DITTO: 2009

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Definition: Method and Methodology

As to what I have understand about method and methodology, the difference between the two is that a method is a process on how something is to be done while methodology is the justification of the of processes that govern a certain principle.

Importance of Research

Research is a part of the curriculum of every course. From elementary to high school, we had encountered research as a part of our Filipino and English subjects. Not to mention the requirement in college that is one of the reasons why some of the graduating students can’t march the aisle and wear their togas because they did not finished their research on time. That scenario is not new to the Institute of Computing (laugh). Aside from that, we are doing research in times such as in wanting to learn more on the topic you are about to report. Wanting to know more about a place, a person or a thing is also a research. Though we didn’t know, we are doing research in our everyday lives. As long as we are alive, we continue in discovering, learning and researching.

It is said that research has something to do in deciding our future careers. I keep on asking myself what is its role in deciding my future career. I can’t imagine how learning and discovering things has to do with the future. But when I think it over and over (well, I’m doing research here, eh), I discovered how stupid I was to ask such question (I admit I’m kind of dumb sometimes and kind of weird). I came up with the answer when one day I found myself reflecting and thinking what to do with my future. My parents always tell us that they will keep on working hard and even harder just for us to finish college so that we can have better jobs and will live a comfortable life. Well, I guess finishing college may lead to a better job but as I had observed there are a lot of college graduates who are not lucky enough to get a better job. I begin to worry and wanted to know what the reasons behind a can-be-said as unfortunate future. Without any idea of what I am doing, I had discovered that I am already doing research. Because of the situation I had cited above, I began to hunger for knowledge about the course I am in and what are the potential jobs that await me in the near future. I also began to have an evaluation of myself on what I have learned and what job I would like to have and can have. I got a lot of choices as to stick with jobs that are in lined with Information technology or to try to divert to other areas of discipline where I can also apply what I have learned in school. Since I am only doing this research on my own and I am only gathering information on the internet or in what I have observed on the things that surrounds me, I begun to validate the information. Since there are not experts that can validate what I have gathered, begun to take those things halfheartedly and find myself being tired. I just thought that time that I might be thinking too much. But my curiosity continued when I enrolled for the summer class’ apprenticeship program. I gathered another information as my days in the on the job training progresses. I learned that there are a lot of things that cannot be learned at the four corners of the classroom school and that when you want to suffice what your mind wants and needs, you must extend to others and go out from the four corners of the classroom. With that, you can learn much more.

From that experience I have in meeting the needs and wants of my curiosity about what my future career would look like, it is a real proof that research has to do with our future career. From what I have experienced, I think, the role of research in our lives is to make us be acquainted with the real world. Why did I say that? It is because; students are full of life, full of hopes and wishes and because of these big dreams, sometimes they are unaware that they are living in fantasy. Research is somewhat an eye-opener for everybody. Another thing that research can do is that it enables one to be prepared, enhance our self-esteem and make us more knowledgeable. Not just that, research also serves as a guide in deciding what path we are to choose. Hmmm… I think, I have written it all. I have answered my question too, so I guess we should start to have research right now. Start researching to know what our career and life would be like in the near future.

Well, I guess all of us want to have a better future. Nobody wants be a “nobody” when that time comes. All of us are striving hard to be someone that people may look up to in our life to come. As to me, I am very worried after graduation because I think that I am not yet ready when that time comes. But I really want to graduate this coming March because I want to help my family. That line must be very used but that is one of the reasons why I keep on going to school even I find the programming and math subjects very difficult and confusing (laugh). But even I lack such skill I am still confident to have a good career. It’s not about how you strive just today but it’s also how you decide and work hard for your future.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Research

Research - well, I think it the most challenging part in the curriculum a student may face. Working on a research makes students lessen the time spent for gimmicks, to play online games like DOTA specifically to the guys and other student activities. It is sad to know but it is the fact. It will be the time to reflect, to be observant, to be attentive, to be positive, to be courageous, be serious and time to travel – but that is if you have to. It may transform one into something such as a geek. But that is just too exaggerated to think.

There are a lot of daily routines to be changed in order to complete your research, especially the ones like me who doesn’t know how to manage their time (laugh). Aside from being tied up to the changes made in ones daily routines, the first thing that makes research so hard is to have a topic. Yes, a topic; which is up until now, I still don’t have one. I hope I can find a good one. But before that, let us go back to where we have left in. Yes, choosing a topic for research is quite frustrating and sometimes, when you had your topic, it is disappointing to know that you cannot have a grasp of what it is all about and go back to where everything started – from scratch. Well, if you luckily have a topic, then, it’s time to start the research!

“Writing research just for the sake of passing is just a waste of time and a waste of effort.” This is what I have learned from our instructor every time he meets us for the Research course. Actually, I have learned a lot from him (credits for sir!!!) . So, from the phrase above, one can think of how to know that a research is good or not? I know that not all is that serious in doing the research, but there are times that a student prefers to know which is good and bad for the research because, practically, research counts a significant portion on the student’s grades, so it means that a good research means a higher grade. Who among the research students do not want a good grade in research? But others really want to discover something new, something good and something that will be useful for the generations to come.

