Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to questions frequently posed by students & visitors to my web site.

What courses are you teaching this year?

Jan 2006:
Graduate TechTrek

Spring 2006
MD253/MK252 - E-Commerce
MM200 - Undergraduate TechTrek
CS021 Computers in Management(second half of semester)

Spring 2006 (prep)/May 2006 (travel)
IME Asia - Graduate International Management Experience Field Study to East Asia.

Fall 2006
MI021 (first half) - four sections

How can I get the best possible grade in class?
Attend all classes, come to class prepared, complete all of the assignments & assigned reading, take thorough notes, study in groups, ask lots of questions, and drop by to see me if you have any questions.
Is there any way I can do an extra-credit project to increase my grade?
Sorry, but there is no way to alter the grading criteria. The grade criteria are defined at the start of the semester & all students have an equal opportunity to earn grades within the pre-stated parameters. I want everyone to learn the material and do well. If you struggle with any concepts, please come and see me.

The hands-on assignments take up lots of time. How come they don't count for more of my grade?
College is rigorous – even more so at a highly ranked school like BC. Anyone who thinks a challenging course won't take several hours each week in assignment & reading work should not be at Boston College. Any student concerned that they may struggle with the assignments should start early and see me before work is due (not on the due date). Weighting hands-on work where the vast majority of the class gets perfect scores would likely keep students exactly where they are within a tighter, higher grade range. Therefore the current approach is much more appropriate than offering razor-thin grade ranges. However, those students who don't complete work or who fail to complete work properly risk significantly lower grades. Also be aware that concepts covered in hands-on assignments are fair game for the exams.

Do I need to read the Week in Geek?
No. Unless otherwise indicated, the Week in Geek (WiG) are all optional readings. Many times the WiG includes extra articles that give more detail on class topics for those that want to know more - other articles are just for fun. The WiG is offered to encourage folks to return to the web site (also accessible at http://www.WeekInGeek.com/ ). There are hundreds of WiG subscribers from places as far away as Mumbai and Bahrain and I'm thrilled to hear that so many former students are regular WiG readers. I try to use the WiG as a means to keep our alumni connected - sometimes including links to digital video of class speakers & other updates. You can sign up to receive the WiG for free via e-mail by entering your name in the field at the top of my home page and clicking 'Subscribe'. In order to keep updated after you graduate, I suggest you use an e-mail account that you intend to keep after you leave BC (like Hotmail, Yahoo, or a BC lifetime alumni e-mail forwarding account). The WiG is free & your e-mail address will not be sold or shared with other organizations. The WiG is a great way to keep in touch with happenings at BC and to become a 'life long learner'. Please stay in touch!

I've heard you podcast your courses. Where can I find them?
An E-Commerce Podcast from my Spring 2006 E-Commerce course is avaialble at: http://www.gallaugher.com/ecpodcastsspring2006.html and at iTunes. Please let me know if you've used the podcasts. I value the feedback! Other podcasts will be accessible from my main web page as they become available.

I have other question about Computing at Boston College. Where can I get help?
552-HELP (4357) is the help desk, however the desk is frequently unavailable or busy. The BC Computing & Communications Resources page also contains extremely helpful information. This page is VERY helpful - please visit it and become familiar with the offerings. You should definitely take time to acquaint yourself with these resources. I cannot troubleshoot software problems that occur on student PCs.

My computer doesn't work on campus. What's going on?
Students using a computer on the BC network will need to reactivate (https://activate.bc.edu) to access the Internet. Student activation is an annual process. The O'Neill Campus Technology Resource Center can provide help if you're having access problems.

You mentioned everyone should have virus protection software. Which should I buy?
BC offers Virus protection software for free to students, staff, and faculty. Please see the BC Virus Protection Page for details. Set virus protection software for automatic update, perform Windows updates regularly, and NEVER open an enclosure that isn't fully explained and that isn't convincingly sent from someone you know. When in doubt, e-mail the sender back for confirmation.
I've heard that always-on connections like cable & DSL are vulnerable to hackers. How can I protect my PC?
For the latest advice, check C|Net or another online resource. Users of Windows XP should consider upgrading to Windows XP Service Pack 2, which includes a windows firewall (BC has a help page discussing this update). No mechanism is perfectly secure, but this is one way to help further protect your system.
I use a third-party Internet Service Provider, but I can't access all of the BC resources that I can when I dial in or when I'm on campus. Is there any way I can access these without having to use BC's often-busy dialup access?
Students that use third-party Internet service providers (ISPs) such as Comcast, RCN, Verizon DSL, or AOL may want to set up a virtual private network, or VPN. The VPN will make any computer accessing BC via a third-party service provider seem as if it's part of the BC network. This will make most Internet resources available via campus PCs available to your off-campus computer. Information on setting up a VPN for BC is available at BC's VPN configuration help page. Any questions on VPN should be directed to BC's Help Center .

