CSci372 Computers in Organizations -- Blog
2009-11-19 Thu Nov 19 09:55 Bad Date in Schedule
Thanks to Erick for pointing out that "Th 11/20" should be "Th 12/03" in the [ schedule.html ] for the 20th class meeting -- presentations!
2009-11-12 Thu Nov 12 17:46 Next class
The next topic is
[ r1.html ]
techniques for representing rules, procedures, and algorithms.
Bring in one review question and an answer...
At the start of the next class each project team must hand in [ project3.html ] the deliverable for the next iteration/phase of the project: detailed data flows and structures.
Grades for this afternoon's class ar4 on the web site...
2009-11-12 Thu Nov 12 12:53 Grades up and a question
See
[ grading/ ]
Should I decorate the web pages for this class with informal DFDs like this
![[Input from stakeholders, DFDs, and Samples makes an ERD]](drawERD.png)
2009-11-06 Fri Nov 6 10:47 Quizzes graded and results posted
One or two people gave me the answer to the wrong question. I asked for
time and you gave me a way to input a date. Don't repeat this mistake
in the final! Note: I may ask for the input os time, date, phone number,
etc.. Read the question.
Some people gave me an encoding, rather than an input procedure. And some didn't give enough description. A fuzzy imprecise description is worse than a clear one.
Finally -- avoid inputs that involve the user typing.
On Tuesday we will review [ d3.html ] (ERDs) and there will be a quiz.
The next project time in class is on the next Thursday, after the Veteran's day holiday. And the next project iteration is to be delived on the 17th of november.
2009-11-04 Wed Nov 4 10:23 Grades posted ready for class 13
There was a common mistake in the answers to the quiz. It is vital to note
that user interfaces always involve trial and error and the user. You
don't just design them. You try them out and redesign them. Several times.
It is an iterative process.
You should be studying the handout and the [ d2.html ] (designs for data items) page to prepare for class. Bring the usual review question+answer.
I will bring the marked up projects for you to think about... and
will assign time in class 15 to start work on the next step.
2009-10-28 Wed Oct 28 13:54 Grades posted
[ grading/ ]
The next class is the 11 class and will review the material in [ c3.html ] on Planning and Management. It will finish with the next phase of your project [ project3.html ] and will be handing out some special reading on the encoding of elementary data for the next class (Tuesday Nov 3rd).
2009-10-26 Mon Oct 26 15:17 Updates...
I am inproving these pages as the quarter continues.... currently "d2"
(Data Element Design) is frozen after an improvement.
2009-10-21 Wed Oct 21 09:22 Bioinformatic Seminars
Tuesday 27 October 2009
[ 20091027Bioinformatics.txt ]
2009-10-21 Wed Oct 21 09:06 Grades posted
Check out
[ grading/ ]
for your grades. Here is a rough distribution
Table
| Distribution | A/A- | B+/B/B- | C+/C/C- | D+/D/D- | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | 7 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
(Close Table)
Contact me if you have any questions or corrections.
The campus is closed tomorrow. See [ F3.html ] for the work you have to do. See you next Tuesday.
2009-10-20 Tue Oct 20 15:27 Rescheduling Quizzes
I am rescheduling two quizzes. Quiz 6 moves from class 11 (Oct 29)
to class 12 (Nov 2nd) and Quiz 7 is moved from class 12 (Nov 2) to
class 13 (Nov 5th).
2009-10-20 Tue Oct 20 10:17 Work due today
One
[ project1.html#Deliverable ]
from each team.
Each person should hand a review question from [ a5.html ] with an answer.
2009-10-15 Thu Oct 15 20:57 Reading mentioned today in class
The recent paper on my iPod was
[ChaEtAl09]
and is about what people are spending money on in the world of computer and
information technology. I also mentione Prof. C. Northcote Parkinson(
[ C._Northcote_Parkinson ]
Wikipedia, books in the library)
, "How to succeed in Business without trying: the dastard's guide" by
Shepherd Mead ( 3rd floor of the library HF5386.M48) ,
and "Up the Organization" by Robert Townsend (
[ 0449205053 ]
). Note -- none of these are essential reading for exams etc. in this class, but
they may entertain and educate you for real life.
Uptodate grades have been posted with extra statistics...
2009-10-15 Thu Oct 15 11:35 Grades posted in time for class to day
I'm sorry for the delay but a powercut stopped me grading your work on
Tuesday night. But they are now avaiable at
[ grading/ ]
if you input your PINword.
