Now its time for me to comment on the course!
Overall, I thought New Communication Technologies was a pretty interesting course. The aspect of the course that I probably enjoyed the most was participating in the tutorial tasks. Though, I have to admit...a lot of the content covered in the tutorials I had already learnt previously in Information Technology classes at school in years 9 and 10. So I therefore found the tasks generally pretty easy, but still fun to go over :)
The lectures on the other hand covered a lot of material that I hadn't heard before. This was good as I felt as if I was actually learning something, but I often got bored during the lectures as my concetration seemed to fade over the long period of time. Longer breaks would be nice :) yet the fact that we got to study the movies in the second half of most of the lectures was definately a good idea! Atleast that broke up the continous talking from the lecturer. It was also interesting to have guest speaker's to liven up the atmosphere and perhaps talk about issues from a different perspective.
The topic for the essay that we had to produce was left open so that you could practically write what ever you wanted to write about. Thought this was an awesome idea, never thought id get the chance to write about MSN Messenger!!! Pretty cool!
So yea, it was a pretty good course, not too stressful...and yea I liked it :)
Wednesday 30 May 2007
Wednesday 16 May 2007
Excel
Today we just had some very simple exercises to do with Microsoft Excel. I found this task, like last weeks task, rather easy because I had already covered those areas in grade 10 Information Technology. Didnt take me very long to complete this weeks task at all :)...No problems, all good, all simple...yay
Friday 11 May 2007
eXistenZ
Existenz has got to be one of the strangest/most confusing movies I have EVER seen! I got lost in the beginning, then picked up on it in the middle, and then got totally lost in the end! I now have no idea what was real and what was in the game! I believe that the whole story was basically about the confusion between reality and virtual reality, yet it jst made me confused! A lot of it grossed me out a bit...i couldnt even look at their bio-ports. You would expect that being a film about virtual reality, that everything would be technological, though everything was more biological....the cords that connected from their pods to their bio-ports looked like an umbilical cord and the pods themselves looked like a fetus!...
It was a very strange movie!
It was a very strange movie!
Wednesday 9 May 2007
Messenger Madness - ESSAY!!!
Technology is revolutionizing the world at a rate that is faster than some people believe we can handle. With this continuous discovery and introduction of new technologies, forms of communicating with one and other have become extremely advanced. One of the most common forms of new communicative technology is of course via the internet with such online messaging programs as MSN Messenger. Though, many people worry that these programs are unsafe, cause problems and are a bad socialising tool, especially for young children.
MSN Messenger is a free online instant messaging program originally established by “Microsoft on July 21st, 1999” (Redmond, 1999. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1999/jul99/messagingpr.mspx). It allows people from all over the world to keep in contact with each other through online conversations. Messenger started off with the basic version of MSN Messenger 1.0 which allowed plain messaging and a standard contact list. Now in 2007, MSN Messenger has evolved past version 7.5 and MSN Messenger BETA, and is now known as Windows Live Messenger. As an overview, people can now communicate offline, have video and audio conversations, send texts to mobile phones, share folders and even talk to people on other chat networks such as Yahoo!
MSN Messenger is predominately most popular amongst “teenagers and with women aged between 18 and 24”, though different age groups do make use of the program. “It's estimated that around two and a half million Australians regularly use the messenger service” (Pearcy, 2001. http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s326708.htm). That’s a lot of people. Amongst them are the children and teens that use it to talk to friends, adults that use it to keep in touch with families and friends, adults that use it as a dating service, and lastly, people that use it as a source for harassment or predation. Chat-lines have been used to obtain information about where people live and how old they are, etc. When people give others this information, this is when potentially, their lives are at risk.
However, MSN Messenger is different from normal chat rooms. “Chat rooms provide a way for you to ‘talk’ with ANYONE who is present in the chat room at the same time” (Edwards, 2002. p. 41). This kind of interaction between strangers can potentially become dangerous as you do not know who you are actually speaking with. Whereas, MSN Messenger on the other hand, has a way of monitoring who you talk to through the use of a contact list. Thus, you can only talk to people that you add as friends on your list. So, in order to minimise the threat of being stalked or harassed, etc, you should only add people that you are sure you know. Yet sometimes people, children in particular, add practically anyone who asks to be a friend, just so you have MORE friends on your list. At school, some children make it a competition ‘who has the most friends’ and the same goes for other programs such as Myspace. This is when dangers are introduced, but this harm can be minimised by simply only adding people you know.
