Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with Programs

(Where) should I go to grad school to be a (psycho)therapist?

tacoma1 — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:28:35 -0800

I’m hoping for specific information and opinions about programs and degrees, hopefully from people who are very educated about the world of psychotherapy. I’m thinking of applying to school this year but am unsure about a few things. First of all, I wonder if this is the best time for me to pursue this (I know no one can answer that question for me; I'm just trying to give a fuller picture of my situation.) I already have one master’s degree (MFA in poetry) but feel more naturally drawn towards being a therapist than going into teaching or publishing, which is typically where an MFA leads career-wise.

Secondly, what degree should I get? There’s the MSW, which therapists have told me is the quickest way to get a degree that will get you hired by agencies and allow you to start a private practice. There are masters in psychology programs, and then I guess I’d get licensed as a counselor…? Then there’s the MFT, which, if I understand correctly, is most valuable in California…? Is this true?

In terms of specific programs, I’m interested in Pacifica in Santa Barbara, a primarily Jungian school that focuses on depth psychology and body/mind connection work. It’s fairly alternative and has a great reputation. The students spend lots of time learning by participating in group therapy, feeling out the boundaries between patient, clinician, and student, an approach that appeals to me. Pacifica prepares people to practice psychotherapy, as opposed to cognitive-behavioral, etc. I’m also interested in the MSW programs at Smith and NYU. They’re both clinical programs. I just worry that, while extremely interesting, I might not get some of what I’m looking for (things that Pacifica offers) in an MSW program. I’ve also looked into the various Antioch programs (New Hampshire, L.A.) Any suggestions for other programs?

I love where I live but am also open to moving. The most likely places where I would end up living and practicing are North Carolina or New England or New York. (Also Cali and Oregon, but those are less realistic.)

So, I know this is a mess of information. I’m really asking for advice in relation to all of this: degrees, which degrees work in which states, specific programs, etc. Thank you!

Help me help him find some software!

Aleen — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:37:13 -0800

What are the best Windows programs dedicated to making to-do lists? The CEO of my company is looking for software to help him keep track of his ever-growing list of things to accomplish. If he had a Mac, I would recommend OmniFocus, The Hit List, or Things. Which Windows equivalents of these programs do you recommend and why? While I won't say that web-based solutions are out, they are not preferred.

Google brings back odd results and past MeFi questions don't really help.

Thank you!

Renaming MP3s simply and easily

different — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:59:06 -0800

I have a bunch of assorted MP3s (maybe about 6000) that I would like to rename. What program do you recommend? I have so many duplicate MP3s, files with names that are so long that iTunes can't handle them, files that I ripped so long ago that they're using a different naming convention to what I prefer now (artist + song name).

My ideal program will be able to handle the whole library (even if I need to feed it in several batches) and rename all files using the same convention. This will also allow me to remove duplicates very easily. Anapod Copygear does this when copying files from my iPod to the computer, so I'm hoping that there's also a standalone program that can handle it.

Free is ideal, will happily pay for something that does what I want though. I have a PC.

or is it a child's half-remembered, lunatic dream?

Allee Katze — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:25:42 -0800

In the early 70's there aired a kid's after school program. Simple to identify, right? Course not, this is where you come in. This show aired on Mexican TV, specifically in Acapulco. It was a dubbed, 30 minute, Asian children's program involving live action/animation; a chubby little boy, his nanny/aunt/housekeeper/caretaker and a cartoon sorcerer. The nanny-ish person possessed magical powers and was often at odds with the sorcerer. There may have been another girl/boy involved but I'm not so sure. The particular episode that stuck with me was sticks and leaves and dirt and such transformed by glamour to appear as a delicious banquet for the children.

I've tried Googling but can't pin down the search terms enough, or maybe I dreamed the whole non-existent thing. Either way, please identify this program so I can finally put it to rest ... I'm spending way too much time picking away at my memories of this!

