[olug] advice on UNO computer science degree

[Chris Garrity]

2 more things:
1. I'm *really* not illiterate (in case you haven't found out yet, 
programming makes you stupid).
2. If you're not going to finish, then don't start. You'll end up 
feeling sorry for yourself and in debt, which makes going back all the 
more harder. Make up your mind and do it. It took me 5+ years to get off 
my butt after I left CU Boulder.

Chris Garrity wrote:

> I finished the CS program at UNO last fall, the cerimony happened last 
> Friday (while I was at 32 ft flying east over the Colorado).
>
> Like I've been told, n += 101, any degree, anywhere is what you put 
> into it. At UNO it's probably a little easier than at MIT to "skip" 
> by, but if you're motivated, it's as good as anywhere ('cuz nobody 
> cares where you do your undergrad as long as it's done).
>
> Using the academic counseling makes a huge difference; this can't be 
> overstated. They know who's good and who's not and what to take when...
>
> My advice:
> - take a couple extra math classes. I took "combinatorics" and "graph 
> theory," neither are required. Number theory and Finite Automata I 
> missed :-(
> - Take the compiler class if it's being offered (when you get that 
> far). I took as my very last course; it's not required by the program 
> but it's required at just about every other university. The class is 
> offered off and on, and why that is ain't worth knowing ("We don't 
> hire compiler writers?").
> - Take Operating System, Network Communications.
> - Remember these names when choosing what classes: Fulkerson, J. 
> Clark, Dr. Ali, Dr. Mahoney (take all their classes).
> - Ask an advisor about the instructor before enrolling if you're not 
> sure.
> - Read the book, go to lecture, do the homework, and above all WRITE 
> YOUR OWN CODE!
> - Make certain to eat as much free food as you can; there are booths 
> setup in the PKI atrium almost every week by "prospective employers".
> - Being loud and blosterous about separation between industry and 
> academia (donations don't justify dications) causes more trouble then 
> it's worth.
> - Don't tell anybody in the English department how nice the new 
> building is, or how much the chandeler in the atrium cost ($110k), o 
> how much a CS professor gets paid ($90k).
>
> All and all the CS program at UNO did me great (and it's getting 
> better every semester). BUT, what made all the difference in my 
> education and how far I've come since '98 is my curiosity and the 
> thing called "Linux" and "Open Source".
>
>
> Eric P wrote:
>
>> Howdy,
>>
>> I'm looking for some advice on a computer science degree at UNO as I 
>> plan to enroll in the fall semester.
>>
>> My background includes programming in (don't laugh) Apple Basic and 
>> also some 6502/65C02 (Apple //e) assembler.
>>
>> I sorta let programming go the wayside these last 10+ years, but I 
>> recently became enlightened of all things Linux 2 years back.  I'd 
>> like to go back to UNO and emerse myself in Linux/UNIX programming 
>> and/or administrating.
>>
>> Any advice would be much appreciated!
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Eric Pierce
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ---------------------------------
>> Do You Yahoo!?
>> LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience
>>  
>>
>
>
>
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