Module 2: Chat: Join Up

Hi guys!

I joined ICQ and my number is: 368682990.

There was an option to bypass the download and just sign up (and then when I choose to log in again, I just do the same thing...so I did).

I have had way too many set-backs with my computer this year and worse, since this course started, so thought this was a better option...have posted a question to the board to ask Cynthia and Peter if this is ok. If I don't hear back (dubious place to pose a personal question, so they may legitimately miss it - and plus, I'm not sure I asked the question properly) I'll send a private message.

Will be joining a group of NET11 students on Sunday Jan 4th for a group chat.

Off to the hospital now - my sister had her second child, a baby girl, this morning - so we're going to visit them!

Module 2: Extra Email Question 2

Are there certain kinds of communication or purposes more suited to Email Lists or Discussion Boards?

I only have experience with one 'Email list' at the moment - for Adobe Photo Shop.

It struck me as very unorganised due to the random method of message posting used.
It seems that if you have a problem with how Adobe Photo Shop is running on your computer, you post a message with your problem and people message back with hints that might help you.

I'm not sure I really ike this kind of set-up.
If I personally had a particular problem with my Adobe Photo Shop, I would prefer to find messages from people who had similar problems and then read the responses they got - in case any hints were useful to me.

I guess I could also put rules onto my incoming emails to place future emails with a specific useful or related topic, to be set aside in a particular file, to save me from reading all of them.
In either case, I find these methods more time consuming (so far - with my extremely limited experience! If my view changes, I'll definitely post a follow-up).

At the moment, I am finding Discussion Boards more useful due to their more organised method of categorising messages (ie for educational courses that I have done - messages are separated by topic or into the Week of Study.

For other Discussion Boards I have viewed, there is a Topic Header, and all related messages about that particular topic are posted under it.

I find that it is much easier to search for a particular piece of information using this method.

Discussion Boards are therefore useful for categorising and instantly filing information into readily-viewable blocks.

Email Lists are useful if you want to receive information about any topic related to the Email List you have joined.

I forgot until now that I actually did join an email list yesterday, for people with my surname who are searching their family tree...as yet, no emails have hit my email box.
I may, however, post to this one in a couple of days.

Module 2: Extra Email Questions

What are the Pros and Cons of email lists versus discussion boards?

Email lists mean that you can receive all messages posted to a particular group that interests you - this is a good thing.
The bad side of receiving all messages to your email address, is that there may be more messages than you can comfortably read, entering your email box. I've heard of some people whose email boxes 'froze' due to the sheer number of emails they were receiving (mind you, this could also be due to a virus!).

Discussion Boards allow you to log on and read as many or as few emails as you want to.
The impetus is on you to log on and read - so if you are away on holidays and unable to access your emails, you won't return to find your personal email box overflowing with unread mail.
Discussion boards don't send you the messages (a good thing in regards to email message management), but it is up to the individual to log on frequently to read the message posts (or you may miss something important - a bad aspect).

Module 2: Email Question 5

Q5 How have you organised the folder structure of your email and why?

My personal email has 'junk' and 'spam' mail delivered to a special ' spam' box.
All I need to do is go and immediately delete these emails.
If I don't immediately delete them, my email provider does so in a months time.

Sometimes, legitimate things do get sent to my spam box in error, but if I add the sender to my address book, it gets sent to my Inbox instead.

The other ways I have sorted my email is only *after* I have read them.

I like to clear my Inbox on a daily (sometimes more than once a day) basis, so I can act on things quickly.
If I automatically sent mail to different files prior to opening it, it would take a bit longer to read my emails.

The files I have set-up usually reflect the origin of the email.

I'm a sole-trader and work at 5 different schools each week - sometimes more.
If I need to find a piece of correspondence, it is much faster to find it under the file labelled with the school name, than by any other method.

Module 2: Email Question 4

Q4 What sorts of filters or rules do you have to set-up, and for what purpose?

Filters and message rules are used to sift through incoming mail prior to opening it, to ensure several things.

Firstly, it excludes 'junk' or 'spam' email (usually generated to reach multiple users - like over 100 or more), which can contain viruses and usually don't contain anything of personal relevance to you.

Secondly, if you subscribe to a mailing list that generates many messages, you can filter through incoming mail and have it automatically filed to a folder (according to any conditions and rules you have previously set: eg alerts can be set to deliver mail with a particular word or name, to be sent to a file that matches that system or command).