Before we discuss and differentiate a good research from a bad one, let us first investigate what are the advantages or the goals of research in the lives of the graduating students. According to the article that I have read, research is assigned so that students can (1) become familiar with scholarly research, which is a central skill for college success, especially career success as well. (2) Students can gain expert knowledge on a particular subject which is related to the course and (3) for the students to learn how to synthesize and report on a secondary research in such a way that it can be available for the others. Knowing these three goals, the student may wonder how to create a good research.

Creating a good research involves not only skills and attitude but it also involves tools and guidelines. Now I understand why our instructor required us to read those one hundred articles about green computing and encouraged us to read more not only articles of those kinds but also on how to make a research paper. Ah, How I wish I could turn back time and try to finish reading those one hundred articles. If I only knew that I can use it for the times like this, then I should have read it. But I know it is my fault. Why I’m in a great regret right now? It is because one of the guidelines in making a good research is extensive reading. Due to extensive reading, one may fully understand what the subject is all about and with this; one can formulate a topic to be researched. From another article that I have read, states that the first step in creating a good research requires that a student understands the assignment requirements and the topic for the research paper. With this reading is highly recommended.

After the student understands the topic of the research, the student can begin his research. Bear in mind that the topic for the research makes sense and not just for the sake of passing. But I know that a topic cannot be approved if it doesn’t make any sense at all. It would be a useless research after all. Once the topic is set up, it is time to gather information. For some of us, students, the simplest tool to have research is the internet. Yes, we can gain much knowledge on the internet due to its wide range and that we can gain information from people around the world. The question is, does the information we get from the internet all valid and correct? We are not sure, right? Then it just proves that the internet is not an effective place to gather information. Not all information found in the internet is appropriate for a college-level research. Majority of the scholarly materials are found in libraries. Make use of the libraries and leaf the pages of the variety of academic materials. If books and the internet are not enough for the research, try to reach out to others. Try setting up an interview with someone who is familiar with the subject. In this case you can gain information out of real persons you meet face to face. In addition, a good research paper writer requires that the writer keep detailed research notes that remind the student of the details he or she had discovered through his or her research. So, it is just right to have a personal memo or notebook for us, students to jot down what we had read, learned and researched on that notebook for us not to miss necessary points in our research.

In order not to be troubled on how to arrange the information you had gathered, an outline for the research is a good tool to use. Student should deal time for making outlines before beginning the actual drafting of the paper. Using outline can group relevant information or ideas into one and can make the flow of the paper smooth. After the student completed his or her research outline, he or she can now begin the writing process. But that doesn’t ends there. One of the most lessons in writing a research paper is how to determine which quotes, paraphrases, and pieces of information to include and which is to set aside. Setting quotes in research papers can make your research credible due to lots of sources you had. These are the general guidelines in setting quotes. First, only quote when the way the writer put the words cannot be changed without changing the meaning of the passage. Second, quote when what the writer said is exceptionally important or insightful. Paraphrasing must always be cited properly and information that does little to contribute to the topic must be omitted. A good research must be double checked and is subjected to proofreading. It is just normal to write a draft and write it once more until there are no flaws to be found. There should be more time in drafting. With this, the student may be able to improve what he or she have written when they are being reviewed and checked by the adviser or by professional writers.

After beating the demons of sleepless nights due to typing drafts, the glory of finishing the research comes your way. Seems so easy but is not that simple.

Now, let’s sum up how to determine that a research paper is good. As long as the student followed what was stated above, it is quite sure that he or she can produce a good research paper. To differentiate a good research paper from a bad one, a good research paper is well-researched, well-written and well-developed. It is also focused, direct and it makes the reader care about the subject. A good research paper also follows style guidelines, is properly documented and stylistically polished. On the other hand, an ordinary research paper is poorly researched and developed, it is loaded with formatting and grammatical errors, unclear and wandering, does not engage to the readers, poorly cited and stylistically weak and may result to a lesser grade.

The difference between a good and an ordinary research paper can be linked to how the student handles himself or herself about analyzing, revising and engaging. Most students can make a good research paper if and only if they take everything by heart. He or she must be completely armed with the skill, the tools, information, courage and determination to finish the research he or she began.

In addition in terms of how a good research is evaluated, well, I think, the grade that the student gets after submission of the research paper says it all.

References:
How to Evaluate Your Research
By kris777
eHow Community Member
http://www.ehow.com/how_2109938_evaluate-your-research.html

How to Write a Good Research Paper
http://www.essaytown.com/writing/how-to-write-a-good-research-paper

Good Research Paper
http://www.essaytown.com/writing/good-research-paper

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Computer Science Research

As I browsed pages on the Internet about the state of computer science research, I had landed on certain articles in various sites that tackle such topic.

