HTML Task
I viewed the Cloud Media http://www.cloudmedia.com.au/FTV244/html_intro.html HMTL Basic website and viewed each of the tabs. Some of the information was familiar, but at the end of the exercise still was uncertain on writing HTML. It wasn’t until after completing the HTML Dog HTML Beginner Tutorial: http://htmldog.com/guides/htmlbeginner/ that it all made sense and I realised that the Cloud Media HTML website is a very handy tool of have.
Early in the tutorial I ran into trouble a couple of times by racing ahead to see the changes to my page, only to find no change had taken place. But after returning to the tutorial and reading on I discovered that nothing was meant to change. I quickly learnt to read the whole page before performing the task.
I found the personable language significantly contributed to the making this tutorial so easy to follow and understand.
I uploaded my webpage to the Presentations section of WebCT, and have provided a link on this page.
Blog Task
I tried to upload a Microsoft Word document for the Module 1 Tasks – Telnet. I can’t find where it uploaded, so I have to assume that it didn’t work. I looked through the Frequently Asked Questions and read up on what and how uploads and pages are used. I played around creating pages and uploading documents trying a variety of methods making many mistakes (which I cleaned up as I went along). Basically I knew what I wanted to do and discovered the solution through trial and error.
I have had an interesting time with my blog and each time I attempt to update it, I learn sometime new. The HTML task has been extremely useful in assisting me to make my blog look the way I want it to.
Module 2 Tasks – Lists
At first I found this task time consuming and overwhelming.
Firstly I couldn’t think of what type of list to join. I spent some time viewing a number of lists / discussion boards on a number of topics. I found very little useful information and lots of time wasting information. Basically, I wasted a lot of time just lurking, and didn’t contribute anything.
I then realised that I don’t have to open myself to the whole web, I can look to my work for a functional solution. I work for a global organisation which has a Portal for the organisation. The Portal is an internal website which provides links to various discussion boards, lists and divsional information sites.
This exercise has helped me understand the workings of the Portal and to become a more effective user of this organisational tool.
Refer to the following link – ListsTask for additional information on this task.
Module 2 Tasks – Email
Part 1
The Email Tutorial provided very clear information on Email Basics. A lot of the information was familiar to me, but it was good to get more clear information on each of the points, in particular creating email accounts.
Part 2
This part of the Task was a hands-on activity. I believe it an efficient use of organisational skills to keep information in an orderly structure, thus an appropriate folder structure that suits your electronic document systems provides a consistent means of storing and retrieving information .
It the past I have set Rules and Filters to avoid spam. However, advances in anti-spam software has reduced my personal need for using filters.
Part 3
I take for granted the way I organise folder structures, set rules & filters and manage my emails as the way I have always done things. By thinking on how I do this and writing it down has made me realise that there is more to it and always room for improvement. This has been a thought provoking task.
Refer to the following link – Email Task for instructions / solution for this task.
Module 4 – Annotated Bibliography 2
University of California Berkeley (2008), Library, Evaluating Web Pages
Retrieved January 28, 2008 from http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html
The University of California Berkeley Library provides an online tutorial on evaluating web pages. University created and maintained websites support the accuracy and timeliness of the information provided.
The tutorial provides information on questions that should be asked when previewing a website to determine its usefulness. These questions are based on looking at a URL, the information provided on the webpage, is that information of value and does it appear to be accurate. There are also questions on the linkages to/from the website and how these support the information provided. Each set of questions has corresponding reasoning and consequences of why these questions should be asked.
This website is an excellent tool for assisting new users in learning how to evaluate web pages and information.
The webpage is neatly presented with clear readable text. Each task area is well defined with headings and information provided in a table format. Linked webpages are consistently formatted and hyperlinks within the webpage are working.
Module 4 – Annotated Bibliography 1
Boswell Wendy (2007), About.com: Computing & Technology, Web Search
Retrieved January 28, 2008 from http://websearch.about.com/od/internetresearch/a/boolean.htm
About.com calls themselves an internet neighbourhood. The website provides a number Channels from which you can search for information on a vast range of topics and informative responses will be provided by experts, known as Guides. About.com was founded in 1996 and has over 600 guides who are hold specialised expertise in their relevant channel. Wendy Boswell is a Guide for Web Search under the Computing & Technology Channel.
