The following programs are the ones I downloaded for evaluation.
1. Web Copier for windows (maximumsoft, 2009)
I chose to download the 15 day free trial to see how this application worked. It can be purchased for US$30 with 12 months free upgrades.
I found the program very easy to download. There were plenty of instructions on exactly what I had to do. Once I downloaded the program I had a little trouble understanding how it worked but with a quick return to the site I was able to obtain instructions to get me started. I copied our website from work with no problems. There were many interesting options and settings that would be worth further exploration. I consider this program would prove very useful especially if someone was required to visit a particular site regularly. I intend to suggest the use of this program to my employer as I consider it would prove itself to be invaluable as we constantly have to search certain websites for specifications and prices. I consider the benefits of this software would easily out way the cost of purchasing it.
2. Copernic Agent Basic (Copernic Inc. 2009)
I chose to download 'Copernic Agent Basic' to experience multiple search engines. This was a free download however some of the features listed in the program were only available on the paid version. I had no trouble down loading this program. Initially I was unimpressed. I think my habitual use of ‘Google’ had me thinking that it would be easier to stick with what I knew. While doing research for my Concepts project however, I found it valuable to have an alternative to option. I liked the way that I was able to see the searches that I had already performed right in front of me, because it made it easier when I was trying to think of ways of searching for my required content. I will probably continue to use ‘Google’ most of the time however it is good to know that there is other options available when having problems locating specific information. I do not consider it worthwhile at this stage, to purchase the paid version; however there appear to be certain options in that version that would be very useful.
Until now I have only used ‘Google’ for searching. The differences that I encountered between the two are listed below.
• ‘Google’ found many more results for my searchers. I would like to think that the reduced amount of results from ‘copernic’ was the result of a more relevant search resulting me not having to check for relevance. ‘Copernic’s’ results listed a score of relevancy as a percentage (very handy).
• ‘Copernic’ lacked the advertising listed on ‘Google’s’ results pages
• ‘Google’s ‘pages from Australia option’ was not an offer provided by ‘copernic’ (at least I couldn’t find it). I use this option all the time.
• ‘Google images’ option was not an option offered by ‘copernic’. I know students who use this option frequently.
3. Adobe flash player (Adobe, 2009)
I also attempted to download ‘Adobe flash player’. Initially it appeared as though it was going to be easy. But for some reason I could not see the test images after installing even though it stated that the program had been installed. After checking out the ‘trouble shooting’ link I realized that problems had previously been experienced with ‘windows vista’ so there were extra instructions for me to follow. After completing this step I could see the test video however since downloading the program I have not noticed any differences. I cannot see it listed in my programs menu either so I am wondering if I installed it properly after all. I am unsure if I have done something wrong.
Reflecting on this task: A program that I am familiar with can be used without me having to give much consideration to what I am doing. Thus allowing quick solutions to tasks. I have found most new programs take time to become familiar with. The amount of time that is spent reading and understanding about the programs and their capabilities, any user agreements and instructions on downloading the program, can out way the benefits that these programs provide. Unfortunately, as the internet evolves and grows there is a need for people to constantly evaluate new programs so that their skill level remains compatible with what is available on the internet. A reluctance to try new programs and use updates may result in a user not being able to use the programs they were previously able to use. I consider time must be spent in order to save time and users of the internet need to evaluate their own situation and the benefits that these programs provide to ascertain if the time spent downloading them and becoming familiar with their use is justified by the benefits obtained.
Adobe (2009). Adobe Flash Player. Retrieved May 20, 2009, from
http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/?promoid=DJDZP
Adobe (2009). TechNote: Troubleshoot Adobe Flash Player installation for Windows. Retrieved May 20, 2009, from http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/191/tn_19166.html
copernic Inc. (2009) Copernic Agent Basic. Retrieved May 4, 2009, from http://www.copernic.com/en/products/agent/index.html
Google (2009). Google Australia. Retrieved May 4, 2009 from http://www.google.com.au/
maximumsoft (2009). Feel the Internet in your hands. Retrieved May 25, 2009, from http://wernicww.maximumsoft.com/products/wc_windows/overview.html
Searching the web
1. My most commonly used search engine would be ‘Google’. I chose to search for the phrase “media regulation”. There were 137,000 hits recorded.
The first hit was:
“Media Ownership Regulation in Australia
Further changes to cross-media regulation were contained in the Broadcasting (Ownership and Control) Act 1988. This Act extended limits on cross-media...
www.aph.gov.au/library/INTGUIDE/SP/media_regulations.htm - 107k - “(Google, 2009)
I then thought I would try a different one -
“Clusty” - There were 182 results listed of 24,200 found perhaps because I chose to use the filter provided for adult content. The first result being -
“Media Regulation Timeline
Media Regulation Timeline. NOW’s latest coverage of Federal Communications Commission examines the relationship between Congress and the FCC, and the battles that continue...
www.pbs.org/now/politics/mediatimeline.html” (Clusty, 2009)
Then I proceeded to try “Copernic”.
I attempted to search three search engines from 'Copernic' (I was asked for only three). I tried to untick some of the engines that were listed. There were three that would not untick so these were the ones I used. They were ‘Copernic’, ‘Enhance Interactive’, and ‘Mamma.com’.
The search engines would not let me search for the phrase “media regulation”, so I had to search for “media” and “regulation”. I received only three results. I found this a little disappointing so I attempted to add 'Ask.com' and 'Yahoo! ' I then received 20 results.
