Humans are visual creatures

There is no getting around this – your PowerPoint presentation background matters. One of the most overlooked factors in PowerPoint presentation is slide background design. I mean, the default background color is white. If you want a boring white background, then it would suffice. But, if you want to impress your audience, you must think creatively. Think outside the box, they say. 

6.4 Designing Slides (6.4.3 - Slide design facts) has shown me how to do just that. When designing slides in PowerPoint, background transparency can be a powerful tool to add visual interest and depth to your presentation. But wait, just be aware of the overall tone and purpose of the presentation when choosing a transparent background. Make sure the overall design does not cause poor readability of your content. It is important to keep in mind that a transparent background can make text and other content more difficult to read. To avoid this issue, consider using a solid color or a subtle pattern for the background, and keep text and other content in contrasting colors that are easy to read. 

Think about it-will you pay more attention to an outdated and lousy slideshow or a well-designed one? I bet you would pick the latter. Your eyes just automatically gravitate to the attractive slide show. 

Humans are visual creatures. Our eyes are automatically drawn to beautiful imagery. It lingers on colorful and beautiful scenes on photos, videos, and many other places, including PowerPoint slides.

The Agony and Ecstasy of Income Tax: A Procrastinator's guide to surviving Tax season

Ah, tax season. That time of the year when we're all reminded that the only two things in life that are certain are death and taxes. And if you're like me, you're probably scrambling to get your income tax done before the deadline.

Yes, I know I should have done it earlier, but let's be real here - who actually wants to sit down and sift through piles of receipts and paperwork? Not me, that's for sure. I'd rather be binge-watching all the excel LabSim videos so I could fully prepare for my MOS-200 exam.

But alas, the deadline is looming, and I can't ignore it any longer. So, I do what any procrastinator would do - I start frantically gathering all my documents and praying that I have everything I need.

And of course, nothing is ever easy when it comes to taxes. I mean, who came up with all the complicated rules and regulations anyway? It's like they're purposely trying to make our lives difficult.

As I start filling out the forms, I realize that I have no idea what half of the questions even mean. "Is this a business expense or a personal expense?" Um, can't it be both? "How much did you earn from your freelance (they meant Hustle) work?" Uh, does it matter if I don't actually remember?

As I try to figure it all out, I can feel my stress levels rising by the minute. I start to wonder if it's too late to fake my own death and run away to a tropical island somewhere.

But the, just when I'm about to give up, I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I finish filling out all the forms, double-check everything, and hit submit.

And just like that, it's over. I can finally breathe a sigh of relief and go back to my regularly scheduled programming. Until next year, that is.

So, If you're like me and you've been putting off your income tax, don't worry - you're not alone. Just take a deep breath, grab a cup of coffee (or a glass of wine), and get to work. And who knows, maybe next year we'll both be more organized and get it done before the deadline. Or maybe not. After all, where's the fun in that?

The importance of removing duplicate data

It seems like in today's digital age, we are constantly collecting and storing vast amounts of data in various formats such as spreadsheets, databases, and tables.

In IS101, chapter 5.9.3 Table Customization video, I learned how to remove duplicate information from my tables.  Doing so is essential for maintaining data accuracy and quality, plus it saves time.  Duplicate data refers to multiple entries of the same data in a dataset.  This can be problematic for lots of reasons and can negatively impact data analysis.

In my opinion, one of the primary reasons for removing duplicate information from your tables and spreadsheets is to maintain data accuracy.  I remember one time, I kept scratching my head thinking why are the calculations wrong with my monthly budget worksheet and I then found the culprit, a duplicate data entry that was entered when I imported data from a different application. I don't have to tell you that I wasted time trying to sort through data and trying to identify duplicates and YES! I deleted them manually.  

I now audit my datasets to identify and remove duplicate information.  Another lesson learned!

The most used shortcuts in Excel

The mighty F4 they say is the most used shortcuts in Excel.

I was blown away when I learned from 5.7.1 and 5.7.2 in IS101 Microsoft Excel, that adding dollar signs in formula references can make them absolute, relative or mixed.  When you are not editing a formula, use F4 to repeat the last command. I mean, you perform a certain step, such as inserting a row in a spreadsheet, you can swiftly repeat this step by using the F4 key.  If, immediately after inserting the row, you realize that you meant to insert two rows, not just one.  Instead of re-executing the keystrokes that you used to insert the row the first time, simply press F4 (repeat last command). Viola!

I specially liked the fact I can cycle the type of cell reference: 1) in the relative reference (A1)  2) absolute reference ($A$1)  3) mixed references (A$1, $A$1) to switch between.  

So much to learn so little time.

Best party time of the year

Spring break is here!  I have out of town guests and I am suppose to show them Vegas killer night clubs, bikini-filled pools, and all of the boozy libations to get into the festive spirit but I am at home doing some adulting stuff like laundry and not to mention, IS101 homework. 😉

I guess I have 'been there done that 'as they say.  I am not missing anything at all.  Just living in a party capital of the world. LOL!

