Hurrah Hurrah - welcome to the end of the first semester, and coincidentally the conclusion of New Communication Technology for myself, and for the rest of the unit (hopefully we all pass!!)
The unit was enjoyable. I have learnt many things relating to the internet through assessments, blogging and the lectures From this unit I have been welcomed into the world of the blog, photoshop (however, I am now definately aware that I am no genius at it - nor will I be!) and the world wide web (which I'll have you know is NOT the same as the Internet). I was quite interested in media theories relating to the influence of the media on society and the public's opinion. This course also interestingly related to all my other units - i.e. writing for the web in Effective Writing, the influence of the media in Introduction to politics and media theories relating to presented violence in Crime & Justice - and I honestly think that wouldn't have all come together in week 1.
I was a bit wary of this course in the beginning, and blatantly thought that I was aware of how to plug into the internet and that was all I needed, but Steven, Adam and Chris have all opened my eyes to alot more. And I even (and probably am one of few) that found the PR girls coming in for a chat very helpful - as PR is one of my majors (so two thumbs up for that Steven). The French new wave, and other totally confusing films did not really make any clear connections for me, and I have to say the voice over in the first two films was a little too hard to bare.
I commend Chris also for being a fantastic tutor - knowledgeable and helpful and a cheerful tutor to have once a week - particularly as a first year (I also agree with his idea of using the blog as a summary of each weeks work - would improve exam revision amazingly!)
The Exam was easy to prepare for and pretty good to complete, I thought.
Thanks to the teaching team - keep up the good work, gentlemen.
Over & Out
Monday, June 4, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Week 11 - Microsoft Excel Tutorial Task
Previously, as with Microsoft Word last week, I have used Microsoft Excel for work purposes and have found it very easy to use. For a long time however the program was limited to my needs of table creation. Currently in my part time work I is use it for accounting and productivity reports in excel format.
The tute task that incorporated the table and formula creation was very simple for me, however, the introduction of the Macro function was definately new! Macro was very simple to do - however it was quite fiddly, particularly if you wanted to compare a large number of things, i.e. more than Gains, Losses, and Gains & Losses. On my exercise also, when I created the customised toolbar and I assigned the specific Macros to each of the three buttons the title on the toolbar buttons did not change from 'Custom Menu Item' - so (unless I did something wrong) that seems a little confusing - but I think with a bit more personal tinkering I could work out how to change that!
I believe that Excel will continue to be of important use to me in many different fields of work and, possibly, uni.
Back to the study now!
Trudy
The tute task that incorporated the table and formula creation was very simple for me, however, the introduction of the Macro function was definately new! Macro was very simple to do - however it was quite fiddly, particularly if you wanted to compare a large number of things, i.e. more than Gains, Losses, and Gains & Losses. On my exercise also, when I created the customised toolbar and I assigned the specific Macros to each of the three buttons the title on the toolbar buttons did not change from 'Custom Menu Item' - so (unless I did something wrong) that seems a little confusing - but I think with a bit more personal tinkering I could work out how to change that!
I believe that Excel will continue to be of important use to me in many different fields of work and, possibly, uni.
Back to the study now!
Trudy
Week 10 - Microsoft Word Tute Task
I think I was introduced to Microsoft Word a long time ago - as most of us would have been in this technologically advanced era - and am quite confident with it. I have used OpenOffice before and believe it to be not as good, as I think Word's layout is much more convenient to use - but perhaps that is just my naivety to trying something new!
This task was quite simple for me to complete. Although I must admit that I have never used the Mail Merge functions before - but can see how they would assist me in future Microsoft Word uses. This new function introduction was very easy to work out, as previously expressed, due to Microsoft Word's convenient and easy to use layout.
I have used Microsoft Word for previous job requirements, and incorporated the use of tables into word documents and contents page functions (which made life much easier!). These days the program is used for Uni work, personal essays and the occassional letter (hand writing is just way too much work!)
Tute Task completed. Successful. Clear.
Over and out.
This task was quite simple for me to complete. Although I must admit that I have never used the Mail Merge functions before - but can see how they would assist me in future Microsoft Word uses. This new function introduction was very easy to work out, as previously expressed, due to Microsoft Word's convenient and easy to use layout.
I have used Microsoft Word for previous job requirements, and incorporated the use of tables into word documents and contents page functions (which made life much easier!). These days the program is used for Uni work, personal essays and the occassional letter (hand writing is just way too much work!)
Tute Task completed. Successful. Clear.
