"BusAd/PubAd 330: Computer Skills for Administrators"

Spring 2001 Streaming Media Files

Eric Flower

ericflower@hotmail.com

University of Hawai'i-West O'ahu

[Streaming Media icon]

Click here to return to the course home page.

[World Wide Web icon]

You will need the RealPlayer browser plug-in to view these streaming media video files over the Web. If you have it already, the videos will start to play automatically. Click here to get the free RealPlayer 8 Basic player, if you don't have it installed. (It's near the bottom of the page.)

RealPlayer Basic 8 has a modest equalizer function. It can be used to suppress hiss and boost bass. Adjust the sound to your liking.

These files are encoded at several rates, 56Kbps for dialup modems, and 150 or 256Kbps for Local Area Network, Digital Subscriber Line, and cable modem connections. Viewing over a LAN, DSL, or cable modem connection is much preferred.

The most common problem when playing these files is "net congestion." When this is very bad the picture and sound will become completely out of sync. You may be able to move the RealPlayer slider back a couple of minutes to re-establish sync. If that fails, stop RealPlayer and re-establish the connection. Once the connection is re-established, use the slider or seek function to go to the time when you want to start again. Another problem you may see is "frame freeze." The simple remedy for frame freeze is to click on the "fast forward double arrows" in RealPlayer.

All Web/Internet students should join chat room 330spring
while the class is being broadcast.

Click here to see the class live broadcast.

Groups also might want to set up chat rooms called 330spring1, 330spring2, and 330spring3
for intragroup communication while the class is in session.

Click here to see a 15 minute clip about
how to write the Visions critique made September 13, 2000

Class 1, January 8, 2001
Introduction to the Course and to the Internet

Class 1, January 8, 2001 Errata:

  1. Click here for definitions of Internet terms used in Class 1.
  2. After you start a video file, you can use the RealPlayer "seek to" command under the Play menu to go directly to a particular time.
  3. Sometimes a RealPlayer video feed will "freeze" even though the sound continues. Clicking on the double arrow (>>) usually will resync the picture.
  4. The class 1 streaming media archived file automatically switches to the "This is Internet" video at time stamp 45:13 and then automatically returns to the class presentation at 1:03:09.
  5. "This is Internet" was made several years ago, and, as you might expect, some of it is outdated. Ignore references to the Mosaic browser and how to download it, text-based Web applications, and the section on software for making modem dial-up connections. Business and commerce now generate the most traffic on the Internet. There is a discussion of the video after it finishes.
  6. The World Wide Web is a service of the Internet. Other common services include e-mail, telnet (remote login), and FTP (File Transport Protocol).
  7. At 1:44:00 when I said "pictures on the modem" will be better, I meant, "the pictures on Oceanic's cable modem" will be better because it has very high bandwidth.
  8. When you watch a live broadcast or video, you should have another window open to the same material I am showing on the screen. Follow along on your computer as I demonstrate things.
  9. It is unlikely that dial-up viewers will be able to read all the text in the video window. RealPlayer picture quality improves dramatically with faster connections. Come to the Lab and see the difference.

Class 2, January 10, 2001
Housekeeping: RealPlayer, E-Mail, Instant Messaging,
Chat, and Textbook CD-ROM

Class 2, January 10, 2001 Errata:

  1. Select a clip from the "Playlist" or use the RealPlayer "seek to" command under the Play menu to go directly to the clips listed below.
  2. How to use RealPlayer and how to set up windows on your screen starts at 1:54.
  3. The PowerPoint presentation on how streaming media works starts at 24:24.
  4. How to use Hotmail starts at 30:26.
  5. How to use instant messaging starts at 39:26.
  6. How to use chat starts at 51:21.
  7. How to use the CD-ROM that came with the textbook starts at 1:07:27. There is a detailed list of instructions in the textbook beginning at page xx.
  8. At 1:15:52 I should have said, "Use the print command on the Quick Check summary page to print your report."
  9. You can leave the print outs at the computer lab, fax them to me at UHWO at 453-6176, or mail them to me at:
    Eric Flower
    92-1089 Makakilo Dr.
    Kapolei, HI 96707