Module 2: Email Question 3

Q3 In what ways can you ensure that an attachment you send can be easily opened by the receiver?

In order for an attachment to be easily opened by the recipient, you need to ensure that the recipient has the same software on their computer (or a compatible program) before sending it.

If this is not possible due to not knowing the recipient or other instances where the recipient may be away from their computer and using an Internet Cafe etc, you can send it in a text only code that can be understood by all computers (ASCII).

Module 2: Email Question 2

Q2 In what cases would you find it useful to use the 'CC', 'BCC', and 'REPLY ALL' functions of email?

It would be useful to use the following functions of email:

'CC': if you wish to send a copy of your message to someone other than the message recipient.
It can also be used if you wish to send a copy to yourself, or if you have multiple recipients to send to.

'BCC': or 'blind copy' if you wish to send a copy of the message to someone but without other recipients knowing about it. Again, this can also be used to send a copy to yourself.

'REPLY ALL': sends a response message to all recipients listed on the original email.

'REPLY': sends a response message to just the message sender only. Other recipients do not receive a copy.

Module 2: Email Question 1

Q1 What information about a user's email, the origin of a message, and the path it took, can you glean from an email message?

From an user's email account you can find out their user name (the section before the @) and the domain name (listed after the @), which is the particular set of computers it uses to enable mail functions, connecting it to the Internet.

Information that can be gleaned about the paths taken, from a received email are:

where the email originated (user's name)

who the user's domain provider is (domain name); followed by

your domain provider (from your domain name); and lastly

to you (your user name)

You cannot generally ascertain any of the computer number's that were found in the Module 1 Tasks.

This information is generally hidden from view in a regular email.

Module 2: Join an Email List

I managed to join 2 groups today.

The first one, an Adobe Photoshop one, doesn't appear to be that useful to me.
Every message I read was a complaint or a help one, asking how to do something.
I couldn't respond unfortunately, as all questions were way beyond my understanding.

The second group is a Yahoo group called 'Pinoy Drummers' (for Filipino drummers - I was born in the Philippines and play drum kit, so I figure I qualify) and I had to say why I wanted to join, then submit it as the first step.
They'll get back to me in a couple of days.
We'll see if I was accepted...maybe it's an 'invitation only' group. Oh well!

I also tried to set-up my Outlook but got rejected with error messages. Not sure whether it's my computer or me that is dudding out!

Module 1: Internet Tools Optional Tasks - IP address

The IP address of Curtin (curtin.edu.au) is:

134.7.179.53

The IP address of CentralOps (hexillion.com) is:

70.84.211.98

I decided not to download anything from the extra tools site, as my computer tends to freak out (probably the Vista incompatibility) and I've lost loads of time as it is, so might come back to this later.

The site did not specify which Windows operating system was being used, so I figured it was safer NOT to download anything. I've been caught out way too many times in my short, uneducated life on the internet while using Windows Vista.

Therefore, the extra two components will have to wait - I'm on a roll here and don't want to stop (and have to rebuild my computer) just yet!!!

On another note, the curriculum for this task referred to Concept 25, identity and location. It referred to how Internet identification can help prevent unwanted messages from other users of, for example, ICQ. Still unsure of this, but sort of understand it.

Module 1; Internet Tools Task Reflections

Again, I am indebted to the discussion board for helpful tips.

I managed to follow all the steps and the whole process was relatively effortless.

The hardest part was trying to obtain clear images of the screen in order to verify the routes taken.

In fact, I hope that I have correctly understood the data.

The CentralOps site also gave a graph of the route taken, although as yet it has not been necessary to analyze it.

Unsure how I could use this in my everyday dealings, but I noticed (while perusing the Module Tasks still to be attempted), that I might need this skill in future.

It is, however, quite fascinating to see the path that a simple request takes to get from one computer to another.

What is even more fascinating, is that it takes a fraction of a second (does 'ms' stand for 'millisecond'?) to travel across all those other stations!!!

The world is VERY amazing.

Module 1: Internet Tools Task Part 2

Okay this is slightly wierd. I have pasted three screen images of the entire path taken between CentralOps and Curtin.edu.au...except that the first image I uploaded has appeared here on my left, while images 2 and 3 are currently above this text...lets see what happens when I Publish the post!!!

There appear to be 20 hops from CentralOps to Curtin, although there were 21 steps listed. Steps 18, 19, and 20 are listed as asterisks, but these didn't affect the traceroute at all. It was still able to be completed.

