Covered in week 4 where we compared different word processors, there are a lot of different software that can be used to achieve a certain task. Software is basically the interface that allows users to give command to the computer to do stuff, and in the previous post we've talked about how the software become a mediator, and that better features creates better usability. Therefore there exists alternative softwares for the different tasks that the user want to do.
For example to edit word documents, the most common software is MS Word from Microsoft. However there are also different packages from different people such as openoffice software, or Zoho softwares. These softwares carry the same purpose but offers different features. Zoho is online suite that allows multiple users to ollaborate. Openoffice is a free package, allowing users who are on a budget can have a decent word processing software.
Therefore the alternative softwares not only offer extra/different features, but also cater to people requiring specific demand and scenario.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Consumer to Producer
This topic was covered in week 12. You see Youtube stars nowadays that has a status on par with media stars. These people are just everyday people who makes videos amateurly and post it in a medium that is accessible to more viewers and in turn become instant stars.
This cross from being a consumer to actually producing content and sharing publicly has become the new trend nowadays with the idea that anyone can become a celebrity and with tools that makes this easy such as video hosting sites (youtube), photo hosting sites (flickr) and tools for self journalism (blogs).
This cross from being a consumer to actually producing content and sharing publicly has become the new trend nowadays with the idea that anyone can become a celebrity and with tools that makes this easy such as video hosting sites (youtube), photo hosting sites (flickr) and tools for self journalism (blogs).
Topics that may have been covered
I think an introduction to computer and internet should include a topic introducing users to coding as computer software and even interface design utilizes coding languages and familiarization with these may give users understanding of what makes the computer live.
To make it interesting, games may also be covered especially in looking at the evolution of graphical interfaces.
Third will be more coverage on media tools such as Photoshop which is becoming a very common tool for everyday users.
To make it interesting, games may also be covered especially in looking at the evolution of graphical interfaces.
Third will be more coverage on media tools such as Photoshop which is becoming a very common tool for everyday users.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Interface as a mediator
I've used an analogy before to picture how the interface acts as a mediator in allowing users to communicate with the system.
The analogy used was a car, in that the interface includes the steering wheel, dashboard, switches etc. These became a mediator for drivers to command the car in which direction it goes, move, or slow down etc. The engines and the gears in the car are the system but the drivers do not need to be an expert in how they run, the only thing the driver needs is to know how to communicate with the interface. Taking this idea further, interfaces have different level of usability, the better the interface, the easier to interact. Cars have different features like auto gears, light steering wheels, navigators etc that makes the system interaction easier. Similarly in computer interface, with drag and drop functionalities, auto correct, cut and paste and even design improves the user experience.
"The modern computer interface has grown exponentially to provide users with a user friendly interface for their everyday task. Computers now have moved to graphical interfaces, using interface metaphors that users can relate to. So instead of users seeing a bunch of code on screen where users interact by typing commands, users are able to interact with mouse and keyboard." (Zaini,2008)
Above is an excerpt from my first assignment for this course in how I see the interface has evolved. This can clearly be seen in video games on the computer where the older games uses a text interface but nowadays it utilizes graphical art, even mimicking real life objects in looks and action.
The analogy used was a car, in that the interface includes the steering wheel, dashboard, switches etc. These became a mediator for drivers to command the car in which direction it goes, move, or slow down etc. The engines and the gears in the car are the system but the drivers do not need to be an expert in how they run, the only thing the driver needs is to know how to communicate with the interface. Taking this idea further, interfaces have different level of usability, the better the interface, the easier to interact. Cars have different features like auto gears, light steering wheels, navigators etc that makes the system interaction easier. Similarly in computer interface, with drag and drop functionalities, auto correct, cut and paste and even design improves the user experience.
"The modern computer interface has grown exponentially to provide users with a user friendly interface for their everyday task. Computers now have moved to graphical interfaces, using interface metaphors that users can relate to. So instead of users seeing a bunch of code on screen where users interact by typing commands, users are able to interact with mouse and keyboard." (Zaini,2008)
Above is an excerpt from my first assignment for this course in how I see the interface has evolved. This can clearly be seen in video games on the computer where the older games uses a text interface but nowadays it utilizes graphical art, even mimicking real life objects in looks and action.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Sam's 7 - slides
COMP1900-2008-Sam: 7 - slides
The slides uses consistent font throughout, although it could use a little color to highlight points for effect (one was used for a number but not much contrast to differentiate). Nevertheless font is large which makes it readable.
