For this part of our assignment we were tasked with creating an account at del.icio.us and add our favorite sites/bookmarks for web 2.0 info.
Honestly, it took me a while to get started on this. When I first put the word del.icio.us in the web browser I was taken to www.delicious.com. huh? that is not the web address I keyed into the browser. So, I tried again only to be taken to the same link. To further complicate things, in the center of the page so as to draw the attention of the user are the words "Never lose a link again." My immediate thought was that del.icio.us was a broken link and I was being taken to some page saying the page I was looking for was lost or unavailable. Really, I was quite confused. The link for the video in my class assignment explaining what del.icio.us was, was broken and so initially I was very lost.
So I opened up my trusty friend bling to search for the video titled Social Bookmarking with Del.ico.us. Suddenly my eyes were opened and I began to understand; delicious.com is del.icio.us. Why the deception, I have no idea, but none the less I was finally able to move forward to creating an account. The account creation process began quickly to put me into defensive mode. I do not like creating accounts by linking them to my facebook or Google accounts, yet here they make that option prominent. Luckily, in a bit smaller font they allow the option to create an account with your email address. Again, they want more personal information. Once the account is created the user can download the necessary software. At this point I think I am done with this assignment. I do not like to download all of this new software and I certainly do not like to clutter up my tool bar.
From what I gathered in watching the video, del.icio.us is a way to manage website that the user enjoys and using a tagging search engine method find other similar website to review. This may be useful and further down the road if I feel as though my favorite website management system is no longer working for me and Bing/Google search engines just do not see to be getting me where I want to be, then maybe I'll look to del.icio.us.
Some advantage of this site may be quicker access to similar information making research faster. Another advantage is the ability to manage/sort favorite websites. On the other hand I can already do that to a smaller degree with the favorites management folders with internet explorer. A disadvantage is that some tagged sites may take the user down a rabbit hole that they are not intending to follow. Furthermore, the management system for all of those favorite sites can quickly become cumbersome and overbearing.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Flickr Review
For this week's assignment the class was instructed to create a Flickr account, upload 3 photos (referencing Web 2.0 concepts), tag them, and then write a blog about the experience.
The easiest part of this assignment was finding three photos on the internet that captured the Web 2.0 concept. Although I created a Yahoo account many moons ago I very rarely use it. I do use my Facebook quite frequently; however, I do not like to log into other applications with my Facebook account information. It would appear as luck would have it that these are the two methods of creating a Flickr account. Already, I was put into a defensive mode with this application since I was forced into selecting one of those methods to create an account.
Once I created my account I received helpful screen to guide me in getting started; however, I had to put the assignment aside to deal with my crazy family. When I logged back into Flickr to get back to the assignment those helpful screens were no longer there and I was met with a very busy environment. The website requires a bit of acclimation prior to understanding how it works. There is a lot going on and the users attention is not easily drawn to where to add their own photos. It did not take me long to find the Upload link and realize this would be the first step towards my contribution to the Flickr universe of photos. I was able to add all 3 photos at the same time and tag them while on the upload screen. When I added my tag I saw where others had also used those same tag lines for some while other pictures appeared unique in their tag name.
I do enjoy art and I like to look at pictures on the internet from time to time so I can see the value that Flickr brings. However, with my time being consumed as it is and with the defensive position Flickr put me in at the start I do not think I would have created an account with this site had it not been for my WebD220 course.
By the way here is a link to my Photostream: https://www.flickr.com/photos/128252907@N04/
The easiest part of this assignment was finding three photos on the internet that captured the Web 2.0 concept. Although I created a Yahoo account many moons ago I very rarely use it. I do use my Facebook quite frequently; however, I do not like to log into other applications with my Facebook account information. It would appear as luck would have it that these are the two methods of creating a Flickr account. Already, I was put into a defensive mode with this application since I was forced into selecting one of those methods to create an account.
Once I created my account I received helpful screen to guide me in getting started; however, I had to put the assignment aside to deal with my crazy family. When I logged back into Flickr to get back to the assignment those helpful screens were no longer there and I was met with a very busy environment. The website requires a bit of acclimation prior to understanding how it works. There is a lot going on and the users attention is not easily drawn to where to add their own photos. It did not take me long to find the Upload link and realize this would be the first step towards my contribution to the Flickr universe of photos. I was able to add all 3 photos at the same time and tag them while on the upload screen. When I added my tag I saw where others had also used those same tag lines for some while other pictures appeared unique in their tag name.
