Not quite Christmas yet, but early never hurts . . .
Holiday wishes time again already? What a busy year! I haven't had a lot of spare time between teaching and tutoring math, creating math curriculum, a sign language class (ASL), and teaching one or two piano students. In whatever spare time I can scrape together, I'm involved with Sacred Harp singing, reading (and sometimes writing) fanfiction, creating or playing with languages, and enjoying my Linux computer.
My wishlist:
1. If you write software, then maybe you can fulfill this wish by creating my dream music player. The link is to a 14-page document outlining the features I'd love to see (with the following being some of the harder to impossible-to-find ones): database-oriented (rather than hard drive-oriented), in-database-only genre labeling (separate from genre tags on the file itself), multi-genre labeling via checkbox, Boolean AND and OR filtering via genre labels, and adding files manually so not to overwhelm the database with new songs that one hasn't had a chance to process labelwise yet. I'd be content with being instructed on how to create it myself if I had the time, but as I know nothing of programming, I think you'd spend more time doing that than creating it for me, and I'm swamped just trying to finish creating the curriculum I'm working on. Note: I run Linux Mint, so it would need to run on that (it's Ubuntu-based).
2. Another specific custom-built software program I would love is described in this pdf (if the link is working). It would require building a simple but customized (I am creating my own curriculum) database with a front-end that includes the ability to save settings per student, to enter questions into the database that are text-based but may include pictures, and to output to LibreOffice Writer. It also needs to run on Linux (I run Linux Mint). If that sounds like something that interests you, let me know!
3. Here's the REAL crazy biggest dream ever: someone, or more like multiple someones (because this is the sort of thing that would take a software COMPANY, not just a programmer) to create a computer program that would work as a math curriculum--the way I've designed it. I can see all the logic for what concept you need to have before you get to this one and that one (I've created flowcharts for kindergarten through fourth grade level math, they're all crazy complex yet fun for me to make). It would do an assessment first thing, to find the farthest that a student could demonstrate current achievement in every area (and there are lots and lots of areas out there), and would be web/server-based, so students could login from a client at home or at school, either way. It would require parents or teachers to enter passwords when present to administer tests, but allow students to work at learning new concepts through virtual manipulatives (activity- rather than worksheet-based), with audio, so students with weak reading abilities aren't limited in their math while they work to improve reading. It would run on all platforms (because requiring a student to have a specific OS is tantamount to promoting that OS specifically, and the only OS I think worthy of that--Linux--is too limited to have much viability as a sole destination for this program, ergo everything) or be web-based entirely. I have ALL THE IDEAS here. And no knowledge/experience in programming (other than a forgotten quarter-long class of C++ in high school). Does this intrigue you? :D
4. A super big wish is for a non-destructive book scanner. Something like this. As long as I can connect it to my Linux desktop and scan in things as large as landscape-formatted books, it would work for me. I have absolutely no mechanical skills so haven't even contemplated trying to build one, despite there being plans and guides and all that freely available.
5. Are you a linguist, conlanger, or have a good command of grammar? I don't mean English grammar. I mean grammar in general, like weird constructs you only see in this language or that one (cases, moods, split plural systems, etc.). Because I've created a language but I need to fix a few grammar bits and I have a hard time with some concepts. I tend to have lots of questions and I need a live person to answer that can listen to me explain what's confusing and help me with examples of how this or that language feature might work. I can do either IM (Yahoo, Skype, Gmail) or IRC (comment if you want to figure out which server/channel to meet up). LJ PMs (or even e-mails) are not a good contact method, so I really need someone who is willing to chat live about this, to look over what I've created and help me straighten out stuff, etc.
6. I'm always a part of Yuletide each year, but even if you're not, you're welcome to write me a fic! I prefer nonsexual (romantic friendship or gen is fine! nonsexual touch and h/c and apocalyptic AUs are all totally awesome) for the following fandoms/pairings: Women's Murder Club (Lindsay/Cindy), Rizzoli & Isles (Jane/Maura), The Pretender (Jarod/Miss Parker), Sue Thomas F.B.Eye (Myles/Tara), Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain (Beth/Jody), Walker Texas Ranger (Walker/Alex), C-16: FBI (any of these chars, not necessarily paired: Jack, Amanda, Annie), plus others (see link in next sentence). For specific details on some of the canons (and for a few more that I know), you can take a look at my Dear Yuletide Writer letter for 2013 or Dear Yuletide Writer letter for 2014.
