Amsterdam
By Lisa ‘n’ Danielle
Getting There
• Amsterdam is in the west of Holland
• Fly from Glasgow airport to Schiphol Airport via Gatwick, which is approx. a 3hour 30 min journey.
• It is 15 km from the city centre.
• That’s a 15 minute drive
Climate
• Amsterdam has a mild, damp climate but the weather can be variable with temperature extremes even in summer.
• Spring and autumn especially, bring changeable, unsettled weather.
• In the winter months clear, frosty days are the normal, the coldest months being December to March. Rain is likely all year round.
Things To See
• Anne Frank’s house
• Albert Cuyp – A market
• Canal Tour
• Van Gough Museum
• Royal Palace
• Vondelpark
Excursions
• Amsterdam bike tour
• Visit the clog and cheese factories
• Keukenhof Gardens ( 280,000m2 of tulip fields
• Eastern Docklands tour
• Rotterdam – 45 km from Amsterdam
Food and Drink
• Cheese, bread and beer are common
• Smoked sausages
• Genever – Dutch Gin
• “Cannabis cafes” – although they are no permitted to sell more than 5g of cannabis
Shopping
• Magna Plaza – Indoor shopping Centre
• Albert Cuyp – Day Market
• P.C. Hooftstraat – Has designer shops
• Nieuwendijk – has 1 kilometre of shops
Tuesday, 17 April 2007
Blackpool 2
By Road
From the North: From Scotland and the North of England, join the M6 (starts at Carlisle). Travel south until you reach Junction 32 - signposted M55 for Blackpool.
From the South: From London and the South East join the M1 and travel north to Birmingham. From Wales, Bristol and the South West, take the M5 and travel North to Birmingham. Join the M6 (starts at Birmingham) and travel north until you reach Junction 32 - signposted M55 for Blackpool.
Car parking: Blackpool has many car parks within easy reach of town centre with a capacity of 10,405 cars. A new link road from the M55 will take you right into the centre of town to the Central Car Park.
By Rail
Blackpool has two main railway stations (Blackpool North and South). Trains are available to and from all major British destinations. Contact British Railways General Enquiries for more information
British Rail Blackpool Enquiries: Tel: 01253-259439. Open weekdays (Mon. to Sat.) 07:00 to 22:00. Sundays 08:00 to 22:00.
British Rail General Enquiries (24 hours): Tel: 0161-832- 8353.
By Air
Blackpool has a small airport that accepts commercial flights from the Isle of Man, Belfast and Dublin.. The nearest major international airport is Manchester which is approximately 30 miles away from Blackpool.
Blackpool Airport General Enquiries: Tel: 01253-343434
Manchester Airport General Enquiries: Tel: 0161-489- 3000
BLACKPOOL BOROUGH INDOOR BOWLS CENTRE, LARK HILL STREET. Tel: 01253 751400
International stadium with 8 full size rinks, visitors welcome, free coaching, bowls for hire.
Open daily from 10.00am - 8.30pm
BLACKPOOL ILLUMINATIONS
Back in Victorian times, Blackpool was the first town in the country to 'go electric'. A century later, the resort's love affair with light endures. Every autumn, when other seaside resorts close down, Blackpool becomes a blaze of coloured lights with "the greatest free show on earth" - Blackpool Illuminations. Fibre optics and computer control have brought a new dimension to Britain's biggest tourist attraction. The display stretches along Blackpool's famous seafront for over five miles transforming the Promenade into a wonderland of colour. Each year spectacular new sections are added to the display. It's Britain's favourite autumn break, so take a trip to Blackpool lights. It's nicer with the lights on!
Illumination Dates:
2006 -
1st September to 5th November.
BLACKPOOL MODEL VILLAGE, EAST PARK DRIVE. Tel: 01253 763827
Hundreds of models against a background of waterfalls, lakes and running streams.
TBA
BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH, OCEAN BOULEVARD. Tel: 0870 4445566
Email: info@bpbltd.com
Web Site: www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.co.uk
Entertainment adventure capital of the world. Home of the Pepsi Max Big One - the tallest, fastest roller coaster in Europe - Valhalla and new for 2002, Spin Doctor. Beaver Creek for children. Award-winning shows - Eclipse, Hot Ice and Mystique. Open from March until November.
Contact Pleasure Beach direct for pricing information.
BLACKPOOL PLEASURE FLIGHTS, BLACKPOOL AIRPORT. Tel: 01253 341567
Daily, weather permitting.
From £25.00 per person
Air charter available
Trial flying lessons available
BLACKPOOL TOWER, CENTRAL PROMENADE. Tel: 01253 622242
Web Site: www.theblackpooltower.co.uk
Inside Blackpool Tower you will find the UK’s best Circus, world famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom, entertainment for the children which includes Jungle Jim’s playground, Charlie Cairoli Exhibition, Under Sea World, Hornpipe Gallery plus Tower Top ride and the Walk of Faith. Children free below 90cm. Maximum child age 17 yrs.
Contact Blackpool Tower direct for dates, times and pricing information.
BLACKPOOL TRAMS
Officially opened on September 29 1885, Blackpool's world famous trams have come a long way since those early days. Stretching for 12 miles along the Promenade, the Blackpool electric trams range from finely restored cars from ages past to customised feature trams during the Illuminations.
BLACKPOOL ZOO, EAST PARK DRIVE. Tel: 01253 830830
32 Acres home to 400 animals including lions, tigers, elephants and gorillas. Other attractions include miniature railway and dolphin simulator. Feeding and animal encounters throughout the day. Animal talks. Contact Zoo direct for more details.
Open daily except Christmas Day 10.00am - dusk
Prices to be announced.
GO-KARTING
Kapitol Karting (indoor), Central Drive. Tel: 01253 292600
Oasis Leisure Centre, Golden Mile. Tel: 01253 751170
Karting 2000, New South Promenade. Tel: 01253 406340
GOLDEN MILE
This is where seaside fun overflows. The brash and bustling Golden Mile offers seaside favourites like hamburgers, chips, ice-cream and candyfloss. A place where silly hats and saucy T-shirts are the order of the day. The Golden Mile is also the slot machine capital of Britain where giant leisure centres are interspersed with the latest video technology. Discos, cabaret spots and exhibitions are all to be found on Blackpool's famous Golden Mile. Along the latest additions to the Mile is the 6 million pound Sea Life Centre with its thrilling 'shark tunnel'. Do the Golden Mile on foot to savour all the sights, sounds and smells. Then see it again from a tram or one of the fleet of horse-drawn landaus!.
GRUNDY ART GALLERY, QUEEN STREET. Tel: 01253 478170
Victorian oils and watercolours, contemporary prints, modern British paintings, display of Old Blackpool plus special exhibitions.
Monday to Saturday 10.00am - 5.00pm Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays
Admission free of charge
PIERS
In England, the seaside resort is nothing without a pier. Blackpool has not one, not two, but three magnificent piers, imaginatively upgraded and amongst the resort's finest attractions. North Pier (no. 1 on town centre map) is famous for its theatre and top-class seasonal show, its amusements, shops, restaurants and bars and is the resort's favourite sunbathing spot. The facade of the North Pier has been restored to its Victorian splendour. Newly-refurbished Central Pier (no. 8 on town centre map) boasts a showbar and a superb new Big Wheel, which has proved to be a great favourite with holidaymakers. All the other attributes of a pier are also there; amusement arcades, shops and kiddies' amusements. South Pier (no. 11 on town centre map) with its famous circus marquee style frontage also has its own theatre which is a popular attraction for the whole family.
SANDCASTLE, SOUTH PROMENADE. Tel: 01253 343602 http://www.sandcastle-waterworld.co.uk
Web Site: www.sandcastle-waterworld.co.uk
Stay all day in the 84°F constant temperature, splash into the Sleepy Lagoon children’s fun pool or relax on a sun lounger at the poolside. Brave the giant waterslides and white knuckle water chutes. There’s also a selection of hearty meals and light snacks available from one of the cafés.
Please telephone for current opening times and prices or visit the web site.
SEA LIFE CENTRE, CENTRAL PROMENADE. Tel: 01253 622445
Web Site: http://www.sealifeeurope.com/uk/blackpool/home.htm
The Sea Life Centre on Blackpool’s famous Golden Mile houses one of Europe’s largest marine collections with the tropical shark display as the dramatic centrepiece. A superb all-weather attraction with full programme of feeding demonstrations and talks. Children free under 3 yrs. Adults 14yrs +.
Open from 10.00am daily except Christmas Day
See web site above for dates, times and pricing information.
SHOPPING
Blackpool is well established in the North West of England as a leading shopping centre and boasts most of the major retail names. The town centre has been are fully designed to offer an excellent selection of sops and multi-storey car parking. The development of the magnificent Hounds Hill Shopping Centre has added another dimension to shopping with a pedestrian precinct, undercover arcades and entertainment provided to make your shopping trip a pleasure.
SKYCOASTER, SOUTH PIER. Tel: 01706 875174
SKYSCREAMER, SOUTH PIER. Tel: 01706 875174
STANLEY PARK
With so many exciting attractions in Blackpool, some people like to slip away to tranquillity. Once you have visited the beautiful Stanley Park you will return again and again. Situated less than two miles from the seafront, the 256 acre park is the place for those more leisurely pursuits. The 26 acre lake, partly enclosed by woodland is the perfect setting for a quiet cruise by motor-boat, rowing or pedal boat. There are six superb bowling greens and two 18 hole putting greens and numerous tennis courts. Opening times from 7:00 am to dusk
SWIMMING
Blackpool Leisure Lido Swimming Pool, Lytham Road. Tel: 01253 478482
Blackpool Leisure Moor Park Swimming Pool, Bispham Road/Bristol Avenue. Tel: 01253 478487
TEN PIN BOWLING
Blackpool Superbowl, 29-37 Market Street. Tel: 01253 752020
AMF Premier Bowl, Central Drive. Tel: 01253 295503
THE BEACH
Back in the 18th Century Blackpool began as a small village with a great beach - no less than seven magnificent miles of sand. The resort grew fast in Victorian times with all its major attractions within a stone's throw of the sands. Nowadays entertainment in all forms is Blackpool's greatest attraction, but the beach is still a magnet for many - a place to snooze away hot afternoons, a space for family fun and games. The sands stretch from the bustling Central Beach with its donkeys, ice-cream and seafood stalls to the tranquil, wide- open spaces of Bispham to the North and Squires Gate to the South.
TUSSAUD’S WAXWORKS, CENTRAL PROMENADE. Tel: 01253 625953
Web Site: www.blackpoollive.com
See web site above for dates, times and pricing information.
WINTER GARDENS, CHURCH ST. Tel: 01253 627786
Web Site: www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk
Marvel at the gilded exuberance of Blackpool's Winter Gardens newly restored to pristine glory. This is quite simply one of the most amazing buildings in the world. As if renowned Empress Ballroom and Opera House - Britain's biggest theatre - weren't enough, the architects crammed the sprawling 4 and a half acre site with bits and pieces from dream palaces of a dozen ages and cultures. Vast, yet full of intimate corners, the Wintergardens is partly Tudor England, partly Strauss's Vienna, partly Seville in its golden age, partly ancient Rome - in fact, wholly fantastic and wholly Blackpool.
ADRENALINE RIDES Sky Coaster, Sky Screamer & SCAD Tower based at South Pier
AIRPORT Scheduled, charter and pleasure flights, flying lessons, public enclosure, bar and restaurant
ALIEN EXHIBITION The World’s largest attraction of the unexplained situated on Central Promenade.
AQUARIUMS Sea Life Centre, Central Promenade. Undersea World, Blackpool Tower
ART GALLERY Grundy Art Gallery, Queen Street
ATHLETICS TRACK Full eight-lane, all-weather track, two full sized football pitches; Sports Injury Clinic - all at Stanley Park
BEACH Seven miles of sandy beach. Bispham & Blackpool South have been awarded Yellow Flag Beach Awards by the Marine Conservation Society
BOATING 26-acre lake at Stanley Park
BOWLING 25 Municipal crown and flat greens, some hotels have greens with competitions. Blackpool Indoor Bowls Centre, close to Blackpool North Railway station has eight flat green rinks, bar and restaurant.
BUSES 3, 5 and 7 day Travel Cards are available along with full bus routes and timetables from the Tourist Information Centres and from www.blackpooltransport.com. City Sightseeing operate tours during the main summer season
CARAVAN AND CAMPING SITES Information available on request
CHILDRENS PLAYGROUNDS Sixteen
CINEMAS 1 x 10 screen - Odeon
COACH SERVICES Direct services to all major cities via National Coach network www.gobycoach.com Local coach firms also offer day excursions from the Resort.
CONFERENCES AND EXHIBITIONS Detailed guide, accommodation register and booking & venue location service available.
CORAL ISLAND Central Promenade - all the latest amusements and electronic games, fast food outlets, super prize bingo and Flagship nightspot.
CRICKET Stanley Park - Northern League and first class County fixtures
DANCING Ballroom, modern, sequence and line dancing - list of venues available on request
FISHING Sea angling from sea wall. Freshwater fishing at Stanley Park Lake in season (day ticket required)
FOOTBALL Association Football at Bloomfield Road
GO KARTS Outdoor at Starr Gate, Indoor at Mecca Building, Central Drive.
GOLF Three 18-hole (one municipal) one 9-hole and two driving ranges. Driving range and 18-hole course at the De Vere Hotel, adjacent to Blackpool Zoo Park.
GREAT PROMENADE ART SHOW The modern outstanding artistic vision situated on South Promenade
ICE SKATING Blackpool Pleasure Beach Arena
ILLUMINATIONS The Greatest Free Show on Earth! - Five miles of spectacular lights and tableaux - annually early September to early November.