Today is the 7th class and you should study [ c1.html ] (Selecting a project) and bring a review question and its answer to class to show me you did study it.
We will be doing the exercises and questions [ qc1.html ] in class and then entering the project kickoff described here [ project1.html ] which will be completed when the team hands in the deliverable next Tuesday and gives a short (short) verbal status report to the class.
2009-10-13 Tue Oct 13 17:48 Errors corrected and powerpoint online
I've corrected a couple of dates in
the
[ schedule.html ]
and upload Sunny's
[ F2Presentation2009.ppt ]
powerpoint.
Sorry for the mistakes.
2009-10-13 Tue Oct 13 14:57 Due today
You should hand in a report on the last field trip plus a sigle answered review
question.
Be ready to work on DFDs and ERDs.... [ Qa4.html ] the first of many techniques for thinking about data.
Also start to think about your project... [ c1.html ] ready for project kickoff on Thursday.
Tomorrow is the last day to drop/add a class.
2009-10-12 Mon Oct 12 15:17 Data Center Job
Operating System Analyst:
Knowledge of/and experience of 3 yrs. working with Windows AD, Strong programming skills , Linux OS/ , Strong Database knowledge
Full time, temporary "exempt" position Salary: $4314
Through the Datacenter, provide direct support for administrative systems & personnel. This includes the duties of overseeing & performing the following: Provide support, system maintenance and problem diagnosis. This includes hardware and software analysis for their administrative computer systems and network connectivity. Specifically local area networks, computer servers, workstations, printers, hubs, and other devices that aid in the transmission of data/information. Provide information updates to the students through various systems such as websites and listserves. Responsible for the maintenance and development of systems designated for Housing and Residential Life. Frequent revisions are required as information changes. Coordinate departmental announcement to current residents via designated systems. Evaluate and enhance the efficiency of existing programs in meeting current and future needs. Monitor network activities to ensure sound and secure operations. As sist in the establishment of network security scheme which ensures data integrity and protection. Troubleshoot errors in software and operation system and initiate repairs or recommend service if needed. Identify, price, recommend, and coordinate purchase of new and upgraded hardware, software, operating system, devices and peripherals as needed to respond to increased performance and growth needs. Create documentation for all the administrative information systems that support is provided for. Assist in developing and defining of policies/procedures for staff and student.
Through the Datacenter, provide direct support for students living within the bounds of Housing and Residential Life. This includes the duties of overseeing & performing the following: Provide diagnostic support to the Housing and Residential Life students, when they are using the designated CSUSB computer networks. Work closely with Telecommunications department to correct maintenance concerns with ethernet wiring and wireless networks. Provide direct support to student concerns regarding internet connectivity. Configure and install devices that will aid in network access for the students. Configure and install anti-virus software for the Housing and Residential Life students.
Fernando Gutierrez Systems Analyst Datacenter & Helpdesk Services California State University 909-537-7742
2009-10-07 Wed Oct 7 09:51 Grades posted
Placed the latest quiz and field trip etc scores into the
initial grade sheets. Select
[ grading/ ]
and input your PINwoprd to see how you are doing and what is coming up.
Next: [ F2.html ] the second field trip. Meet, promptly, in the class room.
2009-10-06 Tue Oct 6 10:54 New blog for news
Here is a new link for learning about hardware and software news:
[ http://www.webtlk.com/ ]
(Web Talk by Frank P).
2009-10-01 Thu Oct 1 17:49 Grades posted and next class
The next class is the 4th in the quarter and will cover the
topics in
[ a3.html ]
as in the schedule.
Bring your Field Trip report to class (10pts). Bring a review question + answer from the reading (2pts). Be on time....(2pts).
2009-09-30 Wed Sep 30 15:49 Field Trip tomorrow
Meet in the classroom. Bring a piece of paper with a question you can ask
to the class. Put it on the desk at the front. I will collect and then
we will go to the meeting place under the library claw.
See
[ F1.html ]
(details)
2009-09-29 Tue Sep 29 18:05 Grades posted
Select
[ grading/ ]
and input your PINword.... let me know of any errors.
2009-09-29 Tue Sep 29 08:10 Assigned work due to day
I've had a couple of EMails on today's assigned work. I want to
be given a single question + answer from either of the review questions in
[ a1.html ]
(Organizations) and
[ a2.html ]
(Fact finding).
2009-09-28 Mon Sep 28 13:01 Small Change in weekly schedule
I've decided to plan an earlier lunch. See
[ plan.html ]
for the new schedule.
