One down two to go.

So Assignment 1 is in. This will be interesting. Now on to Module 5 - concepts and th einternet. Great - I like this stuff. Wish I had more time to really get into it.

Mod 4 - which resource would I use?

Definitely the Internet tutorial site by Laura Cohen. It suits my needs as a basic advanced internet user. The first page lists all the info covered - thats all you need to see to checkout whether its going to help you navigate the net.

good concept to pull in here:
In the era of the 'attention economy', readers and users of Internet information must be carefully craft, in their own minds, the kind of metadata which will – almost instinctively – 'fit' with the metadata of the information sources they want, so that – in the few brief moments of initial exchange, when a seeker of information encounters information being sought, rapid, effective judgments are made that 'pay off' in terms of further reading, accessing and saving.

Mod 4 - task - evaluating the web

This task asks us to pick our best source from the previous task and analyse it using the following guidelines.

1. Purpose: Determine whether the main purpose of the site is to inform or to persuade (advocate for a cause).

2. Author: The best sites are produced by those who have appropriate education, training, or experience to write with authority on the topic. Check site documents or external sources to find out more about the author.

3. Content: Consider whether content seems biased. Does the author have a "vested interest" in the topic? Look for documentation of claims and a balanced point of view.

4. Coverage: Shop around for the best source. You can compare the page to others on the same topic to see which provides better coverage.

5. Currency: If you are looking for the most current information on a topic, be sure to determine when information was added.

6. Recognition: Also try to determine whether the site has been recognized as exemplary, either in reviews or by others linking to it.

I would choose the 'internet tutorial as this contains some great reading and resources on all the subjects we have been studying.

Here's my annotated analysis:

http://www.internettutorials.net/internet.html

This site is maintained by maintained by Laura Cohen, Web Support Librarian, University at Albany, SUNY.

She may be reached at lcohen AT uamail.albany.edu.

This really seems to be written for people wanting to learn more about how to use the internet. The language is neutral and informative. There seems to be no bias. The site covers all the basics our course is looking at. It is easy to read and easy to use. It follows a very logical format.
Although there are not a great deal of resources listed, there is a 'whats new' link that describe show the site is being put together and what the latest developments are. You wouldn't use this in isolation from ANY other resource but it is so well written that I will read it again and again to clarify issues.

For ASS 3 - why did I choose that software and saving methods?

Used paste and copy for urls, snapshot using paint for images, searched with metacrawler - best results.

Mod 4 (ASS 3 ALERT) - Task - Organising search info

Find best 3 sources and give details:

• URL.
• author,
• institution,
• blurb/ summary / screen shot (this can be a direct copy of an appropriate abstract or introductory paragraph on the site: but make sure you record and reference it as such)

1 http://www.lib.utexas.edu/books/etext.html
This has no author - this is a library source, which seems to be to be of invaluable use to an internet information seeker.
It is hosted by the University of Texas and seems a great resource for the 'how to' - including how to use indexes, directories, how to find articles, journals etc etc

REMINDER FOR ASS 3 - I chose this because it has all the how to find stuff I may need for ass 3 ....

screen shot:
2 http://www.zakon.org/robert/internet/timeline/
- This is Hobbes Internet dateline - what a fab resource!!! And strict copyright instructions:
Hobbes' Internet Timeline Copyright (c)1993-2006 by Robert H Zakon. Permission is granted for use of this document in whole or in part for non-commercial purposes as long as this Copyright notice and a link to this document, at the archive listed at the end, is included. A copy of the material the Timeline appears in is requested. For commercial uses, please contact the author first. Links to this document are welcome after e-mailing the author with the document URL where the link will appear. As the Timeline is frequently updated, copies to other locations on the Internet are not permitted.
- authored by Robert Zakon (and I have requested permission to put it up here)
- pic uploaded:
REMINDER FOR ASS 3 - I chose this because it has all the how to find stuff I may need for ass 3 ....

3 http://www.internettutorials.net/engines.html

- another really useful site with a whole bunch of search engines listed and what they are good for.
- Laura Cohen is the author
- snapshot:

Mod 4 - tasks - Boolean searching

This sounds like a term from Star trek. Boole sounds like an interesting chap. But I like the understanding of logic behind searching. I have used the operators AND and OR bu tnever NOT - I can see when that would be useful though.

The search task:

1 advanced internet users - used Google to find the most hits - came up with 123 million.
2 Search for advanced internet users - skills based info - typed in 'advanced internet users AND skills based information' to copernic and cam up with 42 hits
3 Used metacrawler, typed in 'university sources advanced internet users' - sure this is not the right way to go BUT it came up with 69 hits and at least they were from universities and contained decent looking information.

I have really been 'awakened' by this search lesson - will I ever use google again?????

Mod 4 - comparing copernic and google

No comparison. results far more focussed with copernic - really depends what you are looking for. The search words are so important.

