ALS 3203 Lesson 1

- Getting Started (Spring 2008)

1. Describe course delivery, grading procedures, my policies.
2. The proper Naming of files you submit for each lesson

1. Create a new Folder on your computer named ALS3203. You may have this folder anywhere on your computer, but be sure you can get to it and know how to save files to it. Instructions for the lesson exercises follow below.
2. For Both MacIntosh and PC USERS: Using a command line (PC users and Mac users can do this ), once you have created the ALS3203 folder, do a directory listing of the folder, outputting the directory listing to a file called last_name_initials_als3203.txt (replace last_name and initials with your lastname and initials) and send it to me as an email attachment. (If you do not know how to send an attachment to an email message, please look in your email help, or ask for help on the list-serv). The PC command you will use to create a file that contains a listing of the contents of a folder is dir > filename.txt, so if your prompt is c:\als3203> and you then type dir > last_name_initials_als3203.txt, a file with name of last_name_initials_als3203.txt will be created in the same location you are logged onto. So, How do I do all of this right now without knowing any of the basics?
3. Since this is an important starting point, IT IS IMPORTANT TO DO THIS! In the future you are to make sure you place copies of everything you submit to me during the semester into this folder. If you need to prove to me that you have completed an exercise, or if your first submission fails, this will be your backup. At the end of the semester you will have a complete copy of all that you did. In the event that we disagree on what you have done, this will be your proof. DO this ASAP. THIS IS IMPORTANT!
4. Macintosh users - The Unix kernel on your Mac is called Tiger, which is found in Terminal applications, under the Applications sub folder on a Mac running OS X or later. When you launch this application you will actually have a command line. (that's right) - If you type ls (that is an L) you will get a listing of all folders and sub folders on your Mac.

   If you type cd ~ you will navigate to your home folder (I guess this is the equivalent of the root) If you type ls -FR it will list all files and folders

   And if you type ls -FR > allmyfiles.txt a directory listing
   of all files and folders will be send to a text file in your home folder!

   So...all Mac users now have the ability to provide me with a text file that contains their als3203 folder listing for this course. So, you are asked to provide me with a directory listing just as the PC users are required to do. You may not do a print screen of your computer folders, do not send me images (.jpg format) of your folder. I want a text file only.

5. Review software - piracy, and grading policy.
6. Only when you have completed the lesson 1 tasks, fill out a Lesson Completion Certification form. This will keep track of the lessons you have completed throughout the semester.

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