Project Junction

Class,

Here’s a few questions you can expect to see next Monday:

1. What does DPI stand for?  Enough people got it wrong this week that’s I’m gong to ask again.
2. What is a reasonable DPI for a web picture?  A:72
3. What is a reasonable DPI for professional printing?
4. Why is Delicious social bookmarking useful?  A:  watch the video in my previous post and say “Because other human beings have given the sites a thumbs up” or something like that.
5. Be prepared to write the open and close tags for HTML to make text:  Bold, Italics, ordered list and unordered list.
6. Be prepared to write the keyboard shortcuts from last week (in case I ask them again).
7. True or False:  Are hyperlink usually a different color then normal text on a web page.  And do they change colors after you click them?

I’m taking a half day from work and I will be available from noon till 6:00 pm on Friday in the lab to help you get up to speed.  Please take advantage of the offer.  Also, if you plan to work on your About ME project, then please write down your thoughts and bring in pictures … I’ll help you with the mechanics, but I wont help you (much) with the content.

Class,

Here’s the lesson from last night:  computer-apps-lesson-3

Here’s your homework for the week.  Remember, if you have any trouble at all, call me or askyour question by posting a comment to this post.

1. Complete ABOUT ME project and upload to slideshare
   > Notify me and your class “buddy” with URL
   > Use your “buddy” to provide constructive criticism
2. Watch “What Teachers Make” on slideshare and make it a “favorite”
3. Watch “Next Generation Social Media Marketing” on slideshare and make it a “favorite”
4. Bookmark
   > Meriam-Websters
   > RSS:  projectEZ blog
5. Post a comment to this blog post and tell me what one area that you think we should cover again … so that you get it down cold … Use an HTML tag in your comment.
6. MANDATORY: Bring in a picture of yourself that we can use to create a portrait shot to use on LinkedIn and other services profiles.  I’ll bring my camera on Friday afternoon so you can take a shot if necessary.
7. Extra Credit: Send me an email with your new signature line
8. Extra Credit: Get Linkedin
   > Find me on Linked in (search on name)
   > Add me to your network
9. Read, practice and bookmark the following PhotoShop Tutorials

• How to use the Pen Tool.  Click Here
• The Worst way to create a clipping path.  Click Here (Robyn, this article and #5 above are provide a response to your question about why I rarely use the “magic wand tool”)
• Remove a picture from its background.  Click Here
• How to straighten crooked photos.  Click Here

Class,

For our quiz next Monday, you can expect to see these questions (and potentially a few more). Please put your super short term memory to work and memorize these answers:

1. I will ask [again] for the two architectural constraints of the web.  Many of you gave single word answers like “Schema”  … that’s not plain English.  Would your mom or dad understand what you mean?   Here’s an example of the answer that works for me:  A browser and a common way to pass messages.   Remember … we want to communicate with each other using familiar expressions and not techno jargon.
2. Here’s another repeat question you can expect to see again:  What is an operating system?  A:  A traffic copy that manages computer resources.
3. Memorize the keyboard shortcuts in the lesson 2 slide deck I attached in the last post.  Sometimes you just gotta commit things to memory mindlessly.  Sorry.  You will thank me later.
4. PhotoShop is a __________ based program?   It’s on the tip of my tongue.  I just can’t remember.
5. You should usually create a __________ point before you install a new program or run a potentially damaging executable.  Think “system tools.”
6. We didn’t fully cover this topic last week, but you are smart enough to find the answer:  What does DPI stand for and what is a reasonable resolution for a web image.  I think I remember a number of 72 pixels per inch thrown out last night.
7. I wonder what “sans-seriff” means?
8. And why do they call real life stories “non fiction?”  I always got that Fiction vs Non fiction stuff wrong as a kid.  Seems like “non truth” would be “non Fiction” doesn’t it?  Wait, this doesn’t have anything to do with computers so I can’t include this on the quiz.  Bummer.  Cuz this is a tricky question.

Gee, Mr. Langlois … your posting multiple times to the blog.  I wish there was a way for me easily know when you are posting.  There is, my friends. Add an RSS reader to your web browser (like WIZZ for Firefox) and then ask me how to use it next week!  Or you can just keep checking back every hour of every day.  It’s your time.

Class,

That fire alarm sure HURT tonight.  But stuff happens.  So let’s move on.

Here’s our lesson from tonight and last week:
computer-apps-lesson-1
computer-apps-lesson-2

Here’s your homework for this week.

1. We agreed by consensus to use the textbook for reference.  You do not need to read the textbook assignments in the syllabus!  Instead, I will post our lessons each week and you must complete your homework assignments … to the letter … if you start to slack … I will assign 100s of pages in the textbook and create cunningly difficult test questions from it in order to punish you.
2. For the new students, James and Jeri, read the blog post below to see the homework after our first lesson.  You’ve got some catching up to do …
3. All students were requested to create a GMAIL account on google and send the email to me.  I only received it from a few.  The others will get a dink on their homework.  Do it.  do it now.  My email is class@projectEZ.com
4. Open an account in slideshare (if you haven’t already) and send me your account name.
5. Find the red eye tool in Photoshop and be prepared to demonstrate it next class
6. Scan “how to fix and enhance photos” topic under Help menu
7. Use Help to find “Retouching Tools Gallery.” Go to the page on the web and bookmark it
8. Use help to search for “Keys for selecting tools” Go to the page on the web and bookmark it
9. Complete your first draft of About ME project. Print it as pdf and upload to slideshare.  For James and Jeri, here’s the project guidelines.  project-1-about-me
10. Notify my via a comment to the homework blog entry that your file is posted.  Use the following HTML code:  <a href=”[http://myslideshare”>Click Here</a>
    … just kidding … I’ll show you how to write a useful HTML Click Here line next week.
11. Read this blog post below make this blog de.lic.ious with collaborative bookmarks.
12. Retouch a family photo and show me the before & after. Minimum requirement: Use Image adjustment and clone tool.   Use the Help on Photoshop or google “Photoshop clone tool” for more instructions on how to use it.