INFORMATION CENTRES 1 Clifton Street (open all year round) Central Promenade, opposite the Tower (open during the season) Tel: 01253 478222
LIBRARIES Central Library, Queen Street, with music, video, internet and reference sections. Branch Libraries operate special visitor service
MODEL VILLAGE A superb “Countryside in Miniature” situated on East Park Drive, within Stanley Park (opposite Blackpool Zoo Park). Open during the season.
NIGHTSPOTS Over 30 discos, cabaret lounges and fun pubs - information available on website www.blackpooltourism.com
OVERSEAS VISITORS Always welcome - multi-language brochures available.
PARKING Many pay and display car parks within easy reach of the town centre with a capacity of 9 000 cars.
PIERS Three - North, Central and South
PLACES OF WORSHIP Information is available on multi-faith places of worship
PLEASURE BEACH Britain’s number one attraction - 42 acres of fun containing more than 145 fun rides and attractions. Spectacular shows during the season. Ocean Boulevard caters for leisure shopping.
POPULATION 153,500 (mid 1998 estimate)
PROMENADE Seven miles including the Great Promenade Art Show
PUTTING GREENS Eight putting, one pitch and putt (Anchorsholme) and five crazy golf.
RADIO STATIONS Radio Wave - Blackpool’s only independent local radio station giving news, views, traffic and tourist information on FM 96.5 BBC Radio Lancashire “Voice of the County” - FM 103.9 Magic 999 - AM 999 Rock FM - FM 97.4
RAILWAY North, South, Squires Gate, Layton, and Pleasure Beach Stations.
RIDING Four horse riding schools. Information available by request.
ROLLER BLADING Planet Extreme, Stanley Park.
SANDCASTLE TROPICAL WATER WORLD Opposite Pleasure Beach - an inside seaside at 84 degrees F. Four super slides, three pools - one with waves, children’s play area “Treasure Island”, high rise adventure trail, dry area with bars, pool hall and restaurants.
SEA LIFE CENTRE More than 40 fascinating displays of marine life, plus “The Lost City of Atlantis” where visitors witness the ancient great philosopher Plato tell the story of the fabled sunken empire.
SHOPPING Major retail stores, Hounds Hill Shopping Centre in the town centre houses exciting undercover shops. Throughout the town smaller shopping areas offer great value from Waterloo Road and Ocean Boulevard in the south to Red Bank Road in the north.
SPORTS CENTRE Situated at Stanley Park this complex provides facilities for badminton, basketball, tennis, netball, volleyball and fitness centre, as well as cricket practice nets and a dedicated climbing room.
STANLEY PARK 256 acres of formal gardens, conservatories, bandstand, lake, Planet Extreme roller blade and skateboard park, all-weather football and hockey pitches, all-weather running area and trim trail, golf course, putting greens, bowls, tennis and crazy golf.
SWIMMING Indoor swimming pools at Lido Pool and Moor Park pool. Leisure pool at Sandcastle Tropical Water World. Several hotels and self-catering parks have swimming pools.
TENNIS 50 grass and hard courts
TEN PIN BOWLING Superbowl - popular ten-pin bowling alley north of the Tower with 30 computerised lanes, fast food outlet, bars and games room. AMF Premier Bowl on Central Drive - 36 computerised lanes.
THEATRES All year round touring productions at the Grand Theatre and live stage shows at the Opera House with seasonal theatre at other venues - up to date information is available on website www.blackpooltourism.com
TIDE Half-mile ebb twice daily.
TOWER This exciting indoor theme park includes the Walk of Faith giving visitors a perfect view 320ft down, Dinosaur animatronic ride, express Tower Top lifts, Tower Ballroom, food court, Jungle Jims play area and award winning Tower Circus with Mooky the Clown
TRAMS Britain’s first and for many years the only remaining electric public service tramway - 12 miles of track from Starr Gate to Fleetwood.
TRIM TRAILS Stanley Park and Anchorsholme
WAXWORKS Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks, Central Promenade near Central Pier. Hundreds of exhibits.
WINTER GARDENS 4.5 acres of entertainment and conference facilities which consist of the Empress Ballroom, Arena, Pavilion and restaurant, Spanish and Baronial Halls, Opera House, Victoria Bar and Galleon Bar.
ZOO The World of Animals, East Park Drive, opposite Stanley Park. Open daily - all year round. Bus service from Adelaide Street during season.
Click on the map below for more information on Blackpool's major attractions.Click here for a full-size version of this map (460K).
Key
Main Attractions
Car Parks
Details of how to get to Blackpool are available on our travel information page.
Blackpool offers a variety of types of accommodation for the discerning tourist including top-class hotels and guest houses, self-catering, caravan and camp sites. Every year, Blackpool attracts more visitors than Greece and the Greek islands. To accomodate these visitors, the resort has 120,000 holiday beds, which is more than the whole of Portugal. With over 16.8 million visitors to Blackpool each year, there are now 3500 hotels, guest houses and self-catering units in the resort. This is in stark contrast to the year 1780 when Blackpool boasted a grand total of four substantial hotels.
Hotels and Guest Houses
Browse through a listing of some of Blackpool'shotels and guest houses.
Self Catering
For those looking for a bit more independenceBlackpool offers a considerable range of alternativeself-catering accomodation.
Camp and Caravan Sites
Or perhaps you're more of an outdoor type. No need toworry as Blackpool also offers a number of caravan andcamp sites to suit your needs.
While inland towns a cities may boast of a return to the streetcar scene, millions of seafront travellers can tell the what they have been missing. Blackpool had the worlds first permanent electric street tramway in 1885 and the more familiar overhead trolley trams were unveiled in 1899. You can see all the seaside sights in style and visitors often hop on a tram for a Promenade trip between the piers.
But the network is 12 miles long and stretches from Starr Gate right through the neighbouring resort of Cleveleys to Fleetwood That is why you will see some finely restored cars from ages past taking their places proudly along brand new streamline models which mainta regular and speedy service. During the Illuminations you can even ride on range of customised feature trams such as the Space Rocket and Wild West Train which join the regular fleet for everpopular circular tours of the twinkling autumn spectacular.
From the North: From Scotland and the North of England, join the M6 (starts at Carlisle). Travel south until you reach Junction 32 - signposted M55 for Blackpool.
From the South: From London and the South East join the M1 and travel north to Birmingham. From Wales, Bristol and the South West, take the M5 and travel North to Birmingham. Join the M6 (starts at Birmingham) and travel north until you reach Junction 32 - signposted M55 for Blackpool.
Car parking: Blackpool has many car parks within easy reach of town centre with a capacity of 10,405 cars. A new link road from the M55 will take you right into the centre of town to the Central Car Park.
By Rail
Blackpool has two main railway stations (Blackpool North and South). Trains are available to and from all major British destinations. Contact British Railways General Enquiries for more information
British Rail Blackpool Enquiries: Tel: 01253-259439. Open weekdays (Mon. to Sat.) 07:00 to 22:00. Sundays 08:00 to 22:00.
British Rail General Enquiries (24 hours): Tel: 0161-832- 8353.
By Air
Blackpool has a small airport that accepts commercial flights from the Isle of Man, Belfast and Dublin.. The nearest major international airport is Manchester which is approximately 30 miles away from Blackpool.
Blackpool Airport General Enquiries: Tel: 01253-343434
Manchester Airport General Enquiries: Tel: 0161-489- 3000
BLACKPOOL BOROUGH INDOOR BOWLS CENTRE, LARK HILL STREET. Tel: 01253 751400
International stadium with 8 full size rinks, visitors welcome, free coaching, bowls for hire.
Open daily from 10.00am - 8.30pm
BLACKPOOL ILLUMINATIONS
Back in Victorian times, Blackpool was the first town in the country to 'go electric'. A century later, the resort's love affair with light endures. Every autumn, when other seaside resorts close down, Blackpool becomes a blaze of coloured lights with "the greatest free show on earth" - Blackpool Illuminations. Fibre optics and computer control have brought a new dimension to Britain's biggest tourist attraction. The display stretches along Blackpool's famous seafront for over five miles transforming the Promenade into a wonderland of colour. Each year spectacular new sections are added to the display. It's Britain's favourite autumn break, so take a trip to Blackpool lights. It's nicer with the lights on!
Illumination Dates:
2006 -
1st September to 5th November.
BLACKPOOL MODEL VILLAGE, EAST PARK DRIVE. Tel: 01253 763827
Hundreds of models against a background of waterfalls, lakes and running streams.
TBA
BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH, OCEAN BOULEVARD. Tel: 0870 4445566
Email: info@bpbltd.com
Web Site: www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.co.uk
Entertainment adventure capital of the world. Home of the Pepsi Max Big One - the tallest, fastest roller coaster in Europe - Valhalla and new for 2002, Spin Doctor. Beaver Creek for children. Award-winning shows - Eclipse, Hot Ice and Mystique. Open from March until November.
Contact Pleasure Beach direct for pricing information.
BLACKPOOL PLEASURE FLIGHTS, BLACKPOOL AIRPORT. Tel: 01253 341567
Daily, weather permitting.
From £25.00 per person
Air charter available
Trial flying lessons available
BLACKPOOL TOWER, CENTRAL PROMENADE. Tel: 01253 622242
Web Site: www.theblackpooltower.co.uk
Inside Blackpool Tower you will find the UK’s best Circus, world famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom, entertainment for the children which includes Jungle Jim’s playground, Charlie Cairoli Exhibition, Under Sea World, Hornpipe Gallery plus Tower Top ride and the Walk of Faith. Children free below 90cm. Maximum child age 17 yrs.
Contact Blackpool Tower direct for dates, times and pricing information.
BLACKPOOL TRAMS
Officially opened on September 29 1885, Blackpool's world famous trams have come a long way since those early days. Stretching for 12 miles along the Promenade, the Blackpool electric trams range from finely restored cars from ages past to customised feature trams during the Illuminations.
BLACKPOOL ZOO, EAST PARK DRIVE. Tel: 01253 830830
32 Acres home to 400 animals including lions, tigers, elephants and gorillas. Other attractions include miniature railway and dolphin simulator. Feeding and animal encounters throughout the day. Animal talks. Contact Zoo direct for more details.
Open daily except Christmas Day 10.00am - dusk
Prices to be announced.
GO-KARTING
Kapitol Karting (indoor), Central Drive. Tel: 01253 292600
Oasis Leisure Centre, Golden Mile. Tel: 01253 751170
Karting 2000, New South Promenade. Tel: 01253 406340
GOLDEN MILE
This is where seaside fun overflows. The brash and bustling Golden Mile offers seaside favourites like hamburgers, chips, ice-cream and candyfloss. A place where silly hats and saucy T-shirts are the order of the day. The Golden Mile is also the slot machine capital of Britain where giant leisure centres are interspersed with the latest video technology. Discos, cabaret spots and exhibitions are all to be found on Blackpool's famous Golden Mile. Along the latest additions to the Mile is the 6 million pound Sea Life Centre with its thrilling 'shark tunnel'. Do the Golden Mile on foot to savour all the sights, sounds and smells. Then see it again from a tram or one of the fleet of horse-drawn landaus!.
GRUNDY ART GALLERY, QUEEN STREET. Tel: 01253 478170
Victorian oils and watercolours, contemporary prints, modern British paintings, display of Old Blackpool plus special exhibitions.
Monday to Saturday 10.00am - 5.00pm Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays
Admission free of charge
PIERS
In England, the seaside resort is nothing without a pier. Blackpool has not one, not two, but three magnificent piers, imaginatively upgraded and amongst the resort's finest attractions. North Pier (no. 1 on town centre map) is famous for its theatre and top-class seasonal show, its amusements, shops, restaurants and bars and is the resort's favourite sunbathing spot. The facade of the North Pier has been restored to its Victorian splendour. Newly-refurbished Central Pier (no. 8 on town centre map) boasts a showbar and a superb new Big Wheel, which has proved to be a great favourite with holidaymakers. All the other attributes of a pier are also there; amusement arcades, shops and kiddies' amusements. South Pier (no. 11 on town centre map) with its famous circus marquee style frontage also has its own theatre which is a popular attraction for the whole family.
SANDCASTLE, SOUTH PROMENADE. Tel: 01253 343602 http://www.sandcastle-waterworld.co.uk
Web Site: www.sandcastle-waterworld.co.uk
Stay all day in the 84°F constant temperature, splash into the Sleepy Lagoon children’s fun pool or relax on a sun lounger at the poolside. Brave the giant waterslides and white knuckle water chutes. There’s also a selection of hearty meals and light snacks available from one of the cafés.
Please telephone for current opening times and prices or visit the web site.
SEA LIFE CENTRE, CENTRAL PROMENADE. Tel: 01253 622445
Web Site: http://www.sealifeeurope.com/uk/blackpool/home.htm
The Sea Life Centre on Blackpool’s famous Golden Mile houses one of Europe’s largest marine collections with the tropical shark display as the dramatic centrepiece. A superb all-weather attraction with full programme of feeding demonstrations and talks. Children free under 3 yrs. Adults 14yrs +.
Open from 10.00am daily except Christmas Day
See web site above for dates, times and pricing information.
SHOPPING
Blackpool is well established in the North West of England as a leading shopping centre and boasts most of the major retail names. The town centre has been are fully designed to offer an excellent selection of sops and multi-storey car parking. The development of the magnificent Hounds Hill Shopping Centre has added another dimension to shopping with a pedestrian precinct, undercover arcades and entertainment provided to make your shopping trip a pleasure.
