Conceptual Research & Reflection Project

NET 11 Assignment

CONCEPT 7: - Netiquette

“Good communication practice on the Internet is not something one ‘learns’, but something one ‘practices’ so as to teach others, less familiar than yourself, how it is done.” (Allen, n.d)

Netiquette is quite simply regarded as the etiquette surrounding internet operations, chatting, emailing and so on. Just as in “real life” were there are rules, regulations, politeness and political correctness the same applies to the internet. Netiquette is quite simply a play on words that typically assumes all people using the internet are polite to each other. “It is derived from the two words internet and etiquette” (Net Alert, 2008). Netiquette is basically a list of polite rules and proper etiquette of how you should go about your time communicating with people on the World Wide Web. “Netiquette describes the rules for online behaviour especially in newsgroups, forums and chatrooms” (Net Alert, 2008). Just as etiquette relates to behaviour, Netiquette is essentially describing online behaviour.

The term Netiquette has been developed and evolved surrounding the copious amounts of online communication. The internet as a whole is quite difficult to determine the tone in which people are chatting and communicating, it can also be extremely difficult to assume what people are meaning when they write something. Therefore a list of rules and regulations surrounding the internet had to have been developed, thus “Netiquette”. This etiquette surrounding the internet has been further developed today to associate with differing ways of behaving, various codes have been devolped by people as well as systems to support such codes. Systems that can depict people’s emotions, by using “emoticons, the writer’s emotion will be conveyed to the reader” (J. Galloway, 2007) this is to avoid any confusion with the reader as it can be found to be difficult to gauge the context in which someone is chatting about something.

With the broader use of computers and the internet in our society netiquette is proving to be even more of a necessity when it comes to the internet and communicating. With more and more new people communicating through the internet everyday it is becoming evermore difficult to make people aware of netiquette. There are numerous sites out there now which have lists of how not to offend people and how to use proper etiquette such as http://internet.suite101.com/article.cfm/netiquette_guidelines, this site identifies 10 netiquette guidelines which is quite helpful. However with all these guidelines there is still numerous cases of bad netiquette out there. Items such as virus’s, abuse, criticisms, hacking, copyright infringement and spam can all be viewed as bad netiquette. It is something which we need to dispel so as to create a safer online environment. Various ways of using good etiquette include: “using computer courtesy, using emoticons, be brief online, don’t SHOUT, pay attention to language issues, think before posting, keep personal information private, obey copyright laws, help internet newbies and be aware of cyberbullying” (J, Galloway, 2007). If people can follow this when accessing and communicating on the internet then we will find ourselves in a much safer and friendlier online community.

Netiquette is all about common courtesy and being well behaved. Just like in real life treat people on the internet the way you want to be treated. Something’s that you may find not offensive are offensive to different people due to religion, nationality or culture. Netiquette really relates to being respectful to other users on the internet. By abiding by the various rules and monitoring our internet behaviour our online communities can become a safer place not just for us but for the children who frequently use it.

Resource 1:
Shoemaker-Galloway,.J (2007) Top 10 Netiquette Guidelines, accessed 1/05/08 from http://internet.suite101.com/article.cfm/netiquette_guidelines

I Found this website quite interesting easy to understand and informative. As described it lists ten ways to pursue proper netiquette via communicating what is and isn’t appropriate. By following all ten rules and regulations it is possible to improve and have better online behaviour. As it is basically a list of guidelines it was quite an easy reference to understand and could easily be facilitated into my own words as well as used to back up my arguments surrounding netiquette. I mainly used the website to list examples of what is proper etiquette on the internet.

Resource 2:
Net Alert, Author unknown, (2008), What is Netiquette?, accessed 1/05/08 from www.netalert.gov.au/advice/behaviour/netiquette_emoticons/What_is_netiquette.html

The main reason I used this website was because I found it to be quite reliable as a government website, therefore the information which prevailed would be correct and good to use to provide examples and evidence. As well as being quite academically reliable it was also very easy to navigate and understand with simple definitions as well as its own list of guidelines to follow to ensure proper netiquette. This website was used to help define the term netiquette and to appropriately discuss its surrounding topics. Although the website isn’t very detailed it still was quite useful. This was the only negative aspect to the website, The example and definition it gave was only really a paragraph long.

