Quick Bio:

• I have an AS degree in Computer Information Systems from Ivy Tech Community College and a BS degree in Business Administration from Indiana University (because the East campus, in Richmond, does not offer a computer degree anymore).
• My most recent jobs include being an Administrative Programmer at Earlham College (Oct. 2007 - present), Webmaster/Database Administrator at Ivy Tech Community College (2001 - 2007), and Microsoft Access Programmer/Co-Systems Analyst for the Department of Parks and Recreation (2000 - 2007).
• The programming languages I have worked in the most are Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (a.k.a. VBA -- Used in Microsoft Access), SQL (Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, and Oracle PL/SQL flavors), SQR (Structured Query Reporting -- Recently acquired by Oracle), and Flash ActionScript (very similar to Java).

Some articles/websites that I found interesting:

• "Dirty Coding Tricks" is an article comprised of stories from game developers that were extremely close to releasing their game; but had to work through some odd bug first. So, rather than work on a clean solution, these guys just came up with something that worked. If you check out this article, you have to read Ken's story in the comments section below the actual article! It's hilarious!
• "Unix turns 40: The past, present and future of the OS"
• "The Most Expensive JavaScript Code Ever!"... this is a great example of not writing code once and expecting it to work for every customer :)
• Slashdot - Developer Channel posted a very interesting piece that explains how a silly programming error caused some Visa customers to be overcharged by $23,148,855,308,184,500.00!!!!!!!
• This article talks about the 25 most dangerous errors that programmers introduce into their programs. Read up, then re-write all of your apps :)
• "The Mythical Man-Month" describes how "adding manpower to a late project only makes it later." The link goes to an excerpt from the book in Wikkipedia; but it's a good start... if you're interested in that sort of topic.
• I found this article on Shahsdot - Developer this morning (12/17/08). It's just an amusing blog entry that associates each major programming language with a religion.
• "Get to know GCC4" article has a good explanation of one of the most popular versions of the C programming language, a brief history, and a description of where it's latest version is heading.
• The "The A-Z of Programming Languages: C#" article, written by Microsoft's Anders Hejlsberg, reveals the history behind one of the most common programming languages, C#, and what the future holds for C#4.0.
• I just found this ( http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/09/26/0125234&from=rss ) interesting article on Slashdot about first-time programming. Some of the suggestions are very useful, others are just amusing.
• " What To Do Right As a New Programmer?" is an interesting article on Slashdot about first-time programming. Some of the suggestions are very useful, others are just amusing.
• If you are interested in learning to program, you might want to check out this site. It was created by a company called AppJet to serve as an interactive website for creating and testing JavaScript code. With this site, there is no need in opening up a text editor, writing code, uploading it to a web server, testing it, going back to the text editor, fix bugs, upload again, test, etc. You can just follow along with the simple tutorials, click the "Run" button, and see how it works all in about 10 seconds! Great site for the beginning developer... even if you don't like JavaSript :)

>> CINS 113-51i Logic, Design and Programming

ISBN: 978-1-4239-0196-9

Course Type Hybrid Course Length: 8 Weeks Course Dates: 08/24/2009 - 10/18/2009 Meeting Times: Thursday, 6 - 9 p.m. - IN CLASS Outline: Download PDF Description: Introduces the structured techniques necessary for efficient solution of business-related computer programming logic problems and coding solutions into a high-level language. Includes program flowcharting, pseudo coding, and hierarchy charts as a means of solving these problems. The course covers creating file layouts, print charts, program narratives, user documentation, and system flowcharts for business problems. Reviews algorithm development, flowcharting, input/output techniques, looping, modules, selection structures, file handling, and control breaks. Offers students an opportunity to apply skills in a laboratory environment. Screencasts: • Using Visio 2007 to create a basic flowchart • Using VisualBasic to create interactive screens

>> CINS 125-11i Database Design & Management

ISBN: 978-0-07-294220-0

Course Type Online Course Length: 8 Weeks Course Dates: 08/24/2009 - 10/18/2009 Meeting Times: Tuesdays, 7 - 9 p.m. - Pronto Chat Session Outline: Download PDF Description: Introduces program applications in a database environment and includes discussion of data structures; indexed and direct file organizations; data models, including hierarchical, network, and relational; storage devices, data administration and analysis; design and implementation. Using database software, students have hands-on experience creating, modifying, retrieving and reporting from databases. Students may also develop a business application using a database language. Screencasts: • Creating a new database and importing a table from a text file • Accessing VisualBasic for Applications (VBA) to write custom program code • Setting Validation Rules • Setting Primary/Combined Keys and Relationships

>> CINS 121-11i C/C++ Programming

ISBN: 978-0321543721

Course Type Online Course Length: 8 Weeks Course Dates: 10/19/2009 - 12/20/2009 Meeting Times: Tuesdays, 7 - 9 p.m. - Pronto Chat Session Outline: Download PDF Description: Provides a basic understanding of the fundamentals of procedural program development using structured, modular concepts. Emphasizes logical program design involving user-defined functions and standard structure elements. Discussions will include the role of data types, variables, structures, addressable memory locations, arrays and pointers. Data file access methods are also presented. Downloads: • Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition Screencasts: • None available

>> CINS 137-11i Visual Basic Programming

ISBN: 0-324-78276-4

Course Type Online Course Length: 8 Weeks Course Dates: 10/19/2009 - 12/20/2009 Meeting Times: Thursdays, 7 - 9 p.m. - Pronto Chat Session Outline: Download PDF Description: This course will provide a basic understanding of the fundamental concepts involved when using a member of a Windows programming development language. The emphasis is on logical program design using a modular approach involving task oriented program functions. Visual Basic applications are built by selecting forms and controls, assigning properties, and writing code. Downloads: • Microsoft Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition Screencasts: • None available