Another issue that has been studied and reported in the news and in documentaries is that many people, parents of young children in particular, worry that programs like MSN Messenger are taking away the normal outdoor social life of children. They believe that the ‘playground’ is now on the net inside, instead outdoors playing real games. In 2004, the ABC channel produced a segment about ‘generation net’. Some of the children interviewed stated the following ways in which they use the internet; “GIRL: I use the Internet for chat, MSN, and I also use it for school projects and sometimes games; BOY: I use the Internet for talking to my friends; GIRL 2: For talking, chatting on the MSN. And checking emails, Sending emails” (Negus, 2004. http://www.abc.net.au/gnt/people/Transcripts/s1077816.htm). The internet is used as a social tool in today’s society, and with technology continuing to advance, this use is only going to increase. There is a “growing impact that the internet has on our lives and it is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore” (Wood, 2001. p.1). But if children are encouraged to participate in outdoor activities, then internet use can be reduced.
Computer-mediated communication (CMC) is being studied world-wide to further our knowledge of “how human behaviours are maintained or altered by exchange of information through machines” (Wood, 2001. p.4). Communicating online, without the visual aspect (without a web cam) can potentially cause some problems. Statistics show that “between 63% and 95% of communication is non-verbal” (Green & McCluskey, 1999. p.161), and instead uses facial expressions and gestures to communicate what is intended. However, when communicating online, there is only a limited amount of non-verbal communication that is expressed. Facial expressions and gestures cannot be used/seen and this may then often lead to conversations being misinterpreted. This then causes social disputes and further problems, especially if the people communicating were friends, school mates or co-workers. Some businesses have found that colleagues have had disputes over conversations held on the internet which were simply just misunderstandings in the reading of the conversation. To avoid this, some work places have suggested that colleagues do not communicate to each through these chat-lines to avoid personal and work-related awkwardness.
Overall, there are many issues being raised about the safety, reliability and social interaction of online messaging programs such as MSN Messenger. If these programs are used appropriately, harm can be minimised. If children in particular are encouraged to participate in sporting teams and commitments outside of school time, then the inside ‘playground’ social aspect can also be reduced. Finally, if work-places advise that colleagues associate with each other outside the online community, then perhaps misunderstandings and social disputes can be avoided in this area too. If precautions are taken, and online messaging users are cautious with what they do and say online, then generally the online social community is a safe environment. MSN Messenger is a great social tool, “GIRL 4: You can, talk to people overseas and in other States. It's heaps cheaper than calling anybody. You can talk to seven people at once” (Negus, 2004. http://www.abc.net.au/gnt/people/Transcripts/s1077816.htm)”. Consumers just need to use the program properly, and use it wisely.
Bibliography
Books:
Edwards, M. 2002. The Internet for Nurses and Allie Health Professionals (third edition). New York: Springer-Verlag New York, Inc. (p.41)
Flynn, N. 2004. Instant Messaging Rules. New York: Nancy Flynn. Pp. 3-10
Green B. & McCluskey K. 1999. Introducing business organisation and management2. Australia: Heinemann. p.161.
Wood, A. Smith, M. 2001. Online Communication – Linking Technology, Identity & Culture. NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. pp.1,3-4, 71.
Electronic Databases:
Liang,J. 2004. The Application of IMC on IM--Case study by "MSN Messenger Club". NSYSU. P.1.
Internet:
Brown, J. 2007. 22 March 2007 NZ Herald – Technology News. [Internet]. Available: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10430173 [Accessed 23 March, 2007].
Negus, G. 2004. Generation Net – playground productions. [Internet]. Available: http://www.abc.net.au/gnt/people/Transcripts/s1077816.htm [Accessed 18 April, 2007].
Pearcy, K. 2001. Microsoft Messenger outage puts users offline. [Internet]. Available: http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s326708.htm [Accessed 18 April, 2007].
Redmond, W. 1999. Microsoft launches MSN Messenger service. [Internet]. Available: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1999/jul99/messagingpr.mspx [Accessed 20 April, 2007].
MSN Messenger is a free online instant messaging program originally established by “Microsoft on July 21st, 1999” (Redmond, 1999. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1999/jul99/messagingpr.mspx). It allows people from all over the world to keep in contact with each other through online conversations. Messenger started off with the basic version of MSN Messenger 1.0 which allowed plain messaging and a standard contact list. Now in 2007, MSN Messenger has evolved past version 7.5 and MSN Messenger BETA, and is now known as Windows Live Messenger. As an overview, people can now communicate offline, have video and audio conversations, send texts to mobile phones, share folders and even talk to people on other chat networks such as Yahoo!
MSN Messenger is predominately most popular amongst “teenagers and with women aged between 18 and 24”, though different age groups do make use of the program. “It's estimated that around two and a half million Australians regularly use the messenger service” (Pearcy, 2001. http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s326708.htm). That’s a lot of people. Amongst them are the children and teens that use it to talk to friends, adults that use it to keep in touch with families and friends, adults that use it as a dating service, and lastly, people that use it as a source for harassment or predation. Chat-lines have been used to obtain information about where people live and how old they are, etc. When people give others this information, this is when potentially, their lives are at risk.
