Friday, June 1, 2007
Critical Reflection of Course
Well i enjoyed this course very much, i would say it wuld b one of the most enjoyable courses in university :) adam is a great tutor and i enjoyed his teaching. I learnt some things about the history of the internet which was interesting, and it was enjoyable to watch the videos during the lecture aswell. I will be choosing Digital Video Foundations next semester i think thanks to this course :) i enjoyed this course very much i wouldnt change anything about this course the teaching is great and the course isnt boring, isnt hard but isnt easier you still need to apply yourself but its fun at the same time :) So id like to say thankyou to stephen, chris and adam for giving me the pleasure to do this course :) Cheers.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Week 11 Tute Task
Ok well im a bit late completing this task but I HAVE DONE IT NOW :) last week was pretty easy for me well some parts, but iv always had trouble with excel since high school. Im not good with numbers and cells and formula's. The 1st exercise was basic, just enter the info in the cells stated which was easy enough. Exercise 2 started getting a bit tricky, took me longer because i was slower at doing them but i got it done lol. I think my problem is all the formular business like all the *,-,+,=, just gets to me reminds me of maths in high school lol. Exercise 3 was fun i love charts and graphs, because i am more of a visual learner if i see a graph i can understand information easier then if i were to read it. So i completed this task at a good working speed and it was the best part of this task, well its the best part of excel.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Week 10 tute task
Ok this task was back to basics for me. During High School i did Business and Information Technology for 5 years and i loved it, i wasnt the A+ student and i wasnt the F- student, i was the avaerage B or C student. I enjoyed going threw this task to refresh my memory on word. The 1st exercise : opening, typing and saving was easy lol but it was still good to do. The 2nd exercise : bold, italics, underline and bullets was again straight foward. 3rd exercise: headers, footers and double spacing was easy aswell had no problems. It was the Advanced Exercise 1: Track Changes were i started having to remember what i was taught in high school lol, got threw it but took me a bit longer. Advanced Exercise 2: Mail Merge omg this was my worst nightmare in high school lol I had trouble with this one it took me nearly half an hour to finish this one lol but i did finish it lol. Overall this task was a good review to refresh my skills i thought. Most of the task was simple except for the advanced ones they were a tad confusing lol. As i want to be in Business one day this software will be very useful for me as i will most likly be sedning emails and writting business letters and in order to do that i must know the ins and outs of word.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Academic Essay (1000 words)
The Emergence of the Ipod
as a form of Music Technology
The main topic and argument of this essay is that the emergence of iPod’s has been the greatest development in modern music technology. The opposing side to this argument will also be discussed. The Apple iPod was 1st introduced to the public on the 23rd of October 2001. It was an unexpected but welcomed announcement, just a few months after the release of itunes. The price was $399, worth the money because at the time, the ipod was unlike no other music player technology. The ipod relies on a hard disk for storage, instead of CD’s and it is smaller in size and is easy to use. This 1st ipod had a 5GB storage capacity which is enough to hold over 1000 songs (iLounge 2004). It was a great step for Apple and an even better product for listening to music. The iPod has come along way from the record player and CD walkmans. It has become a favourite amongst many people. This is mainly because it is easy to use and they don’t have to carry around walkmans and change CD’s. All that has to be done is, download music to your computer, mix songs if you like then upload to your iPod, and it is much more easier and quicker. They are very popular with teenagers’ because it allows them to make their own space with their music. The music itself can promote relaxation, reduce anxiety and stress, promote appropriate behaviour, change moods and alleviate boredom. Research shows that teenagers are more likely to use music to accompany chores rather then pleasures, tasks that are duties, especially when going for a run, they are more likely to have their ipod with them when exercising (Frith 2000). Music can also arouse and pacify people, research shows that listening to music can reduce testosterone levels, which is likely to result in less conflict, less sexual confrontation and more group cohesiveness (Huron 1998).
There are currently four different iPods available ranging from $119 to $499, and memory sizes from 1GB (240 songs), to 80GB (20,000 songs). With each new iPod, there are better technological enhancements made. The 30GB and 80GB iPods have 60% brighter display and up to 20hours of battery life and you can now put your entire music library onto your iPod (Apple iPod 2007). Just after being on the market for two years the popularity of the iPod had reached the likes of Madonna, Tony Hawk and David Beckham. They allowed Apple to sell limited edition iPods with their signatures engraved on the back for $548 each, which made these iPods the most expensive ever sold by Apple. In June 2003, Apple had sold it’s one millionth ipod, less then two years after the release date in 2001. By October 2004, analysts reported that ipod sales are 82% of all digital music players and 92% of all hard-drive based players (iLounge 2004). An Apple spokeswomen said, that the reason why the ipods are selling so fast is because of the technology involved in making them and the fact that ipods have a failure rate of less then 5%, which is fairly low compared to other consumer electronics. Apple stands alone on top of the portable media player market because it is a revolutionary product (Nerd approved 2006).