SKYCOASTER, SOUTH PIER. Tel: 01706 875174
SKYSCREAMER, SOUTH PIER. Tel: 01706 875174
STANLEY PARK
With so many exciting attractions in Blackpool, some people like to slip away to tranquillity. Once you have visited the beautiful Stanley Park you will return again and again. Situated less than two miles from the seafront, the 256 acre park is the place for those more leisurely pursuits. The 26 acre lake, partly enclosed by woodland is the perfect setting for a quiet cruise by motor-boat, rowing or pedal boat. There are six superb bowling greens and two 18 hole putting greens and numerous tennis courts. Opening times from 7:00 am to dusk
SWIMMING
Blackpool Leisure Lido Swimming Pool, Lytham Road. Tel: 01253 478482
Blackpool Leisure Moor Park Swimming Pool, Bispham Road/Bristol Avenue. Tel: 01253 478487
TEN PIN BOWLING
Blackpool Superbowl, 29-37 Market Street. Tel: 01253 752020
AMF Premier Bowl, Central Drive. Tel: 01253 295503
THE BEACH
Back in the 18th Century Blackpool began as a small village with a great beach - no less than seven magnificent miles of sand. The resort grew fast in Victorian times with all its major attractions within a stone's throw of the sands. Nowadays entertainment in all forms is Blackpool's greatest attraction, but the beach is still a magnet for many - a place to snooze away hot afternoons, a space for family fun and games. The sands stretch from the bustling Central Beach with its donkeys, ice-cream and seafood stalls to the tranquil, wide- open spaces of Bispham to the North and Squires Gate to the South.
TUSSAUD’S WAXWORKS, CENTRAL PROMENADE. Tel: 01253 625953
Web Site: www.blackpoollive.com
See web site above for dates, times and pricing information.
WINTER GARDENS, CHURCH ST. Tel: 01253 627786
Web Site: www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk
Marvel at the gilded exuberance of Blackpool's Winter Gardens newly restored to pristine glory. This is quite simply one of the most amazing buildings in the world. As if renowned Empress Ballroom and Opera House - Britain's biggest theatre - weren't enough, the architects crammed the sprawling 4 and a half acre site with bits and pieces from dream palaces of a dozen ages and cultures. Vast, yet full of intimate corners, the Wintergardens is partly Tudor England, partly Strauss's Vienna, partly Seville in its golden age, partly ancient Rome - in fact, wholly fantastic and wholly Blackpool.
ADRENALINE RIDES Sky Coaster, Sky Screamer & SCAD Tower based at South Pier
AIRPORT Scheduled, charter and pleasure flights, flying lessons, public enclosure, bar and restaurant
ALIEN EXHIBITION The World’s largest attraction of the unexplained situated on Central Promenade.
AQUARIUMS Sea Life Centre, Central Promenade. Undersea World, Blackpool Tower
ART GALLERY Grundy Art Gallery, Queen Street
ATHLETICS TRACK Full eight-lane, all-weather track, two full sized football pitches; Sports Injury Clinic - all at Stanley Park
BEACH Seven miles of sandy beach. Bispham & Blackpool South have been awarded Yellow Flag Beach Awards by the Marine Conservation Society
BOATING 26-acre lake at Stanley Park
BOWLING 25 Municipal crown and flat greens, some hotels have greens with competitions. Blackpool Indoor Bowls Centre, close to Blackpool North Railway station has eight flat green rinks, bar and restaurant.
BUSES 3, 5 and 7 day Travel Cards are available along with full bus routes and timetables from the Tourist Information Centres and from www.blackpooltransport.com. City Sightseeing operate tours during the main summer season
CARAVAN AND CAMPING SITES Information available on request
CHILDRENS PLAYGROUNDS Sixteen
CINEMAS 1 x 10 screen - Odeon
COACH SERVICES Direct services to all major cities via National Coach network www.gobycoach.com Local coach firms also offer day excursions from the Resort.
CONFERENCES AND EXHIBITIONS Detailed guide, accommodation register and booking & venue location service available.
CORAL ISLAND Central Promenade - all the latest amusements and electronic games, fast food outlets, super prize bingo and Flagship nightspot.
CRICKET Stanley Park - Northern League and first class County fixtures
DANCING Ballroom, modern, sequence and line dancing - list of venues available on request
FISHING Sea angling from sea wall. Freshwater fishing at Stanley Park Lake in season (day ticket required)
FOOTBALL Association Football at Bloomfield Road
GO KARTS Outdoor at Starr Gate, Indoor at Mecca Building, Central Drive.
GOLF Three 18-hole (one municipal) one 9-hole and two driving ranges. Driving range and 18-hole course at the De Vere Hotel, adjacent to Blackpool Zoo Park.
GREAT PROMENADE ART SHOW The modern outstanding artistic vision situated on South Promenade
ICE SKATING Blackpool Pleasure Beach Arena
ILLUMINATIONS The Greatest Free Show on Earth! - Five miles of spectacular lights and tableaux - annually early September to early November.
INFORMATION CENTRES 1 Clifton Street (open all year round) Central Promenade, opposite the Tower (open during the season) Tel: 01253 478222
LIBRARIES Central Library, Queen Street, with music, video, internet and reference sections. Branch Libraries operate special visitor service
MODEL VILLAGE A superb “Countryside in Miniature” situated on East Park Drive, within Stanley Park (opposite Blackpool Zoo Park). Open during the season.
NIGHTSPOTS Over 30 discos, cabaret lounges and fun pubs - information available on website www.blackpooltourism.com
OVERSEAS VISITORS Always welcome - multi-language brochures available.
PARKING Many pay and display car parks within easy reach of the town centre with a capacity of 9 000 cars.
PIERS Three - North, Central and South
PLACES OF WORSHIP Information is available on multi-faith places of worship
PLEASURE BEACH Britain’s number one attraction - 42 acres of fun containing more than 145 fun rides and attractions. Spectacular shows during the season. Ocean Boulevard caters for leisure shopping.
POPULATION 153,500 (mid 1998 estimate)
PROMENADE Seven miles including the Great Promenade Art Show
PUTTING GREENS Eight putting, one pitch and putt (Anchorsholme) and five crazy golf.
RADIO STATIONS Radio Wave - Blackpool’s only independent local radio station giving news, views, traffic and tourist information on FM 96.5 BBC Radio Lancashire “Voice of the County” - FM 103.9 Magic 999 - AM 999 Rock FM - FM 97.4
RAILWAY North, South, Squires Gate, Layton, and Pleasure Beach Stations.
RIDING Four horse riding schools. Information available by request.
ROLLER BLADING Planet Extreme, Stanley Park.
SANDCASTLE TROPICAL WATER WORLD Opposite Pleasure Beach - an inside seaside at 84 degrees F. Four super slides, three pools - one with waves, children’s play area “Treasure Island”, high rise adventure trail, dry area with bars, pool hall and restaurants.
SEA LIFE CENTRE More than 40 fascinating displays of marine life, plus “The Lost City of Atlantis” where visitors witness the ancient great philosopher Plato tell the story of the fabled sunken empire.
SHOPPING Major retail stores, Hounds Hill Shopping Centre in the town centre houses exciting undercover shops. Throughout the town smaller shopping areas offer great value from Waterloo Road and Ocean Boulevard in the south to Red Bank Road in the north.
SPORTS CENTRE Situated at Stanley Park this complex provides facilities for badminton, basketball, tennis, netball, volleyball and fitness centre, as well as cricket practice nets and a dedicated climbing room.
STANLEY PARK 256 acres of formal gardens, conservatories, bandstand, lake, Planet Extreme roller blade and skateboard park, all-weather football and hockey pitches, all-weather running area and trim trail, golf course, putting greens, bowls, tennis and crazy golf.
SWIMMING Indoor swimming pools at Lido Pool and Moor Park pool. Leisure pool at Sandcastle Tropical Water World. Several hotels and self-catering parks have swimming pools.
TENNIS 50 grass and hard courts
TEN PIN BOWLING Superbowl - popular ten-pin bowling alley north of the Tower with 30 computerised lanes, fast food outlet, bars and games room. AMF Premier Bowl on Central Drive - 36 computerised lanes.
THEATRES All year round touring productions at the Grand Theatre and live stage shows at the Opera House with seasonal theatre at other venues - up to date information is available on website www.blackpooltourism.com
TIDE Half-mile ebb twice daily.
TOWER This exciting indoor theme park includes the Walk of Faith giving visitors a perfect view 320ft down, Dinosaur animatronic ride, express Tower Top lifts, Tower Ballroom, food court, Jungle Jims play area and award winning Tower Circus with Mooky the Clown
TRAMS Britain’s first and for many years the only remaining electric public service tramway - 12 miles of track from Starr Gate to Fleetwood.
TRIM TRAILS Stanley Park and Anchorsholme
WAXWORKS Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks, Central Promenade near Central Pier. Hundreds of exhibits.
WINTER GARDENS 4.5 acres of entertainment and conference facilities which consist of the Empress Ballroom, Arena, Pavilion and restaurant, Spanish and Baronial Halls, Opera House, Victoria Bar and Galleon Bar.
ZOO The World of Animals, East Park Drive, opposite Stanley Park. Open daily - all year round. Bus service from Adelaide Street during season.
Click on the map below for more information on Blackpool's major attractions.Click here for a full-size version of this map (460K).
Key
Main Attractions
Car Parks
Details of how to get to Blackpool are available on our travel information page.
Blackpool offers a variety of types of accommodation for the discerning tourist including top-class hotels and guest houses, self-catering, caravan and camp sites. Every year, Blackpool attracts more visitors than Greece and the Greek islands. To accomodate these visitors, the resort has 120,000 holiday beds, which is more than the whole of Portugal. With over 16.8 million visitors to Blackpool each year, there are now 3500 hotels, guest houses and self-catering units in the resort. This is in stark contrast to the year 1780 when Blackpool boasted a grand total of four substantial hotels.
Hotels and Guest Houses
Browse through a listing of some of Blackpool'shotels and guest houses.
Self Catering
For those looking for a bit more independenceBlackpool offers a considerable range of alternativeself-catering accomodation.
Camp and Caravan Sites
Or perhaps you're more of an outdoor type. No need toworry as Blackpool also offers a number of caravan andcamp sites to suit your needs.
While inland towns a cities may boast of a return to the streetcar scene, millions of seafront travellers can tell the what they have been missing. Blackpool had the worlds first permanent electric street tramway in 1885 and the more familiar overhead trolley trams were unveiled in 1899. You can see all the seaside sights in style and visitors often hop on a tram for a Promenade trip between the piers.
But the network is 12 miles long and stretches from Starr Gate right through the neighbouring resort of Cleveleys to Fleetwood That is why you will see some finely restored cars from ages past taking their places proudly along brand new streamline models which mainta regular and speedy service. During the Illuminations you can even ride on range of customised feature trams such as the Space Rocket and Wild West Train which join the regular fleet for everpopular circular tours of the twinkling autumn spectacular.
Stirling
Stirling is a city and ancient burgh, in the Stirling council area of Scotland.
The city is clustered around a large castle and medevil old-town. It is a centre for government, retail, and light industry. Its population was 41,243 in 2001.
A former capital of the Kingdom of Scotland, Stirling was a royal burgh until 1975. In 2002, as part of Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee, Stirling was granted city status.
Originally a Stone Age Settlement, Stirling has been strategically significant since at least the Roman occupation of part of Britain, due to its easily defensible hill and its commanding position beside the River Forth.
A ford, and later bridge, of the river at Stirling brought wealth and influence, as did its port. The town was chartered as a royal burgh by King David in the 12th century, with charters later reaffirmed by later monarchs. Major battles in Scotland's long conflict with England took place at the Stirling Bridge in 1297 and at the nearby village of Bannockburn in 1314.
Geography and Climate
Stirling is renowned as the Gateway to the Highlands and is generally regarded as occupying a strategic position at the point where the flatter largely undulating Scottish Lowlands meet the rugged slopes of the Highlands. The starkness of this contrast is evidenced by the many hills and mountains of the lower Highlands such as Ben Vorlich and Ben Ledi which can be seen to the northwest of the city. On the other hand, to the east of the city, the Carse of Stirling is one of the flattest and most agriculturally productive expanses of land in the whole of Scotland.
The land surrounding Stirling has been most affected by glacial erosion and deposition. The city itself has grown up around its castle which stands atop an ancient volcanic plug a major defensive position, which is, in turn at the lowest crossing point on the River Forth. Stirling stands on the River Forth at the point where the river widens and becomes tidal. To the east of the city the Ochil Hills dominate the skyline with the highest peaks in the range being Dumyat and Ben Cleuch. The Ochils meet the flat floodplain of the River Forth to the east of the distinctive geographical feature - Abbey Craig, a crag and tail feature upon which sits the 220ft (67m) high National Wallace Monument.
The climate of Stirling differs little from that of much of the rest of central Scotland. Warm, unstable air from the Atlantic Ocean is the predominant influence, with a prevailing southwesterly wind.
Government and Politics
In terms of local government, the city of Stirling is a part of the wider Stirling Council area, which governs on matters of local administration as set out by the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994. Elections to the council take place every 4 years, with the next elections scheduled to take place in May 2007. Currently the council is controlled by the Labour Party. The Provost of Stirling is Colin O'Brien.
In terms of national government, there is a Stirling constituency of the Scottish Parliament with the MSP being Sylvia Jackson of the Labour Party and a Stirling constituency of the House of Commons represented by Anne McGuire of the Labour Party. As Scotland comprises a single European Parliament Constituency, Stirling participates in electing 7 MEP's using the d'Hondt method of proportional representation every 4 years.
Ecomony
At the centre of a large rural agricultural hinterland that encompasses some of the flattest and most productive land in Scotland, Stirling principally functioned as a market town with farmers coming to sell their products and wares in the large agricultural market that was held in the town. Today, agriculture still plays a part in the economic life of Stirling, given its focus at the heart of a large rural area, but to a much less extent than previously.
With Stirling's development as a market town and its location as the focus of transport and commmunications in the region, it has developed a substantial retail sector serving a wide range of surrounding communities as well as the city itself. Primarily centred on the city centre, there are a large number of chain stores. However this has been augmented by out-of-town developments such as the Springkerse Retail Park on the city bypass to the east of Stirling, the development of a large Sainsbury's at Raploch and a large Dobbies Garden Centre on the northwestern approaches to the city.
