\0/ Tess \0/

This page is free to view :)

2010-07-06T22:24:00.002+10:00

Yes, anyone can view this page :)

A good friend just noticed that the first post visible on my blog states: "Oops, Sorry. You have no permission to access this page".

Hopefully this post will rectify that :)

Attempting to embed Nota with both the embed code and image code

2010-06-21T02:47:00.000+10:00

2010-06-21T02:36:00.001+10:00

Review of Nota for NET205 - Review of Nota for NET205

2010-06-21T02:31:00.000+10:00

Review of Nota for NET205 - Review of Nota for NET205: ""

MED104 Learning Journal

2010-06-10T22:24:00.001+10:00

Had our inaugural meeting for "Group Awesome" (thanks Paula) this evening.

More than half the group are using their old NET11 blogs for their Learning Journals...so I though I might transfer my notes here too :)

Over the weekend I'll transfer the first two weeks worth onto this blog.

\0/ 2010 \0/

2010-03-03T13:54:00.002+11:00

After a long hiatus I am back with renewed vigour :)

This blog will be used as a working link for articles of interest in my new subject NET204 - internet communities and social networks.

More to come soon!

\0/ August...3 months to Holidays \0/

2009-08-05T13:19:00.003+10:00

This month will be a test of stamina:

5 Uni Assignments due on August 28th
NSW School's Band Festival is being held this month at NSW Uni...most of the schools I teach at are represented on every day of the 3 weekends the Festival runs for...I'll be there for 2 of the weekends. That's enough!
The Concert Band I play with is performing at the NSW State Band Championships on Sunday August 23rd...rehearsals to attend every Sunday in August.
About 50 of my percussion students are sitting exams during the date range 28AUG09-9SEP09...at my studio
Weekly Percussion Ensemble rehearsals start this weekend at my studio
Australian Percussion Eisteddfod is on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th of September... featuring about 50 or more of my students
5 family Birthdays being celebrated this month
...there is more but I'm getting exhausted thinking about it!

I'll be back in September sometime :)

Two Months On

2009-04-24T23:42:00.004+10:00

It has been two months since my last post...what have I done?

Firstly, I really missed writing in this blog so made a couple of changes and am continuing my main journey here...with the addition of Twitter, Ambrosia, and Ms Nescient.

Twitter is the most legendary short-messaging service ever.
It is random.
I am random.
They are random.
The chorus/cacophony has been termed 'Twitterverse' by many. Join me.

The last two blogs are brand new and use WordPress and LiveJournal respectively. I needed to know how other blog-sites work :)

\0/ Ambrosia follows my dreams. I'm a big dreamer. Very positive. Optimistic \0/

Ms Nescient was commenced to fill a need: if NET11 taught me anything, it was that "I don't know a thing".
Ms Nescient will fill the gaping holes in my knowledge.
There are many.
I should have called the blog 'Swiss Cheese'.

My brain is really only good for short term things these days, although long-term memory lapses (like what my backyard was like when I was 3 years old) are coming more frequently...Alzheimers maybe? Who knows!...but I forgot how to do links.
Hang my head in shame.
Will need to 'Edit' an old post to find the correct words to put in, then I'm done...so I apologise if you are reading this post with no embedded links.

Stay tuned.

\0/ I'll be updating regularly \0/

Concluding Reflection

2009-02-25T10:58:00.012+11:00

At the outset of this course I was faced with what seemed to me, to be a multitude of insurmountable difficulties.

My Asus Laptop bought brand new in March 2008, had already spent one quarter of it's life being repaired and rebuilt, and I was unable to properly utilise it until week 3 of the Study Period.
An incredible set-back for a course that is 100% internet-based.

I have two other desktop computers but they were equally useless to me:
- I have a computer in my studio, solely for my teaching work. Internet capable, but with not enough working or storage space or memory: I type curriculum/syllabus notes, newsletters, References (for students applying for scholarships etc), stage plans for performances and other teaching applications on it.
I tried to use this but due to the sluggishly slow speed, it was a total waste of time.
- I have my main computer in my bedroom. It hosts the Telstra broadband system which allows internet access to the other 2 networked computers in the house. However, Norton Anti-virus won't let it display anything...I need to get a technician in but haven't had the time.
Even my brother (who is meant to be very good at anything to do with computers) couldn't fix it - in fact, he actually made the situation worse!

Prior to the course commencing, my experience browsing the World Wide Web had mainly included answering and sending emails, as well as occasionally searching for movie times, holiday destinations or airfares.
Internet access was largely a leisure activity that took up approximately 10 minutes at the end of my day.

While accessing the NET11 WebCt message board during the first month of studies, I came across many computer and internet terms that were not only unfamiliar but alarmingly alienating.
I felt very uncomfortable with not just the course notes, but also the tasks that needed to be completed.

I'm not ashamed to admit that this is the very first time I have ever felt 'out-of-my-depth' in anything, and that it felt extremely unnerving!

Just over 40 years of living a life that has been massively unchallenging...until now.

I had two options: leave/move on or stay and try (I was going to type 'fight' because that's how it felt at the time, but it was only a fleeting state of mind).

There is no way that I would ever leave anything because it was difficult.
Unfortunately, I have left Uni 3 times before due mostly to immaturity: an overseas backpacking trip sounded like a better deal, then work seemed more important, and finally, my health messed things up.
I couldn't let that happen again!

To my surprise, what kept me going back to the WebCt, and one of the reasons I conscientiously strove to discover the bits, pieces and connectors that were missing in my Net11 curriculum comprehension...was the fantastically supportive and inspirational environment that our tutors Cynthia and Peter nurtured.

This environment allowed the students to relax and open their minds to the possibilities that were available to us (albeit mostly and tantalisingly - out-of-reach!) if we attempted the tasks.
We didn't have to complete anything to perfection, just try out the tasks and blog our experiences - warts and all!

