The process in which the reader's reading process is influences by context (Schriver, 1997) is also influenced by the readers cultural background (Walsh, 2006). Therefore when designing this blog, I was very careful to insure that I take into account the mental simulations that is based on my readers perception and experiences.
Last and not least I was sure to include multimodal modes in my blog to ensure smooth navigation for my readers as the multimodality of a document helps strengthen the message intended to be conveyed across to the audience (Walsh, 2006).
I would like to conclude my journey of designing my blog with a heart-felt thank you to all that has made this journey a memorable one.
References
1. Schriver, KA 1997, 'Dynamics in Document Design: Creating Text For Readers', Wiley Computer Publisher, New York
2. Walsh, M 2006, 'Textual Shifts: Examining The Reading Process With Print, Visual and Multimodal Text', Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, vol. 29, no. 1, p. 24-37
The Great Australian Firewall
A proposed Internet filter dubbed the "Great Aussie Firewall" is promising to make Australia one of the strictest Internet regulators among democratic countries.
Consumers, civil-rights activists, engineers, Internet providers and politicians from opposition parties are among the critics of a mandatory Internet filter that would block at least 1,300 Web sites prohibited by the government - mostly child pornography, excessive violence, instructions in crime or drug use and advocacy of terrorism (Associated Press, 2009).
How firewalls work
However the citizens are angry not because of the filtering, but the outcome and consequences of the filtering. Browsing speeds will be reduced tremendously as a result of the content filtering. On top of that, there problems such lack of information on the internet will surface. Internet filtering will have infringe the freedom of speech (Banks, 2006).
References
1. Associated Press, 2008, Oproar In Australia over Internet Filter, Variety Magazine, viewed 12th November 2009, http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117997786.html?categoryid=1009&cs=1
2. Banks, J 2006, The advantages and disadvantages of internet Filters, retrieved 17 November 2009 from http://www.familyresource.com/parenting/computers-and-technology/what-every-parent-should-know-about-using-technology
Consumers, civil-rights activists, engineers, Internet providers and politicians from opposition parties are among the critics of a mandatory Internet filter that would block at least 1,300 Web sites prohibited by the government - mostly child pornography, excessive violence, instructions in crime or drug use and advocacy of terrorism (Associated Press, 2009).
How firewalls work
References
1. Associated Press, 2008, Oproar In Australia over Internet Filter, Variety Magazine, viewed 12th November 2009, http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117997786.html?categoryid=1009&cs=1
2. Banks, J 2006, The advantages and disadvantages of internet Filters, retrieved 17 November 2009 from http://www.familyresource.com/parenting/computers-and-technology/what-every-parent-should-know-about-using-technology
Internet Filtering
The continuing trend towards abstinence-only education has often resulted in a lack of discussion on topics such as contraception and safer sex, as well as homosexuality and gender dysphoria issues in the classroom, making the Internet an increasingly essential conduit to access information about these health issues. According to Dailard (2000), the focus on abstinence-only education in public schools has eliminated discussion about contraceptives and safer sex information, other than their failure rates, and aims to discourage not only pre-marital sex, but extra-marital sex altogether. And the Alan Guttmacher Institute, along with Planned Parenthood and the Sexuality Information Council of the United States, joined the American Library Association in a failed lawsuit against CIPA, recognizing its negative impact on adolescents seeking vital health information.
Because the Internet plays a vital role in disseminating health and sexuality information, it is essential to understand the unique impact it has on the lives of sexual minority youth. Gay, lesbian, and transgendered adolescents often find themselves in hostile, openly homophobic environments, which may contribute to feelings of isolation and despair. Without a sufficient social network to handle the issues endemic to adolescence and issues regarding their sexuality, many sexual minority adolescents struggle without the necessary tools to make informed decisions about their health and sexual choices. They may find little solace in their friends and family when seeking out information about their sexuality or mental health and find the Internet to be their sole avenue to answer their questions. Interestingly, the studies that have attempted to measure the online information-seeking behavior of sexual minority youth indicate that 51 percent admit they revealed their sexual orientation to someone online before their friends or family (Garry et al, 1999). This statistic highlights the importance of Internet use among growing youth, effectively demonstrating the importance of their ability to build a community in which they can discuss their particular concerns and issues. Building a social network of support and community is vital to mental health and social development, ultimately allowing adolescents to make more informed choices about their health.