Although having stated and proved that the emergence of the Apple ipod has been the greatest development in modern music technology, there is always another side to this debate. There has been legal controversy in France, Canada and the United Kingdom, with problems relating to the Apple Ipod. In 2002 the ipod was briefly taken off the market in France, because the device violated a law limiting the sound output of portable devices to 100 decibels. In December 2003 Canadian authorities imposed an additional governmental levy to each player sold, which then got Apple sued by the United Kingdom for violating their trade-agreement (iLounge 2004). There are also complaints regarding the random feature on the ipod, were user’s claim that their ipod’s random feature is not really random, that it plays certain artists and songs over again (Keeling 2007).
After searching the internet there were many websites that lobby against ipods, one of which stuck out ‘iPods Suck! – Anti – Ipod’. This website is completely against the use and production of ipods. There are articles on the product from its price to how faulty it is and all the writers have purchased and own an ipod. One article stated that, ‘it is a bad thing that the ipod culture is blowing other devices out of the water, just for the brand and fashion reasons’………’every single ipod product requires earphones which are always white, there is no variety for the customer’……..’when looking at the functions of an ipod and what it holds, you really don’t seem to get much for your money……..display is basic, standard ipods are just black and white and the connectivity is poor’ (Anti–Ipod 2007). The ipod can connect with other operating systems but not very well. Apple has intentionally prevented outsider developer from experimenting with or changing the devices operating system (iLounge 2004).
There is much debate over the emergence of iPods, wether they are the greatest form of music technology. This essay has shown the two sides of this debate, but has argued only one, that the emergence of ipods has been the greatest development in modern music technology. Just the fact that the ipod is still the highest selling portable music device in the world is enough to prove the argument. But this argument may never be resolved it may just come down to personal preference, wether a person likes ipods or not.
Reference
Anti-Ipod. (2007) ‘iPods suck!’. http://www.anti-ipod.co.uk/ipod.php?misc=search&subaction=showfull&id=1173748929&archive=&cnshow=news&ucat=2&start_from=&, accessed 1st May 2007.
Apple iPod. (2007) ‘Apple Store’. http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=browse&mco=5DA18255&node=home/ipod/ipod, accessed 1st May 2007.
Frith, S. (2000) ‘Music and Everyday Life’, Critical Quarterly, 44(1), pp. 36-45.
Huron, D. (1998) ‘Is Music an Evolutionary Adaptation?’, School of Music, pp. 43-57.
iLounge. (2004) ‘A Brief History of iPod’. http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/instant-expert-a-brief-history-of-ipod/, accessed 1st May 2007.
Keeling, K. (2007) ‘Does Your iPod Have a Soul? Playing with Random Numbers’, Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education, 5(1).
Nerd Approved. (2006) ‘Love iPods Too Much?’. http://nerdapproved.com/audio/do-we-love-ipods-too-much/, accessed 1st May 2007.
as a form of Music Technology
The main topic and argument of this essay is that the emergence of iPod’s has been the greatest development in modern music technology. The opposing side to this argument will also be discussed. The Apple iPod was 1st introduced to the public on the 23rd of October 2001. It was an unexpected but welcomed announcement, just a few months after the release of itunes. The price was $399, worth the money because at the time, the ipod was unlike no other music player technology. The ipod relies on a hard disk for storage, instead of CD’s and it is smaller in size and is easy to use. This 1st ipod had a 5GB storage capacity which is enough to hold over 1000 songs (iLounge 2004). It was a great step for Apple and an even better product for listening to music. The iPod has come along way from the record player and CD walkmans. It has become a favourite amongst many people. This is mainly because it is easy to use and they don’t have to carry around walkmans and change CD’s. All that has to be done is, download music to your computer, mix songs if you like then upload to your iPod, and it is much more easier and quicker. They are very popular with teenagers’ because it allows them to make their own space with their music. The music itself can promote relaxation, reduce anxiety and stress, promote appropriate behaviour, change moods and alleviate boredom. Research shows that teenagers are more likely to use music to accompany chores rather then pleasures, tasks that are duties, especially when going for a run, they are more likely to have their ipod with them when exercising (Frith 2000). Music can also arouse and pacify people, research shows that listening to music can reduce testosterone levels, which is likely to result in less conflict, less sexual confrontation and more group cohesiveness (Huron 1998).
