LRCC ITE221 Review

 

ITE 221 PC Hardware and Operating Systems/ Dr. Leach Review

Edited December 10, 2024.

This Fall 2024, I enrolled in ITE 221 PC Hardware and Operating Systems at Laurel Ridge Community College, taught by Dr. Josephine Leach. This post reflects my personal experience with the class.

Outdated Course Material

The course relies on a textbook that, while comprehensive in its time, is now over eight years old. Originally copyrighted in the 1990s, some of its content no longer reflects current systems or trends in IT. While certain fundamentals remain relevant, a more updated resource would better prepare students for the rapidly evolving field of technology.

Course Management Issues

Several administrative issues impacted the overall experience:

• Midterm Exam Error: The midterm exam provided was intended for a different class. Correcting this mistake required multiple student emails, as the professor initially insisted there was no error.
• Final Exam Posting Delay: The final exam was not posted until late in the final week of the course, leaving students with limited time to prepare.
• Confusing Instructions: The professor described the final as “open” without clarifying whether this meant open-book. Additionally, the exam was gated behind Respondus Lockdown Browser, making it impossible to use the e-book provided with the course. Edit 12/8/24: Dr. Leach, through an email reply, has indicated that the final is open book/ open notes, but could not explain how we are to use the eBook behind the LockDown browser. She indicated the LockDown browser is to keep people from using Google to get the answers.
• No Study Guide: The absence of a study guide for the final exam was particularly frustrating. Instructors often provide such resources to help students focus their review and perform well. Without a study guide, students were left guessing which topics were most relevant to the exam. Edit 12/8/24: Dr. Leach has indicated through an email reply that the Final Exam is on the chapters only that came after the midterm exam. She also indicated that all exam questions are pooled from the quizzes from each chapter. This is certainly helpful information but, as of writing these edits, Dr. Leach has not posted this information to the class. It was only obtained in a reply to emails.

Exam Retake Policies

The course permits two attempts for both the midterm and final exams. However, while the first midterm’s answers were accessible for review, this does not appear to be the case for the final exam. 

Restricting access to first-attempt answers behind the LockDown Browser prevents students from understanding their mistakes and improving their performance—a frustrating barrier to learning. While the instructions suggest students can “view your quiz results,” it’s unclear whether this includes detailed feedback on the questions or just the overall score. If it’s the latter, the lack of transparency significantly limits the value of having a second attempt. Edit 12/9/2024: I took the exam yesterday and you could not review the questions/answers after the exam. I went back and checked on the Canvas Exam page this morning and there is now a note saying you CAN view the results 'immediately after submission', one (1) time. Day late and a dollar short for me. There were 2 essay questions at the end of the exam that I had to guess at. Overall, I did not see any value in going back and taking the exam for a 2nd 'take'. 

In the end, how the exam is given is the professor's prerogative, but some consistency and clarity would be nice instead of the last minute snafu that happened for the final. 

Pedagogical Approach

A major concern with the course is its focus on memorization over research skills in its midterm and final exams. In IT, the ability to "look it up" is essential due to the field's vast and ever-changing nature. Courses that emphasize problem-solving and resourcefulness better equip students for real-world technical challenges. Unfortunately, this class lacked that forward-thinking approach.

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Conclusion

While I appreciate the opportunity to expand my knowledge, I found both the class and its management lacking. Updating the course material and adopting a more student-centered teaching philosophy could significantly improve the experience for future students.

You may have no choice, due to your degree program, but to take this course. If so, make it a little better on yourself by trying to do it with a different professor than Dr. Josephine Leach. It's my understanding that this is Dr. Leach's first year teaching. I hope, if she were to read this, that it's taken as constructive criticism. As a first time teacher I understand it can be tough. Hopefully, with time and communication from students, she will improve. As an elective, I would look elsewhere than this course to fulfill any credit requirements.

Fighting City Hall - A David vs. Goliath Story In Harrisonburg, Virginia

 

Who says you can't fight City Hall! 

