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Chapter 1 of Lehnert
These chapters introduce information technology and present a brief history of information technology and predictions for the future. For those interested in the historical aspects there is a home page called The Media History Project which covers the history of many communication and information media. One of the locations cited under print media is a page describing hypertext during the Renaissance. There are sections on oral traditions, early paintings and writing, ancient print media, history of printing, and many more related topics. There are also pages dedicated to most of the modern information technologies.
You should have a general overview of the course material after reading the text. In addition, you should learn to use HTML links to access information at various locations on the Internet. [contents]
Chapter 2 and 3 of Lehnert and Tutorial 1 in Creating Web Pages with HTML
These chapters in the text are mainly review of computer terminology most students have already seen. The first tutorial introduces the basic concepts involved in creating an HTML document. We will use HTML to create our hypertext documents because editors that create HTML documents are widely available both as a part of commonly used word processing programs, and as stand alone shareware. As you progress you may want to have a larger list of HTML commands to enrich your document. The Bare Bones Guild is an excellent summary of HTML commands. For a complete guide to all aspects of home page construction and other WWW topics see The Web Developer's Virtual Library.
You should begin to write simple HTML documents. Complete the document in tutorial 1 and look at it using a network browser. [contents]
Chapters 4 and 5 of Lehnert, and Tutorial 2 in Creating Web Pages with HTML
Telecommunications provides the backbone on which much of the world's communications systems are based. At least two sites specialize in information about telecommunications. The first is at the Media History site; the second is a local site, Karen's Telephony Tutor, that specializes in technical details about telecommunications. You will learn some general theory about the Internet and learn how to use at least one search engine. I would suggest Lycos for pictures and sounds.
When you finish this unit you should have a firm knowledge of the HTML editor you are using and you should have all of the technical knowledge needed to produce your final document. Use the search engine Lycos find a graphic item (photo or drawing) in the form of a GIF or JPEG file and download it. Also see if you can find a sound bite in an AU or WAV file to download. Include these files in the document you are working on in tutorial 2. Also include links to one of the sites in the Bookmarks.htm or in this file. You may want to start thinking about document design. A source of simple design tips is WebCrawler's Internet HTML and Web Design page. This site also contains links to icons and graphics that can be incorporated into your HTML document.
[contents]Chapter 7 Lehnert and Tutorial 3 in Creating Web Pages.
These chapters primarily cover information technology that can be applied to business. The search engines have whole sections dedicated to business. You should investigate some of the sites. Infoseek has a listing of sites that can help you with the basics of mutual funds. There are in fact listings for almost every conceivable investment opportunity on the Infoseek business page.
This may be a good time to consider your personal finances and try to see what types of investments might make sense for you. Each of the search engines approaches business differently. You might want to compare the approach of each of the engines.
[contents]Chapters 13 in Lehnert and Tutorial 4 in Creating Web Pages.
In these chapters the book considers moral, ethical and legal questions. These are problems we will face in creating our hypertext document. First we face the problem of fair use of software. If you are using Shareware, what is fair use? Most companies want you to pay for the programs within 30 days if you decide to continue using them. Can you use software purchased by your employer at home? This is a question that can only be answered by reading the contract. Many companies allow you to use their software at two sites as long as it isn't being used at both sites simultaneously. There are usually restrictions on the amount of use at each site.
Why should you worry about using pirated software? First, if pirated software is used in a business, that business runs the risk of not only being fined, but losing the computer systems on which the software is running. In addition to the legal consequences of using pirated software, there are the ethical questions. How can companies produce software at a reasonable price if most of the copies of a program have not been paid for. Try running an airline where only one third of the passengers pay. The next legal question you must face with your project is what can I legally put into my document. Will I violate copyrights if I distribute a picture I've scanned? How about a picture I've downloaded?
Another issue addressed is a persons right to privacy. How much privacy do you loose by actively using the Internet? How much do you lose simply by going to a doctor listed in your health maintenance plan? It is now very easy for information gathered at one location to be spread throughout the net. Not all of this information sharing is harmless. Not only can you lose your privacy, you may lose your freedom. We need only look at the case of the publication of documents purportedly prepared by Timothy McVeigh's attorney that indicated he intended to kill people. This type of document may or may not be authentic. If it's not authentic, then this certainly could be enough to help convict an innocent man. Even if it is authentic, it may cause the judge to rule that a fair trial is impossible, thus freeing a guilty man. In any case justice cannot be carried out with this type of publication of information.
Plagiarism is a concern with electronic references. You should give credit for quotes or ideas used in papers. Click here for a complete guide to methods for citing on-line refercences.
You should be aware of the problems of pirated software and illegal publishing of copyrighted material after reading section. [contents]
Chapter 9 and 11 in Lehnert and Tutorial 5 in Creating Web Pages..
Both readings explore some of the advance layout techniques available in HTML. While I doubt if many of you will use frames, many students have used arrays. Red Edit provides support (and help) for both tables and frames.
You should be beginning the preparation of your project, so this selection of readings is intended to help you organize the material you are preparing.
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