Excel Project

My professor gave us a challenging task to take on for our first project. We were to take raw data and formulate it into a readable spreadsheet along with unique pivot tables. When I first read the directions for this project, I grew anxious with anticipation. I work with Excel on a daily basis and also create pivot tables to send to our large customers. This will be a way to utilize and improve my skills. I was working smoothly through step one until I reached "targeting the heart rate", which we needed to create a formula to utilize on address that when changed will auto populate the heart rate percentage through the data. I found this to be difficult, but after playing around with different formulas and weighing my options, I finally pulled the formula together. Take a look at the Microsoft guide for creating formulas within Excel if you need help.

After completing all necessary tasks within the raw data, I needed to create two pivot tables. Over the past six months within my company, I have learned a great deal about pivot tables due to our growing clients needs. Pivot tables are helpful in most business situations. After reading the directions for the pivot tables, I selected the needed data to complete the pivot table. After placing the appropriate data into the fields, I also fancied it up a bit. Unfortunately, I completed my work within Excel 2003 so I do not have the great pivot tables options that Excel 2010 has. I recommend that if you have Excel 2010 available to play around and see the different options. Take a look at my "AvgIncrease" pivot table:

After completing this project, I felt accomplished. I took a look over it and feel that it is easy to read and understand which is very important when passing this information on one anyone regardless of if its your professor or client. So jump in head first and play around with Excel and learn pivot tables!!

Week 5: Clear - Pivot Tables in the Work Place

I really enjoyed the lectures provided this week on Excel. I work with Excel on a daily basis and think I am pretty familiar with the system. But it is always nice to see how someone else may work out problems. I deal with a customer some of you maybe familiar with..... Coca Cola, on a daily basis. My company ships there point of sales products and Coca Cola requires daily updates on the shipments along with monthly data. To provide this data I use Excel to create list, pivot tables and graphs. All of with are easy to read and understand. Unfortunately, my work has an older version of Excel, but I work with what I have!

Everyday I come in and begin by importing my data into an excel spreadsheet. I then follow by editing the data into formulas that are needed to receive the appropriate information. After the spreadsheet is complete, I create the pivot table. Once my pivot table is complete, I import the information into a graph. This may sound foreign now but I can do this at the snap of a finger. And you can too! It is much easier than you think. It all began by opening Excel and playing around. The help tab is very useful and I will even google things that I am having trouble. Often many other had the same problems and posted them online. Many functions are available through Excel. I have often sat at my desk for hours playing around with creating my own functions to solve issues. The online Office guide is also helpful to creating your own functions. You may even create the pivot table through the graph by simply selecting the graph option and dragging the data into into the correct graph areas. This will populate the information within the pivot table on a separate page. Here is an example of a pivot graph below:

You are able to edit these graphs into tables, charts, line or pie. If you work in a business environment, I would recommend becoming familiar with these tools. It will impress your boss when you need to provide data and you supply a chart along with it. VideoJug has a great video posted on "How to Impress Your Boss with a Pivot Table" with very usual steps. Just think of it as climbing the ladder to success!

Week 4: Muddy- Software Legalities

After purchasing any new software for my computer, I usually plug in the disk and run through the setup. I breeze by the screen that is far to long for me to take time out and read while I am anxiously anticipating playing with my new software. I am sure many of you do the same thing. Until recently, I didn't realize how serious the terms that I am agreeing to are. After watching the lecture, I understood what all that was. It was called the EULA, which is contract that defines how the software can be used. EULA stands for End User License Agreement. It protects both you and company on various things. Obviously the company wants to make money off of their product and this also enables them to do that. Once you have downloaded the software, the developer has assumed that you agree to the terms.

Most EULAS can be accessed by viewing the about section of the software. Take a look at the software on your computer and view some of the legal terms. I wasn't sure what to think at first. But I soon found out that if you break a EULA that you have agreed to the software provider can take legal action against you. So it is something to take very serious! When investigating this, I found that some software companies throw many things in their EULAS that people don't even realize they are agreeing to. For example, when installing War of Worldcraft, you agree to installing spyware on your computer as well. Take a look at the Reasonableagreement.org site that gives consumers the choice to fight back against the EULA. It makes a good point in the article stating that consumers do not have the option to negotiate the terms of these EULAS at all but simply have to agree or not use the software. All software programs have EULAS and most appear to be the same. Take a quick look at an example EULA and see for yourself how detailed they are!

So think twice before you skip through the small print when installing new software. Take the time to read the terms and agreements. But even after you read them are you likely to take the software back because of the EULA? Would you choose "I accept?"

Week 3: Muddy- Computer Retirement?

I recently watched a lecture in which my professor explained the ways to get rid of an unwanted computer. To be honest, I have never thought of it before and just simply thought I should place in on the side of the road with the rest of the trash, but I was incorrect. There are multiple reasons as to why you would not want to simply throw away your computer. You may receive fines! I recently moved and needed to get rid of my old computer so I simply pawned it a local pawn shop. My theory was that someone would be able to use it and I would receive cash in return. Well I missed a few key things before taking it in. I should have removed all data to avoid data exposure. Luckily, none of my information has been used since the pawn 4 years ago. There are multiple ways to dispose of data on a computer whether you are donating it or not. DBAN is a great tool to use when trying to remove everything from your computer. This will ensure the protection of your personal information before getting rid of the computer. There are many uses for your old computer, whether you think it is worth it or not:

• Charitable donation ( make sure it is a working computer and not trash)
• Add more RAm or see other available upgrades
• Remove all hazardous items from within and take them to proper locations
• Sell it to someone who needs it

I found many more great ideas on Geek24.com for ways to reuse your old computer. It may takes some time and some elbow grease to get an old computer back up to standards but there are many people out there that would love to just have any computer.

I am glad that the professor reviewed this within the lecture. I think this is over looked by many people today that are not "tech-savy." I use a computer on a daily basis but did not take into account what to do with it when I needed a new one or had to dispose or it. Also keep in mind that when you purchase a computer, some companies will offer disposal of your old computers or you may be able to pay for payment right then and there for disposal of your new one in the future.

Or would you want your yard to end up looking like this??.....

Helpful Tips:

Use a cross shredder for all optical media, degauss all unusable media, or if you are unsure contact the manufacture for more details on disposal. 

Week 2: Clear- Motherboards

When first viewing the online lectures provided by our professor, I didn't understand how a computer worked. I now realize that our computers have an endless number our working parts. Within my household, we have 3 computers. Even though I use computers on a daily basis for work, school and fun, I never stopped to think about how my laptop or desktop actually work.

The motherboard is the "main circuit board." This is where every component can be mounted. We own all Apple computers within our home, so the motherboard is more commonly referred to as a "logic board." Everything that is essential to our computers are mounted on the motherboard. If you would like to add more memory to your computer or possibly wireless internet, this is all done through the motherboard and a few other key parts within the mother board. Since the invention of the computer, motherboards are becoming increasingly faster. Technology advances every year so the motherboards must be able to support more functions. There are hundreds of sites that offer advice on whether to upgrade your old motherboard or advance to a new one. They also provide tips on how to install upgrades. I found Motherboards.org very helpful and even thought about ways to improve my home computers. Here is a good diagram with the internal workings of a motherboard:

I grew up in a generation where computers were just becoming accessible to the public. We got our first home computer when I was in 3rd grade. I soon learned the ways of AOL and we have all seen how it has advanced since then. I believe younger generations will also be unfamiliar with the motherboard and the inner workings of the computer since it has always been there for them to use. Computers are much more obtainable and the prices get lower and lower everyday. I believe it is important for our children to understand technology and the options that are available.