Like to think of game ideas?
Want a taste of what it's like to make games?
Want to meet other game designers and work in a team competition?
What: Make a game in 48-hours
When: January 27th - 29th
WHERE: BEAU, 240 E. Morris Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Grab all the details at: www.globalgamejam.org
Friday, January 20, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Technology User's Groups at Neumont University
Did you know, Neumont hosts a variety of technology users groups on campus, in the evenings, and all of these events are open to students who are interested in the topic. Find out more on the Campus Events section of our website.
Current tech user's groups include:
Cocoa Heads - 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm, First Tuesday of the Month, Room 300
HTML5 and Flash Users Group - Third Wednesday of the month - 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Room 305
UT Google Tech User Group - Second Wednesday of the month - 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm, Room 300
Ruby Users Group - Fourth Tuesday of the month - 6:30pm, Room 300
.NET Users Group - Second Thursday of the month - 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Room 300
Utah Software Craftsmanship Group - First Wednesday of the month - 6:00 pm, Room 300
Current tech user's groups include:
Cocoa Heads - 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm, First Tuesday of the Month, Room 300
HTML5 and Flash Users Group - Third Wednesday of the month - 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Room 305
UT Google Tech User Group - Second Wednesday of the month - 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm, Room 300
Ruby Users Group - Fourth Tuesday of the month - 6:30pm, Room 300
.NET Users Group - Second Thursday of the month - 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Room 300
Utah Software Craftsmanship Group - First Wednesday of the month - 6:00 pm, Room 300
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Week One Done_ Casino Night
Don't miss Week One Done Casino Night
Friday the 13th - 5:00 - 8:00
Casino-style gaming: Blackjack, roulette, craps, poker
Food (grilled cheese), drinks, playing chips, and prizes provided
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Just Starting at Neumont? Important Reasons Not to Forget the FAFSA
Taken from CBSNews.com, January 9, 2012 - MoneyWatch
by Lunn O'Shaughnessy
Read the Article
This month, millions of Americans have started the annual ritual of completing the FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. And every year plenty of parents wonder if they should go through the hassle of filling out this federal financial aid form. If you're on the fence, here are six reasons to complete the FAFSA:
1. You're house rich
The FAFSA doesn't ask if a family owns a primary home. If you have a ton of equity in your residence, this illiquid asset won't jeopardize your chances of financial aid at all.
2. You're divorced
There is a strange quirk in the FAFSA methodology that favors some families of divorce. The FAFSA only asks for the financial information of the custodial parent. As far as the FAFSA is concerned, which parent is considered custodial depends upon where the child has lived for the 12 months from the day that the FAFSA is filed. For example, if mom is a doctor and dad is a teacher, it would make sense for the child to live with the dad for six months and one day, because his salary is lower. Only the dad would include his income on the FAFSA. If the father remarried, however, the income of the new spouse would also be included.
3. You have more than one student in college
Some families that won't qualify for financial aid with one child in college are eligible when two are attending simultaneously. With two children in college, the expected family contribution (EFC) -- what the FAFSA formula concludes the parents can afford -- drops by roughly 50 percent. For example, if your EFC were $25,000 for one college student, it would drop to about $12,500 for each child when two are in school. Parents with twins or triplets can really make out well, thanks to this FAFSA provision.
4. You might qualify for state aid, or private school-sponsored programs
Many states and private colleges provide financial aid grants to residents or unique need-based aid, but you won't be eligible for these programs unless you complete the FAFSA.
5. Students gain access to federal college loans
Students are not eligible to borrow through federal college loans without applying for financial aid. If you skip the FAFSA, students miss the opportunity to borrow money through the Stafford Loan program, which is the superior, low interest, loan for them. The Stafford Loan offers a fixed interest rate and an income-based repayment plan for students who graduate without decent jobs.
