– Practical (MSWord) and Theory (Data Communications, Internet Technologies and System Security and Control)

	School of Computing and Information Technology New Zealand Diploma in Business

NZ150 Computer Concepts

Assignment – Practical (MSWord) and Theory (Data Communications, Internet Technologies and System Security and Control)

 

Semester:	Semester 2, 2005
Total marks:	100 marks
Weighting:	20%
Date issued:	Week Beginning 1 August 2005
Due date and time:	By Friday 2 September 2005, 8.30 am.  Late assignments will not be marked.
Assignment Submission:	n  Submit in a clear plastic document wallet or envelope printouts of all your assignment tasks and your Word files on a virus-free named disk.  In case your disk is damaged or gets lost also submit a copy of your files into the Blackboard Digital Drop Box.  Also keep a back-up copy of your files on your Unitec Student F:. n  Complete this cover sheet and attach it to the outside of an envelope or wallet or ensure that it is clearly visible through the plastic wallet. n  Post your assignment in the assignment slot, Building 180 (in the outside wall of the School of Computing & IT Office – located to the left of the doorway of room 1105)
General Instructions:	n  Follow all instructions on the following pages. n  This is an individual assignment and must be your own work. n  Collusion, copying or plagiarism may result in disciplinary action
Student Name:
Student ID No:
Lecturer Name:		Class Number:
Student declaration:	I confirm that: n  This is an original assessment and is entirely my own work. n  Where I have used ideas, tables, diagrams etc of other writers, I have acknowledged the source in every case. n  This assignment has not previously been submitted as assessed work for any academic course.
Signature of student:			Date:

 

INTRODUCTION

This assignment is designed to assess and develop your skills in: effective use of information technology, generic computer skills and the MS Word word-processing package.  This assignment also assesses and reinforces your knowledge of the theory topics, Data Communications, Internet Technologies and System Security and Control.  You will be expected to use your course textbook, class handouts and the HELP facility within MS Office to learn more about the advanced features available in MS Word software.  You will also be expected to follow the conventions of document layout throughout.  For the theory component you will be expected to carry out research using your course textbook, library textbooks and the Internet.

PLAGIARISM WARNING

The findings from your research that you submit in your assignment must be interpreted, analysed and described in your own words.  Copying from another source, such as a book, magazine, Internet etc is not permitted and could result in you receiving zero marks for your assignment.  Information obtained from other sources and direct quotes must be properly displayed, acknowledged and referenced in both the body of the work and in a reference list (refer to “Guide to Referencing” which is stored in the “Assignment” section of the 150 Computer Concepts Blackboard Site or your “Guide to Business Writing” by Emerson). Showing your work to another student or copying from another student is not permitted.  You will need to keep your computer file secure (use passwords on your file, do not leave your computer unattended when logged on and ensure that you collect printouts from the printer immediately if using a Unitec lab).

 

Your lecturer, Course Coordinator or the Programme Director has the right to question you in order to evaluate your understanding of anything you have written in your assignment.

CASE STUDY

Henderson Ventures Ltd is a small but rapidly expanding tourism business run by a husband and wife team, Jessie and Paul Wilson, from their home.  The business has two parts:  1) a “bed and breakfast” home-stay cottage providing tourist accommodation run by Jessie; and 2) a mini-van tour service run by Paul.  The tour business concentrates mainly on taking small groups of people on half-day or full-day “wine trail tours” around selected vineyards in the Henderson Valley wine-growing region and also “shopping tours” around the factory clothing shops located in West Auckland.  The emphasis of these tours is on a personalised service.  Paul customises tours to meet customer preferences. Paul also operates tours to the Gannet Colony at Mairangi Beach and is planning to expand his business over the next 12 months to include other tourist destinations in the greater Auckland area. It is in the business’s 5-year plan to build a 6-unit motel on their property.  Paul and Jessie currently employ one person in the office who acts as receptionist and clerical assistant.

