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Thanks to Lester Chan, I’ve added links that will email and print posts and pages.

These links are available at the bottom of each post and page. The following screenshot provides an example from my APA formatting page:

The email link allows users to email one post or page every ten minutes. It also uses a captcha system to foil villains.

The print link removes the sidebars and menus from the page, giving a clean look to the printed version.

This print link generates text that is easy to view on a phone or PDA. I’ve been using a mobilizing option on this blog, but that option can’t remove the menus or sidebars.

The print link also prints the actual URL for every link on the page or post. Some Web users like that particular feature.

Here’s a brief article about a favorite classroom example of mine. The 1890 US Census used tabulating machine technology developed by Herman Hollerith.

His company formed the foundation of IBM.

This article from Columbia University has some more background and this IBM page has the following image of an 1890 tabulator.

I keep a stack of Hollerith cards in my office, and sometimes I’ll bring these punch cards to class to show students how data was stored in the analog era.

Here’s a punch card from the 1960 US Census (image courtesy Universitaet Klagenfurt)

An Illinois high school withheld diplomas from 5 graduating seniors after audience members celebrated too loudly. The punishment seems heavy handed, but administrators had decided that disruptions, airhorns and fights at previous ceremonies required a response. All students and their parents were notified well in advance of the ceremony that there would be consequences for disruptions.

Affected students could receive their diplomas after performing 8 hours of community service work. That opportunity made me shake my head. At my high school, students performed at least 150 hours of community service work as a graduation requirement.

I’m not bragging, by the way. I wish more high schools and universities had this requirement. At the least, some important work would get done.

So I always tell graduating students to “act like they’ve been there”. It’s an old sports cliche that helps remind players that there’s a time and place for celebration.

I’ve finished several marathons, and at most I put my hands up in the air as I crossed the finish line. Then again, I was very tired after each run!

Why do a few bachelor’s and master’s degree recipients strut across the stage as if it were their personal spotlight? Why do some students decorate their caps to the point of absurdity?

Most graduating students recognize that the ceremony is not their personal showcase. It’s not a Hollywood awards ceremony.

Degrees are earned, not won. Accept the diploma with humility and respect for those who finished before you, and those who never got a chance to walk across that stage.

Yesterday’s Star-Bulletin included an article about the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) help desk facility at Ford Island. The official name is Pacific Theatre Battle Watch.

The facility was built inside a battle-damaged hangar, and is staffed by 12 EDS contract employees.

For those who haven’t heard of NMCI, it’s a good overview of the system’s stated goals. It’s a huge project, covering 500,000 computers and 400,000 users around the world. I’ve met several MSIS students who are associated with this project over the years. More details are available in these 2002 and 2007 GCN articles.

(Photo courtesy of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin)

I was surprised to learn that the command center cost only US$1M, but the reconstruction project for the hangar cost US$65M.

From Wired: US hospitals must comply with a host of privacy regulations, including HIIPA.

However, doctors want to examine images and test results on their mobile PDAs. In some hospitals, doctors are more like contractors than employees, and may not be bound by hospital privacy regulations.

Nurses and hospital staff are being fired or disciplined for sending or viewing patient information with mobile devices. Of course, there are also incidents where hospital staff used cellcams to take and send candid shots of naked patients and employees.