My Life at UW-Madison

Nice tool for educating people in distant lands

Sasank Sleeper — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:14:59 +0000

Instructors: You might be interested in Adobe Connect

Posted: 16:08:09, Friday, Nov 6, 2009 Expiration: 17:00:00, Friday, Nov 13, 2009

Instructors who teach online might be interested in hosting virtual class meetings, office hours, or bring in outside experts through web conferencing.

Adobe Connect provides an easy-to-use platform for web conferencing. Instructors who want to use Connect in their credit/timetable courses are eligible for Connect licenses at no cost through DoIT Academic Technology.

For more information, see:

Adobe Connect – Product Overview and License Information

A number of tutorials are already available, and DoIT Academic Technology will be providing demonstrations and workshops in the near future.

Feel free to contact DoIT Academic Technology at academictech@doit.wisc.edu with any questions about using Connect for instructional purposes.

Save on your Heating Bill

Sasank Sleeper — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:36:07 +0000

Six Ways to Save on Your Heating Bill

Courtesy: UWCU

The leaves are turning, the days are shorter. There’s an unmistakable chill in the air—you know winter is just around the corner. When winter comes, heat and energy bills inevitably rise. To avoid being shocked by the amount due on your first bill, be pre-emptive. Here are some tips you can try to help decrease heating expenses during fall and winter months.

Turn down the thermostat. Set the thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and even lower during the night. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can set it to automatically change at a certain time. If it seems chilly, put on a sweater and keep blankets handy.
Keep heating vents clear. Vents, radiators and cold air returns blocked by rugs, furniture and dust prevent heated air from circulating efficiently.
Have storm doors and windows installed. Ask your landlord to install these valuable insulators. The layer of air between the panes of glass acts as insulation, and helps keep the heat where you want it —inside.
Use fans wisely. Run bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans only when you need to, like when you’re in the shower or are cooking on the stove top. Exhaust fans are designed to pull hot air up and out of a living space, which wastes heat in the winter and could cause the furnace to run more.
Use curtains. Open curtains and shades on south-facing windows during the day to allow solar radiation to warm a living space. Close all curtains at night to help prevent the escape of heat.
Seal drafts where possible. Cover interior of windows with shrink-film plastic, which can be found at hardware stores. Also, cover wall-mounted air conditioners with plastic film or an air-tight cover, preventing any potential air leaks.

Protect yourself from Craigslist scams

Sasank Sleeper — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:34:02 +0000

Craigslist Scams: Four Ways to Protect Yourself

Courtesy: UWCU

What happens when you attempt to sell an item on the internet and a buyer tries to scam you?

Recently, counterfeit Wisconsin Department of Revenue checks have been used by at least one “purchaser” to pay for items sold through Craigslist. The fraudulent purchaser sends a check to the seller in an amount that is greater than the selling price. The purchaser asks the seller to promptly deposit the check and to send the extra amount back to the purchaser.

The check sent to the seller ultimately bounces, and the seller is the person who ends up losing money. The financial institution that cashes or deposits the counterfeit check has no liability for the scam.

Recognizing a Scam

The best way to avoid fraudulent situations like this is to be able to recognize scams and avoid them.

The chances that you are involved in a fake check scam are very high if:

Someone sends you a check for more than the amount you’re owed and asks you to wire money to them in return.
You’ve only ever communicated with the buyer by email or phone and you’ve never met with the buyer face-to-face before finalizing the transaction.
You are asked to lie about the circumstances of a check you receive, or you are pressured to act quickly.
The name of the check issuer seems at all odd, or if you receive a business check from a business or individual account that is different from the person buying your item.

Remember, there is nolegitimate reason why anyone would give you a check and ask you to wire money to them in return for any transaction, including an online purchase.

If you have questions or think you have received a counterfeit check, call our Fraud Prevention Department at 608-232-5000 or800-533-6773.

Halloween Tips

Sasank Sleeper — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:31:17 +0000

Halloween Costumes on a Budget

Courtesy: UWCU

One of the best parts about Halloween is getting the chance to dress up in a costume. Buying a pre-packaged costume can be quite expensive, especially if you are planning on wearing it only once. Some of the best costumes are those that are produced with the most creativity, and don’t always cost a lot.

