How about Twitter

In the IT566 class, we turn in assignments, or complete challenges through linking to our work in twitter. Hash tags, which from what I can tell, send information to the record keeping places. Really ingenious concept but it is somewhat tedious.  I can only imagine what it is like from the administrative side.  Pretty neat all in all.

We are supposed to be able to keep track of our points through a link. It works but I am having problems keeping up with assignments.

A page has been set up by our instructor to list the challenges @ http://learn.occ.utk.edu/aggregator/sources/80

This has made it easier but the very first challenge we received is missing. It is here http://learn.occ.utk.edu/it566game/challenge1   It differs from the Challenge one given later Called so you want to be a system admin here.  The content is similar but the required tags were different

 It is hard to tell exactly what needs to be in the tweet in order to get a score because the required tags seem to be inconsistent. Some instructions have said to put @it566 and some say to put #it566, I am pretty sure it should be @it566 because this one has occurred more. Some have been #graderpoints, #giterdone  points ect.

This is a very innovative method of delivering and taking a class and it is sure to have bugs but it provides potential for the growth of a true learning community that is astounding.

I believe that I am getting the hang of it. I am sure that the instructor is tweaking his system and things will smooth out.

At this point it seems that these are the standards.

Actually I may still be a little confused.
The first assignment, Challenge One - Get in the game,   laid out a point system that I am not sure is still in effect.  If anyone has any insight on this, I would love this post to have some discussion about it.
 Comments Please!

The State of my Set-up

I got my computer. Very happy with it.

• Dell OptiPlex GX280 Pentium 4 3.0 GHz Small Form Factor Desktop PC
  
• General Features:
• Small Form Factor
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional pre-installed w/CoA
• Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz processor
• 1 MB L2 cache, 800 MHz FSB Speed, Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
• Intel 915G Express chipset
• 1 GB DDR2 RAM (supports up to 4 GB)
• 80 GB SATA hard drive
• CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive

The State of my Router:

I have AT&T internet, this means that I have a combination modem router (gateway).  It certainly will not run dd-wrt.  I am researching ways to rectify this situation and here are my options.  Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

1) Try to configure my gateway to act as a "bridge" and add a router behind it.  This is a fairly advanced, and far from fail-proof, operation.  I am hesitant because I can not afford to leave my home without internet or cost myself a lot of money to fix it.

2) configure my gateway to "act" as only a modem and then add a router.  This is a less advanced operation and supposedly easily reversible. The problem is that I have read this does not really make the gateway work as a modem, it only acts like one. There may be some things that this restricts.

3) Run with what I have and not use ddwrt.  This may leave some features that I need for my server unattainable and I will miss out on a good learning opportunity with dd-wrt. (This is my least favorite solution but certainly the cheapest and safest)

4) Buy or find a modem and purchase a router, leaving my gateway unchanged in case of emergency.  This is my preferred option for several reasons. *it offers the chance to learn valuable skills * It may turn out to be a significant upgrade for my home network *It is a chance to break away from my DSL oppressors 

         The problem is that it will be fairly expensive.  If anyone has a Modem they would like to donate or trade something for, let me know.  

In the meantime, here is a screenshot of my router homepage. 

More than I wanted to know.

First an update on my computer search.
          I ordered a computer yesterday.  I went with the Dell Optiplex that I linked to in my last post.  It shipped yesterday. As far as its ability to run a Linux System, I am still not quite sure.  I found very little information on the web suggesting that Linux would be a problem.  The only person I heard this from was the tech guy at a local used PC store.  He said the main problem was with the drivers Dell uses being hard to find.  I guess I will find out soon enough.

Now it is on to the router.  This has been a topic of confusion, frustration and enlightenment for me.

Confusion

The most confusing part of this process has been choosing a router than can run the dd-wrt platform.  I did find some resources to help with this.

• Here is a list of known incompatible routers which for various reasons cannot run dd-wrt
• Here is a list of supported devices .  The problem with this list is that many of the websites which sell routers give you limited information as far as the model number goes.  For instance there are about 8 different versions of the router I am looking at which is the D-link DIR 615. There is the c1, c2 d1, e3, .... all of which are listed under the supported devices page.  BUT WAIT, the D-link 615 b is incompatible and attempting to load dd-wrt bricks it (i think that is geek slang for making it a paper weight) according to the incompatible router paged linked earlier.   Most sites only tell the buyer that it is a D-link DIR 615.  The moral,  be careful before you purchase the router for this class. Here is one that I believe will work from best buy 

Linky

Can it get anymore confusing than that.

Update- here is another site with a searchable database to confirm your router support.

FRUSTRATION!

My internet service provider is AT&T.  We have a small wireless home network and so far (about 3 years) I have been pleased.  We have a modem and router "combo" made by 2wire.  In order to connect a router, I am going to have to try and disable the router portion of my 2wire combo.  If this does not work, then my household could be rendered "webless" for an undetermined time and could cost us money to get it repaired.  That means no more paying bills online, no more e-mail access from home, no more attending my online classes from my private network and no more Netflix.  Guess its time to man up and giterdone but still if anyone out there has advise, it would be appreciated.

Enlightened

Perhaps this section should really be called encouraged. During my research into buying the computer and searching for a router I have been amazed at the effort people put into open source technology.  It is pretty impressive the work done to these things, mostly for free.  I hope throughout this class I can contribute to the community and to my fellow classmates.

Hopefully we can pull this off.

Server search

My search for a computer for IT566 has begun.  I found several options. One is here http://www.pcforsale.com/
It is a Dell Optiplex.  I have found this same computer from other locations as well for around the same price. I am a little leery of these Dells because they are mass produced for education and government and their quality, IMO, is questionable to say the least.  Craigslist has returned some prospects but with these it is hard to tell what your getting.  If anyone has any suggestions, I am wide open at this point.

Edit- Turns out that this is a better deal.  Comes with twice the RAM and twice the hard drive space, mouse and keyboard.  Free shipping as well and a 90 warranty. I think this is the one. 134.99
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=GX280SFF-P430-MAR-2R&cat=SYS

Adding a subscription link

It is really pretty simple to ad a subscription link in blogger. (I think, we will see if it works) Here are the steps:
1. Log in to your blog and  choose Dashboard
2 Choose Design
3. Choose Page Elements
4. Choose Add a Gadget
5. Scroll down and choose Subscription Link
6. Click the + sign and Save


Please let me know in the comments section if it works!

Well, here we go!

Well, here we go
Just found out I have to get a "server" for my It566 class.  What's that?(JK) Guess I will find out and let everyone know.  I wonder what wreck of technology I will have after this is all over.

As long as I don't screw up my router and kill my netflix I think I will make it.

If you are interested in learning some Tech stuff but are pretty clueless about it all, you should follow this blog.  I will try to keep it interesting and in layman's terms.