 

Jessie and Paul have recently invested in an e-commerce web site, which is currently being used as an on-line brochure that allows prospective customers to view services and prices offered by Henderson Ventures Ltd.  Customers can contact the company to book accommodation or tours by telephone or by email.  Jessie and Paul need some advice on how to make better use of their e-commerce web site.

 

The customer base is equally divided between domestic (New Zealanders) and international tourists.  Jessie and Paul have one stand-alone-computer in the office which is used for email, Internet, accounting and general correspondence and one stand-alone computer in their home which is mainly used by their son who is a university student.  Jessie also helps out in the office and as administration tasks are increasing she and Paul have decided to buy a second computer for the office.  Some of the home-stay guests have requested the use of a computer to check email etc and up until now the company has allowed guests to use their office computer, but this is inconvenient for both the office staff and the customers.  Jessie and Paul are also aware that this is a security risk and that they should not allow guests to use the computer that stores their important business data.  They have decided therefore to purchase a total of three new computers.  One will be installed in the office, one in the office reception area (for tour customers), and one will be set up in the home-stay cottage.  The home, office and guest cottage are separate buildings, which are all located within 100 metres of each other on Paul and Jessie’s property.  Paul and Jessie would like to network the four computers so that they can share one Internet connection.  It is also planned that when the new motel block is built, each unit will have a connection for guests to be able to connect their own portable computers to the Internet.

 

Henderson Ventures Ltd is also conscious that now that their business is expanding they need to present a more business-like professional image to their customers.  They therefore require new letterhead and fax forms to be designed and created.

 

OVERVIEW OF YOUR TASK

The following questions are based on the case study above – read them carefully.  You are to carry out research that will enable you to answer the questions.  You will need to find additional or more detailed information other than that provided in the course textbooks or handouts.  Your answers to questions 1 to 4 are to be word processed and presented as one cohesive formal Business Report.  Your report will provide the information that each question asks, but should not be displayed as: question/answer.    You will need to write sentences and paragraphs under headings and sub-headings that will provide full information without the reader needing to know what the questions are.  Your answers to questions 12 and 13 will not form part of the Report and are to be presented as Word Templates.

 

 

PART A – GENERIC COMPUTER SKILLS: FILE MANAGEMENT

Create a folder named “Assignment”.  Within this folder create sub-folders named “Report” and “Templates”

 

PART B – THEORY - CASE STUDY RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Question 1 – Networks

As mentioned in the case study the owners of Henderson Ventures Ltd want to set up a network so that all the computers in the office, the home, Reception and in the Home-stay accommodation can share an Internet connection.

 

The buildings that house these computers are less than 100 metres apart.

 

1.1       Describe how networking these computers will allow each computer to share an Internet connection.  Explain to the business owners two other advantages of networking their computers that would be appropriate for this business situation and that would also enable efficient running of the business.

1.2       Search the Internet to find information about the different types of basic Local Area Network (LAN) topologies.  You will need to find a source that has diagrams of the different LAN topologies.

1.3       Recommend one type topology for a wired Local Area Network (LAN) that would be suitable to connect the computers of this small business.  Include a diagram from your Internet source of the LAN you recommend. Describe the components that would be required and how they would connect.  There is more than one possible type of topology, so ensure that you identify and explain the type of network you propose and state why this topology is appropriate for Henderson Ventures Ltd.

1.4       Describe two advantages of the type of network you recommend.

 

Question 2 – Data Communications

Henderson Ventures Ltd also needs to decide whether to use a dial-up or DSL connection to the Internet.

 

2.1       Explain the differences between the two types of Internet connection by describing how each connects to the Internet; their connection bandwidth; and hardware requirements.

2.2       Give your opinion as to whether a dial-up or DSL connection would be best choice for the company taking into consideration Internet usage for the company over the next 5 years.  Justify your recommendation by explaining two advantages that you have not already stated in your answer to 2.1.

