Videos!

Week 12 in Accessing Knowledge!

23/05/08

Lecture Overview
This weeks lecture was all about social and ethical issues, and protecting yourself and your PC on the world wide web. The dangers of the web is 'identity theft'. When posting your identity details on the web, people can access anything to do with you. The problems involved when using the world wide web intellectual property, copy right, plagiarism, security, privacy and freedom of speech. To protect yourself on the internet you should install a firewall, install a anti-virus software, beware of attachments and spyware. Also when using the internet DO NOT give out personal details, DO NOT reply to spam mail, update your anti-virus weekly and always scan your documents before opening them.


Tutorial Activities

Activity One:

• For activity one we had to visit the website 'The Australian copyright council' (http://www.copyright.org.au/)


• Once we were in the site we then had to click the hyperlink tab 'Copyright information' then click the hyperlink 'All information sheets'.

• We then had to choose 5 different information sheets that would be relevant to us as an undergraduate, then read them, and report our findings.

Information sheets:

1. Databases, complications, tables & forms: This information sheet was all about the legal issues relevant to using tables, indexes form, and taking another persons information from essays, short stories and databases. The purpose of this information sheet is to inform and give a general introductory information about copyright. The information sheet gives examples and keypoints of copyright and ways in which you can avoid copyright.
   
2. Websites: creating and publishing on the internet: This information sheet for people that create their own websites and publishing material on the internet. The purpose of this information sheet is to give a general introductory of copyright. The sheets talks about keypoints of copyright, what copyright protects and the rights of having copyright.
   
3. Translations: This information sheet once again talks about copyright but this time its all about copyright when using translations. This information like the previous two explains the keypoints when using translations to avoid copyright and the sheet also explains the same points as the other two sheets about what copy right protects, how you can avoid copyright laws and the rights you have when you have copyright.
   
4. Quotes and extracts: copyright obligations: This information sheet like the others talked about copyright, only this sheet talked about copyright incorporation with quotations and extracts from other peoples writing. This sheet also explains the keypoints, how you can avoid copyright, what copyright protects, when is copyright infridged and it explains how to take quoatations correctly without performing copyright. It also answers common questions that are asked when using words of others.
   
5. "Private use" copying: time-, format- & space-shifting: This information sheet gives an overview of copyright laws for people who want to copy text, pictures, sound recordings and videos. It explains the keypoints of this topic and what you can do under the 'private use' of provisions. This information sheet answers common questions about copyright.

All of these information sheet are all focused on one main idea. Copy right. Although each sheet is slightly different it explains copyright and how to avoid it when using other peoples information.

Activity Two:

• In activity two we had to go to site 'APRA' (http://www.apra.com.au/music-users/online_mobile/online_mobile.asp)


• We then had to explain what you need to know about music and the web:

According to the APRA/AMCOS website, downloading music online is becoming a problem for songwriters as it is free to download the music and the songwriters are not getting paid. The internet offers the distribution of full-length songs, mobile phone ringtones, webcasting and on-demand streaming. Music on the net is popular as it is not only free but also it can be accessed at anytime, any place. There are a number of copyright issues that are involved when downloading music from the internet; these include 'the reproduction of a musical work' and 'the communication to the public of a musical work'. AMCOS and APRA are licences that refrain the possibility of copyright.

Activity Three:

In activity three we had to go to a website, and from this we had to protect yourself from attacks on your privacy and security.

1) Install Antivirus software
2) Be aware of attachments and spyware
3) Do not give away your personal information
4) Do not reply to spam mail
5) Set online programs to maximize security settings
6) Use peer 2 peer software with caution
7) Update Antivirus software weekly
8) Scan document before opening
9) Tune the preview in your email client off



Reference:
Brain, M. (1998). How Stuff Works. How Stuff Works, Atlanta GA. Retrieved May 28, 2008, from http://computer.howstuffworks.com/virus6.htm


Readings Summary:

• EFF's Top 12 Ways to Protect your Online Privacy: This website provides their top 12 tips on protecting your privacy. A few include; don't reveal private information, don't reply to spam, be conscious of web security and use encryption.
• Ethics in Computing, Social justice Issues, Electronic Monitoring: This website provides you with links to such topics as types of monitoring, privacy issues, suggested policies and privacy resources.
• Overview of Intellectual Property: This website talks about how to protect your intellectual property. In goes more in depth with patents, trademarks and copyright.

Week 11 in Accessing Knowledge!

16/05/08

Lecture Overview

Week 11's lecture started off with some technical difficulties. The computer was not conencting to the projector, this meant that we did not start our weeks lecture till late and did not get all information on the lecture. We started off by doing a pop quiz on revision of the past weeks in accessing knowledge. This weeks lecture was all about 'Data, Information and Knowledge'.

