Module Four Download Tools/Plug in Task

Description

Try downloading at least two unfamiliar programs.

I chose Copernic, Webcopier and Bookmark Buddy. I chose Sherlock as it is necassary for the next task, Webcopier because I am about to move house and my cable connection will be out for a few days so I (hopefully) will still be able to access the cirriculum during that time and Bookmark Buddy just to learn what it is.
Downloading, installing and learning to use these programs has gone smoothly. However when I switched on my computer this morning it opened in 'safe mode'. Once this problem was solved, I was then unable to log into Curtin WebCT.

Concerns

Have these new software downloads caused these problems?

Evaluation and Analysis

The best thing about this lil problem was that it made me put into place my new lesson of reading things properly until I understand them. I followed the directions to uninstall Webcopier first and was going to follow on by uninstalling Bookmark buddy but the computer returned to 'normal mode' once webcopier was removed so I left Bookmark Buddy. Once the computer was running normally again, I attempted to log into Curtin WebCT and recieved the message
"Unable to connect to host - sm-portal1.curtin.edu.au. Contact administrator” . Once again, I carefully read the instructions on getting help for logging on and found the url for curtin which led me to thinking that perhaps something happened to the url I had stored in 'favourites'. I typed the url into the addy bar and was able to access Curtin. In the past I'd have panicked and phoned someone. Plus I understand some of what happened and why it happened. I'm hoping 'Bookmark Buddy' will be a better way to save url's than favourites.

Conclusion

I will now save the Curtin WebCT page (and Monash for my psych unit although it's not as essential as it is not an online unit) into Webcopier so I can access them while I'm moving. I'll also put the url's I have in 'favourites' into 'Bookmark Buddy' aswell and see how that goes.
I've aquired a "java" icon in my task bar?? More on this when I find out why and where and what for..... I'm guessing it is Webcopier related because that is designed to run text and images but I'm guessing.

In your learning log record which programs you downloaded and note which (if any) facets you think might prove useful.

"Bookmark Buddy"
"WebCopier Pro" for Windows - Webcopier makes available complete websites offline. This could be useful anytime internet connection is unavailable (for example on a laptop)
"Copernic"
* I unfortunately didn't have time to learn to use either of these programs except a little with Copernicus which I will persist with. Bookmark buddy and Webcopier will expire before I have time to have a go at them.

Concept: The Challenge of Fast Data

Key Focus Points

• Information on the www is constantly changing and not always maintained.
• Advanced Internet users analyse and evaluate received information and adapt to new research opportunities .
  

Concept: The Paradox of The Worl Wide Web

Key Focus Points

• The www is a user friendly, fun informative online community. It is also a highly complex, ever changing and growing technology that requires constant learning to understand and adapt.
• This concept is tied in closely with the invisibility of difference in that not all Internet users have the skills, time or opportunity to learn enough about the www to fully utilise it’s potential.
• The idea of the www and the Internet being the same thing coupled with the idea that the Internet is ‘easy to use’ are perpetuated by large companies that can profit from these misgivings.
  

* Additional text after unit was completed in red