2008-2009: Keith Gilbert

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween everyone! I just wanted to get a short post up with some events of this past week and a response to the comment on my last post. This past week has absolutely sped by and the weather has been rather chilly. We had our first "real" snow of the season here as well!!! The ground was covered for about a day, until the temps once again rose above freezing and the sun melted it all away :-( It did get me excited though because the snow and weather seems to have come much faster than it did last year. I could just be a little fuzzy on the memory too...

On anther note, I'm excited for Sunday because it's the Paintball Club's first game. I've played a few times already this year, but it will be fun to play with more people I know. We're not playing on campus yet because we're not set up, so we're going to Colchester to play. I'm just happy that I'm actually getting to use my equipment this year. I bought it all freshman year, and then the club just pretty much died out. I think next semester, and hopefully next year as well, will be much better.

I got a question last week from nufan about whether or not I would consider moving back to campus once the new dorms are built. My knee-jerk reaction is no, I wouldn't. However, I do have my reasons, and this question is one I get asked quite frequently. First, I live with my girlfriend in my apartment. As a result, I would have to make sure that she had someplace to live before I could move back. However, that could potentially work out because she graduates this year and may be moving somewhere else depending on where she gets a job. Even at that point though, I think I'd still try to find others to live off campus with. The main reason is money. It costs more to live on campus for 8 months than it does (for most people) to live off campus for the year. It costs roughly $1,000 a month to live on campus, whereas it only costs me $600 a month to live off campus (that includes all utilities, rent, and food). Thus, even though I have to pay rent year round (which I would anyway because I stayed here for the summer to work), it's cheaper to live off campus. Yes, I have to do dishes and cook. Yes, I have to clean more than just my half or third of a room. Yes, I have to wake up earlier for class. However, I think the cost savings is well worth it. Besides that, I now share 3 rooms and a bathroom with one person, instead of sharing 1 room with 2 people and a bathroom with 20 people. Don't get me wrong, living in the dorms was fun, but I'm going to have enough debt when I graduate that doing anything I can to reduce it is worthwhile.

If anyone has any more questions, please feel free to ask!!

Don't get sick on too much leftover candy!!

-Keith

Random Computer Quote:
"Treat your password like your toothbrush.  Don't let anybody else use it, and get a new one every six months."
      ~Clifford Stoll

And Mid-Semester Break Comes to a Dreary End..

Hello!

I decided to write this morning before I pack up my car and get ready to head back to Vermont, while it's rainy and windy outside. My readers most likely know by now that I would much rather have it be snowing outside, even if that meant a slower ride back to Vermont! I had to come home to Maine for a pre-op appointment for getting my wisdom teeth out over Christmas break. It was nice to see all my family, but I wish I had gotten more time so I could have seen some friends as well. When you only visit home for two days, those days get booked pretty quickly. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving break because I should be able to at least see some people then (in between hunting!).

As far as school goes, I'm glad this past week is over! All of my midterms are now finished and my work-study job at school has started. I've also got most of the research and the outline done for my Information Assurance Whitepaper this semester. Now I've just got to get some more research done on my Intro. Forensics research paper and I should be golden! We've also gotten everything scheduled that is needed for our first Upsilon Pi Epsilon induction ceremony! I'm excited that we were able to get a chapter up and running in under a semester, I wasn't really expecting that to take hold until the end of the year. I've also recieved word that all of my internship application packages for next summer have been received and are being reviewed. I hope to have at least a preliminary offer before going home for Christmas break. I guess I'll have to keep my fingers crossed!

Well, I've got to finish packing up all my stuff and one of those things includes my computer so I've got to say bye for now! Thanks again for reading!

-Keith

Random Computer Quote:
"Overall system speed is governed by the slowest component." - Amdahl's Law

Mid Semester Break is Almost Here!

Hello! After a rather mild week, it seems as thought the weather is starting to cool back down to seasonal Vermont temperatures. Mid semester grades are out and this semester is off to just as good a start as the previous ones, but the real test will come later. I've got a couple tests this week and both outlines for my research papers are due before the end of the month. My work-study will be starting this week and the events that I planned this past summer at work are going quite well.

