Client Needs Analysis Essays

Client Needs Analysis Essays Client Needs Analysis Essay Client Needs Analysis Essay Name: Course: Lecturer: Date: Client Needs Analysis 1. Introduction Currently, learning goes on everyday and everywhere. However, the formal learning is evaluated through examination. Examinations require a lot of work, starting from issuing of the examination, marking and compiling results for the students. With the increase in number of students and amount of work going up, this becomes quite hard. However, with the advancement of information technology, examination can be done online and results marked immediately to produce the score as soon as possible. Therefore, examinations being part of the learning process where normally students sit for them in classes, with information technology they can be taken from anywhere, and instead of waiting for long before results are out, they can also be gotten immediately after examination is done. Thus, it shortens the time it takes to take an exam and get results. However, to do this, it requires a strong software and program to support the whole process. The testing system should be in a position to: maintain a stock of multiple choice questions as well as answers, identify students’ details, and randomly generate tests on any subject area. The system should also be in a position to take answers from the students to the tests issued and store them as well as mark the results and generate reports while it notifies students of their results. The system should also keep all record of he tests including re-sit tests and the results. The documentation of the above-described systems is as follows. 2. Documentation The online testing system is a web-based application, which can be modified as well as customized in accordance to needs of any education institution. The software is designed to conduct tests or examinations to students from teachers without having them in examination rooms, for examinations such as admission exams, and it is time efficient. It provides a fully automated web-based tests software, online registration of students, automated creations of random questions tests, and a centralized control for the administrator. The system works by maintaining details of each student and provides an option of editing details when necessary. Each student has a password for accessing answers sheet, results and tests. The password is stored in the database in an encrypted form (MD5 hash) and provides authentication through sessions. Students can apply for their examinations and tests through the internet. The applications are evaluated and admissions from the qualified students are sent back to them. The candidates register for the tests, and after taking them, they send them in to wait for results. The examiners issues the results after the tests are submitted, and send back the results. This is an aim to reduce costs of examinations as well as time taken for examinations, resulting in efficacy of taking examinations. 2.1. Features of the system The system has many features considering most of the operations and applications can be customized depending on each individual institution. The features of the product or the necessities provided by the system are as listed below access of the database from anywhere anytime A question database built specifically for issuing tests and examinations, where the exams can be timed or un-timed. This requires one to answer questions within a specified time for the timed questions. an easy to navigate exam formatted database Administrators can upload questions to the database any time from anywhere The database generates the examinations automatically and randomly depending on student selection There is an option for editing, deleting or even re-using the tests whenever needed. study materials can be uploaded by the administrator for reference by the students students are in a position to view their results online through their passwords it offers a discussion boars for students to discuss issues and challenges Administrators are able to maintain blogs that can regularly update students on new studies as well as issues to look out. Students can post their questions on the blogs for the teachers to respond. This can also be posted to the discussion board for other students to contribute. Quantitative data can be gotten from the results since compiling and deriving graphs is easier, and any trend can be noted. The graphs can be for certain purposes such as showing how many students passed in the individual assessments, number of students passing in topical tests among others. It can offer an analysis through different parameters or even combine several parameters to make an analysis of students by the administrators. 2.2. Users This system is meant for students as the biggest user and the teachers, educators, and administrators. Students use the system for taking tests that otherwise would have to be taken in class or in examination rooms. The students will need to have access to the internet and have profiles in the database through which to access the examinations. The teachers on the other hand are the ones to upload the questions and answers to the database. They also require good skills in computers and languages in order to post what students can understand. Administrators and educators can use the system in the same way. The users of this system are not required to have technical knowledge of the system since all that is required is uploading and accessing information for the teachers and students. 