Updated June 1, 2008

LIBR202, Information Retrieval - dr. twining
Welcome  / Greensheet / Class Schedule & Assignments / Grading / Blackboard

Getting Started

The following tasks will help you get "tooled up" for our class.

Please ASK all questions about technologies in our blackboard's "technology" discussion area.

NOTE: The SLIS server and University Library passwords change each semester. The current passwords will be posted in our blackboard, in the Technology discussion forum.

  1. Navigate and become familiar with the entire SJSU SLIS Website http://witloof.sjsu.edu/ . Take all the tutorials, read all the files, visit all the links, do all the exercises, visit all the resources: browse.  Here is a guided tour to help you get started.   Get comfortable with the interface and what each section contains so you can easily refer to them later.   The slis web  is your first source for answers about the university, the program, and the technology.

  2. Subscribe to and read all posts to the LIS program's slisadmin and quickslis distributed email lists

  3. Enroll in our LIBR 202 Blackboard http://tigris.sjsu.edu/ by locating our class (202, Information Retrieval, dr. twining) and navigate through our Blackboard site without posting any messages or replies.

  4. Read the entire contents of the Online Resources for LIBR 202 Students, including the intro to the class, the intro to Information Retrieval, and the inMagic tutorials.

  5. Download and configure the inMagic DB/TextWorks database software from the school's website.  The serial number you will need to install the software is posted in our blackboard, in the "inMagic" discussion forum.  DO NOT download the abstract.dmp file; and ignore all instructions related to it.   We will build our own datastructures and records from scratch. Refer to our Blackboard's "InMagic" forum for details, to get the software password, and to ask all questions once the semester is underway. Do not try to use the inmagic email function; it doesn't work. Review the online inMagic DB/TextWorks tutorial in the Online Resources for LIBR 202 Students and take the inMagic Guided Tour file included with the inMagic installation files. Also, see the inMagic tutorials in our Blackboard's "Materials" section. Use our inMagic discussion forum to discuss and troubleshoot inMagic.  Do not delay working with inMagic...start using it early, and use it often...we will use it first in a small group setting for Assignment 1, but you will eventually have to use it on your own for Assignment 3, and your investment will pay off as the class progresses. 

  6. Visit San Jose State University Library and begin exploring the databases. Begin retreiving articles from the supplemental reading list. You will need to retrieve at least 15 articles, which you will use in our weekly readings discussion thoughout the semester, and will use the articles to construct a datastructure for assignment 3.

  7. Master zipping and unzipping files. zipping and unzipping files is an important part of submitting assignments. You are expected to have this skill when you enter the program.

  8. Join the "Introductions" forum in the blackboard and read and follow the instructions in the "Read me first" post...

Please ask ALL questions about the course, the assignments, etc. in the Blackboard discussion forums. You are welcome to contact me privately, by email, regarding things of a personal nature. Be sure to identify yourself as a libr202 student.

Happy clicking....

LIBR 202 Information Retrieval - dr. twining
Welcome  / Greensheet / Class Schedule & Assignments / Grading / Blackboard