November 2008
1 post
Bebo group now closed →
Hey everyone (or those who still come here), this group is now closed as the course is well and truly over. Thanks for your participation and contributions over the semester. Good luck with…
October 2008
6 posts
Exam today! →
For those checking this site to see when the exam is on - it’s today! All the best everyone. Final tips: Stay calm, read carefully, work efficiently, be structured, review everything. As much fun as…
Internal results update →
Good news about the results: The milestone 3 results will be out today and the practical test results will be available before the exam. Accompanying the results will be a breakdown of your…
How to use the exam discussion forum →
I’ve just answered the first exam question on Bebo (see the forum below for the discussion.). It took a while so I figured that people didn’t want to be first or perhaps it wasn’t clear how to begin….
Microsoft visit this Friday →
For those interested in seeing one of the big guys from Microsoft talking about new technologies they’re releasing (and giving away free stuff) then turn up in room CO2.07 this Friday 10th October…
The final week is upon us →
Okay folks this is it - the final week for the course for most of you (well almost, there’s still the exam to do :(). This week we will examine what it is to be an ICT professional in the current…
Changes to lab 13 next week →
In light of recent staffing events and in the interests of getting practical test and assignment marking completed expeditiously, there will be no labs at all next week. Instead, a random collection…
September 2008
5 posts
Practical test this week →
All the best for the practical test everyone. Make sure you turn up at the right time on the right day. You may want to check a recent announcement on Blackboard about streaming. Note that PIMS only…
Stop/start →
Hi folks, despite my best intentions to return to work this week, it seems that after Tuesday I overdid it :( and consequently spent the next couple days off. Now, I’m in today for a few hours to get…
Milestone 3 due today →
Hi team, I’m still at home after spending some time in hospital. I’m feeling pretty good so should be back next week :). Apologies to those who have tried to contact me in the interim :(. The most…
Andrew away for the rest of the week →
The reason for the lecture cancellation today was due to my unavailability. It turns out that the same ailment that kept me away today applies to the rest of the week. Read: I won’t be at University…
Where do I go for my exam? →
This is a great question. To find out where, simply visit the University of Otago Webpage and search for the official timetable released by the Examinations office. Or, if you prefer - click this…
August 2008
10 posts
6 weeks to go and counting →
Hey folks, welcome back from mid-semester break. As you can see, we only have 6 weeks to go before the course is finished and there’s still lots to do. Here’s a list of things to keep you busy: …
Milestone 2 due today [code red] →
Those groups who haven’t submitted their second assignment milestone yet have until 12:00pm (midday) today to do so. Please make sure to upload the completed database file and answer the written…
Week 7 rundown before the break →
This is the final week before mid-semester break. :) The most important activity this week in terms of this course at least, is to submit your milestone 2 files and answers to the submission page on…
Milestone 1 results released →
Head over to Blackboard to see your mark for milestone 1 of the assignment. Make sure to read the announmcent on Blackboard first then check your results. Well done all those who achieved full marks!…
Joining the Facebook group problems resolved →
Okay, I think I’ve solved the Facebook group problem (but don’t quote me on that). It seems that some students couldn’t see a way to join the group (see comment from Tim E below). Usually a link…
Free software just for you →
Just a reminder that all of you have access to Microsoft software by virtue of enrolling in this paper. This software includes MS Access 2003. :) Instructions on how to get your hands on it can be…
Piffle. →
Hey folks, I presume that you’re enjoying the change in Lecturer this week. However, if you would like to see me talk for old times sake, I am giving a talk for a weekly seminar series this Friday….