In terms of the services, financial services as well as tourism are the biggest employers in this sector. The financial services and insurance company - Prudential - have a large and well-established base at Craigforth on the outskirts of Stirling. In terms of tourism, the presence of such historical monuments as Stirling Castle, the National Wallace Monument and the key role which Stirling has played in Scottish history, as well as the scenery of the area, has bolstered Stirling's position as an important tourist destination in Scotland.
The University of Stirling and Stirling Council are two of the biggest employers in the area. Knowledge related industries, research and development as well as life sciences have clustered around the university in the Stirling University Innovation Park, close to its main campus. Other public sector agencies that are major employers in the city include Central Scotland Police, Forth Valley Health Board and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.
With good transport connections to the major cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, Stirling is home to a large number of commuters, with 12,000 residents commuting to work in other areas, with 13,800 workers travelling in to the city.
Sport
Local sporting teams include the football team Stirling Albion F.C., and the rugby union team Stirling County. Footballers Billy Bremner and Duncan Ferguson were born in Stirling, as was rugby internationals Kenny Logan and Allister Hogg, jockey Willie Carson, and cricketer Dougie Brown.
Stirling is also a major centre of sports training and education in Scotland. The Scottish Institute of Sport is headquartered in a purpose built facility on the campus of Stirling University which opened in 2002. Also at the university in the state of the art Scottish National Swimming Academy as well as the Gannochy National Tennis centre which is seen as a tennis centre of excellence.
Furthermore the university itself has its own dedicated Sports Studies department and was ranked amongst the best in the United Kingdom for its provision of sports facilities, with the maximum 5 star award, shared by 16 other universities in the UK.
Stirling and its surrounding area has a number of 9 and 18 hole golf courses, the largest of which is the Stirling Golf Course, located in the Kings Park area of the city.
Education
The University of Stirling opened in 1967 on a greenfield site outside the town. Currently there are 9000 students studying at the university, of which 7000 are undergraduates and 2000 are postgraduates. Students of over 80 nationalities are represented at the university, with 14% of students coming from overseas. It has grown into a major research centre, with a large science park - Innovation Park, located immediately adjacent to the main university campus. Innovation Park has grown since its initiation in 1993, and is now home to 40 companies engaging in various forms of research and development. Stirling is also home to part of the wider Forth Valley College which was formed on August 1st 2005 from the merger of Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannan colleges.
There are three main high schools in Stirling itself - Stirling High School, with a school roll of 940 pupils, Wallace High School with 950 pupils and St Modan's High School, located in the suburb of St Ninians.
The city is clustered around a large castle and medevil old-town. It is a centre for government, retail, and light industry. Its population was 41,243 in 2001.
A former capital of the Kingdom of Scotland, Stirling was a royal burgh until 1975. In 2002, as part of Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee, Stirling was granted city status.
Originally a Stone Age Settlement, Stirling has been strategically significant since at least the Roman occupation of part of Britain, due to its easily defensible hill and its commanding position beside the River Forth.
A ford, and later bridge, of the river at Stirling brought wealth and influence, as did its port. The town was chartered as a royal burgh by King David in the 12th century, with charters later reaffirmed by later monarchs. Major battles in Scotland's long conflict with England took place at the Stirling Bridge in 1297 and at the nearby village of Bannockburn in 1314.
Geography and Climate
Stirling is renowned as the Gateway to the Highlands and is generally regarded as occupying a strategic position at the point where the flatter largely undulating Scottish Lowlands meet the rugged slopes of the Highlands. The starkness of this contrast is evidenced by the many hills and mountains of the lower Highlands such as Ben Vorlich and Ben Ledi which can be seen to the northwest of the city. On the other hand, to the east of the city, the Carse of Stirling is one of the flattest and most agriculturally productive expanses of land in the whole of Scotland.
The land surrounding Stirling has been most affected by glacial erosion and deposition. The city itself has grown up around its castle which stands atop an ancient volcanic plug a major defensive position, which is, in turn at the lowest crossing point on the River Forth. Stirling stands on the River Forth at the point where the river widens and becomes tidal. To the east of the city the Ochil Hills dominate the skyline with the highest peaks in the range being Dumyat and Ben Cleuch. The Ochils meet the flat floodplain of the River Forth to the east of the distinctive geographical feature - Abbey Craig, a crag and tail feature upon which sits the 220ft (67m) high National Wallace Monument.
The climate of Stirling differs little from that of much of the rest of central Scotland. Warm, unstable air from the Atlantic Ocean is the predominant influence, with a prevailing southwesterly wind.
Government and Politics
In terms of local government, the city of Stirling is a part of the wider Stirling Council area, which governs on matters of local administration as set out by the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994. Elections to the council take place every 4 years, with the next elections scheduled to take place in May 2007. Currently the council is controlled by the Labour Party. The Provost of Stirling is Colin O'Brien.
In terms of national government, there is a Stirling constituency of the Scottish Parliament with the MSP being Sylvia Jackson of the Labour Party and a Stirling constituency of the House of Commons represented by Anne McGuire of the Labour Party. As Scotland comprises a single European Parliament Constituency, Stirling participates in electing 7 MEP's using the d'Hondt method of proportional representation every 4 years.
Ecomony
At the centre of a large rural agricultural hinterland that encompasses some of the flattest and most productive land in Scotland, Stirling principally functioned as a market town with farmers coming to sell their products and wares in the large agricultural market that was held in the town. Today, agriculture still plays a part in the economic life of Stirling, given its focus at the heart of a large rural area, but to a much less extent than previously.
With Stirling's development as a market town and its location as the focus of transport and commmunications in the region, it has developed a substantial retail sector serving a wide range of surrounding communities as well as the city itself. Primarily centred on the city centre, there are a large number of chain stores. However this has been augmented by out-of-town developments such as the Springkerse Retail Park on the city bypass to the east of Stirling, the development of a large Sainsbury's at Raploch and a large Dobbies Garden Centre on the northwestern approaches to the city.
In terms of the services, financial services as well as tourism are the biggest employers in this sector. The financial services and insurance company - Prudential - have a large and well-established base at Craigforth on the outskirts of Stirling. In terms of tourism, the presence of such historical monuments as Stirling Castle, the National Wallace Monument and the key role which Stirling has played in Scottish history, as well as the scenery of the area, has bolstered Stirling's position as an important tourist destination in Scotland.
The University of Stirling and Stirling Council are two of the biggest employers in the area. Knowledge related industries, research and development as well as life sciences have clustered around the university in the Stirling University Innovation Park, close to its main campus. Other public sector agencies that are major employers in the city include Central Scotland Police, Forth Valley Health Board and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.
With good transport connections to the major cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, Stirling is home to a large number of commuters, with 12,000 residents commuting to work in other areas, with 13,800 workers travelling in to the city.
Sport
Local sporting teams include the football team Stirling Albion F.C., and the rugby union team Stirling County. Footballers Billy Bremner and Duncan Ferguson were born in Stirling, as was rugby internationals Kenny Logan and Allister Hogg, jockey Willie Carson, and cricketer Dougie Brown.
Stirling is also a major centre of sports training and education in Scotland. The Scottish Institute of Sport is headquartered in a purpose built facility on the campus of Stirling University which opened in 2002. Also at the university in the state of the art Scottish National Swimming Academy as well as the Gannochy National Tennis centre which is seen as a tennis centre of excellence.
Furthermore the university itself has its own dedicated Sports Studies department and was ranked amongst the best in the United Kingdom for its provision of sports facilities, with the maximum 5 star award, shared by 16 other universities in the UK.
Stirling and its surrounding area has a number of 9 and 18 hole golf courses, the largest of which is the Stirling Golf Course, located in the Kings Park area of the city.
Education
The University of Stirling opened in 1967 on a greenfield site outside the town. Currently there are 9000 students studying at the university, of which 7000 are undergraduates and 2000 are postgraduates. Students of over 80 nationalities are represented at the university, with 14% of students coming from overseas. It has grown into a major research centre, with a large science park - Innovation Park, located immediately adjacent to the main university campus. Innovation Park has grown since its initiation in 1993, and is now home to 40 companies engaging in various forms of research and development. Stirling is also home to part of the wider Forth Valley College which was formed on August 1st 2005 from the merger of Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannan colleges.
There are three main high schools in Stirling itself - Stirling High School, with a school roll of 940 pupils, Wallace High School with 950 pupils and St Modan's High School, located in the suburb of St Ninians.
Ireland
• Capital – Dublin
• Largest City – Dublin
• Languages – Irish and English
• Republic
• President – Mary McAleese
• Taoiseach – Bertie Ahern
Currency
• Largest City – Dublin
• Languages – Irish and English
• Republic
• President – Mary McAleese
• Taoiseach – Bertie Ahern
Currency
Cuba
Motto: Patria o Muerte
(Homeland or death)
Getting there:
Almost all visitors to Cuba arrive by air, with scheduled flights arriving from Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Europe. The main gateways for US travellers continue to be Cancún, Nassau and Toronto. There are direct flights available from the USA, but to take them US citizens will need the permission of the US Treasury Department, which restricts travel to Cuba to journalists, researchers and a handful of other groups.
Getting Around:
Railway
Roads
Long-distance buses
Urban buses
Waterways
Seaports and Harbours
Airplanes
Attractions:
Old Havana
Varadero
Tropicana
Museum of the Revolution (Museo de la Revolucion)
Vinales Valley
Duration of Flight:
From London – Holguin – Havana
7 hours 15 minutes
Nightlife:
The nightlife in Cuba is rich and varied, but there are two spots that absolutely cannot be missed - they are recommended by Ernest Hemingway! Hemingway once supposedly said: “My mojito at the Bodeguita, my daquiri at the Floridita.” While the accuracy of this quotation is disputed, the proclamation has become a part of Hemingway lore. You can relive the great author’s nights on the town by getting drinks at these two famous bars, just blocks away from each other in downtown Havana. El Floridita was Hemingway’s preferred spot, and the bar stool he favored is currently roped off in his honor. Bodeguita del Medeo displays the quote attributed to Hemingway on the wall, along with some entertaining, decades-old Spanish graffiti on the walls and in the bathroom. Outside of Havana, the best cities for clubbing and bar hopping are Cienfuegos and Trinidad. Cienfuegos’ best-kept secret is the Palacio de Valle, a palace that contains a restaurant and a rooftop bar. The interior Arabian architecture is impressive, but the view from the top makes this an ideal place for dancing. Trinidad has all of the average spots, but if you’re looking for a unique place to salsa dance, try the Cueva Ayala. It’s located underground, in the caves that surround the Hotel Las Cuevas. It tends to get warm down there, but the open bar (free drinks with admission price) should help cool you down.
Accommodation:
Havana - NH Parque Central hotel
Halguin - Paradisus Rio de Oro hotel
Varadero Beach - Iberostar Varadero
(Homeland or death)
Getting there:
Almost all visitors to Cuba arrive by air, with scheduled flights arriving from Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Europe. The main gateways for US travellers continue to be Cancún, Nassau and Toronto. There are direct flights available from the USA, but to take them US citizens will need the permission of the US Treasury Department, which restricts travel to Cuba to journalists, researchers and a handful of other groups.
Getting Around:
Railway
Roads
Long-distance buses
Urban buses
Waterways
Seaports and Harbours
Airplanes
Attractions:
Old Havana
Varadero
Tropicana
Museum of the Revolution (Museo de la Revolucion)
Vinales Valley
Duration of Flight:
From London – Holguin – Havana
7 hours 15 minutes
Nightlife:
The nightlife in Cuba is rich and varied, but there are two spots that absolutely cannot be missed - they are recommended by Ernest Hemingway! Hemingway once supposedly said: “My mojito at the Bodeguita, my daquiri at the Floridita.” While the accuracy of this quotation is disputed, the proclamation has become a part of Hemingway lore. You can relive the great author’s nights on the town by getting drinks at these two famous bars, just blocks away from each other in downtown Havana. El Floridita was Hemingway’s preferred spot, and the bar stool he favored is currently roped off in his honor. Bodeguita del Medeo displays the quote attributed to Hemingway on the wall, along with some entertaining, decades-old Spanish graffiti on the walls and in the bathroom. Outside of Havana, the best cities for clubbing and bar hopping are Cienfuegos and Trinidad. Cienfuegos’ best-kept secret is the Palacio de Valle, a palace that contains a restaurant and a rooftop bar. The interior Arabian architecture is impressive, but the view from the top makes this an ideal place for dancing. Trinidad has all of the average spots, but if you’re looking for a unique place to salsa dance, try the Cueva Ayala. It’s located underground, in the caves that surround the Hotel Las Cuevas. It tends to get warm down there, but the open bar (free drinks with admission price) should help cool you down.
Accommodation:
Havana - NH Parque Central hotel
Halguin - Paradisus Rio de Oro hotel
Varadero Beach - Iberostar Varadero
Crete
Crete
Largest Island of Greece
Geography
• Crete is situated 160km south of Greece.
• Crete is just one of the 13 regions of Greece.
• It is the largest Greek island.
Climate
• Is in between two climate zones, The Mediterranean and North African.
• Snowfall is almost non existent.
• Temp. usually stays around the low 20’s and 30’s (Celsius).
Economy
• Mainly farming until 1970’s.
• 3 sectors of Cretan industry: agriculture, processing-packaging, services.
• The island has three significant airports, Nikos Kazantzakis at Heraklion, the military airport Daskalogiannis at Chania and a new public airport in Sitia.
Cities
• Crete's principal cities are:
• Heraklion (Iraklion or Candia) (137,711 inhabitants)
• Chania (Haniá) (53,373 inhabitants)
• Rethymno (31,687 inhabitants)
• Ierapetra (23,707 inhabitants)
• Agios Nikolaos (19,462 inhabitants)
• Sitia (14,338 inhabitants)
Tourism
• Most popular tourist destination in Greece.
