We had a visitor in our CIS-105 Simple Programming Design class today. Ms. Teasley from the NGTC Library gave a very informative and interesting presentation on the library resources that are available to us, how to access those resources, when stuff is due, and how much they LOVE to help us when/if we need help. It was brief but very educational. Thank you, Ms. Teasley, for coming to our class and talking to us and for being sensitive to the study subject of our class and specifically mentioning resources that might be beneficial to us.
We are learning more about PTO charts and will soon have class work and homework to reinforce our knowledge and understanding. I think I used this "process" when I was back in grade school when solving word problems - thanks to my mathematical father Frank Blair!! [What was the desired result? What info did I already have? (What part of the info was unnecessary and should not be included in the input process?) And, what process did I need to use to get the desired result?] I never really had any problem with word problems. Now I am thankful that I already grasp this PTO chart. I had NO idea that I would ever need this - but then, don't we approach problems in life this same way: what is the desired result - of said problem, what are the facts, what is actually not revelent to the problem that I think might be, and, what do I need to do to get the desired result? Sure helps me work through my problems - that and prayer!
And I shared Brownies in class today - which were well recieved!
It was a good class!
Sue-Jobi Web Design
Sue Blair, CIST AAS
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
XHTML & Flash: progress!!!
This morning in XHTML class (CIS 2202) I finished up Chapter 2. I have already learned SO much but I know there is a LOT more to learn. All of my work for this chapter has passed the Validator - sometimes after several corrections were made! One of my assignments was to read code for a web page that was in the book and try to locate the error that would not allow the page to run. I looked very carefully through the entire file and then saw where one line had an opening tag but no closing tag. That was the problem.
In Flash class (CIS 1123) I started on the second Tutorial (chapters are called "Tutorials" in this book) and completed Tutorial 2 Section 1. I had a few hard moments with my project and had to ask for help - once even my teacher was stumped for a little bit though we both thought the problem was a grouping problem, and we were right. One of the other students got us past the problem!! It was great. So, I learned something from the situation.
One of the great things about all THREE of my classes with Mr. Long is that he encourages us to ask questions, help one another, and help "teach" if we know something real well. So far I am in the learning stage only! But Mr. Long did tell me today that I am either right on or ahead of the curve as far as completion of work - so that's good.
I find everything I am learning captivating, and I have a hard time leaving class when it is over: I could just keep working until bedtime, I believe!!
This is AWESOME!! Thank You, Lord, for this WONDERFUL opportunity to learn to do something in an area I REALLY enjoy: computers!!
In Flash class (CIS 1123) I started on the second Tutorial (chapters are called "Tutorials" in this book) and completed Tutorial 2 Section 1. I had a few hard moments with my project and had to ask for help - once even my teacher was stumped for a little bit though we both thought the problem was a grouping problem, and we were right. One of the other students got us past the problem!! It was great. So, I learned something from the situation.
One of the great things about all THREE of my classes with Mr. Long is that he encourages us to ask questions, help one another, and help "teach" if we know something real well. So far I am in the learning stage only! But Mr. Long did tell me today that I am either right on or ahead of the curve as far as completion of work - so that's good.
I find everything I am learning captivating, and I have a hard time leaving class when it is over: I could just keep working until bedtime, I believe!!
This is AWESOME!! Thank You, Lord, for this WONDERFUL opportunity to learn to do something in an area I REALLY enjoy: computers!!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Program Design class (CIS 105)
Our first assignment was to write out the directions on how to get from inside our classroom to inside the school library. Mr. Long, our instructor, wanted DETAILS (but not the number of steps we took as everyone's steps are different.) It was rather fun doing this: I took my pen and my clip board (with paper in it) and wrote as I walked. I tried to write down everything I did.
It didn't seem much like an assignment for a Program Design class - but, later, when Mr. Long started asking us questions about our assignment we could see how it applied! First, how many thought about putting down the instructions for opening doors - so we could exit/enter a room? Second, how many said turn Right or turn Left once they were out the door. Third, how many said to stop and look for cars - or did you just get run over? And, how many opened the Library door - or did you walk through the glass??? (Ouch!)
