For my final reading response and my second free-response, I will discuss how this class and the reading have effected my view on the internet and writing in electronic environments. Prior to this semester, I never fully appreciated the read/write relationship that makes the internet so special.
Of all the things we have learned this semester, the transcendent relationship between the reader and the writer stands out as the most important. No other writing environment allows the reader to be as much a part of the writing as the writer. The duality of this relationship makes the content unique, customizable, and important. Without this relationship, the internet is no different than a book or even a Microsoft Office document. This duality is not limited to the blog genre. Commenting is enabled on almost every website. Comment sections on major websites allow for anyone's voice to be heard. Comments also allow the writer a source of direct feedback, allowing them to adjust the work according to the reader's thoughts.
The Wiki genre is a great example of how the Internets readership helps create content. Although most teachers will claim Wikipedia is an illegitimate source of information, I believe it is as reliable as any other source. Here is an interesting story that accentuates this point: A Dublin University student edited a Wikipedia page and added a fake quotation to an author's page. The fake quotation was almost immediately removed, but before there were any repercussions. When the author died, many journalists quoted this fake quotation and attributed it to him in his obituary. Although the quote did not make it past Wikipedia editors, it made it into many of our newspapers. This shows that Wikipedia does more fact-checking than many other sources of information out there. This reiterates the point that the reader is totally capable of being a writer, as well as a legitimate source.
Despite this truth, I will not be using Wikipedia in any of my Work Cited pages. I think Barstool Sports' slogan depicts this relationship best. "By the common man, For the common man." No other environment allows the common man's voice to be heard or supplies a place for the common man to read about what actually interests him.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Reading Response 9
For my first free-response, I will discuss Kimball's "Understand Web Portfolios". I figured this would be an appropriate reading to respond to because of the upcoming portfolio project due at the end of the semester. This reading helped me to understand what makes a great Web Portfolio.
Being a Writing & Rhetoric major, I am quite familiar with the Portfolio process. Every semester I have been instructed to create multiple portfolios for my writing classes, but these were simply compilations of the semester's work. Unlike the portfolios of my past, an Electronic Portfolio is meant to be reflection of one's progress. Although this was the aim of my other portfolios, I never really attacked that goal in my past.
Kimball explains the importance of both the contextual and aesthetic aspects of the Portfolio. The CARP principles outlined in past readings are reiterated by Kimball throughout the reading. Here is where the difference between my past portfolios and this one is. With a folder of written work, there is little to worry about when it comes to aesthetics, but an electronic portfolio is much different. Hopefully my work in the Website redesign project will help me utilize the CARP principles while creating my own portfolio.
In class, the professor insisted we should have some type of reoccurring theme or extended metaphor through the portfolio. I have put much though into what this theme or metaphor should be. After much discussion, I think I will stick with the Dr. Phil theme for my portfolio: I might make it a "tour though my office" or a diagnoses of my writing. By using a metaphor I can deeply analyze my own writing and give the viewer something to chew on while reading my portfolio.
Being a Writing & Rhetoric major, I am quite familiar with the Portfolio process. Every semester I have been instructed to create multiple portfolios for my writing classes, but these were simply compilations of the semester's work. Unlike the portfolios of my past, an Electronic Portfolio is meant to be reflection of one's progress. Although this was the aim of my other portfolios, I never really attacked that goal in my past.
Kimball explains the importance of both the contextual and aesthetic aspects of the Portfolio. The CARP principles outlined in past readings are reiterated by Kimball throughout the reading. Here is where the difference between my past portfolios and this one is. With a folder of written work, there is little to worry about when it comes to aesthetics, but an electronic portfolio is much different. Hopefully my work in the Website redesign project will help me utilize the CARP principles while creating my own portfolio.
In class, the professor insisted we should have some type of reoccurring theme or extended metaphor through the portfolio. I have put much though into what this theme or metaphor should be. After much discussion, I think I will stick with the Dr. Phil theme for my portfolio: I might make it a "tour though my office" or a diagnoses of my writing. By using a metaphor I can deeply analyze my own writing and give the viewer something to chew on while reading my portfolio.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Reading Response 8
SOPA and Protect IP are two highly controversial bills that -- if passed -- will change the Internet as we know it. The goal of bills like SOPA is to increase the extent that copyright laws are enforced by holding websites responsible for when user's infringe on these laws. For example, if I was to post a copyrighted image on Facebook, Facebook would be held responsible. As we learned from Lessing's lectures, the third major legal policy at the core of the Internet is (to paraphrase) that creators cannot be held accountable if their creation is used illegally.
These bills relate to social networking sites because sites like Facebook and Twitter are completely controlled by its users. If SOPA was passed, Facebook would be required to ensure every image, upload, and wallpost abides by copyright laws. Even suggesting this is absurd. There are millions of people on Facebook and to closely regulate all of their activity would be nearly impossible. This would require Facebook to spend millions of dollars on employees and technology to ensure no copyrighted material is hosted on their website.
Boyd and Ellison highlight an interesting aspect of Social Network Sites in their writings. They assert that the "Social" part of SNS is the most important part. To regulate this would to be regulate our human interaction between each other. This is blatant censorship at the highest level. At this point in the Age of Information, the internet should be seen no differently than any other medium, like newspapers, books, etc. It would be like censoring a newspaper. If we start censoring our human interactions, it is the first step to living in a completely controled Police-State.
Bills like SOPA is exactly what Lessings is talking about in his lectures. The higher the amount of regulation on the Internet, the less innovation there is. If companies were constantly worried about infringing on copyright laws or their users infringing on copyright laws, it would detract from their overall goal. It is simply a waste of resources. I could never imagine a bill like this being passed; Not only because of the damage it will do to Internet companies, but because of the damage it will do to our freedoms as Americans.
These bills relate to social networking sites because sites like Facebook and Twitter are completely controlled by its users. If SOPA was passed, Facebook would be required to ensure every image, upload, and wallpost abides by copyright laws. Even suggesting this is absurd. There are millions of people on Facebook and to closely regulate all of their activity would be nearly impossible. This would require Facebook to spend millions of dollars on employees and technology to ensure no copyrighted material is hosted on their website.
Boyd and Ellison highlight an interesting aspect of Social Network Sites in their writings. They assert that the "Social" part of SNS is the most important part. To regulate this would to be regulate our human interaction between each other. This is blatant censorship at the highest level. At this point in the Age of Information, the internet should be seen no differently than any other medium, like newspapers, books, etc. It would be like censoring a newspaper. If we start censoring our human interactions, it is the first step to living in a completely controled Police-State.
Bills like SOPA is exactly what Lessings is talking about in his lectures. The higher the amount of regulation on the Internet, the less innovation there is. If companies were constantly worried about infringing on copyright laws or their users infringing on copyright laws, it would detract from their overall goal. It is simply a waste of resources. I could never imagine a bill like this being passed; Not only because of the damage it will do to Internet companies, but because of the damage it will do to our freedoms as Americans.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Project 4 Brainstorming
Audience: Central Falls community, Rhode Island government officials, people interested in the public library issue, potential donors.
Purpose: To raise awareness about what is happening in central falls, to attract donors to the library, to raise awareness about the problem threatening public libraries across the country, provide a place for library enthusiasts to communicate and network.
Stance: Pro-education. I plan to stress the importance of libraries in our country. There is no need to be nonpartisan in a writing environment like this.
What should be in the site: Information about the problem -- how it started, evolved, and the situation today -- history about the library, a blog for us to discuss our ideas and plans, a list of events relevant to our cause, a forum for us to ask and answer questions, pictures of the library, contact information, and anything else relevant to our cause. I'm not so sure what type of music we should have; there are not a lot of library anthems.
Purpose: To raise awareness about what is happening in central falls, to attract donors to the library, to raise awareness about the problem threatening public libraries across the country, provide a place for library enthusiasts to communicate and network.
Stance: Pro-education. I plan to stress the importance of libraries in our country. There is no need to be nonpartisan in a writing environment like this.
What should be in the site: Information about the problem -- how it started, evolved, and the situation today -- history about the library, a blog for us to discuss our ideas and plans, a list of events relevant to our cause, a forum for us to ask and answer questions, pictures of the library, contact information, and anything else relevant to our cause. I'm not so sure what type of music we should have; there are not a lot of library anthems.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Project 4 - Annotated Bibliography
Libraries In Crisis Throughout The US and Canada – Philip Rozes
Oliviero, Helena. "Metro Libraries Cope with Money Woes." Ajc.com. The Atlanta
Journal-Constitution, 8 Apr. 2012. Web. 09 Apr. 2012.
In this April 8th article, Helena Oliviero discusses the desperate condition of Atlanta’s Public Library
System. As recent as 2010, Atlanta legislators were pushing to renovate and expand all of the city’s
public libraries; but now, only two years later, these same libraries are struggling to survive. This
cutback in library funding is a national trend. Oliviero highlights similar situations in Fulton County,
Georgia – where legislators did not anticipate the cost of upkeep for their eight new libraries – and in
Philadelphia – where eleven of the city’s forty-eight were closed in the wake of budget cuts. The
article concludes by explaining what people are doing to keep their libraries alive and how you can get involved.
I find this article to be invaluable to our research, because not only does it show multiple
instances where libraries are struggling; it elaborates on what people are doing to make a difference.
The final portion of the article can guide us in what we do with our project.
Rego, Mike. "East Providence Library Branches Fuller, Rumford to Close at Month's
End."EastBayRI.com, 6 Apr. 2012. Web. 09 Apr. 2012.