7. I have several WIPs I have started but never finished, due to lack of beta readers. If you are a good beta for the following things, let me know: medical--gunshot wounds in torso (this is Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye, but I'm not nearly as concerned about the canon as about the medical bit, which I know very little of), X-Men movieverse (my fic starts at the end of X2 and throws out X3 plus all of the movies set pre-X1; it's X1/X2-verse only), 1-800-Missing (first season only! bonus if you know anything about PTSD), Rizzoli & Isles (generic casefic set around S2). I need someone who can interact live (I think best with conversation) and can do IM (Yahoo, Skype, Gmail) or IRC (comment if you want to figure out which server/channel to meet up).
8. I love LONG flowing skirts (full circle or half circle sort), down to ankle-length. They're rather hard to find--everything tends to be at least mid-calf-length or higher, and I have a small waist and long legs so that doesn't help matters any. Storebought or homemade, both are fine by me. E-mail me and I'll send the sizing plus any color/pattern preferences to you. (I hate ironing, so I generally go for clothes that don't wrinkle when washed. I also rarely get to a dry cleaner, so machine wash material is the only way I go.)
9. Donate to ADRA International. It's a humanitarian agency committed to improving the quality of life for people in need through "community development initiatives targeting Food Security, Economic Development, Primary Health and Basic Education", "regardless of race, gender, and political, or religious affiliation". You can give to specific projects that call to you, so you can choose to donate to whichever of these you are most passionate about: feed, clothe, and give schooling and healthcare to children/orphans, provide a community or school with clean accessible drinking water, protect women and girls from abuse and violence, provide food or improved cooking materials for children to elderly people who are struggling to feed themselves properly. ADRA is also active when disasters strike, and are often one of the first on the ground working because of pre-existing infrastructure in 120 countries. After the immediate needs are met, ADRA stays by to work with the community for years to come, connecting with other organizations to help restore the community to better living conditions than before the disaster, if possible.
10. As always, I welcome gifts from my Amazon wishlist! I've linked my teaching-related wishlist this year, so everything on there is something I would use in my classroom or in my piano teaching (most of it is piano stuff, as I've really expanded that direction lately and want to build a good set of resources). With the piano books I would prefer new (mostly don't want writing/stickers on the pages), but if it's not a piano book I'm OK with used. I've commented on EVERYTHING on the list, and there are priorities but really, anything on there would make me happy! Feel free to surprise me, or tell me ahead of time, I'm great with either way.
Amazon should allow purchases without you needing my address; if you need my address for one of the others, or just need to communicate privately, my e-mail is doranwen AT Yahoo (DOT com).
My wishlist:
1. If you write software, then maybe you can fulfill this wish by creating my dream music player. The link is to a 14-page document outlining the features I'd love to see (with the following being some of the harder to impossible-to-find ones): database-oriented (rather than hard drive-oriented), in-database-only genre labeling (separate from genre tags on the file itself), multi-genre labeling via checkbox, Boolean AND and OR filtering via genre labels, and adding files manually so not to overwhelm the database with new songs that one hasn't had a chance to process labelwise yet. I'd be content with being instructed on how to create it myself if I had the time, but as I know nothing of programming, I think you'd spend more time doing that than creating it for me, and I'm swamped just trying to finish creating the curriculum I'm working on. Note: I run Linux Mint, so it would need to run on that (it's Ubuntu-based).
2. Another specific custom-built software program I would love is described in this pdf (if the link is working). It would require building a simple but customized (I am creating my own curriculum) database with a front-end that includes the ability to save settings per student, to enter questions into the database that are text-based but may include pictures, and to output to LibreOffice Writer. It also needs to run on Linux (I run Linux Mint). If that sounds like something that interests you, let me know!
3. Here's the REAL crazy biggest dream ever: someone, or more like multiple someones (because this is the sort of thing that would take a software COMPANY, not just a programmer) to create a computer program that would work as a math curriculum--the way I've designed it. I can see all the logic for what concept you need to have before you get to this one and that one (I've created flowcharts for kindergarten through fourth grade level math, they're all crazy complex yet fun for me to make). It would do an assessment first thing, to find the farthest that a student could demonstrate current achievement in every area (and there are lots and lots of areas out there), and would be web/server-based, so students could login from a client at home or at school, either way. It would require parents or teachers to enter passwords when present to administer tests, but allow students to work at learning new concepts through virtual manipulatives (activity- rather than worksheet-based), with audio, so students with weak reading abilities aren't limited in their math while they work to improve reading. It would run on all platforms (because requiring a student to have a specific OS is tantamount to promoting that OS specifically, and the only OS I think worthy of that--Linux--is too limited to have much viability as a sole destination for this program, ergo everything) or be web-based entirely. I have ALL THE IDEAS here. And no knowledge/experience in programming (other than a forgotten quarter-long class of C++ in high school). Does this intrigue you? :D
4. A super big wish is for a non-destructive book scanner. Something like this. As long as I can connect it to my Linux desktop and scan in things as large as landscape-formatted books, it would work for me. I have absolutely no mechanical skills so haven't even contemplated trying to build one, despite there being plans and guides and all that freely available.