By the way, one of the articles that I have read was all about the statement of Wm. A. Wulf, Ph.D, the president of the National Academy of Engineering and was on leave as an AT&T professor of Engineering and Applied Science of the University of Virginia that time. He presented it before the U.S. House of Representatives on the 12^th day of May, 2005. He testified before the honorable about the state of Computer Science research in US.

As to what I have understood about his statement, Wulf, first presented the Science in Endless Frontier, the report that launched their system of federal funding of basic researches. Vannever Bush promoted a system in which the government will support the research such as giving funds in order for the research to be possible. But it is sad to know that the research to be funded by the government is selected depending on how the researcher presented the good points of his research.

Upon the aforementioned system, I can say that the Computer Science researches in the United States are lucky enough even though researches to be funded by the government are selected only through how much the people can benefit by the research being proposed. Speaking of benefits, Wulf presented the kinds of benefits the research being selected should give. The dividends of the research are for the nation – for national security, prosperity and health. For the national security, he summed up the researches that have made possible. These are the smart bombs, GPS, unprecedented “information awareness” for war-fighter, unmanned robotic vehicles for surveillance, enormously enhanced training through the use of virtual reality. Among the benefits gained by the nation are the three percent of national productivity fueled by information technology, dozens of multi-million dollar of industries per year, internet-enabled business model, a forty-fold reduction on the cost of telephony, a global wireless phone system and many more. Among the researches that helped the field of health is the medical imagery such as CAT scans, cochlear implants, bio sensors, smart prosthetics, and smart defibrillating pacemaker.

Some may say that the researches of the technologies aforementioned are just a huge expense by the government, huge expense in a sense that the government prepares a huge amount of money in order to make the research possible. But as to what these technologies had imparted to the nation, these technologies returned huge investments to the nation. It may even return the investment twice or thrice depending on how beneficial these researches will make. Though some of the investment made by thee government take time to be returned, these will not be wasted because it will have equally large return fort he future generations.

Secondly, Wulf also said that Computing and computer science is in the unusual position for being both a challenging intellectual discipline and at the same time it provides infrastructure in the other fields of science, engineering and commerce. Well, I guess, it is quite visible to what we, The CS research students are experiencing right now. To think it clearly, the topics being presented on the open forum last September 2 proved Wulf’s statement about Computing and Computer Science. As we can see, the proposed topics belong to computing. Engineering is also visible because the student/ researcher should plan for a framework of the project, must calculate necessary data if there are and things like that. Commerce; because all the topics presented can be manufactured for the use of the respective kinds of people the project is intended for. Research such as this made the quality of life to be better. With this, Wulf had justified that funding a research is not an expense but an investment. You can see the benefits after the research has been done and what you invest returns back to you.

“There is a marvelously rich and productive interplay between basic scientific discovery and applications, between universities and industries, between societal need and technology.” This is what Wulf believe rather than that of “basic research begets applied research begets development begets benefits to society”. I wish I had seen the figures he presented that time so that I can totally relate to what he is saying. Well, he pointed out a figure showing the relationship between industry and universities in the development of information technology which produces more that a billion dollars of revenue per year. With this, he pointed out that progress does not always start with basic research. It often involves iteratively exchanging roles between industry and university. However, if federally-funded, university basic research didn’t jive together, the technologies we are enjoying right now would not exist.

With Wulf’s statements above, I though that he is not pro to research, but as his following statement, he said that though basic research may not be the original source for the benefits that we are enjoying from technology, but it is the vital and irreplaceable component of the rich system that produces them.

Speaking about the state of Computer Science research, he pointed out that when resources are tight, researchers propose more incremental, less risky projects and that they get less on what they spend. In terms of funds, he cited that at NSF the budget for CISE (Computer and Information Science and Engineering) has grown nicely when it was in the late 80’s. A number of studies have shown but it takes years for these researches to make their way from laboratory to product. In fact, only a few of these ideas become commercial and there is no good way to predict which of these ideas will be the most important. Wulf also vent an old annoyance about agencies who gained a lot of benefits from information technology but does not even contribute to the development of the technologies to fulfill ther missions and yet Computer science research haven’t got any contribution from these agencies – NASA, DoE, NIH, etc.

What is the variety of topics in Computer Science research?

According to the Department of Computer Science, Yale University, these are the technical topics involving CS research. These are Artificial Intelligence, Vision & Robotics, Computer Systems and Networking, Distributed Computing, Machine Learning, Programming Languages, Scientific Computing & Applied Math, and Security & Cryptography.

References:

http://www7.nationalacademies.org/ocga/testimony/Computer_Science_Research_in_the_United_States http://www.cs.yale.edu

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

COMDDAP Reflections...

