Photo Collage

Because I had pictures of mystery objects, I decided to take an abstract direction with my collage: two of my mystery images take the place of the same polka dots of the third mystery image.

Finding High Quality Info on the Web, Courtesy of Christopher Nolan

So, before Christopher Nolan came in with his presentation, I thought I had a good sense of judgment in regards to the validity of websites and the quality of information presented on said websites. I had an inkling that Google was probably the most used search engine out there. I definitely learned a lot from his lecture, though.

First of all, I had no idea whatsoever about Google Scholar. It's truly a jewel, and I think Google and its masterminds are geniuses for creating it. I've already used it twice since Mr. Nolan's lecture. Google also allows you to go from Google to databases at your school website. Funnily enough, what also stuck with me was the term "invisible web": all those things that cannot be displayed by the web--databases and articles, etc.

What I found out from Mr. Nolan's presentation that really surprised me and that I found fascinating was how Google picks what sites are displayed first and last and the order between on your results page when you search a topic.

Overall, Mr. Nolan's presentation for us was very informative and definitely productive, for me in particular.

Pictures That Lie

After visiting Pictures That Lie by CNET, I chose the picture entitled "Trotsky's Elimination Image". I chose this photo because I found it almost humorous that Leon Trotsky was simply erased from this photo (and others). It's as though the Communist Party was attempting to remove any evidence that Trotsky had anything to do with their party, as though they were trying to change the past, despite the roles he played for the Soviet Union. This particular image is one of many pictures that once displayed Trotsky with Stalin. Trotsky was ejected from the Communist Party and deported from the Soviet Union. The removal of Trotsky from images that also contained Communist leaders was not harmful as far as I know, just an interesting maneuver by the Communist Party to distance themselves from him.

Field Trip!

Last Thursday, we took a tour of the AT&T Center for Learning and Technology, located on the first floor of the library. I've been down to the first floor for some of my other classes before, but this was my first time to the CLT. I think it's really incredible that we have all of those resources at our disposal, whether it be for school work or for recreational use.

I could definitely see myself going down to CLT to work on homework assignments for our class that have more specialized needs that my own computer may not be able to fulfill. It would also probably be a good place to do research or work on a project for one of my other classes. I don't have any personal projects that I see myself using the CLT for right now, but because I know what resources it provides, I can do some kind of project that I may not have chosen to do otherwise.

My Trinity Network Diagram

What I actually wanted to call this post was Trinity Network Diagram, Take 2, so I'm definitely glad I reread the homework instructions.

I really, really enjoyed the tour. I found it fascinating how everything works, because I don't really ever think about HOW it happens, just that it does. I just thought it was really cool to get to see a concrete version of how a network works. I was definitely in awe of all the machines and cables. I also felt a little bit like a little kid in one of those stores that has a lot of breakable objects: my hands needed to stay in my pockets, and I wasn't allowed to touch ANYTHING.

In regards to the diagram project, once I got my head wrapped around it I was okay. I didn't know where to start at first, except Ruth Taylor, because that was the hub. It was kind of a mantra repeating itself in my head. Once I got started though, I was good to go. It was a fun, but tedious project, with all the cropping and moving pictures and text boxes around.

Well, off to breakfast and class. I'll see you guys soon.

Alrighty, here's a screen shot of my Network Diagram assignment. It was kind of fun taking all of the screen shots and adjusting and cropping them. See y'all tomorrow!

Top Tech Tip

On Thursday, Joe Hatch came to speak to our class about Computer Survival Skills. I found what he had to say interesting and quite informative.

He explained, thoroughly, what exactly Clean Access is and does. I had a general idea (perhaps from the title of the software...), but it was nice to get a more detailed picture as to why we use it here on campus. I don't think I had ever heard of defragmenting a computer's hardware, so that was very interesting, also. After class, I made sure to go check out the link he gave us: 12 Things Computer Users Should Fear in 2010. That definitely had some useful tips on being cautious and being aware of what's out there now that can harm your computer.

However, I think my Top Tech Tip would have to be using Time Machine on my Mac. With Time Machine I can back up everything on my computer so I won't lose anything should something happen. Thanks, Joe Hatch!