Author: James

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Yipit…..Yipit good!

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The “agita” that I was feeling yesterday over my preparation, or lack thereof, for my iOS programming course started to ease today.  A large part of the reason for that was that Vin Vacanti, the founder Yipit.com, spoke to our class on the topics of entrepreneurship and tech startup creation. Yipit is a daily deal aggregator that recommends personalized daily deals from websites such as Groupon, LivingSocial, Gilt City and dozens more.

I have listened to many speakers over the years and I would have to say that Vin was one of the best. He offered excellent insight on the mindset of the success entrepreneur. He took us through his process for starting and implementing a new business. The main take away from his speech was that while learning to code is very important, don’t be afraid to go implement manual processes, especially in the startup phase of your venture. I would highly recommend that anyone interested in starting a business to check out his blog (http://viniciusvacanti.com/).

However, I still have a ton of catch up to do on the iOS programming.

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Objective C and end of semester burnout!

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My journey into the world of Objective C and iOS programming continues, and in truth, it hasn’t been a happy transition. I am actually dreading class tomorrow morning because I have been so far behind. Since the beginning of the iOS course I have accepted a new position, negotiated the conditions of my new responsibilities, finished up the PPR, promoted my recent academic research, and supported the efforts of my students in the last few weeks of the semester. I foolishly thought I was going to have much more free time to practice my coding as the semester winded down. Now as I type this out it is painfully apparent how ludicrous that assumption had been. Silly rabbit, Trixs are for kids.

Luckily the semester will be over this week and I can finally shift gears.

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New Media Tech: LaGuardia Graduation 2013

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To the LaGuardia New Media Technology graduates of 2013:

When you came over to me at the end of the ceremony it brought it all home as to why I do this every day. Y’all made me cry! I LOVE MY STUDENTS! My door will always be open. It has been my honor to be your professor. I am so proud of all of you! Go out into the world and become true “digital disruptors”. Educate, inspire, keeping learning, and most of all, GET PAID!!!! New Media Tech represent!! Westsiiiiiiide!

p.s., Holla at me. On the real, I know of a really good B.A. program in Communication and Media over at CUNY SPS that some of you might be interested in attending. 🙂

Photos from the Event

Continue reading “New Media Tech: LaGuardia Graduation 2013”

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Guilty Pleasure #1: The Venture Brothers

The video above is a series recap on the “Venture Brothers”, one of my true guilty pleasures. It is one of the few series in which I own every available dvd boxset. This season will mark the fifth series for the dysfunctional “Team Venture”. Not many younger viewers realize that the “Venture Brothers” is actually a spoof of the old Hanna Barbera cartoon series from the sixties, “Jonny Quest”.

While new episodes started on June 2nd, the Cartoon Network has made the first episode of the fifth season Continue reading “Guilty Pleasure #1: The Venture Brothers”

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I am calm. No, really. I’m good.

Starting a new job always causes me a slight amount of anxiety. It has happened to me every time that I have made a transition to new responsibilities. However, I don’t have that feeling as I get ready to take over the Academic Directorship of the Communication and Media program at the CUNY School of Professional Studies. I find myself feeling excited but yet surprisingly at ease. Maybe it is because I don’t start until the Fall and September is a long time off. Or maybe it is because I have been ready for a new challenge for a while. However I think it maybe something very simple, like it just seems like a cool place to work.

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Prepare for the Smackdown!

A few months back I was interviewed on the occupational activities of former LaGuardia Media Studies student and Cannes filmfest participant, Girard Tecson of Dayside Productions. The interview appeared in a new documentary on Girard’s unusual decision to make a career shift from independent Filmmaking to professional Wrestling. I wish him luck in his new endeavors. At 5’5″ and 150 lbs, I think he is gonna need it.

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VHS Massacre Interview

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Today I was interviewed by the producers of the upcoming documentary, VHS Massacre, which chronicles the rise and fall of physical media from the origin of film all the way through the video store era and into digital media. The filmmakers wanted to question me on my take about how digital distribution, the proliferation of high speed data connections, and online piracy has hastened the demise of physical media like vhs tapes and CD-Roms. Much of the documentary focuses in the impact of the changes on B-movie and cult films.

The documentary is directed by indie filmmakers Thomas Edward Seymour and Ken Powell, two of the same gentlemen that produce the NewYorkCine Radio podcast on pop culture and film. VHS Massacre is scheduled to be released sometime in 2014.

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New Media PPR Presentation

As I mentioned in an earlier post, every five to seven years academic degree programs in the CUNY system have to undergo a process called a Periodic Program Review (PPR). Because I am the sole full time faculty member for my program, the research and drafting of the report for the New Media Technology degree became my responsibility. Last week I shared some examples of the process and action plans emerging from the PPR at the annual Instructional Staff meeting.

The following video is my presentation of the PPR report findings to the LaGuardia Community College faculty.

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CUNY SPS here I come!

SPS Faculty and Staff

Not many people know this yet, but starting in the Fall of 2013, I will be taking over the Academic Directorship of the Communications and Media (B.A.) program at the CUNY School of Professional Studies (SPS). It is a four year online degree program that offers an interdisciplinary focus on issues related to communications and the convergence between new and traditional media.

I had my first meeting today with the Deans and the other Academic Directors at SPS. In truth, I was a bit overwhelmed by the enthusiastic reception that I received from everyone. I was offered the position a few month back and jumped at the opportunity because I believe that online programs are destined to play a big part in the future of education.

I was very happy and excited to meet my new colleagues and I look forward to helping them enhance an already amazing series of programs.