• Visitors can arrive at the island through two international airports in Heraklion and Hania, or by boat to the ports of Heraklion, Hania, Rethimno and Agios Nikolaos.
Largest Island of Greece
Geography
• Crete is situated 160km south of Greece.
• Crete is just one of the 13 regions of Greece.
• It is the largest Greek island.
Climate
• Is in between two climate zones, The Mediterranean and North African.
• Snowfall is almost non existent.
• Temp. usually stays around the low 20’s and 30’s (Celsius).
Economy
• Mainly farming until 1970’s.
• 3 sectors of Cretan industry: agriculture, processing-packaging, services.
• The island has three significant airports, Nikos Kazantzakis at Heraklion, the military airport Daskalogiannis at Chania and a new public airport in Sitia.
Cities
• Crete's principal cities are:
• Heraklion (Iraklion or Candia) (137,711 inhabitants)
• Chania (Haniá) (53,373 inhabitants)
• Rethymno (31,687 inhabitants)
• Ierapetra (23,707 inhabitants)
• Agios Nikolaos (19,462 inhabitants)
• Sitia (14,338 inhabitants)
Tourism
• Most popular tourist destination in Greece.
• Visitors can arrive at the island through two international airports in Heraklion and Hania, or by boat to the ports of Heraklion, Hania, Rethimno and Agios Nikolaos.
Blackpool
By Lisa Chadburn & Pamela McCall
Travelling
• Road - From the North: From Scotland and the North of England, join the M6 (starts at Carlisle). Travel south until you reach Junction 32 - signposted M55 for Blackpool.
From the South: From London and the South East join the M1 and travel north to Birmingham. From Wales, Bristol and the South West, take the M5 and travel North to Birmingham. Join the M6 (starts at Birmingham) and travel north until you reach Junction 32 - signposted M55 for Blackpool.
Car parking: Blackpool has many car parks within easy reach of town centre with a capacity of 10,405 cars. A new link road from the M55 will take you right into the centre of town to the Central Car Park.
• Back in Victorian times, Blackpool was the first town in the country to 'go electric'. A century later, the resort's love affair with light endures. Every autumn, when other seaside resorts close down, Blackpool becomes a blaze of coloured lights with "the greatest free show on earth" - Blackpool Illuminations. Fibre optics and computer control have brought a new dimension to Britain's biggest tourist attraction. The display stretches along Blackpool's famous seafront for over five miles transforming the Promenade into a wonderland of colour.
Travelling
• Road - From the North: From Scotland and the North of England, join the M6 (starts at Carlisle). Travel south until you reach Junction 32 - signposted M55 for Blackpool.
From the South: From London and the South East join the M1 and travel north to Birmingham. From Wales, Bristol and the South West, take the M5 and travel North to Birmingham. Join the M6 (starts at Birmingham) and travel north until you reach Junction 32 - signposted M55 for Blackpool.
Car parking: Blackpool has many car parks within easy reach of town centre with a capacity of 10,405 cars. A new link road from the M55 will take you right into the centre of town to the Central Car Park.
• Back in Victorian times, Blackpool was the first town in the country to 'go electric'. A century later, the resort's love affair with light endures. Every autumn, when other seaside resorts close down, Blackpool becomes a blaze of coloured lights with "the greatest free show on earth" - Blackpool Illuminations. Fibre optics and computer control have brought a new dimension to Britain's biggest tourist attraction. The display stretches along Blackpool's famous seafront for over five miles transforming the Promenade into a wonderland of colour.
Monday, 16 April 2007
Homework Revision
Homework 12
1. PHP – pre-processed hypertext
2. Advantage – No need for client side plug-ins. The PHP script is executed on the web server, so only the web server needs plug-ins.
Advantage – Slows down the server.
3. A browser creates cookies to keep a record for the website owner to see how many people visit their site. They are updated so that websites can track users and see what websites they view.
4. A browser retrieves the HTML of the website and interprets it to show a viewable web page.
5. SSL – Secure socket layer.
6. Secure servers are given a certificate, link is encrypted as well as the data and a combination of send and receive ports.
7. Can a web page be viewed on more than one web browser and does the browser have the proper plug-ins to view the web page.
8. RSA is asymmetric and requires a lot of calculations whilst PGP is symmetric and uses 2 different keys to encode and decode. PGP is better as it does not require numerous complex calculations, PGP is more suited to handle internet traffic and is faster compared to RSA.
9. A public key is widely distributed to the public and a private key must be sent with the public key to ensure the information can be decoded.
Information systems homework
1. 3 functions of a browser: to allow web pages to be viewed
To convert html into a readable website
Forward and back buttons
2. Client side scripting is when the client uses scripting in order to be able to change a website because html is static and cannot be changed once it has been entered.
B)
3. Cookies allow a web server to send and receive information. A cookie is a file tat contains only one line of text, and is stored on the web servers or the user’s hard drive.
b) They keep track of the sites that have been visited and allow the web server to keep a hit counter of how many people have visited that site.
c) Site-tracking software collects and analyses the data that is generated by Internet traffic. The simplest type is a hit counter, which can be incorporated into a web page.
4. Credibility –
Bias – yes, as it would be telling people that the food is delicious and better than any other fast-food restaurant.
Accuracy – it would be as accurate as they could get the information.
b) The legality of this page is that it does not tell of the food risks involved when eating this food.
5. RSA encryption – this uses a numerous complex mathematic problem to scramble data.
PGP encryption – this uses RSA to encode the cipher key, it is slow but it does not include the numerous mathematic problem.
6. Educational entertainment which helps people to learn by making a subject fun. This usually include games and activity sheets.
b) Academic – educational website giving information about primary, secondary, colleges and universities.
c) Commercial – A company website advertising a product or service.
d) Personal – a website made for someone’s favourite band.
Homework
1. An Ip's purpose is to uniquely identify a network.
2. a) A data packet is a piece of information which is split into small packets in order for it to be sent from the sender to the reciever.
b) Document which is to be sent, source ip address and destination ip address.
c) Switching packets works by sending the packets through routers which use a routing table to identify which routes are the best for sending the packets.
3. Protocol
Port number
Domain Name
Path
File Identifier
b)
4. A proxy server is a computer that offers a computer network service to allow clients to make indirect network connections to other network services.
b) It allows websites to be stored without it directly contacting the internet everytime for a specific website and
c) The DNS uniquely identifies the ip address instead of the website address itself.
d) It will contact other DNS databases until it either finds the website he wants or an error message will appear saying that the website could not be found.
5. Class C
b) Subnets allow a network to be classed as a different network in order to allow more people to work with the network.
1. PHP – pre-processed hypertext
2. Advantage – No need for client side plug-ins. The PHP script is executed on the web server, so only the web server needs plug-ins.
Advantage – Slows down the server.
3. A browser creates cookies to keep a record for the website owner to see how many people visit their site. They are updated so that websites can track users and see what websites they view.
4. A browser retrieves the HTML of the website and interprets it to show a viewable web page.
5. SSL – Secure socket layer.
6. Secure servers are given a certificate, link is encrypted as well as the data and a combination of send and receive ports.
7. Can a web page be viewed on more than one web browser and does the browser have the proper plug-ins to view the web page.
8. RSA is asymmetric and requires a lot of calculations whilst PGP is symmetric and uses 2 different keys to encode and decode. PGP is better as it does not require numerous complex calculations, PGP is more suited to handle internet traffic and is faster compared to RSA.
9. A public key is widely distributed to the public and a private key must be sent with the public key to ensure the information can be decoded.
Information systems homework
1. 3 functions of a browser: to allow web pages to be viewed
To convert html into a readable website
Forward and back buttons
2. Client side scripting is when the client uses scripting in order to be able to change a website because html is static and cannot be changed once it has been entered.
B)
3. Cookies allow a web server to send and receive information. A cookie is a file tat contains only one line of text, and is stored on the web servers or the user’s hard drive.
b) They keep track of the sites that have been visited and allow the web server to keep a hit counter of how many people have visited that site.
c) Site-tracking software collects and analyses the data that is generated by Internet traffic. The simplest type is a hit counter, which can be incorporated into a web page.
4. Credibility –
Bias – yes, as it would be telling people that the food is delicious and better than any other fast-food restaurant.
Accuracy – it would be as accurate as they could get the information.
b) The legality of this page is that it does not tell of the food risks involved when eating this food.
5. RSA encryption – this uses a numerous complex mathematic problem to scramble data.
PGP encryption – this uses RSA to encode the cipher key, it is slow but it does not include the numerous mathematic problem.
6. Educational entertainment which helps people to learn by making a subject fun. This usually include games and activity sheets.
b) Academic – educational website giving information about primary, secondary, colleges and universities.
c) Commercial – A company website advertising a product or service.
d) Personal – a website made for someone’s favourite band.
Homework
1. An Ip's purpose is to uniquely identify a network.
2. a) A data packet is a piece of information which is split into small packets in order for it to be sent from the sender to the reciever.
b) Document which is to be sent, source ip address and destination ip address.
c) Switching packets works by sending the packets through routers which use a routing table to identify which routes are the best for sending the packets.
3. Protocol
Port number
Domain Name
Path
File Identifier
b)
4. A proxy server is a computer that offers a computer network service to allow clients to make indirect network connections to other network services.
b) It allows websites to be stored without it directly contacting the internet everytime for a specific website and
c) The DNS uniquely identifies the ip address instead of the website address itself.
d) It will contact other DNS databases until it either finds the website he wants or an error message will appear saying that the website could not be found.
5. Class C
b) Subnets allow a network to be classed as a different network in order to allow more people to work with the network.
Revision
Revision
Chapter 1
Database Management System – This is a software package which, is used to create, manipulate and present data from electronic databases.
Database – this is a collection of related information about a ser of persons.
Traditional databases –
The storage of paper records was very bulky. Often requiring several large storing cabinets.
Data was often duplicated in several records.
Keeping records up-to-date was difficult and time consuming, and often resulted in data inconsistency, where duplicated values were updated in one record but not in others.
Benefits of using databases –
Searching and sorting operations can be performed much more quickly and easily.
Information is more easily available to users, due to improved methods of data retrieval.
Security and integrity of data is improved, due to the methods of data storage and updating.
No data redundancy (data duplication). In a relational database, data is never stored more often than is necessary.
Chapter 2
Relational model – the main idea behind a relational database is that data is grouped into entities that are related, in order to minimise data duplication and achieve data integrity.
In order to create a relational database, it is necessary first to produce a data model to represent the data being stored. The data model will indicate which entities are required, which attributes belong to each entity, and what relationships exist between the entities.
Chapter 1
Database Management System – This is a software package which, is used to create, manipulate and present data from electronic databases.
Database – this is a collection of related information about a ser of persons.
Traditional databases –
The storage of paper records was very bulky. Often requiring several large storing cabinets.
Data was often duplicated in several records.
Keeping records up-to-date was difficult and time consuming, and often resulted in data inconsistency, where duplicated values were updated in one record but not in others.
Benefits of using databases –
Searching and sorting operations can be performed much more quickly and easily.
Information is more easily available to users, due to improved methods of data retrieval.
Security and integrity of data is improved, due to the methods of data storage and updating.
No data redundancy (data duplication). In a relational database, data is never stored more often than is necessary.
Chapter 2
Relational model – the main idea behind a relational database is that data is grouped into entities that are related, in order to minimise data duplication and achieve data integrity.
In order to create a relational database, it is necessary first to produce a data model to represent the data being stored. The data model will indicate which entities are required, which attributes belong to each entity, and what relationships exist between the entities.
Info Links
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/nq/images/InternetUnitHigherv2_tcm4-193219.pdf
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/nq/images/InternetUnitHigherv2_tcm4-193219.pdf
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/nq/images/InternetUnitHigherv2_tcm4-193219.pdf
HTML
Music Code
embed src="music name" width="360" height="165" type="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /embed
Div
div style="BACKGROUND: green" SEARCH LINKS a href="http://www.google.com" target="_blank" Google /a /div
div id="menu" align="right"
a href="Glasgow">Glasgow/a
a href="Edinburgh">Edinburgh/a
a href="Dublin">Dublin/a
/div
embed src="music name" width="360" height="165" type="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /embed
Div
div style="BACKGROUND: green" SEARCH LINKS a href="http://www.google.com" target="_blank" Google /a /div
div id="menu" align="right"
a href="Glasgow">Glasgow/a
a href="Edinburgh">Edinburgh/a
a href="Dublin">Dublin/a
/div
Using Information
Using Information
Data and Information
Examples
• Data 311299
• Today’s date 31/12/99
• The data has been given context
• Software converts the data from binary format to one with context.
Information and Knowledge
Metadata
• Data that describes data
• Eg in database ….
• Data type (text, number etc)
• Field size
• Source
Categorisation of Information
• Source
• Nature
• Level
• Time
• Frequency
• Use
• Form
• Type
Source
• Primary
– Original Source Document
• Secondary
– Source other than the original
• Internal
– Eg sales report
• External
Nature of Info
• Formal
– Eg formal letters and documents
• Informal
– Eg casual Emails + conversations
• Quantitative
– Represented by numbers
• Qualitative
– Represented by words
Levels of Information
• Strategic
– Top management long timescale
– eg managing director
– - often involves external information
• Tactical
– Middle management medium timescale
– Eg area manager
• Operational
– Lower management short timescale
– Eg branch manager
– mainly internal information
Levels of Information
Time
• Historic
• Present
• Future
Frequency
• Continuous
– Eg real time system- info constantly coming in
• Periodic
– Sampled at intervals eg once a week
Information used for
• Planning
– Decide in advance
– What is to be done
– Who is to do it?
– How is it to be done?
