Module 1, Section 5.6 Exercise - Planning a Web Report

QUESTION: 'Plan for a Web report on the title 'Explain the influence of the research conducted at Xerox PARC on the modern day personal computer' (1500 words)

INTRODUCTION

Introduce Xerox PARC by answering the questions:

1. Who established Xerox PARC?
2. What was Xerox PARC? - explain concept of basic research
3. Why was it set up?
4. Where was it set up?
5. When was it set up? 1970.

MAIN BODY

Explain PARC's innovations and developments with reference to how they've been developed since the '70's:

1. GUI/WYSIWYG - Introduction of graphical user interface, utilising bitmapping technology and the mouse as an input device. Make reference to the Xerox Alto (1973) as the first machine to demonstrate these advances.Explain advantages of graphical interface over the old-style textual interface. Mention how the Xerox PARC GUI went on to influence MacOS and MS Windows, hence making computing more accessible.
2. ETHERNET - Explain Bob Metcalfe's vision of Ethernet, why it was first developed, how it developed into a networking protocol and how it is now relied upon as an efficient, quick and stable means of networking computers.
3. LASER PRINTING (1971) - Can be shared by multiple users. High quality, quick document reproduction.
4. WORKING PRACTICE:-Briefly demonstrate how Bob Taylor's flat management structure worked and influenced the organisational culture of the computer industry.

CONCLUSIONS

Importance of basic research in developing technologies.
Xerox didn't mass-produce these products, nor take suitable advantage of their innovations, although all the above technologies were later developed by external companies and are 'the norm' for modern computing.

DESIGN & STRUCTURAL ISSUES

NAVIGATION & STRUCTURE

A one-page document using links & anchors for different sections of report.
Navigation list at top of page to read:

• Introduction
• Graphical User Interfaces
• Ethernet
• Laser Printing
• Working Practices
• Conclusions

- with each of these linking to the relevant anchored section in the report proper. Have a 'Back to top' link at the foot of the page.

IMAGES FOR INCLUSION

EXTERNAL LINKS

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Last updated on Friday, 31-Oct-2003 09:29:55 GMT