INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Typing in a data series requires you to organize your data. For most people, you will enter items in the first column, Column A, and enter the variables for each individual item in the following columns.  For example, if you are comparing the sales results of certain people, the people will be listed in Column A, while their weekly, quarterly and yearly sales results might be listed in the following columns. Keep in mind that on most charts or graphs, the information in Column A will be listed on the x axis, or horizontal axis. However, in the case of bar graphs, the individual data automatically corresponds to the y axis, or vertical axis. Consider totaling your data in the last column and/or last rows. This is essential if you are using a pie chart that requires percentages. To enter a formula in Excel, you highlight data in a row or column. Then, you click on the Function, fx, button and choose a type of formula, such as a sum. Use headings in the second row and column to explain your data.   Titles will be transferred to the graph when you create it. You can enter your data and headings into any section of the spreadsheet. If you are making a graph for the first time, you should aim to keep the data within a small area so it is easy to work with.

SUMMARY: Open your Excel 2010 program. Click on the File menu to open an existing spreadsheet or start a new spreadsheet. Enter the data. Use formulas. Type in a title for the spreadsheet/graph using the first rows. Save your spreadsheet before continuing.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If the email does not require a response, not sending one could be the best option. Consider not responding if you receive emails that are off topic and don’t require your attention. For example, coworkers may sometimes make assumptions about your work habits. Don’t respond to an email that says, “It must be nice to get to take extra long lunches,” or “Everyone knows that your meetings don’t last all afternoon.” As long as your manager knows the truth, you're better off staying out of office drama. If a response is needed, the tone should be professional, even if the sender was not professional. Read your email out loud before sending it to make sure that it sounds professional rather than rude or emotional. Avoid being blunt in your response, as that can sound rude. Your response needs to be calm and professional, so don’t write it in a rush. Most emails are not time-sensitive, so you can take all day to respond if you need to.  After you write your response, set it aside for about an hour. If you know that you’re writing out of emotion, switch to a different task until you calm back down. Add the email address last to avoid accidentally sending it early. Don’t try to respond to everything, and don’t provide a long personal defense. If you want to squash the rude behavior, you need to keep your email focused on work topics. Choose one work-related topic to focus on. One way to ensure that your email is professional is to only discuss facts. Facts include specific things like what work has been assigned and completed, due dates, timelines, data, and related topics.  For example, if the rude email asked about the status of a report, say, "Thanks for checking in. I received the new data this morning, so I'm updating my report. The new report will be available this afternoon." This keeps the focus of the response on the work you were assigned and the progress of your project, not on your reaction to your rude coworker. It’s tempting to get defensive or rude in response to an offensive email, but it will only worsen the situation. Instead, take the professional high road.  Don’t accuse them of being rude. Keep your feelings out of the email. Before you hit send, ask yourself if any part of the email is a defense of yourself.

SUMMARY: Avoid responding if no response is required. Stay professional. Take your time writing your response. Keep your message short and simple. Stick to the facts and don't elaborate. Leave the emotion out of your response.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: As you build each aspect of the game, play it to ensure that it remains fun and cohesive. If an area or idea feels weak or poorly implemented, refine it or cut it. Once all of your levels or puzzles or play areas are complete, play through it to make sure it is fun from beginning to end. Throughout the development process, you should be constantly checking to see that your game is attaining that philosophy. Make sure that you are sticking to your feature list, and that you aren't getting bogged down by more and more additions. Constantly go back over your art, sound, and game design to smooth rough edges and bring out your game's distinct style. Your ability to quickly polish will be heavily dependent on the art style you have chosen to use.

SUMMARY: Play your game as much as possible. Stay focused on your core philosophy. Polish, polish, polish.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Before you pay for an online course, you should be realistic about your ability to manage your time and to follow a structured schedule for the course. Ensure that you have enough time to dedicate to studying, finishing your assignments, and passing the class.  This course will be taught at a college level. If you feel uncertain about your abilities to complete college-level coursework, this might not be the best option for you. If you’re not confident in your computer skills, you should consider strengthening them before taking an online course. It might be a good idea to narrow down the list of most needed skills to just a few items to make sure you can develop those skills in time before the course begins. Many courses will list a summary of what the course will cover, a syllabus of the work that will be required, or have pre-requisites that you must complete prior to the course.  If you are taking this online course for a degree program, make sure that you have completed any pre-requisites for the course. If you are attending another college, but taking this online course through a different university, check with your university to make sure that this credit will be accepted towards your degree. Purchase or borrow any required textbooks or course materials prior to the start date of your class. For most online college courses, you will need to ensure that you have enough hard drive memory and that you are using the most up to date operating systems for your laptop or desktop computer.  If you do not meet these requirements, the online course module may not work correctly and you will be unable to complete the course. Though you may be able to use a public computer, like one at the library, it’s better to have a personal computer you can rely on to complete an online course. Technical courses may have specific requirements for the amount of RAM, hard drive space available, and the operating system that you use. You will need consistent and reliable access to the Internet for your course. Hone and practice your computer skills if you are uncertain whether they are strong enough for the course. You can even enroll in a brief computer literacy class before starting the course. Beginning the course with a good relationship with your professor can be a very helpful way to establish a good rapport with them for the rest of the course.  Before the course begins, reach out to your professor. This can be a simple email introducing yourself to the instructor and letting them know that you’re excited to begin the course with them. If you ever have the opportunity to speak with your professor in person, take advantage of it. If you work part time or full time, you should let your employer know that you are taking college classes online so they are aware of your time restrictions.  If you work full time, see if your employer offers tuition reimbursement or tuition reimbursement. If you have an HR department, they will be the best resource for this inquiry.  If you work part time or have a flexible work schedule, ensure that your work schedule does not conflict with your study schedule or any scheduled class times. If you have children at home, arrange childcare before the course begins. It can be very difficult to focus on online coursework if you are caring for children at the same time. Arrange for consistent childcare during the times you know will be doing coursework and studying.

SUMMARY:
Be realistic about your expectations. Carefully read the class requirements and syllabus. Confirm you meet the technical requirements. Connect with your professor. Notify your employer that you are taking classes.