Are there any programs like Tofu for Windows?

timetoevolve — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:16:58 -0800

Are there any programs like Tofu for Windows? I use the wonderful reader Tofu at home, but when I'm catching up on my news reading during worktime breaks, I am sadly Tofu-less. I'm not the most savvy Windows user, but thus far my Googling for an equivalent has been fruitless. (Ideally, such a program would also be lightweight and free.)

Hope me, MeFites! My aching eyes thank you.

How Do I Give Myself a Chance to Get Better?

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:17:27 -0800

After a long and losing battle with depression, I am going to a short-term (10 day) partial hospitalization program at McLean Hospital near Boston. I need advice on how to convince myself that there’s hope for me and get into the kind of frame of mind that will allow me to benefit from this kind of program, despite its short length and limitations. I have struggled with depression since early adolescence, but felt like I was on the road to managing it and leading a healthy, happy life until a serious breakdown about 9 years ago, when I was 26.

I desperately want to live life differently and get better, and that’s what’s given me the ability to plug along over the last decade or so, trying new therapists, new doctors, new medications, and all kinds of lifestyle maintenance and changes (i.e. diet, exercise, supplements).

I’ve taken all the classes of anti-depressants, drugs for bipolar disorder, atypical anti-psychotics, thyroid supplements, stimulants, drugs old-fashioned and cutting-edge, 21 sessions of ECT. Mostly, they didn’t help. When it did, the effect soon wore off.

I was tested for everything: diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems, adrenal problems. Fancy doctors from various sorts of prestigious institutions tried looking at the problem from all kinds of angles, applying new diagnoses that might shed new light and help me get better, including bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, but the new diagnostic lenses and alternative approaches didn’t yield any results.

While much of the McLean program will have a diagnostic bent, it’s also supposed to have a therapeutic element, insofar as these 10 days will be a time-out and a potential physiological and psychological reboot.

I don’t know how much of the program's benefits depend on my ability to try to maintain a attitude that is at least open-minded (if not outright positive). But if there’s any chance at all that being able to feel less despair will improve my chance to get more out of the program, I desperately need to do so. I’m also afraid of getting written off as having a negative attitude by the program staff.

The trouble is that after years of encouraging myself, trying to maintain a positive attitude, and trying to get better, I can’t bring myself to believe that something else is possible. In another Askme on depression, a user here once wrote about how depression “ruins you inside,” and that’s a pretty accurate way of describing the effect this has had on me.

Not long after the breakdown, I picked up Andrew Solomon’s The Noonday Demon, hoping to find some insights into what I was suffering. It terrified me so much I couldn’t finish it: the book was replete was stories of people who had struggled with depression for years and whose lives were lunar landscapes of pain and failure. Nine years later, I have become one of those people.

Hope seems fundamentally irrational, and I feel like an idiot trying to improve my situation despite all the evidence that shows that I can't be helped. I know that McLean doesn't have access to some kind of special magic potion, and I don’t know what kind of new information they could get that might help provide a new diagnostic or treatment angle to my condition.

Psychiatry treats despair and hopelessness as if they were irrational, or symptoms of an illness, but right now they feel pretty damn logical, insofar as it no longer seems logical to believe I can live differently. Yet somehow I need to muster the ability to believe that this can help me. I don’t know how to do that.

I am very grateful for your ideas and feedback as to how to increase my chances of benefiting from this program and giving myself an opportunity to get better.

Help me load out my new travel machine.

damiano99 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:20:14 -0800

I just got a HP Mini 2140 HD. Other than the standard productivity software, can anyone who has this or something similar recommend decent software that will run well on it? Games, entertainment, editing (video/audio) and whatnot accepted. It's going to be a strictly "travel-only" machine so I don't have to haul my 17" laptop all over when I'm overseas for weeks at a time. I've already got Skype, VLC and the typical Office stuff on, but any other suggestions or anecdotes from current owners would be great. Thanks!

Btw, it's the XP version with 2gigs of Ram and the 160gig drive and the 1366x768 screen.

Specifying software speed specifically

crapmatic — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:34:00 -0800

When designing a programming project, what is the usual method for imposing speed requirements, such as "function X must accomplish so-and-so in 2 seconds or less"? The problem here of course is that all computers run programs at a different speeds.

