Week 5- Using Search Engines

I used search engines to help me to complete this quiz. There was also a cheat to complete this quiz, if you got the question incorrect you could go back and re do it, which meant that it was less legit and not as genuine as a quiz that would not give you the opportunity to do that.

LECTURE 17/3/08
This weeks lecture was based around using Search Engines.
Today Helen discussed Search Engines- categories, problems, interaction, queries and tips. We also talked about Directories which is the other main category of a search tool (directories however, are much smaller than search engines but usually of very high quality).
The main problems with search engines is that they are too general, meaning you need to be very specific in your search, they can include broken links, they can misuse the scoring/ranking system and they can be out of date and irrelevant to your search.
Directories are human edited and reviewed, which ensures a certain degree of quality.
The most popular directories are- DMOZ, Google Directory, Yahoo Directory, Look Smart and About.
Examples of Search Engines are Google, Ask Jeeves and Msn Search.
Searching tips were also discussed.

Tutorial
This weeks tutorial revolved around using search engines successfully. We completed a practical exercise which would help us enforce what we had previously learnt in our lecture and tutorial.

Four strategies that will help you to structure a good search
- Use an Advanced Search to find what you are looking for, it narrows down a search to be more specific.
- Avoid use of numbers and heavy punctuation as it can confuse the search engine.
-Specific information is more suited to a Web search engine
- Using quotation marks for sayings like "too be or not to be" help search engines recognize that it is a phrase rather than a collection of key words.

Reading 1- Internet Search Tips and Strategies

This reading was basically an introduction to successfully using the Internet and categorising the information to help the readers create a better search (as suggested by the title). I found the most useful hint was to know exactly what you are looking for and then narrow it down to a refined search. This source would be helpful to a University Student or to someone who doesn't know how to find relevant information on the Internet, and is definitely worth referring too. This website covers all the important researching skills to becoming a successful academic throughout study life and post study.

Reading 2- The History of the Internet

'The History of the Internet' is a the website aimed to inform the reader about the beginning of the Internet and how it came about. It provides links to databases, directories, library catalogues and search engines, whilst also explaining the common functions of the links ( that were previously mentioned). This site also provides a guide to finding relevant information on the Internet and describes the functions and how to use library catalogues, databases, search engines and directories.

Reading 3- Search Engine Optimisation

This website talks about small business websites on a budget. It talks about key word analysis and setting your benchmark as well as engine optimisation, link popularity, measuring your progress and why you should use their company to promote your business on the Internet. My own evaluation of this website is that it is not very easy to understand and although it was fairly basic it didn't seem a very reliable website.

Week 4- Using the World Wide Web

LECTURE NOTES 17/3/08
This weeks lecture was about using the World Wide Web (w.w.w).
In todays lecture Helen talked about the history of the World Wide Web, she also told us about use of the web, defining the w.w.w, protocols, web browsers, browser interface and vista and the internet.
The w.w.w is a place in which anyone can put any information, making it sometimes fairly difficult to distinguish what is reliable and what is not. The web was created and developed by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989, he created the web to "facilitate sharing research information". The w.w.w can be defined as "a network of servers are linked together by a common protocol, allowing access to millions of hypertext resources."
Helen then continued by explaining protocols and giving solid examples such as HTTP meaning- Hypertext Transfer Protocol. We also learnt about the process of evolution for the web such as developing a computer with a modem until it was able to create an internet connection. We were given some short cuts to finish the lecture.

TUTORIAL
This weeks task was to analyze the authenticity of the following websites
- http://haggishunt.scotsman.com/
- http://www.molossia.org/information.html

When looking at haggishunt I was immediately confused as to what a 'Haggis' was. The website was not very clear in its intentions and I struggled to understand what the purpose of this website was. My conclusion upon reading this site was that it aims to sell merchandise ( such as t-shirts ) and is not reliable with its information, i do not think this website is reliable.
The Republic of Molossia was a lot more difficult to distinguish if it were authentic and took alot of perusing. However i did find that it was a false website.

