Module 2.7
Task 14 - Software


A.M.D.G.

The letter below was written by a Mr G Byrne, an art teacher, to a firm that sells computer hardware and software to meet customer requirements.

I am an art teacher in St Gerard's Secondary school. As well as my teaching duties I often sell pieces of my artwork and, about once a year, stage an exhibition.

I am considering investing in a computer to help me in a number of areas. Firstly I would use a computer for schoolwork. I plan to use the computer for preparing lesson plans, overheads, handouts etc. If I could record my students grades it would also be a great benefit.

My main reason for purchasing a computer is to help support my artwork. I would like to produce an online portfolio, i.e. I would like to make a simple website with images of my paintings. Then people must be able to contact me using email. A website design company would be too expensive and I would like to learn how to make my website, then I can easily update the site as I paint new works. Currently I have photographs of my best paintings and I have to send copies of these to prospective customers.

For my annual exhibition I currently pay a graphic designer to design posters, flyers and complimentary cards. It would significantly cut costs if I could design them myself on the computer and then simply pay for a professional printer. I am told these files, including high resolution scans take up a great deal of space on a disk – substantially more than a floppy disk can hold – please advise.

Finally, managing the financial aspects of my business could, I hope, be helped by the use of the computer. I have to declare all earnings to the taxman and like general help in budgeting, expenses, etc.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Complete the following in a Microsoft Word document.

1 - Analysis

Write a list of the main tasks that Mr Byrne needs his computer to carry out.

E.g. Mr Byrne needs to prepare lesson plans and handouts.

2 - Requirements

Write a list of any hardware or software requirements Mr Byrne will need to solve each of these tasks.

E.g. Mr Byrne will need a word processing package and a printer.

3 - Specification

Write a list giving possible options for each of these requirements.

E.g. Different word processing packages include MS Word, MS Works, Lotus Word Pro and Apple Works.

4 – Recommendation

Write a list giving your recommendation for each task, describe why you chose 1 option over the others.

E.g. I would recommend MS Works because it includes a word processor, spreadsheet and database and comes with wizards to help guide you through the process of producing documents. Ms Word is perhaps a more powerful word processor but Mr Byrne does not need the power of MS Word and it is more expensive. Apple Works is for the Apple Mac platform and our system is a PC, Lotus Word Pro is not as commonly used as MS Works so it would be harder to share files between computers.

5 – Costs

Write a detailed costing for a computer system and all software and hardware Mr Byrne would require.

MS Works Suite 2002: £89.99

Print and submit your word-processed report to your teacher.

You will be awarded up to 5 marks for each of the five questions. The grade you receive will be the grade for this module.