Tuesday, August 31, 2010

HW0 theory questions

Please hand them in during recitation tomorrow (Sept 1).

Problems with FrontDesk?

FrontDesk is working and not being able to access FrontDesk is not a valid reason to submit your homework late. If you are on a wait list or recently enrolled in the course, your Andrew ID may not be registered with the system. Students in this situation need to contact a TA immediately (after 5pm we may not respond until the next day) so we can give you access to FrontDesk.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

LaTeX and hw0

The write up for hw0 on Frontdesk has the following statement in the "Theory Questions" section:
You must type your answers (no handwriting). We recommend using LaTeX and provide the .tex source for each assignment to use as a template, although this is not required.
The first part is correct---you are not to hand in handwritten answers to the theory questions on this or any subsequent homework. The second part is going to be correct for future assignments, but it is an error for this one.

There is no sample .tex file in the hw0 distribution. Since the questions for this theory section are more to make sure you're able to find all the course resources and less about fun greek letters, we're not going to worry about it this time.

Since we're only emphatically recommending that you use LaTeX and not actually requiring it, you won't be submitting .tex files this term. The theory questions will typically be collected in recitation, so we'll actually be taking a paper print out. Our only hard requirement is that it not be hand written.

That said, LaTeX is a fantastic tool and well worth learning as early as possible. If you have trouble using it this term, you should feel free to post to the dboard looking for help. If you've never used it before and would like to try, the following are very good resources to learn about it:

In future assignments, we will include a starter LaTeX file and some simple instructions so that you can get good looking results quickly.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Waitlist issues

If you are on a waitlist, please read this: We are at capacity for sections C, D, and E. If you are waiting for one of these and can instead go to A, B, F, or G, please do so ASAP so we can admit you to the course. We are also assessing if we can let more in to C, D, E -- but this will take a bit longer! -- Bill

hw0 released

HW0 is now released. You can access it through the "Assignments" link on the portal. There is both a programming and theory component, and you will find the theory linked through the schedule on the "Lectures" page. Traditionally, we released the theory in the source code of the assignment and expected you to submit it via frontdesk. However, this semester we are requiring theory assignments to be typed and submitted in class. For HW0, you must type your solution and submit it in lecture on Tuesday (Aug 31st).

Monday, August 23, 2010

Welcome to 15-211, Fall 2010!

This portal will be the primary means for communicating with the class. Here you will find a calendar (including staff office hours) and a discussion board to ask/answer questions you have about the course, lectures, assignments and exams.