Needing only 1.5 course more to pass and registering for 2.5 courses, I need to choose between a course that has always been my interest and another which may be useful in my future workplace. My second day of school has passed and I have made my decision.

Maya is the current state-of-the-art 3D animation software used to create the CG-effects-laden blockbusters we see these days. King Kong, Narnia and the likes were produced using this tool. It has always been my dream to create CG effects like those we see in the movies. Even having dabbled with a little of 3D Studio Max, another competing 3D software, 6 years ago, I still prefer to have taken a formal class on the subject. Here I am, presented with this chance to take such a class, a class worth at least $3k-4k at market price. The draw is compelling.

One and a half year ago, when I was asking myself whether bridging my two main academic interests (security and HCI) was even possible, i stumbled upon the field of usable security, the very field of research striving to make security systems and technology more usable. Lorrie Cranor (together with Garfinkel) wrote a book compiling some of the best papers on the topic. This semester she is teaching Usable Security and Privacy. This could even be very useful if I am going to work on security-related stuff in future. Even more, it allows me to put my HCI skills in practice.

The verdict? Maya.

I’m going to self-study in the latter course and put it in my resume anyway.