Over and out.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Essay - Student ID 2562539 - New Comm Tech - Due Friday 11th May '07
“Broadband is an essential service for both individuals and business, and is vital for Australia’s future economic prosperity.”
- Sen. Helen Coonan,
Minister for Communications, Information Technology
and the Arts, MEDIA RELEASE, 2007
There is no hiding from the fact that in this technologically advanced era that the Australian community’s dependency on technologies is ever-increasing – included in this is the heavy reliance on the internet. This reliance is present in business relations, from marketing and accounting to resource purchasing and inter-office communication. Furthermore, on the home front, one’s holiday arrangements, personal shopping and/or communications all utilise a strong connection to the same technology.
It is largely due to government influence in the form of legislation and support for infrastructure development that we can access this networking technology, and it is the government (in conjunction with the telecommunications companies) that will further expand accessibility and availability of these services.
Australia is a member of the thirty countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD rates how ‘wired’ developed countries are, with respect to such factors as GDP, and ranks them accordingly. At present, Australia is ranked 16th, with 19.2 broadband subscribers per 100 inhabitants, a total of 3 939 288 subscribers (OECD, 2006).
The OECD outlines some influencing factors regarding the country’s possible adoption of the internet; specifically these include the country’s economic position, as well as its economic equality, the nation’s education levels, the prominence of the English language (as it is the most prominent language used on the world wide web), the legalities associated with the country’s advocated free competition in the telecommunications sector and the nation’s pre-existing telecommunications facilities (Hargittai, 1999) – all factors which heavily resonate under government influence.
Minister for Communications, Information Technology
and the Arts, MEDIA RELEASE, 2007
There is no hiding from the fact that in this technologically advanced era that the Australian community’s dependency on technologies is ever-increasing – included in this is the heavy reliance on the internet. This reliance is present in business relations, from marketing and accounting to resource purchasing and inter-office communication. Furthermore, on the home front, one’s holiday arrangements, personal shopping and/or communications all utilise a strong connection to the same technology.
It is largely due to government influence in the form of legislation and support for infrastructure development that we can access this networking technology, and it is the government (in conjunction with the telecommunications companies) that will further expand accessibility and availability of these services.
Australia is a member of the thirty countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD rates how ‘wired’ developed countries are, with respect to such factors as GDP, and ranks them accordingly. At present, Australia is ranked 16th, with 19.2 broadband subscribers per 100 inhabitants, a total of 3 939 288 subscribers (OECD, 2006).
The OECD outlines some influencing factors regarding the country’s possible adoption of the internet; specifically these include the country’s economic position, as well as its economic equality, the nation’s education levels, the prominence of the English language (as it is the most prominent language used on the world wide web), the legalities associated with the country’s advocated free competition in the telecommunications sector and the nation’s pre-existing telecommunications facilities (Hargittai, 1999) – all factors which heavily resonate under government influence.
Source: OECD Broadband Subscribers per 100 inhabitants, by technology, Dec 2006.
In a 1997 study involving the analysis of 23 case studies, a number of benefits of internet use within Australian businesses were identified (Poon & Swatman, 1997). The authors concluded that the internet provided a cheap communication medium, creating avenues between customers and other businesses, namely suppliers, business partners and competitors, as well as providing the ability to effectively and efficiently transfer documents. Other key functions were found to be internet business development, advertising and/or marketing, business delivery avenues and increases in competitive market participation. However, it is notable that at time of publication of this paper (1997), there was obviously further potential for internet integration of business activities to improve business efficiency. However, one impediment to this development, according to Poon and Swatman (1997), was the then lack of programs to adapt such tasks, as well as the availability of a reliable network system.
The Government has rightly been a strong advocate of technological integration and the need for technological advancement. It should also be noted that the internet has been used to advantage by the Government in pursuing its own business and political goals. Utilising the non-mass media controlled text type allows the Government of the day (as well as non-government parties) to provide their political message to the electorate in a one sided view, and also for campaigning, networking, participation promotion and resource generation. In recent research a number of political parties utilising the technology noted the internet as “one of, if not the, most important communication tool at their disposal” (Gibson & Ward, 2002, p. 114).
With respect to internet use in the home, data collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicated that between the collection periods of 2004-05 and 2005-06, the proportion of Australian households with access to the internet increased by 4 points to 60% (ABS, 2005-06). 65% of these Australian internet users cited their main purpose as for personal or private use, followed by work or business related purposes.