In a story much closer to home, “The East Providence Public Library Board of Trustees “regretfully”
announced the closing of the Anne Ide Fuller and Rumford Branch Libraries at the end of April in a
press release Thursday, April 5.” Due to budget limitations, the city was forced to close two of their
four libraries, despite public opposition. The article stresses how reluctant the council was to make
these cuts.
This article is an example of how relevant the issue is to us. The location is terrific for an
appeal to Pathos in our project. Although the article is not very dense, the pathetic appeal is invaluable.
Thanh Hu, Tu. "Walkout to Shut down Toronto Public Libraries." Home. The Globe and the Mail, 18
Mar. 2012. Web. 09 Apr. 2012.
Last month in Canada, the public library problem reached its boiling point. Thousands of library
employees throughout Toronto staged a walk-out in opposition to the city’s plans to cut library
funding. The city has already ravaged the city’s libraries of much of their funding, and this protest is
their last resort.
This article hits two major points. First, it shows how this problem is not only limited to the
United States. But more importantly, it presents what could be a frightening future for America’s
public library system. Unlike Central Falls or East Providence, the Toronto Public Library System has over ninety branches; this is an example of the problem on a much larger scale – where literally billions of dollars are at stake. Because this story happened last month, a follow up article will be useful in discovering what the future may hold for America’s libraries.
Oliviero, Helena. "Metro Libraries Cope with Money Woes." Ajc.com. The Atlanta
Journal-Constitution, 8 Apr. 2012. Web. 09 Apr. 2012.
In this April 8th article, Helena Oliviero discusses the desperate condition of Atlanta’s Public Library
System. As recent as 2010, Atlanta legislators were pushing to renovate and expand all of the city’s
public libraries; but now, only two years later, these same libraries are struggling to survive. This
cutback in library funding is a national trend. Oliviero highlights similar situations in Fulton County,
Georgia – where legislators did not anticipate the cost of upkeep for their eight new libraries – and in
Philadelphia – where eleven of the city’s forty-eight were closed in the wake of budget cuts. The
article concludes by explaining what people are doing to keep their libraries alive and how you can get involved.
I find this article to be invaluable to our research, because not only does it show multiple
instances where libraries are struggling; it elaborates on what people are doing to make a difference.
The final portion of the article can guide us in what we do with our project.
Rego, Mike. "East Providence Library Branches Fuller, Rumford to Close at Month's
End."EastBayRI.com, 6 Apr. 2012. Web. 09 Apr. 2012.
In a story much closer to home, “The East Providence Public Library Board of Trustees “regretfully”
announced the closing of the Anne Ide Fuller and Rumford Branch Libraries at the end of April in a
press release Thursday, April 5.” Due to budget limitations, the city was forced to close two of their
four libraries, despite public opposition. The article stresses how reluctant the council was to make
these cuts.
This article is an example of how relevant the issue is to us. The location is terrific for an
appeal to Pathos in our project. Although the article is not very dense, the pathetic appeal is invaluable.
Thanh Hu, Tu. "Walkout to Shut down Toronto Public Libraries." Home. The Globe and the Mail, 18
Mar. 2012. Web. 09 Apr. 2012.
Last month in Canada, the public library problem reached its boiling point. Thousands of library
employees throughout Toronto staged a walk-out in opposition to the city’s plans to cut library
funding. The city has already ravaged the city’s libraries of much of their funding, and this protest is
their last resort.
This article hits two major points. First, it shows how this problem is not only limited to the
United States. But more importantly, it presents what could be a frightening future for America’s
public library system. Unlike Central Falls or East Providence, the Toronto Public Library System has over ninety branches; this is an example of the problem on a much larger scale – where literally billions of dollars are at stake. Because this story happened last month, a follow up article will be useful in discovering what the future may hold for America’s libraries.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Reading Response 7
For this assignment, I have analyzed one of my favorite websites and applied Tollett's CARP principles to it. Barstool Sports, a Boston based satirical blog, has grown tremendously over the years and has attracted quite the following. Controversy and politics aside, the website does a great job of utilizing the CARP principles to make a usable and appealing blog.
The site design of Barstool Sports is rather methodical and organized. The site that I linked to is the "Superblog" -- a combination of the website's four city blogs: Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and The U. Each blog follows the same format and content is the only difference between the blogs, which displays successful use of Repetition by giving the user a familiar format to navigate. Another way the site uses repetition is in the blog posts themselves. Each post starts with a picture/video followed by an article/story from another source, and then the blogger writes his satirical view on the story. Every post follows this guideline and the comments are below the blogger's write-up. Daily posts like "Guess That Ass" and "Wake-up with ..." are other examples of repetition within the blog, because they are posted everyday in the same format.
When speaking on the Contrast part of CARP, the site does a stand-out job. There are not too many advertisements or distracting pop-ups. Pictures and video are used in every blog post. There is a sidebar filled with Viral Videos and galleries of attractive co-eds. The bloggers will frequently use bold or italics to emphasize their point while writing, another great use of contrast. The Alignment of the site is also very strong. The posts are displayed in chronological order and are never scattered around the page. The organization of the site makes it very usable. When it comes to Proximity, no pages are cluttered and most images have borders. It is hard to find any rhetorical flaws within the site using the CARP system, but this is no surprise, because the website is essentially the heart of the business.
The audience of the website is clear. Each blog is directed towards a different city, so posts on the sites will be concerning the local sports team. Although it is safe to say the target demographic is males, because things like "Smokeshow of the Day" and "Guess that Ass", it has been noted women view the site as well. A relevant argument that can be brought up is that sections like these may deflect potential female readers from the site. Each blog has a number of different writers with one head blogger, who does the majority of the posting. The name or alias of the blogger is at the bottom of each post. And although these names are pseudonyms, like Elpresidente and KFC, the bloggers make no effort to conceal their identities. In fact, they frequently post humorous picture or videos of themselves, which I see as a great way to build Pathos within the blog, because of the personal attachment it creates with the reader. The main style and stance of the blog is satirical. While sarcasm is often difficult to detect in text, the bloggers will often take an absurd stance on an issue in order to make a point or demonstrate the ridiculousness of an argument. The comedic nature of the blog is often stressed and the writers insist nothing on the blog should be taken too seriously.
In conclusion, Barstool Sports has masterfully created an example of Rhetoric within an online writing environment. Aside from nailing all the CARP principles, they know their audience and know what they want. Its ability to stick to its satirical nature allows it maintain its readership as it grows.
The site design of Barstool Sports is rather methodical and organized. The site that I linked to is the "Superblog" -- a combination of the website's four city blogs: Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and The U. Each blog follows the same format and content is the only difference between the blogs, which displays successful use of Repetition by giving the user a familiar format to navigate. Another way the site uses repetition is in the blog posts themselves. Each post starts with a picture/video followed by an article/story from another source, and then the blogger writes his satirical view on the story. Every post follows this guideline and the comments are below the blogger's write-up. Daily posts like "Guess That Ass" and "Wake-up with ..." are other examples of repetition within the blog, because they are posted everyday in the same format.
When speaking on the Contrast part of CARP, the site does a stand-out job. There are not too many advertisements or distracting pop-ups. Pictures and video are used in every blog post. There is a sidebar filled with Viral Videos and galleries of attractive co-eds. The bloggers will frequently use bold or italics to emphasize their point while writing, another great use of contrast. The Alignment of the site is also very strong. The posts are displayed in chronological order and are never scattered around the page. The organization of the site makes it very usable. When it comes to Proximity, no pages are cluttered and most images have borders. It is hard to find any rhetorical flaws within the site using the CARP system, but this is no surprise, because the website is essentially the heart of the business.
The audience of the website is clear. Each blog is directed towards a different city, so posts on the sites will be concerning the local sports team. Although it is safe to say the target demographic is males, because things like "Smokeshow of the Day" and "Guess that Ass", it has been noted women view the site as well. A relevant argument that can be brought up is that sections like these may deflect potential female readers from the site. Each blog has a number of different writers with one head blogger, who does the majority of the posting. The name or alias of the blogger is at the bottom of each post. And although these names are pseudonyms, like Elpresidente and KFC, the bloggers make no effort to conceal their identities. In fact, they frequently post humorous picture or videos of themselves, which I see as a great way to build Pathos within the blog, because of the personal attachment it creates with the reader. The main style and stance of the blog is satirical. While sarcasm is often difficult to detect in text, the bloggers will often take an absurd stance on an issue in order to make a point or demonstrate the ridiculousness of an argument. The comedic nature of the blog is often stressed and the writers insist nothing on the blog should be taken too seriously.