I hate pop-up ads when I'm web surfing. How can I get rid of them?
Users of Internet Explorer can add the Goggle Toolbar. Windows XP Service Pack 2 also includes a popup blocker. There are also other browsers available that suppress pop-ups & offer other features.
How do I stop spam?
BC has an excellent web page describing ways to reduce spam, including turning on BC spam filtering. Google some keywords & you're likely to come up with a number of articles that describe alternatives and products. Important things to be aware of: unless you want e-mail from your boss, co-workers, or professors stopped by your spam filter then you probably want to configure your filter to allow all messages from key domains (your employer network, BC, etc.) to pass through. This won't stop enclosure worms that have 'spoof' addresses or that are sent from unsuspecting PCs, so continue to be vigilant regarding the enclosures that you open. Also, to prevent your messages from being trapped in the spam filters of others, avoid 'spam like' words in your subject lines such as 'sale', '$', 'free', 'rate', 'mortgage', 'toner', 'cartridge', 'enhancement', etc.

How do you get screen shots to appear in PowerPoint?
Just press the 'Print Screen' key & your entire screen will be saved as an image on the clipboard, then just paste the image into a PowerPoint slide and re-size. If you hold down the 'Alt' key while pressing 'Print Screen', you'll only capture the active dialog box. For advanced usage like getting selections of an image, I've purchased the shareware program HyperSnap DX and find that very helpful. You can find information reviewing neat shareware like this at WinPlanet Internet site.

How do I forward my e-mail account to another account?
See the link on autoforward and autoreply .

How can I access BC e-mail from the road?
From any recent-version web browser via http://mail.bc.edu/

How can I configure Windows to Dial Into the BC Network?
Students wishing to know how to connect to Boston College computing resources from off-campus should read the BC Help Desk document ' Connecting to BC using a modem to dial in '.

I wanted to get broadband access. Do you recommend a provider?
I've only used Comcast and am quite happy with it. However, I have been using the service before other alternatives were available. You can comparison shop at a service like GetConnected ). Services are limited by availability & each has its drawbacks. We'll cover issues related to the 'last mile problem' in class.

I see that you own 'www.gallaugher.com' and 'www.WeekInGeek.com'. I want to buy my own domain name. How do I do this?
You'll need to pay to register the domain name (if it is even available), and you'll likely want a company to host your pages at that domain. The firm that I use is godaddy.com, but there are many choices. C|Net and similar resources can provide ISP reviews and additional advice.

I’m interested in purchasing a PC. Which one is the best?
I only buy a PC once every few years, so I can't give specific recommendations on make, model, or laptop vs. desktop. However, for good info check out the links to product reviews posted in the Resources .

I want to work in IS. Where can I find job listings or internships?
In addition to visiting the career center, check the links I've posted in the Resources . Also feel free to drop by – I’m always happy to offer career advice.

I'm interviewing with a startup. How can I find out more information on the firm?
This is always a challenge, but there are plenty of resources to consult. A while back ComputerWorld Careers ran an article titled Digging Up Dirt on a Startup , that provides a good primer. I'd also advise searching the Press Pass for any mention of the firm. Try Lexis-Nexis, Factiva, and Business Source Premier first, and if you're researching a tech startup, be sure check out the various trade press search engines in the Press Pass. And of course, a Google search usually kicks up some information. I'd recommend searching firm background regardless of the size of the company you're interviewing with. I cannot stress strongly enough how important it is for you to do your homework on any firm that you're interviewing with. I frequently meet with recruiters who come to BC and the #1 piece of advice they have for interviewees is to do research and find out about the firm. BC alumni are also rabidly loyal. The career office should be able to help you network. Call an Eagle - most are flattered you want their advice.

The industry is changing so fast. How can I keep up with the latest happenings in high-tech?
There are a number of things you can do.

The short-cut is to subscribe to the Week in Geek at the top of my home page - I regularly draw articles from the resources below when creating the WiG.

Voraciously read the 'dead tree' trade press . Many trade publications (e.g. InfoWorld, eWeek, CIO, InformationWeek, etc.) are available for free (in print, mailed to your home or office) if you fill out an online subscription form. Business 2.0, Wired, ComputerWorld, and the leading business weeklies are all worth paying for.

Subscribe to an RSS newsreader or e-mail headline service. Bloglines is a web-based newsreader service that allows you to quickly scan headlines of major pubications. Netscape's Inbox Direct is one of the best ways to get the latest news pushed to you via e-mail. Many of these services are e-mailed in HTML format, so you may need to use an e-mail program like Netscape or Outlook that displays HTML. My favorites are Good Morning Silicon Valley , and Wired. I'm also a fan of David Kirkpatrick's Fast Forward newsletter from Fortune.

Leverage the Usenet and other web-based virtual communities. There are legions of geeks out there willing to answer your questions. Google Groups is a good place to start.

MBAs should join the BC Tech Club. Undergrads should join the Undergraduate IT and ACM. The Clubs host speakers (some are available via digital video) and the graduate club is involved in planning the Cyberposium with Harvard & other leading business schools. Cyberposium is the premiere e-commerce conference in the East & a must-attend for anyone serious about leveraging technology. Past events have attracted founders & senior executives from leading e-commerce firms worldwide.

