Module Two Completed

Unit Work

Description

I've completed this unit except for the newsgroup exercise but I will get it done. I'm finalising an assignment for another unit at the moment and have fallen behind a little as a result.

Concerns

Within the unit work I have few concerns except perhaps that I have fallen behind somewhat.
I've gone into great detail about newsgroup earlier in this blog so I wont go on here except to say it ate up a fair bit of time. Also juggling two units for the first time needs a little fine tuning.

Evaluation & Analysis

I learned so much in this module. My email has a newly implemented organisation system derived from learning about manipulation of meta data to save me time in searching for messages. I noticed that I am more aware of how I use search engines - I discriminate more with the words I use (being aware now of how meta data can be manipulated to attract searchers) and am braver in using advanced search options I'd never have bothered with before because I didn't know how they worked or whether they would achieve different results.
I'm starting to see all that I have learned being implemented into my daily use of the Internet.
Also. during this module, I got to chat real time with other students during the ICQ task. That was a great experience because in a real time chat I picked up on elements of their character and got to know them a little better and share some achievements and concerns with them.
The low point of this module was the newsgroup task about which I have said enough.

I also need to manage my time between units more effectively. It seems once something is near due date in one unit, the other suffers. I'm sure this is normal but I need to shave off about a week of "lagging behind" time on one while attending to the other.

Conclusion

If I did this module over again, I wouldn't spend so much time on the newsgroup task. I'd have left it til later (which I've done anyway) and attempted it again with more greater skills, a better understanding and a fresh approach.
I have already applied the knowledge I have gained on email filters and meta data as well as learning about some new real time chat programs and IM managers. I've established a better understanding of some of my fellow students and feel more comfortable reaching out if I needed to.
As for juggling the two units, I just need to devote some time to both regardless of what is due in one. This is easier said than done! I'll get there. It's only my third unit in this degree.
Overall, this was lots of fun and very valuable in the information it provided.

Assignment One, Annoted Bibliography Guidelines

I developed the following assignment guidelines to assist me in preparing this assignment.

Assignment 1, Annoted Bibliography

Description

Develop an annotated bank of resources and tips on ‘Being an advanced Internet User’. The final version must be presented as an electronic source – either a web site or a blog.

What is an Annoted Bibliography?

An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, articles, and documents. Each citation is followed by a brief (usually about 150 words) descriptive and evaluative paragraph, the annotation. The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the sources cited.

Tips

• The URL provided to reach that format must be a direct link.
  


• The resources (helpful sites) you should include or record in preparation for assignment one are to be of a helpful nature to someone undertaking this unit. You are not limited in any way to skills or software-based sites. In fact, you are encouraged to provide resources that might help someone with the conceptual nature of the information provided in the curriculum.
  Example: have you come a cross a site that critiques information ecologies?
  Or a site that considers the possibilities of human computer interface?
  


• Make one sentence or so available at the end of your annotation to
  mention one of the concepts you think is relevant to that source, state why.
  


• Annotations include a summary and evaluation of a source - these ones
  should be at least 200-250 words each in length
  


• Avoid "lists" the summary should be in your own words.
  


• You should not be quoting in your annotation - you have limited word
  space so use it wisely.
  


• Worry more about the content than the navigation of how it is presented
  - too much navigation can be difficult for reading!
  


• Most importantly read the example link provided in the
  assessment details.
  


• This assignment is designed to both put in practice the skills you have developed in searching for and evaluating information online; and to demonstrate your understandings of how best to communicate and make information meaningful online.
  


• For each of the modules 1-4 you will list at least two sites (not from the course readings), which you think provide further valuable information or resources to assist in completing that topic. (Or indeed information on a topic or subject that you feel has been omitted).
  

You should also provide an annotation for each site in your own words that does not merely summarise the information available, but states how and why this site might be useful. For each resource, identify (where possible) which 'concept' or concepts they relate to or illustrate. (This encourages you to start reading and thinking about the concepts document in preparation for your final assignment.)

Starting points

1.Decide on your format.

2. Collect your sources. These can take a number of forms:
Whole websites (such as howstuffworks.com) - however make sure the site, as a whole is relevant. Don't refer to magazine/newspaper site (eg Wired) if it contains useful articles, for example; or blogs articles from online magazines, newspapers or journals (you may also include articles that are available through library databases that can be accessed electronically)

3.Read and investigate each of your sources carefully, putting into practice the search and evaluation methods you have been practicing. Make notes as you go along. Refer also to the concepts document as you read and analyse your sites (hint: follow the links to specific concepts listed in each module. However feel free to refer to any concepts you think appropriate).

4.Write the annotations for each source, keeping in mind what you have been learning about the most effective technical and stylistic presentation of content.

