Week 5 Blog

Lecture Summary:

Categories of information on the web:

• The Free Visible Web – all publicly mounted pages that are accessible by search engines


• The Free Invisible Web – all publicly accessible information that is not available through search engines and must be sourced through a particular web site


• Paid Databases over the web – commercial databases that contain scholarly journals, newspapers, and reputable information

Search tool types – Search Engines and Directories

Search Engine – a web based application that crawls the web searching for information, and indexing them according to keywords (Google, yahoo, AltaVista, alltheweb).


Search engines often contain problems relating to, to many results, limited relevance and quality, inclusion of broken links (sites that are no longer run), misuse of the page ranking and scoring system, the ability to determine how far to actually look through the information displayed.

Directories – are a human edited, web pages are submitted directly and then reviewed to ensure integrity. (Google Directory, Yahoo Directory)

Common search engines, Google, ask jeeves, yahoo, and msn search

Types of queries for search engines – Keyword, Phrase, Boolean, Advanced/engine features

How to select the right keywords and Search Tips


Workshop Write Up:


Visit Monash University’s interactive tutorial on search engines and directories, http://www/.monash.com/spidap.html the site offers tips on how to use search engines and directories




Know where to look first - There are various databases containing specific information that might be more useful to you than a general search engine.

Fine tune your keywords - Limit your search words be specific narrow your search terms before you search

Refine your keywords – Learn to exclude terms using Boolean search tools, and learn what type of keywords to use, and to exclude

Query by example – a method where the user tells the search engine to query more results like the ones displayed.

Visit the Siteseen quiz site http://www.siteseen.co.uk/questions/historytrivia/ , an complete the quiz using the search tips above to find the correct answers to answer the questions.




I used Google to search for my answers, and applied the search tips covered in the Monash article, I ensured I refined my keywords, and made them specific and relevant to the questions required to be answered.

Summary of Readings:

Internet Search Tips and Strategies
Categories of information on the web – The free visible web, the free invisible web, paid databases over the web

Search tool types – search engines consists of an interface you use to type in a query, websites matching that query are displayed in a results window, directories are categorised lists of sites picked out by human editors, directories contain small amounts of high quality articles.

Types of searches:

• Keyword search – will find all pages containing the keyword entered into the search bar, keyword searches display results in the order of relevance to keyword
• Phrase search – perform a search using an exact phrase, so only pages with that phrase are displayed.
• Boolean operators – Basic AND, OR, NOT logic operators which when combined with search keywords determine how the search engine uses the keywords and will vary the results displayed.

Search Engines

The late 1980’s saw so much data on the internet that it was too difficult to rely on tips from other users. In 1992 there were 1,000,000 hosts. This saw the creation of search engines, servers that would catalogue available web pages an allow them to be easily accessed or found search engines included (Archie, The Gopher System, WAIS).
More recent search engines, Google, Yahoo, Alta Vista

Search Engine Optimisation

Contains information regarding the processes involved in determining whether a small business website is suitable for search engine optimisation.

The steps followed are:

• Keyword analysis – assess which keywords appear most commonly when your business services come to mind, these keywords are made sure to be incorporated in the page
• Setting the benchmark – recording of current data and feedback from current site usage
• Link popularity – initial search engine optimisation includes installing quality links from other websites that offer similar services
• Measuring your progress – the provision of regular reporting regarding the progress since your website was search engine optimised.

Week 4 Blog

Lecture Summary:
Using the WWW:


Internet vs. Web


Internet allows you to find computers; connections are cables in between computers

The Web allows you to find document, sounds videos, information etc; connections are hypertext links.

The web is an abstract virtual space of information could not exist without the net

Before the Web or internet was developed the first document on packet switching theories was published in 1961, in 1965 a computer in Massachusetts was connected to another in California using dial up modems

Developed by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989, to facilitate sharing research information.
The WWW is a vast space of accessible information stored on computers and servers throughout the world.

Protocols of the World Wide Web:

• TCP/IP – Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol; allows computers to communicate to one and other. TCP allows the conversion of data signals into telephone like signals. IP allows data to be routed from one network to another over the internet.


• HTTP – Hypertext Transfer Protocol; method of communication that allows the interpretation of data to determine how to display and/or exchange data between computers


• DNS – Domain Name Server; www, .com, .org, .net, .au, .uk


• URL – Uniform Resource Locator
  

Types of Web Browsers:

• Internet Explorer


• Neoplanet


• Firefox

Functions of the browser interface ‘Back’ and ‘Forward’ buttons, ‘home’, ‘history’ newer more advanced IE’s have Tabs, and Bookmark settings, Tabs allows user to have multiple web pages open within the one browser window.

Workshop Write Up:

Visit the site http://www.haggishunt.scotsman.com/ and www.molossia.org and question their authenticity.

Haggishunt:

• The advertisements on the page, camvista.com


• It is a competition site, basically watch the ten webcams If you see a ‘haggis’, report it an you go in the draw, if you see a ‘gold haggis’ report it an you win instantly.


• The site appears to be that of a promotions company that has a competition currently running, this is an attempt to attract visitors


• The “haggis facts” at the top of the page, and the “haggisclopedia” page, are obviously made as a joke.