Moving On

Sassyfras — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:33:35 -0800

Are there any assistant programs out there for people purchasing a home? I'm aware of various programs for FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS, but that is not me. Is there any help for us? A few years ago we dropped a 20% down-payment on a home (we sold our first home and bought this current home put a 20% down payment). With the market the way it is, that 20% is now long gone. If we sold our home today, we would just barely be able to pay off our mortgage - and that's even iffy.

I've heard of the $8,000.00 tax credit for first time home buyers, but what about the rest of us who just lost a crap load of money that I thought was safely tucked away into the equity of our home?

Any programs out there that you're aware of? I'm especially interested in programs that aren't "builder" programs (new build incentives).

Help Me Find An Inpatient Psych Program

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:00:03 -0800

Please give me advice on inpatient psychiatric treatment programs for depression. I'm looking for recommendations and advice on specific clinics anywhere in the US. I'll spare you the long detailed background and try to give the most essential and relevant details. After a long and unsuccessful history with the entire gamut of psychiatric meds, ECT, and various forms of therapy, I'm still struggling with disabling depression. After some productive conversations with my current psychiatrist, it looks like the next best step is to try to make a sustained effort to get better within the framework of an inpatient treatment program at a psychiatric clinic.

Since this is not an emergency hospital admission, and because I've had such frustrating and unsuccessful experiences with previous attempts at managing my depression, I'm trying to find the best possible inpatient program. I'm willing to travel anywhere in the United States. I have private insurance that includes coverage for inpatient psychiatric treatment.

Obviously, much of the definition of "best" depends on the relationships patients develop with therapists, psychiatrists, and social workers within the clinic environment, and that's very much an individual process. However, I'd be grateful for any information, advice, and recommendations you might have about various inpatient treatment programs. I've heard some vague good things about the Meninger Clinic (in Houston, TX) and the Harvard-affiliated McLean clinic, but they're too vague to give me very much confidence and mostly consist of the fact that these facilities are well-known.

Of course, any more general thoughts you might have on what to look for in a treatment program would be welcome.

I've left more personal information on my situation and various details about my treatment history out because I wanted to try to make this as concise and direct as possible. Please post in the thread if you feel like you need more information, or you can write me at my AskMe email account: SeekingPsychClinic@googlemail.com.

I'm grateful for your help.

How to save streamed programs permanently?

Inner Universe — Sun, 31 May 2009 07:13:27 -0800

Can you save downloaded programs from 4oD onto your computer permanently? My sister (who lacks internet connection) is a big fan of Derren Brown, and hasn't seen a certain series of his work due to missing it when it was first broadcast. The particular series she wants to watch hasn't been released on DVD, and looks like it never will be either.

Being the kind sister that I am, I looked on the 4oD database to find that the entire series is there, and have offered to burn the series to DVD for her if I can. I know that to do such a thing is illegal, but none the less...

Is there any way to either copy the programs as they're streamed to my computer, or else to convert the temporary downloaded programs into something more permanent? I've tried file converters with no success (which I find unsurprising).

Recommended library computer skillz?

wowbobwow — Thu, 28 May 2009 07:13:26 -0800

Seeking recommendations on what software/programs I should learn to be the wiz-kiddiest library science student ever. About to start an MLIS program this Fall. Have the opportunity to take some free or nearly free technology courses through my job. What programs are commonly used by librarians for database work or general cataloging and archiving work? I love databases but am only really familiar with FileMaker Pro and Excel. Please help me get a leg up in this area! Many thanks.

(n.b.: this would be excluding the basic MS Office and text editing programs. Think more along the lines of Oracle or library-specific cataloging/circulation programs like Millennium.)

Blocking distracting programs to get work done

flatluigi — Sun, 03 May 2009 21:17:26 -0800

Help me focus on my work! I need to get some work done but I'm very easily distracted by things on the internet. I'd just go offline, but I need to stay connected for the particular work I'm doing.

Are there any programs out there that I can download to keep particular programs (firefox, chrome, steam, etc) from executing while it's running?

