Task 3 - Web 2.0

Web 2.0 is an expression of all the changes that have occurred on the Web, plus other changes in the way people and business use the Web and think about human interaction on the Web. Web 2.0 can be summed up as trusting user as co-developers, services, not packaged software, with cost-effective scalability. It is not a program, but just a way of describing the movement towards more user interactivity on the Web.

When I looked at both the blinklist and the html web pages, the first thing I found different is that the blinklist was visually appealing, easier to read and gave high user interactivity as the html page was better for finding precise information, but I did not realise for the first few minutes that it contained all of the information that was on the blinklist page. Plus the html page did not allow for any user interactivity.

After much thought, I have to say that I prefer to the blinklist page, as I am used to the format to fins the information that I require, but would probably consider using the html page more to quickly find the information the I require.

Module 3 tasks done and dusted. Now to conquer module 4 - bring it on....

Task 3 - Blogs

I have never thought about blogging before taking this subject. I have to say that personally I am not a blogger as writing my thoughts down in a diary format is just not my thing.

But in saying that, there is a blog for every subject. You can find blogs on topics such as travel, personal thoughts, journalism, political, art, photography etc.

While researching for an subject last year, I ran across a credible author of a blog site on Google. He was a retired journalist who has turned blogging into a full time job. I used some of his blog in an assignment as I could prove his credibility.

In today's society, where individuals feel more at ease typing what they think into a computer rather than talk to a human being, or just getting their point of view out there for the entire world to see, has it's place. I personally will not be continuing this blog after the subject is finished. Once again it is just not my thing. But will keep a look out for any other students who will continue to blog.

All in all I wish everyone Happy Blogging if that is your thing.

Task 3 - FTP

Well After much time and trial I have finally used FTP for the first time ever to upload my web page. As I had already uploaded it into the presentations section of webct, ftp asked if I wanted to overwrite the file and I said 'yes'.

I was a bit nervous at first thinking that the file I had uploaded to presentations would somehow be swallowed up by the big bad internet monster, but alas my fears were put to rest when I went and checked the presentations section and low and behold my web page was still there in all of its glory.

Anyway, here is the url address for it: http://webct.curtin.edu.au/305033_b/student_pres/Group07/index.html

Hope everybody enjoys my very first attempt at creating a web page.

Now I must conquer the blogs task, before starting the assignment.

Task 3 - Legal Issues

After checking and re-checking my web page, I cannot see that I have broken any copyright laws. I acknowledged any outside sources that I used and referenced my definition of an accountant. The image of the puppies was from a free my space images site and I acknowledged the actual url.

I work on this theory, if in doubt reference or acknowledge where you got the data/image/font/glitter etc from. Or if the data etc is not coming from a free site/source then you need to gain written permission to use the data etc. Verbal approval will not stand up in court. It is always better to get everything in written form.

In regard to using the curtin logo at the top of my web page. If I did not gain written permission then I would be breaking copyright law, as far as I can see after reading the copyright policy and procedures document. That is my interpretation anyway.

I have the philosophy that copyright breaches can be avoided if you just use your common sense.

Module 3 - HTML tags task.

Well after the past 4 days I have to say that my web page is the very basic of web pages, and probably one of the most boring. This is due to the time I have spent on just coming to terms with using html.

Firstly I have to say that I had difficulty getting the swirlies background, but thanks to Katherine Lynch I finally got it, plus I found a site that gave me backgrounds, glitters etc.

The mere fact that I am a complete novice at this techno talk showed in my frustration about trying to get the gist of html. But the sense of achievement I felt when my photos of my dogs show on the web page was like taking a computer drug, you just want to have more and more.

From a novice's point of view, html is way harder than blogging. For one thing with blogging I do not need to know any html tags. In saying that, I think knowing how to edit html is a great insight into (basic) computer programming.

I have to say that I prefer the ease of blogging without having to edit html tags, as my degree is in Accountancy not IT. I am not to sure if I will ever use what I have learned in this course, but I am really glad that I am doing NET11.

I have not fully completed the task as yet, as I am waiting on more information in regards to uploading my very boring and basic web page. This is all very new to me and not having all of the information to complete a task (like the ftp address of curtin's server) can be a little irritating as I do not know exactly what I am doing and feel as if I might fail this task by not understanding what I am do to.

Anyway, onto the WWW Standards task and I will let you all know once I have uploaded my web page to the presentation area in webct.

Stay tuned for another riveting blog from the IT newbie....

My 5 Top Tips for New Bloggers.

Okay, after much thought and analysis, below are my 5 tips for new bloggers, which I am one of them.

1. One must always keep it simple and proof read.
My philosophy is that everything in life should stay as simple as possible. It stops misunderstandings and if what you are reading is complex, eventually your brain will turn off and you will not remember anything of what you have just read.

Proof reading your post before publishing it, will avoid looking like and uneducated person. Good grammar and spelling is essential to all forms of writing. I am still re-learning the grammar side of things, so there is room for improvement. haaa.

2. One must always be polite.
Being polite is an essential ingredient any form of communication. One must always remember that there is actually a human being on the other end of the message/post/blog and that they have feelings as well. One idea would to be very clear in what you are writing and balanced.

3. Keep it light, fun, and interesting.
Nothing says boring like an uninteresting blog. I think blogs are meant to be light, fun, and interesting. Adding a bit of your personality lets the reader understand a bit more about the way you write. I think your blog should put a smile on the reader's face.

4. Stay true to yourself.
One must never pretend to be something one is not, as it will always come back and bite you on your bottom. If you do not know what you are writing about that will be apparent to the reader, and you will look silly. If you stay true to yourself you will win more and more readers, as I think everyone prefers honesty to dishonesty.

5. Always reference your sources appropriately.
If you ever use someone elses work, make sure that you reference their work appropriately. This will avoid plagiarism and any legal ramifications. Plus it is just good form and shows that you respect the original author's views and opinions.

Anyway they are what I think every new blogger should think about before publishing a blog, unfortunately I did it backwards but hey sometimes it pays to just jump into the deep end and see if you either sink or swim.

Happy blogging.....

Module 2 - Group Task

I have used msn for the past 1 ½ years and have found it to be easy to use. I have recently downloaded skype and made my first call via the program to Tina Valentine and I have to say it put a big smile on my face to be able to talk to her, as we have only ever communicated via msn. I now log in to both every time I am on the computer to accommodate those users who prefer msn and those who prefer skype.

I do not see much difference in all the chat programs as they essentially offer the same thing. It is just that others are probably harder to navigate around initially, until you get used to the way things work that is. But some are generally easy to navigate around from the get go.

This task was easy for me as I have gotten to know the art form of ‘chat’ quite intimately and can honestly say that I would be lost without it and that it is the way of the future.

Module 2 tasks are officially done and dusted. Yahooooo.