A Word of Advice for CS 1300

Computer Skills is a great class. It gets you oriented with computer activities in a step-by-step fashion, so you don't have gaps later on. For example, almost everyone knows how to use Word, but hardly anyone knows how to use Excel to plug in addresses and names into Word to make greeting cards! It's a lot to learn and do in one semester, but in the end, it's completely worth it! From my experience in this class, I've learned to always do my homework; even if it's only a 4 point assignment. Have fun!

Know your HTML code!

It's important to know HTML code because, if something goes wrong when people are using Expression Web, or something similar, they can figure out what is basically wrong and fix it. For example, if the background color was not the one that they wanted they could go into the code form and change it manually. Or if for some reason the title was not centering it could also be changed manually.

Power Point Presentations

During last week's presentations, I enjoyed Kate and Meghan's the most. Kate's presentation was about paleontology, which she detailed in great excitement. I really liked the cvaite she went to that described the various fossils found in the different regions in Texas. Also, her T-Rex background was a nice touch too. What I liked about Meghan's presentation was also her enthusiasm for her topic, astronomy. She really knew what she was talking about. The thing I found most interesting was the fact that NASA created the powdered food items, like Tang. I hope they come up with rea powdered donuts one of these days. Her solar system background was really cool as well.

Tips for Power Point Presentations

1. Say a lot in few words - as in, each bullet point should be easy for the audience to understand and not take too long to read or take in
2. Use varying colors, but not colors that completely contrast each other or detract from the overall ability to pay attention to what's really important: the presentation topics
3. Add pictures to slides, but make sure that a picture doesn't stand out too much or too little, if it is the focus of a particular slide
4. Be consistant with the fonts used; don't overuse or underuse a font, as in be creative but not to the extent that it becomes a distraction for the audience
5. Make sure that the slides flow well, that the topics are organized and well-planned

Chris Nolan's Presentation

After listening to Chris Nolan's presentation on searching the internet, I found the differences in search engine credibility to be quite interesting. I used to think that all search engines would pull up the same links to a certain topic; but, he claims that Google and Yahoo, for example, have different priorities and thus different links or sources. So, depending on the topic, Google might have better links to more credible websites, have a greater variety, or get straight to the desired topic for which one is looking compared to those of Yahoo. Now, when I search a topic on Google, I will compare the results with those from Yahoo or another search engine in order to get access to the best websites or closest to what I'm looking for.

Copyright

After learning about the problems involved with and caused by copyright laws, I realize now how big an issue copyright is and has been for years. One of the big topics we discussed in class was the Sonny Bono Act of 1998, which helped the magical world of Disney by lengthening their copyright of Mickey Mouse and friends by an additional twenty years. However, in 2018 the same problem will ensue again, and Disney will want more power over its rights to their long-lived characters. This copyright problem represents the pain that authors, musicians, and artists suffer after creating something amazing but lose control over them after a certain number of years. Yet at the same time, many people feel that a piece of work should enter into the public domain quicker; if not, the public is obliged to pay the person who owns the rights (often not even the creater) to use a piece of work. So for many, this copyright issue is too strict, and for others too lenient. In my opinion, I think that the creater of a work should decide when his or her work should enter into the public domain - not a relative, spouse, or anyone looking for monetary gain without the creator's approval. This way, the rules would be different for every piece of work, but the public would have the upper-hand since many creators will want the monetary gain to end with him or her. So, with few exceptions the public could expect almost all pieces of work to be accessable once a creator dies, making both the public better informed on copyright strains and the creator more at ease about the future of his or her work.

My Experience with Excel

Having never used Excel in High School or anywhere else before, I have learned something completely new. Though Excel and I don't really get along very well, I feel it necessary to understand it as best as I can, for it will help me with any future career. For example, if I end up becoming a professional musician, Excel could help me in planning fundraisers, parties, or just calculating my own income and expenses. No matter what, I will always find something useful from Excel.

Pictures that Lie

I chose to discuss the picture of CBS's New Year's Eve broadcast. Shown is a CBS reporter with his back to Times Square, right after the ball dropped at midnight. The picture originated as a single frame of CBS's live television broadcast. However, due to the unfortunate NBC logo in the background of such frame, CBS decided to use digital technology to conceal their competitor's name, which could have been used as a form of advertisement against CBS if not concealed. This act of covering up company names, sports logos, or anything that could be considered unnessessary or unwanted advertising is performed all the time and, therefore, should not be seen as a misuse of technology in this particular case.

Wireless Internet

Here at Trinity University, I prefer to stay connected to the internet via my dorm-room's ethernet cable; for, I find that I get a better, faster internet connection than going wireless. However, many of my friends here have no problem going wirelessly. In fact, they find it quite convenient to sit outside on the balcony or under a nice, shady tree to do homework on their laptop.

What I'd Like to get out of Word

After using Microsoft Word throughout my high school years, I feel fairly comfortable with the program. However, I would like to learn more shortcuts (similar to Copy-Ctrl+C and Paste-Ctrl+V). I understand the differences between Microsoft Word 2003 and 2007, and I hope to become the expert at 2007 that I wasn't with 2003. My main goal is to learn as much as I can about Word so that my college years, concerning essays and projects, are not bogged down by my lack of experience.

The Blue Screen of Death!

After a full day of studying at the library, I returned back to my dorm room ready to start my Computer Skills homework. Alas! The blue screen of death appeared across my computer screen! What to do? Well, my room mate, Kate, happened to be in my computer class, so she let me use her computer. Nevertheless, I could easily have gone to Murchison or the Library where I have access to my Y-drive, class drive, and groups folder.

Introducing....Lauren Nichols

Hey, my name is Lauren Michelle Nichols. I was born here in San Antonio, but just before eighth grade, I moved to Haddonfield, New Jersey. I'm very excited to be back in Texas, for it's always been my true home. Currently, my parents are living in an apartment since our house is being rented-out until late summer. However, I can show the readers of this blog my previous house up in Haddonfield: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.899402,-75.026493&z=16&t=h&hl=en.

Aside from my big move back to Texas, I'm keeping myself busy with violin here at Trinity. For example, I'm involved with the Trinity Symphony Orchestra, a Trinity quartet, and a semi-professional quartet that actually helps me rake in quite a few dollar bills. I've been playing since I was four, so it's been a major part of my life for quite some time. In fact, my life revolves around music so much that I intend to major in music performance. Hopefully, I will make it to the big leagues someday as a professional musician. Aside from classical music, I love playing fiddle music and jammin' on my mandolin. I'm obsessed with Irish fiddle music and hope to one day fiddle in a real Irish pub! I find that Irish drinking songs are rather entertaining, so I try memorizing the bizarre lyrics in my spare time. I also hold strong academic interests in French and film, but I cannot choose which one to pursue as a minor. I'm in no rush, so I'll just continue to find enjoyment in all my interests. My non-academic interests include: Spongebob Squarepants, Harry Potter, reading, Disney movies, Backstreet Boys, rock music, raspberries, sharpies, traveling around the world, cryptograms, sleeping, hiking, Strangers with Candy, and having no homework!

For the most part, I like to distance myself as much as possible from computers; however, I'm sure CS 1300 will change my negative outlook for the better. In any case, I will make the best out of this class and approach it with an open mind. If anyone ever needs a quartet for a party, wedding, or any special event, you can contact me at lnichols@trinity.edu.

Have a great day!
-Lauren