Never-ending tasks

I’m at work right now and actually performing my routine multi-tasking…at the moment partitioning my laptop to boot on both Vista and XP. It is a little bit odd because I’m doing a dual boot off a Vista and create a second partition to load XP, so I can install Oracle 9i. Since I don’t want to deal with re-formatting my hard drive to create another partition, I’m using a free tool called, “Gparted” (Gnome Partition Editor) — a free utility to edit, delete or re-create a partition which some people states is comparable to “Partition Magic”. The only reason I’m going backwards as far as re-installing XP is because of Oracle 9i compatibility issue with Vista, and among other applications which are currently unsupported. That’s probably one of the reason why upgrading to Vista can be hassle aside from the fact that it hogs a huge amount of memory to support it’s graphical interface, etc.

Anyways, aside from what I’m dealing with Vista, I also have to add that there are only four weeks left before this semester is over. However, the MIS 160 report and implementation is due on May 16th, I have a persuasive speech due in two weeks, an Oracle assignment due next week not to mention the group project at the end of the semester…and I have to work on my resume’ this weekend. So the catch for the next 4 weeks is…the amount of work load…so the end of tunnel is nowhere yet near in sight. Now come to think of it, I see it as a challenge no matter how tired I am from being restless, I feel like I don’t want it any other way. I just need to keep pushing for the deadline until I meet them and if for whatever reason that I didn’t live up to my expectations, at least I tried my very best…and it is all I can do.

Post-exam thoughts for MIS 150 exam 2

Heading home yesterday after having a dinner with my friend is when the memories about the exam took over. I started calculating predictions by analyzing the points and questions as much as I can remember them, but I stopped and thought it over again. Part of me wants to figure out a good estimated grade but with an exam such as uncertain as this one, there’s no way I can and I’ll just disappoint myself in case my grade falls below my expectation. I have practically mastered some parts of SQL mainly the DMLs but I begun questioning my ability when she threw that 20 points SQL DDL question in my face. I was like holy crap…and browsing through my hundreds-of-pages-of-notes wasn’t much of an option during the exam. I knew the material headed into the classroom but I questioned my ability if I really know the stuff. I would have loved to double-check my answers just to get a relief knowing that I wouldn’t have any doubts and have at least a better assumption of the outcome.

I spend most of my time figuring out the very first problem. And oh, I just realized last night that I missed a join on the bonus question…and I was like, “oh crap!”. I thought I had the first part easy. The thing was, I tried to finish the first part as fast as I could and didn’t realize my mistake until later yesterday night when I was brushing my teeth. I knew my numbering were missing something but I can’t pinpoint…all I knew was I had it down. The lesson here is to think hard before settling for anything, I should have got it perfect (at least the bonus part) but due to small joining error, I probably only got half of the points. In the definition (fill-in) blanks section, I’m almost positive that I only have missed 2 questions at the most since there were only 2 questions that I wasn’t 100% on.

Anyways, I thought the EERD was not bad (not too tough) but then, it is one of those problems that can have some odd-ball answer. The only reason I’m not confident about my diagram is that, I have drawn some EERD before but have missed some minor details such as adding another entity to bridge two ambiguous paths. I think I have learned from my past mistakes already but like I said, I will be restless until I find out the result. The DDL (20 points question) whopped my ass, kinda and I’m hoping that she doesn’t take off too many points, otherwise it would be considered a murder (haha). Wait, I shouldn’t be laughing…I’m just glad that exam is freaking done. Next up is another speech for my COMS 103 coming up in 2-3 weeks (damnit) I hate speeches.

Protected: MIS 150 Exam 2, Definite Guide v.2

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Discovery of 2 new applications

I was doing my ritual web surfing today and discovered two applications that are innovative in nature, or at least helpful in performing tasks especially if you’re taking courses or work in IT. I’ve used, tested and un-installed several applications for years and have only liked a few that I have stuck with, and as my main install for my PC or notebook. While I’m in the area of designing pages, programming, drawing diagrams, creating reports; today, I discovered two tools that I still yet have to get my hands on. I watched the demonstration on their particular websites and was impressed by its GUI, functionality, ease of use and usability, which now ties hand in hand when it comes to applications.

