University of Winnipeg Division of Continuing Education Blog

Of iPads, Air Video, and Twitter…

Posted on July 19, 2010 by UWinnipegDCE

For those who have been following our @uwinnipegDCE_IT Twitter account, you know that we have been getting a number of requests about doing iPhone/iPad/Macintosh-related seminars. We are listening and looking into them.

We often get questions from students, staff, and friends about “How do I…” and we do our best to find some answers for them. Last week, someone asked “How do I stream movies from my iMac to my iPad?” Good question. I threw it on our Twitter account and within minutes, Andy Oliver of Great Big Apps gave us an answer: Air Video.

Air Video, he says, is an app on your PC or Mac that lists your sharable video folders that you can stream via WiFi to an iPad or iPhone.

He’s right. This app is designed for both iPhone and iPad, and works exactly as advertised. I have been running it all weekend, streaming video to both devices at the same time without any problems.

There is a limited free version as well as a full paid version. For $3, it’s well worth it.

You see, my friend purchased a 16GB WiFi iPad. With his music and photos, there wasn’t much room for left over for a video library. Now, with apps like Air Video (and others, I am sure), he doesn’t have to worry about that space limitation.

One of the suggestions on Twitter was to offer regular, three-hour seminars on how to use everyday technology items like smart phones, personal consumer devices, and their computers. Perhaps something like a 15-minute demo on how to share video could become part of one of those seminars.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

University of Winnipeg Links:

UWinnipeg DCE Information Technology Seminars

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Looking for a Job? A Career?

Posted on July 15, 2010 by UWinnipegDCE

With the end of the academic year coming to a close, lots of students are seeking work. Some will be more successful than others. Why?

Whether it is a summer job, part-time work to supplement student loan funding, or the first steps in establishing your career, finding that opportunity is a combination of being in the right place at the right time and having the skills, knowledge and ability to become the candidate of choice. While the former is a product of effort and initiative, the latter is a product of education. The difference between settling for a part-time job at minimum wage and achieving a career with above-average salary and room to advance is getting the right education.

The right education is available at The University of Winnipeg Division of Continuing Education (UWDCE). UWDCE is a leader in preparing post-secondary students and adult learners in areas of employment growth.

Canadian HR Reporter (June 14, 2010) noted that the recent labour market downturn has resulted in a decline in employment rates particularly for Aboriginal people. In Manitoba, the Premier’s Advisory Council on Education, Poverty and Citizenship, announced May 27, 2010, will be looking for the best ways to ensure more Manitobans complete education and training leading to better jobs. Contact UWDCE today to investigate the training opportunities we have that can lead to your career.

Debra Wutke, Program Coordinator
Professional Studies Contract Training & Partnerships
University of Winnipeg Division of Continuing Education
Tel: (204) 982-1167
Email: d.wutke@UWinnipeg.ca
Web: dce.UWinnipeg.ca
Web: dce.UWinnipegCourses.ca

University of Winnipeg Links:

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A course in gaming? Are you serious?

Posted on June 28, 2010 by UWinnipegDCE

Yes, a university course in serious gaming!

Nintendo, X-Box, Wii, Playstation: all gaming systems, all billion-dollar companies that drive an entire economy that stretches further than I am sure any of us can even imagine.

I own a Wii, a PSP, and a Gameboy – that is just with one kid. Imagine how many gaming systems are owned by larger families and then the amount of actual games they own for each of those systems… mind-boggling to the say the least.

So… with such a huge industry that is so ingrained within the ‘Gen Next’ culture, the potential is endless. However, the talent to sustain and grow that industry needs to be developed.

Over a year ago I had a meeting with a great friend of mine, Khal Shariff (Twitter, Facebook). Khal is a former University of Winnipeg ISSD student that went on to great success, while always remaining loyal to his UWinnipeg DCE roots. He started a project called ‘Project Moonwalk‘.