COMDDAP – Computer Manufacturer Distributors and Dealers Association of the Philippines launched the 3-day COMDDAP Davao Expo 2009 seminar and exhibit last July 2-4, 2009 at the Grand Ballroom of the Apo View Hotel here in Davao City. The seminar has said to have two so-called categories wherein there is a free seminar open for everybody such as students, teachers, IT personnel and other IT interested individuals. There is also a closed seminar for those who had registered with a registration fee of about Php400, I think.

Many schools had participated in the said event. Aside from The University of Southeastern Philippines, I saw some students of Ateneo de Davao University, STI and University of Mindanao and other schools that offer Information technology courses. I have also acquainted a student from the ACES College of Technology of Tagum City. I didn’t recognize other students because they are not wearing either their school uniforms or identification cards.
Upon entering the Grand Ballroom, exhibits from different vendors such as Canon, Hewllet Packard, Smart Bro, Sandbox, Dell and other I.T. companies showcase their latest products and technology innovations. Cool gadgets, software, and other I.T. products that are displayed by the respective booths of different vendors can be seen and tested. The hall was filled with different kinds of people, students and I.T professionals are all alike, all hungry for learning and of the latest innovation of the different technologies of the I.T. vendors.

Few days before the event, we were told to attend such exposition for us to gather knowledge and information that can or may be used for future purposes. It is not compulsory but is required. (Laugh. That was just an expression. The two terms are synonymous.) Well, let’s go on to where we had left. Actually, I didn’t get myself registered for the said event. It was my friend who let me registered (But I asked her to and she’s just too kind to do such request. Thanks buddy!). So, I was registered to attend the 1:00 to 2:00 o’clock seminar that Thursday afternoon. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to attend it because I was fond of strolling around the hall, hopping from one booth to another and searching for the said room where the seminar took place. It was too late already that I found the Vanda room, where the seminar took place and it was already 2:30 in the afternoon (I was such a loser that time. I should have asked!). I felt so down and left the hotel and went home – boarding house. The next day, I found out that there are some students who failed to register and can still enter the room – venue for the seminar, so I tried to attend the seminar illegally (I think that was the best description for such act.) Luckily, I’ve made it to attend the seminar, unregistered. My conscience is urging me not to but my mind tells me to go. I am thankful that I made it that way because I have learned new things on the seminar (but still my conscience is hunting me).

The first speaker was from the Jupiter System Inc discussing about the ERIC DMS or Enterprise Resource Information and Control Dealer Management System. All I know based in the discussion is that ERIC Dealer Management System is an en-to-end software solution for automotive sales, and service businesses. The discussion covers the services that are catered by automobile companies, how such software can help in relation to this field and others. After the discussion was an open forum. Questions are being answered and limited CD’s of the presentation are distributed for free. Too bad I didn’t have one.

The second presentation was about the HP’s latest innovation the HP Thin Client by speaker from NEXUS Technologies Inc. The presentation really caught my attention. The presentation flowed smoothly as well as the visual presentation that can really catch your attention. HP Thin Client is a computing device that acts as an access device on a network. Though it seems like three-fourths of an actual desktop computer, it answers the problems regarding data loss, suspicious attacks, data access and many others. What astound me are the features the thin client has. It is so portable since it just weights about 3 kg and can be attached anywhere – either below the office table, at the back of the LCD monitor or just beside your monitor. It saves space due to its size. It can endure hot and dusty places such as factories, or gasoline stations because it has no fan that can sip in dust and has the ability to cool down at once. The product has eight USB ports, wherein four of it can be seen and the other four are hidden and locked for security purposes. Thin client has many variations that satisfy user needs. As the presentation went on, the speaker pointed out some institutions that had made use of the thin client. Some of them are a university in Thailand, where they use thin clients in their library, in a five star hotel and in a ticketing booth in an airport. Another one is in a gasoline station somewhere in Asia. I was fascinated by the product, not just by its looks but also its features. I was informed that it is good for networking. But I was thinking if this thin client is a good counterpart for personal computers or stand-alone desktop computers because as far as I know, the interface being used by the thin client is only virtual meaning it does not reside to the particular unit. So, I have a little doubt about using thin client as a personal computer.
After the presentation, a question and answer portion was held and those who had answered the question correctly got prizes such as 1Gb flask drive, Polo shirts and other stuff.

The next presentation came from the Edupro Inc. The presentation was all about Microsoft Windows Server 2003. The software pros and cons are discussed in detailed. The presentation is too technical that I can hardly understand what the speaker is saying. Video tutorials are also present in the discussion. After such, the crowd got energized by the question and answer portion as well as the draw lots performed by the group because of the prizes - naturally.
That was the fruit of attending that seminar, illegally. I really got something from the presentations and was captivated by the exhibits that I wished I had one. I really enjoyed it and I am looking forward for more seminars and exhibits to come. I am also looking forward to get some freebies too! (LOL)

Monday, July 6, 2009

USEP Enrollment System

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Assuming you were tapped by the university president to evaluate the new enrollment system implemented this semester, enumerate your observations/comments and suggest possible areas and ways where improvements can be made. Your observations/suggestions should be properly validated with facts and literatures...(you may start with the diagrams posted in the strategic locations of the university)...