• The definition of data is that it is a fact or a proposition. Some characteristics of data is that it is factual, non-judgemental and non-inferential. An example of data is sampled data which is data such as price, shares and another example of data is measured data which is used for the weather.The importance of data is to collect valid and unbiased data, and must be quantative and representive.


• Information means a collection of facts or data that relate to each other. Some of the characteristics of information is that it is summative, relational and dimensional. An example of information is historical information which is used for almanacs, or table of census data, another use of information is records which is used for budgets, minutes of meetings. The importance of information must inform, be relational and meaningful.


• Knowledge is the sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered or learned. Some characteristics of Knowledge is that is inferential, experimental and judgemental. Knowledge is used for things such as white pages, press release and marketing strategies. The importance of knowledge must not only be subjective but its origin should be clear, should be a novel/ logical conclusion and must have justification from data and information.

Tutorial Activities
The first thing we were told to do in class today was to go onto blackboard-announcements and compelte a survey about blackboard, and our opinions on it. We then went ahead and started our activities for week 11.

Activity One:

Activity one we had to visit a website about data, information and knowledge (http://www.success.co.il/is/dik.html) and then brows the internet to find a dictionary and find the terms to the following words:

• Data: Individual facts, statistics, or items of information.


• Information: Knowledge communicated or received concerning a particular fact or circumstance.


• Knowledge: Acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation.


• Wisdom: The ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight.

I recieved these meanings from the online dictionary 'http://www.dictionary.com/'

Activity Two:

In activity two we had to construct a graph on the results of data, knowledge, information and wisdom.

Activity Three:

Activity three required for us to show our understanding of the relationship between data, information and knowledge and explain how it can assist my university study:

• When given an assignment you should firstly highlight keywords, look up definitions and know what your looking for. Once this is done you can collect data.


• Data relates to the research part of the assessment. Look for facts, statistics etc to assist in forming your ideas and backing up statements.


• Information usually relates to the building phase of the assignment. You put all the information you have found and you put it together logically.


• Knowledge relates to the composition of your assignment, whereby you make your own judgments on the information you have collected and put together.

Activity Four:

In activity four we had to make a list of five organisations that collect information from their clients or the public, and explain why we think they might collect this information.

• Telephone companies record which numbers you call, how often you call etc.


• Libraries record which books are taken out and who the popular authors are etc. Use this information to plan what new books to buy and by what authors.


• Most supermarkets collect data about customers and their spending habits. Use this information to plan and strategise.


• The local doctor at each visit will write down what is wrong with you, and collects it in case of any trends or patterns occurring. Ensures safety and detecting things early.


• Census data. Finds out a variety of information such as age, gender, income, family size and distribution for within a suburb, city, or state.

Readings Summary:

• Data, information, knowledge & wisdom: Data is raw. It simply exists and has no significance beyond it's existance. Information is the data that has been given meaning by way of rational connection. Knowledge is the appropriate collection of information, such that it's intent is to be useful. Understanding is an interpolative and probabilistic process. Whereas wisdom is an extrapolative and non-probabilistic process.


• Information Literacy: This website is a tutorial that includes lessons, quizzes, assignments and handouts to help master your information literacy skills.


• Data, information and knowledge: This reading talks about the relationships that occur within data, info and knowledge. It gives examples such as the Bureau of Meteorology.

Week Ten in Accessing Knowledge!

9/05/08

Lecture Overview
This weeks lecture was all about information management and using technology for accessing and organising information. There are two different types of information management. The first one is an atom-based information format. An example of atom-based format is books, papers or reports, and example of a bit-based format which is the second information management format is digital reproductions and electronic content. Both atom-based and bit-based formats come with pros and cons. A few principles apply to organising your bits, such as common file extensions and using the properties tool to create metadata about your documents.

Tutorial Activities

For week ten's tutorial we did not only need to complete our week ten blog, tutorial activites and attend the lecture, but also our group assignment was due.

Activity One

Activity one required us to visit a website (http://www.inette.com/aibtinette/favoritesI.html) and learn all about saving and bookmarking websites that we wished to returned to, that we liked, at a later date.

Activity Two

• For activity two we had to use and put into practice what we had learnt from the online tutorial in activity one.


• We had to create three folders of our choice, and then bookmark at least two websites that fit that category.

Activity Three

• For activity three we had to visit Negroponte's famous archive online site "Being Digital" (http://archives.obs-us.com/obs/english/books/nn/bdcont.htm)


• We had to read the article "The DNA of Information".