• Control
– Measure progress against expectations. Take action
• Decision Making
Select an action from from the possible actions available
Eg decide which university to go to
Forms of Information
• Written
• Aural
(spoken word)
• Visual
– Eg charts, pictures
Types of Information
• Detailed
– Every piece of info available is shown
• Sampled
– Eg every tenth customer
• Aggregated
– Eg total sales for the month
Characteristics of Information
• Accuracy
degree of accuracy depends on use of information
• Reliability
Websites vary greatly in reliability
• Relevance
• Completeness
• Timing
• Conciseness
• Presentation
• Availability
Value and cost
• Expensive information can have low value
• Low cost information can be valuable.
• Example – Adverts offering to sell information on how to make a fortune usually give useless information – expensive but low value
• Info on a course you really want to do – free but very valuable to you
Basic Concepts Of Organisational Information Systems
2. Accuracy
• Human error reduces accuracy
• Different packages may be programmed to different degrees of accuracy (number of decimal places)for calculations
3. Volume
• Amount of data that can be processed in a given time
• Number of transactions in a given time
• Eg Banks, supermarkets process huge volume of transactions
• Need huge processing power, backing storage, output capabilities
4. Efficiency
• Combination of speed, accuracy and volume
• An efficient organisational information system will process a large volume of transactions accurately and quickly.
• Computerised info system is much more efficient than a manual one
Advantages of computerised System
• More accurate due to
• validation checks on entry
• automatic calculations
• This means less human error
Advantages of having a centralised database
• Any user can access the database from anywhere on the network
• Always be up to date and it is easy to control any changes.
• These factors make an organisation more efficient
What is an Information system?
• Group of interrelated components for input, processing, storage and output of information so it can be used for planning, decision making and control at all levels of an organisation.
• Can also be used by individuals.
Data Processing Systems
• System for gathering info, inputting and processing then outputting useful info.
• Eg school attendance records
– Supermarket stock records
– Operational level
Management Information Systems
• System that takes data from internal and external sources and converts it into a form that can be used by managers for decision making.
• Data comes from Databases in regular reports
Decision support systems
• Systems to support management decision making.
• Consist of Performance data, business rules, analytical tools
• Mostly used at operational level
Executive information system
• Helps senior managers to take strategic and tactical decisions
• Identify trends over a long period
• Incorporate external and internal information to make executive decisions.
• Mainly at strategic level
Expert system
• Program that tries to emulate human reasoning
• 3 parts
• Knowledge base, inference engine, user interface
Organisational Information Systems Management Strategies
• Network strategy
• Security strategy
• Backup strategy
• Upgrade strategy
• Software strategy
Network Strategy
• Coverage. One room? Whole building? Several buildings?
• Topology?
• Data transfer. How much data traffic should it be capable of?
• Storage capacity
• Facilities
Security strategy
• Guard against hackers, virus attack, unauthorised access
• Who has access
• Different access levels
• Passwords and usernames
• Firewall
– Program that prevents unauthorised
entry to a computer system or network
• Anti virus software
Backup and recovery strategy
• Needed to make sure no data is lost in the event of hardware or software failure.
• Backup of software
• Quick repair or replacement of hardware
Upgrade Strategy
• Needed as hardware and software is expensive
• Must upgrade at cost effective time
• New software must be compatible with hardware and existing operating system.
Software strategy
• Tailor made software or “off the shelf”(bespoke)?
• Banks, supermarkets etc usually use tailor made software – expensive but will suit their requirements exactly.
• Smaller organisations adapt “off the shelf” packages such as spreadsheets to suit their needs.
Network Topologies
• “Shape” of network and area it covers.
• LAN
• WAN
• Distributed network
– LAN with “sub-networks” using multiple servers.
Network Hardware
• Client and server network
Programs and data stored on server, accessed by clients
• Peer to Peer network
Each “workstation” can access software on any other workstation.
• Network adapter card (Network Interface Card)
• Structured cabling
– Copper wire or fibre optics
Network Software
• Server OS has different features to OS on workstations
Eg manage user access and users storage space
Security Strategy
• Security
Keep data safe from accidental loss through corruption, floods etc. Also virus and hacker attacks
• Integrity
– Making sure data is correct – validation used
• Privacy
– Preventing unauthorised access
Security risks
• Virus attack
• Hacking
• Denial of service
– Server flooded with overwhelming number requests
Implementing Data Security
• Have a code of conduct
Implementing Data Security
• Install anti virus software
• Update it regularly
• Don’t open unknown Email attachments
• Don’t share floppy disks
Implementing Data Security
Device or software that prevents
access to a network from external
computers.
List of authorised users and
websites
Implementing Data Security
• Data is coded at sending end and decoded at receiving end.
• Especially important for Ebanking and Ecommerce.
Implementing Data Security
• Read access
• Write access
• Create access
• Erase access
Backup Strategy
• Archiving
• Long term storage of old data eg old accounts from previous years
• Recovery
Replacing lost data from backed up files
• Storage methods
Magnetic tape drives – high capacity, cheap
Backup strategy
• Full backup
• Incremental backup
• Example – Full backup of all data every week
• Incremental backup nightly (only backup new data created since previous night.
• Start again every 6 months or year
Upgrade Strategy
• “Future proofing”
Try to buy hardware and software that will not need upgrading too soon
• Hardware and software compatibility.
Will new applications run with current operating system?
Is new operating system compatible with current hardware?
Does software need upgrading?
Upgrade Strategy
• Old systems running out of date hardware and software.
• Kept because they do a specialised job
Software Strategy
• Functionality
• Performance
speed
• Usability
menu choices, toolbar buttons etc
• Compatibility, Resource requirements.
Software strategy
• Data migration
Can data created by old software be used by new software.
Portability
Can software be used on different platforms (eg PC and Apple Mac)
Support
Helpline, callout if problems occur
Training
• On the job
• On line tutorial or manual
• In House
IT staff give training
• External
Staff go out on courses
User support
• On line help
Part of the package used to call up instructions when you are stuck with a particular topic
On line Tutorial
Part of package used to show facilities of package and exercises to help new users become familiar with package
• Manuals
• Installation guide
• Tutorial guide
• Reference manual
Distributed Databases
• Files stored in different locations linked by a network.
Information Management Software
• Word processing
• Desktop Publishing
Presentation Software
• Create slide show with text, graphics, sound, video, animation.
• Copy of slides can be printed off
• Eg – MS Powerpoint
Data Handling Software
• Stores information in an organised way
• Can be sorted, searched and used to produce reports
WP software advanced features
• Multi page layout
– Different layouts for different pages eg text boxes for front page, columns for other pages
– DTP packages tend to be better for this
• Pagination
Numbering pages and using page breaks to group chapters + sections
• Columns
• Header/footer
WP software advanced features
• Contents/index
- list of items with page and chapter numbers
• Graphics with text wrapping
• Stylesheets
Allows font styles to be varied and applied easily to blocks of text
• House Style
• An organisation uses a particular combination of fonts,styles etc for all it’s communication
Spreadsheet Advanced Features
• Goal seeking/forecasting
• Example – predict profits in 6 months time based on average growth in sales for last 6 months
• Lookup tables
• Used instead of If formula when conditions are complex. Eg exam results – simple pass or fail could use if formula but grades A- F would require look up table
• Nested IF
• If inside an if eg =IF(exam mark>=35,IF(practical mark>15,pass,fail),fail)
• Count
• Macros
Project Management Software
• Helps a manager manage a project
• Plan the project
What is to be achieved? - Scope
Cost? -Budget
How long? Time schedule
• Implement the project
• Monitor performance against targets
Project Management
• Timelining
Allocate times and dates to tasks
• Resource Allocation
staff, equipment
• Charts
Gantt chart (example)
Project Management
• To meet schedule
increase resources
Make resources more efficient
Reduce scope
• Meet a specific budget
Reduce resources
Reduce scope
• Meet requirements of project scope
Adjust finishing date
Critical path analysis
• Critical path is series of essential tasks
• Software analyses each task for optimisation.
Personal Information Management
• Communication (Email)
• Reminders lists, calendars etc
• Contacts
• Task lists
• Eg MS Outlook
Graphics Design
•Used to create and manipulate pictures
•Animation, photo editing
•Eg Paintshop pro, Serif Draw
Browsers
• For retrieving information from the Internet
• Retrieve and display web pages by sending out URL
• Other features
– Favourites, history folders, forward and back buttons, file transfer.
Email client software
• Example – MS Outlook
• Write send and receive Email messages.
• Advantage - can read and write messages offline.
Chat Client
• Send and receive text messages in real time
• Chatrooms
• Instant messaging
• Voice based messaging
Financial
• Manage and control money for business
• Eg MS Money
Reference Software
• Encyclopedia
• Eg Encarta
• Formerly on CD ROM
• Now mostly on WEB
Evaluating software
• Range of data objects
• Range of operations that can be performed
• Formatting functions
• HCI (keyboard commands, menus and toolbars/icons)
• Online help and online tutorials
Evaluating software exampleMS Word1. Range of data objects
• Text boxes. Graphics in native format, bmp, jpeg, gif
• Tables. Embedded objects from other applications
2. Range of operations
•Formatting functions
Standard Spreadsheet Software
• Datasheets
• Values/Text
• Formulas
• charts
•Human Computer Interface (HCI)
On line help and on line tutorials
Social Implications of ICT
Information Rich Vs Information Poor
• Easy access to computers and ICT
• Benefit from online banking, shopping etc
• Training courses and jobs may only be available on Internet
Information poor
• No Internet access
• Miss out on public information that is posted on web
• No online retail, ticket sales, banking etc.
Effect on business of IS
• IS driven business model gives more efficiency in planning
• Competitive advantage
• Ecommerce
Advantages to business
Advantages to customer
Effect on relationship between business and customers.
Online Identity
• May not be real identity, especially in chatrooms
Social implications of online retail
• Job losses in traditional stores
• Less social contact
• Increasing divide between info rich and info poor
Impact on Social structures
• Families spend less time together
• Due to TV, internet, computer games
• Teleworking means less social contact for people
Educational qualifications
• More and more jobs now require an ICT qualification (“computer literate”)
• ICT used more and more in daily life
Legal Implications
• Data Protection Act (1998)
• Computer Misuse Act
• Copyright, Design and Patents Act
• Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (1988)
• Freedom of Information Act
Data Protection Act (1998)
Data subject can
Data Protection Act (1998)
• 1984 act only covered data in electronic format.
• 1984 Act applied only in UK
• 1998 Act harmonised EU Data protection legislation.;
Exemptions from DPA
Computer Misuse Act
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act
Intellectual property rights
If you publish a piece of original work you automatically have copyright.
Regulation Of Investigatory Powers Act
Freedom of Information Act (2002)
Health and Safety Regulations
• Seating arrangements
• Lighting
• RSI (Repetitive strain injury)
– Max amount of time at one task
• Eye strain
• Radiation from monitors
Knowledge Worker
• Uses knowledge as part of job
• Core KW – Librarian, IT manager etc
• Other KWs- Doctor,Teacher, Manager etc
Economic Implications of ICT
• Network administrator – day to day management and admin of network
• Programmer/analyst – program development, testing and maintenance
• IT manager
Effect on a business of new ICT
• Initial costs high
– Buying hardware/software. Retraining individuals.
• Productivity increases per employee
• More profit in long run
Ethical Implications of ICT
Personal netiquette
• Don’t use foul or abusive language in Emails
• DON’T SHOUT!
• Keep messages short and don’t use fancy formatting
• Emoticons help convey feelings eg J L
Business Netiquette
• Don’t send spam Emails
• Always fill in subject field
• Don’t “flame” (send multiple Emails)
Censorship
• Should internet be censored
• Could it be censored?
Encryption
• Code data at sending end and decode at receiving end
• Encryption key is code used to scramble data
• Especially important for Ecommerce
Global Citizenship
• ICT and the internet should make us better global citizens.V
Data and Information
Examples
• Data 311299
• Today’s date 31/12/99
• The data has been given context
• Software converts the data from binary format to one with context.
Information and Knowledge
Metadata
• Data that describes data
• Eg in database ….
• Data type (text, number etc)
• Field size
• Source
Categorisation of Information
• Source
• Nature
• Level
• Time
• Frequency
• Use
• Form
• Type
Source
• Primary
– Original Source Document
• Secondary
– Source other than the original
• Internal
– Eg sales report
• External
Nature of Info
• Formal
– Eg formal letters and documents
• Informal
– Eg casual Emails + conversations
• Quantitative
– Represented by numbers
• Qualitative
– Represented by words
Levels of Information
• Strategic
– Top management long timescale
– eg managing director
– - often involves external information
• Tactical
– Middle management medium timescale
– Eg area manager
• Operational
– Lower management short timescale
– Eg branch manager
– mainly internal information
Levels of Information
Time
• Historic
• Present
• Future
Frequency
• Continuous
– Eg real time system- info constantly coming in
• Periodic
– Sampled at intervals eg once a week
Information used for
• Planning
– Decide in advance
– What is to be done
– Who is to do it?
– How is it to be done?
• Control
– Measure progress against expectations. Take action
• Decision Making
Select an action from from the possible actions available
Eg decide which university to go to
Forms of Information
• Written
• Aural
(spoken word)
• Visual
– Eg charts, pictures
Types of Information
• Detailed
– Every piece of info available is shown
• Sampled
– Eg every tenth customer
• Aggregated
– Eg total sales for the month
Characteristics of Information
• Accuracy
degree of accuracy depends on use of information
• Reliability
Websites vary greatly in reliability
• Relevance
• Completeness
• Timing
• Conciseness
• Presentation
• Availability
Value and cost
• Expensive information can have low value
• Low cost information can be valuable.
• Example – Adverts offering to sell information on how to make a fortune usually give useless information – expensive but low value
• Info on a course you really want to do – free but very valuable to you
Basic Concepts Of Organisational Information Systems
2. Accuracy
• Human error reduces accuracy
• Different packages may be programmed to different degrees of accuracy (number of decimal places)for calculations
3. Volume
• Amount of data that can be processed in a given time
• Number of transactions in a given time
• Eg Banks, supermarkets process huge volume of transactions
• Need huge processing power, backing storage, output capabilities
4. Efficiency
• Combination of speed, accuracy and volume
• An efficient organisational information system will process a large volume of transactions accurately and quickly.
