A Peek Into a NUS Mailbox: Events, News, Careers and Advertising

Besides the regular CORS and IVLE alerts that I look forward to receiving in my mail, most of the mails in the account are advertising (read: spam) forwarded and sent by NUS members. It is quickly reaching to a level where many minor events are sent in e-mails to the whole NUS even though it affects only a small percentage of the recipients.

For example: Sports facility closures, various student competitions held by external organisations, any NUS event that needs people to fill up the space, job postings no matter how small, sports trials...

You are expected to check your e-mail regularly [ source ]

And the list goes on .. SOC Technical Services sends 'Patches' alerts everytime there's a Windows or Office patch released. Never mind that Automatic Update takes care of this already.

Then there's Estate & Development News sending restaurant closure / opening alerts. Then there's What'z Newz @ OSA with 90% useless news (e.g. Free Entry to NHB Museums, NUS Volunteering Network recruitment) and useful news (such as the Transitlink Card Replacement) so you can't block them... the list can go on.

Weekly Patches E-Mail.. when Automatic Updates already does it... No way to unsubscribe..

Such news should be posted on their own web pages and not e-mailed out to all the students in NUS. Perhaps because NUS mail is so easy, just compose and send. Updating the webpages may require more steps due to the publicness of the web pages.

Most of their mails don't take up much space but they do take up my time as I have to skim through each of them and delete them. And those big emails.. those more than 100KB.. taking up valuable email space... those are the most problematic ones.

Here's a peek at some of the spam I have received. If you are a company, you now know who to contact to spam the 100% guaranteed verified NUS student mailing list.

1. Toshiba laptops offer sent by NUSSU Bizcom Nustyle (with a 830KB image attachment)
   
   Two mails, each 1MB, was sent with a big image as a attachment.
   
   

   
   ATTENTION! Toshiba laptops offers!

   And it advertises only for Toshiba laptops. Lenovo, Apple and other NUS tenders were not given this excellent marketing opportunity to reach NUS students.
   
   How did Toshiba managed to convince NUStyle to send the advertising?
   
   
2. Annual Kaspersky Lab IT Security Student Conference from SOC (sent 3 times by 3 different senders)
   
   A job position hiding behind a security competition event...
   
   

   
   Annual Kaspersky Lab IT Security Student Conference

   And the mail was sent 3 times to all SOC students, with two mails being 500KB. Props to NUS Students' Computing Club for not sending the attachment. They were also the first one to send this out, while the other two just forwarded the mails to all SOC students without checking.
   
   
3. AIA Campus Photo Contest 2009 sent by NUSSU Bizcom
   
   Learn a new marketing strategy today:
   
   

   
   AIA Campus Photo Contest 2009

   Just hold a contest, even a simple one like a photo contest, and you instantly get an opportunity to advertise your company to NUS students. And save on the fees for hiring a design firm.
   
   
4. Ubisoft Singapore Facebook Page sent by SOC
   
   This may be of interest to the Communication and Design majors, but to ALL SOC students??
   
   

   
   FW: Ubisoft Singapore Facebook Page
   

5. Events Totally Not Related To Some Students
   
   Such as this launch of CLing, a *totally* mandarin event, sent to all students. A 1MB email.
   
   Instead of sending to only Chinese students, the email is sent to the whole school.
   
   

   
   FW: Business China - An Invitation to the Launch of...

   Thank you for wasting 10 minutes of my time reading through the whole email only to find out that it is conducted in a language I don't know.
   
   
6. CCA Advertisements (743KB email)
   
   So you are running out of members in your CCA and have a strong connection with What's Newz @ OSA...
   
   

   
   NUS English and Chinese Debaters Recruitment Drive

   IF I wanted to sign up for the CCA, I would have done so during the Matriculation Fair.
   
   Imagine if all the CCAs send emails to recruit more members...
   
   
7. Swensen's (500KB email)
   
   Another event not completely related to NUS.
   
   

   
   ATTENTION! Great Swensen's Deals!

   There is a unsubscribe notice at the bottom, but I wonder whether it really does work (the email ends with edu.sg.com).
   
   
8. Plus many mails from NUS Career Centre
   
   In July 2009, they sent 5 mails. In May 2009, 14 mails.
   
   

   
   eNewsletters you can't unsubscribe from..
   

9. And Career Notices From Other Unknown Sources
   
   Even SOC Unix e-mail accounts have spam.
   
