The lure of online learning

I have had to put up with wankers at work with their dismissive attitudes and their petty university snobbery. Coming from a technical trades background and working my way through the ranks, at age 44, I finally gained a university degree, a major bricks and mortar establishment mostly done online. Not that has ever really been an issue, my technical expertise has been more than generous supporting a reasonable lifestyle, life could be better or worse depending on your outlook - no complaints. But as you get older, less hands-on is desired and the step from supervisory to management level is warranted.

The federal government opened the higher education market setting targets of 40% of 25 - 34 year old workers holding a bachelor's degree by 2025. I wanted to make sure that while I had plenty of on-the-job experience, I wasn't going to be automatically overlooked for positions because I didn't meet the selection criteria. Even though at 2025, I will be nearing the end of my working life. You have to keep pace, the job market is changing and you need to remain contemporary, being seen as a first adapter is important for new technologies and methodology. 

Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are now offering online courses through edX, two of the most prestigious learning institutions in the United States have now gone online. Berkeley in California, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and McGill in Canada are world renown institutes worldwide have also signed to edX.

This is fantastic, this legitimises online education, leading educational institutions are rewarding first adapters utilising the skills of their best and most innovative professors. One imagines, these institutions want to ensure their best talent is on show, not handing off development to adjunct lecturers reaffirms their commitment.

Richard NG and Daphne Koller from Stanford University, teamed up with the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan, and Princeton to offer high quality free online education. Coursera is a for profit organisation though, I presume revenue is gained through sale of course verification certificates, I am even unsure if graded assessment is offered or just a pass/fail. I have undertaken my first offering at Coursera, so far it looks pretty good but lets see.

Udacity is the third major provider; I had a short look at their course offerings and are yet to commit to any, one suspects they will be aggressively expanding in the future. The future on online learning is looking bright, with the universal acceptance of online courses, current and potential employers should credit this as a legitimate form of learning.

Deleted from social media

I have read a number of articles regarding deleting certain people from friends lists on social media; why you should do this and how to react when you meet up with them and they question your decision and display hostility towards you.

But what if you are the one being deleted? I was not in the cool group at school; being somewhat of an outsider, you build up a fair degree of resistance to rejection, if you let it affect you, it becomes all consuming. You ask a girl on a date, she says no, you need to move on pretty quick, sooner or later, you will get your first yes, maybe even a second or third. I have been deleted on social media on numerous occasions and I couldn't really care.

The emphasis of many social media articles has been on why you should cull and delete people; however, what does this really say about the person deleting you? As it can only be used as a weapon against you if you care, what statement are they trying to make about themselves? They are expecting you to be hurt and upset, if you are not, then the power returns to you. Should you have been online friends with them in the first place, or friends at all? Let's face it, they have done you a favour.

Cruising on the river

I love sailing, whilst my preference is racing, heading out on a cruise is a good way to fill the day. We cruise ot to the race site I suppose, then we get into race mode and it is time to get competitive.

Cruising around the Swan River is an excellent way to spend the afternoon, the waters are sheltered and there are plenty of places to go and moor, have a swim on a hot summer day whilst having a refreshing drink or two along the way.

The PADI Boat Diver certification

If I don't have a Boat Diver certification, am I still allowed to dive from a boat? Ever been asked this question before? Yes, I have been asked that exact question more than just a number of times.

You feel like the patsy in a PADI money making scam - you would be right in thinking that. Sometimes you just have to tell it as it is.

PADI are taking you for a fool - don't hand over your hard earned money for such a blatant rip-off. I would like to know if any divers have been refused boat dives because of a lack of a boat diver certification?

You are, after all, not being asked to skipper the boat and resume responsibility for the safety of the vessel or its passengers. Nor are you required to meet any regulatory frameworks or insurance requirements as the skipper has to be licenced.

In many localities, the deckhand doesn't even require licencing or qualifications whilst working under the direction and supervision of the skipper. You are being taken for a ride, not just by the skipper - but by PADI too.

The rise of TripAdvisor

Founded in 2000 by Stephen Kaufer, the TripAdvisor brand is promoted in restaurants, hotels and attractions across the United States, Europe, South East Asia and the parts of the Middle East.

TripAdvisor advertises with decals, certificates and ratings predominantly displayed. Naturally, the reach and exposure of TripAdvisor is far greater than already mentioned, my travels haven't taken me further yet.

TripAdvisor is a business generating large revenues, listed on the NASDAQ exchange, this publicly listed company generates revenue via an advertising based business model. As an early adapter of user-generated content, a fair degree of criticism is directed at TripAdvisor.

On one hand consumers rate establishments, their impartiality may be questioned, also bringing into dispute the authenticity of such reviews. Are proprietors coaxing favourable reviews with enticements that may be deemed inappropriate?

However, are consumers actually sufficiently equipped to critique tourism and hospitality establishments effectively? Has this lead to elitism among professional reviewers in the past? These days, everyone is an expert, all jostling to be heard in a cluttered online environment.

In many cases, these are small business people who have poured their whole financial resources into their business, their work, devotion and effort only for someone with no real experience in review writing.

Hospitality management, culinary skills and knowledge is required to announce to the world this business is terrible. I try to write positive reports where possible, this however hasn't always occurred, you do try and tell it as it is.

Despite my apprehension of user-generated content, a lack of editing and oversight with reviewers lacking technical skills in certain areas, I continue to post content on TripAdvisor as I am one of the hacks generating reviews online too.

Chemical in a can

Wandering the streets of Berlin and Germany in general, I must say, the Germans love their beer. And why not? The quality and selection of German beer is very high unlike our own very drab offerings.

Once upon a time, beer consumption in Australia was very regional, XXXX in Queensland, Swan Lager or Emu Export in Western Australia, Victoria Bitter in Victoria and Tooheys in New South Wales.

There was NT Draught in the Northern Territory and Westend in South Australia - I have no idea what they drank in Tasmania back then. Needless to say, this was awful, chemical in a can - you paid dearly the next day.

The German beer on the other hand is robust in flavour, high quality and not mass produced chemical lager. Fortunately, the Australian beer market has turned the corner, no longer will the breweries be able to pass off this chemical swill as state based loyalty.

Italian drinking fountains

If my memory serves me correctly, in 2001 during my last Roman trip, I recall water fountains throughout the streets of Rome. I never carried a water bottle then, whenever I needed a drink.

I would just saunter up to one of the many fountains for a drink. There are still fountains in Rome, this time I needed a water bottle to fill up as they are few and far between. Are the wonderful Italian drinking fountains in decline?