5. Are you a linguist, conlanger, or have a good command of grammar? I don't mean English grammar. I mean grammar in general, like weird constructs you only see in this language or that one (cases, moods, split plural systems, etc.). Because I've created a language but I need to fix a few grammar bits and I have a hard time with some concepts. I tend to have lots of questions and I need a live person to answer that can listen to me explain what's confusing and help me with examples of how this or that language feature might work. I can do either IM (Yahoo, Skype, Gmail) or IRC (comment if you want to figure out which server/channel to meet up). LJ PMs (or even e-mails) are not a good contact method, so I really need someone who is willing to chat live about this, to look over what I've created and help me straighten out stuff, etc.
6. I'm always a part of Yuletide each year, but even if you're not, you're welcome to write me a fic! I prefer nonsexual (romantic friendship or gen is fine! nonsexual touch and h/c and apocalyptic AUs are all totally awesome) for the following fandoms/pairings: Women's Murder Club (Lindsay/Cindy), Rizzoli & Isles (Jane/Maura), The Pretender (Jarod/Miss Parker), Sue Thomas F.B.Eye (Myles/Tara), Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain (Beth/Jody), Walker Texas Ranger (Walker/Alex), C-16: FBI (any of these chars, not necessarily paired: Jack, Amanda, Annie), plus others (see link in next sentence). For specific details on some of the canons (and for a few more that I know), you can take a look at my Dear Yuletide Writer letter for 2013 or Dear Yuletide Writer letter for 2014.
7. I have several WIPs I have started but never finished, due to lack of beta readers. If you are a good beta for the following things, let me know: medical--gunshot wounds in torso (this is Sue Thomas, F.B.Eye, but I'm not nearly as concerned about the canon as about the medical bit, which I know very little of), X-Men movieverse (my fic starts at the end of X2 and throws out X3 plus all of the movies set pre-X1; it's X1/X2-verse only), 1-800-Missing (first season only! bonus if you know anything about PTSD), Rizzoli & Isles (generic casefic set around S2). I need someone who can interact live (I think best with conversation) and can do IM (Yahoo, Skype, Gmail) or IRC (comment if you want to figure out which server/channel to meet up).
8. I love LONG flowing skirts (full circle or half circle sort), down to ankle-length. They're rather hard to find--everything tends to be at least mid-calf-length or higher, and I have a small waist and long legs so that doesn't help matters any. Storebought or homemade, both are fine by me. E-mail me and I'll send the sizing plus any color/pattern preferences to you. (I hate ironing, so I generally go for clothes that don't wrinkle when washed. I also rarely get to a dry cleaner, so machine wash material is the only way I go.)
9. Donate to ADRA International. It's a humanitarian agency committed to improving the quality of life for people in need through "community development initiatives targeting Food Security, Economic Development, Primary Health and Basic Education", "regardless of race, gender, and political, or religious affiliation". You can give to specific projects that call to you, so you can choose to donate to whichever of these you are most passionate about: feed, clothe, and give schooling and healthcare to children/orphans, provide a community or school with clean accessible drinking water, protect women and girls from abuse and violence, provide food or improved cooking materials for children to elderly people who are struggling to feed themselves properly. ADRA is also active when disasters strike, and are often one of the first on the ground working because of pre-existing infrastructure in 120 countries. After the immediate needs are met, ADRA stays by to work with the community for years to come, connecting with other organizations to help restore the community to better living conditions than before the disaster, if possible.
10. As always, I welcome gifts from my Amazon wishlist! I've linked my teaching-related wishlist this year, so everything on there is something I would use in my classroom or in my piano teaching (most of it is piano stuff, as I've really expanded that direction lately and want to build a good set of resources). With the piano books I would prefer new (mostly don't want writing/stickers on the pages), but if it's not a piano book I'm OK with used. I've commented on EVERYTHING on the list, and there are priorities but really, anything on there would make me happy! Feel free to surprise me, or tell me ahead of time, I'm great with either way.
Amazon should allow purchases without you needing my address; if you need my address for one of the others, or just need to communicate privately, my e-mail is doranwen AT Yahoo (DOT com).