As a consequence, the entire community that was fostered over the Christmas/Festive season, was one of hope, encouragement, and most importantly, humour :)

I know that I still have a very long road to travel, but for me, life is only worth living if you are continually learning, helping others to learn, and utilising the skills you have learnt.

Today, I feel that NET11 has helped me to achieve a 'Personal Best' in terms of being able to understand my own computer capabilities, maneouvre around the internet and find information (even if it requires several attempts - but this is improving), download programs, contribute positively and in a manner that promotes the enhancement of a supportive online community.

Recording my findings and reflecting on them has been intrinsically valuable for both helping to formulate ideas as well as utilising them in my internet forays.
Thank you Peter for helping us with the opportunity to start a blog and the encouragement to keep going.

As I have already mentioned, I still have a very long road to travel.
More than that however, I need to find the road that I will be travelling on...there are so many options that are appealing at this stage!

The course content was extremely foreign to me at the beginning of December.
Although I now feel I understand the NET11 curriculum, I am still unsure that I have the technological aptitude required to pursue this pathway to its completion.
I am looking forward to the first day of NET12 on March 2, and hope that doing another course in this area will help me to discover if this is merely a brief moment of consciousness...or if I was truly meant to be here :)

Thank you once more to the students and tutors of NET11 for helping me to learn so much in such a short time.

Wherever my studies may take me,

\0/My life will always be richer
for the time I spent here with you\0/

From the album 'Lead Me On'
(Amy Grant)

NB (From Tessa) This is one of my favourite songs of all time: the lyric-line inclusion was not intended in a romantic way (as I believe the words of the song were originally intended)...I just felt it fit this post perfectly :)

Module 5 - Information Ecologies

2009-02-25T10:39:00.026+11:00

This module served as both a revision and also a conglomeration of the aspects of 'Internet Communications' that have been discovered throughout the course.

Firstly, the notes encouraged us to revisit the concepts but this time, in relation to 'information ecology'.
Secondly, the case study of peer-to-peer file sharing was explored to encourage an understanding of the implications and consequences that can arise when using the internet in this manner.
Lastly, as the internet is an area that has developed rapidly in the last few years, literature was provided to promote an understanding of how the definition of an 'advanced internet user' may be changing now, and will possibly change in the future.

How Might the metaphor of an 'ecology' impact on the way you think about, understand, and use the internet?

My own personal thoughts kept reverting to how much I have learnt with NET11 in a very short space of time.
Three months ago I had never heard of FTP, blinkenlights, ICQ, Twitter, ping rates, Kindle, HTML, XHTML, CSS, Blogs, Mozilla Firefox - the list is ominously long but brilliantly inspiring!
In a way, the set-up of NET11 fostered a sort of Information Ecology in a gradual way.
To start with we all posted introductions then began working on the tasks.
Many students, already familiar with content in the set tasks due to previous experience, were able to assist the tutors by guiding the more naive members like me, to make sense of what was required.
Our posts on the Discussion Boards, as well as links to helpful sites and other snippets of information, helped us to write up reflections about our progress in our online blogs - all these factors contributed information into an ecological system, which we then reused, expanded on, discarded, filed away for fulture use et cetera.
Our very own Information Ecology.
I know that we have definitely added to online information, because I set-up a Google name search for myself.
This has reported back references of my name that were actually me (!) and were found mostly on social networking sites like facebook, Twitter, blogs - as well as through other areas not related to the NET11 course.

After reading the articles however, I realised that Information Ecology is also about being aware of the Concept of 'Invisibility of Difference', and in some ways is closely related to W3C.
I have come across a few articles that explore accessibility issues between information rich societies and information poor societies, which Capurro (2002) claims is continuing to increase.
More about Capurro (2002) in a moment.

'Information Ecology' appears to be a recent term that encompasses the transfer and sharing of information across the Web, and is driven and created by people.

No proper dictionary or encyclopaedic definition could be accessed apart from a Wikepedia definition, so a quote from an article accessed through 'Google Scholar' will be referred to initially,
Information Ecology and Knowledge Management by Yogyesh Malhotra PhD (2002)
as it extends the definition to go "...beyond the emphasis on information, to account for action, performance and adaptation of self-regulatory systems." (2002:2)
Although Malhotra's article focusses on Information Ecology within business organisations, the main premises follow the same pathways and encompass the myriad of interacting and interdependent streams that shape the creation, flow and use of information within that environment (2002:2). Without the people that send out the information, retrieve it, reuse it, adapt it etc, there would be no information ecology. In fact, an information ecology emphasises the people rather than the technology.
Malhotra acknowledges that the area of Information Ecology is dynamic and changing rapidly in the current climate and therefore needs to be continually adapted.

How are the concepts of 'information' and 'communication' understood within the framework of an 'information ecology'?

Towards an Information Ecology by Rafael Capurro (1989)
This was, personally, a particularly thought provoking article, and I appreciate that Capurro mentioned that his ideas were in no way exhaustive - the subject of Information Ecology is possibly only at the precipice of the threshold - *a* threshold - in terms of our understanding of the topic.

In his paper Capurro compares the publishing and sharing of information on the Internet with world environment issues.
He claims that natural resources like water and fossil fuels have and continue to be taken for granted, misused and not managed properly.
The main fear here, is that information that is published may also end up being misused, mismanaged and exploited due to irrational thinking and a disregard for the consequences of proposed actions.
As the whole area of information sharing using the internet is relatively new (compared with the advent, for example, of printing ie books, newspapers), Capurro recommends that internet users need to reassess their contributions and the way that they contribute.
The Institute for Information and Communication Ecology was set-up in 2002 to focus on scientific research areas and the responsible protection and contribution to the sociosphere (Capurro, 2002:3).

Quite frankly, the topics Capurro broached are similar in a lot of respects to the concepts (Allen, n.d.)
He mentions that any information needs some form of pre-understanding (of any content), a responsibility toward different cultures, customs, points of view, social rights, levels of technological advancement, the richness of the past and the constraints of the present (Capurro, 2002:2).