Just recently, I observed that the enrollment system of the University had changed. For an old student like me, I have seen an improvement to the system, though for us, the process did not changed that much.

The diagram that was posted near the rest rooms is noticeable enough to anyone who will enter the Engineering building. I thought it was just for the new and transferees that I did not even take a look at it. The same huge poster was posted in the College of Arts and Sciences building near the Registrar’s office. I did not have the chance to read it before but because of the System Analysis and Design 2, I discovered that what was illustrated in those big tarpaulin posters are the new enrollment system of the university.

To describe the new system, I jot down what was written on the diagram to be able to show what are the processes involved in the new system. In this way, I can compare the new and the old system with these. Later on, I will also show the USEP Enrollment System diagram that I’ve made in our System Analysis and Design 1. That was based on the old Enrollment procedure posted on the walls of the different colleges of the university.

Enrollment system

NEW AND TRANSFEREES

1. UGTO

· Encoding of student information

· ID number assignment

2. OSS (scholars only)

· Scholarship application

· Releasing of scholarship cards

3. ROTC/CWTS

· Registration and sectioning of CWTS/ROTC students

· Releasing of CWTS/ROTC slip

4. College

· Present enrollment requirements

· Advising/pre-registration

· Payment of other fees (Local council, OCSC, Headlight and Insurance)

· Encoding of subjects

· Temporary COR printing

5. Student accounts(Scholars only)

· Submit temporary COR

· Posting of accounts

Cashier (Paying students)

· Submit temporary COR

· Payment of matriculation

· Official receipt printing

6. Registrar

· Submit enrollment requirements

1) Form 138 (high school card)

2) Photocopy of NSO Birth certificate

3) USEPAT entrance exam result

4) Admission slip

5) Medical certificate

6) Certificate of Good Moral (original)

7) 2 pcs. 2x2 recent ID picture

8) Prospectus of the enrolled course

9) 1 pc. Long brown envelop

10) Official receipt of tuition and other fees

· Printing of official COR

OFFICIALLY ENROLLED

OLD STUDENTS

1. Student Accounts

· Check student accounts

· Check balance

· Clearance signing

2. College

· Advising/pre-registration

· Payment of other fees (Local council, OCSC, Headlight and Insurance)

· Encoding of subjects

· Assessment of fees

· Temporary COR printing

3. Student Accounts (Scholars)

· Submit temporary COR

· Posting of accounts

Cashier (Paying Students)

· Submit temporary COR

· Payment of matriculation

· Official receipt printing

4. Registration

· Present clearance

· Present official receipt (tuition and other fees)

· Printing of official COR

OFFICIALLY ENROLLED

SHIFTEES

1. Student Accounts

· Check student accounts

· Check balance

· Clearance signing

2. Former College

· Request to shift

· Recommendation to shift

3. New College

· Acceptance of shiftee

· Advising pre-registration

4. UGTO/OSS

· Student profile uploading

5. New College

· Payment of other fees (Local council, OCSC, headlight and Insurance)

· Encoding of subjects

· Assessment of fees

· Temporary COR printing

6. Student Accounts (Scholars only)

· Submit temporary COR

· Posting of accounts

Cashier (paying students)

· Submit temporary COR

· Payment of matriculation

· Official receipt printing

7. Registrar

· Present clearance

· Present OR (Tuition and other fees)

· Printing of official COR

OFFICIALLY ENROLLED

Now, let’s take a look at the university’s old enrollment system.

Last school year, this is the process of the enrollment system that I followed:

1. The student pays for his/her miscellaneous fees at the Local Council, OCSC, and headlight treasurers respectively.

2. If the student is a scholar, he is required to go to the OSS to renew his scholarship to be able to validate his scholarship card.

3. The student then proceeds to his respective college adviser for grade evaluation and checking. The adviser secures Pre- registration form for the student to jot down the subjects the adviser advised him to enroll.

4. After filling out the Pre-registration form, the student returns to the adviser for encoding of his new subjects and for signature.

5. After that, the student proceeds to the college encoder for encoding of subjects and printing of COR.

6. The student who is not a scholar, then proceeds to the cashier to pay his tuition and for posting of his accounts. Scholars proceeds to the bookkeeper to submit COR and for posting of accounts.

7. After payment, the student proceeds to the registrar’s office to submit requirements for enrollment.

8. Enrollment completed!!!

Based on the enrollment systems I had showed above, I found these differentiations between the two systems.

Since last school year’s enrollment process that was posted does apply to all but does not really specify the requirements of the new, old and transfer (shiftees) students, I will just compare the differences base on the experience I have when I first came here (first year enrollment).

