Information Technology - Limkokwing Borneo

ANOTHER GREAT JOB!!!!

2009-04-07T20:53:00.000-07:00

Hello guys...

I want to congratulate everyone for passing the midterm exams. I'm very happy and hope everyone keeps up the good job. The only thing that disappoints me is your Individual Assignments. Not everyone did as they were told and only a few managed to produce work up to the proper standards. For those who did, very good but those who didn't, please improve your work for I will be more strict in marking your Group Assignment.

Happy Holidays and see you next week...

Cheers..

Chapter 6

2009-04-07T19:19:00.000-07:00

Hello Class...

How is everyone today? I hope everyone is aware that we are half way through the semester and we've finished more than half of the syllabus of this unit. I am very happy to say that each and everyone of you have been performing up to my standards and have absorbed what I've delivered. All you have to do is polish up on your punctuality and submission issues.

Okay, everyone, lets now pay attention to the contents of this chapter. First of all, the main objective of this chapter is to familiarize yourself with Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office is a popular set of interrelated desktop applications, servers and services. It was introduced for the Mac OS in 1989 and for Windows in 1990.

Microsoft Office allows us to:-

- Work efficiently
- Communicate more effectively
- Improve the document you create

The main components and brief summary of each components which we will be looking at in this chapter is as follow:-

1. Microsoft Word

- Microsoft Word is a word processing program that allows us to create professional looking documents (e.g brochures, advertisements, newsletter)

- Microsoft Word also provides many tools to create Web pages and assist you on placing them directly on a Web Server

- Features of Microsoft Word are as follow:-

(i) Allows you to include borders, shading, tables, graphics and many more
(ii) It can detect and correct spelling and grammar errors in different languages
(iii) It provides formatting tools such as headings, borders and many more
(iv) It also provides a thesaurus to improve word usage
(v) Also allows user to send e-mails directly with internet connection available

2. Microsoft Excel

- Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet program and it is a competitor to LOTUS 1-2-3

- For those who do not know what a spreadsheet is, a spreadsheet is an electronic document that stores various types of data and is organized in columns and rows

- You must also know that we refer each space of columns and rows as a cell and it can contain data and can be used in calculations of data within the spreadsheet

- Features of Microsoft Word are as follow:-

(i) Provides the Microsoft Office Button
(ii) Provides Quick Access Toolbar
(iii) Provides the Ribbon
(iv) Allows the user to quickly calculate sums and other calculations with the
Formula function
(v) Able to generate graphs and statistics to reflect the data

3. Microsoft Powerpoint

- Microsoft Powerpoint is a very popular presentation program and allow users to create slideshows composed of text, graphics audio and video

- A finished project presentation can be displayed and can be navigated by the user

- Microsoft Powerpoint is very convenient for school and work presentations

- Features of Microsoft Powerpoint are as follow:-

(i) Provides animation and tweaks to make your presentation look better
(ii) Allows you to create a Mater Slide which allows you to set default elements for all slides
(iii) Provides a wizard to guide you through in creating a project

Alright class...basically these are the important things you must know for this chapter. For the upcoming chapters we will discuss each Microsoft Office components more comprehensively and do lab activities to make you understand them in depth. The last thing I want you all to remember is a few shortcut keys for your future use and they are as follow:-

(i) ALT + TAB (To switch between programs)
(ii) ALT + F4 (To exit a program)
(iii) CTRL + C (To copy an item)
(iv) CTRL + V (To paste an item)
(v) CTRL + X (to cut an item)

Okay then, just remember the ones above and I'll feed you guys with more shortcut keys in the next chapter...

Cheers...

Chapter 5 - Storage Devices

2009-03-24T00:31:00.000-07:00

Greetings Class...

Alright, we're still on chapter 5 and this part of the chapter is basically on Storage Devices. Actually, there aren't many things to remember but the small details are quite important for you to remember.

First of all, STORAGE is also called SECONDARY STORAGE, AUXILARY STORAGE or MASS STORAGE. Guys, basically what you need to understand in this section is the process involved in the storage process and some minor definitions. So, here goes...

