Soapbox- Fall 2007


	Welcome to CS1315. Click on the python to add comments. Looking for the book? They have it at the Engineer's Bookstore at 748 Marietta St NW. Here is there website: http://www.engrbookstore.com/ - Monica

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Soapbox- Fall 2007

When is our final exam? I'm trying to put my schedule together and I don't see any times up there under syllabus.

When reading this about the homework: "Your html page will be made of links to media instances in the directory (sound or picture)," it seems as though we can use either pictures or sound files. If that's the case, then I'm finished. If not, then I've got some more work to do... Do we get to pick either or do we have to utilize both in our code?

It mentions in multiple places on the homework page, as well as the questions page, that you must account for both. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

Can any TA log into AIM? I need help. :(
I've worked on this HW all weekend, and now i am completley stuck and confused

I've been on AIM pretty much non-stop all weekend. Chris Phillips

pretty much just assisting me
Who else did the 5 pt extra credit for the h/w? :O

Not it. The 15-point bit was easier... unless you used SSH/SCP like I did. :D

Thank you TAs for all your help! :)

Yeah, our TAs are great!

Does anyone know when test grades will be posted?

We are grading on Wednesday, so I hope it will be by that evening. Colin Potts

Do we have class the Wed before Thanksgiving???

Yes. Colin Potts

(They don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Britain.) ;D

Actually, we celebrate the Puritans leaving :) Colin Potts

You give thanks for it. Thanksgiving. Same as Britain's July 4th, they celebrate getting rid of those troublesome colonists. Chris Phillips

sizzllleeee (brain is frying...again)
_
AHAHAHAA!
IMAGE function cannot find the upload.
That series is awesome! :D
Turtle Homework!
I love the turtles!

no extra credit for hw6??

Nope. Be creative. Once again, please do not delete entries from the bubble. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

So what's the pop quiz count up to? 3?!

Indeed, there have been 3 pop quizzes so far. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

So are we supposed to have HW4 grades yet? I still don't and it's been almost 2.5 weeks.

They will be up by next week. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

Is there recitation next week (on Tuesday), if so, how long will it last?

No recitation next week. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

soo.... the whole going up by tonight...does that mean midnight?

They are all up now. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

hm. wish i wouldn't have checked...

Me too! :(

Yay! Thanks for the review and the review session!!!!!
- person who isn't magically gifted with CS talent

I'm happy because the only question I got wrong was the question I thought I got wrong after taking the test.

YAY FOR NO RECITATION!!!! booo for test grade....

I've been pretty depressed recently, until I saw the grade on this test. Thanks to Colin and all the TAs!! ;D

If we don't have recitation next week does that mean we won't get our tests back to go over until the week after? Can we get them before that? Thanks.

You can pick them up at any TA's office hours tomorrow or next week. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

Wow, I really didn't like the new review format, but I did better on this test than the other two. And I hadn't been to a single lecture since the second test. So maybe there was something right about the new format.

Whaaat?? Don't give people ideas! Colin Potts

TA's- please grade homework 4 :(

If it is this important for you to have your Homework 4 grade right now, please e-mail me and I will grade it tonight. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

and lab 4 :D

After seeing my grade for test 3 I really hope the reviews go back to how they were for tests 1 and 2.

can the 15 of us that are here for lecture have extra credit?

Brrr, it's cold.

Oh man that was funny. lol Potts.

First I would like to say thank you for the reviews for Test 1 and 2. They were VERY helpful and effective at illustrating what would be on the tests, and it is obvious they took much time and effort to compose. The review for Test 3 was helpful, but I think the others many have been more effective at conveying the material. Please can we have a Test 1 and 2 style review for this next test? Please Please? Thank you!