5.Your annotations should state in your own words what information the source provides, perhaps comment on the authority and validity of the source, and clearly state how the source is useful. Where appropriate, state which concept/s the source relates to or illustrates. You should also provide full bibliographic details for each source, not just the URL (our faculty uses APA referencing, however you may use another reference style as long as you are consistent)

6. Decide on the structure of your final site/blog and begin adding content

Submission

Your report should be submitted electronically through the assignments drop box, giving the URL of your finished site or blog.

Example (in APA format)

Waite, L. J., Goldschneider, F. K., & Witsberger, C. (1986). Nonfamily living and
the erosion of traditional family orientations among young adults. American Sociological Review, 51, 541-554.

The authors, researchers at the Rand Corporation and Brown University, use data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women and Young Men to test their hypothesis that nonfamily living by young adults alters their attitudes, values, plans, and expectations, moving them away from their belief in traditional sex roles. They find their hypothesis strongly supported in young females, while the effects were fewer in studies of young males. Increasing the time away from parents before marrying increased individualism, self-sufficiency, and changes in attitudes about families. In contrast, an earlier study by Williams cited below shows no significant gender differences in sex role attitudes as a result of nonfamily living.

Module Two: Email Lists Task

What are the pros and cons of email lists versus discussion boards?

DB seem more accessible to me than email lists. The speed of reply is faster on DB's. Topics are easier to scan. Email lists take some time to show your topic posting. Whereas Db's are instant (or require you to refresh your browser). The Internet affords its users alot of time saving features. As many statistics show, users want their desires or requirements met ASAP. DB see to do this much more effectively than email lists.

As a student, thie unit DB has been invaluable to me in answering questions or getting me 'unstuck' so I could move on at any hour of the day. It makes available archived messages at a glance and a click. I guess email lists could do this to. I dont think many ppl would use their personal email address for an email list so by the time you log in then find the topic you're after, a DB could have answered several questions. That's just what I think. I could be way off like I was with newsgroups (well not way off....they are a bit....draconian)

Are there certain kinds of communication or purposes more suited to one than the other?

I dont see an email list being as useful a tool as a DB for student in our position (for the reasons listed above). Perhaps email lists are useful for private groups...trying to think of an example that doesn't involve porn......a group that requires membership, perhaps a subscription to a journal where the subscribers want to discuss journal issues.

Module Two Email Task

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

Email messages can contain the following information:

• Address of sender and recipient/s


• Subject.


• Date and time the message was sent.


• Message size.


• The user name and mail server of sender and recipient/s (in the address)


• The original author of the message.


• All recipients of the message if it is forwarded CC (carbon copy) to those recipients.


• Otherwise, the recipient marked as the BCC (blind carbon copy) recipient can not see all the addresses the message has been sent to. These recipients will see only themselves as sole recievers of the message.


• Can also contain a digital signature verifiying authenticity.
• I think it can also contain (in the meta data) the number of packets and their sizes.

2. In what cases would you find it useful to use the 'cc', 'bcc' and 'reply all functions of email?

CC would be useful if the sender wishes to forward a copy of a message to all members of a particular group such as fellow employees or interest groups.
Eg: I want to send the minutes of the weekly meeting to all members of my work place via an email. I would forward this email by "CCing" all fellow employee's.

BCC would be useful if the sender wanted to forward a copy of a message to many recipents and wanted a select one or few to be aware of the "bulk-forwarding" perhaps in order to keep private some recipients email details.
Eg: If I wanted to share information in an email I recieved without sharing their email details I would mark all recipients except the last as BCC.

Re BCC

Because I have never used BCC forwarding, I was initially unclear how to apply a BCC forward in an example. After discussing it with friends who use BCC in a proffessional capacity, I understood its application. It's quite easy if I think of it in terms of its name: 'blind carbon copy', a recipient of a BCC is recieving a blind carbon copy of the message - it's a copy that is 'blind' to its original source. Light bulb on!

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

Firstly, if the attachment is text, including it in the body of the email message instead of as an attachment. It is easily received this way because it doesn't require an attachment to be opened. If it is not a text attachment, it will be formatted somehow and certain mail servers may not support that format. Keeping the formats simple will make the attachment smaller in size. For example JPEG image files are smaller than tiff. or gif. files. Sending large attachments without prior permission doesn't assist in ease of receipt as the recipient may not have broadband or may have a limited amount of download space which a large attachment will max out - not to mention it's a bit rude. If a large attachment must be sent, winzip or stuffit can be used to zip the file making it smaller to receive.
Smaller attachments are easier to receive for several reasons: they upload faster and the recipient wont use alot of download space.
Overall, it's a good idea in life and online, not to make assumptions-in this case, for ease of receipt of attachment, on the recipients computer capabilities and time.

4. What sorts of filters or rules do you have set up, and for what purpose?

"Notify me when important messages arrive" on normal importance setting for the key words "OUA" "Curtin" "Monash" "University". It notifies me with a lil banner saying "uni mail".