Well, in what became an epic battle, a Mt. Jackson "David" slayed an automated Goliath. This David is actually Scott of Mt. Jackson, Va. When Scott received a $100 speeding ticket in the mail, courtesy of an automated license plate reader, for driving his truck 44 mph in a 25 mph zone, he knew there was a problem. He hadn't driven that truck since last winter. So, rather than roll over, he rolled up his sleeves and went to work. Turns out, Scott and his father, who lives in nearby Basye, VA, are co-registrants of dad's truck. Dad drives the truck; Scott gets the ticket.

The plate reader statute, Code of Virginia § 46.2-882.1 (E) reads in pertinent part:

“In the prosecution for a vehicle speed violation in which a summons was issued by mail, prima facie evidence that the vehicle described in the summons issued pursuant to this section was operated in a manner constituting a vehicle speed violation, together with proof that the defendant was at the time of such violation the owner…of the vehicle, shall constitute in evidence a rebuttable presumption that such owner… of the vehicle was the person who committed the violation. Such presumption shall be rebutted if the owner… (i) files an affidavit by regular mail with the clerk of the general district court that he was not the operator of the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation and provides the name and address of the person who was operating the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation or (ii) testifies in open court under oath that he was not the operator of the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation and provides the name and address of the person who was operating the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation. ....” (Emphasis added)

In other words, the law presumes that you're guilty until you can prove your innocence. Either confess your sin and pony up $100 or offer up a suitable sacrifice in your stead. Scott chose option "C"; he took the camera cop to court, and won!

On October 9, 2024, in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham General District Court, Harrisonburg police Sgt. Westfall gave his testimony and presented his video evidence of Scott's supposed infraction. Then it was Scott's turn to cross-examine Sgt. Westfall. Scott barely finished his second question to Westfall when the Judge abruptly interrupted: "Stop! This proceeding is over. We're not going any further. I've heard enough. I'm dismissing this case."

Apparently, the Judge was eager to vindicate Scott's constitutional rights. Or, perhaps more likely, the Judge sought to prevent Scott from further exposing to the public the statute's constitutional infirmities.

Scott's questions: (1) How does the state prove ownership of the offending vehicle? Sgt. Westfall: We use a third party.

(2) Why was Scott ticketed but not his co-registrant father?
Sgt. Westfall: Scott’s name was listed first on the registration.

It was here that the Judge stopped the proceedings. Presumably, the astute Judge saw the writing on the wall.

First, Sgt. Westfall's testimony that a third party determines ownership of the offending vehicle constitutes textbook inadmissible heresy evidence, i.e., the testimony, in essence, was that, a guy (the "third party") told another guy (Sgt. Westfall) that Scott owns a truck.

Perhaps more problematic for the court was Sgt. Westfall's testimony that Scott, but not his co-registrant father, was ticketed because Scott's name appeared first on the registration. When the state presumes that a citizen has committed a traffic violation based solely on the order in which the citizen's name appears on a vehicle registration, such presumption is the very definition of arbitrary.

And the Judge's sudden halt to the proceedings prevented Scott from delving into other potentially unconstitutional aspects of the statute. For example, the statute provides that the accused motorist send a notarized affidavit to the city-contracted company that manages the city's traffic camera program attesting that the accused was not the driver who committed the infraction and then provide the name and address of the person who was driving. However, the accused may not know the identity of the driver who committed the infraction.(Edit: technically, the statute specifies the affidavit be sent to the Clerk [of the Court]. In practice in the City of Harrisonburg, they require you to send it to the speed camera vendor the City contracts with. If you try and send it to the Clerk, the clerk rejects it, mails it back to you, and instructs you to file it with the vendor. This is actually nearly impossible to know unless you actually go and read the statute itself because everything the City and Vendor provide a defendant tells them to send the affidavit to the vendor.) 

For example, Scott could not know on October 9, 2024, whether his father had, on June 21, 2024 (the day of the alleged infraction), permitted his wife, or someone else, to use the truck to go to the grocery store.