In conclusion, Barstool Sports has masterfully created an example of Rhetoric within an online writing environment. Aside from nailing all the CARP principles, they know their audience and know what they want. Its ability to stick to its satirical nature allows it maintain its readership as it grows.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Final Webmap
Sarah Golden Jermain Stephens
Phil Rozes Jake Levin
1) Schools
i) North Kingston
(a) News
(b) Parent Information
(c) Clubs and Groups
(d) COZ/After School Programs
(e) e-portfolio
(f) Guidance
(g) Policies and Handbook
ii) Davisville
(a) News
(b) Parent Information
(c) Clubs and Groups
(d) COZ/After School Programs
(e) Resources
(f) Volunteers
iii) Wickford
(a) News
(b) Parent Information
(c) Clubs and Groups
(d) COZ/After School Programs
(e) Media Gallery
(f) Volunteers
(g) Handbook
iv) Fishing Cove
(a) News
(b) Parent Information
(c) Clubs and Groups
(d) COZ/After School Programs
(e) Educational Links
v) Forest Park
(a) News
(b) Parent Information
(c) Clubs and Groups
(d) COZ/After School Programs
(e) Volunteers
vi) Hamilton
(a) News
(b) Parent Information
(c) Clubs and Groups
(d) COZ/After School Programs
(e) Volunteers
(f) Educational Links
vii) Henseler/ Quidnessett
(a) News
(b) Parent Information
(c) Clubs and Groups
(d) COZ/After School Programs
(e) Mission Statement
(f) Educational Links
(g) Volunteers
viii) Stony Lane
(a)
News
(b) Parent Information
(c) Clubs and Groups
(d) COZ/After School Programs
(e) Educational Links
(f) Volunteers
2) Administration
i) Academics
(a) Learning Expectations
(b) Curriculum
(c) NECAP Assessment Results
(d) Professional Development Opportunities
ii) Business Office
(a) Hours of Operation
(b) Forms & Documents
(c) Procedures
(d) FAQs
(e) Budget
(f) Jamestown Contract
iii) Food Services
(a) Shape Up RI
(b) Lunch Menus
(c) School Lunch App and Online Payment
iv) Human Resources
(a) Substitute Applications
(b) Application Process
(c) Employment Opportunities
(d) Department Information
(e) Contracts
(f) Payroll and Benefits Office
v) Information Technology
(a) Requests for IT
(b) SchoolMAx Information
(c) Online Resources
(d) District Technology Plan
(e) Technology Training
(f) Technology Policies
3) School Committee
i) Superintendent of Schools
(a) Policies
(b) Mission Statement
(c)
Strategic Plan
ii) Policies
(a) Foundations and Basic Commitments
(b) Board Governance and Operations
(c) General School Administration
(d) Fiscal Management
(e) Support Services
(f) Negotiations
(g) Instruction
(h) Students
iii) Meeting Information
(a) Agendas
(b) Minutes
(c)
Videos
iv) Powers and Duties of School Committees
4)
Parents
i) Aspen
(a)
Login
ii) Transportation
(a) Attendance Boundary Directions
(b) FAQs
(c) School Bus routes for current year
(d) Useful Links
(e) Current Year School Boundaries
iii) COZ/ After School Programs
(a) Family Learning Partnership
(b) Extended Learning
(c) Early Learning Programs
(d) Family Centers
(e) Volunteers and Community Partnerships
(f) Parent Development and Adult Ed
iv) New Student Registration
(a) Kindergarten Registration
(b) Student Handbook
v) Policies
vi) Access to Public Records
(a) APRA Procedures
(b)
APRA Request Form
vii) Parent Complaint Procedure
viii) Transfer Request
ix) PTOs
5) Students
i) WebMail Access
(a) Login
(b) Close
ii) COZ/ After School Programs
iii) Schools
6)
Staff
i) AESOP
(a) Login
ii) Aspen SIS
(a)
Login
iii) Tienet
(a) Login
iv) Webmail
(a)
Login
v) Staff Information
(a) Forms
(b) AESOP Introduction
(c) Online Activities
(d) Guides
7) Calendars
i) School Calendars
(a) North Kingston
(b) Davisville
(c) Wickford
(d) Fishing Cove
(e) Forest Cove
(f) Hamilton
(g) Henseler/ Quidnessett
(h) Stony Lane
ii) COZ Calendar
iii) School Committee
8) Staff Directory and Contact
i) WhistleBlower
ii) Administration List
iii) Staff List (by School)
(a) North Kingston
(b) Davisville
(c) Wickford
(d) Fishing Cove
(e) Forest Park
(f) Hamilton
(g) Henseler/ Quidnessett
(h) Stony Lane
iv) School Committee
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Reading Response 6
In Richard Saul Wurman's "The Business of Understanding", he explains his LATCH principle. According to Wurman, there are only five ways to organize any type of information: Location, Alphabet, Time, Category, and Hierarchy -- forming LATCH. I decided to pick the WikiTravel article on Jamestown, Rhode Island to see if WikiTravel abides by Wurman's LATCH rule.
After reading and analyzing the Jamestown WikiTravel page, I can safely say the author loosely abided by some of Wurman's LATCH principles -- mainly Time, Hierarchy, and Category. The page (which can be viewed here) is sorted into ten major sections: Understand, Get in, Get around, See, Do, Buy, Eat, Drink, Sleep, and Get out. Although they are separated into different Categories, the organization of topics mainly abides by Hierarchy and Time. It displays Hierarchy in the sense that the major underlying premises are put first in the Understand section. Perhaps this is not the most definitive example of using Hierarchy to organize, but it is one of the only times the author uses the LATCH principles. The rest of the topics are, loosely, ordered by time: Get in is first, Get out is last. Eat, where they discuss popular restaurants, is put before Drink, where they point out popular night locations, and then Sleep, where they list the hotels, is left for the end. The topics are based on Time and what one would do in a day.
There are many opportunities for the authors to utilize the LATCH principles where they do not. For example, none of the events, museums, eateries, or hotels are listed in alphabetical order. Alphabetical order would be best for the museums, eateries, and hotels, but in my personal opinion, Time would be the best regulator for the order of events. If the events were organized by their time during the year, the list would be a very useful resource for travellers viewing the page. Because of the small size of the Island, Location is a relatively un-useful means to organize any of the information, because, in reality, all the events and places are located within five miles of eachother. Major improvements could be made to the page's organization by using the Alphabet and Time principles more effectively.
After reading and analyzing the Jamestown WikiTravel page, I can safely say the author loosely abided by some of Wurman's LATCH principles -- mainly Time, Hierarchy, and Category. The page (which can be viewed here) is sorted into ten major sections: Understand, Get in, Get around, See, Do, Buy, Eat, Drink, Sleep, and Get out. Although they are separated into different Categories, the organization of topics mainly abides by Hierarchy and Time. It displays Hierarchy in the sense that the major underlying premises are put first in the Understand section. Perhaps this is not the most definitive example of using Hierarchy to organize, but it is one of the only times the author uses the LATCH principles. The rest of the topics are, loosely, ordered by time: Get in is first, Get out is last. Eat, where they discuss popular restaurants, is put before Drink, where they point out popular night locations, and then Sleep, where they list the hotels, is left for the end. The topics are based on Time and what one would do in a day.
There are many opportunities for the authors to utilize the LATCH principles where they do not. For example, none of the events, museums, eateries, or hotels are listed in alphabetical order. Alphabetical order would be best for the museums, eateries, and hotels, but in my personal opinion, Time would be the best regulator for the order of events. If the events were organized by their time during the year, the list would be a very useful resource for travellers viewing the page. Because of the small size of the Island, Location is a relatively un-useful means to organize any of the information, because, in reality, all the events and places are located within five miles of eachother. Major improvements could be made to the page's organization by using the Alphabet and Time principles more effectively.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Postwrite Project 2 [PW2.1]
After completing the WikiTravel project, I now have a greater understanding of the Wiki genre. While creating a Wiki, it is important to be very selective of what information you choose to include. In our WikiTravel itinerary on Foxwoods Resort Casino, we could have included dozens of mundane details concerning the contents of the casino, but instead of trying to incorporate these irrelevant details -- like the number of tables or the MGM's long list of performers -- we intentionally excluded them. As the focused nature of our itinerary shows, we spent a great deal of time filtering out all the unnecessary details that come along with the biggest resort casino in the United States.
The most rewarding part of this assignment was posting the final product on WikiTravel for the world to see. Much like the blog genre, the fascinating part of the Wiki genre is the fact that anybody can contribute to this massive source of information. By uploading our itinerary, we are now a part of this growing database of usable information. Seeing your work on the World Wide Web for anybody to use creates a special feeling of accomplishment.
Although I found this project rather enjoyable, we hit one major wall during our creation of this itinerary. I feel the Itinerary genre was not well enough defined in class, thus making it difficult to create an Itinerary that successfully attacks the prompt. Many of the itineraries on WikiTravel are step-by-step guides -- and ours is not. It was never explicitly stated that our itinerary should mimic this style. I feel our take on the Itinerary genre was far more effective, because it presents the reader with all his or her options, while still giving the user flexibility. In the future, I would explicitly define what the instructor was looking for in an itinerary.
One piece of advice I would give to future students is: pick a topic you are genuinely interested in. Although with a neutral genre like a WikiTravel article it is unadvised to develop Pathos in your writing, it will be much easier to research and write about a topic you are interested in. If you are writing about something you do not care about, the reader will notice. As a writer, I always try to pick a topic I am legitimately interested in.
The most rewarding part of this assignment was posting the final product on WikiTravel for the world to see. Much like the blog genre, the fascinating part of the Wiki genre is the fact that anybody can contribute to this massive source of information. By uploading our itinerary, we are now a part of this growing database of usable information. Seeing your work on the World Wide Web for anybody to use creates a special feeling of accomplishment.
Although I found this project rather enjoyable, we hit one major wall during our creation of this itinerary. I feel the Itinerary genre was not well enough defined in class, thus making it difficult to create an Itinerary that successfully attacks the prompt. Many of the itineraries on WikiTravel are step-by-step guides -- and ours is not. It was never explicitly stated that our itinerary should mimic this style. I feel our take on the Itinerary genre was far more effective, because it presents the reader with all his or her options, while still giving the user flexibility. In the future, I would explicitly define what the instructor was looking for in an itinerary.
