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Tuesday, April 12, 2011
futuristic internet Chapter 11: The Future of the Internet  The Internet is the fastest growing technological advancement in the world. So what does the future hold for it?  While the future is in a blur and there can be no 100% accurate prediction, I stumbled upon this journal on the possible future of the Internet Search Engine. ( Link: http://petitinvention.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/future-of-internet-search-mobile-version/ ) This interest me because it showed how search engines could be operating in the future. With an easy picture shot, one can immediately get search results and information based on it. How amazing would that be?! Here are some examples:    It even shows how you can find a friend and information about people in the building:  And ever need to find a word on the dictionary from a book or paper?  The ease and convenience of it all... and the jump in advancement of technology. This is incredibly stunning for me as a student reading and seeing "into the future" and its possibilities. On a final note, while the future is always uncertain, it is definite that technology can only improve onto greater, almost unthinkable levels, such as that shown in the journal. ♥, Grace 0 COMMENTS graciebaby♥
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
e-learning; a new perspective Week 13: A New Perspective on E-Learning (Free Topic) In my COM125 class Show & Tell, I presented a video with regards to e-learning. As seen from my older blog entry on the same topic, I was unconvinced by e-learning taught in the school classroom. However, after watching this video (below), I have to say, I have gained a brand newfound respect for e-learning. This teacher's lesson completely encompasses the nature of e-learning. You might wonder, how so? Especially since the student actually did not do anything over the Internet. However, think about it, what exactly is e-learning? E-learning is Electronic Learning. The point of it is to raise interest in learning in the younger generation. In this case, this teacher has definitely made use of his technological knowledge to get the class's attention to his continuing lecture; therefore gaining interest. This is feel is really interesting and garners the respect of students for a teacher putting in such a tremendous effort to get his students interest in his teaching topic. I always admire teachers who teach with a passion, and finding new ways to bring their topic contents across. This form of e-learning made me appreciate COM125 classes as well as Mr Choy does find ways to garner perks in the lecture topics, such as through little jokes and cartoon ways of video clips showing the lecture material, which makes the heavy topics seem fun and easier to comprehend. Therefore, I do see new light to e-learning, it's not just about Internet learning, it's about having the interest to learn electronically. :) ♥, Grace 0 COMMENTS graciebaby♥
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
stomp on privacy! Chapter 10: Journalism & the Internet The question is: How does the Internet shape the future of journalism?  In our local context, Internet journalism immediately brings out the thought of STOMP; an online community-driven "newsite". STOMP brings new light to Citizen Journalism.  STOMP has raised so much hooha over the tiniest scenes found in daily travellings. It's amusing to notice that people do not realise that behind STOMP's website is a profit-making scheme by The Straits Time to be able to get news from citizens... for free. Meanwhile, in my opinion, STOMP has actually changed the way Singaporeans are in public. This may be a positive point, as young couples nor old couples dare to even show any PDA (Public Display of Affection) in fear of someone with a smart phone taking photos of them secretly for STOMP. This is to the extent that people go, "Don't do that ah, later you get STOMP then you know!" which is becoming such a 'So Singaporean' phrase heard today. Although this may be seen in positive light as Singaporeans improving their image, I actually feel that it does not help our culture because people are not improving for the sake of improving and changing themselves for good, but are only doing so in light of fear of public disgrace. There should be better ways to correct Singaporeans than to air our dirty laundry online for the world to see.     If anything, these type of pictures would only bring shame to Singaporeans as most people don't realise that STOMP is not only viewed by the local community, but that of around the world who judge Singaporeans by what they see up there. ♥, Grace 0 COMMENTS graciebaby♥
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