   

   
   part-time marketing research job available
   

   This mail was sent to my SOC UNIX e-mail account. I wonder how they got hold of my UNIX e-mail account which I never used in the first place.. Hmmm?
   

See my previous post and this post for more past e-mail rants.

My humble request to all NUS email senders, please use NUS groups. This way, we can opt out and in various mailing lists.

Except CORS and IVLE. The worrying thing is that some senders send important information as well as useless information using the same e-mail alias (e.g. 'What'z Newz @ OSA' and the SOC staff). That is why it is so dangerous to automatically direct them to the Junk folder based on the sender's e-mail address.

Strangely enough, events that deserves to be e-mailed don't get e-mailed. For example, when the CORS rounds start, an e-mail should be sent one day beforehand to remind all students to bid. And when a tutorial balloting round starts, another e-mail should be sent if the student is eligible to rank in the first round.

Similarly, when the closed bidding period is starting and I have been either outbid or the module has higher demand than vacancy, a warning e-mail should be sent too. This is what e-mail should be used for... but...

(gritting teeth)... must.. tolerate... one... more... semester...

The Unofficial NUS: School Of Computing (SoC) FAQ For Freshmen

(Updated 15th August 2009) Going through my analytics, people are coming to my blog with some questions not really covered in my blog.

Here is a collation of the most frequently asked questions with my best answers. Again, note that this is unofficial.

1. Does NUS School of Computing (SOC) suck?
   Depends on the modules you take. Some modules have lecturers who you may have trouble understanding their accent. Some lecturers like randomly picking from the audience and asking questions.
   
   There was one module where we HAD to flood the external presenter with questions in order to get class participation marks. And it's not consistent every year so module reviews that you get from other students will be outdated as the module is changed according to the feedback or lecturers changing. Plus, tutors are mostly graduate students who sometimes may not be really interested in teaching. Many many variables here...
   
   
2. So what are the easy modules for me to take in NUS?
   For computing students, CS1105: Computing and Society and GEK1531: Introduction to Cybercrime are very popular. GEK1531 may not be for you if you are not into internet hacking and don't understand how the internet works. Plus, it is a high demand module in CORS for usually about 800 points from General. IT1001 is also popular for non-SOC students looking for a breadth module. High point module too.
   
   For the rest, unfortunately, how 'easy' a module is depends on what you already know. Your friend may say it is a easy module, but that could be because he/she already has experience on it. However, don't worry. You will learn about more the choices of modules that you can take from your friends as time passes. They are the best information source as they have taken the modules recently and you get the latest information on how the module is and what it covers.
   
   
3. How do I check my status of my graduation for SOC students?
   Go here and you can access the File For Graduation Degree Verifier.
   
   
4. Why do I have a UNIX e-mail account too?
   I don't know too. Perhaps to show the geekiness of SOC students and I too find it a hassle to manage TWO e-mail accounts in SOC in addition to the primary one I already have. Three passwords to remember! Plus, the password complexity requirements for the UNIX accounts way exceed even the security of my Blogger account.
   
   Fortunately, you can forward all e-mails sent to the SOC UNIX account to your main account here and forget about this stupid UNIX email account. Heck, you can even forward your NUS account to your GMail account or setup auto forwarding in your NUSNet account.
   
   
5. How do I login to mySOC?
   Go here. Use your matric number (e.g. U0910121) and password. No need to specify the NUSSTU domain.
   
   
6. Where can I get the list of modules being taught in SOC?
   Right here.
   
   
7. Is it true that SOC students have a free grayscale laser printing quota?
   Yes, you have about 50 grayscale pages of quota. If you print double sided (i.e. not use the -sx suffixed printers), you can print 1.5 times more!
   
   Unfortunately, I can't find any online Windows guides to adding the printers for connecting your laptop. Suffice to say that you need to be on SOC's VPN network (or NUS wireless network) and must already have a UNIX account. Then go to Control Panel > Printers > Add Printer > Network Printer > enter '\\nts27\' under 'connect to this printer (or browse for a...' > next > select the printer to print to. If you are still having trouble, bring your laptop to your Technical Support Desk located in SOC near the main entrance.
   
   Note that you don't need to connect to printers manually if you are using SOC lab computers. But you will still be using your assigned quota when printing from workstations. Your UNIX id is automatically detected when you login with your NUSNET username to these workstations.
   
