Weekly Course Schedule – Spring 2018

INFOST 691 - 212, 213 (Online)

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Week 1 (January 22 – January 28)



Thursday, January 25   (7:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M., GoToMeeting)
Optional Session
Online Office Hours / Lab Session
Every Thursday evening, I will be holding an Office Hours/Lab Session using the GoToMeeting Platform. Please join us to review solutions to recent assignments, to ask a question, to get help with your assignments, to discuss your plans for the final project, or just to say hello. Please use a headset when joining this session. You may join the GoToMeeting session using this link.
Other Resources


Sunday, January 28, @  11:55 P.M.
Weekly Assignments Deadline
Topics
  • Course Introduction
  • Personal Introductions
  • Computing Setup
Computing Setup
  • Install Anaconda
    Description: Anaconda is an open data science platform that provides access to a coordinated set of Python tools. We will be using Anaconda to provide our basic Python tools. This will relieve some of the pressure of downloading many Python tools individually. It will also give us some experience in working with Anaconda, which is a valuable skill in its own right.
  • Install PyCharm Professional
    Description: PyCharm Professional is a leading Python IDE and a favorite of Django developers. We will be using the licensed version of the product: Python Professional. The free, educational version of PyCharm does not provide all of the features that we need for Django development. Lucky for us, free individual licenses are available to university students and faculty members. These are powerful licenses that allow us to install PyCharm Professional and various other interesting software tools provided by JetBrains. See the resources below for links to the JetBrains free license request page, and links to tutorials that I have created to help you through the download and install.
  • Learn About Git
    Description: During this course, we will be making extensive use of the Git source code version control system. Some of you already have experience with Git. Others do not. The Lynda.com course that is linked below, is a good introduction to Git using SourceTree, a GUI-based Git client that I am recommending that you use during the course. Even for those of you who are comfortable working at the command line, SourceTree is a good addition to your stable of free software tools.
  • Install SourceTree
    Description: You are free to use whatever Git client you want. I recommend that you use SourceTree. The Lynda.com course identified above gives fairly up-to-date instructions on installing and using the product. There is a link below to a page where you can get the software.
  • Set Up a BitBucket Account
    Description: Despite that fact that much of our courseware gives examples of using GitHub as a remote Git repository, I am recommending that you use BitBucket instead. BitBucket has a special deal for university people that allows free accounts with private repositories. Also, there is very good integration between BitBucket and SourceTree (same vendor). Using your UWM email id, set up a free BitBucket account. This account will allow you to create a repository that you can use for your own practice.
Required Readings
Required Recordings
Other Resources
Class Participation Assignments Due (Forum Posts)
  • Introduce Yourself (Required)
    Description: Each student is expected to contribute a 200 -300 word introduction post. Please introduce yourself to the instructor and your classmates. Include information regarding your preferred name, your work (inside or outside the home), and your experience with the subject matter of the class. Most important, tell us what you would like to get out of this class.
    Submit to: Introduce Yourself Forum