However, MSN Messenger is different from normal chat rooms. “Chat rooms provide a way for you to ‘talk’ with ANYONE who is present in the chat room at the same time” (Edwards, 2002. p. 41). This kind of interaction between strangers can potentially become dangerous as you do not know who you are actually speaking with. Whereas, MSN Messenger on the other hand, has a way of monitoring who you talk to through the use of a contact list. Thus, you can only talk to people that you add as friends on your list. So, in order to minimise the threat of being stalked or harassed, etc, you should only add people that you are sure you know. Yet sometimes people, children in particular, add practically anyone who asks to be a friend, just so you have MORE friends on your list. At school, some children make it a competition ‘who has the most friends’ and the same goes for other programs such as Myspace. This is when dangers are introduced, but this harm can be minimised by simply only adding people you know.
Another issue that has been studied and reported in the news and in documentaries is that many people, parents of young children in particular, worry that programs like MSN Messenger are taking away the normal outdoor social life of children. They believe that the ‘playground’ is now on the net inside, instead outdoors playing real games. In 2004, the ABC channel produced a segment about ‘generation net’. Some of the children interviewed stated the following ways in which they use the internet; “GIRL: I use the Internet for chat, MSN, and I also use it for school projects and sometimes games; BOY: I use the Internet for talking to my friends; GIRL 2: For talking, chatting on the MSN. And checking emails, Sending emails” (Negus, 2004. http://www.abc.net.au/gnt/people/Transcripts/s1077816.htm). The internet is used as a social tool in today’s society, and with technology continuing to advance, this use is only going to increase. There is a “growing impact that the internet has on our lives and it is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore” (Wood, 2001. p.1). But if children are encouraged to participate in outdoor activities, then internet use can be reduced.
Computer-mediated communication (CMC) is being studied world-wide to further our knowledge of “how human behaviours are maintained or altered by exchange of information through machines” (Wood, 2001. p.4). Communicating online, without the visual aspect (without a web cam) can potentially cause some problems. Statistics show that “between 63% and 95% of communication is non-verbal” (Green & McCluskey, 1999. p.161), and instead uses facial expressions and gestures to communicate what is intended. However, when communicating online, there is only a limited amount of non-verbal communication that is expressed. Facial expressions and gestures cannot be used/seen and this may then often lead to conversations being misinterpreted. This then causes social disputes and further problems, especially if the people communicating were friends, school mates or co-workers. Some businesses have found that colleagues have had disputes over conversations held on the internet which were simply just misunderstandings in the reading of the conversation. To avoid this, some work places have suggested that colleagues do not communicate to each through these chat-lines to avoid personal and work-related awkwardness.
Overall, there are many issues being raised about the safety, reliability and social interaction of online messaging programs such as MSN Messenger. If these programs are used appropriately, harm can be minimised. If children in particular are encouraged to participate in sporting teams and commitments outside of school time, then the inside ‘playground’ social aspect can also be reduced. Finally, if work-places advise that colleagues associate with each other outside the online community, then perhaps misunderstandings and social disputes can be avoided in this area too. If precautions are taken, and online messaging users are cautious with what they do and say online, then generally the online social community is a safe environment. MSN Messenger is a great social tool, “GIRL 4: You can, talk to people overseas and in other States. It's heaps cheaper than calling anybody. You can talk to seven people at once” (Negus, 2004. http://www.abc.net.au/gnt/people/Transcripts/s1077816.htm)”. Consumers just need to use the program properly, and use it wisely.
Bibliography
Books:
Edwards, M. 2002. The Internet for Nurses and Allie Health Professionals (third edition). New York: Springer-Verlag New York, Inc. (p.41)
Flynn, N. 2004. Instant Messaging Rules. New York: Nancy Flynn. Pp. 3-10
Green B. & McCluskey K. 1999. Introducing business organisation and management2. Australia: Heinemann. p.161.
Wood, A. Smith, M. 2001. Online Communication – Linking Technology, Identity & Culture. NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. pp.1,3-4, 71.
Electronic Databases:
Liang,J. 2004. The Application of IMC on IM--Case study by "MSN Messenger Club". NSYSU. P.1.
Internet:
Brown, J. 2007. 22 March 2007 NZ Herald – Technology News. [Internet]. Available: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10430173 [Accessed 23 March, 2007].
Negus, G. 2004. Generation Net – playground productions. [Internet]. Available: http://www.abc.net.au/gnt/people/Transcripts/s1077816.htm [Accessed 18 April, 2007].
