Today we used the Wacom Tablet when working on our decade projects in PhotoShop. It’s a little awkward using the tablet, though I do like the pen little better than the mouse. I can see how using the pen things can be drawn or erased a little more easily. As with a great many things in this class I wish I had some of the programs and equipment at home to spend a little more trying things out. At least I can get some exposure in class, better than having to go out and spend a lot of money.
We used the tablet mostly to help us change the background on some of our pictures in the decade collage. We wanted to have the background in our pictures to look the same as the background of our collage, because the white backgrounds on the pictures stood out a little too much. I’m sure that there are many more things we do using the pen in Photoshop, but we either just do not realize certain features are there or we have no use of them.
Particularly for poster design PhotoShop and the Wacom Tablet go together very well. I’m sure that a lot of people use both to help design posters and other things for upcoming events either personal or professional. Personally I don’t have any reason to make anything really outside of class projects, but I wouldn’t object to using the program for other things. It’s just a matter or knowing that the technology is there and more importantly how to use it.
Next week it seems that we are going to be started our rotations and it looks like the group I’m in will be starting with Palm and Blackberry. I own a Blackberry and really love it. It’s not the latest model since I got it two years ago and haven’t upgraded it yet. I have the 8830 World Edition, and now they would give me a Tour if I upgraded since it’s about the same thing. Blackberries really live up to the name Crackberry!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Week 9
Welcome back from SPRING BREAK! This week we were introduced to Photoshop for the first time. I have never used Photoshop and it seems pretty easy to use. I think it will just be a matter of getting used to it, just like all programs for the first time. I kind of liked messing around with my photos and it seems there can be a lot of creativity with this particular program.
I could see using this to clean up some pictures that I have. Such as correcting the brightness, because sometimes it’s really hard to help pictures from going too dark or too light. Redeye is a big thing too, it seems that I’m the one who always end up with redeye, but that can be fixed too! If I had this program at home realistically I would do a whole lot more, but since I’m just limited (at least right now) to using Photoshop in the computer labs on campus I will probably just do my class assignments and that’s it.
There are a whole lot of options with Photoshop and the possibilities can be pretty endless. I could create posters, newsletter, calendars, and greeting cards for personal or professional use. I think it would depend upon the situation, but as long as the project has a great need for photos Photoshop would work just fine. But I can see perhaps other office programs being used as well for similar projects such as Publisher.
I think for next class I should probably gather up some images for the group decade project. My group decided to do the 1980’s. Should be an interesting decade based on the way people used to look and how ancient all the office equipments looks too. There should be plenty of pictures out there to use, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.
I could see using this to clean up some pictures that I have. Such as correcting the brightness, because sometimes it’s really hard to help pictures from going too dark or too light. Redeye is a big thing too, it seems that I’m the one who always end up with redeye, but that can be fixed too! If I had this program at home realistically I would do a whole lot more, but since I’m just limited (at least right now) to using Photoshop in the computer labs on campus I will probably just do my class assignments and that’s it.
There are a whole lot of options with Photoshop and the possibilities can be pretty endless. I could create posters, newsletter, calendars, and greeting cards for personal or professional use. I think it would depend upon the situation, but as long as the project has a great need for photos Photoshop would work just fine. But I can see perhaps other office programs being used as well for similar projects such as Publisher.
I think for next class I should probably gather up some images for the group decade project. My group decided to do the 1980’s. Should be an interesting decade based on the way people used to look and how ancient all the office equipments looks too. There should be plenty of pictures out there to use, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Week 8
This week Access seems to be at an end finally at least in this class anyway. I still have to work on the portfolio project for the Access class, so I’m not entirely rid of it yet. I’ll be able to say that in May, then I’ll be 100% done with Access. In this class we worked primarily with filtering information in the database. That’s helpful and frankly really efficient for when there are large amounts of data to go through.
Our instructor for the Access class said she won’t post our instructions for the portfolio project until after spring break. So I guess that makes it totally possible for me to take what I have learned about Access from this OAD class and apply to the upcoming project while it’s still fresh in my mind. Since I’m not sure what I’ll be doing yet for that project I may look at some of the databases we did for homework in this class for homework. Hopefully it gives me any ideas that aren’t too overly complicated.
The intention of this OAD class and the Access class is to give students exposure to the program so they know how to work it if it ever pops up. I can guess where it’s being used but I’m entirely sure how much people use Access or if they choose to work with another program. I guess it’s just a matter of preference. But I figure they still have Access available so someone must use it out there.
Next week is spring break so that means no class. But it’s not all well and good because we have to have an Access quiz. I’m going to have to review some of the material before that. I can just go to the companion website and work with some of the things offered on there as study aides. So hope for an ok quiz and that whatever we move on to next is not too complicated.
Our instructor for the Access class said she won’t post our instructions for the portfolio project until after spring break. So I guess that makes it totally possible for me to take what I have learned about Access from this OAD class and apply to the upcoming project while it’s still fresh in my mind. Since I’m not sure what I’ll be doing yet for that project I may look at some of the databases we did for homework in this class for homework. Hopefully it gives me any ideas that aren’t too overly complicated.