Why don't we talk of a 'communication ecology'?

Information Ecologies
By Felix Stalder (1997)
In this article, Stalder defines the processes of intangible information that flow across the media built environment, to be the primary setting within which humans interact.
His paper on 'information technology' utilises this process in an effort to understand how to avoid its dangers and instead, promote positive development and further harness its potential.

The environment is constructed of flows of information which people use to communicate with.
Just like a biologically-based ecosystem, an information ecology is a group of interacting parts that together, produce a stable system through the cyclic exchange of materials (Webster's Online Dictionary).

A 'communication ecology' is therefore not spoken about because it is information, not communication, that is being transferred and cyclically exchanged.
Instead, it is the process of sharing information that is classed as communication.

Peer to Peer
It was interesting to read two of the articles - I'll admit that my brain couldn't handle any more, and that I actually fell asleep while reading both of them.

Nevertheless, they didn't actually say much that I didn't already know.
I have never used any music-sharing sites before.
Perhaps this is due to a lack of prior technological know-how, but I'd like to think that it is because of my diligence in sustaining equality and a sense of moral conduct while perusing the internet.
I remember that there was a site in the 1990s that suddenly couldn't be found - that might be Kazaa that was mentioned (in "Copying is Theft..." by Mark Rasch), but I'm sure there was another one...I think it was called Napster.

Being a recording musician, I am keenly aware of the current issues surrounding piracy, and know that it is still alive in terms of not just illegally downloaded music, but also movies.
That this deprives a host of people (composer, performer/s, recording engineer, artwork designer etc) of their well-earned income is obvious, yet people still do it.

I remember bumping into a friend at a shopping centre on Christmas Eve in 2007 on the threshold of JB Hi-Fi (isn't Hi-Fi a redundant term now?).
Anyway, we were just entering and he was leaving and very excited about his purchase:
"A $0.99 Black & White B-Grade Horror Movie".
All he could keep saying was "Sorry - I got the last copy!".
Secretly, I couldn't have cared less (obviously, JB Hi-Fi thought they'd see how many people they could dupe for $1 instead of throwing the DVDs in the trash) but I kept up the charade as we spoke about holidays etc.
After we parted, he came running back and told us that he could burn a copy of the movie for us, as he was still so sorry he had bought the last copy.
I was stunned into silence (that's rare!) but my partner politely joked that it would probably cost him more to burn the movie than he had paid for the original!
So he invited us to watch it over the holidays instead....obviously I'll never think secretly unkind thoughts again. Punishment. However, his BBQ was fantastic :)

My point is, though, that there are people who are so entrenched in their ways, that they're not even thinking of the real cost - and that can include a fine of $150,000 for illegally downloading music, along with an array of other penalties.

Preparing for Future Shock
Internet2: although I was not aware of its name, I've known that Government Schools (possibly every Government school) is going to have a large interactive screen installed for the pruposes of interactive learning with, for example: NASA, undersea exploration, Universities, schools, etc from around the world.
At one of the schools I teach at, I was in a room that was being measured up for a large screen that would enable the students to interact with other students and places of interest around the globe.

The Australian Advanced Research Network or AARNET, is a group that worked from 1996 to a few years ago to enable Australia's Research and Education sectors to network around the world more efficiently. It was headed by George McLaughlin, who was given an Australia Day Award for his efforts on January 26, 2009.

As technology continues to improve, the people of the world will become increasingly more connected not just for business or educational purposes, but also socially.
Social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, YouTube already have phenomenally large numbers of users, and there are many more sites that are in existence.
The short messaging service Twitter is, I believe, already a forerunner of instant news and knowledge before it is widely known.
Not only will the speed of access and information transfer improve, but cultures will hopefully also begin to understand each other in positive ways - cultural boundaries are already disappearing.

When I was younger, cousins from the USA, and the Philippines would send me new clothes for my birthdays.
I remember being asked which shop I had bought the clothes from because they were unusual, like floral sneakers in the 1970s (my friends usually had plain white and later on 'joggers' in blue, brown or grey).
These days, fashion follows the UK, Europe and the USA by the next season or instantly (as in, for example, outfits worn at the Oscars can be found in some stores (mostly online) the very next day.

The article on Dr Vint Cerf (who helped engineer the first internet) was quite thought provoking.
Mobile phones have been able to access the internet for a few years now.
The fact that a nine-year-old boy in Singapore is writing applications for the iPhone is, I believe, a portent of what is still to come.

The last paragraph of the article on Dr Cerf is the most thought-provoking though:
"The internet is a reflection of our society and that mirror is going to be reflecting what we see," he said. "If we do not like what we see in that mirror the problem is not to fix the mirror, we have to fix society."
Again, it is another reference to the Concepts (Allen, M. n.d.)studied in the NET11 course.

Module 4: Tasks

2009-02-14T17:39:00.010+11:00

MODULE 4: DOWNLOADS
To begin with, most of the software downloads recommended are already on my computer. The main problem with some software I have downloaded, is the fact that they take over your home page or become the *main* software for whatever purpose you wanted them for...despite the fact that I always make sure I adjust the page prior to downloading, to uncheck any boxes that state 'make this the preferred software (for whatever purpose) on your computer'.

A recent example of this is the ICQ programme software for the chat task. In June 2008 I downloaded what I thought was the Microsoft Vista compatible software for Apple Quicktime Player, so I could watch video's I had taken of my HSC (Year 12 - Senior High School) Students then email them copies.
It was a disaster.
My computer blinked uncontrollably at first and then froze.

I tried the usual "Ctrl Alt Del", but this turned my computer screen into ghostly shades of pastel with an added and eerie mirage-like quality. I could not switch my laptop off so unplugged it and closed the lid.
When I returned the next day, it had gone into 'hibernation', and when we took it back to the store it was purchased from, had miraculously came alive again.
No sign of the troubles endured less than 24 hours previously, making my story weak and unbelievable.
We went home again.

