.

The best place for a tablet is where it's currently used: hospitals, retail sales, surveying, and other places where the user is constantly mobile as a function of working.

I'm interested to see how the general public will use / accept the tablet.

Yes, I know it's called the iPad, but clearly the world is too juvenile to accept that name. Watch. It'll be called the Apple Tablet in general conversation. Might as well start now.

Only took 7 days.

I lost one of the succulents. I'm guessing 'too much' moisture is the cause. Since it was nearest to acces of the cats, I probably kept it closed too often (while in bed / at work).

I completely lost one of the center plants and had to remove a few 'leaves' from the corner one.

Maybe it was transplant shock? Nah. I'm going with moisture rot.

So now there's a vacancy.

I'm either going to fill it with the same plant (it was quite beautiful), or find something else (better!) to take its place. Plus, the cats have the point now. The glass enclosed plants are not for their entertainment.

At least, I hope they have the point.

Yesterday, I introduced my student to box multiplication. That's what I'm calling it. Pretty much one step method of multiplying 2 & 3 digit numbers.

Here's a video explaining how the whole thing works: Multiplication Tips.

Now, here's the "problem" with teaching her that method. I had a hard enough time with teachers in school because I would fail to show my work. Showing your work is pretty much proving you didn't use a calculator or a guess to get the answer.

The whole point of box math is to enhance the ability to do math 'in your head.' Showing how it's done slows down the process. I tried working out a way to teach her a way to 'prove' she's getting the answers, but then... she might as well stick with the normal way of multiplying.

I haven't decided what to do yet.