Pearcy, K. 2001. Microsoft Messenger outage puts users offline. [Internet]. Available: http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s326708.htm [Accessed 18 April, 2007].
Redmond, W. 1999. Microsoft launches MSN Messenger service. [Internet]. Available: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1999/jul99/messagingpr.mspx [Accessed 20 April, 2007].
Microsoft Word Tute
Today's tute took me back to the days of grade 10 IT, when we covered the lovely topic of mail merging. The exercise was fun, because me n Bozzie made up fake names for each other...and had fun making up companies haha. i did have a bit of trouble with track changes, as it didnt cross out words when it was supposed to, and even Adam didnt know why it wasnt working...so there was no solution to my only problem :P the overall exercise wasnt too confusing because I had done most of it before at school...but a few things like Track Changes were a little confusing.
I am going to post my letter below just for the fun of it :)
Mr Thomas Boswell
Erotic Dancing
69 Pole Place Southport
Gold Coast QLD
4219 Australia
Dear Mr Thomas Boswell,
I am writing to apply for a position within your company, Erotic Dancing.
I have recently completed a Communications degree at Griffith University on the Gold Coast and feelbelieve that I have the suitable skills and experience to be a valuable asset to Erotic Dancing.
During this degree I have completed subjects in:
· New Communications Techniques
· Effective Dancing
· Creative Dancing Practice.
Please find attached a copy of my resume.
Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Krista-Lee Pope
I am going to post my letter below just for the fun of it :)
Mr Thomas Boswell
Erotic Dancing
69 Pole Place Southport
Gold Coast QLD
4219 Australia
Dear Mr Thomas Boswell,
I am writing to apply for a position within your company, Erotic Dancing.
I have recently completed a Communications degree at Griffith University on the Gold Coast and feelbelieve that I have the suitable skills and experience to be a valuable asset to Erotic Dancing.
During this degree I have completed subjects in:
· New Communications Techniques
· Effective Dancing
· Creative Dancing Practice.
Please find attached a copy of my resume.
Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Krista-Lee Pope
Sunday 6 May 2007
Cyberpunnnkk!
Last weeks lecture was all about CYBERPUNK! A combination of cybernetics and punk! We got to watch a bit of the Matrix as an example of cyperpunk and computer-generated effects. So that was pretty cool :P Steven then briefly touched on the cyperpunk themes...and then we moved onto watching more of the movie Existenz...which we still havent finished! Maybe this week we will get to the end! :)
Wednesday 25 April 2007
3D worlds and socialising on the internet!
In today's tutorial task we actually got to take part in the online 3D world, a world in which most of us hadn't visted before. Might I say, i loved every minute of it! Walking around as a fictional character, talking to random people that claim to live on the other side of the world in such places as Canada and America etc all interacting at one place. It was FUN! A totally different experience from that of other online instant messaging programs such as MSN Messenger.
During the tutorial I explored the 3D world of "Active World"...I installed jst the basic version onto the uni computer, and it gave you a standard character that looked the same as everyone else. But im sure if you wish, you could create a character to replicate yourself as closely as possible. I know this is definately available on other programs such as Second Life.
Besides the obvious difference between 3D Worlds and instant messaging programs such as MSN, the whole concept completly changes when you have the visual aspect. I have not explored any other forms of 3D worlds apart from active world, so I am only commenting from this one prospective. MSN Messenger I believe is a more safer form of communication than 3D worlds because you have the option of chosing who you talk to by accepting them as friends/contacts. This way you can if you wish, only accept people you know which then creates a safe environment for conversation. However, Active World is different. Here anyone can talk to anyone and find out who you are and where you live, etc if they wish and if they tell you the details. I find this kind of environment less safe, as you really have no idea who you are talking to.
As meantioned before, I said you could create a character in the Active World to resemble you if so desired, which many may see as an added bonus. Yet many instant messaging programs have a webcam or video and audio option where you can visually talk and respond to people, making it even more personal. So even though in active world u can visually walk around, you still have the option to use visuals on MSN if you so wish to.
I guess people who wish to just randomly talk to anyone or are just bored and wish to social, these kind of people would benefit from 3D Worlds because you can meet new people and talk to anyone. But for people who want to socialise and catch up in a more private way with friends etc, online instant messaging through MSN would be a much more advisable option.
Therefore, both forms of communication can have a visual aspect if desired. This is why overall i would rather use MSN to communicate to my friends because i feel as if it is a safer environment and I know who i am talking to.
During the tutorial I explored the 3D world of "Active World"...I installed jst the basic version onto the uni computer, and it gave you a standard character that looked the same as everyone else. But im sure if you wish, you could create a character to replicate yourself as closely as possible. I know this is definately available on other programs such as Second Life.