OK, everyone. The people have spoken. We'll do both in future: a detailed outline to explain what you need to study, and some sample exercises that are typical of the types of questions that may come up on the test. Don't expect the next test or final to follow the sample questions too closely. That was what the students who relied on them too much in tests 1 and 2 complained about. Colin Potts

I love that the error is called ThreadDeath when we stop a program. teehee

Maybe I'm just too geeky, and too indoctrinated into the lingo, but what's funny about the term? Chris Phillips

I was sick this morning-did I miss a pop quiz or anything???

Pop quiz, no (although we are due two or three...hint, hint); "or anything", of course! Lots of turtle and OO stuff and is now posted. Try it out. Colin Potts

wait but we already had three pop quizzes...should we anticipate another?

Colin was saying that there are 2-3 remaining. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

I love "ThreadDeath" too. It is such a vicious result for a standard sounding operation.

Already asking about the next test?!

</derail>

Will there be recitation or CS1801 this week?

Recitation, no. CS 1801, no. Colin Potts

When is the next test?

Test 4- Nov. 30 Colin Potts

please cancel class! All my other classes are canceled!

We will still have class. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

some people do "have" to leave when their families leave otherwise they have no way of getting to see their families for thanksgiving which may be one of the few times they get to see them. it is a matter of choice in that one must decide whether they will trade valuable time with family for one class on Wednesday. I believe the fear is that there will be a pop-quiz which would end up feeling like a punishment for making this decision in favor of family. It would be generous of you if there was not a pop quiz tomorrow but rather it was given on a day where such a choice as between school and rare family time is not a factor.

I agree...

Alright everyone, choices have already been made. The decision to not cancel classes was already made by the school, the decision to not cancel this class was already made by this professor, and your decision to stay or leave has already been made if any preparation was needed (such as flying). If you decided to leave, then you decided to risk the fact that you might miss a pop quiz in favor of leaving before school was done and that is fine. Don't expect other people to change their decisions based on yours. Show up or don't, but stop complaining. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

It was not meant as a complaint at all but rather an explanation of how it was not as much of a "choice" as Professor Potts mentioned on the comments page. Our "decision" to leave, at least in my case and I'm sure in others cases, was either I go when my family goes or I don't go. We aren't going skiing, or on an exotic vacation, we are going to see family that we don't ever get to see. It wasn't a demand for class to be canceled but a reaction to what seemed like a false assumption about people's intentions for missing class.

ummhmm

Well, I think that having a quiz tomorrow would be really shitty. I don't plan on showing up to class since I want to beat the traffic out of Atlanta by leaving as early as possible. If the quiz happens to be tomorrow, well fuck it, it can be my dropped one, I don't really care. I would rather give up a quiz grade then sit in traffic an extra two hours.

Hey, I have a family too, so I quite understand your decision to want to be with yours at Thanksgiving. If you want to miss class tomorrow, and catch up by reading the posted notes/textbook that is fine; I am not going to punish anyone for not attending class. If I did give a pop quiz tomorrow, it would certainly be an extra-credit quiz that benefited people who attend but didn't penalize those who skip class. BTW, careful with your language.... I've heard it all before, but some people are more easily offended. Colin Potts

You knew there would be classes when GT published the schedule for this semester and you registered for classes. If any of your other classes are canceled, then you were given a GIFT in being able to leave earlier. I personally feel like canceled classes rip me off because I'M paying for these courses. That's great that you've got your parent's/s' wallet to just pay for something you don't care about, but I don't. I thought the point of Thanksgiving was to be GRATEFUL for the blessings in your life. Your family wants you to go to college and become a more educated member of society. You are so blessed as to have a family that wants the best for you. I think that they would advise you to go to class. You wanting class to be canceled is just your own selfishness.

Also, cussing on the pretty regularly checked website for the class just isn't smart on your part, I think.

Thank you, Professor! I too was worried about the quiz. Its good to know that it will be extra credit.

Happy Holidays Everyone!! :)

glad i showed up today.

Hey guys I'm leaving now (no one has come to office hours and no one has emailed me about coming). Happy Thanksgiving! See everyone Monday. Rita Kelly

To Hell With georgia!

does anyone know who carmen actually is?

