Dissertation Time

[zetec452]

Hey Guys,

I have the rather daunting task of choosing a dissertation this week. There's a possibility that some have already completed one.

What kind of project did you do? Would you recommend looking at a web application for a final project?

Some of my choices at the moment, not necessarily in order or conclusive:

• Using CSS style sheets to provide Accessibility.
• SCAN Open Source (some uni software thingy)
• Interactive Menu for Caterers (web app)
• Neighbourhood Watch (another web app)

I appreciate that without full specs these don't mean much.

There were some other interesting topics like building a http training tool or mail server for Linux.

I do prefer the first topic as it will be a broad topic and will be rather interesting.

So what do you chaps think? Any advice from the more experienced would be awesome.

 

[zetec452]

Is that like a student resource portal? At my uni last year there was this gash thing called SCAN (web app), and my dissertation/project was to investigate it and come up with something better.

It is the student portal yes. And yes, it is gash.

 

[zetec452]

Choose something that you can write a fulll set of specs for rather than a wooly wouldn't it be nice type of requirements set.

Don't choose your problem to fit the desired solution, choose a problem space and them design / develop the best solution for it, you'kll get a higher set of marks.

Don't start code too early, check the marks perceentage for each section of your solution (design, writeup, analysis etc) and pput in the right amount of work according to the marks. There is no point spending all yuor time building a GREAT solution when it's only worth 5% of the final mark.

Thats about all the advice I have of the top if my head

Paul

Thanks Paul.

I am weary of doing a project which involves making a program. I'd much rather do a full write up.

My task today is to look at all the options and see what will look interesting.

 

[zetec452]

You want to do something that you will enjoy doing, will learn from but not over stretch yourself to a point where you end up after 3 months research and deciding you cant actually do it.

Some of the projects im sure people will do and think ops.. why did I do that. There are some pretty hard projects and some pretty easy ones.

I'm just trying to get a balance between something I find interesting which a good scope and something which will get me a good mark.

 

[zetec452]

Only one person can select one project which is good.

This is the sepecification for the CSS Project:

The client for this project is a project manager.

Description
The project manager is responsible for the maintenance of existing and development of new web-based applications at an educational establishment.

Currently accessibility issues are deal with in an ad-hoc fashion, with each web-developer chosing his or her own way of ensuing accessibility.

The client requires you to:-

a. Identify the key issues associated with accessibility of web-based appliactions that can be handled using CSS style sheets.
b. Produce a recommended list of the actions that a web-developer should carry out in order to use CSS to provide accessibilty.
c. Develop and evaluate a sample web-based application that makes use of these recommendations.

Deliverables
1. A working system that meets the needs of the client.

2. A project report of around 8,000 to 10,000 words detailing the process followed to research, design, implement and test the software.

3. The final source code for the project in a documented form.

4. A user guide detailing how the software operates.

I potentially have a lot of things I can cover. You can always branch out onto new issues and things.

I do agree that it could look a bit easy.

 

[zetec452]

I am unfortunately.

Moved from Leeds Met this year.

You at UCE?

EDIT: Just seen your website:

What did you do for your final year?

 

[zetec452]

I've put the css one as my first option, just trying to find another 2. .

Im doing e-commerce next semester and top down network design this year. Should be ok.

 

[zetec452]

Sounds a little more interesting that your average project. Can you develop in .NET?

I've now decided on.

• Using CSS to Provide accessibility,
• A neighbour Hood Watch thingy web application
• Desining a dabase for a clinic

Hopefully I'll get the first one.

 

[zetec452]

Sounds good. I've always wanted to play with .NET so will try and use that.

Cheers for the pointers .

 

[zetec452]

2001, you old bugger.

I agree about the database driven website stuff. Unless its very very and I repeat very special its not going to gain good marks.

 

[zetec452]

Just had confirmation of my choice:

RAC105: Using CSS style sheets to provide Accessibility.

Quite happy about that, I didn't want to do development work.

Be prepared for a questionnaire in the near future