Iowa State University IT

IT Services Courses

To register for an IT Services course, complete the online registration form. A confirmation email and reminder will be sent to you.

Many courses carry a fee, which is waived for IT Services supported clients. Courses that are two hours or less are no charge to students.

All courses are taught in 89 Durham Center unless otherwise noted.

Current offerings:

Contribute

Introduction

Contribute allows a group of people who are not web designers to alter content on a website. Each person can be assigned a page or portion of a website for which they can alter the contents. Contribute allows the user to change the current contents of a web page and then upload the new page to the site. It allows a group of people to collaborate in order to keep a website updated and useful. This class will introduce the basic concepts of setting up Contribute for a standard Dreamweaver website and how to use Contribute to make web page changes. Some background in Dreamweaver or web site design would be very helpful for this class. ($25)

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Dreamweaver

Level I: Basic

A beginning course to learn the basics of Dreamweaver. Topics include an introduction to the Dreamweaver workspace, as well as the process of creating a simple website using Dreamweaver's visual authoring tools to create, save, and lay out web pages; add content to web pages; add text links between pages; and publish the website. ($25)

Level II: Tables and More Links

This course focuses on using Dreamweaver to design tables for a web page. Topics include creating and modifying tables in standard view, adding color to a table, merging and splitting cells, changing row height and column width, adding border color, and creating rollovers for graphical links. Prerequisite: Basic understanding of Dreamweaver. ($25)

Level III: Behavior and Layers

This course introduces the usage of behaviors and animating layers in Dreamweaver. Topics include adding a behavior to a web page, specifying the associated action and event, updating a behavior, creating layers on a web page, adding content to layers, viewing and setting layer properties, and animating layers. Prerequisite: Basic understanding of Dreamweaver. ($25)

Level IV: Projects

This course looks at three different intermediate Dreamweaver projects: a template project, an XML data project, and a project that incorporates both Fireworks and Flash integration. Topics include incorporating XML data into a website, creating/adding Flash video, creating/adding Fireworks drop-down menus, and integrating CSS style sheets into a Dreamweaver website. Participants are encouraged to bring their own Dreamweaver projects to class. Prerequisite: Basic understanding of Dreamweaver. ($25)

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Excel

In-Depth (2003)

A beginning course, consisting of two 3.5-hour sessions, that takes an in-depth look into the basic concepts of this popular spreadsheet package. The course is designed for those who have little or no experience with spreadsheet applications. ($100)

Express (2007)

This short course introduces basic spreadsheet creation and concepts. Topics include text and numerical data entry, construction of formulas and simple functions, database basics, and creation of charts and graphs. This class is recommended for new Excel users, for current users who have had their Excel spreadsheets set up for them, or for users of Excel 2003 who would like a quick overview of the new layout in Excel 2007. ($25)

In-Depth (2007)

A beginning course, consisting of two 3-hour sessions, that takes an in-depth look into the basic concepts of this popular spreadsheet package. The course is designed for those who have little or no experience with spreadsheet applications. ($100)

Pivot Table (2003)

This course covers the PivotTable feature of Excel. A PivotTable is an interactive table that quickly summarizes, organizes, and compares large amounts of data in a worksheet. Prerequisite: Excel level 1 knowledge. ($50)

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Fireworks

Introduction

This course includes an overview of the Fireworks environment (a software authoring tool for creating interactive, online tables and graphics) and several simple projects, primarily focused on creating various types of pop-up, tabbed, and customized buttons for use in website navigation by users. Other topics include image optimization techniques and how to export

items created with Fireworks into common HTML editor environments. Basic HTML knowledge and Flash or Dreamweaver background is helpful but not required. ($25)

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Flash

Introduction

This course covers the basics of using Flash software to create a simple animated graphic and publishing it on the Web. The course will also overview additional ways of using Flash software, such as a navigation or presentation tool. Some basic HTML and Internet knowledge is helpful but not required. ($25)

Level II: Buttons and Menus

This course examines the way buttons and menus in the Flash software add intereactivity to web pages and are used as web navigation tools. It will also cover the use of symbols. Prerequisite: Introduction to Flash or working knowledge of Flash. ($25)

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LaTeX

Introduction

This hands-on course covers a quick introduction to LaTeX, a program that uses computer typesetting to produce high-quality documents. Topics include LaTeX basics and how to write a short paper using LaTeX. (No Charge)

Thesis

This hands-on course covers a brief introduction to the isuthesis document package used to produce a thesis or dissertation with LaTeX. Participants use their own Network-ID and put together a short thesis or dissertation during the workshop. Introduction to LaTeX short course is suggested. (No Charge)