CONCEPT 10: - AUTOMATION

“Advanced effective internet communicators do not ignore automation, nor use it unthinkingly: they essentially negotiate arrangements with their communications software and review them as necessary.” (Allen, n.d)

Typically when people think of Automation they naturally propose ideas of machines and robots. It is an ever present fact that technology continues to develop and therefore so do the existence of more intelligent machines and so on. Therefore Automation is only going to be continually improving along with that of technology. However there is always that common argument suggesting that ideas and Automation programs are essentially making us lazier as human beings. Automation is typically known as the process of the use of “scientific and technological principles in the manufacture of machines over work normally done by humans” (Science Jrank Organisation, 2006). The term is undoubtedly derived from the ideas of something that is of “automatic operation” (Science Jrank Organisation, 2006) or the indulgent term automization.

It is not uncommon for people to be unaware of their reliance on automation, when accessing the internet you are using automation programs all the time for example virus scans, search engines, spam filters and so on. Therefore it is quite obvious that automation has effectively become not only a lazy man’s best friend but it fits into our furious paced lifestyles of being cost and time efficient. Although most automation programs do have their problems typically spam filters in which you are sometimes forced to analyse over their results to see if they have correctly done their job. Like I described before however along with technological improvements, Automation will also continue to improve.

Artificial Intelligence is another broad aspect that does tie in with Automation. Artificial intelligence is the creation of robots and machines which do have the power and processes to think for themselves much like that of human capabilities.
The availability of computers has also made possible a revolution in the most advanced of all forms of automation, operations that are designed to replicate human though processes” (Science Jrank Organisation, 2006). The ideas of Artificial Intelligence are quite scary and so they are introduced in plenty of films such as “iRobot”. Just as we program our email accounts and search engines configuring what we want them to do for us scientists have been doing this same thing but far more advanced with robots and machines, this is the more advanced processes of automation. We need to be careful as to how technologically advanced such systems and artificial intelligence will become, although most aspects of this side of automation still require more control via the scientist directing the automation program.

In regards not non essential automation items there are numerous cases, cases in which programs and items have been created which are over zealous and do not offer much in the way of time condensing or effectiveness at all. Articles such as “Spam Grab Good with Bad” (Michelle Delio, 2004) portray just how dependant we have come on automation processes as well as depicting just how unhelpful some actually are. This article specifically relates to the idea of how some words when typed in emails automatically will be picked up and forwarded to the spam folder for deletion. There are numerous everyday words that are being picked up by Spam filter companies in emails which are used to depict messages as spam or unwanted and are then moved “directly into the abyss of the deleted items folder” (Michelle Delio, 2004). This then gives the user more work to do as he/she is unaware of if it actually is spam or just a ill word used in the email. Never the less Automation processes and programs are quite helpful within the internet typically when we are in a hurry as they are very efficient. However there are still some out there that require analysing and are not up to standards.

Resouce 1:
Michelle Delio, (2004), Spam Filters Grab Good With Bad, accessed 28/04/08 from www.wired.com/techbiz/it/news/2004/01/61945

This article from the “Wired” website was found to be quite informative relating to the reliance of automation systems such as spam filters. I believe it was quite a credible recourse as it is accessed by numerous technicians because of “Wired’s” great association within the technical world of computers and the internet. The article looked into the technical matters of Spam filters analysing both positive and negative aspects of them. The article was easy to understand and evaluate so I used it to describe just how things can go wrong when using automation programs and systems, it was just used as a variable to depict that not all automation systems and programs are helpful, cost and time efficient.

Resource 2:
Science Jrank Organisation, No author, (2006), Automation, accessed 28/04/08 from http://science.jrank.org/pages/679/Automation.html

I found this article relating specifically to Automation, its history and various examples of systems and programs. It is quite an interesting article as it goes into great depth surrounding such topics as Artificial Intelligence which I found to be a great read. Along with good definitions of the terms it provided great examples of automation as well as providing pros and cons for its various purposes in and around the home. This article was quite helpful in defining the term “Automation” as well as providing some examples for it. I also used the article to help me talk about the on going technological improvements of Artificial intelligence. This resource I believe is also quite credible academically as it from a Science Organisation in the states and not just one person’s opinions and beliefs.