   Print test prints with single pages before printing away the whole lecture slides. You will notice the first page is always your UNIX id in big letters so as to separate print jobs of other users. Get comfortable with how the printing works before sending bigger jobs to the printers as you don't much quota to play with. Yes, paper is included in the quota. Yes, you can buy more quota via mySOC (or direct link). Printer names with a SX suffix means they will only print single side. Printers with DX suffix means they will print double side.
   
   By the way, the 500+ line printing quota you get is for the noisy printer near the technical support office and used to print only text files. I heard it is mainly used to print source code out. The paper is also not standard 80gsm paper.
   
   
8. How do I check my SOC remaining print quota?
   Go here.
   
   
9. How do I apply for a NUS SOC UNIX account?
   Go here. Be prepared to meet a ridiculous .. nah .. impossible ..nah .. ridiculously impossible password complexity requirement to create your UNIX account.
   
   
10. I forgot my UNIX / mySOC password! How do I reset it?
    Go here.If you need to login, use your NUSNET credentials i.e. u0910232 / password. You will need your matric card.
    

Any corrections let me know in the comments below.

The Unofficial NUS FAQ For Freshmen

(Updated 4th January 2010) Going through my analytics, people are coming to my blog with some questions not really covered in my blog.

Here is a collation of the most frequently asked questions with my best answers. Again, note that this is unofficial.

1. Can I convert my breadth module to an Unrestricted Elective?
   Ask the person in charge of the module. In some cases it may be possible.
   
   
2. Where can I download the latest street map / road map / shuttle bus routes of the NUS campus?
   Go here
   
   
3. Where is the bookshop in NUS?
   It is called CO-OP. Here are the locations in NUS. But try the Clementi Book Store instead for possibly lower prices. See my other post. The prices for many textbooks at Clementi Book Store are cheaper than NUS Co-op outlets even after their discounts.
   
   And no, you can't check CO-OP textbook prices online - you have to go there manually to check prices. There is a queue line at the inside-back-right of the store specifically to buy course textbooks. You may also want to try buying 2nd hand used textbooks in IVLE.
   
   
4. When does the NUS school term start?
   See the updated and future calendar term PDF calendars here
   
   
5. Do NUS lectures take attendance?
   No unless specifically stated by the module.
   
   
6. Can I attend other lectures which I am not allocated?
   By right, you are not allowed to attend other lectures, but by left, no one cares. Just be sure to have your matric card in case of security screenings (which I never encountered).
   
   
7. Can I download my previous year results in a single PDF file?
   You can download your past exam results transcript in one document via MyISIS. Login, click Self-Help, Academic Records, View Unofficial Transcript.
   
   
8. How do I configure my laptop to connect to the encrypted NUS wireless network?
   Go here and see under NUS PEAP Configuration Wireless. If it prompts for your username, enter nusstu\<your matric> for username (e.g. 'nusstu\u0910343), and your NUSNET password. Avoid using the NUSOPEN wireless network unless you are using encrypted or HTTPS encrypted websites.
   
   Using NUSOPEN means anyone can snoop on the data you are sending and receiving with a laptop and some specialized software. For example, logging into hardwarezone with NUSOpen means anyone can get your username and password if he/she has the right software.
   
   
9. How do I check my NUS email?
   Via NUS Web mail. Or you can use configure Microsoft Outlook 2007, Outlook Express, IMAP or any other POP3 compatible mail client to access your NUS EMail. When logging in via NUS Web mail, enter nusstu\<your matric> for username, and your NUSNET password. For quick reference, here are the mail settings:

   Incoming mail (POP3) server: pop.nus.edu.sg
   

   Outgoing mail (SMTP) server: smtp.nus.edu.sg
   

   Mail server user name: your Exchange user name (e.g. u0910121)
   

   Outgoing mail server user name: your Exchange user name
   
   Incoming mail (IMAP4) server: imap.nus.edu.sg
   

10. How do I interpret the NUS module codes?
    Generally, the first two alphabets refer to the department handling the module. Some modules like Singapore Studies and GEMs follow the SS and GEK prefix.
    Next, the first digit indicates the level of difficulty. Personally, I think the difference between the level 1 and 2 modules in SOC is negligible. For freshies, you can only take a total of 60MCs worth of level 1 modules.
    It is said that the second digit indicates the difficulty of the module. Perhaps, but if you compare MA1301 and MA1101R, does it sound easier?
    