Carmen is the universal swiki and coweb password, with attach as the username. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

well, it's an opera...and perhaps mrs. potts. but who knows.

It's a female career criminal who traverses the world and leaves behind arcane clues as to her whereabouts. Like an educational and better dressed 'Riddler'. Chris Phillips

So once again we lose to Georgia. Who thinks its time for a new coach who actually looks at quarterbacks when he recruits?

I think everyone agrees.

Nevermind a new coach, let's look for new refs. Calling pass interference on 23, when 23 is nowhere near the ball, and the flag should have gone down on GA (as obvious on the replay)? Which gets GA 10 yards, a first down, and an easy toss into the end zone? And then that call when we recovered the fumble in their end zone, and they handed it over to GA to play? I was so disgusted, I turned over to the Florida game. Chris Phillips

I'm not totally sure we need a new coach. And as for quarterbacks, Taylor Bennett isn't perfect, but neither is Peyton Manning. (Not saying he's anywhere near as good as Peyton Manning, but you get my point). And his receivers dropped a whole lot of passes that game. I feel like tech fans are just frusterated, and looking for someone to take it out on. But as for CS, Toni and Tom's recitation still doesn't have grades for Homework 4 OR 5...

When will the test review be posted?

Right now. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

And when will Homework 5 grades be posted on T-square?

I'll probably be posting my section's Sunday. This TA wants a holiday break, too. Chris Phillips

why oh why can't world be a picture!?

Because it's already a stage! Or, if you mean with regards to the homework, you can have a hidden turtle move to 1,1 and drop a picture...so...you know. It can be one if you want it to be. Chris Phillips

Can someone please please please post a review in the old format?

Questions are posted now. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

Thank you so much!!!

pop quizzes two days in a row? nooooooo

were there any turtle slides? it seems like everything on the slides and code page is all code and no slides. just wondering. also, will there be another ta review session?

There will be TA review sessions in recitation, but not outside. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

CHECK EXTRA HELP! =)

I was feeling bad this morning and missed the pop quiz.... What do I do?! O_o

When is test 4?
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 30

When is our final exam? I'm trying to put my schedule together and I don't see any times up there under syllabus.
According to the GT registrar page it's Monday, December 10th at 2:50

When will grades for homework 5 be up? No rush, just a question!

By next Tuesday. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

And lab 4...

Should already be up. I'll talk to the TAs today. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

can you put a questions page link off of each of the problems? thanks

Can you post your questions on the main questions page? It is too hard for TAs to navigate to all the individual pages and thus it is less likely that your questions would be answered on all those pages. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

why are there no turtle problems?

I felt that the questions throughly covered the topic. If you would like, I'll post some turtle questions soon. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

Just wanted to say thanks so much for doing both types of reviews! I think they will be very helpful. I know it was more effort for you guys but I really do appreciate it!!!

Make that a double THANKS!!!

By the way, thanks to all the students who care enough to thank us for doing our job. We are here to help in any way that we can. Good luck on the exam! Thanks! Brittany Duncan

Is there final exemption in this course for people who have an A before the final?

No, sorry. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

could someone please post the code from class where the increasingly larger turtles each drew circles at the same time in kind of a diagonal line and then all went to the bottom corner of the world?

do NOT hire Reggie as the new Head Coach!!!

Haha...that's funny

I AM GOING TO HIRE REGGIE AS THE NEW HEAD COACH
SIGNED, THE GUY WHO IS IN CHARGE OF HEAD COACH HIRING

could you please post some turtle problems, maybe some to help us with tracing and things like that?

Sure. I'll do that right now. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

Good luck on the test, everyone! :)

Important announcement about calculating your final grade just posted to Announcements page. Colin Potts

So when will today's test be graded by?

We are grading it right now. We will post ASAP. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

And when will our lab 4 and HW 5 grades be posted?

