Research / Library Databases Project - Due 3/3 but please complete research by 2/17

Write a report specifying a system with a printer and monitor for yourself. The system should be tailored to your needs including school, work, hobby and entertainment needs. List the major software packages you will need and their requirements. Create a table listing the components in the system you will buy. Explain why you chose the processor and printer you chose, and mention an alternate processor and printer technology you rejected. Explain why you chose the hard drive and RAM sizes that you chose.

The formatting is very important, with a cover page, table of contents page with a page number of "i"and a report body with page numbers starting at one and a header on each page. It also needs a bibliography. It is okay to also use product web sites.

Here is a sample in word and another sample in html without the page numbers.

Specific format:

• Cover page with your name, date and the course (CSC170)
• Table of Contents page (computer generated) with a page number of "i"in the footer and the name of your report in the header.
• Report Body with page numbers starting with 1 in the footer. The footer also needs the date and filename. The name of your report will be in the header.
• Scenario description
• Describe yourself including school, work, hobby and entertainment needs.
• Major software packages you will need and their requirements.
• Table of components in your ideal PC (inside a word table with borders)
  • indicate laptop or desktop
  • Computer manufacturer
  • Computer model name or number
  • warrantee
  • ethernet ports
  • USB ports (how many)
  • Firewire ports
  • Wireless card
  • system protection software (anti-virus; anti-adware)
  • graphics card
  • operating system
  • backup device
  • monitor (include resolution and size)
  • RAM (include type, size)
  • Hard Drive (include type, size)
  • processor (include company, model and speed)
  • printer (include type, and memory)
  • optical storage
  • Other items that are important to you
• Section on processor explaining why you chose one and rejected another.
  • Why choose Intel Pentium Dual Core; Intel Dual-Core; Intel Core 2 Duo; Intel Core 2 Quad; Intel Celeron; Athlon 64 X2 not Dual Core; AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core; AMD Phenom (Explain why you rejected one of these and chose another. Be sure to include an explanation of the differences between the two.)
    • latest processors AMD vs Intel (March 2008)
    • Intel core and AMD Athlon X2
    • processors before Intel core and AMD Athlon X2
    • more processors before Intel core and AMD Athlon X2
    • Intel core duo vs. Intel Core 2 Duo
    • FYI : AMD suing Intel
• Section on printer explaining why you chose one and rejected another
  • Why choose ink jet, laser, thermal transfer (solid ink) or other? (Explain why you rejected one of these and chose another. Be sure to include an explanation of the differences between the two.) Why choose one other feature, such as the particular memory size or a card reader? (Click Here to learn basics about printers)
• Section on hard drive and RAM size
  • Why did you need that hard drive size? (If you are interested in a RAID hard drive system: Click Here to learn about RAID ; If you are interested in a hard drive with a free-fall sensor for your laptop, see here.)
  • Why did you need that RAM size?
• Note: No conclusion needed
• Bibliography

* Each section (the scenario, table of components, processor, printer, hard drive and RAM size, and bibliography) should be listed in the Table of Contents.

For help with formatting header, footer and creating table of contents, see: paginating.htm

For formatting of the bibliography, use http://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.php to format your citations. Be sure to indicate that the source was electronic.

Recommended databases (but not required):

• EbscoHost - and choose the following databases:
  • General Science Collection
  • Master File select (helpful to search by subject first)
  • Science Reference Center
• ProQuest Research Library
• LexisNexis Academic
• Business & Company Resource Center - search for articles using subject guide
• Business Source Premier
• MasterFILE Select - helpful to search by subject first

Some recommended magazines:

• Computerworld
• Creative computing
• Home office computing
• Macworld
• PC magazine
• PC world
• PCNetter newsletter
• InfoWorld

Help with technical terms:

• www.webopedia.com
• www.hyperdictionary.com

Grading:

• Grammar - 10%
• Complete and reasonable system definition - 20%
• Research quality & logical argument for chosen components -40%
• Formatting - 30%
1. table
2. cover page with no header or footer
3. table of contents with "i" at bottom
4. report body with header and start at 1 with date and filename
5. table of contents automatically generated