Before I became an official student of the university, I have gone various transactions just to be admitted in the university. After the entrance test, interview, English plus test, and medical check-up, I was ready for the enrollment. I can hardly remember the details on what I have gone then but I will just relate what I have remembered right now. All I can say is that it seems like I have gone in a war (Laugh). I also thought then that it is difficult being in the university, there are a lot to surpass but when you had surpassed those obstacles, there is this enrollment that you should also participate to be an official student. Well, seems like I have a lot in my mind right now, let’s proceed in differentiating the two systems.

First I have a round trip of the university just to know where the headlight and OCSC offices were. After that, I went to the last line to be accommodated. The line almost reached the university field that was too long to wait just to pay the Headlight fee. After that, I proceed to the OCSC office to pay for my payments. Just like what I had experienced on paying the Headlight, I also have to fall in line just to be accommodated. Just the same as the line in the headlight, it was too long, so, I had waited a long time just to pay my fees. After the long tiring hours falling in line and paying my miscellaneous fees, I went to the Adviser. I was not yet saved in falling in long lines just to be accommodated. I felt relief to be inside the adviser’s office to submit the preliminary requirements. The adviser checked them. After checking the required papers, I was then given a paper and instructed to fill it out with the subjects listed in the prospectus. I later knew that the paper that was given to me was called PRF or pre registration form. I filled it out and submitted it to the adviser. After checking and signing my PRF, I was then instructed to go to the encoder for encoding of my subjects. It was such a busy day that you must fall in line again and get your priority number just to be entertained. There are also times that you can have identical priority number with other enrollee that is so difficult to tell who among you will be entertained first. It was just in the encoder and it feels like forever waiting there. When you’re accommodated, you will wait for the creation of your account and still wait about 15 minutes in order to print and get your COR or Certificate of Registration. Having your COR does not end the enrollment transaction yet. I went to the cashier for the payment of my tuition fee. Again, I have to fall in line, again, just to be accommodated. After a long time of waiting, it’s time to go to the registrar and again, you must fall a long line just to be accommodated. But before you can fall in line, you must ask to where you must submit your papers because enrollees are not properly informed to where they should submit their requirement whether in window 1 or in door 1. Well, that was the last transaction and you will be officially enrolled. But, the transaction may take two or three days, because you will spend your day in falling in line just to be accommodated.

It was when I was in my freshman years. I am lucky to be in my second year up to now since every semester, enrollees that I consider as rivals in the line are being decreased by 20%. Well, these students are those who had opened their eyes and shifted to the other colleges or schools, especially, Institute of Computing students. Well, it’s been known that every semester, there are students who are evicted in the college. (Laugh)

What about today’s enrollment system. Well, I kind of like the system right now. Thanks to the in-house programmers. I’m very proud to be under their subjects even just for a month - remember, they were pulled out of those subjects and was given to other instructors because of this.

I can’t really feel the difficultness of the enrollment right now. It is because we are not that many compared to the freshmen and sophomores. Even so, I still feel that the modification of the enrollment system made it easy for the students in the enrollment.

We will not go to the Headlight and OCSC offices just to pay our miscellaneous fees to the respective treasurers. We will not fall in line and wait for hours just to pay these fees. The transaction is made simpler by making these fees being paid in the respective college Local Council treasurers. Evaluation and advising is not the hassle anymore since students are accommodated by the respective advisers and will not wait hours just to face the advisers. Encoding of subjects is made easier because of the new system made by two of the institute of Computing instructors. Students will not wait for how many minutes just to have the COR printed. New units are visible in the offices that made the transactions more efficient and faster that made more students to be accommodated. I can still remember back then that having those slow printers made us hungrily wait for our Certificate of Registration to be printed. Speaking of Certificate of Registration or COR, I like the way they distributed it to every offices the student will have a transaction. In this way, some of the COR copies will not be crumpled or worse, being lost. The COR paper is also presentable unlike before that the paper is being changed time to time that a time came that the COR is just a scratch paper. Paying the tuition fee in the cashier is also made faster and better. What I am worried next is the line to the registrar. Way back to the old enrollment system, students are being entertained by college and with these, registration process is faster compared to now that all students must wait and have priority numbers just to be officially enrolled. If only I can measure the length of the line to the registrar, well we have gone from the College of Arts and Sciences second floor, near the grand stand just to reach the registrar’s office to have our papers checked and be enrolled officially. Lots of students are suffering from heat, feet pains, and hunger just to be officially enrolled. The system made the transactions faster but what happened to the registrar is the only problem that I have seen last enrollment.

The old enrollment system was so hard for us students. There is a lot of time wasted by the students just waiting to be accommodated. Then there came this new system, it made easy not just for the students but for the encoders, cashiers and in the registrar’s office. The only flaw that I have seen is in the registrar’s office. The transaction in finance department had improved but what happened in the registrar’s office is that it worsened. There should be one window that will accommodate these specific courses for students not to be tucked in courses who had a lot of students or population.