One piece of advice I would give to future students is: pick a topic you are genuinely interested in. Although with a neutral genre like a WikiTravel article it is unadvised to develop Pathos in your writing, it will be much easier to research and write about a topic you are interested in. If you are writing about something you do not care about, the reader will notice. As a writer, I always try to pick a topic I am legitimately interested in.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Brainstorming 3.3 [Webmap]
Upon completing the initial Webmap outline, I have made some frightening realizations. Due to the giant amount of links and content on the NKSD.net website, I feel it will be impossible to recreate all this information while successfully attacking the project's prompt. Here is my Webmap (which is both the original and my take, because there are more than 9 links on almost every page):
As you can see, there are 9 links for almost every initial link. The pages with the arrows going down to them have no new links and are on the same type of page as the rest of its group. There is so much content here, I am going to suggest we change our website during our next group meeting.
Brainstorming 3.3 [part 2, Rhetorical Principles]
When it comes to the Rhetorical portion of the the NKSD site design, there are only a few major problems. The four issues I will discuss are: Purpose, Audience, Genre, and Design.
The purpose of the NKSD is clear: to provide a source of information for parents, students, and community members. Content-wise, the website has everything one could be looking for; how it is presented is the problem. Calenders, news, and announcements are all displayed on the homepage, making the NKSD website a useful source of information.
The audience is well-defined, but better organization would allow the site to target its audience much better. There is a student section, parents section, and committee section. By separating these different aspects of the site, the creator would be able to target its audience much more effectively. Although these sections are defined on the drop-down menu, they are barely organized on the homepage. The website could be much more student-friendly, because there is so much information that is quite irrelevant to students.
The genre of the NKSD website is a traditional HTML website. The site effectively uses photos, links, tabs, and text to reach its audience. While there are no videos on the site, I feel they are not necessary for a school department's website. Despite the unorganized nature of content on the website, it effectively serves as a information hub.
Design is the final rhetorical aspect of the website I will analyze. Like I said before, the captions and colors are the biggest flaw in site design. The sloppy captions reflect poorly on the school department, and will send bad messages to perspective students. The color issues are categorized under design flaws and must be fixed in order for this site to work effectively. Photos of real students are a great part of the site and help to boost the credibility of the website. Also, some pages do not link back tot he home page; this design flaw makes the site almost unusable. Overall, the web design is not awful, but there are many aspects -- like the captions and color -- that could be improved.
The purpose of the NKSD is clear: to provide a source of information for parents, students, and community members. Content-wise, the website has everything one could be looking for; how it is presented is the problem. Calenders, news, and announcements are all displayed on the homepage, making the NKSD website a useful source of information.
The audience is well-defined, but better organization would allow the site to target its audience much better. There is a student section, parents section, and committee section. By separating these different aspects of the site, the creator would be able to target its audience much more effectively. Although these sections are defined on the drop-down menu, they are barely organized on the homepage. The website could be much more student-friendly, because there is so much information that is quite irrelevant to students.
The genre of the NKSD website is a traditional HTML website. The site effectively uses photos, links, tabs, and text to reach its audience. While there are no videos on the site, I feel they are not necessary for a school department's website. Despite the unorganized nature of content on the website, it effectively serves as a information hub.
Design is the final rhetorical aspect of the website I will analyze. Like I said before, the captions and colors are the biggest flaw in site design. The sloppy captions reflect poorly on the school department, and will send bad messages to perspective students. The color issues are categorized under design flaws and must be fixed in order for this site to work effectively. Photos of real students are a great part of the site and help to boost the credibility of the website. Also, some pages do not link back tot he home page; this design flaw makes the site almost unusable. Overall, the web design is not awful, but there are many aspects -- like the captions and color -- that could be improved.
Brainstorming 3.3 [part one, CARP]
Using the CARP princliples of design outlined by Tollet and Williams, I am able to identify the dozens of flaws on the nksd.org website. CARP stands for: Contrast, Alignment, Repetition, and Proximity. By applying these principles to the NKSD website, we can better understand what changes must be made.
Contrast applies to the visual presentation of the website; specifically, text, images, colors, videos, and texture. Things like italics and underlining are ways designers use contrast to get there message across. There are many contrast issues with the NKSD website. Many pages consist of gold-text on a black background, this contrast issue makes many passages almost unreadable. By changing either the color of the background or text, we can easily correct this major issue. On the homepage's header there is gold text on a yellow background; this contrast issue makes some link practically invisible. On the "District Policies" page there is black text on a black background, which is possibly the biggest contrast issue on the entire site. Despite the dozens of contrast issues, the black and gold -- North Kingston's school colors -- work well together on some pages. By correcting these color issues we will greatly improve the website's credibility.
Alignment refers to the positioning and layout of the web page. Alignment helps to organize the page and make it more user-friendly. There are two major alignment issues I have noticed. First, a calender pop-up on the homepage blocks the school's mission statement. This issue is a huge detriment to the site's readability. Next, many of the captions extend past the picture they are associated with. These captions make the the web design seem sloppy and unprofessional. Alternatively, the site displays good alignment on a few pages. Many pictures are successfully embedded into the text very effectively and look very professional.
Repetition is exactly what it sounds like: the repeating of certain aspects in order to establish a point. Many links on the NKSD website are unnecessarily repeated, which contributes to the clustered appearance of the site. By eliminating some of these repetitive links, we could condense the website and make it much more usable.
Proximity refers to the page layout and how different things are placed on the page. Out of all the principles, successful use of proximity is best illustrated by the web designer. Most images are evenly spaced and there is not a lot of empty space on any page. Surprisingly, this is one of the best parts of the NKSD website.
Contrast applies to the visual presentation of the website; specifically, text, images, colors, videos, and texture. Things like italics and underlining are ways designers use contrast to get there message across. There are many contrast issues with the NKSD website. Many pages consist of gold-text on a black background, this contrast issue makes many passages almost unreadable. By changing either the color of the background or text, we can easily correct this major issue. On the homepage's header there is gold text on a yellow background; this contrast issue makes some link practically invisible. On the "District Policies" page there is black text on a black background, which is possibly the biggest contrast issue on the entire site. Despite the dozens of contrast issues, the black and gold -- North Kingston's school colors -- work well together on some pages. By correcting these color issues we will greatly improve the website's credibility.
Alignment refers to the positioning and layout of the web page. Alignment helps to organize the page and make it more user-friendly. There are two major alignment issues I have noticed. First, a calender pop-up on the homepage blocks the school's mission statement. This issue is a huge detriment to the site's readability. Next, many of the captions extend past the picture they are associated with. These captions make the the web design seem sloppy and unprofessional. Alternatively, the site displays good alignment on a few pages. Many pictures are successfully embedded into the text very effectively and look very professional.
Repetition is exactly what it sounds like: the repeating of certain aspects in order to establish a point. Many links on the NKSD website are unnecessarily repeated, which contributes to the clustered appearance of the site. By eliminating some of these repetitive links, we could condense the website and make it much more usable.
Proximity refers to the page layout and how different things are placed on the page. Out of all the principles, successful use of proximity is best illustrated by the web designer. Most images are evenly spaced and there is not a lot of empty space on any page. Surprisingly, this is one of the best parts of the NKSD website.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Brainstorming 3.2
What types of choices do web-designers make that demonstrate less effective
web-design?
After viewing several poorly designed sites, I feel there are two primary concerns when it comes to ineffective web design: organization and visual design. While some sites are aesthetically pleasing, they often lack organization, which will ruin there usability. Others are simple and easy to navigate, but they lack proper design, making them extremely unappealing.
As we see through the nksd.org website -- which we have chosen for our Website Redesign project -- a website can have a lot of content but still be ineffective. The creator of the website has decided to cram dozens of links onto the homepage, causing it to seem more like a Hub rather than a homepage. The clustered format of a site like this compromises its usability. Instead of trying to cram as much information as possible onto a single page, the creator must properly organize and present his or her data in a effective way. By decreasing the amount of links and information on a single page, the web-designer can make his site much easier to navigate.
Visual design -- as in the aesthetics of a website -- is perhaps the most noticeable portion of web design. If a website is visually unappealing, it will never be effective. For example, the nksd.org website has many pages comprised of nothing but blocks of text. Not only is the text dense, but the color choice of the creator makes them almost impossible to read. The awkward-gold font on a black background made my eyes sore after about a paragraph of reading. These pages are frequent and are a major detriment to the site's effectiveness.
After viewing several poorly designed sites, I feel there are two primary concerns when it comes to ineffective web design: organization and visual design. While some sites are aesthetically pleasing, they often lack organization, which will ruin there usability. Others are simple and easy to navigate, but they lack proper design, making them extremely unappealing.
As we see through the nksd.org website -- which we have chosen for our Website Redesign project -- a website can have a lot of content but still be ineffective. The creator of the website has decided to cram dozens of links onto the homepage, causing it to seem more like a Hub rather than a homepage. The clustered format of a site like this compromises its usability. Instead of trying to cram as much information as possible onto a single page, the creator must properly organize and present his or her data in a effective way. By decreasing the amount of links and information on a single page, the web-designer can make his site much easier to navigate.
Visual design -- as in the aesthetics of a website -- is perhaps the most noticeable portion of web design. If a website is visually unappealing, it will never be effective. For example, the nksd.org website has many pages comprised of nothing but blocks of text. Not only is the text dense, but the color choice of the creator makes them almost impossible to read. The awkward-gold font on a black background made my eyes sore after about a paragraph of reading. These pages are frequent and are a major detriment to the site's effectiveness.
