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The following is a sample of the questions that we have been asked in the past, if you have a question that is suitable for this page, use the Feedback form and submit to us.

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Table of Contents


How do I create a scannable resume... ?
Where can I find information on updating my computer... ?
Why doesn't Windows 95 CD-Rom work in DOS mode... ?
Who is Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace... ?
What is Artificial Intelligence... ?
When is necessary to check for Viruses... ?


How do I create a scannable resume...?
With today's organisations using computers to do the first pass at culling resumes it is essential to have a resume that will maximise the computers ability to read your resume. By maximising this ability, you will have a better opportunity with a skills match on the computer and consequently an interview.
Some of the simple steps to take are to focus on format and content, rather than how 'pretty' it looks. Use a standard layout, describe achievements rather than job titles, be functional, organise by skills.
Use white or light coloured A4 paper printed on one side only
Supply best quality original - laser printed preferred, dot matrix printers are not acceptable.
Do not fold or staple.
Use standard typefaces - like Helvetica, Times Roman, New Century Schoolbook and Courier.
Use a font size between 10 - 14 (do not use 10 when using Times Roman)
Don't condense spacing between letters
Use Bold Face for section headings etc and avoid using underline, italics and shadows etc.
Avoid using the two column format.
When faxing a resume, set fax machine to "fine mode", the recipient will get a better quality copy.
It is acceptable to create a computer readable resume which you send or fax to prospective employers and a separate one that has a creative layout, enhanced typography and summarised information which you would carry to the interview.
Check out job vacancies at www.employment.com.au

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Where can I find information on updating my computer... ?
The simple answer is to send an e-mail to the webmaster@paces.com.au.The other alternatives are to search through the various computer magazines, talk to people with a similar machines or go to the various computer markets.
The first step in any upgrade is to decide on what it is that you actually require. Is it more speed for games, more memory for graphic intensive programs, better video etc. From this you can work out what you require, memory the simplest to install is also currently the cheapest part of the upgrade A$60 - A$70 for 8mb SIMM's. Larger disk drives are becoming cheaper with 1gb drives in the A$300 - A400 price range. These drives can be added to most newer motherboards as LBA devices. If your motherboard is of the older type then it could be advantageous to replace this, as it will have an increased 'bus' performance. Processor types vary considerably with some people opting for 'Intel' only and others liking the 'clones'. Raw performance is only achieved by using the advanced 'RISC' type processors, but these generally require large memory sizes.

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Why doesn't Windows 95 CD-Rom work in DOS mode... ?
This problem is prevalent with a lot of games that are classed as DOS mode only and generally require a 'Boot Disk' to operate. It is possible to include the drivers in the DOS configuration of Windows 95. The procedure requires certain changes to be carried out on the registry files. Before making changes to any files, especially the 'Registry', make backup copies.
All of these changes relate to DOS mode only. Now, use the registry editor and locate:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current\Version\MS-DOSOptions. You will see a list of keys relating to the Windows 95 DOS mode operations - you can add any amount of keys, but it is strongly suggested that you do not delete any of the original keys. It is better to disable a key by changing its 'Flags' binary entry to 00 00 00 00.
Click on CD-Rom and note the parameters - note this is normally disabled (for information only).
Add a key named after your CD-Rom (Sony, NEC, Creative etc).
Click on this key and setup the following parameters within the key you just created, note the quotation marks.
Default "NecCD-Rom"
Autoexec.bat "LH C\Windows\command\Mscdex.exe /D:Aspicd0 /e /m:12" (taken from your CD manual)
Config.sys "DeviceHigh=C:\Asw410\Aswcdnec.sys /D:Aspicd0 /Norst" (taken from your CD manual)
Flags 02 00 00 00
Order 00 00 00 17 (this makes it the seventeenth line)
StdOption 04 00 00 00
Tip Text "Enables MS-DOS based programs to access the CD-Rom drive"
Click on the EMS key and add the config.sys parameter.
Config.sys "DeviceHigh=%Windows%\EMM386.Exe RAM"
Now when you want to use a particular DOS program, right click on it and select properties, click Programs tab, click Advanced button, click on Configuration button, when you see the warning that data will be replaced in your Autoexec.bat and Config.sys files, click yes and a Option screen will be displayed allowing you to select the CD-Rom that you setup - it will display as whatever name you gave it in the Default step above.

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Who is Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace... ?
Charles Babbage was known as the father of the modern computer and in 1822 built a demonstration model of what is called a 'difference engine' which he hoped could be used to solve polynomial equations. A full scale model was never built because the parts of this totally mechanical machine could not be made and assembled precisely enough.
Babbage, later (1835) went on to design the the 'analytical engine' which had all the essential elements of a modern day computer, including input, memory, programming, an arithmetic unit, a control unit and output. Its design would allow it to perform many kinds of calculations and incorporated the punched card idea.
Ada Lovelace worked with Babbage and wrote the first computer program for the analytical engine. A programming language called ADA, developed by the American Department of Defence, was named after her.

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What is Artificial Intelligence... ?
The idea's that people have about artificial intelligence generally come from the movies, like Star Wars, or relate to robots that are able to communicate with people. This type of artificial intelligence is still a long way off, plus there is still a lot of disagreement about how to define intelligence. The dictionary gives various meanings for intelligence, but these cannot successfully be applied to computers. Computers are dumb machines that can only understand 1's and 0's, so the intelligence comes from the creativity of the people, who spend many hours making a computer seem intelligent through the use of sophisticated software.
The aims of true artificial intelligence, is to produce computers capable of simulating human behaviour, which would include natural language, visual and auditory recognition, powers of learning and association, the power of reasoning and hence decision making, the creation of knowledge as opposed to information.
The outcome to date is what is known as 'expert systems' or 'knowledge based systems'. These are systems that allow querying of data bases, handwriting recognition, speech recognition, neural networks and intelligent interfaces.

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When is it necessary to check for Viruses... ?
An area of great debate, but should be done on a regular basis and with a recognised Virus checker, always worthwhile doing regular backups also. All disks supplied by other sources should be checked, including new manufactured software as this has been known to have viruses. Check your system after downloading files from the Internet, especially after you have unzipped them and prior to installing them.
One of the largest known sources of viruses are files from University systems, so be wary. Some source files on the net are known to be virus carriers.
Virus Checking Software is available at:

http://www.symantec.com
http://www.tucows.com
http://www.microsoft.com
http://www.tbav.com
http://www.mcafee.com

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Disclaimer: While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of these FAQ's, the authors do not provide any guarantee or assume any responsibility for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. By using any information contained in this document you agree to these conditions. You may freely distribute this information.

 

 
   
 

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