Both of these websites have done things to make them look authentic and reliable.
Ways in which each website is given away as false.
1. I found that Haggishunt.com was a joke, i read it briefly and instantly knew it was faulty, this was given away by the 'Haggis cams, the Haggiscolpedia and the cooked haggis". I think that the organization website was very in depth and also had .org, which usually refers to an 'organizational' link. However anyone can create a website with .org, it just makes things a little more difficult to determine if it is legit.
2. The Republic of Molossia and a Haggis do not exist. So therefore both sites are totally faulty.
3. There is a greeting from his excellency, the president of Molossia- whom is wearing a military uniform. Nice try buddy.
4. When reading the information you are able to tell by the language used that both are false, an example of this is that in a link off the Molossia site, there is a write up about the 'Molossaphone' which definitely does not exist- although they do have quite an attempt at making it sound true.
As a final point that i also found it humerous Molossia's national food is....cookie dough??

The second task was to look at www.martinlutherking.org but before doing this write what we expect to find on this site (based on the url).
Well from my recall Martin Luther King was a black rights activist. So upon reading this site I expect to find out about his life and the changes he has made within society. Basically, I expect this site to be based around Martin Luther King.

First Impression
Basically looking merely at the home page I am able to tell that this page does not support Martin Luther King and is VERY against the holiday. Quoting the link "Why the King Holiday Should be Repealed!" There is also a very explicit quote apparently said by Martin Luther King, which does not make him sound like a respectable man. It also has a .org at the end of the website but like i stated before any website can do this, which doesnt necessarily make it a true organizational website.

After reading the articles and statements by the writer I was very aware that this was a one sided opinion against Martin Luther King. The website wanted to destroy his pure and clean reputation and expose him in a bad way. Martin Luther King did a lot of great things for society so who ever wrote this is trying to inform people of the bad things he may have or may not have done. The site makes Luther King out to be a violent person, it uses very bold statements that are so derogatory to such a great man. I am truly appauled in this website it is rude and does not define Martin Luther King for what he was. A lot of thought has gone into presenting such a one sided point of view, but to me this person is just a bitter (possibly racist) writer who has nothing better to do but to try and destroy the reputation of such an inspirational man.

Readings
-A Brief History of the Internet
-History of the World Wide Web

A Brief History about the internet is basically about the history (of course) and what we can expect in the future. This site provides time lines (that i might add, are extremely hard to understand) and goes quite in depth into the beginning and the now of the internet.
Reading two was much like reading one, it defines a lot more simpler however and does not drag on.. unlike the previous reading. (I must add i have no idea why it was called a brief history of the Internet, it was not brief!) I found reading two was much easier for me to understand and i enjoyed reading it much more. This reading however does go indepth but has clear headings which make it more easy to read through. Diagrams are more present in this reading but still are difficult to understand.

Week 3- Online Libraries & Databases

LECTURE NOTES

This Weeks lecture was revolved around Online Libraries and databases. Online databases are basically a way in which a student can get reliable(peer reviewed- if necessary) information, that may not be available in 'google' or other search engines. Online libraries can be found on University sites and therefore as a student you are able to retrieve these journals over the Internet.

Types of Online Journals include
-Online Text Repositories
-Online Journals
-Electronic Books
-Musical
-Artworks

REMEMBER TOO
* Use accurate referencing- should be applied using APA format.
* Copyright - correct referencing of source.
Online databases are- "An organised collection of information (data), characterised by the use of data fields, that provide procedural methods for retrieving information." (Quoted from Lecture 3)

Advantages of Online Databases
- comprehensive, current, browsable, searchable, 24 hour a day access and in an electronic format.

Disadvantages of Online Databases
-Many databases accessible by subscription only, lots of advertising, difficult to navigate and Information Overload.

When reflecting on the advantages and disadvantages i feel that the advantages defiantly outweigh the disadvantages. The main point that stood out to me was the 24 hour a day access which works really well with my schedule as it is suitable to use once i have finished work late at night. Obviously knowing about online journals is vital for University studies and I am happy that I have made progress with my understanding of Journals.

Ten most useful tips when using the ECU library websites are as follows-

-The ECU library allows you to view online journals via the Internet instead of having to go to the library to access them.

- The catalogue search allows you too search by keywords, subjects, authors, titles or exam papers, which makes it easily accessible.

- You can search by a unit code (such as UPC0004) entering the unit code you need information on and it will bring you all the relevant information on that course.

- There is an online Thesaurus and Dictionary which is imperative to have when you are studying at University.