Molossia:

• When you click on the teachers only link. It quite obviously explains that it is a fake website to teach students how to not be fooled by fake websites as what is not necessarily a real country is however a real place and is quite possible to actually visit


• The scrolling banner at the bottom of the page seems out of place, how often on a government site would you see a scrolling banner saying listen to our radio podcasts


• When you click on the information regarding the molossian navy you are directed to ‘cafepress’ site for online shopping


• The site just doesn’t feel official, it lacks authority

Consider the web address www.martinlutherking.org you would expect to find information about Martin Luther King and his works, and what he achieved in his life, however what I already know that you will find is a site that is run by a group of white supremacists, which thus contains large amounts of racist information towards Martin Luther King, and the African Americans. Basically aimed at shaming Martin Luther King and the good he did, their main purpose is to try and discredit any information published about or by Martin Luther King.

Readings:

History of the Internet, Internet for Historians (and just about everyone else)

Chapter 1: The Origins and Growth of The Internet and the World Wide Web

Began in the early 1830’s and progressed at a slow pace, world war 2 occurred an advances in technology sped up greatly with the development of many new navigational tables and tracking and aiming devices for anti aircraft guns, development of Harvard Mark 1 (did not have an inbuilt program, instructions were given by paper tape. The war had aided in the development however we were still at a time of large complex calculating machines and nothing else.

In June 1948 Manchester University developed Manchester Mark 1, 3 years later saw the integration of RAM, 1958-59 saw the development of the silicon chip, it entered into commercial production in 1961.

Chapter 2: From ARPANET to World Wide Web

ARPA was created initially with its focus set on space, ballistic missiles, and nuclear test monitoring; in 1962 ARPA opened a computer research program. ARPANET was created from teams at MIT, National Physics Library, and the RAND corporation, the final requirement was the design of a protocol to allow computers to send an receive messages and data. In 1971 ARPANET consisted of 23 host computers linked together.

1974 saw the development of the TCP/IP protocol to enable different networks to communicate with each other. Expansion of the internet gradually grew, the amount of people hosting servers and WebPages. In 1991 WWW was released to the public an no longer a military or higher education system.

Chapter 3: History of E-mail

ARPANET developers had considered such a process of electronic mail, at the time when computers where of ridiculous sizes and the everyday person could not afford one, this idea was not overly important. In 1971 Ray Tomlinson of ARPANET sent the World’s first email, he sent it to himself as a test then sent further emails to ARPANET users explaining how to address emails to other users.

1990 saw the democratisation of the internet, 1995 saw internet providers as CompuServe, AOL, and Prodigy start business and deliver a connection to the world.

Chapter 4: Search Engines

The late 1980’s saw so much data on the internet that it was too difficult to rely on tips from other users. In 1992 there were 1,000,000 hosts. This saw the creation of search engines, servers that would catalogue available web pages an allow them to be easily accessed or found search engines included (Archie, The Gopher System, WAIS).

More recent search engines, Google, Yahoo, Alta Vista

Histories of the Internet – A Brief History of the Internet
The internet has revolutionised the computer and communications industry, ARPANET was the original internet that transformed into the World Wide Web as we know it today. Robert Kahn was behind the development of a new protocol which would support open=architecture environments, thus the creation of the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.

Kahn was successful with his creation of the TCP/IP protocol which worked well on large time sharing systems, people doubted that a PC could handle the complexity of TCP/IP, David Clark and research team from MIT proved it is possible to run TCP/IP on PC’s they reconfigured Khans version and made it suitable for a smaller less complex machine. 1980’s saw the widespread development and implementation of LANS, PC’s and WAN connections.

Commercialisation in the early 1980’s saw the development of many private network services and systems being made available. Internet currently controls the majority of activities, as most things are now made accessible online, or through portals, that allow access anywhere, and anytime.

Week 3 Blog

Lecture Summary:

Online Libraries:
Why use online libraries: convenience always there, currency – Journals are up to date, large amount of the content is hidden and requires a subscription

Types of online libraries:

• Online text repositories
• Online journals
• Electronic books
• Musical
• Artworks

Limitations of Online Libraries – many are only available by pay subscriptions, for music and art you are seeing copies of originals quality is reduced.

Referencing online libraries – Use APA format, create endnote libraries

Types of online databases:

• People searches
• Email directories
• Genealogy resources
• Maps and atlases
• News and media
• Portals

Online databases and libraries are a good source of information; they are up to date and informative, vital for university research.

Workshop Write Up:

Log into the ECU library service, used a online journal search to search for a journal relating to the economic impact of global warming on business




Using the library homepage find 10 helpful functions it provides

Links to Metaquest, ProQuest, and other internet journal databases that allow searching of worldwide journal stores containing relevant information.