What is Storage Medium?
A storage medium is a physical material like a floppy disk, CD and a hard disk.

What is Storage Device?
In simple terms, it is a computer hardware used to store information.

Note that there are a few factors which reflects the storage requirement and they are:-

1. Reading - Process of transferring data from STORAGE to MEMORY
2. Writing - Process of transferring data from MEMORY to STORAGE
3. Access Time - The amount of time to locate an item on disk
4. Capacity - The number of bytes a storage medium can store

So, the above mentioned plays an important role when choosing the appropriate storage device for the right task. What you guys can do is, determine the types of task a specific storage medium is used for. Is that okay?

Now, the other details you must know is the type of storage available and they are:-

1. Floppy Disk - A thin, circular, flexible plastic disk with magnetic coating.
Below is a diagram on the inside view of a floppy disk which you must
remember.

2. Hard Disk - Consists of several inflexible circular platters that stores item
electronically

3. CD-ROM - Two types CD-R and CD-RW (Please be able to differentiate them okay?)

4. DVD-ROM - Digital video disk which can store 4.7GB to 17GB
- Better quality and faster in terms of speed

5. Tapes - Magnetically coated ribbon

Alright class, that basically sums up the whole of chapter 5 but please also go through a few other terms and they are:-

1. Formatting
2. Head Crash
3. RAID

Besides that, just know how a floppy disk and a hard disk work okay? Alright then, that's it for Chapter 5 and I hope it's not too much to remember. I will see you guys in class Friday and catch you in the next post...

Cheers...

Chapter 5 - I/O Devices

2009-03-23T20:34:00.000-07:00

Hello Class...

Alright, just a reminder...we are half way through the whole unit module now and we are already in Chapter 5. Be reminded that there are 10 chapters all together so, please keep up and try to focus in the upcoming chapters.

Okay, what did we discuss in this chapter class? We discussed about the Input, Output and Storage devices. To make things easier to remember, lets divide these sub topics and talk about them separately, okay?

INPUT

What is an input?
Input is any data you enter into the memory of a computer.

What is input devices?
Hardware component that allows user to enter data programs, commands & user responses into a computer.

Okay, once you've truly understood these definitions, let's talk about some of the important examples of input devices and they are:-

1. Keyboard
- You must remember that it contains 101 to 105 keys and the 2 types of keyboards
available which is QWERTY and DVORAK

2. Mouse
- This is a type of pointing device and you must remember the different types of
mouse available which is mechanical, optical and wireless

3. Digital Camera
- A digital camera takes and store photographed images digitally and there are 3
basic types you must remember; Studio Camera, Field Camera and
Point & Shoot Camera

4. Scanner
- A scanner is a light sensing input device that reads printed text & graphics and
you must remember the types of scanners; Flatbed, Sheet Fed,
Handheld and Drum

Alright, the devices listed above are just a few important input devices that you must be able to distinguish. Besides that, things you must also read and understand is:-

1. Voice Input
2. Audio Input
3. Resolution
4. Dots per Inch (DPI)
5. Video Input

Okay, so that practically covered what we learnt about Input Devices but please read through the notes and identify what is not mentioned so that we can discuss in class.

Next, we discussed about Output Devices and for this section, you MUST also remember the definition and the different types of output devices.

What is an output?
Output is data that has been processed into information.

What are Output Devices?
Output devices are hardware components that can convey information to a user.

Okay, you must be familiar with some of the output devices available and they are:-

1. Display Devices - Visually conveys text, graphics & video information
- CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)
- LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
- Glass Plasma Monitors

2. Printers - Produces text and graphics on a physical medium
- Impact Printers : Dot Matrix and Line Printers
- Non-Impact Printers : Ink Jet, Laser, Photo, Thermal and Portable

Besides the ones mentioned above, other types of output devices are:-

1. Speakers & Headsets
2. Data Projectors
3. LCD Projectors
4. Fax Machine

Well, I think that covers both Input and Output Devices and the last part of this chapter is Storage Devices which I will explain in a new post so that you guys don't get confused okay? So, see you in the next post...

