So Now Goodbye

So here I am. The last post of this EIR blog. Quite a journey I'd say.

Learnt many things I thought I should have known by now. Like about meta search engines, the invisible web and even Boolean operators. I came into this module thinking there isn't much to learn about researching on the internet, and that it was as straightforward as going to Yahoo! Search and typing in keywords. Who ever knew there was so much more involved!

Through this module, I have learnt the processes involve when conducting an online search like forming a search query with the proper operators and specific keywords.

I had fun. Since most of the time, I had the excuse of being on the computer! But all in all, it was a fruitful journey which I don't regret taking!

Got To Be Certain

We are reaching the end of this module soon. Today we were told to compile our researches on Cyber-bullying onto our class' Wiki Page. I had to backtrack from my original research topic cause I wasn't doing anything similiar, but all is well.

I feel that the Wiki Page has both its pros and cons. Basically any sort of sharing of infomation is good, especially if it's for a good cause (like in this case, raising awareness), but with everyone going in at the same time, and editting the page, it may be pretty messy. Faridah countered my comment by saying we should appoint coordinators and leaders to ensure the neatness and flow of the Wiki Page, like the actual Wikipedia! So I guess that's iniative on our part.

Wiki Pages are good in a way that knowledge is shared freely and openly, however, not all the infomation can be trusted as it is open to anyone in the world to edit. Hence filtering the infomation is very important.

But it's not like I would completely leave out Wiki Pages when it comes to research, but I would search it first, so that I can verify the infomation I have collected when I do my actual search on search facilities.

Wow

Today Faridah showed us some inspirational videos on the one and only YouTube. And we were supposed to analyse YouTube as a website in groups and decide how it can be improved to be a better online service.

I mainly frequent YouTube for music videos, mashes and mixes. It is interesting to find out what sorts of music people are currently listening to and make my own judgement. Though illegal, song leaks of unreleased album can also be found! That means knowing of it existance even before the general public.

DJs also make audio videos with their latest mixes (a different version of a song) or mashes (the combination of 2 or more songs), and it nice to hear a twist to a familiar song. Even very rare and old songs can be found on YouTube, with such a huge member/source base I wonder what can't you find?

YouTube could also be used for various researches since people have started doing VBlogging (Video Blogging). You can find people giving commentaries on almost anything under the sun! From religious views to make-up tips, from childcare tips to DIY science projects!

I feel I would probably be crippled without YouTube, since I tend to spent most of my time there. Perhaps without it, I may finish my work faster without distractions!

Did It Again

Today was our second class test. I did quite ok, Faridah said my marks were pretty consistant. Which was reassuring to hear. I scored 12 and 14 upon 20 for the first and second test respectively. Or was it the other way around? But at least this tell me I have actually learnt something during the duration of this module.

O wells, I'm just glad there aren't anymore tests for this module!

Where The Wild Roses Grow

My dream holiday would actually be in a hussling and bussling city like New York or L.A.

Sure we may have a lot of that in Singapore, but to be place in the same situation but different location makes a lot of difference. I would really like to go and experience for myself. And of course get a feel of the nightlife in those cities!

Here's an interesting multimedia site I have found using my visual search engine, SearchMe:
http://www.concierge.com/travelguide/losangeles/

I feel for this evaluation of website, currency, authority and accuracy are all very important. Currency because I want to know the NOW of this country, not the yesterday. Authority and accuracy go hand in hand, as travel information should always be trusted, as being lost overseas whether literally or in translation is very nerve-wrecking and dangerous especially when you are a tourist.

Overall, the above website fulfils all the three criteria and is my top pick for an information website for travelling to L.A. Hopefully one day I may go there too!!

Put Yourself In My Place

Today, evaluation of websites was our theme. We were told to evaluate TalkingCock.com as a group.

I personally feel that TalkingCock.com is a very amateur site when it comes to the whole design and arrangement. The links are messy and the layout is too simple. However, the infomation is very current and funny. As for the accuracy of the jokes and articles, one will only have to turn to a fellow Singaporean to check.

I felt the way we concluded the lesson - role playing - was quite innovative, and it managed to get the point across, about the different target audiences. Like how the Singaporean would find it funny and an overseas patron would think otherwise. Though I wish more people - including myself - could have spoken up.

But the way I have also started my forum trend on Yahoo! Answers:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20081102175254AAhTKqV

All I See

Here are some of the sites I have found using Yahoo! Search for my own little background research. I searched it using the search query I developed with one of the practicals in class.

Media* AND “social (stereotyping* OR alienation*)” AND influences*

However, I have changed my research topic a bit, I am now researching on "media" instead of "advertising" so as to make the search easier and more relevant. Hence, these sites are before I changed my topic, on advertising, though they are specific, they are still relevant.