Apply to TechTrek. These programs (January for graduate students, spring break for undergrads) bring students to visit with executives & managers at firms in the tech industry as well as those leveraging or investing in tech. Talk to someone who has been on a prior TechTrek. Students rave about the experience.

Alumni should join the Boston College Technology Council. With active chapters on both coasts and leadership featuring senior executives in the tech & venture capital community, the Boston College Technology Council is critical resource for all alumni. Regular dinners and breakfast series attract a who's who of tech and finance. Visit the BCTC web page for more details.

Links to all of these resources are available on the Resources page
Do you recommend any good books?
The world changes on Internet time, so many texts seem outdated by the time they're printed. The best thing to do is read the trade press (Business 2.0, Wired, and the major business magazines) - it is always much more current than most business books. That said, one of my favorite books that combines business & technology is:
Information Rules by Shapiro & Varian.
Although some of the examples may be a bit outdated, the concepts in the book are sound and the principles outlined, enduring.
I'm also a big fan of Andy Kessler's books that examine the interplay of tech & finance - Running Money and Wall Street Meat are both excellent, enjoyable reads.

What is the TechClub all about?
The BC Tech Club is one of the largest clubs in the Graduate School of Management and is modeled after Harvard Business School's High Tech and New Media Club. Both clubs, along with other elite business schools, co-sponsor the Cyberposium. BC's TechClub also co-sponsors a lecture series, and often runs TechTreks to area high-tech firms. TechTreks are site visits to area high-tech firms and are usually held on a Friday. Previous TechTreks have included visits to the headquarters of EMC, FCAT (Fidelity's Center for Advanced Technology), and breakfast with Monster.com's founder Jeff Taylor at the firm's Maynard, MA headquarters. TechClub looks great on a resume, it's fun, and you'll learn a lot! To get involved, contact Ethan Thomas at ethan.thomas@bc.edu.

Why do you have a picture of Groucho Marx and John Lennon on your wall?
It’s not a picture, it’s a stamp issued by a break-away region of Abkhazia in what was once Soviet Georgia. After years of issuing stamps of Marx and Lenin (Karl & Vladimir), the new government figured they'd issue stamps of a kinder, gentler Marx and “Lennon”. I used to work in the Soviet Union, so I enjoyed this not-so-subtle jab at communism.

Can I borrow your slides, use your material, or cite your research?
Sure. All material online is copyrighted by me unless otherwise noted. I welcome an opportunity to share my materials with others - all I ask that you cite me if you're using any of the materials and you let me know what you're using and what you find interesting. I very much enjoy hearing from faculty, researchers, practitioners, press, and other curious visitors to my site and I'd look forward to an opportunity to collaborate on future projects. No advanced permission is required to cite my research or link to my pages. Be aware that I usually have a number of working papers and items under submission. Serious inquiries regarding these works are most welcome.

I'm not currently a BC student, but I'm considering BC. What should I expect?
BC is a great place – I love it here and if you join us, I'm sure you'll have a great experience. There's never been a better time to be associated with this University. Boston College has been ranked by US News as a University, Undergrad Management Program, and Full-Time MBA program. The BC part-time (evening) MBA program is the highest ranked program in New England. BC's IS faculty recently ranked #25 in quality research productivity. Both undergrad and graduate programs run for-credit TechTrek field study courses where students meet with leading tech-industry executives. Grad programs run highly successful for-credit study trips to Asia, Europe, and a consulting course with results delivered in Beijing. Many of these field study experiences include student-alumni mixers and meetings with senior executives affiliated with BC. Over the last few years we've placed BC MBA students at leading tech firms (Intel, Cisco, IBM, EMC), IT research firms (Gartner, IDC, Forrester), and consulting firms (McKinsey, all the Big Five, IBM, and the boutiques). My colleagues on the faculty have world-class research reputations and are deeply committed to quality teaching. Many of us keep close ties to industry through consulting, speaking, and advising roles. We also leverage in-residence faculty associated with leading area firms.

The area axiom "Harvard owns New England, but Boston College Runs It" is backed up by BC alumni including our last elected governor, one of our two US Senators, and senior executives at many of the area's leading firms. Executive mentors include alumnus Peter Lynch (one of the most successful mutual fund investors of all time) and Carl Yankowski (marketing hall-of-famer who invented the Pepsi Challenge and ran Palm Computing). Business Leaders such as Warren Buffet, Alan Greenspan, Lou Gerstner, Anne Mulcahey, Pat Russo, and Jerry Yang, are among the execs who have visited campus to speak. Boston College does have one #1 ranking – the leading speakers forum in the US, the exclusive CEO Club of Boston College. Speakers have included the CEOs of AT&T, Coke, Dell, EDS, General Electric, Verizon, Virgin, Xerox, and many others. Most importantly, BC is a place filled with caring, intelligent students. The excellence of our current students and alumni remain our greatest resource. If you have further questions about BC, feel free to follow up with the admissions office. You're most welcome to contact me or the other faculty if you have additional questions. Good luck and spread the word!