To all those who wanted the final doc on project management
The doc
Friday, November 27, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Reading 8:Interface culture - Steven Johnson
Chapter 2: The Desktop
It is extremely interesting how this writer describes these events with the use of metaphor and analogies and I understand his usage of them, as it can be very difficult to describe some of the more technical aspect without the use of technical details that could be hard to decipher without prior knowledge or an in-depth understanding of operating systems. The birth of the desktop metaphor, which has played a major part in mainstream computers, was made possible by the advances in interface design. This was described as a physical representation of a working desktop within an office, this analogy gave people the impression that it was a simple transition from normal office working practices to the more modern one of the computer environment. The new interface gave the user an easier way of navigating the computer from previous interfaces such as DOS and command line. Enabling the user to navigate the interface with the use of a mouse and a visual representation of objects such as folders, files and application made it even more appealing. The desktop was an important step in interface design and leapfrogged personal computers into nearly everyone’s mind, the idea that this could develop into today’s consumption and need for computers was surly not envisioned on the scale of today.
Comments
This book was an interesting read and each chapter gave good explanations on each of the subject presented. It’s well worth a read if you get the opportunity.
It is extremely interesting how this writer describes these events with the use of metaphor and analogies and I understand his usage of them, as it can be very difficult to describe some of the more technical aspect without the use of technical details that could be hard to decipher without prior knowledge or an in-depth understanding of operating systems. The birth of the desktop metaphor, which has played a major part in mainstream computers, was made possible by the advances in interface design. This was described as a physical representation of a working desktop within an office, this analogy gave people the impression that it was a simple transition from normal office working practices to the more modern one of the computer environment. The new interface gave the user an easier way of navigating the computer from previous interfaces such as DOS and command line. Enabling the user to navigate the interface with the use of a mouse and a visual representation of objects such as folders, files and application made it even more appealing. The desktop was an important step in interface design and leapfrogged personal computers into nearly everyone’s mind, the idea that this could develop into today’s consumption and need for computers was surly not envisioned on the scale of today.
Comments
This book was an interesting read and each chapter gave good explanations on each of the subject presented. It’s well worth a read if you get the opportunity.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Reading 7: E-learning 2.0 - By Stephen Downes, National Research Council of Canada
This was an interesting article and covers the subject of E-learning in a short and concise manner. The way that the web has been changing over the last decade has seen some significant changes to the way we use, process and understand the information readily available on the net. Web 2.0 has played a key part in the development of these knowledge based systems along with the sharing philosophy used by them.
Comments on chapter
I believe that this was a likely outcome from the days of chat rooms, gaming forums and other such site of yesteryears web. The idea of learning this way from multiple sources of information is far more beneficial than conventional teaching method of textbooks alone and Involves some interactions from the users.
Link to Mauri
Comments on chapter
I believe that this was a likely outcome from the days of chat rooms, gaming forums and other such site of yesteryears web. The idea of learning this way from multiple sources of information is far more beneficial than conventional teaching method of textbooks alone and Involves some interactions from the users.
Link to Mauri
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Reading 6: Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything - Don Tapscott & Anthony D. Williams
Chapter 10 - Collaborative Minds
This chapters describes various ways in which companies have adapted to the digital age and explains other ways in which revenues can be made by adopting different approaches. It discusses some of the previous examples from the beginning of the book such as Wikipedia, IBM and Linux. The author also makes reference to the Goldcorp example which Mauri discussed in the lecture. Goldcorp had shared their data with the outside world which lead them to become the biggest gold mining company in Canada. The overtone of this chapter is that major changes have come about since web 2.0 and the mass exchange of information. This is largely due to the availability of software and hardware which has helped amateurs bridge the gap between professionals in the industries.
One example from this chapter conerned the music industry and how they should adapt to the ways users are acquiring music and suggested a total different approach was needed to stay ahead.
Radiohead had released their last album on their website only and allowed users to download it and pay what they wanted to pay. The average payment was 6-8 dollars and since they are independent from a label they don’t share the revenue.
Comments on chapter
I understand that some software companies are also adopting this model of allow users to pay what they want for the product as this entice users from illegal downloads and also promotes the continued development of the products in question.