It can be concluded that internet filtering has its pros and cons, and it is important to keep in mind the wellbeing of the youth when laws are regulated. If internet filtering is to be practiced, parents must be ready to effectively take up the role as educators in matters of sexuality and sex to youth in order to educate them.
References
1. Dailard, C. (2000). Fueled by campaign promises, drive intensifies to boost abstinence-only education funds. The Guttmacher Report on Public Policy, (April 2000). Retrieved November 1, 2004 from http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/tgr/03/2/gr030201.pdf
2. Garry, J.M., Javier, L., Schneider, K., Spear, J., Walsh, J., Clayton, G., Smith, G.A., et al. (1999). Access denied version 2.0: the continuing threat against internet access and privacy and its impact on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. [n.d.]. Retrieved November 1, 2004 from http://www.glaad.org/documents/media/AccessDenied2.pdf
A book on Internet Filtering
Because the Internet plays a vital role in disseminating health and sexuality information, it is essential to understand the unique impact it has on the lives of sexual minority youth. Gay, lesbian, and transgendered adolescents often find themselves in hostile, openly homophobic environments, which may contribute to feelings of isolation and despair. Without a sufficient social network to handle the issues endemic to adolescence and issues regarding their sexuality, many sexual minority adolescents struggle without the necessary tools to make informed decisions about their health and sexual choices. They may find little solace in their friends and family when seeking out information about their sexuality or mental health and find the Internet to be their sole avenue to answer their questions. Interestingly, the studies that have attempted to measure the online information-seeking behavior of sexual minority youth indicate that 51 percent admit they revealed their sexual orientation to someone online before their friends or family (Garry et al, 1999). This statistic highlights the importance of Internet use among growing youth, effectively demonstrating the importance of their ability to build a community in which they can discuss their particular concerns and issues. Building a social network of support and community is vital to mental health and social development, ultimately allowing adolescents to make more informed choices about their health.
It can be concluded that internet filtering has its pros and cons, and it is important to keep in mind the wellbeing of the youth when laws are regulated. If internet filtering is to be practiced, parents must be ready to effectively take up the role as educators in matters of sexuality and sex to youth in order to educate them.
References
1. Dailard, C. (2000). Fueled by campaign promises, drive intensifies to boost abstinence-only education funds. The Guttmacher Report on Public Policy, (April 2000). Retrieved November 1, 2004 from http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/tgr/03/2/gr030201.pdf
2. Garry, J.M., Javier, L., Schneider, K., Spear, J., Walsh, J., Clayton, G., Smith, G.A., et al. (1999). Access denied version 2.0: the continuing threat against internet access and privacy and its impact on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. [n.d.]. Retrieved November 1, 2004 from http://www.glaad.org/documents/media/AccessDenied2.pdf
Facebook has a new face
The revamp of the social networking website Facebook saw many angered users and soon after forums devoted to savaging the new Facebook format have surfaced on the website and have thousands of members. The new design lets Facebook members use tabs to give priority to fresh pictures, messages, or "feeds" on main profile pages and compartmentalise mini-applications and "static" information such as curriculum vitae. Despite the outrage from the users, Facebook maintains that their decision is a beneficial one in the long run as it makes Facebook a faster, livelier and better organised social networking website while giving people more control over software applications they opt to install.
The new facebook layout
Its creator Mark Zuckerberg, claimed that the changes were done for the better, while conceding that not everyone will agree with them. He was spot on. The change in layout resulted in a furore, a flurry of complaints and even a mini-revolt by the sites users. Many users were not happy, claiming that the new design and layout was confusing, less organised and had too much white space, among other things (Fulton, 2008).
I personally back Facebook up with their decision for a layout revamp as In any document, the readers do not just read the words; they also ‘read’ the visual presentation and layout of the text. The design is there to guide readers, make it more interesting for them and to present an overall identity of the document (Reep, 2006)
References:
1. Fulton, S.M. III, 2008, Facebook users unite in outrage over changed layout, Onekit.com Software Magazine. Viewed on 28th October 2008 at
2. Reep, Diana C. 2006, ‘Chp 4: Principles of Document Design,’ in Technical Writing, 6th ed., Pearson Edu, Inc., New York, p.173-190.