Unfortunately, equity of accessibility remains a constant issue, with statistics indicating that improved internet options are most notably seen in homes of higher income earners, those with higher education levels, and younger people aged between 15 and 24. Seemingly evident also is the 19% of those not using the internet due to the price of use being “too high” (ABS, 2006).
The above examples of Australian internet use and the associated publishing periods show the time period of action of the Australian Government. During the period between 1996 and 2005, the federal government spent $1 billion on schemes such as HiBiS (Higher Bandwidth Incentive Scheme) aiming to connect more Australians at competitive prices, programs to improve the communications infrastructure, an advanced networks program, and the encouragement of investment in broadband infrastructure and service delivery (Williams, 2004).
However, as technology grows, the need for improved internet access is in further demand, with the number of broadband users recently almost doubling in one year, from 28% of all household internet connections in 2004-05, to 48% recorded in 2005-06 (ABS, 2006). The Federal Government has since acted positively. In December 2006, the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) released the ‘Broadband Blueprint’, outlining a “national frameworks for the future of broadband in Australia” (DCITA, 2006a). The blueprint highlighted the Government’s focus on Broadband infrastructure and future equity of accessibility to all Australians. The document outlined financial contributions – namely the $1.1 billion ‘Connect Australia’ scheme, which encompassed a variety of communications funding schemes, including ‘Broadband Connect’, an $878 million infrastructure plan, “boosting the reach, quality and capacity of broadband networks in regional, rural and remote areas” (DCITA, 2006b, p. 68).
According to Government, the health, education and research sectors are benefited by these technological advancements; able to consistently move with global improvements as well as improving the Australian quality of life (DCITA, 2006b). Some technological improvements in these sectors are as follows:
- Education: The $54 million collaborative effort by Australia and New Zealand 'Learning Federation’ Online curriculum, as well as the Australian Flexible Learning Framework, developing appropriate services and resources to meet the current technology driven learning environment.
- Health: The ‘Broadband for Health’ program, connecting all general practitioners, community pharmacies and Aboriginal community controlled health services nationwide; as well as the introduction of a nationwide electronic records system.
- Research: $500 million National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy, developing the research sector’s technological platforms to globally collect, share, analyse, store and retrieve information, advancing the Australian research industry’s credibility and development (DCITA, 2006b).
The impact of the internet and its associated capabilities can technologically benefit many aspects of Australian society – including the nation’s economy. Although it is incredibly difficult to establish the economic effect of the internet within Australia, the Australian digital content industry alone employs some 300 000 people across some 9 500 businesses, contributing $21 billion to the Australian economy (DCITA, 2006b).
In 2001 a US study was conducted of eight nominated industries and reported a speculative estimate of US$100-230 billion of financial savings for these industries where internet technologies had been integrated into business activities (Litan & Rivlin, 2001).
The high level of internet use – one might say our borderline dependency on it – is real and its growth inevitable. As the number of internet users increases there is also greater need for improved availability and quality of internet provision. The Federal Government has so far reacted reasonably well to changing trends so that the nation’s population can adopt new technologies as they require. Recent initiatives in this respect include the Australian broadband infrastructure schemes – which follow on from the completion of the ‘Broadband Connect’ program and the commencement of the $162.5 million ‘Australian Broadband Guarantee’ (DCITA, 2007).
Changing technologies indeed dominate many aspects of the Australian community’s lifestyle and open beneficial avenues in health, education and research sectors, as well as major economic improvements.
____________________________________________________________________
References
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2006, Broadband Internet Access Doubles, Media Release. Viewed 3rd May 2007. Available Online: <http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/8146.0Media%20Release32005-06?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=8146.0&issue=2005-06&num=&view=>
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2005-06, 8146.0 - Household Use of Information Technology, Australia, 2005-06, Viewed 3rd May 2007. Available online: <http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/acc2d18cc958bc7bca2568a9001393ae?OpenDocument>
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts 2006a, Broadband Blueprint. Viewed 30th April 2007. Available online: <http://www.dcita.gov.au/communications_for_consumers/internet/broadband_blueprint>
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts 2006b, Broadband Blueprint – Broadband Development, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts 2007, Australian Broadband Guarantee, Viewed 30th April 2007. Available online: <http://www.dcita.gov.au/communications_for_business/news_and_events/australian_broadband_guarantee>
Gibson, R. & Ward, S., 2002, ‘Virtual Campaigning: Australian Parties and the Internet’, Australian Journal of Political Science, Vol. 37, No.1, p. 99 – 129.
Hargittai, E, 1999. ‘Weaving the Western Web: Explaining the differences in Internet connectivity among OECD countries’, Telecommunications Policy, Vol. 23, Issue. 10/11, p. 701-718.