6. Parents can borrow through federal college loans
Admittedly, the deal that moms and dads can get when they borrow through the federal government for college isn't as attractive as a Stafford Loan, but it covers any gap in funding that remains after a student takes out a Stafford Loan. The interest rate on the Parent Plus Loan is typically 7.9 percent plus a 4 percent fee on the borrowed amount. Borrowers have 10 to 25 years to repay the loan.
Bottom Line: When in doubt, file the FAFSA. It couldn't hurt, and it just might save you thousands of dollars.
by Lunn O'Shaughnessy
Read the Article
This month, millions of Americans have started the annual ritual of completing the FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. And every year plenty of parents wonder if they should go through the hassle of filling out this federal financial aid form. If you're on the fence, here are six reasons to complete the FAFSA:
1. You're house rich
The FAFSA doesn't ask if a family owns a primary home. If you have a ton of equity in your residence, this illiquid asset won't jeopardize your chances of financial aid at all.
2. You're divorced
There is a strange quirk in the FAFSA methodology that favors some families of divorce. The FAFSA only asks for the financial information of the custodial parent. As far as the FAFSA is concerned, which parent is considered custodial depends upon where the child has lived for the 12 months from the day that the FAFSA is filed. For example, if mom is a doctor and dad is a teacher, it would make sense for the child to live with the dad for six months and one day, because his salary is lower. Only the dad would include his income on the FAFSA. If the father remarried, however, the income of the new spouse would also be included.
3. You have more than one student in college
Some families that won't qualify for financial aid with one child in college are eligible when two are attending simultaneously. With two children in college, the expected family contribution (EFC) -- what the FAFSA formula concludes the parents can afford -- drops by roughly 50 percent. For example, if your EFC were $25,000 for one college student, it would drop to about $12,500 for each child when two are in school. Parents with twins or triplets can really make out well, thanks to this FAFSA provision.
4. You might qualify for state aid, or private school-sponsored programs
Many states and private colleges provide financial aid grants to residents or unique need-based aid, but you won't be eligible for these programs unless you complete the FAFSA.
5. Students gain access to federal college loans
Students are not eligible to borrow through federal college loans without applying for financial aid. If you skip the FAFSA, students miss the opportunity to borrow money through the Stafford Loan program, which is the superior, low interest, loan for them. The Stafford Loan offers a fixed interest rate and an income-based repayment plan for students who graduate without decent jobs.
6. Parents can borrow through federal college loans
Admittedly, the deal that moms and dads can get when they borrow through the federal government for college isn't as attractive as a Stafford Loan, but it covers any gap in funding that remains after a student takes out a Stafford Loan. The interest rate on the Parent Plus Loan is typically 7.9 percent plus a 4 percent fee on the borrowed amount. Borrowers have 10 to 25 years to repay the loan.
Bottom Line: When in doubt, file the FAFSA. It couldn't hurt, and it just might save you thousands of dollars.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The Ladder to Success
When you think of success money, fame, fortune usually come to mind. Although this is not always the exact definition of fame in some people's eyes Josh Bambrick, a Neumont Grad, has obtained his version of success. Josh graduated in December of 2011 and was offered a few different positions with different companies. The one that struck him the most was the position of a salaried consultant specializing in java and IBM technologies for Ascendant Technologies(A tech). The process is as brutal as any other job search but Josh had the aspirations in order to help him achieve his goals.
The interview process started with an interview from Matt Dostal, a former Neumont student, who worked for REI Systems and moved to A tech shortly thereafter. Through Dostal A tech found out about Neumont and this led to Josh's initial interview along with several other students.
After the initial interview they had him take an online test to further his process. When the test had been graded A tech decided to fly him to Austin Texas and interviewed Josh for the second time. After a successful and impressive interview they gave him an offer and he accepted it.
He plans on enjoying the perks with the job that include working from home and reimbursed travel costs as well as getting paid regardless if he is "On the bench"(not on a consulting job) or not. Josh's future consists of a three month training program in Austin, Texas and moving back to California, his original home state, and enjoying a break from homework.