Project Moonwalk is a game, a serious game! It is an online game and simulation that allows us to walk in the footsteps of the Apollo Missions and beyond. It was released to elementary schools across Canada, if I recall correctly, to over thirty thousand kids! The premise is to teach kids about science, math and physics in a fun environment.

This is the entire premise behind serious games, kind of like hiding vegetables in other foods. It is good for the kids but they don’t even know it.

Khal and I had this amazing idea to develop a certificate that is comprised of courses designed to prepare skilled and experienced developers for employment in the Serious Games Industry (Game Developer Stream). It also includes a set of theory and pedagogical courses designed to prepare educators to use and understand the new world of game-based learning, the re-purposing of games for use in education, and the nature, structure and elements of game play and game design (Educators Stream). Out of that we developed the Serious Games Summer Camp.

This summer we hope to spark some imaginations and inspire some youths to consider this industry as a viable career path though the Serious Games Summer Camp. The camp is for youths 15 years of age and over and runs for two weeks, Mon to Fri from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The camp is scheduled to run July 19-30, 2010 and will be delivered by Khal Shariff and his company Project Whitecard.

Project Whitecard is currently working on a simulation (aka: Serious Game) for NASA! The camp is sure to be spectacular with the final day ending with a LAN Games Tournament for all the participants.

The camp includes the following:

Learn the video game design process as practiced in the industry today.
Develop essential skills.
Join a development team.
Build a playable game.
Create a professional presentation.
Special events include LAN gaming tournaments.
One scholarship will be awarded towards the Serious Games Certificate.

For the full scoop on this amazing camp, visit the UWinnipeg DCE Serious Games Camp outline.

Stevi Dram, Director
Information Technology
University of Winnipeg Division of Continuing Education
Tel: (204) 982-1168
Email: s.dram@UWinnipeg.ca
Web: dce.UWinnipeg.ca
Web: dce.UWinnipegCourses.ca

Our New Home: The Buhler Centre @ 460 Portage Avenue Winnipeg Manitoba

Posted on June 4, 2010 by UWinnipegDCE

University of Winnipeg Buhler Centre
460 Portage Avenue Architect’s rendering

I have been with UWinnipeg for over eleven years and in that time I have moved my own office seven times and the entire division has moved three times. This fall we will be moving into our own home. ❤

I feel like a new home owner, watching the building go up. As it grows, so does my own anticipation, anxiety and a huge sense of excitement.

I was fortunate enough to have been involved with some of the design at a very early stage of the process. The blueprints for the building periodically crossed my desk throughout the development cycle. To tell you the truth, I wasn’t very interested and didn’t see the architects’ vision or understand the true elegance and beauty of what they were creating.

A few weeks ago I was able to go on a tour of the building. Wearing a hard hat and steel-toed runners (yes, runners) that weighed a ton, I was lucky enough to view the interior of the building. All that came to mind was WOWEEE!!!!

The building is unlike anything I have ever experienced or could have even dreamt up (and I have some crazy dreams). The interior has many sharp yet brilliant angles throughout. There are streams of natural light flowing in from a glass roof that runs all the way down the entire four floors of the building and meets up with a wall of glass on the south side. Along this column of natural flowing light there are balconies where one can look down upon art and fellow students. I can tell you about it but, when trying to explain how amazing it is, I am at a loss for words. You really need to experience it to appreciate it.

Buhler Centre: University Of Winnipeg
(2010 Feb) – Exterior 01
Originally uploaded by
University of Winnipeg Continuing Education

I am not easily impressed. I am typically ‘cool, calm and collected’ so if you know me you know it has to be something pretty special to catch my attention.

I am going to end this by saying I have heard from many people that my new office is the nicest in the building 🙂 and that may be swaying my excitement a bit. We are to be in the building by early October (if not sooner); the building went up extremely quickly due to our warm winter. On behalf of the DCE staff we look forward to seeing you all walking through our building and enjoying it along with our wonderful offering of courses.