Litan, R.E & Rivlin, A.M., 2001. ‘Projecting the Economic Impact of the Internet’, American Economic Review, American Economic Association, Vol. 91, No. 2, p. 313-317.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 2006, OECD Broadband Statistics to December, 2006. Viewed 8th May, 2007. <http://www.oecd.org/document/7/0,2340,en_2649_34223_38446855_1_1_1_1,00.html>
Office of the Minister for the Department of Communications, Information technology and the Arts 2007, $162.5 million for Australian Broadband Guarantee, Media Release. Viewed 30th April 2007. Available online: <http://www.minister.dcita.gov.au/media/media_releases/$162.5_million_for_australian_broadband_guarantee>
Poon, S. & Swatman, P.M.C, 1997, ‘Small Business use of the Internet: Findings from Australian Case Studies’, International Marketing Review, Vol. 14, No. 5, p. 385-402.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2006, Broadband Internet Access Doubles, Media Release. Viewed 3rd May 2007. Available Online: <http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/8146.0Media%20Release32005-06?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=8146.0&issue=2005-06&num=&view=>
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2005-06, 8146.0 - Household Use of Information Technology, Australia, 2005-06, Viewed 3rd May 2007. Available online: <http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/acc2d18cc958bc7bca2568a9001393ae?OpenDocument>
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts 2006a, Broadband Blueprint. Viewed 30th April 2007. Available online: <http://www.dcita.gov.au/communications_for_consumers/internet/broadband_blueprint>
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts 2006b, Broadband Blueprint – Broadband Development, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts 2007, Australian Broadband Guarantee, Viewed 30th April 2007. Available online: <http://www.dcita.gov.au/communications_for_business/news_and_events/australian_broadband_guarantee>
Gibson, R. & Ward, S., 2002, ‘Virtual Campaigning: Australian Parties and the Internet’, Australian Journal of Political Science, Vol. 37, No.1, p. 99 – 129.
Hargittai, E, 1999. ‘Weaving the Western Web: Explaining the differences in Internet connectivity among OECD countries’, Telecommunications Policy, Vol. 23, Issue. 10/11, p. 701-718.
Litan, R.E & Rivlin, A.M., 2001. ‘Projecting the Economic Impact of the Internet’, American Economic Review, American Economic Association, Vol. 91, No. 2, p. 313-317.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 2006, OECD Broadband Statistics to December, 2006. Viewed 8th May, 2007. <http://www.oecd.org/document/7/0,2340,en_2649_34223_38446855_1_1_1_1,00.html>
Office of the Minister for the Department of Communications, Information technology and the Arts 2007, $162.5 million for Australian Broadband Guarantee, Media Release. Viewed 30th April 2007. Available online: <http://www.minister.dcita.gov.au/media/media_releases/$162.5_million_for_australian_broadband_guarantee>
Poon, S. & Swatman, P.M.C, 1997, ‘Small Business use of the Internet: Findings from Australian Case Studies’, International Marketing Review, Vol. 14, No. 5, p. 385-402.
Williams, Hon. D, ‘The Year past and the Year ahead for the Internet: the Governments Perspective’, presented at the Internet Industry Association (IIA) Gala Dinner, February 2004. Viewed 30th April 2007. Available Online: <http://www.dcita.gov.au/Article/0,,0_7-2_4011-4_117825,00.html>
Online Reviewing
In another of my classes I was requested to do some research on the critical review - and oddly enough it brought me back to the blog. It seems that one of the most common uses for a blog is that of putting your opinion online - this opinion most notably in the form of a review of something. People can publish these on their own blog spaces, or on review specific sites, such as www.book-blog.com – for specific book reviews, or direct hotel reservation systems, that provide options to leave guest reviews for future hotel guests, such as the available option on www.tripadvisor.com.
There is also the recent birth of paid review websites, including the likes of www.sponsoredreviews.com, as a marketing concept that pays bloggers to write reviews in various blog spaces about their links. Very cheap advertising indeed.
I even found sites where your blogs can get reviewed themselves. Such as www.blogsrater.com or www.bloggeries.com.
If this is a point of interest for anyone... good luck.
Trudy
There is also the recent birth of paid review websites, including the likes of www.sponsoredreviews.com, as a marketing concept that pays bloggers to write reviews in various blog spaces about their links. Very cheap advertising indeed.
I even found sites where your blogs can get reviewed themselves. Such as www.blogsrater.com or www.bloggeries.com.
