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December 18th, 2006 by: Pete
Hello iD Nation! One of the fun things about my job is I get to blast the company via email and share my opinions and ideas on what’s relevant. Our employee also have the same liberty. You just never know the kinds of emails you are going to get. Take this one, for example from one of our Regional Managers in Texas.
From: Name Withheld
Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 12:00 PM
To: All iD Employees
Subject: gotta run for a while…
“I have to take my son to the doctor. He just stuck a rock in his ear at school and can’t get it out. I will be off line for a while but I will have my phone.
All you new parents…….take notes!!!”
When I received this email last month, it really put things in perspective. I am quite certain that a lot of other people were laughing pretty hard too.
The next bit of correspondence I’ll share with you has to do with a Powerpoint presentation I sat in on last week. We were in a monthly manager’s meeting and one of my manager’s was presenting. (He too is a new parent). His presentation had the typical transitions and corny backgrounds, but the final slide ended with a bang. Is this guy a proud parent or what?
“Maya is now 10lbs & 11oz and is 23” long. She has entered into the 50th percentile for her age group regarding her weight and size while the size of her cranium has topped the 70th percentile. We are very proud of her elongated trunk and limbs as well as her giant head growth.
Please feel free to measure Maya the next time you see her if you don’t believe the statistics presented today (you will need to provide your own measuring device).”
I know you want to see his adorable girl. Just beautiful!
Family Giving Tree
I wanted to end this session by giving some well-deserved acknowledgement to the iD crew that volunteered their time on Friday at the Family Giving Tree. The Family Giving Tree is a non-profit organization that this year alone will deliver 70,000 gifts to children in the Silicon Valley and greater Bay Area. The staff at the FGT is an all volunteer staff, and they have been working round the clock to ensure that kids in the area have a gift to unwrap during the holidays. One of our employees, KC, is intimately involved in the organization and we are all very, very proud of her. KC, we thank you, and the rest of the fine “elves” that make the holidays special for so many.
Below is a picture of the warehouse full of gifts that have to be organized, wrapped, and delivered to locations all over the Bay:
This is me pretending to drive the forklift.
And one of my employees who was begging to appear on my blog. I hope he thinks it is funny. He’s ALMOST famous now.
Major thanks to our employees who did volunteer their time. You guys are famous!
Oh, I did want to point out that I challenged the entire company of Synopsys to see who could fill up the FedEx truck faster: them, or me. They won.
And, last but not least, check out Baby Kaylee doing her part! Yes, she’s another beautiful iD Baby. She’s no bigger than that football.
Until next time, nation!
Happy Holidays!
-Pete
December 18th, 2006
Posted in: CEO's Blog
December 16th, 2006 by: Pete
Hello iD Nation! As promised, I was going to share a little bit of information about one of our client service reps, Captain Curry. The Captain was born an raised in the States, but has roots in the Seychelles. Say what? I’m looking out for you, nation! Read on! The Seychelles are located in the Indian Ocean, north of Madagascar, 995 miles from Mombasa, Kenya. They are 5 degrees south of the equator at a longitude between 55 and 56 degrees east.
The Captain brings his flair for fashion to the office. If the guy can dress like this, imagine how he sounds taking calls about computer camp! Impressive indeed.
Let’s not stop at Captain Curry. Our company is full of spirited people who have a sense for fashion. Take my parents, for example. This picture was taken at our Halloween party. My mom stands at just 5 feet, but she is tough as nails. She is one of the reasons iD has had so much success over the years…”It’s the quality, people!” Mom, don’t kill me for posting this picture. But you do look fine!
Not to be outdone, Mighty Mouse showed up to the Halloween party too. Mighty stands at just 5 inches, but is tough as nails. He is one of the reasons iD has had so much success over the years. Imagine this guy looking over your shoulder 24×7! He truly does sit above my desk 24×7. Indimidation is key to running a company, and this guy delivers.
Since I last wrote, here are some key stats about this blog:
- Nobody has logged on.
- No comments have been posted.
That pretty much sums it up. Nowhere to go but up! Patience, young Jedi, the blog has only been live for 24 hours.
OK, I’m going to wrap it up. Next up: funny staff emails. Until next time!
Ciao!
