"Explain what is meant by Rapid Applications Development (RAD) and discuss the reasons for the increased use of this method for information systems development in recent years".

Computer Based Information Systems Assignment 2 Leslie Spiers 8th December 2001 "Explain what is meant by Rapid Applications Development (RAD) and discuss the reasons for the increased use of this method for information systems development in recent years" Bocij defines RAD as "a method of developing information systems which uses prototyping to achieve user involvement and faster development compared to traditional methods such as SSADM"1 Bocij goes on to clarify his understanding of the term "prototyping" and defines it as "a preliminary version of a part or a framework of all of an information system that can be reviewed by end-users."2 He furthermore states that the process is iterative and that end-user involvement is considerable in proposing modifications prior to the development of further prototypes and in advance of the construction of the final solution. In a similar way, Turban McLean and Wetherbe refer to the importance of iteration and the development of the user interface as a mission critical component of RAD and thus explaining its proximity to prototyping3 They go on to outline the components and capabilities of a RAD system which include such packages as: The development of an appropriate Graphical User Interface A library of common objects such as dialogue boxes and icons A code generator that automatically writes programmes to implement

  • Word count: 1060
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Mathematical and Computer Sciences
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"Heuristic evaluation is an essential element of systems' development".

BT302 - Assignment 2 "Heuristic evaluation is an essential element of systems' development" Jakob Nielsen (1990) describes heuristic evaluations as "a systematic inspection of a user interface design for usability", with its goal being "to find the usability problems in the design so that they can be attended to as part of an iterative design process". Heuristic evaluation is based around the theory of the usability of a system (computer program or website etc.), developed by Jakob Nielsen and Ralf Molich as "a method for structuring the critique of a system using a set of relatively simple and general heuristics" (Abowd, 1994). It is traditionally thought of as a function that must be carried out by a group to enjoy more of the benefits of feedback from various evaluators. Around 5 evaluators can usually discover 75% of a systems usability faults according to Nielsen (2003). Abowd (1994) describes heuristic evaluation as a "design time evaluation technique", as it is easier to fix many problems with a system at the design stage. In relation to the statement "heuristic evaluation is an essential element of systems' development" and its relevance, it is best to first look at the benefits of using a heuristic evaluation. UsabilityNet (2003) outlines the five following benefits of this technique: . The method provides quick and relatively cheap feedback to designers. The

  • Word count: 953
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Mathematical and Computer Sciences
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"Information wants to be free". Discuss the arguments for and against this proposition (widely circulated on the internet and often attributed to Steward Brand, author of The Media Lab, 1987).

Title:" Information wants to be free". Discuss the arguments for and against this proposition (widely circulated on the internet and often attributed to Steward Brand, author of The Media Lab, 1987). To what extent do you consider that it expresses a meaningful and important idea? Registration Number: 030165609 Module: Information Systems and the Information Society Date: 19/12/03 Module Coordinator: Dr. Mark Sanderson Module Code: INF6400 . Abstract/ Summary This essay aims to describe the different views concerning the trend "Information wants to be free." There are different kinds of opinions concerning this matter. The supporters claim that the free access of information prevail certain human rights like liberty and democracy. But also it creates substantial problems concerning the protection of personal information and the formation of laws that will assure data protection. As a result the role of the state is fundamental; in order to create those restrictions that will assure that the citizens will be able to have access to their own information and at the same time to protect them from the illegal access of information. Free software from the other hand has to be free of charge because it is the mean which connects technology with humans. This essay concludes that it is very difficult to make a decision whether information should be free or not but the

  • Word count: 4544
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Mathematical and Computer Sciences
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So in order to understand what the main areas where organisation should be aware of securing data, we should understand the terminologies like footprinting, scanning and enumeration