The intention of this OAD class and the Access class is to give students exposure to the program so they know how to work it if it ever pops up. I can guess where it’s being used but I’m entirely sure how much people use Access or if they choose to work with another program. I guess it’s just a matter of preference. But I figure they still have Access available so someone must use it out there.
Next week is spring break so that means no class. But it’s not all well and good because we have to have an Access quiz. I’m going to have to review some of the material before that. I can just go to the companion website and work with some of the things offered on there as study aides. So hope for an ok quiz and that whatever we move on to next is not too complicated.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Week 7
More Access this week! But is that really a surprise? I’m ok with the fact that it’s taking a bit longer to get through this program. I would rather take more time to fully understand it than just rush on through. Access gets much more complicated as we move on, so I like our class pace. But it seems like we will be finishing it up next week. I’ll be happy to move on to the next topic, but unexcited about that Access test.
Since I am in the Access class IST236, we talk about Access all the time on the class discussion board and sometimes hearing what others say is really quite interesting. This week we were to think up uses for Pivot tables and charts. I really liked what someone suggested by using Access for comparing two products, showing gross pay, and comparing data from several time slots. I wouldn’t have thought of those uses, so I’m glad to hear others ideas.
All of those suggested uses work really well in the business field. My favorite and probably the idea I could figure out how to do on my own would be comparing two products. That could used in compiling data for record keeping or even preparing for a possible presentation about one of the products. The key always seems to be organization and planning, which goes without saying for times when we need preparedness.
My homework for next week is more Access! I did find the flashcards useful on the companion website for the book useful. I think those will help out big time when it’s time to get ready for that dreaded test. It’s really nice when study aides are readily provided like that. So I will be look at those flashcards for chapter two as well.
Since I am in the Access class IST236, we talk about Access all the time on the class discussion board and sometimes hearing what others say is really quite interesting. This week we were to think up uses for Pivot tables and charts. I really liked what someone suggested by using Access for comparing two products, showing gross pay, and comparing data from several time slots. I wouldn’t have thought of those uses, so I’m glad to hear others ideas.
All of those suggested uses work really well in the business field. My favorite and probably the idea I could figure out how to do on my own would be comparing two products. That could used in compiling data for record keeping or even preparing for a possible presentation about one of the products. The key always seems to be organization and planning, which goes without saying for times when we need preparedness.
My homework for next week is more Access! I did find the flashcards useful on the companion website for the book useful. I think those will help out big time when it’s time to get ready for that dreaded test. It’s really nice when study aides are readily provided like that. So I will be look at those flashcards for chapter two as well.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Week 6
After having a mini break last week because of a snow day we returned to class. The main activity was working on Access. It’s kind of no secret that Access is not a favorite amongst people in the class. Every program has it’s little kinks that make it unique, but at the same time make it quite frustrating. I was first introduced to Access in IST131 and am in the actual Access class right now, so it does take some of the edge off of the program since I am using it for another class. By comparison, although I have not completed it yet, the Access class seems much harder than what we are learning in this OAD class.
One of the activities in class was taking information that was in and Excel spreadsheet and inserting the same information into an Access database. This stood out for me because I have an Excel spreadsheet that I use to keep track of my sold and unsold textbooks on Amazon.com. Maybe once we get a bit further with Access I’ll decide if Access will be better suited for my textbook record. But I do use the graph feature in Excel for my record and not quite sure yet if I can do something similar in Access, which might be a deal breaker.
Access seems ideal for recordkeeping as assignments have indicated. Though personally I have not run into it, I’m sure there are people and companies out there who use it for longer records. Sometimes there is lots of information that needs to be stored and Access fits the bill in that regard. Even though I am not the best with it, it’s good that I’m getting exposure to the program. If ever I do need to utilize it at least I’ll have some working knowledge of Access.
For next week, we need to finish up Access assignments and read about Access. Hopefully the class won’t be on an Access overload. Just have to take our time with Access since it can get so frustrating. We will be done with it soon enough, so there is an end in sight.
One of the activities in class was taking information that was in and Excel spreadsheet and inserting the same information into an Access database. This stood out for me because I have an Excel spreadsheet that I use to keep track of my sold and unsold textbooks on Amazon.com. Maybe once we get a bit further with Access I’ll decide if Access will be better suited for my textbook record. But I do use the graph feature in Excel for my record and not quite sure yet if I can do something similar in Access, which might be a deal breaker.
Access seems ideal for recordkeeping as assignments have indicated. Though personally I have not run into it, I’m sure there are people and companies out there who use it for longer records. Sometimes there is lots of information that needs to be stored and Access fits the bill in that regard. Even though I am not the best with it, it’s good that I’m getting exposure to the program. If ever I do need to utilize it at least I’ll have some working knowledge of Access.