Sworn affidavit statements constitute testimony given under penalty of perjury. Scott cannot in an affidavit speculate about who may have been driving his father's truck months earlier. Yet, the statute provides that Scott perjure himself in an affidavit by pointing the finger at another driver--even when Scott cannot know who the driver was.

Surely a statute is unconstitutional when it requires or encourages a citizen to perjure themselves as a prerequisite for access to the court.

A hypothetical: Scott owns the truck and instructs his wife to exceed the speed limit when going to the grocery store. Scott receives a plate reader ticket. Must Scott then provide affidavit testimony against his spouse? Must he relinquish his rights against self-incrimination?

The offending statute, 46.2-882.1, applies to citizens statewide. But because violations of this statute are adjudicated in General District Courts which, unlike Circuit Courts, are not "courts of record" and thus do not require the presence of a court reporter, it may be impossible to review the adjudication of these cases in the district courts.

Both Scott and this writer are legal laymen; neither is an attorney and, therefore, cannot offer legal advice. But the district court Judge who abruptly halted the court proceedings and dismissed the state's case against Scott is an attorney. And the Judge knows what we know not.

by: Muhammad Couch

Virginia Speed Camera Problems

VA's Speeding Camera Violations Should be Challenged in Court Across the State

A Courtroom Win in Harrisonburg, VA: Fighting a Speed Camera Ticket

On June 21st, my father’s truck was caught speeding by a camera in Harrisonburg, VA, and a ticket was sent to me as one of the joint owners. The violation was recorded as 44 mph in a 25 mph zone, and I received the ticket even though I wasn’t driving. This experience led me to challenge the ticket in court—and win. But beyond my case, this situation could have much wider implications for anyone facing similar charges across Virginia.

Understanding the Law: Code of Virginia § 46.2-882.1

Virginia law (§ 46.2-882.1) creates a rebuttable presumption that the owner of a vehicle is guilty of a speeding violation if caught by a speed camera. This presumption applies unless the owner rebuts it by providing evidence that they weren’t the driver at the time of the violation.

In cases where there are multiple owners of the vehicle, the law still applies to both owners. If only one of the owners is charged, it raises the issue of a violation of constitutional rights under the 5th and 14th Amendments—specifically, due process and equal protection under the law.

The Problem With Selective Charging

In my case, the key issue was that I was charged with the violation, but my father—also a registered owner—was not. The City of Harrisonburg arbitrarily chose to charge me based on the fact that my name appeared first on the vehicle registration. This selective charging was not only arbitrary, but it violated my constitutional rights. Under the law both owners should have been presumed guilty unless one could rebut the presumption. Either an investigation into who was driving must be performed or both owners must be charged. 

This raises a broader issue: How many other cases in Harrisonburg, or even across Virginia, involve similar violations of constitutional rights where only one owner was charged for a speeding violation despite there being multiple owners?

Statewide Ramifications

The statute at issue here—Code of Virginia § 46.2-882.1—applies statewide, meaning that the improper handling of joint ownership cases might not be limited to Harrisonburg. If other cities and counties across Virginia have made the same mistake, the potential statewide implications are significant. Countless people may have had their constitutional rights violated if localities across the state have only charged one owner of jointly owned vehicles caught in speeding violations.

This could open up a path for further legal challenges, class action lawsuits, or even changes in how localities handle speed camera tickets moving forward.

What You Can Do if You Receive a Ticket

If you receive a ticket from a speed camera in Virginia and you’re one of two or more registered owners, check to see if both owners were charged. If only you were charged, this may violate your rights to due process and equal protection. You can raise this issue in court, as I did, to potentially get the ticket dismissed.

How I Won in Court

When my case was called, I pointed out that the vehicle had two registered owners, yet only I was charged. The officer admitted that the reason was because my name was listed first on the registration. The judge immediately stopped the proceedings and dismissed the case, recognizing that this selective charging was unconstitutional.

Wider Implications: Are More People's Rights Being Violated?