Besides the obvious difference between 3D Worlds and instant messaging programs such as MSN, the whole concept completly changes when you have the visual aspect. I have not explored any other forms of 3D worlds apart from active world, so I am only commenting from this one prospective. MSN Messenger I believe is a more safer form of communication than 3D worlds because you have the option of chosing who you talk to by accepting them as friends/contacts. This way you can if you wish, only accept people you know which then creates a safe environment for conversation. However, Active World is different. Here anyone can talk to anyone and find out who you are and where you live, etc if they wish and if they tell you the details. I find this kind of environment less safe, as you really have no idea who you are talking to.
As meantioned before, I said you could create a character in the Active World to resemble you if so desired, which many may see as an added bonus. Yet many instant messaging programs have a webcam or video and audio option where you can visually talk and respond to people, making it even more personal. So even though in active world u can visually walk around, you still have the option to use visuals on MSN if you so wish to.
I guess people who wish to just randomly talk to anyone or are just bored and wish to social, these kind of people would benefit from 3D Worlds because you can meet new people and talk to anyone. But for people who want to socialise and catch up in a more private way with friends etc, online instant messaging through MSN would be a much more advisable option.
Therefore, both forms of communication can have a visual aspect if desired. This is why overall i would rather use MSN to communicate to my friends because i feel as if it is a safer environment and I know who i am talking to.
Tuesday 24 April 2007
Games, Games, Games!!!
Last week's lecture was on GAMES!!! I have to admit, i was looking forward to this lecture, since i thought we might actually get to play some games haha, plus Adam our own cool tutor was taking the lecture, so I thought this could be interesting! The lecture started off with the amusing video of NINTENDO SIXTY-FOOOUUUUURRRR!!!! Unfortunately, the sound wasnt working....but since i was so intrigued by its mute version, i actually went home and watched it with sound! hahaha it was funny! Truely showing just how huge the impact of some new technologies have on young children :)
But unfortunately, the whole lecture was NOT on watching kids open christmas presents, there was a theory behind it all. Adam discussed some different examples of 'games', such as arcade games and console games, and the effects and theoretical considerations concerning video games. There was a video that was supposed to be shown at the end of the lecture, but it didnt work, so i cant comment on that. But hey, I didnt care....who ever thought we'd be learning about GAMES at uni haha!!! Awesome!
But unfortunately, the whole lecture was NOT on watching kids open christmas presents, there was a theory behind it all. Adam discussed some different examples of 'games', such as arcade games and console games, and the effects and theoretical considerations concerning video games. There was a video that was supposed to be shown at the end of the lecture, but it didnt work, so i cant comment on that. But hey, I didnt care....who ever thought we'd be learning about GAMES at uni haha!!! Awesome!
Monday 16 April 2007
Essay Progress
Just letting everyone know...I have done a fair bit of research lately for my essay. I have decided to do it on MSN Messenger, and in general, the use of chat rooms. Since this subject is all about communications, i thought that MSN is a good new form of communication now used widely across the world.
I have found tonnes of articles, news reports and even believe or not, a fair few books on chat rooms, the internet and social technology, and online messaging. Through the uni library catalogue i also found some elctronic resources relating to MSN, so a lot of them will be helpful if i can work out how to access them haha.
Thats all for now :)
I have found tonnes of articles, news reports and even believe or not, a fair few books on chat rooms, the internet and social technology, and online messaging. Through the uni library catalogue i also found some elctronic resources relating to MSN, so a lot of them will be helpful if i can work out how to access them haha.
Thats all for now :)
More Photoshopping!!!
This week (well actually week 6), our task was to now take photos and then modify them using Photoshop to communicate certain ideas...
I'll admit, i am not very skillled at editing...but hey i have a go :) so don't laugh haha
This is me and my friend on Australia Day, ready to hike up the mountains. I added the aussie flag underneath the brim of my hat, and wrote in Australia Day 06. I think that pretty much communicates AUSTRALIAN more than the image did before :)
I'll admit, i am not very skillled at editing...but hey i have a go :) so don't laugh haha
This is me and my friend on Australia Day, ready to hike up the mountains. I added the aussie flag underneath the brim of my hat, and wrote in Australia Day 06. I think that pretty much communicates AUSTRALIAN more than the image did before :)
These are my BEST friends :) I edited the background of the image to 'cut-outs' because I thought the background isn't what's important. I don't care about what's in the background, just the people...so i tried to make them more of the focus in the image.