Exactly one week later, the same thing happened again (although I had since removed Apple Quicktime *completely*).
I left and returned the next day, to find a black screen randomly filled with white alphanumeric text. The text did not make sense in any English or grammatical sense.
The numbers and letters appeared to have been plucked at random. When we returned to the store once more, the technicians and salesmen were clambouring to get a look at my laptop screen - no-one had seen anything like it despite many of them owning the same brand and model.
Needless to say, I wasn't very optimistic about whether they could repair my machine let alone recover my files.
I asked if I could be issued with a replacement but was told they don't have that policy and couldn't do the 'Insurance' stated new for old replacement (it was 3 months old) until an ASUS (the brand I have) technician had looked at it.
The laptop had to be sent away.
Almost one month later, my computer returned to me with a brand new hard drive.
It has, however, never been the same.

I had other problems, although not quite as debilitating, in October, November and December 2008.
In January 2009 and continuing to the present day, I cannot have too many windows open at once, or all windows 'freeze' and do not allow any interaction from either the mouse or keys.
My computer has a loud 'hum' now and initially, after returning from being repaired at the beginning of December 2008, sounded like it had an internal 'water drip' - very similar to the sound of a tap dripping onto a metal kitchen sink. I think that sound has gone - either that or I'm deaf or oblivious to it now.

The upside is that I managed to download Apple Quicktime again in mid-January.
It could be the reason why my windows are freezing if I have too many open, but luckily there have been no crashes...yet.

Software Downloaded to date:
* Adobe PDF Reader
* Flash and Shockwave Players
* Apple Quicktime Player
* Windows Media Player

I have yet to down load these three:
* Search Manager
* Bookmark Buddy for windows
* Offline Browser
For the above three options I have always just used the saved favourites and have downloaded pdf files to my desktop for further perusal. Will check in again tomorrow with details of how I went downloading the last three.

I downloaded Copernic without any difficulties.
I decided against downloading the 'Book Mark Buddy' as I am quite happy with my new 'Mozilla Firefox' Web Browser - definitely beats 'Internet Explorer'! - which has neatly categorised everything under my 'bookmarks' Tab into the alphabetical order I prefer.

One thing I may try to eventually change though, is to move my most frequently used bookmarks to the top of my list so I don't need to scroll down too far all the time (M=MyWebCt to access the Discussion Board and Curriculum).

MY MOZILLA FIREFOX Web Browser has probably been the best thing I have ever downloaded.
I can search just about anything from just the browsing bar at the top of the page!
However, I still prefer 'Google'-ing most things due to the speed.
Some things still don't come up with the Mozilla Firefox - it seems to be very specific or may be has a smaller database.
For example, I was searching for 'Internet2'.
When I searched through Mozilla Firefox I got one direct hit:

Whereas when I searched through Google I got 3,380,000 hits.

Copernic got me 68 hits

Google Scholar got me 19,500 hits.

Quick Comparison Chart:
Full Boolean vs. Implied Boolean vs. Templates

	Full Boolean	Implied Boolean	Template Terminology
OR	college or university	[rarely available] *see note below	any of these words can contain the words should contain the words
AND	poverty and crime	+poverty +crime	all of these words must contain the words
NOT	cats not dogs	cats -dogs	must not contain the words should not contain the words
NEAR, etc.	cats near dogs	N/A	near

* Most multi-term search statements will resolve to AND logic at search engines that use AND as the default. Nowadays most search engines default to AND. Always play it safe, however, and consult the Help files at each site to find out which logic is the default.

The above information was taken from a Link in NET11 course notes:

www.internettutorials.net/boolean.html

I found that when searching for information, often, the 'AND' and 'OR' were only useful if the search returned a large number of hits, or I was unsure what to search for at the outset.

Also, the first few sites listed are usually the most relevant, as often the sites listed just become any article that includes the words in your search criteria.

An annotation used in my Concepts Assignment

Title 2:Turnage, A. K. (2007). Email flaming behaviours and organizational conflict. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13 (1), article 3.

Site: http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol13/issue1/turnage.html

In this article Turnage (2007) explored whether the 'flaming' or 'bad' netiquette behaviour (excessive use of CAPITALS, exclamation marks!!! and question marks???) described in literature was still considered flaming, by asking participants to assess messages typically found in emails.

Turnage highlighted the potential damage that can occur in communication particularly with reference to workplace and organizational conflict, as a result of plain text messages that include excessive use of 'flaming' symbols and gave recommendations for good email communication practices.

Published in 2007, this article contains current content, addresses pertinent issues, is peer-reviewed, and contributes to good email communication practice and netiquette in general.

(103 words)

1. In terms of annotated sites, my own annotation will be most useful for future reference, because, apart from the fact that I wrote and should therefore understand it, the aspects within it directly relate to my experiences when I read the article.
Someone else's experience will not be as significant for me as it will be for the person who wrote it.

2.In terms of external users, the best indication of relevance would possibly be the Title and opening and closing sentences.
The middle part of the annotation directly relates to why it was used to support the particular concept it is written under.

Net Studies Index - the new Discussion Board

2009-02-09T23:19:00.002+11:00

Today I joined the 'other' Discussion Board called netstudies.

The posts look very different, and more like personalised blog posts:

I'll put a photo here when my computer is back to normal...it's freezing on me and sometimes flickering...yesterday, I clicked on a stored favourite from my list...and window after window kept appearing - I counted over 40 that popped up!

Not only did I get alot of windows (the effect was like when the cards all flip across the screen once you've won Solitaire), but the computer wouldn't switch off.

Pesky.
Worrying.

At the moment it's pot luck as to whether I can open a new window.
Hopefully it's not a virus again!

