Downloading Tools/Plugins
For this task, we were given a list of tools/plugins to download, ideally, tools we were unfamiliar with.
1. Adobe's pdf Reader:
I already had this tool downloaded. PDF stands for portable document file, and abode is the only tool capable of reading all pdf files.
2. Flash/Shockwave Players
There was a link provided to enable us to check if we had a flash/shockwave player, I clicked the link, knowing I already had a player installed on my computer. Although no the latest version, I do have Adobe Macromedia Flash player. This tool enables me to view Flash elements contained on some web pages.
3.Media Players:
Apple Quicktime- I have this player installed on my computer specifically for the kids i-pods and the synchronisation of those. It is not my default player.
Windows Media Player- I also have this installed on my computer, it is my default player, useful for not only listening to music i have saved to my computer, but I also watch alot of video tutorials for various programs such as blender.
Real Networks Real One- I don't have this player, although I do have Winamp, which was recommended by a friend. I use this player exclusively to listen to a music stream belonging to the same friend.
4. Search Manager/Combiner
I downloaded copernic, the download process was simple and easy to follow. This tool is quite helpful for not only providing an alternate search tool, but also for storing my searches in one place, easily retrievable.
5.Bookmark Manager.
I chose to download Bookmark Buddy for windows, I didn't even know these tools were available, it's going to be helpful with keeping track of the sites of visited and when, saving me the trouble of noting when I accessed the sites, valuable for the concepts assignment.
6.Offline Browser/Manager
I downloaded Pagesucker , what a great name. Anyway, this will enable me to view web pages without having to open IE. Great time saver.
All downloads were very straight forward and posed no problems.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
MODULE 3 TASKS
Web 2.0
Simply put, Web 2.0 is another name for "the Internet". It is basically a search engine which uses tags or keywords to find what we're looking for. It is characterised as using user-generated content. Web 1.0 on the other hand, does not support user interactive applications.
That being said, we were provided with 2 examples of link lists. The first "blinklist" features all characteristics of a web 2.0 application, tags and keywords used for searches. This application also provides the ability to create an account enabling you to contribute to the contenet, thereby allowing access to other users. It is also possible to add "friends" to your account whereby you can view their links.
The second link provided for this task was "live file store", this is a simple list of links. Although both contained the same links, this application doesn't allow user interactivity so there is less freedom to contribute.
After comparing both, I have to say that I prefer the blinklist because I am given the freedom to search in a way I am used to. If I have another thought for a keyword which might produce links to similar information, blinklist allows this. We all have different ways of thinking about things, something which blinklist takes into consideration, for example, when searching for information about "cats", one person might type in the keyword "kitten", while another person might use "cute" and yet another person might use "musicals" Live file store doesn't allow this kind of freedom.
Simply put, Web 2.0 is another name for "the Internet". It is basically a search engine which uses tags or keywords to find what we're looking for. It is characterised as using user-generated content. Web 1.0 on the other hand, does not support user interactive applications.
That being said, we were provided with 2 examples of link lists. The first "blinklist" features all characteristics of a web 2.0 application, tags and keywords used for searches. This application also provides the ability to create an account enabling you to contribute to the contenet, thereby allowing access to other users. It is also possible to add "friends" to your account whereby you can view their links.
The second link provided for this task was "live file store", this is a simple list of links. Although both contained the same links, this application doesn't allow user interactivity so there is less freedom to contribute.
After comparing both, I have to say that I prefer the blinklist because I am given the freedom to search in a way I am used to. If I have another thought for a keyword which might produce links to similar information, blinklist allows this. We all have different ways of thinking about things, something which blinklist takes into consideration, for example, when searching for information about "cats", one person might type in the keyword "kitten", while another person might use "cute" and yet another person might use "musicals" Live file store doesn't allow this kind of freedom.
MODULE 3 TASKS
Blogs
Having never experienced blogging before creating this one, I had no idea of the different types of blogs out there. From personal blogs, such as this one, albeit for study purposes, to podcasts. During my time exploring blogs, I have come across many interesting blogs. Here are a few examples:
Having never experienced blogging before creating this one, I had no idea of the different types of blogs out there. From personal blogs, such as this one, albeit for study purposes, to podcasts. During my time exploring blogs, I have come across many interesting blogs. Here are a few examples:
Photoblog: http://www.montmartrephotoblog.org/ This is a blog belonging to photographer/artist Amanda Gilligan. This site features some amazing photos taken by Amanda, she wanted the blog to depict creative artistry. I think she succeeded.
Artlog: http://straythoughtsart-yamadoggirl.blogspot.com/ I was unable to find out the name of the artist. One thing I can say about her though, is that she is enormously talented. A gift that she is truly grateful for.
Vlog: http://www.archive.org/vlog_meredith This video blog I think is a fantastic idea as it's sign language. It is a series of different blogs, all signed in American sign language. Perhaps I might search for any video blogs which use Australian sign.
Business: http://djacobson.typepad.com/ This blog features everything you need to know about business management, ethics, planning, advertising, risk management forAustralian Businesses. Very helpful for one starting their own business
Political: http://andrewbartlett.com/blog This is a web diary belonging to Andrew Bartlett, a senator from Queensland and member of the Australian Parliament.
