How to set-up a subdomain

I've used cpanel to setup subdomains for websites I've worked on. It hides all the work so when I had to create a subdomain for a virtual privates server where cpanel is not installed I had to figure out how to make it happen. I won't explain all of it right now, but I'll tell you a first step.

STEP 1: Add the subdomain as a cname to your resource list.

See this page for an explaination of cname (canonical name).

The Vagina Monologuesare coming to San Jose

Visit vday.org

Two computer science programs at Mills College aim to build second-career confidence

I was recently interviewed for an article published by the San Francisco Bay Guardian. The article is on Mills College's Interdisciplinary Computer Science program. Honestly, it is the only program of its kind that I could find back in 2000, and I haven't found anything similar since then.

Back in late 1990's I seriously thought about going to law school even though I was finding more and more interest in computing. At the time it seemed like an unreasonable leap of faith that I would be able to study computing. With a degree on in the social sciences and my work experience focused on people, not machines, my choices were slim.

After deciding that I didn't want to get a JD, I figured I had two basic choices:

1. I could go to ITT Tech, Devry or some other vocational school


2. Or, I could try taking classes at the local community colleges until I had learned enough to convince someone to let me get a shot at a second undergraduate degree - this time in CS - or in a graduate program

The benefit of doing a vocational program was in 9 months I could be 'done'. The down side was I knew I'd learn how to use a bunch of programs, but I wouldn't learn the science. Plus the income potential from vocational learning is not as great.

The benefit of the community college strategy was the cost is low (per unit its really affordable and you can deduct it off your taxes) and I could create an appropriate pace (one class here and there) since I still had to work to keep a roof over my head. The problem is it would take a MILLION years (ok, it was really only 5 or 6) to learn enough to make myself desirable to a traditional program.

I literally jumped up and down and celebrated when I found the program at Mills. I could get in my demonstrating I am an intelligent person interested in technology. I could learn the science and it wouldn't take me 5 or more years to get to where I wanted to go.

My point - If you are a woman that enjoys technology and want a more direct path to making a transition into it, Mills is the place for you.

And in case you are interested, I have my master's thesis posted. It will give you an idea of how I applied my new found knowledge to all that I had learned before going to Mills.

Meet Ms. Dewey

Have you seen this new search engine called Ms. Dewey? I don't know if I love it or hate it. One one hand its very fun, hip, chic, etc. On the other hand it looks like a sexualized Mr. Paper-Clip Help strategy.

I'm going to use it a while and see what I think about it....hmmmm.....

A Shopping Trip

Before I Die or in the Next 5 to 10 Years - revisited

Back in 2005 I wrote a post about some things I want to do in my life time. I took a look at it this morning and discovered I'm not actively trying to make any of them happen.

I thought about feeling guilty about it, or making some kind of resolution to make at least one of them happen, but in .5 seconds time I decided neither was the right thing to do.

Instead I thought I'd post my current ambitions that I am actually making happen.

1. Getting and staying healthy - I joined a gym and I am having so much fun doing going!


2. Traveling internationally - I still want to go to Mexico city, but decided to set my ambitions a little further away. I am trying to save some money to go to Spain in 2008. Its going to be a stretch, but I'm going to try. I figure if I don't save all I need I can "settle" for Mexico.


3. Better manage my career - Up until now I've gone from job to job because each opportunity that was offered to me had the potential to give me a different challenge and skill set. I want to more purposeful in choosing my career direction, so I am starting to talk to people about their experiences and how they've managed the things that have come their way. Not only am I getting great food for thought I am getting to know some people on a different level. It is pretty satisfying.

With all of that on my plate with the regular things that happen (work, home, taking care of my kid) 2007 is going to be just as busy and challenging as every year before it. I'm feeling wiser and stronger more than ever so I'm thinking that it will be ok.

Adelante!

In Appreciation of Rich Newton

It was about a month ago I heard that Rich Newton had been diagnosed with cancer and just a short time ago I found out he has already passed on.

Rich was a Board of Trustees member at ABI. I was impressed by his sincere commitment to women and technology. He was a role model for men; open-hearted and -minded to sharing leadership with women. He is already missed.

About Rich: http://www.anitaborg.org/about/rnewton.php
An article about his passing: http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196800538

Chicanas on the Verge

Even though I have a Master's degree and enjoy people paying me to work, from time to time I wonder if I should be in academia. After all that is what I was mentored to do.

The top ten lists Chicanas on the Verge put out made me laugh so hard. What would smart Chicana students do without all of those amazing Chicana professors out there?

My favorite top ten was this:

""CHICANA GRAD STUDENT ADDICTIONS"
Chicanas on the Verge...
TOP TENS

As a caveat, we'd like to say that we are not
proud of our addictions.
All we know for certain is that the
first step to recovery is
admitting you have problems...

10. Pedicures/Manicures

9. Hair products (to make our hair curly, straight, soft,
wavy, anti-flyaway, glossy, slick and for frizzy,
color-treated, coarse, dry, chlorinated, stressed and
sassy hair -- we've tried them all)

8. Lip stick/gloss (we'll put it on anywhere, anytime, no
concern for who's watching -- perhaps not in front of
people who might want to hire us)

7. Over-achieving

6. Dancing (you know you're an addict when you dance
until your partner's hands slide right off your back
because you've been dancing for 3 hours and now
you're all sweaty along with every other body in that
hot, steamy club)

5. Ibuprofen

4. Caffeine in all its enticing forms. This includes
chocolate, coffee, and diet coke

3. Red red wine

2. Sexy men (particularly those with salsa rhythms
running through their veins)

1. Books (you have to read a ton in order to complete a
PhD program anyway so you might as well make them
your number one addiction)"

It was like they read my mine.

Con safos, Mujeres!