new generation politics Chapter 9: Politics & the Internet This post's topic would be on why, in general, young adults and youth are apathetic towards politics? I beg to differ. Today's youths are not unconcerned about politics. In fact, the upcoming Singapore General Elections proves my statement. How so? 3 reasons. 1. Youths are speaking out. Be it on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube, youths are standing up for what they believe in regards to the General Elections. Take this 21 year old, who wrote strong arguments with regards to his choice on The Top 10 Reason Why Not To Vote For PAP. With background knowledge of Singapore's political history, youths like him are speaking out and having their word spread by other youths who evidently have an interest and want to forward his message to their friends; hence its popularity online. Furthermore, Generahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifl Elections Governmental videos posted on YouTube are garnering lots of viewers from the younger generation, and mostly bad feedback. Check out this GE video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXYv5h_iCwc I have never seen that amount of 'Dislikes' (the thumb down button) on a governmental video before on YouTube, but youths definitely have given in their own say on it. It is obvious that indeed youths in Singapore are not careless about our current politics and actually dare to stand up against the offline-majority views of older adults. This General Elections video brings me to my second point. 2. The reason politicians are using the Internet as an online platform: To target Youths. If youths were truly unbothered by our current affairs in the political sphere, there would be a neehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifd for political candidates to reach out to them through online methods. However, there is a need because youths uses the online platform to get more information and keep up to date with the politics. However, candidates need to realise that youths have the upper hand online and are not technological newbies. A recent discovery spotted by a youth on "cheating" politicians under the PAP who create fake accounts to attack the opposing parties' candidates was found ...with screencapped evidence to boot. ( Link: http://defragmenting.blogspot.com/2011/04/troll-spotted-facebook-war-for-ge-2011.html ) This causes them a loss in respect from youths who realise this cheating, and does not garner them any worthy support. Therefore, political candidates should learn to be honest in their campaigning if they would want the youths support. 3. It affects our future. This is our own future involved, at least for those who are of voting age 21 and above. Considered as youths and young adults, we definitely have concern over politics as we understand we are choosing our own leaders and would want the best for our own interests. It is for this very reason why we are able to judge and choose who we should vote for our own future. In conclusion, it is not youths who are apathetic towards politics, but that youths are disagreeable to the current rulings as their respect towards the running politicians have not be honestly gained. Above that, youths and young adults do care about our current politics. ♥, Grace 0 COMMENTS graciebaby♥
Friday, March 18, 2011
presenting prezi Chapter 8: Entertainment & Multimedia on the Internet In today's world, everything is changed to aid mulitasking. This includes the media on the Internet, hence the term 'Multimedia'. Multimedia refers to any computer-based presentation or application that integrates two or more of the following elements: text, graphics, animation, audio, video and virtual reality. Take for example, a PowerPoint presentation combining text, graphics and video clips is a multimedia application.  Multimedia is extremely useful today, and the multimedia that I would be covering today is the Prezi. ( Direct link: http://prezi.com/ )  Prezi is the new Powerpoint. It is stylish and allows an individual to make use of his/her own creativity in designing the flow of slides, instead of the usual plain white slides. To better show how a Prezi works, here is a video tutorial on it: For a UB student, presentation is always the key to scoring a better grade because exams can be unpredictable in their questions. Therefore, my friends and I have been trying to find ways to make our presentations stand out from the normal. Prezi works here. The very first time a student used Prezi for a module's presentation was during a presentation for music class. I was stunned by how "COOL" the slides moved with ease and flow, and without a doubt, so was the rest of the class. Ever since then, many students have started using Prezi for their presentations as well because it is simply so easy to manage and create an outstanding slideshow. I have to say, Prezi combines Multimedia the same way Microsoft Powerpoint does, however, it is clearly a better choice with its updated style in using technology. Go ahead, try it out! :D ♥, Grace 0 COMMENTS graciebaby♥
Friday, March 11, 2011
online protection Chapter 7: Security & Protecting Yourself on the Internet  This chapter comes appropriately at this time. My friend was doing a blog entry as well, and while opening up and saving a picture he found online, his computer became infected by a virus PACKED into the picture file!  This comes as a shock to me because I never knew viruses could be hidden in even Google-d picture files. Thankfully, my laptop is equipped with a virus protection software. Protection may be a hassle, but it is absolutely necessary in today's world. While it may be costly to pay for internet protection against viruses, it is actually available for free for any UB student! :D Log into UB's IT website and MacFee Virus Scan is available for free. I am thankful to schools for looking out for students and very glad that UB has implented this as well. Protection and precaution can easily be taken even for students now. Regarding online spam, the only way is through having a spam folder for the mail account to do its work. However, that is not a big worry at the moment as what is important is in your computer or laptop, as those have much heavier consequences. So, remember to always scan and clean your computers for their health! ♥, Grace 0 COMMENTS graciebaby♥