I do enjoy art and I like to look at pictures on the internet from time to time so I can see the value that Flickr brings. However, with my time being consumed as it is and with the defensive position Flickr put me in at the start I do not think I would have created an account with this site had it not been for my WebD220 course.
By the way here is a link to my Photostream: https://www.flickr.com/photos/128252907@N04/
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
FireFox Review
This review of FireFox is being written after only having utilized the software for a few hours. That said, there may be features that I am not seeing.
Upon initial view, the download is relatively quick as is the setup. The first time the user accesses FireFox a guide is offered to walk to user through some of the software's options. FireFox also has a synchronization feature allowing the user to synchronize browser history, bookmarks, passwords, etc. The features of FireFox are much like any other web browser: Tabs, Favorites, Tool Bar, etc. It may be a matter of perception, but FireFox appears faster and cleaner than Internet Explorer. I did not play around with the add-on feature, but I do like the idea of it. I utilize a lot of add-ons in some video games I use and I can see their effectiveness.
I opened up my WebD220 class in both FireFox and Internet Explorer at the same time and viewed them on two separate monitors at the same time. As previously mentioned the overall look on FireFox appeared cleaner. I could see more shadowing and details of the webpage; however, the avatar/video did not show up on FireFox at all while it did on Internet Explorer. This unveiled a larger issue with utilizing FireFox. Many other supplemental software is developed with Microsoft products in mind. That said, by using FireFox the user may be missing out on other details such as the avatar/video in my class.
All in all, in my limited usage of the product, I liked FireFox. If you would like to try out the web browser you can download it at: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/
Upon initial view, the download is relatively quick as is the setup. The first time the user accesses FireFox a guide is offered to walk to user through some of the software's options. FireFox also has a synchronization feature allowing the user to synchronize browser history, bookmarks, passwords, etc. The features of FireFox are much like any other web browser: Tabs, Favorites, Tool Bar, etc. It may be a matter of perception, but FireFox appears faster and cleaner than Internet Explorer. I did not play around with the add-on feature, but I do like the idea of it. I utilize a lot of add-ons in some video games I use and I can see their effectiveness.
I opened up my WebD220 class in both FireFox and Internet Explorer at the same time and viewed them on two separate monitors at the same time. As previously mentioned the overall look on FireFox appeared cleaner. I could see more shadowing and details of the webpage; however, the avatar/video did not show up on FireFox at all while it did on Internet Explorer. This unveiled a larger issue with utilizing FireFox. Many other supplemental software is developed with Microsoft products in mind. That said, by using FireFox the user may be missing out on other details such as the avatar/video in my class.
All in all, in my limited usage of the product, I liked FireFox. If you would like to try out the web browser you can download it at: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/
VLC Review
I was first introduced to VLC media player in 2009 while serving in Iraq. While I would not go so far as to say this program saved my life, it did help to make my life much more enjoyable while forward deployed.
VLC is a simple, easy to use player with control buttons easily recognizable at the bottom of the player. The program can play most all file types. I hesitate to say it plays all files types due to my lack of knowledge on all the different types there may actually be. The VLC website boasts that the program "Plays everything: Files, Discs, Webcams, Devices and Streams" (Videolan.org). The player has a toolbar that is customizable so that the user can decide what tools need to be displayed. One example is the equalizer for the video's audio.
VLC can be used to make some editing to video and audio as well. To add just a little more pizazz to the program, VLC can be dressed up with additional skin downloads.
I paid quiet a bit of money for PowerDVD last year because I thought it would be more of what I needed at that time. Plus I had a little extra cash to throw away :). I like PowerDVD and it does a lot of stuff. PowerDVD is well worth the money I spent for it, but really VLC does everything I need and it is free.
Compared to costly programs like PowerDVD, VLC is a great program and I would give it two thumbs up. You can check out VLC by downloading the software from their website: http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
Reference:
Videolan.org. (2014). VideoLAN features. Retrived from http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
VLC is a simple, easy to use player with control buttons easily recognizable at the bottom of the player. The program can play most all file types. I hesitate to say it plays all files types due to my lack of knowledge on all the different types there may actually be. The VLC website boasts that the program "Plays everything: Files, Discs, Webcams, Devices and Streams" (Videolan.org). The player has a toolbar that is customizable so that the user can decide what tools need to be displayed. One example is the equalizer for the video's audio.
VLC can be used to make some editing to video and audio as well. To add just a little more pizazz to the program, VLC can be dressed up with additional skin downloads.