The 21st step appears to be the speed of transfer - the average time of which is 254ms.

Module 1; Internet Tools Task

These two images trace the path taken from CentralOps.com to my computer.

This was my (self-directed) trial run.

Module 1: FTP File Transfer Protocol Task - Read Me File

At left is the second image: the Read Me File.

The correct answer to the question is:

CAPITALIZATION MATTERS.

Now that I have been able to get the desired outcome, I'm pretty happy.

Just to let you all know however, it did take me quite a while to find the file. I almost ended up downloading someone called 'Rob's photos (in fact the bottom of the screen tells me that I did download them, but I haven't checked to see if that's actually true!).

I just kept clicking away on all the yellow folders until 'Read Me' popped up. I think I actually missed it the first time because I forgot to scroll down (pesky things!). I actually found the Read Me file on my third trip through the folders.

My reflections on this task are mixed.

If I hadn't read previous posts, I am unsure that I would have understood how to log in to Filezilla. Basically, I feel I would have tried to fill all 4 boxes at the top of the screen - with personal passwords, despite the course notes tellin us otherwise. Thanks Rhys for putting up your helpful hints!

On a happier note, I successfully travelled through this task and it only took me an hour :) Joy!

The NET11 curriculum says that FTP was used for large file transfers, like people who were setting up or refurbishing their Websites.
The concept of asynchronicity was also mentioned in the curriculum - the fact that although you are sending your information now, the person receiving the information may not receive it immediately.
Having had no previous experience with this, I found it very strange but can see the usefulness. I also read somewhere (should have been paying more attention!) that people still use FTP for illegally (I think) transferring movies.
Maybe that's how people are able to get copies of movies to play at home, that are still in the cinemas here?

Module 1: FTP File Transfer Protocol Task

Again, a HUGE THANK YOU to all the previous questions and answers on the Message Board!

I was able to successfully download Filezilla to my Wivdows Vista Computer (although I had an initial problem - it didn't download until I clicked 'Manual')...how harmful could it be though? My computer kept reminding me that it was from an unknown publisher and could/would therefore be harmful. It hasn't shut down yet...

Above is the first screen shot of Filezilla.

Module1: Telnet Task A Progress Pictures & Reflection

These are the Bennahum's that were listed.

Unfortunately, I sent the Print e-mail option to my personal account to start with!

After realising my error, I sent it to my Curtin Student email...phew!

My computer screen (while on Telnet), reminded me of my first attempt at Uni in 1983:

a blinking cusor that kept saying 'Syntax error' over and over again because I didn't have a clue what I was doing!!!!

Luckily, this time I do :) BIG smiles - thanks everyone for your helpful message board posts...and my computer has been behaving!

It was great to participate in seeing the Internet in an 'old' way again. Technology has come a long way since the Black or Green screens of my youth when computer usage was becoming more commercialsied in the mid-late 1980s.

I know that my family have at least one old but Internet-enabled computer, my first one, which I got in the late 1990s. Although it still works, it is very slow (Pentium II but with very low working capacities). Concept 8, The Invisibility of Difference, is an important one to remember when sending information from a newer computer...older ones may have difficulty with the file size or worse, the software used to produce the email (from the newer computer) may be incompatible with the version on the receivers computer.

Module 1: Telnet Task Completed

At left is a list of commands available to me after entering a ?

One of the most frustrating things about navigating in Telnet is that you can't use your mouse...I must be very mouse-dependent!

Getting used to typing-in a command exactly as it appears was also a bit of a shock, but quick to overcome.

I think we're a bit spoilt these days with the number of things that are not case-sensitive.

Module 1:Telnet Now Enabled :)

Thanks again to the helpful tips on our message board: I have pressed the right buttons to enable Telnet Client on my Windows Vista-operated computer (or so it seems...).

I'm going to back-up my files now to an external hard-drive, and attempt the Telnet task...

Stay tuned...

Christmas Day Part 4

Thank you to all who have posted such encouraging comments :)

I only just remembered (after leaving a post on someone else's page myself) that the page owner has to 'approve' the posts before they are published!!!

My apologies for the delay in approving the posts and thanks again for your continued encouragement.

I have really enjoyed reading all your blogs - looks like you had heaps of fun compiling them!

...must get to that Telnet task!

Christmas Day Part 3

Okay.

I just discovered that the reason I could not post anything was because I hadn't chosen a font.

How revealing is that, of my non-computer literate status?

Repeat, my computer is actually fine in this respect!