Introduction to assignment: This assignment is about exploring some of the network security issues in organisations. The information and data about any organisation is very important for them to be protect from outside real and cyber world. The information should be kept according to the standards of security so that it can be protected from hackers. So in order to understand what the main areas where organisation should be aware of securing data, we should understand the terminologies like footprinting, scanning and enumeration. These three terminologies can be called as three steps for hackers to explore the secrete information of an organisation. In this assignment we will get the basic understand of footprinting i.e. gathering information about organization's network, scanning ports and enumeration, the actual process of gaining information access of an organization. We will take 5 internet organizations and will test there networks via different softwares like Nmap, Nbrute, Sam Spade and many others. During testing we will follow a procedure which identifies the internal components of the examined websites from its webpages that are open to public using techniques like WHOIS, DNS, Interrogations and others. Also getting the range of IP addresses of network of that organization and the host machines that are active within an organisation. After getting the

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Mathematical and Computer Sciences
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"Achieving high data rates using TCP/IP over satellite networks can be difficult" - review and discuss.

Coursework 1 Question 1 a). "Achieving high data rates using TCP/IP over satellite networks can be difficult"- review and discuss some of the reasons TCP/IP has difficulty with satellite links, including the following issues: IP Throughput, IP Time To Live, IP Fragmentation, TCP Throughput and Throughput Expectations, TCP Sequence Numbers, TCP Transmission Window, Slow Start, and Congestion Avoidance. Achieving high data rates using Transmission Control Protocol & Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) over satellite networks can be difficult because satellite links have a high latency, which causes the reduction of the performance of some protocols like TCP/IP that are commonly used. The main reason to this problem is the design of TCP/IP. They were not designed to be applied in wireless environment, they were actually meant to be used in fixed networks only that are end-to-end and based on reliability and connection orientation. For example, the Internet, which is the biggest computer network consisting of millions of terminals is based on the TCP/IP protocol architecture, since it is a fixed Virtual Area Network (VAN). The architecture of TCP was designed to be used in networks with high Bit Error Rates (BERs), and it will not work well in wireless environment, where losses are due to high BERs. Besides, because IP relies on end-to-end data verification, it is unsuitable

  • Word count: 2409
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Mathematical and Computer Sciences
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Wearable computers

Wearable computing facilitates a new form of human--computer interaction comprising a small body--worn computer (e.g. user--programmable device) that is always on and always ready and accessible. In this regard, the new computational framework differs from that of hand held devices, laptop computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs). The ``always ready'' capability leads to a new form of synergy between human and computer, characterized by long-term adaptation through constancy of user--interface. What is a wearable computer A wearable computer is a computer that is subsumed into the personal space of the user, controlled by the user, and has both operational and interactional constancy, i.e. is always on and always accessible. Most notably, it is a device that is always with the user, and into which the user can always enter commands and execute a set of such entered commands, and in which the user can do so while walking around or doing other activities. The most salient aspect of computers, in general, (whether wearable or not) is their {\em reconfigurability} and their {\em generality}, e.g. that their function can be made to vary widely, depending on the instructions provided for program execution. With the wearable computer (WearComp), this is no exception, e.g. the wearable computer is more than just a wristwatch or regular eyeglasses: it has the full

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Mathematical and Computer Sciences
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'Four Hour Format' Recruitment System

'Four Hour Format' Recruitment System This may be a new way of recruiting for your business. Remember this: if you don't change the system or process of hiring that you've been using so far, then you'll simply get more of what you've already got. Here's a proven recruiting and induction system based on the following principles: . Attract a large pool of applicants and you're more likely to get the right person. 2. Implement multiple levels of screening and you'll waste less time in lengthy interviews with under-qualified candidates. 3. Observe a short list of applicants perform the essentials of the position in real time and you're less likely to be surprised on their first day. 4. Assess your short list of applicants to make sure that you're making an appropriate match. Here's the 4 Hours Format in detail: . Hour No. 1: Generate leads for position a. Develop job description and/or ad to include: i. Roles, responsibilities, tasks, duties ii. Skills required iii. Hours expected iv. Pay range b. Identify lead sources i. Look within company first and ask if team if they know anyone who may be appropriate ii. Post sign in your door/window iii. Post ad in local and daily papers iv. Post ad in trade/industry publications v. Post ad in local houses of worship vi. Email/mail/fax ad to customer database, vendors, personal/business colleague database vii. Fax job

  • Word count: 1087
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Mathematical and Computer Sciences
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History of Computer Architecture and Operating System.

