CSC 1300 Blog

Hello Fall 2008!

2008-04-29T09:26:00.000-07:00

My advice to you is to just keep up with the homework assignments. And it really helps to work with friends from class. You'll get to know Beze Underground really well...I sure did. Try to attend class. You'll get lost if you miss more than one class.

Website Presentations

2008-04-23T20:14:00.001-07:00

This past class, several of my peers presented their website to us. All of the websites were unique and different from the other. One of my favorites were Darcy Wheeler. I liked how everything on her website was clean cut and easy to read. Her imagemap looked really professional. Also, Mica demostrated how to use patterned backgrounds and color effectively in a website. Everything was very organized yet vibrant on her website. I also enjoyed Stu's webiste. I liked how he took pride in Canada and refuted many stereotypes associated with Canadians. The Youtube.com commerical was very effective in delivering the message of why we should not stereotype. Everyone has a great website.
You can visit my webiste at http://www.cs.trinity.edu/~mchakrav/

HTML

2008-04-14T16:32:00.000-07:00

Although there are programs like Expressions that make designing a web easier, I think it is important to know how to do your own html coding. You can be more creative when creating your html coding than in Expressions because many things made on Expressions look similar to each other. I'm really glad that we're learning html coding in class!

My Two Favorite PowerPoint Presentations

2008-04-07T18:37:00.000-07:00

There were several great PowerPoint presentations in class. Two of the people that I thought did really well on their PowerPoint presentations were Hannah and Mica. I really liked Hannah's presentation. She captivated the audience with her numerous pictures. These pictures were very relevant to the presentation and allowed the audience to understand the subject of Geology better. I liked how she alternated between words and pictures on her slide. Mica's presentation also had lots of pictures and showed the use of PowerPoint as a visual assistant. I liked how she took advantage of the large screen, pointing at images and their significance. Mica's PowerPoint was effective since I enjoyed it and can still remember the story and significance of Malinche in Spanish society.

PowerPoint Tips

2008-03-26T22:12:00.001-07:00

I agreed with many of the suggestions said in the articles. It's hard for me to know that it is okay if you have a lot of "white space" in your slide. It makes sense though because you want to keep the PowerPoint simple and clear to deliver your message. I loved the example of the large "72%" with just a picture of a woman to the side. It was really effective and clever, yet simple.
My advice for making a PowerPoint is:

1) Keep the slides simple, using animation only to emphasize a major point.

2) Don't put a lot of words on the slide. You want your audience to be focused on you and what
you are saying, not busy reading the PowerPoint.

3)Use appropriate language, text, and color. You want your PowerPoint to reflect your professionalism, maturity, and message .

4)Keep the presentation interesting. Don't just rely on the template slides. Don't just use text to reiterate your ideas. Be creative.

5) Make sure there is a purpose for everything on your slides. Put useful information and not common sense stuff. Don't just add animation or sounds or a picture just because you liked it.

Chris Nolan's Presentation

2008-03-24T16:37:00.000-07:00

I learned many things from Chris Nolan's presentation yesterday. I never knew about the scope that Google covered, including tools like Google Scholar and was amazed by how Google is dominating in the search engine world. I also learned about the process used when using the search engine and how Google ranks the different searches. I thought it was very clever that Google was able to rank the level of credibility of a resource.

I was surprised that websites are not necessarily reputable if they have a .gov, .edu, or .org at the end of the url. I was also surprised that more than 70% of the Internet is invisible in databases.

I really enjoyed Chris Nolan's presentation and can't wait to apply everything I learned!

Copyright

2008-03-12T23:08:00.000-07:00

Before the lecture, on Tuesday, I knew the importance of copyright laws. After the lecture, I learned about the controversies over some copyright laws. One issue in particular is the law that gives copyright protection for the creator's entire lifetime plus 75 years after his/her death. Although it would be interesting, if I ever created a novel or book, to have my legacy and rights preserved 75 years after my death, this law is flawed.

The problem with having copyright protection for that long, is that it doesn't benefit anyone. No one makes a profit. The texts or creations could provide great and easily accessible resources for students. If a teacher wanted to post an older essay from 100 years ago online as a teaching device, he or she should be able to do so. It's for a good cause.