I was debating whether I should spend time studying or just relax this week. Then I thought about my next exam. I am behind in watching my LabSims for Chapter 5-Microsoft Excel.  I am actually interested in learning more about Excel that I did not realize it would make spreadsheets easier.  Imagine all those times I did some spreadsheets for my personal budgeting and had to do my cell formatting one at a time and getting frustrated because it was taking so long and get irritated because I would mess it up and do it all over again.

I have noticed that my spring 'break' days are not breaks at all.  I really have been studying and doing homework nonstop as if it were a normal school day.

So, it really defeats the purpose of it being a "break" and turns it into more of a study hall. 😒

Read the directions closely

I thought that I was well-prepared!  

I experience some level of anxiety before any test, it never fails.  I'm the worst!  When it comes to test taking, even if I studied well and know the material, I feel some stress and I know it interferes with my performance on tests.

I can tell you this, while taking your test if you go blank, skip and go to the next one.  Read the test directions closely- when you first receive the test, take a moment to read over the directions.  I did not read it and fumbled during the tests. Don't be like me! 😁

Oh and remember to breathe!

Creating a simple list

Going through the 4th chapter of TestOut Labs, I realized that I had a habit of using the tab and backspace keys to format my bullet.  4.4.3 Bulleted and Numbered list, taught me the safest way to adjust my list indents is to use Increase Indents and Decrease Indents button.  Back then, I used to just tab then I would backspace because the bullets did not line up and I even used my space bar then tab just back and forth I did just that.  Microsoft Word has so many easy to use tools to create a simple list.

Today, I am more informed and as I go through more chapters of IS101-3003, I am confident that I can make a more decent document that will stand out with bulleted list from now on and in less time.  😎

Learning how to remove boring background from an image

Did you know you can insert a GIF into PowerPoint?  Well I didn't!  

For now though, let's talk about the button that lets you remove a dull or boring background from the image you want but don't be feeling the background kind of thing.  You just select the background image and then click on delete.  That's all it takes!  I can even add artistic effects to give my image a pop or a wow effect.  I also liked that I can add a text box to my image.  I find it useful but of course that's just my preference. 

I also found out that I can remove background from a photo which is worth it to include in your PowerPoint presentation.  But of course, that requires more knowledge and skills that one day I can accomplish, like adding 3D models.  😃

Clicking and dragging

I have been learning so much in IS101 that even the simplest as pinning favorite programs to the taskbar for quicker-easy access gives me a satisfying grin.  I used to just keep clicking on applications on the side of my screen if I would need a program to run or look for it.  Now I am just dragging applications to the start menu and taskbar like I have been a pro at it. This is super handy in case I have regular application/program that I want to open without having to search for it or scroll through the All Apps list. I like my new shortcut because its within easy reach. Right-click on a running program in the taskbar and selecting Pin to taskbar, or drag the application to the taskbar and viola! this pins the program to the taskbar.  

Yes! I am grinning right now at just thinking about how excited I was when I first pinned an application to the taskbar. I do wonder though, will it slow my computer down if I have too many icons in my taskbar?  Another question for another day.

Like a kid at a candy store

Who knew?  Certainly not I, about narrowing your searches using symbol operators to fine tune which keywords to have in my search like the - symbol to omit specific terms or + include specific keywords and doing this multiple times within a single search.  I feel like I have been doing my searches wrong this whole time!

I also just now been using the quotation (" ") marks to search whole phrases. I must have been living under a cave somewhere and now just 'like a kid at a candy store' I have lots of other tips and tricks to help me search better.  More candy please! 

To infinity and beyond

I am sure everyone has thought of it one way or the other, but computing as we know it have come along way since the 80's. Everywhere you look around there are 'cloud' related stuff.  There are so many computer resources for any users even for a novice like me.  

Going online to search for the meaning of the word "Cloud computing" and I was bombarded with so many articles and sources.  I went to scholar.google.com and gave me more trustworthy sources. Cloud computing from Wikipedia states that "The term cloud was used to refer to platforms for distributed computing". It is the same from other sources I have read, that it is done everything on the cloud. One article stated that "applications and files are hosted on a 'cloud' consisting of thousands of computers and servers, all linked together and accessible via the internet." 

Imagine! The transformation of computing as we know it. We really have come so far, going to infinity and beyond!! 

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-54645-2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributed_computing# 

https://arxiv.org/abs/1003.4074

Stuck in an unfulfilling job

I have been unhappy with my current job and want to jump into a different field...cyber security.  And now, I am trying to fill the gap that has been missing from my day to day life of a maintenance technician.  Although I am currently a Maintenance Director, I am still looking to better my life circumstances. Hence, applying to college.

I must be getting burnout with maintenance that I am seeking a better way to make a living since time is not on my side, yes I am getting old ;-) but it will not deter me from achieving my goals.

Everything is new to me but I do like the challenge.  IS101 class is actually an easy class so far, being it be my first day at CSN ever.  My instructor is great at helping us and wants us to succeed.

Here's to hoping I can make it through!