Well it has been a fun ride and I can honestly say that in semester 1 New Communication Technologies has been my favrioute course.
Coming into the course I was not 100% sure what to expect, as I am a first year student at Uni, but the welcoming way that Steve and Jules acted and the approachability of them both helped immensly.
As for the course itself, it was great. The knowledge that we were imparted upon about New Communication Technologies that were out there were of great interest to me and I really enjoyed learning about them. The final lecture in week 12 actually now has me using programs such as Open Office and Linuex, and that would not have happened if not for this course as I would never have learned about them.
The tutorials in terms of teaching me new things were great. I had a basic understanding of Photoshop before hand but now I know much more about how the program works and how to get more out of it. I found some cool sites on the internet during our "Internet Field Trip" and I learnt the basics of MS Excel.
I have to thank Jules for his friendly nature and his help, your a top bloke mate!
As for Steve, he has put in alot of effort into this course and the material he displayed in the lectures were very interesting and educational. Him including different tutorial exercises not only taught us about computer theory but helped us in learning many computer programs like word, excel, powerpoint etc.. getting guest lecturers in the class from different interests, fields and their experiences taught us alot about computer theory.
I know the above may kind of sound like I am repearting myself but it needs to be said, the whole course was very accessable. The only thing I didnt like about it was Cybertherapy *snore* but other than that 100% guys!
Well, I am signing off now, its was good to meet you guys, Jules I will see you around the Uni, as for Steve, he is the convernor for one of my courses next semester, so see you there!
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
Week 11 - Microsoft Excel
Well, Semester 1 of university is coming to an end and as such so is my involvement in New Communication Technologies. The exam is in week 13 which is just under two weeks away, so I need to start reading the text book once again, go back over the earlier chapters so I can remember them.
This week posted on Learning@Griffith are some example questions of what the exam will be like, it is just multiple choice, with 4 answers to choose from, one is correct. The exam is based on lectures, tutorials and the textbook.
In our lecture this past week, we looked at Cyberpolitics and how the internet is being used to further political campagins.
The tutorial task for this week is using Microsoft Excel. Using Excel we created a buisness spreadsheet. I did run into a problem doing this task, it was hard to get the taskbar that I made for the macros to work, but I went back and read the instructions more carefully and used in the program help in Excel and got it to work.
The task while not anywhere near taxing enough for me to call it confusing wasn't exactly super-simple either. This is proably because unlike MS Word, I hardley use MS Excel. After doing the task and seeing how it all works, I can see how this program will be able to help me with creating financial spreadsheets and the like.
This week posted on Learning@Griffith are some example questions of what the exam will be like, it is just multiple choice, with 4 answers to choose from, one is correct. The exam is based on lectures, tutorials and the textbook.
In our lecture this past week, we looked at Cyberpolitics and how the internet is being used to further political campagins.
The tutorial task for this week is using Microsoft Excel. Using Excel we created a buisness spreadsheet. I did run into a problem doing this task, it was hard to get the taskbar that I made for the macros to work, but I went back and read the instructions more carefully and used in the program help in Excel and got it to work.
The task while not anywhere near taxing enough for me to call it confusing wasn't exactly super-simple either. This is proably because unlike MS Word, I hardley use MS Excel. After doing the task and seeing how it all works, I can see how this program will be able to help me with creating financial spreadsheets and the like.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Week 10 - Microsoft Word
This weeks tute task was to learn some basic and some advanced functions of the Microsoft Word program.
As most people in the world have used Microsoft Word, let alone uni students I did not find this task difficult in the slightest.
Basically what we had to do were editing tasks, bold, italics and underline words, double space the text, insert headers and footers and mail merge the document, all things that I have done before.
Here is the resulting product:
As most people in the world have used Microsoft Word, let alone uni students I did not find this task difficult in the slightest.
Basically what we had to do were editing tasks, bold, italics and underline words, double space the text, insert headers and footers and mail merge the document, all things that I have done before.
Here is the resulting product:
Mr James Peterson MediaHouse 200 Job Lane Southport Gold Coast QLD 4218 Australia
Dear Mr James Peterson,
I am writing to apply for a position within your company, MediaHouse.
I have recently completed a Journalism and Communications degree at Griffith University and believe that I have the suitable skills and experience to be a valuable asset to the organisation. During this degree I have completed subjects in:
New Communications Technologies
CyberStudies
· Digital
· Production
· News and Politics
· Culture
· Media and Society
· Creative Writing
Please find attached a copy of my resume.
Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Mr Ryan Fernance
Yes ladies and gentlemen, this is university! :p
The task itself was very, very easy. I have used MS Word for basically my entire life and all of the features that we had to use to complete this task I have used before. Using the software is useful because it helps you create a buisness letter and ready it for sending it with minimum fuss or effort.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
New Communication Technologies - Academic Essay
1501ART - New Communication Technology
Assessment 2 – Academic Essay
The ‘Next-Generation’ Console War – How do you win?
Ryan Fernance - 2619977
Video gaming has evolved. The video game industry has become a lucrative market for console developers; it is a multi-million dollar business if executed correctly. The prospect of earning countless millions of dollars come’s increased competition between the main competitors, and thus a wide range of choice for the consumer.
There have been several generations of video games consoles, with each new era ushering in new system specs, games and fans. This has lead to console wars over many decades, with generally 3 or 4 consoles fighting it out. Classic machines like the Atari 2600, Sega Megadrive, Commadore 64, and current day with the likes of the Nintendo 64, PS1 and Xbox.
These current day machines offer the very latest in technology, may of which include wireless controllers, Blu-Ray or HD-DVD gaming, HDMI input for glorious picture quality, latest and greatest graphical tech, etc. What this spells for the consumer is access to all the latest technology, packaged into one machine.
There have been ‘console wars’ going on between each generation of video gaming machines for decades, but in recent times the companies have stepped up the offensive and we have seen classic companies fall away due to not being able to compete, companies such as Sega and its attempt at an advanced console, the Sega Dreamcast, which barley sent a ripple through the gaming market.
This is the seventh generation of consoles and these wars are being fought by three companies, Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony. Each has their own ‘next-gen’ console and they are locked in a battle-royal for victory. The games, features and technology that differ between consoles are the cause for the wars, each company try to design and include the features that have the widest appeal.
But how do you win a console war?
Units sold will be the figure that ultimately decides the winner of the console wars, and the Xbox 360 leads the pack with 9.68 million units sold, with the Wii coming off a big launch boom selling 6.54 million units and the PS3 in third place selling a mere 3.16 million units. These are the worldwide overall statistics on units sold from release.
To get a clearer picture on who is winning the war, it is better to look at the monthly sale charts. US video game console demand charts for the months of August 2005 – February 2007 show the demand for consoles at their launch period and afterwards when the hype dies down and general sales periods kick in.
