CSCE 488, Spring 2005 HOMEWORK 1 (Pre-requisite Test)

Due Date: Monday, February 7, 2005

Purpose: This is an assignment on technical writing based on research on a topic of current interest. You will be graded primarily on technical writing and secondarily on the quality of research. Be sure to write in strict compliance with the standard style sheet, and follow the format guidelines given in the class presentation Technical Writing for Computer Engineers.

Assignment: Write a journal-style technical review, not to exceed ten double-spaced pages, on a topic of current interest (e.g., a new and/or upcoming technology in CS and CE related fields) and on how to do effective searches for technical information on the Internet using the covered topic as an example. Give it a title appropriate to contents and list yourself as the author. Citations in your paper should not be limited to relevant web sites but also include appropriate books and articles published in the more traditional style. The contents of the paper should include, but are not limited to, information on the relative merits of different types of search engines, bibliographic databases and digital libraries for technical publications, and ways to assess the quality of retrieved information. Use tables and figures as appropriate, although these do not count toward the ten-page limit for the paper.

You are to submit your report through the CSCE 488 Web handin or ywant@cse.unl.edu a pdf file to the TA, Mr. Wang, by 1:30pm on the due date.