December 16th, 2006
Posted in: CEO's Blog
December 15th, 2006 by: Pete
My people have been telling me I need to get a blog started so the world can see behind the scenes at iD. So, let’s get it on! Where to start? What’s the hook? Why the heck would people care? For years we’ve been saying “if people only knew the way we do things–they’d get iD…they’d just get it.” So, this is my chance to show just that.
In future blogs, you’ll learn more about our crazy employees, parents, students and staff that make iD iD. I love being at the helm of this company, being intimately involved with every department and knowing the good, bad and ugly.
You’ll get a snapshot of what’s in my head–which is everything and nothing all at once (ask my wife), and my opinions on topics like Google’s takeover of YouTube, parenting tips (share yours with me too!), fatherhood–should my 2-year-old start mowing the lawn soon?, the lemon tree in the backyard, ridiculous and hilarious emails I receive…you get the gist.
So, let’s get this party started. Here are some recent pictures. You’ll find me in the Elvis suit at one of our staff trainings at the Tiger Woods Learning Center (my team of trainers didn’t know I was going to show up–and we pretty much bombed. I dragged a couple of willing iD employees into it with me).
Check out our spirited team here in the Valley!
Note to all employees: Lemons are on sale for 25 cents which is a significant discount to Trader Joe’s. These are Meyer’s. I’ve got tons of them.
This is my 2-year-old catching air between couches. Mom wasn’t too happy. iD Nation, do not worry! Couch jumping is not allowed at camp.
OK, I don’t want to give away the farm here on my first blog. For #2, you can expect to see pictures of Captain Curry, a member of our Client Service Team…but please, please don’t all log on at once because the servers just can’t take it!
Ciao!
December 15th, 2006
Posted in: CEO's Blog
August 10th, 2006 by: Nancy
Catapulting into the future, Cambridge kids fuse creativity and science at tech camp
By Dawn Witlin
Alex O’Reilly, like most big brothers, watches over his younger sibling, Cameron, with a sharp eye.
And, like most big brothers, he’s willing to be critical.
“I think he’s done a pretty good job, but I also see the element where he has two other people to help him,” said 13-year-old Alex as he sizes up “Whiskers,” a robot made by 12-year-old Cameron. The robot was nearing completion after less than a week of assembly.
Alex, 13, Cameron, 12, and Adam Yedidia, 14, are taking a few weeks out of their summer to attend iD Tech Camps at MIT.
A nationwide program for ages 7-17, the camp offers hands-on technology programs ranging from robotics to computer gaming design. There are also movie-editing courses under the supervision of a paid adult staff who bring a range of skills to the table.
Staffer Katy Levinson, 19, coaches five teams of students. Her charges have taught her a thing or two.
“It’s a nice dynamic because to be able to teach something, you have to really, really know it,” said Levinson. “The kids will hold each other in a non throwing things state. They will make progress together, they will fix each other’s problems.”
The technology campers may choose to enroll in a weeklong or several weeks-long courses and are grouped based on skill level.
Alex and Adam have chosen to design computer games, while Cameron is building a robot.
“I’m better with robotics than I am at programming, so I thought I’d stick to programming,” Alex explained, touting his final project: a virtual reality computer game he mapped from scratch.
The player is put to the test of finding keys in each room of Alex’s design, by typing in certain commands to move about.
“It gives a description of the room, and then it gives information such as where doors are and where items are,” said Alex, who attends Graham and Parks School along with his younger brother.
Meanwhile, Adam, who will go to Cambridge Rindge and Latin School in the fall, is putting the finishing touches on a virtual “Connect Four” computer game.
“I was short on ideas, and I thought I’ve always liked Connect Four,” said Adam. “It’s just going to be a neat thing I can tell my friends.”
Since Adam has signed up for another week, he plans to work on giving the game artificial intelligence, so that a player can pit their skills against the computer.
Cameron’s group is busy running between their robot – a silver box-shaped mechanism on wheels equipped with sensors that keep it from running into walls – to the computer program that controls it.
“It’s made to navigate out of a box or something, it uses sonar, like when it’s going along and runs into something, it will turn around,” said Cameron. “It’s just really to move around and basically not get itself destroyed.”
The group is excitedly attaching a catapult to the robot. Its name, “Whiskers,” is in honor of its cat-like sensors.
“What we need to do is, it’s going to have a limit switch so that when the limit switch is pressed, it will wait 10 seconds then the motor module will turn, causing it to fire,” said Cameron matter-of-factly. “It will fling a ball.”