The Wii and 360 had reasonably consistent demand from January to February, indicating that they have settled into post holiday levels, where as PS3 demand is more troubling, as it fell 30% in the same period, and is now significantly lower than its much older competitor. Compared to the 360’s launch, both the PS3 and Wii generated more overall demand during the holiday. However, the steep decline in PS3 demand indicates inflated demand due to hype. (http://blog.compete.com/2007/03/26/xbox360-wii-playstaion3-demand/)
But before the consumer chooses which platform to throw their support behind they must first see what each console offers them.
Microsoft’s next-generation console, the Xbox 360 has had a head start of about a year on its competitors, which has given it a huge edge in this generation. Two versions of the 360 were released at launch, one premium pack with everything included (20 GB HDD, Wireless controller) and the core with only the necessities (no HDD, wired controller).
One of the main selling points of the Xbox 360 was its online system. Xbox Live is widely recognised as the best console online experience available and this has been a big factor in the success of the 360. Another is the range of titles available, Microsoft have secured exclusive gaming IP’s such as Gears of War and the Halo series. Microsoft's celebrated Xbox Live Arcade service lets you download a wide variety of smaller games -- mostly retro classics like Doom and Worms. (http://www.xbox.com/zh-SG/community/news/2006/20060510.htm)
While the Xbox 360 had a big lead on Nintendo and Sony’s releases, there were a variety of problems with the launch Xbox 360 consoles. The problems include systems that spontaneously shut down or crash to a multi-language error screen. Early indications are that the problems are all related to the power supply overheating (http://spong.com/article/9336).
While Microsoft did fix these consoles free of charge, many consumers were not happy with the service provided. However, these console faults reportedly still seem to represent just a small fraction of Xbox 360 consoles sold so far (http://spong.com/article/9336).
It can be said that Nintendo’s Gamecube did not fare very well in the previous generations console war. The Nintendo started out second to the might of Sony’s Playstation 2, and once the release of the original Xbox, fell to a distant third.
Nintendo’s next generation console is trying to revolutionise the way games are played. The Nintendo Wii uses an infrared sensor in its controller so that you physically move around as you play. The interactivity of the Wii has lead to some innovative and creative games ideas, such as Wii Sports which you move the character and his actions when you move the controller. The Wii also has an internet browser so you can surf the net from the console, weather updates and the like.
This approach seems to have payed off with the Wii in Australia the fastest ever selling console; Nintendo Co.'s Wii outsold Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 during January as consumers bought 436,000 of the video-game consoles (http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=149572).
Though the Wii is also not without its technical problems, it has been reported that during standby mode, the Wii can overheat to the point of damaging the GPU, and the first firmware update caused some units to become unusable (http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=149572).
The juggernaut that was Sony’s Playstation 2 by far and away won the previous generation’s war and many were predicting a similar result with the Playstation 3, however a delayed release coupled with a lack of any ‘blockbuster’ release titles has hurt the PS3 in its market share position.
The Playstation 3 uses HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) compatibility something which the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii do not, HDMI lets the PS3 on a HD-TV be run on a native 1080i, 1080p resolution whereas the 360 and Wii can only be run on 720p. This gives a vastly sharper and clearer image. (http://www.cnet.com.au/tvs/accessories/0,239035326,240004563,00.htm)
Microsoft however, have combated this with announcing its new ‘Xbox 360 Elite’ console. The Elite will be a black version of the Xbox 360 with HDMI compatibility built in as well as including a 120 GB HDD. This is seen by some owners of the original versions of the Xbox as unfair as they also want access to the HDMI capabilities but have already spent money on an Xbox 360.
The Playstation 3 uses the new Blu-Ray disc format in its system which gives a clearer, sharper image and can hold much more content than the DVD/HD-DVD’s used in the 360 and Wii. The capacity of a single layer Blu-Ray disc is 25 GB, compared to 15GB of a HD-DVD. (http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/19/blu-ray-vs-hd-dvd-state-of-the-s-union-s-division)
With hardware issues the PS3 has had relatively less than the 360 and Wii, the known problems include the Bluetooth connect-ability in some of the consoles has bugs that make it hard to control the games being played and some of the console’s disc drives make a loud whirring sound when in use. (http://kotaku.com/gaming/ps3/some-new-ps3-models-whining-251671.php)
Games developers have also come out and criticized the PS3’s developing tools, citing that they are too hard to use; “The PS3 is a total disaster on so many levels, I think it’s really clear that Sony lost track of what customers and what developers wanted.” “The honest truth is that the Microsoft dev tools are so much better than Sony’s”. (Official Australian Xbox Magazine Issue 13 March 2007, p.17)
The PS3 is also suffering in the market, in Issue 5 of the E-magazine 360Zine it is written that the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii currently enjoy a healthy demand while the PS3 has post-launch blues. (360Zine Issue 5 April 2007, p. 34)
Console wars have and always will be a big part of the video gaming scene, as newer generations of consoles are released the multi-national corporations will try to out-do each other again and again, and the fiery fan debate will continue on as well. As for this generation of consoles, it is far too early to declare a winner, though Sony has a lot of ground to cover to catch up with the high flying Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox 360.
It all boils down to market share, and to ‘win’ a console war one must control the majority of the market, and that is what these conglomerates are striving for.
