Weekly Review Blog #5

This week we learned about website evaluation. In other words, how to tell if a website is real or a hoax. If you would like to see an example of a fake website, click here. If by any chance you believe that website is real, be worried. That means you could possibly lose a lot of money or even your identity by giving a website like that your information.

Picture from here.

Now, I will give you some ways to help you to tell if a website is real or fake. First, there is an acronym that you need to know. A.S.P.E.C.T.:

A ---- Authority. Who wrote it?

S ---- Source. What documentation or sources does the author provide?

P ---- Purpose. Why was it written?

E ---- Evenness. Is it one sided or are there balanced perspectives?

C ---- Coverage. How thoroughly is the topic covered?

T ---- Timeliness. Is it up to date?

Also, dealing with what you just read, we made something called a mind map. We made them at Mindmeister.com. Mine is at the bottom of the page. Basically what it is for, is to help better understand website evaluation techniques.

Why would you evaluate a website? Because anyone can put anything online. Just like the endangered Tree Octopus, it isn't real, but its on the internet. You can't trust everything you read on the internet.

For example, I could make a website saying that a giant pickle is going to be the cause of the world ending. Someone just might believe it, hopefully not many people, but someone might. If they knew how to evaluate a website (or use common sense) they might not have believed that. They could just be crazy.

I am not a professor, doctor, or even have a degree, so I have no good credentials. I also wouldn't be able to cover it very thoroughly, since it is made up. It would also be one sided or biased, since it would be my theory of the world ending. There would also be no documentation since it is my idea.

With all of that, it would not be a trustworthy site to use. I have no degree, no documentation, it is biased, and it is not thoroughly covered.

This has been a good week. This Friday we start clubs, and they have completed the construction on our building. Now all they have to do is move in the furniture, and we will finally be in our building. I'm just glad to get away from the chairs in the auditorium. I like that they are comfy, but the desks are too small, and it is quite cramped.

Almost everyday, someone nearly kills themselves trying to get to the end of the row. Basically, those rows are a "safety hazard". If someone got hurt, they could sue. Just kidding, I don't think anyone will get hurt from now until we get to our building. It won't be long, and everyone is excited!

Earlier this year we got to look at some pictures of it when it was still unfinished. The only thing I saw that I don't like, is the fact that the lockers are yellow. I don't know why, but I don't like the color yellow.

Here is my mindmeister map:


Create your own mind maps at MindMeister

Happy Birthday Google!!!!

Today, September 27th is Google's 14th birthday!

Since almost everyone has used Google, they need to know that it's birthday is today. I don't know if you can directly wish Google a happy birthday, so this will have to do!!!!

I got this picture from Google its self.

(The picture should move, if it doesn't, click on it.)

Robots in California

1. Topic: California legalizes the use of robot cars.

2. Article Title: Robot cars now officially legal in California.

3. Article Source: Ars Technica.

4. Summary: On Tuesday, at the signing ceremony at Google headquarters California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law state legislation. That makes California the second state to officially legalize robot cars, Nevada being the first.

5. Reaction: I do not know how to feel about these cars. In some aspects they are good, if they work, they could help prevent fatal accidents. This is the main reason most people are for them. There is the possibility that somewhere down the road (no pun intended) there is a glitch and one of them ends up killing someone. Because technology is not perfect, I personally think it will never be perfect. Also, you have some people out in the world that believe that the robots are going to take over and kill us all. How do think they will feel?

6. World Impact: I don't think that one state legalizing the use of robot cars is going to make a world of difference (pun intended). I think it may make other states consider legalizing them. For it to have a huge impact, it would need more supports for this. Of course, other countries legalizing them would most likely only be influenced by the U.S a small amount. Unless they are trying to be more like the U.S, then it may effect their decisions. Otherwise, it would probably just be brought to their attention.

Weekly Review Blog Post

This week we learned the terms reputation, persist, context, and tag. Some of you may know what these words mean and some may not. Also, I would like you to know the correct definition.

Here are the definitions and some clues to help you understand:

-Reputation: A general impression held by others and the public. For example, if you are always happy, nice, and all around joyful, that is what people will remember about you. It is also how they perceive you. Sometimes your reputation is effected by how you look, how you dress, and of course you attitude. It can also change how people treat you. Maybe you are usually happy, then one day you are very quiet, keep to yourself, and seem spacey. Someone is going to ask if something is wrong, because you have a reputation of being joyful.

