CompSci 6 – Spring 2009

Kristen Gall

Home

I am from Kingsport, TN, a relatively small town in the eastern tip of the state. It is one of the most beautiful areas of the country, especially for outdoor enthusiasts.

Program II

Biophysics (and a junior already!)

My classes

CompSci 6

Bio 151 (Animal Phys)

Arabic 126 (way too hard)

PubPol 196 (North America)

NavalSci 126 (Weapons)

Loves

U.S. Navy

Running

Duke basketball

Outdoor sports

Traveling

Eating ice cream

Computers, my history

It was probably around first or second grade that I really got into Reader Rabbit and Math Blaster and some of those programs on the computer that most parents have to force on their kids. Needless to say, I took them up with enthusiasm. I would not say I have a steep learning curve when it comes to technology, but I have been at it a while. Though I tried to stay away from the inherently nerdy programming of TI-84s in early high school, I could not deny my love for nice, cold problem solving, and I would say that I am still an Excel junkie.

I pretty much stick to my PC (though the aesthetics of Macs are alluring); my gmail account window is perpetually open, plus a few other websites that relate to either schoolwork or new fitness ideas. As I have said, I love solving problems that have one solution that can be obtained in a number of creative ways, and to me, computer science sort of embodies that idea. Honestly, I liked it in my high school AP class and realized to be useful in a science field, I should probably know a little about programming.

When I think of computer scientists I tend to think of pretty sedentary people who are surprisingly creative—and as the recommended reading suggests, this is basically true. They probably spend a lot of time thinking and subsequently typing both mundane and brilliant programs, applications, and innovative technology, and theoretically, they do have a life outside of computers as well (but you just never know).

I am not really into gaming—I am more interested in the functional aspects of computer programming. I assume that in the future, I will use computers for personal work, communication, and record keeping, and probably for research someday. I am in the Navy, so my job in a year and a half is going to revolve around the use of computers and the equipment they control.

And look what I’m doing in CompSci 6 now

Smiley Face

Better. Faster. Stronger. GO NAVY.