Reference List
Block, Ryan 19 Sep 2005, Blu-ray vs HD-DVD: State of the Division http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/19/blu-ray-vs-hd-dvd-state-of-the-s-union-s-division (accessed 21st April 2007)
Block, Ryan 20 March 2007, Xbox 360 Elite: new, black limited edition Xbox with HDMI and 120GB drive http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/20/xbox-360-elite-new-black-limited-edition-xbox-with-hdmi-and-120gb-drive/ (accessed 23rd April 2007)
2007, ‘Complete Blog’, 360Zine Issue 5, April, page 34 (accessed 2 April 2007)
2007, ‘Developers Trash PS3’, Xbox 360: The Official Australian Xbox Magazine Issue 11, March, page 17 (accessed 23 April 2007)
Freiert, Max, Xbox360 vs. Wii. Vs. PS3: Demand doesn’t lie http://blog.compete.com/2007/03/26/xbox360-wii-playstaion3-demand/ (accessed 23rd April 2007)
10 May 2006, Gamers Catch Their Breath as Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Reinvent Next-Generation Gaming http://www.xbox.com/zh-SG/community/news/2006/20060510.htm (accessed 19th April)
History of Games (part 2), http://www.gamingw.net/articles/74 (accessed 30th April 2007)
Jackson, Mike Nov 21, 2006, WARNING: WiiConnect 24 kills Wiis, http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=149572 (accessed 30th April 2007)
Kohler, Chris 14 Nov, 2006 Picking Sides in the Console War http://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/news/2006/11/72112?currentPage=2 (accessed 19th April 2007)
Dec 14, 2006 Nintendo Wii is a Record Breaker in Australia http://www.gameguru.in/general/2006/14/nintendo-wii-is-a-record-breaker-in-australia/ (accessed on 19th April)
Qualls, Eric, Xbox 360 Hardware Impressions, http://xbox.about.com/od/xbox2/a/x360hardwareimp.htm (accessed 30th April 2007)
Ramsay, Randolph 8 March 2005, Why HDMI? What you need to know before going digital http://www.cnet.com.au/tvs/accessories/0,239035326,240004563,00.htm (accessed 23rd April 2007)
Some New PS3 Models Whining http://kotaku.com/gaming/ps3/some-new-ps3-models-whining-251671.php (accessed 21st April 2007)
Takahashi, Dean 2006, Xbox 360 Uncloaked, Lulu Press: United States
Thurrott, Paul Nov 25, 2005, Isolated Hardware Glitches Mar Xbox 360 Debut http://www.windowsitpro.com/Articles/ArticleID/48561/48561.html?Ad=1 (accessed 19th April 2007)
White, Michael 20 Feb 2007, Nintendo Wii Tops Playstation 3, Xbox 360 in January http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601204&sid=aeP6KYaQ4o_k&refer=technology (accessed on 20th April 2007)
24 Nov 2005, Xbox 360 Faults. Full Report, http://spong.com/article/9336 (accessed on 30th April 2007)
Relevant Websites
www.xbox.com.au
www.sony.com.au
www.nintendo.com.au
http://www.majornelson.com/
http://www.msxbox-world.com/
http://www.ps3.net/
http://wii.com/
www.ign.com
www.gamespot.com
http://www.vgchartz.com/
Assessment 2 – Academic Essay
The ‘Next-Generation’ Console War – How do you win?
Ryan Fernance - 2619977
Video gaming has evolved. The video game industry has become a lucrative market for console developers; it is a multi-million dollar business if executed correctly. The prospect of earning countless millions of dollars come’s increased competition between the main competitors, and thus a wide range of choice for the consumer.
There have been several generations of video games consoles, with each new era ushering in new system specs, games and fans. This has lead to console wars over many decades, with generally 3 or 4 consoles fighting it out. Classic machines like the Atari 2600, Sega Megadrive, Commadore 64, and current day with the likes of the Nintendo 64, PS1 and Xbox.
These current day machines offer the very latest in technology, may of which include wireless controllers, Blu-Ray or HD-DVD gaming, HDMI input for glorious picture quality, latest and greatest graphical tech, etc. What this spells for the consumer is access to all the latest technology, packaged into one machine.
There have been ‘console wars’ going on between each generation of video gaming machines for decades, but in recent times the companies have stepped up the offensive and we have seen classic companies fall away due to not being able to compete, companies such as Sega and its attempt at an advanced console, the Sega Dreamcast, which barley sent a ripple through the gaming market.
This is the seventh generation of consoles and these wars are being fought by three companies, Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony. Each has their own ‘next-gen’ console and they are locked in a battle-royal for victory. The games, features and technology that differ between consoles are the cause for the wars, each company try to design and include the features that have the widest appeal.
But how do you win a console war?
Units sold will be the figure that ultimately decides the winner of the console wars, and the Xbox 360 leads the pack with 9.68 million units sold, with the Wii coming off a big launch boom selling 6.54 million units and the PS3 in third place selling a mere 3.16 million units. These are the worldwide overall statistics on units sold from release.
To get a clearer picture on who is winning the war, it is better to look at the monthly sale charts. US video game console demand charts for the months of August 2005 – February 2007 show the demand for consoles at their launch period and afterwards when the hype dies down and general sales periods kick in.
The Wii and 360 had reasonably consistent demand from January to February, indicating that they have settled into post holiday levels, where as PS3 demand is more troubling, as it fell 30% in the same period, and is now significantly lower than its much older competitor. Compared to the 360’s launch, both the PS3 and Wii generated more overall demand during the holiday. However, the steep decline in PS3 demand indicates inflated demand due to hype. (http://blog.compete.com/2007/03/26/xbox360-wii-playstaion3-demand/)
But before the consumer chooses which platform to throw their support behind they must first see what each console offers them.
Microsoft’s next-generation console, the Xbox 360 has had a head start of about a year on its competitors, which has given it a huge edge in this generation. Two versions of the 360 were released at launch, one premium pack with everything included (20 GB HDD, Wireless controller) and the core with only the necessities (no HDD, wired controller).
One of the main selling points of the Xbox 360 was its online system. Xbox Live is widely recognised as the best console online experience available and this has been a big factor in the success of the 360. Another is the range of titles available, Microsoft have secured exclusive gaming IP’s such as Gears of War and the Halo series. Microsoft's celebrated Xbox Live Arcade service lets you download a wide variety of smaller games -- mostly retro classics like Doom and Worms. (http://www.xbox.com/zh-SG/community/news/2006/20060510.htm)
While the Xbox 360 had a big lead on Nintendo and Sony’s releases, there were a variety of problems with the launch Xbox 360 consoles. The problems include systems that spontaneously shut down or crash to a multi-language error screen. Early indications are that the problems are all related to the power supply overheating (http://spong.com/article/9336).
While Microsoft did fix these consoles free of charge, many consumers were not happy with the service provided. However, these console faults reportedly still seem to represent just a small fraction of Xbox 360 consoles sold so far (http://spong.com/article/9336).
It can be said that Nintendo’s Gamecube did not fare very well in the previous generations console war. The Nintendo started out second to the might of Sony’s Playstation 2, and once the release of the original Xbox, fell to a distant third.
Nintendo’s next generation console is trying to revolutionise the way games are played. The Nintendo Wii uses an infrared sensor in its controller so that you physically move around as you play. The interactivity of the Wii has lead to some innovative and creative games ideas, such as Wii Sports which you move the character and his actions when you move the controller. The Wii also has an internet browser so you can surf the net from the console, weather updates and the like.
This approach seems to have payed off with the Wii in Australia the fastest ever selling console; Nintendo Co.'s Wii outsold Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 during January as consumers bought 436,000 of the video-game consoles (http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=149572).
Though the Wii is also not without its technical problems, it has been reported that during standby mode, the Wii can overheat to the point of damaging the GPU, and the first firmware update caused some units to become unusable (http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=149572).
The juggernaut that was Sony’s Playstation 2 by far and away won the previous generation’s war and many were predicting a similar result with the Playstation 3, however a delayed release coupled with a lack of any ‘blockbuster’ release titles has hurt the PS3 in its market share position.