Class 3, January 17, 2001
The Web, E-Mail, and the Law

Class 3, January 17, 2001 Errata:

  1. At the beginning of the class there is a discussion of printing from the textbook CD. If you have problems printing the Lab summary reports, you can do a "screen print and paste" by doing the following. First, hold down the ALT key and then press the PrintScrn key once. Second, start Word or Paint. Next, go to the Edit menu and click on Paste. That should put the image onto the page so you can print it from Word or Paint.
  2. Once you start the class video, you can use the Playlist to select the clips listed below.
  3. "Echelon" discussion starts at 5:38.
  4. At 6:40 during the discussion of quality of information on the Web, Gomez.com is mentioned. Click here to see the Gomez.com site. Gomez.com bills itself as "your guide to buying online."
  5. "How Grades Are Determined" starts at 14:46.
  6. "Group Participation Report Sheet" starts at 21:48.
  7. "Groups for the Class Project/Doing the Class Project" starts at 23:57.
  8. "E-Mail and Cyberslacking Discussions" start at 34:45.
  9. "E-Mail and Cyberslacking Group Reports" start at 52:53.

Class 4, January 22, 2001
E-Mail Attachments, FTP, Computer Basics

Class 4, January 22, 2001 Errata:

  1. To see the entire class uninterrupted, watch clip 1 from start to finish.
  2. Clip 1 starts with a demonstration of attachments with Hotmail. The example is a Quick Check Report that is found at the end of STEPS on the textbook CD-ROM. The keys involved in this example are the ALT and PrintScrn keys. Hold down the ALT key and press PrintScrn once to start the example shown in class.
  3. There is a demonstration of the steps involved in copy and paste in clip 2.
  4. There is a demonstration of the steps involved in cut and paste in clip 3.
  5. There is a demonstration of sending and receiving Attachments in Hotmail in clip 4.
  6. At 6:43 of clip 4, I said Microsoft Office when I should have said Microsoft Word.
  7. At 8:15 of clip 4, you can edit the file and save it locally.
  8. There is a discussion and demonstration of the File Transfer Protocol or FTP in clip 5. The whiteboard says File Transport Protocol. It should say File Transfer Protocol. If you need an FTP program (also called a client) for Windows 95/98/NT/2000, click here to read the instructions and to download the WS FTP program from UH.
  9. At 2:30 of clip 5 the volume drops. Compensate with your volume controls.
  10. At 13:04 of clip 5 there is a demonstration of FTP with a Web browser.
  11. Clip 6 is a discussion of using computers and software that begins with a demonstration of Help, Windows Explorer, and Find in Windows.
  12. Clip 7 is a discussion of ATMs, Costs, and Profit Centers.
  13. Clip 8 is a discussion of "Essential Computing Concepts." Click here to see the "Computers: The Basics" PowerPoint presentation shown in class.
  14. Clip 9 is a discussion of Macs vs. PCs. Click here to see the article by Aaron Goldberg about the major differences between Macs and PCs that I said I would send you. The article is called "Picking Apples" and appeared in the December 1999 issue of Computer Shopper on page 92.
  15. At 14:08 of clip 9, during the discussion of uninterruptible power supplies, the correct UPS capacity for most PC systems is around 450 or 500VA, not KVA. A UPS rated at 500VA/300watts will allow you enough time to shut down most desktop computers when the power goes out.