Ideas for postgrad programs for an engineer?

rybreadmed — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:22:34 -0800

What kinds of postgraduate programs could you recommend for an out-of-the-box mechanical engineer who wants to make a lot of money? I received a BA in English, MBA in finance, and a BS in mechanical engineering (in that order). I'm trying to figure out what to do next--if anything. I enjoy engineering, and I luckily have a job--but I don't like my job most of the time, and feel the company treats its engineers rather poorly. I think they do this BECAUSE the economy is in the crapper and it's not like we can just walk out and find another job that easily. I'm looking for a new skill, certification, and/or body of knowledge that will set me apart.

So I'm thinking ahead. I'm trying to come up with some ideas of future education I may pursue that meets the following:
1) High demand for people in that field.
2) Good-to-high pay (at least $100,000 per year) on graduation.
3) Allows me to keep my day job as an engineer while in school.
4) Would allow me to stay in Los Angeles (or commute to surrounding areas for said program).

I'd be flexible with number 3 above if the probable payoff would make it logical to leave my current job. And as I said, I'm looking ahead. I'd like to make a good amount of money to support my family (a lot of money would be even better).

I've considered law school (particularly patent law), but that would take another fours years and a fair amount of money. There are many part time programs in the LA area, but I'm looking for something in the 2 year or less range. I've also considered something like biomedical physics. High demand and high pay, but I'd likely have to leave my current job (since it's a full-time program, and it'd likely be difficult to get my work and school schedules to mesh). I'm not in the financial position that I could leave my job for a couple of years. That would be very difficult.

So throw out some ideas. Maybe you know of some obscure program that most people don't even know about; let me know! Thanks so much for your help.

There should be a 4th "R"- The Real World

sixcolors — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:49:56 -0800

Why aren't life skills taught in schools? I guess I'm talking about knowledge and skills that pertain to finances, work life, domestic life, social/dating life, the internet, and the law. And...how the education system works, itself. Pretty much the same categories we have here on AskMe.

Wouldn't life be so much easier for us if we learned those sort of things in school or in college?

I mean when I was in high school there was ONE course that taught such things, but it was really really basic stuff. I am speaking of more comprehensive programs.

I'm trying not to get all philosophical here, I am aiming for more concrete answers...like is it a funding problem or what? Not enough hard science or research behind those areas? Those are my guesses. For those who are familiar with the educational system, what are some more concrete reasons why such programs are rare?

Private versus Public school....NOT again!

penguingrl — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 23:07:33 -0800

How can you take the advantages of both private and public school in order to create ONE educational learning system for today's school programs? I am researching the pros and cons for private and public schools and am at an impasse. It appears that the studies found either find a great gap in difference or little to none at all. So, I would like to know what the mefi world thinks, from private and public school experiences, would be a great compromise between the two.

Program Transfer/Licensing Question

jaseaco — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 20:53:41 -0800

Can I transfer Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign to a new computer without the CDs? A friend sold me a computer with these programs installed awhile ago. Unfortunately, the processor is not suitable to run these programs (it is a 1.5GHz Celeron, and I need at least 2GHz). I don't have the CD's or any license information. I want to buy a new computer and transfer these programs to it, but I am worried that it will prompt me for the license codes. What can I do to make this transfer successful?

Java Bunnies Breeding

Black_Umbrella — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:32:04 -0800

Which of these Java programs can i get rid of and why are they breeding like bunnies? Everyone that has my computer has the same issue where these things keep building up. It is school issued so i know a lot of people with the same computer and many of the same programs pre-installed. I have been deleting the old versions every now and again but why so many versions & which can I get rid of? I don't like 100+ MB bunnies breeding in my computer.

J2SE runtime vs Java 2 runtime vs Java 2 SDK vs Java(TM) update vs Java(TM) SE runtime

...I don't program so I don't need any if that is what they are used for. Oh and I run windows xp.

My Control pad needs to be beat!

