Weekly review #5

This week I feel has been better than normal. For example I made my first 100 on the stems review, and we also were introduced to a pretty cool new web 2.0 device called MindMeister. This week we have learned about website evaluation, A.S.P.E.C.T., and MindMeister. To make things easier I shall, completely and utterly, go over every aspect of what we did this week so you will be more knowledgeable towards the subject.

 Evaluating a website is something you should do every time you go onto any website on the internet. The reason for this is anyone can post something online , but it's up to you to believe it. To help us out we used a website called IRIS: Evaluating Information . The teacher also gave us a list of fake websites that were fun to look at. My favorite was the Taxonomy of Barney. Play around with them it's fun( the photo relates to the Dihydrogen monoxide site.)

                  Dihydrogen monoxide molecule, found FlikrCC.com, 11/21/09

A.S.P.E.C.T is an acronym for what to use when your evaluating a website. What it means is as follows.

• Authority- who wrote it?
• Sources- is there a type of bibliography?
• Purpose- what is the purpose of the article? Is the level of knowledge to basic or advanced for your needs?
• Evenness- is it biased? If so is the biased stated and or are more points of view?
• Coverage- does the author fully cover the subject material?
• Timeliness- Is the article recent or has it been updated recently?

                                     
All of these examples and more can help you to see if a website is right for you ( if you want to see an entire website dedicated to the subject, click the IRIS link at the top of the page.)

Lastly we covered a new web 2.0 tool called MindMeister. Using this tool we were asked to make a mind map covering website evaluation. Mind mapping is like a thought organizing tool. It works like this; if you have an idea, like new car, you could make a node from for say the dealership you would get it from.Then from that node you could make one saying how you would acquire the funding, like get another job or trade in old car. Below I have posted my mind map on website evaluation, enjoy.   

Create your own mind maps at MindMeister


That's all for this week. Come back next Friday for yet another awe inspiring tale of what we do every week. 

The Kymera

1. Topic
The Kymera is now approaching commercial use and availability.

2. Article Title
Kymera powered body board gets electrified, approaches commercial release

3. Article Source
I received the article from Gizmag.com .

4. Summary
The Kymera is a new lightweight portable body board that has an electric motor built into it. Their will be an electric version, and a propane version of the Kymera. The Kymera will be available for sale in Summer 2013.

5. Reaction
I think that this is a very creative and excitingly new device. I would personally love to have one, but with the price being $5000 I don't think they will sell very fast. I think that it is cool how lightweight it is . I also think that it will not be a very popular recreational vehicle because the battery only lasts 1 hour. I also think that people will just stick with jet skis because the thing only goes 18mph.
    
6. World Impact
I don't think it will have too big an impact. For one it may be lightweight but you can only use it for 1 hour and then have to charge it from an outlet. I think that it will be any amazing tool for rescue personnel. While having said that for mass rescue when a tsunami hits they wouldn't be very effective. Furthermore I think that the propane version would not be very environmentally friendly   

weekly review #4

As usual we have completed a good amount of work, although it was less than we normally get. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about everything this week.  We have completed and went over several things such as Digital Driver's License, another technology article, new online terms, and photo editing

Digital Driver's License is a fun and easy way to learn about topics on various aspects of the Internet. Although they can sometimes portray things oddly. This week we went more in depth on DDL(Digital Driver's License) about Internet etiquette( how to act online), digital access(what you access, and how you access it), and Digital law( laws on the Internet.)

This week I did an article on a new device called a Dipjar. This device enables you to leave a tip, via a credit card, in the same manner you leave a regular tip. If you would like to further inquire the subject use the link to the article I posted(see above.)

Our new online terms this week are as follows reputation, persist, context, and tag. I shall now define these words so you may have a better understanding of them in the future.

Reputation- A general impression held by others and the public. This means that your reputation is gained not only from people you know, but also by everyone else.

Persist- to continue on and endure. To persist is exactly what the definition says, "To continue and endure."

Context- Different factors that surround information that help determine its meaning. This is saying that things can be perceived in different ways. One person might say something looks like a frog, but another might say say it looks like a lizard.

Tag- words, terms, or sentences that describe a photo or video. This explains itself we use tags in everyday life. Whether its a video or a photo, we constantly tag things.Tags are also more widely known as captions.

All of this information may seem worthless at the moment, but the next time you are about to tag or say something negative remember this blog.