History of Computer Architecture and Operating System Humans do not have the ability to solve all problems, and even if they do, not as fast as a computer can do. A digital computer is a machine that follows algorithms written by humans. Following an algorithm means solving a problem by carrying out instructions of how to solve it. The earliest electronic digital computers were launched in the 1940s. These machines had no operating system. The programs had to be entered one bit at a time on rows of mechanical switches. The language programs of the machine were entered on punch cards, and the programming process were speed by developing the assembly languages. The first Operating System was implemented in 1950s by the General Motors Research Laboratories. The systems were called single - stream batch processing systems because the programs and data submitted were in groups or batches. An Operating System is the software that controls the hardware. The hardware includes processors, storage, Input/Output devices, communications devices and data. Hardware only specify the physical devices that a computer uses to accomplish a task, provides computer power, but cannot use it. To make the power that the hardware provides useful, an Operating System is needed because it makes this power usable. Operating System, which are resource managers, manage the computer hardware and

  • Word count: 1798
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Mathematical and Computer Sciences
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IT at the Table.

PART A Have to use Nolan's Growth Model PART B IT at the Table Involving the IS professional in the merger and acquisition team early is essential. During initial meetings between the two entities, many of the general legal and business issues discussed could have potentially devastating effects on information system scope and design development. Being present to determine the language of the acquiring or ceding company is important for the IS executives. Items as mundane as provider networks can become cumbersome during implementation if one company's definition of a provider network differs from the other's. Clearly defining operational terms during the early stages helps IS executives incorporate them into a commonly understood scope document. The resulting design document will reflect a more realistic timeline and personnel estimate to be included in the overall economic analysis of the new formation. Information system assessment procedures greatly enhance the probability of a successful implementation. The need to integrate new systems quickly can be an extremely difficult task for a number of reasons: . Corporate planning does not always include IS personnel in the planning process. In addition, IS integration - related planning typically does not occur until the merger is over, thus delaying the process (Stylianou et.al., 1999). 2. The new corporate

  • Word count: 1647
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Mathematical and Computer Sciences
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A Report On Molich and Nielsen Heuristics.

A Report On Molich and Nielsen Heuristics By Imran Musa Patel Contents INTRODUCTION 3 HEURISTIC EVALUATION 4 HEURISTICS OF GOOD DESIGN (MOLICH & NIELSEN) 5 TEN USABILITY HEURISTICS 5 USE SIMPLE AND NATURAL DIALOGUE 6 SPEAK THE USERS LANGUAGE 7 MINIMIZE MEMORY LOAD FOR USER 8 BE CONSISTENT AND KEEPING THE SAME STANDARDS 9 PROVIDE FEEDBACK 10 GENERAL SYSTEM RESPONSES FOR ERRORS 14 DESIGNING FOR SLIPS 15 LITTLE IS MORE 16 HELP AND DOCUMENTATION 17 PROVIDE HELP 17 HEURISTIC SUMMARY 19 BIBLIOGRAPHY 20 BOOKS 20 SITES 20 Introduction As software designers, it is important to build a user-friendly interface, to provide successful software. Implementing Molich and Nielsen design heuristics, within the development area can provide a leading edge with other competitors. In the following report, you will find how the Molich and Nielsen design heuristics can be implemented in the area of software design industry, how it can improve the product, and what heuristics means. This will be run along side examples of Microsoft. Heuristic Evaluation To make an evaluation of a users interface, heuristic evaluation is a cheap and quick method to under take such task. The most popular inspection method is heuristic evaluation. This is done synthetically, of a user interface design for usability. The whole aim of the heuristic evaluation is to identify problems

  • Word count: 2797
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Mathematical and Computer Sciences
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