First five hits with copernic

Here they are 'advanced internet users'

.	Advanced Internet Users Tutorial - CIESE ... page that describes a specific procedure or aspect of browsing the internet. ... Internet Browser Information Learn some information ... http://www.k12science.org/tutorials/advanced [Ask.com]

2.	Advanced Internet Users Tutorial - CIESE - Saving Web Pages ... that understands it ( Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, etc.). You do ... Internet Explorer allows users a number of saving options. http://www.k12science.org/tutorials/advanced/saveweb.html [Ask.com]

3.	Finding People on the Internet? Professional tutorials on locating people addresses and phone numbers on the World Wide Web. Excellent resource for both beginning and intermediate Internet users. http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/findingpeople/Finding_Pe... [About.com]

4.	Msen Advanced Internet Users Links Page ... webmaster@mail.msen.com - web page comments For service issues - ... The following links may be of interest to advanced users. http://www.msen.com/1997/adv_links.html [Ask.com]

5.	Lock Down Your PC: Secure Your Computer Against Hackers The essentials of safeguarding your home computer against hackers, crackers, and viruses! http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/lockdownyourpc/Lock_Down... [About.com]

Mod 4 task - search engines

Looking for 'advanced internet users' on google:
first hit:

Advanced Internet Users Tutorial - CIESE

Choosing a link below will bring you to a web page that describes a specific procedure or aspect of browsing the internet. This tutorial ultimately directs ...
www.k12science.org/tutorials/advanced/ - 1

number of hits: about 117,000,000 - good god.

With copernic - first hit:
1. Advanced Internet Users Tutorial - CIESE
... page that describes a specific procedure or aspect of browsing the internet. ... Internet Browser Information Learn some information ...
http://www.k12science.org/tutorials/advanced [Ask.com]
number if hits: 56 - ah thats a little more focussed!!

First five hits with goggle:

Advanced Internet Users Tutorial - CIESE

Choosing a link below will bring you to a web page that describes a specific procedure or aspect of browsing the internet. This tutorial ultimately directs ... www.k12science.org/tutorials/advanced/ - 16k - Cached - Similar pages

- Advanced User's Internet Training Resources

VICNET Internet Training - More Advanced Users. Been connected to the Internet for a while? Want to get more out of the services it offers? ... www.vicnet.net.au/training/advance.html - 18k - Cached - Similar pages

News @ Cisco: China Supports Advanced Applications for Internet ...

Professor Li Xing, deputy director, of the CERNET Network Center said, "With the increase in the number of Internet users and the development of advanced ... newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/global/asiapac/news/2005/pr_09-21.html - 48k - Cached - Similar pages

Msen Advanced Internet Users Links Page

The following links may be of interest to advanced users. Route Servers; Digex - Main page. MAE East Looking Glass · MAE West Looking Glass ... www.msen.com/1997/adv_links.html - 7k - Cached - Similar pages

Windows 98 Using Windows 98: Exploring the Internet-Tips and ...

For advanced users. Click a tip to learn more about exploring the Internet with Windows 98. Customizing the Links bar · Creating a link to a Web page in a ... www.microsoft.com/windows98/usingwindows/internet/tips/advanced/2advanced_list.asp - 16k - Cached - Similar pages

Advanced Internet Users, School of Continuing Education ...

Advanced Internet Users. Sure, you know how to use the Internet, but are you an expert? Can you find the number of people currently living in the U.S.? ... cfprod.imt.uwm.edu/sce/course.cfm?id=8704 - 12k - Cached - Similar pages

Schooner.Net - Schooner

Schooner runs on the Wisconsin Advanced Internet Laboratory (WAIL), which is located in the computer science department at UW-Madison. Users can select ...
www.schooner.wail.wisc.edu/ - 8k Cached - Similar pages

Mod 4 - the paradox

The WWW - such a great tool yet is it equal? Can it ever be?
"Furthermore, complexity can disempower those who lack the skills, time and opportunity to learn." states the module's lesson. Exactly.

Mod 4 - Tasks -`Tools for using the web'

As the unit states - these tools need to be assessed in terms of:

• cost - and, indeed, in most cases look for free products
• ease of use - can you use it easily (while recognising that you may need to learn to use programs)
• functionality - does it do what it needs to if it is to be effective (ie if a single vital element is missing, an other wise 'good' program is useless)
• utility - does the program increase your effectiveness (saving time, in particular, or allowing you to do something previously not done)
• commonality - is the program becoming 'standard' or at least common.

The tools I choose to explore are:
copernic 2 and the latest version of RealPlayer
Copernic 2 - what a great find. have often thought what am I missing by just googling .. its free and so easy to use! Seems to do what it says - very easy to read and use. I have not heard of this software before but that doesn't mean anything. I am sure to people using the net frequently for research etc they would know about this. It is now a permanent feature on our computer & even the homework may improve! Definitely saves time.

RealPlayer is just essential software - this is a reminder to look for updates. Opens and plays everything so easily. Again - free. I sometimes get a little confused sorting through what I ma searching for where but thats just unfamiliarity I think. Everyone has this software - its commonly used.

Mod 4 - another topic for Ass 1

Evaluating the web - this intrigues me - how to evaluate a constantly changing, sometimes multiplied mass of information - and ways to get there. I think the search engines are crucial to this - or are they??? Will find out!