Review of Atom-based and Bit-based information formats:

Atom Based: Books, reports and papers are examples of atom based information format. The pros are that we can see it, we can know where it is, it is easily concealed, easy to protect and difficult to change or copy. The cons are that it is bulky, costly, difficult to edit or distribute and inflexible.

Bit Based: Digital reproductions and electronic content are examples of bit based information format. The pros are that it is very cheap and flexible, easy to edit and easy to mass produce and broadcast. The cons are that privacy could be an issue (easy to copy and steal), authenticity- it is easy to fake or edit information, and unsolicited broadcast such as SPAM could occur.

Week Nine in Accessing Knowledge!

2/5/08

Lecture Overview

Week nines lecture was all about communications. Communication in the world is very today different today compared to the past due to 'information and communication technology' (ICT). Communication can occur in a variety of ways, there are four types of ICT communication:

• Synchronous & Dependent Place, this means same time, same place and an example of this is a chatroom.


• Synchronous & Independent Place, this means same time, different place and an example of this is MSN Messenger.
  
• Asynchronous & Dependent Place, this means different time, same place and an example of this is a bulletin board.


• Asynchronous & Independent Place, this means different time, different place and an example of this is an email.


• For a Synchronous type of communication all parties have to be engaged in communication at the same time, whilst Asynchronous communication means parties take their turn in their own time. For a Dependent place type of communication all parties have to be in the same place, whilst Independent place communication means that parties can be anywhere in cyberspace.

Some examples of ICT use are:

• Mobile telephone (3G Network)
• Video and tele-conferencing
• Ipods, mp3s, laptops
• Electronic mail (emails)
• Multi-media communications

Tutorial Activities

Activity One:

For activity one we were told to visit the google search engine (http://www.google.com/), when we were on that site we were told to click on the hyperlink tab 'Groups', and enter a search term that interests ourselves.

• I searched the key term: 'dancing', and I found groups such as; Dancing with the Stars', and all different types of dance studios available to attend. There was a variety of studios available, ranging from all ages, the young to the old and also all types of dancing, hip-hop classes to ballet classes. It was very versatile, bringing me back a very broad range of dancing.

Activity Two:

Activity two required for us to further our search on this search term, and report our findings on what he have discovered.

• I discovered that the bulletin boards are boards that people post their comments.


• I found that the bulletin boards is all about people expressing their feelings on the subject, whether they like or dislike the classes or shows.


• It is also used for the classes to be known, showing everyone the variety of dance classes on, the times and where abouts the classes will be held.

Activity Three:

In activity three we were required to visit yahoo podcast, search a term that was of interest to ourselves and listen to at least two podcasts. (My search term was cheerleadng).

(Print screen of yahoo podcast search)

(Podcast of cheerleading).

• We then had to visit the ecu podcast website (http://www.ecu.edu.au/library/services/podcasts.html).
• I looked through the ecu podcast library website, and I found out about podcasts and what I need to listen to a podcast.

Activity Four: The potential benefits of podcasts for university students:

• It helps student study better as they can go at their own pace.


• Good for revision before a test or exam.


• If your sick or can't make it to the lecture, you wont miss out important information and fall behind.


• It is another way for the university to communicate with it's students.

Reading Summary:

Problem with Spam: Spam is an electronic mail that is sent out to a large number of people that have not asked for the email. It is also a pointless email, with no importance. The problem with spam is that it can seriously interfere with the operation of public services.

Email do's and dont's: Although emails are extremely useful and time saving they also have their downsides. Emails cause for you to not get as many tasks done in your life, due to constantly writing emails back and forth to co-workers, or you can get interupted from important tasks to read your email. When using email you should make sure that:

• The emails are the right communication skill for you.
• Get to the point straight away.
• Make sure the question you are asking is clear and precise.
• Specify who you want to reply.
• Be clear about when you need the response back.
• Dont forget the rules of grammar and punctuation.
• Be sure to stay on one topic per email.
• Provide context to frame your message.

Essential Email Etiquette: Although emails are a less formal way of communication, you must be sure to use the correct etiquette to ensure that your email will be taken more seriously and is more persuavive for your reader. You also need to remember who your reader is, and from this you will be able to determine the grammar and punctuation standard needed. When writing an email be sure to use the correct etiquette by obeying the following rules:

• Think of an appropriate subject.
• Address recipients appropriately.
• Select an appropriate tone.
• Avoid irony and sarcasm, as jokes and sarcasm do not always come across that way through email as the reader cannot see your expressions or hear youe tone.
• Edit your message.
• Keep messages brief.
• Make sure your attachment is used appropriately do not get off topic.

Week Eight in Accessing Knowledge!

