On this one we had to get familiarized with basic Linux commands for creating directories, files and moving them around.
CS Fall 2017 Week 6 – Canva (Graphic Creation)
For this one, we had to create a halloween poster on canva. This one was inspired by Nightmare before christmas! :D
CS Fall 2017 Week 3 – IF Function/Conditional Formatting (Excel)
Used SUMIF and COUNTIF to represent a few data that a compiled using the RAND function. Very nice challenge. It looked like this:
CS Fall 2017 Week 2 – Paper Formatting (Word)
For this one, we had to perform the most commons tasks used for thesis formatting on Word. The document was supposed to have a cover page, table of contents, proper multi-level headings and a couple of captioned images. Also, there was different numbering for the table of contents and the rest of the document. Here’s a few images of the final result. Continue reading “CS Fall 2017 Week 2 – Paper Formatting (Word)”
CS Fall Week 8 – Animating using CSS
For this challenge we were required to animate an object in CSS. To be honest it seemed very complicated at first, but then I was told that most people doesn’t write their own code for their objects or Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG). There are some free websites where your drawings are instantly converted into a CSS SVG with the appropriate coordinates. Implementing the animation can sometimes be a bit tricky because of the weird CSS syntax, however there’s much to do with when you get the hang of it. I tried doing something different and did a light pulsing, revolving square.
CS Fall Week 9 – VLookup (Excel)
For this challenge we were required to extract some information (Bulk and Retail price) from a data sheet, using the VLOOKUP for it. Besides the logical I opted to tweak it a little bit by using the IFERROR formula to output a standard message for when a value wasn’t found, which I defined as “value not found”. That’s pretty silly and it doesn’t make much difference, it’s just better than the usual #N/D for error checking purposes, especially when dealing with a lot of data – not the case for this challenge though.
Work Diaries Fall 2017 Week#1 – SMART Goals
Focus your energy by setting a goal for yourself this semester. This goal doesn’t need to be technical, but it does need to be SMART:
S – Specific
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What exactly do you want to achieve? Why do you want to achieve it? HOW will you achieve it?
M – Measurable
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How will you track your progress? How will you know when you have achieved your goal? What is the concrete evidence of success?
A – Attainable
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Is this goal something that you can realistically achieve in the defined time frame?
R – Relevant
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The goal must be important to you, right now. Decide on something that’s meaningful to you.
T – Timely
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Give yourself a deadline – for you, it’s the end of the semester! Select a goal that can realistically, measurably be achieved within the next 10 weeks.
SMART goals are much more specific than goals we’ve set in previous semesters (for example: “I want to lose weight” becomes “I want to lose 20 pounds in the next 6 months. I will do so by cutting out soda, limiting eating out to one every week, and walking for 45 minutes every day.”)
The deadline for points is Tuesday, September 26, at 10:00AM.
S
- I don’t want to forget what I’ve learned this year at MUN, including python and c++. This is why my goal will be about keeping up with a study schedule that uses my free hours (not all of them =P), which are usually spent on PS4, movies, and TV shows.
M
- I will track my goals using the course structured followed when I took the courses. I will most likely redo the assignments but with a more elegant and easier coding. The evidence of success will be tested by my capability of tutoring on those areas.
A
- It is attainable, given that I already did it once.
R
- It is definitely relevant. Since I have a terrible memory and study schedule, this will help me to better organize my time and, hopefully, improve my memory.
T
- A realistic and reasonable deadline would be the end of the semester, but I’ll be sure to include some checkpoints on the schedule so I don’t lose track of myself.
Above and Beyond Report
I had an amazing time at the commons. I was mostly amazed by how much I could learn in so little time and how prepared and experienced the staff is. Also, it sure feels good to work surrounded by people who are constantly trying to help one another, which turns out to be the one virtue necessary to perform a good job at the commons. Inspired by my co-workers I tried my best to reach out to those who need help and struggled with them to find the answers to their problems. If could change something about these last weeks, I would probably have tried harder to complete all of the challenges. At the same time I’m satisfied with what I’ve learned so far and I really hope to continue working at the commons. Cheers!
Work Diaries Week#4 – Assistive Technology
You might think assistive technology needs to be extremely expensive (hello, $1500 copy of Kurzweil!), but did you know that Google Chrome has a ton of free browser extensions that might make using your computer a bit easier?
Try one of the following extensions, or feel free to find your own:
- Select and Speak
- Read and Write (browser version of Read and Write Gold, which we have installed on all our AT stations)
- Co:Writer
- Zoomy
- Change Colours
- Visor
- Voice Search
- Google Docs Dictation – accessible via Google Docs, no need to download and extension – info here)
- MindMeister
- Tiny Read
- Snapverter
Which extension did you use, and what does it do? What were its pros and cons? Could you see yourself using it in the future?
I decided to give it a try with Visor. It is a very intuitive and self-explanatory reading aid tool that allows the user to personalize the RGB color saturation on chrome. It can get buggy sometimes and from time to time I had to restart the browser. I will definitely stick with the tool because sometimes I have to use my laptop under dim light or in total darkness. I tested it out reading a few texts with under a cooler color balance (towards blue) and it worked out great as my eyes didn’t feel as fatigued. What I really liked about the app is how much the width controller really helps with focus and keeps your eyes from wandering away from the text.
Work Diaries Week#10 – Warm Fuzzies
Think about ONE co-worker who really excels at this job, goes above and beyond our expectations, or brings a unique skill set or worldview to this position. Shine a light on those little things that might not always be noticed, but that definitely make The Commons a better place. Spread the love!
Rick Kelly, Peter Le, Rachel Howell, Myles Dooley and Anushervon Rakhmatov. My warm fuzzies goes to all of them! They’re all great, helpful and kind people with whom I had the pleasure on spending most of my shifts with.