Levinson navigates the frenzied room with flair, reciting program codes to some, directing others how to jump programming hurdles, all the while making the kids laugh through their often frustrating efforts.
“It’s pretty impressive; this group of kids is really good, ” said Levinson. “I love all my weeks, but some of them go faster than others.”
Click article to view in full size
August 10th, 2006 | Tags: MIT Computer News Articles
Posted in: Bentley University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Merrimack College
July 19th, 2006 by: Nancy
Kids get plugged in at tech camp
By Erikah Haavie
Ian Slakas was looking for something special to give his friends during his birthday party next week.
He decided on video games he would create.
”It wouldn’t be the average thing to give out,” said Slakas, an 11-year-old from Croton, Westchester, County.
Slakas is among 90 students from across New York attending iD Tech Camp at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie this week.
The weeklong computer camps are teaching students from elementary school to high school how to create video games, produce digital movies and music videos, program computers and design Web sites.
Vassar is one of 40 colleges and universities across the country hosting the camps, offered by the Campbell, Calif.-based company iD Tech Camps.
Tuition for a week of instruction ranges from $699 for a day program to $1,099 for an overnight program.
The youngest students are learning how to create digital artwork using Adobe Photoshop, while more advanced students are customizing existing video games.
2-time attendee
Jessica Jackson, a 15-year-old from the Town of Poughkeepsie, is attending the camp for the second year.
Her dad piqued her interest in computers, since he works with them every day as an accountant.
She has been designing her own artwork and Web site this week.
”You don’t feel like you’re just sitting around,” Jackson said. ”You get to meet new people.”
While most students come to camp to pursue their technology interests, Pete Vigeant, director of Vassar’s camp, said he hopes students will get a taste of college life and make new friends with similar interests.
”They’re not shy here because everyone here is like them,” Vigeant said.
Doug Mansell, an 18-year-old Salt Point resident, is teaching video-game creation to six students this summer.
He said he has been impressed with their creativity. Students have created games with hedgehog-shooting elephants and mummies that shoot fruit in outer space.
Slakas is working on two video games he’ll share with his friends, a series of challenges named Helicopter and Helicopter 2.0.
He is attending three weeks of computer camp.
”Here it’s always new things,” Slakas said. ”It’s always an adventure.”
Erikah Haavie can be reached at ehaavie@pough keepsiejournal.com
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July 19th, 2006 | Tags: Vassar College Computer News Article
Posted in: Columbia University, Fordham University, New York University, Vassar College
July 12th, 2006 by: Ryan
Schools & Education
July 12, 2006
July 12th, 2006
Posted in: Concordia University, iD In The News, Lake Forest College, Northwestern University
July 5th, 2006 by: Ryan
Computer camp excites imagination
By Sharon Schiff
As computer screens radiate, so do the minds of the savvy children enrolled in computer camps at the College of William & Mary. They not only learn technology, they create it as well.
Enthralled by his own video game creation, 9-year-old Adam Bloack could barely take his eyes off his monitor as he explained his game.
“See, you have to get this guy John Minor out of these jewel caves, and collecting jewels gives you extra points and they are hidden under rocks,” Bloack said, hardly stopping to blink. “I’m doing very well in my game……Look, look at this – charge! Ahh, he vaporized me.”
Bloack, who went to the camp with his 10-year-old cousin from New Jersey, is among 32 kids aged 7-17 immersed into techie world. “I’m really glad I am going here.” Bloack said. “I have really learned a lot.” The campers explore the world of technology through robotics, programming, digital videography, video game design and web design.
Caitlin Kelley, 13, sat before a 3-D video game she created. She used characters from her favorite show, “Charmed,” as the basics for her animation. She finds working in 3-D especially challenging because one has to create an allusion for things to look real.
One group of campers that was participating in a digital video session made a five minute movie. They wrote a script, acted, filmed, and produced an intentionally inaccurate comedy using software Final Cut Pro. In the film Thomas Jefferson attempts to write the Constitution but is prevented from doing so by Benjamin Franklin’s rude intrusions. “Benjamin wipes his face on the Constitution, blows out a candle and distracts Thomas Jefferson by playing his guitar,” explained Allie Nyguen, 13, who has a passion for film. “It was fun, I really liked getting to film from all different angles.”