The Playstation 3 uses HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) compatibility something which the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii do not, HDMI lets the PS3 on a HD-TV be run on a native 1080i, 1080p resolution whereas the 360 and Wii can only be run on 720p. This gives a vastly sharper and clearer image. (http://www.cnet.com.au/tvs/accessories/0,239035326,240004563,00.htm)
Microsoft however, have combated this with announcing its new ‘Xbox 360 Elite’ console. The Elite will be a black version of the Xbox 360 with HDMI compatibility built in as well as including a 120 GB HDD. This is seen by some owners of the original versions of the Xbox as unfair as they also want access to the HDMI capabilities but have already spent money on an Xbox 360.
The Playstation 3 uses the new Blu-Ray disc format in its system which gives a clearer, sharper image and can hold much more content than the DVD/HD-DVD’s used in the 360 and Wii. The capacity of a single layer Blu-Ray disc is 25 GB, compared to 15GB of a HD-DVD. (http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/19/blu-ray-vs-hd-dvd-state-of-the-s-union-s-division)
With hardware issues the PS3 has had relatively less than the 360 and Wii, the known problems include the Bluetooth connect-ability in some of the consoles has bugs that make it hard to control the games being played and some of the console’s disc drives make a loud whirring sound when in use. (http://kotaku.com/gaming/ps3/some-new-ps3-models-whining-251671.php)
Games developers have also come out and criticized the PS3’s developing tools, citing that they are too hard to use; “The PS3 is a total disaster on so many levels, I think it’s really clear that Sony lost track of what customers and what developers wanted.” “The honest truth is that the Microsoft dev tools are so much better than Sony’s”. (Official Australian Xbox Magazine Issue 13 March 2007, p.17)
The PS3 is also suffering in the market, in Issue 5 of the E-magazine 360Zine it is written that the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii currently enjoy a healthy demand while the PS3 has post-launch blues. (360Zine Issue 5 April 2007, p. 34)
Console wars have and always will be a big part of the video gaming scene, as newer generations of consoles are released the multi-national corporations will try to out-do each other again and again, and the fiery fan debate will continue on as well. As for this generation of consoles, it is far too early to declare a winner, though Sony has a lot of ground to cover to catch up with the high flying Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox 360.
It all boils down to market share, and to ‘win’ a console war one must control the majority of the market, and that is what these conglomerates are striving for.
Reference List
Block, Ryan 19 Sep 2005, Blu-ray vs HD-DVD: State of the Division http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/19/blu-ray-vs-hd-dvd-state-of-the-s-union-s-division (accessed 21st April 2007)
Block, Ryan 20 March 2007, Xbox 360 Elite: new, black limited edition Xbox with HDMI and 120GB drive http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/20/xbox-360-elite-new-black-limited-edition-xbox-with-hdmi-and-120gb-drive/ (accessed 23rd April 2007)
2007, ‘Complete Blog’, 360Zine Issue 5, April, page 34 (accessed 2 April 2007)
2007, ‘Developers Trash PS3’, Xbox 360: The Official Australian Xbox Magazine Issue 11, March, page 17 (accessed 23 April 2007)
Freiert, Max, Xbox360 vs. Wii. Vs. PS3: Demand doesn’t lie http://blog.compete.com/2007/03/26/xbox360-wii-playstaion3-demand/ (accessed 23rd April 2007)
10 May 2006, Gamers Catch Their Breath as Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Reinvent Next-Generation Gaming http://www.xbox.com/zh-SG/community/news/2006/20060510.htm (accessed 19th April)
History of Games (part 2), http://www.gamingw.net/articles/74 (accessed 30th April 2007)
Jackson, Mike Nov 21, 2006, WARNING: WiiConnect 24 kills Wiis, http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=149572 (accessed 30th April 2007)
Kohler, Chris 14 Nov, 2006 Picking Sides in the Console War http://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/news/2006/11/72112?currentPage=2 (accessed 19th April 2007)
Dec 14, 2006 Nintendo Wii is a Record Breaker in Australia http://www.gameguru.in/general/2006/14/nintendo-wii-is-a-record-breaker-in-australia/ (accessed on 19th April)
Qualls, Eric, Xbox 360 Hardware Impressions, http://xbox.about.com/od/xbox2/a/x360hardwareimp.htm (accessed 30th April 2007)
Ramsay, Randolph 8 March 2005, Why HDMI? What you need to know before going digital http://www.cnet.com.au/tvs/accessories/0,239035326,240004563,00.htm (accessed 23rd April 2007)
Some New PS3 Models Whining http://kotaku.com/gaming/ps3/some-new-ps3-models-whining-251671.php (accessed 21st April 2007)
Takahashi, Dean 2006, Xbox 360 Uncloaked, Lulu Press: United States
Thurrott, Paul Nov 25, 2005, Isolated Hardware Glitches Mar Xbox 360 Debut http://www.windowsitpro.com/Articles/ArticleID/48561/48561.html?Ad=1 (accessed 19th April 2007)
White, Michael 20 Feb 2007, Nintendo Wii Tops Playstation 3, Xbox 360 in January http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601204&sid=aeP6KYaQ4o_k&refer=technology (accessed on 20th April 2007)
24 Nov 2005, Xbox 360 Faults. Full Report, http://spong.com/article/9336 (accessed on 30th April 2007)
Relevant Websites
www.xbox.com.au
www.sony.com.au
www.nintendo.com.au
http://www.majornelson.com/
http://www.msxbox-world.com/
http://www.ps3.net/
http://wii.com/
www.ign.com
www.gamespot.com
http://www.vgchartz.com/
Monday, April 30, 2007
Week 9 - Essay Crunch Time
The Comp Lab this week was focused on completing the essay due on Friday Week 10. I found out that I had too many words in my essay, and that I cannot use Wikipeida (:o) so I had to find the actual references that Wiki used and put them into my reference list.
The lecture on Friday was actually quite good. Jason Nelson was the guest speaker and he talked about Cyber Art, how you can be creative on the Web. He showed us some of his work and explained alot about what he does and how the internet works.
As for what happened in my life, the Roosters finally got their 1000th victory, they are the first and only club so far to record that number of wins. They beat the Dragons on ANZAC day 18-4 and it was good stuff.! :)
The lecture on Friday was actually quite good. Jason Nelson was the guest speaker and he talked about Cyber Art, how you can be creative on the Web. He showed us some of his work and explained alot about what he does and how the internet works.
As for what happened in my life, the Roosters finally got their 1000th victory, they are the first and only club so far to record that number of wins. They beat the Dragons on ANZAC day 18-4 and it was good stuff.! :)
Monday, April 23, 2007
Week 8 - Internet Field Trip
For Week 8 we had to go on a internet field trip and find some innovative and interactive websites, though there were no specific instructions on Learning@Griffith.