Photographs of War
Accrding to Mangal (2007) all the types of motivation are not able to bring the similar level of awareness. These pictures of war bring great awareness of the people as it is a clear depiction of what war really is. The photo exhibition allows people to relive the war and be grateful for the peace that is enjoyed today because of the all the suffering of generations before.
From the main wall, you see the ruins from the bombing.
Fumes from the Dubrovbnik bombing
Schiver 2007 also states that the visuals can grab the curiosity and attention of the people. The photo exhibition in Dubrovnik certainly is visually eye catching as it offers the state of the war in all its rawness untainted. In most occasions, people are enlightened from their ignorance as they view the suffering and damage of the war.References
1. ABC Radio National 2007, The Power of the photograph, viewed 13 June 2009, http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2007/2051819.htm
2. Mangal, SK 2007, Essentials of educational psychology, PHI LearningPvt. Ltd., India.
3. Schriver, KA 1997, ‘The interplay of words and pictures’, Dynamics in document design: creating texts for readers, Wiley Computer Pub., New York, pp. 361-441.
The Blogging Revolution
The Blogging Revolution by Anthony Loewenstein is a colorful account of bloggers all around the globe who live and write under repressed regimes - many of them face death doing so. The Blogging Revolution is an amazing examination about the nature of repression in the 20th century and the powerful brave individuals who overcome it. These individuals are part of the public sphere.
For Habermas (1989), the function of the media have thus been transformed from facilitating rational discourse and debate within the public sphere into shaping, constructing, and limiting public discourse to those themes validated and approved by media corporations. Hence, the interconnection between a sphere of public debate and individual participation has been fractured and transmuted into that of a realm of political information and spectacle, in which citizen consumers ingest and absorb passively entertainment and information.
According to Loewenstein (2008), the internet has become the only space for many citizens to express their hopes, fears and desires and a refuge for dissent on many issues, including women’s views and discussions on sex, drugs, gender, politics and religion.
Loewenstein has travelled widely in the process of writing this book and has written it as a result of his firsthand investigations with private parties, some of which risked their lives in order to share their views on their country’s rulers and their opinions on western democracy.
These parties included writers, bloggers, dissidents and journalists – from politicians and citizens in Iran and Egypt to people writing from internet cafes in Saudi Arabia and Damascus.
One of the book’s most eye-opening discoveries is the way the internet is threatening the traditional role of governments.
The book arose out of Loewenstein’s frustration that so much of the western media was ignoring the voices of the non-western world, as if, he says “indigenous voices didn’t deserve to be heard”.
References
1. Habermas, J., 1989, The Public Sphere: An Encyclopedia Articke, Bronner and Kellner, pg 136-142.
2. Loewenstein, A., 2008, The Blogging Revolution, viewed on 10th November 2009,
http://www.bloggingrevolution.com/
For Habermas (1989), the function of the media have thus been transformed from facilitating rational discourse and debate within the public sphere into shaping, constructing, and limiting public discourse to those themes validated and approved by media corporations. Hence, the interconnection between a sphere of public debate and individual participation has been fractured and transmuted into that of a realm of political information and spectacle, in which citizen consumers ingest and absorb passively entertainment and information.
According to Loewenstein (2008), the internet has become the only space for many citizens to express their hopes, fears and desires and a refuge for dissent on many issues, including women’s views and discussions on sex, drugs, gender, politics and religion.
Loewenstein has travelled widely in the process of writing this book and has written it as a result of his firsthand investigations with private parties, some of which risked their lives in order to share their views on their country’s rulers and their opinions on western democracy.
These parties included writers, bloggers, dissidents and journalists – from politicians and citizens in Iran and Egypt to people writing from internet cafes in Saudi Arabia and Damascus.
One of the book’s most eye-opening discoveries is the way the internet is threatening the traditional role of governments.
The book arose out of Loewenstein’s frustration that so much of the western media was ignoring the voices of the non-western world, as if, he says “indigenous voices didn’t deserve to be heard”.