Class 5, January 24, 2001
Computer Basics: Hardware and Software

Class 5, January 24, 2001 Errata:

  1. To see the entire class uninterrupted, watch clip 1 from start to finish.
  2. Clip 1 begins with a discussion of critical personal computer components. Click here to see the "Computers: The Basics" PowerPoint presentation shown in class.
  3. At 13:13 of clip 1 there is a discussion of network interface cards. "In 1980, Robert Metcalfe had just founded 3Com and was promoting his invention, Ethernet, when he observed that the value of a network is the square of the number of nodes in that network. Metcalfe calls this exponentially increasing value network effects. The real key to his theory is that while the cost of building a network lags behind its value, once it reaches critical mass the opposite is true: value increases faster than cost." This quote is from "Unconventional Wisdom: Back to the Old School" by Kayte Vanscoy, Ziff Davis Smart Business For the New Economy, October 2000.
  4. Clip 2 is a discussion of personal computer software including operating systems, applications, and utilities.
  5. At 00:50 of clip 2, Microsoft sells Windows 98 and Windows Me (Millennium Edition) for the home market. Microsoft sells Windows 2000 for the business/corporate market. Click here to see the Microsoft home page for Windows operating systems.
  6. Clip 3 is a discussion of buying computer hardware based on tasks and software (applications and operating systems).
  7. Clip 4 is a discussion of software user interfaces, help, copyright, licensing, and software installation.
  8. Click here to see the Microsoft Windows 2000 home page. See the section called "How to Buy" for information about upgrading to Windows 2000.
  9. Clip 5 is a discussion of operating systems. Click here to see the "Operating Systems" PowerPoint presentation shown in class.

Class 6, January 29, 2001
The Windows Operating System

Class 6, January 29, 2001 Errata:

  1. At 7:50 there is an introductory discussion of ubiquitous computing and the conditions necessary to make it possible in the future. The definition of ubiquitous is "being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time." Ubiquitous computing won't be possible until we have powerful, reliable, secure operating systems and ubiquitous networking which will lead to a ubiquitous Internet.
  2. The discussion of Windows operating system external services (functions) begins at 13:40.
  3. A couple of times during the video I said right mouse when I meant right mouse button.
  4. At 1:04:11 I said scan for videos when I should have said scan for viruses.

Class 7, January 31, 2001
Data, Information, Computer Files, and Data Storage

Class 7, January 31, 2001 Errata:

  1. Clip 1 covers Data, Information, Computer Files, and Data Storage as well as more information about Windows Explorer. In several parts of the class I use the older term "directory." This shows my age. Proper Windows usage is now "folder."
  2. At 8:22 of Clip 1, Windows file names may be up to 255 characters long. Long file names may not include these characters: / \ : * ? " < > | .
  3. At 19:53 of Clip 1, during the discussion of removable storage media, I wrote Jazz drive when I should have written Jaz drive. Click here to learn more about Iomega Jaz drives. Click here to learn more about ORB removable storage from Castlewood.
  4. At 25:42 of Clip 1, partitioning is spelled incorrectly on the whiteboard. The following definition of "Partition" is adapted from the Webopedia:
    Partition: (v) To divide memory or mass storage into isolated logical sections. In DOS systems, you can partition a disk, and each partition will behave like a separate disk drive. Partitioning is particularly useful if you run more than one operating system. For example, you might reserve one partition for Windows and another for UNIX. In addition, partitioning on DOS and Windows machines can improve disk efficiency. This is because the File Allocation Table (FAT) system used by these operating systems automatically assigns cluster size based on the disk size: the larger the disk, the larger the cluster. Unfortunately, large clusters can result in a wasted disk space, called slack space. There is an entire sector of the software industry devoted to building utilities that let you partition your hard disk.
  5. Clip 2 has information about Test 1.
  6. Clip 3 has information about Quality Circles and class evaluation. The first Quality Circle report (from Group 1) is due one week after Test 1 is returned to you.
  7. Clip 4 is an introduction to a student presentation from the Fall 2000 semester on "Managing the Workforce in an Electronic Environment." It will give you some idea of what a good presentation looks like.
  8. Clip 5 is the student presentation "Managing the Workforce in an Electronic Environment."
  9. Clip 6 includes some follow-up comments and refers you to the UH West O'ahu Internet Exploration Station at http://socrates.uhwo.hawaii.edu/BusAd/labhomepage/explore.htm for research resources.

