LSC 508
Database Project Report
March 2004
Following Dr. Carsonís lesson on databases:
Annotation Database (ADB) was designed for the students taking LSC 508.Each student will be managing his/her own database and the instructor of course Dr. Carson, will have the overall say in the project.
I plugged in the potential number of students using the system in the next five years to be
375 students. (3 semesters x 5 years =15 x 25 students=375 students). This database could be used by others if need be.
What?
The database has annotations listed in table format.
I used my ten annotations as an example, to show the potential of 375 students doing fifteen annotations each, for the database analysis over the five-year period.
When?
The database will be complete after five years is up. We started this course in Spring 2004 at URI and it will finish (theoretically) in the Spring 2009. Because information will be added during three different semesters per year, the upkeep will have to be with each individual class. There is a potential for 5,625 annotations to be banked into the database (this is the maximum number of annotations if 25 students per semester enroll in LSC 508). The student information would not be accessible without the permission of that student due to privacy and ethical reasons and therefore not included in this database.
But if it were; it would have the name of each student (Last, First, MI), Street Address, City, State, Zip Code, Home phone, Cell Phone, Date, and an ID Code. That way, students could access the files with a safe code or a PIN#.
Where?
The database will be on my computer at my office at the Island Free Library, and will be accessible through my web page at WebCT. I used Microsoft Works Database from Office Suite 2000. This program requires hard disk space of 10-18MB. I would not recommend this program, as it was difficult to maneuver. However, I did not have access to more expensive software. The Island Free Library will soon be upgrading their hardware as well as software by the year 2005. My ADC office computer has a potential of using 37.2 GB of space on the local hard drive, which is still free for use. This space allows the running of my database until 2009 (if system is not replaced). The computer has 90% of its local hard drive still accessible. So as you can see the computer can handle this database project.
Input Requirements and Data Definitions:
Data collected within each field is < 10 bytes.
A total record (annotation) is approximately 2.45 bytes.
36.75 KB x 25 students x 5 years =4593.75 KB or 4.6 MB.
The total size of the DB would not exceed 4.6 MB (Over the five-year period)
262 MB RAM on ADC Computer in office.
Why?
The use of the database will be a great way for students to keep up with journals researched through other colleagues at URI and elsewhere.(i.e.) Worcester Campus. By reading an annotation, all students will have the potential of thousands of articles and information at their fingertips. I was going to put a field in for ìtopicî, but most journal titles give the reader a clue as to what the article is about.
If a student database were created, students could use the database for networking ideas and the latest information technology breakthroughs. Students may want create a mailing list to network a job offering etc. There are many possibilities.
I plan on using a more adequate software program to keep a running database of a new graphic novel section for YAís at the Island Free Library; hopefully it will be in the upgrade in 2005. I think ìAccessî or ìFile Maker Proî (something with a ìwizard formatî) may have made this project slightly easier to tackle.
Who?