University of Winnipeg Buhler Centre
460 Portage Avenue Architect’s rendering

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For the Love of Coffee

Posted on June 1, 2010 by UWinnipegDCE

Tim’s, Timmies, Tim Hortons… Buckys, SBux, Starbucks

Those are all words close to my coffee-loving heart ❤ and those of the students who abuse the heart-pumping, energy-giving caffeine. Hey, it is what they require for those all-night cram sessions – not that I condone studying that way at all, 🙂 although that is my preferred way to write those 20-page papers. I just chalk it up to, 'I work better under pressure,' and not at all to the fact that I procrastinate and put myself in that situation.

But back to coffee… what do you prefer? Does your preference dictate your social status, how mature your palate is, or even your patriotism?

Tim Hortons is a symbol of Canada, so one can surmise that, if you drink it, you are patriotic. It is also relatively affordable and is the every-person’s coffee. They even add the cream and sugar for you (just like mom did) so that it is the same every time you order it. You may screw up adding your own cream and sugar so you just shouldn’t be trusted (just like mom said)!

To many people, Starbucks is symbolic of capitalism at it worst. In some cities there is a Starbucks on every corner; Winnipeg alone has roughly five in the immediate downtown area. One can surmise that, if you drink it, you are perhaps more highly educated and of an upper social status than those drinking a Tim Hortons coffee. That may also be based on the cost for Starbucks vs. Tim Hortons. There is also the art of ordering at SBux; it is a language all unto itself. (I kinda feel like a member of a secret society when ordering 😉

A Venti, extra hot, no-fat, decaf, double shot chai latte. LOL!

This just makes me think more and more of the whole notion of coffee-status. I don’t think I judge people when I see what type of coffee they are drinking. However, drinking either one does invoke different feelings in me. When I have a Tim’s, I feel patriotic, like one of the fellas, and almost like I’m doing something good for my country. When I have a SBux, I feel kinda powerful, like a ‘real’ career women – I just wanna pull out my Blackberry and walk hastily around Portage Avenue like I’m really busy and important (or, even better, do the Mary Tyler Moore hat toss thingy – but, alas, I don’t wear hats; my head is to big).

After writing this, all I can conclude is: drink what you want, drink what you can afford, and drink whatever makes you feel good. (We are still talking coffee here, people.) Please stay away from the cream, though; milk is just as good and is way better for you. 🙂

Privacy… Facebook… Facebook… Privacy…

Posted on May 31, 2010 by UWinnipegDCE

Five years ago these two topics would have never converged but now they seem to be all over the news and on many people’s minds. Just how private are your Facebook posts? How private is your personal information? How private are your pictures? Do they really stay somewhere in cyberspace forever?

I wondered those very same things and contemplated how much of my life I want others to know. I don’t mind my close friends knowing certain things but, geez, do I really have over 500 close friends? I think not!

The last time Facebook installed a new privacy feature I went into my account settings and basically set all personal items (pictures, cell numbers, what I like to do, etc.) to a customized setting so that only I can view them. I did leave a few albums viewable to my friends only and am very conscious of what is in those albums.

I was spurred to do this when I discovered that if you are tagged in a picture that all the friends of the person who tagged you and any other people tagged in the photo can then get access to your information. I also noticed that once the new settings took effect I was able to view people’s profiles/pictures/walls that weren’t even my friends. I must admit I did some snooping but all for research, I assure you. 😉

The gist of what I think is this: Facebook is what you make of it (shoulder shrug). If you feel like you want your life to be on display for the world to see, this is your vehicle. If you want to simply connect and share with friends, be sure your account settings are configured correctly. If you are super-sensitive about your private life and live in terror of identity theft and alien attacks, then just stay off.

What is the cost of workplace injury in Manitoba?

Posted on May 21, 2010 by UWinnipegDCE

It depends. Are you the employee or the employer?

Employees suffer minor bruises, cuts, scrapes, sprains, falls daily. Injuries can cause serious incapacitation or even loss of life. Costs can include lost wages, unexpected medical expenses, low morale, reluctance to resume work fearing more injury, etc.

