I have come to the end of the NET11 Internet Communications unit for SP1 and hence this will be my last post for my Learning Log. I have found the experience an extremely interesting one and have thouroughly enjoyed studying online.
NET11 has provided me with a valuable array of new skills which have greatly changed the way that I now approach using the internet. I am looking forward to continuing my online journey over the next three years re attaining a BA in Internet Studies.
Now time to submit NET11 Assignments 2 & 3.....
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Essay Rumination
I have almost completed my essay for NET11 Assignment 3. I have found this a good exercise, not just in honing my rusty essay writing skills, but also in summarising and confirming to myself some of what I have learnt throughtout my studies in the NET11 unit.
I now perceive the internet quite differently compared to how I viewed it prior to first starting this course. The old addage of 'knowledge is power' is probably quite true in this sense, in that greater knowledge creates greater understanding thus allowing us to truly harness and utilize the internets full potential.
I now perceive the internet quite differently compared to how I viewed it prior to first starting this course. The old addage of 'knowledge is power' is probably quite true in this sense, in that greater knowledge creates greater understanding thus allowing us to truly harness and utilize the internets full potential.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Module 5 Summary
Module 5 has provided me with, what I think, will be the basic structure for my essay. I will start off with a concept or two followed by an appropriate reference and then support it with a task, that I have undertaken in NET11, that will hopefully assist to substantiate my statements. So, on that note, time to get started.......
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Module 5 Preparing for 'Future Shock'
When I think of the term 'Future Shock' the first thing that comes to mind is Alvin Tofflers' book of the same name of which the phrase was originally taken from. Though first published in 1970, it's relevance remains and can be applied within the context of the internet and its ever changing environment. Toffler states in his introduction:
"......Change is the process by which the future invades our lives, and it is important to look at it closely, not merely from the grand perspectives of history, but also from the vantage point of the living, breathing individuals who experience it....."
and from a chapter appropriately named "The Death of Permanence":
"Future shock is a time phenomenon, a product of the greatly accelerated rate of change in society........a coherent image of the future can also shower us with valuable insights into today."
he also states:
"....between the pace of environmental change and the limited pace of human response. For future shock grows out of the increasing lag between the two."
As 'Advanced Internet Users', keeping abreast of the changes and new directions that the internet takes is crucial in preparing us for the future technologies that are rapidly evolving. We need to continually remain concious of these aspects of internet change if we are to successfully adapt to its environs, thus minimising the impact of any 'Future Shock'.
Web Resources:
"Info-Communication Concepts." http://webct.curtin.edu.au/SCRIPT/305033_a/scripts/serve_home (accessed May 03, 2007).
Reading Resources:
Toffler,Alvin. Future Shock. London: Pan Books Ltd, 1970.
"......Change is the process by which the future invades our lives, and it is important to look at it closely, not merely from the grand perspectives of history, but also from the vantage point of the living, breathing individuals who experience it....."
and from a chapter appropriately named "The Death of Permanence":
"Future shock is a time phenomenon, a product of the greatly accelerated rate of change in society........a coherent image of the future can also shower us with valuable insights into today."
he also states:
"....between the pace of environmental change and the limited pace of human response. For future shock grows out of the increasing lag between the two."
As 'Advanced Internet Users', keeping abreast of the changes and new directions that the internet takes is crucial in preparing us for the future technologies that are rapidly evolving. We need to continually remain concious of these aspects of internet change if we are to successfully adapt to its environs, thus minimising the impact of any 'Future Shock'.
Web Resources:
"Info-Communication Concepts." http://webct.curtin.edu.au/SCRIPT/305033_a/scripts/serve_home (accessed May 03, 2007).
Reading Resources:
Toffler,Alvin. Future Shock. London: Pan Books Ltd, 1970.
Module 5 Case Study: Peer to Peer
Peer to Peer (P2P) is not a technology that I am too familiar with. P2P brings to mind the the notorious programs such as Napster and Kazaa and hence, in the past, I have been wary of the particular technolgy involved. I have read varying reports of the adware etc that comes bundled with these programs and have always felt an uneasiness about using it. No doubt the 'bad press' about these programs have influenced my outlook of P2P.
P2P raises many issues such as:
Web Resources:
"Info-Communication Concepts." http://webct.curtin.edu.au/SCRIPT/305033_a/scripts/serve_home (accessed May 03, 2007).
P2P raises many issues such as:
- Copyright
- Security
- Social
- Technologial
- Communication
- Information
Web Resources:
"Info-Communication Concepts." http://webct.curtin.edu.au/SCRIPT/305033_a/scripts/serve_home (accessed May 03, 2007).
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Module 5 Information Ecologies
Technology, information and communication are all interrelated and, within the context of the internet, technology is used to communicate information. The metaphor of the internet as an 'ecology' is but one of many ways that have been used to try and describe the intangible that is 'cyberspace'.
