FAQ - Revision history

Jkinne: /* Recommended Computer */

2026-06-05T02:03:39Z

Recommended Computer

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	=Recommended Computer=		==Recommended Computer==
	Much of what we do in CS courses can work in Windows, Mac OS, Linux, or Chrome. There will be an odd thing or two still that may not work in Chrome.		Much of what we do in CS courses can work in Windows, Mac OS, Linux, or Chrome. There will be an odd thing or two still that may not work in Chrome.

Jkinne: /* CS 151 */

2026-06-05T02:03:11Z

CS 151

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:03, 5 June 2026
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			=Recommended Computer=
			Much of what we do in CS courses can work in Windows, Mac OS, Linux, or Chrome. There will be an odd thing or two still that may not work in Chrome.

			All other things being equal, getting a computer that is not "bottom of the barrel" would be good. Chromebooks in the $400+ range should generally work reasonably well. For Windows/Linux/Mac OS laptops, you should be looking for 8GB RAM bare minimum, preferred 16GB if possible, and avoid getting a laptop with an i3 or Celeron processor; this roughly corresponds to the $500+ price range. You can potentially get anything to work, but will have an easier time with a medium-range computer than a low-end system.

			For laptops, we recommend getting at least a 3 year warranty (since they tend to break if you actually do transport them around). Also, we recommend getting an option that has a long battery life (rule of thumb - battery life will be half of its original rating after 1-2 years of regular daily use).

			You should also have the ability to install programs on the system and have a normally reliable internet connection at home if possible.

			If you have a particular system in mind for purchase that you would like an opinion on, please feel free to contact one of the CS faculty members.

			University recommendations are listed [https://indstate.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/1851/Portal/KB/Article/71665/Student-Laptop-Minimum-Specifications here] and are similar to that described above.

	== CS 151 ==		== CS 151 ==
	New students majoring in computer science should take ECT 130 and CS 151 their first term. ECT 130 is an overview of CS, IT, and CEET majors. It is required for all of those majors. There is a ''small'' amount of programming. CS 151 is the first programming course in the CS major, is a full semester of programming (in Python, as of 2026), and helps to decide whether you prefer CS or IT.		New students majoring in computer science should take ECT 130 and CS 151 their first term. ECT 130 is an overview of CS, IT, and CEET majors. It is required for all of those majors. There is a ''small'' amount of programming. CS 151 is the first programming course in the CS major, is a full semester of programming (in Python, as of 2026), and helps to decide whether you prefer CS or IT.

Jkinne: /* Programming Assessment */

2026-06-01T20:04:17Z

Programming Assessment

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	Note for new students. The application system asks you to list some number of references. You can list professors who you will have in class or your advisor, but they will not be able to say much about you other than what they might know from your transcript. It is better to list a reference that knows you (possibly someone you had in previous studies or work). Once you have been in class long enough to have had some assignments or exams graded, the professors you have in class might able to give more support in a recommendation for you. And always check with someone before listing them as a reference.		Note for new students. The application system asks you to list some number of references. You can list professors who you will have in class or your advisor, but they will not be able to say much about you other than what they might know from your transcript. It is better to list a reference that knows you (possibly someone you had in previous studies or work). Once you have been in class long enough to have had some assignments or exams graded, the professors you have in class might able to give more support in a recommendation for you. And always check with someone before listing them as a reference.

	~~== Programming Assessment ==~~
	~~See [[Programming Assessment]]~~

Jkinne: /* Planning Ahead */

2026-06-01T20:02:44Z

Planning Ahead

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	You should begin to think about applying for jobs at least one year before you will do so. If you wait until you graduate to think about how to get a job after graduation, you will not be as successful. Some of our graduates have decided to complete an industry certification program (e.g., from Microsoft, Oracle, or Cisco) to increase their chances of getting a job after graduation; we have been told this can take about one year from when you begin.		You should begin to think about applying for jobs at least one year before you will do so. If you wait until you graduate to think about how to get a job after graduation, you will not be as successful. Some of our graduates have decided to complete an industry certification program (e.g., from Microsoft, Oracle, or Cisco) to increase their chances of getting a job after graduation; we have been told this can take about one year from when you begin.

	For both on campus jobs and jobs after graduation, you wil benefit by doing well in your classes - (i) doing well better prepares you, (ii) having a higher GPA looks better to prospective employers, and (iii) your professors can give you good recommendation letters if you have done well in their classes. It really does pay off to do your best in your classes.		For both on campus jobs and jobs after graduation, you wil benefit by doing well in your classes - (i) doing well better prepares you, (ii) having a higher GPA looks better to prospective employers, and (iii) your professors can give you good recommendation letters if you have done well in their classes. It really does pay off to do your best in your classes (and participate fully - pay attention, answer/ask questions, etc.).