If this is a point of interest for anyone... good luck.
Trudy
Thursday, April 26, 2007
IMVU - Week 8
I was like everyone else when the internet chat room was at it's original peak... and back then it wasn't as scary. But we did that for laughs, and never on our own. The world, back then, also included MSN messenger - one of the only things that was so exciting on the internet that I still use today, and by the MSN stage you were able to chat with people you actually knew.
Today I looked through each 3D world provided in the tute task list, and IMVU seemed the quickest to download - so thus tru4387, the short haired, brunette, jean / green shirt wearing, pink sunglasses avatar was born. Now on IMVU if you wanted to smart yourself up it actually costs 'points' - I was way too excited and wanted to get my own 'room' - but that was three times the amount of credit that you get for free when you sign up (I think you get more credit when others you invite sign up, and buy themselves some credit) so my medieval castle idea went out the window. IMVU gives you the option to actually buy credit - with actual money - but the idea of buying stuff for a virtual world for my virtual other half doesn't seem entirely worthy.
The IMVU tutorial is pretty straightforward, basically you can work out how to change the mood of the avatar (quite restricted options - apparently being bashful, flirtatious, 'grooving', sad, mad, old (what is this supposed to mean?) and impatient). You can also change the actions of the avatar - if I wanted to tru4387 can do a flip, kick, breakdance, burp or break out into air guitar. Now what kind of MSN messenger can do that?! You can also change your avatar into a giant smiley face object - which was a tiny bit weird.
Anyway, so after I fiddle around trying to find what they mean in the tutorial by 'Buddies window' and the 'Chat now' button, I get it working, and then the website just randomly brings you to some room - 'Buckstars Coffee' - and seats you down next to someone else random. First there was this one girl whose first question (after the normal 'hello') was 'Are you straight or gay If you don't mind me asking.' - well - welcome to IMVU world! That conversation didn't go on for too long - I must've been fairly boring. She turned out to be (or so she said) a US 20 year old. You can apparently reject these people - but I haven't quite worked out how. So after she rejected me, I got put next to a 33 year old US woman with two children, living in the Bronx. (Is the US taking over EVERY type of world?) There is only so much you can talk about with a complete stranger - the weather comes up, the age question, what you do for a living (or for your future living i.e. uni) etc, but this conversation is much easier than with the confronting 20 year old.
I think that the new 3D virtual worlds - as common as they are now - are really just a complete upgrade from the old style chatroom - where you can chat to anyone who may be online - of whom you have no idea who they are. With MSN you are actually definitely aware of who you're talking to - provided that when you add them you know their email address.
3D worlds also provide you to show the other person (or avator) what you actually mean - through body language or expressions - whereas, in MSN messenger you've only got words - and words can be easily misinterpreted.
The 3D world does have it's fun aspects - you can be much more creative - but it does have that same stranger danger element that the internet has introduced.
Anyway, I've got someone else on another line (window) right now... must get going.
tru4387 - Over and Out
Today I looked through each 3D world provided in the tute task list, and IMVU seemed the quickest to download - so thus tru4387, the short haired, brunette, jean / green shirt wearing, pink sunglasses avatar was born. Now on IMVU if you wanted to smart yourself up it actually costs 'points' - I was way too excited and wanted to get my own 'room' - but that was three times the amount of credit that you get for free when you sign up (I think you get more credit when others you invite sign up, and buy themselves some credit) so my medieval castle idea went out the window. IMVU gives you the option to actually buy credit - with actual money - but the idea of buying stuff for a virtual world for my virtual other half doesn't seem entirely worthy.
The IMVU tutorial is pretty straightforward, basically you can work out how to change the mood of the avatar (quite restricted options - apparently being bashful, flirtatious, 'grooving', sad, mad, old (what is this supposed to mean?) and impatient). You can also change the actions of the avatar - if I wanted to tru4387 can do a flip, kick, breakdance, burp or break out into air guitar. Now what kind of MSN messenger can do that?! You can also change your avatar into a giant smiley face object - which was a tiny bit weird.
Anyway, so after I fiddle around trying to find what they mean in the tutorial by 'Buddies window' and the 'Chat now' button, I get it working, and then the website just randomly brings you to some room - 'Buckstars Coffee' - and seats you down next to someone else random. First there was this one girl whose first question (after the normal 'hello') was 'Are you straight or gay If you don't mind me asking.' - well - welcome to IMVU world! That conversation didn't go on for too long - I must've been fairly boring. She turned out to be (or so she said) a US 20 year old. You can apparently reject these people - but I haven't quite worked out how. So after she rejected me, I got put next to a 33 year old US woman with two children, living in the Bronx. (Is the US taking over EVERY type of world?) There is only so much you can talk about with a complete stranger - the weather comes up, the age question, what you do for a living (or for your future living i.e. uni) etc, but this conversation is much easier than with the confronting 20 year old.
