BYE ALL..

Finally!!! It time for me to kiss this subject goodbye.

Frankly speaking, I do not like subject with no lecture and expect us to do "self-teaching" and have test. But, from another point of view, I will agree that through reading, one can improve the english language. Hence, not so bad afterall. UIR subject teaches me how to search effectively by using boolean operators, evaluating search facilities and how to create a blog. Through UIR, I participate in the forum for the first time and get replies from people in the outside world. Happy =DD

Here I would like to do a little advertising for this UIR subject:

*Ahem*
...
...

For those who want to learn how to create a msn account, create a blog (1st lesson),
JOIN UIR NOW!! =D

Labels: Thoughts

Wiki - UIR-Rawks
Oh my God!! The UI and properties of this wiki is so terrible!! The formatting especially, makes me feel so... arghs!!!


I did the formatting in Word document, then cut and paste to the text editor of the wiki. After i paste, it change my formatting to suits the wiki's, the font type change to Arial, which is the font the my other team mates uses in their post. BUT, BUT, BUT!! Although the same font type, but it looks total different from what I see.

To share, this is what I've posted:

Over the years, technologies have evolved drastically, especially so for computers. Till date, almost every household owns one personal computer of their own. As time flies, the personal computer is not only used for personal and educational purposes but as well as playing computer games. Thus, Online Gaming became more and more popular. Many teenagers have also come to know more about online gaming through their friends and relatives. Downloading of these online games to play is a common sight. Online games can be classified into different categories - educational, puzzle, action etc. Different individuals have different opinions about playing online games, some are set for and some are against it. Allow me to share with you the advantages and disadvantages of online gaming in my portfolio. Online Gaming demystified.

Resource used:

http://www.onlineearnings.net/games/effects-of-online-gaming-on-kids.html

Summary of resource:

Online game is the most sought leisure activity followed by kids now days. Days are gone when children loved to indulge in outdoor activities, rather than running or playing outside children spend most of their time playing online games. Taking into consideration it positively is a great mind exercise and helps kids explore many new things as it includes improvement in recursive and proactive thinking, increased sociability, and improved interpretive skills. However, research shows that kids who play violent video games showed an increase in emotional arousal – and a corresponding decrease of activity in brain areas involving self-control, inhibition and attention.

Evaluation of resource:

This resource has helped me to understand more about the impact of online gaming on teenagers. It also allows me to rate the source or to comment on it if log in. Also, it provides information on the pros and cons about online gaming.

Labels: E-Learning

Well, all I can say about talkingcock.com is that it has really caught me by surprise! The usual “kiasi” (scaredy cat/afraid of death) Singaporeans have actually managed to sustain this website for 7 years and counting. It really opens me up to what free speech reveals and that is the true side of Singaporeans.

For example the recent case of the prisoner who escaped, Mas Selamat. Many have post their jokes and comments with regards to this incident. A game based on the concept of pac man with Mas escaping and policeman trying to catch him but to avail was also developed for your playing pleasure. Here is something that I would like to share with you:

Malay - English Glossary

Tandas: Toilet
Keluar: Exit
Conformable Singaporeans? Think again xD

Labels: Practicals

Practical 6 - My Dream Holiday

Yunnan - Li Jiang

I adore sceneries, especially the ones that give you a sense of tranquility. Singaporeans lead a very hectic life, thus if I were to go on a holiday, I would prefer somewhere peaceful, preferably on the outskirts of town and Lijiang in Yunnan happens to be one of the ideal places of my dream holiday.


Li Jiang Town


Why? Why Lijiang and not some other developed country? My answer to these questions would be… I feel that going to a developing country gives me more exposure to their one of a kind experience and not to forget about what I have mention above, the tranquil scenery. Lijiang is possibly the best preserved ancient town in China and a country where I can witness and experience a historic and traditional urban culture.

Places of Attraction in Lijiang

Black Dragon Pool



The Black Dragon Pool’s water sparkles like jade and is as clear as spring water. The park is also filled with green grass and shaded by swaying willow trees and under the Shuocui Bridge; a waterfall creates a constant roar as it cascades downstream. I am so awe by these breathtaking and tranquil sceneries

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain



The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain resides at 15 kilometers north of Lijiang town, this magnificent snow-capped mountain sprawls 35 kilometers from north to south. It is also a well-known habitat of azaleas and rhododendrons. With the 2968 meters of cable way, tourists will be able to access it easily and enjoy the perpetual snow there. What a resplendent sight!