References
1. Habermas, J., 1989, The Public Sphere: An Encyclopedia Articke, Bronner and Kellner, pg 136-142.
2. Loewenstein, A., 2008, The Blogging Revolution, viewed on 10th November 2009,
http://www.bloggingrevolution.com/
Kindle - The perfect gift
1. All about E-books, 2008, AALBC.Com, viewed on 13 November 2008, http://aalbc.com/writers/ebooks/Allaboutebooks.htm#All%20About
2. Sasson, R 2008, ‘The benefit and advantages of e-books’, SuccessConsciousness.Com, viewed on 13 November 2008, http://www.successconsciousness.com/ebooks_benefits.htm
Tempo's Suharto Cover Blasphemy?
Following the death of Suharto, Tempo Magazine had published an article spread in tribute to his excellent rule as president. However, the cover of the magazine had outraged christians in Jakarta as the portrait of Suharto and his children mimic the last supper of Jesus Christ by Leonardo Da Vinci.
Dozens of christian organizations and individuals flocked the magazines office as soon as the February publication was released last year. Some may argue that the magazine cover was in no way insulting the Christians, it was a mere expression of the awe of the nation for all that the former president has done for the country. However the act of mimicking the portrait is seen as an act of blasphemy by many individuals. This is no surprise as Shriver (1997, p. 369) explains that "readers try to form an immediate representation of the meaning from the visual display". Therefore the direct representation of the cover for Christians would have to be their religion because it is part of their identity.
A protester displays a copy of Indonesian news weekly, Tempo, depicting Suharto and his children in a composition based on Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper in Jakarta.
According to Haynes (Michael, 2007) what exactly is considered blasphemy can vary between religious groups and people. Therefore it can be seen that the act of Tempo magazine publishing a sketch of Suharto mimicking the last supper may not have been an act of blasphemy directed towards the Christians in Indonesia.
References
1. Michael.M., 2007, Freedom of Religion Confronts Journalism, Viewed 5th November 2009,
http://www.bc.edu/centers/boisi/publicevents/browse_events_by_date/s07/blasphemy/blasphemyrecap.html
2. Schriver, KA., 1997, The interplay of words and pictures, Wiley Computer Pub, New York.
Emergence of New Media Publishing
The emergence of new media has forever changes the methods in which we obtain information. Media publishing include mobile blogging (Moblog), video blogging (Vlog), spam blog (Splog), Hyperlink blogging (Linklog), sketch blogging (Sketchlog), Youtube, online newspaper, magazines and books. New media technologies today are radically challenging media forms.
The (r)evolution of personal and collective publishing offers new tools allowing the Internet users themselves to become content creators. Along with the personal typing in weblogs a new practice for communication has emerged in the form of snapping pictures and sharing them in the web. These virtual picture galleries constructed and updated right from the field with the help of a mobile device has become known as moblogs (Koskela & Arminen, 2007). Some argue that digital publishing such as moblogs allow no privacy and has been abused severely by teenagers who expose themselves on their moblogs. Therefore an issue of social morals have been raised with the emergence of moblogs.
Other than a breach of privacy and lack of responsibility on the authors side, the issue of piracy has also been raised.
Piracy of digital content is a paramount concern – as indeed piracy of printed books in the developing world has been for many years – though sometimes it becomes unclear whether the concerns are about publishers’ lost sales or the abused rights of authors and other copyright owners. The Publishers Association here has made the fight against piracy one its core issues, working with local police authorities in India and elsewhere to bring a number of high profile and successful legal actions against pirates of printed material, and tracking down sellers of illegal digital material. It has set up a Copyright Infringement Portal on the web to enable members to report copyright abuse (Kilborn, 2009).
The turn of the century has brought along with it the fast growing digital media and despite the issues raised, digital media is here to stay. The benefit of digital media is far more than the issues behind it. Therefore it can be concluded that digital media is here to stay.
References
1. Koskela, I., Arminen, I., 2007, Attractiveness and Responsiveness of Moblogs, Observation Journal, Vol. 3, No. 2007, pg. 1-19
2. Kilborn, P., 2009, Piracy of Digital Content, The Association for the Export of Canadian Books, viewed 1st November 2009, http://www.aecb.org/en/market_intelligence/uk_blog/
The (r)evolution of personal and collective publishing offers new tools allowing the Internet users themselves to become content creators. Along with the personal typing in weblogs a new practice for communication has emerged in the form of snapping pictures and sharing them in the web. These virtual picture galleries constructed and updated right from the field with the help of a mobile device has become known as moblogs (Koskela & Arminen, 2007). Some argue that digital publishing such as moblogs allow no privacy and has been abused severely by teenagers who expose themselves on their moblogs. Therefore an issue of social morals have been raised with the emergence of moblogs.