This year, frugal creativity can come from many places:

Thrift Store. The local thrift store is the best place to start your search for a unique, affordable costume. Inexpensive, lightly used clothes and accessories can be used for many costume ideas.
People’s Closets. Search for items in your family members,’ friends’ or even your own closet. Check out your parent’s or grandparent’s closets for vintage costume ideas. Or, transform clothes that you seldom wear into something extraordinary. Just be sure you have permission before you alter other people’s clothes.

Halloween Costume Ideas

If you’re short on costume ideas, try one of these low-cost, homemade options:

News Reporter in Hurricane
Wear a poncho with a news network logo on it. Put wire inside to make it look like it’s blowing to one side. Attach debris (papers, leaves, etc.) to the other side. Use gel to make your hair look wet, messy and blown in the wind. Carry a microphone covered with a plastic bag.
Static Cling
Wear any kind of mismatched clothes, pin one pant leg up and then pin dryer sheets on yourself. Pin small items like socks or small towels as well. Use hair gel or hairspray to make your hair look like it has static.
King of Pop
Attach soda cans all over yourself. Wear a cape and crown, and carry a scepter.
Driver’s License
Take a large piece of cardboard and decorate it to look like a driver’s license. Where the photo should be, cut out a place for your face. Attach it to a stick that you can carry in your hand.
Pig in a Blanket
Dress in a pig costume (pink shirt and pants, pig nose, ears and curly tail) and then wrap yourself in a blanket.

UW Madison on Youtube

Sasank Sleeper — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:42 +0000

UW on Youtube

History of UW-Madison

Sasank Sleeper — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:35:38 +0000

http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/UW/

When does an aggregation of “stories” become a “history”? The history of the University of Wisconsin is far too colorful and texture-rich to be told in a single document. Within these collections you will find images, manuscripts, papers, and books, all relating in some way to the University’s mission (detailed below). Each record speaks its own truth; each highlights different people, places and accomplishments; each contributes a unique piece of the story.

The teacher, researcher, or curious citizen is encouraged to explore this collection on a continuing basis, since items will be added to it regularly. The door to the vault has been opened, but only just, and new treasures will continually come to light.

The University of Wisconsin Mission

Each institution of the University of Wisconsin System shares in the mission of the system.

The mission of this system is to develop human resources, to discover and disseminate knowledge, to extend knowledge and its application beyond the boundaries of its campuses, and to serve and stimulate society by developing in students heightened intellectual, cultural, and humane sensitivities; scientific, professional, and technological expertise; and a sense of purpose. Inherent in this mission are methods of instruction, research, extended education, and public service designed to educate people and improve the human condition. Basic to every purpose of the system is the search for truth.

Quotes from WES program alums

Sasank Sleeper — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:38:46 +0000

The following quotes were taken from evaluations of the WES program conducted by the Learning Through Evaluation, Adaptation, and Dissemination (LEAD) Center.

“I talk to most of my friends [who are] in [a traditional] discussion, and they just sit there quiet and the teacher just does problems on the board all hour. They memorize and copy, that’s all they do. In this class you’re actually learning something. … We get into groups and we discuss the problems together instead of just memorization and stuff.”
“It’s great. We’re a family, we’re all in the same boat. That’s probably what I like the most about it is the people. I love the group.”
“WES drives you…it makes you want something. I want good grades, so now I’m going to work for them. It teaches you to want…because I want all my classes now to turn out like WES.”
“Some of the people [in the large lecture] I’ve talked to, they’ve said that there were problems on the test that they ‘had never seen before and this was crazy,’ but for me these were the sort of problems that I expected to be on the test.”
“I think that group are really important because, say, he’s really good at trigonometry and maybe I’m really good at basic algebraic skills or something. And maybe someone else is just really good at remembering stuff. So when you put all those skills together, we work it together, without leaning on a book or without leaning on a professor, we get it from each other. And it just makes everybody better… You see yourself improving… I think you learn best from other people. “
“I really get into [the group work] because you get different ideas and maybe different ways of doing things that maybe you’re not used to or you don’t know.”
“…if [our small group] can’t agree, the [TA] will come over and ask, ‘Well, what do you think about this?’ They’re really good about not telling you too much about anything. They like to let you figure stuff out and think for yourself.”
“And I think that basically everything that I’ve done in math, ever since kindergarten, has been working up to what we’re doing right now. I mean we’re having problems in books that you can see being solved in the real world. And actually in my chemistry class, I’m using this stuff fater than I’m getting it in math. … I’m just like, if I can apply something physically, that’s the best for me–I just love it. It’s so useful! I’m just like, ‘Everyone should be required to take a semester of calculus.’”
“I remember [computing the derivative of arcsin(x)] that seemed impossible being made simple. … It’s exciting because it is like, ‘God, I can’t do that. It is impossible.’ And everybody kept saying, ‘You just have to memorize those.’ And then the [undergraduate assistant] came over, and he was like ‘those are really simple.’ And we’re like, ‘Cool.’ And he went through and he taught us those and now, now I feel like I can know them all. If any body said arcsin or arccos or arctan, derive the derivative of it or prove it, I would have no problem with that. I remember before that, it just seemed like something foreign. And I like those connections with something that seemed completely foreign or impossible being made easy.”
“I think [group work] is so much more realistic for the real world. I don’t know anybody that sits down and does work completely and solely by themselves, or works on a project by themselves.”
“Working in groups develops communication skills…it makes you think about what you’re doing, and how to clearly explain what you do.”
“I’ve learned to look at problems, every kind of problem. I get perspective before I delve into solving a problem. I look at all the different possibilities and different ways of analyzing it.”
“I have a broader knowledge of math now than I ever did. I actually have an understanding for it, and it’s kind of scary, but I actually have a desire to learn more math, for absolutely no apparent reason.”