    
11. What are the NUS tuition fees?
    Download the PDF here and SAVE it. If you are not in the current new cohort, your fees may be lower (if it prompts for your username, enter nusstu\<your matric> for username, and your NUSNET password)
    
    
12. Can I forward my NUS mails?
    No, but you can use GMail to retrieve it for you. See my post for a guide on this. UPDATE: Thanks to Frank in the comments, NUS mail forwarding can be done automatically! Seems to have been there all the time and I somehow missed it :/ You may still want to check out my GMail guide if you want labeling with your NUSNet mails.
    
    
13. How much is the NUS hostel bills?
    See here. Remember, CCA points also play a role in getting the room you want. See here for 2009/2010.
    
    
14. What are the figures for the number of students enrolled in NUS this year?
    Go here
    
    
15. What are CCA points used for?
    Only used when you are staying on campus. You get CCA points for volunteering (read: working for free) for various activities in NUS such as Freshman Orientation or tending to stores or in the various CCA groups in NUS.
    
    
16. Must I attend the Freshmen Orientation Week?
    No, attendance is not compulsory. Here is my review of it here. You may want to attend just for the first few days just to know some seniors and ask questions. Or find a buddy to take modules together.
    
    
17. Where can I get the list of contact details for the lecturers / professors in NUS?
    Right here. Suffix @nus.edu.sg to the user id to get the full e-mail address
    
    
18. Where are the study areas in NUS?
    Almost everywhere there will be benches for you. In SOC, you enjoy air-conditioned study areas as well but the space can be limited. Libraries can be used as well to study. During exam periods, expect libraries to be full.
    
    
19. Can poly students take modules which they are already exempted from?
    Not sure about this.
    
    
20. How is the module CAP point computed?
    See here
    
    
21. Is there a way to calculate the CAP with my future possible grades?
    Use CAP Calculator. Be warned - use a fake name and matric or else others can view your results! The fake name and matric are only used to save your results for later retrieval.
    
    
22. I need a NUS logo to 'slap' on my report cover page?
    Download the PDF here, zoom in to required size, and screen capture the size you want.
    
    
23. Where can I photocopy, print and bind in NUS or Clementi?
    Printing in NUS libraries are not free unless you are a SOC student. SOC students have free print quota that can be used to print only within the SOC faculty.
    
    That said, Central Library allows you to print your lecture notes (note: you don't need to print lecture notes for lectures unless specifically mandated by the lecturer) and project reports with a really 'highly advanced' system that only accepts CashCard (sigh). There's also a book-copy center .. err.. I mean photocopy and binding room in the Central library when you can photocopy and pay with CashCard and ezLink (for photocopying only). Rates are 4.5 cents per page for printing and 3 cents for photocopying (source).
    
    You can also photocopy and bind at CO-OP outlets with cash / NETS payments.
    
    Other NUS libraries may also have facilities to allow you to print/bind, but I have not tried them personally. All libraries have self-service photocopy machines requiring payment using CashCards.
    
    After the closing hours of about 5pm and 6pm, you can go to a shop in Clementi interchange where they are open till 9pm. Expect to pay more though.
    
    Here are their details:
    

    Double One Colour Centre (Kodak Express Network)
    Blk 445 #01-153 Clementi Ave 3
    Singapore 120445
    Tel: 6778 1035 / 98286733 (don't know whether they answer SMS as it is senior folk there)

    They are the few ones (or only one?) in Clementi interchange area to provide binding services.
    
    
24. Where can I download the Shuttle Bus routes?
    Right here. Unfortunately, they have still yet omitted to include markings of the actual bus stops and only show the routes taken by the bus in the campus maps. For example, Service D skips one bus stop near the sports hall.
    
    Here's a post about them. It's better you download the campus map and guess the bus route from there.
    
    
25. Do all NUS modules have exams?
    Most modules in NUS have exams, but a small percentage do not have exams. Those without exams are indicated in the CORS module information listing under 'Module Examinable' when you see the module code. Note that even though they are non-examinable, they may still hold their own 'exams' in the form of quizzes and mid term papers. And expect projects too. For example, GEK1531 is a non-examinable module but it still comes with 2 tests.
    
    
26. Are there modules in NUS which allow students to bring in text books during exams?
    There's open book exams in NUS which is listed under 'Open Book Exam' in the same listing. Note that even if a module is listed as '-' (not open book), you may still be allowed to bring in 'cheat sheets' of limited quantity (usually 1 A4 double sided hand written, probably cause people use tinny tiny fonts to squeeze as much as possible).
    
