Alan's+Journal

=== Alan=== 2/25/09: 1. Took Forestry Computer #2 to the classroom workstation to install new simlog harvester and fowarder and also to calibrate new joysticks. 2. Uninstalled the old simlog programs and then inserted the flashdrive sent by the simlog representative helping with the project. 3. Sucessfully installed the new programs. 4. Connected the new joysticks to the computer Via usb. After they were detected I calibrated them. 5. Tested the joysticks on the test program to make sure they were calibrated correctly before entering the validation key for the programs. 6. Sent an email to the Simlog representative. Email showed that I was a representative of the Region 9 computer tech program. Also consisted of a code that will be exchanged for the validation code for the computer.

**2/27/09: 8:00am-9:45- Brought up all of the Forestry computers and their joysticks. Then connected them to the monitors, keyboards, mice and joysticks. Uninstalled all of the old simulator programs from the computers and then installed the new simulator programs. Computer three wasn’t turning on, so I unconnected everything from the tower and then brought the tower to a different workstation. I grabbed an antistatic wrist strap and a can of compressed air and opened the case. Wearing the strap, I looked through the case to see what could be disrupting the computer. I found a metal cover and removed it. I then used the compressed air to clean out the dust, and then closed the case. I then reconnected everything and had no problems turning on the computer. 9:45am-10:15am Break time in the cafeteria. Conversed with friends for a little bit, then took a walk to stretch my legs downstairs. 10:15-12:10- Returned to my workstation and calibrated all of the joysticks. After calibrating them I tested them to make sure that they worked on both of the simulator programs. After making sure everything worked I wrote down all of the license codes for each computer and put which computer each code belonged to. I then exited the repair workstation and entered my personal area. I then designed a paper that listed the name of each computer, and also listed the correct license codes and put a space for the verification keys for when I receive them. After saving the page to my desktop I went back into the repairing workstation. I unplugged all of the computers and joysticks. Then I boxed and labeled all of the joysticks in their packages and then put them in bigger carrying boxes. I did this to all of the computers except for the unfinished computer. I then brought down all of the corrected computers and their joysticks back down to the forestry room. After making sure all of the needed components were returned, I reconnected the computers in the places that I took them from before. After reconnecting everything, including the joysticks, I re-tested the joysticks and then shutdown the computers. 12:10-12:15- Short break to regain all train of thought and rest. 12:15-1:45- Typed up the notes that accounted my time for today. Also filled out the sheet for the instructor so she can keep tabs on what I have accomplished. 1:45-1:55- Cleaned up both work areas and then left at 1:55**

3/3/09- Today I didint work on any projects. I Worked on worksheets and book questions. I also did a little bit of work from my microsoft office book. Learned a lot of new terms.

3/5/09- 8:15-9:45Today was mostly a workday as far as schoolwork is concerned. Corrected the worksheet packet that I finished last class. After the correcting, the class, except for Tyson did jepordy before we took the test. I learned a lot from the jepordy. I took the test which was pretty easy, I only scored a 91.3% but its pretty good. 9:45-10:00: Break period, ate some noodles and talked with my friends. 10:00-11:45: Durring this time I tried to think of solutions to the problem for the forestry computer. The computer lags no only in the simulation programs, but all programs. I did everything I could think of except for two options which are update the chipset drivers and/or reinstall the operating system. 11:45-12:10: Lunch break, I went into the childcare room like always and talked with my friends that participate in that program. 12:10-1:00: Before acting on my two solutions I decided to consult a fellow technician. I went to the dell homepage and went into their technical support archive. I went into a live chat and discussed the issue as well as the solutions I tried to the technician. We both came up with the same basic ideas and decided that the two options would be the best solutions. 1:00-1:30: In this time I wrote these notes, logging what I accomplished in this class today. 1:30-1:55: Cleaned work area and repair area. Then left at 1:55.
 * QUESTION**: A friend is considering turning his computer hobby into a career and has asked your advice on outfitting himself as a freelance technician. What tools would you recomment to your friend?
 * Answer**: Well I would tell my friend about the various tools and skills as well as other things that my friend would need to outfit himself as a freelance technician. The skills that I would tell my friend to have would be, people person skills, positive attitude/personality all the time, not to favor customers, to be able to handle all the types of customers in the best ways possible, not to make customers problems seem little. Those arent all of them but they are sufficient. I would also tell my friend about considering buying an office building, something that would be a central point between his home and his customers, so something in town. I would tell him this because it would enable more people to find him easier. I would also tell my friend the tools that he should have in his possesion. He would need, antistatic mats and wrist straps, extra power cords, ethernet cords, ect. He should also keep spare computer tool kits on hand for himself and customers. My friend would also need to keep some extra harddrives, memory, sound cards and video cards. Some power supplies wouldnt be a bad thing to keep on hand either with a few extra SATA and PATA cables. My friend would also need to have one or two of his own computers so that he can use them to troubleshoot and help find different solutions or products to help the customer. He will want one of them to be a laptop so if he needs to go to a customers house, he has something to backup the data with and to look up information on. My friend should also keep a secure filecabnet which will hold all customer information for easy access for himself. Some other things that would be good for my friend to have is some flyers and business cards for advertisement and contact information.