Other than a breach of privacy and lack of responsibility on the authors side, the issue of piracy has also been raised.
Piracy of digital content is a paramount concern – as indeed piracy of printed books in the developing world has been for many years – though sometimes it becomes unclear whether the concerns are about publishers’ lost sales or the abused rights of authors and other copyright owners. The Publishers Association here has made the fight against piracy one its core issues, working with local police authorities in India and elsewhere to bring a number of high profile and successful legal actions against pirates of printed material, and tracking down sellers of illegal digital material. It has set up a Copyright Infringement Portal on the web to enable members to report copyright abuse (Kilborn, 2009).
The turn of the century has brought along with it the fast growing digital media and despite the issues raised, digital media is here to stay. The benefit of digital media is far more than the issues behind it. Therefore it can be concluded that digital media is here to stay.
References
1. Koskela, I., Arminen, I., 2007, Attractiveness and Responsiveness of Moblogs, Observation Journal, Vol. 3, No. 2007, pg. 1-19
2. Kilborn, P., 2009, Piracy of Digital Content, The Association for the Export of Canadian Books, viewed 1st November 2009, http://www.aecb.org/en/market_intelligence/uk_blog/
Print vs. Digital
For designers, form is the overall look and feel of the elements that make up our designs. However, whether the design is to sell, inform or even entertain (Bear, 2009) it is important to know the differeces between both online and digital.
The major differences between print and digital is readability. Typography is probably the most important difference between print and digital. Serif fonts have traditionally been used for body text in print publications because they are easier to read on paper.
Most print publications use a 10- or 11-point font and some even go as small as 9 points. While this is perfectly legible on paper, it is often very difficult to read on-screen. And in the case of flip- book magazines, it means that even readers with excellent eyesight will have to zoom in to read articles (Chapman, 2009).
There are two major differences between print and on-screen images. The first is the color space used, CMYK vs. RGB. The second is compression and overall image size.
Using CMYK in different screens, you can produce virtually any color in print. RBG, on the other hand, stands for Red, Green and Blue and is what every computer monitor, television and other digital equipment uses to produce color (Chapman, 2009). Therefore it can be concluded that both print and design has many differences that cannot be overlooked. However, it is up to the designer to make the material readable whether in print or digital.
References
1. Bear,J. 2009, Form and Function in Design and Publishing: Form Follows Function ,Online, viewed on 23rd Oct. 2009, http://desktoppub.about.com/od/graphicdesign/a/formfunction.htm
2. Chapman, C., 2009, Print to web: Where to Start?, Smashing Magazine, viewed 3rd November 2009, http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/04/16/switch-from-print-to-web-where-to-start/
Most print publications use a 10- or 11-point font and some even go as small as 9 points. While this is perfectly legible on paper, it is often very difficult to read on-screen. And in the case of flip- book magazines, it means that even readers with excellent eyesight will have to zoom in to read articles (Chapman, 2009).
There are two major differences between print and on-screen images. The first is the color space used, CMYK vs. RGB. The second is compression and overall image size.
Using CMYK in different screens, you can produce virtually any color in print. RBG, on the other hand, stands for Red, Green and Blue and is what every computer monitor, television and other digital equipment uses to produce color (Chapman, 2009). Therefore it can be concluded that both print and design has many differences that cannot be overlooked. However, it is up to the designer to make the material readable whether in print or digital.
References
1. Bear,J. 2009, Form and Function in Design and Publishing: Form Follows Function ,Online, viewed on 23rd Oct. 2009, http://desktoppub.about.com/od/graphicdesign/a/formfunction.htm
2. Chapman, C., 2009, Print to web: Where to Start?, Smashing Magazine, viewed 3rd November 2009, http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/04/16/switch-from-print-to-web-where-to-start/
Blogging Communities
There are three types of Blogging Communities, The Blogosphere, Search Engine and Directory. The Blogsphere Blogging Community is the perception of a connection of blogs between other blogs. It is the interconnected web of blogs through social plugins, blogrolls, post comments, backlinks and linkbacks (Herring et al, 2004).
