Grading scale:
100-90% A
89-80% B
79-70% C
69-60% D
>59% F

Deadlines
Students must meet the deadlines in order to receive full credit for assignments, quizzes, and projects. You will be given until the Monday after the assignment deadline to turn in the assignments for full credit. After that point, 10% will be taken off for each week the assignment is late up to 40%. The final deadline is not flexible. No late assignments will be taken after the final deadline for the course.
• Final deadline for all 1st 4 week assignments – April 12
• Final deadline for all 2nd 4 week assignments – May 7
Failure to meet the above deadlines may result in your being dropped from the course by the first 4 week deadline or a failing grade on the 2nd 4 weeks.

Important Dates
Jan. 13 Classes Begin
Jan. 17 MLK
Mar. 21-25 Spring Break No Class
Last day to drop (1st 8 week)
Mar. 7 Last day of class (1st 8 week)
Words of Wisdom
When you take a course about computers, you get out of it what you put into it. Computers are constantly changing and you must be constantly learning to keep on the cutting edge. A class in computers will help you get started, but it is up to you to go that extra mile to become an expert. Working with computers is like learning a musical instrument. You don’t become a good musician without practice. It is the same with computers. If you don’t practice and develop your skills on your own, then you’ll never be a true techie. No computer class can teach you everything you need to know on a topic. Computer courses are a jumping off point to a journey, not a destination.

Getting Started with WebCT
If have never taken a web course, please do the following.
1. Go to: http://salsa.nmsu.edu
2. Click "Create Your ID" on left side of screen
3. Enter your social security number and your date of birth.
4. Click Continue and follow directions.
5. When you are done, email your instructor (Doug Bocaz-Larson) at [email protected] so you can be added to the course.
6. Please allow for 24 hours between the time you create your idea and the time you can enter the course.
7. Return to http://salsa.nmsu.edu, enter your username and password and click the link to your course.
(If you have any questions you can email me at [email protected], call my cell 290-1331, or my office 287-6656)

Important Notes to Students (the fine print):
If you have, or believe you have, a disability that would benefit from any accommodation(s), you may wish to register with the Student Services Office on the first floor of Martinez Hall. All medical information will be treated confidentially. After you have registered, please make sure that I receive a copy of the accommodation memorandum from Student Services within the first two weeks of class. It will be your responsibility to inform me or the office of Student Services (in a timely manner) if the services/accommodations are not meeting your needs. If you have a condition that may affect your ability to exit safely from the premises in an emergency or that may cause an emergency during class, you are encouraged to discuss any concerns with Ms. Irene Charles-Lutz, Campus Student Services Officer at 287-6629, or with me at 287-6656.
Any student found guilty of academic misconduct shall be subject to disciplinary action. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following actions: cheating; plagiarism; unauthorized possession of examinations, reserve library materials or laboratory materials; unauthorized changing of grades on an examination, instructor’s grade book or grade report; nondisclosure or misrepresentation in filing out applications or other college records; or violation of computer use policies. The following disciplinary actions and sanctions may be imposed for any of the above infractions of regulations: disciplinary probation, disciplinary suspension, dismissal, expulsion.

This is a preview of the upcoming Spring schedule of assignments.
This schedule will be updated on Jan. 13, 2005

Tentative Schedule for OECS 203 (subject to change)
Due Dates and Topics Covered

Wed, Jan. 19

The majority of this class will be completed in the Discussion part of WebCT. The activities are the only part that will be emailed instead of posted on WebCT.
Read WebCT Discussion: Background on course
Complete WebCT Discussion: Introduction

Mon., Jan. 24

You will research the following questions and post your findings in the WebCT Discussions with the same name:
• What is Unix?
• History of Unix – Where did it come from?
• How is Unix used today?
• Why are people still using Unix?

Wed., Jan. 26

Complete the WebCT Discussion on: Unix vs. Dos
Complete the WebCT Discussion on: Servers (which is the best server operating system)
Search the internet for Unix activities and tutorials. Find 10 websites and put them in order from best to worse. Write a description of what the website has to offer and then give your review of the website.

Wed., Feb. 2

Project
In this course, you will create an informational website about Unix. Create first part of website on Unix which gives the history and background of Unix. You’ll have four pages that will address the following: What is Unix? How is Unix used? Where did Unix come from? Why are people still using Unix?

Mon., Feb 7

“Using Unix” Activity 1:
In this activity, you will be accessing a Unix server.
First, you need to be connected to the internet to do this activity.
Go to Start, Run.
Type telnet freenet.victoria.bc.ca in the dialog box that pops up.You should see a welcome window in the dialog box.
Email the answer to the following questions:
What does VTN stand for?
What are some services on the main menu?

Wed., Feb. 9

“Using Unix” Activity 2:
Go to sdf.lonestar.org on your internet browser. Click the link to sdf.lonestar.org after the phrase “To create your own free shell account…” Follow the onscreen directions to gain access to their server.
(Or you can access the server by going to Start, Run on Windows and typing telnet sdf.lonestar.org).
Do the following and answer the questions below (email the answers):
• What is SDF?
• What is their mission?
• Name four commands you have access to.
• Create your own account.
• Name four games that are available to you once you have an account.
(NOTE: Please do not post these answers in WebCT. Email them to me)Wed., Feb. 16 Research on the internet for websites that offer free Unix access on their servers. Test the connection and see if you can access their server and do some basic Unix commands. List how to access these websites and what commands you could use. Everyone needs to find a different access address. Be sure to check online to see what everyone else has found. (Extra credit for doing this for more than one website).

Wed., Mar. 2

Final: Finish your Unix website. Include a web page that states what you learned from this course and another page with links and resources for learning about Unix.