Brainstorming 3.1
Here are some examples of poorly designed websites, each presents different aspects that hinder a website's effectiveness:
http://www.nksd.net/
Here, the North Kingston School Department has a ton of information, but presents it in a very unappealing way. In addition to the technical errors - like the calender that blocks many links and the unreadable captions for the pictures - this website is quite overwhelming. There large amount of links makes it difficult to navigate, thus creating an enjoyable experience for the user. The website is suppose to represent the school, so having such an weak website reflects poorly on the entire North Kingston School Department. I feel like if this site was properly condensed and organized, it would be a very useful source of information.
http://www.kingstonpizza.com/
Kingston Pizza, a local business, has many location around Southern Rhode Island, so I think their website could be a little more visually appealing. Unlike the NKSD website, Kingston Pizza presents their information well, but it is simply boring. The white background and gray borders are extremely unappealing, and personally, I find the Superman Pizza deliveryman flying onto every page rather annoying. The is very usable and has a full online menu, but its boring displays presents the business as undesirable.
http://bakersrx.com/
This site, a local pharmacy, has the same problem as the Kingston Pizza site, except to a much larger degree. There are so few links and pages; the website appears unprofessional. The tabs are simple blue hyperlinks and the background is completely white and empty. A single picture on each page just adds to the other negative visual appeal. Because of the simple nature of the website, it could even be condensed to a single page.
http://www.nksd.net/
Here, the North Kingston School Department has a ton of information, but presents it in a very unappealing way. In addition to the technical errors - like the calender that blocks many links and the unreadable captions for the pictures - this website is quite overwhelming. There large amount of links makes it difficult to navigate, thus creating an enjoyable experience for the user. The website is suppose to represent the school, so having such an weak website reflects poorly on the entire North Kingston School Department. I feel like if this site was properly condensed and organized, it would be a very useful source of information.
http://www.kingstonpizza.com/
Kingston Pizza, a local business, has many location around Southern Rhode Island, so I think their website could be a little more visually appealing. Unlike the NKSD website, Kingston Pizza presents their information well, but it is simply boring. The white background and gray borders are extremely unappealing, and personally, I find the Superman Pizza deliveryman flying onto every page rather annoying. The is very usable and has a full online menu, but its boring displays presents the business as undesirable.
http://bakersrx.com/
This site, a local pharmacy, has the same problem as the Kingston Pizza site, except to a much larger degree. There are so few links and pages; the website appears unprofessional. The tabs are simple blue hyperlinks and the background is completely white and empty. A single picture on each page just adds to the other negative visual appeal. Because of the simple nature of the website, it could even be condensed to a single page.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Postwrite: Project 1 [PW1.1]
I have evolved tremendously as a writer since my blogging debut back in January. As I continue to learn more about this genre from our classes and my own independent research, I have learned many invaluable lessons. Along with my new found mastery of the hyperlink button, I now possess many new writing techniques that transcend the blogging genre. I feel the most important realization I have made is my greater appreciation for the Ethos aspect of the Rhetorical Triangle. Because literally anybody can start their own blog, it is essential to establish your credibility as a writer whilst blogging, otherwise no one will be interested in what you have to say. When discussing a controversial subject -- as I do in my Activist Blog -- it is impudent to declare yourself as a credible source of information. But because I lack formal education in my field, I am required to establish Ethos by stating my sources. Through the use of videos and hyperlinks, I successfully cite my sources and establish my Ethos as a writer.
I feel my Activist Blog is strong on many different levels, but if I had to pick a single strength, it would be its subject. As I frequently state throughout my blog, health is the number one concern in so many people's lives. And with the topics like Medical Marijuana dominating the headlines, my blog is able to combine a popular topic with current events. Many practices that have been around for centuries, like Yoga, are only now getting the attention they deserve. With dozens of new studies being conducted on everything between Acupuncture and Magic Mushrooms, information about alternative medical treatments is available like never before. Through my blog, I am able to deliver important information about a growing topic, therefore creating a site that is both relevant and insightful.
Because of the universal appeal of my blog, I feel its greatest limitation is with the audience. In class I have been instructed to clearly define my audience, but because health is a part of literally everybody's life, it is difficult to isolate an audience. My greatest limitation is my lack of limitation -- if that makes any sense. By not explicitly declaring a target audience, I risk losing points on the grading rubric. I attempted to state that this is a blog intended for those who are open to new ideas and alternative treatments, but that does not seem to be as defined as my professor would like it to be.
For my final submission of Activist Blog, I plan to make a few adjustments that will greatly improve my blog's appeal. First, I plan to correct my About Me Statement -- which lacks any real merit. I will use this section to establish Ethos amongst my readers by explaining how I got the idea for Dr. Phil's Pharmaceuticals. A well-developed About Me Statement will give the new readers a look into the mind of the blogger. Second, I plan on citing my sources better. I do not cite the source of many photographs or videos, and by adding citations I will establish my Ethos even further. Citations are an important part of any piece of writing, and blogs are no exception. I feel my lack of citations was a huge detriment to my Ethos as a blogger. Finally, I plan to make major changes to the visual layout of the blog. As it stands, the blog description is partially unreadable. The picture I use in my background interferes with the white font of the description; the white words are lost in an equally white cloud. Minor adjustments to the blog's image will greatly improve both it's usability and readability. These three minor adjustments will make a giant impact on my final submission.
I feel my Activist Blog is strong on many different levels, but if I had to pick a single strength, it would be its subject. As I frequently state throughout my blog, health is the number one concern in so many people's lives. And with the topics like Medical Marijuana dominating the headlines, my blog is able to combine a popular topic with current events. Many practices that have been around for centuries, like Yoga, are only now getting the attention they deserve. With dozens of new studies being conducted on everything between Acupuncture and Magic Mushrooms, information about alternative medical treatments is available like never before. Through my blog, I am able to deliver important information about a growing topic, therefore creating a site that is both relevant and insightful.
Because of the universal appeal of my blog, I feel its greatest limitation is with the audience. In class I have been instructed to clearly define my audience, but because health is a part of literally everybody's life, it is difficult to isolate an audience. My greatest limitation is my lack of limitation -- if that makes any sense. By not explicitly declaring a target audience, I risk losing points on the grading rubric. I attempted to state that this is a blog intended for those who are open to new ideas and alternative treatments, but that does not seem to be as defined as my professor would like it to be.
For my final submission of Activist Blog, I plan to make a few adjustments that will greatly improve my blog's appeal. First, I plan to correct my About Me Statement -- which lacks any real merit. I will use this section to establish Ethos amongst my readers by explaining how I got the idea for Dr. Phil's Pharmaceuticals. A well-developed About Me Statement will give the new readers a look into the mind of the blogger. Second, I plan on citing my sources better. I do not cite the source of many photographs or videos, and by adding citations I will establish my Ethos even further. Citations are an important part of any piece of writing, and blogs are no exception. I feel my lack of citations was a huge detriment to my Ethos as a blogger. Finally, I plan to make major changes to the visual layout of the blog. As it stands, the blog description is partially unreadable. The picture I use in my background interferes with the white font of the description; the white words are lost in an equally white cloud. Minor adjustments to the blog's image will greatly improve both it's usability and readability. These three minor adjustments will make a giant impact on my final submission.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Reading Response 5
According to Lessing, three legal principles govern the way the Internet has been run over the past two decades. Now, as he explains in his lectures "The Withering of the Net" and "How Creativity is Being Strangled", these core principles are at the center of the debate surrounding the Internet and how it should be regulated and used. All three of these principles were created to ensure the Internet is an open, accessible environment. Lessing is not necessarily denouncing regulation of the Internet, rather speaking against regulation that would make the Internet exclusive and/or take away from the read/write nature of the Internet writing medium. Things like copyright enforcement are the major contributors to this growing problem.
In "The Withering of the Net", Lessing states “The right to innovate is held as common in this architecture... (where) less control over the right to innovate over this platform actually creates more innovation.” Here he asserts the importance of freedom within the Internet. If every source was regulated and every image was protected, the read/write nature of the Internet would be totally destroyed. The fact that anyone can create on the Internet is what makes it the unique writing environment it is. The lack of control over the right to innovate is why the Internet is truly remarkable, and Lessing explains this perfectly.
Creative Commons is one tool being used to assure the Internet remains a open mecca of knowledge. Creative Commons collectively supports the open industry within the Internet by supplying images available to the public domain. As the push for copyright enforcement grows -- with bills like SOPA -- Creative Commons has become even more important to the condition of the Internet. If a bill like SOPA were to pass, we common Internet-users would rely on Creative Commons to avoid being prosecuted for copyright infringement.
Stallman shares many of the same views as Lessing. He too agrees that the read/write relationship is what defines the Internet as a genre. In Stallman's writings, he asserts more artists must make contributions to the public domain in order to create a more effective working environment on the Internet. Much like Stallman and Lessing, I believe the government will not recognize the negative effects of copyright enforcement until it is too late. Their money-first mind does not recognize the importance of innovation and creativity.
In "The Withering of the Net", Lessing states “The right to innovate is held as common in this architecture... (where) less control over the right to innovate over this platform actually creates more innovation.” Here he asserts the importance of freedom within the Internet. If every source was regulated and every image was protected, the read/write nature of the Internet would be totally destroyed. The fact that anyone can create on the Internet is what makes it the unique writing environment it is. The lack of control over the right to innovate is why the Internet is truly remarkable, and Lessing explains this perfectly.
