Thank You!

LM6

In this learning module we learned the basics needed in planning, designing, and creating web pages. That part of this module that was the most enjoyable for me , was following along to create my first web page. It gave me a look at how HTML code comes together to produce a page.
This LM also showed the ease and importance of making your site open to all individuals, including those with disabilities. Incorporating tags that make your site ADA compliant can be done with little effort. Being ADA compliant is not just easy to do, it's the right way to do it.
Creating your site should be done with a plan in place for the information you wish to convey. A story board, concept map or flow chart are all useful tools in planning your site. Also taking advantage of the many free programs online can keep your site focused, easy to use, and ADA compliant.
web sites visited this module:
http://www.entheosweb.com/website_design/webdesign_tips.asp

http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/Guide/

http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/

https://sites.google.com/

animoto video - summer fun 2010

LM5 - the correct entry

During module 5 we learned about imaging, file sharing and were introduced to web 2.0 tools and applications.
The first week was mainly about file sharing and using P2P programs. there was a lot of information about illegal downloading or sharing files that have copy rights. I was not surprised about the number of people that download illegally, but was surprised that so many were against being arrested with the possibility of serving time in jail. It was interesting that so many think it is just the artiest and record company that loose in that situation. I guess the moral of downloading is to not assume because the file is there it's legal to share.
The first week also included valuable information about optimizing images for use in web pages. I wrote a short program about 20yrs ago that created a flag by plotting each pixel in the given area with one of about 16 colors. The resolution quality has defiantly multiplied since then.
Everything was brought together in the second week with the introduction to web 2.0. Knowing how to optimize images to keep web pages under 50kb is very important information that will tie into our final project. For instance, knowing decrease the file size while still keeping the subject of the image will keep our time from downloading to viewing our pages at a minimum. Pages that take to long to load are less likely to be viewed completely.
words from the LM
FTP - file transfer protocol, the protocol used when transferring files in p2p applications.
Raster image - images created using pixels. Higher quality = more ppi = larger file. Image quality decreases when the image is enlarged.
Vector image - mathematical equations are used to draw lines and shapes. These images do not decrease in quality when enlarged. Not used in actual photos because thy create a cartoon like appearance.
Web sites I visited -
http://www.poodz.com/
http://webresizer.com/
http://s1129.photobucket.com
http://www.xtranormal.com/

Voki

lm5 extranormal entry

Frog & Dogs

LM4

This learning module was filled with information about social networking. With the exception of text messaging I really don't use any.  I just created a face book account because I will need it for the final project. I may need some assistance joining the group.  I probably still have an old account, but can't remember the email address I used. I'll blame that on aging.  I will also admit I am not a huge fan of facebook. In the short time I used my account I found it a bit irritating. It seemed like it was a big brag book, which is fine, but I know the people and felt it was quite fake.  There were things that I found interesting in this LM. I always enjoy the "how Stuff works" information.  Google docs seems to be a very useful tool. I wish I would have made it in to the Elluminate Live session.  Was not very happy with the husband that morning. I'm not real sure what part of  "I can't do ANYTHING between 11 and 12" he missed, but I did get to watch the recording, next time I will be more specific. I am on the fence about twitter, but after this LM I will create an account.
At the start of this LM I created a a word document to copy and paste url's or write in the new words, as I come across them.  I am going to continue that in the next one. It is great because that part of my journal is already done!

http://www.bloggeries.com/

http://portal.eatonweb.com/

http://www.iblogbusiness.com/

Bcc line – Blind Courtesy Copy a copy is sent to a recipient without their email address.

Lurking – subscribing to a mailing list but not contributing to its content.

Micro blogging – sending short messages like text messages - twitter

SMS – Short Message Service - text messaging

MMS – Multimedia service – multimedia messaging – pics, file sharing ect.

LM3

I'm not real sure where to start. This module didn't go very smooth.  However, I am glad I learned how to do advanced searches.  That will save a great deal of my time. How to use the Boolean operators-AND-OR_NOT is great tool for searching.  I shared that information with my brother, who is an avid surfer, and he loves it! If you have multiple keywords some search engines will let you use a + sign between them.  Another way
to  narrow your search is to use the advanced search.  You can limit your results to specific domain/site.  You can also search within that domain for a specific site.
   There was also a information about search engine privacy.  Many search engines keep the information gathered about you from your searches.  Some use the information to select specific ads to display in your browser. With all of the information we have learned about privacy and security,  it's like a "scared straight" program, a real eye opener.

Beadcrumb trail - shows the steps you took to get to the site your at. It goes from homepage to your current site. Helpful in adjusting your searches. Allows you to easily return to previous pages.
Spider, bot, or web crawlers - Search engines send out programs to gather new and update old information. Each search engine uses them to gather information to enter in their index. They visit sites and return the requested information.
Meta tag - Some sites contain keywords that are invisible to viewers but read by web crawlers.
Meta search - Search engines that search multiple search engines for your result. - I liked dogpile.
Boolean operators - When typed in all caps the conjunctions AND, OR, and NOT help narrow or broaden your results.
WEBSITES visited

www.dogpile.com

www.mscd.ed

www.gao.gov/careers

www.aeaweb.org

 www.erh.noaa.gov

LM4 - I will print whats on tap the day it's available.  That helps in keeping me on track.   LM3 I didn't print it until the end of the first week.

 

LM2

This learning module was filled with information. I learned a great deal about internet security.  I never realized how much information is collected and used in our cookies.  It's pretty scary, but also nice when it plugs our information in for us. It's think having a choice between being a bit lazy or secure. It sure is nice when it magically enters all of that information for me.
 Keeping your information safe also requires keeping your computer safe from hackers, viruses,and spy-ware. Keeping and up to date anti-virus, spy-ware detector, and firewall can help you stay protected.  There are also may websites full of information about keeping your information safe while online.
 This module also dealt with how the internet works. How information is sent from one computer, using tcp/ip the standard language used by computers to access the web.  I found it incredible how far your request must travel to a server access the information and return it it such a millisecond.  It is even broken own   into packets that don't even travel the same path, yet get there, are put back together, request answered and the process reversed. It's just amazing.
I really enjoyed this module.  I now have a greater understanding of WHY the internet works.  I also liked playing around with "jing"(I did get a microphone).  I can use that to help my mom send a picture through her email.
A few of the websites  I visited were:
http://www.networksolutions.com/  - used it find available url's (must be another "tracyhall"
http://network-tools.com/ - you can find the ip address or domain name for an ip address here
http://www.safekids.com/kids-rules-for-online-safety this was a good source for online safety if you have kids
added to my vocabulary :
dynamic router-  a router that automaticly determines the best route to take
node - each computer or other device  on a network is a node
MAC address -the permanent  address of a computer on a LAN
LAN - local area network

In the next learning module I would like to get all 9 points in the class discussions.

LM1

This module I have learned a great deal of information. Many of the initials or abbreviations I hear on a daily basis now have meaning.  There has been such an advance in technology since I purchased my first computer in the mid 90's.  We had windows 3.1 and a POTS line.   I fell I have a better understanding of how web sites are retrieved from there server to be displayed onto my computer, how the information is sent ans received, and why such a vast amount of information can interconnect.  A few of the words I have learned are:
Base band - a single transmission line.
Portal - a gateway to a specific group of information such as yellow pages, weather, or sports.
Hot spot - a geographic location where there is a wireless connection(my home is a hot spot because of my wireless router).

During this module I found that I really need to set aside more time for the next module and plan ahead. I hope by the end of the next module I will have found a my grove.  I like to be ahead of the game - not pulling it together(almost) at the last second.