The website I found was the Way Back Machine which is a website that stores the archives of almost every website on the internet so that you can visit pages from years ago.
The website I found was the Way Back Machine which is a website that stores the archives of almost every website on the internet so that you can visit pages from years ago.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Decision Made
I have come to a final decision on what my final essay for New Comm Tech is going to be written on: The video game console wars.
I have know this for a while, but today I am starting so it is official.
I ran this by my tutor and he said that it would be a good idea, but I have to be critical about it.
My basic outline of the essay will be to show the history of the so called 'console wars' and how it has evolved to what it is today, a multi-million dollar fight between congolomorates Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo.
I am starting my essay today (Thursday 19 April) even though it isn't due until week ten as I have ALOT of other work I will have to do in that period.
Thats it for now.
I have know this for a while, but today I am starting so it is official.
I ran this by my tutor and he said that it would be a good idea, but I have to be critical about it.
My basic outline of the essay will be to show the history of the so called 'console wars' and how it has evolved to what it is today, a multi-million dollar fight between congolomorates Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo.
I am starting my essay today (Thursday 19 April) even though it isn't due until week ten as I have ALOT of other work I will have to do in that period.
Thats it for now.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Week 6 - Photoshop
Graduating university, the asperation of all uni students, this is my representation of uni life.
Reference
This is high-tech, the newest video game console from Microsoft, the Xbox 360, it incorporates all the newest gaming technology, which is why it represents high-tech.Reference
This picture represents friends well, as it is me with my mates at a party during the week off from uni.
I do not know the model of the camera used to take this picture, I will edit this post when I find out.
Current news issues seem to revolve around the war in Iraq, which I why I used this picture to represent news.
Reference
The beach represents summer time, hence why I have a picture of the beach to represent summer.
Reference
Unconventional. How many times do you see a puppy dog dressed up in flowers? I think that is pretty uncoventional, don't you?
Reference
Week 6 - Photoshop
This week we have to get some photo's that are not modified in Photoshop at all which represent or communicate;
- Friends
- High-Tech
- News
- Summer
- Unconventional
- University Life
Once we do that we have to write a short summary for each photo explaining why we believe that the picture represents the theme chosen.
- Friends
- High-Tech
- News
- Summer
- Unconventional
- University Life
Once we do that we have to write a short summary for each photo explaining why we believe that the picture represents the theme chosen.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Week 5 - Photoshop
This week we learn't how to use Photoshop.
I took a pic of Brian Dawkins and added it to an image of a Mushroom Cloud.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Week 4 - Search Engine Questions
What is a search engine?
A search engine is a searchable online database of internet resources. It has several components: search engine software, spider software, an index (database), and a relevancy algorithm (rules for ranking). The search engine software consists of a server or a collection of servers dedicated to indexing Internet Web pages, storing the results and returning lists of pages to match user queries. The spidering software constantly crawls the Web collecting Web page data for the index. The index is a database for storing the data. The relevancy algorithm determines how to rank queries. Examples of major search engines are Google, AOL, MSN and Lycos, etc.. Examples of major directories are Yahoo!, LookSmart and ODP.
(http://www.virtechseo.com/seoglossary.htm)
How do search engines rank the stuff they find on the internet?
Pages listed are ones which contain text matching the search term. These are sorted in some kind of relevance order, usually based on the number of times the search terms appear, and whether they're in a title or header.
(http://hayleyshollers.blogspot.com/)
Who, or what, makes one page (that you might get in your search results) more useful than another one, so that it is put at the top of your search results?
To get a top spot on the search engine your site must be "optimised" for the search engine. Optimization used to mean adding "keyword metatags" to your site header.
This practice is virtually ignored by most search engines. You now need to use sentences to describe what the page is about. A picture is worth 1000 words, but of the search engine cannot see your picture, then it is not worth a thing.
Optimising your website using search engine optimization means that you must make your website easily navigable by humans, so that humans can find what they are looking for quickly. The search engine algorithms, or programs, are built to promote sites that do this, and they do this using search engine rules.
(http://www.computerengineering.ca/getting_started_with_web_hosting/)
What are some of your favourite search engines? Why do you like one more than others?
I use Google exclusivly. No other reason than it is my homepage.
Can you find some current news stories about search engines?
Google buys Youtube!
A search engine is a searchable online database of internet resources. It has several components: search engine software, spider software, an index (database), and a relevancy algorithm (rules for ranking). The search engine software consists of a server or a collection of servers dedicated to indexing Internet Web pages, storing the results and returning lists of pages to match user queries. The spidering software constantly crawls the Web collecting Web page data for the index. The index is a database for storing the data. The relevancy algorithm determines how to rank queries. Examples of major search engines are Google, AOL, MSN and Lycos, etc.. Examples of major directories are Yahoo!, LookSmart and ODP.
(http://www.virtechseo.com/seoglossary.htm)
How do search engines rank the stuff they find on the internet?
Pages listed are ones which contain text matching the search term. These are sorted in some kind of relevance order, usually based on the number of times the search terms appear, and whether they're in a title or header.
(http://hayleyshollers.blogspot.com/)
Who, or what, makes one page (that you might get in your search results) more useful than another one, so that it is put at the top of your search results?
To get a top spot on the search engine your site must be "optimised" for the search engine. Optimization used to mean adding "keyword metatags" to your site header.
This practice is virtually ignored by most search engines. You now need to use sentences to describe what the page is about. A picture is worth 1000 words, but of the search engine cannot see your picture, then it is not worth a thing.
Optimising your website using search engine optimization means that you must make your website easily navigable by humans, so that humans can find what they are looking for quickly. The search engine algorithms, or programs, are built to promote sites that do this, and they do this using search engine rules.
(http://www.computerengineering.ca/getting_started_with_web_hosting/)
What are some of your favourite search engines? Why do you like one more than others?
I use Google exclusivly. No other reason than it is my homepage.
Can you find some current news stories about search engines?
Google buys Youtube!
