UPC0004 Week 5

Summary

Lecture
In this week's lecture we were told about the different search engines available on the internet and how to appropriately use them. We were also told about the different categories that internet information go into: the free invisible web, free visible web, and paid databases over the web.

Tutorial

Four Strategies to structure a good search:

• Look for an appropriate search engine.
• Think of proper keywords for better search results
• Be sure to use "and" or "not" to include or exclude results from the search.
• If needed use the "query by example" option or "find similar" sites to further search for more related topics.

The one strategy i used to find the above strategies was by reading through each page provided of the site http://www.monash.com/spidap.html and acquiring different ways to best structure a search. I found this effective due to the fact that i was able to gain knowledge of extra information about using search engines that i have not known whilst searching for these strategies.





Reading 1 - Robert Harris: "Web Search Strategies"

This site provides and overview of the internet's vast quantity of information and provides details on how and where to search for certain types of information. It also gives tips on searching for information without the use of a search engine due to the fact that not all web sites are indexed in a search engine thus becoming less efficient when searching for certain topics.

Reading 2 - The History of the Internet: (Chap 4 - Search Engines)

This site informs the readers of the history of the internet search engine which was first used in the year 1983. It then describes how search engines have developed over the years to become ore useful in terms of ability to find information over the web. The site also provides brief tips on how to search topics with the use of various keywords.

Reading 3 - Search Engine Optimisation for Companies

This site informs the readers of the SEO ( Search Engine Optimisation) analysis which constantly monitors information such as web addresses that are generated, and fine tunes them making them higher ranking thus appearing in search engines as compared to some sites that are left out.

UPC0004 Week 4

Summary

Lecture

During the lecture we were provided with questions about the WWW and were then lectured about the different functions on the internet and various entries used for web addresses such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), server, country and domain. We were also told of the different browsers to surf the web with and more importantly, the required tools to get onto and use the WWW.

Tutorial

The website http://www.haggishunt.scotsman.com/ attempts to appear authentic by providing various facts of about haggis every time the site is refreshed and further implies its authenticity by having a competition supported by three professional associations, Gleneagles Hotel, MPS and The Scotsman Publications Ltd.
Four points that give the site away as a spoof are:

• The ‘haggisclopedia’, which decribes a mythical creature and ways to hunt it although it does not exist.
• Haggis merchandise is sold which implies that the site is to attract people rather than to inform.
• One of the cameras provided on the site is from Times Square, New York.
• The ‘haggis facts’ section does not provide real information due to the fact that the haggis does not exist.
  

The website http://www.molossia.org/ attempts to appear authentic by posting links to their news articles on the home page and stating the site as an “official website”.

Four points that give the site away as a spoof are:

• The samples of the money the site says molossia uses are in no way real. (e.g the queen of genova picture on the 20 valora note is just an actress).
• There is no such event as the “Dead Dog War” in the history of Molossia.
• All pictures on the site contain only two people, a father and son.
• There is no such country as Mustachistan.

For the website http://www.martinlutherking.org/, based on the site name I assume that the site would contain facts on the life of Martin Luther King and how he became famous.

After having read the site, I find the information rather bias towards Martin Luther King, which views him as more of a sinner than a saint among society.

When comparing with other sites about Martin Luther King, the site provided seems more invalid due to the greatness portrayed in the other sites that support Martin Luther King's achievements during his time.

Reading 1 - A brief history of the internet

This article provides a detailed explanation of the history of the internet. This includes an explanation on its origin, initial internetting, commercialization, and how it revolutionized computers and communication.

Reading 2 - History of the World-wide Web

This site provides information about the history of the world-wide web and its achievements such as the development of Electronic Mail ( E-mail), search engines, and basic net data.

UPC0004 Week 3

Summary

Lecture

In today's lecture we were informed about the use of online libraries and databases and their advantages and disadvantages. One advantage would be the fact that it is up to date, and a disadvantage being that some library sites and databases require subscription before accessing.

Tutorial

Searching Database Hints and tips

• Check the Also search for related words box whenever unsure of name or international spellings.
• Use quotation marks to search one or more words that are found together.
• Converting your search into other language may improve search results.
• Using the 'not' command will exclude ads which contain the specified word (e.g. Journalist not Magazine).
• Using the 'or' command or comma will return ads which contain either of the words specified (e.g. Television or Journalist).
• With the 'and', '&' or space command, keywords separated by this will return ads containing both words (e.g. Television and Journalist, Television & Journalist, Television Journalist).
• Use brackets when searching for subsets or words when also using other words.
• Using the asterisk will return ads containig words starting with the keyword used (e.g. Tele* will give the result Television, Telephone, Telesales and Telemarketing).
• Use truncation in order to expand words.
• When searching for articles use references to locate the actual article.

I believe that the medline website www.medlineplus.gov would be used buy people who are worried about various symptoms and wish to have confirmation of the diagnosis before seeking professional medical help.

Reading 1 - Finding What You Want on the Web

This article is by Bill Thompson, a technology analyst, who is attempting to find a way in order to search information without needing the use of a search engine such as Google. He then write about how he has found a guide on how to choose the best search for information requirements thus coming to a conclusion that good online searches can't just be found by typing a few words.


Reading 2 - Bare Bones Lesson 7: Basic Search Tips


The site http://www.sc.edu/beaufort/library/pages/bones/lesson7.shtml provides tips on various method we can use when typing keywords into search engines for more concentrated results such as the use of the minus sign (-) to exclude certain topics from the search thus providing better search results.

UPC0004 Week 2

Summary

Lecture
For this week's lecture, we were informed of the various computer applications we would require use in order to complete certain tasks with maximum efficiency. Applications such as Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer would be most needed for the tasks we are to complete in this unit.

Tutorial
In this week's tutorial our task was to follow a guide in order to acquire the appropriate skills when using Microsoft Word. Our second task was then to create a timetable similar to that of a picture provided through the use of Microsoft Excel. Both tasks were fairly simple although some issues were experienced due to the lack of use of the applications.






Reading 1 - Using MS Word for APA tasks

This document provided a well detailed guide on both the basic and advanced functions of Microsoft Word for when completing tasks such as essays or referencing. Each section provides step by step guides to help the reader appropriately use different functions to design a good layout for a document.


Reading 2 - Graphic File Formats

This reading provides information on the different graphic file formats and the advantages and disadvantages for when an image file is changed into this format. It also provides information on which areas the file formats would be mainly used thus providing efficiency in that area.