We were also asked to edit a photo to show that photos can easily be manipulated. The reason for this is so you can see that you should not give someone a reputation by a photo online.

original photo, pic available at flickr.com, 2/10/07















Positive picture.


















Negative picture.

I used the website PhotoFunia for my photo editing needs.

That concludes yet another installment of Payseur weekly blog.

Thursday current event

1.  Topic

A revolutionary new way to leave tips

2. Article Title

Dipjar- it's the electronic version of a tip jar.

3. Article Source 

I received this article from Gizmag.com .

4. Summary

The Dipjar is a new way for customers to leave a tip. All the customer has to do is dip their card into the slot to leave a tip. Of course, this would create extra revenue for businesses because a lot of people don't carry cash anymore.

5. Reaction

I think it's a marvelous idea. I'm actually surprised that no one has invented this sooner. I think that soon most businesses will convert from a tip jar to a Dipjar to try to create more revenue for businesses. Also I think there are some negative effects. Such as where would this product be used. I ask this question because most businesses already have an electronic tip system.

6. World Impact

In the broader scope of things I think this will drastically eradicate the little glass jars you see on counters labeled "tips", as far as how many of them you see. Instead of tips, I suppose they will be labeled"dips." I also think that this will generate more money to businesses that have never had any type of electronic tip system. But I also believe that because most companies already have an electronic tip system, some companies might not want to use them. Now I also think the Dipjar will ultimately accomplish its goal to allow more people the chance to leave tips to their favorite businesses.     

Weekly review #3

This week has been very exciting. We have learned about a ton of things. These include the terms ethics, online ethics,  digital citizenship, privacy, self-expression and identity,  connected culture, and respecting creative work. Just to make sure everyone grasps the meaning of these words I will now define them.

Ethics- the  principle and morals that govern people's behavior. An example of good ethics would be honesty or showing respect to others. Our ethics are also constantly changing. What someone found inappropriate 100 years ago may seem appropriate today.

Online ethics- all you have to know here is that you should take the same principles you use in everyday life and apply them to the online world. Most people misconstrue the term online to just a computer or a laptop. While that is being online there is more to it like cell phones, tablets, iPhone, etc. If you wouldn't do something face to face don't do it in a text either.

Digital citizenship- a safe, responsible, and ethical approach to functioning in the digital world. All this is saying is what I told you earlier, just be yourself and apply good ethics and morals online. Don't try to be someone your not, just act like you would if you were doing something face to face.

Privacy- respect the privacy of others online. Now this doesn't mean if your buddy scored a touchdown in a football game and you want to share that information that it's wrong to share it. But on the other hand if his parents are fighting and he is on your couch don't tell the world about it

Self expression and identity- Present yourself honestly and genuinely in an online world. That pretty much explains itself . Don't pretend to be Billy Bob Joehancin, when your Frank Sr.

Connected Culture- Treating others kindly and respectfully while avoiding cyber bullying. Again pretty much self explanatory, diversity is everywhere so embrace it. As for cyber bullying it is a person who bullies on the internet,don't be one. 

Respecting creative work- cite the work you find online and give credit where credit is due.Don't steal others work. Not only is it disrespectful it's illegal.

So in conclusion this all revolves around two basic concepts. Be yourself online and off, and be kind to others at all times.

We also learned about Animoto which is a website that allows you to take information and put it into a type of motion picture with music. Well I'm not very good at explaining so here is a link to the site

While using Animoto we were asked to make a presentation on Digital citizenship. I have posted the one I made just below here.

 

All the photos from this Animoto came from Flickr. This is an amazing creative commons photo site.

Here is a photo of the Animoto icon.

 

Animoto image, Available at Régis Gaidot's photostream, 12/23/08

That's all for this week next Friday I'll write yet another installment of what were doing every week in ms. Payseurs' Intro to Publications class. 

  
          

Current Event #2

1. Topic:
Microsoft is coming up with a new gaming invention that turns your entire living room into your TV screen.

2. Article Title:

Microsoft wants to turn your living room into a holodeck.

3. Article Source:
I retrieved this article from gizmag.com

4. Summary:

This article is about a new Microsoft system that is supposedly going to enhance the gaming experience, by making it to where instead of looking at a flat screen they have to look all around. It will use some of the Kinects' depth sensing camera. This will have to be used for the player to turn their head instead of turning a joystick to look around.