25/4/08

Lecture Overview
This weeks lecture was all about presentation strategies. This lecture focused mainly on powerpoint presentations, and using them in oral presentation, that will be needed for our other classes. A powerpoint presentation must include an introduction, body and conclusion. The power point presentation is a very useful tool as it provides the connection between the speech and written works, it also supports and backs up your wordings. The advantages of combining a power point presentation with your oral presentation is that your audience will connect and understand your point of view more clearer and easier, this is because people respond and take more in when combining as many senses as possible, and when using these two types of presentations together your audience are using their visuals, hearing and reading senses. In your presentation you should include the following features:

• Use the strategy KISS (keep it simple stupid).

• Dont use distractive coulours or images that will distract your audience.


• Use animation effects consistently.


• Dont use sounds.


• Dont use irrelevant graphics.

But the most important features that structure a good presentation is having an introduction, body and conclusion.

Tutorial Activities

Activity One:

For activity one we were required to visit the website http://www.personal.psu.edu/uxg3/blogs/undergraduateresearch/2008/02/online-resources-for-how-to-pr.html which was all about "Online resources for how to prepare and deliver a presentation".

After visiting this site we had to look over the site and make a top five list of strategies to create a good presentation.

List of strategies to help you deliver a top notch presentation:

1. Practice, Practice, Practice!!!


2. Use audio/visual aids to enhance your presentation.


3. Speak clearly and learn to pause.


4. Make eye contact and interact with your audience.


5. Structure your speech with an introduction, body and conclusion.

Activity Two:

• For activity two we were required to construct a power point presentation on 'how to give a low impact powerpoint presentation'.

(Slide One)


(Slide Two)

(SlideThree)

(Slide Four)


(Slide Five)


(Slide Six)

Reading Summary:

How do give a bad presentation: When preparing a presentation there are many things that you need to take into consideration to avoid a bad presentation. However points that cause a bad presentation are:

• To just wing it.
• Start out weak.
• To think that your speech is either all about you or your boss, instead of focusing of the facts about the topic.
• Substitute facts for opinions.
• Wander off topic and abandon your objective.
• Ignore the environment and declare your own time zone.
• Finish weak.

Week Seven in Accessing Knowledge!

11/4/08

Lecture Overview
This weeks lecture was all about End Note. End note is a database that can be used as a reference manager, or a bibliography maker. End note can be used in two ways: a standalone program or integrated into MS word. The lecture taught us all about how endnote works, and the imoprtance of using endnote. The advantage of using endnote, is that it references your sources automatically making easier for you. The lecture explained how to use endnote library and how to use it in configuration with MS word. Examples of why end note is good to use is that it:

• Keeps track of a growing number of references.
• Displays a variety of recognised styles of referencing.
• Handles a variety of types of references.
• Searchable record of references associated with a specific project.
• Can be integrated with Microsft Word.
  

Tutorial Activities

• Week sevens tutorial activities were an extention from the week seven lecture.
• We had to learn all about endnote library.
• Practice using endnote library.
• Practice inserting citations into a word document. from using the endnote library.

Activity One:
For activity one we were asked to review the online referencing guide, and list five different types of online electronic format materials.
Below is an example of my Endnote Library with five different references:

Activity Two:

For activity two we were asked to go into blackboard and complete the endnote excercises for vista.

• The first activity we had to do was add the referencing details from the table into our endnote library.


• The second activity we were required to do was to go to the website http://computer.howstuffworks.com/blog.htm

• After visiting this site we then had to reference the site and add the referencing details into our endnote library.



• The third excerice we had to complete was to go onto the ECU library and select an online journal database.

• We had to select the database by its title, and from here we then had to choose the hyperlink 'Proquest 5000 international'



• We then had to type in the search term 'The New Arab Conversation' and click the search button.



• Next we had to scroll down the page until we found the article 'The New Arab Conversation', once we found this article we had to click the box so it had a tick in it and return to the top of the page.



• After scrolling back to the top of the page we had to click on the Hyperlink tab 'My research'. Once clicked on we then had to click on another hyperlink 'export citations', next we then had to select another hyperlink 'export directly to Procite, Endnote or Reference manager'.



• Then after we had clicked on this text, we had to save the article referencing details into our previous endnote libary.

The referencing details are recorded automatically after following these points.

Activity Three:

• Activity three required us to use our endnote library references and insert them into a word document 'cite while you write endnote excercise'.


• We were required to insert 3 referencing sources, and follow the instructions displayed, telling us how we had to reference, and what was wanted in the document.
  

