Creating an Avatar Extra Credit

Alright first I have a gripe! The Simpson's avatar site was not operable! I have always been Bart! That aside I found DoppelMe to very simple and straightforward. Very similar to the process that is used on the WI system to create your, you guessed it AVATAR! I wish I had signed in prior to building my avatar because I could have made him more detailed to begin with but he is actually a pretty good representation of my current self as I type in front of this computer. I did find it comical that the poor guy was covered with a tiny little leaf until you gave him cloths. Thinking maybe that should be the first feature added and then move on to the face and hair color. I was tempted to leave him naked as my wife always jokes that she didn't know she married a nudest! Oh, oops. Probably didn't need to give you that little bit of TMI. Anyway. The grand unveiling of the Jason avatar is below!

Week 10: Clearly better

During the time I was listening to the lectures explaining networks and the benefits that they provide I was trying to make sure that I understood the information. Anything at all that didn't make sense was going on this blog this week and muddy and not understanding. However the overwhelming theme of this lecture was so clear I actually noticed that he was having a hard time discussing the negatives without turning them into positives. Now granted the information was coming from a dedicated IT specialist who does this for a living so I think maybe he should have removed himself from this material to avoid a perception of bias. I will say though that his points were clear and meaningful. Bottom line, networks improve productivity using synergy. Everything from the bottom line of a profit and loss statement to the overall attitude and happiness of the staff can be linked back to a solid well maintained network. The security of your company may even be at stake. We all know that moral, profit, and customer perception can all be trashed at the thought of a security breach of any kind. I needed some more info to back up the info given considering the source was compromised. I got some information from a network management company called GudAnof. (Chose them because of the name).

http://www.gudanuf.com/(S(nsqfu345inf20045sxqfvdfq))/Network.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

They provided 4 distinct points related to this topic. Number 1 was reduced costs. As a person in business you have my attention. #2 is data integrity and a great example of life with floppy disks. 10 people running around with the same basic information on a disk but none of them the same. #3 is security. In today's Internet world, enough said. #4 is backup. Computers still crash, fires still happen, laptops get lost or stolen and valuable data or information can be lost if the proper backup procedures are not in place. According the lecture one of the primary benefits of a network is that if run properly the information is all backed up somewhere safe where only multiple disasters across state and international lines can wipe out all of your information.

Look around tomorrow when you go out. Think to yourself all of the things that computer networks have allowed us to accomplish. Then say thank you to the next nerdy looking dude who walks by you with a pocket protector and black glasses. Yes I know you are saying that he may not have had anything to do with the network revolution (picture people outside burning 5.5 inch floppy disks instead of bras), but you might make his day anyway.

Excel Project

As I discussed in last weeks post concerning Excel learning I am always amazed that I am able to still learn something new and useful every time I am part of a curriculum that includes this program. This particular assignment was no different. I think that Professor Olson did a particularly good job in analyzing all the functions of this program that he could teach us and instead of beating us over the head with tons of addition and subtractions functions he gave us a small amount of information that we can turn into a huge amount of success.

Creating relative formulas vs. absolute formulas is one particular time saver that I always new was there but just wasn't quite sure how to make it work. For several years now it has just been simpler to create multiple formulas for different cell addresses. This can be time consuming and sometimes inaccurate. In the case of the use of the $ to designate and absolute formula, it really speeds up the process of large chart creation.

The other most important new tool introduced was the use of the pivot table. At first glance and even first attempt the pivot tool is quite daunting, however once one begins to play with the pivot table it begins to make so much better sense. The values have a tendency to fit in the logical places and the consolidation of information is something that I will be demonstrating for my boss. In the past the sorting of information could give good results however it didn't consolidate well. It is interesting to note that all of the functions that pivot table does could actually be equations that we might one day have had to learn. That brain space will be filled with something much more valuable now I am sure. Check out the example of the pivot table I was able to create.



While Excel is not really going to elevate my blogging ability. I find that it will free up some more time to practice my blogging skills.

Week 9: Clear as a new pair of glasses

It is sometimes difficult to take the time to sit down and study and listen to something somebody is trying to teach you that you have already learned. I go through this on a regular basis. I know my employees know what is expected of them and the correct ways to accomplish it but often I feel the need to explain again or even try to simplify the instructions for their own benefit. Often I get that look that tells me their brain left our conversation the minute I opened my mouth. When it comes to Microsoft Excel that is not how it should be.

I am very computer literate and find that I am able to really blow people away with the simplest computer functions. I have taken 2 maybe even 3 previous computer classes that used Excel as one of the areas of learning. I have read books about it and I have seen some great spreadsheets. Each time I can tell you that I have learned something new about this program and it didn't change this week. I make and maintain and modify lots of spreadsheets every day that are not only for my use and my business use but that are used by all of my peers as well as my supervisor and yet I still manage to learn something new every time i see somebody else handle the controls of the program. Moral of the story, yes I understood everything, yes I "know" Excel, but I truly believe that not even the designers of this program understand the full use.