A homepage is a personal directory that typically provides a description of research interests, a scanned photo, a biographical sketch, and a limb to an on-line curriculum vital. Homepages are used by businesses, government agencies, universities, students, and other computer users. By producing a manual on how to create a homepage at UMBC, we intend to assist novice computer users in creating personal homepages with little or no difficulty.
The assignment of the research group was to provide all necessary information needed to create a homepage, conduct interviews, and assist the writing group in formulating a manual. First, we conducted personal interviews with several computer experts. From interviews, the research group learned a great deal about homepage, what homepages contain, HTML, and hints to create a homepage. Secondly, information on HTML and homepage creation was downloaded from the Internet. Other sources of valuable information included various computer magazines, company binders, and textbooks. Thirdly, an HTML manual was specifically located to help prepare and understand HTML, probably the most confusing aspect of creating a homepage. Finally, all the information located was summarized, making it easier for other groups to understand.
At this point of the project, the research group is on schedule. All necessary information has been obtained and dispersed to other groups. Additional information, which could entail more interviews and computer and library research, will be located as requested. It is also the responsibility of the research group to help the writing group to write and proofread the manual, and finally test and revise the completed manual. The testing and revision process is meticulously important in order to guarantee absolute accuracy of the manual.
The class project (a manual to create a home page at UMBC) is
progressing well; although, it is behind schedule in its entirety.
The primary difficulty our group encountered was the confusion in
the assignment of tasks among the various groups. This confusion
is believed to have risen from the lack of experience working with
large groups. Large groups tend to make working conditions more
difficult because of communication barriers. Functioning as one
big team has been difficult. For example, a minor conflict between
the research group and the writing group concerning the duties of
the research group occurred. the writing group had originally
presumed the duties of the research group to be the following:
gather all necessary information, conduct interviews, and write a
manual on how to create a homepage from the information obtained.
The responsibility of the writing group was to then take the
following manual and revise it. As a compromise, the following
duties were established for the research group: obtaining all
necessary information needed to create a homepage, conduct
interviews, provide information as requested, summarize the
obtained information, aid the writing group in writing and
proofreading the manual, and assist in testing and revising the
completed manual. While some minor conflicts occurred among the
groups, the research group has worked well with each other and will
continue to do so. Each person has contributed to the project,
even attending out-of-class group meetings.