Development Blog

Organisational Security Systems

I have created a presentation for the third task for this subject on countermeasures to security breaches. The presentation went well and I feel I covered everything that needed to be covered to a good standard.

Key Skills

Since my last blog entry I have been gathering holiday details from various websites with the aim of creating a database. This is something I have not had to do before and although I have used Access before I have never been set a task like this.

Website Design and Management

We have been looking into Java Script and CSS and the various layers which form a well layered website. I have had some practise at creating websites with the content separate form the presentation.

Software Development and Programming

I have continued practise making programs within visual basic as well as starting task 2 of the assignment which looks at the different features of visual basic and uses previous programs created as examples of these features

Communications and Employability Skills

Since last time we have spent some lessons catching up on work as well as doing a few new tasks of the assignment such as communication barriers which is about how people communicate in different ways and how messages can become misinterpreted.

Computer Systems

Since the last blog I have had several tasks set. The first of which asked for explanations of the various components within a computer, their functions and how they work. This offered me a better insight into the working of each piece of hardware used in a computer. The other task was set on operating systems, this proved more difficult to complete but left me understanding several operating systems features better.

Advanced Database Skills

Lately we have been doing more practical work during lessons consisting of putting in different validation rules for pieces of data within a database. I have also completed task 1 which consisted of an entity relationship diagram as well as a data dictionary.

Networking

Since the last blog we have taken a few more tests which I have been improving at. Within the lesson itself I have learnt about different cable types, connectors, layer 2 devices and MAC addresses. We also had a go at creating and addressing our own network by using Packet Tracer.

Organisation Security Systems

Within this lesson I have learned about the various forms of attacks that can be launched against both home and business computers. I have also learned some of the ways in which these attacks can be defended against.

Key Skills

I have learnt more about the workings of Excel, Word and Access than I previously knew before. For instance I had not had much practise at IF functions with Excel which I now feel I am fairly proficient at. Although I already knew most of what was involved with studying Word again it was helpful to go over it as a reminder. Finally Access was the one I had touched on least since I have been using computers so this was beneficial to me to get used to seeing how it worked.

Website Design and Management

Previous to this lesson I had never created a website using either plain old HTML in notepad or ever used Dreamweaver. This being so almost everything done within this lesson has been new to me and I think I am starting to get to grips with the basics of making a simple website.

Software Development/ Programming

This lesson has been another new one to me, having only ever heard of Visual Basic before I had never actually used it. I feel I can now write some basic code involving multiple choices, pictures and different consequences for doing different things with the program.

Communications and Employability Skills

This subject is the cause of this blog in the first place. It has helped to cause me to think about what I have learned as well as how I could improve in certain areas. The lessons are becoming more interesting as we go along.

Computer Systems

This is probably the subject I have found most interesting as it has dealt with the changes in computers over the years, how hardware devices interact with one another and what each one does by itself as well as other interesting things about computers. Even though its last thing on a Friday I do look forward to this lesson which is an odd thing!

Advanced Database Skills

So far most of this has been theory with little work done on the computers, however I have learnt about such things as primary keys, foreign keys, relationship diagrams and so on. We have started doing more practical work during lessons so it has become more interesting.

Networking

Probably the hardest of all the subjects, I sat confused through a fair number of the lessons although now I feel I’m beginning to understand better the topics being covered. I have learned about the different protocols used during the transfer of data, IP addresses, subnet masks etc.

Much of what I have been studying has been new to me and I can see a lot of what we are learning to be useful not just from a job perspective but also to help with things at home.

During this first entry I will begin by explaining what exactly a blog is, as well as some background information about where they come from and the advantages and disadvantages of using blogs.

A blog is essentially an online diary that is updated by the blogger and viewable by all or by other bloggers. Unlike a normal diary this is not necessarily a persons thoughts, feelings and reflection on their own life but can be about anything, ranging from peoples thoughts on politics, personal interests, world events an so on. Blogs allow for other people to leave comments and give their own opinion on what ever subject is being discussed on the blog. This interactivity opens up opportunities for people to share ideas, opinions and rumours. A blog is made up of entries that may each cover a new topic which can then be commented on by other people.

This freedom of use by anyone has various advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:
By using blogs people who previously may have had trouble voicing their opinions and thoughts now have the opportunity to, as well as this they are also able to see a more varied mix of other peoples perspectives and views. Blogs are also relatively easy to set up and can be done by anyone with the internet allowing more and more people to spend their time discussing things with people they probably would never meet. On top of this blogs are quite cheap, if they cost any money at all.

Disadvantages:
For all the freedom available there is a price. Allowing other people to know what you feel about certain subjects opens you up for attack by other people. Personal attacks made on your character could be attempted for example, to tempt people into forming an opinion of you. In a less secure society it could even be dangerous to those posting on a blog if the blog contains information/views/opinions that someone doesn’t like. Questioning politics in certain countries for instance could be dangerous for all those attributed with the blog.