Class 9, February 7, 2001
Writing with Microsoft Word

Class 9, February 7, 2001 Errata:

  1. Warning: There is a lot of hiss in the soundtrack of this video. Use the equalizer function of RealPlayer to suppress the high frequency hiss by pulling the higher frequency sliders down.
  2. Discussion of test scores starts at 1:44 of Clip 1.
  3. Discussion of questions 1 - 4 (definitions of Internet, Web, Telnet, FTP) starts at 7:00 of Clip 1.
  4. Discussion and evaluation of the UH West O'ahu Library Internet Exploration Station web page starts at 11:45 of Clip 1.
  5. Discussion of limiting liability in the employee use of a network begins at 25:36 of Clip 1.
  6. Discussion of the process of buying computers starts at 30:20 of Clip 1.
  7. Comments on class videos start at 35:21 of Clip 1.
  8. Clip 1 is on writing with Microsoft Word.
  9. Cut and Paste and Copy and Paste start at 5:52 of Clip 1.
  10. Discussion of the spell checker and grammar checker starts at 9:30 of Clip 1.
  11. Discussion of readability statistics begins at 12:55 of Clip 1. Here is more information about the readability statistics generated after a Microsoft Word spell check.
    The best short summary of the readability scales we covered in class that I've found is from the Department of Administrative Services, State of Oregon. Click here to see the complete document.

    What is Flesch-Kincaid?

    The Flesch-Kincaid grade formula is the US Department of Defense standard (DOD MIL-M-38784B). The Pentagon requires contractors to use it when they write technical manuals. They call it the Overall Reading Grade Level. The feds also say a good range is 6-10. This is the formula:

    Grade Level = (.39 x ASL) + (11.8 x ASW) - 15.59.

    ASL = average sentence length (# of words /# of sentences).

    ASW = average syllables per word (# of syllables /# of words).

    Scientists have run (roughly) one zillion tests to prove that we comprehend more and faster when the words and sentences are short and simple. There are dozens of competing formulas, but they are based on the same concept.

    The Flesch Reading Ease formula has been in use for 50 years. It gives you a percent of ease from zero to 100 percent. MS WORD '97, for reasons known only to MS, won’t show any reading grade level higher than 12. But, it does show reading ease scores all the way down to zero. A Microsoft Word document with a grade level of 12 and a Flesch Reading Ease of zero is hard for anyone to comprehend. The reading ease formula strongly favors short words. Here it is:

    Reading Ease = 206.835 – ((1.015 X ASL) + (.846 X ASW X 100))

    If your document’s reading ease is 55 to 60 percent, your grade level will be 10 or below.

  12. Discussion of customizing the Tools menu Options to your personal preferences begins at 15:22 of Clip 1.
  13. Clip 2 shows how to insert a picture into a Word document. Next time we'll show how to manipulate it.

Class 10, February 12, 2001
Microsoft Word Skills

Class 10, February 12, 2001 Errata:

