Was it a Right Decision??

Almost everybody from the university was a bit shocked knowing about the new enrollment system which was newly implemented this semester. At first I was happy to know that the previous system was changed because on my own observation, there are many problems that are encountered every enrollment period with that previous system. The thing that makes it harder is that if the system has a problem the encoder in charged in that college needs to call first the attention of the representative from the company that maintains the system because they are the ones who have knowledge on that system. I was one among those students who had a problem while enrolling my subjects the previous semester. The encoder in charged in our college did not know what to do and asked me to call any representative from that company maintaining the system so he can fix the problem on my accounts. The person I was looking for was at the other college also fixing a problem with the system. I was waiting there for sometime. If only I got my subjects encoded with no problems at that time maybe I already finished paying my accounts and already got validated by the registrar and the library. That was really a waste of time. By that experience I said that this enrollment system should be improved or better change it.
There was one instance that our instructor made mention about the enrollment system of the university. He mentioned that the university is spending about 70,000 every month for renting that enrollment system we had the previous semester. At first I thought it was rent to own but it was not the case. By this I can say that that amount is just too much for that system. If the university can only lessen the amount paid for that system then maybe they can allot the said money for other projects like new computer facilities for the university.
It was last semester that I first heard that the university decided to tap in house resources. I was happy and proud of hearing it that time because the developers of the said enrollment system were Mr. Cagape, our instructor in Software Engineering 1, and Mrs. Mercado, our instructor in System Analysis and Design 1. By that time, they needed to give up some of their subjects including our subjects so they can concentrate on developing that new enrollment system.
Honestly, as a student, I really don’t know the real reasons why the university decided to tap in house resources. I’m sure they have been studying about that the previous time so they came up to that decision. On my own understanding and observation, I can think of possible reasons why the university decided to do that. These reasons are just based on my “MAYBE” thoughts. First, they wanted to lessen the cost that they are spending for that enrollment system, and as a result, they will probably save some of their money and maybe they will use that to fund other projects which will be beneficial for the university. Second, they saw the different problems encountered using the old university enrollment system. Third, the university wants to utilize the skills of the faculties of the university. Forth, the university might be running out of funds so they decided to do so. I think this reason is a bit impossible or far out, on my own observation. I’m just referring to the number of students enrolling in the university every year which I think will raise a big amount of money for the university. Lastly, maybe the university is preparing for a new project that needs a bigger amount of money that’s why they need to save to be able to attain the success of that project.
Thinking of these five reasons I have in mind why the university decided to tap in house resources, a question rises asking “Was it a right decision? ” . Until now, I’m still weighing things out. I can say that it was good but part of me says that yes it was a good decision but I wish I can really see the change or the effect of that move in the university. Maybe I’m just thinking so fast that I want to really see now how that new system affects the university. The sacrifices and efforts of the persons involved in the development of this new system should be replaced with benefits that will also be helpful to the students and faculties of the university. As I have noticed last enrollment period, comparing it to the previous one, the flow was a bit organized excluding the long lines of students in the registrar’s office. Maybe the new printers in the different offices really helped a lot in the faster processing. It was a good decision, for me, because at least the university found a way of utilizing our skilled faculties. This will also help in saving money. At least now, the university won’t be paying that big amount. I know that the new system also needs to be maintained but maybe that won’t be that big anymore. The university was still adjusting to that new system at first. Although problems were still encountered, I think this system is pretty much good. On the other hand, I’m still thinking what are the reasons behind these things. I know that the development alone is very costly but at least in the end of these sacrifices, the university can have this system of its own. As what I have noticed, students are also encouraged to save energy for the university to save the cost they are paying every month. I hope to see more improvements in the university especially with the facilities of the university. I also hope that we will be able to experience the effect of this move of the university, maybe not now but in the following months. I may not know, as of the moment, the real reasons behind this decision but I’m sure this move is for the university to benefit.

I'm Back!!!

MINIX 3

MINIX 3 is a project to develop an operating system as reliable as a TV set, for embedded systems and mission critical applications, but also for future $50 single-chip laptops and general desktop use. The focus is being small, simple, and reliable.
MINIX 3 has a bright future but somewhat checkered past.
- First released in 1987
- first UNIX clone with all the source code available
The first version, MINIX 1, was released in 1987 and was the first UNIX clone with all the source code available. It developed rapidly and soon had its own USENET newsgroup (comp.os.minix), with 40,000 subscribers within 3 months, a large number at a time when the Internet was only available to university researchers and students. One of the early MINIX adopters was a Finnish student named Linus Torvalds, who went out and bought a PC just to run MINIX, studied it very carefully, and then decided to write his own operating system, inspired by MINIX. Although Linus knew MINIX very well, he didn't steal any code from it, as some people have alleged. Linus system grew into the modern Linux system. MINIX' author, Andrew Tanenbaum and Torvalds have had some fairly public discussions on operating system design, originally in 1992 and most recently in 2006.
Although MINIX was (and still is) widely used used for teaching operating systems courses at universities, it got a new impetus in 2005 when Tanenbaum assembled a new team of people to completely redo it as a highly reliable system. MINIX 3 has some history with MINIX 1 and MINIX 2 (released in 1997 as a POSIX-conformant OS), but it is really a new system (analogous to the relationship between Windows XP and Windows 3.1).


