Labs, etc. 19-Nov-18

Extra sessions Some of you are really new to computer programming, other have considerable experience I will have an extra weekly session for beginners Time and room have not yet been determined, but will most likely be on Thursdays or Fridays If you are already a programmer, and you understand things like arrays and functions, you probably should not attend No new material will be presented Format will be primarily question-and-answer Attendance is strictly optional These sessions will continue as long as there seems to be a need for them

Labs Lab is scheduled for 10:30-12:00 Fridays in Moore 207 Lab is not in Towne 303 (Registrar has it wrong) Everyone is expected to attend lab Assignments will be handed out in lab You will be assigned a partner in the lab If you cannot attend the lab: You must tell me at least one day in advance, otherwise you will incur a 10-point penalty on your program The penalty also applies if you are so late to lab that I think you are not coming, and reassign your partner to someone else If you miss lab, or are very late, you may have to do the assignment without a partner

Moore 207 Moore 207 is a Linux lab Many of you have not used Linux It has a desktop that is very similar to the Windows or Macintosh desktop It’s not hard to figure out Don’t be afraid! I’ll step you through a brief introduction to Linux Java is platform independent: You can easily move back and forth between Linux and Windows or Mac Bring a floppy disk (or a static RAM, if you have one)

Office hours We have a TA for this course, Vikas Thakur, and a tutor for the first-semester MCIT courses, Saajan Patel Office hours will be posted shortly If you have questions about the assignment: If you are doing pair programming, first ask your partner Then come and see Vikas or me (preferably with your partner) I am available much of the time outside office hours I avoid making appointments, because I usually forget to keep them Office hours are when I try hard to be in my office; they are not the only time you can see me If my office door is open, I’m available If my office door is closed and I’m there, I’m available if it’s urgent If I have a “Do not disturb” sign up, I’m frantically busy (this is usually the last half-hour or so before class)

Email Feel free to send me email at: matuszek@central.cis.upenn.edu I get tons of spam, including over 1000 virus-carrying messages a week To avoid my spam (but not my virus) filters: If your email concerns this course, please put 591 somewhere in the subject line If your email is more general (personal, about the MCIT program, etc.) please put MCIT somewhere in the subject line

Problems If you are having problems with the course or the MCIT program, please come see me It is my job to help you, and I take that seriously MCIT students especially: If you have personal problems (sickness, death in the family, breaking up with someone, etc.), please come see me I can’t help with personal problems, but... ...I might be able to help you with rearranging courses, getting a leave of absence, etc.—things to help you stay in the program and keep your grades up I treat all such matters as confidential

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