  1. At 12:08, when talking about personalizing your Word program, I said to use the Tools menu and Customize. You can do some more with Tools and Options.
  2. At 17:41 there is a demonstration of deleting a page number. First you must double click in the space reserved for headers (top of page) or footers (bottom of page) containing the page number to make that area (object) live. Next you must click on the page number in the right place (the border around the number) to make the page number live. You do this by first clicking directly on the number and then by clicking on the diagonal lines surrounding the gray area that contains the number. Once you can see the page number box and its handles, you can delete it by pressing the delete key.
  3. At 43:03 there is a discussion of line spacing. First, highlight the area where you want to change the line spacing. Next, under the Format menu select Paragraph. To make spacings greater than double space, select Multiple under Line Spacing: and the number you want under At.
  4. A discussion of WordPerfect and its Reveal Codes function starts at 51:06.
  5. At 1:05:04 there is a discussion of Macintosh/PC Word file compatability. To move files from a PC running Windows and Word to a Macintosh running Word, read the following:
    1. The Macintosh must be running system software version 7.5 or higher and be equipped with a drive that supports Apple PC Exchange.
    2. Save your Windows Word file to a 3.5-inch floppy disk.
    3. Insert the floppy disk in the Macintosh floppy disk drive.
    4. Copy the files directly to the Macintosh.
    5. Run the Mac version of Word and open the file.
    For more information about sending files to a Mac, and for information about importing Word files from a Mac to a PC running Windows, look in the Word Help menu under the term Macintosh. For the final word on file coversion, see WD97: Text Converters Installed in a Typical Setup in the Knowledgebase at the Microsoft web site. It tells which Word converters are normally installed, and which are not installed, during a typical installation of Microsoft Word.
  6. At 1:07:55 there is a question about changing the shape of a bullet. To change the shape, open the Format menu and select Bullets and Numbering.
  7. At 1:09:30 there is a discussion of the pure text editor called Notepad that comes with the Windows operating system. That is followed by a mention of the Windows word processor accessory program called WordPad.

Class 11, February 14, 2001
Microsoft Excel Skills

Class 11, February 14, 2001 Errata:

  1. Raymond Panko of UH Manoa has done lots of work on errors in spreadsheets. One of his summary works is called "Spreadsheet Errors: What We Think We Know. What We Think We Can Do." It is at http://panko.cba.hawaii.edu/ssr/Mypapers/EUSPRIG_2000.htm. More of Raymond Panko's error research is at http://panko.cba.hawaii.edu/ssr.
  2. At 27:00 I said you can't type the symbol for "not equal to" (an equal sign with a slash through it). What I meant was that when writing Excel formulas, you use the operator "<>" to indicate not equal to.
  3. At 40:50 there are some data entry errors. The numbers are entered one cell off. The error is recognized a little later and fixed.
  4. At 1:03:17 I said simple statistics. What I meant to say was simple descriptive statistics (Mean [Average in Excel], Median, Mode).

Class 12, February 21, 2001
More Microsoft Excel Skills and Charts

Class 12, February 21, 2001 Errata:

  1. Clip 1 (the first half hour or so) covers additional Microsoft Excel skills. At 29:51, during the discussion of password protecting files, there was a question about the key icon that appears with some files. The key icon is used to indicate that the file is a Microsoft Access database.
  2. Clip 2 shows how to make a simple chart.
  3. Clip 3 shows how to make a combination chart.
  4. Clip 4 is a brief discussion of Test 2. You will have to make a worksheet and a combination chart as part of Test 2. Then you will create a Word document and link parts of the worksheet to it. In addition you will describe your findings or trends (if you find any) in the Word document. Finally, you will create a PowerPoint presentation based on your worksheet, chart, and findings.
  5. Clip 5 is reinforcement of making a combination chart.
  6. Clip 6 has more information about Test 2.

Class 13, February 26, 2001
PowerPoint

Class 13, February 26, 2001 Errata:

  1. Clip 1 is an Introduction to PowerPoint.
  2. Clip 2 covers inserting clip art.
  3. Clip 3 covers getting new clip art from Microsoft.
  4. Clip 4 covers custom animation.
  5. Clip 5 covers printing.
  6. Clip 6 covers editing a PowerPoint file.
  7. Clip 7 covers headers and footers.
  8. Clip 8 covers the slide master.
  9. Clip 9 covers bullets.
  10. Clip 10 covers sample presentations created by Microsoft.

