Casey's Computer Skills Blog

Advice for Computer Skills Class

2008-12-09T08:45:00.000-08:00

This class has been one of the only classes at Trinity so far that I have actually learned something useful for my future. That is a pretty sad statement, however it is true. This class will teach you a lot, ESPECIALLY if you show up for class and really focus on the steps of each process taught!

Creating a Website

2008-12-02T09:53:00.000-08:00

Creating a website was easily my favorite and most educational project that we have accomplished in this class. I really enjoyed having a hands on experience with creating a website. I have a website for my photograhpy company, however I had to pay someone to create it for me. Now I have the ability to update it myself!

My three favorite websites were, Abigail's, Christa's and Joy's. Abigail's was good because it was very unique and had a lot of creative artwork and style. Christa's amazing imagemap made her website really stand out to me. Joy's website had soo much creativity because of her expertise in using photoshop. I really enjoyed all of the websites, however these three really stood out in my mind.

If you would like to view my website you can go to cs.trinity.edu/~ckay1

HTML Code

2008-11-20T06:37:00.000-08:00

HTML code, although complicated is vital to the creation of websites. In our present day, web design programs have been created to skip the steps of writing the exact HTML code, however, having the knowledge of website creation is important beyond using these programs. If you know how to use HTML code, making small edits to a website is much easier than changing the entire website through the use of a program. Changing colors, headlines and other information can easily be altered through the use of HTML, rather than editing the web layout through the use of a program. I am glad that web design programs have been created, but I am also happy that I know how to write HTML code to create a website.

PowerPoint

2008-11-11T09:25:00.000-08:00

Creating the PowerPoint presentations for class opened me up to some new techniques I had never used before. My two favorite presentations were Ralph Petang's and Robert Parker's. Ralphs was amazing because of the inspirational photos and technique of fading in and out of pictures. Robert's was awesome because I love Pete Carrol because USC is my favorite school. I play soccer here at Trinity so Ralph's power point really caught my attention. Overall the class created unique and fantastic power points

Chris Nolan Presentation

2008-11-06T08:36:00.000-08:00

Chris Nolan's presentation on quality web searching, in my mind, was probably the most imporant presentation of the year. Searching for scholarly material for school projects and papers has become harder and harder through the use of mainstream search engines because of the mass of information that has flooded the internet. It is tough to decipher if information is valid or not and if the information is unbiased. Chris Nolan showed us a few sites I had never seen before including, GoogleScholar and Infomine. These websites are directories to scholarly works that will be quality text to cite in a paper. Google Scholar may not show an entire piece of work on the website, however if the scholarly work is in the Trinity Library database, google will send you to that document on the library network, or show you the location in the library in which to find it. This information will help me in the future.

My Experience with Excel

2008-10-23T08:41:00.000-07:00

Before we began learning how to use Excel in class, I had no idea how to insert complex information or even regular information into a spread sheet. Now that I have been given the skills to add formulas, design meaningful charts and graphs and create unique spread sheets, I feel like I will use Excel as a tool for my daily life. I plan on using Excel as a balance for my purchases and spending. I know that I will be able to create a running balance and even highlight problematic numbers and information. Excel has the capability to not only compute simple numbers and equations, but can sometimes automatically understand what you are trying to accomplish as well as solve complex equations. I am glad that I learned all this new information regarding Excel because I know that it is an important tool and I hope to use it in the future.

Photographs That Lie

2008-10-20T19:47:00.000-07:00

Doctoring photos for media use has become a common practice among news companies and political groups. Taking pictures and changing the content or altering small sections of the picture causes a multitude of legal issues as well as controversy among viewers and law makers. But why does the media alter these pictures? Many photographers or story writers distort the true captured pictures in order to create a false representation of the event or wish to over emphasize certain aspects of the story.
I chose the image of a British soldier in Basra, motioning for Iraqi citizens to take cover during a military conflict in the early days of American and British invasion of Iraq. I decided to choose this photograph and discuss it because images like this have been altered and distorted throughout the war in Iraq in order to improve the image of American involvement in Iraq and instill a negative reaction to the opposition of U.S engagement. Citizens of the U.S should be rightfully informed of the happenings in the war because families and friends of our troops pray every day that their loved ones make it home safe. This picture (pictures) was taken by a Dartmouth College student, Hany Farid and was printed by the Los Angeles Times. The thirty year veteran writer of the story combined two pictures of the war scene in order to "improve" its message by creating a horrifying image of innocent civilians in danger. The image portrays a heavily armed soldier surrounded by innocent civilians, including infants and children. The picture makes the viewer feel empathy for the Iraqi people and support the war while instilling a feeling of anger towards the "terrorist" forces. I believe that the manipulation of this image may not lead to first degree harm, but distorting the truth and lying about life changing events is wrong, legally and morally. Although I believe that action in Iraq was necessary, images like this wrongfully portray the actual events taking place during the war. Distorting photographs for personal benefit is wrong and I do not agree with it under any circumstance.