There are two applications, the first one that I have found is called, “Microsoft Expression“, specifically ‘Web’ since it is a design suite. I wasn’t particularly impressed by previous Frontpage versions, but they have somehow improved over the years. They yet still have to surpass Adobe’s Dreamweaver but they’re up there. What got me interested in Microsoft Expression primarily is its ease of use and integration of ASP.NET. Based on what I have read, it seems like the application is somehow a combination between MS Web Developer and Frontpage. Although Frontpage already has this feature, this new application only makes the integration easier…as well as connecting to SQL server. They have a free trial on their site but I don’t know any particular details that I can provide here. It just excites me to find out that Microsoft has improved their design applications. This doesn’t stop here however, and after browsing through the suite (Microsoft Expression), it seems like the other products involved (aside from Expression Web) has plenty of potential.

The next one is for doing UML Diagrams such as for database documentation, creating relationships between entities, etc. Don’t get me wrong here, I love Visio and I swear by it when it comes to creating diagrams–its versatility and ease of use is unmatched. For some reason, this application (I’m not sure how long has it been out, but I discovered it through Google ad) called, “Visual Paradigm for UML” inherits the same feature as Visio, whether it is easier…I still have yet to find out. The good thing is, the so called ‘community edition’ is free for use and can be download through their site. If you browse their website, you’ll notice that their application products are geared towards business project development. Once I get a chance, I’ll download a copy and test it out myself.

Protected: MIS 150 Homework 7 – Enhanced ER Diagram

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COMS 103, 2nd formal speech update

I attended my speech class last night and finally received my grade for the speech that I did from the previous week. Honestly, I thought that I did a great job and even my friend and other colleagues were telling me that I did great and should get at least an ‘A’. But something inside of me says that no way…I was way nervous and it was apparent based on off my fast phase delivery. To say the least however, I felt that it could be improved by being more natural. I was confident about my speech and my topic but it’s way different when presenting to a larger group of audience.

Here’s what I think worked for me in terms of speech, which by the way I got a flying ‘A’ mark, 98.8% to be exact. My instructor was blown away based on his comments, and no, this is not an easy instructor to please when it comes to speeches. He’ll note everything from reading too much, or speed, or whatever he can see that you do wrong during the speech. My visual aids worked also great and it tied everything what my speech is about. He even mentioned in his comments that my transitions between main points was ‘professionally’ done because it was smooth.

Now let me go over what worked for me. I prepared big time and I have my outline ready a week prior the presentation, which gave me plenty of time to rehearse mentally and vocally. The main advantage however in this case is, I know my topic very well even not having typed the outline yet. I know back in my mind what I want to talk about and the conceptual outline was already created in my head, just ready to be put into text. That’s exactly what I did, and instead of reciting off the outline, it was the other way around. You write how you speak and you write how your mind works. Writing it first before anything will only make you nervous and is a disadvantage because what you have typed is different when you talk to your friends. Your speech should be delivered as if you are talking to your friends, excited and confident about what you need to discuss.

When I was presenting, I kept telling myself to focus my speech delivery towards ‘transferring knowledge’ instead of the actual speech. I also emphasized power of delivery, which brings more impact and keeps the audience attention on me. But primarily, it was the preparation that gets the most credit. Every time I see my instructor on the hallway, he would just compliment me and it feels good to have that confidence towards my next speech which will be a persuasive speech. This will also help in my other classes because confidence brings good things, but hard work comes first. Confidence + hard work brings success. Your output is dictated by the amount of input that you put in, it always goes that way. Smart people doesn’t just get good grades for being smart, they earn it through hard work…and confidence that they can do it.