In the meantime, please enjoy a manually (Ctrl c / Ctrl v) pasted transcript of my first post (which btw, is in technicolor on the new board)...I can no longer even 'right click' to copy and paste (yes, my laptop has a mouse attached due to my arthritis).

Fingers crossed X it's not a virus X

TessaGJoined: 09 Feb 2009Posts: 3Karma: 0Location: Sydney NSW Australia
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 3:14 pm Post subject: Hi and Welcome \0/

Hi everyone - I like the options for posting on this board!!! and how you can add pictures or a YouTube link...but I'm not sure if I should as the links (pictures and YouTube) would be my preference and not related to the course at all...possibly a waste of everyone's bandwidth. Do let me know if you want some pictures and images though - I can offer you a short promo from the late 80's of a marching band I used to be in when I could march (yep, totally thrilling), and a photo montage to a 3 minute excerpt of the concert band I currently perform with (doubly exciting). Okay. I'll stick to the colour, size, font options. Looking forward to reading everyone's new posts TessaG (Teresa Gutierrez from the WebCt) NB Below is a totally random poll which I'm doing purely to test it out - but please contribute if you can Hope it shows and is formatted correctly...

Conceptual Research and Reflection Project Completed

2009-02-07T18:54:00.004+11:00

I finished my Concepts Assignment and am pretty happy it's over.

The journey was awesome, but it took longer than I expected, and towards the end my eyes were deceiving me each time I spell checked etc so I just stopped (checking that is).

My sanity won't be affected by a couple of errors.

Well, probably not.

Okay, not today anyway.

Hopefully my APA referencing isn't too off the mark either, because I couldn't find how to do some things...again, my eyes!

I've been staring at this computer screen since 8am Wednesday morning, with two 5 hour breaks on Thursday from 3am to 8am, and Saturday from 3am to 8am... but I'm still energetic enough to continue with an essay that should have been finished yesterday as well.

Please enjoy a couple of photos of how my 'Concepts Assignment' blog looks like. The background green is SOooo...vitalising!

Twitter.com

2009-01-31T00:27:00.005+11:00

Today I finished one concept (no.7 Netiquette) and then lost the plot, got bored and slightly torpid.
My obtuse wanderings took me to places of interest, but with no relevance whatsoever to my concepts assignment!
Apart from learning a bit about new technology, I spent most of the afternoon between Twitter.com, facebook, YouTube, WebCt and my personal email account...enough said!
At first I thought Twitter was very quiet, but usually everytime you send a tweet you get either a visible (to everyone else) reply or a private message - sometimes from people whom I'd never heard of.
So I don't need to write how fascinating that was, as well as looking up the people who are following you to see if you want to follow them!
For various reasons I decided not to follow a few people, so most stopped following me.
There is still one guy on my list I think.
I'm totally cool with that.
In all, I think searching for my concept references and writing one up *completely* just left me a bit wrung out.
You know - no creativity left - so I had to do something but couldn't be bothered moving from the computer, so looked up some old favourite songs from about 20 years ago, that always left me feeling refreshed or made me feel like crying (an extremely creative state!).

Both songs are by Amy Grant:
'Raining on the Inside'
and one of my ultimate favourites 'Say Once More'.
I have downloaded them from iTunes onto my iPhone - my original copies are on cassette.

Okay. It's 12.50am and I really need to go to bed so I have enough energy for the rest of the assignment...a very fascinating day :)

Twitter, Facebook and Linked Tags/Words - I Rule \0/

2009-01-29T16:26:00.005+11:00

I rule. Totally!
Today I successfully wrote a post in html.

\0/
This post has also been written in html.
You can check out the coolness yourself by clicking Tess Rules.

it works. It *works*! Just as well, because I need it for my Concepts Assignment!

Follow me to Yeehaa!!! I apologise in advance - it was the best of the meagre offerings available...enjoy! \0/
Oh, I almost forgot - I joined Twitter today. So far, it's just like Facebook but quieter.

Module 3 HTML - Passed Validation \0/ Yeehaa!!!

2009-01-28T00:15:00.020+11:00

Thanks to Amy, Peter, Christopher, Cynthia, Rob, and a host of others, I have finally managed to Pass the Validation for my HTML Page \0/ Thank you!!! Following, please find the W3C 'Passed Validation' Pages, followed by my Web Page, and finally, the Certified Seal of Approval :)

The errors I made were both silly and profound.

The silly ones included one spelling error (centre instead of center) and omitting one quotation " mark from a numerical attribute - but it only takes one minor blooper to unravel your whole page.

My more profound (because they were initially beyond me) errors included not writing amp; after an & (amazingly, when I wrote on the WebCt discussion board, the 'amp' did not appear after '&' even though I wrote in text and not html - weird!)...incidentally, this last error increased my incompatibility rating, to in excess of 30 errors.
I also omitted the Declaration (about what language I used) at the outset of my HTML Page.
All my images also needed an
alt="description"
so that when you scroll over a photo it has details and is therefore more meaningful.
I'm sure there are more things to be thankful for, but at the moment they're escaping me.

A H U G E Thank You!!! to Everyone that has helped me finish my page \0/
Now I can concentrate fully on my Concepts assignment (I can't have half-finished things hanging over my head: It's *All* or nothing...and I prefer *All*) \0/

http://webct.curtin.edu.au/305033_b/student_pres/Group141/index.html

5 Most Important Rules for writing online
1. Write for 'scanning' in an 'F-shape'. Highlight words. Make important words larger.
2. 'Chunk' your paragraphs to break up text
3. Use colour and pictures...but be aware of adding alternative text for the pictures and be aware that a certain percentage of the population may suffer from some form of colour blindness
4. Don't make your posts too long (which I am guilty of!)
5. 'Link' - place links unders words to help expand your ideas

Copyright
This is a huge issue that, if not heeded, could deprive the owners of an image/music/text of income.
It could also potentially harm a business or individual, if an image/text/ or music et cetera is used without permission.
I didn't use any logos illegally on my page.
All the photos taken were mine.

