Let’s sort, arrange and organise…

Searching the web 

Site 1:URL:  Go Green with Feng Shui

Author: Argosy University

Institution: Argosy University

 

Article from Argosy University

Site 2:

URL:  An Introduction to Feng Shui

Author: Ole Bruun

Institution: Cambridge University Press

 

 

An Introduction to Feng Shui

 

Site 3:

URL:  Feng Shui Publications

Author: Yvonne Phillips

Institution: Feng Shui Publications

 

 

 

Feng Shui Publications

Web Tools 2 (Boolean Searching on Feng Shui)

The biggest number of hits relating to these key words

For this task I used Boolean logic OR and my results were:

 Google – 15,800,000 Hits in .17 seconds!  

Information most relevant to what you ACTUALLY wanted to look for!

 For this task I used Boolean logic AND and NEAR because I wanted information only on Feng Shui and NOT consultants (Which came up a lot in my previous seraches). My results were:

Google – 1,010,000 Hits in .26 seconds! 

Information coming only from university sources

 For this task I used Boolean logic AND and NEAR because I wanted information on Feng Shiu from a trusted source, my results were:

Google – 53,200 Hits in .30 seconds

Personally, I didn’t quite understand this concept, but I think with further investigation and practice I will get it right…off to research!! 

Searching the web 1

Searching the Web

 

1. Record the first hit and number of hits in your learning log

I utilised Google to search for Feng Shui with the first hit being Feng Shui from Wikipedia, out of a total of approximately 15.6M hits.

 

Google Search for Feng Shui

 

1. Record the number of hits in your learning log, and compare to your first search. What differences did you notice? Why? Which search, on first glance gave you the most promising results?

For my second search I used Copernic and it returned 5 results. I noticed the results from Copernic were condensed and more specific, whereas google just returned ‘everything’ it could find on Feng Shui, leaving the trawling up to me! Which is somewhat time consuming, its almost being in a library, searching for information with the assistance of the librarian, who give you absolutely everything they can find. Copernic refines the search, and returns only results that are most relevant. I found copernic useful.

Copyright!!

Have you used images or words on your web page or website that contravene copyright laws?

Yes, I have used images on my first ever web page that would infringe on copyright laws. The picture I used was one I obtained from the clip art section of Microsoft Publisher.

Tools for the web

Copernic Meta for PC

1. cost – and, indeed, in most cases look for free products

   Copernic is available for free for home use, or for a fee for the professional and corporate versions.

2. ease of use – can you use it easily (while recognizing that you may need to learn to use programs)
   
   The program itself is very intuitive; in fact it is very similar to the existing search application on windows XP. I feel for a basic computer user it would be very easy to navigate through program features.
   
3. functionality – does it do what it needs to if it is to be effective (ie if a single vital element is missing, an otherwise ‘good’ program is useless)

   Functionality wise, the program does what it advertises; searches. No vital elements seem to be missing.

4. utility – does the program increase your effectiveness (saving time, in particular, or allowing you to do something previously not done)

   No, the program does not increase my effectiveness. In fact, the existing search capability on windows XP is far more effective. It is already pre-installed, and doesn’t cause irritation with pop windows advising the need to purchase the professional or corporate versions to access a particular feature. I have however neglected the internet search history feature of copernic, possibly because I’ve never needed to search my internet history before! I also hate that it is 27.9MB in size!

5. Commonality – is the program becoming ‘standard’ or at least common.

   Desktop search applications are becoming increasingly popular, especially with the combined ability to simultaneously search the internet for the same key word search of your desktop. Google and Yahoo DS are very popular.

    ”Google has provided a very powerful desktop search program in a neat, uncluttered interface that resembles their web search layout. Open your browser, type the search query like you do at google.com and click search desktop. You can even search across network computers or search your home hard-disk from the office computer.” (Amit Agarwal, 2007)

   “The advantage of using Yahoo DS is that it has a built-in preview engine which lets you see the actual contents of your PDF documents or Excel files without the need of opening them. Yahoo also supports hundreds of file types like Illustrator, Visio, CAD drawings and more. You can also search your computer from the yahoo toolbar.” (Amit Agarwal, 2007)

   Personally, I don’t like the idea of downloading another application, that I won’t really need, as anal as it sounds, I like to keep my ‘electronic data’ filed, which is more often than not taken care of in timely fashion.

   Best Desktop Search Software – Reviews and Comparison

   http://www.labnol.org/internet/tools/best-desktop-search-software-reviews-and-comparison/553/

 Bookmark Buddy for Windows

1. cost – and, indeed, in most cases look for free products

   Bookmark Buddy can be downloaded for a 30-day trial (not uncommon for applications downloaded from the internet), and can be bought in full for US$29.95.