After all breathtaking pictures, are you at all interested in my Dream Holiday? Drink some water and recollect yourself!

With Lijiang’s breathtaking, picturesque and tranquil sceneries, what more could I ask for? =D

Labels: Practicals

Practical 4 & 5

Researching for information

This week, I've learnt to search effectively and evaluate different search engine's capabilities in returning me results that suits my searching needs. I have been using google and for a long period of time and today is my first time that come across metacrawlers. It is actually a search engine used to search the infomation from other search engine. Hence, it does not has a database on its own. Also, this is my first time using the yahoo's directory.

Ms Farida has also taught me to use boolean operators in my search phrase to make my search result more relevant by using OR operator, NOT operator or AND operator.

OR – expanding the search, include either of the phrases
NOT – restricting the search
OR – expanding the search, include either of the phrases

My topic is to discuss the impact of online gaming on youth. The table below is the keyword that I've used in the search.



The search phase that I've used to search for my information is ->Impact of online AND gaming on youth.

About Comparison and Evaluation on search effectiveness

2 characteristics that make all 3 search facilities similar or different from one another is the numbers of hits that returns (results) and also the relevance of results. In my case, google returns me with 9 450 000 results, yahoo subject directory 844, metacrawler meta search engine returns me with 80. As usual, the most top result in the search result list is always the one which hits the most keywords that I've entered. Doesn't matter the number of hits each search engines return, as long as it satisfy the user needs, it is considered as the best. The weakness of the search engine is that the lack of ability to filter relevance of results.

Google is the best search facilities that meets my searching needs. It returns me the results of the pros and cons of online gaming which will enables me to analyze and see the impact of online gaming on youth.

Labels: Practicals

If I'm given $500 dollars.....

If I'm given $500, I would spree on:



Samsung L830 Digital Camera Black
USD $169.95 + USD $38 (Shipping) = USD $207.95 (SGD $284.247)
URL: http://cgi.ebay.com/Samsung-L830-Digital-Camera-8-1MP-3xOpt-BLACK-A35_W0QQitemZ280224363752QQihZ018QQ
categoryZ146258QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem





Doraemon 5.5" Plush Doll
USD $9.99 + USD $7.99(Shipping) = USD $17.98 (SGD $24.5905)
URL: http://cgi.ebay.com/Doraemon-5-5-Plush-Doll-R-Japanese-Anime-Manga-NEW_W0QQitemZ290227615306QQihZ019QQcategoryZ106887
QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem





PEARL XYLOPHONE WITH EXTRAS
USD $85.38 + USD $21.00(Shipping) = USD$106.38 (SGD $145.411)
URL: http://cgi.ebay.com/PEARL-XYLOPHONE-WITH-EXTRAS_W0QQitemZ260236878176QQihZ016QQcategory
Z41458QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem





Beauty and the Beast DVD Platinum Edition
USD $16.18 + USD $6.99 (Shipping) = USD $23.17 (SGD $31.6711)
URL: http://cgi.ebay.com/beauty-and-the-beast-dvd-movie_W0QQitemZ250243109715QQihZ015QQcategory
Z617QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



Disclaimer: Due to that the URL is too long, if you want to visit the page, please copy the URL into your explorer URL bar.

Total Spent: SGD $485.9196

The currency rates were taken on Tuesday 06 May 2007.

United States Dollars : Singapore Dollars
1 USD = 1.36690 SGD : 1 SGD = 0.731582

Currency Converter can be found from:
http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi

Labels: E-Learning

Practical 2

In this week practical, i've learnt to differentiate the difference between an organization website from a personal one. Following are some examples:

Personal Website
URL: http://www.gis.net/~pldr/olgm.html
Descrip: Online Gaming Magazines. Wargaming has always had a lively amateur press dating from the 1960s when hobbyists generated barely legible zines

Organisation Website
URL: http://www.gamersgame.com/
Descrip: GamersGame.com -- blog, news, features, hints and scoop about hot games and the computer and video gaming world.

The major differences between organization site and personal website is that website done by an organization looks more professional and has better design. Personal website is looks unprofessional and lack of images.

Keywords used are online gaming, forum, blog, journal.

Labels: Practicals