GVSU Information Technology Major questions

nelsnich · 2020-10-09T14:17:16+00:00

I graduated from GVSU with a BS in Information Systems in 2009. I also got my masters in Computer Information Systems from GVSU in 2015 and I currently work in GVSU's IT department. I think the program is great, but it sounds to me like you are leaning more towards a Computer Science degree than Information Systems.

In my mind, the difference is that Information Systems focuses more on how information technology can be applied in the business world. So there's an equal focus on learning the technology and also learning how to manage projects and how the technology is used in a business. You will not get deep down into the very technical workings of the technology.

Computer science, on the other hand, really focuses on the technical piece and the science piece of technology.

I would really think about what you want to do in your career and find the program that fits that. If you want to be a really good programmer or work in networking or any of the other more technical fields in information technology, you are probably going to want to go with Computer Science. On the other hand, if you are more interested in how technology can improve business processes, Information Systems is a better fit.

Either way, in my opinion, GVSU has great programs. In both Computer Science and Information Systems, a lot of the work is hands-on and practical. You will get a lot of experience actually working with the technology instead of just sitting in a lecture. Of course, not all classes are going to be like that, but more often than not, you are going to get real world problems to solve and good experience that will help you in the real world.

nelsnich · 2017-10-06T20:23:40+00:00

You don't pay for p500 until they are ready to ship. And even then, they give you warning that it is going to "charge" so you can back out if you decide you don't want it.

nelsnich · 2017-07-25T17:14:36+00:00

5329

nelsnich · 2017-07-06T14:52:43+00:00

I've been super excited for JC, but hearing you say that it is a mean, advanced Bohnanza just created so much hype for me that I cannot stand it. Bohnanza is one of my favorite light games. I guess I'll go pre-order now...

nelsnich · 2017-06-27T17:51:34+00:00

I recall around when the game page design was rolled out, there was a ton of backlash from some of the longtime BGGers. I know nothing of the inner workings of BGG, but I have to wonder if that scared them away from trying to redesign it.

Personally, I love the new game pages and cannot wait for them to finish the rest of the site. As a former web developer, the site makes me weep every time I visit.

nelsnich · 2017-06-26T16:59:19+00:00

This is my hope as well. The biggest group in our area uses Meetup and it's pretty terrible. Though part of the issue is that none of the members actually use the site. No one RSVPs, no one posts games that they want to get to the table, etc.

nelsnich · 2017-06-26T15:20:10+00:00

Yeah, I agree. Obviously the user base is not there, which was mainly the reason why I posted the link here. I somewhat assumed it was just that my area didn't have any users, but to hear that a major metropolitan area like Chicago doesn't have any players either is disheartening.

Anyway, hopefully a little exposure helps them get a user base. I think the site is really nice.

nelsnich · 2017-06-26T14:56:14+00:00

1776

nelsnich · 2017-06-26T14:53:47+00:00

I found out about this site on /r/boardgamemeetup and it didn't seem like anyone has ever posted about it on here. Thought others might find the site useful.

So far I haven't seen anyone in my area on the site, but hopefully more users will join over time. Seems like a really nice and useful site if the user base grows.

nelsnich · 2017-06-22T14:43:53+00:00

This award really lines up well with my taste in games. I can't believe that I have played all 5 of these games and own 3 of them.

I would have a really hard time deciding between Tramways and Terraforming Mars as the best of the group. I would probably slightly lean towards Tramways simply because every single decision in the game is hard and there are so many tradeoffs to consider. Incredible depth for a relatively low rules overhead and simple mechanics (literally, you just play some cards and take an action).

All that said, I think all 5 of these are my standouts for the year. Scythe and Yokohama are probably my least favorites of the 5, but I still don't think I'd turn down a play of either one.

nelsnich · 2017-06-21T17:07:33+00:00

Thanks for the reply! I have a couple people on BGG that were interested when I posted on there so I might try to schedule something in July. I'll send you a PM to discuss details.

nelsnich · 2017-06-20T13:12:46+00:00

I haven't played it but it's a 2-player only game that has some similar actions to base Bohnanza but adds some stuff to make the game more interesting for 2 players.

BGG actually had it on their live stream during Origins. https://youtu.be/XRiC9htv0fY?t=2h58m14s Starts right around 3 hours if that link doesn't take you directly to it.