"Exception List" for junk mail and things I'm sick of but once were fun and now they wont go away. I've set these emails coloured grey and straight to the junk folder.

Because my email address is mainly for personal use, I have left the set up as it was when I got it apart from the above mentioned.

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

My email folders are arranged into six sections:
1/ Social -Family and friends.
2/ Work - As well as work emails, this folder also includes emails from groups I participate in that are work related: YBI (youth business incentive), YSP (youth suicide prevention), YSN (youth service network), Police youth liasons officer etc.
3/ Uni- all emails from Curtin, Monash and students that have this address. Also included are any emails from uni-books and second hand textbook sites, HECS. I also have a sub-folder in this section for fellow students emails-these are cut and paste from my hotmail addy plus emails from the the few students that have this addy.
4/ Business - Banks, Tax office, RTA, utilities, broadband account, mobile phone etc.
5/My Groups - groups I subscribe to like quickflix, hotmail, YouTube, online mmorpg's, mirc, skype and my newsgroup etc
6/ Other - anything that doesn't fit into the above five groups. Also all groups I subscibe to initially go in here until I decide I really want to stick with them.

Within the folders, the emails are sorted by date because that is an easy way to see the most recent.

This is the way I have always set up my email folders. It seemed the most obvious and effective at the time. The email management information in this unit regarding the best ways to sort folders has made me consider that it's perhaps not the most efficient so this arrangement may change. My concern about changing the folder arrangement is potential confusion and time consumption searching for emails in a new system.

To start my new folder management system, I will re-sort the emails within each folder alphabetically to group them in name. This is an easy change to make and good place to start a more efficient system.

Module Two ICQ Task

Description

Downloaded ICQ.
Found ICQ # for "Advanced Netstudies" and associated message.
Joined a chat group of students on WebCT chat to discuss chat services.

Concerns

I have used ICQ before and thought this task would be simple. Something I have learned about this unit is that it's unlike a book and paper type unit in that alot of technical stuff can go wrong eating up alot of my scheduled time.

Problems:
ICQ:
1/I couldn't download ICQ6 onto my (very old, Windows '98) computer. I downloaded ICQ2go but kept getting timed out when searching for "Advanced Netstudies" ICQ #.
Because of this and the actions I took to resolve it, it's put me even more behind than I was after the recent "big meltdown".

2/ICQ slowed things down on my pc. I'm sure it was a settings thing but i don't use it enough and am too busy to bother.

3/ ICQ stalled my computer whenever we tried to change users (we being my partner & I)

4/ I'm unable to get rid of ICQ toolbar even after uninstalling ICQ. I find it annoying to have to close it manually evertine a window opens.

WebCT: Firstly I couldn't join the chat room. I had done so on previous occasions but the rooms were empty. I'd forgotten that was before my computer was reformatted and I'd psossibly lost Java. Also WebCT looses earlier parts of the chat cycle.

Solution:
ICQ:
1/I upgraded my computer. I bought XP and installed extra memory and additional hard drive. It took some time to do but my computer isn't quite so draconian now.
Once this happened ICQ6 was downloaded and the task was a cinch.

2-4/I uninstalled ICQ as soon as the task was over. It's not something I can see myself using in the near future. I'm still unable to delete ICQ toolbar.

WebCT: I downloaded Java after seeing this suggestion on the unit DB (Thanks David...again) for solutions to access problems to chat rooms. I still got a "this applications digital signature has an error" but I continued anyway as I didn't want to be any later than I already was in joining and I accessed the room no problem.
As for the disappearing text in the chat, I initially attributed this to my digital signature problem but then others noticed it too. All I could do is start the task results below with an introduction and know to cut/paste or screen shot earlier next time.


Task Results

1.The quote for ICQ user #257853416 "Advanced Netstudies":
"This is the ICQ identity I use just for my 'advanced Internet use' students!"

2. Arrange with other students in the unit to meet up for a chat, using either ICQ, yahoo chat or webct chat. Talk about which chat service you prefer, and what forms of communication chat is most useful for.

Introduction

The beginning of this conversation was lost because it seems WebCT eats up earlier parts of the chat cycle. This is a problem because WebCT is used by students. Students require a record of their chats to best utilise the chat applet tool. That I'm explaining this rather than pasting the beginnings of the conversation is testament to that.

