Welcome to paco.org.
This site is where I collect the things I teach, build, learn, and occasionally break while trying to understand technology a little better.
I’m Francisco I. Rodríguez, an Information Technology instructor at Dallas College. My work focuses on helping students become comfortable with technology by emphasizing strong foundations, practical experience, and the confidence to keep learning long after a course has ended.
My professional path has included journalism, digital publishing, web development, information technology, and higher education. Each step reinforced the same lesson: technology changes constantly, but curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving remain valuable regardless of the tools we use.
What I Do
I teach courses in Linux, web development, programming, information security, and related technologies. Whether working with high school students beginning their technical education or college students preparing for careers in information technology, my goal is the same: make technology approachable and understandable.
I believe students learn best by working with technology directly. Reading and discussion matter, but lasting understanding comes from experimenting, troubleshooting, asking questions, and learning from mistakes.
What You’ll Find Here
This website serves several purposes.
- Articles about technology, teaching, and lifelong learning.
- Technical notes and reference material.
- Personal and professional projects.
- Resources for current and former students.
- Reflections on the history of computing and where technology is headed next.
Many of these pages grow over time as I revisit subjects, discover better approaches, or learn something new.
A Few Things I Believe
Technology should be accessible to everyone.
Strong technical foundations are more valuable than memorizing today’s tools.
Understanding why something works is often more important than simply knowing how to use it.
The best technology professionals remain curious throughout their careers.
Learning doesn’t end with a degree, a certification, or a job title.
Beyond the Classroom
Outside of teaching, I enjoy exploring Linux, open-source software, artificial intelligence, digital preservation, web publishing, and personal knowledge management. I also maintain this website as a place to document projects, share ideas, and continue learning in public.
If something here helps you solve a problem, discover a new idea, or better understand technology, then the site has accomplished its purpose.