Hons projects - Osprey -> myUnisa

As you know, Osprey is a work in progress but we are limited (I can think of a better word to use here) by what we are allowed to do, especially when it comes to drawing information from other Unisa servers, like the library, finance, assignments etc.

I want to bounce an idea of you, something I have been discussing with management lately. Nothing stops us from converting to the myUnisa model (except my intense dislike of Java for web-based applications, but I'm willing to regress in order to progress!). Develop new modules to our requirements and liking - what we want, how we want it. The forces are happy with that, and why not? We have the affinity and skills to take it much further, partly due to the fact that we and you are the SOC, after all.

Would there be any interest under hons students to become involved in this endeavour as part of your projects? Forget the details for now of how it will be managed. Point is, it is practical experience you will get nowhere else (10 000's of users - time to be on the receiving end It's all Java though (although other languages may come into play). But you will receive all the support you required.

We can develop whatever facility we want. It is first tested with SOC students, and if successful, ported to the rest.

Some feedback would be appreciated....

Woo hoo. An opportunity to write meaningful things in Java! I'm not postgrad, but I want in! I'll be good! Promise..

Sounds like a gret idea. Hopefully this won't be limited to only post grads.
Even it is alteast visible to the under grads, it would be great to track this project's progress.
This will be an interesting one to manage - I'd be a little weary of guys promising to behave themselves though.

Hi Ppl;

I would be happy to take part in something like this, esp for part of a hons. project.


I'm hoping it would be like a residential university "lab type" enviroment where students r working together on similar problems etc... that would be very cool.

Hi

I already have an honours project but since I moved into my new Sh!tty job I have absolutely no dev work to do unless I go scrounging around for it. I was working on java web applications using WSAD for over a year and a half so I would be really happy to help If begging to help will work, I will do that too... my brain is currently dissolving through lack of use

This is a good idea, but I think that 3rd year students should be allowed to participate as well cause they should already have well-developed programming skills at this level (whether or not this is the case is a seperate issue) and this could be a chance to get practical skills before getting their degrees. My thoughts at the moment is that the "Advanced Programming" module aims to provide students with exposure to contemporary programming issues and hence is a perfect candidate for those wanting to get involved. This module can be run like how the "Database Design" module was run before where students either could do the normal assignments or if they are confident can do one comprehensive assignment. I think that a specific module of the Osprey system can be implemented by undergrad students as their comprehesive assignment if they choose not to do the normal assignments. The only problem I can see with this though is that it might conflict with the current subject matter taught in this module (C++ design patterns and QT) but I'm sure that something can be worked out. Thats my view anyway

Its a great proposal and even allow us undergrads to maybe track progress and for those who are really good (unfortunately i'm not) to help design and code. This would be perfect to gain and test your skills

I would also help / like to help. Just give us the details Mac (when you have it).

Great feedback so far - thanks! The idea is to start next year (I'm trying to finish the P Eish D this year) - would that exclude some of you??? If so, inform me and I'll make sure you repeat next year

Perhaps we can extend it to 3rd year - I'll have to bounce this of the lecturers.

It's a huge leap. There is MUCH to figure out. But your enthusiasm motivates me to take this further. Keep on posting, especially your concerns and solutions (we all stand to learn). Imagine you are the project manager...

I definitely will want to be involved. I will probably be doing honours next year - but am under pressure to consider an MBA.

My new career is Java programming in web portals; so a project in that arena would be 100% in line with my career! (Actually it may then make very good sense to postpone the MBA and do the honours now.)

So Mac, if you can keep me informed on how real this Honours project would be; please do - as it may actually convince me to start Honours next year!

 
  ,= ,-_-. =.
 ((_/)o o(\_))
  `-'(. .)`-'
      \_/

http://ilanpillemer.com
Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem

Good luck with the "P Eish D"

I hope the lecturers agree to allowing at least the final year undergrads to participate.
Plus by next year I think I'll be much better at programming (I hope!)

I'll keep you updated here....

Hey dont knock the new java, also known as AJAX platform
Some awesome dev work is happening with it, eg GMAIL uses it extensively and has sped up access
think no more full page refresh, cause call functions preload, or load only small sections with main framework contionuously in view

The new myUnisa is pretty cool

Think the preloading slickness of Flash, but with the solid functionality in the backend

if you need a project manager and analyst ? holla ...

Kliktrack - not knocking java - I guess it is a personal preference.... but then again, AJAX and PHP works equally well. Its about seconds. ADSL and MyUnisa is different to dial-up and myUnisa. This is where PHP has the advantage (I feel). Of course, porting data from legacy servers into a myUnisa app (which Osprey does not contend with since we are not allowed access will slow things down, regardless the main language used. But I think Java is top-heavy with its over-the-top-at-all-cost OO approach. And why did OO came about? Re-usability? Huh? And yes, we hate flash (- pretty to look at but useless in an information age.

I'm a little bit scared about how we are going to manage this thing..... but equally getting more and more excited.

ilanpillemer, I'm tempted to lose you to a MBA. An engineering friend of mine (7 years my junior) earns close to a million a year (x times my salary) and not negating his skills, but his MBA did the trick. But I'll tell you this (and I have been involved at tertiary level for close to 15 years so it comes from the heart) - do the hons, then the MBA. Don't rush things. Both ways you end up with an MBA, but hons just awakens the mind required to earn a "useful" MBA. We all know it is not about the certificate. And in any event, I'd hate to lose you since you've demonstrated the need for collaboration in an earlier thread!

I really hope I am not busy with honours still next year - want to move on to an M - but don't know if they will accept me with my lousy results but keep us updated

celene, I think if you stick with Unisa, they will definitely consider you....especially as they have the concepts of streams, and know you have been "groomed" for a certain direction. And at tukkies, when I was still waiting for my unisa results, the professor told me I should not be too concerned....he actually already decided to have me as a M student after a conference when I was still doing my honours. All I am trying to say is, universities want you to do an M, and acceptance is in a way subjective. That was my experience in anyway...

I think I will do a thesis/dissertation on ... "Does '10' mean 10, 2 or 1"

Skerp Celene!!

or 3

--
"Knowledge has much better uses than self-pity and superiority"

I will leave the 3 part for my PhD though...

hahaha, a logical progression. You should save "osprey" for empirical evidence....

btw, AJAX != Java, its JavaScript which means you can use AJAX techniques even in PHP.

Oops, I shouldnt have said that, it might lead to another war on technicalities

yip....I will start the war


BINI.....I AM GONNA KILL YOU!!!!!

Anyways, not sure why but it seems to be the theme this week

* waves the white flag *

I though Ajax was a dish washing soap

Quote

Oops, I shouldnt have said that, it might lead to another war on technicalities

Hmm, war on technicalities... has a nice ring to it, you should sell the idea to the americans, it would go nicely with there war on drugs, piracy, terror, intelligence and freedom of speech

--
"Knowledge has much better uses than self-pity and superiority"

celene Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I though Ajax was a dish washing soap

Celene, your sense of humor this week is excellent!!

Reanie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> celene Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I though Ajax was a dish washing soap
>
> Celene, your sense of humor this week is
> excellent!!

As opposed to other days?

That's not what I meant - she just manages to say absolutely the right thing at the right time.
Although, she's been given more "material" to evaluate these past few days.

Reanie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That's not what I meant - she just manages to say
> absolutely the right thing at the right time.

As opposed to other days?


hehehe, Reanie, I am just messing with you!

Its friday!