I think that the new 3D virtual worlds - as common as they are now - are really just a complete upgrade from the old style chatroom - where you can chat to anyone who may be online - of whom you have no idea who they are. With MSN you are actually definitely aware of who you're talking to - provided that when you add them you know their email address.
3D worlds also provide you to show the other person (or avator) what you actually mean - through body language or expressions - whereas, in MSN messenger you've only got words - and words can be easily misinterpreted.
The 3D world does have it's fun aspects - you can be much more creative - but it does have that same stranger danger element that the internet has introduced.
Anyway, I've got someone else on another line (window) right now... must get going.
tru4387 - Over and Out
Thursday, April 5, 2007
The Confusion of Photoshop
Ok, guys, I'm not real sure what I'm doing with these, but these are my Summer inspiration images... A few play arounds with Blurring, Painting, Drawing, minor Layering... but all in all I'm still a bit too confused :-SEnjoy the easter break!
Trudy
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Week 4 Task - Research and Search Engine Fun
Research: In my library search last tute, I began with searched ‘New Communication Technologies’ but my results were widely spread – so I began my focus on the further development of new technologies with the particular importance of the role of government in doing so.
M2 Presswire, Feb 27, 2007. UN: United Nations meets Silicon Valley in initiative to provide developing world with benefits of information, communication technology; 28 February event gathers high-tech, academic, venture capital communities. Available from: <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=23&did=1223268741&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1174524383&clientId=13713>This text documents a meeting of major members of the Information Communication Technologies (ICT) industry, as well as associated academics and financial aid members. The meeting assessed the needs of the developing world in regards to information and communication technology, identifying areas where the UN and Silicon Valley can work towards its improvement.
Association of Information Systems, USA, 1998. Developing a successful information and communication technology industry: the role of venture capital, knowledge, and the government. Available from: <http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=353070&coll=ACM&dl=ACM&CFID=14212462&CFTOKEN=25388207>This text assesses the further development possible for ICT, with the assistance and requirement of further financial support, political backing and the incorporation of the ICT industry to work collectively with the above groups.
Communications of the ACM, Vol. 40, Issue 2, USA, 1997. The Past and Future history of the internet. Available from: <http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=253741&coll=ACM&dl=ACM&CFID=14212462&CFTOKEN=25388207>This text provides a fair bit of background information for the essay, but also presents the opportunities of the near future and the current developments in proposition.
Search Engines: Search engines are defined as a user’s directory to large amounts of information on particular subjects. The search engines maintain databases of website info and programs (aka spiders or robots) that collect info which is then sorted by the engine. These programs then categorise all the information into relevancy. (http://www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/search+engine)
My favourite search engines is undoubtedly google.com because it provides different search options (i.e. Google Scholar, or Images only etc.)
The most recent story I could find was the latest Google advertising concept – where the advertising will soon branch into TV. However, firstly the technological guru company is first putting its outward advertising concepts to newspaper and radio (currently in progress). Available from: <http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/03/28/business/google.php>
'Til next time!
Trude
M2 Presswire, Feb 27, 2007. UN: United Nations meets Silicon Valley in initiative to provide developing world with benefits of information, communication technology; 28 February event gathers high-tech, academic, venture capital communities. Available from: <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=23&did=1223268741&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1174524383&clientId=13713>This text documents a meeting of major members of the Information Communication Technologies (ICT) industry, as well as associated academics and financial aid members. The meeting assessed the needs of the developing world in regards to information and communication technology, identifying areas where the UN and Silicon Valley can work towards its improvement.
Association of Information Systems, USA, 1998. Developing a successful information and communication technology industry: the role of venture capital, knowledge, and the government. Available from: <http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=353070&coll=ACM&dl=ACM&CFID=14212462&CFTOKEN=25388207>This text assesses the further development possible for ICT, with the assistance and requirement of further financial support, political backing and the incorporation of the ICT industry to work collectively with the above groups.
Communications of the ACM, Vol. 40, Issue 2, USA, 1997. The Past and Future history of the internet. Available from: <http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=253741&coll=ACM&dl=ACM&CFID=14212462&CFTOKEN=25388207>This text provides a fair bit of background information for the essay, but also presents the opportunities of the near future and the current developments in proposition.
