The lecture was also about learning some principles of organising our bit-based information. This included a list of some of the different types of files that a student may come across and what programs are needed to use them. A handy hint that was given out was that if you use the ‘properties’ tool to create metadata about your document, it will make finding it in the future much easier. For example, if you have written an essay on Makybe Diva, you may put ‘horse racing’ or ‘Thoroughbreds’ in your metadata. It is also a good idea to use the ‘search’ tool when trying to locate files.
In week five’s workshop, students were to learn how to effectively use their ‘favourites’ tool in Internet Explorer. For a student to be using this tool to his or her full advantage, they should know how to bookmark a page and then organise that page into appropriate folders. To prove that we knew how to do this, we were to make three folders with at least two pages saved in them. For a screenshot of my completed exercise, view the picture below (click for full image):
For this week’s workshop, students were also required to read ‘Being Digital’ by Nicholas Negroponte. This archive was all about new technologies (bit-based information) and how they are influencing old ones (atom-based information). An example of this is ‘Video on Demand’ instead of regular movie renting. Bit-based information seems to be welcomed by people with open arms because it is far more convenient than atom-based. It can be moved around much easier. A situation this could be relevant in would be if you had bought back atom-based information from an overseas holiday, there is a good chance it may be held in customs. When you are using bit-based information, on the other hand, you would not need to clear it the way you would the atom-based and you would be able to use and enjoy it much sooner. Bit-based information also has a better chance of lasting longer in that a certain text may go out of print on paper, but you would still probably be able to access it through bit-based documents. Civilisation, almost without realising it, has moved from an industrial age (in which atoms were very popular and bit-based virtually non-existent) to a post industrial age and then onto an information age (where bit-based information is everywhere). We have now started to move into a post information age. Everything is ‘made to order’ according to who we are and what our habits might be. This is all in the name of convenience because this way, we don’t have to remember if our boss’ prefer red or white wine.
For week five’s reading, students were required to read Information Management and Electronic Environments by Dr Jim Mullaney. This text firstly informed the reader of the program EndNote and how useful it can be to students when they are referencing. Bookmarks and folders labeled appropriately will also be a very useful thing. A general idea of what was okay to do and what was not okay to do as far as referencing goes was also stated. Copying and pasting for notes is more than acceptable (and keeping the web addressed you obtained the information from is handy as well), whereas trying to say that the work is entirely your own is very offensive.
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