 

Question 3 – Systems Security and Control

3.1       Explain why the company needs to have a security system for its computer network by describing three possible threats in each of the following situations:

i           Threats to security of the network system and data from outside the company.

ii          Threats to security of the network and data from users of the company’s computers and connections.

3.2       Identify and explain the features of one software application the company could use to protect their network while using the Internet and describe a control measure that could be adopted to detect any access or downloading of objectionable material from the Internet.

3.3       Describe two security procedures that should be implemented to prevent unauthorised access to the confidential business data on the company’s network.

 

Question 4 – E-Commerce Development

The case study states that Henderson Ventures Ltd have invested in an e-commerce website, which potential customers use as an on-line brochure.  The company needs some guidance as to the potential benefits and uses of this website for now and in the future.

4.1       Explain one action the company could take that would make it easier for potential customers to locate the website.

4.2       Suggest one feature that could be incorporated into the website that would make it easier for customers to do business with the company.

4.3       Suggest one feature that could be incorporated into the website that would enable to company to track and make contact with potential customers who visit the website.

4.4       Suggest two strategies for the web site that the company could use that would attract potential customers to use the website and to also attract repeat customers.

 

PART C – EFFECTIVE USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES: WORD - FORMATTING A BUSINESS REPORT

5          Display the answers to questions 1 to 4 above as a Business Report.  Refer to the handout “Document Layout” and the text “Writing Guidelines for Business Students” by Emerson, for details of display requirements.

6          Set up a Word document with the following margins:  Top 2 cm, Bottom 2 cm, Left 3 cm, Right 2 cm.  Save the document as HVReport in the Report folder you have created in your Assignment folder.

7          Your report is to have the following structure:  Title Page, Table of Contents, Introduction, Body (your answers) and Reference List

7.1       The Title Page should have the following appropriately formatted headings and should also have a page border:

    Report for

    Henderson Ventures Ltd

    On

    Business Solutions

    Compiled by

    Student Name

    September 2005

7.2       The Table of Contents must be automatically generated from the Styles used for the headings in the body of the Report (refer to instruction No. 7.3).  The Table of Contents is to include only Level 2 and Level 3 headings and must show page numbers.  Formatting of the Table of Contents should be adjusted to have appropriate line spacing and have fonts consistent with those used in the body of the report.

7.3       Create, name and apply NEW Styles for 3 levels of headings and the paragraph text.  Assign appropriate formatting to each style which will indicate the hierarchical level of the heading or text.  Choose suitable fonts, font sizes, alignment and bolding. 

7.4       “Business Solutions” should be the Level 1 heading used at the start of the Body of your report.

7.5       “Introduction” should be the first Level 2 heading used in your report.  Number all Level 2 headings, eg 1.0 Introduction, 2.0 Networks etc. Compose an Introduction which explains the purpose and content of your report.

7.6       The Body of your report should be divided up into sections which contain the following numbered level 2 headings:

    Networks

Data Communications

    System Security and Control

E-Commerce Development

Reference List

Provide your own sub-headings for the above main sections of your report.  Create as many sub-headings as you think appropriate.  Each sub-heading is to be numbered and formatted as a Level 3 heading, eg 2.1 Types of Internet Connections

7.7       Use suitable line-spacing and paragraphing throughout.

7.8       Referencing – You must cite the source of your information in the body of your report and also provide a Reference List (the final of the Level 2 headings) using correct APA referencing style.  Refer “Guidelines for Referencing and Citations (2005)”, which is stored in the “Assignment” section of the 150 Computer Concepts Blackboard site.

8          Create a footer to appear on the bottom of every page except the Title Page, which shows your name (centred) and the page number (right aligned).  Choose a suitable font and size of font.

9          Create a Macro that will insert the text “Henderson Ventures Ltd” as a right-aligned header on every page except the Title Page.  Assign a keyboard command Alt Ctr H to the macro and ensure that the Macro is stored in your report document.  Do not store the macro in the default “all documents (normal .dot)” as your lecturer will not be able to run and, therefore, mark the macro.

