Monday, February 23, 2009

Last week of Net11 SP4

Hi, I wish everyone the best results for Net11 and your future units at openuni :)

Friday, February 20, 2009

Last week comming up

Last week of Net11 SP4 2008

I wish all my fellow students all the very best and hope you all pass :)

Michael

Monday, February 16, 2009

WebCT vs FreeForum

I created a new post in WebCT to discuss the likes and dislikes

ASSIGNMENT: participation
Subject: WebCT vs FreeForum - Need your input

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Bush Fires in VIC

I'm shocked and my heart goes out to all the people affected by the fires in VIC

I will be making a donation to the redcross and I call on all my fellow blogger's to make a donation also

Redcross site
http://www.redcross.org.au/

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Assignment 2 is here

Assignment 2

******************************************************
Concept 1
******************************************************


Concept 7: Netiquette

Quote the concept

I believe netiquette is the way an internet user conveys them self on the internet, this includes their behaviour and conduct to other users

Your discussion and reflection Here

Netiquette (or Network Etiquette) is the word for internet behaviour and comes from the word etiquette and covers email, websites, forums, newsletters, usenet, chat and almost everything else one can do on the internet

Netiquette doesn’t seem to include the pre internet written letter formatting, as most people now use shortened text which evolves from texting on mobile phones and palm PDA’s

On most forums, chat and newsgroups if you post spam, off-topic or offending information, sentence or word, then the grammar or spelling Nazis will jump on you and point out your error. Not sure what this has to do with netiquette, but it is an example of regular people enforcing rules governing the internet and these users are not police or government agents, they’re simply fellow users holding up their netiquette

As with most internet related posts or information you put on the internet, once it’s uploaded it could be there for good. However some posts to forums can be edited. So netiquette would ensure you follow the simple rules and don’t end up regretting your post for the rest of your internet days

Signatatures in online forums, newsgroups and email are suggested to be short and not contain images to cut down on bandwidth, so users on slower connections don’t have to wait for ages to see the post they want to read. This is somewhat hanging over from the old days of the internet pre broadband, when many users had slow dialup connections. However now it still remains as bandwidth for many of the forums, newsgroups and email servers is still limited

There are some simple rules and terms used in netiquette
Racism - Not posting remarks regarding peoples sex, race or gender
Flaming – is someone having a go at another user when they don’t agree with what they have posted
Spamming and Flooding – is the posting of unsolicited email or information on a massive scale and you shouldn’t forward it either
Shouting – when someone types all in CAPPS LOCK
Keyboard warrior – someone who hides behind his/her keyboard and posts opinions about ever one else
Pounce – contacting a fellow user as soon as they come online and not giving them a few minutes to put up an "away" or "do not disturb" message
Away – when a user is not at the computer or doesn’t want to be disturbed then that user should put their status as away
Threads – when you receive an email or message you should always use the reply button and not start a new email or message unless it’s a new topic
Attachments – Avoid sending large attachments such as images, files etc. because if the attachment is too large it may be too big for the recipitants email box. If it doesn’t bounce it could take a long time for the attachment to be downloaded
Troll – this is a person who argues with other users just for kicks or fun. Trolling is not accepted and can lead to the user being banned from the forum or usenet

Site 1: Title/Link/ -
though the FULL Reference may appear here or at the end of your
assignment in your bibliographical section

netmanners email etiquette
http://www.netmanners.com/

Evaluation, significance/usefulness/relationship,
Credibility


NetManners.com is a site that has good information on everything related to email etiquette. This includes weekly email updates, tips of the day, business etiquette, blogs, etiquette pledge. There is also a forum for asking etiquette questions should you need guidance

Site 2: Title/Link/ -
though the FULL Reference may appear here or at the end of your
assignment in your bibliographical section.

Netiquette Home Page
http://www.albion.com/netiquette

Evaluation, significance/usefulness/relationship,
Credibility

The site is written by Virginia Shea who has been working in silicon valley USA since the 1980’s. I found this book well laid out and informative, it’s also written in plain and simple words, allowing the site to cater for all walks and ages. There are such headings as the core rules, netiquette quiz, the mailing list and a catalogue page, which details how to buy the book in hard copy. Although the book is completely free on the website if you want to read first before you buy. I personally enjoyed the online quiz (site requires java to be installed to do quiz)

References:

Google search for what is netiquette
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=what+is+netiquette&meta=
Definitions of Netiquette on the Web
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:Netiquette&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title
BBC Ask Bruce What is netiquette?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/askbruce/articles/boards/netiquette_1.shtml
What is netiquette and why should I follow it?
http://www.comcast.com/customers/faq/FaqDetails.ashx?Id=2518