As you can see, there are a great variety of blogs in the "blogosphere" Whilst blogging is not the same as creating a web site, I am enjoying blogging and i think I just might continue blogging on a personal level, perhaps share some of my skills in the coaching area, or techniques on preventative taping. Who knows what I'll choose to blog about, the future will tell.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
MODULE 3 TASKS
FTP
Because I had already uploaded my web page to the presentation area, when I tried to upload it via FTP, I was told that the file already existed and was asked if I wished to overwrite it. I chose to overwrite. I then went to the presentation area to check that the file was still accessible and it was :) YAYYYYYY MEEEEE!!! Here is the URL:-
http://webct.curtin.edu.au/305033_b/student_pres/Group21/index.html
Because I had already uploaded my web page to the presentation area, when I tried to upload it via FTP, I was told that the file already existed and was asked if I wished to overwrite it. I chose to overwrite. I then went to the presentation area to check that the file was still accessible and it was :) YAYYYYYY MEEEEE!!! Here is the URL:-
http://webct.curtin.edu.au/305033_b/student_pres/Group21/index.html
MODULE 3 TASKS
Legal Issues
In looking at the legal issues invovled in the creation of my web page, I have contravened none. As I created all the images myself, I am in no breach of copyright laws. The association's logo is not my design, but I did receive permission to use the logo from the association.
There were other legal issues I had to consider before submitting my page. Because there will be images of the girls included on the site, I would need permission from their parents to publish any photos on the site. This will come through the association providing handouts for the parents to sign, either allowing or denying the publication of photos of the daughters. So for the purposes of uploading my page to Curtin, I used images of my daughter, including the page's banner (which is subject to change once permissions are known). There is one photograph of my daughter warming up, which shows a couple of the other team members as well, because these girls are friends of my daughter and I know their parents, I was given verbal permission by the parent's of those girls to include this photo.
One question we were ask to contemplate was would we be in breach of any copyright laws if we were to put the curtin logo at the top of the web page for an assignment. After reading (and comprehending) as much as I could, I still found this issue to be a little blurred. The fair use policy states that a student can copy a little information for study purposes, it's difficult to know exactly what you can and can't use because most of the laws revolve around what teachers can and cannot use in a classroom situation. I think the safest thing to do would be not to use it, I mean, is there any need to use the Curtin logo for assignments? I say no. Err on the side of caution and you should be fine.
In looking at the legal issues invovled in the creation of my web page, I have contravened none. As I created all the images myself, I am in no breach of copyright laws. The association's logo is not my design, but I did receive permission to use the logo from the association.
There were other legal issues I had to consider before submitting my page. Because there will be images of the girls included on the site, I would need permission from their parents to publish any photos on the site. This will come through the association providing handouts for the parents to sign, either allowing or denying the publication of photos of the daughters. So for the purposes of uploading my page to Curtin, I used images of my daughter, including the page's banner (which is subject to change once permissions are known). There is one photograph of my daughter warming up, which shows a couple of the other team members as well, because these girls are friends of my daughter and I know their parents, I was given verbal permission by the parent's of those girls to include this photo.
One question we were ask to contemplate was would we be in breach of any copyright laws if we were to put the curtin logo at the top of the web page for an assignment. After reading (and comprehending) as much as I could, I still found this issue to be a little blurred. The fair use policy states that a student can copy a little information for study purposes, it's difficult to know exactly what you can and can't use because most of the laws revolve around what teachers can and cannot use in a classroom situation. I think the safest thing to do would be not to use it, I mean, is there any need to use the Curtin logo for assignments? I say no. Err on the side of caution and you should be fine.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
MODULE 3 TASKS
HTML Tags.
For this task, we were asked to complete a tutorial on HTML. Being a real novice with HTML, I found this task enormously beneficial. Whilst I had a little knowledge, I learned vastly more by following this tutorial. In the past, I would search for a code for a particular function, eg disabling right-click on my homepage or my space page. Having found the code for that, I would simply copy and paste the code, not fully understanding what all the tags meant.
After following the tutorial, and writing the code myself in notepad, my understanding of the tags and how they worked, and what each tag related to, grew immensely. I absolutely loved doing this task as this is the area of employment I am striving for.
Comparing this to blogging, HTML wins hands down, there is no comparison for me. Although I designed the background images for this blog, all i had to do was add the link to the images into the pre-built functions provided here. Designing the images myself gave me a sense of achievment, yes, though nowhere near as much compared to designing your own site from scratch. From here, I have done some reading on CSS and Javascript, to further my knowledge.
Before I end this post, I would like to offer my thanks to Kate, Fiona and Vernon:
To Kate, for her invaluable help, her knowledge is vast and she doesn't find it too much trouble to offer ideas on how to add elements etc.
To Fiona, for helping me de-stress, halping me to realise that this was just a task, not an assignment. My blood pressure dropped back to normal after she reminded me of that fact.