CONCEPT 21:- THREADING

“Threading is what makes discussion groups – either Usenet news groups or, for example, this unit’s discussion group (accessed from the home page or the learning space page) – so valuable for enabling complex inter-flows of communication to take place in a manner that allows us to see the pattern of conversation and response”. (Allen, n.d)

Threading is quite commonly known as a program technique, it is quite a difficult technique to get your head around. However in layman’s terms it essentially refers to how programs split themselves into two or more simultaneously running tasks. An easy way to think about it is the common idea of multitasking. Threading is simply a programs idea of multitasking. Threading is used in most forums, blogs and other internet related communication devices except email. Our own Net 11 internet forum uses threading and various aspects of it. People also witness threading in blogs and other forums and newsgroups all the time without even noticing it. It typically links and separates various items of related material together or apart, depending on their relevance and who they are supposedly chatting to. It is simply a way of sorting information and communication in forums, blogs, newsgroups and so on. It is known as a way of following the communication, by linking the feedback and responses to the initial topic via subject and order of response.

So essentially what is a Thread?
A thread is a sort of context in which code is running. Any one thread that follows program flow for wherever it is in the code, in the obvious way (Yoda, 2004). To fully visualise threading in this technical way it is easiest to assume that an operating system has processes running side by side for example when you access something like myspace at the same time you are typing up an assignment in a word processor. Threading is much the same as doing two things at once just like multitasking. The Threads interfaces are specifically targeted at supporting tightly coupled multitasking environments including multiprocessors and advanced language constructs. One of the greatest and useful tasks of the internet is its ability to be doing numerous things at once, for example checking emails, accessing the weather, surf conditions, chatting to friends or updating blogs. The internet is so powerful in its attributes of being first able to read and assign text into an understandable back and forth conversation. The ability of the internet to support multiple flows of control within a process is an amazing feet.

Mutli-threading is another varied aspect of threading. It is essentially the same thing however with more theads, links and relationships. Multi-threading allows for even more multi-tasking and is far more complex. To put it simply multi-threading is the ability to run in very much the same way as the parallel execution of multiple tasks however the processor switches between the different threads. These differing threads which are being alternated between are sometimes known to be called “thread pool’s” (Yoda, 2004).
The thread pool can only run so many jobs at once, and some framework classes use it internally, so you don’t want to block it with a lot of tasks which need to block for other things. (Yoda, 2004). The process of switching between the two threads within multi-threading is usually implemented by timers and signals to execute the switching process.

Another variation of threading can also be commonly known as hyper-threading. It is typically a new technology designed by Intel.
Hyper Threading enables multithreaded software applications to execute threads in parallel on a single mutli-core processor instead of processing threads in a linear fashion. (Webopedia, 2002). Therefore this is simply an even more complex variation of multi-threading which combine non linear activities performing an once. Threading is another term regarding multitasking and trying to do things at the same time, it is essentially the idea of cost and time effectiveness.

Resource 1:
Webopedia, No author, (2002), Hyper-Threading, accessed 27/04/08 from www.webopedia.com/TERM/H/Hyper_Threading.html

This article was a relatively short description of an further developed process of threading known as “Hyper-Threading”. I Found it quite interesting just how many variations of threading there were so I decided to research a few others. Hyper-threading seemed like a very complex process however I felt as if this document described it so it was quite easy to understand. However it is essential that you know what “threading” means to begin with. I was unsure of how credible the article was due to it not having an author as such. However the definition is from a Encyclopedia website. This resource was used to define the term Hyper-threading in my talk about the concept of threading.

Resource 2:
Yoda, No author, (2004), Multi-threading in .NET: Introduction and suggestions, accessed 29/04/08 from www.yoda.arachsys.com/csharp/threads/

To begin with I was having trouble finding information regarding Threading and its variations and although I was unaware of the author of this article I felt as if it seemed a genuine article to gather information from particularly regarding “multi-threading”. The article itself goes into great depth firstly defining what a thread is and then moving onto the variation which is known as multi-threading and describing how it works. This resource was particularly helpful in my text as I used it to define both terms: thread and multi-threading as well as describing how they work.