******************************************************
Concept 2
******************************************************


Concept 23: Human-computer interfaces

Quote the concept

Human-computer interface (HCI) is the interaction of people and computers, covering design, ergonomics, instructions and useability

Your discussion and reflection Here

Remember the old days of home computing in the 1980’s when computers were expensive and only a select few had one, keyboards and text based operating systems ruled the black and white screen. Typed commands were used to get the computer to do everything. Now fast forward to today and almost every house in the developed world has a cheap computer and it can be as small as a book. Also the way we enter information into the computer has changed, now you use a mouse and keyboard in a colour graphical user interface, such as windows by Microsoft

Since the 80’s there has also been another technology growing in the human-computer race, that of the internet. It started out being a way to send communications between two universities and has grown to be a part of the developed world’s everyday life

The following quote on the 8 golden rules, is taken from
Human-Computer Interface Design
http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/skaalid/theory/interface.htm

Here are eight golden rules for interface human-computer design

1. Strive for consistency
2. Enable frequent user short cuts
3. Offer informative feedback
4. Design dialogs to yield closure
5. Offer error prevention and simple error handling
6. permit easy reversal of actions
7. Support internal locus of control
8. Reduce short-term memory load

Another part of human-computer relationship is software (applications etc.) it’s responsible for bridging the gap between the user and the computer, after all computers only respond to our commands. Most applications have a similar layout and feel, this is great for the novice user, but unfortunately in order to move forward some software doesn’t follow that similar layout and feel. They have to make a change to evolve and this can confuse the novice user. An example of this is when Microsoft changed the layout and feel of Office 2007, after several years of keeping the same layout and feel. This confused seasoned and novice users

Ergonomics also plays a big part it the human-computer relationship as we are spending a lot of time in front of the computer working, studying, chatting, interacting and poor ergonomics can cause serious injury to your eye’s, back and hands etc. Human-computer ergonomics has lead to new technologies such as supportive seating, mouse shape, keyboard design and better monitors. This also leads to computer users having to do some form of simple exercise while at the computer to limit injury. Some examples of poor ergonomics stemming from bad human-computer relationship are bad posture, sore wrists and eyes

Another more modern example of human-computer relationships is chat bots (robots) such as the ones on Microsoft IM (instant messenger) that can interact with a user, where by users can be fooled into thinking they are talking to a real person. These bots can be used for all kinds of chat services from adult to children’s, such as chatting with Santa at Christmas time. However like technology they sometimes have glitches and do things they aren’t supposed to do

Site 1: Title/Link/ -
though the FULL Reference may appear here or at the end of your
assignment in your bibliographical section


Robot Fetches Objects With Just A Point And A Click
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080319160057.htm

Evaluation, significance/usefulness/relationship,
Credibility


Bots or Robots to help the disabled is a major milestone in human-computer interaction and will help the disabled and needy to perform many house hold duties. While the robot can’t respond to speech it does to some commands and pointing. It can pickup and retrieve items and bring them back to the user or put them on a table or floor, depending on what it sees, if it sees a face it will present the item or if it doesn’t detect a face it will look for a table or the floor to place the object

Site 2: Title/Link/ -
though the FULL Reference may appear here or at the end of your
assignment in your bibliographical section.

Interactive Voice Response problem
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=Interactive+Voice+Response+problem&meta=

Evaluation, significance/usefulness/relationship,
Credibility


Another form of human-computer relationship is, interactive voice and keypad input response phone answering system (IVR), such as when you ring a business and you’re greeted by a computer voice asking for your desired department or information. These bots ask for a voice or keypad response, sometimes voice responses are not understood by the IVR system and this can lead to frustration and precious wasted time. Some of these system can be bi-passed by pressing 0 for an operator or if the IVR doesn’t under stand you it will pass you to an operator, but only after several attempts to act on your voice reply

References:

Human computer interfaces
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=Human+computer+interfaces&meta=
Human-Computer Interface Design
http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/skaalid/theory/interface.htm
Is Microsoft’s Santa Bot a Precursor of Human/Computer Relations?
http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2007/12/is-microsofts-s.html
Human computer interfaces bots
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=Human+computer+interfaces&as_q=bots


******************************************************
Concept 3
******************************************************


Concept 33: Information and attention

Quote the concept

Information and attention, this is capturing the valuable users/customers short attention span long enough to sell or get your point across. This is called the “attention economy”
Your discussion and reflection Here

Your discussion and reflection Here

Capturing the internet user’s attention is the most valuable part of a website, as it is then used to sell or submit information to the user. Another important bit of information about users reading or skimming over your website or information is if they see something they don’t like they are likely to leave your site, but if the user is presented with information they are interested in they will most likely stay on your site and even visit again in the future. This a big part of keeping your site and communication to the user on topic

When a website has a large regular reader’s database, the manager can keep track of what the users do and where they go to on the site by using their meta-data. The site can then make this information available to advertisers who, advertise to the site user