Analogies and metaphors provide an invaluable means for us, as internet users, to provide ourselves with a sense of meaning or understanding by assigning these comparisons to the internet. This in turn assists us to analize, comprehend and utilze the internet much more effectively. The questions posed to us in Module 5 can be answered much more easily when thinking of the internet in terms of say, an 'ecology'. Hence:
How might the metaphor of an ‘ecology’ impact on the way you think about, understand or use the Internet?
When I think of the internet as an 'ecology' I found James F. Moore's description of how executives should perceive themselves, as an apt analogy for how we also, as 'advanced internet users', can be thought of within the context of being part of the 'internet ecology':
"Executives need to think of themselves as part of organisms participating in an ecosystem in much the same way that biological organisms participate in a biological ecosystem."
Thinking of the internet in this way helps us to realise and can assist us in the knowledge that we are operating in a continually changing environment that requires an ongoing adaptive approach. We need to adapt our skills to the current internet environment and be prepared for expected future changes in a similar way to any other ecology or ecosystem. By being aware of the internets history, we can ascertain, to a certain extent, where the future of the internet may be heading, thus allowing us time to prepare and anticipate changes as they come along. Thinking of the internet as an ecosystem also helps us to be concious that the internet is not so much about operating as an individual but more so as part of a community of many participants cooperating together. Contributing to and taking from the internet in our various roles as internet users, from the viewpoint that though we are doing this as individulas, we are just but one of many parts that make up the whole and quite often, conciously or sub-conciously, our internet use can contribute and have an effect on the combined outcome in possible future directions that the internet may take.
How are the concepts ‘information’ and ‘communication’ understood within the framework of an ‘information ecology’?
The framework of information ecology, from a conceptual perspective of information and communication, puts an emphasis on people and how they create, distribute, understand and utilize information rather than the technology itself.
Why don’t we talk of a ‘communication ecology’?
Information ecology and communication ecology seem to be closely interrelated. Thus communication ecology, in my view, is more a part of the information ecology it communicates.
Reading Resources:
Moore,James F.. The Death of Competition: Leadership & Strategy in the Age of Business Ecosystems. Collins, May 21, 1997.
Web Resources:
Malhotra, Yogesh. "Information Ecology and Knowledge Management: Toward Knowledge Ecology for Hyperturbulent Organizational Environments." 2002.http://www.brint.org/KMEcology.pdf (accessed May 01, 2007).
"Info-Communication Concepts." http://webct.curtin.edu.au/SCRIPT/305033_a/scripts/serve_home (accessed May 01, 2007).
Analogies and metaphors provide an invaluable means for us, as internet users, to provide ourselves with a sense of meaning or understanding by assigning these comparisons to the internet. This in turn assists us to analize, comprehend and utilze the internet much more effectively. The questions posed to us in Module 5 can be answered much more easily when thinking of the internet in terms of say, an 'ecology'. Hence:
How might the metaphor of an ‘ecology’ impact on the way you think about, understand or use the Internet?
When I think of the internet as an 'ecology' I found James F. Moore's description of how executives should perceive themselves, as an apt analogy for how we also, as 'advanced internet users', can be thought of within the context of being part of the 'internet ecology':
"Executives need to think of themselves as part of organisms participating in an ecosystem in much the same way that biological organisms participate in a biological ecosystem."
Thinking of the internet in this way helps us to realise and can assist us in the knowledge that we are operating in a continually changing environment that requires an ongoing adaptive approach. We need to adapt our skills to the current internet environment and be prepared for expected future changes in a similar way to any other ecology or ecosystem. By being aware of the internets history, we can ascertain, to a certain extent, where the future of the internet may be heading, thus allowing us time to prepare and anticipate changes as they come along. Thinking of the internet as an ecosystem also helps us to be concious that the internet is not so much about operating as an individual but more so as part of a community of many participants cooperating together. Contributing to and taking from the internet in our various roles as internet users, from the viewpoint that though we are doing this as individulas, we are just but one of many parts that make up the whole and quite often, conciously or sub-conciously, our internet use can contribute and have an effect on the combined outcome in possible future directions that the internet may take.
How are the concepts ‘information’ and ‘communication’ understood within the framework of an ‘information ecology’?
The framework of information ecology, from a conceptual perspective of information and communication, puts an emphasis on people and how they create, distribute, understand and utilize information rather than the technology itself.
Why don’t we talk of a ‘communication ecology’?
Information ecology and communication ecology seem to be closely interrelated. Thus communication ecology, in my view, is more a part of the information ecology it communicates.
Reading Resources:
Moore,James F.. The Death of Competition: Leadership & Strategy in the Age of Business Ecosystems. Collins, May 21, 1997.
Web Resources:
Malhotra, Yogesh. "Information Ecology and Knowledge Management: Toward Knowledge Ecology for Hyperturbulent Organizational Environments." 2002.http://www.brint.org/KMEcology.pdf (accessed May 01, 2007).
"Info-Communication Concepts." http://webct.curtin.edu.au/SCRIPT/305033_a/scripts/serve_home (accessed May 01, 2007).
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