Friday, March 4, 2011
mind-google! Chapter 6: Using Common Internet Tools This chapter is really interesting! Using internet tools to create videos is actually my personal hobby. Instead of using the creativity-limiting Windows Movie Maker, I use Sony Vegas 9 (also thanks to the internet for it!). In fact, this is my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/babystarr :D I do realise that majority of the class would be making a video for this entry, however, I would not be doing the same as videoediting, in my opinion, would not best show what I know about Internet Tools. Instead, I would like to take the humorous side of tools found on the Internet!  ^^ Notice the shadow? One of the best known Internet Tools is Google. However, did you know that Google is also one of the most notorious pranksters online? In a good way, of course!  For years we've seen the most obvious humor with how Google changes its icon to fit the day's theme. Take for example, these are Google's logo during Halloween for the past 3 years!  And of course, not just for celebrated occasions, but also for health and the environment, such as for the...  Google's humor is not limited to its icon. Google has its pranks intertwined with its seach engine! This comes as a surprise to most as its tricks are very stylishly hidden in its searches. Some of the humor is easily spotted. For example, try googling "Tilt" ON THE IPHONE. Can you spot the humor? :) If you haven't, here's the comparison of a regular google-word search (left) and a google search of "tilt":  Yes, the humor is in how the entire Google search page is literally tilted! This is easy to notice when searched, however, Google do have many other wittier tricks up their sleeves/searches! One of the ones I chanced upon was with the search of the word "Recursion", this was what I got:  Most people would not have realised this, but notice the 'Did you mean:' word... It's the same. The trick here is for people to click the 'Recursion' under its 'Did you mean', which would lead back to the EXACT SAME PAGE & SEARCHES. Why? Because the word Recursion means to RE-OCCUR. Hence the search continously lead the person to repeat the same search page, unknowingly. Witty, isn't Google? :D This is amusing to those who get the joke and randomly chance upon it. However... Google's humor is not limited to... Google. This might seem surprising at first, but think about it, Google holds not just its own search engine, but also other websites, such as this very own Blogspot and even Youtube. With Youtube, Google not just places advertisements in the videos, but actually twigs the video players with humor. Still doubtful? Try loading a video on YouTube. Pause it. Now, press the LEFT arrow key on your keyboard for 2 seconds. And while still holding the left arrow, press the UP arrow key. TA-DAA! You are now playing Snake (an old Nokia game) on a YouTube video! Google amuses, doesn't it? :) Evidently, internet tools can be used not just for necessary work, but for humor and entertainment. Before I sign off, here's a last hidden humor in Google with its famous Google Chrome icon. Ever wonder where its inspiration came from?  Thank you, Microsoft. Hope you've learnt something new from this post! :D ♥, Grace 0 COMMENTS graciebaby♥
Friday, February 25, 2011
e-learning? Chapter 5: E-learning & Virtual Education  E-learning. This is term that brings me conflicting beliefs. Why? During my primary and secondary school years, the education system in Singapore were majorly pushing for e-Learning. This was to the extent that schools actually implemented certain chapters to be "taught" online, via the school's system. They always termed this as "E-Learning".  To be honest, those E-Learning chapters and execises were useless for us students during that time period. Simple chapters that could be taught in the classroom was painstakingly changed to Word Documents to be downloaded, which were tougher to understand and studied for. In my opinion, it was completely unneccesary, and I think that became obvious to schools to as it was halted after a few months. This gave the term "E-Learning" a bad impression for me. However, today, while I may not label it as E-Learning, I do realise how important the Internet is in helping everyone gain new insights. In my case, for example, I learn how to do video-editing, completely from scratch, entirely online. Through Youtube training videos to Google search on video help Forums, I learnt the ropes to making videos. And I am especially thankful to Youtube for that, to which showed the step-by-step method of doing things in fullscreen, instead of reading line instructions. So while my views on E-learning might be conflicting due to past & present experiences, my take on this is that E-learning may be good for learning over the Internet, however, there are many things that a classroom can never be replaced with even with electronic style of teaching. Nothing beats attending a lecture as compared to viewing one airred online, that's for sure. :) ♥, Grace 0 COMMENTS graciebaby♥
