Tim Bower	Assistant Professor Computer Systems Technology Engineering Technology Kansas State University - Salina
Office Technology Center, room 164 Kansas State University Salina, KS 67401 Voice: (785) 826-2920 Email: tim at ksu dot edu		Academic Interests Systems Administration Unix / Linux Python Programming Networking Operating Systems

Teaching

• During the last two summers, I have taught Network Programming as an online class. This class teaches the fundamentals of writing computer programs that communicate with other computers using TCP/IP and application protocols in common use on the Internet.

• Network Programming Study Guide is available here.

  • Note:
  • This is a work in progress.
  • Full access to the video lectures and some other material requires access through K-State Online. In other words, you must be enrolled in the class to see everything, but even if not enrolled, you still might find some interesting information about Network Programming using the Python programming language.
  • Network Programming Study Guide by Tim Bower is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.
    

• Classes that I teach

  K-State Online access requires a KSU eID account.
  • CMST102 -- Introduction to Computer Technology
  • CMST130 -- Introduction to PC Administration
  • CMST270 -- Introduction to Unix
  • CMST250 -- Networking 1
  • CMST302 -- Applications in C Programming for Engineering Technology
  • CMST350 -- Unix Systems Administration
  • CMST410 -- Operating Systems
  • CMST499 -- Network Programming

• Status of Python Programming Classes

  I am very excited that we are now teaching the Python programming language as part of our curriculum. I've been a fan of Python for a long time. In my opinion, Python is the best first language for someone learning how to write computer programs; and Python can help even the most experiences programmers to be more productive.

  A couple years ago, we began introducing students to Python in the CMST 103 class, Introduction to Program Design, that Professor Harding teaches.

  For the last two summers, 2008 and 2009, I have been offering Network Programming as an online class, which uses Python. It is focused more on Network Programming than Python; however, it does require students to come up to speed on Python very quickly. The flexibility of Python becomes very compelling as one go though the facilities that Python offers for Network Programming, and realizes the Network Programming is just one of many application domains where Python shines.

  In the Spring 2009 semester, I offered an introduction to Python Programming class as a lower level elective. The concept of that class was to give some students more programming practice before taking Java 1 and introduce Python to students that took CMST 103 before Python was used in that class. While the class was helpful to the students who took it, we have decided to take another approach, which should be even better. Professor Harding now plans to make Python a more significant part of the CMST 103 class, thus mitigating the need for a lower level Python class. While the details are not certain yet, I am making plans to offer a more advanced Python class as a level two programming elective, possibly in the Spring 2010 semester.

For a more detailed view, you may also view my schedule on Google Calendar

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Published Papers

Vox audio file conversion program