Week 4 - Scavenger Hunt
Complete the Scavenger Hunt questions by using a search engine that isn't Google, and post your answers in your blog:
1. What is the weight of the world's biggest pumpkin?
2. What is the best way (quickest, most reliable) to contact Grant Hackett?
3. What is the length of a giraffe's tongue?
4. How would you define the word 'ontology'? In your own words, what does it really mean ?
5. What was David Cronenberg's first feature film?
6. When was the original 'Hacker's Manifesto' written?
7. Why do all phone numbers in Hollywood films start with '555'?
8. What is the cheapest form of travel from Crete to Rhodes?
9. What song was top of the Australian Pop Charts this week in 1965?
10. Which Brisbane band includes Stephen Stockwell on keyboards and vocals?
1. 1061 pounds (reference - http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plmay99.htm)
2. Miami Swimming ClubPO BOX 2461BURLEIGH QLD 4220 (reference -http://granthackettonline.free.fr/?page_id=107)
3. A giraffe can extend its tongue for as much as 45 cm (18 in) (reference - http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761561060/Giraffe.html)
4. Ontology can be said to study conceptions of reality (reference - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontology)
5. Stereo (1969) (reference - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Cronenberg#Filmography_as_Director)
6. January 8, 1986. (reference - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker_Manifesto)
7. In 1994, the North American Numbering Plan Administration began accepting applications for nationwide 555 numbers (outside the fictitious 555-01XX range). This would mean that a consumer from any area code could dial a seven-digit number such as 555-TACO, and the owners of that number could connect the call to the taco vendor nearest to the consumer. However, according to a 2003 New York Times article, the desired functionality requires the cooperation of local phone authorities, and most phone vendors have been reluctant to cooperate, perhaps wary of undermining the lucrative business of selling toll-free telephone numbers. Despite the fact that the service is virtually unavailable so far, most of the available 555 numbers have already been reserved. (reference - http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/16094)
8. By Ferry (reference - http://www.athensguide.com/ferries.html)
9. I'll Never Find Another You - The Seekers (reference - http://www.onmc.iinet.net.au/topspot/1965.htm)
10. Black Assasin's (reference - http://www.brisbanewritersfestival.com.au/2005/content/standard.asp?name=StockwellS)
1. What is the weight of the world's biggest pumpkin?
2. What is the best way (quickest, most reliable) to contact Grant Hackett?
3. What is the length of a giraffe's tongue?
4. How would you define the word 'ontology'? In your own words, what does it really mean ?
5. What was David Cronenberg's first feature film?
6. When was the original 'Hacker's Manifesto' written?
7. Why do all phone numbers in Hollywood films start with '555'?
8. What is the cheapest form of travel from Crete to Rhodes?
9. What song was top of the Australian Pop Charts this week in 1965?
10. Which Brisbane band includes Stephen Stockwell on keyboards and vocals?
1. 1061 pounds (reference - http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plmay99.htm)
2. Miami Swimming ClubPO BOX 2461BURLEIGH QLD 4220 (reference -http://granthackettonline.free.fr/?page_id=107)
3. A giraffe can extend its tongue for as much as 45 cm (18 in) (reference - http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761561060/Giraffe.html)
4. Ontology can be said to study conceptions of reality (reference - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontology)
5. Stereo (1969) (reference - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Cronenberg#Filmography_as_Director)
6. January 8, 1986. (reference - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker_Manifesto)
7. In 1994, the North American Numbering Plan Administration began accepting applications for nationwide 555 numbers (outside the fictitious 555-01XX range). This would mean that a consumer from any area code could dial a seven-digit number such as 555-TACO, and the owners of that number could connect the call to the taco vendor nearest to the consumer. However, according to a 2003 New York Times article, the desired functionality requires the cooperation of local phone authorities, and most phone vendors have been reluctant to cooperate, perhaps wary of undermining the lucrative business of selling toll-free telephone numbers. Despite the fact that the service is virtually unavailable so far, most of the available 555 numbers have already been reserved. (reference - http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/16094)
8. By Ferry (reference - http://www.athensguide.com/ferries.html)
9. I'll Never Find Another You - The Seekers (reference - http://www.onmc.iinet.net.au/topspot/1965.htm)
10. Black Assasin's (reference - http://www.brisbanewritersfestival.com.au/2005/content/standard.asp?name=StockwellS)
Week 4 - Library Database Exercises
Alrighty, week 4 rolls around and we are actually doing work, albiet basically a 'keep busy' exercise. Here is what we had to do:
1) The first task is for library searches: search the library catalogue and find a resource that will help you formulate your essay topic.
2) Go to the full-text database search via the library website and find three academic articles that relate to the topic of your first essay. Write a report to post in your blog that summarises the key points in the articles, and comment on how this task has helped you formulate your topic.
3) For the Mailing List part, find some academic mailing lists that are related to the kinds of things we study in Communication and Digital Technologies (internet studies, new media studies, etc). Find out the names and websites of two academic lists and write a post about them.
4) Complete the Scavenger Hunt questions by using a search engine that isn't Google, and post your answers in your blog.
Exercise 1:
eBook found by searching the Library database on the subject the history of the internet, which my essay may be on: A brief history of the Internet [electronic resource] : the bright side : the dark side / by Michael Hart and Maxwell Fuller.
Exercise 2:
- A brief history of the Internet [electronic resource] : the bright side : the dark side / by Michael Hart and Maxwell Fuller.
For the first time we actually have an opportunity for a whole world's population to share not only air or water, but also to share the world of ideas, of art or of music and other sounds. Think of the time and effort people save simply by being able to consult a dictionary, an encyclopedia, thesaurus or other reference book, a newspaper or magazine library of vast proportions, or a library of a thousand books of the greatest works of all history without even having to get up and go to the bookcase. There is no longer any reason to "do it the hard way" as you will see below, and on the Internet. (sourced from the above url)
- Inventing the Internet / Janet Abbate.
Between the 1960s and the 1980s, computing technology underwent a dramatic transformation: the computer, originally conceived as an isolated calculating device, was reborn as a means of communication. But in the early 1960s, when computers were scarce, expensive, and cumbersome, using a computer for communication was almost unthinkable. A scientist who needed to use a distant computer might find it easier to get on a plane and fly to the machine's location to use it in person. Founded by the Air Force in 1946 as an outgrowth of operations research efforts initiated during World War II, Rand (originally RAND, derived from "research and development") was a nonprofit corporation dedicated to research on military strategy and technology. Strangelove turns to "the Bland Corporation'' when he needs advice on nuclear strategy. Because its approach to systems analysis emphasized quantitative models and simulation, Rand was also active in computer science research (Edwards 1996, pp.)
- Online timeline
An article by David Carlson, including a description of work on his timeline, begins on page 68. The Online Timeline from which this is adapted can be found at http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/carlson/timeline.shtml. (sourced from this website)
By using the Griffith online database to do this exercise I have learn't how to use the library database, which will come in handy when I have to start writing all my assesments for this and other courses. Also, by finding some eBooks on the topic that I may write my essay on I have been able to gain a little more of an understanding on the history of the internet and its development.