Attention is the most sort after thing on the internet, because where there’s attention to a product or site money usually follows. Almost everything computer related can be made, eg gadgets, gizmos, hardware, software, but attention has to be gained not made, the big trick is how to gain attention and then turn it into money. You can do this by offering something in reward for the user’s attention and information eg something free if the user uses your service or in return for the user’s attention. The amount and longevity of the income depend on the item or information the site is selling

Three parts of the attention economy are:
- Information overload is when there is too much information for the viewer to take in, such as to many billboards, posters, signs and articles, the user may skim over the information and only read some of the information on your site.
- Information pollution, this is when there are too many unsolicited emails / information. This can also be too many bells and whistles on the site, eg big flashing adds etc.
- Attention trust is where the website gain’s the user’s attention, loyalty and keeps them coming back on a regular basis for more

Some key ingredient’s in information and attention
- Relevant data keeps a user Coming back and spending longer on your site, which means more advertising dollars
- Meta-data is used to learn what the user is interested in. They can get this information via a quiz / poll or by tracking cookie etc.
- Privacy, what to do with gained information, is it sold on or kept private
- Good data collection, data is collected from non intrusive ways and is not infringing on your privacy by using cookies / quiz / metadata etc.
- Bad data collection, that means using data mining apps that infringe on the users rights and privacy

Site 1: Title/Link/ -
though the FULL Reference may appear here or at the end of your
assignment in your bibliographical section


http://www.zephoria.org/thoughts/archives/2008/06/22/feeding_quasile.html

Evaluation, significance/usefulness/relationship,
Credibility


If you’re a seasoned internet user you’ve hear the term “Don’t feed the trolls”. If your new or have never heard the term, I hear you ask what’s a Troll ? Basically a troll is an attention whore who lurks in chat rooms, forums etc and feeds of peoples reactions to their pointless arguments. Trolls enjoy being in the lime light and will do anything for fame. So please don’t feed them

Site 2: Title/Link/ -
though the FULL Reference may appear here or at the end of your
assignment in your bibliographical section.

http://www.attentiontrust.org/

Evaluation, significance/usefulness/relationship,
Credibility

What is AttentionTrust ? Attention trust is how we browse, read and what we say on the internet. Attentiontrust brings users and advertisers together to transform the world of advertising on the internet, by giving users the rights over their data

The principals of attentiontrust are
Property
- your attention is yours to own
Mobility
- you have the right to move your attention where ever you want
Economy
- you can pay attention to whomever you choose and receive value in return
Transparency
- you can see how your attention is being used and who to trust

References:

attention economy
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=attention+economy&meta=
The Attention Economy: An Overview
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/attention_economy_overview.php
Where Attention Flows, Money Follows
http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2008/09/where_attention.php
Moore’s Lore The Attention Economy
http://mooreslore.corante.com/archives/2005/04/12/the_attention_economy.php


******************************************************
Concept 4
******************************************************

Concept : 17. The impact of text-based real-time chat

Quote the concept

Real-time chat is 2 or more people all chatting to each other via a chat program or a chat room etc. at the same time

Your discussion and reflection Here

What is the impact of text-based real-time chat on the web ?

It’s cheaper than phone calls, and easier to go online to chat, you can have multiple conversations all at once in a chat room. This is easier than making several phone calls for a conference call, which can be expensive and time consuming. Not to mention the stress and anxiety of speaking to a stranger on the phone. More people available for chat online, than at a pub or club etc. your don’t have to go outside your home, don’t have to dress up, don’t have to meet up with friends and there is less noise also

At least If you’re in a chat room you can meet lots of people and stay anonymous, which makes it easier to go online and if you don’t like someone, you can be invisible to them or bloc them. If you find someone you like, you can then take the next step and ring them only after you have gotten familiar with them

Online chat comes with a new language ‘text’ which comes from mobile SMS messaging and this allows the chatters to communicate via text quicker than by typing full words

Another plus for online chat rooms is there’s no accent or foreign language to deal with (when both the parties chat in the same language) and English is the unofficial language of the internet. Text is also easier to deal with when compared to face to face speech, as it makes it easier to pickup on your mistakes and faults when caring on a conversation. Therefore this makes it a good place for people wanting to learn or brush-up on English to come.