Reading Summary:

What is end note: EndNote is a program that can store, manage and search for references in a personal library setup by the user. End note can be used in the endnote library program or it can also be used incorporation with MS Word. The references from end note can be cited into a word document, making it an easy and effective way to reference correctly.

Week Six in Accessing Knowledge!

7/4/08

Overview of week six lecture:
This weeks lecture was all about evaluation and authentication, and searching and finding quality information on the world-wide web.

• The context of the world-wide web includes open protocols and open architecture, and there is no control of who, why or what is published.
• When evaluating the web who must consider the following principles: accuracy, authority, objectivity, currency and coverage.
• To find quality information it must be multi-dimensional and fit for use.
• The world-wide web was first developed by ARPANET in December1969 (4 host computers).

Tutorial Activities

• The first thing we did when we entered our tutorial class for week six, was open up our bloggers and showed Gary our posted blogs.
• After Gary reviewed our blogs we then carried on with our week six activities.
• Also throughout the lesson we got into our groups and started working on our group assignments.

Activity One:

• For activity one we were required to visit a webpage which was called 'ICYOUSEE Critical Thinking Page' (http://www.ithaca.edu/library/training/think.html).
• With this website we had to describe the strategies for evaluating information found in websites.

My description on evaluating the information found in websites:

• Make sure you are in the right place. You must make sure you know why you are using the web, and ensure that the website provides the appropriate information that you are seeking.
• When in doubt, doubt. Almost anything can be posted on the net so if you are unsure on the accuracy of the site compare it to other websites, check the authority and evaluate the site.
• Consider the source. Try to find out who wrote or created the webpage, not just find their names, but try to find out something about them which prooves and indicates it would be a good source.
• Know what's happening. Try to identify why the webpage was orginally created. When you know this it is easier to judge the pages content. A way in which you can know whats happening is to identify whether the point of the site is to inform, persuade or sell you something.
• Look at the details. Is the site well organised. Are there misspelled words or examples of poor grammar? Do the links work and are they related to the site and what is the date of when it was last revised?
• Distinguish web pages from pages found on the web. Do you think the page was designed for the web, or do you think it was originally something else.

Activity Two

For activity two we had to visit the webpage 'Reliving the sixties: a website evaluation assignment'. (http://www.ithaca.edu/library/training/think60.html). With this site we had choose two out of the five websites and evaluate them using the following criteria: a\Accuracy, Authorship, Purpose, Detail and Design, and Overall Worth.

Activity Three:

Website One: American Cultural History 1960-1969

• Accuracy: The information is reliable and error-free. It is published by Kingwood College Library which must have an editor or someone who checks and verifies the information. There are many references which you can click on to gain more and further your information.
• Authorship: There is an author; Susan Goodwin which is mentioned at the bottom of the page, if you click it, it then takes you to outlook express where you can her. It is copyrighted by the College Library.
  Purpose: To inform readers about the 1960's in America. As shown in the picture below, books and literature was one of eight aspects talked about.
  

• Detail and design: As shown in the picture above, it is well set out with photos and links to follow up the information. It has a plain white background, which makes the document look professional, and reliable.
  Overall Worth: Many aspects of that particular era are covered, it is informative and educational.
  

Website Two: The almost great society- The 1960's

• Accuracy: The information looks accurate and reliable. It is a lecture slide so it must be relevant information.
• Authorship: It is written by Stanley K Schultz, a professor of History. It was copyrighted in 1999.
• Purpose: To educate students about American History, from the Civil War to the present.
• Detail and Design: Set out on a notepad, like history is being written out on paper. Questions are placed as it is for a lecture.
• Overall Worth: The reader is informed about the history of America and it is educational.

Reading Summary:

Critical Thinking: The world-wide web has a lot to offer, but not all sources are valuable or reliable. Pointers given include content and evaluation, source and date, structure and others to check the validity of a particular website.
Evaluating web sites: Accuracy, authority, objectivity, currency and coverage are the main criteria of this page to check whether or not a web site is valuable and reliable.
Evaluating information found on the web: This reading is very similar to the one above, it talks about the criteria needed for spotting a bad website.
The good, the bad and the ugly: Authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, and coverage are the main criteria of this reading.
Evaluating Internet Research Sources: Credibility, accuracy, reasonableness and support are the main criteria of this reading.

Week Five in Accessing Knowledge!

28/3/08

Overview of Lecture Five
This weeks lecture was all about search engines. Search tools fall into two main categories; Search engines and Directories.

