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Contacting Lachlan IT Online at Parkes Campus

For Parkes Campus contact details go to About.

Course Numbers

TAFE courses and modules all have a number that is used often by staff & students when referring to course work. If you enrolled in the ICA20105 Certificate II Information Technology, your course number is 19000. Modules within course 19000 will have a module number such as ICAU2005A, ICAD3218A etc. A course Logbook is available on this site for each course that we support.  The Logbook contains each module's number, name and wether it is a core or elective within the course.

Email Attachments

Email attachments are files and or folders that are sent attached to an email message. You can send virtually any file type; digital photos, text documents, spreadsheets, video & audio files, even software - just about anything.  Be aware that many email services have a maximum size limit for an email attachment.  Contact your email service provider about any size limits they may impose.

Also be aware that computer viruses can be spread through email attachments. If you open an email attachment that contains a virus, it will infect your computer. In turn, if a file you send is infected with a virus, it will 'propagate' on the recipient's computer. The most effective way to prevent this is to have regularly updated anti-virus software installed on your computer, and enable its email scanning capability. You can download freeware anti-virus software from Grisoft.

Firewall Software

Firewall software is a 'gatekeeper' of your Internet connection. It allows you to specify which programs can and cannot access the Internet, like a filter. When unauthorised Internet activity occurs the firewall alerts the user who can choose to allow or disallow it.

It is essential for any computer that is connected to the Internet to have a capable firewall to protect your computer from unauthorised access. You can find out more about Kerio Personal Firewall software at http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm.

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is word-processing application software that is used to create richly formatted, professional-quality text documents. It is also part of Microsoft Office, a suite of professional office application software.

PDF Files

The acronym PDF stands for 'Portable Document Format'. Files in this format usually contain text and images. While you can freely download viewer software such as Adobe Reader you cannot edit and change PDF files without purchasing Adobe Acrobat software. This allows you to create PDF files from word-processor format and other files.

For this reason, creating PDF files ensures a higher degree of document protection, as opposed to plain text files. You will find a great number of online documents in PDF format such as e-books & technical manuals.

Submitting Assignments

Assignments should be submitted to your teacher by email. Completed work files should be sent in ZIP format; this makes it easier to manage and identify your work. If you are not sure about how to compose an email and create email attachments, you can access a short tutorial that will guide you through the process:

* Although this tutorial deals with Outlook Express and WinZip only, it also provides a guide for composing emails for assignment submission to Lachlan IT Online and will also be helpful for students who use other email and file compression software. See also help topic: Email attachments

Web-based Email Accounts

NSW DET now provides email accounts as part of the student enrolment process.  If you do not already have an email account, consider using the student account provided.  Other types of email accounts are not accessible on computers within the TAFE network, so if you are planning to study using the TAFE network environment, you must use your TAFE email account.  Accounts remain active up to 6 months after your enrolment has completed.

WinZip

WinZip is file compression software. File compression reduces overall file size when a file is 'zipped' or compressed, often referred to as 'archiving'. Files must be 'unzipped' or 'de-compressed' to be edited and used again.

Zip files, or 'compressed archives', can contain more than one compressed file. This is useful for storing many old unused files and emailing multiple photos or other files as a single file attachment. There are other file compression utility applications, including WinRAR, many of which are offered free of charge as trial version software.

Trial version software often has a 30-day evaluation period after which the program is automatically disabled, unless a full-version is purchased. WinZip and WinRAR offer limited use after the trial period; functionality for zipping and and unzipping files, which is what you'll need to access the assessment guides and email assignments throughout your course.

Both software applications will perform the tasks specified, it is a matter of personal preference which is used. Both WinZip and WinRAR contain extensive user tutorials that will guide you through the process of zipping, unzipping and managing compressed files.

Podcasts

A Podcast is  a way of distributing audio or video files to students.  You can download these files onto your PC or portable media player to view them.  We use Podcasts to provide you with information about specific assignments or content  in your course that students commonly ask about. 

To use a podcast, simply download the file to your computer or portable media player and play the file.  On a PC running Windows XP, Windows Media Player software will allow you to play these files.  You can view it now or later.  Go over the information in it many times if that helps you in your course.

Application Software

The term Application Software refers to software loaded onto a users PC to help achieve specific tasks.  This software is not normally supplied with the PC when new and must be purchased by the user or business .  Common types of application software include word processing software, Spreadsheet software and database software.  Specialist types of application software may include video editing or programming software.

Operating System Software

The term Operating System (OS) Software refers to software loaded onto a computer when first purchased.  The OS software manages the computer hardware and its devices.  Desktop OS software is designed to have users install application software and use the computer daily. Microsoft XP is an example of this type of software.   Server OS software  is designed to provide network access to shared resources such as data files, web pages or email messages in a secure environment .  Servers are normally locked away from the public or standard users.  Microsoft Server 2003 is an example of this software.  Unix based OS software is often able to be configured as either a server or a desktop system.

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