This is at Schoolies!!! Schoolies is a POPULAR event for people graduating from gr12! It might be popular, but sumtimes you wonder why, when a lot of people don't remember much about it...its often just a bit of a blur ;)
This one I made hard to see, because CELEBRITIES...like Chad Michael Murray, are not people you see in the streets everyday!
And finally, this is a picture of me on the phone at a beach...a weird place to COMMUNICATE with someone, especially when you're on the phone for two hours :) I edited the picture so it was more film grainy...to represent communication and also changed the colours so they were more black and white, with a hint of blue :)
Sunday 8 April 2007
Adobe Photoshop and Blogging
All of these photos were taken with my awesomely pink Fuji FinePix camera :)
Our task was to take photos that represent or communicate the following ideas...
High-tech
I think scoreboards these days are pretty high-tech...look theres my name!! haha
FRIENDS
These are my bestest friends...aka GKARTS
Truely the BEST group of girls :)
Our task was to take photos that represent or communicate the following ideas...
High-tech
I think scoreboards these days are pretty high-tech...look theres my name!! haha
FRIENDS
These are my bestest friends...aka GKARTS
Truely the BEST group of girls :)
NEWS
Nothing beats the good old weekend Bulletin or Sunday Mail!
Nothing beats the good old weekend Bulletin or Sunday Mail!
SUMMER
This is what summer is all about...the BEACH
Unconventional
Its not everyday you can hold an island in your hands
unconventional I rekon haha
University Life
Aaahhh, party party party...work? no just party!
That's the life!!! haha
Woohoo...that's all!!! :)
Thursday 22 March 2007
Catalogues, Databases, Internet!
Alrighty then, I've been thinking about what i should do my essay on...and considering this subject is all about technologies and communications...I am thinking about doing my essay on MSN Messenger as it is a very popular (particularly in teens) form of new communication.
It was VERY hard to find 3 academic articles that related to my chosen topic, as a lot of the library databases didnt have much information on CURRENT technologies...so i just did some further research through yahoo, google and other databases.
I did however find some ABC Four Corners transcipts and other broadcasting reports that had stories on MSN Messenger, and its affects on young children and communication. I found there were also a lot of articles on the web discussing the contorversy between MSN Messenger and other chat rooms, the costs and consequences of this programs, and certain articles praising these online communication tools, and others bad-mouthing these programs.
Researching information on this topic has been helpful as i found that there is a lot of controversial issues that if need be, i can include and argue for or against in my essay if i wish to do so. There is a lot of information on the web about MSN Messenger and other similart chat rooms, so there should be enough resources to cover some good content :)
I'll be back in 3 weeks time to complete the other tutorial tasks...
Wish me luck in my swimming nationals :)
It was VERY hard to find 3 academic articles that related to my chosen topic, as a lot of the library databases didnt have much information on CURRENT technologies...so i just did some further research through yahoo, google and other databases.
I did however find some ABC Four Corners transcipts and other broadcasting reports that had stories on MSN Messenger, and its affects on young children and communication. I found there were also a lot of articles on the web discussing the contorversy between MSN Messenger and other chat rooms, the costs and consequences of this programs, and certain articles praising these online communication tools, and others bad-mouthing these programs.
Researching information on this topic has been helpful as i found that there is a lot of controversial issues that if need be, i can include and argue for or against in my essay if i wish to do so. There is a lot of information on the web about MSN Messenger and other similart chat rooms, so there should be enough resources to cover some good content :)
I'll be back in 3 weeks time to complete the other tutorial tasks...
Wish me luck in my swimming nationals :)
Wednesday 21 March 2007
Search Engines
Search engines - in my own understanding - are websites that allow you to type in keywords to find information on the net as links to other relevant websites. Different search engines have different ways of ranking their results, some search engines allow you to choose how you would like to rank your results (eg. by most updates, most looked at, etc). Yahoo, for example, ranks its results by determining relevancy though analyzing keyword location, frequency and through other methods. My personal favourite search engines are Google, yahoo and Ninemsn...Google because its the one i use the most, its easy to use, it corrects spelling errors, and seems pretty reliable. I use yahoo only when i cannot find the enough answers from google, and i use ninemsn only because it is my home page.
I searched for current news on search engines, and found a lot about Google and how it searches for 'quality not quanitity'. But apart from that, there didnt seem to be much about the search engines in general, just what the search engines are finding as results etc.
I searched for current news on search engines, and found a lot about Google and how it searches for 'quality not quanitity'. But apart from that, there didnt seem to be much about the search engines in general, just what the search engines are finding as results etc.
Scavenger Hunt
Woohoo here we go....
1. What is the weight of the world's biggest pumpkin?
666kg
(www.wikipedia.org/wiki/pumpkin_seeds)
2. What is the best way (quickest, most reliable) to contact Grant Hackett?
Speak to his parents at swim meets and get his number :)
(my brain)
3. What is the length of a giraffe's tongue?
A giraffe's tongue can be 29 inches (74 cm) in length.
(http://faculty.washington.edu/~chudler/tasty.html)
4. How would you define the word 'ontology'?
In philosophy, ontology is the study of being or existence.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontology)
In my own words it means the subject of existence, can't make it any simpler than that!
5. What was David Cronenberg's first feature film?
Shivers (1975)
(http://www.sell.com/22KTV6)
6. When was the original 'Hacker's Manifesto' written?
january 8, 1986
(http://www.mala.bc.ca/~soules/media112/hacker.htm)
7. Why do all phone numbers in Hollywood films start with '555'?
Because it is a dialling code in the US
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-2357,00.html)
8. What is the cheapest form of travel from Crete to Rhodes?
By Flight
(http://www.statravel.co.nz/cps/rde/xchg/nz_division_web_live/hs.xsl/travel_guide_to_greece.htm?dest=131046&sec=transport.xsl)
9. What song was top of the Australian Pop Charts this week in 1965?
I'll Never Find Another You - The Seekers
(http://www.onmc.iinet.net.au/topspot/1965.htm)
10. Which Brisbane band includes Stephen Stockwell on keyboards and vocals?
Black Assassins
(http://www.brisbanewritersfestival.com.au/2005/content/standard.asp?name=StockwellS)
1. What is the weight of the world's biggest pumpkin?
666kg
(www.wikipedia.org/wiki/pumpkin_seeds)
2. What is the best way (quickest, most reliable) to contact Grant Hackett?
Speak to his parents at swim meets and get his number :)
(my brain)
3. What is the length of a giraffe's tongue?
A giraffe's tongue can be 29 inches (74 cm) in length.
(http://faculty.washington.edu/~chudler/tasty.html)
4. How would you define the word 'ontology'?
In philosophy, ontology is the study of being or existence.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontology)
In my own words it means the subject of existence, can't make it any simpler than that!
5. What was David Cronenberg's first feature film?
Shivers (1975)
(http://www.sell.com/22KTV6)
6. When was the original 'Hacker's Manifesto' written?
january 8, 1986
(http://www.mala.bc.ca/~soules/media112/hacker.htm)
7. Why do all phone numbers in Hollywood films start with '555'?
Because it is a dialling code in the US
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-2357,00.html)
8. What is the cheapest form of travel from Crete to Rhodes?
By Flight
(http://www.statravel.co.nz/cps/rde/xchg/nz_division_web_live/hs.xsl/travel_guide_to_greece.htm?dest=131046&sec=transport.xsl)
9. What song was top of the Australian Pop Charts this week in 1965?
I'll Never Find Another You - The Seekers
(http://www.onmc.iinet.net.au/topspot/1965.htm)
10. Which Brisbane band includes Stephen Stockwell on keyboards and vocals?
Black Assassins
(http://www.brisbanewritersfestival.com.au/2005/content/standard.asp?name=StockwellS)
Wednesday 14 March 2007
Culture of the Internet
Now that I have successfully built up my own 'blog community' (as it was called on the task sheet haha)...I can now move on to talk about my own experiences with communication technologies.
Okay, I may not be a whiz at every new technology that comes out, but I do use them. My main uses of communication technologies are probably my mobile phone and use of the internet. I am fairly reliable on new communication technologies to keep in contact with my friends and family.
I admit, I am the type of person that carries my mobile phone EVERYWHERE with me...and if I am having a boring night or weekend, I do like to communicate with friends over the internet - through msn :)
I went to a school that was highly academic, and in doing so, the internet was something that basically every student there NEEDED to have, or else they wouldn't survive. WEll, not literally...but the internet was widely used, and was a lot of help to my studies. Therefore, attending such a school has introduced me to the use of the internet and other new communication technologies.
On the other hand, it was my parents that introduced me to the use of a mobile phone. I was given my first mobile about 5 yrs ago so that I could contact my parents 'in emergencies'...but yes that soon just lead to a handy tool for contacting my friends and family on a regular basis.
Even though I believe school, friends and family were a major influences on my personal use of the internet and mobile phones, subconciously, the reference and use of the such technologies in movies, tv shows and the media has influenced people everywhere to explore this new world of technology. It is now very common in developed countries, such as Australia, to have easy access to the internet and use of a mobile phone. These often seen as basic essentials. How could I live without internet and my mobile phone now? Honestly, I don't think I could. I get stressed/annoyed when the internet is down for a few hours, or when my phone decides to crash on me...new communication technologies are pretty important in my life at the moment, and things would be VERY different without them! :)
So what did the lectures have to say about the culture of the internet???
In week 2...the lecture was basically about history of communication forms, beginning in 1900 with semiotics, in France! The lecture then continued along the timeline, showing the different forms across time from different countries all over the world...right through till the 1990s with the cultures of Europe. Despite all the texts, and opinionative theories shown throughout the lecture, the session was finished with a French New Wave cinema movie named La Jetee. Sounds interesting hey? Though it was hard to read at times (as the subtitles were written in white, often shown on white backgrounds)...this science fiction story was expressed through the constant display of still photographs, telling a story of time travel. I found the movie actually a little confusing, so its hard to comment on it....but the movie itself was something very different, something i have never seen before. Interesting!!!
Okay, I may not be a whiz at every new technology that comes out, but I do use them. My main uses of communication technologies are probably my mobile phone and use of the internet. I am fairly reliable on new communication technologies to keep in contact with my friends and family.
I admit, I am the type of person that carries my mobile phone EVERYWHERE with me...and if I am having a boring night or weekend, I do like to communicate with friends over the internet - through msn :)
I went to a school that was highly academic, and in doing so, the internet was something that basically every student there NEEDED to have, or else they wouldn't survive. WEll, not literally...but the internet was widely used, and was a lot of help to my studies. Therefore, attending such a school has introduced me to the use of the internet and other new communication technologies.
On the other hand, it was my parents that introduced me to the use of a mobile phone. I was given my first mobile about 5 yrs ago so that I could contact my parents 'in emergencies'...but yes that soon just lead to a handy tool for contacting my friends and family on a regular basis.
Even though I believe school, friends and family were a major influences on my personal use of the internet and mobile phones, subconciously, the reference and use of the such technologies in movies, tv shows and the media has influenced people everywhere to explore this new world of technology. It is now very common in developed countries, such as Australia, to have easy access to the internet and use of a mobile phone. These often seen as basic essentials. How could I live without internet and my mobile phone now? Honestly, I don't think I could. I get stressed/annoyed when the internet is down for a few hours, or when my phone decides to crash on me...new communication technologies are pretty important in my life at the moment, and things would be VERY different without them! :)
So what did the lectures have to say about the culture of the internet???
In week 2...the lecture was basically about history of communication forms, beginning in 1900 with semiotics, in France! The lecture then continued along the timeline, showing the different forms across time from different countries all over the world...right through till the 1990s with the cultures of Europe. Despite all the texts, and opinionative theories shown throughout the lecture, the session was finished with a French New Wave cinema movie named La Jetee. Sounds interesting hey? Though it was hard to read at times (as the subtitles were written in white, often shown on white backgrounds)...this science fiction story was expressed through the constant display of still photographs, telling a story of time travel. I found the movie actually a little confusing, so its hard to comment on it....but the movie itself was something very different, something i have never seen before. Interesting!!!
Wednesday 7 March 2007
New Communication Technologies
So far, this subject seems pretty random...but cool! I really had no idea what it was about when I chose this subject but I think I am going to learn a lot from it :) Communication studies I am hoping will assist me in further understanding programs and technologies that I can then use later on as I am hoping to end up moving into something along the lines of Marketing, Promotions and Advertising.
Week 1's Lecture, was just basically about the course outline, and what was expected of us in this subject...we didnt get much time to actually learn anything...just briefly learnt about Communication and Technologies...what they were, different types (like the radion, television, print, etc) and Aristotle's basic model of communication.
Week 1's Lecture, was just basically about the course outline, and what was expected of us in this subject...we didnt get much time to actually learn anything...just briefly learnt about Communication and Technologies...what they were, different types (like the radion, television, print, etc) and Aristotle's basic model of communication.
About Me...
Hi, my name is Krista-Lee!!!
I am currently in my first year of uni, and finding it all pretty cool! I love to meet new people, so i am quite enjoying uni life so far! I get a bit lost around campus, but thats okay...I am getting the hang of things.
I am currently in my first year of uni, and finding it all pretty cool! I love to meet new people, so i am quite enjoying uni life so far! I get a bit lost around campus, but thats okay...I am getting the hang of things.
Basically my whole life revolves around Swimming! I am a very competitive swimmer and absolutely love it! I swim train about 8-10 times a week, yes...that means I train twice a day, most days. I pretty much live and breath water! I think that Swimming is definately the BEST sport, and I am pretty passionate about it so if I were you I wouldn't argue with me that anything else is better :)
I am a pretty easy-going person, and rather easily amused...(I am blonde hehe - so go easy on me) Most people think I am constantly on red cordial...but no thats just my friendly nature :)
...That's pretty much all you need to know about me for now...
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