• Computerised info system is much more efficient than a manual one
Advantages of computerised System
• More accurate due to
• validation checks on entry
• automatic calculations
• This means less human error
Advantages of having a centralised database
• Any user can access the database from anywhere on the network
• Always be up to date and it is easy to control any changes.
• These factors make an organisation more efficient
What is an Information system?
• Group of interrelated components for input, processing, storage and output of information so it can be used for planning, decision making and control at all levels of an organisation.
• Can also be used by individuals.
Data Processing Systems
• System for gathering info, inputting and processing then outputting useful info.
• Eg school attendance records
– Supermarket stock records
– Operational level
Management Information Systems
• System that takes data from internal and external sources and converts it into a form that can be used by managers for decision making.
• Data comes from Databases in regular reports
Decision support systems
• Systems to support management decision making.
• Consist of Performance data, business rules, analytical tools
• Mostly used at operational level
Executive information system
• Helps senior managers to take strategic and tactical decisions
• Identify trends over a long period
• Incorporate external and internal information to make executive decisions.
• Mainly at strategic level
Expert system
• Program that tries to emulate human reasoning
• 3 parts
• Knowledge base, inference engine, user interface
Organisational Information Systems Management Strategies
• Network strategy
• Security strategy
• Backup strategy
• Upgrade strategy
• Software strategy
Network Strategy
• Coverage. One room? Whole building? Several buildings?
• Topology?
• Data transfer. How much data traffic should it be capable of?
• Storage capacity
• Facilities
Security strategy
• Guard against hackers, virus attack, unauthorised access
• Who has access
• Different access levels
• Passwords and usernames
• Firewall
– Program that prevents unauthorised
entry to a computer system or network
• Anti virus software
Backup and recovery strategy
• Needed to make sure no data is lost in the event of hardware or software failure.
• Backup of software
• Quick repair or replacement of hardware
Upgrade Strategy
• Needed as hardware and software is expensive
• Must upgrade at cost effective time
• New software must be compatible with hardware and existing operating system.
Software strategy
• Tailor made software or “off the shelf”(bespoke)?
• Banks, supermarkets etc usually use tailor made software – expensive but will suit their requirements exactly.
• Smaller organisations adapt “off the shelf” packages such as spreadsheets to suit their needs.
Network Topologies
• “Shape” of network and area it covers.
• LAN
• WAN
• Distributed network
– LAN with “sub-networks” using multiple servers.
Network Hardware
• Client and server network
Programs and data stored on server, accessed by clients
• Peer to Peer network
Each “workstation” can access software on any other workstation.
• Network adapter card (Network Interface Card)
• Structured cabling
– Copper wire or fibre optics
Network Software
• Server OS has different features to OS on workstations
Eg manage user access and users storage space
Security Strategy
• Security
Keep data safe from accidental loss through corruption, floods etc. Also virus and hacker attacks
• Integrity
– Making sure data is correct – validation used
• Privacy
– Preventing unauthorised access
Security risks
• Virus attack
• Hacking
• Denial of service
– Server flooded with overwhelming number requests
Implementing Data Security
• Have a code of conduct
Implementing Data Security
• Install anti virus software
• Update it regularly
• Don’t open unknown Email attachments
• Don’t share floppy disks
Implementing Data Security
Device or software that prevents
access to a network from external
computers.
List of authorised users and
websites
Implementing Data Security
• Data is coded at sending end and decoded at receiving end.
• Especially important for Ebanking and Ecommerce.
Implementing Data Security
• Read access
• Write access
• Create access
• Erase access
Backup Strategy
• Archiving
• Long term storage of old data eg old accounts from previous years
• Recovery
Replacing lost data from backed up files
• Storage methods
Magnetic tape drives – high capacity, cheap
Backup strategy
• Full backup
• Incremental backup
• Example – Full backup of all data every week
• Incremental backup nightly (only backup new data created since previous night.
• Start again every 6 months or year
Upgrade Strategy
• “Future proofing”
Try to buy hardware and software that will not need upgrading too soon
• Hardware and software compatibility.
Will new applications run with current operating system?
Is new operating system compatible with current hardware?
Does software need upgrading?
Upgrade Strategy
• Old systems running out of date hardware and software.
• Kept because they do a specialised job
Software Strategy
• Functionality
• Performance
speed
• Usability
menu choices, toolbar buttons etc
• Compatibility, Resource requirements.
Software strategy
• Data migration
Can data created by old software be used by new software.
Portability
Can software be used on different platforms (eg PC and Apple Mac)
Support
Helpline, callout if problems occur
Training
• On the job
• On line tutorial or manual
• In House
IT staff give training
• External
Staff go out on courses
User support
• On line help
Part of the package used to call up instructions when you are stuck with a particular topic
On line Tutorial
Part of package used to show facilities of package and exercises to help new users become familiar with package
• Manuals
• Installation guide
• Tutorial guide
• Reference manual
Distributed Databases
• Files stored in different locations linked by a network.
Information Management Software
• Word processing
• Desktop Publishing
Presentation Software
• Create slide show with text, graphics, sound, video, animation.
• Copy of slides can be printed off
• Eg – MS Powerpoint
Data Handling Software
• Stores information in an organised way
• Can be sorted, searched and used to produce reports
WP software advanced features
• Multi page layout
– Different layouts for different pages eg text boxes for front page, columns for other pages
– DTP packages tend to be better for this
• Pagination
Numbering pages and using page breaks to group chapters + sections
• Columns
• Header/footer
WP software advanced features
• Contents/index
- list of items with page and chapter numbers
• Graphics with text wrapping
• Stylesheets
Allows font styles to be varied and applied easily to blocks of text
• House Style
• An organisation uses a particular combination of fonts,styles etc for all it’s communication
Spreadsheet Advanced Features
• Goal seeking/forecasting
• Example – predict profits in 6 months time based on average growth in sales for last 6 months
• Lookup tables
• Used instead of If formula when conditions are complex. Eg exam results – simple pass or fail could use if formula but grades A- F would require look up table
• Nested IF
• If inside an if eg =IF(exam mark>=35,IF(practical mark>15,pass,fail),fail)
• Count
• Macros
Project Management Software
• Helps a manager manage a project
• Plan the project
What is to be achieved? - Scope
Cost? -Budget
How long? Time schedule
• Implement the project
• Monitor performance against targets
Project Management
• Timelining
Allocate times and dates to tasks
• Resource Allocation
staff, equipment
• Charts
Gantt chart (example)
Project Management
• To meet schedule
increase resources
Make resources more efficient
Reduce scope
• Meet a specific budget
Reduce resources
Reduce scope
• Meet requirements of project scope
Adjust finishing date
Critical path analysis
• Critical path is series of essential tasks
• Software analyses each task for optimisation.
Personal Information Management
• Communication (Email)
• Reminders lists, calendars etc
• Contacts
• Task lists
• Eg MS Outlook
Graphics Design
•Used to create and manipulate pictures
•Animation, photo editing
•Eg Paintshop pro, Serif Draw
Browsers
• For retrieving information from the Internet
• Retrieve and display web pages by sending out URL
• Other features
– Favourites, history folders, forward and back buttons, file transfer.
Email client software
• Example – MS Outlook
• Write send and receive Email messages.
• Advantage - can read and write messages offline.
Chat Client
• Send and receive text messages in real time
• Chatrooms
• Instant messaging
• Voice based messaging
Financial
• Manage and control money for business
• Eg MS Money
Reference Software
• Encyclopedia
• Eg Encarta
• Formerly on CD ROM
• Now mostly on WEB
Evaluating software
• Range of data objects
• Range of operations that can be performed
• Formatting functions
• HCI (keyboard commands, menus and toolbars/icons)
• Online help and online tutorials
Evaluating software exampleMS Word1. Range of data objects
• Text boxes. Graphics in native format, bmp, jpeg, gif
• Tables. Embedded objects from other applications
2. Range of operations
•Formatting functions
Standard Spreadsheet Software
• Datasheets
• Values/Text
• Formulas
• charts
•Human Computer Interface (HCI)
On line help and on line tutorials
Social Implications of ICT
Information Rich Vs Information Poor
• Easy access to computers and ICT
• Benefit from online banking, shopping etc
• Training courses and jobs may only be available on Internet
Information poor
• No Internet access
• Miss out on public information that is posted on web
• No online retail, ticket sales, banking etc.
Effect on business of IS
• IS driven business model gives more efficiency in planning
• Competitive advantage
• Ecommerce
Advantages to business
Advantages to customer
Effect on relationship between business and customers.
Online Identity
• May not be real identity, especially in chatrooms
Social implications of online retail
• Job losses in traditional stores
• Less social contact
• Increasing divide between info rich and info poor
Impact on Social structures
• Families spend less time together
• Due to TV, internet, computer games
• Teleworking means less social contact for people
Educational qualifications
• More and more jobs now require an ICT qualification (“computer literate”)
• ICT used more and more in daily life
Legal Implications
• Data Protection Act (1998)
• Computer Misuse Act
• Copyright, Design and Patents Act
• Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (1988)
• Freedom of Information Act
Data Protection Act (1998)
Data subject can
Data Protection Act (1998)
• 1984 act only covered data in electronic format.
• 1984 Act applied only in UK
• 1998 Act harmonised EU Data protection legislation.;
Exemptions from DPA
Computer Misuse Act
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act
Intellectual property rights
If you publish a piece of original work you automatically have copyright.
Regulation Of Investigatory Powers Act
Freedom of Information Act (2002)
Health and Safety Regulations
• Seating arrangements
• Lighting
• RSI (Repetitive strain injury)
– Max amount of time at one task
• Eye strain
• Radiation from monitors
Knowledge Worker
• Uses knowledge as part of job
• Core KW – Librarian, IT manager etc
• Other KWs- Doctor,Teacher, Manager etc
Economic Implications of ICT
• Network administrator – day to day management and admin of network
• Programmer/analyst – program development, testing and maintenance
• IT manager
Effect on a business of new ICT
• Initial costs high
– Buying hardware/software. Retraining individuals.
• Productivity increases per employee
• More profit in long run
Ethical Implications of ICT
Personal netiquette
• Don’t use foul or abusive language in Emails
• DON’T SHOUT!
• Keep messages short and don’t use fancy formatting
• Emoticons help convey feelings eg J L
Business Netiquette
• Don’t send spam Emails
• Always fill in subject field
• Don’t “flame” (send multiple Emails)
Censorship
• Should internet be censored
• Could it be censored?
Encryption
• Code data at sending end and decode at receiving end
• Encryption key is code used to scramble data
• Especially important for Ecommerce
Global Citizenship
• ICT and the internet should make us better global citizens.V
The Internet
Information Systems,
Higher
What is the Internet?
• Started in 1960s for military use
• ARPANET – forerunner of Internet
• 1989 WWW was invented
1990s hardware and telecommunications became cheaper
Internet use became widespread.
1998 – Internet Explorer supplied with Windows 98
Intranet
• Same as internet but restricted to a LAN
• Same software and protocols as Internet
• Gives organisations more control
• Firewall needed between Intranet and Internet.
How does the Internet Work?
Transmission Protocols
• TCP – Transmission Control Protocol
Breaks data into packets at sending end and puts packets back together at receiving end.
• IP – Internet Protocol
Provides routing device with source and destination address
Packet Switching
Packet switching
Internet Hosting
• Host – any hardware component connected to the internet
• Every host has a unique IP address
• Eg 10.120.10.60
Packet Switching
• Routing – the method used to send data packets across the internet
Advantages of TCP/IP and Packet Switching
• Any network or hardware device can communicate with any other
• Can take any route from source to destination
• If any server or router is down the packet takes a different route
• Communications channels are used more efficiently as packets from many users can use same channel.
Server Side Hardware
• Server – Powerful computer
– Used to store data for other computers to access
– (eg web server, mail server)
• Routers and Routing tables
– Router stores and forwards data packets
– Checks IP address on packet, then checks routing table for best route.
– Routing table is database containing info about all network paths
– Routing tables are constantly updated
Internet Service Protocols
• HTTP – HyperText Transfer Protocol
Transfers and downloads web pages
• FTP – File Transfer Protocol
uploading and downloading of large files
• SMTP – Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
for sending Email between servers
• POP – Post Office Protocol
Used to retrieve Email from a mail server
Revision of Protocols
• New hardware and software – compatibility issues
• New protocols eg VOIP
Standard URL Structure
Proxy Server
• Sits between the client application and real server
• Intercepts requests to real server to see if it can fulfil the request itself.
Domain Name Server (DNS)
• Resolves a URL into the correct IP address
• User enters URL
• Browser accesses database of IP addresses through ISP
• Network of databases is accessed till IP address is matched to URL
• Process is called
HOST NAME RESOLUTION
IP Addresses always have 32 bits
IP Addresses
• Split into network ID and host ID
• 5 main types of IP address classes depending on network type and size
• 3 most commonly used are
• Class A, Class B, Class C
Class A IP Address
Class B IP Address
Class C IP Address
Examples
• 12.140.60.14
• 140.45.45.96
• 201.35.120.34
Network mask
• Used to separate network ID from host ID
Sub-net mask
• Allows a network to be divided into “sub networks”
• Network administrator can divide the host part into 2 or more subnets.
Example using a class B IP address
Example using a class B IP address
Subnet mask part of the Octet
• 192 11000000 2 sub networks
• 124 11100000 6
• 140 11110000 14
Example
For a class C network how many sub networks will the subnet mask 255.255.255.192 have?
Gateway Address
• Gateway is a link between 2 different networks.
• Each gateway address belongs to a different subnet.
• Router applies subnet mask and sends packets to correct network.