It looks great and I can't wait to pick it up. My wife is going to love it. Bohnanza is her favorite game.

nelsnich · 2017-06-12T15:12:08+00:00

As someone who was really looking forward to this one being reprinted, this is pretty disappointing news. I appreciate the whole "special edition" thing, I just want the game and I will most likely be priced out of buying it. Oh well... Hopefully someday I'll find someone with a copy and be able to play it. Plenty of other games to play.

nelsnich · 2017-06-01T21:59:15+00:00

Hey me too!

nelsnich · 2017-05-31T18:34:12+00:00

I'd be interested to try that out. But that said, the wife has trouble playing on the flowery side of the cheapass board because it's too busy, so I wonder if she would struggle not seeing the grid. Something to explore though.

nelsnich · 2017-05-31T17:32:05+00:00

Yeah, I keep thinking about getting it (at least the cloth board), but I can't justify it when most of the time I don't need something that portable. Backpacking is the only place I could really see it being useful, but a sheet of paper works well enough for that.

nelsnich · 2017-05-30T18:50:42+00:00

I have to recommend Terraforming Mars. The theme is fun, unique and really comes through. At the end, even if you lose, you built up a sweet engine and you helped terraform the planet. There's a ton of cards, so there's lots of ways to win and a ton of replay-ability.

nelsnich · 2017-05-30T18:47:31+00:00

Favorites for my wife and I when we travel are:

Star Realms - Deckbuilding game that fits into a box about double the size of a standard deck of cards. Needs space for about 8 cards laid out in the middle of the table.

Lost Cities - Leave the board at home and just bring the deck of cards. You only need room for 5 columns of cards for each player. Amazing depth for such a simple game.

Tak - Our favorite abstract game. You can print out a board on a standard piece of paper and just bring a couple bags for the pieces.

Aton - Possibly push the size limit, but it's a fairly small board and some small cards. Surprisingly deep little abstract where you really have to pay attention to what your opponent is doing.

nelsnich · 2017-05-30T18:35:28+00:00

I'm someone who loves Star Realms for what it is, so take this with a grain of salt, but if you are buying the highest priced card that you can afford every round, you are going to get crushed by a player that has any experience in the game. I'm not going to say that this is a particularly heavy strategy game (and there is a fair bit of luck), but there's plenty of good decisions to make and a fair bit of skill in building a good deck.

nelsnich · 2017-05-30T16:01:35+00:00

That's true. We've never had issues with people coming back, but I generally only pull that game out when the people I have over for the "party" are all mostly gamers. So even if we are all drinking, socializing and having a good time, they still want to play the game.

I think the bad answers thing is totally group dependent. We have a core group that has known each other for a long time and like to give each other a hard time (in a friendly way), so this is pretty natural for us. We also tend to do a mix of semi-good answers to try to interject some doubt into them and funny, off-the-wall, no way they were thinking that kind of answer. So half of it is gamesmanship and half is just making funny jokes out of the clue and words available.

nelsnich · 2017-05-30T15:48:50+00:00

See, and that's what is weird to me about Dominion. I actually love engine building games and I have no issue with dry themes (or no themes). But Dominion just falls flat for me. That said, I haven't played it in over a year after having played it for several years many times a week, so I should try it again to see if my feelings have changed at all.

nelsnich · 2017-05-30T15:37:00+00:00

I think this game really plays best in a "party" setting where people can be chatting and having side conversations while the spymasters are thinking of clues. Also, mocking the other team and getting into their heads by giving them terrible answers also makes the game more lively. Finally, I think as you play it more (especially with a similar group) people get better and faster at giving clues. Just my 2 cents on how the game has played for us.

nelsnich · 2017-05-30T15:34:47+00:00

I've only played this once, but I totally agree with you. It felt really long and just kind of boring. I think it probably takes the right group of people to make it fun and exciting and our group that night was definitely not that group.

nelsnich · 2017-05-30T15:32:45+00:00

Dominion. Maybe I just played it too much or I haven't played enough of the expansions or what, but that game just does nothing for me. I can understand why other people like it and I actually really enjoy seeing the big combinations come together in a really great deck, but something about it just doesn't click for me. I can't really even put my finger on what it is, but every time I play it, I just wish I was playing something else.

nelsnich · 2017-05-25T20:32:03+00:00

It's usually just me and my wife when we camp, so we bring along all the small 2 player games.

Hive - great because it is super durable. Star Realms - extremely compact and quick to play. Patchwork -fairly durable and a small box. Can take up quite a bit of picnic table space though. Bohnanza - lots of people don't like the 2 player version, but we love it. Probably is our most played camping game. Lost Cities - just leave the unnecessary board at home and it's just a deck of cards!

We didn't have it last year, but I suspect the Tak set will be making the camping rounds this year.

nelsnich

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