Remember, you cannot fail in this class if you ask questions.  If you are having any troubles, send me a note and I’ll meet with you.  Or post your question as a comment to this blog post.  Look back here (or use an RSS feed to notify you) and you’ll find your response. Anyone in the class can post a response.  We’re all connected.

Class,

Jim Langlois on Triumph

We will use this picture to learn Photoshop Basics this evening.  Specifically, you will learn:

1. Zoom Ctrl + / -
2. Image adjustments \ auto levels
3. Image adjustments Brightness \ contrast
4. Image crop
5. Clone stamp tool
6. Resize image

In order to direct more traffic to my new blog, I need your help to “salt the tip jar.” The PM Nation visiting from inside of IBM already knows what to do. But for my novice readers, I’d like your support by sharing my posts on del.icio.us. This is a social bookmarking site that promotes links to your favorite sites and blogs … er h… um … hint … hint.

Lee LeFever is one of my favorite YouTube master teachers. Here he explains social bookmarking in plain English. Watch and learn.

Now it is time to practice with my blog. Follow these simple steps:

1. Register one time at del.icio.us. Click here
2. Press this buttonat the bottom of each blog post you enjoy or find useful.
3. Select the first link del.icio.us from the drop down menu. There are many other social bookmarking services listed, but I’m stressing del.icio.us as it appeals to my target audience.
4. Enter key words or tags to describe the post. You’ll see the tags I used at the bottom of each post. It really doesn’t matter what words you use; whatever comes to mind will work just fine.
5. You’re done.

What’s in it for you? Answer: Watch Lee’s video again.

Class,

It was great meeting you this evening and I look forward to discussing practical tips and tricks for getting things done.   Here’s your homework for the week:

1. Create a file folder called “System tools” on your desktop on your home computer.  Find conf.exe, disk cleanup and disk defrag applications and send them to the desktop.  [As Ms. Sarah Chavez correctly noted in her comment to a previous post, the Apple computer will have different names for these types of applications ... unless you are running Windows through bootcamp or VMware.]  Once you find them, drop them into the folder you just created.  Finally, copy that folder to your USB Memory Stick and bring it to class next week.
2. Make sure you are using a firewall on your home computer. Zone Alarm offers a great one for free.  Click here for the program.
3. Find me on slideshare and view the About John presentation.  Click here to view.  It provides a template for your first project.
4. Add a Comment to the post below and tell me “what went well tonight” and “what could be improved.” Open and honest communication will be rewarded.  Do you trust me enough to tell the truth?
5. Create a honey pot email account using google gmail.
6. Send me a note with that address and your AI student email address.  My mail is: class@projectez.com
7. Set up accounts with the following services:
   > Delicious
   > Digg
   > Linked in
   > Slideshare
   > Poll daddy
   > Google blogger
   > Many eyes (ibm alpha works)
8. Install an RSS reader like “WIZZ” on your browser. Next week, I’ll show you how to add a “feed” to your reader.  Some browsers have the reader “built in.”
9. Bookmark: wikipedia.org, snopes.com, and projectEZ.com
10. Read the textbook assignment
11. Study for the Quiz
12. Do you have any digital images of yourself?  Bring them to class on your USB memory stick.  We’re all going to need a good full body shot with a white background and a head shot.  Perhaps we can find a good plain background at the school and shoot them next Monday during a break if you don’t have any?

If you are having any problems completing these assignments, just add a comment to this post and explain the problem.  I will help you.  Or perhaps another student will help you.  It’s doesn’t really matter … we are now all connected and we are responsible for each other.

I’d like to welcome my Art Institute class to this blog. I value your feedback.

During class:
Please take this simple survey.  Click here to begin

After the class:
Your homework includes proving feedback on our session tonight:

+ what went well
+ what could be improved

Please give me your top-of-mind observations by posting a comment to this post. Don’t spend more than 2 mins on this exercise.

You probably noticed a change in my blog’s appearance today. I’ve updated it to fit my mood for this week.  Clean.  Neat.  Focused.

Last week, someone commented that I had google ads on my projectEZ website and said that I had “sold out to the man.”  He was right. I have removed most of those ads. You shouldn’t be bothered by those distractions.  Sorry about that.  It won’t happen again unless gasoline hits $5.00 a gallon and I need a few extra bucks.

I will also try to stay within the general themes of leadership, project management and getting things done.  That’s the DNA for this blog.  If I get too far off track, slap me on top ‘o the head. Gently.

“It will take two weeks,” a wonk(fn) told me last week.
“Why?” I asked
“That’s our process. It is documented,” the wonk answered.

Only that really isn’t an answer, is it? It is more like a brush off.  A better response might be, “I wasn’t sitting on my hands waiting for you to pass me work … I’ve got a full plate … get in line.”  I would have respected that answer.

I also respect the person who says, “Things always look easy for the people who don’t actually do the work.”

And this response would also soften my expectations, “There’s a lot more detail under the surface than you might be aware of like tests and proper approvals. It takes time to get things right. ”

But to say that “We have a documented process” just  doesn’t do it for me. Will it always take two weeks? Even 30 years from now?

_________

Wonk:  a person preoccupied with arcane details or procedures in a specialized field.