I believe the author's rights should be protected to a certain point after their death. Maybe 10 or 15 years after their death is sufficient time.

The World of Excel

2008-03-10T13:53:00.000-07:00

I have learned many things about Excel that I can apply later in life. I am a Business major and my Business Statistics professor didn't tell me any of the shortcuts to using Excel. Because of this class, I can quickly calculate data and create professional looking graphs. Also, I can used these new skills to balance my budget and other expenditures when I am older. I know I will use these Excel skills as a future Business woman.

Anti-war Presidential Candidate?

2008-02-27T11:10:00.000-08:00

I chose the newspaper clipping of John Kerry and Jane Fonda at a antiwar rally because it was a very realistic and candid shot of John Kerry. The picture was originally of Jane Fonda talking at a political rally in 1972. The picture was altered to include a picture of John Kerry waiting to speak at the Register for Peace Rally in 1971. The picture was altered in 2004 during the democratic presidential primaries to hurt John Kerry's chances as president. This manipulation was harmful because it caused confusion and mixed messages to the American people and may have affected their vote. The drama and publicity associated with this fake picture only drove people away from important issues.

WIRELESS ROCKS!!!

2008-01-31T09:42:00.000-08:00

I would probably be stuck in my room, planted on my uncomfortable chair and desk, if wireless internet didn't exist. I love wireless and how I can just take it outside, to a friend's room, or to the library. This is why Trinity's wireless is so awesome! If I'm waiting before a class or meeting, I check my three different email accounts and facebook and even have a quick "IM" with my sister online. Wireless is a very useful lifeline. Everyone is always checking their email, allowing you to communicate with friends, collegues, and professors in record times, no matter where you are on campus. I think other students feel the same way about wireless. Check out this young man's story.

Microsoft Word

2008-01-28T20:23:00.000-08:00

Having used computers for more than half my life, I feel comfortable enough while using programs like Word. However, I would like to improve on my formatting skills. I want to be able to make awesome templates and outlines for my resume. I would also like to learn how to use Word more efficiently, whether it be knowing how to use the shortcuts for different tasks or knowing where all of the older version buttons are on the new Microsoft Office 2007. I look forward to being a Microsoft Office Pro!

Ahhhhhh!

2008-01-22T10:27:00.000-08:00

It's 9:00 the night before my computer class. I turn on the computer to start my homework for class the next day and am greeted by none other than the "blue screen of death". Ahhhh. What to do? I first yell at my suitemates who are in their room to see if they are having any problems with their lap tops. If they are not I will borrow their computer to do the homework. If they are having problems, I will call my friends who are from different dormitories and see if I can use their lap tops. Then I would go down the hall asking all of the computer science guys on my floor if they could fix my computer. If worst comes to worst, I would go to the library or Murchinson and use their computers to finish my homework before class. Now knowing all about the magic that is the Y drive, I would have no problem accessing my homework and finishing it on time. Learning from this stressful situation, I hope to never procrastinate my homework again!

Meeee!

2008-01-17T10:15:00.000-08:00

My name is Monideepa Chakravorty and I'm from Lake Jackson, TX. This is my hometown: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.045145,-95.449544&z=12&t=h&hl=en . It's a small town an hour south of the Houston area. I have lived in Lake Jackson my entire life and one of my earliest memories is rushing to the ER after I tripped on my sheets when I was jumping on my bed. I had to get five stitches. I am the youngest of four in my family and my parents and siblings are scattered through out the US. My parents moved to Maryland after I graduated high school, my oldest sister lives in Chicago, and my brother and sister live in New York. I enjoy dancing, music, and traveling. I danced in ASA's Diwali show and I plan to dance in BSU's Mocha Life this Spring. I'm taking piano lessons this semester, but I am not going to major in music. Actually, I am planning to major in economics and/or finance. I love visiting my siblings and family in various states and exploring the cities they live in. I hope to study abroad in either South America or Europe. The classes I am taking this semester are Calculus II, Writing Workshop, Intermediate Spanish I, Business Statistics, and of course, our computer skills class. I have pretty basic knowledge regarding computers. I can facebook, write essays on word, and download music and instant messaging programs. I hope to learn a lot more this semester! If you ever need to contact me just email me at mchakrav@trinity.edu.