The Center for Learning and Technology

2008-10-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

Trinity University may be small in the number of enrolled students, but the amount of top of the line learning equipment and technology is tough to compete with around the country. A great example of these top notch resources is the Coates Library, in combination with the AT&T Center for Learning and Technology. The AT&T Center is located on the first floor of the library and contains a multitude of high-tech equipment such as computers, laser printers and a video conference room. This past week was the first time I had ever heard or seen of this section of the library and I am glad that I was able to view it.
Here at Trinity, I am currently following the path to major in International Business and Chinese. The resources supplied in the AT&T Center will allow me to experience, learn and grow as a student and a future business man. Here are some examples of how I will be able to use the Center to it's full potential. Business classes of all levels usually require presentations or research assignments as part of the curriculum. The scanners, laser printers and powerful computers in the Studio will enable me to create quality presentations at an efficient speed. My interest in Chinese and Chinese business will take me across the world and between foreign languages and cultures. The Video Conference Room could possibly enable me to interact with businesses worldwide in order to interview or receive an internship for the future.
I cannot believe that I have been at Trinity for almost a year and a half and just now found out about the AT&T Center. I hope to take full advantage of what this Center has to offer, as well as what the entire Coates Library can provide for me as a student.

Copyright Issues

2008-10-01T18:23:00.000-07:00

In the age of Limewire and BitTorrents, copyright infringement has become a huge issue. Trillions of songs and other sources of entertainment have been illegally downloaded by people of all ages. The Recording Industry Association of America as well as other entertainment companies have begun targeting college students who have or still are illegally downloading. College students are targeted because of the easy access for prosecutors to catch students with university IP addresses. Here at Trinity, administrators have decided to warn students about the dangers and consequences of illegal downloads rather than restricting access to P2P downloads all together. Other universities have chosen to block websites such as limewire and restricting downloads to occur on their server. I believe that the choice Trinity has decided to make is the choice that all universities should take. Students should be able to make the decision for themselves to illegally download or not. I am evidence of someone who used to illegally download without thinking about the consequences until my friend was caught. My friend attends Arizona State University and was issued a Copyright Infringement Lawsuit and had to settle the case out of court for $5,000. I no longer illegally download music and use iTunes instead.

Wireless Campus

2008-09-17T14:16:00.000-07:00

Trinity is known as a wireless campus because of the ease students have to access the internet from anywhere on campus. The positive and negative aspects of a wireless campus are evident from the dorm rooms all the way to the classroom. Students use the wireless internet on campus to instantly check new email from teachers or friends, but can also access distracting websites such as Facebook or AIM. The positive aspects of our technologically advanced campus definitely out weight the distractions that is causes.
In the generation of iPhone, I use the Trinity network to access my email 24 hours a day as well as keep in touch with friends through Facebook. I have made the personal decision to not take my computer to class to take notes because I would become distracted and take ineffecient notes for my classes. The Trinity network also enables me to contact other students in my classes if I have missed class or would like extra notes.
Having a wireless campus does cost a significant ammount of money. However, college campuses around the country are putting in the time, effort and money in order for student and teachers to stay connected. This New York Times article effectively narrates the story of wireless networks and the improvement of college campuses: Unplugged on Campus, but Always Connected

My email is Ckay1@trinity.edu if you have any questions or comments

Casey Kay Saga

2008-08-28T10:21:00.000-07:00

I am Casey Kay and I am from Tucson, Arizona. I am a sophomore here at Trinity University. I play Goalkeeper for the Men's Soccer team and am studying International Business and Chinese. I hope to start a clothing company in China after I graduate called Triple Black Diamond. When I am not playing soccer, I enjoy spending time with my fiance' Natalie and hanging out with my friends on the soccer team. This summer I stayed in San Antonio and started my own photography company called Perfection Photography with my fiance'. Our company was contracted by summer camps and athletic teams to take portrait and action photos and sell picture packages to the parents of the participants. It was a great experience and I hope to continue running the company in the spring and next summer.
This semester in computer skills I hope to learn how to make a web page and create spread sheets. I have not taken a computer class before, but I do know my way around the basics of the computer.
My email address is ckay1@trinity.edu