This chapters describes various ways in which companies have adapted to the digital age and explains other ways in which revenues can be made by adopting different approaches. It discusses some of the previous examples from the beginning of the book such as Wikipedia, IBM and Linux. The author also makes reference to the Goldcorp example which Mauri discussed in the lecture. Goldcorp had shared their data with the outside world which lead them to become the biggest gold mining company in Canada. The overtone of this chapter is that major changes have come about since web 2.0 and the mass exchange of information. This is largely due to the availability of software and hardware which has helped amateurs bridge the gap between professionals in the industries.
One example from this chapter conerned the music industry and how they should adapt to the ways users are acquiring music and suggested a total different approach was needed to stay ahead.
Radiohead had released their last album on their website only and allowed users to download it and pay what they wanted to pay. The average payment was 6-8 dollars and since they are independent from a label they don’t share the revenue.
Comments on chapter
I understand that some software companies are also adopting this model of allow users to pay what they want for the product as this entice users from illegal downloads and also promotes the continued development of the products in question.
An interesting view to the future of media
I found this while searching for stuff to help with the forthcoming essay. I thought that I would share it with you all as it had an interesting outlook to the progression of media.
Video
Video
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Reading 5: The Language of New Media - Lev Manovich
Chapter 3 - The Operations
This chapter begins with a brief description on computer programming from the simplest form to today's high- level languages. Being with low-level machine code which talks directly with the central processor through to higher-level languages such as COBOL, FORTRAN and C. Other languages such as HTML, Java and Action script which maybe more familiar to most are used to develop a verity of applications. These have all played a major part in progressing application development and with each step helped in closing the gap between old practices with new digital ones. One of the main emphases throughout the chapter is how things we see in digital technologies are replications of old techniques.
The book unfolds by breaking this chapter into three parts Menu, Filters, Plug-ins makes the first section, Compositing the second and the final being Teleaction. It's a large chapter to cover so I shall only write a few things on it.
First section
The first section describes the logic of selection behind Menu's, Filters, Plug-ins we see in application today. The author uses Adobe Photoshop and Premiere as his examples against Printing and Film editing of past practises. He compares the terms and techniques used and applies them to today's application. There are also explanations on how digital media has begun to bridge the gap between Professionals and Standard users due to costs of hardware and software coming down and becoming more widely available, this is also due to many open source software being made available for free.
In brief, Filters and Plug-in are a way of extending the program with more pre defined operations. Allowing the user to simple select from a menu has been made possible by the modular nature of the application. An example of plug-ins would be ones used within Photoshop to extend operations such as, larger filtering option with images, different photo effect and so on. This has given greater flexibility within the application and most software allows this in one way or another.
The menu Idea does not need much explanation as we all use them in one way or another to make a selected choice not just on computers but also in our day to day lives, choosing food in a restaurant, selecting what to watch on TV and so on. In terms of software, the idea has been adapted to allow the user to select various options from the menu to manipulate the object without the use of lengthy code or commands such as before the GUI.
This chapter begins with a brief description on computer programming from the simplest form to today's high- level languages. Being with low-level machine code which talks directly with the central processor through to higher-level languages such as COBOL, FORTRAN and C. Other languages such as HTML, Java and Action script which maybe more familiar to most are used to develop a verity of applications. These have all played a major part in progressing application development and with each step helped in closing the gap between old practices with new digital ones. One of the main emphases throughout the chapter is how things we see in digital technologies are replications of old techniques.
The book unfolds by breaking this chapter into three parts Menu, Filters, Plug-ins makes the first section, Compositing the second and the final being Teleaction. It's a large chapter to cover so I shall only write a few things on it.
First section
The first section describes the logic of selection behind Menu's, Filters, Plug-ins we see in application today. The author uses Adobe Photoshop and Premiere as his examples against Printing and Film editing of past practises. He compares the terms and techniques used and applies them to today's application. There are also explanations on how digital media has begun to bridge the gap between Professionals and Standard users due to costs of hardware and software coming down and becoming more widely available, this is also due to many open source software being made available for free.
In brief, Filters and Plug-in are a way of extending the program with more pre defined operations. Allowing the user to simple select from a menu has been made possible by the modular nature of the application. An example of plug-ins would be ones used within Photoshop to extend operations such as, larger filtering option with images, different photo effect and so on. This has given greater flexibility within the application and most software allows this in one way or another.