Search Engines: Search engines are defined as a user’s directory to large amounts of information on particular subjects. The search engines maintain databases of website info and programs (aka spiders or robots) that collect info which is then sorted by the engine. These programs then categorise all the information into relevancy. (http://www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/search+engine)
My favourite search engines is undoubtedly google.com because it provides different search options (i.e. Google Scholar, or Images only etc.)
The most recent story I could find was the latest Google advertising concept – where the advertising will soon branch into TV. However, firstly the technological guru company is first putting its outward advertising concepts to newspaper and radio (currently in progress). Available from: <http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/03/28/business/google.php>
'Til next time!
Trude
Week 4 - Scavenger Hunt (the fun part)
1. The World’s largest pumpkin, 2006 – 1502 pound, by Ron Wallace of Rhode Island, USA.
http://www.pumpkinnook.com/giants/record.htm
2. I couldn’t actually find anything entirely speedy – however the most intimate option is in your opportunity to win a chance to spend time with Grant at his house on the Gold Coast!! (Just purchase 1 cereal and 1 snack product of the Uncle Toby’s range and send in the barcodes – see terms and conditions for details.)
http://www.nestle.com.au/WhatsNew/Competitions/Hang+with+Hackett.htm
3. A Giraffe’s tongue is between 46 – 50cm – and is blue-black in colour.
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-giraffe.html
4. Ontology is the study or nature of being – metaphysics.
http://www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/ontology
5. David Cronenberg’s first film was only 7 minutes long – Transfer in 1966.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000343/filmorate
6. The original Hacker’s Manifesto – aka. The Conscience of a Hacker – was a small essay written in 1986 by anon hacker – The mentor – or Lloyd Blankership.
http://www.textfiles.com/phreak/manifest.phk
7. Any 555 number is fake. Stupid idea, but it prevents the observant from dialing random unlucky people within their area code whose number was plastered on a film.
http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060702170321AARZBxe
8. The cheapest form of transport from the Greek Island of Crete to Rhodes is by ferry (no-frills airlines are also available). However no prices were provided.
http://www.gtp.gr
9. I’ll never find another you, by The Seekers.
http://www.onmc.iinet.net.au/topspot/1965.htm
10. Assoc. Prof. Stephen Stockwell plays keyboards for the Black Assassins.
http://live-wirez.gu.edu.au/Staff/Stephen/default.html
http://www.pumpkinnook.com/giants/record.htm
2. I couldn’t actually find anything entirely speedy – however the most intimate option is in your opportunity to win a chance to spend time with Grant at his house on the Gold Coast!! (Just purchase 1 cereal and 1 snack product of the Uncle Toby’s range and send in the barcodes – see terms and conditions for details.)
http://www.nestle.com.au/WhatsNew/Competitions/Hang+with+Hackett.htm
3. A Giraffe’s tongue is between 46 – 50cm – and is blue-black in colour.
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-giraffe.html
4. Ontology is the study or nature of being – metaphysics.
http://www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/ontology
5. David Cronenberg’s first film was only 7 minutes long – Transfer in 1966.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000343/filmorate
6. The original Hacker’s Manifesto – aka. The Conscience of a Hacker – was a small essay written in 1986 by anon hacker – The mentor – or Lloyd Blankership.
http://www.textfiles.com/phreak/manifest.phk
7. Any 555 number is fake. Stupid idea, but it prevents the observant from dialing random unlucky people within their area code whose number was plastered on a film.
http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060702170321AARZBxe
8. The cheapest form of transport from the Greek Island of Crete to Rhodes is by ferry (no-frills airlines are also available). However no prices were provided.
http://www.gtp.gr
9. I’ll never find another you, by The Seekers.
http://www.onmc.iinet.net.au/topspot/1965.htm
10. Assoc. Prof. Stephen Stockwell plays keyboards for the Black Assassins.
http://live-wirez.gu.edu.au/Staff/Stephen/default.html
Monday, March 19, 2007
Week 2 - Tutorial 10 - 12 - Marshall McLuhan
The intriguing Associate Professor Stephen Stockwell (not pictured right) began our lecture theatre journey into the history of communication studies on a fine – and very early – Friday morning, introducing us to such innovative researchers and theorists as George Gerber and Larry Gross, Raymond Williams, Stanley Cohen, Water Benjamin, and – of particular mention – Canadian born, ‘pop philosopher’ Marshall McLuhan (pictured right).