2009-09-24 Thu Sep 24 13:37 Working on Visual Aids
Syllabus:
[ ../syllabus.av.html ]
[ syllabus.av.html ]
"Reading":
[ a1.html ]
will be reviewed today.... but please read in preparation for Tuesday class...
(change in the
[ schedule.html ]
).
2009-09-17 Thu Sep 17 14:38 Schedule and syllabi ready
Dispite JBH and the campus flakey (or even dead) I've been able to get
a functional and (hopefully) correct syllabus and schedule on line
for Fall 2009.
I will now be wiping out a lot of the older Blog entries. Also working on the readings for the course. For example we will discuss [ a1.html ] (Organizational Backdrop to IT) in the first class.
2009-08-17 Mon Aug 17 16:04 Days when CS372 will meet
I've just got this schedule for Wednsday classes from the Associate Provost for
Academic Programs:
lasses meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays will meet the following days: 9/24, 9/29, 10/1, 10/6, 10/8, 10/13, 10/15, 10/20, 10/27, 10/29, 11/3, 11/5, 11/10, 11/12, 11/17, 11/19, 11/24, 12/1, 12/3
With 10/22 as a STATE BUDGET CLOSURE DAY -- campus closed.
2009-08-12 Wed Aug 12 07:30 Change of plans due to new budget
Check
[ ../plan.html ]
for information on when the California budget will force the campus
to close down, and when I will be taking time off...
Note: the California Budget Closure Days will force me to cancel the 9th meeting of this class. I will be giving you some assigned reading and the material will be tested in later quizzes and examinations.
Watch for cahnges in the syllabus and schedule closer to the satrt of the course.
2009-06-23 Tue Jun 23 09:27 Next Course starts in September
I will be updating the course materials, syllabus, schedule, and
buttons in September. Meanwhile you can contact me via
[ ../contact.html ]
if ou have any questions.
2008-12-11 Thu Dec 11 13:12 Final and Course Grades Posted
Two people in the class got an A -- well done.
The distribution of grades is
Table
| A/A- | B+/B/B- | C+/C/C- | D+/D/D- | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
(Close Table)
2007-11-20 Tue Nov 20 09:11 Job News
-
You might like to compare some of the things we have been doing in this
class with the content in the following news cutting from
the Association for Computing Machinary.
Nine Non-Techie Skills that Hiring Managers Wish You Had
Computerworld, November 12While technical skills remain the bedrock of any IT position, an increasing number of employers are now expecting their new hires to have a broad range of skills in areas ranging from communication to accounting to leadership. In their continual attempt to align IT with business, executives and managers say they are increasingly looking for staffers who have solid business acumen and so-called soft skills. The article provides an overview of nine skills employers are looking for, with additional advice on how to acquire them.
Writing and communication skills remain an important prerequisite for nearly any mid- to high-level IT position. Also important is the skill of being able to understand how to map different business processes and create visual depictions of how business processes flow across functional areas. Thirdly, IT workers must be comfortable with public speaking. For each of these skills, there are clubs, educational programs and courses that can address any shortcomings.
Other important skills include a familiarity with accounting and the ability to work well with a team. A person who is able to gain consensus and sell an idea not only gets the job done, but makes the group stronger. Hiring managers highly value people who can seize the initiative without the need for constant oversight. They place a premium on an inquisitive mind, the ability to get a point across, and a willingness to take risks. The modern IT person needs to be more of an IT entrepreneur, since he or she is constantly looking to improve upon existing ways of doing things or identify other business and operational opportunities
2007-10-16 Tue Oct 16 14:10 Dirty Secrets
Following on from our last field (report due today), and the seminar on Friday, I've just got this [ ?p=546 ] from Brian Carlson. Key point: Programmers and Analysts (Computer Scientists) usually have a better life than described here in "IT".
2006-12-08 Fri Dec 8 10:12 Draft grades posted for course
I've posted the grades at
[ grading/ ]
and the distribution is
Table
| Distribution | A/A- | B+/B/B- | C+/C/C- | D+/D/D- | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | 4 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 |
(Close Table)
Note I had to rescale the total scores because nobody got an 'A' on the raw scores. You will find this escape clause in the generic syllabus [ ../syllabus.html ] for my classes.
Except for
2005-12-07 Wed Dec 7 13:12 Grades Posted
Table
| Distribution | A/A- | B+/B/B- | C+/C/C- | D+/D/D- | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | 3 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
(Close Table)
The previous blogs for this course have been removed.
Abbreviations
Also see [ glossary.html ] for more special abbreviations and phrases.