- The website runs a feature called 'eReserve' which is an online collection of highly used materials which can be accessed via the the libraries catalogue. You can also access these materials 24 hours a day on the Internet.

-E-referencing for finding information, using database and locating materials.

- You can search the library catalogue via typing in the area of interest that is applicable for you, IE- Education. You can then click straight into the 'faculty' link of Education and Arts. It will then limit your search to books and journals.

- You can choose whether to have your article 'peer reviewed' which means the work has been checked and you know what the journal is written about is

-It offers you with academic tip sheets

-The online library also runs a program called Meta Quest which is an access portal for various library databases which will search up to 10 databases at a time.

TUTORIAL

This weeks tutorial was based around using the ECU online library function. Our task was to find a journal article on the economic impact of global warming on business. We were then to write ten useful tips about the online library. I found this fairly easy and I am quite pleased that I had no problems, like the previous task.
Once i had completed this I was to visit the MEDline plus website and write on a particular topic that interested me. You can refer to mine below

MEDLINE - SLEEPING DISORDERS - INSOMNIA

I visited the medline plus website and look up "insomnia" as i suffer from it. I was interested at what the site-
There are 4 main types of sleeping disorders these are-
Insomnia - is persistent difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep despite the opportunity.
Sleep apnea - pauses in breathing during sleep.
Restless legs syndrome - is a tingling or prickly sensation in the legs
Narcolepsy - Excessive sleep attacks (falling asleep at any time)

Insomnia is a more specified type of sleeping disorder, as explained above it is depicted by inadequate and poor-quality sleep. This can be due to- difficulty falling asleep (& vice versor ), waking up regularly in the night or unrefreshed sleep, leaving you feel tired and drained.
There are two types of insomniacs; secondary insomniacs are the most common, with 80% of suffers being type 2. 'Secondary' insomnia is defined as a symptom or a side-effect of some other problem. 'Primary' insomnia is not a side-effect of another problem, and generally lasts more than a month.
Signs of insomnia include, waking up feeling drained and tired, feeling weary throughout the day, having a short attention span and feeling anxious, depressed or irritable. The best way to cure insomnia is too adjust your sleeping pattern and maintain it. You can also change your atmosphere such as Televisions, Computers and Radios being turned off at the power point. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and sleeping tablets are also available for more chronic sufferers.
To obtain this information I followed several links, I also used the built in search engine to find out more about Insomnia.

Write who you think might use such a service and what you think they might get from it?
I think information from an this site is authentic and reliable. It is clear and easily accessible. The tutorials give simple explanations on what they are referring too whilst also having links for more information.
From reading this article I was able to understand more about the topic of Insomnia, its symptoms and treatment and basically a brief overview of the disorder.
The site also provides encyclopedias directories and medical dictionaries which are great when you need more information or help on a topic.
The people that would use this site are-
- People needing general information on a medical condition
- Students studying medicine
- People with a hereditary disease wanting more information
- Doctors, Nurses etc
- People wanting to know about a drug or supplement
- To look up a prescription drug
- People needing direction can refer to the 'Other resources' page
- People finding out cures and risks of certain medical conditions

Readings
1- Finding what you want on the Web
This weeks reading 1 was about using the world wide web and being able to distinguish what is a reliable source and what isn't.
I have jotted down a few points that stood out to me.
-Using the 'Open Dictionary Project' which is reliable as it is a human-edited, non commercial directory for the www.
-Google is still the fastest and most popular search tool. (Google use)
-Other search engines include Kartoo, Fazzle and Vivisimo.
-Not all resources are easily accessible nor are all search engines free.
-Much of what is on the internet is hidden.
-Create categories and grouping stories together.

2- Bare Bones- Lesson 7: Basic Search Tips
This reading was about how to utilize the web. By including certain things a web search can be much more specific and stop endless hours of un-necessary searching.
-Using the plus (+) and minus (-) signs in front of words to force their inclusion and/or exclusion in searches. EX: +jaguar -car
-Quotation marks should be used for quotes (and exactly as it is)
-The key word topic should be placed first in the search.
-Capital letters will usually come back with a restricted seach. Use small case.
-Combine all of the above together ( pluses and minuses, quotations, smaller cased letters) in a search.
-The 'find' command allows you to find the location of a keyword/s within a document. -Know the search engines basic settings.
-Establish if the search engine being used has a 'stop-word' list.