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Linux

Installing

This hands-on course will provide experience in installing the Linux operating system on an Intel-based computer. You will learn the answers to questions that will be asked during the installation process, how to configure hardware, and how to set up a computer to boot into both Windows and Linux from the same disk. (No Charge)

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Office 2007

Overview

This 60-minute short course will provide users with a general overview of Microsoft Office 2007. New Office 2007 features and an orientation to the new layout will be covered. This course is not a hands-on course. (No Charge)

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Outlook

Express (2007)

This short course introduces the basic concepts of Microsoft Outlook 2007. Topics include how to use mail, calendars, contacts and folders. This course is recommended for new Outlook users and for users of Outlook 2003 who would like a quick overview of the new layout in Outlook 2007. ($25)

In-Depth (2007)

A beginning course, consisting of two 3-hour sessions, covers how to use mail and calendars in Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft's electronic mail and calendaring application. The objectives for this course were defined to meet the needs of Information Technology Services clients currently using Outlook for email and calendaring. ($100)

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Photoshop

Introduction

This course is designed to introduce the average user to the basics of photo editing using Adobe Photoshop. Focused on the use of pictures in web development, topics include the basics of image editing including cropping images, removing scratches, changing background colors, adding text to images, and using filters. Options for controlling image size and selecting appropriate resolution and file format will also be explored. ($25)

Level II: Basic Design Concepts

Designed as the second in a series, this course will focus on the painting and editing tools found in Adobe Photoshop. Special consideration will be given to customizing these tools to achieve different effects. Other topics include the basics of designing and converting a graphic to an image map for use on a webpage; the basics of finding image map coordinates and matching colors; and toolbar items including History, Airbrush, Paintbrush, Pencil, Blur, Eyedropper, Eraser, Gradient, and Zoom tools. An understanding of web page development is useful but not required. Prerequisite: Basic understanding of Photoshop is expected. ($25)

Level III: Simple Applications

This course is designed to let participants use the basic tools introduced in the Introduction to Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Photoshop II-Basic Design Concepts classes to develop simple applications. New tools such as pattern stamp, guides, and layer masks and effects will be introduced. Other topics include how to use the painting and editing tools combined with layer effects to design a greeting card, calendar, and web page. Prerequisite: Basic understanding of Photoshop is expected. ($25)

Level IV: Digital Doctoring

This fourth course in the Adobe Photoshop series covers the basics of using filters, masks, and layers to create special effects and change parts of a photograph or image. Topics include basic artistic filters (watercolor) and the possibilities of specialty filters (distort). To elaborate on the use of special effects, the class will explore ways in which masks and layers can give more control over the final image. Special consideration will be given to converting images to different color modes, e.g., from full-color to grayscale. More information about publishing images on the web will be given. Prerequisite: Basic understanding of Photoshop is expected. ($25)

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Podcasts

Basic Podcasting

This course looks at the definition of a Podcast/Vidcast, how to choose a Podcast client, and a simple way to publish a Podcast file on a subscription basis via a Podcast XML file at Iowa State. Topics include the different types of Podcasts/Vidcasts (video podcasting), what it means to "narrowcast", and program formats for making an effective Podcast. No previous knowledge of Podcasting/Audio editing is required. ($25)

Creating a Podcast

This course will have you create a simple Podcast using a standard audio editor (Audacity) and then publish that Podcast to the web using an XML Podcast Creation program such as ePodcast Express. Topics include various audio Podcast conversion techniques, how to check/log your Podcast feed, and the basics of creating/publishing a Vidcast (video podcast) from a standard video file. Introductory digital video/audio editing knowledge/background would be helpful for the course but is not required. Prerequisite: Basic Podcast knowledge obtained from the Basic Podcasting class is required. ($25)

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PowerPoint

Express (2007)

This hands-on course presents an overview of the key steps used to create a simple presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint 2007. Topics include creating a new presentation, entering information, changing the background, adding graphics, inserting tables and charts from Word or Excel, adding animation and preset timings, and printing or displaying a presentation. ($25)

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Red Hat Network

Basic

This hands-on course will show you how to register a computer with the Red Hat Network, schedule and apply critical updates, and subscribe a computer to a software "channel". You will learn how to query the database for information on the systems you manage, find the packages available from Red Hat, work with multiple systems in "system groups", and understand the basic method by which the RHN communicates with your system. Prerequisites: A Red Hat Network account (available via https://asw.iastate.edu/cgi-bin/acropolis/request/rhn/rhnregister). Experience using an operating system and applying updates would be useful. (No Charge)

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Telephone

Features & Voicemail

This course for faculty and staff covers the features of the IT Services supported single and multi-line telephones and voicemail. Topics include how to record and retrieve messages, administer personal greetings, and personalize other options. This course is held in 271 Durham Center. (No Charge)