Class 14, February 28, 2001
PowerPoint II

Class 14, February 28, 2001 Errata:

  1. Clip 1. We had our first network/server live broadcast problem when the server crashed just before the class started. It was restarted and we began at 9:45 a.m. Web students in the class chat room knew what was happening. Web students should always join the chat room 330spring before class starts.
  2. Clip 2 covers evaluating presentations.
  3. Clip 3 covers inserting movies and sound into a presentation. The first example is a sound clip that becomes an embedded object. Because video files are usually so large, they are generally played as a link made from the Slide Show=> Action Settings=> Hyperlink to=> menus. A demonstration of making a link to a video starts at 24:06.
  4. Clip 4 covers formatting text.
  5. Clip 5 covers making slide transitions.
  6. Clip 6 covers using the AutoContent Wizard.
  7. Clip 7 covers formatting slides to change color schemes, background, design, etc.
  8. Clip 8 includes some final remarks on slide design. Notice how the slide with red background saturates the video frame and leaves the video out of focus until the next slide comes on and goes into focus.
  9. Clip 9 covers basic keyboard/mouse slide show controls used to show a presentation. The complete list of controls is in the PowerPoint help menu under "slide shows, keyboard shortcuts."

Class 15, March 5, 2001
Introduction to Databases and Microsoft Access

Class 15, March 5, 2001 Errata:

  1. Clip 1 is an introduction to databases and Microsoft Access using a database of Web domain names as the example. Clip 1 covers the concepts of entities, records, fields, and tables.
  2. At 17:17 of Clip 1, I said $75 when I should have said $35 was the usual (but not mandatory) annual cost of a domain name.
  3. Clip 2 is a PowerPoint demonstration about databases in general and Microsoft Access in particular.
  4. At 8:02 of Clip 2, I mention the rules for relational databases. These rules were fashioned by Dr. E. F. Codd of IBM back in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is often said that a database is relational only if it meets all 12 of Codd's rules. Our textbook cites an "Overview of the Relational Model" from the University of Texas for a simple explanation of the relational database model.
  5. Microsoft has published a background paper on databases. Microsoft also has a primer on relational databases called "Fundamentals of Relational Database Design" by Paul Litwin. Perhaps the most important part of the article for our class is near the end in the form of a 20 step outline on how to design a database.
  6. Clip 3 covers basic actions with Access objects: opening an Access database, opening a table, opening a query, opening a report, and opening a form.
  7. At 9:44 of Clip 3, Area Code 213 is Los Angeles and 206 is Seattle.
  8. At 13:21 I mentioned that speed is one of the advantages of relational databases. The other critical advantage (and more important in the long run) is the ability to relate information in different tables. See page 627 of the textbook for a discussion of the flexibility of relationships.

Class 16, March 7, 2001
Microsoft Access

Class 16, March 7, 2001 Errata:

  1. Clip 1 begins with my interpretation of the Access learning curve. Coverage of the Report Wizard begins at 2:16 of Clip 1. The examples are from the small database of domain names you have.
  2. Clip 2 covers the Simple Query Wizard.
  3. Clip 3 looks "under the hood" at the structure of the domain names database.
  4. At 5:18 of Clip 3, I said a domain name may cost is $50. Domain names ending in .tv cost $50 per year rather than the customary $35.
  5. Clip 4 covers entering data into a form.
  6. Clip 5 covers deleting a record.
  7. Clip 6 covers the music database that's included in Access as an example of the power of the program. The front end covers up all of the activities we've been looking at. When you build or contract for a database, this is the kind of front end the general user should see.

Class 17, March 12, 2001
Sharing Data in Microsoft Office:
Object Linking and Embedding

Class 17, March 12, 2001 Errata:

  1. Clip 1 is a PowerPoint presentation on sharing data in Office.
  2. Clip 2 is a copy and paste example.
  3. Clip 3 is an embedding example.
  4. Clip 4 is a linking example.
  5. Clip 5 shows linking an Excel chart.
  6. Clip 6 has information on Test 2.
  7. Clip 7 shows linking an Excel chart using the "Display as Icon" feature.
  8. Clip 8 is about links.
  9. Clip 9 has more information on Test 2.