	== On Campus Jobs ==		== On Campus Jobs ==

Jkinne: /* Programming and Linux */

2026-06-01T20:00:40Z

Programming and Linux

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	== Programming and Linux ==		== Programming and Linux ==
	Many professors (e.g., Kinne) require students to turn in assignments on the CS server. For these courses you ~~will be given an account for the course, and~~ will do all your programming assignments for the course on the CS server ~~with your class account~~. To be counted as correct, in these courses your program must compile and run on the CS server. See [[Programming and CS - Getting Started]] for help in getting started on the CS machines.		Many professors (e.g., Kinne) require students to turn in assignments on the CS server. For these courses you will do most (or all) of your programming assignments for the course on the CS server. To be counted as correct, in these courses your program must compile and run on the CS server. See [[Programming and CS - Getting Started]] for help in getting started on the CS machines.

	== Planning Ahead ==		== Planning Ahead ==

Jkinne: /* Programming and Linux */

2026-06-01T19:59:55Z

Programming and Linux

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:59, 1 June 2026
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	== Programming and Linux ==		== Programming and Linux ==
	Many professors (~~Exoo, Sternfeld, Baker~~, Kinne) require students to turn in assignments on the CS server. For these courses you will be given an account for the course, and will do all your programming assignments for the course on the CS server with your class account. To be counted as correct, in these courses your program must compile and run on the CS server. See [[Programming and CS - Getting Started]] for help in getting started on the CS machines.		Many professors (e.g., Kinne) require students to turn in assignments on the CS server. For these courses you will be given an account for the course, and will do all your programming assignments for the course on the CS server with your class account. To be counted as correct, in these courses your program must compile and run on the CS server. See [[Programming and CS - Getting Started]] for help in getting started on the CS machines.

	== Planning Ahead ==		== Planning Ahead ==

Jkinne: /* Why are you Here? */

2026-06-01T19:59:38Z

Why are you Here?

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	== Why are you Here? ==		== Why are you Here? ==
	Ask yourself why you are paying ISU thousands of dollars for a degree? ~~Presumably~~ because you are interested in CS and also want to get a job in CS after graduating. This ~~will only~~ happen (getting a job in CS) if you take your courses seriously and put your full effort in. ~~Weak students~~ who do not do their best, or try to get others to to their work, have ~~little~~ success in securing good jobs after graduating.		Ask yourself why you are paying ISU thousands of dollars for a degree? Hopefully because you are ''interested'' in CS and also want to get a job in CS after graduating. This is much more likely to happen (getting a job in CS) if you take your courses seriously and put your full effort in. Students who do not do their best, or try to get others to to their work, have much less success in securing good jobs after graduating.

	== Programming and Linux ==		== Programming and Linux ==

Jkinne: /* Finding information at ISU */

2026-06-01T19:58:15Z

Finding information at ISU

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:58, 1 June 2026
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	== Finding information at ISU ==		== Finding information at ISU ==
	Think of what the department might be called, and try going to the [https://indianastate.edu/search/offices A-Z Department/Office Directory] and searching using the browser's search option (ctrl-f).		Think of what the department might be called, and try going to the [https://indianastate.edu/search/offices A-Z Department/Office Directory] and searching using the browser's search option (ctrl-f). You can also try doing a regular internet search (google, bing, etc.) with Indiana State University and whatever you are looking for (directory, schedule of classes, etc.). That sometimes gets you to the right page faster than using ISU's search page.

	== How to contact your professors ==		== How to contact your professors ==

Jkinne: /* Finding information at ISU */

2026-06-01T19:57:18Z

Finding information at ISU

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:57, 1 June 2026
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	== Finding information at ISU ==		== Finding information at ISU ==
	Think of what the department might be called, and try going to [~~http~~://~~indstate~~.edu/~~a-to-z ISU~~ A-Z] and searching using the browser's search option (ctrl-f)~~. Also, see [http://www.indstate.edu/services/express] for undergrads, and [http://www.indstate.edu/cgps] (and click on Current Students) grad students~~.		Think of what the department might be called, and try going to the [https://indianastate.edu/search/offices A-Z Department/Office Directory] and searching using the browser's search option (ctrl-f).

	== How to contact your professors ==		== How to contact your professors ==

Jkinne: /* Should you buy your textbooks? */

2026-06-01T16:54:16Z

Should you buy your textbooks?

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:54, 1 June 2026
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	== Should you buy your textbooks? ==		== Should you buy your textbooks? ==
	Find a copy for a reasoanble price, and yes, purchase it. You will be more likely to actually read it if you have a copy (rather than trying to borrow a copy or something). ~~If you are getting a CS degree~~ you should want to learn the course content. Also, not everything you need to know is covered in lecture (there just isn't enough time), and it's up to you to fill in the gaps.		Find a copy for a reasoanble price, and yes, purchase it. You will be more likely to actually read it if you have a copy (rather than trying to borrow a copy or something). Whatever your major is, you should want to learn the course content. Also, not everything you need to know is covered in lecture (there just isn't enough time), and it's up to you to fill in the gaps.

	== Positions in the department ==		== Positions in the department ==