If I were to modify the system a bit, I would not change the way the student pays his miscellaneous fees such as the Headlight and OSCS fees be paid together with the Local Council fees in the Local Council treasurer. I am fine with the process for checking and evaluation of students’ grades. The encoding process is also faster than before and it is also good to know that there are new units for the good of the transactions. Since it is a pain for everybody to fall in line in paying the tuition fee, I think it is much better if there is representative of the finance department who will collect the tuition payments of students in the respective colleges. I know it will have a cost in employees, so I thought of having a finance officer in every building to collect students’ payments – one in the College of Technology building, one in the Engineering Building, where The Institute of Computing and the engineering students will have to pay there. One in the College of Education and those other students will pay in the finance department located in the College of Arts and Sciences building especially the graduate school and scholars. After such is the registration. In the registrar, it is much better if there is a specific window for specific courses where students will have their transaction. With this, it will be much better and the enrollment process will be much better.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

In-House Resources

Question:

What do you think is/are the reasons why the university decided to tapped in-house resources, was it a good decision?

This is what I think about the university’s decision on tapping in-house resources in the development of the university’s system. I think that the decision is an excellent one because it makes use of what the university really has rather than waste it. The university had saved a lot especially in financial matters. To assess the cost of buying software is too expensive not to mention the hardware to where the program resides and be executed. The cost of the programmer and the maintenance team is also a factor to consider. The fact that the occurrence of problems regarding this may occur in the absence of those who really develop the system, the university’s maintenance team may take charge of the problem but not at all times. In consequence, the main programmer is in need. Since, we are not in-charge of the people’s time; errors that occurred in the system may take time to be fixed. This is the reason why I am really in favor of the decision made by university to tap in-house resources. In accordance to this, I can state instances that bring a lot of advantages for the university in using in-house resources. These advantages that I can easily point out are being economical, saves time and being university-focused.

What makes it economical? Just as stated above, assessing the cost of the software is expensive enough, how much more if we add the hardware and the people ware? But by tapping in-house resources, it can lessen the cost of these things. Let’s evaluate the cost software has. Using proprietary software is really costly but there are free software that can be modified and can be used without charge as long as you concur with the terms of agreement. Free and Open Source Software – this is what these free software are called. With this, the university can make use of it and can modify for the university’s use. Based on what I have learned recently in our Elective 1 subject, FOSS is governed by the principles of open standards that made such software to run in any platforms. I don’t know if the university uses such software. But I know the possibility that they do. Hardware is not a big issue anyway, even though the university lacks facilities but as to what I noticed right now, the university is beginning to upgrade and add the facilities herein. To support this statement, base on what I noticed on the time of enrollment, there are new printers on the registrar’s office; I guess there are new units too. What about the people who are behind the development? It is the university’s pride to have people like them at the university. With this, it is not difficult for them to address the university’s problems, since the one developing the university’s system is working in the university and are well-informed about the issues regarding these. The system developers are in the premises of the university that is the reason why if problems regarding the system occur; it is just easy for them to fix these malfunctions. It not just answers the problem but helps not to paralyze the transactions involving the university, especially when it’s enrollment that everyone is eager to make every transaction speedy.

Paralyzed transactions - this is the result when the system breaks down. Tapping in-house resources can answer this problem. When system has the problem, it is the maintenance team or the programmer’s task to fix it. Having an in-house developer makes these problems more quickly to address and solved. I kind of notice it also last enrollment. I got to narrate it shortly. It was just recently, enrollment time. The student’s Pre-enrollment Forms (PRFs) are filed up because the new system behaves badly – there is a problem on the program, I think. Since, the developers are within the university, the problem has been solved quickly and the certificates of registration (CORs) are being disseminated in the afternoon of that very day. One thing I also noticed is that when the developers of the system works in the university, it is easy to contact them. A phone call is just enough for the problems to be answered. This is the reason why I included time saver as an advantage for tapping in-house resources. Time - the most important thing in every transaction.

How about being university-focused? Tapping in-house resources is a pride the university can boast. Not all universities develop and use a system that they can call their own. Just as to what was stated above, since developers of the system came from the university, it is a proof that when you graduated here, you can really apply in the future what was taught to you and you can really learn when you are still in the university. This is not just singing your own praises but as to what was seen, it is a fact. This is called application of the theory – application of the education one can get in the university. I can’t help but to imagine the result of the systems we proposed in SAD1. The systems proposed are to be developed for some of the organizations of the school. Now, in System Analysis and Design 2, we can’t help but to really implement them, I hope the university will make use of it, too. It is a great pleasure for us. Isn’t it great to have your proposed system being used officially by the university? Talking of the systems we proposed, if the university will really adapt and make use of it officially, it will be not just our pride but of the university, also. In addition, those system made by USEPIANS is exclusively and especially made for the University of Southeastern Philippines.

Just as to what was stated earlier in this article, I can say that the university made the excellent decision. It is also a great pleasure for our in-house developers to be tapped by the university. This just means that the university honors and has great confidence to their skills that is considered as the university’s great pride.

