Linden + Jello

Semester Countdown

Here is my Interactive Information Retrieval class (IIR) - with Dr. Diane Kelly (far left). I learned a TON in this class - quite a learning curve but so many more things make sense now. For my final project I designed an experiment that would evaluate the use of automatic keyphrase extraction in web search results on a mobile device. Obviously since real estate on a handheld is extremely limited it's important to make every action and display efficient and effective for the user. Using an algorithm to extract keyphrases from the list of Google search results and display those keyphrases (instead of default metadata which is inconsistent at best) might better serve the user in determining which items are most relevant.

Anyway this was a really fun group. So now I've got 3 things left:
1. literature review for doctoral seminar (on visual display - but needs a lot of work)
2. statistics take-home exam
3. significant amount of work for Dr. Helen Tibbo

But then it's break time! We're heading to Virginia to stay with my folks for a few days - my sister Rebecca and Jim will also be there. I might also drive down to South Carolina to pick up my grandmother and bring her up to Virginia with us. Then we'll drive to Illinois to see Dave's family.

The fun begins again on January 8th!

Dave started his new job last week at Porticos. They work with Sony Ericcson in engineering and designing cell phones...probably other things too but that's what I know. It's a really small company and Dave will probably work much of the time over at the Sony Ericcson facility in Research Triangle.

Linden is doing great, she's learning to write her name. She spent a week up at my parents home in Charlottesville so I could get some more school work done. Parents are just the best, huh? They came down and helped us fix up the house and prepare a fabulous Thanksgiving feast.

-rachael

Below is Linden's first YouTube video!

Family Football

Playing indoor football with Papa