Tools That You Can Use

OK, so I've been rather slack about posting to my blog this semester.  Ah, the perks of being the instructor...  But seriously, I promised you useful information so here goes.

Below are a list of links from the LifeHacker web site.  LifeHacker has a "Five Best" feature where they crowdsource recommendations on different types of software and tools then compile a list of the top five.  Here are some of the more useful ones.

• Best Portable Operating Systems
• Best Live CDs
• Best Portable Applications
• Best Portable Application Suites
• Best Anti-virus Applications
• Best Malware Removal Tools
• Best Data Recovery Tools
• Best System Restore Tools
• Best Online Backup Tools

 And just for fun...

• Best Music Streaming Services
• Best Wallpaper Sites 

I've only tried a few of these, so if you try one and find it really useful, leave a comment here and let us know what you like about it.

Technology News

As an IT major, one of the things that you should be doing is keeping up with technology related news.  As a student in such a rapidly changing field, it isn't enough to just read your textbooks and complete your assignments.  You must constantly look for information on new technologies if you wish to be competitive not only with your fellow students, but also in the job market.

So, to get you started, here are a couple of links that you can visit.  Some of them are mainly computer related, some are more general technology related.  Either way, they are a good start.

ZDNet Technology News
CNET Technology
Pogue's Posts Blog - New York Times

There is also a site called LifeHacker that isn't really a news site, but has lots of interesting technology related stories.

In addition to reading web sites, you might want to stop by the library on either campus.  They have subscriptions to several technology related magazines.

Now your assignment...   In addition to your regular weekly blog posting (due 02.09.2010) you must comment on this blog entry.  Your comment must include at least one online technology news source and you must include a clickable link to the site.

Welcome to CTS 287

Welcome to CTS 287 - Emerging Technologies (Spring 2010) at Edgecombe Community College.

If you are reading this, you are probably in my class this semester. (If not, you're still welcome to read along.) Since you are going to be required to maintain a blog throughout the semester, I thought it would only be fair for me to maintain one as well.

I will be posting items that are relevant to the topics that we are covering in class along with other technology items that I think may be of interest to you. And who knows, I may post something that has absolutely nothing to do with technology just for the fun of it. That's the advantage of being the instructor!

I expect you to check my blog at least once per week. Checking once at the beginning of the week and once at the end of the week would be even better. If I pose questions in a particular post, I will expect you to post a comment in response - it will count as part of your grade for that week. However, you can feel free to reply to any post that I make. Also feel free to reply to your classmates' posts as well.

You may find it interesting to read through my blog postings from the last two times this class was taught (Spring 2008 & 2009). You might actually find something useful. You don't have to reply to those posts, and if you do, I probably won't see them since I have no plans of re-reading my posts from the previous semester. Links to student blogs from the previous semester can be found at the bottom right of the page. Links to student blogs from this semester are at the top right. The "Trey" in the list at the bottom isn't me! Student blogs may or may not still be available.

I hope you enjoy the class and your blogging experiences. If you have questions, let me know.