Product Support Call Center
This weekend was cold and wet. Sunday the weather improved (but that's homework catch-up day). Saturday, I went to the Green Valley Book Fair for some bargain priced books.
Sunday was work filled. I had some homework, a report, and a presentation for CIS 320 (telecom) and writing on my thesis proposal for ISAT 491 (senior thesis seminar).
Yesterday I met with Jeremy, an ISAT Major, and the manager of Product Support at Fairfield Language Technologies. Jeremy has joined me on my thesis project. We are going to try to simulate the Product Support call center. This is the place that customer questions and problems are escalated to for support.
Today I had ISAT 351 (biotech). Dr. Bachmann discussed different cancers, skin cancer and it's causes. He showed us slides with pictures of melanoma skin cancer. He discussed heredity of cancer as well.
Next up for today, ISAT 344 (intelligent systems), lunch break, and then ISAT 341 (simulation and modeling). After 341, I have a meeting with Dr. Henriksen and Jeremy to discuss details of our thesis.
Posted by Matt on April 11, 2006 11:00 AM | Link | Email Matt
Troubleshooting Printer Problems
The past few days have been really busy. Yesterday, I went to CIS 320 (Telcom) and reviewed my grades for the semester, to make sure I know how I'm doing in the class. That way there won't be any surprises at the end of the semester.
In the afternoon, I went to work and investigated a problem we are having with PowerBooks and the photography team. Every time they print we get the same error on the color laserjet. It's become really frustrating because we can't pinpoint the cause of the problem, and it's a difficult problem to troubleshoot.
I left work early to come back to campus for a Research Advisory Committee meeting. We discussed the recommendations about the future structure of the committee, and research issues within the university community. It's always an interesting meeting, because it's an aspect of the university that not many students have the opportunity to see.
After the committee meeting, I went over to the Harrisonburg
Children's Museum to finish up my Community Service Learning Project. This weekend I need to write up the project to turn it in to CIS 320 next week.
Today, in ISAT 351 (Biotech) we discussed the causes of baldness and various treatments. We finished up a group project deliverable for ISAT 344 (Intelligent Systems). And I met with Dr. Henriksen to discuss more details with my senior thesis. I've decided to start writing my proposal and find a company to work with later.
This evening, I went to work and continued to troubleshoot the printer problem. I think it's a firmware issue with the printers or jetdirect devices that connect the printers to the network. Then, I spent the rest of my time moving my desk to a new place within the Technical Services area. I feel like I've spent more time in the past few weeks moving my desk, than I have actually being productive.
I've got to get some sleep so I can be ready to answer questions for ISAT 252 Lab with Dr. Cushman in the morning.
Posted by Matt on April 6, 2006 11:46 PM | Link | Email Matt
JMU Onedisc
I just remembered, I wanted to write about The Madison Channel. It's a media section of the JMU web presence. It has many videos from recent events, and upcoming events. It's where webcasts of live events are listed, and where the Biodiesel Conference webcast video is listed! If you get a chance check it out!
This morning Dr. Bachmann reviewed our exams and peer review responsibilities for our research papers (ISAT 351 – Biotech). Dr.Marchal is out of town, so ISAT 344 (Intelligent Systems) was cancelled and we had a group meeting to work on a deliverable for our Artificial Neural network.
This afternoon I met with Dr. Henriksen to discuss some problems I'm having with my senior thesis proposal. I haven't been able to get the details I need from the company I'm working with to begin to write the proposal and determine if the hopes and dreams of the company can be met with a simulation.
I finally got to take a peak at the 2006 Onedisc that JMU sends to all newly admitted students. To those students who may be reading, congratulations! Welcome to JMU, class of 2010! I have received many compliments for my contribution to the video section of the disc, and I was anxious to see how it turned out. Everyone in University Communications and Marketing did a great job with putting the entire disc together (as well as making The Madison Channel possible).
Posted by Matt on April 4, 2006 09:26 PM | Link | Email Matt
Another Early Morning for Biodiesel
This morning I got up at 6 to help Dr. Chris Bachmann and Dr. CJ Broderick with the Virginia Biodiesel Conference. The schedule includes a speech from Matt Lohr, our local Delegate to the Virginia House of Delegates, a panel of local farmers who use biodiesel, and many more great speakers. There were many great conversations about how to safely make, store, analyze/test, implement and commercially distribute biodiesel. It's exciting to see a viable source of economic revenue for local farmers being talked about on such a detailed level. If processes can be implemented and ideas put into practice, the valley could really make a difference in the future of alternate fuels.
Here's a picture of the farmer's panel, with Dr. Bachman moderating. See more pictures of the conference.
After helping all day with the conference I am exausted, but I went to ISAT 491 (Senior Thesis I) to review my annotated bibliography for my thesis proposal, then went to work for a few hours. On my way out of ISAT the heavens opened and a downpour of rain began. It was the first real spring thundershower.
Now, I'm going to collapse into my bed.
Posted by Matt on April 3, 2006 10:20 PM | Link | Email Matt