On the Employer front, the costs include down time, lost resources, decreased productivity, and, if found to be negligent could face fines beginning at $250,000 if new legislation introduced in April is passed into law.

How do you protect employees and employers? Education, knowledge and a committee of Workplace Health and Safety advocates, dedicated to assessing and managing every conceivable risk to avoid and reduce workplace injuries, will go a long way to establishing a safe environment.

Everyone has a stake in the safety of one another in the workplace and the responsibility should be shared by employers and employees alike. Build a foundation for a solid Workplace Health and Safety plan by learning the fundamentals in an 18 hour course available through The University of Winnipeg Division of Continuing Education. Invest in training today and avoid the fines and injurys of tomorrow.

Protect yourself, your coworkers, your employees, and your company by establishing a safe and healthy work environment.

The Inside Scoop about The University of Winnipeg’s Konami Code

Posted on January 7, 2010 by UWinnipegDCE

Easter eggs are fun!

What fun would the world be without Easter eggs? Well, I suppose we would survive, but they certainly can add a little fun and excitement to the regular routine. At least this is what we thought at the University of Winnipeg Division of Continuing Education. In case you hadn’t seen the buzz yet, we have created a secret page on our new website (DCE.UWinnipegCourses.ca) which can only be accessed by entering in a special code, known as the Konami Code. This classic Konami Code should stir up some nostalgia with much of the 30 something population, as it was made hugely popular during the original Nintendo days back in the 1980’s.

So what’s on the secret page?

Well, we don’t want to give away too much. However, keeping with the theme of classic video games, let’s just say that the quintessential classic game is there waiting for you to play, of course with our own little customization added in, courtesy of one of our Flash instructors, Brent Scott. And yes, there are high scores, so if you didn’t have your chops together back in 1986, now is your chance to show the world how you measure up.

What does this have to do with continuing education in Winnipeg?

If you like what you see on our Easter egg page, you might be interested in some of the technology behind it. If so, that is lucky for you because we offer courses in everything that is involved to create the Flash game, as well as the DCE.UWinnipegCourses.ca website itself. Our full-time program, the Internet Systems Specialist Diploma (ISSD), is an intense one-year program designed to cover a wide scope of topics and technologies which are all relevant in today’s World Wide Web. Topics such as:

XHTML/CSS
PHP
MySQL
Flash
Javascript
XML
ASP.Net
Java
and more…

Can an ISSD graduate really create a Flash game like this after just one year?

A lot can be accomplished and learned in one year. The ISSD program covers a wide range of technologies and it is typical for students to end up specializing and going deeper in a few areas rather than being a jack of all trades. Our Flash video Easter egg game is slightly more involved and more detailed than what is taught in the ISSD Flash section. However, the fundamental principles are learned and it is only a matter of extra time and experience that is required to create a similar project. Anything in the Information Technology industry will always require you to be researching, learning, and keeping on top of the latest developments.

DCE.UWinnipegCourses.ca

Speaking of graduates, the University of Winnipeg Division of Continuing Education’s new website was designed and built by ISSD graduates. Bob Freeman designed the site, and I built it using the Drupal Content Management System (CMS). The Konami Code was implemented using one of the many open-source modules available for Drupal. The site has come a long way since its launch in June of 2009 and it’s always exciting to launch new features such as the Konami Code and the Flash game. The site was inspired by the feedback that past and present students were giving us about what kind of information they wanted to see online. The website was essentially built by students, for students. Content and features are continuing to improve all the time and it has really become an excellent resource for current and future students. I look forward to seeing the site grow even more in 2010.

Steve Gomori

Filed under: Information Technology, UWinnipeg, UWinnipegDCE | Tagged: Internet Systems Specialist Diploma | Comments Off on The Inside Scoop about The University of Winnipeg’s Konami Code

More on the University of Winnipeg Konami Code and the Easter Egg on UWinnipegCourses.ca

Posted on January 6, 2010 by UWinnipegDCE

So by now, many of you may have heard rumblings of the University of Winnipeg’s Division of Continuing Education placing an Easter Egg on their website.