To Vernon, for helping me upload my file to the presentation area, something I was becoming frustrated with. Turns out I had named my index html just that so when it uploaded it became index.html.html. Isn't it amazing how it is humans who detrmine how things work, not the computer ;)
For this task, we were asked to complete a tutorial on HTML. Being a real novice with HTML, I found this task enormously beneficial. Whilst I had a little knowledge, I learned vastly more by following this tutorial. In the past, I would search for a code for a particular function, eg disabling right-click on my homepage or my space page. Having found the code for that, I would simply copy and paste the code, not fully understanding what all the tags meant.
After following the tutorial, and writing the code myself in notepad, my understanding of the tags and how they worked, and what each tag related to, grew immensely. I absolutely loved doing this task as this is the area of employment I am striving for.
Comparing this to blogging, HTML wins hands down, there is no comparison for me. Although I designed the background images for this blog, all i had to do was add the link to the images into the pre-built functions provided here. Designing the images myself gave me a sense of achievment, yes, though nowhere near as much compared to designing your own site from scratch. From here, I have done some reading on CSS and Javascript, to further my knowledge.
Before I end this post, I would like to offer my thanks to Kate, Fiona and Vernon:
To Kate, for her invaluable help, her knowledge is vast and she doesn't find it too much trouble to offer ideas on how to add elements etc.
To Fiona, for helping me de-stress, halping me to realise that this was just a task, not an assignment. My blood pressure dropped back to normal after she reminded me of that fact.
To Vernon, for helping me upload my file to the presentation area, something I was becoming frustrated with. Turns out I had named my index html just that so when it uploaded it became index.html.html. Isn't it amazing how it is humans who detrmine how things work, not the computer ;)
Saturday, June 21, 2008
CHAT TASK
CHAT TASK
Welcome to the world of Virtual Chat.
For my chat task, I chose to use IMVU, a site where i have been a member for around 1 year. For this task, I met up with Fiona (MsFi), JT (Magellina) and Penny(DigitalMyrth). We tried to add Chris (BartiusCromwell) to our chat, however, we had trouble keeping everyone in the room at the same time, which is one of the most common problems with such a program, due to individual computer speeds etc.
Meet UnlikelyAngel
Hang Gliding
Dancing
Ride a Harley
Stumbling across this site just over a year ago was a major factor for me deciding to get into web design etc. Not only is this a chat site, it provides the opportunity to delve into the world of "developing"
With some great advice from people I met in chats, I became a developer, making products to sell in the shopping catalog. I found this so much fun, and read everything I could about designing my own graphics and textures, as well as learning a little about html, which enabled me to make my own banner and pass the code for my banner on to those who wanted to display it on there home pages. The banner is clickable and links straight to my products page.
This form of communication opened up a world to me which I was unaware existed. It can become addictive, sometimes to the point of people spending every waking minute on the site, as it can provide a real "fantasy life" for some.
Compared to say MSN, this form of chat provides more than just text -based communication. In my opinion, IMVU is used most commonly for people who want to create a "fantasy life" , where MSN etc, allows a synchronous form of chat more commonly used to keep in touch with people you actually know.
In my experience, I use MSN to communicate with family members who live inter-state or some distance from me. It allows me to keep in touch without having a huge phone bill at the end of the month. Whereas IMVU for me was just a way of meeting new people from other countries, enabling me to learn about the cultures of people in other countries. Of course there are nasty sides to chat in whichever form you prefer, however, with the proper behaviour and security measures, this nastiness can be avoided.
Welcome to the world of Virtual Chat.
For my chat task, I chose to use IMVU, a site where i have been a member for around 1 year. For this task, I met up with Fiona (MsFi), JT (Magellina) and Penny(DigitalMyrth). We tried to add Chris (BartiusCromwell) to our chat, however, we had trouble keeping everyone in the room at the same time, which is one of the most common problems with such a program, due to individual computer speeds etc.
Meet UnlikelyAngel
The following pictures show just a few of the activities available in IMVU, there are so many more, these are just a taste:
My Garden:
Hang Gliding
Dancing Ride a Harley
Stumbling across this site just over a year ago was a major factor for me deciding to get into web design etc. Not only is this a chat site, it provides the opportunity to delve into the world of "developing"
With some great advice from people I met in chats, I became a developer, making products to sell in the shopping catalog. I found this so much fun, and read everything I could about designing my own graphics and textures, as well as learning a little about html, which enabled me to make my own banner and pass the code for my banner on to those who wanted to display it on there home pages. The banner is clickable and links straight to my products page.
This form of communication opened up a world to me which I was unaware existed. It can become addictive, sometimes to the point of people spending every waking minute on the site, as it can provide a real "fantasy life" for some.
Compared to say MSN, this form of chat provides more than just text -based communication. In my opinion, IMVU is used most commonly for people who want to create a "fantasy life" , where MSN etc, allows a synchronous form of chat more commonly used to keep in touch with people you actually know.
In my experience, I use MSN to communicate with family members who live inter-state or some distance from me. It allows me to keep in touch without having a huge phone bill at the end of the month. Whereas IMVU for me was just a way of meeting new people from other countries, enabling me to learn about the cultures of people in other countries. Of course there are nasty sides to chat in whichever form you prefer, however, with the proper behaviour and security measures, this nastiness can be avoided.
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