Homework Assignment 1

[ Problem 1 ] [ Problem 2 ] [ Problem 3 ]

Due: 9am, October 2, 2009.

The purpose of this assignment is to become familiar with the hypertext markup language (html) and step-by-step procedures for using a text editor to create and modify files.

You will need the latter to write source code in Java, and script files for Matlab in ENCE 201.

Problem 1

If you don't already have a home page, create a file called welcome.html inside the ../pub i.e.,

    >> cd ../pub
    >> vi Welcome.html

and type in the minimal HTML Document on pages 27-28 of the class reader (it's part of the tutorial "A Beginners Guide to HTML").

Add a picture of yourself to the home page -- you can use the one on the "meet the class" page if you want.

Go to the ENCE 200 "Meet the Class" page, and check that it is correctly linked to your home page. Please let me know if the link doesn't work.

Problem 2

Create an online version of your resume in a file called resume.html. Create a link from "Welcome.html" to "resume.html"

Hurricane Katrina (2005) now stands as one of the costliest and deadliest natural disasters in US history. According to Wikipedia , the damage estimates lie in the $80-90 billion range. There are 1,836 confirmed fatalities; 705 people are missing.

From a Civil Engineering standpoint, Hurricane Katrina (2005) was significant because it caused a storm surge, which the levees around New Orleans were unable to keep at bay. Had this sequence of events occurred in a remote area, then an engineering failure might have been the end of the story. But the failed levees caused flooding of streets and homes, which triggered the need for evacuations. People were forced to leave their homes, but soon found their states had inadequate plans for evacuation. A small criminal element took advantage of the situation and looted the vacant properties. Eventually, the residents returned home, only to find that promised federal aid was very slow in coming.

So now, four years later, it is evident that Hurricane Katrina (2005) was a failure on many levels -- engineering, social and political. Among these three elements, the engineering concerns are arguably the easiest to deal with -- the levees can be repaired and strengthened. Walls can be put up to prevent further beach erosion.

Develop a web page that highlights the effects of Hurrican Katrina from this multi-facet perspective, and the steps that have been taken to prevent a repeat of this episode.

Include on your web page:

An image of Hurricane Katrina.
Use Google Maps to show the geographical location of New Orleans.
Add three links to information on levee design.
Add three links to information on organizations responsible for coordinating emergency evacuations.
Add three links to organizations at the federal level who are directly related to either the engineering or humanitarian effects of Hurrican Katrina (e.g., Army Corps of Engineers; FEMA).

The grader will visit your site and grade the homework soon after the due date.