At the beginning of this chat cycle we were discussing favourite chat or message program.
....
Susanne Klippel>> trillian combines all theother IM's together
in one program so if you have an ICQ, msn and yahoo id like
I do you can use all three at once and beleive me it's been
a life saver during this course
Robyn Turnor>> That sounds like a good idea.
Natasha Adams>> that's one i have never tried
Irena-Mya>> sorry Susanne, whats an IM?
Kai Joldeski>> I love convenience, that sound terrific
Natasha Adams>> i might give it a go
Susanne Klippel>> instant messangers
Irena-Mya>> K..
Irena-Mya>> TA
Irena-Mya>> woops
Natasha Adams>> trillian, is it free?
Kai Joldeski>> I just scrolled up to the start of our conversation
and the very beginning isn't there,
Kai Joldeski>> I was just thinking about how we need to keep
this record for our blog
Irena-Mya>> cut and pasteKai??
Susanne Klippel>> your right you know I just tried the same thing
and I found that too
Irena-Mya>> paste it into the bog (an edited version)
maybe
Kai Joldeski>> yes, I mean't the first part has vanished
Kai Joldeski>> O well, something else to say about chatting in
the blog - the first part disappeared!
Irena-Mya>> (Kai) yeah..ok, well the conversation
is recorded maybe Cynthia can get a full cpy?
Susanne Klippel>> that's true
Susanne Klippel>> I hope that cynth can give us a copy causeI
need it for my blog as well
Irena-Mya>> so have u guys discussed what forms of
chat programs and IM's are best for what purpose?
Kai Joldeski>> and as I said before I don't like this version
of chat, you can't see who is typing and who's turn it is
next
Natasha Adams>> i lost it all too
Kai Joldeski>> it makes it difficult to follow the conversation
Irena-Mya>> I'll send u guys a copy from when I arrived
if you like?
Irena-Mya>> I've saved it
Robyn Turnor>> I took some screen shots earlier and that should
suffice. thanks
Irena-Mya>> cleva girl
Judy Pepin>> me too
Kai Joldeski>> I've still got half of it
Kai Joldeski>> I just took a paste
Kai Joldeski>> Irena-Mya to answer your question earlier
Susanne Klippel>> it wored hope that it's enough for the blog
Kai Joldeski>> we did talk about which chat we preferred
Kai Joldeski>> we all have different opinions (on what were the prefered IM & chat progs) as we all have
different needs
Judy Pepin>> seems if you navigate away from WebCT chat -- you
loose what's been said-- not liking WebCT chat.

...

(This too is a problem because if you want to check something on the curtin site while chatting, you loose the link to the chat room all together. There were many times we wanted to go back & check various things but didn't want to leave the room to do it! The dissapearance of the earlier chat also disrupted the flow of converstaion as each member discovered how much they had lost.)

