GITI Arcade

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Since June 2003, when GITI was created, it has been an interface of seriousness and record keeping… last week I decided to deviate from that just a touch. I have added a few games to the interface using some games from Google Gadgets. I’m hoping to write some games of my own to put in GITI soon, but for now these interactive versions of PacMan, Tetris, Frogger, Invaders, Hangman and Mario are keeping me entertained.  Unfortunately, there is not yet a Google Gadget pong… or it would have been in there too.

P.S. No one make fun of my score… I was trying to get an interactive-looking screenshot and that isn’t easy with those things chasing you.

Alternative Advanced C++’s

Even though CPCC has canceled their Advanced C++ course, some other institutions are offering web-based Advanced C++ courses. Lenoir Community College and Pitt Community College are the two primary schools offering the course. Unfortunately, it is way too late in the registration period for me to feel motivated enough to work with the administrative hurdles involved with moving the course. First, I would need records from CPCC to be sent to the other schools, then I would have to observe the registration time-frames from the other schools, including payment schedule (which is a bitch, since CPCC won’t release funds on the canceled course until after the semester begins).

In addition to the registration concerns, I am not prepared to add a fifth institution into my game of transcript pong yet, there are already too many balls in play (although, Lenoir does offer free transcript service).

C# Programming

CSC153, C# Programming has now taken the place of Advanced C++ on my schedule for Fall. It is a new language for me, and it will give me something to work with in Visual Studio (I’ve always had it, just never really used it). I worry that the course will be just another over-simplified "welcome to blah programming language" course. I know that the first thing that will be required is a simple "hello world" program, but I think that’s standard even at graduate level programming courses. I am looking forward to this being a little more event driven than some of my other courses, and perhaps introduce me to something new… maybe even a GUI way of doing things. I have heard many things about C#, everything from it is crap and is slow to being raving about how extensible it is and comments like that. I will now have a chance to decide for myself and develop a true opinion of the language.

Below is the course information:

Schedule: Internet

C# Programming [CSC153]
Eric M. Notheisen
This course introduces computer programming using the C# programming language with object-oriented programming principles. Emphasis is placed on event-driven programming methods, including creating and manipulating objects, classes, and using object-oriented tools such as the class debugger. Upon completion, students should be able to design, code, test, debug, and implement objects using the appropriate environment at the beginning level. — 3 hours

Registered

Advanced C++ Dropped

Upon checking my course records this morning I found out that CSC234, Advanced C++ has been dropped from the schedule of classes at CPCC. After getting myself so excited about it, I am a little sad that it isn’t an option. I am now weighing my options… I could potentially take a C# course. No other interesting languages are offered, but the game development department is still offering their "Intro to Game Programming" course.. but that’s not really my thing.

"Studio" Art Course Concerns

The North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) uses a course called "ART 288" or "Studio" as a catch-all course for all studio areas, providing an upper-level studio, which is sometimes handled as an independent study. Most community  colleges implementing the course use it with special designations such as ART 288 C (ceramics), 288 P (painting), 288 PH (photography), 288 PR (printmaking), and a variety of others. Some colleges, such as CPCC even use a different course title for them, identifying them as "%StudioArea% Studio". This still leaves the records very vague when attempting to transfer the credits, since most schools only recognize the "ART 288" portion and then transfer the credit accordingly, usually as a general elective or as an art elective. Surprisingly, the course is still allowed in the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) as a premajor/elective course, the same class of course as most upper level studios. How can such a general course be accepted in the CAA at all? I would think that separate studio courses at that level would have been more appropriate, especially since there is a restriction on the number of times 288 can be taken. It can only be taken once without it being counted as a repeated course, making it impossible to complete a 288 in an additional studio area without being partially penalized for it and essentially receiving no credit for the course. 

UNC Decision-Making Study

UNC is looking for a few lab rats, anyone want to help?

A research study in the UNC psychology department is examining how
individuals respond to moral dilemmas. Your participation would be
greatly appreciated.
Most volunteers finish this study in less than 5 minutes. If you are
interested, please follow the link below to learn more and participate:
http://www.uncdecisionmaking.com
Questions or concerns? Email the PI at uncdecisionmaking@gmail.com.
This research study (IRB #08-0748) was approved by the UNC-CH Behavioral
IRB on 05/23/08 and this email message was approved on 05/23/08.
This email is sponsored by: UNC Department of Psychology

Institutional E-mail Stupidity

Almost all academic institutions now give students e-mail accounts. UNCC uses Exchange, CPCC used GMail, NCSU and UNC use some undisclosed email server and Gaston College uses Novell’s NW Mail. All of the institutions keep email accounts active for multiple semesters, or at least retain email in the boxes, even if the accounts aren’t active. Gaston College is the one exception. At the end of every semester the email accounts are disabled and all email is removed from them. I am irritated by this behavior. Gaston College seems to put a lower value on information retention than the other schools. I believe this is related to the fact that Gaston College has a lack of information technology resources. In the absence of these resources I have to wonder why they have not adopted Google Apps or a similar service that would meet all of the needs of the students as well as the faculty. At present, there is no method for changing the email password without going on campus and logging in to a Novell system. Its a bit of a pain for such a simple security procedure.

Records in Place

All of my records have found their way to their destinations, according to the Gaston College admissions office. A few hours after the confirmation came from the admissions office, the registrar had transferred my Personal Health/Wellness credit from CPCC. Now I am just waiting to make sure my transient study authorization for the Digital Photography course takes effect and the course gets transferred properly.