Cheers

ASSIGNMENT 1 ANNOUNCEMENT

2009-03-23T20:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Class..

How are you all doing? Assignment going well? I hope there's not much trouble but please guys, I urge all of you to come and show me your work before submission. Let me give some pointers and help you out if you need help. I'll be at the office and willing to lend a hand any time if I'm available. If you guys don't have the time to drop by, please go on-line and check out samples okay...? Catch you in class...

Cheers

GREAT JOB!!!

2009-03-22T18:18:00.001-07:00

Dear Class...

How is everyone this week? Well, I want to congratulate all students in this class..you guys did very well on your first TEST. Guys, please keep up the good work and prepare yourselves for your MIDTERM TEST which is scheduled on the 3rd of April. Nail it too okay people. I expect everyone to do well..the chapters covered will be from Chapter 1 till Chapter 4. If you have any questions, please ask me... We'll do some exercise this week to prepare ourselves okay...?

Cheers.

Chapter 4

2009-03-19T00:59:00.000-07:00

Hello again fellow comrades...

Alright class, this chapter is purely about the Internet and what actually happens in the Internet world. Actually this chapter is quite comprehensive and there are a lot of things to remember and but don't worry it'll be fine okay.

Okay, before you indulge in this chapter, you must know what the Internet is first.

" The INTERNET is a global network of interconnected computers, enabling users to share information along multiple channel ".

You must remember the definition alright!! Next, we went through a brief history of the Internet. The Internet was created based on military purpose before it was commercialized. The United States reacted to Sputnik (USSR) and created an interconnected network called ARPANET(1958) which was to help the Department of Defense secure certain issues quickly. So, basically, that was why initially the Internet was created.

Next, we highlighted on the advantages and disadvantages of the Internet.

ADVANTAGES

1. No one owns the WEB which means low cost.
2. Wealth of information which mean unlimited resource of free data information.

DISADVANTAGES

1. You will come to rely your business on ready Internet access.
2. No guarantees in terms of authenticity, updates and accuracy.

Later on, in this chapter, we learnt about the Web Browser. A Web Browser is a software application which enables a user to display and interact with all the multimedia elements located on a site. Examples of a Web Browser would be the Internet Explorer and FireFox.

A very important matter which you have to know and differentiate would be the types of Internet connection in the market today. I'll list them out for you and you go through the details in your notes okay? The types of connections are:-

1. Dial-up Connection
2. ISDN Connection
3. DSL Connection
4. Cable Connection
5. Satellite
6. T1

Besides that I also want you guys to differentiate between UPLOAD and DOWNLOAD. A simple way to remember is, UP is to forward and DOWN is to copy...FORWARD & COPY..easy? The definition for both of these terms:-

1. Upload - to forward a file to a server for later access over the Internet
2. Download - To copy a file from an Internet server to a hard drive

Okay then, now the remaining part of this chapter would be some terminologies you must be familiar with and they are:-

1. WWW - World Wide Web
2. HTML - Hyper Text Markup Language
3. IP Number - Internet Protocol Number
4. HTTP - Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
5. FTP - File Transfer Protocol
6. ISP - Internet Service Provider
7. DNS - Domain Name System
8. Email - Electronic Mail
9. DTP - Desktop Publishing

Alright class, there are many more terminologies related to the Internet. The ones I listed above are just a few. You must read the details to get a better understanding and I urge all of you to go through the Internet and look for other terminologies so that we can discuss them in class. Is that OKAY?

The last part of this chapter which I want to emphasize is the Publishing Process. You must remember this process cycle and it is as follow:-

1. Input/Capture
2. Editing/Composition
3. Proofing
4. Distribution

So, I guess we have come to the end of Chapter 4 and I know it's quite a lot to absorb but don't worry, you'll get it sooner or later. I will see you guys in class this week and prepare for your test. The MidTERM Test is coming up so don't take this test lightly because it's really going to help you guys to prepare. So, all the best and study smart!!!