For next week, we need to finish up Access assignments and read about Access. Hopefully the class won’t be on an Access overload. Just have to take our time with Access since it can get so frustrating. We will be done with it soon enough, so there is an end in sight.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Week 4
This week we continued on using OneNote. It was kind of nice to hear what other people thought OneNote should be used for during a class discussion. I can easily come up with my own personal uses but it’s another thing to hear what others think. They came up with some interesting ideas and thought of places that could use OneNote that I honestly wouldn’t have thought of. This included everything from medical office use to a rolodex of clients.
Another point that was brought up would be using OneNote from an academic standpoint by using it to help organize a research paper. Different segments of the paper could be organized within OneNote, such as introduction in one area, purpose of research in another, and so on. It could also be ideal when sources need to be organized. A source’s URL could be pasted in and additional notes about that source could be written or highlighted. If they are necessary to the research pictures could be included with this as well.
If a presentation needs to be prepared for the workplace OneNote still fits the bill. Since it is possible to have multiple users, on a collaborative presentation everyone would be able to see and access the same thing. Also because OneNote integrates other Microsoft programs, if different parts of the presentation were in Work or Excel for example, they could be used within one program rather than being all over the place. Organization seems far simpler when everything is in one location.
Next week we will have to prepare for our quiz on OneNote, it really flew by. But I’m also dreading starting Access. I’m currently in the Access class and it is far from easy. I really have to devote the time when working with Access. But hopefully because I will have Access in two different classes it will give me more of a perspective with the program. I just don’t want it to turn into a big headache because frustration often comes with Access.
Another point that was brought up would be using OneNote from an academic standpoint by using it to help organize a research paper. Different segments of the paper could be organized within OneNote, such as introduction in one area, purpose of research in another, and so on. It could also be ideal when sources need to be organized. A source’s URL could be pasted in and additional notes about that source could be written or highlighted. If they are necessary to the research pictures could be included with this as well.
If a presentation needs to be prepared for the workplace OneNote still fits the bill. Since it is possible to have multiple users, on a collaborative presentation everyone would be able to see and access the same thing. Also because OneNote integrates other Microsoft programs, if different parts of the presentation were in Work or Excel for example, they could be used within one program rather than being all over the place. Organization seems far simpler when everything is in one location.
Next week we will have to prepare for our quiz on OneNote, it really flew by. But I’m also dreading starting Access. I’m currently in the Access class and it is far from easy. I really have to devote the time when working with Access. But hopefully because I will have Access in two different classes it will give me more of a perspective with the program. I just don’t want it to turn into a big headache because frustration often comes with Access.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Week 3
This week as a class we started to utilize OneNote. It’s all quite new, so there is hesitation and uneasiness with working with it for the first time. Every program works differently, so it seems like just a matter of getting used to it. Now based on working with it in class, OneNote doesn’t seem too overly complicated because you can do seemingly anything. You can write anywhere and even draw on a page. It seems like it combines the best features of other programs into one organized thing.
OneNote I think can be used on so many different levels. Personally it can be used for organizing class notes and planning events. The exercise that we need to complete for class is an event and an advantage I can see with OneNote is that you can have all your information there and not in nine million different places. You can have tables, pictures, text, and links all on one page if needed. It seems a better fit rather than trying to make it work in another program such as Word for example.
The workplace is no different than personal use in how it can help organize. Though personally I haven’t seen it, but OneNote would be fantastic for meeting minutes. There could be screen shots of websites perhaps discussed in the meeting rather than just having a boring URL in the minutes. Important files could be attached, such appendixes surrounding a particular topic. Not to mention all the different part of the meeting divided off into tabs and subpages going in order from old business to new business and so on.
For next week I will need to finish up the OneNote assignment for class. It’s not half as bad as I thought it would be using it for the first time. It can’t compare by say using Access for the first time. On the whole, OneNote is very useful and practical and I hope that I will be able to use it in my own personal life and as well as being able to use it from a professional standpoint.
OneNote I think can be used on so many different levels. Personally it can be used for organizing class notes and planning events. The exercise that we need to complete for class is an event and an advantage I can see with OneNote is that you can have all your information there and not in nine million different places. You can have tables, pictures, text, and links all on one page if needed. It seems a better fit rather than trying to make it work in another program such as Word for example.
The workplace is no different than personal use in how it can help organize. Though personally I haven’t seen it, but OneNote would be fantastic for meeting minutes. There could be screen shots of websites perhaps discussed in the meeting rather than just having a boring URL in the minutes. Important files could be attached, such appendixes surrounding a particular topic. Not to mention all the different part of the meeting divided off into tabs and subpages going in order from old business to new business and so on.
For next week I will need to finish up the OneNote assignment for class. It’s not half as bad as I thought it would be using it for the first time. It can’t compare by say using Access for the first time. On the whole, OneNote is very useful and practical and I hope that I will be able to use it in my own personal life and as well as being able to use it from a professional standpoint.
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