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Launch HN: Coursedog (YC W19) – Resource Planning Software for Higher Ed

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Re: Launch HN: Coursedog (YC W19) – Resource Planning Software for Higher Ed

#41

Post by bnj »

jwenig wrote: post #36
bnj wrote: post #33

Really cool to be introduced to coursedog. It’s funny to hear your experience of higher ed software, because I work in a public high school and we have a very similar challenge re: catalog management and curriculum planning, but the landscape of solutions is nonexistent. If anyone knows of a provider that would work with a high school on these points, we would be first in line.

Is your student information system handling that for you? I know some powercampus schools handle it that way. I can ping some folks and follow up if I get any recommendations

I’d appreciate it! Catalog management isn’t a feature of any k12 targeted software that I’ve been able to find on my own.

Some good looking solutions for higherEd (eg courseleaf) aren’t available at the high school level, probably because there’s a big need but very tricky to get meaningful funding for it

Re: Launch HN: Coursedog (YC W19) – Resource Planning Software for Higher Ed

#42

Post by Koffiepoeder »

Hey Justin & Nick,

Recently I have been experimenting a lot with optimization strategies and their performance/results. I have tried to code some, including mixed integer LP, and applied them to multiple problems. I did this such that I could get a deeper understanding which sort of optimization algorithm is suited and well-performing for which kind of problem.

So far my results have been very inconsistent: sometimes genetic algorithms produce surprisingly good results, other times simulated annealing proves to be the clear winner, sometimes a plain old depth-first search, with a custom scoring heuristic produces greatest results... Since my results seem quite random to me so far, I get the impression that the only way to find out the best match for a problem is to try them all. Is this correct?

Since you're using mixed integer programming, could I ask you why you chose this optimization strategy? Also, if you would happen to have some more information about the specifics of choosing a correct algorithm for an optimization problem, could you provide me some insights?

Anyways, good luck with Coursedog!

Re: Launch HN: Coursedog (YC W19) – Resource Planning Software for Higher Ed

#43

Post by jwenig »

justinkelly wrote: post #40

Congrats on the launch of Coursedog! I work in HE in Australia and a number of unis have switched from manual/xls to Akari [0] A comparison page on your website with CourseDog vs X would be welcome – just so it’s easy to see what you provide vs the market A scheduling tool that works with academic workload models (not sure if this is Australia specific thing) that optimises[1] academic and resource/room allocation wo…

Hi also Justin,

You described what we do perfectly. We're pretty interested in expanding internationally, and would love to connect via a call if you are open to it?

Re: Launch HN: Coursedog (YC W19) – Resource Planning Software for Higher Ed

#44

Post by jwenig »

thebradbain wrote: post #37

Congrats you guys! I’ve been following Coursedog for a while, and if there’s anyone who I believe can crack this market, it’s you two. As someone who just spent the past summer creating software integrations with legacy learning management systems like Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle, and Sakai, I can’t emphasize enough the need for disruption in this space. They’re a rocketship!

Thanks Brad!!

Re: Launch HN: Coursedog (YC W19) – Resource Planning Software for Higher Ed

#45

Post by kyawzazaw »

jwenig wrote: post #14
kyawzazaw wrote: post #9

been seeing your posting for interns since last semester. are you starting to hire interns now? my college's scheduling system is very painful to use.

Yeah definitely - we're always interested in seeing if there could be a mutual fit, want to shoot me an email at jwenig@coursedog.com ?

pm'ed!

Re: Launch HN: Coursedog (YC W19) – Resource Planning Software for Higher Ed

#46

Post by jwenig »

Koffiepoeder wrote: post #42

Hey Justin & Nick, Recently I have been experimenting a lot with optimization strategies and their performance/results. I have tried to code some, including mixed integer LP, and applied them to multiple problems. I did this such that I could get a deeper understanding which sort of optimization algorithm is suited and well-performing for which kind of problem. So far my results have been very inconsistent: sometimes…

I wish I could tell you that I was an expert, but the truth is that we worked on a slow as 1990's software genetic algorithm before we found success with the MIP. :-) If you shoot me an email jwenig@coursedog.com I can connect you with our algorithms engineers who have the background to discuss
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