Well, this was meant for Alison. But maybe this is a teachable moment:
For me: be more careful about the "To" line in emails.
For you students: precise use of language will set you apart. This is  
becoming a rare skill.
Two other favorites:
"parameter" does not mean limit or boundary. It means what you were  
taught in your engineering classes: a characterizing variable, often  
held constant when solving a particular version of a problem.
"simplistic" is not a synonym for "simple". Look it up.
And another lesson for me: stop pontificating.
Mike

Quoting "Michael J. Rosen" <[log in to unmask]>:

> The other day, in a memo from an individual you know but will remain
> here unnamed, the word "extenuating" was used when this individual
> intended "extensive". Oy.
>
> Quoting Alison Pechenick <[log in to unmask]>:
>
>> Hi folks,
>>
>> Thanks to everyone for all the hard work and interest thus far!  The
>> Avatar project is very compelling, and I look forward to more contact
>> with them.
>>
>> One thing I'd like to add:
>>
>> With all the good things going on next week (see Jacquie's list, and
>> also the Peace Engineering seminar Monday at 1:00 p.m.), please don't
>> forget to vote!  An engaged citizenry is a resource to be treasured,
>> and exercised (NOT exorcised!) often!.
>>
>> http://www.uvm.edu/~cems/?Page=newsevents/default.php#cemslecture
>>
>> Enjoy the day,
>>
>> Alison
>>
>> Jacqueline Elizabeth Bell wrote:
>>> Hi everyone,
>>>
>>> We had a great meeting this past Thursday with Guy Roberts as a    
>>> guest speaker.  We learned about the digestor in detail and the    
>>> engineering process behind creating it.  He will be in contact   
>>> with  us about getting an onsite visit.  Since he is extremely   
>>> busy with  it right now, we are hoping to get a tour after winter   
>>> break.
>>> I met with SGA last week and they reveiwed our constitution.     
>>> Everything looked great and we will go in front of the senate and   
>>>  get recognized next Tuesday.  Please let me know if any of you  
>>> can   make it. Tuesday, November 7th at 7:15 in the Billings  
>>> Lounge   behind the fireplace.
>>> Also, executive board positions available, please let me know if    
>>> you are interested.
>>> This Wednesday TOUR NRG with SWE.  Meet behind Votey at 4:45 to    
>>> carpool.  Unfortuneatly I will not be able to make this event, but  
>>>   Owen will be there.
>>>
>>> Thank-you,
>>> Jacquie
>>
>> -- 
>> Alison Pechenick, Lecturer
>> Department of Computer Science
>> College of Engineering & Mathematical Sciences
>> 351 Votey Building
>> University of Vermont
>> Burlington, VT 05405
>> (802)656-2547
>> http://www.cems.uvm.edu/~apecheni