Top 5 Things Freshmen to NUS Computing Faculty Should Know

(Updated 2/Aug/07) Well, it has been long since an update due to the study break and me trying to make a few bucks.

5. Freshmen Orientation is 85% games, 15% NUS information
   
   

   
   The official site of the Freshmen Orientation Project
   
   See my rant here. Don't attend if you are not into funny games, selling flags or more games!
   
   See the official site or just see the agenda for the Freshmen Orientation Week for this year.

4. NUS tendered laptops suck (UPDATE 2/Aug/07: Except for the Fujitsu's - see bottom of post). Yes, including those laptops that will be on sale in Matriculation Fair.
   
   

   
   Dell offers a wide range of laptops, but do not order them online
   
   For the best bang for the buck, call Dell's corporate line at 1800 3947419 ext 5456 (Dell Corporate - Christina You). Make sure you tell them you are a NUS student and you will get pretty good deals. I got my laptop with more than SG$500 savings.
   
   If you have noticed, NONE of the laptops in the NUS tender have any gaming cards in them. Not a issue if you don't play games but it is a nice extra to have. You can't even upgrade to them as NUS does not allow it for some unknown reason.
   
   Dell is a well known brand, normally assigned to value-for-money and a OK design brand. Of course, if you have the $$$, go for the likes of Sony. But with the 3 year on-site warranty that I got from Dell, I have no regrets. And my laptop required servicing once every 4 months for odd problems.
   
   Also, avoid Windows Vista unless you are able to deal with more problems. If no choice, get the system with Vista. When you finally get a mySOC ID, download Windows XP Service Pack 2 from SOC Internet. It is legal and genuine, as part of Microsoft Academic Program. Hopefully, mySOC still allows it for download and not removed it in place of Vista.
   
   UPDATE 2/Aug/07
   Now that the new laptop specs are out, Fujitsu deals are not that bad. They even have a model with a dedicated graphic card. Unfortunately, it is a 15" monster so if size is a concern, the Dell XPS M1210 / M1310 still stands out with its dedicated graphics card.
   
   Also, avoid notebooks that only come with on-campus servicing, especially if you are staying far away from NUS. Go for on-site services where possible for convenience. I had a friend who had to wait more than 1 month for IBM (or Lenovo) to replace a laptop's noisy fan. Lousy on-campus service? You decide.
   
   And go for 2GB RAM where possible, especially if you do programming using Java - a virtual machine that needs lots of RAM.
   
   Finally, understand what you really need. Lugging around a 15 inch laptop everyday to NUS is not going to be a pleasant affair. Games like Maple Story do not require a dedicated graphic card. Ask around. Remember, if you buy from an external party, you miss out all the Adobe, Office 2007 and Windows Vista (<gulp>, more problems) freebies. Here's a full article on the NUS laptops to help you more.

3. Don't take exemption tests such as MA1301 Introductory Mathematics (for poly students)
   
   

   
   No labs, no projects! Who says it's not hard to get MCs?
   
   Did you know that you do not get any modular credits for passing it? Not even a grade! You will just be certifying yourself that you already have the knowledge of MA1301 so that you can take other modules which have it as a pre-requisite.
   
   What's in it for me? Because if you take this as a module, you will get 4 modular credits AND a grade that can push your CAP! Not to mention you complete one Breadth (or Unrestricted Elective, whichever you choose). Even more, you will only need to attend the 1 hr tutorials every week and show your grinning face to get the full attendance score. Just make sure you know your stuff.
   
   Personally, I do not know why CS1231 (Discrete Structures) requires this when every single person I spoke to (that took CS1231) says that it does not use any concepts from MA1301.
   
   Be sure you know your stuff. This could hit back at you if you are not good in the concepts and even pull down your CAP.
   
   More info on the MA1301 Proficiency Test. See the MA1301 module information.

2. Get to know the CORS system
   
   

   
   Meet MR. CORS. Be prepared to verify your home address numerous times (everytime you login ;)
   
   Its not really that complicated - some of them make it so. Find an approachable same-sex (so you don't get distracted heh) senior in the first day of the orientation week and pour all your questions.
   
   The best time is during those times when there's some boring lecture going on - there was one advertising a module about making games so use it to discuss with your senior in a quiet corner so as to not to cause a disturbance.
   
   My personal advice - take the core CS modules first as you are given "protection" - in the form of freshmen-only places - from us seniors as many of us have much more points that you do.
   
   Visit the CORS website.