Cheers....

TEST ANNOUNCEMENT

2009-03-19T00:46:00.000-07:00

Hi guys...

Okay, this is just an announcement because a lot of students came up to me and asked about the test tomorrow. Well, guys, don't worry okay because the test is just similar to what you guys did last week. It's very simple and it covers Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 only so, I'm sure all of you are going to do great...

Good Luck...

Chapter 3

2009-03-18T19:05:00.000-07:00

Hello Class,

How is everyone this week? I hope everyone is doing well and progressing efficiently in their work. Now, what did we cover in the last lecture? You guys still remember? Well, for chapter 3, we basically covered Windows XP. I hope you guys absorbed a few new tricks here and there on how to manipulate and handle your Windows XP.

The first part of this chapter is fairly simple really. All you need to know is how to TURN ON and TURN OFF Windows. I bet that is not a problem right? The next part was to get familiar with the DESKTOP. What is a DESKTOP? A DESKTOP is your workplace on the screen. You are required to know the desktop items and know what they are used for. The default desktop items would be:-

1. My Computer
2. Recycle Bin
3. My Documents

As you can see, there's not a lot but you must know that you control your desktop and you can put shortcut links for your favorite programs and place them on your desktop. Next, I taught you about pointing devices and in this case, it's your mouse. Although there aren't many things to know about but for some users, the mouse plays an important role in creating their work. So, in order to change your settings for your mouse, go to Control Panel and select Mouse and just adjust the settings to fit your standards. Below is a picture of a mouse in case you're wondering ;) .

The next part of the lecture was to teach you guys how to start programs and run multiple programs. There are 2 ways for you to do this:-

1. Access the program from your Start Menu and double-click on the icon to start it.
2. You can also open the Windows Explorer (WINDOWS KEY + E) and then you can navigate to search for the program and then double-click on the icon.

Isn't that nice and simple. Well, as you are aware of, Windows allow us to run multiple programs at one time. To switch between programs quickly, press ALT + TAB simultaneously and keep on pressing the TAB (Keeping your other finger on the ALT key) and release all keys when you've selected the program you want.

Moving on, do you notice a three-panel box on the top right hand corner of the screen? Okay, those are buttons to manipulate the Windows box and they are:-

1. Minimize - To minimize window to place in your task bar
2. Maximize - To maximize window to fit your maximum screen size
3. Close - To close your program or you can just press ALT + F4

Lastly, what we went through in this chapter is the techniques used to find and run programs, documents or files in your whole system. A brief explanation is as below:-

1. CTRL + F is to find and it allows you to search any documents in your system. If the items exist, it will list them out and allow you to access them directly.
2. CTRL + R is to run a program directly if you know what programs you want to use. This saves time and gives us real-time execution.

Alright class, I think that's basically most of what we learnt in this chapter. I apologize for the delay but I hope you guys can still catch up because you people are brilliant people. Till the next chapter guys...

Cheers...

Chapter 2

2009-03-11T23:45:00.000-07:00

Hello class..

How is everyone today? Well let's just have a quick recap on what we went through last week. Frankly speaking, the whole lecture was pretty long and too much to be consumed at one time but don't worry, let me highlight the important things first and if you have any questions, please ask me.

Okay, first of all we discussed about what is System Software. Well it's simple really, it's a program that maintain the operation of the computer. They are divided into two types:

1. Operating System
2. Utility Programs

You must also be familiar with the Operating System functions:

1. Booting - Process of starting or restarting a computer (COLD BOOT/WARM BOOT)
2. Recovery Disk - System files that will start the computer if boot fails
3. User Interface/GUI - Allow users to interact with the computer easily
4. Memory Management - Optimize the use of RAM
5. Spooling - Sending print jobs to buffer (Queue)
6. Device Driver - Program that tells OS how to communicate with the device
7. Establish Internet Connection

Alright then, the list above are the important things you must know. There is a lot more but the Operating System functions I mentioned above should be fine. So, the next part of our lesson was defining the Operating System Utility Programs.

