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:
-
check your enrollment schedule and verify that you are enrolled in
a CIS200 lab (either on Thurs.
or Fri.)
-
verify that you can use your KSU eID (email address) to read email
-
If you do not have prior programming or scripting experience,
obtain a copy of the CIS200 text, Python programming for the
absolute beginner
-
get a Computing and Information Science Dept. (CIS) computing account, and optionally, an Engineering College computing account
-
find and read the CIS200 web page
-
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:
-
Computing and Information Science Dept. (CIS):
Nichols Hall, rooms 16 and 126
-
Engineering College (Engg): Seaton Hall, room 54, and Fiedler Hall, room 1092
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:
-
Go to
https://selfserv.cis.ksu.edu/account/request
and complete the web form on that page.
-
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.)
-
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.