McLuhan’s theory was based around a variety of communication media transmission types and the level of audience participation to each, as well as particular media’s influence. These text types were categorised as follows;
- McLuhan’s argument went that particular media types, such as a book or photo, require very little audience participation, or completion as the media communicated is done so in a way that requires the use of only one ‘sense’ of the audience, e.g. to see, to read. McLuhan stated that these text types were very detailed versions of communication, providing highly specified and detailed information. These media types were labelled as ‘hot’ media.
- Alternatively, many 1960’s text types required much more audience participation and contemplation. Such text types, e.g. a drawn cartoon, or a television program; provided very little specified details and required the audience to use a mix of their own senses to ‘fill in the blanks’. These media types were categorised as ‘cold’ media.
I believe that McLuhan’s theory is a major representation of the media types available as avenues for communication in the 1960’s, which, in comparison to today’s complex roadmap of communication possibilities (many of which cannot be categorised according to McLuhan’s appropriate outlines), is now quite outdated.
For example, the current heavy reliance on the computer as a communication device presents two categorisation arguments. Firstly, the ability to access the internet or encyclopedia programs, view digital photos or watch cinema features; influences us to think that the computer is a ‘hot’ media type in its ability to provide such detailed information. Alternatively, as today’s computer generation rapidly grows, the media type becomes much more participative, and provides many ‘cooler’ media options, where more blanks must be filled.
The mobile phone presents another ‘warm’ McLuhan challenge. As such a highly connective device it works further towards the ‘cooler’ global village idea and requires (more often than not) a highly participative media requirement – but is still able to rapidly communicate detailed information.
It seems fashionable almost that such media devices as those expressed above that cannot be categorised into either groupings create a greater influence on individuals, and hence spur astronomical popularity. McLuhan’s major theory was in that both ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ media types provided different influential abilities on the audience – where if the audience is tuned in more intently (i.e. less participation, as well as more detailed and well defined information) the influence would be greater. Perhaps our now more ‘room temperature / warm’ media alternatives present an argument to McLuhan’s thermostat thinking.
Zechowski, S., The Museum of Broadcast Communications, date n/a. ‘Marshall McLuhan’ {Online}. Available from:
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/M/htmlM/mcluhanmars/mcluhanmars.htm
(cited 16th March 2007)
Hosted by Guthro, J., CBC Archives, Radio broadcast, June 22, 1965. ‘A Pop Philosopher’ {Online}. Available from:
http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-69-342-1818/life_society/mcluhan/clip4
(cited 16th March 2007)
Hirst, M. & Harrison, J., Oxford University Press, 2007, ‘Communication and New media – from broadcast to narrowcast’
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Week 1 Tutorial: 10-12
And here we begin. At 10:41am on a (out of the blue) sunny Thursday, nineteen old and new students begin their initial commencement of the world that is 'the blog'. Everyone types keenly, but does anyone know of what is the right thing to be writing. So here goes this fresh new blog "journo"s first impressive blog attempt. (Wish me luck).
Our tutor, Chris, gave us a bit of a spiel this morning RE: communication today. And he's right. As a true myspace addict - almost worthy of Myspace Annonymous - communications are incredibley rapid and technological - which do affect the ways in which we communicate with others. Or perhaps, ways in which we don't communicate with others - well, if communication can be seen as per the traditional aspects. You know, when I was much younger my mother would always yell at my sister and I for spending so long on the phone. And then times changed, and I stopped using the phone, and instead, got on the internet. And apparently this still annoyed my mother. Go figure? Perhaps it was that the internet option arrived somewhere around the same time as the mobile phone option arrived - and my new communication skills in the field of highly impressive MSN Messenger and the even more impressive rate of knots at which I could text, meant spending a bit more of my hard earned $4.95/hour KFC wages than anticipated.
This blog also marks my first semester of my first year at Griffith University. I have already tried the First year thing - well part time, and externally, but in a Bachelor of Business, it just didn't seem to interest me a whole lot. But I am positive that this First Year here, will work out just fine.
To be honest this course was chosen as a pre-requisite for alot of the majors that I want to do in 2nd and 3rd year. So theoretically I didn't have a choice. And I was perplexed as to why I had to do it. On Sunday I turned 20 - and my Dad, bought me a book on Careers in Public Relations, and I have read a bit - and now I see where the internet - actually - not just internet - BUT EVERY POSSIBLE AVENUE OF COMMUNICATION - comes into it. And now I want to know everything. And oh dear, do I need to work on writing much better!
Anyway, welcome to 'Got Blog?' - enjoy the ride.
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