5. Reaction: 

I think its an amazing idea. It will be one of the greatest innovations of our time by taking 3D to a whole new level. I for one will definitely be in the long lines of people who will camp out in front of the stores waiting to get this (I personally have never done this but just might this time.).

 This will probably spawn a whole new breed of technology, because like the Wii with motion control, everyone will copy it. If they can come up with a system that can project images all around you I can't wait to see what they will come up with next.

6. World Impact:
I think like I said earlier this will start a chain reaction of brand new technology. Everyone will want to come up with new ways to find out how to copy the things this new device will be able to do. Also I think it will also have the huge line effect(again I mentioned this earlier), but instead of  lines that reach around the block i think these lines will reach several blocks.

 I also think this will have a positive effect in the Sony platforms, because if they can get a hold of one maybe they can make even better innovations that Microsoft. I also feel like eventually it might go to computers, and from there it might go so far that TV will switch to this design as well. 

Weekly review #2

This week we learned several things.First we learned about Google Reader, which is an advanced way to keep up with blogs or other pages that you are fond of.

The way you sign up for blogs is either by using the RSS feed or the URL address. First you have to look for the RSS feed icon. Then you click on that and when prompted choose to open by google,and hit google reader. If there is no RSS icon then copy the URL, go into Google Reader, hit subscribe and paste the URL there.

(for picture) RSS Feed icon(its usually orange), available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/indiekid/,6/5/08

We then proceeded to learn about email etiquette rules, which are as follows:

1. ALL CAPS IS CONSIDERED SHOUTING
2. So is over punctuating!!!!!!
3. Not using capitalization or punctuation makes e-mail hard to read
4. Text messaging abbreviations r confusing 2 ur co-workers
5. Avoid emoticons
6. Explain Acronyms
7. Check grammar and spelling before sending
8. Keep slang at a minimum

Hopefully these things will make it easier for you and co-workers to converse more professionally. Now on the other hand if you want to email your buddy about an awesome party coming up soon feel free to use all caps.

Some more things we learned for making your emails more professional and easier to read would be as follows:format your emails, strengthen the subject, and finally sculpt the body.

A good tip for formatting your email is to use multiple paragraphs and using bullets for certain items, this makes it easier to read and makes it seem shorter than what it is because its more chopped up than bulky.

A good tip for strengthening the subject is for you to either use key words to lay out the subject or sum up the message into the subject heading.

Their are also to important rules to follow while writing emails. The 24 hour rule, and the 3 volley rule

The 24 hour rule says to wait 24 hours before sending very heated or obscene  emails. This gives you time to cool off and clear your head. The 3 volley rule involves the fact, that if you bounce an email pertaining to the same subject 3+ times just pick up a phone and call them.


We also learned about Spam mail, Viruses, and Phishing. Basically its like witchcraft don't dabble in it. Phishing involves how to detect spam mail. In a nut shell all you have to is look for three things are they asking for information, or are they saying that you won something, or they might ask you to buy something..

In order to avoid getting viruses use phishing to detect spam mail, then once you know its spam don't open it and get viruses.

That's all for this week ill be back next Friday to write another riveting tale of what we've learned.

The Keylet

1. Topic
Never have to carry bulky wallets or loose key rings again.  
2. Article Title
The Keylet combines the two most important things we carry - keys and money 
3. Article Source
I got this article from Gizmag.com 
4. Summary
This article is about a new piece of technology called Keylet. The Keylet combines the two most bulky things in our pockets,keys, and wallets. the Keylet has a small compact clip that allows you to store your money and credit cards, also it has a place for a key so you can carry both at the same time.
5. Reaction
I think the Keylet is a marvelous invention. I am constantly either losing my house keys or hunting for my wallet. With the Keylet I can just hang my wallet and my key or keys up on the wall(it has an attachment for multiple keys). I also hate how after a while your wallet will get scratched up and starts to tear.The Keylet is made of stainless steal so i doubt unless you run over it with your car you'll break it.
6. World Impact
I think the Keylet will help the world because too often have I been planing on going somewhere with my parents and they'll unhook the keys from the rack but can't find their wallet. I also have had friends who can't come over on the weekends because their parents can't find their keys. I think the Keylet will help prevent both these things in the future.I also think that its pretty cheap because If you think about it you might buy five wallets in your lifetime but will only need one Keylet. I also feel that because its so compact you can fit more in your pockets, whither its from shoplifting to just not having full pockets i think the Keylet will benefit everyone.