What happened in my case raises a serious question: How many other people’s rights have been violated? If cities like Harrisonburg aren’t applying the law correctly when vehicles have joint ownership, there could be widespread violations. And since this is a statewide statute, this problem may not be isolated to one city.

This issue has the potential to affect anyone in Virginia who shares ownership of a vehicle and gets a ticket from a speed camera. It could also prompt larger legal challenges or force localities to change how they handle such cases in the future.

Key Takeaways

1. Virginia law presumes the vehicle owner is guilty of speeding when caught by a speed camera.
2. If there are two or more owners, either an investigation should be performed or both should be charged—if only one is charged without an investigation, it may violate constitutional rights.
3. The issue could have statewide implications if other localities are making the same mistake as Harrisonburg.
4. Challenge selective prosecution: Raise the issue in court, and you might get the ticket dismissed, just as I did.

Cengage Lab Tips

 

Tips For Completing Cengage Labs With a Perfect Score

This applies specifically to Laurel Ridge Community College (and probably to all other VCCS schools) classes that use Cengage / MindTap labs.

1. Complete the questions at the end of the lab first, then 
2. go back and do the lab.

The  way the lab system is currently set up, it does not record your score until you hit the final 'submit' button. You can exit out without having it adversely affect you. If you get the answer wrong, it will show you what the correct answer should have been along with an explanation normally. The answers can also normally be found throughout the lab just by glancing over the explanations. 

Take a screenshot or write down notes so you'll understand what the correct answer is and why you got them wrong, then exit out of the lab. Relaunch the lab and when it asks you if you want to continue with your in-progress attempt, just click No. 

Once you know the answers, go back and redo the questions first. Then go back and run the lab step by step as you normally would for a perfect score.

Why do it this way? First, all my classes that use Cengage/ MindTap VM Labs allow unlimited attempts. Who wants to do the whole thing over again, w/ screenshots, just to get a good score?  The way these questions are weighted, missing 1 will often give you an 80% on your score. Avoid this time trap/ headache by going to the end and doing the questions first, then go back to the beginning and complete the lab like normal.

Information good as of Fall 2024.

ITN261 Review

 

Course Review - ITN261 Network Attacks, Computer Crime and Hacking 

This is my review of Laurel Ridge Community Colleges ITN 261 class. It's conducted by Professor Rebecca Smith-Terry. I made the mistake of taking this class in a 7-week timeframe. Don't do this. It's hard to take everything in and really get to know and understand the information that's presented. Especially with 3 other classes to boot. If this had been the only class I took and could have devoted my whole attention to it in the short time frame, I would have been fine. I feel like I'm struggling to get the assignments all done and I KNOW I'm not retaining the information well. 

My poor review of this class should not be a reflection on the professor or the material. I think both are good. It's the time-frame that's killing me. I signed up in ignorance. Don't make the mistake I did in taking a full 3-credit class in half the normal time - unless you're super smart and retain things that are presented to you at a rapid-fire pace well, or it's the only class you're taking.

This class has a TON of hands on labs and projects to do. If you have yet to get your hands on a Kali Linux machine and try out many of the tools it has you are going to love this class! But be aware, you do ALL the labs at home on your own time.

My main and biggest criticism of the class (other than don't take it if it's 7 weeks) is that it was an in-person class on campus in the computer lab and we DIDN'T use the computers IN the lab. 

The in-person instruction is a lecture by the professor going over the Power Point slides we all had access to. There was some minor question and answer, but to me I feel like my time was wasted being required to go into the classroom to have the professor give a power point lecture. I assume this was how the Professor was instructed to conduct the class, but it seems like a wasted opportunity to me. It felt like a handholding session for children whom the Community College wanted to make sure actually attended a class.

Coming into class and actually doing labs and discussing them in-progress would have been a much more productive use of the space we were given and my time. Without that, I felt like I lost 8 hours a week in productivity.

(9/21/2024 update: the professor switched things up a little during Midterm week and allowed us to use the time in class to do labs. I hope this trend continues. I personally would have preferred to do the whole class online but, if I HAVE TO COME IN for class, I'd rather be doing labs.)