• A search engine is a web-based application that crawls the internet, creating indices of websites.
• Some examples of a search engine are Google, Yahoo, AltaVista, AlltheWeb.
• The problem with search engines is that they return too many results and there are limited results that are of relevence.
• Types of queries to do with search engines are keyword, phrase, boolean, advanced/engine features.
• Some search tips when using search engines are: use several search tools, read the search tips or help information at each search engine, use several words for keyword searches, guess a location, select the wheat from the chaff by thinking about what you want, back up to find out where you are and use advanced search functions to narrow down search.
• Directories are human-edited.
• Directories are webpages submitted directories and are reviewed by manual submission.
• Some examples of directories are: DMOZ, Google directory, Yahoo directory, Look smart, About.
  
  Tutorial Activities
  
• The first thing we did for weeks five tutorial, was open up our Blogger page and showed Gary, what we had completed so far.
• After we had shown our Bloggers we then carried on with weeks 5 tutorial activities.

Activity One:

• For activity one, we had to go into the Monash University website and list four strategies that would help structure a good search. (http://www.monash.com/spidap.html)

1. Read the search tips or help information at each search engine.
2. For keyword searches, use minimal words.
3. Use many search engines, not just one- you will get a greater variety.
4. Select the appropriate search type, in many cases you will find relevant information in directories rather than search engines.

Activity Two:

• For activity two we had to go complete a history trivia quiz.
• We had to do this quiz by researching the answers using search engines as the questions came up.
  
  
• After we had completed this quiz we had to printscreen our results. Which is shown below.
  

Activity Three:

Strategies used to locate quiz answers/summary:

• I mostly used Google to find the quiz answers, though i also used dogpile and ask Jeeves.
• I only put in a keyword or a phrase and they were accurate in finding me a result.
• Most of the time, the first link on the search engine would have the right answer.
• When i struggled finding an answer, i would either change search engines or reword it, this usually helped.

Reading Summary:

• Web Search Strategies: This reading follows the exact same structure as the lecture. It includes all the same information but it goes more into depth.
• Search Engine Watch: This page provides a guide to key material within Search Engine Watch, resources across the web and articles written about searching better.
• The History of the Internet: This talks about the beginning of search engines, how we find information on the net, and key pointers of directories, search engines, databases and library catalogues.

Week Four in Accessing Knowledge!

21/3/08

Overview of week fours Lecture

Week Four in Accessing Knowledge was required to be completed at home, as there was no school on good friday. The lecture slides and workshop instructions were put up on blackboard for us to complete and not fall behind.

The lecture for this week was all about the web, and the net. It explained the difference between the two, and the importance of each. Though the main focus of the lecture was 'Using the WWW'. On the Internet you would find computers, and the connections are cables between computers. Whereas on the web you would find documents and other information, and the connections are hypertext links. The web is defined as a universe of accessible information stored on computers throughout the world. The information is available through a gigantic network called the Internet. The lecture explained about the Domain Name System Conventions (for example org, com, gov, net). and we were also told about the sorts of web browsers found on the Internet and common interface shortcuts (eg. Ctrl+S=Save, Ctrl+D=Bookmark).

Tutorial activities

Activity One

1) Visited the website http://www.haggishunt.scotsman.com/

Four clues that gives the site away as a spoof:
1) It is a commercial website (http://haggishunt.scotsman.com/)
2) Photos are irrelevant to the so called 'Haggis Hunt'
3) The animal Haggis is fictional
4) Has alot of irrelevant links.


Above is a similar picture as the previous one, only this one I have edited in paint before inserted into Blogger. It has been edited by showing the where-abouts of the spoofs on the site.

2) Visited the website http://www.molossia.org/

Four clues that gives the site away as a spoof:
1) should be gov not org.
2)There language is English though seems to be Middle Eastern
3) Its not an actual country (found in America)
4) Too many news articles for such a small nation


Above is a similar picture as the previous one, only this one I have edited in paint before inserted into Blogger. It has been edited by showing the where-abouts of the spoofs on the site.

Activity Two

• When I enter this website I expect to see a picture of Martin Luther King, and a history and background of MartinLuther King. I also expect to see his achievements and what he has completed in his life.

Activity Three

• My first impressions when I entered this site were that I expected to read and learn about his achievements and the history of the life he lived.Though as you read the articles more in depth they became more biased, and my first impressions became further from the truth.

Activity Four

• I feel that the website has changed from my first impression that I had on it, the website told the stories from one point of view, though in saying that the writer also noted his achievements, though sounding less herotic. After researching other websites of Martin Luther King, the website http://www.martinlutherking.org/ didnt seem to acknowledge and mention his tremendious achievements as much as other websites did.
  
  

Reading Summary:

Search Engine Watch Tutorials: The page provides a guide to key material within Search Engine Watch, resources across the web and articles written about searching better.