-Persist: To continue and endure. An example could be a reputation. If you have had the same reputation for five years, the your reputation has persisted.

-Context: Different factors that surround information that help determine it meaning. This is where things can get tricky. Sometimes things can be taken out of context. Which means, you think it means something, when it means something completely different. That is why you have to be careful what, when, and where you say something. Someone may take it out of context and things could escalate quickly.

-Tag: Words or terms that describe a photo or video. Could also be called a caption. Facebook has completely changed what people think is the meaning of tag. Most people think that it means to "tag" a friend it a photo or video. When it really means the words people use to describe said photo.

A way to help us understand the meaning of these words, we used some photo editing websites. These are good for making things such as Christmas cards, or something just to make people laugh and have a good time. Even though they sound like they are completely, all around good, some people use them for not to good things.

These are some pictures that I made using a photo editing website. (I got the original photo from here.) I edited this photo at this website. This is an example of how people can use photo editing tools to make someone looks good, or bad.

The photo on the top appears to be nothing more than an old man (We shall call him Bob, he needs a name.) on a Christmas card. Someone got a hold of the original photo of Bob, and made to photo on the bottom. Some people might see that as just a fan of Batman putting Bob in the picture. It could also be taken offensive by Bob or friends of his. It is all about the context.

That is just one example of how people use photo editing to make a bad reputation for someone.

To learn more about how we should act online or in any digital world, we used Digital Drivers License. It is where you take a series of quiz like cases to see what you already know. The videos either ask questions or teach you something new. We learned about how sending texts over and over to someone it not good digital etiquette.

Also, we learned, from all of these experiences, how to act while you are in the digital world. I found that the most important thing is to be respectful. That way you would not offend anyone. I learned that you should also be ethical, instead of just saying anything because you can.

All in all, this week has been good. I was not to overly confused, or frustrated. I actually enjoyed the activities we did.

This is the original photo of Bob.

iOS 6 Update

1. Topic: iOS 6 Update

2. Article Title: Apple iOS 6 released 

3. Article Source: SlashGear

4. Summary: Today, Apple finally released an anticipated update to iOS 5, which is, iOS 6. Many Apple fans have been using an iOS 6 from beta, or GM, awaiting the Apple release. The new iOS includes some improvements with Siri, 3D maps with flyover, passbook, and even more.

5. Reaction: My reaction was kind of like, "Cool, more upgrades." I have been hearing about iOS 6 for awhile, and I am not that psyched to upgrade, mainly because it erased everything from my iPod when I went from iOS 4 to 5. I guess I just don't want to go through all that again, but I'm probably going to do it anyways, lets face it, it is better. They wouldn't call it an upgrade if it wasn't.

6. World Impact: I think that in a few days, almost every device that can get iOS 6 from Apple, will have it. Every iPhone, every iPod, every iPad, and other devices that may or may not be Apple related (Samsung, Blackberry, etc.). I have heard so many things from people awaiting the release of iOS 6. Most informally asking Apple to hurry up. Now that one of the most well known product services in the world has released their version of iOS 6, most of the other competitors mentioned before (beta, GM), will be discarded for the Apple version.

Animoto

                                       

                                                       Photo received from here.

This week in Introduction to Publications, we talked about ethics, online ethics, digital citizenship, privacy, self expression and identity, connected culture, and respecting creative work. If you do not know what these words mean, here they are:

Ethics: The principles and Morals that govern people's behavior.

Online Ethics: Ethics relating to the internet and other digital devices.

Digital Citizenship: A safe, responsible, and ethical approach to functioning in the digital world.

Privacy: Respect privacy of others online.

Self Expression and Identity: Present yourself honestly and genuinely in the online world.

Connected Culture: Treating others kindly and respectfully, avoid cyber-bullying.

Respecting Creative Work: Cite others work, give credit, and ask permission.

Also this week, we started using animoto. It is a website that helps you create videos. I really like it, and it is fun to use. It's somewhat easier to use then prezi, also, you can add music. That makes it more interesting.

Something that is not entirely good about animoto, is that it doesn't let you add much text to your slides. You can have around 30 characters per slide, sometimes that isn't enough to make a point. That is just something you would have to work around.

Even if you can't put in more than 30 characters, the videos still look cool once you are finished. Our animoto was about digital citizenship. Mine included ways to be a better digital citizen.

One way to do so, is to be respectful. Try not to slander people, or their work online. Criticizing is understandable, we do have freedom of speech. Still, try to be respectful in whatever you say, because once you put it online, it never goes away. Even if you press the delete button, someone can still find it.

