Getting Started in CIS200, Spring 2008 CIS200 Spring 2008

Getting Started in CIS200

Every course has some start-up activities. Here is the list to get you started in CIS200:
  1. check your enrollment schedule and verify that you are enrolled in a CIS200 lab (either on Thurs. or Fri.)
  2. verify that you can use your KSU eID (email address) to read email
  3. If you do not have prior programming or scripting experience, obtain a copy of the CIS200 text, Python programming for the absolute beginner
  4. get a Computing and Information Science Dept. (CIS) computing account, and optionally, an Engineering College computing account
  5. find and read the CIS200 web page
  6. if you have a computer, prepare it for the course
Details are listed below.

Enrollment

You will not receive a letter grade from the course if you are not enrolled in a lab session. Please speak with the instructor if you are not enrolled in a lab or if you wish to transfer from one lab time to another. (At this point, I can make no promises about adding/changing labs, but you are welcome to ask.)

KSU eID

You will use your KSU eID (email address) to submit your assignments and receive your scores. So, check that you can read/write email: Using a University computer, use a web browser to go to https://webmail.ksu.edu and type in your eID and password. If this doesn't show your email box, then contact the KSU IT help desk at 532-7722 (http://eid.k-state.edu). Next, send an email to yourself to verify that your email box is active.

Textbook

I chose the text because it is clear, entertaining, and inexpensive. It will be useful to you if you have minimal or no experience in computer linguistics --- scripting/programming. You can also use the disk in the back of the book to install course software on your own computer (if you have one).

CIS (and Engineering College) computing accounts

The University has many computing labs open to all students, but CIS200 uses its own labs:

The CIS200 Thursday-Friday labs meet in Nichols 16, so you must obtain a CIS computing account/password to do the required labwork. If you do not have already a CIS computing account, do this immediately:
  1. Go to https://selfserv.cis.ksu.edu/account/request and complete the web form on that page.
  2. In about 2-3 days, you will receive an email message, sent to your KSU email address, that gives you the password to use with the computers in Nichols 16. When you receive the email with the password, print the email and bring it with you to the lab to help you login. (The passwords often contain crazy combinations of Os, os, 0s, 1s, ls, Ls, etc., and it is best to have a printout of your password with you when you try it the first time.)
  3. Once you login successfully, you are welcome to go to http://support.cis.ksu.edu/UserGuide/Password to change your password to something you like better.

If you wish to use also the Engineering labs in Seaton and Fielder Halls, then go to http://ecc.engg.ksu.edu and apply for an account.

CIS200 web page

Locate this at www.cis.ksu.edu/~schmidt/200s08. You will find links to lecture notes, assignments, and announcements, all of which are required reading. Check this page at least twice each week.

Prepare your computer for CIS200

Most of the course assignments will be written in the Python programming language. You can use the computers in the labs to do your assignments or you can use your own.

Please read the information at the end of the Lecture Note titled, Introduction to Python (http://www.cis.ksu.edu/~schmidt/200s08/Lectures/1.python.introF.html#python), to learn how to use the disk enclosed with your textbook to install Python on your computer.

It is also possible to install Python without using the textbook's disk: go to http://www.activestate.com/Products/ActivePython, follow the links to the Free Download, fill in your name and address, and then download and install Python Version 2.4.x.