[PLUG] Algorithm's and Compilers PSU...

[Fernando Freire]

>"I tried, but I couldn't grasp well enough the material covered by the
>homework assignments in CS350."

In all fairness, there is a wealth of information both online and at the
Central Library that would help you understand the material. Both of these
resources have been invaluable in my own experiences in Computer Science.

>" I got treated like I want to cheat.  This
>almost makes me want to leave PSU for good and take my chances
>elsewhere."

This is certainly your decision, but I don't believe that any of the reasons
you have given thus far are valid. If you don't understand the material then
the responsibility lies on you to figure it out. The passion for Computer
Science should be reason enough to pursue solutions to concepts we don't
understand, but then again, this may just be my personal view.

>"Long term, does anyone on here have an idea how I can secure high
>quality help?  In other words, if you were pursuing a CS degree at
>PSU, how on earth would you get the information you'll need to do
>this in a reasonable amount of time for a reasonable price?"

Like I said, both the Library system and the web will guide you along in the
right direction. I certainly don't speak for the entire PLUG community, but
should you have any real, specific questions to ask, I don't think there
would be any problem in puzzling them out with you.

> "I don't want to beat my head against the wall trying to
> compete with foreigners who do have the proper background.  There is
> a serious fairness issue in my opinion."

This alone should be reason enough to educate yourself on your own time.
Ultimately no one in the corporate world is going to sympathize with you
because foreigners "have the proper background", while you do not. There is
no clandestine agreement between Americans, nor is there one between
Americans and foreigners. As it has always been in this country, hard work
and going above and beyond are well rewarded, and this is precisely why
foreigners are applying for American jobs.

Ultimately, I find this question to be outside the realm of this mailing
list, and advise you to post this instead to PLUG Off-Topic. Should you
return to this list with Linux/Unix related questions, I will be more than
willing to troubleshoot them alongside you. Until then, I wish you the best
of luck.


On Fri, Mar 25, 2011 at 9:05 PM, Michael C. Robinson <
plug_1 at robinson-west.com> wrote:

> Anyone on here pass Mark Jone's Algorithms class this Winter at PSU?
> How about Jingke Li's course on Compilers?
>
> I tried, but I couldn't grasp well enough the material covered by the
> homework assignments in CS350.  Going back this Spring, I wonder what
> I'm in for in Introduction to Operating Systems as far as the Algorithms
> material is concerned?
>
> There was no reference material to speak of for JavaCC, yet we were
> expected to program with it.  Jingke has received a free copy of a
> book I bought half way through the term or so on JavaCC, but I don't
> know how that will affect the course in the future.  I'm worried
> that I don't know how to form a grammar after figuring out tokens
> where I don't think my book on JavaCC covers this.
>
> I guess my concern is, if this was the math department at PSU there
> would be high quality tutoring available where the CS department
> seems to have nothing to speak of.  At the professional level, the
> senior level and above, it is extremely frustrating to have to retake
> courses.  Worse, I am out of sequence right now for classes that are
> only available at certain times in the year.  I'm disgusted with the
> response I've gotten, not from Barbara who is a great adviser, but
> from the person above her asking about tutoring and what is both
> possible and allowed.  I got treated like I want to cheat.  This
> almost makes me want to leave PSU for good and take my chances
> elsewhere.
>
> Long term, does anyone on here have an idea how I can secure high
> quality help?  In other words, if you were pursuing a CS degree at
> PSU, how on earth would you get the information you'll need to do
> this in a reasonable amount of time for a reasonable price?
>
> Mark is a very demanding teacher, a foreign teacher, and perhaps for
> that reason an unrealistic teacher for an actual Oregonian.  I'd love
> to learn what he has to teach, but I don't seem to have the proper
> background.  I don't want to beat my head against the wall trying to
> compete with foreigners who do have the proper background.  There is
> a serious fairness issue in my opinion.
>
> Is there tutorial style help of high enough quality online to help a
> person complete the algorithms and compilers courses(CS321 CS322 CS350)?
>
> I'm close enough to the end of earning a degree in CS that getting help
> to get through still makes sense.  Trouble is, I need to look outside of
> PSU because of excessive anti cheating policies.  The University should
> be self sustaining, it should be geared toward being able to educate
> local residents instead of foreigners from other places.  Obviously,
> PSU's ability or lack thereof to educate local residents isn't something
> I have the power to improve or even influence right now.  I have a free
> ride practically to attend PSU or else I'd be gone already.
>
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-- 
~ Fernando Freire