10        Insert page breaks as necessary to ensure the pages end in an appropriate place.

11        Proof-read your report and use both the Spelling and Grammar checkers in Word to assist you to correct all errors.

 

PART D – EFFECTIVE USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES: WORD - TEMPLATES

Jessie and Paul Wilson are very keen to create a more professional image for their company and they require an appropriate letterhead and fax form to be designed.  As these documents are used often on a daily basis they require that the letterhead and the fax form be created as templates.

 

12        Create a Word Template suitable for the company to use as a Letterhead.  Design the layout to produce an attractive and professional document.  Examine examples of real business letterheads to determine the conventions of letterhead display.  You will need to include:

·         The company’s name

·         The address in Henderson (make up a post box and location address)

·         Telephone and fax numbers (make up)

·         Email address (make up)

·         Select suitable fonts and size of fonts and format appropriately

·         Insert an image that would make a suitable company logo.

Save the template as Lttrhead in the Templates folder you have created within the Assignment folder.

 

13        Create a Word Template suitable for the company to use as a fax form.  To ensure consistency between the company’s documents you can copy the text, formatting and image of the company name and logo from your letterhead template (do not copy the entire letterhead, ie leave out the content details as those required appear elsewhere in the fax form).  The form should be headed up “Fax”.  Insert a table into the document to set out columns and rows to accommodate headings for who the fax is going to and who it is from and space for the sender of the fax to fill in this information.  You will need to include this information on the form:

·         Date

·         To (provide space for name of recipient)

·         Fax Number (provide space for the fax number of the recipient)

·         From (provide space for sender’s name)

·         Fax Number (provide space for Henderson Venture’s fax number)

·         Phone  (provide space to insert the extension of the sender)

·         Subject (provide space for a subject to be inserted)

·         Pages (provide space to insert the number of pages being transmitted)

      Save the fax as Fax in the Templates folder.

14        Email a copy of the Fax template to your lecturer by the deadline date and time.  Get the email address from the Greencard information for this course, which is posted on the 150 Computer Concepts Blackboard site.

 

SUBMISSION OF YOUR ASSIGNMENT

Submit printouts of all assignment tasks and  all computer files on disk by the due date and time as per the instructions on page 1 of this assignment.  Late assignments will not be marked unless you have Special Assessment Circumstances (SAC) approved by the Programme Director before the due date and time.  Refer to SAC regulations in the NZDipBus Procedures document stored on-line on the BBus/NZDipBus Blackboard site.  If your SAC circumstances prevent you from getting into Unitec to make your application you should phone the Programme Director 815 4321 ext 8335.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Ideas for the case study scenario and some questions in Part B have been adapted from previous exam questions from the Eastern Institute of Technology.

 

 

150 Computer Concepts

Assignment Semester 2, 2005

 

MARKING SCHEDULE

 

Student Name: ………………………………………………………………….

 

Task	Possible Points (÷ 2 = marks)		Points Given	Comments
Part A - File Management
Folder created for Assignment		1
Sub-folders created within the Assignment folder for Report & Templates		2
Lettrhd  & Fax Templates saved in Templates folder		1
Report saved in Report Folder		1
Part A  Sub-total		5
Part B – Theory  (Case Study Research Findings) No marks are to be awarded if the answers to the theory questions are copied from the source material and the student will be referred to the Programme Director for misconduct offence (plagiarism). NOTE:  Full marks will not be awarded if answers to this section have only been obtained from the class text.
1.0 Networks 1.1 Explanation of networking to be able to share Internet connection	2
1.1 Two other advantages of  a network Answer given is appropriate and applied to this business situation	4   1
1.3 An appropriate topology of a wired LAN recommended and described Appropriate diagram Components identified Connections identified (Information must be from the Internet source and must be cited and referenced)	3   1 1.5 1.5
1.4 two advantages of the recommended LAN explained	4
2.0 Data Communications 2.1 Differences between dial-up and ADSL – method of connection bandwidth hardware requirements	1 2 2
2.2  Type of modem recommended Two appropriate advantages of this modem for this business situation	1 2
3.0 Systems Security and Control 3.1 three external threats to security of the network and data described Three internal threats described	6   6
3.2 Appropriate security software identified and explained Control measure described	2 1
3.3 Two relevant security procedures described for prevention of unauthorised access	4