In conclusion- 

Do Not: 

• take this class as a 7-week class
• take this class as an in person/ in classroom class

Do:

• Take Professor Terry

I liked Professor Terry. She is responsive to emails and grades assignments quickly so you have feedback on how you're doing. Professor Terry is a machine when it comes to grading all the work we have in such a short time. I don't know how she keeps up, but she does.

 

First Tip of the Day!

I was thinking about starting a new not-a-regular series and calling it “Tip of the Day”. Where I’d highlight something I found, that I thought was interesting.

 

Today’s Tip of the Day is: Humble Bundle.

If you’re into cybersecurity and all things computer like me and you want to improve your personal library, go to humblebundle.com and look under their book bundles. They often have book bundles of 3 – 18 e-books for a donation (suggested donations I’ve seen at $18 or $25). They come in pdf or epub. I’ve seen bundles from PACKT, O’Reilly, and Sybex so far. Not just junk books, but books that are relevant to current certifications and issues.

Resist the urge for piracy and pay for your books (Next Tip article I'll do will be on how to become a book pirate! Arrrrr!). The second-best thing, besides the low price, is that humblebundle.com donates a portion of the proceeds from sales to charity. It’s like double karmic – you didn’t steal and you contributed to charity.

Don’t get taken to the cleaners when paying for books. Expand your personal library with humble bundle! (They should pay me for this paragraph, I sound like an advertisement.) I don't know what their schedule is for putting out new book bundles, so I usually hop over to the site a couple times a week to see if something new is up.

CompTIA Network+ Study Tips

 

How I Studied For and Passed the CompTIA Network+ 008 Certification Exam

This is a brief description of how I studied for and passed the CompTIA Network+ 008 on the first try. I took the exam and passed yesterday after about 2 and a half months of studying.

First I took and passed the CompTIA A+ certification exam(s). I think that they give you some foundational knowledge that helps with Network+.

I started prepping for Network+ specifically a week or so before completing my A+ exam. Here's a list of everything I did that I think helped me to pass.

• Print out and read the official exam objectives from CompTIA.

• Create Anki flash cards with all the acronyms on the exam. I copy and pasted the acronyms from the official exam objectives into ChatGPT and had it produce a list with definitions of each acronyms which I then put into Anki for daily review.

• Review the Anki flash cards EVERY day.

• Professor Messer videos. Over and over and over again. Watch the whole series once. Watch it again. Then watch it when your driving somewhere. Watch them when your working out. Go through his Network+ series repeatedly until you've taken your exam. He's got a new set of videos out for the 009 exam too.

• I took a bootcamp style class from Northern Virginia Community College. The class was 8 hours of lectures and labs for 4 days. It was instructor lead (Professor Nick Pierce) over Zoom and used Certmaster Learn. Make sure to do all the labs and PBQ's in Certmaster. When you get the PBQ's wrong, going back and figuring out the correct answers is a big help in learning to understand things.

• After the bootcamp I went back into Certmaster and re-read each chapter of the online textbook.

• Practice exams. I used the Sybex practice exams. Purchase the Sybex Network+ Study Guide and Practice Exam books and you get access to their online exam test bank. It's about 1200-1500 test questions. I did 20 exam questions everyday. Anything I got wrong, didn't understand, or needed help with I used ChatGPT to explain to me. I also had ChatGPT make additional Anki flashcards to help me with exam topics and concepts I missed.

• The final 2 things I did that I think really helped near the end of my studies were:
•  Jeremy's IT Lab. I got to day 30 of his series. I think that it really helped cement things I had been learning from all the other sources (Thankyou Dr. El Gbouri for pointing me to this resource).
• Professor Messer's Notes. They are an outline of everything and you should read through them for an overview and refresher on everything you've learned.

I didn't do all these things at once. I progressively went through my list above until exam day. Adding and completing things as I went along. Network+ can seem overwhelming. Take it all day-by-day and you will make it through it.