Before the beginning of next week. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

Is it just me, or was that test way easier than it seemed like it was going to be?
It's just you :P

The way you guys made the review for this test was the best yet. thanks!

I agree. It is most appreciated.

I am also thankful for the review(s). However, I am peeved that OIT hasn't resolved my not being able to access T-Square.

Please e-mail me, I might be able to get that taken care of faster than OIT. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

When will the test 4 grades be posted on T-square?

Up now. Sorry for the delay. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

Please -do- make sure you know when the class final is. You can find that information, along with information for all your classes finals, at the Registrar's page. If you want an easy way of navigating to the right place, Google "Gatech Final Exam Schedule". Chris Phillips

the review was awesome! are any more pop quizzes possible? i've missed two =(

It is possible that there will be more pop quizzes, make sure that you attend class. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

There have only been four so far, right? And as for a review for the final, should we just go by the four test reviews?

Correct. There have only been 4 tests and therefore 4 reviews. We will post a final review, it just isn't up yet. You can start with the other reviews though. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

What about the number of pop quizzes?

Four of those as well. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

Is the final in the same format as the midterms? I assumed so but I just wanted to clarify.

Yes, just longer. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

When is the final?

See the top of the bubble. We will not be answering this question as the answer is easy to find and we have answered it multiple times. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

To the young woman who came by my office hours, and who I told I'd send her a wav of America The Beautiful, that I know works; I didn't get your name. So, hopefully, you read the bubble, 'cause here it is - America The Beautiful Chris Phillips

YOU ARE INVITED TO A SPECIAL GEGENHEIMER LECTURE ON INNOVATION

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2007 3:00 P.M. FERST CENTER FOR THE ARTS

AN OGRE�S TALE: How To Make An Animated Feature In 1000 Easy Steps�

CHRIS MILLER
Director, Shrek the Third
DreamWorks Animation

A reception will be held after the lecture in the Galleries of the Ferst Center.
&star

So what happens if our final exam grade is lower than our lowest test grade? Does it revert to the original grading policy, or is our lowest test grade replaced by our even lower final grade?

Please re-read the Announcement. It says that the change will not hurt you in grade calculation. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

NO MORE CS HOMEWORK EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
I feel your joy. Does this mean you don't want another pop quiz? Colin Potts

Haha...what's the right answer?

Please no more! I have way too much other stuff to worry about!

Will there be a study guide or should we just go over the old ones?

Up now. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

Is 4 minutes late still considered late? ;_; You don't understand how hard I tried to perfect and PERFECT my program, costing me every last bit of breath.... -gasp-

Late is late. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

what are you talking about, late? its 11:39, you've got 6 minutes!

Ehh? it's due at 11:45? :O

Yeah, I thought the "grace" period was until 12:00, but the HW page says that there is a 4 hour grace period after 7:00. What gives?

all the other grace periods for other homeworks have been until midnight. the submission for this assignment is still open, i just submitted mine

I am utterly confused now.... What time does the grace period actually extend to?

It is open until 11:55 PM, as usual. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

Are the exams a good source for reviewing for the final or should we just go off of the posted review?

The review incorporates questions from some of the exams, and we didn't create it because we like to, so that would be what I would focus on. However, you can study in any way that you think will most benefit you. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

I still do not have a homework grade for HW 5. Does anyone know when the grades will be posted?

Soon. As in tonight. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

We still have recitation this week, right?

Yup. Reviewin' for the final. Chris Phillips

Will "the class before thanksgiving quiz" grade be on t-square?

They are up now under "Extra Credit Quiz". Thanks! Brittany Duncan

thanks SO much for the change in grading policy!! it's going to do wonders for my grade!

What about the quiz we had after Thanksgiving break. When will that grade be added in?

Ehh. I can get put them up this weekend if you guys really need them. I was planning on entering them next Wednesday. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

I heard we had a pop quiz this morning.Arent we not supposed to have and graded experiences during dead week? That's what it says on the SGA website.