 

 

4.0 E-Commerce Development 4.1 One appropriate action identified for easier location of the website	1
4.2 One appropriate feature to enable customers to do business with the company	1
4.3 One appropriate feature that would enable tracking of potential customers	1
4.4 Two strategies that would attract use and repeat use of the website	2
Part B Theory Sub-total	50
Part C – Word – Formatting a Business Report & Effective Use of IT
6.0 Margins correct	2
7.1 Title Page created Headings inserted as instructed Headings appropriately formatted: Font Size of Font Bolding Alignment Spacing Vertical Centring Page border applied	1 1   1 1 1 1 1 1 1
7.2 Table of Contents automatically generated Only Level 2 and 3 headings included Pages numbers Formatting adjusted so that layout is attractive and that fonts are consistent with the rest of the report	2   2 1 2
7.3 NEW styles have been created, named and applied to: Main Heading (level 1) Section Headings (level 2) Sub-section Headings (level 3) Paragraph Text Suitable font, size of font, formatting of font has been set up for each style: Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Paragraph text	3 3 3 3     3 3 3 3
7.5 Introduction included Suitably worded to explain purpose and content of the report	2 2
7.6 Report has been formatted into 5 sections Each with numbered level 2 headings Sub-sections have been included with appropriate headings - Formatted as numbered level 3 headings	1   2 2   2

 

 

7.7 Suitable line-spacing  and paragraphing throughout		2 2
7.8 Sources of all research findings have been cited in the body of the report A Reference List has been included - All sources of information listed - Formatted using correct APA referencing style		9     2 2 8
8.0 Footer is at the bottom of each page except the Title page. Student name, centred Page number, right aligned Suitable font, size of font		2 2 2 2 2
9.0 A macro has been recorded and assigned to the report document and runs on the keyboard command of Alt Ctr H The macro inserts the text Henderson Ventures Ltd as a right-aligned header on every page except the title page Suitable font, size of font used. (no marks awarded if the macro does not run)		6   1 1 2
10.0 Page breaks inserted for suitable pagination		1
11.0 All spelling and typing errors have been corrected		4
LAN topology diagram retrieved from an on-line search facility and inserted appropriately  into the Report (source must be cited and referenced)	5
Sub-Total Part C - Word		108
Part D – Word – Templates & Effective Use of IT
12.0 Letterhead template created Company name: suitable font Appropriate Size of font Appropriately positioned/aligned Appropriate formatting All other information included as instructed Other information: suitable font Appropriate size of font Appropriately positioned Suitable clipart or image inserted as a company logo Image suitable size Image suitably positioned		2 1 1 1 1   2 1 1 1   2 2 2

 

 

13 Fax form template created Logo and Company name and formatting copied from letterhead Table inserted and is appropriate All headings included as instructed. Headings have suitable font Appropriate size of font Appropriate formatting/alignment Appropriate space (column) has been provided for the user of the template to fill in the information	2   2 2 2 1 1 1 4
14 Fax template emailed to lecturer as an attachment	5
Sub-total Part D – Word Templates	37
Sub-Totals B/F:
Part A – File Management	5
Part B – Theory	50
Part C – Word Report	108
TOTAL POINTS	200
÷ 2 to get TOTAL MARKS	100

 

Comments

[Johnson]

Hey,
Thanks! Great post you have written on "Practical (MSWord) and Theory (Data Communications, Internet Technologies and System Security and Control)". Really I can say that your post is very informative, I'll come across your blog again when you will update it with new.
Thanks,
Johnson
http://www.mobilemark.com/