3/9/09- 8:15-9:45- Around this time I worked on some papers that were given to me by the instructor. We kind of went over the answers. Worked on forestry computer for a little while.I also edited my computer settings a little bit as far as desktop goes. 9:45-10:00 Break time. Talked with friends and walked around downstairs for a bit. 10:00-11:45: I typed up all of the questions and answers from the chapter nine test. After doing so I studied for the chapter 9 and 10 combination test. 11:45-12:15 Lunch time, went into the childcare room and talked for a while. 12:15-1:00- //Studied some more for the combination test while working on the forestry computer at the same time. Took the combination test, misread some of the questions and did bad. Got an 80%. 1:00-1:55: typed notes, cleaned up, conversed and left at 1:55.//

3/17/09- 8:15-9:45: Worked on forestry computer some and then went down to an assembly. 9:45-10:15- Break. Called Staff Sgt. Adcock who is my Army National Guard recruiter about today's meeting. 10:15-11:45: Studied for chapter 1-10 exam. Took the exam and failed EPICLY -.-. 11:45-12:15: Lunch time. 12:15-1:00: Work period. Worked on forestry computer some more and sent spreadsheet to SIMLOG. 1:00-Leave: Notes and some microsoft related stuff. QUESTION ANSWER: I think that tysons picture is awesome!. Knowing what the picture is about and knowing that tate is ok with it shouldnt make this a big deal. But this is just opinion :P

3/19/09- 8:15-9:45- Had group talk about imovie project. Picked what part I wanted to do. Coleman is my partner for the project, awesome. Worked on getting information for project. 9:45-10:15- Break. Listened to music and took nap. 10:15-11:45- Continued to work on the project with coleman. Also began to work on the chapter 11 worksheet. Sent what I had home so it can be finished for monday. 11:45-12:15- Lunch. Talked and listened to music. 12:15-1:30- Worked on a court case brief assignment for history class. Did the rough draft, second draft, final copy and the cover page. 1:30-1:55- Shut down computer and cleaned up area. Talked. left at 1:55.

4/2/09- 8:15-9:45- Durring this time I was working on my first test for microsoft excel in my college course. Also printed off the simlog keys and codes for forestry. 9:45-10:15- Break time, went to the office and also got some names to bring to my recruiter of possible recruits. 10:15-11:45- Finished up my first test for my college course in microsoft office. Also helped Mrs.Brown look up some French Language sites. 11:45-12:15- Lunch time! Hung out with some friends and reviewed my information for my recruiter to make sure it included everything that he needs. 12:15-1:00- Began to work on my second test for excell. Also did some other activites related to it. 1:00-1:55- Worked on test some more, did some other stuff, then left at 1:55.

4/6/09 8:15-9:45- Worked on microsoft office test for excel. 9:45-10:15- Break, walked around and stretched. 10:15-11:45- Worked on another Microsoft office test for excel. 11:45-12:15- Lunch time, hung out in the childcare room and talked. 12:15-1:00- Started final test for excel.1:00-1:55- Worked on test a little more, then listened to Mrs.Brown. Hung out until leave at 1:55.

4/8/09 9:15-9:45- Started on Slideshow project for Mrs.Brown with Tate. 9:45-10:15- Break, talked and mostly walked around. Called my father at hospital to see how grammy was doing. 10:15-11:45: Finished the Slideshow project for Mrs.Brown with tate and presented. Finished my third and final test for Excel and began to study for chapter 12 test. Finished test. 11:45-12:15- Ate lunch in the childcare room like always and talked with my friends. Ate some lunch too. Walked around. 12:15-1:40- Went over the questions I got wrong on the test. 1:40-1:55- Did my notes and then left at 1:55

4/14/09 8:15-9:45- Finished up my chapter 13 study questions packet thingy. Began to work on access. 9:45-10:15- break, ate noodles and drank yohoo!!!!!!!! 10:15-11:45: Studied to retake chapter 12. Re-took test and got a 97. Worked on access some more. 11:45-12:15: Lunch time! ate some chinese food and hung out in the childcare room. 12:15-1:30: Saved access and then worked on a slideshow presentation for the Region 9 awards cerimony. I got to work on the Childcare room. Finished it for now. 1:30-1:55: Did lots of stuff then left at 1:55

5/1/09 8:15-9:45: Took the chapter 13 test and got a lousy score on it, but owell thats life. 9:45-10:15: Break time, ate some ramen and talked for a bit. 10:15-11:45- Listened to some music and worked on the slideshow for ECE. Also worked on the other projects for the ceremony. 11:45-12:15- Lunch time, hung out with the girls from ECE like usual and talked for a bit. 12:15-1:00- Did some Access, mostly worked on the test and will finish next week. Also did some fun stuff. 1:00-1:55- A little Access and then goofed around till leave at 1:55.

5/5/09: 8:15-9:45- Durring this time period I worked on some slide show things and a few things for teacher. 9:45-10:15- Break time, did a lot of talking on the phone with my superior officers of the ARNG. 10:15-11:45- Re-took the chapter 13 test and got 100%. Took the double exam and got a lousy 73%. Then worked on a power point thing with Tate. Then after that listened to music and worked on some other projects for teacher. 11:45-12:30. Ate lunch and then was in ECE room with the instructor to talk about photos for the power point. 12:30-1:00: Finished the power point presentation for ECE. Also did some of Ari's work since she was slacking and wasnt here today (JK ARI :D). Also went for a RIDE!!!!!!! WOOOHOOOO!!!!!. 1:00-1:55 FUN TIME :D

5/10/2009: Woo hoo had a...fun day.. comp**networking**.about.com/ - 32k - I like the site because....it has great information on how to do several things, such as connecting two computers and networking with a router. Cool articles too!