History of the WWW: This shows a little history of the world wide web from 1945 to 1995.3)

History of the World-wide web: This reading is also about the history off the web, but is much more comprehensive than the other reading. It talks about the development of the computer more in depth.

Week Three in Accessing Knowledge!

14/3/08

Week Three Lecture Overview

This weeks lecture focused on 'Online Libraries and Databases'. It told us the advantages and disadvantages of using both of these sources, and informed us what they were all about, and how they worked. Online libraries and Databases are similar but not the same, though they are both informative and usual.

• Online Libraries are convenient, broad, current, electronically formatted, and you can access it at anytime, anywhere.
• The types of online libraries include: online text repositories, electronic books, online journals, musicals and artwork.
• A limitation of using the online library is that in many cases only the catalogue is online.
• Another limitation is that you must reference correctly, in order to not misuse the copyright issues.
• Online databases are similar to online libraries, though they focus on data collection, search and browse facility and the distribution of data.
• Types of online databases include; people searches, e-mail directories, maps and atlases, government information and statistics, news and media and portals.
• The advantages of online databases are that they are comprehensive, current, kept up-to-date, browsable, searchable, 24/7 access and is in electronic format.
• The disadvantages include lots of advertising, difficult to navigate, info overload and you might have to pay.

TUTORIAL ACTIVITIES

For this I had to carry out my tutorial activities at home, as I could not make it to class due to having surgery. I did this by downloading the tutorial workshop for week 3 and completed the tasks that were assigned.

• The first thing I did was go on the internet and go into ECU Library Service. (http://www.ecu.edu.au/library/). I spent some time just browsing this website and exploring some of the functions it has available.
• After I had explored the site thoroughly and new my way around, I then searched for an online journal article on the 'economic impact of global warming on business'.
• Then went I had got my article I went back into the ECU Library site and searched for 10 useful functions/ search tips on this site, which are listed below:

1. ECU Library Catalogue: You can do a quick search or an assisted search. You would find anything from books to Cd's found at any ECU campus .
2. FindJournal Articles: An ECU research portal is MetaQuest or can be found INdoor (title/subject).
3. Reserve Collection Services: There is either eReserve Collection or Print Reserve Collection. Here students and staff can borrow books, CD-Roms etc.
4. Journal Title: You can search here for a journal as all journal titles held by ECU are available in the database.
5. Find Websites: Find them by topic, search engines or frequently used websites.
6. LibraryResources by Faculty: Provided by faculty library teams to meet specialized subject needs.
7. ECU Referencing Guide: Available online to help you with referencing, quoting etc.
8. Ask the library: If you have any queries about finding information or using databases you can ask a qualified librarian.
9. Learning to find information: You select an area that interests you and you learn more about it. These are helpful before you use the resources such as journal articles.
10. Student information: Here you would find quick links such as SIMO, news and important dates (eg. exams)

• After I got the above 10 useful functions I then visited the MEDline plus website (http://www.medlineplus.gov/). I browsed this website, becoming familiar with the MEDline plus site.
• I then used the built in search engine in this site and searched 'diabetes'. After i searched this I found a site that contained of usual information, which is shown below.

• When I had finished looking over the article, I clicked on the hyperlink text 'Interactive tutorials'. This was a site, that talked through the what you had searched. In my case I had clicked on Asthma, and then the site talked about asthma, and had a variety of usual links about Asthma on the left of the screen.

• I think the people that might use a service is the general public and people that want to know about their health without going to the doctors. They may use this site as a health precaution to stay healthy or they can not get to doctors becuase the doctors surgery is closed or the patient has to work.
• Another group of people that may use this service may be students that are studying an assignment, as it may come in handy to discover the information they need.
• The tutorials are well set out, there is a voice over, graphics and relevant information on the site.
• The interactive tutorials start with an introduction, followed by what the issue is, cause, effects, prevention, treatment and a summary. There are also questions that relate to the information provided.
• With this information provided whoever is using this site, would walk away from it knowing more about the issue they have researched and becoming more familiar and knowledgeable on the topic.

Reading Summary:

Finding what you want on the net: This website is about analyst Bill Thompson talking about searching the net, and trying to find what you want. The site mentions good searching without the search engine 'google' would not be easy. Also mentioned in the article is wide-ranging web indices and searching well.

Bare Bones: This site is about tips when searching the web. It gives out multiple guidlines on how to constuct an effective web search. One tip that is displayed and explained on the site is to use (+) plus and (-) minuses in front of the word to enforce their importance and inclusion and exclusion in searches.

Week Two in Accessing Knowledge!

