"Invalid Info" when opening Capstones

> I have been trying to open up capstone 2 and for some reason it says
there
> is invalid information.

Something in myITlab &/or Internet Explorer has changed since last year.

I had instructed you to RIGHT-click on the link and save it. THis is
apparently not working the majority of the time.

Try this:
LEFT-click on it. IE should ask you is you want to Open or Save it - I
strongly suggest SAVING it to your flash/thumb drive.

If you perchance selected OPEN - do a "Save As...." the first thing to your
drive. Trust me - it'll save you some headaches later.

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

Web Hosting under $4 a month
http://www.MidGaHosting.com
==============================================

Capstone Grading

I know - it says your score is a ZERO when you submit it. That's because I
have to grade it by hand - don't panic!

After I grade your capstone I'll put a note in with the grade - which you
can view by clicking on the score.

Don't forget these are graded on a FOUR point scale.

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

Web Hosting under $4 a month
http://www.MidGaHosting.com
==============================================

Macs, Office, and CSC125.... Oh My!

Someone asked some excellent questions:

Ok... so I have a mac and the home diagnostic toolkit won't run which I expected. I still want to be prepared for Thursday though. If I pick up the OS for $25 will that be all I need? My previous computer was a desktop and I still have my office program for that. Would that work? And is doing this and having windows on this computer going to make it more vulnerable to the viruses and such that it is currently protected from?

---

First, some quick links:
Simplehelp.com: Using Boot Camp to install Vista
Apple.com: Using Windows Via Boot Camp

Office for $53 or so through Mercer IT

VMWare Fusion for $40

Free ClamAV virus Scanner (for Windows)

---

Let's deal with the issues on by one.

1. Ok... so I have a mac and the home diagnostic toolkit won't run which I expected.
   
   The Home Diagnostic is a WINDOWS program, and won't run on a Mac. (The vice versa is also true, BTW)
   
   
2. If I pick up the OS for $25 will that be all I need? My previous computer was a desktop and I still have my office program for that. Would that work?
   
   This is an "It depends" situation. Assuming your aim is to get your Mac setup to be totally usable for this class, you WILL need an OS disk ($25 from computer science). If your desktop machine had Office 2007, those install disks will work IF your version had Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access [some versions of Office don't!]. If you had Office 2003, DO NOT try to use it for this class. [Trust me, your brain will thank you later for keeping things simpler].
   
   
3. And is doing this and having windows on this computer going to make it more vulnerable to the viruses and such that it is currently protected from?
   
   Ahhhh, the proverbial $64,000 question! Short answer: YES, the windows side will be virus-vulnerable. This would ONLY affect the Windows partition of your disk, and would leave the Mac side untouched.

---

Let's assume you want to your Mac to be "fully functional" for this class. THIS IS NOT A REQUIREMENT - JUST A CONVENIENCE!

There are two paths:
1) Use Boot Camp (included with your Mac) to partition your drive into 2 parts and install Windows on your machine.

The links above have detailed instructions. You'll basically be installing Windows on a separate partition (hmmmm - if your hard drive is a kitchen, then windows and Macs will be in a separate "cabinet").

You'll then boot into Windows, and install Office (after updating the OS, of course!). THEN you can swing by myITlab and do it's dance.

Parts needed: Windows Install disk, Office Install disk

Advantage: Boot Camp is free. Disadvantage: you have to reboot to switch into Windows.

2) Purchase something like VMWare Fusion - this is a program you run on your Mac, which then launches Windows. Running it this way means you can easily switch back and forth between the 2 side.

Process: Install VMWare Fusion. Crank it up, then install Windows (Fusion will have instructions on how). Then install Office, then do the myITlab dance.

Advantage: Windows exists in a folder (essentially), so there's no mucking around with the partition table. Can easily switch back and forth. Disadvantage: $40. Probably runs slower than the other option - it may not be enough to notice, though.

BEGIN FALL SEMESTER 2009 - and a printing note

If you were in a previous semester's class and haven't unsubscribed - you might want to!
There should be instructions at the bottom of the email.

This came into my mercer account - it's about printing changes on the Mercer campus.

=====

Effective Fall Semester 2009

Mercer University in August 2004 implemented a "pay-for-print" system at many campus computer printing locations in an effort to better serve the needs of students. Using their Bearcards, students were able to access printing services just as they had for photocopiers. As a way to phase in the program, the University provided students the equivalent of 200 free black and white prints per semester.

Over the past several years, computer printing has replaced photocopying as the most popular medium of creating document copies. Students are currently printing in excess of 1 million pages per year using this system. The funding model that the University has used is no longer appropriate for the current volume of printing activity. Changes are required to provide improved service for students in this higher-volume environment.

Therefore, beginning in Fall Semester 2009, a new pricing structure will be implemented for the "pay-for-print" system. The free initial prints will be eliminated and printing prices will be reduced by 20%. Black and white single-sided prints will be reduced from 10¢ to 8¢, and color single-sided prints will be reduced from 25¢ to 20¢. This price reduction will, over the year, offset printing costs for students as a whole, even with the loss of the free prints. Of course, since the number of prints varies among students, some will see a small increase in total costs, while other students will experience a modest decrease in their costs.

One distinct benefit to this program change is that the University will also be able to expand the number of print stations across all university campuses to further enhance student services.

Keep your system updated

Click on the title to view an article about the gizmo that will help you Mac people figure out which programs need updating. At the bottom is a link to a program for Windows that will do the same.

--

You also want to keep your system software updated - Use Microsoft Update on Windows, Apple Update for the Macs.

Avoid some headaches! Update!

Alice quick notes

1. Link to an overview of the objects in Alice
   
   
2. I've also stashed a Word doc that describes Alice - it might be a useful resource as you work on the project. Click here to go to the class files stash - you'll see it loose in my main folder.
   
   
3. Regarding poses - I don't know why what I tried in class didn't work, but here's something that will:
   • Open up the Method where you want the change to occur (say, the world.myfirstmethod that is always there)
     
   • Click on the object you want to change in teh objects list - top left box (say, the cat)
     
   • Click on the "Properties" tab, on the bottom left section
   • Pick a property to change (say, color)
   • Drag the COLOR property into the Method.
     
   • A pull-down will popup where you can set WHAT color. There are also MORE options (time, gently vs. abrupt, etc).
     

Powerpoint Presentations article

Click on the title of this entry to see an excellent article on making your powerpoint better - will be useful when your group start creating your presentation.

If you haven't contacted your group members, you need to get on tit!

Just to make sure - the article is at
http://blog.slideshare.net/2009/02/03/4-multimedia-learning-principles-that-will-improve-your-slides/