a post created by AI using my notes for my course in operating systems as source 1. Introduction: The OS as the “Beautiful” Interface To the contemporary systems architect, a computer is a staggeringly complex assembly of processors, main memory, disks, network interfaces, and diverse I/O devices. From an application programmer’s perspective, the raw hardware Read More
A post prepared for students in my network security course The internet is a complex construction of devices and connections that spans the globe. It can be difficult to conceptualize every aspect of the internet to use it securely. By understanding how black hats find targets and how they create attacks against those targets, the cybersecurity defenses we build are improved. Read More
174: Contingencies and Technology Planning The decisions that past technology teams made and the hardware, software, and network infrastructure they installed affect the decisions that can be made in the future. Especially in schools, the IT system tends to be a kluge; new features and functions were added piecemeal, and each was made to operate with extant systems. In many cases those integrations depended on custom programming and configurations. School budgets rarely allow for wholesale replacement of technology. The total cost of Read More
175: School Leaders & Technology In most aspects of school function, school leaders have experience and preparation. A leader probably started their career as a faculty member, then studied school administration and progressed through positions that gave them more experience and in which they gained increasing knowledge of school operations. Most school leaders freely admit they are not “technology Read More
Schols are organizations that have similar organizational and business needs as other organizations of similar size. People need to be hired, bills need to be paid, forms need to be completed to ensure business activities proceed as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Standards are collections of actions that are undertaken by organizations to ensure they are aligned with the actions that should be taken by similar organizations. Many who work in information technology in the United Stated are familiar with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) which defines the Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) to help organizations manage and reduce cybersecurity risks. In education, there Read More
169: Key Performance Indicators and School IT | RSS.com Key performance indicators (KPIs) are measurable values that help organizations track and assess their progress toward achieving specific business objectives. They provide a framework and structure for monitoring performance, making informed decisions, and driving improvements. Information technology leaders who work in schools are well-served to have key performance indicators identified. These are goals that are specific Read More
168: Open Source Software Licenses | RSS.com Open-source software is also free to use, but “free” can be applied to its use in two ways. First, it can be used at no cost for the user. We download open-source software, just as well do any software, but installation proceeds without entering account information. Second, users are free to use the software in that they Read More
In the modern classroom, the “workspace” isn’t just a physical desk; it’s a Learning Management System (LMS), a digital worksheet, and a shared slide deck. As education shifts deeper into the digital realm, ensuring every student can access these tools is no longer a “bonus”—it is a professional and legal necessity. The latest update, WCAG Read More
175: A Brief History of Computers in Schools In the United States, desktop computers arrived in classrooms beginning in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, which is when they arrived on the consumer market as well. If you walked into one of the classrooms where there were those first desktop computers installed, you probably would have seen one or two computers; nearby, there would have been a box Read More