Friday, February 18, 2011
threadless? no strings attached. Chapter 4: Doing Business on the Internet When it comes to Business and being innovative, the first big online business I think of is Threadless.  Threadless is an online store that allows its own community members to create and design shirts -- entirely! That is, Threadless does not even need to come it with a single orginal design, yet still have its own label! Talk about being innovative in garnering money without lifting in finger in e-Business! But HOW? Why would people want to waste their time painstakingly making a design that would have enough members support in being chosen to print? Easy. Threadless makes a great marketing strategy in blurring the lines of producer & consumer. While the shirt would be printed with the Threadless label, the artist name would be mentioned in it (in fine prints, as always), meanwhile, he does also receive quite a nice amount from being chosen. This way, Threadless makes their users feel a sense of ownership in the t-shirts created and sold, and still rake in the profits from the shirt overall. Furthermore, having a community of members in voting for the shirts helps Threadless ensure that the shirt chosen to be printed will have buyers, and the public support. Smart move. Threadless in itself is known for their witty t-shirts. Take for example this one:  It is always humorous, and of course, these designs get the highest votes before being printed. Afterall, it is easy to vote for a design that made you smile and laugh. :D For that, Threadless has made used of its humourous and youthful tees as a form of branding. The website is cartoon-ish in a youthful way, and always having interesting remarks and specials for "Back to School" and kicks for "Halloween", traditions usually practiced by kids and teenagers or young adults-- Their traget group, which is a smart move since these young adults are the ones designing the next t-shirts and others are the one buying from Threadless with the younger generation's appeal to online shopping. I admit, I am one of those. After, who doesn't like receiving parcels in the mailbox. Especially when the parcels make you feel good too?  With catchy undertones that makes a buyer feel great about their purchase, as though it is the new in-thing, Threadless is able to successfully market itself to the present generation. And you know it's successfully when...  Yes. Threadless, from a small online web-store opened by 2 guys, turned into a physical retail store with a strong brand that keeps it going. What better proof of a successful e-Business? :) ♥, Grace 0 COMMENTS graciebaby♥
Friday, February 11, 2011
big net, small world Chapter 3: Social Networking & Online Community They say the Internet is big. Unimaginably big, in fact.  Yet, to me, the world seems like a smaller place now... Thanks to Social Networking.  Have you ever felt suddenly you realise EVERYONE is somehow related somehow?! I have. And so have many thousands of others, at least according to the number of "retweets" seen on Twitter on this very subject, or "likes" on Facebook which honestly, basically means the same thing. In fact, all of such sites are usergenerated mainly through one thing, be it whether they term it "Friends" or "Followers", it all means Networks. Social Networking is the main aim.  For a user myself, Social Networking is interesting. Take for example, just last week, I found out my friend's boss... is my own Aunt. And they found that out through Facebook. All our relations are out there, obvious for everyone to see. Could this lead to privacy problems? Maybe, but for me, I believe, in Social Networking, the key is to be open to the virtual world afterall. ♥, Grace 0 COMMENTS graciebaby♥
Friday, January 28, 2011
take a stand! Chapter 2: Communicating on the Internet For today's post, I would like to refer to this slide of our lecture...  I'd like to make my stand clear: I do NOT agree. Through the years of being a GP (General Paper) student from a JC, we learn one thing in writing "essays": Take a stand, yes, but never take an ABSOLUTE stand. This is because there's no space for arguments when someone throws out a counter point. Yet why am I so sure that Social Media is a good idea, not a bad one? For one thing, I do not believe an idea is a bad one. The thought of Social Media is not "bad", it's how people use it that makes it good & bad. The claim goes on to state that Social Media causes certain "bad" problems, which I shall discuss on. Internet Addiction Most parents would consider this more of the "computer addiction", however, it's definitely true for me that my laptop is basically handicapped without wireless. While yes I do agree that people are addicted to the Internet, I do not agree that it's completely blamed on Social Media. It plays a big part, but honestly, the "Internet Addiction" was started way before Friendster. As a student, I have definitely been part of social gatherings where most people are constantly stuck on their smart phones with Twitter, Facebook and the likes. However, while it is an addiction to keep in contact with our social lives on-the-go, everyone do know when it's time to surf for updates and when it's time for real socialing. The Internet does not