Assignment Overview

There are basically three "groups" of assignments in this course:

1. myITlab Exams/Grader projects.

These are done mostly on your own - get trained by watching/doing the training for each chapter, then EITHER take the "Project based "exam OR do the "Grader" project [if one is available].

2. Capstone projects

You download a word doc with instructions - and possibly additional files. Following the instructions,  you create or modify the Powerpoint/Excel spreadsheet/Access database/Word document, then upload your final files[s]. This is also mostly done on your own, but often in class. I'll be working through these in class - HOWEVER, it might be in a non-specific way....i.e. I will demo the CONCEPTS the capstone requires, but not actually doing the capstones for you.

Taking notes is highly recommended, and will save you some headaches & time.

3. Mini-projects

So called b/c I couldn't come up with a better name. {any suggestions?} The Computer Parts project is done totally on your own, but the Alice and Useful Thing are presentations you'll do in class. We'll be spending some time with Alice - it isn't something you'll totally be figuring out on your own.

Let me know if you have questions, and keep an eye on the calendar!

 

--   ============================================== Tom Rule The MaconMacGuy Computer help, training, Websites, Processes http://www.MaconMacGuy.com  Web Hosting under $5 a month http://www.MidGaHosting.com ==============================================

Flash/Thumb drives

Staples has an HP 4gig for $9.99 this weekend. The 8 gig sells for $17.99.

Presidential parkway, near Target - next to Eisenhower Parkway heading
towards I-475.

FYI!

Multitasking NOT a good idea....."Your Brain on Computers"

Loren Frank, a professor of physiology, said downtime lets the brain go over experiences, “solidify them and turn them into permanent long-term memories.”                            


i.e. having downtime lets your brain stash that stuff you just learned in long-term storage, which you can then retrieve come test time!

The original article is at
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/25/technology/25brain.html?_r=1&ref=technology


You can also take the Unplugged Challenge. I dare you!



==============================================
Tom Rule
The MaconMacGuy
Computer help, training, Websites, Processes
http://www.MaconMacGuy.com

Web Hosting under $5 a month
http://www.MidGaHosting.com
==============================================

Presentation Schedule posted

Click on the "Handy Things "link on the blog, or surf over to
http://csc125.blogspot.com/2008/09/group-presentation-list-schedule-040909.html

Microsoft Office 2007 vs 2010????????

Had a few minutes this afternoon to do some research, and have confirmed that Office 07 really isn't available [well, it's probably available on eBay or Craigslist......]

So, what to do?

1. Use Office 2010 for Windows- we'll have to "finagle" some of the capstones, I'm sure - so we'll have to have some conversations about the differences between them. I doubt you'll be able to use 2010 for the Grader projects, but it might be interesting to try it out. [The Grader projects are computer-graded, and since computers are stupid......!]
2. Use a Lab computer on-campus - the Library, Room 101 in the Computer Science Building (a.k.a. CSB)

Click here for the Office purchase through Mercer's online store.

If you have friends at other schools - they can pickup Office for $80 here.

Macs: some basic info

You HAVE to use Windows/Internet Explorer for myITlab access, and Windows Office 2007 for the Capstones. Office for Mac does indeed do everything that Office for Windows does (and IMHO does it better) - however, that's how the class is setup. I won't bore you with the details on why.

Staying with the Windows side to get your work done will be MUCH less mentally stressful as well - less switching back and forth.

So here are your options:
1) The cheapest is to not use your Mac at all. There are machines in the Library labs available - you would save your work to your flash/thumb drive. Computer Science Lab Room 101 will be open nights.

2) Use your Mac for myItlab access, and lab computer for the capstones/Office 2007.
For this you will need to install Windows on your Mac - and you have 2 options for this path! First - swing by the Computer Science Department and pick up a copy of Windows for $25.

1. Using Boot camp - you'll need the Windows disc PLUS a burnable CD or DVD (Boot camp will tell you which). Boot Camp is either in the Applications folder, or in Applications-->Utilities.  This way you can choose which one to startup with - Mac or Windows - and you'll be able to do the myITlab training and exams.
   
2. Use emulator software to run Windows. Without getting too technical here, you purchase a copy of Parallels or VM Fusion. With this you startup the Mac as normal - then startup an application called Parallels - which then cranks up Windows. The advantage: you can easily switch back and forth between the two operating systems, and you don't have to muck around with the hard drive.. Disadvantage: more complex to deal with, and the somewhat higher cost.

3) Use your Mac for everything. For this you do the stuff in option 2, PLUS pick up a copy of Office for Windows. It's available here at Mercer online for $69 download / $80 box - sadly, only the 2010 version [still workable for the class]. You'd get setup for Windows - startup Windows, and then install Office. This whole process does take a while - allow for the time!

I can help with this. As of January 2011 Mercer Tech support is little help for Macs - a grand source of frustration for me as well!

The big tradeoffs are cost versus convenience. If you are good at scheduling things, and working ahead, you really CAN get by without having a computer at all in this class - it just isn't as convenient as having your laptop and pulling it out in your room.

Boot Camp / installing Windows etc.
Here is some basic info about Boot Camp, installing Windows, etc.

1. A stash for some Boot Camp website URLs and a pdf of instructions
2. Boot Camp 3 FAQ
3. Boot Camp Guide
4. Boot Camp - Windows 7 FAQ
5. Boot Camp: Keyboard Mapping - shows the differences between the Mac kybd and a standard Windows keyboard. Scan down this article and find YOUR keyboard - there's a link to additional info specific to your keyboard.
6. SERIOUSLY detailed instructions on installing Windows 7 on your Mac.
7. Another Guy wrote some instructions - scan down to the Mar 06 2010 entry. It's more of a synopsis, but may be helpful.

MS Office Add-ins you should look at {article}

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/msoffice/?p=3626&tag=nl.e064

Lists several Office add-ins that might be useful.