Instructor Rob Yip has been working closely with his campers to teach them programming & robotics. Using Java script, the kids have created electronic “Mad Libs,” built a calculator and are working on creating a function for a robot they put together.
Camp director Kevin Kvalvik is stepped in educational technology. For him, the “inquiry-based” instruction works very well. Already he has been impressed with “the cream of the crop” children he’s had the opportunity to work with. “We have groups of kids that are not timid about what they are learning.” Kvalvik said. The children enjoy the experience, ask lots of questions and produce top-notch projects. “When you have them for a week, you can create a culture and take giant steps,” Kvalvik said. “Kids here instantly vamp up to college-level work. “They just get it.”
The instructors are mostly college students, graduate students or those experienced in the field of technology. The camp was founded by a family-owned company, where the idea originated while Alexa Ingram Cauchi was working on a business project at the University of Washington. She started up the camp with the help of her parents and brother and it has taken off.
Want to go? A company called Internal Drive runs the camps. Sessions are available at 40 colleges across the country. Tech camps are in their eighth season, but this year is the first time at W&M. Sessions began June 18 and run through July 28th. The price is $699 for day camp and $1,099 overnight. Space is still available. Log on to internalDrive.com or call 888-709-8324.
July 5th, 2006
Posted in: American University, College of William & Mary, iD In The News, Towson University, University of Virginia
July 2nd, 2006 by: Ryan
Tech camp at U seeks budding geniuses
By Leslie Brooks Suzukamo
July 2nd, 2006
Posted in: iD In The News, Macalester College
June 30th, 2006 by: Ryan
Any s’mores at this camp will have to be toasted digitally
By Hilary Parker
It’s like something out of a movie over on the Princeton University campus, where a kickball game run amok is leading to mind travel and other crazy shenanigans.
Wait.
It is a movie – created by the students participating in the Digital Video Production course, one of the many camps offered at Princeton this summer at iD Tech Camps.
“The border between what’s real and what’s not gets sort of skewed,” said Noah Bogdonoff, the 14-year-old camper from New London, Conn., who plays the mind-traveling kickballer. Using Canon GL2 digital camcorders, the middle and high-school students in the digital video course recorded footage based on scripts they wrote and then headed back to the lab to doctor the images and add special effects.
While the video creators started with real footage of real people, many of the campers in the other iD Tech Camps such as the new 3D Character Modeling course and Video Game Creation, are creating worlds with no basis in reality.
“You get to choose what characters you want to put in and your own theme,” said 9-year-old Madison Kirton of Newtown, Pa., as she ably threw snowballs at the “bad guys” on top of an igloo. While her stellar aim (she hit them every time) will soon allow her to advance in the game, she’ll have to wait a little bit; she has to create the next level first.
The students aren’t the only participants at iD Tech camps experiencing a new reality; three of the instructors are participants in the American Institute for Foreign Study’s Camp America, an international program that brings people to the U.S. to work at a variety of summer camps throughout the country.
One Camp America participant, Zara Phang of Malaysia, England and Scotland, is well versed in computer science, having already completed three years of study on the subject at the University of Edinburgh. While she is working with computers at iD Tech camps this summer, the experience is entirely different from her time at university, she said, due to the interaction with the students.
“They have so much personality,” she said. “They’re very enthusiastic. When people start getting older, they hold back a little more.”
While computers are iD Tech Camps’ specialty, said director of the Princeton camps Jonathan Olshefski, the campers also participate in those ever-popular summer camp games like capture the flag and laser tag. A Temple University graduate with a degree in film and media arts and English literature, Mr. Olshefski is now in his second summer with iD Tech Camps, having served as assistant director of the Princeton program last year.
Beyond all the high-tech knowledge and gaming, he said, the campers get “basic human contact – it’s an opportunity for kids to get to know each other and learn how to interact.”
Apparently, some of the campers have picked up on this as well. Dalton Ryan, a 15-year-old from Long Island, N.Y., said iD Tech Camps is “awesome.” In explaining why he likes the camp, he mentioned the skills the gamers learn in order to create multi-leveled games they can play with their friends. And then, he continued talking about other favorite experiences during his week as an overnight camper, the non-technological ones.
“We hung out, we talk,” he said.
June 30th, 2006
Posted in: Adelphi University, iD In The News, Princeton University, Seton Hall University