There are currently four different iPods available ranging from $119 to $499, and memory sizes from 1GB (240 songs), to 80GB (20,000 songs). With each new iPod, there are better technological enhancements made. The 30GB and 80GB iPods have 60% brighter display and up to 20hours of battery life and you can now put your entire music library onto your iPod (Apple iPod 2007). Just after being on the market for two years the popularity of the iPod had reached the likes of Madonna, Tony Hawk and David Beckham. They allowed Apple to sell limited edition iPods with their signatures engraved on the back for $548 each, which made these iPods the most expensive ever sold by Apple. In June 2003, Apple had sold it’s one millionth ipod, less then two years after the release date in 2001. By October 2004, analysts reported that ipod sales are 82% of all digital music players and 92% of all hard-drive based players (iLounge 2004). An Apple spokeswomen said, that the reason why the ipods are selling so fast is because of the technology involved in making them and the fact that ipods have a failure rate of less then 5%, which is fairly low compared to other consumer electronics. Apple stands alone on top of the portable media player market because it is a revolutionary product (Nerd approved 2006).
Although having stated and proved that the emergence of the Apple ipod has been the greatest development in modern music technology, there is always another side to this debate. There has been legal controversy in France, Canada and the United Kingdom, with problems relating to the Apple Ipod. In 2002 the ipod was briefly taken off the market in France, because the device violated a law limiting the sound output of portable devices to 100 decibels. In December 2003 Canadian authorities imposed an additional governmental levy to each player sold, which then got Apple sued by the United Kingdom for violating their trade-agreement (iLounge 2004). There are also complaints regarding the random feature on the ipod, were user’s claim that their ipod’s random feature is not really random, that it plays certain artists and songs over again (Keeling 2007).
After searching the internet there were many websites that lobby against ipods, one of which stuck out ‘iPods Suck! – Anti – Ipod’. This website is completely against the use and production of ipods. There are articles on the product from its price to how faulty it is and all the writers have purchased and own an ipod. One article stated that, ‘it is a bad thing that the ipod culture is blowing other devices out of the water, just for the brand and fashion reasons’………’every single ipod product requires earphones which are always white, there is no variety for the customer’……..’when looking at the functions of an ipod and what it holds, you really don’t seem to get much for your money……..display is basic, standard ipods are just black and white and the connectivity is poor’ (Anti–Ipod 2007). The ipod can connect with other operating systems but not very well. Apple has intentionally prevented outsider developer from experimenting with or changing the devices operating system (iLounge 2004).
There is much debate over the emergence of iPods, wether they are the greatest form of music technology. This essay has shown the two sides of this debate, but has argued only one, that the emergence of ipods has been the greatest development in modern music technology. Just the fact that the ipod is still the highest selling portable music device in the world is enough to prove the argument. But this argument may never be resolved it may just come down to personal preference, wether a person likes ipods or not.
Reference
Anti-Ipod. (2007) ‘iPods suck!’. http://www.anti-ipod.co.uk/ipod.php?misc=search&subaction=showfull&id=1173748929&archive=&cnshow=news&ucat=2&start_from=&, accessed 1st May 2007.
Apple iPod. (2007) ‘Apple Store’. http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=browse&mco=5DA18255&node=home/ipod/ipod, accessed 1st May 2007.
Frith, S. (2000) ‘Music and Everyday Life’, Critical Quarterly, 44(1), pp. 36-45.
Huron, D. (1998) ‘Is Music an Evolutionary Adaptation?’, School of Music, pp. 43-57.
iLounge. (2004) ‘A Brief History of iPod’. http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/instant-expert-a-brief-history-of-ipod/, accessed 1st May 2007.
Keeling, K. (2007) ‘Does Your iPod Have a Soul? Playing with Random Numbers’, Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education, 5(1).
Nerd Approved. (2006) ‘Love iPods Too Much?’. http://nerdapproved.com/audio/do-we-love-ipods-too-much/, accessed 1st May 2007.