TELNET
• Allows a user to remotely control a server
• Log on with valid user ID and password
• Enter commands and they will be executed as if you were entering them directly at the server console
Revision of Protocols
• Revised and new protocols are developed due to
• Incorporation of new technology eg video streaming, mobile internet.
• New services eg VOIP
Internet Regulatory Bodies
• IANA
• Internet Assigned Numbers Authority
• Administers IP addresses and top level domains
• 2 types of top level domains
• Country codes and generic codes
Internet Regulatory Bodies
• Register domain names
• Transfer and cancel domain names
• Domain names have to be assigned an IP address for DNS
Internet Regulatory Bodies
• W3C
• World Wide Web consortium
• Technical developments on WWW such as..
• Changes to HTML, XML, PNG
Social, Ethical and Legal Implications
Social
Ethical Implications
• Censorship?
• Privacy?
Data Protection Act (1998)
Data subject can
Data Protection Act (1998)
• 1984 act only covered data in electronic format.
• 1984 Act applied only in UK
• 1998 Act harmonised EU Data protection legislation.
Exemptions from DPA
Problems with DPA
• Personal Data held on web servers
• Guest books
Computer Misuse Act
• Hacking
• Sending viruses
• Service denial
– Server bombarded with millions of requests
• Copying of files
International Agreements
Viruses and Spyware/Adware
• Anti virus software
• Anti Spyware software
• Must be updated regularly
• Firewall is essential, especially with broadband connection.
Protection of Systems and Networks
• Packet filtering routers
-Filter out packets that come from certain IP addresses
Only checks IP address, does not read content
• Firewall
Only allows packets from named IP addresses through
Can read contents of packet as well as IP address.
Protection of Systems and Networks
• Proxy Server
Proxy Server
• Sits between the client application and real server
• Intercepts requests to real server to see if it can fulfil the request itself.
Protection of Systems and Networks
• Encryption
• Data is coded at sending end and decoded at receiving end.
• Encryption key (A mathematical formula) is used to code and decode the data.
Protection of Systems and Networks
• Uses public and private keys
• Public key used to code (encrypt) data
• Private key used to decode data
Protection of Systems and Networks
• RSA requires complicated calculations on every character sent
• Slow
• PGP is faster
• One computer creates a symmetric key and sends it to receiving computer using public key encryption (RSA)
• Computers communicate using symmetric key encryption
• New symmetric key created each session
Secure Socket Layer (SSL)
• Protocol used to provide an encrypted link.
• Secure servers are given a certificate by certificate authority
• Server sends digital certificate to browser
• Link is encrypted as well as the data
• Used by browsers.
• Combination of send and receive ports is called a socket
Digital signature
• Piece of encrypted data added to a document
• To give authenticity
Site tracking
• Depends on sending and receiving of cookies
• Text file placed on your hard disk by a web server
• When you request a web page browser checks for cookie
• Sends ID from cookie with URL
• If no cookie browser creates one.
• Eg hit counter on a web page
• Web servers have log files
• Big privacy issues
Internet Resources(web pages)
•Academic
•Commercial
•Personal
Academic Resources
• Edutainment
• e-books
• e-learning
Eg BBC Bitesize
• Web-based training
• Virtual libraries
• e-journals
• University, college and school websites
Commercial Resources
• e-commerce
• e-banking
• Airline reservations
• e-marketplace
• advertising
Personal Resources
• Computer games
• Multi-user games
• News and weather
• Music and video download sites
• Personal websites
Assessment of Web Resource Information
• Accuracy
• Bias
• Credibility
Browser
Application program that allows you to download and interact with web pages.
Eg MS Internet Explorer
Browser Facilities
• HTML interpretation
(interprets HTML instructions to display the web page
• capture graphics and text from web pages
• Set home page
• Security/privacy options
• File transfer
• Client side scripting
• Cookie functions
• Built in encryption functions
Authoring tools
• Icon based – click icons to add features to web page (no knowledge of HTML needed)
• Web tools
– eg hyperlink tool,
• Scripting tools
– Allow extra HTML code to be added to add extra features to page
• Save as web page
Hyperlink
• Text or graphic which when clicked takes you to another file or web page
Creating a Website
• 3 types of authoring software
Why use web authoring packages?
• User friandly
• Templates
• Wizards
• No knowledge of HTML required
• Facilities for uploading of web pages
Why Use HTML?
• Increases download efficiency as less unnecessary html script is generated
• Make specific changes to HTML after using icon based software
• Extra interactive features can be added
Server side and Client Side
• Server stores web pages as HTML
• Client computer downloads HTML which is interpreted by browser
Client Side Scripts
Cookies
Form Validation
Server Side Scripting
Cascading Style sheets
Style Sheets are text files with formatting rules for text in web pages
Cascading Style sheets
Current Developments
• Broadband – bandwidth increasing all the time
• 3g phones and mobile internet
Current DevelopmentsBrowsing Software
Current developments
Web Page Design
• Visual balance
(balance between text, graphics and menu bars)
• Consistency (especially with navigation)
• Emphasis
• Headers and footers
• Page layout
• Download efficiency
(not too many audio, video, flash animation linked files)
Browser Compatibility Issues
• Different versions of same browser may interpret some HTML tags differently.
• Eg tables may have different cell spacing.
• Different platforms may have different names for fonts/styles.
Download efficiency
• Web pages have to be downloaded by slow and fast connections
• Use compressed formats eg Gif, Jpeg, Mp3
• Not too many embedded audio or video clips
Uploading a Web Page
• FTP software required
• Web authoring packages contain ftp tools
• Home page must always be called index.htm
Information Systems,
Higher
What is the Internet?
• Started in 1960s for military use
• ARPANET – forerunner of Internet
• 1989 WWW was invented
1990s hardware and telecommunications became cheaper
Internet use became widespread.
1998 – Internet Explorer supplied with Windows 98
Intranet
• Same as internet but restricted to a LAN
• Same software and protocols as Internet
• Gives organisations more control
• Firewall needed between Intranet and Internet.
How does the Internet Work?
Transmission Protocols
• TCP – Transmission Control Protocol
Breaks data into packets at sending end and puts packets back together at receiving end.
• IP – Internet Protocol
Provides routing device with source and destination address
Packet Switching
Packet switching
Internet Hosting
• Host – any hardware component connected to the internet
• Every host has a unique IP address
• Eg 10.120.10.60
Packet Switching
• Routing – the method used to send data packets across the internet
Advantages of TCP/IP and Packet Switching
• Any network or hardware device can communicate with any other
• Can take any route from source to destination
• If any server or router is down the packet takes a different route
• Communications channels are used more efficiently as packets from many users can use same channel.
Server Side Hardware
• Server – Powerful computer
– Used to store data for other computers to access
– (eg web server, mail server)
• Routers and Routing tables
– Router stores and forwards data packets
– Checks IP address on packet, then checks routing table for best route.
– Routing table is database containing info about all network paths
– Routing tables are constantly updated
Internet Service Protocols
• HTTP – HyperText Transfer Protocol
Transfers and downloads web pages
• FTP – File Transfer Protocol
uploading and downloading of large files
• SMTP – Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
for sending Email between servers
• POP – Post Office Protocol
Used to retrieve Email from a mail server
Revision of Protocols
• New hardware and software – compatibility issues
• New protocols eg VOIP
Standard URL Structure
Proxy Server
• Sits between the client application and real server
• Intercepts requests to real server to see if it can fulfil the request itself.
Domain Name Server (DNS)
• Resolves a URL into the correct IP address
• User enters URL
• Browser accesses database of IP addresses through ISP
• Network of databases is accessed till IP address is matched to URL
• Process is called
HOST NAME RESOLUTION
IP Addresses always have 32 bits
IP Addresses
• Split into network ID and host ID
• 5 main types of IP address classes depending on network type and size
• 3 most commonly used are
• Class A, Class B, Class C
Class A IP Address
Class B IP Address
Class C IP Address
Examples
• 12.140.60.14
• 140.45.45.96
• 201.35.120.34
Network mask
• Used to separate network ID from host ID
Sub-net mask
• Allows a network to be divided into “sub networks”
• Network administrator can divide the host part into 2 or more subnets.
Example using a class B IP address
Example using a class B IP address
Subnet mask part of the Octet
• 192 11000000 2 sub networks
• 124 11100000 6
• 140 11110000 14
Example
For a class C network how many sub networks will the subnet mask 255.255.255.192 have?
Gateway Address
• Gateway is a link between 2 different networks.
• Each gateway address belongs to a different subnet.
• Router applies subnet mask and sends packets to correct network.
TELNET
• Allows a user to remotely control a server
• Log on with valid user ID and password
• Enter commands and they will be executed as if you were entering them directly at the server console
Revision of Protocols
• Revised and new protocols are developed due to
• Incorporation of new technology eg video streaming, mobile internet.
• New services eg VOIP
Internet Regulatory Bodies
• IANA
• Internet Assigned Numbers Authority
• Administers IP addresses and top level domains
• 2 types of top level domains
• Country codes and generic codes
Internet Regulatory Bodies
• Register domain names
• Transfer and cancel domain names
• Domain names have to be assigned an IP address for DNS
Internet Regulatory Bodies
• W3C
• World Wide Web consortium
• Technical developments on WWW such as..
• Changes to HTML, XML, PNG
Social, Ethical and Legal Implications
Social
Ethical Implications
• Censorship?
• Privacy?
Data Protection Act (1998)
Data subject can
Data Protection Act (1998)
• 1984 act only covered data in electronic format.
• 1984 Act applied only in UK
• 1998 Act harmonised EU Data protection legislation.
Exemptions from DPA
Problems with DPA
• Personal Data held on web servers
• Guest books
Computer Misuse Act
• Hacking
• Sending viruses
• Service denial
– Server bombarded with millions of requests
• Copying of files
International Agreements
Viruses and Spyware/Adware
• Anti virus software
• Anti Spyware software
• Must be updated regularly
• Firewall is essential, especially with broadband connection.
Protection of Systems and Networks
• Packet filtering routers
-Filter out packets that come from certain IP addresses
Only checks IP address, does not read content
• Firewall
Only allows packets from named IP addresses through
Can read contents of packet as well as IP address.
Protection of Systems and Networks
• Proxy Server
Proxy Server
• Sits between the client application and real server
• Intercepts requests to real server to see if it can fulfil the request itself.
Protection of Systems and Networks
• Encryption
• Data is coded at sending end and decoded at receiving end.
• Encryption key (A mathematical formula) is used to code and decode the data.
Protection of Systems and Networks
• Uses public and private keys
• Public key used to code (encrypt) data
• Private key used to decode data
Protection of Systems and Networks
• RSA requires complicated calculations on every character sent
• Slow
• PGP is faster
• One computer creates a symmetric key and sends it to receiving computer using public key encryption (RSA)
• Computers communicate using symmetric key encryption
• New symmetric key created each session
Secure Socket Layer (SSL)
• Protocol used to provide an encrypted link.
• Secure servers are given a certificate by certificate authority
• Server sends digital certificate to browser
• Link is encrypted as well as the data
• Used by browsers.
• Combination of send and receive ports is called a socket
Digital signature
• Piece of encrypted data added to a document
• To give authenticity
Site tracking
• Depends on sending and receiving of cookies
• Text file placed on your hard disk by a web server
• When you request a web page browser checks for cookie
• Sends ID from cookie with URL
• If no cookie browser creates one.
• Eg hit counter on a web page
• Web servers have log files
• Big privacy issues
Internet Resources(web pages)
•Academic
•Commercial
•Personal
Academic Resources
• Edutainment
• e-books
• e-learning
Eg BBC Bitesize
• Web-based training
• Virtual libraries
• e-journals
• University, college and school websites
Commercial Resources
• e-commerce
• e-banking
• Airline reservations
• e-marketplace
• advertising
Personal Resources
• Computer games
• Multi-user games
• News and weather
• Music and video download sites
• Personal websites
Assessment of Web Resource Information
• Accuracy
• Bias
• Credibility
Browser
Application program that allows you to download and interact with web pages.
Eg MS Internet Explorer
Browser Facilities
• HTML interpretation
(interprets HTML instructions to display the web page
• capture graphics and text from web pages
• Set home page
• Security/privacy options
• File transfer
• Client side scripting
• Cookie functions
• Built in encryption functions
Authoring tools
• Icon based – click icons to add features to web page (no knowledge of HTML needed)
• Web tools
– eg hyperlink tool,
• Scripting tools
– Allow extra HTML code to be added to add extra features to page
• Save as web page
Hyperlink
• Text or graphic which when clicked takes you to another file or web page
Creating a Website
• 3 types of authoring software
Why use web authoring packages?
• User friandly
• Templates
• Wizards
• No knowledge of HTML required
• Facilities for uploading of web pages
Why Use HTML?
• Increases download efficiency as less unnecessary html script is generated
• Make specific changes to HTML after using icon based software
• Extra interactive features can be added
Server side and Client Side
• Server stores web pages as HTML
• Client computer downloads HTML which is interpreted by browser
Client Side Scripts
Cookies
Form Validation
Server Side Scripting
Cascading Style sheets
Style Sheets are text files with formatting rules for text in web pages
Cascading Style sheets
Current Developments
• Broadband – bandwidth increasing all the time
• 3g phones and mobile internet
Current DevelopmentsBrowsing Software
Current developments
Web Page Design
• Visual balance
(balance between text, graphics and menu bars)
• Consistency (especially with navigation)
• Emphasis
• Headers and footers
• Page layout
• Download efficiency
(not too many audio, video, flash animation linked files)
Browser Compatibility Issues
• Different versions of same browser may interpret some HTML tags differently.
• Eg tables may have different cell spacing.
• Different platforms may have different names for fonts/styles.
Download efficiency
• Web pages have to be downloaded by slow and fast connections
• Use compressed formats eg Gif, Jpeg, Mp3
• Not too many embedded audio or video clips
Uploading a Web Page
• FTP software required
• Web authoring packages contain ftp tools
• Home page must always be called index.htm
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