We have been taking classes at the local community college for quite a while. We haven't had to purchase a school book until today. Usually we just borrow a book or share one.

So today we tried to borrow the book we needed or, at worst, buy a used copy, and we found out a new (to us) angle to prevent used (or borrowed) books from being worth anything. The book we needed has a code to log in to the Internet to get "special added stuff" that the instructor plans to use during the course. Of course, the code expires after the semester, and buying just the code costs that same as the book with the code. And you can't have two people use the same code at one time because the content is "personalized".

The book is $150 and it isn't even hardcover.

:sad:

We are unable to "test out" of the class (Computer Fundamentals) and it is required for graduation.

[QUOTE]BUS 1603 Computer Fundamentals (3-0-3) ACTS Equivalent Course Number = CPSI 1003
This course provides an introduction to computer systems. Computer system hardware, software, data storage and terminology are stressed. Additionally, the course provides students with beginning skills required to use a microcomputer system, operating system software, and an integrated software package. On the first day of class, students will be expected to key a minimum of 25 correct words per minute.[/QUOTE]The class is really just "Introduction to Microsoft Office".

:sad:

Ouch, what a waste. When you say can't test out, you mean you've talked to someone in particular one on one in the department?

Even if they said no the first time, perhaps presenting hard evidence (e.g. sshing to your boxen from your phone, code you've written, maybe reference NFS@Home which uses command line only apps for post processing) they'll be more persuaded that you aren't just straight up lying (which is very plausible for them to believe without the hard evidence).

[QUOTE=Xyzzy;408808]The class is really just "Introduction to Microsoft Office".
[/QUOTE]
What a sh!t, we have a couple of Office (and general, programming, OS, etc) books, of all sizes, laying here around, and we never went to any web page to register any code, maybe if you tell us the book name (public or PM) we can find an "unused" one for you, or we can ask our Chinese friends to look for a valid code, yarrr... :chappy:

Edit: is [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Assessment-Training-Projects-months-Printed/dp/1285427491/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_y"]this[/URL] the toy? coming with [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Office-2013-Introductory-Cashman/dp/1285166051"]this[/URL] book? (a fast search for "office book with code") Edit2: if so, you should read the comments before buying it! grrrr

The course is evidently not just an introduction to computer systems but also to the way that aggressive companies misuse them to make money.

The first thing to have clear in your mind is your own personal goal: are you taking the course mainly to learn more or mainly to have the certificate/qualification at the end? In the first case, a second-hand book without the code is still valuable to you. In the second, various responses are possible. Did the college inform you in advance that you would be required to give personal information to this company? If not, you may be able to insist that they relax their rules, for example.

We've asked the right people about testing out. That is not an option.

We cannot type but with two fingers we passed the "typing test" at 45 words per minute.

Those linked books are not what we have but they are very similar.

One advantage touted by the instructor is that we get a free 180 day trial of Office 365. Of course, Microsoft offers that to all students.

We will have to do the work at school because we don't have a Windows machine nor the desire to virtualize one.

Some kids in the class were upset that they would not be able to use Office 2010, which they apparently have and are proficient with. The book purposely forces you to use Office 2013.

After using, building and programming computers for 30+ years, we do not expect to get much from the class, but who knows? Maybe we'll learn something. The class is required for graduation so we just accept that the $300 tuition for the class and $150 book cost is just part of the "price" for that eventual graduation paper.

Obviously (?) this is some sort of financial scam (?) being used by the college to increase revenue. Most student get financial aid so we suppose they do not care about the cost. Because we are much older and (finally) somewhat financially secure, we pay full price. At age 60 we get free tuition, so that is something to look forward to.

Our main focus in taking classes is to learn stuff, keep busy and set an example for the feral teenager that lives with us. (Our therapist really encourages us to "go somewhere" every day. So far it seems to be helping.)

Our other class this semester is very interesting, although the instructor basically has us read the book as he does other stuff. (We are the only student in the class.) Fortunately the lab has a high-dollar setup that is educational.