Creative Commons is one tool being used to assure the Internet remains a open mecca of knowledge. Creative Commons collectively supports the open industry within the Internet by supplying images available to the public domain. As the push for copyright enforcement grows -- with bills like SOPA -- Creative Commons has become even more important to the condition of the Internet. If a bill like SOPA were to pass, we common Internet-users would rely on Creative Commons to avoid being prosecuted for copyright infringement.
Stallman shares many of the same views as Lessing. He too agrees that the read/write relationship is what defines the Internet as a genre. In Stallman's writings, he asserts more artists must make contributions to the public domain in order to create a more effective working environment on the Internet. Much like Stallman and Lessing, I believe the government will not recognize the negative effects of copyright enforcement until it is too late. Their money-first mind does not recognize the importance of innovation and creativity.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Readying Response 4
No website personifies all the aspects of an information ecology like Wikipedia. A Wiki is a electronic writing environment where users can add, remove, and edit content on their own. Wikis are created by the user for the user. Wikipedia, a non-profit online encyclopedia, is perhaps the most popular of the Wiki genre, but it is by no means the only one: There are literally thousands of Wikis on the World Wide Web. In particular, the locality concept of information ecologies is shown best through Wikipedia.
"The notion of "a local habitation and a name" captures for us the essence of an information ecology. The name of a technology identifies what it means to the people who use it. In a sense, it positions the technology more directly under the control of its users " - O'day and Nardi on locality in information ecologies
As Nardi and O'day explain in their article "Information Ecologies: Using Technology with Heart", the information ecology medium is completely controlled by its users. Even the positions within the system are determined by its users. For example, the main editors on Wikipedia are never assigned to their positions; they gain noteriety by their positive actions within the ecology -- such as editing, uploading, and helping. Information ecologies are a unique environment where the user has control over his own role in the system. These are important to the structure and evolution of the internet, because the ability to create freely is what is making the Internet what it is today -- whether it be on a blog, twitter, or Wikipedia.
"The notion of "a local habitation and a name" captures for us the essence of an information ecology. The name of a technology identifies what it means to the people who use it. In a sense, it positions the technology more directly under the control of its users " - O'day and Nardi on locality in information ecologies
As Nardi and O'day explain in their article "Information Ecologies: Using Technology with Heart", the information ecology medium is completely controlled by its users. Even the positions within the system are determined by its users. For example, the main editors on Wikipedia are never assigned to their positions; they gain noteriety by their positive actions within the ecology -- such as editing, uploading, and helping. Information ecologies are a unique environment where the user has control over his own role in the system. These are important to the structure and evolution of the internet, because the ability to create freely is what is making the Internet what it is today -- whether it be on a blog, twitter, or Wikipedia.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Project 2 Brainstorming [B2.1]
For our second project, Chris and I have decided to create a WikiTravel Itinerary for the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut. The theme of our itinerary will be along the lines of "A Day at Foxwoods"- a planned a day at the largest casino in the United States. We toyed with the idea of targeting the guide towards the under-21 age group, but we thought that may limit the amount of content we can include in the itinerary.
The itinerary I was assigned to analyze, "Culver City and Palms on Foot", is a scenic walking tour of a historic area of Los Angeles. The guide plans a fairly short but detailed look at this less-explored area of the city and neighboring Culver City. This itinerary is targeted towards travelers familiar to Los Angeles or people with a love of historic Hollywood. The strength of this itinerary is in its focus: although not dense in content or actual activities, the author lays out a complete route through this seemingly beautiful part of Los Angeles. Because of the concise structure of the itinerary, it does not leave much room for criticism, since it details your trip step by step.
The 'Understand' and 'Prepare' sections of the itinerary are left blank, most likely because of the detailed subject of the guide. Perhaps the author could have included a brief history in the 'Understand' or a few local tips in 'Prepare' section. The 'Get In' section is well-done, displaying multiple routes from many directions. The majority of the article is the 'Walk' section, which is a step by step tour of Culver City and the Palm. Because of the guide's detail, it is able to discuss and explain the importance of each stop on the tour. Many of the sites have to do with Hollywood and movie history, which gives form to the itinerary's target audience. My only qualm with the guide would be that it only gives things to see rather than do.
Draft:
Understand:
Opened in 1986 as a Bingo Hall, Foxwoods Resort Casino has come a long way in its thirty-five year history. Now the largest Casino in the United States, Foxwoods serves as an entertainment destination for thousands everyday. Although the title "Resort Casino" typically invokes thoughts of gambling and adult entertainment, Foxwoods is a destination for all ages. Between the dozens of shops, eateries, and entertainment venues, Foxwoods has something for everybody. Whether you are trying to hit it big on one of the 7,200 slot machines or just play in the hotel's two-story arcade -- Foxwoods Resort Casino has enough to keep you coming back for more.
Prepare
If you plan on staying the night (and you should) remember to book your room well in advance. There are three separate hotels adjoining the casino and a number of others in the surrounding area. While the hotels neighboring the casino often times have more affordable rooms and offer coupon books with your stay, the convenience of having a room on-site can be invaluable. Reserved a month in advance, rooms in the adjoining hotels can be had for as low as $129.00 per night with longer stays resulting in a discount to the nightly fee.
Bring a few outfits or, if you prefer, do some shopping while you're there. There's no dress code per se (at least not on the main floors of the casinos or the concourse) though some of the dining establishments and clubs do require "proper attire".
Remember, this is a casino. The proprietors want to get as much money out of you as they possible can. While you don't have to spend a lot of money to enjoy yourself here, it's pretty much the name of the game. Please keep that in mind.
Getting There:
From Boston:
Take I-95 South to Exit 92 in Connecticut. Go straight at the stoplight. At the next stoplight, turn right onto Route 2 West for eight miles. Take the Foxwoods Blvd exit.
From New York:
Take I-95 North to Exit 92 in Connecticut. Turn left onto Route 2 West for eight miles. Take the Foxwoods Blvd exit.
From Providence:
Take I-95 South to Exit 92 in Connecticut. Go straight at the stoplight. At the next stoplight, turn right onto Route 2 West for eight miles. Take the Foxwoods Blvd exit.
Morning (Afternoon)
Check in is at 4PM every day of the week, except for Sunday, when it is at 5PM. Take this into consideration when deciding on the time you'd like to arrive. While it's nice to get there in the morning and grab breakfast or hit the spas you'll have to keep anything you can't carry on you in your car until check in. Is it worth arriving late the night before so you don't have to worry about that? That's up to you. In any case, both self and valet parking are available, another consideration if you'll be bringing more to the hotel than you can carry on your person.
If you've spend a considerable amount of time on your way here you may want to relax a bit before you head into the casinos or decide to dine. Take a shower (or a bath), relax for a bit, and think about what you'd like to eat tonight and how you'd like to dress. After that's taken care of, make your way to the hotel lobby and ask the concierge about any specials events or promotions. These can range from anything from free shows to free game play when you sign up for a loyalty card.
Evening
If you enjoy gambling, now is the time to be heading to the gaming tables (or the slots, if that’s more your cup of tea). Now that everyone has had a bite to eat and satisfied their hunger they’re heading to the tables to satisfy their need to gamble. This is when the casino is at it’s liveliest and -- arguably -- most exciting. While there’s no guarantee that you’ll win and the odds are almost always against you, listen to what the dealers have to say. The dealers are hoping that you’ll win big and tip them when you do, so your losing is almost as bad for them as it is for you. Additionally, so long as you’re at the tables (or slots) waitresses will be coming by to take orders for refreshments. The drinks are free as long as you’re playing and while tipping isn’t compulsory it is expected.
After you’ve had your fill of rolling the dice, there are still a number of things to do. If you’ve left the gaming areas and you’re up a few dollars most of the shops in the complex are open until 11pm or so. You might consider heading to one of them and buying something nice for yourself or someone you care about. If there’s anything that’s not in short supply here it’s nice, expensive stuff.
If you’ve left the tables down a bit (or a lot, as the case may be) you may want to drown your sorrows with a drink or two. There are bars one the casino floors if you’re not in the mood to wait for the waitresses, though you do have to pay for the drinks. Additionally, a few of the restaurants become night clubs after the dinner rush. Shrine is an example of this restaurant during the day / night club at night business model. Keep in mind, if there was a dress code at dinner, it typically applies after hours as well.
Stay Safe:
As you will quickly notice, it is impossible to take a step onto the gaming floor without seeing signs reminding you to know when it is: “no longer a game.” Although these signs may seem redundant; gambling addiction is a serious problem affecting thousands of Americans. It is extremely important to play responsibly. Unfortunately, some people will not realize they have a problem until it is too late. Foxwoods Resort Casino provides several recourses – including hotlines and counseling—to assist those struggling with gambling addiction. But aside from the security of your bank account and the risk of second hand smoke in some of the casinos, Foxwoods is a safe environment for the whole family to enjoy.
I feel our draft took a different approach to the itinerary than the one we analyzed. The Culver City on Foot guide was an exact step-by-step guide, while in our itinerary, we presented and explained the many entertainment options available at Foxwoods. I feel out take on an itinerary is much more effective, because people like to choose what they do with their time, and out guide allows flexibility for the user.
The itinerary I was assigned to analyze, "Culver City and Palms on Foot", is a scenic walking tour of a historic area of Los Angeles. The guide plans a fairly short but detailed look at this less-explored area of the city and neighboring Culver City. This itinerary is targeted towards travelers familiar to Los Angeles or people with a love of historic Hollywood. The strength of this itinerary is in its focus: although not dense in content or actual activities, the author lays out a complete route through this seemingly beautiful part of Los Angeles. Because of the concise structure of the itinerary, it does not leave much room for criticism, since it details your trip step by step.