    
27. How do I reset / change my NUSNet account and NUSNet email password?
    Go here. You can also change to a nicer looking e-mail (u0910323@nus.edu.sg vs bertsimpson@nus.edu.sg) using NUS Friendly Mail. If it prompts for your username, enter nusstu\<your matric> for username, and your NUSNET password.
    
    
28. What are the current offers for NUS student laptops / notebooks?
    Go here. Only laptops which have been selected by NUS are offered but they come with several student software goodies such as the latest Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office and Adobe software. No, COOP does not sell laptops. No, you cannot buy 2 laptops, only one per every 18 months. See here for more info.
    
    
29. How do I join NUS mailing lists?
    You don't. You are forced to receive many advertising and marketing emails. But a few generous hearts have come together and developed NUS Groups which allows you to opt out of a small percentage of those emails.
    
    
30. How much email space quota am I allocated in my NUS Microsoft Exchange email account?
    Your NUS mailbox size is.. 30 GB .. oops.. sorry just woke up from a dream.. it is 30MB. The information here is false and misleading! See my post for more information. You can check how much email space you have used and left here. (login as nusstu/<nusnet id >, nusnet password) See the primary storage? That is your actual mailbox size.
    
    
31. Where can I get my NUS timetable with my allocated modules?
    In CORS, there is a link to the 'Time Table' on the left menu (You can still login to CORS when the rounds are over). It will show allocated modules and tutorial time slots. Another alternative is to login to IVLE and click on 'My Organizer' on the left column but note that this does not show the tutorial slots assigned to you.
    
    
32. Any tips for planning my timetable?
    Avoid having lunch at 12-1pm as the canteens are crowded - so try to have lessons to fill in that time. Between each event, check the location of the event against the NUS campus map. If the locations require shuttle bus travel, consider putting a 1 hour break there for you to travel as the 45th min to the 15th minute are peak shuttle bus hours (e.g. 1445hrs to 1515 hours).
    
    Finally, some people may want to space out their exam dates rather than having all exams in consecutive days/time. Note that you have a one week study break before the exams, but some modules require projects to be submitted during this break time.
    
    
33. Are there tutorials in the first two weeks?
    Not for most modules. However, if your module is based on 'Sectional Teaching', you have to attend as normal.
    
    
34. I got a module but how do I know which lecture group I am in?
    Login to CORS, go to Module Management and you can see the time slot you have been allocated under the Class column. Or you can see the 'Time Table' on the left menu in CORS. It will show allocated modules and tutorial time slots. Or login to IVLE and click on 'My Organizer' on the left column but note that this does not show the tutorial slots assigned to you.
    
    
35. What is the maximum attachment size in NUS mail?
    Unsure about this, but I would wager that it is about 10MB.
    
    
36. How do I mass delete multiple emails when using Outlook Web Access?
    Ctrl+click to multi select items. Shift+click to multi select a range of items. You may want to sort by Size first by clicking on the Size column header, then going back to Page 1.
    
    
37. How do I access the previous years archive of exam papers for a NUS module?
    Go here. After login, click 'Examination Papers Database'. Then enter the full module code in the first box and hit Enter. Some limitations: Certain departments do not release the papers. Some exam papers which come with MCQs are not released but the non-MCQ sections of the exam paper are released.
    
    And oh, the site requires that you DON'T use the Back button in the browser. Instead you use the back button provided in the web page itself or it won't work correctly. Kind of like the search system in the National Library during the old days.
    
    
38. Where do I get my NUSNET userid and password?
    It will be given to you when you register at the matriculation fair. Along with many goodies. Don't lose it. If you don't have it, it is your matric number with an additional zero. So if your matric number is U082112Z, then your NUSNET userid will be u0802112. See the pattern?
    
    If you have forgotten the password, then you will have to go through a password reset procedure - 'Bring along your matriculation/student card to Computer Center Level 1 to request for password reset. You may also send us a scanned copy of your Matric Card and NRIC through fax at 68725231 or email at ccehelp@nus.edu.sg .' [ source ]
    

Any corrections let me know in the comments below.

NUS SameMail LargeMail - The Same Mail As Before

It's been said that things that are too good to be true, are usually are. NUS Large Mail is a fine example of that.

What it actually means. Source

When you go to the fine print of this upgrade here, it becomes clear. What is thought to be a simple 1GB upgrade of all mailboxes is actually a complicated addition of a secondary 'vault'. Something like the Closed Bidding period in CORS - where things can be quite random.

