Don't suppose anyone here has done a HND in Computing Studies?

If so I could really use some help with my first assignment. It isn't particularly difficult. I've just never done anything like this before and am unsure of what exactly it is I'm supposed to do and where to start.

It has to be handed in in 3 weeks and next week is half term so I can't really talk my tutor about it because it will be too late by then.

If someone who hasn't done this course but is good with things like this I'd appreciate your help also.

Depends what it is... if it's programming then I'm useless at it, but if it's software or operating systems I'm a bit better... One of the moderators may be more useful though!!

Basically the Unit is computer platforms.

It isn't so much that the tasks are difficult, I'm just unsure of what evidence they want you to gather, how to present it etc...

I don't want to list the tasks here as it's quite dull but I will PM anyone who can help me.

I'm most likely being really thick. I guess if you are used to studying then you will find these assignments a pot of you know what but as I haven't studied for ages or ever done an assigment like this I'm finding the wording and context really confusing.

I think that's out of my league, I'm afraid! I would try PM-ing one of the moderators (geoff or rpg or someone probably). Good luck!

i felt like that when i started my masters as i hadn't written an essay for years but as it was postgraduate level i felt too silly to ask for help cos i felt as if i should be an expert by now! i ploughed on regardless, rather unconfidently.

my advice would just be to ask your tutor or a second year student for a look at one of their projects to get an idea of the expected format. also the study guide type books (in waterstones etc) are really good.

Sounds similar to a project I had to do on touch screen technology back in the dim distant past. You may just need to supply details of current offerings. Don't worry about being boring. Copy the details on here, we can always remove it later.

Don't panic, Mr Mainwaring, don't panic.

OK this is what I've got. I'll try to keep it basic.

Ok there's a metal testing company, because of it's specialised and technical facilities they receive orders from many countries in the EU, mainly Germany, Italy and France.

The company use Microsoft Office as it's general-purpose software. All the PC's in the service office which receive and process orders are equipped with dual language capabilities.

The compnay use a number of processes such as "Nitric-Amyl-Surface testing and Inspecting". The MD has decided that all names and processes must be typed out in full.

The company have just employed their first tele-worker who needs English/French dual language system that will allow him to prepare quotes, reports, undertake statistical analysis and prepare presentations. His system must provide e-mail capacity and allow for logical organisation and retrieval of files.
Any menus should be simple and uncluttered and apps packages should start up with suitable tool bars pre-configured.

The systems should:
* Default to Arial font, 11 point with margins of 2.8cms top and bottom and 2.5cms left and right for all documents.

* Provide as much automation as is relevant in the prep of standard docs which include memos, letters, quotes and travel expense claims. Many of these docs refer frequently to the processes with long names as mentioned above. Nitric whatsit.

I'll just start with task 1 first and see if you can help.

Produce a comprehensive spec, including costs for a complete IT system to meet the tele-workers requirements.

I think what I need to do is find a lap top price it up, detail the spec etc..Internet connection costs because he will be sending docs via e-mail.

But its the bit above about the arial font etc..that I don't know about. I mean do I go into say XP Word and create a load of templates for letters memos etc... or do I just say I would put XP on his lap top and then go on to detail how you can setup the templates.

Also the dual language bit is baffling me, can XP do this or will I need to say you will have to put some extra software on the laptop which can do the dual language bit????

ARGGHHHHH sorry if this all sounds so dumb, but I just can't get my brain into gear.

Thanks for any help.

Sounds like it could be solved in Office VBA or a few macros

-Word supports more than one language so you're sorted there
-Set the normal template to the required font and margins, make it read only
- Depending on how many processes/names they need automation for either use a macro for each one (if there's a handful) or use VBA to pull the full name out of an Access database after typing say the first 4 letters... Whichever you do, if you use a toolbar button to invoke it then make sure layout is saved to template.

Oh yeah thinking about it, you could use autocomplete instead...

As for the system just price up a desktop (laptop if he needs to be mobile) a net connection (doubt they would need broadband) + OS + MS Office (probably best going with Win XP + Office XP). If the worker needs access to files at work then setting a VPN up might be a good idea as well.

8) Nah Den Ace........

Originally posted by steelblade
OK this is what I've got. I'll try to keep it basic.

Ok there's a metal testing company, because of it's specialised and technical facilities they receive orders from many countries in the EU, mainly Germany, Italy and France.

The company use Microsoft Office as it's general-purpose software. All the PC's in the service office which receive and process orders are equipped with dual language capabilities.

The compnay use a number of processes such as "Nitric-Amyl-Surface testing and Inspecting". The MD has decided that all names and processes must be typed out in full.

The company have just employed their first tele-worker who needs English/French dual language system that will allow him to prepare quotes, reports, undertake statistical analysis and prepare presentations. His system must provide e-mail capacity and allow for logical organisation and retrieval of files.
Any menus should be simple and uncluttered and apps packages should start up with suitable tool bars pre-configured.

The systems should:
* Default to Arial font, 11 point with margins of 2.8cms top and bottom and 2.5cms left and right for all documents.

* Provide as much automation as is relevant in the prep of standard docs which include memos, letters, quotes and travel expense claims. Many of these docs refer frequently to the processes with long names as mentioned above. Nitric whatsit.

I'll just start with task 1 first and see if you can help.

Produce a comprehensive spec, including costs for a complete IT system to meet the tele-workers requirements.

I think what I need to do is find a lap top price it up, detail the spec etc..Internet connection costs because he will be sending docs via e-mail.

But its the bit above about the arial font etc..that I don't know about. I mean do I go into say XP Word and create a load of templates for letters memos etc... or do I just say I would put XP on his lap top and then go on to detail how you can setup the templates.

Also the dual language bit is baffling me, can XP do this or will I need to say you will have to put some extra software on the laptop which can do the dual language bit????

ARGGHHHHH sorry if this all sounds so dumb, but I just can't get my brain into gear.

Thanks for any help.

Yeah, I've seen this one before..........the answer is existentialism.

Regards,

Spacehopper.