The Search Engine Blogging Community is where bloggers can go to search or browse for other blogs in the blogosphere with the added option on some to be able to favourite and bookmark blogs of interest. Some of the popular Search Engine Blogging Communities include; Bloglines, BlogScope and Technorati (Herring et al, 2004) .
The Directory Blogging Community is where bloggers engage in blog directories as a social means to get a connection with people to blogs, bloggers to other bloggers and/or to promote their blog to others. There a several directory blogging communities that exist online, including BlogCatalog and MyBlogLog (Herring et al, 2004).
To build a blogging community, one needs to have a weblog that is of interest and interactive. Other than that, linking your readers can boost readership tremendously because it strengthens the sense of community. This can be seen in Twitter as following others will ultimately increase ones followers (Darrren, 2008)
References
1. Darren, R., 2008, How to Build Community On Your Blog, viewed 2nd November 2009, http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/04/26/how-to-build-community-on-your-blog/
2. Herring, S.C., Kouper, I., Scheidt, L.A., & Wright, E.L., 2004, Women and children last: The discursive construction of weblogs. In L.J. Gurak, S. Antonijevic, L. Johnson, C. Ratliff, & J. Reyman (Eds.), Into the blogosphere: Rhetoric, community, and culture of weblogs. Retrieved November 13, 2009, http://blog.lib.umn.edu/blogosphere/women_and_children.html
The Search Engine Blogging Community is where bloggers can go to search or browse for other blogs in the blogosphere with the added option on some to be able to favourite and bookmark blogs of interest. Some of the popular Search Engine Blogging Communities include; Bloglines, BlogScope and Technorati (Herring et al, 2004) .
The Directory Blogging Community is where bloggers engage in blog directories as a social means to get a connection with people to blogs, bloggers to other bloggers and/or to promote their blog to others. There a several directory blogging communities that exist online, including BlogCatalog and MyBlogLog (Herring et al, 2004).
To build a blogging community, one needs to have a weblog that is of interest and interactive. Other than that, linking your readers can boost readership tremendously because it strengthens the sense of community. This can be seen in Twitter as following others will ultimately increase ones followers (Darrren, 2008)
References
1. Darren, R., 2008, How to Build Community On Your Blog, viewed 2nd November 2009, http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/04/26/how-to-build-community-on-your-blog/
2. Herring, S.C., Kouper, I., Scheidt, L.A., & Wright, E.L., 2004, Women and children last: The discursive construction of weblogs. In L.J. Gurak, S. Antonijevic, L. Johnson, C. Ratliff, & J. Reyman (Eds.), Into the blogosphere: Rhetoric, community, and culture of weblogs. Retrieved November 13, 2009, http://blog.lib.umn.edu/blogosphere/women_and_children.html
Classifying Weblogs
Weblogs have not only rapidly become popular as a new and easily accessible publishing tool for the masses, but its content is becoming ever more valuable as a “window to the world,” an extensive medium brimming with subjective content that can be mined and analysed to discover what people are talking about and why (Elgersma & Rijke, 2008).
Many weblogs are combinations of styles, which makes identifying unique types difficult. The question here topic, style , format and audience does blogs have?
Weblogs that are like journals are generally of interest to friends and family, usually expository and are set up to keep people in touch. Graphic-centric blogs, frequently with photos posted directly from picture phones are usually called moblog (mobile phone blog). Audio weblogs (Podcasting) is when the owner posts frequent audio files of their commentary and there is usually a network of people who update their receive updates. Event, Public Relations and launch weblogs are generally to build a community and update them on the particular topic or product ( Vinson, 2005).
Therefore it can be concluded that despite the many classfications of blogs, it is ultimately a platform for expression for individuals.
References
1. Elgersma, E., and Rijke, M., 2008, Learning to Recognize Blogs: A Preliminary Exploration, University of Amsterdam
2. Vinson, J., 2005, Types of Weblogs, viewed 7th November 2009, http://blog.jackvinson.com/archives/2005/04/20/types_of_weblogs.html
Many weblogs are combinations of styles, which makes identifying unique types difficult. The question here topic, style , format and audience does blogs have?
