Progress update (finally)

So I have delivered my "progress update" speech. In terms of the practical I have completed all the contact managment and authenication stuff, and are looking at the actual booking side of things right now.

Software as a Service Essay

Here is a link to my Software as a Service essay.

Work Experience Week

This week I have been undertaking work experience at Gen-i Napier. Here is a bried outline of what I got up to:

• Monday: At a client site observing tech support in full swing - answering e-mails and phone calls and working with an online support request tracking system. I also checked out some old hardware to see if it was working or not
• Tuesday: Helped build a new desktop PC for a client - setting up XP and migrating user data and settings across
• Wednesday: Had a play with SharePoint and watched a Citrix install - had a discussion and got a feel for what Citrix can do and is used for
• Thursday: In the sales department. Sold a laptop and got up to speed with the product database and quoting system
• Friday: Again in sales, did some more quotes, today for a terminal server. Also checked out the CBT Nuggets video series for window Vista

Thanks to all the staff who accomodate me over the week. I had a great time.

April Progress update

So far I have been working on my software developement cycle - then plan for the process I will use for my developement. I have also create a form that users are filling in their information so I will have a database table of information at hand when I roll out my application - usernames and passwords and all the contact details etc.

An Update (at last)

So I have asked Daniel to be my official mentor and he has accepted. He gave me some pointers in the software developement lifecycle and I will most likely be using the waterfall method, which has steps in the project where the output from each step becomes the input of the next step, much like a waterfall.

I have a the progress report due in Friday, and I need to get going making a plan for my developement lifecycle so I can finally start work. Daniel has offered me the use of an initial framework for database apps, with things like object-orientated database abstraction layers and user authentication and other useful things which will be a great starting point.

Thats all for now.

Project Proposal

Class 12 Project Proposal - Rene Bartosh

Background

For many years my family has owned a share in a small private ski lodge (40 shareholders) in the town of Ohakune. For many of those years my parents have been the "booking officers" for the lodge. This has involved members telephoning to book and us recording their bookings on a paper-based system. They also have to telephone us again on a Thursday night to confirm bookings and check if any amendmants have been made. As dad works on a Thursday night, I often have to take or confirm these bookings.

About a year ago we were asked if we could take bookings via e-mail, but as this is an ineffective and unsuitable system to use for this purpose, we said this would not be possible. I then figured that the only way to make this work would be if it was web-based, with members being able to make the bookings themselves and us as the booking officers able to confirm these and re-shuffle if needed. At the same time, we could eliminate the confusing system of people filling out a form for payment. With a fully automated electronic system, we could generate invoices automatically and send them via e-mail, minimising costs.

Practical

Goals:

1. To create a web-based booking and billing system for a small private ski lodge my family are members in.
2. To gain the skills required to undertake goal 1, including but not limited to application design, planning and project management, database design (MySQL), web programming (PHP) and basic web design (XHTML/CSS)

At this stage I plan to implement to following features in the booking system:

Core features:

* Bookings based on room number, dates and member name

* Record number of members and guests staying (seperately, as per tax requirements)

* User/pass-based authentication system, or it could be based on access key code if that is easier. The same ID can be used as a reference for electronic payments

* Keep member database/addressbook up-to-date electronically, this is tied into authentication data in the database table

Finance features:

* On a set day of the week generate invoices from all bookings for that week and e-mail them to members. Record invoice in database against member

* Ability to check-off payments against member from internet banking, cheque etc.

* Block bookings from members with outstanding payments

Theoretical

1. An account of the process undertaken for my practical component
2. Background history on the Internet, the World Wide web and associated techonologies
3. A look at how these "disruptive" technologies have changed our lives and the way we entertain and inform ourselves, communicate, manage our lives and conduct business.
4. My predictions on what emerging technologies will have a significant inpact in the next 10 years

Steps Already Taken

1. I have attended the AGM for the ski lodge and they have acknowledged my proposal to investigate an electronic booking and billing system.
2. Talked with Mr. Stonehouse, he has agreed to be my supervisor.
3. Discussed the project with two friends of mine, Daniel Faulknor (student from Taradale High School who is starting a Bachelor of Computing Systems at EIT next year) and Steven Gilberd (an ex-student from Raphael House). They have both designed and built web applications using the methods I wish to utilise and have agreed to assist me with my project. It is good to have an ex-Steiner student (Steve) to help me as he has an understanding of the Class 12 project having completed one himself.
4. Started a blog (online journal) to keep a track of my progress, for both me and those assisting me.

Next Steps

1. Find an advisor, a local professional in the web application developement field, who is prepared to help me with designing and planning my developement project, and to assist me along the way
2. To buy or borrow books on the topics I need to learn (PHP, MySQL, project management and planning etc)
3. To begin to plan and design the application with Steve, Dan and my advisors help
4. To extend on my limited existing knowlege by beginning to work on my practical.

Ideas on features

Just come home from the AGM. I have some ideas re: features now.

Core features:

• Bookings based on room number, dates and member name
• Record number of members and guests staying (seperately, as per tax requirements)
• User/pass-based authentication system, or it could be based on access key code if that is easier. The same ID can be used as a reference for electronic payments
• Keep member database/addressbook up-to-date electronically, this is tied into authentication data in the database table
  

Finance features:

• On a set day of the week generate invoices from all bookings for that week and e-mail them to members. Record invoice in database against member
• Ability to check-off payments against member from internet banking, cheque etc.
• Block bookings from members with outstanding payments

That's all I can think of now, will add more things as I think of them.