consume us that entirely. Social Isolation This is the most ironic point in the claim stated. Think about it: Why would Social Media, a tool made FOR socialising and banks its users on people wanting to broaden their social circles, cause Social Isolation? It is a contradiction in itself. If people were to use Social Media to get hooked online, and therefore caused themselves to be perhaps physically isolated, wouldn't it mean that those people are socialising MORE online? If that's the case, terming them as having "Social Isolation" is abosolutely wrong because if they're so infused and consumed with Social Media... socially, they're definitely not isolated. Ivasion of Privacy Social Media may be an invasion of privacy, but this is not a secret to the people using it. ANY information a person place online is voluntary. Take for example, no one is forcing you to put your number onto Facebook. This "Invasion of Privacy" claim is completely different from when someone is monitoring you through your house's window. This sort of Privacy is like accessories in clothes. You choose what you want to wear and show the world, just like how you would choose what private information and photos to upload. People, especially "the young generation" know this is not an invasion of privacy to them. Because of these points, I believe that Social Media is not a bad idea as stated in the claim. As mentioned, an idea isn't bad, it's how the people use it. Social Media, as any other ideas, has its impact based on its users dealings with it. ♥, Grace 0 COMMENTS graciebaby♥
Sunday, January 23, 2011
addressing the internet Chapter 1: Introduction to the Internet  Hi! Welcome to the very first entry for my COM125 blog! :D From what I've learnt this week, I would like to focus on the point about how anyone can find out a website or user's numerical address through the Internet. That is, the "online address" your computer or the computer of the website's creator. Thus the title: Addressing The Internet. This hits close to home for me because I do blog on a personal basis, and the thing about the convenience of accessing the Internet is, we never do know who is viewing our information. However, while technology is advancing at an alarming rate, so are people's knowledge of working through it. Therefore today, there are plenty of websites out there given to help average, moderately tech-savvy users to cope and work around the Internet. So, how does this "online address" part learnt in class relate to everyday users, helpful websites and personal blogging? It all revolves around a characteristic all humans are blessed/cursed with: Curiosity.  Since this quote is from Albert Einstein himself, curiosity might actually be a blessing. However, on a random note, there are its downsides as well...  Haha! :) Okay, back on topic! Curiosity is a characteristic in everyone. For me, as a blogger, I write my personal thoughts and feelings into a webpage. Yet, despite it being a personal blog, because the Internet is a public place on its own, anyone can access your blog. This is honestly quite creepy, however, that's a fact. And a human's curiosity is aroused in the want to know who exactly visits your personal site. This is where helpful websites and "online addresses" comes in. There are websites that allow you, and anyone with an email address, to create a link that can be placed in webpages such as blogs. With this link placed safely into a HTML ( HTML!! this is so CSE111! :D ), whenever an Internet user steps into your website, it would automatically be logged into an online logbook for you to access. The thing is, what is logged are numerals and dots. This is what we learnt as an IP Address. From here, most people are stuck on what to do with these digits and how they are to understand them. However, as seen in class, there are websites that allows anyone to know and comprehend what is behind those digits and dots. These allows more transparency in the Internet and makes users feel safer in knowing that they are still able to know and control what is going on in their own webpages. It works for students like us too! :D For example, now we will know when our blogs are marked when we see Mr. Choy's IP address entering the blogpages! :P (Just kidding, I suck at reading IP addresses!) With technology advancing, we even have satellites that shows the exact location on Google Maps when the page was accessed. That's how accurate the Internet can be, going from your "online address" to your actual Home Address. On the other hand, there are more and more ways to disguise one's IP addresses too.  To me, the Internet is like a person. When you're introduced to a stranger, you never know if the person is a hard-to-read or completely open being. Similarly, while we're being introduced to the Internet in this module, do we really know how transparent the Internet is? And how because of the fact that is it transparent, it's harder to protect ourselves while we're on it, hence it's (ironically) even more dangerous? I might not know the answers to these, but at least I do know of a small part of the Internet works, and this is through the addresses in our Internet.  The Internet surely raises many questions. Thankfully, we've got a module to know everything about it. :) ♥, Grace 0 COMMENTS graciebaby♥
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