Blogs
There are so many types of blogs and so many blogs to peruse it's mind-boggling!
I didn't even know what a blog *was* at the start of this course, December 2008.

Having looked a almost a hundred different blogs now, I feel that it is a great way to be able to have your say about something you feel passionate about.

I've seen blogs about technology (not very interesting to me personally, but for learning purposes - they're great), businesses, fetishes (you know: love of shoes/handbags/clothes/food/films), hobbies, internet gaming, health, politics.

Being a verbose person who has filled over 20 Diaries in her lifetime, I *want* to do a personal blog: about my life and passions.
This may be boring for some people to read, but it is *me* and I feel that writing things down will help me to move forward and progress on my life journey...it's also a fantastic stress-reliever!

I am currently 'playing' with two other sites (not on blogger) to see which format I like, and have already plotted some blog-lines for release on Easter Sunday 2009 \0/

Web 2.0
I must admit that I still don't understand all the fuss about Web 2.0 - I'll have to read more.

To me, Web 2.0 is a way of making the internet a more interactive place where participation is encouraged in order to make the internet full of virtual communities...like Wikipedia maybe?

I really need to read more about it.
Way over my head!

Added New Features to my Blog

2009-01-15T13:49:00.003+11:00

As I was fiddling with all the buttons today, I found new gadgets that enabled me to add one picture, so I did - and added two instead of just one!

Will need to keep searching, because I would really like to add a slideshow of just my pictures (found plenty of gadgets that allowed a slideshow of other peoples pictures!).

Have also installed a Map of the World that enables Google news from other countries... hopefully I won't find it difficult to navigate away from my page now :)

Update on Sunday January 18th...it now takes ages to load my page when I first navigate to it...mmm...unsure if adding three photos and extra gadgets was really the smartest thing to do!

Module 3: My thoughts on HTML Vs. Blogging

2009-01-14T12:18:00.004+11:00

I have only had extremely limited success with HTML (currently more problems than actual success stories in this area), and have been blogging almost continually, but for only one month.
However, I do feel that my limited experience allows me to conclude that both HTML and Blogs have pros and cons that need to be considered before attempting a choice between both.

At this stage of writing I am personally more comfortable with my blog on 'blogger.com', as I have had relatively few problems.
Each day I have learnt something new by either clicking all the available Tabs on my page, by viewing other bloggers pages, and also from following tips left behind from our tutor Peter or classmates.

Having said that, I also believe that with more time and experience, I should become comfortable with the basic aspects of creating and publishing a Web page via HTML tags through the use of Notepad.

Ultimately, whether you choose HTML or Blogging will depend upon your goal and reason for publishing.

HTML Pros:

* Can design the page to *completely* reflect your needs
* Could possibly reach a wider audience, especially if the Web page produces a high number of hit's when people search your particular topic.
* More freedom to do what you want

HTML Cons:

* The need to be aware of the 'Invisibility of difference' while creating your page, so people with differently configured computers will still be able to view it's contents as opposed to navigating away
* Addressing *specifically* but *briefly* what your page is about through the page title - which is likely to return more hits and views than if labelled improperly
* Not understanding how to use the software adequately (my main problem!)
* Your page can be viewed by *anyone*, so content, especially personal content, should be guarded closely.

BLOG Pros:

* Your page is already set-up according to a template - which you choose
* There are choices which allow you to decide who will ultimately view your page (eg 'all internet users', 'registered blogspot users only', 'only those who you have allowed access to'.
* there is a choice to write in text or in html. Thus far, I have only tried text. My html ventures have come back with angry red writing that says: tag not closed (I wanted to make a word bold by using the bold tag). It looked perfectly fine for me, but I will obviously need to work this peculiarity out!!!

BLOG Cons:

* If you don't understand how to do something, the process can be difficult (ie no 'help' menu)
* If a wider audience is needed, it would be essential to check your permissions page - or your blog may become 'hidden'
* Internet users with no blogging experience may not know how to navigate to your page (I'm a major example of someone who had *absolutely no* experience with blogs prior to the start of this course (!) - whereas a random web page can be easily navigated to if the search criteria typed in, connects with the search parameters (set by the words typed in) of that Web page.

Module 3 HTML - the continuing project: Stay Tuned \0/

2009-01-14T12:08:00.006+11:00

I was able to put the validate icon on my HTML Page - even though it does not like the Google links I put in (which were directly copied then pasted into my tags.

Is this bogus or what????

By the way, when you click on the W3C Validator, it takes you to a page that says it could not find the URL - I'm sure this is because the WebCt is behind a firewall.

My main concern though, is if it was this easy to download the W3C Validation Icon - how many other "Bogus" pages are out there?
Does anyone police/regulate this?

My other concern, is that the major problems were with an http:// link that I merely copied and pasted - I didn't write the html code for it!
Bogus!!!

Posted on : January 22, 2009

A Problem I am currently experiencing, is that when my page is expanded to fill the whole computer screen, it shows four copies of the background photo - instead of just one that fits into the entire screen.

Unsure how to fix this.
May have to post my question onto the board.

AUSTRALIA DAY LONG WEEKEND \0/

Thanks to Amy, I was able to fix my page by centering the photo *and* I was able to remove some html text that had been placed inside my title section - thank you \0/

I also worked on my other photo uploads, and was able to add some html tags underneath words...which worked :)

All that I have left to do, is validate my page...more searching required here, as I must have glossed over that section/not understood it...so I have no clue where to go!

That will be today's task.

Meanwhile, enjoy the 4 photos I took of my finished page \0/ Woohoo!!!