In our Operating Systems subject, we were asked to choose an operating system that is not widely used. Our group chose to have the MINIX 3. The other groups also had a report on their chosen operating systems and that discussion was really an interesting one. They presented OpenSUSE, Fedorra, ReactOS, Ubuntu, Red Hat Linux and a lot more. Some operating systems presented really looked like the widely used Windows Operating System.
The environment of MINIX3, the operating system we chose to present in class, was like the one with the LINUX operating system since both operating systems are text mode. Above is part of our presentation.

My Mama’s First Computer Lessons

Nowadays, almost everybody know how to use computers even elementary students now also have their computer lessons in school. People sometimes think that you if you know how to use computers, you will easily adapt to the new gadgets available nowadays.
Before, my mother mentioned in one of our conversations that she really wants to go back in school and that she wants to know how these computers are operated. There was one time in our place where a school was offering short term courses for those who want to learn about computers. Knowing this, my mother told me that she wanted to enroll in that school. Unfortunately, the classes are scheduled every Sunday so it will be a bit difficult for her to attend those classes because she had many things to do in those days. Just to make her feel good, I told her that I will teach her the basic things done in the computer.
Fortunately, I got my computer last December. But I was busy then so I had no time to teach her. This month, I started teaching her. Now, she knew how to turn on and off the computer, and to use Microsoft Word 2007. This image above is her first document saved.

Although I just taught her those basic steps, it really made my mother happy. Sometimes when she has nothing to do, she would open the computer and play the games installed in my computer particularly the game Chuzzle and Text Twist. She told me this line, “Better late than never”.

It’s never too late to learn new things. Congrats Mama!!mwah

reflection on the consultation

Our proposed system is a University eMap Directory. At first, I was really worried about this system because I know that my capabilities won’t be enough for this system but with my teammates’ help, I know we can make it happen. The team’s determination and patience will be the key to the success of this system. As I was thinking about the systems proposed by the class, if this will be successful (I know we can with God’s help), then this project will really be of great help for the university. (this is really bonggang-bongga!) With this, we have to make sure that we finish the phases we are working on in this semester so we can proceed on the implementation next semester.

With the consultations, at first, it was quite difficult for us because of the time issues. But thanks to Mr. Randy S. Gamboa that he considered all our “hinanaings” regarding the consultation time. Thanks sir for staying that long in school. I hope sir it will always be like this.

FULLY DEVELOPED DESCRIPTION FOR THE ENROLLMENT SYSTEM
Use Case Name:
Enrollment System
Scenario:
Enrollment Process for Non-Scholar Old Student in USeP
Brief Description:
Enrollment procedure of the university
Actors:
Student, Collecting Officer, Adviser, Encoder, Cashier, Registrar and Librarian
Preconditions:
Student must be present with his student ID, clearance, and library card.
Postconditions:
Student’s COR must be verified and library card must be validated.
Student’s record must be updated.
Student must be officially enrolled.

Flow of Activities:

1. Student pays all local fees to the collecting officer.
2. Collecting Officer issues receipt to the student.
3. Student goes to the adviser and present his grades.
4. Adviser evaluates the student’s grades and issues Pre-Enrollment Form(PRF).
5. Student fills up the PRF and goes back to the adviser to let the adviser sign the PRF.
6. Student proceeds to the encoder.
7. Encoder releases the COR.
8. Student pays tuition fees to the cashier.
9. Cashier receives the amount and issues a receipt.
10. Students proceeds to the registrar.
11. Registrar checks for the student’s enrollment requirements (clearance, school ID, receipts, and COR).
12. Registrar verifies student’s record.
13. Student proceeds to the Librarian.
14. Librarian checks for the Library Card and validates it.
15. Student is officially enrolled.

Exception Conditions:
If student has incomplete requirements (clearance, school ID, receipts for the payment of local fees and tuition fees, and COR), student must comply it first.

The student must first pay the local fees before he proceed to the adviser for the evaluation of grades. The adviser evaluates the grades and releases the PRF (Pre-enrollment Form). Then the student can now proceed to the encoder for the encoding of subjects. The encoder issues the COR (Certificate of Registration). The student may now pay his tuition fees to the cashier. The cashier will issue the student’s receipt. The student proceeds to the registrar for the validation or requirements and for the registrar to confim the student’s enrollment.Finally, the student proceeds to the library for the validation of library card.