The point was that EVERY little detail has to be there for you to accomplish your goal; in this case to get from the classroom to inside the Library, but in computer programming it is much more complex and demanding. If you leave out ONE step - be it tiny - your program will not run smoothly. It will either not run at all, or it will crash, or it will not do what it is supposed to do. And we all know how frustrating that is!
It was a great assignment and I think we all learned a lot from it. I did. (We actually wrote an algorithm!!)
Today we talked about the 7-step process of program development, which applies to programming AND to Web design! The seven steps are: Define the Problem; Outline the Solution; Delevelop the Outline into an Algorithm; Test the Algorithm for Correctness; Code the Algorithm into a Specific Programming Language; Run the Program on the Computer; and Document and Maintain the Program. This was my basic approach when I designed my Web page for my pasture boarding business - and I didn't even know how right-on I was!!
Another fun thing about this class was talking about IPO charts and flow charts. I can't wait 'til we start utilizing some of this stuff, but then, I am a detail person.
So, let it be said here that I am REALLY enjoying all three of my computer classes and learning a LOT!! I can't wait for each class to start and I usually work on stuff the minute I get home!!! I'm lovin' it!!! (To coin a phrase!!)
It didn't seem much like an assignment for a Program Design class - but, later, when Mr. Long started asking us questions about our assignment we could see how it applied! First, how many thought about putting down the instructions for opening doors - so we could exit/enter a room? Second, how many said turn Right or turn Left once they were out the door. Third, how many said to stop and look for cars - or did you just get run over? And, how many opened the Library door - or did you walk through the glass??? (Ouch!)
The point was that EVERY little detail has to be there for you to accomplish your goal; in this case to get from the classroom to inside the Library, but in computer programming it is much more complex and demanding. If you leave out ONE step - be it tiny - your program will not run smoothly. It will either not run at all, or it will crash, or it will not do what it is supposed to do. And we all know how frustrating that is!
It was a great assignment and I think we all learned a lot from it. I did. (We actually wrote an algorithm!!)
Today we talked about the 7-step process of program development, which applies to programming AND to Web design! The seven steps are: Define the Problem; Outline the Solution; Delevelop the Outline into an Algorithm; Test the Algorithm for Correctness; Code the Algorithm into a Specific Programming Language; Run the Program on the Computer; and Document and Maintain the Program. This was my basic approach when I designed my Web page for my pasture boarding business - and I didn't even know how right-on I was!!
Another fun thing about this class was talking about IPO charts and flow charts. I can't wait 'til we start utilizing some of this stuff, but then, I am a detail person.
So, let it be said here that I am REALLY enjoying all three of my computer classes and learning a LOT!! I can't wait for each class to start and I usually work on stuff the minute I get home!!! I'm lovin' it!!! (To coin a phrase!!)
Monday, April 11, 2011
XHTML & FLASH classes today
Yes, I had a few "issues" in my classes today that I needed assistance with, but over all it is going well.
This morning in XHTML I ran a Validator to check all the work I had done to that point. I had a few minor corrections to make and now all have "passed". I am happy.
After lunch, in the FLASH class, I was again intrigued by all the interesting things Adobe Flash can do. Learning it is not so hard since I have worked with several SIMPLE graphics program and am so familiar with using a computer. But every once in a while I get stuck and need assistance! Also, I forgot my flash drive this afternoon so my stuff did not get saved properly and I will have to re-do some of it - but that will simply reinforce it. (I'll bet that is the last time I forget it!!!)
I do find it hard to switch back and forth between XHTML and FLASH - and tomorrow is Simple Programming -?!!! I suppose (and hope!) that as I progress in each of the courses that the difficulty in switching will fade away.
I REALLY like all my classes. The work is facsinating, interesting, intriguing, attention-holding, and so forth: I LOVE it!!!
I encourage you to reach for the stars in whatever area you are interested in - no matter what your age or physical limitations!!! You can DO it!!!
This morning in XHTML I ran a Validator to check all the work I had done to that point. I had a few minor corrections to make and now all have "passed". I am happy.
After lunch, in the FLASH class, I was again intrigued by all the interesting things Adobe Flash can do. Learning it is not so hard since I have worked with several SIMPLE graphics program and am so familiar with using a computer. But every once in a while I get stuck and need assistance! Also, I forgot my flash drive this afternoon so my stuff did not get saved properly and I will have to re-do some of it - but that will simply reinforce it. (I'll bet that is the last time I forget it!!!)
