Networks II and Word Processing I

Management Information Systems I

Lecture 4

Mr. Greg Vogl

Uganda Martyrs University

6 March 2003

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Overview

1. Networks II: Technical DetailsA. Local Area Networks

B. Internet

C. Electronic Communications

2. Ergonomics

3. Word Processing I

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1A. Local Area Networks

Client-Server vs. Peer-to-Peer LAN Benefits and Costs LAN Topologies LAN Hardware Components Network Design Questions

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LAN Benefits

Shared resources (hardware, software, data)– Economy of scale: low cost per user/computer

Communication and information exchange– Email, Web browsing, conferencing, scheduling, etc.

Centralised, remote administration– Install, backup, monitor, cleanup, troubleshoot

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LAN Costs

Network hardware Network OS Communications software Network design and development Administration and maintenance Training Security

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Client-Server Networks

Dedicated server computers provide resources Client computers access server’s resources Centralised administration and maintenance Requires highly trained network administrator Security is strong, user and group-based Performance depends on server capabilities Works well for large networks (>10 computers)

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Peer-to-Peer Networks

Each computer acts as both client and server No server computer or network OS required Distributed administration and maintenance Users must act as administrators of their PCs Security is weak, resource-based Performance depends on peer workstations Best for small network of <10 advanced users

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Network Topologies: Star

Each computer is attached to central hub Easy to add/remove computers Hub is single point of failure Most popular for LANs

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Network Topologies: Bus

Each computer attached to the network cable Cheapest (no hub required) Difficult to add/remove computers Difficult to troubleshoot bad connections Sometimes used for small LANs

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Network Topologies: Ring

Computers connected in a closed loop Token of data passed around in one direction Used to connect high-speed networks

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LAN Hardware Components

Computers: two or more, maybe a server Hub: at least one, with one port per computer NICs: Network Interface Cards/Adapters

– One installed in each computer, connects to hub Cables: to connect computers

– Unshielded twisted pair (UTP), co-axial, fibre optic Peripherals: to be shared on the network

– Printers, scanners, disk drives, modems, etc.

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Network Design Questions

Who are your users? What are their individual and group goals? What are their computing/information needs? What types of uses will the computers have? What software do they need to use? What hardware is needed to run the software? What data traffic is the network likely to have?

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Network Design Questions (cont’d)

Is a dedicated server needed? What server specifications will be needed? Is a network operating system needed? What backup media should be used? What shared resources should be available? How should access to resources be restricted? Other security problems/measures?

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1B. Internet

WAN Hardware Components Internet Access Internet Benefits to Organisations Electronic Market E-Commerce, E-Business and EDI

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WAN Hardware Components

Gateway– Connects different types of networks by translating

Bridge– Connects similar networks

Router– Intelligently directs traffic to appropriate networks– Routes data packets through connected LANs/WAN

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Internet Access

Internet Service Provider (ISP)– Organisation with direct Internet connection– Sells Internet connections to businesses/individuals– Providers of online services: AOL, MSN, Prodigy

Internet Café– Pays ISP to connect its LAN to Internet– Allows individuals to use Internet for short periods

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Internet Benefits to Organisations

Connectivity and global reach Reduced communication costs Lower transaction costs Reduced agency costs Interactivity, flexibility, customization Accelerated distribution of knowledgeSource: Laudon & Laudon, Table 10.2

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Electronic Market

Exchange of info, products, services, payments using Internet, networks, digital technologies– prices, purchase orders, invoices, shipping notices

Advantages– Reduces inventory overhead costs– Reduces paper handling and output/input– Increases vendor-customer co-operation

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E-Commerce, E-Business and EDI

Electronic Commerce– Buying and selling goods and services electronically

Electronic Business– Organisational management and communication

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)– Exchange of business transaction documents

between computers of two organisations

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1C. Electronic Communications

Communications hardware Communications software E-mail Attachments Address book Distribution lists Netiquette

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Communications Hardware

Telephones, modems, PBX, voice mail, Facsimile/Fax– Information digitised, transmitted through phone lines

Cellular (mobile) phones, pagers– Wireless communication using radio waves

Videoconferencing– Computers, video cameras, microphones, speakers

Global Positioning System (GPS)– Satellites determine position of devices – Used for tracking and navigation of vehicles, etc.