Wiscard UW Credit Union Program

Sasank Sleeper — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 05:39:19 +0000

Get Started with Your Wiscard »

Frequently Asked Questions

Madison-area branches

Visit the Wiscard site

Wiscard UW Credit Union Program—

Starting October 19*

Wiscard UW Credit Union Program— Starting October 19*

Make Accessing Your Money Easier.

This Fall, you’ll have the option to use your Wiscard as a PIN-based debit card with a UW Credit Union checking account. You can use your card at any ATM or business that allows PIN-based debit transactions and the funds will automatically be deducted from your checking account.

Coming Soon

Link your Wiscard to your checking account, and you’ll be entered to Win Extra Spending Money.¹

Benefits

It’s safe. Your Wiscard will not include your 14 digit UW Credit Union account number on the front or back of the card. If your card is lost or stolen, it cannot be used without your PIN number.
It’s convenient. The Wiscard UW Credit Union Program combines everyday banking capabilities with your Wiscard—use at ATMs and make PIN-based debit transactions. Plus, it’s easy to manage with free online banking and email or text alerts.
It’s flexible. Along with all the other great options, the Wiscard UW Credit Union Program gives you one more way to use your Wiscard.

We are committed to your financial success and offer account options that are easy to manage and include free essentials for everyday use.

Student Organization Fair

Sasank Sleeper — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:22:30 +0000

http://cfli.wisc.edu/

WiscVPN

Sasank Sleeper — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:30:37 +0000

http://genchem.chem.wisc.edu/lab/labdocs/modules/balance/baldesc.htm

Access Denied: Your IP address is not a valid UW- Madison IP Address. The link you have followed leads to licensed software for the use of UW-Madison Students only. If you are enrolled in CHEM 103, CHEM 104 or CHEM 109, live off campus, and do not access the internet via Wiscworld dialin, you will need to access this resource using the WISCVPN method supported by DoIT. Please go to http://www.doit.wisc.edu/network/vpn/ for instructions on how to download and install wiscvpn. Run the wiscvpn client whenever you want to access a restricted resource on this or any other UW-Madison server. Authenticating through the wiscvpn system with your NetID and password will cause this server to grant you full on-campus access. If you need help configuring wiscVPN, please see the DoIT help desk website at http://helpdesk.doit.wisc.edu/ or call the DoIT help desk at 264-HELP. All material placed under restricted access is protected under copyright by JCE Software or other entities, and may not be duplicated, mirrored or reproduced in any way without the express written permission of the copyright holder. Access to the GenChem Pages is restricted to UW-Madison IP addresses only. If you are unable to access this page and you are trying to connect from within the University of Wisconsin- Madison (either directly at a campus computer or via the WiscWorld dialin) please email dlduff@facstaff.wisc.edu. Please include the following information: -Name -Lab Section# -T.A.’s name -Location from which you are trying to gain access -E-mail address ——————————————————————————– Go back to the UW- Madison General Chemistry homepage