...
Irena-Mya>> ok, so can I ask about IM's
Irena-Mya>> what aspects did ppl like about their
fav IM?
Judy Pepin>> one benefit of discussion forums over chat is message
threading --
Susanne Klippel>> when I tried out the screen shot in word I
came back to this chat and still had everything there maybee
when the uni server saves the conversation it reloads for
all how have navigated away rom the site for that specific
time
Irena-Mya>> o it's easier to follow (Judy)?
Irena-Mya>> where as when entering a chat u only
get what is there when u arrive
Kai Joldeski>> I like msn - the layout (and not as annoying as
ICQ) like Judy said earlier
Judy Pepin>> IM is great at my office -- i work in IT support
and we can get answers from the gurus when we have clients
on the phone
Kai Joldeski>> I didn't like the look of mIRC also, with mIRC
I was chatting with strangers and with msn I choose whom
I put in my list
Natasha Adams>> we don't have the internet at work
Natasha Adams>> i agree with that kai
Irena-Mya>> good point Judy
Judy Pepin>> it's an internal IM
Natasha Adams>> i only chat to friens on msn
Judy Pepin>> not accessible to others outside our network
Irena-Mya>> yeah, one thing i found (& I found it
with newsgroups) is ppl use what they r familiar with
Kai Joldeski>> also on mIRC the ppl have strange names, I found
the whole experience strange
Irena-Mya>> & will move on to new stuff but stick
witht the old prog as well
Irena-Mya>> like an old friend
Kai Joldeski>> I mean nicknames
Susanne Klippel>> I agree with the comment about msn and mIRC
Irena-Mya>> but how do u meet new ppl?
Susanne Klippel>> it can be a problem
Irena-Mya>> if notin a real time prog?
Kai Joldeski>> I don't mean any offence about mIRC Mya
Irena-Mya>> no!!
Irena-Mya>> I have no shares in irc!! hehe
Irena-Mya>> it is a dinasour
Kai Joldeski>> Just my experiences
Irena-Mya>> I'm just promoting healthy debate :)
Kai Joldeski>> I meet new people face to face
Irena-Mya>> because IM's have the disadvantage of
not meeting new folks
Irena-Mya>> ok
Natasha Adams>> i have changed. i used mirc and ICQ until about
10 yrs ago. didn't use anything until about 18 months ago
and since then i've use aol, skype and msn
Kai Joldeski>> and converse with friends & class friends with
im
Susanne Klippel>> when you don't get out much like me meeting
new people is really hrd
Kai Joldeski>> when you're my age with 2 kids, you meet other
mothers with their kids
Irena-Mya>> thats an interesting point on "cyber-trust"
Irena-Mya>> u know...it's a hard thing to establish
Irena-Mya>> Maybe meeting new ppl online is a pretty
new thing in society
Kai Joldeski>> Mya, I would say that meeting ppl online is definitely
a new experience for our society
Irena-Mya>> so I guess IM's and DB are more widely
used than real time chat prog's
Kai Joldeski>> Trust is the BIGGEST issue for me
Natasha Adams>> i used to enjoy meeting new people on mirc and
other similar chat programs. for some reason now i just want
to talk to friends
Judy Pepin>> yes, when you can't look someone in the eyes --
how can you tell who they really are?
Natasha Adams>> i agree
Irena-Mya>> yes
Irena-Mya>> v true
Kai Joldeski>> Judy - you said it, that's how I feel. I get a
great indication from looking face to face
Irena-Mya>> but nowadays ppl marry (!!) online contacs
Irena-Mya>> so trust is there somewhere
Irena-Mya>> or niavity
Susanne Klippel>> good point
Judy Pepin>> I believe people are different online -- less shy
and caught up in appearances, but online relationships can
be dangerous for some
Susanne Klippel>> I find it hard to make new freinds but I am
very careful not to givout too much info online
Irena-Mya>> i think Australai is a little less trusting
with it than Europe
Irena-Mya>> maybe it's a distance thing
Irena-Mya>> so u should be Susanne
Natasha Adams>> i don't give out much info online
Judy Pepin>> agree sue -- that's why i'm wary of blogging online
..
Kai Joldeski>> Definitely never give out too much on line
Natasha Adams>> i don't mind blogging but don't put much personal
info
Irena-Mya>> so was everyone here familiar with MSN,
Mirc and ICQ before this unit?
Natasha Adams>> yes
Irena-Mya>> me too
Judy Pepin>> yes
Kai Joldeski>> what is your (all you guys) experience with webCT
chat, is this your first time?
Natasha Adams>> yes
Judy Pepin>> made me realise why i quit using ICQ
Irena-Mya>> I've been in here before but it's always
empty
Susanne Klippel>> I think that since this course started my contact
list is the longest it has been for some time
Susanne Klippel>> yeh me too
Irena-Mya>> I've voiced my views on it's limits already...dont
wanna make Curtin cross :p
Kai Joldeski>> I've never had so many online 'friends'
Irena-Mya>> Why Judy?
Judy Pepin>> because ICQ is too commercialised and obsessed with
dating ... it's annoying
Kai Joldeski>> I did not understand the fascination with blogging
at all, until I started this course and have a better understanding
Kai Joldeski>> I have to say that blogs open an opportunity for
ordinary people
Kai Joldeski>> to have an opinion, to be published
Kai Joldeski>> for like minds to get together
Susanne Klippel>> yeh this is the first time that I have tried
bloging as well
Irena-Mya>> sure (Judy)
Kai Joldeski>> Sorry to cut you off Judy
Irena-Mya>> I didn't either (Kai)
Irena-Mya>> I LOVE it now
Natasha Adams>> this is the first time i have tried blogging
too