This post will be updated as I progress further with my html page.
Please stay tuned :)

Module 3 HTML Success at 2:17am :)

2009-01-14T02:45:00.004+11:00

I've finally had success at uploading a page with a photo on it :)

Massive thanks to Amy, Chriso, James, Louwna, Monique, Peter and the whole tribe at WebCt - I'd buy you all a round of drinks if I could :)

It turns out that I didn't accidentally delete *all* my attempts from Jan 12th.

One page was still lurking under the saved pseudonym of "mybackground.jpg" and I'm unsure how that misnomer came about but it doesn't matter - I still had evidence of Monday's work on my computer. I found it when I went to check my photo prior to uploading a newer version. phew!

My error is as follows:

* I saved as index

* This only saved the file as .txt

* I ignorantly believed that the notepad program would automatically add '.html' to the file in a similar way that word programs automatically save as '.doc'.

* After re-reading *ALL* the posts on the WebCt under 'Module 3 HTML Task', I realised my error.

* Thank you in particular to Amy, Chriso and Peter for suggesting that 'index.html' should be typed into the 'file name' area.

Again, many thanks - it's still a work in progress but I know what I'm doing now (can't believe I managed to upload the 'Blue Page' at the beginning of last week but couldn't remember the steps a week later - woeful!).

Will be re-working the page with renewed vigour from tomorrow...yikes!

It's after 3am in Sydney!!

Good Night :)

Module 3: HTML: Creating a web page...more problems

2009-01-13T16:41:00.002+11:00

It's been a few days since my last entry (starting to sound like a confession...) due to the fact that I've been trying to re-do the html task...and having a zillion problems.

Firstly, I saved it at lesson 1 or 2 or 3 (can't remember *exactly* when) and then, as I added more to the page I re-saved...except that when I went to upload my beautiful page (and it really was going to be b e a u t i f u l ! ! !)...it only uploaded the writing that would have been evident at the very first 'save as'!!!

Duped.

I then posted my problems onto the discussion board and haven't been back yet.
Will go after this post, to see if anyone has responded.

I haven't tried to re-do the page for the third time yet either.

Maybe tonight or tomorrow.

That's all for now - feeling just a little bit despondent :(

Music on my Blog

2009-01-10T14:57:00.002+11:00

WooHoo...I've added an mp3.com control onto my blog.

Try it out!

My favourite is 'Sunshower' but we couldn't figure out how to just load *that* one without the others coming too.

All songs are by my partner (yes, one of his favourite caves to retreat to is his home music studio).
His name on mp3.com is 'Armchair Musician' (very appropriate for his ambient style).
One of his other 'hobbies' is writing for film/TV/corporate videos...so if you need a composer, let me know!

I seriously think there should be one called 'Tessa'...do you agree?

Am off to see if I can somehow create my own playlist, so that hopefully, only those songs come up.

Stay tuned :)

Module 3: Cybertextspace by Dr Karin Wenz

2009-01-08T19:57:00.002+11:00

The more I read the article, the more I understood.

In fact, the content helped me to understand what was written on the Module 3 tutorial notes page - seriously!!!
I was so unimpressed by the text (on the Mod 3 page) that I couldn't concentrate yesterday.
Maybe I was in a flippant mood 24 hours ago.
Unsure.
Anyway, I must've had my thinking cap on today.

Perhaps the best idea from the article (for me personally), is that each person has their own set of beliefs, experiences, and background knowledge - so any information received will ultimately be influenced by these variables, and in turn, will affect what they choose to do with the information.

I think Dr Wenz was trying to describe the internet and the content it holds - however, she kept referring to the game Myst, which I have, but which I played about 10 years ago (and haven't played since).
A check of references showed that the most recent article used dated from 1997 or 1998.

However, despite the age of the article, I don't think the basic way the internet works today is any different to the way it worked back then...except, of course, that it is much vaster and computers are more powerful, making access and ease of access, more immediate and astonishingly quicker.

Another valid point mentioned, was that due to the speed with which information is generated today, the way people experience the world has changed.
It's the internet that has promoted this change.

Hypertext and linking to other sites or explanatory notes (which Wenz used in almost every sentence...and which annoyed me excessively until I realised that each of these 'links' was actually just another point along the linear list on the home/contents page) can also affect what the reader learns or takes away with them.

Wenz's explanation reminded me of the 'Choose Your Own Adventure' books popular with pre-teens in the late '70's-'80's (which allowed children choice in the story).
The hyperlinks in an online text allow the viewer the options to:

1. read in-depth about a particular point

2. skim ahead to the next point

3. jump to another site

4. close the window!

As a result, information gleaned will depend not only on the depth of information read, but also on the paths taken to read that information, as well as the personal background and experiences which the reader brought with them prior to reading.

In all. I found the article 'voiced' many things I already knew, and quite a few which I hadn't previously considered.

Well worth the effort!

Blog Features Used: Edited Posts and Labels

2009-01-07T15:02:00.004+11:00

This morning I edited all my blog posts to reflect:

TITLE: I changed these to reflect the Modules where the task was requested.

e.g. "Module 1: Telnet Task"

then I added 'Labels' so that all tasks could be accessed easily when my blog is submitted for assessment:

LABELS: These included "Module 1", "Telnet", "Optional Task", and any other 'markers' I thought would enable a viewer easier access to my page.

Of course as I progress further and learn more, I may edit again.

Module 1: Telnet Task B: http://www.blinkenlights.net/

2009-01-05T14:00:00.006+11:00

http://www.blinkenlights.net/

Module 1: Telnet Option: blinkenlights

2009-01-05T13:15:00.003+11:00

As I was browsing through other students blogs today, I came across a screen shot of something done with blinkenlights on Evelyn's page...I've been reading about this on the discussion board but thought it was, yet again, something that was beyond my understanding and therefore way beyond my reach: WRONG on all accounts!

I googled it (because Evelyn asked if anyone knew when blinken lights first began) and found this:

http://brepettis.com/blog/2008/09/29/blinkenlights/

which is an informative page about the latest blinkenlights project currently showing on a *building* (true) in Toronto. Each window of the building has been wired to be one pixel in the blinken program...totally fascinating!!!