Week 2- Office Applications

Here is a screen shot of the Word document that I completed.



Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!
Here is a screen shot of the Excel spreadsheet I did.

LECTURE NOTES 3/3/08
This weeks lecture was about common PC Tasks. Helen discussed the importance of file management, PC tasks and email protocols, security and etiquette. She also talked a little about a principle called "Kiss", which is "Keep it simple Stupid" in reference to our power point presentations. A main point i took notice of, was the importance of formating of a document when sending it, for example if you are sending a word document using vista you need to be sure that it has been converted into the right format so that it can be open by the receiving computer, for example Microsoft 2003.

TUTORIAL
This weeks workshop required us to create a Microsoft document and an Excel Spreadsheet. I found this a very daunting task as i had never used 'Vista' before.

THINGS I LEARN'T THIS WEEK IN
Vista Word Document
- I learn't what certain icons meant and what they were used for.
- I learn't about a header and footer and what the purpose of each of these were.
- I learnt about how not to over do things when using some applications.
- I learn't how to insert a contents page

Vista Excel Document
- How to Make Graphs.
- How to insert data and do calculations ( such as averages ).
- What icons meant and what they were used for.

READING
GRAPHIC FORMAT

Bitmap (.bmp)-
- Bitman image quality can range depending on what 'depth' you save it, it will effect the colour and filesize.
- Images used for "wallpaper" should be saved in bitmap format.
- Run_Length_Encoding can be used for 4-bit and 8-bit images, which does not effect the quality of the image.

CompuServe (.gif)-
- Is a compressed format. (MAX 256 colours)- designed to minimize transfer time.
- Used to display indexed-colour graphics/images in HTML documents.
- Supports moving frames and animations.
- Supports transparency for greater flexibility in relation to websites with coloured backgrounds.
-'Interlaced' allows image to be displayed gradually. ( Supported better using Netscape rather than Internet Explorer).

Joint Photographic Experts Group - or Jpeg (.jpg)-
- JPEG usage is to display pictures on the Internet. JPEG retains all colour
- JPEGS are automatically compressed when saved (also referred to as 'lossy'), reducing file size. When opened it automatically decompresses.
- Lossy occurs because it compresses an image by averaging the small areas of colour and disregarding data that is not important to the image.
- An image will never be identical to its original form because of compression and decompression.
- When saving in a JPEG format, you can clearly state the image quality and the speed it connects to the net by controlling the compression level.
- The lower the compression level (higher the number), the slower the image will transfer but more quality is retained (and vice verser).
- "optimize" can be selected (in PhotoShop) which keeps the quality of the image
- "Progressive" allows the image to be viewed gradually. This requires more ram for viewing and is not supported by older version web browsers.

The Tagged-Image File Format (.tiff)-
- Tiff is an exchanging program which allows filed to be swapped between applications and computer platforms.
- It can be read by Macintosh Windows (IBM compatible) computers.
- Produces high quality images that support LZW compression.
- LWZ - uses a mathematical formula to compress image without discarding detail.
- Preferred graphic format for all professional printing.

PhotoShop Document (.psd ~ .psp ~ .spp):
- Layered image formats- support more than one layer of visual data.
- Layered images can be viewed in terms of "each layer being a piece of paper with its own image on it"
- Layers can have areas of transparency.
- An image has many layers and each layer can be edited separately. They can be saved and stored in a file provided. They are saved in an image format that supports layers.

USING MICROSOFT WORD® FOR APA TASKS
This reading was all about using Miscrosoft word and its features. Most of the features I had previous knowledge about. The ones i found most informative were-
Hanging Dent- References can be completed in alphabetical order if you use hanging indent.
Quotations- Of 40 plus words, should be blocked at ½ inch from the left margin and should be double spaced via using the 'paragraph bar'
Spell Check- can be completed using the 'Options' menu in located in the 'Tools' menu
Orphan headings- can be avoided if you-
click Format, then Paragraph. Go to tab for Line and Page breaks click Keep with Next, then finally click OK.
Mark-up icon- allows you to print a document with comments.
I have enjoyed reading this as it went over things i knew but may have forgotten the above pointers were things i knew nothing of and will definitely use in my time at University.