I paid quiet a bit of money for PowerDVD last year because I thought it would be more of what I needed at that time. Plus I had a little extra cash to throw away :). I like PowerDVD and it does a lot of stuff. PowerDVD is well worth the money I spent for it, but really VLC does everything I need and it is free.
Compared to costly programs like PowerDVD, VLC is a great program and I would give it two thumbs up. You can check out VLC by downloading the software from their website: http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
Reference:
Videolan.org. (2014). VideoLAN features. Retrived from http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
GIMP Review
Much like Photoshop, GIMP is an image editor allowing the user to manipulate images to their desires. While they are similar in function they differ in ease of use. GIMP was easy to download and get started on. The best part is that it is free.
GIMP will take a bit of time to figure out just like any other new software; however, when compared to Photoshop, GIMP may require a bit more time. GIMP is a bit complicated and does not have all the advanced features that a user would find in Photoshop. File management is also more difficult in GIMP, especially if the user is attempting to manipulate more that one file at a time. You get what you pay for. As previously mentioned GIMP is free and therefore lacks supportability.
GIMP is lightweight not requiring a lot of data space to utilize. Although GIMP does not offer all the features that Photoshop has, it does offer a lot and can be very useful for an amateur who is willing to take the time to learn the software.
To try GIMP out for yourself, download the free software from their website: http://www.gimp.org/.
GIMP will take a bit of time to figure out just like any other new software; however, when compared to Photoshop, GIMP may require a bit more time. GIMP is a bit complicated and does not have all the advanced features that a user would find in Photoshop. File management is also more difficult in GIMP, especially if the user is attempting to manipulate more that one file at a time. You get what you pay for. As previously mentioned GIMP is free and therefore lacks supportability.
GIMP is lightweight not requiring a lot of data space to utilize. Although GIMP does not offer all the features that Photoshop has, it does offer a lot and can be very useful for an amateur who is willing to take the time to learn the software.
To try GIMP out for yourself, download the free software from their website: http://www.gimp.org/.
Week 3 assignment
Week 3 Assignment
DUE: Oct 26, 2014 11:55 PM
Grade Details
| Grade | N/A |
|---|---|
| Gradebook Comments | None |
Assignment Details
| Open Date | Oct 20, 2014 12:05 AM |
|---|---|
| Graded? | Yes |
| Points Possible | 100.0 |
| Resubmissions Allowed? | No |
Monday, October 13, 2014
GigaOM Review
Brian W. Williams blogged on his Top 10 Blogs Following Web 2.0 listing number 2 as GigaOM as a site that he follows. A quick search reveals that GigaOM's main purpose is to "humanize the impact of technology and provide deep insight on disruptive companies, people, and trends". According to GigaOM's page more than 6.5 million people access GigaOM monthly. As I look over the article titles I can quickly assess why so many people come to see what GigaOM has to say. All of the articles strike at emotional topics and puts out some of the dirty laundry.
TechCrunch Review
Brian W. Williams blogged on his Top 10 Blogs Following Web 2.0 listing number 1 as TechCrunch. Williams summarized TechCrunch as a sight that reviews new companies; however, as I reviewed the blog site, I noted that not all of the reviews were for new companies. The site also blogs on older companies giving updates on new things they are doing such as Flickr who "Now lets you turn your photos into wall art", Facebook with their new Stickers, or an integration with Office and OneDrive. The site also blogs on news referencing technology like the blog regarding the flight attendants union that sued the FAA. This blog site has some good information, but I would not necessarily look to it specifically for information on new companies.
Assignment Details
Assignment Instructions
Instructions:
· Read the article by
Marshall Brain, called How Blogs
Work
· Watch the video called:
Blogger: How to Start a Blog http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU4gXHkejMo&feature=related
· Go to blogger.com
and create a basic blog.
· Read at least two blogs
listed on the review called The Top Ten Blogs Following Web 2.0, by Brian
Wynne Williams.
· On your blog, write a
brief summary of each blog you read (at least two) and post these summaries as
separate blog entries.
· Find an image and YouTube
video, which you find interesting and relates to Web 2.0, and insert it into
your blog.
· Post the URL for your blog
into the Forum for week 2.
· Read over the blog of at
least one peer and provide a substantive comment on each summary written there.
· Set up an RSS feed in
your blog for at least one peer blog, as well as for one Web 2.0 blog summarized
above.
Submission Instructions:
Submit a substantive comment on each summary written.
Your blog address link.
************
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