Natalie’s NET11 Blog

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

iTools (2007), iTools, Internet Tools
Retrieved November 25, 2007 from hhytp://www.itools.com

The iTools website provides a collection of links to a variety of internet service providers. The website provides webpage’s dedicated to web searching, language translation, subject research, currency conversion, map searching, people finding and web/networking. The Internet Tools webpage provides easy to use links to network, web and HTML sites.

iTools is simple to use. The user types in what they are searching for in the text box provided and then initiates the search. iTools connects to a linked service provider and opens their website, displaying the results of the users’ request. The user can continue to carry out further searches using the service providers website or return to iTools for a new search.

There is limited accessible information on the company iTools, which would be used to assist in determining the accuracy and timeliness of the website. However, the iTools website is not an information provider; it is a linkage to an appropriate information service provider.

The webpage is neatly presented with clear readable text in a table format; the webpages are uncluttered and consistently formatted. Each webpage is easily accessed via the side toolbar and each tool area is well defined.

I have bookmarked this website and I expect it to be frequently utilised.

Computer Hope (2007), ComputerHope.com, Software -Telnet
Retrieved November 25, 2007 from http://www.computerhope.com

As a first time user, I found this website a great starting point for my Telnet task. The Telnet webpage is ideal for a new user as it provides detailed information in an easy to read format. A short introduction to what Telnet is, what it is used for and how the software can be accessed is supported with information on differing application, access instruction and the operating instructions for differing hardware. In addition, the webpage provides links to common problem areas and provides not only answers but potential causes. 

ComputerHope.com is a free internet based service provider, with a focus on providing technical support in a range of computer related areas, and the company has been providing information and support services for nearly a decade. The website has linkages to more recognisable computer organisations, such as Microsoft, who essentially providing the same information. Site updates as late as 9 January 2008 can be accessed, thus supporting the currency of the information provided.

The webpage is neatly presented with clear readable text, well defined sections, short-cut menus, a search facility and hyperlinks that work.