Actually, it works to a extent. But only if the rate of incoming mail does not exceed the rate it archives the mail. Sure, it auto archives my mail for me every month. But if I happen to receive lots of large files in 2 consecutive days, I still have to login to clear my inbox as the archival kicks in at an unknown period of time.

There's still no peace of mind.

With e-mail accounts like GMail, I don't have to worry about exceeding my allocated space as the 7GBs of space is all there for me to use.

However, if I could just move every single mail to that 1GB 'vault' automatically, then it would be a great! But no...

The hidden truth about NUS LargeMail

No, you can't change the automatic archival limit to archive every single mail. You need to do this manually... and use Outlook... and install some extension software... and.. you get the idea!

So what's the actual e-mail space you have? 0.03 GB. All right stop rubbing your eyes! I said it correctly, it's 30 MB. The same. At Yahoo, Hotmail and Gmail, you get over 1GB (1000MB) of space.

At these providers, you get more than 1GB of real space! (Image stolen)

Perhaps NUS should dump Microsoft Exchange and move to Google Apps. Let Google handle all the space and maintenance. This would mean relying on a provider across the Singapore borders... but .. Oh well, let's not get too academic here.

So how to resolve this for now? For those of you with GMail accounts and know how to do it, configure GMail to collect email from your NUS mail via POP3. If you are using Live! Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail or any other e-mail account, you can use NUS email redirection service - AutoForward - but it can be difficult to distinguish some NUS mails.

See my other post on how to connect your GMail account to NUS's E-mail system.

Advertising and Useless Announcements in NUS E-Mail

NUS E-mail is being used to communicate all sorts of things that should be posted in a bulletin board / mailing list.

Recently I received the following mails:

Racing Cars anyone? And from a source I would trust

IMPORTANT news to all SoC students!! New music library operating times! Huh?


Free advertising privilege for a NOC student?


Some 'thoughtfully' come with the <ADV> prefix and even require read receipts

Seriously! How does the hours of music library changing operating times warrant an e-mail to be sent to all SoC e-mail accounts?

An option is to block the senders. However, the senders also sometimes (About 30% of the time) send important information. Not much choice there eh, mate?

Why can't NUS have a page of mailing lists that we can select to opt in? E.g. Music Library Announcements, Engineering Faculty Activities, SoC Events, etc. There are NUS groups that you can opt out of, which only like 5% of the senders utilise.

Maybe NUS should consider linking up with GMail Custom Domains to fight email spam. Or allow us to forward all mails from our NUS account to another account, just like SoC E-mail allows.

The Forbidden Send Button In Outlook Web Access

Normally, I use my Outlook to reply to e-mails. Today, I happened to be in the lab and I had to use the web interface to reply to an e-mail.

Again, I had to login, even though I am logged in onto NUSNET already.

Implement a standard login page for all systems!

I kept entering the password when the focus was at "remember UserID" as I am used to pressing "Tab" after entering my username .

Then I realised that its because that "remember UserID" should be placed after the Password box and not before it. Again, a special NUS only irritating feature :-/

Anyway, I proceeded to log in.

The interface was almost similar to Microsoft Outlook. I knew immediately what to do to create a new mail.

I click New Mail, spent about 10 minutes typing out a message...

Almost like using Microsoft Outlook!

Now after hitting the Send button...

Ah, a popup that IE is blocking. Gotta allow it. Easy, just right-click the yellow bar...

and allow the pop-up...

The window refreshes and... my message..! Where's my message?! My 10 minute long message!

Unfortunately, this was one of those rare times where I forgot to hit Ctrl+C before hitting the Send button.

NUS CORS Tutorial Balloting

It's bad enough that I have to ballot for my tutorials. After spending 15 minutes to select 22 tutorial slots that I was able to fit in my time table, I finally hit the Next button.

And I get presented with this error message.

Seems that I can only select a maximum of 20 classes.

Why wasn't there at least a JavaScript function to check this requirement on the first page itself?

OK, I scroll down. Guess what I saw?

All the checkboxes cleared. (None checked)

That's right, I spent 15 minutes carefully selecting tutorial slots, and one error message destroyed all my efforts for that period. I had to recheck, and manually count them by hand again.

Test a system with many users before releasing it - this way, you get problems and suggestions from the user's point of view, not from a developer's point of view.