2.3. Environment of Operation To make it possible to access the database from anywhere, it will require the system to run on the web, meaning users will access it using their browsers such as the Mozilla Firefox. Therefore, the system should be capable of running from any remote device of students or teachers using connection to the internet. However, this will be dependent on where the data is stored, whether in a local server, or external server. For a local server, the program will be run through a local machine that all can have access. However, for an external one, it will require using the browser. It will also be through ASP.Net, the 3.5 HTML versions together with JavaScript. The software can run by the Pentium 4 2.4 GHz hardware, with Windows Vista, or nay other compatible Windows such as SQL server 2008 Express Edition to be used as the database system while the development environment can be the 2008 visual studio. This can be used together with an inbuilt Microsoft Internet Information Services server in the whole process. 2.4. System requirements The interface of the external server can be designed using standard tools of the 2008 Microsoft Visual Studio Professional Edition. Macromedia Flash components contained in some interfaces could also be used, as well as message boxes where error messages can be shown. The hardware has also its requirements in order for the system to work with ease as listed below. there has to be a CPU, Central Processing Unit contained in a personal computer or a laptop, which is internal. A monitor for the CPU has to be present to show the information gotten by the computer. There has to be a keyboard and a mouse used for entering data and highlighting specific places on the monitor to issue commands to the computer. A printer could also be needed in case one needed to keep record of their results. Any printer as long as it is compatible with the computer in use it is okay. The other requirements are the software ones, which include the Microsoft Windows software, which could either be he 95, 98, XP Vista, and all the OS Microsoft windows. The system is compatible with most of the Microsoft software programs. The other software requirement is the ASP.Net. In addition, for the system, to work it requires some communication software, which can be the World Wide Web browsers, such as the Mozilla, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Opera among others that are available. In addition to this, SMTP server and LAN Connection is required There are some non-functional requirements for the system that are designed to ensure quality and efficiency among the users. One of them is the performance requirement that requires the system to be capable of allowing access to its users, and synchronizing each user’s information with the database. Other requirements include security, where the system is supposed to ensure that only those with access can have access to the database, and no students can access the results of another student.

Major General John B. Gordon, American Civil War

Major General John B. Gordon, American Civil War The son of a prominent minister in Upson County, GA, John Brown Gordon was born February 6, 1832. At a young age, he moved with his family to Walker County where his father had purchased a coal mine. Educated locally, he later attended the University of Georgia. Though a strong student, Gordon inexplicably left school before graduating. Moving to Atlanta, he read law and entered the bar in 1854. While in the city, he married Rebecca Haralson, daughter of Congressman Hugh A. Haralson. Unable to attract clients in Atlanta, Gordon moved north to oversee his fathers mining interests. He was in this position when the Civil War began in April 1861. Early Career A supporter of the Confederate cause, Gordon quickly raised a company of mountaineers known as the Raccoon Roughs. In May 1861, this company was incorporated into the 6th Alabama Infantry Regiment with Gordon as its captain. Though lacking any formal military training, Gordon was promoted to major a short time later. Initially sent to Corinth, MS, the regiment was later ordered to Virginia. While on the field for the First Battle of Bull Run that July, it saw little action. Showing himself to be an able officer, Gordon was given command of the regiment in April 1862 and promoted to colonel. This coincided with a shift south to oppose Major General George B. McClellans Peninsula Campaign. The following month, he ably led the regiment during the Battle of Seven Pines outside Richmond, VA. In late June, Gordon returned to combat as General Robert E. Lee began the Seven Days Battles. Striking at Union forces, Gordon quickly established a reputation for fearlessness in battle. On July 1, a Union bullet wounded him in the head during the Battle of Malvern Hill. Recovering, he rejoined the army in time for the Maryland Campaign that September. Serving in Brigadier General Robert Rodes brigade, Gordon aided in holding a key sunken road (Bloody Lane) during the Battle of Antietam on September 17. In the course of the fighting, he was wounded five times. Finally brought down by a bullet that passed through his left cheek and out his jaw, he collapsed with his face in his cap. Gordon later related that he would have drowned in his own blood had there not been a bullet hole in his hat. A Rising Star For his performance, Gordon was promoted to brigadier general in November 1862 and, following his recovery, given command of a brigade in Major General Jubal Earlys division in Lieutenant General Thomas Stonewall Jacksons Second Corps. In this role, he saw action near Fredericksburg and Salem Church during the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863. With Jacksons death following the Confederate victory, command of his corps passed to Lieutenant General Richard Ewell. Spearheading Lees subsequent