Week 11: Clear, Deleting Records

One of the file maintenance procedures is deleting records. File maintenance refers to the procedures that keep data current. When information is no longer needed, the user deletes it from the file. Database management systems then either removes the record from the file immediately or the records can be flagged so that it cannot be processed again. Flagging can be done by noting an asterisk at the beginning of the file name like this, *courtneyblog. The thing about a flagged record is that it physically remains on your disk, taking up space. It is best to run programs that remove flagged records often so that space can be opened up and the data will remain current.

Deleting records is important to the business world because just like the student example given in the book, employers also have to delete the records of employees sometimes. It can also be the case that a business has confidential information that they no longer need, but no one else can see the documents. When deleting records of this status it is very important to make sure it is deleted properly and not able to be retained. This site gives you a program, QuickWiper, that will delete files safely and gives you the steps to do so. It is probably better to use programs like this instead of just pressing delete when dealing with secure or personal records.

Excel Project

For this project, we used the Excel program and acted as if we worked for a large fitness center. The owner gave us an Excel spreadsheet containing data that was collected from 500 subjects that included their heart rate measurements before and after the 15 minute workout and during the 5 minute cool down period. The sheet had raw data that included age, sex and 21 heart rate measurements from 0:00 to 20:00 minutes. Some of the tasks I performed included manipulating and formatting the raw data, creating formulas, analyzing data and making pivot tables.

Doing this project was very interesting and very helpful in building my excel skills. Previous to the Excel Scavenger Hunt, I had no experience with the program. The scavenger hunt gave me basic knowledge and understanding of how to use the program, but the project gave me an opportunity to actually put my skills to the test and I honestly enjoyed it. For example, my notes on the pivot table did help but in actually creating it correctly with formatting the numbers, rows and columns, it was more thought that needed to be put into it. Also, we had to come up with formulas, so I not only had to remember the rules for inserting the formulas, but I had to focus on the information for the correct formula. In all, the excel project was a success for me and I now have another program to continue to use and add to my resume!

Week 10: Clear, Wireless Access

My college experience altogether was the first time I think I actually encountered wireless networks staying in the dorms. I knew people that could use the internet without having their laptops plugged in using an Ethernet or cable cord, but it was new to me. When I got to UF it excited me to be able to just take my laptop and use it in the library, class and now my apartment too. Wireless access points is what allows me to do this with its high-quality antennas that give off signals. To have access to the network though, the laptop has to have a built in wireless capability or wireless network card. Although using wireless networks can be very convenient,there is always the issue of losing your connection and in my opinion they can sometimes be slower than other connection methods. Also, location can help but hinder you because there are not always outlets to use for charging your laptop or other wireless device.

In the business world using wireless networks is very convenient just like it is for everyone else. Employees in an office have the opportunity to work throughout the building and they can also work outside of the job like at restaurants, airports or hotels. One of the best things that the wireless world does for businesses is gives the employees the opportunity to keep a well balanced life between work and personal time. It is great to be able to work outside of your normal working environment. For me, it opens the doors easier and more creative thinking. The Microsoft website provides an article to give seven tips to consider when getting ready to go wireless including how to purchase the right system and how to avoiding hackers.

Week: 9 Clear, Excel

This week's lectures were all about Excel. This is something that I have always wanted to perfect but it has still been a work in process for me. I learned a little along the way. However, the information that I learned this week was the most valuable information about the program that I have had in a while.

Excel is a spreadsheet that can be used to track data, create inventory lists or perform mathematical functions. The main aspects that I will concentrate on are the function capabilities that can be used at home or at work. Every function in Excel must begin with the equal sign. The link shows a list of the worksheet functions by category and a short description of each. This tells Excel that a function will be performed. After the equal sign, you can either add, subtract, multiply or divide. These are the basic mathematical functions that can be performed with Excel. Addition can be useful when needing to calculate dates and things along those lines. Some other very interesting piece of information I learned throughout this week's lectures was how to use pivot tables. This tool can make life so much easier because you can move quickly and easily through your work without any hard labor. A new pivot table can be created in just minutes unlike having to manually build a report by entering formulas and arranging columns from a sheet of data. It gives you the ability to create many different pivot tables and reports from the same sheet of data.

Learning to use Excel can be very beneficial in any type of business related career because it allows you to do anything that you need to do. You can use it for dates, calculations, scheduling, planning budgets and so forth. I really plan on learning more and more about the program because I'm sure going to need it.

Enjoy Spring Break fellow bloggers.