Another way to be a good digital citizen is to avoid cyber-bullying. Be respectful, and you shouldn't have to worry about it.

If you want to watch my full animoto, I put it here just for you:

The iPhone 5 and All It's Glory

The new iPhone 5.

"The Worst Thing About the iPhone 5 Is Also the Most Brilliant."

Gizmodo

The new iPhone 5 is virtually no different from the iPhone 4. It just looks different. When someone calls this phone boring, they really mean safe. Because if you have used the iPhone 4, change the shape and how it looks, then you’ve used the iPhone 5.

I don’t have an iPhone, but I do want one. If someone asked me if I was going to get the iPhone 5 instead of the iPhone 4, I would say the iPhone 4. Since all they did was make it look different, save your money and get the old one.

Unless you have to always have the most up-to-date iPhone, then waste your money and knock yourself out. Apple is just trying to squeeze in a new iPhone every time someone buys a different product.

I don’t think that people who do buy it are stupid, you can buy it if you want to. Someone might not like the style of the iPhone 4, I personally have no problem with things like that.

I don't think that the iPhone 5 is going to sale fast in America. Because so many people have already noticed that it is basically the same as the iPhone 4. I do think it will sell, but only to rich people who think they have to have to newest stuff all the time. People in Japan might want it more than people in America. They are known for their technology, so they would obviously want the best.

I’m not sure on how it would affect other countries. I don’t normally hear much about technology coming from India, or Europe. I’m sure the have their own technology, but I don’t know much about them.

Email Etiquette

This week in my Introduction to Publications class, we started using Google Reader. I like Google Reader because you can follow people's blogs that you really like. Even though the majority of my subscriptions are only funny pictures, I do have to subscribe to some of  my classmates blogs. Which isn’t bad, but I really only look at the funny ones, unless I have to for the class.

 Picture from here.

Something that isn’t that good about Google Reader is that I got confused when I was trying to create a new folder. They need to make their layout just a little more user friendly, I have problems when it comes to things like that.

Also, we learned about email etiquette, or what is, and what isn’t appropriate to be in a formal, business, or school related email. LIKE DO NOT USE ALL CAPS IT MAKE IT LOOK LIKE YOU ARE SHOUTING. Or no to over use punctuation, that can make it look like you are yelling also!!!!!!!!!!

When you are writing an email to a business partner, or your boss, you don’t want to use texting lingo, or slang, it makes it confusing to read. Make sure that your email is relevant and appropriate to the situation. For example, if you have a question about an assignment, only talk about the assignment, don’t start talking about a subject then switch to something completely off topic.

There is also something called the 24-hour rule. It is to wait 24 hours before replying back with a heated email or text. It is possible that whatever it is may ‘blow over’ by tomorrow. This way you won’t have to worry about regretting what you say.

These rules and guidelines don’t just apply to an email, they also apply to any kind of written message to people, such as a text. That is where the ‘no texting lingo’ comes in. Since you would normally use certain abbreviations or acronyms when texting, you need to be extra careful to make it easily legible.

Also, to be safe, do not click on any links that you get in an email unless you know for sure that it is safe. Many people open every link that they get. Someone could crash your computer, steal information such as passwords, and even steal your identity by hacking your computer. All because you clicked on a link.

I hope that whomever has read this has learned something that they didn't know before, and will use the information whenever they write an email or before they send a text.

Rdio Update

1. Topic: Rdio ungraded so your the music you listen to is private.

2. Article Title: Rdio Users Can Now Listen to All Their Favorite, Most Embarrassing Music in Protected Privacy.

3. Article Source: Gizmodo

4. Summary: Rdio is a free music site that allows you to listen to your music. It also shares what you have listened to. Many people stopped using Rdio and started using Spotify, which allows you to keep it private if you want to. Which is good for people who listen to music alone that they would other wise stick their nose up in disgust. Now Rdio upgraded and is more private than ever before.

5. Reaction: Its good that they upgraded, now they will still have users. Also, spotify has been slowing down, for me at least, because so many people use it. Now it won't take so long to load some of the songs I like. Even though it is good that they upgraded for their fans that would never switch to another site, I'm still sticking with Spotify. I don't think many people will switch off of Spotify. Though I do hope Rdio gets more users, since that is why they did what they did.

6. World Impact: Now there are even more free music sites, and more private ones too. Since they made it more private, more people would feel alright about listing to their secret favorite songs.