Kai Joldeski>> Didn't mean too, that's why I don't like this
webCT chat
Irena-Mya>> my computer crashed recently and the
only info I could access was my blog
Judy Pepin>> cut me off? .... not sure what you mean ...
Irena-Mya>> Thats actually quite interesting Kia
Kai Joldeski>> Also blogging gives an ordinary person the opportunity
to be a journalist - without the qualifications
Irena-Mya>> I think there is a whole other "netiquette'
with chat programs
Irena-Mya>> interuption kinda doesn't exist
Kai Joldeski>> Judy - you were talking about ICQ and I started
on about blogs
Irena-Mya>> u know what I mean?
Irena-Mya>> it requires lots of fast reading and
processing
Judy Pepin>> anyway, gotta go make supper ... been great chatting
with everyone ... let's try it again sometime soon. send
me an ICQ message -- it will be active throughout this course,
only. my skype contact is judypepin. see ya
Kai Joldeski>> Tks for coming Judy...Kj
Natasha Adams>> cya judy
Kai Joldeski>> still going on about blogging - you can become
famous overnight - if you so desire without having to be
'discovered' by hollywood
Irena-Mya>> c u Judy
Kai Joldeski>> blogging opens up so many opportunites - I never
thought about until I started delving
Susanne Klippel>> cya Judy
Kai Joldeski>> I had such a negative idea about them when I first
heard about them
Natasha Adams>> i had no idea how to create a blog until i started
this course
Irena-Mya>> me niether
Kai Joldeski>> me too Tash, Mya
Susanne Klippel>> me neither
Irena-Mya>> I even put a pic in mine the other day
Irena-Mya>> so xciting
Susanne Klippel>> I have found that blogging is quite fun since
I started this couse
Natasha Adams>> i've had some problems with mine. i can't log
in to my blog anymore so I've had to start a new one
Irena-Mya>> Tash did u loose alot of stuff?
Natasha Adams>> only module 1
Kai Joldeski>> you can become famous overnight - if you so desired-
without having to be 'discovered' by hollywood just by your
blog
Natasha Adams>> luckily i had copied it all into work and saved
it there too
Irena-Mya>> ok wow!!
Kai Joldeski>> that's what I mean by opportunities Mya
Irena-Mya>> ok
Irena-Mya>> somehow I dont think my current blog's
gonna get me discovered hehe
Natasha Adams>> neither will mine!!!
Kai Joldeski>> nor mine
Susanne Klippel>> nor mine
Kai Joldeski>> but who wants the fame - give me the money any
day
Susanne Klippel>> hehehe
Irena-Mya>> I did decide to add more info to my personal
page the other day though (fav music, films, interests) after
looking at other folks blogs
Irena-Mya>> amen Kai
Kai Joldeski>> I just thought I have changed my opinion 100%
about blogs
...
(Here I asked about ppl'ss experience with newsgroups....didn't copy and paste fast enough so WebCT ate it. The following is re: Newsgroups)
...
Natasha Adams>> i have joined a yahoo group called 'pet dogs'
or something similar and i'm getting way too many e-mails
Irena-Mya>> coz I have the problem of not wanting
to pay lip service to a group the members obviously take
seriously but I have minimal interest in
Irena-Mya>> omg!!! I'm looking for a pet one too!!
Natasha Adams>> i joined the dog one cause i have dogs
Irena-Mya>> Thats about the only thing I could sicerely
contribute to
Irena-Mya> me too
Natasha Adams>> do u want me to find what it's called?
Susanne Klippel>> I fid that all the newsgroups that I have looked
at are being swamped by cigaret adds
Irena-Mya>> r u sure u dont mind??
Susanne Klippel>> yeh just reading
Irena-Mya>> yeah, true Sue
Natasha Adams>> not at all. i'll have a look. it's american and
most people are from america
Kai Joldeski>> what reader did you use Susanne?
Irena-Mya>> thankyou
Susanne Klippel>> thunderbird
Irena-Mya>> I foun alot of nutters in the ones I
looked in
Kai Joldeski>> Susanne - I haven't heard of thunderbird
Irena-Mya>> I found newzbot to be a nightmare
Kai Joldeski>> I just used Google's
Irena-Mya>> yep
Kai Joldeski>> Yes I looked at newzbot too - hated it
Irena-Mya > I've been getting thru them
Irena-Mya>> sooooo many nutters
Irena-Mya>> one was about
Susanne Klippel>> bigpond newsgroups
Irena-Mya>> MI5 following me
Kai Joldeski>> with newzbot, they could see my IP address, I
did not like it
Kai Joldeski>> I felt exposed
Irena-Mya>> I think newsgroups are like mirc, an
older style of communication
Irena-Mya>> sure
Susanne Klippel>> but the emai and newsgroup software program
that I Use is thunderbird
Kai Joldeski>> definitely agree with you there Mya
Irena-Mya>> I found the whole thing v frustrating
Kai Joldeski>> I have to check out thunderbird and trillion after
this
Irena-Mya>> and it's the nly task thats left unfinished
Irena-Mya>> me too!!
Natasha Adams>> mya, i found it through yahoo groups and it's
called 'Petdogs-L'
Irena-Mya>> Tash u really r my hero
Kai Joldeski>> I can't remember if I finished it or just left
it out of frustration
Kai Joldeski>> You can leave a task unfinished - just explain
yourself why...
Natasha Adams>> i just hope u can find it
Susanne Klippel>> the newsgroup task is the one that I'm having
touble with too
Natasha Adams>> u should be able to search for it somehow
Irena-Mya>> yeah, I read that post...made me feel
happy inside :)
Irena-Mya>> thanksyou Tash :)))
Natasha Adams>> i haven't posted yet but have received lots of
memos
Natasha Adams>> mya, if you go to yahoo groups and type petdogs-l
in the search it comes up. i just tried it
Irena-Mya>> x c lent :)

Conclusion

Through this task I revisited ICQ after many years of not using it. I found it had become redundant for me now. It's very teen based and caters to the desperate and dateless a bit too much. It was annoyed at the ever present ICQ toolbar.
The converstaion on WebCT with the other students was great. It was excellent to talk to everyone in real time. The most interesting thing was that I've not used a live chat prog. for learning purposes before. It can become confusing and loosing the earlier bits of the chat cycle really didn't help.

Over all outcome on chat/IM programs

MSN: Rated highly by almost everyone as easy to use and least intrusive in the pc environment.
mIRC & newsgroups: Seen as "older style" communications. They were frustrating to those who hadn't used them before because the format wasn't easy to understand on initial viewing and it took too long to learn how to use them. I personally like mIRC but I've used it for over 10 years and have established contacts and groups. It's true that it's not v user friendly as after all that time, I still dont know how to utilise mIRC to it's fullest potential.

ICQ: Rated very low with almost everyone. Comments ranged from too "romance" oriented, too fiddley. For me it interferes too much within the pc environment and I hate that ICQ assume it's wanted and place it in such a prominent place and make it so hard to remove.

Trilian: A new program many of us were unfamiliar with. It manages IM's and chat programs. I haven't used it yet.

Skype: Another new mention. I downloaded it expecting a newer mIRC style prog. but was disapointed. It definitely has it's uses. From the little time I've spent with it, it appears to be focused more on cheap phone calls than an IM or chat prog.

Module Two Newsgroups

Unit Work

Concept: Public Space and Regulations:

Key concept points:

• remember 'netiquette' when posting on newsgroups or posting anything anywhere. Keep abreast of regulations and updates on regulations and don't break them without good cause.



• Be mindful of the 'invisibility of difference'; by keeping communications simple and correctly formatted and not assuming all recipients of sent communications have the same technical spec's as you do the messages you send will be received with minimal change to them therefor will relay a clearer communication.



• Threading is the process used by discussion groups/newsgroups/Usenet etc to arrange and organise postings into a 'flowing' format of subjects and responses so users can easily follow conversations.



• The perception of time in sending and replying to email and other forms of online communication are subjective. Because of this difference of time perception, rules are put in place to assist in managing these communications. The Internet makes available information at any time that suits the user.

Definitions

Flaming: act of deliberately posting hostile message via the Internet. (Flame wars)

Trolling: act of deliberately posting controversial messages on DB or newsgroups with the intent of starting an argument.

References for Public Space & Regulations

This is a really, really useful site for comprehensive understanding and joining of newsgroups. It has a step by step guide to joining a newsgroup, a comprehensive section on netiquette, a link for newsreader software (an alternative way to join newsgroups) and a troubleshooting section and a list of newsgroups. I found this link here; http://www.dmoz.org/Computers/Usenet/ It was on the unit task page for this task.

Newsgroups Task

Description

I used newzbot http://www.newzbot.com/ to search through the seemingly endless list of groups who's titles didn't tell me much. I found I was going through page after page after page after page after page after PAGE!!!!! of information about the group in order to get to the actual group to find it wasn't right for me. This was very frustrating, time consuming and confusing so I decided to go through google groups.
It took me two days to find a group I was vaguely interested in and had something real to contribute to.

I found this one; http://groups.google.com/group/Minds-Eye?lnk=gschg
It's called "Mind's Eye" - postings about individual thoughts on philosophy and theology.
I then realised replying to this newsgroup would take took too much time. The members of this group obviously take this newsgroup seriously and it's an interesting group but I cant dedicate the time I'd need to write a worthy post right now.

Instead I joined http://groups.google.com/group/rec.pets.dogs.behavior/topics?msg=subscribe
This is a newsgroup devoted to dog/pet behaviour. This is something I could talk about anytime :)

**I have now joined another group as the one mentioned above was very slow moving and hard to find (again). This one http://http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Petdogs-L/was given to me by another student (Natasha Adams - also a member) after I told her my troubles with this task. If two student joining the same group is a problem, Natasha Adams was there first and was kind enough to help me out so please dont punish her (or me) (but if you have to blame someone blame me) (not Natasha) (Thanks)

Concerns

My biggest concern at this late hour is my mental state. All this seemingly endless information on authors, countries of origin, servers, speed etc etc etc etc, it's left me muddled, cloth brained and v,v,v frustrated. Seriously though, I'm concerned about my lack of understanding of how to use things like newzbot. I checked the unit's DB and other students blog's where there was little indications that anyone was having the sort of trouble I was. I'm concerned I've missed some major point about newsgroups or am more lacking in computer skills than I originally thought. **

Problems:
1. My first problem was finding the link again after I joined the group.
2.The next problem was the getting around newsgroups. The amount of information available thru Newzbot on each group was mostly gibberish to me.
3. Finding a group was a task in itself. Pages and pages of info was very confusing. I felt ill equipped to really comprehend what I was seeing (and doing at times).
Choosing google groups simplified the group selection however, many of the groups I felt I had something to contribute to, once opened, had a lot of aggressive posts and infighting or just plain crazy postings. I'm sure my group choices that says something about me on some level!
4. I also had trouble finding a group I could actually contribute something valid to. Once I joined the group I thought I shared most interest in, I found it took too much time to reply- time I don't have.
5. I cant find my posts!! I think I know why this is though: I replied to what I thought were posts but now I think maybe they were actually replies to posts. So I replied to replies. To find my contributions now I'd have to go through each post and unthread them.

