Some Practical Flashcards
Why does an organisation needs a consistent house style?
House style refers to a company’s method of presentation of documents and other forms of communicating information. Companies should be easily recognised. Many are recognised instantly by their logo. Different people can work on parts of the same document knowing it will be formatted the same.
What are master documents/slide?
In presentation software, a master slide means a team of people can work on the same presentation separately.
What do master slides show?
The theme to be used for the presentation, the position of any graphics to be shown on each slide (like a logo), the position of any info which must appear on each slide such as the date. It also controls text formatting.
What is a master document?
In a word processing package, a master document is a collection or set of separate files or sub documents. A master document can be used to set up and managed a multipart document such as a book or something has several sections/chapters. It can make a long document split into smaller manageable section, known as sub documents. So several different people can work on a document and still maintain a consistent house style.
What are style sheets?
A style sheet is similar to a template. They change complete documents.
Advantages of style sheets?
All company documents are produced to a consistent house style. Different people can work on the same documents with the end results being consistent.
Disadvantages of style sheets?
All documents can end up looking the same, it is harder to tailor documents to the required need and designers need to be paid to develop a corporate style.
What are templates?
A template provides standard preset layouts and formats. For example, in a word processing package a template will determine the basic structure and settings of a document.
Name 4 things that a template can control:
Character formatting (font size, colour, type), page formatting (margins, size, layout), text insert (standard words, date, time), graphics inserts (standard logo, position).
What are the two ways to import/export files between standard applications with no common format.
- Package A can save the file in Package B’s format.
- The file should be saved to a different format common to both A and B. One that A can export (Save) and B can import (Open).
What are some needs of different users of standard application software?
A secretary will be working with many different people and many documents so will want a wide range of fonts, a spelling and grammar checking facility and templates. A translator will want a language specific dictionary with the ability to insert specialist characters.
What are the two main types of modelling software?
Modelling of objects and mathematical modelling.
What is the modelling of objects?
Computer models allows you to create a virtual representation of the items within a computer. You can model large items such as buildings and look at the effect on them from different external influences. (Fire, earthquakes). You can zoom in to components (such as a bolt on a car) and see how they will react to different things.
Why would you model an object?
To change components and see how they react. Move items and try different designs. The effect can be gauged at the touch of a button without having to take the risk of building the real thing.
What is mathematical modelling?
Finance is commonly modelled with spreadsheets. They are based on a layout of rows and columns. This allows items to be laid out in a logical and easy to follow format.
What is replication in mathematical modelling?
This is the copying of a cell horizontally or vertically. The value of the cell can be extended outwards. If the value is an item in a list, the next item in the list can be given in the next cell, such as day of the week. Formulae can also be copied.
What are ‘What if…?’ questions?
They allow a user to change values and see what the effect would be on end results. An alternative method of asking questions is to start with the result and to see what would need to happen for that result to occur. This is known as goal seeking. It requires a value to be changed so other values are recalculated.
V_______ and C________?
Variables and constants.
What are variables?
A variable is a changeable value that is entered into a cell that is then used in a formula. It can be changed by a user when required which will lead to a recalculation of the figures based on that variable.
What are variables?
A variable is a changeable value that is entered into a cell that is then used in a formula. It can be changed by a user when required which will lead to a recalculation of the figures based on that variable.
What are constants?
Constants are values which are used in formulae but can’t be changed by the user. VAT rate (17.5%) is an example of a constant.
NOTE:
You can rename cells. So C10 could become VAT_RATE if needed, which may make it easier for you to understand later.
Why is computer modelling used?
It is safer, cheaper and less risky to test a model of a design instead of creating it in reality. You only need to create one model as it can be altered and changed, instead of creating a new one in reality for each alteration. A computer model is also stored electronically which has its own advantages.
What are the four main characteristics of a model?
Variables, formulae, rules and functions.
Describe variables.
A variable is an identifier associated with a particular cell. Within the cell there will be a value. The variable could be a cell reference, like D4. When the variable is used in a spreadsheet, it is the value contained within the variable that is used.
Describe formulae.
A formula is the way that a calculation is represented in a spreadsheet. Formulae use numbers, addresses or cells and mathematical operators ( + / * - ). An example would be A12+(A12*VAT_RATE).
Advantages of using a spreadsheet to create and run simulations:
‘What if?’ questions can be asked without the need to rebuild a model each time. Automatic recalculation if one change is made to a variable. Graphs can be produced. The model can be saved and backed up. Electronic. No additional software is required, spreadsheets are standard applications. Only one model needs to be built. It is safer to do it on a computer (testing a ship in a storm).
Disadvantages of using a spreadsheet to create and run simulations:
The model may not be a 100% accurate representation due to unforeseen complications. Many variables need to be considered and it is easy to miss things out, thus misleading results. Time consuming and you need the knowledge.
