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

http://www.blinkenlights.net/

Module 1: Telnet Option: blinkenlights

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!!!!

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...