The main differences would have to be the amount of results found. I found that although 'Google' had many results listed it tends to be able to affectively evaluate the ones that are relevant and place them on the first page. 'Clusty' also appeared to have a large range of sites that were relevant to what I was requiring. These did seem to be slightly more relevant to my requirements.
I found results from 'Copernic Agent Basic' to be relevant to my requirements but not necessarily more so, than the other search engines used. I think the most interesting results were from 'Clusty' as it offered a variety of results that seemed very applicable to what I was searching for. However I consider it is difficult to accurately assess relevancy without visiting sites to establish their actual content.
Clusty (2009). Retrieved 25, May 2009, from http://clusty.com/search?&form=advanced&v%3aframe=form&
copernic Inc. (2009) Copernic Agent Basic. Retrieved May 4, 2009, from http://www.copernic.com/en/products/agent/index.html
Google (2009). Google Australia. Retrieved May25, 2009 from http://www.google.com.au/
I have noticed that most of the search engines seem to allow some kind of Boolean options without the user needing to know the commands used. For example ‘Google’s advanced search’ prompts the user to input specific conditions for which the words are to be searched for.
When I did my initial search I searched for “media regulation”. So I suppose I was already using Boolean commands. I could extend my results by using (television OR radio OR internet OR media) NEAR regulat*. To search for more relevant content I could search for (television OR radio OR internet OR media) AND (concept* OR opinion OR idea OR view* OR assess*) NEAR regulat*. To limit searches to university sources I would probably try University AND (television OR radio OR internet OR media) AND (concept* OR opinion OR idea OR view* OR assess*) NEAR regulat*.
Site 1
URL: http://www.law.tm/docs/International-regulation.pdf
Author: A. Michael Froomkin
Institution: University of the Miami School of Law
" Broadly speaking, Internet regulation today can be conceived of as involving three related spheres: Direct regulation of the internet infrastructure itself; regulation of activities that can be conducted over the Internet; and, regulation of activities which can be, but need not be, conducted over the Internet." (Froomkin, 2006)
Site 2
URL: http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=IND_LIC_TEL_ABOUT
Author: None Stated
Instituation: Australian Government; Australian Communications and Media Authority
Site 3
URL: http://docs.law.gwu.edu/stdg/gwlr/issues/pdf/76-4-Magarian.pdf
Author: Gregory P. Magarian
Institution: Villanova University
This pdf article tries to encourage debate about media regulation and suggests ways of attempting to best meet the goals of people on both sides of the debate.
Australian Communications and Media Authority (2009), Communications & media regulation overview. Retrieved 30 May, 2009, from http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=IND_LIC_TEL_ABOUT
Froomkin, A.(2006) International and National Regualtion of the Internet. University of Miami School of Law. Retrieved 30, May 2009 from http://www.law.tm/docs/International-regulation.pdf
Magarian, G. (2008) Substantive Media Regulation in Three Dimensions. Retrieved 30 May, 2009, from http://docs.law.gwu.edu/stdg/gwlr/issues/pdf/76-4-Magarian.pdf
To record this information I used ‘Microsoft Onenote’ mainly because it is what I am familiar with. I cut and pasted the URLs and printed the screen when I wanted to take a screen shot. I also did try using 'Web Copier for windows' (maximumsoft, 2009). Thinking that I may be able to copy the web page and then somehow put it into my blog, I attempted to download the site to my computer. It seemed to take forever. I had previously downloaded my work website and it didn’t take very long at all. I am guessing the difference here is that our website is still very basic with not many links. Any way I soon became frustrated waiting for the program to finish and gave up. I couldn’t see from the options displayed on the screen in 'Web Copier' how I could put this in my blog anyway.
Evaluating the web
Annotation: Substantive Media Regulation in Three Dimensions.
URL: http://docs.law.gwu.edu/stdg/gwlr/issues/pdf/76-4-Magarian.pdf
This article was written by Gregory P. Magarian who is a Professor of Law at Villanova University. It discusses regulation and who benefits and who it doesn’t and how it affects media in general. The article makes references to different issues that need to be considered when setting up regulation. The article concludes by admitting confusion about whether substantive regulation is a good thing or not but also mentions that the way things stand at the moment media should consider fairness when reforming agenda (Magarian, 2008).
An earlier version of this article was presented at the symposium Access to the Media – 1967 to 2007 and Beyond. I consider this article to be very reliable as a source of information
Its purpose appears to be to inform as well as to offer an unbiased, educated opinion on what options may be further discussed.
Magarian, G. (2008) Substantive Media Regulation in Three Dimensions. Retrieved 30 May, 2009, from http://docs.law.gwu.edu/stdg/gwlr/issues/pdf/76-4-Magarian.pdf
I consider the most useful reference to the information is my own Annotation. Probably because I took the time to actually assess if I considered the author to be credible and I went into more detail when summarizing the article. I consider my Annotation would also be more useful to others because of the reasons I have mentioned above. I believe it would provide others with enough information for them to determine if the article contains what they are looking for.
I finished this module after I had completed my concept assignment as I had been unwell and had fallen behind. I knew that it contained elements which related to searching however I was surprised to find out how helpful the exercisers were, and how much they would have prepared me for my concepts assignment. I had a great deal of trouble finding relevant sites for this assignment, spending hours scouring 'Google'. I now consider that I would have been better off if I had of worked on these exercises and then used the knowledge I obtained to assist me with my searches. We live and learn.
I had no idea that there were so many search engines avaliable. As the variety of uses we employ the internet for expands, I consider effective searching will become even more important for all users.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment