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.
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