That does not include graded attendance, we still have the right to do that. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

Hey everybody, we will be having class on Friday to review for the final. There will also be review sessions at noon on Sunday and 5 PM on Sunday, room TBA. The in-class review will cover different topics than the other reviews, so I would recommend attending both. Also, I will answer questions if there are topics that you are confused about. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

pop quizes during dead week are just down right dirty... : (

Not attending classes during dead week is just down right silly...

it was an easy quiz... you should have come to class....

It was by popular demand. Many students are looking for ways to boost their grades, and all you really had to do was show up. Each pop quiz is worth only about 1%, whereas the final is worth 15% and could also improve your worst test grade. Why not look at the review and be the first person to post a question? TAs are waiting to help. Colin Potts

post a question?? these are verbatim our test questions.. and while it would b SWEET if the final was just excerpts from our tests.. i don't find that likely

I need an 80 on the final to make an A!!! I need to studyyyyyyyyy. and yes, that would be awesome and yes, also highly unlikely

Why highly unlikely? The questions won't be identical to those you've seen before, but they may look more familiar than you think. There is more about this on the review questions page. Colin Potts

Thanks to all the TA's for helping us with the course, especially Chris. Students really appreciate the timely manner in which you grade assignments.

if anyone's wondering, calculate your grade, (can't use asterisks for multiplication!) (pop quiz average [times] .05) + (lab average [times] .1) + (homework average [times] .3) + (top 3 tests / 4) + x/4 . put that in your calculator and look at the graph. X is your final exam grade and Y is your final grade. This takes into account that the lowest test grade is dropped and replaced.

I've just posted some additional details about the topics covered in the questions on the final. Check either the announcements or the review/questions page. Colin Potts

ooooo, thanks. that actually really helped me Prof. Potts! cheers

Yes, Thank You!...For the final grade calculation change and all the final hints!!!...Thanks!!!!!

A little XKCD humour before the finals :]

thought this was pretty good, too (after reviewing exam 3 and all).

"We will demonstrate some examples recommended by TAs in the last class session of the semester." Thanks for holding to that. Really makes me appreciate all the extra hours and effort I put into the assignment.

Yeah, that would have been great. Except for the minor detail that it wouldn't help us on the final. GOOD IDEA!!!! Thanks, Jay Martin

Sorry for the mix up, I was under the impression that we had already shown those. In other news, there will be 2 final review sessions on Sunday, one at noon and one at 5 in CoC 17. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

Can yall post answers to the Final Review, im having a hard time finding all the ansnwers and i dont want to be studying incorrrect information

No. Try them out, ask questions on the questions page, ask questions at the two review sessions, and we will answer them. Colin Potts

Maybe I'm the only one who doesn't know the location, but can someone give a more detailed location of where CoC 17 is and how to get there once in the building? Thanks!

CoC = College of Computing Building. Room 17 is downstairs from the main entrance. Colin Potts

If you ever go to the coffee cart, it is to the left of that. Across from CoC 16. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

I don't want to be a pain, but I really would like to have my grades from the last two pop quizzes so I can know my grade going into the final. I think I'm right on the border. My ta is Tom so if that is at all possible...thanks!!

I can give you the grade from the almost last one, but Colin still has the last one. E-mail me and I will enter your grade for you. Sorry that I can't enter them all right now, I'm a student too. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

The last three questions on the review are (essentially) the last pop quiz. The answers are in the slides and the book. If you can remember your answers and now know the correct answers, you can calculate your pop quiz score. (Add a bonus point for m.o.l.t.u.a.e.==42) Colin Potts

Are we taking the final where we normally have lecture? Yes.

Is it possible for the TAs to bring our last test to the review sessions tomorrow?

Your TA should have your tests. If you are in section B1 or B2, they are in the TA lab and the TAs should be able to get them for you tomorrow. E-mail your TA and ask them to meet you if you are still curious. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

Is it possible that our lowest one or two homework grades can be dropped? No.