Asbestos McPinto — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:49:22 -0800

I recently purchased an Alesis Control pad off of Ebay, it works great but was missing the BFD-lite CD-ROM. I am looking for a free (shareware/donationware) program to use with this machine. I am running a Mac 10.3.9 with several different programs (Pro Tools, Ableton Live and Reason) and would prefer something VST based. After searching the archives, I looked at the Bluenoise site and My Drumset would be great but it's PC only.

Anybody have any suggestions/tips on programs?

Help me rid my computer of clutter for faster performance.

mintchip — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:20:22 -0800

Help me rid my computer of clutter for faster performance. My computer says it only has ~7MB free, 35 used. Lately the performance has been less than dazzling...it's quite slow, actually.

Over the past two years I've added a number of programs, but not THAT many. As far as I know I've got MS Office, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, several photo managing programs, printer software, a PDF maker, camera software and some miscellany. (It's annoying that every add-on and peripheral requires installation of another memory hog, but anyway I digress). In any case, I'm unsure of what has used up so much space. I had a lot of images on it but I've moved these to an external drive.

For troubleshooting, I've run two different spyware removal programs (Spybot is one of them) plus CC Cleaner. I've also tried to degfrag, but I haven't noticed any improvements.

How can I figure out what is cluttering up my computer, and then how can I remove it? What steps should I take to get the performance back up? I've tried to remove programs that I don't think I use, but there are several that I don't recognize and I'm afraid to screw something up.

FYI, its a Windows laptop running Vista.

We thank you for your patronage.

2bucksplus — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:24:07 -0800

Do consumer loyalty programs make sense or is it generally better to pick hotels and flights based on price and convenience? My boss and I travel together on business about 12-15 times per year and all but one or two trips per year are domestic.

My boss is tied to one airline (American Airlines, ugh) and has 2-3 preferred hotel chains that he will go out of his way to patronize, often at a price premium. I prefer to travel on whichever airline is most direct and best for our schedule at a lower price and generally stay in the hotel most convenient to our event.

Is there any general consensus as to whether reward programs ultimately pay off versus lower priced and more convenient schedules? Should we factor in the time spent on a layover when a competing airline offers a direct flight or cab fares to get us across town? Did reward programs make sense at one time and have they worsened over the past 10-15 years? Has anyone ever done the math or should I keep a running tab of the cost and time differential?

I should also mention that I am mid-twenties while my boss is in his fifties and I believe there is a generational difference at play here. Yes he is my boss and also the owner of the company so this question is ultimately academic. Neither of us use our points for "personal" travel (I would but I fly JetBlue personally). To my knowledge, we have never accumulated enough hotel points to get anything free and we only use our frequent flyer miles to upgrade our flights to first class.

Master's programs in accounting for non-accountants: Where?

onepapertiger — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:41:00 -0800

I'm looking for a more complete list of Master's in Accounting or Master's in Professional Accounting programs designed for people with non-accounting bachelor's degrees. So far I have identified ones at UNC, Vanderbilt, San Jose State, University of Texas (Austin and Arlington campuses), Arizona State and University of New Mexico. Am I missing any?

Is there a program that runs in the background and places other prgrams in a defined area of my monitor?

Apo11o — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 01:54:37 -0800

Is there a program that will run in the background and place other program windows in a designated spot on one of my two monitors when they are launched so that I don't always have to drag them there when the program starts? I would prefer something free and something that definitely works with a dual monitor setup. Something that doesn't use too much resurces and something that's invisible but simple and effective.

What is the best Uninstaller software available?

omaralarifi — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 05:07:14 -0800

What is the best Uninstaller software that could remove program(s) totally without any traces (such as registry files and others) for Windows XP? I don't care if the Uninstaller is freeware or paid base software.

Kill autostart programs

Deflagro — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:10:12 -0800

While trying to speed-up my computer, I noticed in task-manager several helper programs auto-start on start-up. I rarely use the programs that they are helping, is there any way to keep them from auto-starting (not from within, something to actually keep it from starting). The programs specifically are iTunesHelper.exe and iPodService.exe. I rarely used the iPod helper program, but iTunes keeps reinstalling it. I don't mind the program, but that the helper auto-starts steals CPU from more important stuff.