CPS 109: Spring 98 Projects

1. Inventory and Documentation Database

   • Client: Joe Shamblin, Director, Computer Science Computing Lab
   • Motivation:
     The CS department is currently using an outdated system to keep track of the machines and documentation in the department. We would like to setup up an interface on the web to a back-end database that will allow us to easily track these items.
     
   • Project Description
     The project would involve setting up a relational database using MYSQL, a free SQL database. The database would hold records for the configuration, location, and hardware of each machine. The web interface would need to allow updates of this information stored in the database, as well as searches for specific information. We also have a need for a similar database to keep track of all of the programs installed on the CS systems.
   
   

2. Analysis of CS Administrative Processes and Some Fixes

   • Client: Tina Gaither, Fiscal Specialist, Computer Science, Duke University
   • Motivation
     There are a number of administrative computing processes in the Computer Science Department. Some of these take place on different platforms with various incompatibilities. Macs, Windows based, and Unix based machines are all in use. Often, when information needs to go from one system to the other, it is re-keyed, with attendant inefficiencies and chances for error. It would seem that there is much room for improvement.
   • Project Description
     This project would be unusual in that it would start with a two or three week analysis phase in which the team would study current procedures and then make a report with suggestions for improvement.

     The second phase would then consist of implementing one or more of the recommendations in the report. The team addressing this project should include at least one member with expertise in use of the Mac and one with Windows experience. (Unix is assumed...)

   
   

3. Processing of Library Reserves

   • Client: Tom Clark, Head of Circulation, Duke Divinity School Library
   • Motivation
     Currently, information about each requested item is typed or handwritten on a list and presented to the library. Here it is re-typed as the items are searched, re-typed yet again to be organized for retrieval from the shelves, entered into the library's reserve room system, and finally, exported to one database for paper display and another for display on the web. A tremendous amount of repetitive work with its attendant risk of imprecision could be saved.
   • Project Description
     This project involves a primary database of library items (1500 maximum) to be placed on academic reserve during a given semester. The database would be created from a web page, supplemented later through the webface in different ways by 2 or more different remote operators and then displayed in two or more different ways, at least one of them a web page. In addition to the web pages, the system should be capable of producing three or more different reports, sorted on up to 5 different fields (of up to 13 total fields for each record), archiving the current semester's records by date and entering a specified list of barcodes--the result of a query into another database--into a separate existing database system. A possible system could:
     1. establish one database with the first round of entry,
     2. facilitate the process of supplementing it as another database is consulted,
     3. automate the item's entry into the library's catalog,
     4. produce reports tailored to the needs of two or three agencies, and
     5. save the result for reference by all users for future semesters.
     A flow chart of this proposed procedure is available.
   
   

4. Beaded Jewelry Business Inventory System

   • Client: Lenore Ramm, Duke University
   • Motivation
     In addition to being a student, I run a small personal business making beaded jewelry. Record keeping is now done on a public domain UNIX based spread sheet. Inventory of both beads and made-up pieces is kept in that form. The price for each made-up piece (earrings, bracelet, or necklace) is also computed on the spread sheet and goes to the inventory file.
   • Project Description
     I would like to have a an inventory database program with a GUI interface that will keep track of materials as well as manufactured products using those materials. Specifically, this would be for jewelry parts (beads) and jewelry. The files currently contain information such as weights, and cost for a certain quantity, cost per bead, which is used to calculate the costs of materials in a made-up piece. This, in turn, with labor costs is used to computer the retail price. For tax purposes, inventories of both the made-up pieces and the raw materials must be kept. This program would need to be able to read (and/or convert) files created using the unix program ssc. It should also be able to be used for pricing jewelry based on materials and the quantities of those materials used.
   
   

5. Beaded Jewelry Design Drawing System

   • Client: Lenore Ramm, Duke University
   • Motivation
     (First, see previous project for introduction.) I currently keep track of my jewelry designs by making sketches by hand. Since there is much repetition (how many times do you want to draw a bead?), it seems that there is much room for automation. Also, the current drawings are becoming pretty shopworn. A computer based system would allow a fresh printout when needed.
   • Project Description
     I would like to have a graphics program that would allow one to design jewelry using basic bead shapes and a representation for wire. (possibly curved lines in addition to straight ones.) There should be a standard repertoire of bead shapes, but ideally the user should be able to design new bead components. For designing necklaces, it would be nice to be able to place the beads along a parabolic line to represent the shape of a necklace, aligning the axis of each bead with that line.
   
   

6. Java Based Presentation Software

   • Client: Dr. Gershon Kedem, Department of Computer Science
   • Motivation
     Right now presentation software like MS power-point and Adobe's Persuasion do not interact well with the Web. These products are stand-alone, hard to use and do not take advantage of existing Web ability to connect to other documents, voice and video. HTML as it defined today supports only limited set of fonts, font sizes, and have a clumsy way of incorporating graphics. In particular, line graphics is not supported.
   • Project Description
     The goal is to use the Java programming language to develop Web based presentation software. The goal is to develop extensions to HTML language that will describe line graphics, fonts and presentation styles and develop a Web/browser based presentation tool. This will include a presentation display Java appelet or plug-in program, line drawing editor and presentation editor.
     Possible extension is adding voice synchronization with "real-audio".
   
   

7. Web Based Calendar

   • Client: Dr. Gershon Kedem, Department of Computer Science
   • Motivation
     Existing Calendar programs do not allow one to subscribe to different calendars. Ideal y each activity like seminar series, faculty meetings, Committee meetings, Holidays, exam period, etc. should be controlled by a different person and very little coordination is needed between these calendars.
   • Project Description
     Web based distributed calendar: If all calendars are on the web, that is they are web pages, one could easily incorporate them into here/his own calendar. Each person should be able to subscribe to as many public calendars as she/he wants. Each person will have here/his own privet calendar. Each person should be able to make part of here/his calendar public letting others see selected set of info such as when she/he has open times. Web based calendar viewing and calendar editing will make it easy to view the calendar from anywhere.