Exercise 3:
Mailing list 1 - http://www.inms.umn.edu/about/contact.htm
The Institute for New Media Studies is a center for creation, innovation, and examination of content and messages and the affects of new media technologies and techniques on their forms and functions. The goal is the imagining and testing of innovative forms, development of new knowledge about functions, and generation of greater understanding of the impacts of these changes in the media landscape. (sourced from http://www.inms.umn.edu/about/mission.htm)
Mailing list 2 - http://listserv.aoir.org/listinfo.cgi/air-l-aoir.org
The Association of Internet Researchers is an academic association dedicated to the advancement of the cross-disciplinary field of Internet studies. It is a member-based support network promoting critical and scholarly Internet research independent from traditional disciplines and existing across academic borders. The association is international in scope. ( sourced from http://www.aoir.org/)
1) The first task is for library searches: search the library catalogue and find a resource that will help you formulate your essay topic.
2) Go to the full-text database search via the library website and find three academic articles that relate to the topic of your first essay. Write a report to post in your blog that summarises the key points in the articles, and comment on how this task has helped you formulate your topic.
3) For the Mailing List part, find some academic mailing lists that are related to the kinds of things we study in Communication and Digital Technologies (internet studies, new media studies, etc). Find out the names and websites of two academic lists and write a post about them.
4) Complete the Scavenger Hunt questions by using a search engine that isn't Google, and post your answers in your blog.
Exercise 1:
eBook found by searching the Library database on the subject the history of the internet, which my essay may be on: A brief history of the Internet [electronic resource] : the bright side : the dark side / by Michael Hart and Maxwell Fuller.
Exercise 2:
- A brief history of the Internet [electronic resource] : the bright side : the dark side / by Michael Hart and Maxwell Fuller.
For the first time we actually have an opportunity for a whole world's population to share not only air or water, but also to share the world of ideas, of art or of music and other sounds. Think of the time and effort people save simply by being able to consult a dictionary, an encyclopedia, thesaurus or other reference book, a newspaper or magazine library of vast proportions, or a library of a thousand books of the greatest works of all history without even having to get up and go to the bookcase. There is no longer any reason to "do it the hard way" as you will see below, and on the Internet. (sourced from the above url)
- Inventing the Internet / Janet Abbate.
Between the 1960s and the 1980s, computing technology underwent a dramatic transformation: the computer, originally conceived as an isolated calculating device, was reborn as a means of communication. But in the early 1960s, when computers were scarce, expensive, and cumbersome, using a computer for communication was almost unthinkable. A scientist who needed to use a distant computer might find it easier to get on a plane and fly to the machine's location to use it in person. Founded by the Air Force in 1946 as an outgrowth of operations research efforts initiated during World War II, Rand (originally RAND, derived from "research and development") was a nonprofit corporation dedicated to research on military strategy and technology. Strangelove turns to "the Bland Corporation'' when he needs advice on nuclear strategy. Because its approach to systems analysis emphasized quantitative models and simulation, Rand was also active in computer science research (Edwards 1996, pp.)
- Online timeline
An article by David Carlson, including a description of work on his timeline, begins on page 68. The Online Timeline from which this is adapted can be found at http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/carlson/timeline.shtml. (sourced from this website)
By using the Griffith online database to do this exercise I have learn't how to use the library database, which will come in handy when I have to start writing all my assesments for this and other courses. Also, by finding some eBooks on the topic that I may write my essay on I have been able to gain a little more of an understanding on the history of the internet and its development.
Exercise 3:
Mailing list 1 - http://www.inms.umn.edu/about/contact.htm
The Institute for New Media Studies is a center for creation, innovation, and examination of content and messages and the affects of new media technologies and techniques on their forms and functions. The goal is the imagining and testing of innovative forms, development of new knowledge about functions, and generation of greater understanding of the impacts of these changes in the media landscape. (sourced from http://www.inms.umn.edu/about/mission.htm)
Mailing list 2 - http://listserv.aoir.org/listinfo.cgi/air-l-aoir.org
The Association of Internet Researchers is an academic association dedicated to the advancement of the cross-disciplinary field of Internet studies. It is a member-based support network promoting critical and scholarly Internet research independent from traditional disciplines and existing across academic borders. The association is international in scope. ( sourced from http://www.aoir.org/)
Week 3 - Communication Types Exercise
I have to talk about how I communicate with my friends and family through communication technologies.
The tech that I generally use is email, instant messaging and Xbox Live.
I don't generally talk to family members using internet technologies, I talk to them over the phone, be it landline or mobile or in person, as most of my family though does live away (not immediate though) I use the phone.
Friends though I generally talk to via Instant Messaging services and email, as well as Xbox Live.
I use Windows messenger to talk to mates via the internet, the IM confersations are very casual just as if i was talking to them in person, though we do very often share links with each other.
Email I don't use as much to talk to friends, I generally use email for online newsletters, keeping in touch with the university and info from sporting teams, websites I am a member of etc.
Xbox Live however is very different. I play video games with people (generally those who I have never met, sometimes from overseas) and have the ability with the right periphials to talk to them and even see them, though to see them you need an Xbox webcam, which I don't have as I don't think its worth the money as it isn't fully used yet by game developers.
Speaking to people that I don't know over Xbox Live isn't that different to people that I do know as you very quickly become 'friends' with the people, you also know their basic likes and dislikes due to the profile on their gamercard.
I don't talk to people I don't know over IM, but I do on things such as forums, but generally these forums are specialist (i.e. Sydney Roosters forums) so we all know we like at least one thing the same.
I have been using IM, email and forums for a long time, probably since I started using the net, but due to not having broadband until recently I have only had Xbox Live since the 1st of Feb 07.
Basically I started using this tech cause my mates were (in regards to IM, email, forums, etc) but I always wanted to use Xbox Live because I love the idea of online gaming, plus games have a MUCH longer life span when you can use multi-player.
The tech that I generally use is email, instant messaging and Xbox Live.
I don't generally talk to family members using internet technologies, I talk to them over the phone, be it landline or mobile or in person, as most of my family though does live away (not immediate though) I use the phone.
Friends though I generally talk to via Instant Messaging services and email, as well as Xbox Live.
I use Windows messenger to talk to mates via the internet, the IM confersations are very casual just as if i was talking to them in person, though we do very often share links with each other.
Email I don't use as much to talk to friends, I generally use email for online newsletters, keeping in touch with the university and info from sporting teams, websites I am a member of etc.
Xbox Live however is very different. I play video games with people (generally those who I have never met, sometimes from overseas) and have the ability with the right periphials to talk to them and even see them, though to see them you need an Xbox webcam, which I don't have as I don't think its worth the money as it isn't fully used yet by game developers.
Speaking to people that I don't know over Xbox Live isn't that different to people that I do know as you very quickly become 'friends' with the people, you also know their basic likes and dislikes due to the profile on their gamercard.
I don't talk to people I don't know over IM, but I do on things such as forums, but generally these forums are specialist (i.e. Sydney Roosters forums) so we all know we like at least one thing the same.