The menu Idea does not need much explanation as we all use them in one way or another to make a selected choice not just on computers but also in our day to day lives, choosing food in a restaurant, selecting what to watch on TV and so on. In terms of software, the idea has been adapted to allow the user to select various options from the menu to manipulate the object without the use of lengthy code or commands such as before the GUI.
Human and technology
Digital representation of the world
The digital world model is a revolutionary phase in the human evolution, establishing the species of homo representans digitalis:
The digital age like Louise had said has made most things accessible, and Pehr comments on the social aspect are spot on. I feel it is an exciting era and constantly changing for the better. One of my main thoughts is to the people that do not embrace the change and are left behind.
Extended body
Are we cyborgs? Is there a difference between cyborgs and the technologically extended body?
I do not think we are cyborgs in that respect, we create technology to enhance are lives or prolong it, heart pumps, Artificial lung and so on. The Idea of cyborgs for me is half-human half-machine devoid of all human emotions and programmable. Like Pehr Henric had commented on in his blog.
Extended mind
The more the consciousness of man must have changed with digital representation. What would change if we could install a computer under the skin and connect it with the brain:
I'm not sure that idea appeals to me but of course that doesn't mean I'm totally against it. My concern is what the usage would be. I'm sure that this probably be possible at some point in the future, certainly not in my life time. This would of course be the first steps to human cyborgs. Louise commented on how it could help drug addicts stay away from drugs but I think that would be a waste of the resource and sounds a little like a police state.
Represented body
Will the layer of the brain develops in the future with the media age?:
I think that the continued use of media effects the brain in different ways and have yet to be discovered. I believe that curtain parts of the brain will be less active and other parts may develop in its place. Whatever the overall effect are, I am sure is being researched as we speak.
Socially extended body
Housing as collective skin:
I agree with this as we all wear clothes but the type we wear defines who we portray ourselves as. The house to most is their castle and the one place of which they can truly make their statement.
Represented world
What difference does it make to be able to extend the representation to paper or digital means:
I agree with the collective comments made by Louise, Mike and Kamil. Consistency in key in both medium.
Holistic view
Opposes the view that mind, body and technology are separate but interact. Holistic view: The body, mind and the technological extensions as one and the same system. What does interaction mean then:
I think that in an ideal world, they could be one of the same thing but as Markus pointed out all three is not always so in tune.
The digital world model is a revolutionary phase in the human evolution, establishing the species of homo representans digitalis:
The digital age like Louise had said has made most things accessible, and Pehr comments on the social aspect are spot on. I feel it is an exciting era and constantly changing for the better. One of my main thoughts is to the people that do not embrace the change and are left behind.
Extended body
Are we cyborgs? Is there a difference between cyborgs and the technologically extended body?
I do not think we are cyborgs in that respect, we create technology to enhance are lives or prolong it, heart pumps, Artificial lung and so on. The Idea of cyborgs for me is half-human half-machine devoid of all human emotions and programmable. Like Pehr Henric had commented on in his blog.
Extended mind
The more the consciousness of man must have changed with digital representation. What would change if we could install a computer under the skin and connect it with the brain:
I'm not sure that idea appeals to me but of course that doesn't mean I'm totally against it. My concern is what the usage would be. I'm sure that this probably be possible at some point in the future, certainly not in my life time. This would of course be the first steps to human cyborgs. Louise commented on how it could help drug addicts stay away from drugs but I think that would be a waste of the resource and sounds a little like a police state.
Represented body
Will the layer of the brain develops in the future with the media age?:
I think that the continued use of media effects the brain in different ways and have yet to be discovered. I believe that curtain parts of the brain will be less active and other parts may develop in its place. Whatever the overall effect are, I am sure is being researched as we speak.
Socially extended body
Housing as collective skin:
I agree with this as we all wear clothes but the type we wear defines who we portray ourselves as. The house to most is their castle and the one place of which they can truly make their statement.
Represented world
What difference does it make to be able to extend the representation to paper or digital means:
I agree with the collective comments made by Louise, Mike and Kamil. Consistency in key in both medium.