CONCEPT 31: - HYPERTEXT: LINKS OR STRUCTURE

“While the WWW depends on hypertext, most of it uses hypertext merely for navigation (as in the first kind). Individual documents and even sites generally look much like linear, paper-printed materials. But, the whole of the web is rather more like the loose, unstructured ‘hypertext’ of the second kind. This suggests that hypertext is about both linking in the traditional way, but more effectively: and about structuring in a completely new way, based on this technology”. (Allen, n.d)

Hypertext is one of the very first things you learn about when accessing the World Wide Web as it is imperative to know so as documents and websites can be related or cite or link other websites or documents. If you split the term down into two terms just like anything you can find its meaning. Therefore Hypertext is simply “highlighted text” which appears on the internet on websites. This form of highlighted text is a form of online referencing or linking of websites or terms used on an actual website or in a document. Hypertext is “text composed of blocks of words (or images) linked electronically by multiple paths, chains, or trails in an open ended, perpetually unfinished textuality” (G.P Landow, (1992). No matter what website you go to whether it be for recreation or study you will always come across hypertext that will have some relation to the topic you are looking at. These are typically links of related information found on other websites. Hypertext is commonly blocks of text composed on websites which have been highlighted and the electronic links that join them together.

Hypertext can be found on websites in two forms of varying difference but they essentially do the same thing. One form of hypertext can be found in linear menus on varying websites where by the hypertext will take you to other areas of the websites topic area. The other form of hypertext can be found within the document itself to link words to various other subject headings to describe a document. Hypertext’s main use is to help the reader link information to more readily understand documents and to make it easier to navigate there way around websites by typical everyday words. It not only helps to navigate but to help analyse and read documents also.

Looking over the history of Hypertext its original idea was to “take advantage of electronic data processing to organise large quantities of information that would otherwise overwhelm the reader.” (Connected: An Internet Encyclopedia, 2007). This is essentially what it does; hypertext condenses large amounts of text into various subject headings so as not to overwhelm the reader. It is also quite handy if you are just looking to read or analyse one certain word or aspect of a document. This is also another aspect of the internet that will develop along with technology as hand held computers and systems such as ATM’s use varying examples of “hypertext” so as to not only order large amounts of information but to help you navigate easier as well.

When looking at Hypertext in regards to links or structure, we are talking about how the hypertext can be used by the navigator or reader throughout various websites. Links or structure are both variations of hypertext it is neither one or the other as it involves both. In navigation tool bars hypertext creates structure on a website allowing it to be clearly readable and easy to navigate through various items. Hypertext links are also essential in relating various words and sources of information.

Resourse 1:
Connected: An Internet Encyclopedia, No Author, (2007), Hypertext, accessed 2/05/08 from www.freesoft.org/CIE/Topics/12.htm

This Encyclopedia website was very crucial and a good source to use. Its in depth analysis of hypertext included good examples of what it is and what hypertext does actually include. The document also goes into detail of the preferred characteristics of good hypertext. I particularly thought this website was good in defining the term so I used it mainly in my own text to do the same in defining the word “hypertext” as well as to provide examples and also to talk about structure and links.

Resource 2:
George P. Landow, (1992), The Definition of Hypertext and Its History as a Concept, accessed 2/05/08 from www.cyberartsweb.org/cpace/ht/jhup/history.html

The first thing that drew me to this website was the title obviously which talks about hypertext its history and it as a concept which specifically relates to my job in this assignment. The website was exceptionally credible and academic as it was written by the Professor of English and Art History, Brown University. I took a liking to this as a source straight away because of those two reasons. The text does provide a great example of a definition as well as the history behind the word and this is precisely what I used it for in my document.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:_

Connected: An Internet Encyclopedia, No Author, (2007), Hypertext, accessed 2/05/08 from www.freesoft.org/CIE/Topics/12.htm

Shoemaker-Galloway,.J (2007) Top 10 Netiquette Guidelines, accessed 1/05/08 from http://internet.suite101.com/article.cfm/netiquette_guidelines

George P. Landow, (1992), The Definition of Hypertext and Its History as a Concept, accessed 2/05/08 from www.cyberartsweb.org/cpace/ht/jhup/history.html

Michelle Delio, (2004), Spam Filters Grab Good With Bad, accessed 28/04/08 from www.wired.com/techbiz/it/news/2004/01/61945

Net Alert, Author unknown, (2008), What is Netiquette?, accessed 1/05/08 from www.netalert.gov.au/advice/behaviour/netiquette_emoticons/What_is_netiquette.html

Science Jrank Organisation, No author, (2006), Automation, accessed 28/04/08 from http://science.jrank.org/pages/679/Automation.html

Webopedia, No author, (2002), Hyper-Threading, accessed 27/04/08 from www.webopedia.com/TERM/H/Hyper_Threading.html

Yoda, No author, (2004), Multi-threading in .NET: Introduction and suggestions, accessed 29/04/08 from www.yoda.arachsys.com/csharp/threads/