Browser readers and screen readers

Check out Firevox, an extension of Forefox which provides the visually impaired access to the Internet to allow the contents of a browser screen be read back to the user. http://firevox.clcworld.net/

Narrator is a basic screen reader that is built into Windows Vista you might like to try out!

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsvista/narrator.aspx

Making sure links work every time

If your links aren’t working, it is highly likely that you have changed your folder structures and the placement of files. You will have fewer problems with your links if you use document-relative paths and not site root-relative paths.

The best way to ensure all links are working is to do the following:

Different types of transactions

A number of students are asking me about transaction types and what different types of transactions there are.

I thought I might start by giving you a definition in answer to your questions .

A transaction is an exchange of trade (goods and services), ideas or money between a website owner and a customer.

There are no hard and fast rules that will apply to all websites and you will need to study your chosen website in detail to see what types of transactions are on offer.The following is a brainstorm of the different types, but be careful …make sure the website under study includes them before you start writing about them!

* Sale/purchase of goods and / or services
* Return / exchange of goods and refunds
* Online methods of payment - EFT with credit card, debit card, Paypal
* Offline methods of payment (sending a cheque or bank draft or making a bank to bank funds transfer via web)
* Voucher processing e.g. Amazons (cashing in a gift)
* Loyalty card transaction (points in exchange for spending a certain amount)
* Terms of Service( seller supplies goods and services, buyer agrees to terms and conditions)
* Placing an order (intent to purchase)

We therefore need to ask ourselves a question, if placing a product in a wishlist is indeed a transaction since no exchange of commitment is made by either buyer or seller...

Perhaps you can think of more...

Coursework deadlines 2009-2010

Year 10 - AiDA
Eporfolio – 17 September
Initial Plan September 27
Questionnaire + Review – October 11
Spreadsheet + Review – November 9
Database + Review – December 13
Eportfolio – January 3
Leaflet + Review - January 24
Screensaver+ Review – February 21
Webpage + Review –March 28
Final Review – March 31

Year 11 - CiDA
Eportfolio – 17 September
Initial Plan - September 27
Proposal + Design Log – October 11
Gathering Graphics Elements / MM Assets – November 9
Product 1 + Review – December 13
Product 2 + Review - January 24
Product 3 + Review – February 21
Product 4 + Final Review –March 14


AS APPLIED ICT

WINTER TERM 2009 – Unit 2
Thursday 17 September: E-portfolio structure
Sunday 25 October: Transaction Website Evaluation
Sunday 1 November: Information and Data Flow Diagrams
Sunday 15 November: Data Protection
Sunday 6 December: Database
Sunday 13 December: Evaluation
Thursday 17 December: Unit 2 Final Deadline

SPRING TERM 2010 – Unit 1
Sunday 3 January: E-portfolio structure
Sunday 10 January: Online Services – Type 1
Sunday 17 January: Online Services – Type 2
Sunday 24 January: Online Services – Type 3
Sunday 30 January: Online Services – Type 4
Sunday 7 February: Online Services – Type 5
Sunday 21 February: Impact on Life
Sunday 28 March: Digital Divide
Sunday 18 April: Unit 1 Final Deadline

A2 APPLIED ICT

WINTER TERM 2009
Thursday 17 September: E-portfolio structures (Unit 8 & 10)
Sunday 27 September: Proposal for a multimedia product or a website (Unit 8)
Sunday 11 October: Functional Specification (Unit 10)
Sunday 9 November: Initial Design and Prototype (Unit 10)
Sunday 15 November: Detailed Project Plan (Unit 8)

SPRING TERM 2010
Sunday 3 January: Multimedia product or a website for an organisation (Unit 10)
Sunday 10 January: Instructions for Users (Unit 10)
Sunday 24 January: Formative and Summative Testing (Unit 10)
Sunday 7 February: Evaluations (Unit 8 & 10)
Sunday 21 February: Final Deadline for 2 e-portfolios and a multimedia product.