The tips and hints talked about Konami Codes but didn’t directly tell you what they were. You were supposed to try to find out and then use the codes on the dce.UWinnipegCourses.ca website to find the hidden Easter Egg.

Let's start with Konami Codes. What are they? Where do they come from? What do they do?

According to wikipedia, the Konami cheat codes were embedded in video games as far back as the mid 1980s, allowing players to get extra powers, skills, or lives to make playing the game easier.

They started being found in other video games, and soon after, other software and media.

Today, you can find websites, software packages, DVD and Blu-ray discs, and many other places where there are cheat codes that will alter your experience, give you additional options, or even additional features.

The “classic” Konami Code is this sequence of keystrokes, but there are some variations out there:

Up arrow, Up arrow, Down arrow, Down arrow, Left arrow, Right arrow, Left arrow, Right arrow, B, A

What are Easter Eggs? Well, in this case, they are hidden features or options that are not normally exposed to the people using the system. You usually have to stumble on them or know where the secret door is.

So what happens if you put this all together?

Visit dce.UWinnipegCourses.ca and when you are on the front page, press these keys in order:

Up arrow
Up arrow
Down arrow
Down arrow
Left arrow
Right arrow
Left arrow
Right arrow
B
A

You should be whisked away to a hidden Easter Egg prize, in this case a game of Pacman with a University of Winnipeg spin.

We hope you enjoy the game; please tell others about it.

Filed under: UWinnipeg, UWinnipegDCE | Tagged: Marketing, University Winnipeg Konami | Comments Off on More on the University of Winnipeg Konami Code and the Easter Egg on UWinnipegCourses.ca

University of Winnipeg Konami Code

Posted on January 5, 2010 by UWinnipegDCE

DCE-IT Man on
dce.UWinnipegCourses.ca

The University of Winnipeg Division of Continuing Education put an Easter Egg on the http://dce.UWinnipegCourses.ca website this month and placed teasers and hints on various places around the Internet.

More details as they happen!

Teaser 1:
Find the key; have some fun!
>> Door: http://dce.UWinnipegCourses.ca
>>Lock: Konami
>>Key:___ <–???

Teaser 2:
A hidden surprise awaits those of you who can find the key:
Google “University of Winnipeg Konami Code” and try it out on http://dce.UWinnipegCourses.ca!
Good luck 🙂

Teaser 3:
Sure, you’ve heard of the Da Vinci Code, but have you heard of the Konami Code?!
The University of Winnipeg has!

Updates

Since this was quietly started a few days ago, the puzzle has been spreading over Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. Here are a few that have caught our eye:

@ChrisDca blogs: U of W’s Secret Digital Easter Egg Hunt
Brenelz Web Design (@brenelz) has a blog post called: University of Winnipeg Konami Code and a follow-up called University of Winnipeg Konami Code Revealed!
Access Winnipeg (@AccessWinnipeg) says the University of Winnipeg Loves Contra
@Lyndon_Reid gets into the University of Winnipeg Konami Code Easter Egg mood
We have been added to the Wikipedia List of Konami Websites
Academica Group Inc. – Marketing Insight for Higher Education says uWinnipeg’s CE department hides arcade game on website

We have had reports that the Konami Code is not letting people who are using some versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 into the game. It does work with IE7 and IE8. If you want to try the game out and can’t get in with IE, please consider trying out other browsers like Firefox, Safari, Chrome, Opera, or IE7/8, all of which work perfectly.

Filed under: UWinnipeg, UWinnipegDCE | Tagged: Marketing, University Winnipeg Konami | Comments Off on University of Winnipeg Konami Code

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Easter eggs are fun!

So what’s on the secret page?

What does this have to do with continuing education in Winnipeg?

Can an ISSD graduate really create a Flash game like this after just one year?

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