I'M GETTING READY FOR THIS THING RAAAAAAAAAAAAH

I'd just like to say thanks to Professor Potts and the TAs for all their help.

Where is the 5PM review session? CoC 17?

Yes. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

Thanks for the review sessions, they were extremely helpful!!!

Thank you to the TAs for taking your time to help us! I feel much better about the exam!! You guys are awesome!!

Good luck everyone. See you at the exam tomorrow. I should be online around 11 AM for any last minute help. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

Anyone know where the TA lab is?
the coc second floor walk in the front door coming from the street and walk to the left. you will see computers on your right nd the TA lab is on your left across from the booths

It's the place with all the XKCD comics on it, and the predicted velociraptor entry point conveniently marked out upon the glass. Chris Phillips

Haha, oh I see it! There are no TA's there though.. How can I get my test 4 back before the final?

Of course there are no TAs there, this is our finals week too. You should have e-mailed your TA and set up a meeting to get your test (or gone with me after class on Friday). There is a high probability that your test isn't even there as most TAs have their section's tests with them. Sorry. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

Best of luck to everyone on the final!

Gah, only 4 more hours, lol.

I need a 70 on the final to pass the class. . . . arrrgggh- i hope i make it ;-(
You can do it! The review is insanely helpful.

Oh, any possibility of our tests being with our TAs at the final? My fault for not getting it earlier, but I was just wondering. :)

~2 hours and 20 minutes and counting...

come on now.. its not the apocalypse

who else is scared to death that they will be spending another semester with Professor Potts and a large, nerdy snake?

T^T

Professor Potts isn't teaching CS1315 next semester, but the snake and I will still be here. Although, I do hope that none of you are. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

But I am teaching it in Oxford in the summer, if any of you are "frequent flyers" (I hope not) Colin Potts

I'm graduating in 4 days, 20 hours, and 7 minutes. I have so little motivation to study for anything even though I know I should... Shooting for a B!

Hmm, you know, the review is 13 PAGES and the exam is 11 QUESTIONS...I think if we do the review we'll be ok. (crosses fingers)

1 hour. woot.

Fifty-three minutes? Man, I can't say I'm exactly excited, but I'm looking forward to finally taking this thing.

9 MORE MINUTES!!! Good luck everyone ;D

HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN TO ME?
I'VE MADE MY MISTAKES
GOT NOWHERE TO RUN
THE NIGHT GOES ON
AS I'M FADING AWAY

Before it happens, please do not discuss the exam with anyone or post about it on the bubble until after Friday afternoon. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

why are there Simple Plan lyrics on here....?
because someone posted them there :P

I'm not too sure I understand why a curve is less justifiable? If I were to get 2 points off or so on every question, having none I just did terrible on,
but yet someone totally goes brain dead on one gets a get out of jail card, hows is that any more fair than a curve, at least then it effects everyone in the class equally.
id get an 85 while they could almost still get a 100 and for me thats the real difference between an A and a B. That seems flawed.

I understand what you are saying... I was thinking about that the other day. I am always grateful for whatever they give us dont get me wrong, but I think you are right.

I am too but it's pretty annoying when your told the reason there is no curve because it puts students at a disadvantage over other ones, but this is fine, either someone didn't
think about it or thats just an excuse to tell students. either way i think it should be addressed.

The reason that we chose to grade 11 questions and then keep the points from the 10 highest is simply that we wanted to be able to put a more challenging question on the exam, but did not want it to hurt people. It is in no way a replacement for a curve, it is just the way that Colin chose to organize the final. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

Important announcement: Hey everyone, sorry, but Colin seems to be having trouble recieving e-mail. Due to this, please e-mail me with any urgent e-mails (such as rescheduling your final), and as usual for any grade disputes with your TA. Thanks! Brittany Duncan

"Thank you so much" to all those who helped and assisted anyone this semester.

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Hotspots #2 last edited on 5 May 2008 at 10:38 am by c-76-17-124-0.hsd1.ga.comcast.net