Last Thursday was also this semester's Trustee Dinner. It provides a time for student leaders and university trustees to meet one another, and for the university to thank them for their generosity. It really is true that without the Norwich Trustees, many of the on campus programs and buildings would not be possible. If there are any trustees reading my blog I'd like to take the opportunity to thank you for all you do!

Not to switch the subject too abruptly, but I've had my visit tracking functionality up for about a month now so I thought I'd share some of the statistics I've gathered. I know this may not be super interesting for everyone, but it's something I find interesting to monitor so here they are:
Top 3 Internet browsers:
      Internet Explorer 6: 40%
      Internet Explorer 7: 37%
      Mozilla Firefox: 14%

Top 2 Operating Systems:
     Windows XP: 75%
     Max OSX: 12%

Top 3 Monitor Resolutions:
     1024 x 768: 36%
     1280 x 800: 16%
     1280 x 1024: 12%

Total number of unique visits: 544 (since 9/24)

Well, I've got a little more work to do before I relax for the rest of the night so that's all for now! I hope that everyone has a great week!

-Keith

Random Computer Quote:
"When you get to the point where you really understand your computer,
it's probably obsolete."

Something To Celebrate

Hello! As the title of the post may suggest, I have some good news! We found out this past week that Norwich was approved to start a chapter of Upsilon Pi Epsilon Honor Society. Now, I've only got to get the chapter approved as an organization at Norwich and then organize the chapter charter ceremony. By the end of this semester, Norwich University will have the functioning Gamma Chi of UPE. So that's basically all the good news for now!

For the rest of the post, I'd like to take the time to respond to blueliner for the wonderful comment that was posted last month. First, I was asked what it's like to be a civilian at Norwich. When thinking about it, I'd say being a civilian at Norwich isn't really any different than being a student at any other college. The same opportunities are available, with the added benefit of mixed lifestyles. I do truly believe the mixed lifestyles are a benefit because they add a different dimension to Norwich that isn't found at other schools. As for the corps and civilians getting along, I haven't had any issues throughout my career at Norwich. I've heard rumors of issues in the past, but I've never experienced any of them, and none of my friends have had issues that I know of either.

The next question is why I chose Norwich as a civilian. When I was a Junior in high school, I began looking at schools in New England that had degrees in Computer Science and other related fields. By chance, I discovered Norwich's degree in Information Assurance and began conducting some research. After a day or so I knew that I wanted to at least apply to Norwich and I also reserved a spot at one of the open houses. Once I visited campus, I knew it was definitely someplace that I'd like to be. At the beginning of my senior year, I applied to UMaine Fort Kent, Norwich, and Rochester Institute of Technology. I was accepted to all three schools and decided that the IA degree at Norwich would be what I wanted to pursue. At the time, Norwich was the only school in the Northeast that had a degree in Information Assurance, and it became my major.

Leadership is an integral part of Norwich as many people may know. My freshman year was a little like high school. My studies went well, but that's about all. Everything else just kind of went on around me, at least for the first semester. I don't really know how to describe it, but I think the "Norwich Spirit" just kind started taking over. As you all know, over the next year and a half I slowly started picking up more activites to fill my time and I'm trying to contribute as best I can to the university. As it stands now, I'm Co-Chair of the Civilian Honor Committee, student founder of UPE, a member of the Civilian Junior Ring Committee, project manager for the CyberCadets, a member of the paintball club, a full-time student, and all while working two days a week in the Information Security field as well. This semester has been extremely hectic and I'm sure it will continue to be. However, I look back on my freshman year and I know that I'd rather be in the position I am now, than the position I was in then. Being a student leader has given me the opportunity to leave my mark on Norwich in the best way I know how.

On the last note, I've heard plenty of success stories by both Corps and Civilian students when it comes to careers. I think the school is known for the quality of students it produces, regardless of lifestyle, and therefore both recieve fair treatment when being considered for positions. I'm sure there may be exceptions in some instances, but none that I've heard of.

Thank you again for the comment! Also, thank you nufan for your comments and support again as well! I would encourage others to leave them as well.

It's time to get back to work! Until next time,

-Keith

Random Computer Quote:
'A computer program does what you tell it to do, not what you want it to do.'    - Greer's Third Law.