Fourth Week

Well, html code was fun to learn. I found that I can make plain text documents in my TextEdit program, and also in OpenOffice and NeoOffice, and I can also export plain text copies of things I make in the program Pages.

This week I learned how to type out some simple html tags and create a simple web page about a fictional cat named Pochi. I think this was the most exciting part of the class. We didn't get a chance to use Google sites yet, but I'm looking forward to that too. I feel that I could take this knowledge and use it in many other places from now on.

Third week of CST 101

This week we learned how to use Google Docs. I had heard of it before, but I had never learned its features, etc. Now that I understand it, I have used it twice so far for other classes besides CST 101. It is incredibly helpful to be able to share a file as a webpage link, so that another person can collaborate and edit it live, and they don't have to wait on their computer to download.

We also did an exercise this week where we made cover letters to go with the resumes we did last week. I had never made a cover letter before, so it was a good experience that I can take with me into the rest of my life.

The directory hierarchy of my MacBook seems pretty basic. I was having trouble trying to identify the root system name, so I started with /Users. I even used the help menu in finder to figure out the location of Users, but to no avail.

I found a free online file storage service that I tried out (other than Google Docs). It's called MediaFire, and the free basic service gives you unlimited downloads, unlimited uploads, and unlimited storage. The max individual file size you can upload is 200MB, but you can upload multiple files at a time. The only thing is that you have to be subjected to ads on your page, and your files aren't encrypted unless you upgrade to the Pro service; so, you have to be careful not to upload private/sensitive information just in case there are prying eyes between you and the server. I tried it out, and your page after you log in looks similar to a typical email inbox. You can create different folders, and you can also share your files with other MediaFire users. I liked this service above others, because it's not just a free trial, and you have unlimited uploads, and it's very user friendly/self-explanatory/visually simple. I would recommend this site to anyone so far.

Reflection on Second week of CST101

Last week was fairly easy. I did learn how to form a MyCSUMB group, though. It was pretty simple, but interesting, and it may come in handy this semester for coordinating things for the group presentation project and other group assignments. I can't say I learned a whole lot regarding word processing and resume creating. I've used Monster.com before, and I've written plenty of resumes before. Granted, we can always use practice writing resumes. I admit that the one I wrote for this class wasn't the best I've ever written, even though it was probably the most impressive-sounding. I had chosen for my "coolest job" a lecturing position at a university teaching anatomy and physiology. I know that I would enjoy that job because it is sort of in a similar field that I'm pursuing: Sexuality studies. I've been using Microsoft word since I was in 6th grade, which is when I learned to type using the home-row and all the correct fingers on all the right keys. I took a class in 9th grade that taught me more in-depth how to use Word and Excel. I use Word more than Excel, so pretty much all of my spreadsheet experience is lost and forgotten. I knew about the resume templates in Word, though. Older versions of Word used to have a Resume wizard feature, that would generate your resume for you if you put in most of the information. That was nice, but I like the versatility of the new system, and there are a lot more resume templates to choose from. I think if I were to be making a real resume, I would expand it a little more. Even though it looks really good and tailored to the job, it kinda makes me look like a bland, one-dimensional person. But at least I recognize that. I was sort of sad that I didn't get any good comments from my peers on how to improve my resume, but I guess that's to be expected from a class that doesn't have a whole lot of resume experience.

First week of CST 101

The first week of classes have come and gone. I am pleasantly satisfied that I have already begun to learn things in all my classes. I wasn't thinking I would learn anything new in CST 101 already, but I have. I had never heard of Wordle before, so it was interesting to find out about that site. Although it's just for fun, mostly, I could see how one could integrate a word cloud into a project of some sort.

We also took our first quiz in CST 101. It was on chapter 1, which was mainly about the basics of the components of a computer. I had read the chapter a couple semesters ago, so I just skimmed the chapter this time around, and I flipped though the flash cards online before I took the online quiz. The quiz took me less than 5 minutes, and I got all the answers correct. Having a quiz that easy is nice because it's both refreshing and it provides a nice review of things I have learned before. The most interesting part of the chapter, in my opinion, is the part about the factor of improvement. In only a few years, the factor of improvement can be vast.