Secondly, I was having trouble with the Telnet task but didn't report it due to both my perceived inadequacies and my ever-present computer problems.

My brother was around today and had a look at my computer and checked the 'ping' rate (apparently something to do with whether your computer can 'see' another computer, so you can figure out what the problem is).

I have Internet Explorer 7, which can't communicate with Telnet, so I need to make some changes to what my computer is doing (thank you also to Kelly 9/12 post for your helpful notes).

I'm going to save my computer files to an external hard drive after I've finished reading all the discussion board posts on Telnet. Then I'll have a go at the task.

My previous attempt (a couple of weeks ago) shut my computer down again and we had to rebuild everything for the umpteenth time (grrr ASUS is meant to be a reputable brand, but although I only bought it in March this year, It has already had the hard drive replaced due to corruption in June, and some sort of bug or virus from Vista Service Pack 2 that eventually shut it down again at the end of November...plus some new thing that keeps shutting it down by itself so I again lose all my data), but I think my brother has fixed this (who knows what I did, or even if it was something I did in the first place or just my computer complaining again!).

Stay tuned - before the Festive Season is over, I'm hoping to have this task achieved :)...but yeah, a huge THANK YOU to everyone that has helped with a posted problem on the Discussion Board. I now know that it won't be looked upon as a silly question...and luckily my brother is on holidays from teaching until January 5 so will be able to help fix my computer if it crashes again - he used to work in IT a long time ago and helped with things like preparing a large Aussie Bank for Y2K (which was a real non-event by the way)...but computers have come a long way since then!!!

Christmas Day 2008 Part 2

(in my previous post I lost my cursor...it would only allow me to press 'publish post' - here's Part 2):

Another example of my computer problems!

Anyway, I'm going to attempt to keep adding new posts as regularly as I have a computer with access (? wish me Good Luck!)...now that I have found my way back to blogspot that is...all my stored favourites just 'vanished' and I needed to find my way back to Curtin University and the WebCT!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Tessa

Christmas Day 2008

Hi all!

Wishing you all the joys of the Festive Season in whichever way you choose to enjoy your holiday :)

I've had a horrendous time with my computer. It keeps switching off on me, or internet explorer tells me I've made an error and it cannot be running twice (or other similar nonsensical statements).

Needless to say, I'm way behind!

Things we thought were already installed were being ignored (example the printer: we installed all drivers and followed the installation process only to find that the computer still didn't recognise it...so we had to start all over again!).

At the moment the computer is working in small stretches (by the way it was bought brand new in March 2008). If it's on for any longer than a few minutes it starts saying it's 'shutting down'

I'm such a dill!!!

Okay, I couldn't figure out how to start a new post - all I seemed to be able to do was leave myself another comment!!!

What a dill!!!

When I went to log out, it was just staring me in the face:

'Start a new post'.

So there it is!

Catch you all on Friday (too much paid work to do...who said I was already on holidays??? No such thing!)

Have a great week all :)

net-11: Paul Hoefgen: 5 Tips for a newbie blogger

net-11: Paul Hoefgen: 5 Tips for a newbie blogger

NET11 Learning Log: Top 5 Tips for New Bloggers

What an exciting week!

First I had no computer (crashed and 'died' on Friday 28th due to a suspected virus...I think it's just Windows Vista...I bought the computer brand new in March 2008 and it has already had the C-Drive replaced in June 2008!!!), so I borrowed time on other people's computers (very late at night and not conducive to anything serious) to try and finish a lengthy 2-part submission due Friday 5th Dec...which was completely lost on the computer that crashed.

Yes, frustrating, but thankfully most of it was still in my head.

I got my computer back on Saturday (HOORAY!!!), spent Sunday downloading things onto it so I could use it and finish the submission - and here I am!!

Needless to say, this is the very first post on my blog which was created on Wednesday 3rd Dec.

Top 5 Tips for New Bloggers Like Me!

1. Read, read, read...what others have written (primarily on the student message board, but then on their blogs). There are some great ideas out there waiting to be shared. Thanks to the guys n gals in NET11...and don't forget to leave comments on their pages :)

2. Click on everything on your blog page so you get to know what their purpose is - and so you can function better!

3. Try to make your page as visually interesting as you can, so that you and others feel welcome reading it.

4. Post regularly and keep your comments current.

5. Don't post long messages like I just did...people will just switch off...my next and succeeding posts will be as brief as I can when trying to still be coherent.

Good night and thanks for reading!