7/3/08

Main points from Lecture Two:

This weeks lecture gave us an insight of how to use and develope our skills in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel programs. This lecture gave as the basic knowledge of how to use these two programs and showed us how they function. Helen Cripps showed us the vital and important knowledge required that were essential to complete tasks using these programs. This unit (UPCOOO4) will acquire us to use Word processing and presentation, Excel spreadsheet, E-mail, the Internet and other various applications to help us succeed in our Uni studies.

Main points from Lab Class Two:

• To start off this weeks lab class, we opened up Blackboard and had a quick overview of what this weeks lesson would contain of.



• We then opened up MS Word and browsed around the program, adapting to the new concept of word, as we are now using the new Windows Vista.



• Week Two's task was to complete an excercise in MS Word. This excercise was designed to extend and familiarise our understanding and knowledge.



• In Word we were required to do multiple tasks, such as:

Insert a Cover Page

Insert Page Break

Format Line Spacing

Create Headings

Insert Header/Footer

Insert Page number

How to format page number

Create a table of Contents

• We also got taught some keyboard shortcuts, that would make using word faster and alot easier.



• For example 'Control' + 'Backspace' which would delete the whole word that was behind the cursor. 'Control' + 'Shift' + 'Home', this would highlight the whole document. We learnt alot of different keyboard combitions such as the examples above.

Excel Spreadsheet

• After we completed all of these tasks above we then went into the internet, and listened to an audio presentation on how to use the new Vista Excel Spreadsheet.



• When the presentation was finished we then went into Excel and Gary went through an example of how Excel works, when you enter information into the spreadsheet.

Reading Summary

Microsoft Word: This website gives out helping tips and guidlines on how to use Microsoft word for APA tasks. It shows quick short cut ways in which you can do things. An example that is on this site is 'Back spacing and deleting'. It shows how to delete and backspace words in a time saving way. The site gives general tips for alot of different functions used in MS Word.

Week One in Accessing Knowledge!

Friday 29/02/2008.

Lecture Overview:
Today was the day we commenced our Accessing and Knowledge Lecture, and Lab classes. A brief summary of what went about within these classes is stated below:

• We started the day off with our Lecture class which was taken by Dr.Helen Cripps.



• The lecture involved: giving us the course introduction, providing information on life at university, learning outcomes, course structure, assessments and communication with lecturers and tutors for unit UPC0004, and other students.



• We were informed that is it essential that we attended all lectures and lab classes.



• There are 3 assessment tasks for this course, all these tasks must meet the required pass mark in order to complete the course.



• There are 6 modules in this course.



• We are currently working on Module One, which involves; Using Computers. Basic computing skills are required for achievement in this course, but as the course progresses new skills will be acquired.

Tutorial Activities:
In our Lab class this week we learnt how to do the following:

• Searched through the ECU website.



• Logged in to MyECU blackboard, then clicked the Accessing Knowledge link and looked through the course outline, structure and assesment tasks.



• Browsed through SIMO.



• Browsed and used our ECU student website.



• Set up my own blog (weblog) to complete assessment one at http://www.blogger.com/



• Registered at imageshack and set up my own image storage account. (http://www.imageshack.us/) to help me with assessment one.



• Created a screenshot using imagshack.

How to set up your own blog account.

• Go to http://www.blogger.com/ and click on create your own blog.



• Complete all the necessary details in the Create an account webpage and click continue when all filled in.



• You then have to Name your blog after it has been accepted and select a URL for your blog, then click continue.



• If your blog title and URL have been accepted then you can Choose a Template. Click continue once you have found a template you like.



• Once the system has created and confirmed your blog click on Start Posting.



• To post comment you simply click on the hyberlink 'New Post' then when you have finished writing your post click 'Publish Post'



• Click on View Blog and there will be your blog with the week one entry.

Image Shack evidence.

This is a print screen of imageshack http://www.imageshack.us/ and blogger http://www.blogger.com/

Reading Summary:

PC Lube and Tune: PC lube and tube is a service and is a convenience store in business since February 1994. The site covers the following information:

• An introduction to PC hardware
• Exception handling in java and c#
• The graphic user interface
• Computers, videos files and HDTV
• Technical perspective on the microsoft antitrust case
• The tragedy of microsoft and java
• Character encoding and web standards
• Microsoft .Net framework
• Distributed applications and the web
• Das boot
• The storm before the COM
• Introduction to SNA, TCP/IP, and APPC
• Ethernet

How PCs Work: This website is about PCs and how they work. The article talks about the introduction to how PCs work other hyperlinks inside this article that the site talks about is PC connections, powering up, operating systems, the future of PCs, portable personal computing, lots more information and see all desktops articles. The article talks about the parts to a computer, their functions and how to use them.