Reflection on my final project and the quarter….

Extra eredit.....

I have just completed my final project. I choose to construct a portfolio. One of the reasons I choose to do this project was because I am actually scared of the internet and really anything other than just checking my email or a basic search. So this project forced me to go out of my comfort zone and learn a new program. Although it was not as extensive as DreamWorks, after working with the catalyst, I now have more courage and actually want to try and construct a website.

For my portfolio I just followed the prompting by the catalysis. This was very helpful and even I was able to figure it out. However, the only thing that I did not like was that I could not figure out how to make the links I wanted links. Also I couldn’t figure out how to put a picture on the front page of my portfolio. Nor could I figure out how to make the pictures appear with out having to click on them. I asked a few other people who were familiar with this program and they did not know how to fix this problem either. This was the only problems that I had with this program.

As a result of doing assignments number one and two, I ended up totally changing what I wanted to do for my final paper. I still love the fashion industry, but I think it was important that I explore the negative effects that it has. This is especially important that I do this if I am serious about going into the fashion world. Now I know the effects that it has and hopefully when I enter the fashion world, I will be more aware and will not contribute to these negative effects. The fashion world is constantly putting pressure on men and women especially to act think and look a certain way, but in fact there are only a small percentage of men and women who fit in this category. Because the media is putting this pressure on men and women, especially young pre-adolescent girls, negative and distorted self images as well as low self esteem are the result. If they are not achieving the image that the media is promoting, then they will turn to drastic measures such as eating disorders and plastic surgery to accomplish the look they are wanting. Fortunately, there are measures being taken to counter act this problem.

For me this class was pretty challenging because of the fact that coming into this class, I knew next to nothing about how to work the internet or how the internet even worked. Although much of the readings went over my head, I was glad that I had to read them. I am also glad that I had to construct a blogg. I am not really sure that I will actually keep mine up, however I will defiantly be using other people’s bloggs as a resource for other classes or just for my own knowledge. Before this class I had only heard of bloggs on this one 60 minute’s program that I happened to watch. I never knew how beneficial they are or even how big the community and their effects are.

Voice over IP is the latest way for people to communicate over the internet. Basically voice over is the “hand free” way to talk over the internet. Instead of having to type out what you want to say to say you can just talk like on the phone. To do this you need an ATA connector. This is what transmits the information from analog to digital. People are able to place these “calls” over the internet for free. So this is a way to not have to pay for a land line and not use up minutes on a cell phone. Now companies such as AT&T are trying to tap in this industry.

I personally love this idea. I am one of those who no matter how many mins I have, I some how still manage to go over my plan. Also I am a big fan of texting and talking on im. However, just recently I got a really bad virus that completely messed up my computer so I am hesitant to us im. Having a system such as voice over would be great for me. However, I still think this won’t be to the disadvantage of the cell phone companies because people still would like the conveniences of being able to talk on the phone anytime any where. However, this may being to fade out the land line because people will no longer have need when they can just contact them directly on the internet. This will be able to kill two birds with one stone. I like that this software is easy and downloadable. People should be able to use this with their friends and avoid having to pay all those long distance and overage charges.

A huge portion of the population is being left behind in the rapid growing technological world!

• The disabled
• The elderly
• And those who live in under developed countries.

These groups of people are frequently being left behind and the government is trying to find a way to make the internet user friendly to any and everyone. Currently they are trying to make it so the internet can talk to you and tells you what is going on in the screen. For those who are illiterate, they are making it so practically everything that appears has a picture so that those who can not read will be able to too at the pictures and navigate the internet that way.

This best way to understand what these people encounter when they are attempting to use the internet, which so much of our everyday living has come to depend upon…

When blind people use the internet and come across unfriendly sites, we aren't surfing, we are crawling ....Imagine hearing pages that say, 'Welcome to ...[image].' 'This is the home of ... [image].' 'Link, link, link.' It is like trying to use Netscape with your monitor off and the mouse unplugged. See how far you'll get

What is being done to include these groups?
• Auxiliary aids include taped texts
• Brailed materials
• large print materials
• captioning and other methods of making audio and visual media available to people with disabilities

In the end, making these changes will greatly affect everyone for the better!
• Accessible web design enables effective communication and
• saves government resources since documents can be readily available
• requests for ADA Alternate Document Formats can be satisfied
• Internet/Intranet access for employees with disabilities can be provided.

I personally think that the internet and internet sources greatly impact politics. Before voters had to rely on what the politicians were telling them. Now they can do research on issues and can formulate an opinion themselves. Also they have the information at their finger tips. If they are not able to say watch a debate between politicians, a constituent could hop on the internet and get a recap of the debate. They can also look up the politician’s background information on the internet. Also I think politicians are able to reach more people though the internet. I think that there are many advantages and disadvantages to voting on the internet.

I completely agree with the statement made by Tony Miller that "If people don't have confidence in the voting systems being used, then they lose faith in the voting process itself." After reading all these articles and finding out the truth about electronic voting, I am not so sure that I have much confidence in the voting process anymore. It seems like something so simple they are making so complicated and I think that is where much of the errors come from.

To me cyber space means a common place where people have access to others, where access would not be granted other wise. People don’t have as easy access to phone numbers where they could just call a random person up. This is a way to put your self/information out there so others who are interested can find you and look it up. This is a great way for people around the world from all walks of life to have access with each other. However, then comes the annoying pop-ups, spam and junk mail. Just as the internet can be extremely beneficial, it can also be dangerous and used in improper ways.

Mid-Term report

For my project I have drafted a few ideas for lay outs that I want for my portfolio. I have reseached other students who are trying to get into fashion school and looked at their websites. I have decided what components that I want to put on to my portfolio. I have also found some picutes and backgrounds that I liked. I have also looked at professional portfolios to get ideas as well. I dinked around with the portfolio program. I have also started compiling ideas for my paper.

I think how the readings relate to the scholar movement is trying to make sure that they are constantly improving and challenging the technology. I personally view this movement as the check and balance of the technology world. This movement is what is constantly making improvements of the technology. The readings that we read for today also shows how important it is for this check of power to be in place. And because technology is such an important factor in America's power, and also because other countries have access to much of American affairs thought this power, it is important that the scholarly movement be in place. It is a way to check and make sure that America is constantly staying ahead of the game.