Further down the page, it says that blinken lights first began in 2001 to mark the 20th anniversary of a group called chaos computer club in (I think) Berlin.

To top it all off, the founder of CCC died, so the group members decided to do something really special, and ended up having an exhibition in the Berlin Congress Building and in addition, remodelling the nearby (and apparently landmark) Teacher's Building...into a giant TETRIS screen!

Now *that* would have been AMAZING!!!!

RSS FEEDS

2009-01-04T21:04:00.003+11:00

THIS PAGE WAS MEANT TO BE BRIGHT GREEN (the screen shot of my web page, that is)

Learning Curve!!!

I just discovered where the RSS feeds I have subscribed to are appearing...under the 'Posting' tab.

Will now have to work out how to scroll back and read evreything I've missed out on!!!

Might spend a bit of tomorrow clicking on classmates blogs before trying to correct my trashy web page (won't use colour this time...I think that's what undid me).

I'm sure my 'nesting' technique was logically and technically correct.

Stay tuned...hopefully, a screen shot of my pathetic first attempt will appear somewhere in this message...

Module 2: Chat Task

2009-01-04T20:12:00.004+11:00

Tonight I joined a chat group on ICQ that Brett instigated: THANK YOU BRETT :-)

At first I wasn't sure how to join in (5 mins late), but Kobi sent me an invitation and I worked out (after the 2nd invite...she sent 3 in fact) that all I needed to do was click it.

It was a bit hectic initially, with about 5 conversations going at once (from 'Hi' to 'what job do you have' to 'what are you studying' and few other introduction/get-to-know you-type things).

We finally got around to answering whether people like MSN or ICQ or other chat types like Face Book. To be honest, I have always veered away from any sort of chat contacting except via sms.......Now I'm *hooked*!

What I liked most, was that it is in real time.

Sure, it took 20 minutes or so to do introductions with over 10 people on board, but it was no different to a similar sized group meeting for a few drinks at the local - except for the drinks bit and no loud music (for me anyway).

I also started a 'NET11 SP4' Group in ICQ:

http://groups.icq.com/groups/index.php?act=show_group&group_id=10526

and so far we have about 6 members and counting.

A picture of the page is somewhere in this message.

So, to wrap up my first chat experience:

I LOVED IT because it was in real time and extremely interesting.

Thanks again to Brett for organising it...looking forward to the chats on Sundays at 7pm.

Module 3: HTML: Thanks James - Success!

2009-01-03T23:37:00.003+11:00

I am eternally indebted to James for helping me to sort out my error...I just labelled my file incorrectly!

Once I re-labelled it, my pathetic excuse for a page was uploaded in milliseconds :)

Needless to say, I will have to go back to the drawing board to reassess where I went wrong...mmm...

In the meantime, please enjoy my blooper, which has been uploaded to the presentations section because *I can*.

Module 3: HTML Upload Problems and Going Bananas

2009-01-03T21:38:00.004+11:00

I'm really starting to lose it...have tried re-reading the curriculum, task pages, and discussion board for Module 3 but nothing seems to be able to help my decrepitly technology-challenged brain.

The best solution was to post my mishaps onto the discussion board and ask for help.

I really thought I had conquered all 26 Tutorial steps.

What a shock to the ego!

By the way, one of my fumbles showed me what my web page was like - and it's *not* what I was expecting!

Only half my text came out!

Deleted it in disgust (the pop-up that is), but in hind-sight, should have printed the screen and put in here for all the world to see.

Stay tuned...

Module 3: HTML: Creating a web page

2009-01-03T20:17:00.003+11:00

WELCOME TO DUDSVILLE!

I just spent 6 hours progressing through the 26-step tutorial, then trying to upload my fantastic (well, it's only black and white at the moment) web page...only to find that I am doing something wrong.

It didn't work.

Will have to go back and re-read the tutorial and Discussion Board to see if anyone else has had no luck :-(

I'll try and upload a screen shot of my Note Pad preview here (don't be surprised if it is posted *above* this text instead of *below* it):

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2009-01-02T12:05:00.002+11:00

Wishing my fellow classmates and tutors all the best that 2009 has to offer - it's going to be a *great* year :-)

I have had a couple of days off due to celebrations and festivities, and am tidying-up a submission for another course (due this arvo)...so will be able to post from tonight or tomorrow (depending upon how a headache I have had for 3 days is going...).

Catch you all soon!

Module 2: Chat: Join Up

2008-12-30T15:37:00.004+11:00

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

2008-12-29T14:28:00.003+11:00

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

2008-12-29T14:01:00.004+11:00

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

2008-12-29T13:50:00.003+11:00

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

2008-12-29T13:38:00.003+11:00

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

2008-12-29T13:33:00.003+11:00

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

2008-12-29T13:23:00.003+11:00

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

2008-12-29T13:11:00.003+11:00

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

2008-12-29T12:57:00.004+11:00

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

2008-12-27T13:38:00.004+11:00

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

2008-12-27T13:23:00.003+11:00

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

2008-12-27T13:08:00.004+11:00

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

2008-12-27T12:56:00.004+11:00

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

2008-12-27T11:36:00.005+11:00

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

2008-12-27T11:27:00.004+11:00

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

2008-12-26T18:30:00.006+11:00

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

2008-12-26T18:21:00.005+11:00

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 :)

2008-12-26T17:15:00.003+11:00

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

2008-12-25T23:46:00.002+11:00

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

2008-12-25T23:03:00.002+11:00

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

2008-12-25T20:51:00.002+11:00

(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

2008-12-25T20:44:00.002+11:00

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!!!

2008-12-10T13:39:00.002+11:00

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

2008-12-09T00:54:00.000+11:00

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

NET11 Learning Log: Top 5 Tips for New Bloggers

2008-12-08T22:49:00.003+11:00

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!