Class 19, March 19, 2001
PC Architecture

Class 19, March 19, 2001 Errata:

  1. The first 25 minutes of the class were devoted to an analysis of Test 2. This discussion is not shown in the archived streaming video file.
  2. Clip 1 is on the key features of PC architecture (central processor and cache, memory, storage, video subsystems) and reliability.
  3. At 17:28 of Clip 1, I mentioned DVI. The Webopedia has the following information on DVI: Abbreviation of Digital Video Interactive, a technology developed by General Electric that enables a computer to store and display moving video images like those on television. The most difficult aspect of displaying TV-like images on a computer is overcoming the fact that each frame requires an immense amount of storage. A single frame can require up to 2MB (megabytes) of storage. Televisions display 30 frames per second, which can quickly exhaust a computer's mass storage resources. It is also difficult to transfer so much data to a display screen at a rate of 30 frames per second.
  4. At 19:07 of Clip 1, I covered USB which is short for Universal Serial Bus, an external bus standard that supports data transfer rates of 12 Mbps (12 million bits per second). A single USB port can be used to connect up to 127 peripheral devices, such as mice, modems, keyboards, network cards, printers, etc. USB also supports Plug-and-Play installation and hot plugging.
  5. Clip 2 starts with a discussion of the central processing unit of your PC. CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit, and is pronounced as separate letters. The CPU is the brains of the computer. Sometimes referred to simply as the processor or central processor, the CPU is where most calculations take place. In terms of computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computer system. On large machines, CPUs require one or more printed circuit boards. On personal computers and small workstations, the CPU is housed in a single chip called a microprocessor. Click here to learn about Intel processors or click here to learn about AMD processors. AMD is short for Advanced Micro Devices.
  6. Beginning at 2:48 of Clip 2, there is a comparison of the Gateway business PC models ( V Series [Value PC], M Series [Mainstream PC], Select Series [Intel-based Performance PC], and Select Sb [AMD-based Performace PC] ) to illustrate how systems vary by price and perfromance.
  7. At 14:36 of Clip 2, I mentioned the IEEE 1394 standard. It is a very fast external bus standard that supports data transfer rates of up to 400 Mbps (400 million bits per second). Products supporting the 1394 standard go under different names, depending on the company. Apple, which originally developed the technology, uses the trademarked name FireWire. Other companies use other names, such as i.link and Lynx, to describe their 1394 products. A single 1394 port can be used to connect up 63 external devices. In addition to its high speed, 1394 also supports isochronous data -- delivering data at a guaranteed rate. This makes it ideal for devices that need to transfer high levels of data in real-time, such as video devices. Although extremely fast and flexible, 1394 is also expensive. Like USB, 1394 supports both Plug-and-Play and hot plugging, and also provides power to peripheral devices. The main difference between 1394 and USB is that 1394 supports faster data transfer rates and is more expensive. For this reason, it is expected to be used mostly for devices that require large throughputs, such as video cameras, whereas USB will be used to connect most other peripheral devices.

Class 20, March 21, 2001
The PC Marketplace:
Writing Specifications and the Bidding Process

Class 20, March 21, 2001 Errata:

  1. Clip 1 is about writing specifications, bidding, selecting, and buying computers with the help of a decision support worksheet.
  2. At 19:27 of Clip 1 there is an error in the raw score for the price of Computer 1. As price goes up, its raw score goes down.
  3. Clip 2 is about the specification and bid process. Two examples of the bidding process gone wrong are discussed. The first example is from Kaua'i and deals with the trash system on that island. The second is from the Army Directorate of Logistics in Hawai'i and deals with an award, and a successful appeal of that award.
  4. Clip 3 is a discussion of reliability and the concept of Mean Time Between Failures.

Class 21, April 2, 2001
"Visions" by Michio Kaku
and
Local Area Networks

Class 21, April 2, 2001 Errata:

  1. Clips 1 and 2 are the class discussion of Michio Kaku's book Visions: How Science Will Revolutionize the 21st Century.
  2. Clip 3 is an introduction to local area networks with an emphasis on the UHWO LAN. Click here to see the "Networking Definitions" paper referenced in class.
  3. Clip 4 is a tour of the UH West O'ahu wiring closet.