Holistic view
Opposes the view that mind, body and technology are separate but interact. Holistic view: The body, mind and the technological extensions as one and the same system. What does interaction mean then:
I think that in an ideal world, they could be one of the same thing but as Markus pointed out all three is not always so in tune.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Reading 4: Interface culture- Steven Johnson
Chapter 4 - Links
This was an interesting chapter and introduces the idea of how hyperlinks in the author's opinion have been overlooked in curtain ways and has yet to be exploited to their true potential. The author describes the way that surfing had been the wrong description for most internet users as he compares the term to the days of the television surfer flicking from channel to channel. It is a nice comparison as he points out the fact that he or she whom is flicking from channel to channel is doing so without making any relative links between the channel other than what is being broadcast, news, cooking program, cartoons and so on.
Whereas, hyperlinks have the potential to link relative information in turn leading the user through a path of discovery therefore the user is not surfing aimlessly instead he is making conscious choices linking from page to page.
The author describes an earlier Idea of relative linking with the example of Memex theoretical proto-hypertext computer system envisioned in 1945 by Vannevar Bush. This system would allow an individual to read a large self-contained research library add or follow associative links and notes created by that individual, or recorded by other researchers. I think that this was an interesting idea.
This was an interesting chapter and introduces the idea of how hyperlinks in the author's opinion have been overlooked in curtain ways and has yet to be exploited to their true potential. The author describes the way that surfing had been the wrong description for most internet users as he compares the term to the days of the television surfer flicking from channel to channel. It is a nice comparison as he points out the fact that he or she whom is flicking from channel to channel is doing so without making any relative links between the channel other than what is being broadcast, news, cooking program, cartoons and so on.
Whereas, hyperlinks have the potential to link relative information in turn leading the user through a path of discovery therefore the user is not surfing aimlessly instead he is making conscious choices linking from page to page.
The author describes an earlier Idea of relative linking with the example of Memex theoretical proto-hypertext computer system envisioned in 1945 by Vannevar Bush. This system would allow an individual to read a large self-contained research library add or follow associative links and notes created by that individual, or recorded by other researchers. I think that this was an interesting idea.
Personal Thoughts
I am thinking that maybe as an individual am I really creating anything new from the applications I am using or simply putting together possible combinations of the object provided by it. I may be able to create something from the options provided by the application but does that truly equate to me as being the full creator of what I have done.
Distance collaboration
I think that distance collaboration is a good idea and can be helpful in many ways I have previously work on this type of collaboration with friends when it had been totally impractical to have either of them fly in from their locations in order to have a face to face meeting.
I feel that this went well largely due to the fact that the internet connections here are very good. I have had occasions when using Skype where the connection between people have been slow had this became frustrating due to the lag in communication also the video can be affected with the jitters.
Doc
I feel that this went well largely due to the fact that the internet connections here are very good. I have had occasions when using Skype where the connection between people have been slow had this became frustrating due to the lag in communication also the video can be affected with the jitters.
Doc
Monday, September 7, 2009
Assignment 7/9/09
Kamil and I decided to produce a bike interest site. Bring the community of hardcore riders to one place. Allowing the user to log in and get up to date information on trails, events and other things related to the cycling scene.
We think that a small income could be generated through sponsorship. This would be made possible as the users increase. Thus making it inviting for companies to advertise there brand ie, Rock Shox, Marzocchi, Red bull.
By collaborating with various bike stores we could offer the users of the site discounts in participating shops.
Money could also be made by charging users a small fee when selling stuff through the site ie, Secondhand bikes or accesssories. The percentage could be as small as 5% to make it inviting for the users to use the built in function rather than selling it elsewhere.
Screen Shot
Marketing will be carried out via the users themself, word of mouth and posters in participating stores.
We expect that word of month would be key in generating new users of the site.
We think that a small income could be generated through sponsorship. This would be made possible as the users increase. Thus making it inviting for companies to advertise there brand ie, Rock Shox, Marzocchi, Red bull.
By collaborating with various bike stores we could offer the users of the site discounts in participating shops.
Money could also be made by charging users a small fee when selling stuff through the site ie, Secondhand bikes or accesssories. The percentage could be as small as 5% to make it inviting for the users to use the built in function rather than selling it elsewhere.
Screen Shot
Marketing will be carried out via the users themself, word of mouth and posters in participating stores.
We expect that word of month would be key in generating new users of the site.
Internet-based activism - Ben Kinsella
Ben Kinsella was murdered in London 2008 and became the 17th victim of knife crime. This sparked a mass campaign against knife crime in the capital. A march was organised through the use of Facebook.
Link to Doc
Link to Doc
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