Daily Bulletin

Excel, Word, and even Unix

The SEW brochure notes that there are eight categories of courses: Basic Computer Literacy, Desktop Tools, Operating Systems, Word Processing, Database Management, Electronic Spreadsheets, Presentations, and Web Authoring. A selection of the courses in the complete SEW program are being offered every two months.

Detailed descriptions about the courses in the brochure, and the other courses in the SEW program, can be found on the Web. The Web site also has handouts and sample files for the courses.

Much of what's offered in SEW is for relative beginners. "If you wish to view the handouts before the course starts," says the brochure, "you will need software on your computer called Adobe Acrobat Reader. You may need to ask the computer support staff in your area for help to install it."

The brochure also explains why UW has SEW as well as the regular courses from the information systems and technology department: "The training program will: offer standard courses at various levels; make it easier for staff to choose courses; help ensure staff have the prerequisites necessary to take courses; provide more in-depth training . . . ; provide access to course handouts and projects; implement a registration system that discourages people from missing courses for which they have registered; provide the attendee with a certificate that indicates he/she attended the course."

Courses this summer include Windows 95 level 1; Unix level 1; Automating Word Documents; Excel levels 1 and 2; Desktop Tools Basic Skills; Microsoft Access level 1; PowerPoint levels 1 and 2; HTML Basics for UW Web Pages; and More HTML for UW Web Pages.

There's one correction to be made in the brochure, I'm told:

The "Microsoft Access Level 1" course is being offered from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on August 15 and 16 (not 9 a.m. to 12 noon as indicated in the brochure).

And a final note from Bob Hicks of IST: he'd welcome a phone call (ext. 2194) "if you have a group in your faculty or department that requires computer training that is not being offered in the SEW brochure, or is being offered at an inconvenient time".

Writer gives papers to UW library -- a publicity release from the UW library

Page from a McCormick manuscript. More about the McCormick collection

McCormack's literary works produced over the last 25 years are well-documented in the 1.5 linear metres of archives recently opened to researchers. In commenting on the process of handing over these 25 years of creative output, McCormack said that he felt as though he was "erasing [his] past -- an odd sensation." In fact, however, the acceptance by any research library of a living writer's archive represents a contemporary ratification of the writer's place in the literary canon. And such gifts will become ever more valuable to future scholars of Canadian literary history.

Eric McCormack was born in Scotland, later emigrated to Canada and, since 1970, has been teaching at St. Jerome's University at the University of Waterloo. He started out on his career writing short stories which appeared in small literary journals including Prism International, West Coast Review, Malahat Review, and The New Quarterly. He has also written poetry over the years. In February 1987 his first book Inspecting the Vaults was released. This is a collection of nineteen short stories, thirteen of which had been previously published in literary magazines. His first novel The Paradise Motel was published in February 1989. Eric McCormack became the focus of considerable media interest and his books were translated into many foreign languages. His next novel The Mysterium was released in 1989, and his most recent book First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women was published in 1997. Eric McCormack also frequently reviews for The Globe and Mail. His works to date have received much critical acclaim.

Highlights of the archive include:

• the manuscript of The Mysterium which contains extensive revisions and corrections by the author
• informative runs of correspondence with publishers as well as with other authors including Susan Musgrave, Sandra Birdsell, and Claire Mowat
• extensive reviews of all McCormack's works of fiction

The talk of the campus

Ranking forms for fall co-op jobs will be available starting at 10:00 in Needles Hall and are due back by 4 p.m., co-op students are reminded. (And the Co-op Student Services group is promising "Ranking Day Relief", which it seems to me included lollipops last time around.

And the career development seminar series continues, with "Job Work Search, Networking, Employer Research" today from 10:30 to noon in Needles Hall room 1020.

The joint health and safety committee will meet at 12 noon in Needles Hall room 3004, to talk about fire alarms, injuries, smoking areas, voltage testing procedures and so on. At its last meeting, in mid-May, the committee elected "worker" and "management" co-chairs for the coming year: Paula Zahra (graphics) and Bill Anderson (chemical engineering) respectively.

"Celebrate the end of midterms" is the invitation from the Jewish Students Association, as it announces Pub Night starting at 9:30 tonight at the Weavers Arms on Phillip Street.

Official results have been announced in this year's Sir Isaac Newton physics contest for high school students. As reported unofficially a couple of weeks ago, the top-scoring student is Michael Bregin of St. Basil the Great College in Toronto, with a perfect score. The average score for 4,700 students who wrote the contest was about 20 per cent, says John Vanderkooy of UW's physics department.

The finance office sends word that fee statements for undergraduates who have preregistered for the fall 2000 term will be mailed next week. Fee and payment information is available on the web.

"You can make it possible," says a note from the Volunteer Action Centre, "for people who are blind or visually impaired to do their own grocery shopping. Two hours a week is all it takes. You will also make a new friend, learn new skills and gain valuable experience. A gift of your time will give a senior or perhaps a person your own age practical help that enables them to maintain their independence. Call 742-3536."

And Chris Harold, who's coordinating volunteers for the July 1 Canada Day celebrations on the north campus, wants more help: "We need about 300 volunteers to make sure that the day runs smoothly. Volunteers are usually students, staff, and faculty who come out by themselves or with their friends and families to help out for a few hours. All volunteers receive free food and drink in addition to a T-shirt and a gift bag (for each 4-hour shift). Volunteers can sign up online. For those that still prefer to use pen and paper, sign-up forms can be found at the Federation of Students office, turnkey desk, and Village I office. The volunteer meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 27, at 5:30 p.m. in Engineering Lecture Hall room 101. We encourage all volunteers to attend."

CAR

Editor of the Daily Bulletin: Chris Redmond
Information and Public Affairs, University of Waterloo
credmond@uwaterloo.ca | (519) 888-4567 ext. 3004
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