Some things →
Hey gang, here’s a random collection of things to be knowing about. Lectures
Just a reminder that Grant takes over lectures for a bit. These comprise lectures 11-13 then I come back for lecture 14 -…
Bebo is like so last year! →
I was disturbed today to find out that Bebo was “so last year”. It appears that you guys have upgraded from Bebo to Facebook within a year and we missed the boat somewhat. This disturbs me because I…
Lecture 9 materials there now →
If you would like to view the slides, print out a handout or download the PowerPoint file for lecture 9, make sure to head over to the Lectures menu on Blackboard right now. Note that I plan to…
July 2008
18 posts
Milestone 1 done and dusted →
Milestone 1’s deadline has been reached and passed. This means that no further groups can be organised nor answers submitted for this milestone. Well done all those who successfully completed this…
Last reminder about milestone 1 →
Tomorrow is the deadline for milestone 1 so we’ve gone to red alert!. Remember you have up to 12:00pm tomorrow - Friday August 1st (August already! :O) to finish registering your group (or solo…
Confused about the final milestone 1 question? →
If you’re still unsure of what to write about for task 5 (i.e., motivations for choosing your group or to work alone) then try answering the following question: Describe why you think your…
Slides and what-not for lecture 8 →
Slides and handouts and PowerPoint files are all available on Blackboard as of 5 minutes ago. Apologies to students who attended this morning’s lecture for not having these available in time - it was…
Colds and the like →
I was away today (Tuesday) due some kind of cold , pretty much like a lot of the class was on Monday. After a day of rest :Z I expect to be there tomorrow for the lectures. See you then :)
[Andrew]
Just how important is technology to you? →
The other day I had an interesting discussion with my boss about the BCom core. In particular, we talked about how useful and important *this* course is for business majors (or anyone for that…
Too much can sometimes be a bad thing →
You may want to consider the following when thinking about setting up your groups. While having a group of four members seems like a good idea in terms of workload, often the reverse is true. Why?…
Tips on PERT charts →
For those struggling to work out the estimated duration of the project, try these:
* Read the Sommerville chapter assigned to lecture 3 (the stuff on PERT only)
* Attempt to work out the critical…
Couple of notes →
Here’s a couple of notes to get things going for this week Setting up assignment groups
Once you have your team members selected or opted to work alone, head over to Blackboard and setup your group…
This course is NOT hard →
It’s true! I’ve heard a few comments this week about this course being difficult :(. Nothing could be further from the truth. This course is in fact very straight forward. Why? Well, the course…
Milestone 1 tasks availlable →
Head over to the Assessment menu on Blackboard to find out what you need to do for milestone 1 of the assignment. Remember it’s due on the 1st August. [Andrew]
Contact stuff on Bebo →
I am very pleased that people are organising themselves into groups using Bebo. However, just a word of caution. As this Bebo group is open to the world, I would *not* recommend providing your email…
Lecture 4 slides all ready to go →
Slides for lecture #4 are all ready to go over at Blackboard. A day earlier even! :) If you choose to print out the handouts, please remember to annotate them at the presentation as we generally say…
Lecture slides up on Blackboard →
Slides for lecture 3 are now available on Blackboard. Head over there now and explore the Lectures menu where you’ll also find readings and related links. Each week we will try to get the slides up…
Did you get to the first lab? →
There are a lot of new students that signed up late this week. If you didn’t get to the lab for Lab 1 try downloading the file and lab document and working your way through it before next weeks…
A whole lot of things →
Hey gang, it was nice to finally meet some students yesterday at the Wednesday lecture. I look forward to catching up with the remainder next week. In the meantime, here’s a bunch of things to think…
It's begun! →
Hey folks, welcome to the course and this Bebo group. I hope you enjoyed Grant’s lecture today and now have a good idea of what’s coming. Please make sure you know when to go to your lab. If you’re…
Hello 2008 semester 2 students →
Hi and welcome BSNS 106 and COMP 102 students. Forget the paper code distinction as it’s a bureaucratic requirement as the course is exactly the same for both. We certainly hope you enjoy your time…
June 2008
8 posts
Long lost reports and awards →
As of today, you should have been sent an email containing a breakdown of your’s (and your group’s) performance in the assignment. Apologies for the delay on this. Also, after much deliberation and…
Assignment results there →
Go to Blackboard and get your assignment results :). Well done everybody as the standard was very high . All the very best for this afternoon. [Andrew]
Latest news on assignment results (11:07pm) →
Despite our best efforts, the assignment results are still not quite finished (although they are close). Please accept our apologies for this :(. They will, however, be available by midday tomorrow….
Assignment results update and death →
Sorry about the delay with the assignment results. We hoped they would be out by now but due to the sudden death of a good friend of ours over the weekend (see bereavement blog), we’re still a little…
Up-to-date →
As of 11:00pm, all comments and lecture revision forum questions have been responded to (well the ones that require a response at least) :Z. [Andrew]
Bereavement →
A friend and former Information Science colleague died over the weekend. As a result, some of us will be unavailable tomorrow morning as we will be attending the funeral - which is out of town :(….
Database broken →
In typically helpful fashion, it seems that the database server where the marks reside is temporarily broken. This means that an error will display instead of your marks >:(. I will post an update as…
Bloated email →
My email mailbox is chocker so your emails (if any) would probably have been bounced back to you. The mailbox is almost clear so normal service should resume. As for the questions on the forum and…
May 2008
16 posts
Eating at exams →
I was interested in finding out what the class thinks about eating at exams. If you care about this issue then please cast your vote at the new poll:…
Exam information up now →
That was the last lecture folks! :D Thanks so much for coming along all semester (those that did anyway) - it’s been a blast. I sincerely hope that you got something useful out of the course and…