CSC Week 3 (June4-10)

This week, we had 2 major things to accomplish.  One was to provide additional and comprehensive training to the IE members for the short term solution and simultaneously continue to build the long term solution. 

For the short term solution, we created detailed training documents for the IE employees.  We had several conference meetings (since some were in other cities around Brazil), and they loved the new way of doing their student/company data management.  It was a great feeling when they thanked us very much for saving them so much of their valuable time.  They could now use that time saved to work on much more important items revolving around the student programs. 

For the long term solution, we made good head way in creating the high level architecture of the online database website.  Since the solution had to be low cost, we had to think about what would be open source and free software.  We ended up deciding that PHP and mySQL were the best options for database management websites, since they are free.  The other item was to decide on a web hosting site that could meet the design needs and also be low cost.  We suggested justhost.com as the best option for them.  We will need to finalize the over all high level design by early next week to have enough time to prepare for all the final presentations.

For the weekend, we decided to go back to Porto de Galinhas.  Again, this was a blast.  The highlight of the weekend was going on an all day buggy ride with our driver, Leo.  We had meet him briefly the first weekend we were in Porto.  He took us on an excursion to private beaches where there was no other soul in sight, to a local island called Barra de Sirinhaém (Where we had the best home cooked meal ever!), and also went to see a giant African Balboa tree at the top of a hill for sunset!

Boat taken from Mainland to Island Barra de Sirinhaém

 

Gorazd (Slovakia), Sonya (Canada), and me on the buggy ride

At our own private beach called "Lago Azul" or "Blue Lake"

Playing futbol at Island Barra de Sirinhaém

Buggy couldn't make it up the steep hill toward the Balboa Tree

By the African Balboa tree at hill top

Halfway Through: Week 2 Recap

Project wise, we were already able to provide and implement a short term solution for IE.  They were very pleased with the results. Our main focus now is on the sustainable long term solution.  We are making good progress on it, and should be good to complete it in the last two weeks of the assignment. 

Outside of work, we were able to go to Porto de Galinhas (one of the best beaches in Brazil) over the first weekend.  That was just an absolutely wonderful time the team had there! 

Porto De Galinhas with Fresh Pina Colada

Maracaipe (Surfer Beach)

Heading out with Jangadeiros

We took our first Samba class and also went to a local restaurant/bar and danced Forro (northeastern Brazilian dance). 

At Samba Class

I couldn't have asked for a better CSC experience!!  Can't wait to see what the next 2 weeks are going to bring!