2. ease of use – can you use it easily (while recognizing that you may need to learn to use programs)

   The program is easy enough to use, a little awkward at first, but once I had had a play around with the buttons and menus I found it very useful in organizing my numerous bookmarks. Not only into categories, but subcategories as well, much easier than adding to my favorites list in IE8.

3. functionality – does it do what it needs to if it is to be effective (ie if a single vital element is missing, an other wise ‘good’ program is useless)

   Yes the program most definitely does what it needs to do, and with bias it does it brilliantly. The only downfall would be that I can’t access my favorite bookmarks on the go, especially if I’m at the library or at work, if this functionality was available I dare say it would compete with the online versions such as delicious. I personally don’t think the online availability is a ‘vital’ element, but more than necessary in this day and age.

4. utility – does the program increase your effectiveness (saving time, in particular, or allowing you to do something previously not done)

   Without a doubt, this program does increase my effectiveness. Sometimes when I’m searching for a bookmark/favorite I’ve saved late at night, I can only remember one keyword, well Bookmark buddy makes it easy to find. It definitely saves me time.

5. Commonality – is the program becoming ‘standard’ or at least common.
   
   Booking marking is a standard process these days. Bloggers and general net users use bookmarking on a regular basis to save their favorite sites for classification and organisation on return at a later date.

Html Vs Furl

Yes!! I want to make a webpage…

So, I FINALLY completed Joe Barta’s web page tutorial, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised, I really enjoyed the process!

Lists a variety of HTML tutorials available on the net!!

Okay the difficulties I experienced were:

1.  The tutorial was very time consuming
2. I did get some errors, but it was because I didn’t close my tags properly, I used ( instead of < – opps!
3. I needed to take notes to remember what I’d learnt in the previous ‘lesson’

All in all, I found the exercise fun as I had never done anything with HTML before, but upon further investigation I found there is another whole entire world out there! I did feel a sense of achievement with this task, it is different to blogging because I can create exactly what I want, whereas with blogging it can seem preconceived, rigid almost. Maybe if I learn a bit more about blogging and how I can further set-up my layout and design. I think I prefer HTML to blogging – only time will really tell though!

Chatter-Box

For this next task, I decided to use MSN Live Messenger. I use this application fairly regularly to keep in contact with friends. I chatted with one other student, and ‘killed two birds with the one stone’ by using this session for both the individual and group chat.

 

Source: MSN Messenger Live Chat with Bec, 2009

Fortunately I wasn’t the only who had work commitments and left the chat task a wee bit later than I should have! We chatted about which chat program we preferred and came to the consensus of MSN. Both of us had had used ICQ and IRC, but mainly through high school. ICQ and IRC didn’t provide much value because of the time it takes to download, install, set-up an account and so on and so forth!!

MSN is great for multi-tasking, especially when trying to do a number of things in such a short time span; catching up on my blog, writing job applications, other uni work, personal interest type stuff (ebay!!).

Personally, I found this task kind of boring, possibly because I’ve used real-time chat based programs since high school, but nonetheless, it was a task and I think I have completed it!

Internet communication listing…

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

I absolutely hate email lists, as a public servant you can imagine the number of email lists one can subscribe to!! Funnily enough, the only one I have subscribed to was a Whole-Of-Government communication standards list.  

PROS:

• Lists disseminate information quickly, efficiently and effortlessly including attachments.
• Lists are easy to sign-up to, it is as simple as sending an email or sign up online.
• Lists provide recipients with time to ‘think’ before responding.
• Discussion Boards keep responses to one topic in the one place.
• Discussion Boards allow exclusivity.
• Discussion Boards more often than not, have a Graphical User Interface which are easy to navigate.

CONS:

• Lists allow all sorts of information to be sent, including illicit material such as porn, that is completely off topic.
• Lists can clog up your inbox unless you have a filter set-up.
• Discussion Boards require ‘access’ before you can contribute
• Discussion Boards implores good netiquette (Can limit ones ‘freedom of expression’).

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

Lists are best suited to information that don’t necessarily require an instant response. Whereas, Discussion Boards are better suited to be used in a group type situation, such as studying online, because you know everyone that is registered is there because they want to be. As I mentioned earlier, there is a large array of Lists available, public and private ones too. I like the ‘communication standards list’ as it provides me with an update on current WOG standards, easily and efficiently.

I-mail, C-mail, U-mail, E-mail!!

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?

The information ascertainable from an email is varied. A recent email I received was from www.mytickets.com.au and from this I can see it was sent from newsletters@email.mytickets.com.au on Tuesday 28^th April 2009 @ 11:58am with a subject of May madness – entertainment, comps, budget guides and free stuff! From the properties section I also learned the message type was (HTML), 43KB in size and that neither a read or delivery receipt was requested.