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Communications Software

Personal Info. Management e.g. MS Outlook– Address book, notes, messages, task lists– Scheduling (calendar, meetings, appointments, etc.)

Groupware e.g. Lotus Notes– Scheduling, e-mail, conferencing, editing, databases

Project Management e.g. MS Project– Planning, scheduling, analysing– Tasks, events, resources, costs

Other e.g. dial-up networking, terminal emulators– Connect to computers/networks, transfer files, run programs

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E-mail Attachments

Used to send documents, pictures, other files To send attachments

– Compose an e-mail message and click Attachments– Browse to locate the file(s) to attach, and confirm

To receive attachments– Open the e-mail message, download attachment– Browse to locate the folder to save it, and confirm– Scan documents for viruses before opening

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Address Book

Used to keep list of e-mail addresses To add a person to address book

– Open a received message– Click button to automatically add name and address– Or manually type name and e-mail address

To use address book– Compose a message– Select addresses for To:/Cc:/Bcc: lines

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Distribution Lists

List of e-mail addresses used to broadcast information to a group; focused purpose/topic

You can use e-mail software to – Subscribe to an existing list and receive messages– Send a message to the list– Create your own list

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Netiquette

Guidelines for electronic text communications– Be brief, clear, to the point– Be professional (proofread, avoid smileys :-)– Be courteous (avoid sarcasm, flaming)– Read frequently, reply promptly, delete rubbish– Make the Subject: line brief, meaningful – Avoid unnecessary e-mails to multiple recipients– Avoid using work e-mail for personal messages– Others?

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2. Ergonomics

Computer-Related Health Problems Ergonomic Equipment Ergonomic Setup Safe Computing Behaviours

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Computer-Related Health Problems

Cumulative Trama Disorders (CTD) and Repetitive Stress/Strain Injuries (RSI)– Upper body pain (back, neck, arms, wrists, hands)– Permanent/disabling nerve/muscle damage

Vision Disorders– Blurred vision, dry/itchy eyes, headaches

Stress– Impatience, agitation, hostility, irritability

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Ergonomic Equipment

Fully adjustable chair with lower back support Ergonomic keyboard and pointing device Speech recognition and synthesis software High-res., high-refresh, low-radiation monitor Anti-glare, anti-static monitor shield Keyboard/mouse tray; monitor stand;

document holder Stretch break software

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Ergonomic Setup

Position of keyboard/mouse/monitor/desk/chair– Forearms and thighs parallel to floor– Back, shins, upper arms perpendicular to floor– Elbows, knees and waist at 90° angle– Eyes level with top of monitor

Temperature, lighting, noise, fresh air Flexible, adjustable, individualised setup

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Safe Computing Behaviours

Erect, neutral, comfortable posture Relaxed keyboarding and mousing techniques Take frequent breaks (at least 5 min. per hour) Stretching and exercises (esp. upper body) Vary work activities (not only computing) Relaxation/stress management programme General fitness (diet, exercise, etc.)

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3. Word Processing I

Document Management Writing Editing Formatting Help

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Document Management

Menu, toolbar buttons, shortcut keys New document Opening and recently opened files menu Closing a document vs. closing Word Save vs. Save As Backup and automatic save

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Writing

Numbers, letters, Shift, Caps Lock Symbols, insert symbol Word wrap Paragraphs, spaces, tabs Thesaurus, dictionary, encyclopedia

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Editing

Delete vs. backspace Cursor/insertion point; insert vs. overtype mode Selecting: word, words, paragraph, all Cut, copy, paste, clear Find and replace Undo and redo Checking spelling and grammar

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Formatting

Fonts: font families, (sans) serif, proportional Font sizes Font attributes: bold, italic, underline, shadow Bulleted and numbered lists Colours, underlines and other effects

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Word Help

Contents Index Search/answer wizard Office assistant Navigation buttons