The grades for projects are determined by how well the material presented meets the objectives stated on the project handout. If you have to turn in an incomplete project, the way to maximize the points received is to meet as many objectives as possible. If you are short of time when you are working on the project, save a backup version of the project is another directory or a floppy disk each time you meet an objective, or part of an objective. These backup versions could be handed in if you fail to meet further objectives in the project. The projects are frequently written in such a way that students can get a substantial number of points from a relatively simple version of the project.
Laptop computers are fragile.
They need to be treated with respect. In order for this to be successful, students will need to have a backup copy of your Java files to use. If students make backup copies of your Java files to a floppy disk regularly, they'll be prepared for this type of failure. Although ECN does backup home directories daily, they only do it once a day. This means that students can lose as much as 23.999 hours of work if their computer fails.