Effective use of graphs with sufficient labeling, although a wide range of data leaving the graph to have empty spaces, (Rest may want to group data together to graph it so the bars will be more concentrated in a given range. During projection and lighting causes the titles to be unreadable so a slightly darker color could replace the green for contrast with the background.
Effective use of visual aid in explaining databases. Could incorporate some errors in one field to demonstrate the specific format rules of the database.
Great progression of ideas, coming up with hypothesis and supporting with cited study.
The slides uses consistent font throughout, although it could use a little color to highlight points for effect (one was used for a number but not much contrast to differentiate). Nevertheless font is large which makes it readable.
Effective use of graphs with sufficient labeling, although a wide range of data leaving the graph to have empty spaces, (Rest may want to group data together to graph it so the bars will be more concentrated in a given range. During projection and lighting causes the titles to be unreadable so a slightly darker color could replace the green for contrast with the background.
Effective use of visual aid in explaining databases. Could incorporate some errors in one field to demonstrate the specific format rules of the database.
Great progression of ideas, coming up with hypothesis and supporting with cited study.
Marie's slides... They're neat!!!
assign3 blogwork: assign3 blogwork: Group2 assignment, section 2
The Slides are very well done in terms of consistency in font and color. Fonts are big enough to be readable, and content is neatly concentrated in the middle of the page. The graph uses a good color scheme although lacking some labels (particularly vertical for hours) and font on graph and legend is very small.
The pie charts could also be made bigger with bigger font as there were too much empty white space that was a bit distracting.
The points were presented clearly and consistently without long paragraphs and some effective use of color for highlighting points.
Overall a very clean, and pleasant presentation. Kudos to you Marie ;)
ps. btw loved how your group's presentation was a discussion style and interaction between the members... ace on that too....
The Slides are very well done in terms of consistency in font and color. Fonts are big enough to be readable, and content is neatly concentrated in the middle of the page. The graph uses a good color scheme although lacking some labels (particularly vertical for hours) and font on graph and legend is very small.
The pie charts could also be made bigger with bigger font as there were too much empty white space that was a bit distracting.
The points were presented clearly and consistently without long paragraphs and some effective use of color for highlighting points.
Overall a very clean, and pleasant presentation. Kudos to you Marie ;)
ps. btw loved how your group's presentation was a discussion style and interaction between the members... ace on that too....
Friday, October 24, 2008
Slide baby slide...
This is the slide presentation that my group did for an assignment in a intro to computer and internet course at UQ Australia, to compare and contrast 'Spreadsheets' and 'Databases', and also present data that we collected on our time used throughout the span of two weeks.
Spreadsheets and databases
Spreadsheets and databases
Is productive productive? 2nd round
Well in earlier posts you can see there isn't any major changes in the hours that i spend for productive activities for the two weeks as i tend to be consistent in how determined or lazy i am for a certain period. Is there any change to my effectiveness of study? I think not. I tend to do enough to get by, going back for improvements on stuff that interests me. And as previously mentioned, time is allocated more in between leisure activities.
Is productive productive?
As previously stated, 35 hours (for me)were allocated to assignment and uni work... Thats all well and good, but does that time usage prove to be effective for study? We argued that using that data alone shows nothing about the effectiveness of study when there is no point of reference or comparison. For example does those hours reflect on my grades? For my group, we didn't think those two weeks come even close to reflect on our GPA or grades since its just a sample of two random weeks. It also discounts other factors that might affect grade such as distractions, focus, and burnout.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dr_jobe/2969713103/
Looking at the overall total for the two weeks, travelling and eating takes up quite a lot of hours. Although classes take 60 hours or so, it discounts setting up, settling down, travelling from one class to the next, so the productiveness/effectiveness may be highly reduced. For me assignments time and social time are almost interchangable as both commonly occurs when I am surfing the internet (assignments are mainly web based). So to be realistic, more focus would have been paid towards socialising or empty browsing than work.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dr_jobe/2969713103/
Looking at the overall total for the two weeks, travelling and eating takes up quite a lot of hours. Although classes take 60 hours or so, it discounts setting up, settling down, travelling from one class to the next, so the productiveness/effectiveness may be highly reduced. For me assignments time and social time are almost interchangable as both commonly occurs when I am surfing the internet (assignments are mainly web based). So to be realistic, more focus would have been paid towards socialising or empty browsing than work.
