**** Mailing lists

We've created two mailing lists:

  cs115-staff@soe.ucsc.edu -- Chad, Elias, and myself
  cs115@soe.ucsc.edu -- everyone (students + staff)

When communicating with the staff, please post to cs115-staff: this
will prevent your message from slipping through the cracks and will
guarantee a timely response.  Using cs115-staff is especially
important for submitting future assignments.


**** Group formation and project selection

As indicated in class, we've collected material to help you select
groups and projects, it is now up to you to finished the process.

You must:

* Send us your 'resume' ASAP (if you haven't).
* Let us know when you finalize your groupings (but make sure you've
  reached concensus before you do so).
* Select a group and project and submit an overview by Tuesday.

All of the above should be done via cs115-staff@... 



** Groups

I have collected the resumes recieved so far and posted them at:

  http://www.soe.ucsc.edu/classes/cmps115/Spring03/students/

The username and password for this directory are both "cs115".

If you'd prefer I use another e-mail address to send you mail, please
let me know.  If you know the address of someone on the list for whom
I do not have an address, please let me know.

If you haven't sent us a resume, you must do so.

The groups on the index page are based on what you all have sent to
me.  These groups are "unconnected components" (if you remember your
graph theory) (with one exception).

This grouping is preliminary.  Contact one another and re-organize
yourselves into a final grouping.

It looks like this quarter's enrollment is going to be large.  If it
remains at its current level, groups will have to consist of six
members.  If you currently have a group smaller than six, you might
want to look at the singles and doubles and pro-actively fill out your
team to prevent the staff from doing so for you.

A few students have asked me "I'm in a group with smart people, but
neither of us are really strong programs, can you connect us with a
really strong programmer?"  I don't believe this would be an good
arrangement for anyone.  Better to have a team with largely the same
level of programming experience and pick a less ambitious project.  On
the other hand, if a team has a single member with substantially less
programming experience than the rest, it's reasonable for that person
to do a less programming (not none) and do more of the project
organization, deliverable preparation, etc.

As mentioned in class, the best way to ensure success in this class is
to select appropriate teammates (compatible, similar skill level, and
interested in the same project -- with no slackers).


** Projects

I have posted sample projects at:

  http://www.soe.ucsc.edu/classes/cmps115/Spring03/project-ideas.html

If you find a project that interests you and want to find other
like-minded team-members, feel free to post messages to
"cs115@..."