What is a Utility Program? It is a system software that performs maintenance-type tasks. Now that you know the definition, lets highlight the different types of Utility Programs.

1. File Manager
2. Firewall
3. Uninstaller
4. Disk Scanner
5. Disk Defragmenter
6. Diagnostic Utility
7. Backup Utlity
8. Screen Saver

Guys, please make sure you know functions on each of the utility programs mentioned to get a better view. It's all in your notes so I expect you to know them all okay?

Next, we discussed about the types of Operating System and they are:

1. Stand-Alone Operating System - Mac OS X, UNIX, Windows XP
2. Network Operating System - Windows Server 2000, Unix, Solaris
3. Embedded Operating System - Windows Mobile, Palm OS

Again class, please make sure that you go through the details of each type of operating system so you can differentiate them respectively.

Lastly, we also discussed about Stand-Alone Utility Programs. In this part, all you need to know is that these programs are not included in the Operating System and the user themselves have to install them. Examples of utility programs are:

1. Anti-virus
2. Spyware
3. Internet Filters
4. File Compression
5. CD/DVD burning Software

Well, we've reached the end of our discussion for today and as you can see, there is a lot for you to understand. I've made the summary for you and it's up to you to fully benefit this. Please go through your notes carefully and please ask me if you have any questions. Your first TEST is next week (20/3/09) and it will cover chapter 1 and chapter 2. So, good luck and be prepared...

Cheers.

Chapter 1

2009-03-05T00:54:00.000-08:00

Hi class,

How is everyone today. I hope everyone is doing fine. Okay, I guess our first class went well and I'm sure all of you understood what we discussed in class. You are all excellent people and I look forward to a tremendous semester with all of you.

Okay, first of all, what actually was the 1st lecture about. It's simple, it was about COMPUTERS. Well it consists of 3 important things and they are:

Components of a computer
Advantages and disadvantages of a computer
Categories of a computers

Before knowing all the above, you must first know what is a COMPUTER? Can you explain. If you can't it's okay, I'll tell you again.

" A computer is an electronic machine that operates under the control of instructions stored on its own memory.  It accepts, processes data and produce results. "

Once you remember this, you're good to go.  So, back to the three important things you should be familiar with, in this chapter and I've made short notes for you to easily remember them.  Here goes.

COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTERInput Devices                          -  Keyboard, mouse, microphone
Output Devices                       -  Monitor, printer, speakers 
System Unit                              -  CPU,RAM
Storage Devices                      -  Hard disc, pendrives
Communication Devices     -  Modem, router
ADVANTAGES OF A COMPUTER   
Speed
Reliability
Accuracy
Storage
Communications
DISADVANTAGES OF A COMPUTER
Violation of Privacy
Public Safety
Impact on Labor Force
Health Risks
Impact on Environment
CATEGORIES OF A COMPUTER
Personal Computer
Handheld Computer
Internet Appliance
Mid-range Server
Supercomputer

Okay class, so, that is the subtopic you would need to understand and remember.  I know it's quite a lot to absorb at one time but you are excellent people and I know you can do it.  So, keep up the good work class.  Work hard, study smart.

Cheers.
       

Words of Thought

2009-03-03T17:58:00.000-08:00

Hi class,

This first bulletin post is to initiate our first IT online discussion class for this semester 1, 2009. The purpose of this service is to establish a more casual approach for the class and myself to further try to understand and have healthy discussions via online. Frankly speaking, for this module, I think that the time spent in class will not be sufficient, so, it is in my best interest to provide this blog discussion environment for you.

Okay, basically, all that I require from you all is just a fraction of your time to review weekly summaries of classes we've gone through. If you find any issues you don't agree with or want to know more about the issues discussed, this is the place!

Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you find this humble approach a benefiting process and hope you like it. Cheers mates.