Weblogs that are like journals are generally of interest to friends and family, usually expository and are set up to keep people in touch. Graphic-centric blogs, frequently with photos posted directly from picture phones are usually called moblog (mobile phone blog). Audio weblogs (Podcasting) is when the owner posts frequent audio files of their commentary and there is usually a network of people who update their receive updates. Event, Public Relations and launch weblogs are generally to build a community and update them on the particular topic or product ( Vinson, 2005).
Therefore it can be concluded that despite the many classfications of blogs, it is ultimately a platform for expression for individuals.
References
1. Elgersma, E., and Rijke, M., 2008, Learning to Recognize Blogs: A Preliminary Exploration, University of Amsterdam
2. Vinson, J., 2005, Types of Weblogs, viewed 7th November 2009, http://blog.jackvinson.com/archives/2005/04/20/types_of_weblogs.html
The Blogging Phenomenon
With today’s fast paced technology and the creation of the Internet, it has become very easy for one to publish and search information on the World Wide Web. With the rapid expansion of new communication modes such as blogging has become a fixture in the process of obtaining information on the Internet. In fact bloggers has played up to their role as an active contributor of the latest news, that it has led to the debate that everyone can be a journalist (Teik, 2008).
Now everyone with an opinion can have their say and be heard. The poorest squirrel eater out there in the sticks, provided he has a decent Internet provider, can set up his Web page right alongside the rich kid in the suburbs. Technology and entertainment have leveled class distinctions and created a pure form of democracy’ (Bachelder, 2003, pg 165). Gan (2008) suggested that in Malaysia, blogging is the direct result of press freedom is being stifled. According to him, it is no surprise as press freedoms have been assaulted in Malaysia for some time now - the only democratic space in Malaysia is cyberspace. Therefore, blogging offers citizens the equal opportunity and platform to voice their opinions and practice their right to freedom of speech.
References
1. Bachelder, C., 2003, Bear V Shark London: Bloomsbury, OP 2001
2. Gan, S., 2008, Convergence, Citizen Journalism, and Social Change, viewed on 27th October 2009, http://snurb.info/node/789
3. Teik. JLC., 2008, Benefits of Blogging, viewed on 3rd November 2009, http://www.best-firepow-review.com/benefits-from-blogging
Timeline of Major Blogging Platforms
Source: Flickr.com
Source: Flickr.com
Now everyone with an opinion can have their say and be heard. The poorest squirrel eater out there in the sticks, provided he has a decent Internet provider, can set up his Web page right alongside the rich kid in the suburbs. Technology and entertainment have leveled class distinctions and created a pure form of democracy’ (Bachelder, 2003, pg 165). Gan (2008) suggested that in Malaysia, blogging is the direct result of press freedom is being stifled. According to him, it is no surprise as press freedoms have been assaulted in Malaysia for some time now - the only democratic space in Malaysia is cyberspace. Therefore, blogging offers citizens the equal opportunity and platform to voice their opinions and practice their right to freedom of speech.
References
1. Bachelder, C., 2003, Bear V Shark London: Bloomsbury, OP 2001
2. Gan, S., 2008, Convergence, Citizen Journalism, and Social Change, viewed on 27th October 2009, http://snurb.info/node/789
3. Teik. JLC., 2008, Benefits of Blogging, viewed on 3rd November 2009, http://www.best-firepow-review.com/benefits-from-blogging
The good, the bad and the ugly
It was interesting to see the many different approaches that my fellow group mates took in order to convey their messages. I realized how essential it was to explain what the string of sentences meant. A lot of our slides lost meaning because of trying to make it in a point form in order to make the slides look less cluttered. Contexts are semiotic and can be differently read. Thus if not explained, it can be misunderstood (Schirato 2000, pg.50).
I very much enjoyed the presenters that were less-wordy in their slides. It was hard to keep up and frankly quite painful to the eyes to see the slides filled to the brim with words. I personally believe that presentations are meant to explain and summarize the main points in order for easier absorption. Thus, there will be no need to string words together to form long sentences which would in return backfire because the presenter would more often than not read word for word from the slides.
