Brief description
This module presents a range of concepts and technologies for the preparation, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information on computers in the form of on-line and printed documents. This involves a study of a range of computer equipment and software, its availability and capability. Skills, including intermediate level word processing and effective use of internet resources, will be developed which will be of value outside the module and give insight to strengthen a broader understanding.

Aims

This module provides an introduction to the use of computers for the preparation, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information in the form of on-line and printed documents by:

• introducing an appropriate range of computer equipment (hardware and software), its availability and capability and thereby encouraging an understanding of the principles and
• developing skills which will both be of value outside the course and will give experience and insight to strengthen the broader understanding.

Consideration of the applicability of the technology to students' main disciplines will be encouraged. This module is not designed to develop an understanding of technical aspects of computing.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• create appropriate and well-structured typographically complex documents using a sophisticated commercial word processor (currently Word 2000) for a range of purposes;
• create both bit-mapped and vector (object-based) graphics using standard applications and select the appropriate technique for a range of tasks;
• manage the inclusion of a range of graphics in word processed documents;
• create and maintain a supportive file directory structure for their own use;
• appreciate and use tree-like storage structures as they appear elsewhere, for example in FTP repositories, mail folders and structured documents;
• recognise the existence of related structures, for example directed graphs as exemplified by the web, for the organisation of information;
• recognise the applicability of a range of file formats as exemplified by MIME types and Windows file associations; know of the more common file types and be aware of applications to handle them;
• create and receive multi-media e-mail and manage messages they receive;
• recognise the separation of content and presentation and the associated advantages offered by text markup systems;
• browse and download web pages, record and manage URLs;
• have a functional appreciation of the typical components (including software) which are found in personal computer systems;
• understand typical cost and performance characteristics of a range of technologies and products for input, storage and output of the various media including text, graphics, sound and images.

Syllabus
1. Co-requisite Course - 1 Practical

2. Use of IT - 1 Lecture
Part of a wider set of working practices; conscious evaluation of the applicability of IT; when not to use a computer.

3. Word processing - 1 Lecture, 8 Practicals
Document design; structure and content, page design, paragraph design, fonts and their modifications.

4. Brief survey of software - 2 Lectures
Operating systems; user interfaces; files and file systems; applications; software manufacture.

5. Tree Structures - 1 Lecture, 2 Practicals
For storage organisation; file systems, on-line repositories; mounting of local and remote devices, the need to recognise underlying practical realities.

6. Files - 1 Lecture, 1 Practical
Coding systems. File typing; file extensions and their recognition, MIME, Microsoft Windows file associations, Apple Macintosh style internal labelling.

7. Graphics - 1 Lecture, 2 Practicals
Bit-mapped and vector graphics, facilities they each support, their limitations, typographical and technical aspects of including graphics in documents.

8. Networks - 1 Lecture
Bandwidth, addressing, the client/server model, services (including briefly, FTP, HTTP, e-mail).

9. Electronic mail - 1 Lecture, 1 Practical
Sending and receiving, handling attachments, management, storage and searching of messages.

10. The World Wide Web - 1 Lecture, 2 Practicals
HTML as document processing; markup, separation of presentation and content. Directed graph structure; problems of design. Searching, search a dynamic directory.

11. Legal considerations - 1 Lecture
Data protection legislation, Computer Misuse Act, Copyright and IP.