Third class: gettin 2 grips with cyberspace

The lecture or main discussion in mondays class (22nd) was online communities. The online introduction for 'second life website' left me amazed at the possibilities for vitual interaction and creation using the internet. That a person could actually live a forfilling virtual life both amazed and horrified me. The class debated wether a virtual existance could be considered a real existence. Though nigel put forward a good defence for the internet i believe there is something instinctually perverse in creating a better life online.

I had to leave early, but my group 'alteregos', presented our modest ideas to the rest of the class.

As far as i know our group hasn't allocated roles or decided the structure we will use.
I'm pretty much ok with the actual assignment but i'd like to get started.

Second class: A firmer grasp

I think I can breath a little easier knowing a little more about this unit and about the internet. Its Interesting how the computer has its own language for interpreting and programming new information. Though I don't know it and probably never will, i feel more comfortable about the mystical functions of the Internet. I now understand the technical meaning of 'Open source Software'. Thats when the programme can be created and/or edited by anyone using it e.g me. The wiki programme that we're using is an example of such software. I think that the course won't seem so daunting as I get accutomed to using the programme.

Our group project theme is 'Identity' on the web. I Haven't actually begun to think what issues this raises for me as i don't really have an online identity. This is because i'm weary of the possiblities of fraud and theft, not just financial but intellectual theft. I suppose thats an issue in itself. Our group has taken contact details and will meet for a discussion on friday 19th.

First class: I'm old school

Not only am i rubbish at maths but i think i'm a bit of a technophobe. I was quite positive about learning something new and being hands on with the computer. That was until we actually started. I can type and use some programmes with a basic ability that allows me to complete work, however, when I come across any form of difficulty my mind shuts down. I hate feeling stupid. Nigels introduction to this unit was..um...good?! I learnt that the internet and world-wide-web are two different things. Setting up our wiki and blog pages was fairly simple as he did most of the work, but in linking the two together I had a hiccup and it took a few long minutes to dicover where I had gone wrong. I went away from the lesson a little confused and feeling insecure about the group project.