For those students looking for a future employer, Josh suggest figuring out exactly what it is you want to do and to work with Shawn Loutensock to find companies that offer that specific job. He also suggests to "Go fishing" which means to take all possible interviews given to you.
The interview process started with an interview from Matt Dostal, a former Neumont student, who worked for REI Systems and moved to A tech shortly thereafter. Through Dostal A tech found out about Neumont and this led to Josh's initial interview along with several other students.
After the initial interview they had him take an online test to further his process. When the test had been graded A tech decided to fly him to Austin Texas and interviewed Josh for the second time. After a successful and impressive interview they gave him an offer and he accepted it.
He plans on enjoying the perks with the job that include working from home and reimbursed travel costs as well as getting paid regardless if he is "On the bench"(not on a consulting job) or not. Josh's future consists of a three month training program in Austin, Texas and moving back to California, his original home state, and enjoying a break from homework.
For those students looking for a future employer, Josh suggest figuring out exactly what it is you want to do and to work with Shawn Loutensock to find companies that offer that specific job. He also suggests to "Go fishing" which means to take all possible interviews given to you.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Proper Care and Feeding of Laptops
Based on past experience, we’ve listed a number of things you can do before, during, and after the upcoming winter break to make sure your laptop is working well when you return to campus. Please carefully read and consider these recommendations.
Before you leave for the break:
- Remove and/or backup any important files you may have on the public directory. The public directory is cleaned up during breaks.
- Extract all important data from any project servers you may have checked out. These servers are wiped during the break unless prior arrangements have been made.
During the break:
- Be extra careful with your laptop when traveling. Laptops are frequently stolen in airports. Keep it with you at all times.
- If you have IT-related questions, visit our FAQ at http://it.neumont.edu
- Store your laptop in a safe place during the break. Never leave it in a car unattended.
- Do not change the local administrator password or disable the local admin account.
- Do not change your laptop’s domain membership. It should be a member of the NUSTUDENT domain.
- Do not delete or modify the nustudent or neumont wireless SSID from your wireless connections.
- Do not change/reinstall the OS on your laptop.
- Do not install file sharing (torrent) or other programs that violate the AUP.
- Do not remove the TrendMicro Antivirus software from your machine.
- Check your Neumont email daily for information on registration, class changes, etc. Your email can be accessed by going to https://mail.student.neumont.edu and entering your network username and password. If you would like to use the “Outlook Anywhere” feature rather than Outlook Web Access, see the instructions on the IT FAQ site.
After the break:
- If convenient, come to campus a day or so before class begins to make sure you can connect to the network and access any systems you will need.
- During the first few days of class we are typically very busy with support issues. During this time, we need to make sure our efforts are focused on students with critical support issues (can’t connect to network, laptop not functioning, etc.). If you have an “optional” support issue (cleaning laptop, convenience re-imaging, odd desire to hang out with the IT team, etc.), please wait until the second week of class.
- There are wired network connections along the wall near the 2nd floor kitchen area if necessary for internet access or if you need to reset your password.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Neumont Online Training Tutorials Available
A quick reminder about an excellent training resource available to all Neumont students, staff, and faculty. This year we partnered with Lynda.com to improve our online learning resources. This widely-recognized website includes many training videos/courses on widely used business and personal applications. Some of the video lessons include:
- Outlook 2010 Essential Training
- Outlook 2010 Effective Email Management
- Windows 7 Tips and Tricks
- Excel 2010 Essential Training
- Excel 2010 Advanced Formulas and Functions
- Word 2010 Real World Projects
If you would like to take advantage of some of these training courses, go to http://my.neumont.edu/lynda and login with your NUID (network login username) and password. Once you are on the Lynda.com site, you can browse the training resources by topic, software title, and release date. If you run into any questions or problems using this resource, contact support@neumont.edu - happy browsing.
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