The Web Search webpage provides links to information on the internet and web, web search techniques, web browsers and search engines. Each area is broken into sub areas and includes overview, tutorials, tips and links to external websites. This website provides a comprehensive introductory learning tool for new users.
The website is cluttered with advertising and link boxes. Advertising boxes appear within the content of search material adding to the difficulty in viewing on screen. The formatting on linked pages is consistent throughout the website. A ‘Print this Page’ link has been provided on each webpage, and this displays the search material in a readable format. The webpage provides numerous links to related topics, tools and web offers, and the hyperlinks within the website are working.
Module 3 – Annotated Bibliography 2
December, John (2008), December Communications Inc, HTML Creating Web Documents
Retrieved January 25, 2008 from http://www.december.com/html
“December Communications, Inc. is a web-based communications company with a primary focus on offering online publications related to Internet use, reference, development, and understanding” (December, 2008).
The HTML Creating Web Documents course webpages provides information on what is HTML, the elements of HTML, using and writing as well as HTML standards. Each webpage gives examples relating to the topic presented and an exercise to complete.
There is a Q&A webpage, which is provided a range of helpful answers to a series of common HTML questions. Even more useful is the link to the HTML Tricks Page. The website provides further learning opportunities with links to HTML demonstrations, techniques and supporting information.
The online course is easy to work through and makes the concepts of HTML easier to understand. This website provides an excellent learning tool for new and intermediate users.
The website is neatly presented with clear readable text, well defined sections and hyperlinks that work. The linked webpages are also uncluttered and consistently formatted.
Module 3 – Annotated Bibliography 1
Internet Society ISCO (2007), About the Internet, Guide to Internet Law
Retrieved January 25, 2008 from http://www.isoc.org/internet/law
The Internet Society’s primary Internet Law webpage has been divided into the following areas: general research, non-government organisations, legal forms, law search engines and research tools, communication law, glossaries and treaties. Each of these links opens to a secondary page of web links which open to websites of appropriate organisations and government agencies.
With regards to Internet Law, the Internet Society is not an information provider, but is a linkage to an appropriate information provider.
This website provides a good linkage for those interested in how the internet is regulated, how policy is developed, why standards are set and the legalities of the internet.
The website is neatly presented with clear readable text, well defined sections and hyperlinks that work. The linked webpages are also uncluttered and consistently formatted.
Module 2 – Annotated Bibliography 2
Dynamic Web Solutions Pty Ltd (2007), Internet Tutorials, Newsgroups
Retrieved January 20, 2008 from http://www.dynamicwebs.com.au/tutorials/newsgroups.htm
Dynamic Web Solutions is a web design and hosting company. Their website offers a number of Internet Tutorials and for the purpose of this exercise I have looked at the webpage for the tutorial for Newsgroups.
The Newsgroups tutorial offers information on the origins of newsgroups, what a newsgroup is and how they work. Information is given on the different types of newsgroups and tips on how to participate in them. This is a helpful tutorial for new users of newsgroups and would like some background knowledge of how they work.
The information provided on this webpage is consistent with information provided with information provided in Curtin University’s curriculum, giving support to its accuracy. This webpage was last updated on 24 September 2007, hence the information is current.
The webpage is neatly presented with clear readable text in well defined sections. The side toolbar provides links to similar tutorial webpages which are also uncluttered and consistently formatted.
Module 2 – Annotated Bibliography 1
Williams Hughes, Stephanie (n.d.), The Owl at Purdue, Email Etiquette
Retrieved January 20, 2008 from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/636/01
Purdue University developed the OWL (Online Writing Lab) in 1994 as a depot for online instruction material. The intent of OWL was to provide an online library of information which could be accessed without the restriction of locational boundaries.
Stephanie Williams Hughes, and subsequent editors, has provided easy to understand tips for writing email and email related correspondence. These tips include the writing of emails, conversing, the sending of attachments, participation in email groups and email security. The webpage provides linkages to further information on writing techniques.
Within its curriculum, Curtin University has linked to the OWL Annotated Bibliographies webpage thus giving support to the accuracy of the information provided. The information provided is current as it is less than a year old, having been updated by Dana Lynn Driscoll in July 2007.
The webpage is neatly presented with clear readable text, well defined sections and hyperlinks that work.