I have been using IM, email and forums for a long time, probably since I started using the net, but due to not having broadband until recently I have only had Xbox Live since the 1st of Feb 07.
Basically I started using this tech cause my mates were (in regards to IM, email, forums, etc) but I always wanted to use Xbox Live because I love the idea of online gaming, plus games have a MUCH longer life span when you can use multi-player.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Blog week 2 - lecture screenings, the office and 1 week till footy!!
Monday has rolled around again, and so it means that I am once again updating my blog. In terms of NCT, the week was productive, in terms of other things in my life quite slow.
The Friday lecture of NCT was interesting to say the least. As required for the course I had spent all day Thursday reading my newly acquired text book up to the end of chapter 4 to get ready for the lecture. The term dialectic was pretty easy to understand and it seems pretty integral to the course.
Basically it means the process especially associated with Hegel of arriving at the truth by stating a thesis, developing a contradictory antithesis, and combining and resolving them into a coherent synthesis. That was taken from the text book, Communication and New Media by Martin Hirst and John Harrison.
In the lecture itself we looked at the evolution of media (Media Theory) and how it differed in the US, Europe and then UK. Prof. Stockwell also showed us the paper that hen wrote on Media Theory, and suggested we check it out, but also said that he doubted we would find it useful as we won’t understand it.
In the second half of the lecture we watched a screening of a French New Wave movie (the name of which I forget, lol) It was about the third world war and the underground experiments of trying to communicate with the past and present in the hopes of saving the human race. It was a black and white still frames film, but it was nonetheless enjoyable.
I assume that the point of the screening was to show that communication is available in many ways, even though the film was obviously science fiction.
In the Tute for NCT, which I had today we just added friends to our blog from the class and updated it. Heaps of 'work' hey! :)
As for the rest of the week I have basically been taking it easy, I downloaded seasons 1 and 2 of the US version of the Office and have been watching that, as well as playing Gears of War on Xbox Live.
The NRL season kicks off on Friday night with two games on Channel 9, but what I am waiting for is next Monday when the Roosters kick off their season vs. South Sydney, GO EASTS!!
That’s it for this week, link dump:
http://www.gearsofwar.com/
http://www.nrl.com.au/
http://www.theoffice.com/
The Friday lecture of NCT was interesting to say the least. As required for the course I had spent all day Thursday reading my newly acquired text book up to the end of chapter 4 to get ready for the lecture. The term dialectic was pretty easy to understand and it seems pretty integral to the course.
Basically it means the process especially associated with Hegel of arriving at the truth by stating a thesis, developing a contradictory antithesis, and combining and resolving them into a coherent synthesis. That was taken from the text book, Communication and New Media by Martin Hirst and John Harrison.
In the lecture itself we looked at the evolution of media (Media Theory) and how it differed in the US, Europe and then UK. Prof. Stockwell also showed us the paper that hen wrote on Media Theory, and suggested we check it out, but also said that he doubted we would find it useful as we won’t understand it.
In the second half of the lecture we watched a screening of a French New Wave movie (the name of which I forget, lol) It was about the third world war and the underground experiments of trying to communicate with the past and present in the hopes of saving the human race. It was a black and white still frames film, but it was nonetheless enjoyable.
I assume that the point of the screening was to show that communication is available in many ways, even though the film was obviously science fiction.
In the Tute for NCT, which I had today we just added friends to our blog from the class and updated it. Heaps of 'work' hey! :)
As for the rest of the week I have basically been taking it easy, I downloaded seasons 1 and 2 of the US version of the Office and have been watching that, as well as playing Gears of War on Xbox Live.
The NRL season kicks off on Friday night with two games on Channel 9, but what I am waiting for is next Monday when the Roosters kick off their season vs. South Sydney, GO EASTS!!
That’s it for this week, link dump:
http://www.gearsofwar.com/
http://www.nrl.com.au/
http://www.theoffice.com/
1st blog, enjoy the fun
And so it begins.
While Uni actually started last week for me, this is my first actual piece of work I have done for Uni so far. Crazy isn’t it. The interesting thing is that many people do this in their free time for themselves, so this can harldy be called work, lol.
The main aspect of this blog is to pass my New Comm Tech course, but that dosen’t mean that we cannot have fun along the way now does it!
So I’ll get the boring part out of the way for you now. Bascially I have to say what I learn’t in New Comm Tech (now to be reffered to as NCT) each week. Well, I will start with my first lecture (which was actually last week, but meh, I’ll update you guys anyways).
I met Prof. Stephen Stockwell and he ran through the outline of the course and what we will be doing for the next 13 weeks. I was told about the assesments I will have to do and the structure of the course. The course itself seems pretty interesting, and as I said to a friend in the lecture, this hands down looks like it will be the best course I take in this 1st semester.
The assesments that I will have to do are actually not that bad, one being this very blog, updated every week. The other two being a 1000 word essay about one of the topics from the lectures and finally a 100 multiple choice exam in the last week.
Now, when I heard that the exam will be ALL MULTIPLE CHOICE (!!!!) I rejoyced as multiple choice (imo) is the easiest form of question to not only answer, but study for! Each week there will be a new topic to go through in the lecture and then in the Comp Lab, with week 1’s being simply an outline in the lecture, and then the creation of this blog in the Comp Lab.
After the lecture I was left to ponder why we have to write a blog for University, but soon decided to just go with it. So come Monday I showed up at my 1st Comp Lab interested to see what would go about and how much work this blog will be, and as it turns out it will be pretty simple to update each week. But I suppose the fact that I do know what I am doing when it comes to the internet can’t hurt.
In the Comp Lab I met my tutor, Jules Sholer who seems like a laid back, easy to get along with guy (flattery should get me some better marks *nudge*, lol). Well, thats basically it for the NCT part of the blog, the 1st week was pretty basic, but I suppose that is so that we are not overwhelmed with everything.
So, what else happened this week you ask, as I know you are all hanging on my every word now that I told you all about the wonderful world of Griffith!
Well, the final week of the NRL trials commenced with my team the Sydney Roosters playing an almost full strenght squad for their final hit out before the Rd. 1 match vs. rivals South Sydney. Fullback Anthony Minichiello and lock Braith Anasta made comebacks from injuries suffered last season, in Mino’s case he hadn’t played since May 2006, so to make his comeback was a very welcome occurance indeed.
I am happy to report that the outcome of the match was a win for the Roosters 30-22 over Parramatta and a very promising return for Mino and Anasta, bring on Round 1 (March 19).
So bascially that is my week, though I did forget to mention that I did go home almost everynight and play Xbox Live, other than Saturday night when I went out with my mates for a few (*many*) drinks. It was tip top. :)
Links etc:
www.sydneyroosters.com.au
www.xbox.com.au
http://profile.mygamercard.net/dimorphic
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