OVER 2 YOU 242 (02/08/05)

BEAT THE CHEATS

I'm preparing some exercises and tests in Excel for students. Can anyone suggest a way of preventing students from copying and passing the exercises and answers to each other?

M. R., via email

Preventing students from copying answers to each other is only possible under exam conditions. However, detecting copying is possible. Assuming that the answers are to be supplied as an Excel file, then the principle of one method is to supply each student with an initial Excel file to work with, which has been individualised or indexed in some way.

To do this, open and individually name an Excel file for each student to work on, and pre-insert some of the column headers. There are two possible methods. In one of the column headers insert some code together with the header name. Change the colour of the code part to white (which on a white background is invisible), whilst leaving the rest black. Clicking on this header will give the full text, including the hidden code, in the operation window.

Alternatively, for each student's file, go to File > Properties > Summary > Manager and put their name there. Unless specifically changed, this will stay with the document through any

changes or copying. Simply doing nothing, but warning the students that the files are indexed

may suffice.

Dr. Brian Legg, Coventry

There is a very informative article on protecting Excel worksheets and cells at the following web address: www.j-walk.com/ss/excel/faqs/protectionFAQ.htm. From what I can understand the kind of anti-copy measures M.R. is looking for may not be possible but the author outlines a number of strategies that it might be possible to adapt to suit his needs

Ken Challis, via email

To defeat copyists I wrote an Excel program, which generated sets of data using the random function and printed out a different set to each student to analyse. Sadly I received answers, which were based on another student's data so the cheats and whose work had been copied was instantly known.

N. J. Cross (former statistics lecturer), via email 

Simply announce that cheating is unacceptable and that there is to be no copying or passing around of the exercises and/or answers. Then have each student make a declaration in relation to each piece of work saying that he/she has abided by this code of practice. Thus, teach the students to be honest citizens. Explain that cheats only cheat themselves, and that your role, as the teacher, is to help those in need of assistance, which you are only able to ascertain if they present what is truly their own work.

Richard Elderton, via email

BOWLS LEAGUE

I am organising a bowls tournament for 16 teams of players with learning difficulties. This requires a computerised league system that can be adjusted at stages then continue to complete a final result. Can anyone help?

Les Barden, via email

I have written software for managing bowls teams and bowls leagues. It's designed for Crown Green bowls and currently handles the niceties of 16 different leagues. Your correspondent doesn't say which code his players follow, but the programs may be adaptable for lawn bowls.

The software in its present state is described at: www.cgleague.co.uk/bowrap

Ross Kavanagh, via email

Your correspondent should have a look at Clubman Management system, there are more details at: www.lawnbowls.com.au/clubman/

Mike Reed, via email

I would like to suggest that a program called Sportsdraw will satisfy Les Barden's requirements. He should have a look at www.sportsdraw.co.uk or contact me via email. Sportsdraw is designed for any sport requiring knockout tournament draws or League fixture systems and can be modified when required using Excel or Word.

Len Thompson, len@sportsdraw.co.uk Tel: 01483 274535

GOING LOCO

I am researching British Railways diesel and electric locomotives, particularly named locomotives. I wonder if anyone knows of a website listing the original numbers, with their "TOPS" (Total Operations Processing System) equivalent and, of course the names?

Andrew J. Southwell, Towngate, Ossett

Further to recent responses I can recommend a book called ‘Ex Loco’ by Rod Ash who fully-researched the providence of the nameplates (and hence provides Mr Southwell with the information he requires regarding names).  Full cross referencing concerning TOPS and pre-TOPS numbers is provided, as is colour coding which aids those interested in the values of nameplates.  ISBN 0954186303 published by Railway Nameplates UK.

Andrew Frodsham, via email

CAN YOU HELP?

I need to be able to manipulate graphs that are on web pages. These can usually be copied as images into a word processor, but they stay as images. Is there a program that would allow one to follow the line on the graph with the cursor and then record the X & Y values, into a table, say, by pressing Enter. The values could then be manipulated as required.

C. Cadman, via email

I wish to compile a searchable record of a country Churchyard, logging details of plot numbers and deceased (family name etc.) with additional data, perhaps on sub-pages, for dates, ages and other persons etc., commemorated on the stone. Can anyone recommend a program or database style, which would have the ability to store over 1200-1500 records and yet rapidly find individual records on request, as well as being simple to compile?

E.Wilkinson, via email