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Summer 2011 term
now open
The ACE Classes catalog is available at Fairfax County public libraries, county offices, job-placement centers, and ACE customer service centers.
A PDF of the catalog is available on our Website.
Did you know that parking is free, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-county residents, and most classes have textbooks delivered the first night of class?
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New Courses This Summer
Web Design with Cascading Style Sheets 1
Web Design with Cascading Style Sheets 2
Google Sketch Up
Basics of Business Math (online)
Contract Law (online)
Payroll Accounting (online)
Coming This Fall ~
Web Design and Development certificate program
Windows 2008 Server Advanced (30 hours)
Expanded A+ (45 hours)
Expanded PC Maintenance (15 hours)
Adobe Web Graphics
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IT Career Descriptions
If you're in the market for a new or different career and technology interests you, check out the five IT career descriptions to get a picture of what's involved and how to get started.
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Arabinda Banik
Arabinda grew up in Bangladesh. After earning a masters degree in physics at Chittagong University, he
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became a physics professor. In his mid-thirties, he moved to the US where he secured a certification in management information systems from George Washington University and earned a masters in software engineering from George Mason University.
Starting off as a biomedical research programmer, he has worked for Family Health International, DynCorp, UNISYS, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon. Currently, he is a software development manager at the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
With characteristic enthusiasm, Arabinda has taught Visual Basic, web development, JAVA, database development, Oracle, PL/SQL, and software testing courses to hundreds of students since 2001.
He loves to travel, cook, and grow vegetables in his garden. His passion is researching new software programs and tools.
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Like Us!
If you would like to follow ACE on Facebook, type in Adult and Community Education Fairfax County Public Schools in the search box at the top of your profile page, then select Like.
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Greetings!
Did you know that people, governments, and businesses created about 1.2 zettabytes of digital data last year? There's 20 zeros in that number! The term "data tsunami" has been coined to describe the deluge of data. That is what's spiking the interest in cloud computing and data storage space.
Fortunately, most folks only need to concern themselves with keeping up with today's technology, not with where data is stored (well, sort of). That's what we hope to do for you in the OnPoint e-zine. Let us know what you'd like to know by taking the four-question survey in this issue.
In service to you,
Your friends at ACE.
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 Computer Shopping Made Easy
Fun for some, not for others
Computers fall in right behind home and car purchases for the degree of complexity involved in making the purchase decision. A myriad choice of brands is further confounded by the exponential number of features - fun to sort through for some folks but a headache to others.
If you feel a migraine coming on at the mere thought of buying a new computer, you'll find CNET's "Desktop Buying Guide" worth a read. The information and recommendations are organized around what type of user you are, so you only need to read what pertains to you. You can also pick up a free booklet from Staples that helps determine the features you do and do not need. Taking the time to study your options before plunging in will save you money, time, and frustration. Happy shopping! |
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Top Tech Skills in 2011
Dice.com conducted a survey of about 20,000 IT professionals to get a snapshot of current salaries related to 12 different skill sets. Fahmida Rashid, writing for eWeek.com, points out that Java, Python, Apex, and Windows top the in-demand list of skills sought by employers. See eWeek's slideshow scoop.
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Tech Terminology Self Test
Are you in the know?
If you can identify the meaning of more than six of these terms, you are doing a decent job of keeping up in the fast-paced world of technology.
- Cloud computing
- DVI port
- Face-recognition software
- Fingerprint reader
- HDMI port
- Media reader
- Mobile broadband
- Operating system
- TV tuner card
- USB
See answers below.
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Is an Online Course Right for Me?
Best option for some, not all
The interest in online studies has increased dramatically in recent years, largely due to their convenience. Unlike the traditional classroom, students choose the day, hour, and place for study and set their own pace.
Popular as online study is, though, it's not suited for everyone. Those who thrive with this mode of instruction share these characteristics in common:
- Computer savvy
- Strongly motivated to learn
- Have an independent style of learning
- Find that computer work helps them stay focused
- Have ready access to up-to-date personal computers
- Like quick feedback tracking their own progress
- Have schedules and responsibilities that conflict with attending traditional classes
If this description doesn't reflect you as a learner, then classroom instruction is the better choice. If it does describe you, consider trying an ACE online class. The online format is available for a variety of business, management, IT, career, and writing courses.
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LOL Time
Interviewing for an IT position has changed over the years.
In the 80s:
Recruiter: "Tell me the meanings of all the extensions to file names."
Candidate: "VMS or MS-DOS?"
 Recruiter: "You got the job!"
In the 90s:
Recruiter: "Tell me all the options used by /bin/ls."
Candidate: "BSD options or System V?"
Recruiter: "You got the job!"
In the 00s:
Candidate: "Tell me all the options."
Recruiter: "20000, 1 year vesting, $1 strike price, IPO next month"
Candidate: "I'll take the job!"
What is it in the 10s?
Write comptraining@fcps.edu your scenario and we'll publish it in the next OnPoint.
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Tech Terminology Self Test - Answers
- Cloud computing means that the processing and data is not located in a specified, known or static place. Ramnath Chellappa referred to it in a scholarly 1997 lecture - where were you then?
- DVI port makes it possible for you to connect your computer to a digital TV and see, for example, a slide show of your photos.
- Face-recognition software will make it possible to get a secure connection without having to use a password. Wouldn't that be great?
- Fingerprint reader keeps everyone else from using your computer.
- HDMI port allows you to send digital audio and video signals to a high-definition TV and get superb picture quality. HDMI: high definition multimedia interface.
- Media reader makes it possible to download photos or information directly from a media card (memory holder) on a desktop or laptop computer without the need for cables.
- Mobile broadband is what gets your device or computer connected to the Internet wherever mobile phone service is available.
- Operating system is the underlying software that makes all the other software on your system operational. It's the master control software.
- TV tuner card makes your computer receptive to TV signals and can also record TV programs onto a hard disk by acting as a video capture card.
- USB, or Universal Serial Bus, is a standardized socket on your CPU or laptop to which you can connect external peripherals such as media readers, flash drives, and a mouse.
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IT Survey
Please take two minutes to complete our four-question survey. Your participation will help us improve the IT OnPoints in the future.
Thank you! |
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