I do find it hard to switch back and forth between XHTML and FLASH - and tomorrow is Simple Programming -?!!! I suppose (and hope!) that as I progress in each of the courses that the difficulty in switching will fade away.
I REALLY like all my classes. The work is facsinating, interesting, intriguing, attention-holding, and so forth: I LOVE it!!!
I encourage you to reach for the stars in whatever area you are interested in - no matter what your age or physical limitations!!! You can DO it!!!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
XHTML code: a beginning
I have worked through over half of the chapter 2 "Hands-On" assignments in my "XHTML" book. Wow! I have already learned so much. And there is SO much more to learn. I just can't wait! This class is a self-paced class.
Then I opened my other Web Design book, Adobe FLASH CS4 Professional, Luise A. Lopez and Roben M. Romer, published by Cengage Learning, Australia, and did a little of chapter 1. This stuff is SO fascinating I find it hard to quit!! (Flash is also a self-paced class.)
Okay, I admit it: I also opened up my Simple Program Design - A Step-by-Step Approach, Lesley Anne Robertson, published by Cengage Learning, Australia. I found it just as interesting as the other two books but I haven't done any work yet: just reading.
I really think I have found my niche.
I want to encourage anyone who "doesn't know what they want to be when they grow up" to check out the things you are interested in and pursue them! You will be richly rewarded! If I can do it at age 53 YOU can do it!!!
So, here I go: a computering!! LOL
Then I opened my other Web Design book, Adobe FLASH CS4 Professional, Luise A. Lopez and Roben M. Romer, published by Cengage Learning, Australia, and did a little of chapter 1. This stuff is SO fascinating I find it hard to quit!! (Flash is also a self-paced class.)
Okay, I admit it: I also opened up my Simple Program Design - A Step-by-Step Approach, Lesley Anne Robertson, published by Cengage Learning, Australia. I found it just as interesting as the other two books but I haven't done any work yet: just reading.
I really think I have found my niche.
I want to encourage anyone who "doesn't know what they want to be when they grow up" to check out the things you are interested in and pursue them! You will be richly rewarded! If I can do it at age 53 YOU can do it!!!
So, here I go: a computering!! LOL
Friday, April 8, 2011
Computers, prayer, and horses
My day was full: it began with prayer, first just me and God, then I joined my friend Dale. She was having some PC difficulties so after our prayer time I helped her. Then I went over to her pasture and worked with her horse and donkey. The horse is very "user friendly" but the donkey would rather not be touched, thank you. So, the goal being to earn the donkey's trust to be able to tame it, I spent two and a quarter hours messing with them. I gained much ground with that little donkey but still was not able to touch her. A couple more times and I will. If they had a round pen it would have happened today - but their pasture is very big and very hilly. I REALLY enjoyed my time with them both - but boy did I get the exercise!!!
Then lunch and home.
I hadn't been home very long when Dale called me back and said she had lost some files on her Mac. So I drove back over to her house and spent the rest of the day and evening doing stuff for her on her Mac and on her Windows PCs. I learned a lot about Apple computers with Mac operating system... all very interesting. I even transferred a bunch of files from one computer to the other, and copied some files to DVD for her.
I don't care for Mac computers but probably that is because I have been using Windows since Windows 95 - was there an earlier version? That's as far back as I can remember!! (Just wait until YOU are old and decrepit like me! LOL Your memory won't be any better than mine!! Though I DO remember Windows 95!!) The FIRST computer I can remember using was an Apple II - and THAT was a LONG time ago!! But I guess anybody that can run around in a pasture up and down hill for two and a quarter hours with a horse and a wild donkey can't be in too bad a shape!!
Today was very full and very educational: it was a great day. I did three things that I REALLY enjoy: prayer with a friend, helping someone with computer issues, and working with horses (donkeys count, too!) AND, I feel like I passed the test - whatever the test was - by being able to help Dale with her computer issues - especially on that Mac.
And so, I retire tired but happy, or should I say "exhausted but VERY happy!!"?!!
Then lunch and home.
I hadn't been home very long when Dale called me back and said she had lost some files on her Mac. So I drove back over to her house and spent the rest of the day and evening doing stuff for her on her Mac and on her Windows PCs. I learned a lot about Apple computers with Mac operating system... all very interesting. I even transferred a bunch of files from one computer to the other, and copied some files to DVD for her.