Update on essay
well i have now finished the essay, i orginally had a different idea for it but after talkn to adam about it i changed it. I found the essay preparation fun in a way because i got to choose the topic i was going to write about which was to do with iPods. It didnt take me long to reach 1000 words, i could have gone on and on and on lol but i think i did a good job on writting about something that interests me in so little words. It was a fun task (i never thought i would say that about an essay lol), and i enjoyed every part of it.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Week 8 Tute task Internet Field Trip
this week again was a fun tute. We all made a new account with active worlds. This is very very different to msn messenger. It is 3D that is the biggest difference to msn. The environment in active worlds is kind of like a game. You can run blow kisses, ride jetskis, ride magic carpets lol its quite fun. Socialising on msn to me is just a plain old version were all you do is type ur message and chat there is no world although you do have the option to add your photo to the little box when your haven a private convo, its nothing like active worlds. The thing i liked most about active worlds was that you can see the other people your chatting to even though its not really them lol but you can see them. Above there heads is there name and what they are typing. Its quite fun lol. This is the 1st time that i have been on active worlds and compared to msn its very high tech. The normal msn and yahoo have a more serious side to them in a way theres no games, no worlds so its just plain type your message thats it. The 3D environment provides more of a playful down to earth feeling, because it is just like a game. I think this sort of application of 3D environment may lead us to more of a 'real' chat environment. Like nowdays we have webcams i think that maybe in the near future instead of having a animated avitar represtenting yourself you might be able to take a photo of yourself on webcame and use that as your avitar. So it will be you in the world. Or maybe even have a camera that could be hooked up to a simulator so you do the walking and the talking no typing at all and maybe there could be goggles or glasses that you wear so you can see yourself in that world, and talk instead of type. This might already be around but i think if not that this 3D application will lead to something like that in the near future. This was a fun tute lesson i enjoyed every part of it :)
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Week 6 tute task
So this task is like last weeks except im going to use photos that i have taken and i am going to edit them or enhance them.
Ok the first photo was taking in 2005 at my friends dress up party i took this p
hoto myself with my old analogue camera, i enhanced it by adding the word friends, adding balloons/bubbles, tinting the photo and adding a frame, it now looks more appealling and represents the theme of friends better i think.
This is the 3rd photo representing the theme news-worthy. This photo was taken by my father 2 or 3 years ago when the cast of Fat Pizza a SBS tv show came to the gold coast. At the time it was all over the news and i thought in going with the theme of "news-worthy" i would use this photo. I enhanced it by firstly adding the text newsworthy, fat pizza comes to the gold coast, then i added an effect which made the photo look like a newspaper "turning of the page", then i added a frame that kinda looks like shredded paper eg.newspaper and added the heading "Daily Herald 2007" on the top and "Fat Pizza" on the left.
This is the 4th photo representing "Australian". I took this photo of my nephew last year at his school athletic carnival and he was wearing his wide brimmed hat and to me thats very australian "outback" like. I tinted the photo with a redish tinge to it to resemble an old australian outback photo and added the word Australian over his body. I felt like thats all i needed to do with this photo.
Ok the first photo was taking in 2005 at my friends dress up party i took this p
hoto myself with my old analogue camera, i enhanced it by adding the word friends, adding balloons/bubbles, tinting the photo and adding a frame, it now looks more appealling and represents the theme of friends better i think.
This is the 2nd photo representing the theme "communication". My friend took this photo of me on the phone at school about 3 years ago. Moblie phones are very much apart of communication today so i thought it represented the theme very well. I then cut the edges off the photo, added the word communication, and added a spotlight effect on me to add more emphasis on me with the phone.
This is the 3rd photo representing the theme news-worthy. This photo was taken by my father 2 or 3 years ago when the cast of Fat Pizza a SBS tv show came to the gold coast. At the time it was all over the news and i thought in going with the theme of "news-worthy" i would use this photo. I enhanced it by firstly adding the text newsworthy, fat pizza comes to the gold coast, then i added an effect which made the photo look like a newspaper "turning of the page", then i added a frame that kinda looks like shredded paper eg.newspaper and added the heading "Daily Herald 2007" on the top and "Fat Pizza" on the left.
This is the 4th photo representing "Australian". I took this photo of my nephew last year at his school athletic carnival and he was wearing his wide brimmed hat and to me thats very australian "outback" like. I tinted the photo with a redish tinge to it to resemble an old australian outback photo and added the word Australian over his body. I felt like thats all i needed to do with this photo.
This is the 5th photo, i took it last year at the gold coast greek festival. This festival is very popular not only with the greek people but with australians who come and see how different the cultures are with the greek dancing and food. I edited the photo by adding the words "Popluar - Greek Festival", adding stars to kind of emphasis the theme of popularity and adding the 2 little music notes to represent greek music.
This is the 6th photo representing the theme games. I love the game soccer and i took this photo last year at the grand finals for soccer at carrara stadium the team is musgrave which some of my mates play for. I added the words games - soccer to it and used a scrubby frame on the edge.
This last photo is of me and my friends with tv star Nick Giannopolous you might know him from "The Wogboy". This photo was taken by another friend of mine at the Gold Coast Greek Festival. I added the words "Celebrity - nick giannopolous, a frame because i have this photo in a frame at home because its special to me and i added the stars because nick is a star to me.
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