The 'Understand' and 'Prepare' sections of the itinerary are left blank, most likely because of the detailed subject of the guide. Perhaps the author could have included a brief history in the 'Understand' or a few local tips in 'Prepare' section. The 'Get In' section is well-done, displaying multiple routes from many directions. The majority of the article is the 'Walk' section, which is a step by step tour of Culver City and the Palm. Because of the guide's detail, it is able to discuss and explain the importance of each stop on the tour. Many of the sites have to do with Hollywood and movie history, which gives form to the itinerary's target audience. My only qualm with the guide would be that it only gives things to see rather than do.
Draft:
Understand:
Opened in 1986 as a Bingo Hall, Foxwoods Resort Casino has come a long way in its thirty-five year history. Now the largest Casino in the United States, Foxwoods serves as an entertainment destination for thousands everyday. Although the title "Resort Casino" typically invokes thoughts of gambling and adult entertainment, Foxwoods is a destination for all ages. Between the dozens of shops, eateries, and entertainment venues, Foxwoods has something for everybody. Whether you are trying to hit it big on one of the 7,200 slot machines or just play in the hotel's two-story arcade -- Foxwoods Resort Casino has enough to keep you coming back for more.
Prepare
If you plan on staying the night (and you should) remember to book your room well in advance. There are three separate hotels adjoining the casino and a number of others in the surrounding area. While the hotels neighboring the casino often times have more affordable rooms and offer coupon books with your stay, the convenience of having a room on-site can be invaluable. Reserved a month in advance, rooms in the adjoining hotels can be had for as low as $129.00 per night with longer stays resulting in a discount to the nightly fee.
Bring a few outfits or, if you prefer, do some shopping while you're there. There's no dress code per se (at least not on the main floors of the casinos or the concourse) though some of the dining establishments and clubs do require "proper attire".
Remember, this is a casino. The proprietors want to get as much money out of you as they possible can. While you don't have to spend a lot of money to enjoy yourself here, it's pretty much the name of the game. Please keep that in mind.
Getting There:
From Boston:
Take I-95 South to Exit 92 in Connecticut. Go straight at the stoplight. At the next stoplight, turn right onto Route 2 West for eight miles. Take the Foxwoods Blvd exit.
From New York:
Take I-95 North to Exit 92 in Connecticut. Turn left onto Route 2 West for eight miles. Take the Foxwoods Blvd exit.
From Providence:
Take I-95 South to Exit 92 in Connecticut. Go straight at the stoplight. At the next stoplight, turn right onto Route 2 West for eight miles. Take the Foxwoods Blvd exit.
Morning (Afternoon)
Check in is at 4PM every day of the week, except for Sunday, when it is at 5PM. Take this into consideration when deciding on the time you'd like to arrive. While it's nice to get there in the morning and grab breakfast or hit the spas you'll have to keep anything you can't carry on you in your car until check in. Is it worth arriving late the night before so you don't have to worry about that? That's up to you. In any case, both self and valet parking are available, another consideration if you'll be bringing more to the hotel than you can carry on your person.
If you've spend a considerable amount of time on your way here you may want to relax a bit before you head into the casinos or decide to dine. Take a shower (or a bath), relax for a bit, and think about what you'd like to eat tonight and how you'd like to dress. After that's taken care of, make your way to the hotel lobby and ask the concierge about any specials events or promotions. These can range from anything from free shows to free game play when you sign up for a loyalty card.
Evening
If you enjoy gambling, now is the time to be heading to the gaming tables (or the slots, if that’s more your cup of tea). Now that everyone has had a bite to eat and satisfied their hunger they’re heading to the tables to satisfy their need to gamble. This is when the casino is at it’s liveliest and -- arguably -- most exciting. While there’s no guarantee that you’ll win and the odds are almost always against you, listen to what the dealers have to say. The dealers are hoping that you’ll win big and tip them when you do, so your losing is almost as bad for them as it is for you. Additionally, so long as you’re at the tables (or slots) waitresses will be coming by to take orders for refreshments. The drinks are free as long as you’re playing and while tipping isn’t compulsory it is expected.
After you’ve had your fill of rolling the dice, there are still a number of things to do. If you’ve left the gaming areas and you’re up a few dollars most of the shops in the complex are open until 11pm or so. You might consider heading to one of them and buying something nice for yourself or someone you care about. If there’s anything that’s not in short supply here it’s nice, expensive stuff.
If you’ve left the tables down a bit (or a lot, as the case may be) you may want to drown your sorrows with a drink or two. There are bars one the casino floors if you’re not in the mood to wait for the waitresses, though you do have to pay for the drinks. Additionally, a few of the restaurants become night clubs after the dinner rush. Shrine is an example of this restaurant during the day / night club at night business model. Keep in mind, if there was a dress code at dinner, it typically applies after hours as well.
Stay Safe:
As you will quickly notice, it is impossible to take a step onto the gaming floor without seeing signs reminding you to know when it is: “no longer a game.” Although these signs may seem redundant; gambling addiction is a serious problem affecting thousands of Americans. It is extremely important to play responsibly. Unfortunately, some people will not realize they have a problem until it is too late. Foxwoods Resort Casino provides several recourses – including hotlines and counseling—to assist those struggling with gambling addiction. But aside from the security of your bank account and the risk of second hand smoke in some of the casinos, Foxwoods is a safe environment for the whole family to enjoy.
I feel our draft took a different approach to the itinerary than the one we analyzed. The Culver City on Foot guide was an exact step-by-step guide, while in our itinerary, we presented and explained the many entertainment options available at Foxwoods. I feel out take on an itinerary is much more effective, because people like to choose what they do with their time, and out guide allows flexibility for the user.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Reading Response 3
" I strongly believe in the power of weblogs to transform both writers and readers from "audience" to "public" and from "consumer" to "creator." Weblogs are no panacea for the crippling effects of a media-saturated culture, but I believe they are one antidote." - Rebecca Blood
This excpert from the conclusion of Rebecca Blood's "Weblogs: History and Perspective" exemplifies my opinion on the way digital media is effecting the evolution of writing. As I have said before, the blurred line between author and audience is what makes blogs so special. Although this transcendence does not benefit information exchange, because of the lack of Ethos presented by the typical commenter, it helps the reader view any subject from a number of different viewpoints. For example, a conservative news organization, like Fox News, will show bais in many of their stories, but with things like online commenting and Youtube Video responses, the other side now has a chance to express their opinion. Although bias should never exist in a mainstream media outlet, it does, and a responsive audience can help to shine a light on these blantant biases in mainstream media.
This new form of media allows for literally anybody's voice to be heard, and as John Hockenberry's "The Blogs of War" discusses, sometimes everybody's voice is not meant to be heard. As American soldiers stationed in Iraq begin to use blogs to share their stories with the world, a new national threat emerges. The scadal created by the Abu Ghraib Prison abuse is rooted in new media. The instant sharing of images is what allowed these pictures of tortured Iraqis to surface. Although many will say the discovery of these photos is a bad thing, it is because of new media we have become aware of the atrocities taking place, and now we can take measures to fix them. This situation is identical to how advances in video journalism effected Americans during the Vietnam War. Because videographers and journalists were able to document the tragedies taking place overseas, a large resistance to the war emerged. Without independent sources sharing these violent images with the American people, public resistance would be nonexistant, because the goverment would be able to hide what is actually going on if it weren't for these dedicated journalists.
Blogging has changed the way information is delivered. Unfortunatly, blogs are not a bipartisan news source, so if we begin to rely too heavily on blogs for information, our access to viable information will be lessened. As blogs grow, it will be neccessary for an Author to develop credibility, or Ethos, amongst their audience, or else their news will not be seen as valid.
This excpert from the conclusion of Rebecca Blood's "Weblogs: History and Perspective" exemplifies my opinion on the way digital media is effecting the evolution of writing. As I have said before, the blurred line between author and audience is what makes blogs so special. Although this transcendence does not benefit information exchange, because of the lack of Ethos presented by the typical commenter, it helps the reader view any subject from a number of different viewpoints. For example, a conservative news organization, like Fox News, will show bais in many of their stories, but with things like online commenting and Youtube Video responses, the other side now has a chance to express their opinion. Although bias should never exist in a mainstream media outlet, it does, and a responsive audience can help to shine a light on these blantant biases in mainstream media.
This new form of media allows for literally anybody's voice to be heard, and as John Hockenberry's "The Blogs of War" discusses, sometimes everybody's voice is not meant to be heard. As American soldiers stationed in Iraq begin to use blogs to share their stories with the world, a new national threat emerges. The scadal created by the Abu Ghraib Prison abuse is rooted in new media. The instant sharing of images is what allowed these pictures of tortured Iraqis to surface. Although many will say the discovery of these photos is a bad thing, it is because of new media we have become aware of the atrocities taking place, and now we can take measures to fix them. This situation is identical to how advances in video journalism effected Americans during the Vietnam War. Because videographers and journalists were able to document the tragedies taking place overseas, a large resistance to the war emerged. Without independent sources sharing these violent images with the American people, public resistance would be nonexistant, because the goverment would be able to hide what is actually going on if it weren't for these dedicated journalists.