Links to Podcasts of lectures and relevant library information

List of key websites that have been selected by the librarians contain related topics to subjects studied

“Ask the Library” function allows user, to communicate with library staff and ask questions.
Links to SIMO

Ability to hire out digital projectors and other digital equipment

Information regarding the loan services provided by the ECU library

ECU Referencing Guide

Library workshops and tours

Links to ECU library catalogue

Visited the MedLine plus drug information site, searched their drug databases for a particular drug of interest, and then enter into the search engine and find out more information about it. Searched for information about the drug Phenergan



Viewed one of the available interactive tutorials, containing information about heart valve replacements

People who would use such a service could be those who are being prescribed a new drug they have never used or about to undertake a risky medical procedure and want more information about it

Readings:

Finding What You Want on the Web:

Google is not the most efficient way to search for ‘quality’ information still has a vast amount of information available and is one of the most widely used search engines.

Google has moved into features such as Google video, Google maps, Google news, Google earth, Google mail (Gmail)

Barebones Lesson 7: Basic search tips

Contains information regarding basic Boolean operators and search methods to include or exclude specific data from your searches, or to narrow your search results

Using double quotations around specific phrases to search exactly as they are worded

When searching within a document use the “Ctrl” + ‘F’ command to open the ‘find’ search box and search for a specific phrase

Boolean Operators “And”, “Or”

Week 2 Blog

Lecture Summary:

Began with “What do I Know”, discussed Microsoft Applications, Common Internet Browsers, and what new websites you have recently visited.

Common PC Tasks, File handling, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, internet, emails and PDF’s

General skills involved in the Common PC Tasks

Knowledge of the applications which suit specific tasks

Windows Explorer – Understanding of files and technologies, ZIP technologies, Windows Commands

Microsoft Word – Formatting and styles, document mapping, working with templates, inserting images

Microsoft Excel – Formatting and styles, column/row record keeping, formulae and functions

Microsoft PowerPoint – Formatting and styles, wise use of animations, using graphics to support not rule a presentation, notes view

Internet Browsing – Net navigation, browsing, hyperlinks, bookmarks, search engines
Outlook & Outlook Express – sending and receiving email, email protocols, email security, email etiquette

Adobe Acrobat Reader – viewing PDF’s, browser integration, viewing PDF’s online, Saving PDF’s to local PC for offline viewing

Listening and watching audio/video – Windows Media Player, Winamp, Real Player, Viewing and editing graphic files

Skills we will acquire from this course – MS Word and PowerPoint skills, email skills, internet browser skills, knowledge regarding various applications and specific uses

Workshop Write Up:

MS Word

Opened reading_Mod01-2-5.pdf containing the instructions for the Word activity, and the word exercises document.

Copied a piece of text into a blank word document, and then adjusted the formatting of the text.

Adjusted the typeface, the margins and alignment, line spacing created headings with the document map feature, and included a header/footer.

Copied a piece of text containing references into the document, and alphabetised them using the auto alphabetise function in MS Word

Copied a piece of text containing data for a table of contents, and formatted them with dot leaders

Then inserted an image appropriate to the topic of the workshop

Screenshot of the document created:

MS Excel

Opened the document Excel Exercises containing the instructions related to the workshop

Created a table in excel as to the requirements of the instructions

Adjusted the table to match the one illustrated, resized columns and rows, fill colours, borders, etc

Entered suitable values into the empty fields to complete the table

Inserted a formula into the total column for Monday that would total all the values in the fields prior to it. Then copied this formula across the other cells labelled total for the remaining days of the week

Inserted a formula into the total for travelling cell that would total all the values in the fields prior, then copied that formula down to the total for exercise cell

Inserted a formula into the average for travelling cell that would calculate the average for the values entered for that week, then copied that formula down to the average for exercise cell

Created a pie chart for the average hours per week in activity, and placed that in the spreadsheet

Created a bar graph for the hours per day spent on social life, and placed that in the spreadsheet

Screenshot of the document created:

Readings:

Using MS Word for APA Tasks:

Describes the basic tasks and how to perform them for the everyday MS Word user

Covers topics that include:

• Typeface
• Margins and Alignment
• Alphabetising
• “Keep headings with text”
• Indents
• Hanging Indents
• Page Headers and footers
• Line Spacing and Auto formatting
• Dot Leaders
• Customising the toolbar

Graphic File Formats:

Bitmap (.bmp) – Standard image format for PC’s, low quality way of publishing an image

CompuServe (.gif) – A compressed format that is designed to minimise file transfer time over phone lines, most commonly used to display indexed colour and graphics images in HTML, supports moving frames and animations

Joint Photographic Experts Group – Jpeg (.jpg) – Most commonly used to display images on the internet, saving as a Jpeg compresses the file, opening the file automatically decompresses the fil, the higher the compression rate, the lower the image quality

Tagged Image File Format (.tiff) – Used to exchange files between applications and computer platforms as it can be read by Mac or IBM compatible / PC computers. Because of the high image quality Tiff is the most preferred graphic format for professional printing

PhotoShop Document (.psd or .psp or .spp) – PhotoShop documents are those which have layered data within them, all the previous file formats have only one merged layer of image, thus making editing of certain parts complicated, PhotoShop documents allow specific layers text or image or effects to be edited or removed without impacting the other images, PhotoShop images are usually large in size due to the amount of data they contain to enable the ability to edit the different layers.