[QUOTE]MCH 2083 Hydraulics and Pneumatics (2-2-3)
This class covers the principles of hydraulics and pneumatic equipment and their uses and applications in industry. Some of the topics covered in this class include: hydraulic pumps, control valves, cylinders, seals, air compressors, filters, pressure regulators, pressure control valves, and flow controls.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Xyzzy;408856]Our main focus in taking classes is to learn stuff, keep busy and set an example for the feral teenager that lives with us.[/QUOTE]
Ha! We took the [URL="http://www.ielts.org/"]IELTS[/URL] test, the "heaviest" one (i.e. "academic" one) on May 30 this year (with the local [URL="http://www.britishcouncil.or.th/en/exam/ielts"]British Council[/URL] here), for the same reason, to encourage the "feral teenager" we have here, we paid a lot of money, but we were proud we scored a full and sharp 7.00 (from 9.00 maximum score). Of course, we were much behind the respective teenager, what made her extremely proud, "didn't I tell you that you can't speak English?", hehe (she is always teasing me about my pronunciation, much worse than my writing, but, as former scrabble player, i have a huge advantage in vocabulary, I can say I know more words than an average native speaker, and I even know words for which I don't know the meaning, but I know the spelling - learned them by word lists during my "active" playing life). I was the older guy here (including the teachers and supervisors) and all looked at me like I was a spaceship... They asked me strange questions... hehe. All were very professional (native speakers) and seem to me very well prepared. If not for the money, I would go again - now I have the experience...

[QUOTE=xilman;326113]Like most everyone of my generation, I caught chicken pox (or chicken spots as we called it just to be contrary) as a kid. Several decades later the virus has re-awoken and I'm now in some considerable discomfort with an outbreak of shingles.

Luckily I trotted off down to the emergency medical service yesterday (my GP doesn't work weekends) to be told that I'd turned up early enough for antivirals to be effective. So I'm now swallowing 4g of aciclovir daily, along with copious quantities of analgesics. Further, I'm not allowed to go to work or to have saunas, the latter being a particularly severe restriction, for fear of infecting others.

Ho hum.[/QUOTE]
Now I got what turned out to be [STRIKE]shi...[/STRIKE] shingles. Valacyclovir 3 x 1g is a little easier to swallow.
And the timing was ju-u-u-u-st perfect for this shi... :poop:

[QUOTE=Batalov;412868]Now I got what turned out to be [STRIKE]shi...[/STRIKE] shingles. Valacyclovir 3 x 1g is a little easier to swallow.
And the timing was ju-u-u-u-st perfect for this shi... :poop:[/QUOTE]

My paternal grandmother got hooked on medically provided morphine during a shingles attack. I should take this as a warning. I've had the "spots", as well as an early adolescence plagued by Herpes mouth sores: ugly painful things on the gums and inner cheek surfaces. So I'm lousy with herpes.

Am I correct in thinking there is a shingles vaccine?

EDIT: Serge: I hope you get speedy relief from the Valacyclovir, [STRIKE] and can back off the pain meds.[/STRIKE] I am confusing your post with Paul's. :blush:
How are [I]you d[/I]oing, Paul?

[QUOTE=kladner;412870]How are [I]you d[/I]oing, Paul?[/QUOTE]Fine, for sufficiently small values of fine.

Coming to the end (I hope) of another dose of TGN which has been well treated with gabapentin. I'll stop taking it to see whether the TGN really has subsided.

Other than that, just the complaints of old age, which are just symptoms of life. I'll doubtless be cured of that soon enough.

Hear, hear!

K.L.: the vaccine exists and it helps to lessen the symptoms. But it is not a cure. Vira are tricky bastards; they always wanna come but they never wanna leave.

Clearly being fit enough to reach the summit of Mount Whitney doesn't stop this nasty virus taking hold.

Let's hope for a speedy return to good health to you both, Serge and Paul.