Posted 3:18 PM by Melissa
I’ve decided to go with exploratory a, Instant Messaging and Email. I chose this topic as opposed to web design because I’m really interested in this topic and how it affects others. I’ve decided to use one of the tips you gave me. In what ways has email and IM replaced what we previously used phones for? I’m really concerned with others and their uses of Instant Messaging and Email. It has taken over a lot of what we at one point were using the telephones for. I want to know how else people are using these technological advances instead of the telephone. IM and Email are used for a number of reasons such as business, school, and personal reasons. No longer does one have to wait on the phone. I am looking for research to find out how many people actually depend on IM and email everyday. Am I an average user or an over user of these two modes of communication.

Posted 2:40 PM by Melissa
Web Design has become a growing interest for many within a short period of time. Prior to a course I took in high school, I thought I would never be able to do something like create a website. It just seemed like something that was too hard and too time consuming for me to even consider.

Well, while in the web design class, of course, we had to design a web page. Using the given step by step instructions, I figured creating this web page might not be as bad as it seems.

It seems everyone out there not only has an email address but a website. Professionals as well as amateurs make themselves known on the world wide web through their web page. Web pages are designed for many different reasons, but one thing that's for sure is that people always want others to look at their site.

Web pages say alot about the focus of the page. If it's a business, then the way it's presented on the internet can make or break a certain sale. If it's a personal site, the content on the page says alot about the person.

Web design, is like writing a book about whatever you please then posting it on the web and adding graphics and pictures to liven it up. In some instances there are people who put too much pictures and colors on their web page and completely ruin it.

Although designing a web page is an expression of oneself. There are just certain things one shouldn't do, no matter how much it may reflect you.

When creating a web page, you are essentially doing so in hopes that others will visit and learn something from it. Well that is pretty hard to do when users are having a difficult time just navigating the site.

Little things such as, making the links on the page visible, seem to be forgotten when people create certain sites. Sometimes I've seen sites that have a whole bunch of nothing taking up their site.

I think people tend to forget that other people are going to viewing the site. When designing a web page, I think, you should always have the audience in mind. When you are looking at something that you have created, of course it looks simple to you. But put someone else in your shoes, would they be able to access and follow everything laid out. What is the point of creating a site that only you can enjoy?

Some tips that helped me when I had to design a web page were: try drawing everything out on paper before actually placing it on your site. When looking at a layout on paper you can see what might and might not look good on screen. Also even though I was using this book that was telling me step by step what do to next, I still had the freedom to make whatever changes I wanted to have the site reflect my ideas.

Again web design is similar to writing a book or paper because you have to write to get the reader's attention as well as getting the reader to understand what you are writing about. Therefore just always remember to think from the user's point of view.

Posted 9:26 PM by Melissa
Well after browsing a couple of virtual communities it was hard to pick one. As with anything else, I decided to pick a site based on my interests. Some of which are: Jamaica (since that's where my parents are from), music, (I was once in the band) and then I thought about tv shows I like to watch. Golden Girls was my first choice, mainly because I watch it everyday and it's hilarious.

TV Links Online was the perfect place to discuss my favorite girls, the golden ones. They have a wide variety, both old and new, of sitcoms to choose from. Of course, I had to join and posted a message to the Golden Girls' message board.

Thinking about Howard Rheingold's comments on virtual communities, I clearly see how people choose joining one. It was an obvious choice for me to pick something I too share an interest in. It's really nice to be able to share views on something that everyone on the site is interested in.

Posted 8:55 PM by Melissa
As another topic for my exploratory a, I'm thinking about web design. In high school I took a course called just that, web design, and ever since then it's tweaked my interests.

In Charlie Morris'Designing Attractive Web Pages he gives some great tips that one should follow when designing a web page. He says that there is no one format that one should follow. But the design should always be a good one.

Focusing mainly on the physical aspects of web design, we are told that a reader can always tell the difference between a good and bad page without being familiar with the technical aspects. "Good design is practical as well as aesthetic. Well-designed pages are easier to read, and lead your readers' eyes where you want them to be led."

There is really nothing to be sure of when designing a web page, except "it will look different on different systems". That's the difference with web and print, everything doesn't appear to everyone the same way. He says there is really no way to line everything up perfectly when dealing with a web site.

I think web design can be fun because it leaves you, the creator, in complete control. Anything you want done to your page can be, mainly because it represents you or the topic it's based on. I think Web design is a field everyone can become familiar with, since it's not as hard as it seems.

Designing a web page just gives you the freedom to do whatever it is you please for internet viewers.

Posted 7:38 PM by Melissa
In Matt Haughey'sBuilding an Online Community: Just Add Water he gives tips to the beginning web designer. As a result of his success Matt is able to create some guidelines that should be adhered to when creating a website community.

The first tip is to "Make sure you really want to do this". Meaning, make sure that you are ready for the blood sweat and tears it's going to take to start this site. He says be prepared to "keep it up day in and day out". This piece of advice seems as if it could go with someone trying to start their own business.

He also warns us that it may take a while to get it up and running, even longer to get it to perfection and running smoothly.

Some of the tips are similar to ones given to us for blogging. Such as having "compelling content", no one wants to visit a site that's completely boring. Just like when writing an essay, we must grab the reader's attention.

Matt also mentions that the content on the laid out in beginning of the site will only lay a basis for what is to come. This is important because we don't want readers to get the wrong impression of the true meaning of your website.

He later discusses dealing with members that are problems. I think that's a difficult part in being an administrator of a website community. You are the one that has to take the role of the parent, so to speak. By doing so, you must always lay rules and make sure members are following them.

These tips will be very helpful when creating and also joining a website community. They may also help with the upkeeping of our blog sites.

Posted 12:03 PM by Melissa
Chapter 1: The Heart of the Well from Howard Rheingold's The Virtual Community speaks very in depth of the effects of a virtual community on its members.

Rheingold's introducton on finding a cure for his daughter's lice problem displays the speed and pluses of having the internet at the touch of your fingers. As his wife was awaiting a call from the pediatrician, he was able to look it up online and find a solution to their problem.


I never realized how personal a virtual commmunity could be until I read this article. For example, Jay Allison shares his trials of watching his daughter suffer from Lukeimia. When he began to pour his heart out to the public, he had no intention of being comforted by them. Eventually it served as a solace, as he put it. The WELL was there for him when all his "real" friends weren't availible.

It's shocking how we can receive comfort from those miles and miles away through the use of a virtual community. I don't think I'll be able to get so personal via a virtual community.

Another shocking result of the virtual community, is just how much you can learn from someone else's experience. A prime example is when one of the member's son, Gabriel developed "acute lymphocytic leukemia, aka ALL". People who had never joined in this forum were joining in hopes of learning more and praying for him to get better.

I agree with Rheingold when he says that these virtual communities are links of common interest not common location. In other words, these people are interested in a community, not because they are living in the same area but because no matter where they are or what they look like they share some sort of common interest.

Another point that was made was the fact that people are more open to one another when race, size, and your physical attributes aren't looked upon. You are able to communicate just being yourself. No one is looking if your clothes are matching or you have a handicap. People are able to relate to you because of who you really are.