I don't care for Mac computers but probably that is because I have been using Windows since Windows 95 - was there an earlier version? That's as far back as I can remember!! (Just wait until YOU are old and decrepit like me! LOL Your memory won't be any better than mine!! Though I DO remember Windows 95!!) The FIRST computer I can remember using was an Apple II - and THAT was a LONG time ago!! But I guess anybody that can run around in a pasture up and down hill for two and a quarter hours with a horse and a wild donkey can't be in too bad a shape!!
Today was very full and very educational: it was a great day. I did three things that I REALLY enjoy: prayer with a friend, helping someone with computer issues, and working with horses (donkeys count, too!) AND, I feel like I passed the test - whatever the test was - by being able to help Dale with her computer issues - especially on that Mac.
And so, I retire tired but happy, or should I say "exhausted but VERY happy!!"?!!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Web info I find interesting
Today I read about how the Internet and the World Wide Web (www) got started. I also learned the difference between Internet, Intranet, and Extranet.
I also learned about World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and how they take a proactive role in developing recommendations and protoype technologies related to the Web. Their web address is: http://www.w3c.org/ if you are interested.
While already familiar with IP Addresses and Domain Names, I now have a greater understanding of how they work: in short, the Domain name is like a text-based IP Address.
Markup Languages was a fascinating subject. I read about SGML, HTML, XML, XHTML - and even a little about HTML 5. This course is mostly about XHTML - EXtensible Hypertext Markup Language.
One of the most interesting things I learned was what happens when you request to go to a web page: how the message is broken down, sent in pieces, reassembled on the other end, the page is retrieved, broken into pieces, and sent back - only to be put back together before you can view it. All that in nearly split seconds! So next time your browser is a little slow, remember everything that has to take place in order for you to view the site/page you want.
Anyway, reading through chapter one of my text book, Web Development and Design Foundations With XHTML (Terry Felke-Morris, Pearson Education publishing as Addison-Wesley), has been intriging and educational. It also makes me realize I am finally in the right course of study!!
Web Page Design, here I come!!! (Oh, sure, I already designed several VERY NICE web pages - but they were made with MS Publisher - I'm not sure that really counts!! LOL)
April 7, 2011
I also learned about World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and how they take a proactive role in developing recommendations and protoype technologies related to the Web. Their web address is: http://www.w3c.org/ if you are interested.
While already familiar with IP Addresses and Domain Names, I now have a greater understanding of how they work: in short, the Domain name is like a text-based IP Address.
Markup Languages was a fascinating subject. I read about SGML, HTML, XML, XHTML - and even a little about HTML 5. This course is mostly about XHTML - EXtensible Hypertext Markup Language.
One of the most interesting things I learned was what happens when you request to go to a web page: how the message is broken down, sent in pieces, reassembled on the other end, the page is retrieved, broken into pieces, and sent back - only to be put back together before you can view it. All that in nearly split seconds! So next time your browser is a little slow, remember everything that has to take place in order for you to view the site/page you want.
Anyway, reading through chapter one of my text book, Web Development and Design Foundations With XHTML (Terry Felke-Morris, Pearson Education publishing as Addison-Wesley), has been intriging and educational. It also makes me realize I am finally in the right course of study!!
Web Page Design, here I come!!! (Oh, sure, I already designed several VERY NICE web pages - but they were made with MS Publisher - I'm not sure that really counts!! LOL)
April 7, 2011
My first day...
Greetings;
Today I created this blog page on blogger.com. I am going to learn and grow with it.
I invite other Web Design students and bloggers to my page. Please keep it CLEAN.
This is part of my school assignment so you will probably find a lot of changes as time progresses.
So, whether you are new to blogging or a long-time user: welcome to my page!
Sue
Handmaiden of the Lord Jesus Christ
Today I created this blog page on blogger.com. I am going to learn and grow with it.
I invite other Web Design students and bloggers to my page. Please keep it CLEAN.
This is part of my school assignment so you will probably find a lot of changes as time progresses.
So, whether you are new to blogging or a long-time user: welcome to my page!
Sue
Handmaiden of the Lord Jesus Christ
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