Another good point about going online is you can make your own identity and enjoy some privacy. But this is also a major problem as criminals can take on the identity of others in an effort to commit a crime. Eg paedophiles pretending to be children in order to get in contact with them

Another point that differs from chat rooms to forums is that chat rooms are instant real time chat where as forums can take some time before some reply’s to your post. Online chat rooms can also be used by schools universities etc to teach

Online chat can also take place between users in online role playing games such as world of war craft and other popular online games

Chat sites and or programs aren’t free from spam and when using such applications as ICQ, IM and Windows messenger etc.you will be bombarded with messages claiming to be this and that. Chat rooms are also a hangout for trolls and trouble makers

Chat rooms have also taken off in the world of pornography as they use bots (robot software) that pretends to be a real person. This fools the user into thinking they are interacting with a real person

Site 1: Title/Link/ -
though the FULL Reference may appear here or at the end of your
assignment in your bibliographical section


http://www.ukchatterbox.co.uk/article/8

Evaluation, significance/usefulness/relationship,
Credibility

Chat rooms have rules and these rules govern the behaviour of the users

Some of the simple rules for under 18’s are:
- no swearing
- keep on topic of chat group
- obey forum moderator
- no spamming
- no abusing anyone, including the moderator

Some of the simple rules for over 18’s are:
- no advertising your site
- don’t abuse fellow users
- keep on topic of chat group
- obey forum moderator

Further rules apply to all users
- “Anyone misrepresenting themselves eg lying about their sex age or gender will be banned”

Site 2: Title/Link/ -
though the FULL Reference may appear here or at the end of your
assignment in your bibliographical section.


Visual based chat

Evaluation, significance/usefulness/relationship,
Credibility

As well as text-based chat rooms there are video-based chat rooms and applications. Some of these sites cater for both text and video and have rooms specifically for both, for their users

Applications are available for both text chat and video chat. Some of the video based chat applications are IM, ICQ and MS Messenger

There is almost no rules for what someone does in a private room with their webcam during a video chat, but there is rules for chat in an open room

References:

impact of text based chat
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=impact+of+text+based+chat&meta=
Noticing and text-based chat.(online chat)
http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-18399398_ITM
Need to learn English
http://tokland.com/elearning/?p=115
Interface Issues in Text Based Chat Rooms
http://sigchi.org/bulletin/1998.2/roddy.html

*****************************************************
******************************************************

Monday, February 2, 2009

week 10 is here

Wow so close to hand in time, time to get cracking :)

Best wishes to everyone else and hope you all do well ;)

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Well back at the books again tonight, making a habit of this :)

I hope everyone else is doing well with their studies at this late stage in the course :)

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Well today I finally have time to do more work on my uni stuff :)

On top of everything else I had a 1TB Hard Drive die on me and it took all the data on it when it died, I'm kind of lucky as my Dad sent me a link to an article about Seagate 7200.11 drives failing to boot, because bios can't detect them. So when my drive wasn't seen by bios I new why

I did manage to backup most of my important stuff a few days ago, but it's still a pain loosing that much data

After some reading I found a firmware update for my other 1TB drive and updated it quick smart, hopefully it doesn't die also

Monday, January 26, 2009

Hi Everyone :)

I just got home from 2 road trips to Brisbane in the last few weeks, I'm sick of driving and looking forward to getting back into study

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year :)

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Module 5

LOG ENTRY:
make sure you include some reflections on these questions in your learning log:
how might the metaphor of an ‘ecology’ impact on the way you think about, understand or use the Internet?
how are the concepts ‘information’ and ‘communication’ understood within the framework of an ‘information ecology’?
why don’t we talk of a ‘communication ecology’

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Back from holiday's, I hope everyone had a pleasant and enjoyable Christmas's and New Year :)

Module 4
Evaluating the Web


your best 'source' or site from the three you used in the last task

Annotation for website http://www.anteater.com.au/

This website is for 3 pest control companies (Ant-Eater Pest Control • Gladesville Pest Control • Gunn Pest Control), who trade under the name anteater environmental services based in Sydney Australia

- the reliability and authority of the site / source / article
= the site is commercial and I believe the information it contains is correct as incorrect information would be against the law, illegal and detrimental to their business

- the main ideas or subjects discussed in the article
= location and type of service provided

- the purpose for which the site was written (this might include any apparent external interest, intellectual motivation or contextual information)
= the site was written and published to advertise a business or service

LOG ENTRY:
Record your annotation in your learning log
= In my view the above website anteater environmental services, is a business trying to advertise their services to the consumer. I believe all the information in their website is correct and incorrect information would only hurt them both legally and morally

Compare your final analysis and annotation with the material you saved for the last task, and think about these questions (you may wish to discuss these questions in your group)

In terms of your own future use, which 'body ' of information (ie. the original 'snapshot' of the site, or your own, annotated, analytical version) would be most useful to refer back to?
- I refer back to my annotated information that the company is a pest removal service based in Sydney

In term of external users (i.e. if you included this site as a hyperlink or resource on a website) which body of information would best help them judge if the site was useful or of interest to them?
- That this website is useful for people in Sydney who require pest control

LOG ENTRY:
Record your reflections in your learning log