1. Read this blog!
   

   
   It won't take long to adjust. Thankfully, there are no tutorials/labs for most modules in the first 2 weeks.
   
   But seriously, there are some useful links splattered throughout the blog. Here are some links that should help you out (in addition to the ones above):
   
   

   1. Timetable Builder - Use this to plan your modules. Consider travel times between faculties, lunch and off-days where possible.
      https://webrb.nus.edu.sg/ctt/builder.aspx
      
      
   2. Module Information Site 1
      http://www.cors.nus.edu.sg/CorsSchedule/moduleInfo.html
      
      
   3. Module Information Site 2 (in case the previous goes down - it happens, replace XXX with module code)
      https://ivle7.nus.edu.sg/nus/modules/mview.asp?acad_y=2007/2008&mod_c=XXX
      
      
   4. Module Information Site 3 (SOC modules only - click on the module code in the 1st column for more info on a module)
      http://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/~online/course_list/
      
      
   5. NUS E-Mail - Important NUS circulars, CORS results and NUS spam
      https://exchange.nus.edu.sg
      
      
   6. NUS Friendly Mail - Convert your u0706xxx@nus.edu.sg to something like bertsimpson@nus.edu.sg!
      http://www.nus.edu.sg/fea/
      
      
   7. Integrated Virtual Learning Environment - For all module related information
      https://ivle.nus.edu.sg
      
      
   8. Used Textbooks Forum - Don't skimp on text books
      Offhand I have forgotten the link? If anyone knows it, please post in the comments.
      Update 2/Aug/07 - http://ivle.nus.edu.sg/forum/forum.aspx?ForumID={5ec4b811-0ef4-4095-82d4-171e3d61c97c} (requires IVLE login)

   
   Well that is all that comes to my mind for now.

Post in the comments if you want to add on for your juniors (if you are a senior reading this)!

Don't forget to start bidding on 30th July 2007! Mark it on your calendar! You can check the bidding schedule here.

Welcome To My First Post

I started this blog as a personal diary of my life in NUS. First, a little intro. I am a guy. I joined NUS on August 2006. I did not know what is CORS or points or module bidding or what I am going for in the course. My choice was limited to Computing degree only as my IT diploma only allowed me this. So I happily picked Computing and they accepted me in. 1st August 2006, 2pm. That was when all the answers were given. It left me worried, very worried. Why didn't NUS release all these on a earlier date than 1st Aug 2006? Things that increased my Worry Level - The number of Maths modules. The problems that CORS (Centralised Online Registration System) can cause if you did not plan properly. The number of modules that I had to bid for and complete. And the MAJOR worry - I have BARELY much time to think about it. They stared squeezing Matriculation Fare and Freshmen Graduation for the rest of the week and next too! Thinking about it, I should have stayed in a hostel. After all, it takes about 1.5 hours from my home to the NUS campus. Then again, hostel staying comes with its problems of room mates, cost, parting with my sweet home and of course, my home computer. Hopefully, I get to understand the CORS system enough to plan my timetable for classes at 11am-3pm. And avoid the Maths modules. At the moment, I am thinking to go for the 3 Year Degree course with Business Focus - it has only 2 Maths modules! I don't need the Honours as I know I am a average student only and will probably get only 2nd Lower or Upper at most. The Matric Fair today made my "NUS celebrates 100 years" bag super heavy. Luckily I brought my carrying bag along and it went to good use. Things I got were water bottle, NUS mug, SPF pen, canvas bag and loads of advertising papers. If you are looking for a laptop for studying (and *only* studying), get it from NUS. What, you thought I'll say not to get it from NUS? Well, I'm coming to that. If you are looking for a laptop for *both* studying and gaming, then *don't* get it from NUS as NONE, except for Apple's $3500+ Macbook Pro, has a good dedicated graphics card for gaming. When I asked the vendor why, they claimed NUS does not allow any laptops with dedicated gfx cards ('cept for Quardo Professional series) for tender. Luckily, some of them were willing to sell me such laptops at student price minus the Macromedia Studio 8 and other NUS stuff which I don't need anyway. Not gonna reveal them here but I need to say this, the NUS Co-op or whatever IT dept in charge of the tender are really too much. Why not just let the vendors sell the laptops openly and let US choose what WE want? Student Union? you listening? And where's Dell - the budget but quality IT Laptop company? Gotta sleep now - long first post. Freshmen Orientation tomorrow. Hope it grows to be a at-least-3-updates-a-week blog.