Blogging has changed the way information is delivered. Unfortunatly, blogs are not a bipartisan news source, so if we begin to rely too heavily on blogs for information, our access to viable information will be lessened. As blogs grow, it will be neccessary for an Author to develop credibility, or Ethos, amongst their audience, or else their news will not be seen as valid.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Response to Musical Musings
Matt,
Overall, great work. After reading the introductory post, I realized the purpose of the blog. Correct me if I am wrong, but I saw the point of the blog to be: raising awareness about the history and artistry of music, while attempting to preserve the fading classical influence on modern music. But to be honest, I was not entirely sure how to word your mission. In your description you may want to spell out the objective of your blog, in order to define your blog as an activist blog.
Scope: Music is an extremely broad topic, but in your two posts I can see an emerging trend. The Foo-Fighter's speech directly relates to the topic you stress in your opening post, so I feel the scope of your blog is well defined. Like I said before, you just want to make sure you spell out the aim of your blog, or else it could be very broad and nonspecific.
Audience: Much like the objective of the blog, you never directly assert an audience. As a music lover, I enjoyed the blog and felt as if it was directed towards someone of my taste. Although I do not listen to classical music, I still see the points your are making. If I were you, I would say the blog is directed to music lovers of all types - not just people offended by the direction music is going.
Genre Elements: Your missing all of them. If I were you I would stress the objective of your blog in the description, while forming you ethos in your about me statement. You should say how you got interested in the topic or why your voice matters.
Technology + Layout: I like the setup of the blog. I use Blogger, but I really like the display Wordpress. One major issue is the font change in your first post. You need to make the font size bigger after you give the Webster's definitions; that is one major technical problem that you need to fix. Another improvement you could make would be to add the video of the Foo-Fighter's speech, it is not necessary, but it will show off your mastery of technological formats. With your topic, you have many options with technology. If you embed songs, music videos, or interviews in your blog, you will definitely ace the technology part of the rubric.
Readability: I have no problems with your writing style - great grammar and word choice throughout both posts. The font change really hurts the readability of the first post, but otherwise, I had no problems reading your blog
Overall: I like the topic. You just need to make sure you explicitly define the topic, audience, and goal of the blog. You have plenty of options for future posts. Although our opinions on this topic may differ, I can see you point and enjoyed the way you illustrated it.
Overall, great work. After reading the introductory post, I realized the purpose of the blog. Correct me if I am wrong, but I saw the point of the blog to be: raising awareness about the history and artistry of music, while attempting to preserve the fading classical influence on modern music. But to be honest, I was not entirely sure how to word your mission. In your description you may want to spell out the objective of your blog, in order to define your blog as an activist blog.
Scope: Music is an extremely broad topic, but in your two posts I can see an emerging trend. The Foo-Fighter's speech directly relates to the topic you stress in your opening post, so I feel the scope of your blog is well defined. Like I said before, you just want to make sure you spell out the aim of your blog, or else it could be very broad and nonspecific.
Audience: Much like the objective of the blog, you never directly assert an audience. As a music lover, I enjoyed the blog and felt as if it was directed towards someone of my taste. Although I do not listen to classical music, I still see the points your are making. If I were you, I would say the blog is directed to music lovers of all types - not just people offended by the direction music is going.
Genre Elements: Your missing all of them. If I were you I would stress the objective of your blog in the description, while forming you ethos in your about me statement. You should say how you got interested in the topic or why your voice matters.
Technology + Layout: I like the setup of the blog. I use Blogger, but I really like the display Wordpress. One major issue is the font change in your first post. You need to make the font size bigger after you give the Webster's definitions; that is one major technical problem that you need to fix. Another improvement you could make would be to add the video of the Foo-Fighter's speech, it is not necessary, but it will show off your mastery of technological formats. With your topic, you have many options with technology. If you embed songs, music videos, or interviews in your blog, you will definitely ace the technology part of the rubric.
Readability: I have no problems with your writing style - great grammar and word choice throughout both posts. The font change really hurts the readability of the first post, but otherwise, I had no problems reading your blog
Overall: I like the topic. You just need to make sure you explicitly define the topic, audience, and goal of the blog. You have plenty of options for future posts. Although our opinions on this topic may differ, I can see you point and enjoyed the way you illustrated it.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Activist Blog Genre Draft
About Me: My name is Phil Rozes, full-time student and full-time thinker. If you are anything like me, you can find light in the darkest situations - I'm not saying I laugh at funerals, but some may deem my sense of humor 'innapropriate' - so do not be alarmed if our definitions of comedic timing differ. I enjoy exploring untraveled terrain and have a tremendous interest in the miracle that is the human body. Naturally, these two interests go hand-in-hand, because even though it is literally the closest thing to us, our bodies hold a million secrets.
Description: In today's world - with ninety year-old alcoholics and thirty year-olds going into cardiac arrest - health is everyone's number one concern. Sometimes, especially in terminal situations, the average antibiotic or vaccine just won't cut it. With millions of unanswered questions about the human body, scientists around the world have been experimenting with alternative medicine. With health and longevity such a high priority in today's society, it is important to know what is out there and what is working. Breakthroughs are being made everyday, and ignorance is the only thing stopping millions from being cured.
Mission Statement: Once a week I will profile a different story, study, or anecdote that involves alternative medicine. From meditation to magic mushrooms - if it's not sold at CVS, I'll be talking about it here. Whether it be legitimate scientific breakthrough or an absurd ritual, I plan to put my two cents in on everything out there. I can only hope you learn from this blog, and maybe even bring some of these alternative solutions into your own life.
Title:
Description: In today's world - with ninety year-old alcoholics and thirty year-olds going into cardiac arrest - health is everyone's number one concern. Sometimes, especially in terminal situations, the average antibiotic or vaccine just won't cut it. With millions of unanswered questions about the human body, scientists around the world have been experimenting with alternative medicine. With health and longevity such a high priority in today's society, it is important to know what is out there and what is working. Breakthroughs are being made everyday, and ignorance is the only thing stopping millions from being cured.
Mission Statement: Once a week I will profile a different story, study, or anecdote that involves alternative medicine. From meditation to magic mushrooms - if it's not sold at CVS, I'll be talking about it here. Whether it be legitimate scientific breakthrough or an absurd ritual, I plan to put my two cents in on everything out there. I can only hope you learn from this blog, and maybe even bring some of these alternative solutions into your own life.
Title:
Reading Response 2
After reading both Elizabeth Daley's "Expanding the Concept of Literacy" and Jay David Bolter's
"Introduction: Writing in the Late Age of Print", I have come to believe Bolter's findings about media-literacy hit much closer to home. The interactive reader-writer relationship is what truly makes the new-media amazing; the reader is connected to the writer like never before. Therefore I must refute Daley's claim that young people have been trained to take a "read only" approach to new-media, and my objection is supported 140 characters at a time.
I love Twitter. Is it a guilty pleasure? Yes, but the satisfaction of capturing a human-teddy-bear in a Speedo and Twitpicing it to the world remains unmatched. And although my flock’s numbers are thin, they are regularly rewarded with clever anecdotes and absurd Hashtags. Perhaps my forty followers look petty compared to Justin Bieber’s plus-sized posse, but they are a special audience that understands and appreciates the paradoxical nature of my tweets. Unlike a @FOXnews or @MTVjams, I do not advertise my Twitter alias. In fact, I take drastic measures to ensure Mrs. Rozes and President Dooley do not stumble upon my narratives on the day’s adventures. These, to say the least, sophomoric commentaries, my Tweets, detail the inappropriate exploits of my personal life to my circle of followers. In return, they provide me with vulgar responses and nonsensical rebuttals. Through this magical twenty-first century networking tool, I can ridicule and harass my dearest friends from hundreds of miles away. But underneath the absurdity and naughtiness, Twitter serves an even higher purpose.
Every time I Retweet @PimpBillClinton or Mention an incapacitated follower, I am shaping the landscape of our twitterverse. My feed is a twisted autobiography written by the ones I am closest too. So you see, "read only" might be the worst way to decribe my connection with this form of new-media. I use Twitter to communicate - it is not a one way street - I read, I write, I respond.
I love Twitter. Is it a guilty pleasure? Yes, but the satisfaction of capturing a human-teddy-bear in a Speedo and Twitpicing it to the world remains unmatched. And although my flock’s numbers are thin, they are regularly rewarded with clever anecdotes and absurd Hashtags. Perhaps my forty followers look petty compared to Justin Bieber’s plus-sized posse, but they are a special audience that understands and appreciates the paradoxical nature of my tweets. Unlike a @FOXnews or @MTVjams, I do not advertise my Twitter alias. In fact, I take drastic measures to ensure Mrs. Rozes and President Dooley do not stumble upon my narratives on the day’s adventures. These, to say the least, sophomoric commentaries, my Tweets, detail the inappropriate exploits of my personal life to my circle of followers. In return, they provide me with vulgar responses and nonsensical rebuttals. Through this magical twenty-first century networking tool, I can ridicule and harass my dearest friends from hundreds of miles away. But underneath the absurdity and naughtiness, Twitter serves an even higher purpose.
Every time I Retweet @PimpBillClinton or Mention an incapacitated follower, I am shaping the landscape of our twitterverse. My feed is a twisted autobiography written by the ones I am closest too. So you see, "read only" might be the worst way to decribe my connection with this form of new-media. I use Twitter to communicate - it is not a one way street - I read, I write, I respond.
"Our culture has chosen to fashion these technologies into a writing space that is animated, visually complex, and malleable in the hands of both writer and reader." (Bolter, 13)
This quote from the Bolter reading epitomizes the point my use of Twitter supports. The space is animated, forever changing, and this is exactly what attracts me to form of media like Twitter. In conclusion, the most important part of new-media, and media-literacy, is the undefined line between reader and writer, and one's ability to walk the line.
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