A News Article on the Negative Effects of Advertising: http://media.www.bgnews.com/media/storage/paper883/news/2001/03/20/LocalNews/Advertising.May.Have.Negative.Effects-1282981.shtml

A Official Journal Report on the Effects of Advertising on Children:

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/118/6/2563

A Website on Media Awareness:

http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/stereotyping/

An Official Blog Entry on HIV and advertising:

http://www.wisdomofwhores.com/2008/08/26/should-we-dump-on-negative-advertising/

A Forum Entry with Comments:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080304012623AAtZVz4

It's No Secret

Today we learnt about the invisible web. Invisible Web... Sounds cool and mysterious right? I KNOW. These are actually web sources which are basically locked from the public, and having to access these source will mean paying a sum of money or having some official pass to log in.

I feel that though the invisible web may be very reliable, accessing it is a true hassle. Even though our TP Spark accounts are free, logging in and such is so time consuming as to going to Yahoo! to search for whatever we need.

The invisible web should only be accessed if one has the time or needs very reliable sources. As for researches of low importance, Yahoo! Search would do just fine.

I think that the only time I would actually use TP Spark will be for corporate infomation and other very offcial documents, maybe even for finding a company for my internship. But either than that, I think I'll stick to search engines, where the infomation flows quickly and freely.

Some Kind Of Bliss

Today there wasn't any class but we had to do some forum discussion on Ole for our attendance to be marked.

I posted a reply on Boolean operators, saying how they may be useful, but time consuming to construct a search query with. I also added that as not all search facilities may understand Boolean operators, it doesn't really pay to get too use to them.

I feel Ole forums is a good way for the lecturers and fellow classmates to monitor each other's progress and understanding. Sharing our views is also good as one person may see the same thing differently as the other. And it is good to know what other are thinking.

However, I feel that face-to-face discussions in class are more appropriate and gets answers immediately if everyone is receptive. Sure beats refreshing the screen and waiting for replies.

I felt this exercise was not as meaningful as it was supposed to be. Since most were doing it only to get an attendance mark. I feel perhaps it coiuld be tuned so that students may learn and not have a chance to slack off! P/s Saying this from experience!

Come Into My World.

I have already begun on my search for the negative psychological effects of advertising. And it's making me think about how such a multi-million business can be so harmful!

I have been keeping my sources varied to get as much out of the topic as I can. Blogs, government websites, online news and journals. I'll post my findings soon.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Give Me Just a Little More Time.

Time. A little more time. What I needed badly for an external competition I had joined which the deadline was today! Hence I had to skip the lesson today. Lucky, the Ole-Blackboard was working already, so I could get my hands on the lecture slides. Hopefully, I'll understand. I'll be able to catch up tomorrow with Faridah's refresher!

I'm glad it's all over now.

The One.

Ok, I have finally decided on my research topic! Hurray to me!

"How advertising influences social stereotyping and alienation."

It is close to my heart as when I was younger I was still finding my identity and got lost along the way, and people calling me names didn't help a least bit. As I got older, my identity materialised as the strutting silettoes I am today. But even though it's sutle, the prejudice still remains, in my personal life and on the international level.

Why advertising? Cause I had recently taken a module that focused on advestising and made us analyse various advertisements and the impact of it on the consumer market. And it made me look at all the perfect bodies, perfect hair, perfect families, and wonder whether this could be doing harm psychologically to us.

So here I am about to start the journey of research and answers!

More More More.

Today was the continuation of our lesson on the purposes of websites. I like it how Faridah goes through the previous lessons before starting on the new topic. Like a refresher. Kudos to her!

The lesson got draggy in the middle, as with all lessons, but towards the end, we had a fun activity, in which we were to go shopping online! Well not exactly, window shopping actually. With a budget of $500 dollars. I'm like, "Hell, that's SO not enough". But hey, it was fun.

I had EYED viciously the sunglasses Kylie wore in her "In My Arms" video since... Forever? So if I had $500, I'll top it off with another $100 and buy it. Isn't it cool? Don't say she copied Kanye, cause, he ain't got anything on Kylie.

http://www.thisnext.com/item/66B2A876/0B364EE7/White-Wright-Sunglasses?utm_source=Yahoo%20SSP&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Yahoo%20SSP&utm_content=(item)

I think the main purpose of shopping websites are to make money. Whether it being advertising or the money earned in the sales. Fame is indeed important for blog shops and such, cause without the connections, people wouldn't visit, because there isn't much faith placed in the shop.

I find this in a way similar to organisational information sites. Fame and authority must be there to sustain the website. The element of faith must be there too, in this case, in the information rather than the products sold. To put bluntly, everyone wants a piece of the fame the internet can bring.

However, getting there, can be through different means. Thus, the various types of websites.

That's about all for today!

Let's Get To It.

When I first stepped into class, I didn't quite know what to expect. I knew it had to do with computers, and I knew it had to do with something I thought I aready knew: Internet Research.

But, honey, was I wrong. Faridah went through what we were going to expect from the module and there were many terms I have never in my wildest dreams, have heard before. I mean, what the hell was a "metacrawler"?

The first lesson wasn't all that bad, it went at a relaxing pace. And we were also told to write our reflections in blog which I thought was interesting, though I wonder how many would actually keep the blogs after the module. Beats me.

Another part of the module was to get our research topic which I thought of doing something close to my heart so I'll be more passionate about learning. Still thinking of it though.

Till next time.