Mod 4 - yet another AS1 topic

There are a range of "guidelines" to go by in deciding what tools, add ons etc to use in searching the web, but the one that really resonates with me is commonality - that it is becoming commonly used. I love this about how this technology develops - if it works and its user friendly, it will be used.

Farewell Mod 2

At last, on to Mod 4 - better get going ... think I will look at email as a topic of this unit for Ass 1- there are some great sites on that and I am interested!

Mod 2 - finding that ICQ number

I am also struggling to find the ICQ number for advanced netstudies ... but I am not the only one. So that's OK! Will record observations from tomorrows chat here.
Two days later: Didn't fare too well with that one!! More work needed.

Mod 2 tasks - ICQ chat

Well, that was fun. Not. Anyway now have ICQ chat - hopefully will be able to link up with others tomorrow evening. I have never used this stuff before - am I the only one??? Have added all the contacts I can find from the class list - watch this space!

Note for ass 1

Definitely want to do email as a topic - fascinating. Still believe many rules for traditional forms of written communication apply. ie

"Informational exchange consists in the content of messages but also the uses (intended or unintended) to which the information is put." from course material.

Mod 2 - email tasks

Well I got that first little popquiz - username & domain ... yes well, not going to get too involved in these quizzes - out of date as discussed in DB. And American and well ... good grief!
Right my answers:
1. What information about a user's email, the origin of a message, and the path it took, can you glean from an email message?
You can know what domain the email came from; you can know their username; you can tell whether it was just sent to you or others as well if it comes as bcc; what time & date; status - urgent, not urgent.
2. In what cases would you find it useful to use the 'cc', 'bcc' and 'reply all functions of email?
Use 'cc' to copy someone in to something that doesn't directly concern them but may be of interest.
'bcc' when you don't want anyone else on the email list to know who is getting the email. For reasons of privacy and confidentiality.
'Reply all' when your answer will be of interest and relevance to all the recipients of the original email.
3. In what ways can you ensure that an attachment you send will be easily opened by the receiver?
By ensuring it is encoded - in a commonly used form of code eg mime. Don't use a program to create it that you know may be beyond your audience's technological capabilities.
4. What sorts of filters or rules do you have set up, and for what purpose?
I don' t have any set up - but I think I need to - just to organise my email in a better way. I receive emails from three accounts into my outlook mailbox ... gets confusing. This perhaps is another topic i could pursue as I need ot know more. FILTERS - for what????
5. How have you organised the folder structure of your email and why?
I have my folder organised as shown - not sure if this is readable actually. It is organised basically on work/study/personal lines. those categories are divided into subgroups - I don't have too many sub sub directories - just gets too hard to find things. It works for me - I find I rarely need to go back to emails as I deal with them as they arrive.

Mod 2 - Newsgroups task

Omigod ... those newsgroups do leave a hell of a lot to be desired. Doing this Module after Mod 3 means I have sort of missed the DB - learned a lesson there although the notes said it wouldn't matter! But, I agree with all the comments. Newsgroups are difficult to filter through, they seem to attract a lot of loonies and abuse. I have however found one and posted a comment successfully.
The newsgroup I have joined has really only about 20 regular contributors and a few really mad ones.

Module 2 - Lists - Tasks

I subscribe to one list, but I have never posted to it. It really is just a source of info for me in an area I am interested in. So I am not really giving it anything. The reading suggests I should be. This list for me is sort like an up to date library of projects.
INVESTIGATE FURTHER PERHAPS FOR assignment 1 TOPIC.
More on this -

• What are the pros and cons of email lists versus discussion boards? Email lists are a bit more anonymous - I like that. For the purpose of over viewing information I am interested in - its great. Not too overwhelming and succinct. Discussion boards seem to easily go off topic. Like newsgroups. But still better than newsgroups - far more coherent. I think most forms of virtual communication would benefit from a mediator. There are too many people out there with zappy comms systems and time to waste abusing others.
  
• Are there certain kinds of communication or purposes more suited to one than the other? I think email lists may suit if you really want to be kept informed of developments and not really required to participate too much. DB's suit a more interactive approach - you want to have a discussion and you're not just asking questions and waiting for a response.

Moving on - Module 2

A good chance to correct my bad habits coming up here - I am sure!! I have never eally formally studied anything to do with the internet. It's about time.

Mod 3 - The see-through blog

Weblog expert and author, Rebecca Blood , has a lot of interesting stuff to say about web logs, and how they can become a more noteworthy, trustworthy written source. They are currently a fairly wild and reckless form of writing. Rebecca proposes six main points for good web logging - and I agree with them:

1. When you say something is fact - only do so if you can prove it
2. It's all about transparency. Link to information if it is available, about your subject. This allows readers to check for themselves.
   
3. If you make an error - and realise it - post your discovery - tell people you made an error. A silly good way to do it is to strike through your error. Then readers know straight away ... and the misinformation doesn't keep spreading.
4. To preserve the integrity of the record - and history - don't delete entries, just add or expand. (Am applying this now to learning log). When you publish - publish for good - makes you think more before you speak ...
5. Disclose conflicts of interest
   

Mod 3 - Building a blog

Well, my blog is my learning log - here it is !!