This could also be solved by the usage of images to illustrate a point, rather than using language. Afterall, not everything that can be realized in language can be realized by the means of images and vice versa (Kress & Van Leuwen pg.19). Therefore, a mixture of both would be great in terms of easier absorbtion. According to Graham (2006) having too much words in the slides will end up in a downhill spiral wherein the presentation goes from bad to worst because as the presenter reads from the slides, the lack of eye contact and poor voice projection leads the audience astray into their own worlds and ultimately loose interest in the presentation. Other than that, the use of language was something else that I noticed. Some of the presenters were too technical to the point that I wasn’t able to keep up. I reckon that they had forgotten who their audience was and the short attention span of the target audience. This was evident in the slides with technical terms.
Another interesting observation I made was based on the choice templates used for the slides. There were a select few presenters that had not taken into account the design principles into their slides. The cluttered layout and color choices of the template design seen in some of the slides have directly contributed to an undesired reading path (Oakley pg.300). In simple terms, instead of reading the important points or the slides, the audience was drawn to the overpowering templates.
References
1. Graham, R. 2006 The Windows of The Soul: Mastering the Art of Eye Contact, viewed 22 September 2009, http://www.grahamcomm.net/articles_05.html
2. Kress. G & Van Leeuwen, T. 2006, The Semiotoc Landscape: Language and Visual Communication
3. Oakley, Todd 2005, ‘Implied Narratives In Medical Practice,’ in Language & Literature, vol. 14. 14, no. 3, p.295-310. (UNISA electronic library)
4. Schirato, Tony & Yell, Susan, ‘Chapter 5: Framing contexts,’ in Communication and cultural literacy: an introduction.
I very much enjoyed the presenters that were less-wordy in their slides. It was hard to keep up and frankly quite painful to the eyes to see the slides filled to the brim with words. I personally believe that presentations are meant to explain and summarize the main points in order for easier absorption. Thus, there will be no need to string words together to form long sentences which would in return backfire because the presenter would more often than not read word for word from the slides.
This could also be solved by the usage of images to illustrate a point, rather than using language. Afterall, not everything that can be realized in language can be realized by the means of images and vice versa (Kress & Van Leuwen pg.19). Therefore, a mixture of both would be great in terms of easier absorbtion. According to Graham (2006) having too much words in the slides will end up in a downhill spiral wherein the presentation goes from bad to worst because as the presenter reads from the slides, the lack of eye contact and poor voice projection leads the audience astray into their own worlds and ultimately loose interest in the presentation. Other than that, the use of language was something else that I noticed. Some of the presenters were too technical to the point that I wasn’t able to keep up. I reckon that they had forgotten who their audience was and the short attention span of the target audience. This was evident in the slides with technical terms.
Another interesting observation I made was based on the choice templates used for the slides. There were a select few presenters that had not taken into account the design principles into their slides. The cluttered layout and color choices of the template design seen in some of the slides have directly contributed to an undesired reading path (Oakley pg.300). In simple terms, instead of reading the important points or the slides, the audience was drawn to the overpowering templates.
References
1. Graham, R. 2006 The Windows of The Soul: Mastering the Art of Eye Contact, viewed 22 September 2009, http://www.grahamcomm.net/articles_05.html
2. Kress. G & Van Leeuwen, T. 2006, The Semiotoc Landscape: Language and Visual Communication
3. Oakley, Todd 2005, ‘Implied Narratives In Medical Practice,’ in Language & Literature, vol. 14. 14, no. 3, p.295-310. (UNISA electronic library)
4. Schirato, Tony & Yell, Susan, ‘Chapter 5: Framing contexts,’ in Communication and cultural literacy: an introduction.
Purpose of this blog
I have created this blog to further explore as well as strengthen my understanding on the elements that define and blur the roles of document design in hope of educating my readers. I will also be covering the many different elements that influence document design. In addition to that I will also be discussing the many ways and methods to improve document design.
In this fast-paced industry of document design, it is crucial that we constantly update and educate ourselves in order to keep up and not be left behind.
My target audiences are my fellow classmates, peers, writers, document designers, designers as well as the many people out there that would like to know more about document design.
In this fast-paced industry of document design, it is crucial that we constantly update and educate ourselves in order to keep up and not be left behind.
My target audiences are my fellow classmates, peers, writers, document designers, designers as well as the many people out there that would like to know more about document design.