New Coordinators

This course is an orientation for new voice/data coordinators. Topics include problem reporting, voicemail security, and work order forms. This course is held in 271 Durham Center. (No Charge)

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UNIX

Basic I: The Command Line Interface

This hands-on course uses the Linux operating system to cover the basic commands, command syntax, and the file system used under UNIX. Experience with a command line operating system, like DOS, is helpful but not required. (No Charge)

Basic II: Shells and Shell Scripting

This hands-on course uses the Linux operating system to introduce the powerful UNIX "shell" and the shell programming language. You will learn to use variables, control structures, and I/O redirection to program UNIX to automate tasks for you. Experience with the UNIX command line interface. Prerequisite: Knowledge of a programming language would be helpful. (No Charge)

Basic III: The Graphical User Interface

This hands-on course uses the Linux operating system to introduce the use of window managers and desktop environments in the UNIX environment. You will also learn how to use file managers, system administration utilities, and virtual desktops. Understanding of the basics of the UNIX operating system and experience with another GUI would be helpful but is not required. (No Charge)

Basic IV: Linux for Windows Users

This course is an introduction to working in Linux for people currently using Microsoft Windows. Standard procedures for working on the Gnome and KDE desktops will be discussed, with the differences between them and Windows highlighted. We'll also look at locating and installing applications (with an emphasis on Windows compatibility) and sources of help and technical support. Prerequisite: Familiarity with Microsoft Windows. (No Charge)

Networking

This hands-on course uses the Linux operating system to provide an introduction to basic network concepts, network tools, and the knowledge necessary to connect a UNIX computer to a local area network. Prerequisites: Experience with the UNIX command line interface. (No Charge)

Text Editors

This hands-on course uses the Linux operating system to cover the editing of text files under the UNIX operating system, using several of the many editors available. It will briefly describe the ed and ex line editors, regular expressions, and the sed streaming file editor. The pico/nano, vi, and emacs full-screen editors will be covered in detail. (No Charge)

Mail

This course covers the basics of getting your email at Iowa State on a Linux system, downloading your mail with fetchmail, and using three common email clients: Evolution, KMail, and mutt. Briefly covered is configuring your system to properly send mail using postfix. (No Charge)

System Administration I

This hands-on course uses the Linux operating system to provide an introduction to the startup and shutdown sequence followed by a UNIX system, management of terminals and window systems, management of storage devices, time synchronization, and user account administration. Prerequisites: Experience with the UNIX command line interface. Experience in managing another operating system would be helpful. (No Charge)

System Administration II

This hands-on course uses the Linux operating system to provide an introduction to package management and critical updates, disk backups, performance monitoring, and system automation. It also includes a discussion of Live CD distributions such as Knoppix, and recovery and rescue techniques. Prerequisites: Experience with the UNIX command line interface. Experience in managing another operating system would be helpful. (No Charge)

Security I

This hands-on course uses the Linux operating system to introduce the basic philosophies behind computer security, the ways in which a computer can be compromised, and steps that can be taken to detect and prevent unauthorized access to a UNIX computer. Physical security, authentication, and authorization are among the topics that will be covered. Prerequisite: Knowledge of the UNIX command line interface and UNIX system administration. (No Charge)

Security II

This hands-on course uses the Linux operating system to introduce the concepts behind network security. The ways in which a computer can be compromised via network scans, scans, and attacks as well as steps that can be taken to prevent attacks will be discussed including firewalls, application wrappers, and proper system configuration. Secure communications and basic intrusion forensics will also be covered. Prerequisite: Knowledge of the UNIX command line interface and UNIX system administration. (No Charge)

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Word

Creating a Thesis (2003)

This hands-on course will demonstrate techniques required to write theses and disseratations with Microsoft Word 2003. Topics include the use of styles and headings to maintain consistency in the document and easily create a table of contents. Tricks for inserting big tables and graphics will be demonstrated. Participants use their own Network-ID in the workshop and will put together the framework for a thesis or dissertation during the session; both Windows and Macintosh computers will be available. Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word for either Windows or Macintosh. (No Charge)

Creating a Thesis (2007)

This hands-on course will demonstrate techniques required to write theses and disseratations with Microsoft Word 2007. Topics include the use of styles and headings to maintain consistency in the document and easily create a table of contents. Tricks for inserting big tables and graphics will be demonstrated. Participants use their own Network-ID in the workshop and will put together the framework for a thesis or dissertation during the session; both Windows and Macintosh computers will be available. Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word for either Windows or Macintosh. (No Charge)

Express (2007)

This short course introduces the basic concepts of Microsoft Word 2007. Topics include setting up a document, formatting text, setting margins, page numbering, navigating the ribbon, and saving files. This class is recommended for new Word users and for users of Word 2003 who would like a quick overview of the new layout in Word 2007. ($25)

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