Solution:
1.I searched through the unit DB and other ppl blogs. There was a suggested solution to finding the link again involving putting it into a toolbar near the help section. I didn't understand this. I found the link again through trial and error and pasted it into favourites. It may not be an advanced method but it worked and didn't take all day to do.
2-4.I read a lot online (see ref's) to get some much needed clarity on this newsgroup thing. I technically understand what they are but am still lacking in really getting why people would want to go to so much trouble to discuss anything

a) in such detail, usually ending in a semi-argument,

b) when there seem to me to be more time efficient ways.

5. I will contribute a post in the coming days titled "Limping Dog Problem" so Cynthia can check that I have actually completed this task. It just takes quite some time to construct a posting that is respectful to the other members, adheres to the rules of the group and expresses my question or comment clearly-time I dont have. This assignment is already on 'extension time'...tick tock....

Evaluation

I may not fully understand the real value of newsgroups so I'm not certain my evaluation of this task is correct. Newsgroups seem to me, to be an older style of communication. Perhaps that's the best clue to understanding newsgroups. I assume ppl that use them are used to that format and comfortable with that. That in itself is a strength of the newsgroup.
For me, the newsgroups greatest weaknesses are that they take up so much time and things like Newzbot are user un- friendly. As a first time user, I had trouble getting an understanding of how to use them. There is also just so much to read. Most of the postings were at least 300 words. Not everyone writes economically (including me). Perhaps that's part of the appeal of newsgroups; the ability to express yourself fully. For ppl interested in detailed discussion and reading lots about a specific topic/s, newsgroups are the place to go.

Analysis

One of two things has happened in this task.
1) I am not computer savvy enough to really understand why ppl would use newsgroups and why newsgroups are so hard to use
or
2) Newsgroups are an older style of communication and the ppl who use them are used to them. Like all of us they like what we're comfortable with that's why they continue to use newsgroups. Secondly, it's designed for ppl who enjoy passionately communicating in depth and detail on a particular issue.

I personally dont have enough time in my day to search through that much information, nor do I have the knowledge to understand most of it just to get to a newgroup via something like newzbot. * On the issue of time consumption, quite a lot of time gets eaten up reading the posts. Now that I'm a member of this group and the topic interests me, I find I kinda get 'lost' in the group (maybe that too is part of its appeal) and an hour has flown by while I read through new posts and replies. I also find, as I mentioned above, that if I choose to reply or post a new thread I need at least half an hour to construct a 'good' contribution. Reading through all the postings and taking the time to sort through all the crazy ppl who have too much time on their hands and who are having in-group squabbles with other members is just too hard.
I also noticed that many of the groups that are academic in nature carry a large amount of pretty far fetched postings.....I might even call it the mad musings of some very unhappy ppl with too much time on their hands. I'm not being judgemental, it's a simple observation anyone with a modicum of sense would see. Perhaps I didn't look into enough groups or perhaps this is a 'google groups' thing, maybe it's because of the subjects I chose to look into (Psychology, philosophy, theology, art & literature).
I've definitley picked up the sort of skills that show themselves later on so I can't name them just yet...perhaps in future posts. I need to learn a lot more but quite honestly, if I never see another newsgroup again, I'll be happy.

Conclusion

I understand Usenet to be a system of newsgroups or 'forums' from all over the world, accesible via one server.
I can't see myself using a newsgroup except perhaps in a professional capacity...even then I'd look elsewhere for group discussions. * Ha!
If I did use a newsgroup again, I'd tick the 'send me emails' box to ensure I could find it easily once logged out the first time. I'd also choose a simple topic. Replying and posting in to my chosen newsgroup was a task in itself.

I understand the reason for this task. It forces a lot of info to be absorbed pretty quickly and I think it's also based in understanding the history of Internet communications. It is useful to understand what's and why's of newsgroups.
Like I said, I love a challenge but I'm glad this one is o. v. a !! * Again I say HA!

*NOTE: It's January 18th and I have still not completed this task even though I have moved on through to Module 4.

** I have finally joined and started contributing to petdogs-l. I made a few "netiquette" mistakes like copying too much of the post I was replying to and my posts may be a bit long but I'm more careful with replying withing the terms and rules and will be confident enough to post soon.

**The most halarious contradiction is that I am really enjoying this group!! After all my bitchin about newsgroups, I'm finding this newsgroup to be a great source of information and a great forum to share knowledge. The rules are fair, there are no loony's and there is a sense of community and common interest that I'm pleased to be part of. How funny. I wouldn't have believed I could enjoy a newsgroup!!

**Additions made after initial post are in red.

Module Two Unit Work

Concept: Lists, Newsgroups, Chat & Messaging

Key concept points

• Cyberspace is informationally created space


• Non-speech communication through text; audience and authors responsibility


• Privacy & Security

Important points in 'commanding' a list

• Always address your mail to the listserver not the list-this is a breach of 'netiquette'.


• Never add a subject title unless requested to by the listserver.


• Never include a signature in your message to the listserver or add two dashes -- this tells the listserver to ignore the signature.


• Use the help message to ensure you get the syntax exactly correct. Computers require an exact language.