Class 22, April 4, 2001
Information Systems in Organizations
and
Developing Effective Information Systems

Class 22, April 4, 2001 Errata:

  1. Clip 1 covers information systems in organizations.
  2. Clip 2 covers developing effective information systems with the PIECES framework and the System Development Life Cycle. It also includes the four types of system conversions.
  3. Click here to view a National Center for Supercomputing Applications streaming video called NCSA's CAVE: Immersing Yourself in Science. It's an 11 minute video about a 3D audiovisual virtual reality environment with a novel approach to data presentation. Be sure to select the Real Media stream that matches your connection speed.

Security and Control
and
Disaster Proofing Your Organization

Errata:

  1. You will be watching a class from the Fall 2000 semester. E-mail any questions or comments to ericflower@hotmail.com and we'll take them up at the earliest opportunity.
  2. Clip 1 covers data security and control.
  3. Clip 2 covers the readings on disaster proofing your organization at http://socrates.uhwo.hawaii.edu/BusAd/Flower/330/disasterproof.html.

Class 23, April 23, 2001
Information at Your Fingertips 2005
and
Schedule of Classes and Activities for the Balance of the Semester

Class 23, April 23, 2001 Errata:

  1. Clip 1 is a discussion of the "Information At Your Fingertips 2005" video shown in class. On November 14, 1994, Bill Gates, then chairman and chief executive officer of Microsoft, gave the keynote address at Fall COMDEX. Describing his vision of the future, he painted a picture of the opportunities technology will bring each of us by the year 2005. Due to copyright restrictions, the video is not available online. It is on Reserve in the UHWO Library and you may watch it there. Click here to read a summary of Gates's comments or to download the complete transcript of his remarkes.
  2. At 21:50 of Clip 1, I was talking about Moore's Law. I said CPUs would become bigger, faster, and cheaper. By bigger I meant higher performing. Physically, they will become smaller.
  3. Clip 2 covers the schedule of classes and activities for the balance of the semester.

Class 24, April 25, 2001
Presentations by Groups 1 and 2

Class 24, April 25, 2001 Errata:

  1. Clip 1 is about test 3 and the final exam, assignments that must be completed, and attendance.
  2. Clip 2 is about evaluating student presentations.
  3. Clip 3 is the Group 1 presentation entitled "Wintel Computing Today and Tomorrow."
  4. Clip 4 is the Group 2 presentation entitled "Long Term Computing Future."

Class 25, April 30, 2001
Presentation by Group 3
and
Video Review of All Presentations

Class 25, April 30, 2001 Errata:

  1. Clip 1 starts with announcements about class activities. After that there is a brief discussion of the Quality Circle 2 report. Click here to link to the PowerPoint presentation I showed during the QC2 report.
  2. Clip 2 is the Group 3 presentation entitled "Global Future: Global Trends 2015."
  3. Clip 3 is the video review of Group One's presentation.
  4. Clip 4 is the video review of Group Two's presentation.
  5. Clip 5 is the video review of Group Three's presentation.
  6. The class concluded with students completing the course evaluations. This was not filmed.

Class 26, May 2, 2001
Personal Computing Space:
Analysis and Presentations

Class 26, May 2, 2001 Errata:

  1. Clip 1 introduces the class topic, on the spot analysis and presentations based on a soon to be published article by Eric Flower entitled "Personal Computing Space: Specifications Subject to Change."
  2. Clip 2 is the first group's presentation.
  3. Clip 3 is the second group's presentation. Click here to link to Microsoft's "PC Design Checklist for Windows XP."
  4. Clip 4 is the third group's presentation followed by Eric Flower's summary comments on the article and presentations.
  5. Clip 5 is an introduction to a high bandwidth demonstration.
  6. Clip 6 is the high bandwidth demonstration.

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Last revised May 8, 2001
Copyright 2001 Eric Flower