advance north into Pennsylvania, Gordons brigade reached the Susquehanna River at Wrightsville on June 28. Here they were prevented from crossing the river by Pennsylvania militia which burned the towns railroad bridge. Gordons advance to Wrightsville marked the easternmost penetration of Pennsylvania during the campaign. With his army strung out, Lee ordered his men to concentrate at Cashtown, PA. As this movement was in progress, fighting began at Gettysburg between troops led by Lieutenant General A.P. Hill and Union cavalry under Brigadier General John Buford. As the battle grew in size, Gordon, and the rest of Earlys Division approached Gettysburg from the north. Deploying for battle on July 1, his brigade attacked and routed Brigadier General Francis Barlows division on Blochers Knoll. The next day, Gordons brigade supported an attack against the Union position on East Cemetery Hill but did not take part in the fighting. The Overland Campaign Following the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg, Gordons brigade retired south with the army. That fall, he participated in the inconclusive Bristoe and Mine Run Campaigns. With the beginning of Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grants Overland Campaign in May 1864, Gordons brigade took part in the Battle of the Wilderness. In the course of the fighting, his men pushed the enemy back at Saunders Field as well as launched a successful attack on the Union right. Recognizing Gordons skill, Lee elevated him to lead Earlys division as part of a larger reorganization of the army. Fighting recommenced a few days later at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. On May 12, Union forces launched a massive assault on the Mule Shoe Salient. With Union forces overwhelming the Confederate defenders, Gordon rushed his men forward in an attempt to restore the situation and stabilize the lines. As the battle raged, he ordered Lee to the rear as the iconic Confederate leader attempted to personally lead an attack forward. For his efforts, Gordon was promoted to major general on May 14. As Union forces continued to push south, Gordon led his men at the Battle of Cold Harbor in early June. After inflicting a bloody defeat on the Union troops, Lee instructed Early, now leading the Second Corps, to take his men to the Shenandoah Valley in an effort to draw off some Union forces. Marching with Early, Gordon took part the advance down the Valley and the victory at the Battle of Monocacy in Maryland. After menacing Washington, DC and forcing Grant to detach forces to counter his operations, Early withdrew to the Valley where he won the Second Battle of Kernstown in late July. Tired of Earlys depredations, Grant sent Major General Philip Sheridan to the Valley with a large force. Attacking up (south) the Valley, Sheridan clashed with Early and Gordon at Winchester on September 19 and soundly defeated the Confederates. Retreating south, the Confederates were defeated again two days later at Fishers Hill. Attempting to recover the situation, Early and Gordon launched a surprise attack on Union forces at Cedar Creek on October 19. Despite initial success, they were badly defeated when Union forces rallied. Rejoining Lee at the Siege of Petersburg, Gordon was placed in command of the remnants of the Second Corps in December 20. Final Actions As the winter progressed, the Confederate position at Petersburg became desperate as Union strength continued to grow. Needing to force Grant to contract his lines and wanting to disrupt a potential Union assault, Lee asked Gordon to plan an attack on the enemys position. Staging from Colquitts Salient, Gordon intended to assault Fort Stedman with the goal of driving east towards the Union supply base at City Point. Moving forward at 4:15 AM on March 25, 1865, his troops were able to quickly take the fort and open a 1,000-foot breach in the Union lines. Despite this initial success, Union reinforcements quickly sealed the breach and by 7:30 AM Gordons attack had been contained. Counterattacking, Union troops forced Gordon to fall back to the Confederate lines. With the Confederate defeat at Five Forks on April 1, Lees position at Petersburg became untenable. Coming under attack from Grant on April 2, Confederate troops began retreating west with Gordons corps acting as a rearguard. On April 6, Gordons corps was part of a Confederate force that was defeated at the Battle of Saylers Creek. Retreating further, his men ultimately arrived at Appomattox. On the morning of April 9, Lee, hoping to reach Lynchburg, asked Gordon to clear Union forces from their line of advance. Attacking, Gordons men pushed back the first Union troops they encountered but were halted by the arrival of two enemy corps. With his men outnumbered and spent, he requested reinforcements from Lee. Lacking additional men, Lee concluded that he had no choice but to surrender. The afternoon, he met with Grant and surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia. Later Life Returning to Georgia after the war, Gordon unsuccessfully campaigned for governor in 1868 on a staunch anti-Reconstruction platform. Defeated, he achieved public office in 1872 when he was elected to the US Senate. Over the next fifteen years, Gordon served two stints in the Senate as well as a term as Governor of Georgia. In 1890, he became the first Commander-in-Chief of the United Confederate Veterans and later published his memoirs, Reminiscences of the Civil War in 1903. Gordon died at Miami, FL on January 9, 1904, and was buried at Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta. Selected Sources Civil War: John B. GordonNew Georgia Encyclopedia: John B. GordonCivil War Trust: John B. Gordon