Milestone VII: Database I

Wow...this was one lab and chapter that is a hard one to find just one 'ah-ha' moment because it is all so new to me that just looking at one thing is hard. I understand that databases are important to keep track of information easier than other program. Just getting to know the basics of databases is what I have found to be very intersting and it would be cool to look into trying to get a database together to work on but I still do not feel completely sure about the whole process. I really do not have anything to really database either to try to work on it, so I guess in the skeam of things I Microsoft Office did not provide access with my downloaded programming it almost seems that databasing is not as big as it used to be. The whole chapter has been my 'ah-ha' moment, and has allowed me to slowly yet beneficially start to understand databases. When I worked at my undergrad Mercyhurst College's Performing Arts Center as part of the marketing team, one of our GA's decided that we would use a database to put all of the information we had into it along with costs of the groups, marketing information, contact information, and anything else that we figured out was the best stuff to put out there for us to see. This made it easier with the extreme amount of information that was coming in about the groups, allowing anyone in the PAC to see information that they might need to use to work on different projects.

In this lab, we learned just some of the basics in understanding databases. By working on a database in class, during the lab, I gained information about what databases can do for people who are in the place of working with many different organizations. To just start and understand entities and attributes allows me to slowly understand what is going on when you work with a database. Databases are very beneficial and help with the efficiency factor in organizations. The ease of pulling up informationis great. Just playing around with a database helps to understand how the different entities and attributes along with using the different operations that allow you to only pull certain information out. I think it is great the use of 'select,' 'project,' 'difference,' 'product,' and 'join.' This section has been kind of overwhelming while I try to learn more about databases.

Milestone VI: Spreadsheets

I have used spreadsheets on many occasions so this ah-ha moment was a little bit harder to find. With some more playing around and experimenting with the program of Excel, I was able to expand my horizons on this great software. I have used spreadsheets in the past to organize contact lists when I worked in the Marketing Department for Mercyhurst College's Performing Arts Center, organize my own money, organize what classes I need to take to keep up with the program, as well as being able to bring data together and allow it to be more logically put together. Spreasheets have a wide array of possiblities. Here is an example of what I have used spreadsheets for...to list out classes that I have finished and that I need to do. I go through and list out all of the classes that I need to take and then I am able to go through and figure out when classes are being offered and when I need to take the classes in comparison to when it is offered. I think Excel allows for easier organization for a lot of information (numbers, subjects, etc.).

Spreadsheets have great use in the workplace. The only thing that I can think about that I learned from the lab is that if you click on the button right next to the control bar allows you to see all of the function keys for any kind of math problem that you would want to do in a spreasheet. This has become very helpful as I have continued my studies in statistics in the Quantitative Methods I course. This has helped me in completing work more efficiently. Outside of schooling, I see that Excel can help if you want in charge of contact lists, money donations, etc. Excel is a very beneficial program as I move into the workplace.