Friday, June 19, 2009

I'm back!

It's quite a while since I posted my last article here. The month of June has come. Another school year to endure. Quizzes, exams, projects. Name them all...

It's already my 5th year in the Institute of Computing of USEP, I hope this school year will be fruitful for me. Not just for me but for all the students, especially the CS Survivors (LOL.)

(Thinking)

About my OJT, I hope I'll finish soon. I'm looking forward to it. How about my Incomplete Grades in OOP and DB? Well, I'm working on it right now. I'm getting nervous just to think of the defense. Gambarimas! Hwaiting! kaya ko to!

Even though my schedule's quite busy, I'm am still working on my second fan fiction. It has no title yet but it is based on a true story. Actually, it's about teen pregnancy and being responsibe to things in such a young age. I hope that bloggers will look forward to it. Since it is a fan fiction, I chose Kim Kibum of Super Junior and Lee Se-Yeong as the main characters of the story. I don't know why I picked those two. I think the characters they have just suits the story...

(Excited)

Another school year. Another nature tripping. I hope to climb MT. APO again...

Finale

I know the possibilty of INC but what I'm hoping for this semester is not to get a failing grade. (Sigh) Goodluck to us all.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

OJT OJT OJT...

What I'm gonna do?

I should be going with my classmates right now to look for companies here in Davao who needs OJ Trainees. But I'm here, in front of the computer writing this article. I finished my resume NOT on time that's why I'm left behind. So, in order to make my time worthy, I'm looking for Companies online who needs OJT. That's what I'm doing for about an hour now. Hope I will be hired by one of these companies. (deep sigh)

I still have no idea about these OJT thing. I am not yet ready. (when will I be ready?) I don't know... I wish I could tell.

I hope someone will approach me and tell me to have my OJT in their company. Well it sounds... IMPOSSIBLE! yeah...

All I can say is... "WISH ME LUCK!"

Saturday, March 21, 2009

iS THIS JUST A COINCIDENCE?

I really don't believe in horoscope thing. But something struck my attention about this thing to me today as I browse my horoscope. I'm not sure if this is true or just a coincidence.

Yes, I'm a bit busy these past few days that I can hardly close my eyes for a good night sleep.

So, what this fuss all about?

Well, it's just that my horoscope is true...

I hope so...

DatComm (install and configure DHCP)

HOW TO INSTALL AND CONFIGURE DHCP IN WINDOWS SERVER 2003

DataComm (Reseting password)

HOW TO RESET PASSWORD IN WINDOWS SERVER 2003

DataComm ( how to Back-up files)

HOW TO BACK UP FILES IN WINDOWS SERVER 2003

DataComm (How to install active directory)

HOW TO INSTALL ACTIVE DIRECTORY IN WINDOWS SERVER 2003

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

USEP ENROLLMENT SYSTEM DATA FLOW DIAGRAM

Friday, March 6, 2009

A should-be-twin chick

I was so amazed as the egg shell cracked and displayed these two egg yolks in front of me... Wow!!! Two egg yolks in an egg shell! Isn't it amazing?

I tried to compare the cracked egg on the plastic bag where it was placed. See the difference between the two...

If you think I'm just kidding, well, I can't believe it myself, too. But I'm telling you that I just experienced it a while ago.

This is just what my sister can say:

Saturday, February 21, 2009

MT. Apo Climb...( recovered video...)

Sunrise at Mt. Apo's Summit...
A video clip...

This video reminds me of a lot of memories from the major climb. This video was taken at Mt, Apo's Summit early in the morning. I can still remember that we hiked the slope of the summit just to witness the beautiful sunrise. It was very cold and windy up there but still the cold and the wind didn't stop us from greeting the sun. The scenery plus the music from one of the climber's mp3 makes this moment perfect and unforgettable.

Parokya @ USEP!!!

February 20,2009...

There's nothing to do...

No changes...

Nothing special...

But wait! What was posted at the main gate?
Parokya ni Edgar will visit USEP?!
woah!!!

I thought it's a joke but when the afternoon came...

you know what happened...

I saw Chito Miranda and the gang...

I got photos but unfortunately, I can't capture them close-up...

Hmmmm... but I think these shots will do...

Hotel 626

I discovered this game from a friend who happened to play it online (actually this is an online game... hehehe...). I was fascinated by his stories and how he described every adventures one can encounter while playing the game. I am so curious that I want to see and play it myself.

I really did play it a while ago and that completed my curiosity.

I am so amazed! I really love the game even though you can just play it in an hour. The effects are so real even the persons that you can see in the game, they seemed real!Plus the sound effect are so great that you can really feel something weird specially when you are alone and lights off.

I'm a bit of a spoiler to post this snap shots but I hope the Hotel626 developers and owners will not file any charges against me (oh no, I haven't read the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy... ). I just want others to see some of the highlights in this game...