Return-Path: <781_Bounces+305003363_781@email.mytickets.com.au>

Delivered-To: dan.white@iinet.net.au

Received: (qmail 15535 invoked from network); 28 Apr 2009 01:55:08 -0000

Received: from unknown (HELO icp-qv1-irony-in1.iinet.net.au) ([203.59.1.189])

(envelope-sender <781_Bounces+305003363_781@email.mytickets.com.au>)

by mail.iinet.net.au (qmail-ldap-1.03) with SMTP

for <dan.white@iinet.net.au>; 28 Apr 2009 01:55:08 -0000

X-IronPort-Anti-Spam-Filtered: true

X-IronPort-Anti-Spam-Result: AuQMAA//9UnSwaE/gWdsb2JhbACCOxMFiw8Bh2SBHwEBFiK2FINzBYVe

X-IronPort-AV: E=Sophos;i=”4.40,257,1238947200″;

d=”scan’208,217″;a=”162939775″

Received: from mail.email.mytickets.com.au ([210.193.161.63])

by inbound.icp-qv1-irony-in1.iinet.net.au with ESMTP; 28 Apr 2009 09:55:08 +0800

Received: by mail.email.mytickets.com.au (PowerMTA(TM) v3.5r6) id huph3k0jerg6 for <dan.white@iinet.net.au>; Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:56:09 +1000 (envelope-from <781_Bounces+305003363_781@email.mytickets.com.au>)

x-sender: 781_Bounces+305003363_781@email.mytickets.com.au

x-receiver: dan.white@iinet.net.au

From: “MyTickets” <newsletters@email.mytickets.com.au>

To: dan.white@iinet.net.au

Message-ID: <94bed65318604120b043c143341698c1@email.mytickets.com.au>

Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:58:21 +1000

Subject: =?utf-8?B?TWF5IG1hZG5lc3Mg4oCTIGVudGVydGFpbm1lbnQsIGNvbXBzLCBidWRnZXQgZ3VpZGU=?=

=?utf-8?B?cyBhbmQgZnJlZSBzdHVmZiE=?=

MIME-Version: 1.0

Content-type: text/html; charset=us-ascii

Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

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

As an Executive Assistant, the majority of my work is derived from email. I use ‘cc’, ‘bcc’ and ‘reply all’ functions on a very frequent basis. When collaborating with other staff, especially senior management it is important I ‘cc’ all relevant parties, particularly when on behalf of my director. This ensures the appropriate staff are across issues or projects within the division. As with many Government departments, there is a form for just about everything and when sending completed forms to the shared service agency, I regularly ‘cc’ various staff in. This ensures the staff member I am sending the form on behalf of is aware it has been sent, their manager and the divisions’ HR consultant, should the need arise (more often than one would like to think) to provide proof of the time and date it was sent. Read receipt and delivery receipt are also fantastic functions of email programs

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

Good communication is an underpinning concept of ensuring your recipient can easily open any attachments you may wish to send.   From a security perspective, I don’t open email attachments from anyone unless I know them and even more so open them unless I am expecting something.  As an EA I send a lot of attachments, from pdf’s to visio charts, as most of this is sent internal, I don’t necessarily have to contact the staff member to see if they are able to open the attachment because I am well aware of the standard programs available i.e. Microsoft Office 2003 and Adobe 9.  However, If on the off chance I need to send attachments outside of the organisation I either make contact with the party and confirm they will be able to open the doc or send in a .rtf format.  By communicating with the other officer, I acknowledge the fact that ‘one size does not fit all’.

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

I have three (3) email accounts in total; gmail, curtin uni and iinet. All three have auto-forward rules in place to my desktop based email program; Microsoft Outlook. To manage all my email accounts I use a number of rules, all are vary similar in nature. I have rules set-up for facebook emails, BB emails, Ticketek and Qantas, they are all sent directly to the appropriate folder, where I can read at my leisure (lately, BB and facebook take precedence!!).  As for filters, I haven’t found a need for their use. By using the automation feature it saves me time because all my emails come to the one place. It is a mini, personal, one-stop shop.   

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

 Ahuh! Now I cannot stand tardiness, everything has its place, including my emails. There is nothing worse than ‘electronic filing’ all over the place. I use Microsoft Outlook at home and Lotus Notes at work, both have a folder structure which is made up of categories and subcategories, very similar to the way I book mark my favourite/useful websites!! My home email account looks like this (see below).  My folder structure is set-up this way because it suits me and how I operate my email account whereby I store similar emails on similar subjects, such as emails from my private health insurance and chiropractor in health.