Week 2 Reflections
| Student | Date | ADL | Leisure | Productive Activities | Grand Total |
| Zun | 9/7/2008 | 13.5 | 7 | 3 | 23.5 |
| 9/8/2008 | 17 | 2 | 7 | 26 | |
| 9/9/2008 | 13.75 | 4.5 | 5 | 23.25 | |
| 9/10/2008 | 10.75 | 5 | 8 | 23.75 | |
| 9/11/2008 | 14.25 | 5.75 | 4 | 24 | |
| 9/12/2008 | 21.25 | 4.25 | 25.5 | ||
| 9/13/2008 | 9.75 | 6.25 | 4 | 20 | |
| 9/14/2008 | 12.75 | 7.25 | 7 | 27 | |
| 9/15/2008 | 16 | 2 | 6 | 24 | |
| 9/16/2008 | 16.75 | 1.75 | 4 | 22.5 | |
| 9/17/2008 | 10.25 | 7 | 7.25 | 24.5 | |
| 9/18/2008 | 15.25 | 3.25 | 6 | 24.5 | |
| 9/19/2008 | 20 | 2 | 22 | ||
| 9/20/2008 | 8.5 | 8.25 | 2.75 | 19.5 | |
| Zun Total | 199.75 | 60 | 70.25 | 330 |
Week 2 starts from the 14th ending the 20th
If we see the totals for both leisure (29.5) and productive activities (35), it is very similar to week one's totals (30.5 and 35.25)and shows I tend to be consistent and follow a routine of how long I study or when i spend time on leisure.
I think my time allocations are determined more by my leisure activities. For example because of time differences from here to my home country, I always schedule a time when my friends would meet me online, so time waiting for them to come on will be spent on studying or assignments. The same goes for when waiting for the time scheduled for training at the gym. I would spend that time fixing code, reading research papers and taking notes for later.
Serious studying will be done at night which is found to be optimal for me (probably because its cooler).
Reflection on Day 1
| Student | Date | ADL | Leisure | Productive Activities | Grand Total |
| Zun | 9/7/2008 | 13.5 | 7 | 3 | 23.5 |
| 9/8/2008 | 17 | 2 | 7 | 26 | |
| 9/9/2008 | 13.75 | 4.5 | 5 | 23.25 | |
| 9/10/2008 | 10.75 | 5 | 8 | 23.75 | |
| 9/11/2008 | 14.25 | 5.75 | 4 | 24 | |
| 9/12/2008 | 21.25 | 4.25 | 25.5 | ||
| 9/13/2008 | 9.75 | 6.25 | 4 | 20 | |
| 9/14/2008 | 12.75 | 7.25 | 7 | 27 | |
| 9/15/2008 | 16 | 2 | 6 | 24 | |
| 9/16/2008 | 16.75 | 1.75 | 4 | 22.5 | |
| 9/17/2008 | 10.25 | 7 | 7.25 | 24.5 | |
| 9/18/2008 | 15.25 | 3.25 | 6 | 24.5 | |
| 9/19/2008 | 20 | 2 | 22 | ||
| 9/20/2008 | 8.5 | 8.25 | 2.75 | 19.5 | |
| Zun Total | 199.75 | 60 | 70.25 | 330 |
As you can see in week 1, ending on the 13th, the total estimated hours spent on productive activities is 35.25 hours,15 or so hours would have likely been for my 4 unit major course which recommends a 20 hour work week. My productive activities only consists of uni and assignment work as I do not have a job.
I learn that I also spend a lot of time travelling which never occured to me. A round trip to uni alone takes close to two hours, think about setting up for class, or turning on the computer, and already the hours wasted piles up, no wonder the days feel so short.
Leisure hours total up to 30.5 hours, a majority of which i can confidently tell is from the internet. This category includes social activities and games, so it is understandable that I spend a lot of time on the intenet chatting or gaming with friends since I am an international student.
Background Data
Our task was for groups to monitor and track their own time spent on various activities throughout two weeks, at the end of which they were to present the statistics and evaluate how they spent their time. To present this effectively, my team consisting of me, the dude with the rad surname Sina, and the beautiful Michelle, decided on breaking down the tasks that we did into three different categories:
- Productive activities (consisting of paid work, assignments, class time, studies, etc)
- Leisure (consists of social and recreational activities, and of course the gym)
- Activities of Daily Living (which we conviniently short formed ADL; covers sleeping, eating, travelling and the like)
Welcome
This blog is born for one purpose... for an assignment for COMP1900 course in University of Queensland Australia. Here I will attempt to sound smarter than I really am as we will explore statistics, data and reflections. So I would like to thank all readers for the two minutes or so they just spent reading here and hope that it would atleast be entertaining.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)