What a day

I have been ejected from my group, not a nice feeling.
Despite apologies for my absence and 'non-participation' and offering to contribute to the project what I was going too originally, it will not suffice.
I understand where they are coming from but I don't think we have been exemplary communicators from the beginning.
Anyway I can't do this module again next term so I'm pressing on and will produce a wiki on my own.

It was not my intention to use this blog to share details of my personal life but in light of events that have occurred recently I will make an exception. My ability to participate fully in this project and complete other coursework for this degree is being adversely affected so I'll make comment.

I have had no internet connection for nearly 3 months now due to the bureaucracy that is associated with switching supplier, a process that should be straightforward and hassle free.
As a result I have been unable to maintain an acceptable level of communication with the members of my group and my commitment to this project will be called into question.

I now fully appreciate the value of the Internet in my life and will certainly not take it for granted in future

On a more basic level I don't have enough money for a bus pass so I won't be going anywhere for a couple of days and hence the reason why I was unable to attend yesterday's session.

And finally...last Friday night after a long afternoon and evening at work launching the iPhone I return home to find my kitchen has been flooded! The flat upstairs is actually vacant so how it happened is anybody's guess. But I have heard a few overzealous workmen stomping up and down, drilling etc. so they are probably the culprits...I'll be investigating, believe me.
Right now I'm attempting to create some semblance of normality and get back on track with my work but it's going to be hard.

Do we meet people online?

The question was raised again today. It's a poignant question and one that is inevitably open to varying interpretations.

My view is that we form the most important relationships and conduct the most valid meetings away from the confines of our computers, outside in the real world. I think that despite the influence of social networking sites on our generation (that is my peers and I) the majority of us still conduct our communication through more conventional means.

Facebook, MySpace and IM are all meeting places just like a lecture theatre, nightclub or trade fair. However in online meeting places we can't exercise complete control over what is said, viewed and shared.

There are no assurances that the people we meet online, but have never had a physical meeting with will be completely transparent and honest about who they are. We are bound to encounter uncertainties in physical relationships regardless of whether they are new ones or those we have maintained for a long period of time.

Therefore I think it is fair to say that we can meet people online whether they are friends, family or people we are talking to for the first time.

I read a really intriguing article on the Guardian website that comments on the need for the fame generation to learn the value of privacy. It speaks of a new exhibitionism, a desire to constantly broadcast who we are. It's a trait that is characteristically unique to a demographic under the age of 30. There is no distinction between our public and private self, they have become interdependent. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2208777,00.html

The groups presented their wikis on the overhead projector. I felt quite nervous as we didn't really have anything to show, however we have legitimate ideas the only thing we need to do now is execute them.

Bella raised a valid point, and a question I think was on everyones mind,when she enquired what the required length of our wiki should be. We are accustomed to working within the parameters of a word count, so its strange when we don't have one as a guideline.

As a group we have finalised the structure and content for our wiki. We are going to use a series of case studies to illustrate our findings on virtual communities.

Focusing on MySpace and Queeruption, a new voice in cyberspace, both are online communities but with very different aims and participants. And finally we'll discuss the use of the gift economy within these communities.

Web design dissected

I believe good websites should work effectively for the people they are designed to serve.

Presentation is of the utmost importance, image is everything particularly if you're a brand or business.

The primary criteria for any good website is the effective use of colour, font, format and graphics. Essentially this can be defined as 'the look'.

We are visual beings therefore it makes sense to create websites that appeal to and stimulate this part of our nature.

However I should note that if a website merely looks good but is lacking in content I will simply close the window and conduct a new search.

Pop ups and banner ads are an annoyance, however there are some that can complement a page. Images are only necessary if they add value to the content on the site

Secondary to the aforementioned, but of equal importance is site navigation, how easy is it to find what I'm looking for. No-one likes being lost in the real world and the same is true when in cyberspace.

A good website should make it easy for the user to get to internal and external links. A sitemap or search box is a great tool for ensuring this is the case and a link back to the homepage is essential. Navigation should ultimately be logical and clear.

The content of the site or in literal terms, what is on the page and does it contributes to its usability. Is it relevant?Does it communicate to its audience effectively? Does it speak their language? Is it informative and kept up to date?

Download times are another factor. How long does it takes for an image or video clip to download or to navigate to another page. Something I can't stand to see with media on websites is the message 'buffering'...how frustrating!

I was shocked to discover just how many high profile organisations and global brands have mediocre websites.

Direct.gov.uk is an example of this. The site employs the use of garish colours and is sparse on images, it seems as though no consideration has been made for design. It is not difficult to navigate as content is clearly categorised however there is literally too much going on, on the page. Hailed as the website of the UK government, a place where individuals can get info on and links to any public service, the logo is not even instantly visible anchored in the topleft hand corner of the page. The design creates a negative impression of the organisation and its ideals. If this were a business site I'm certain it would be considered a liability.

Style.com however is pleasing to the eye, has a user friendly interface, effortless navigation, bold menus, the right type of font for its content, thumbnail browsers and toolbars situated on the left of the screen. A minimalistic colour palette of blue and white is used throughout. The name alone makes a bold statement so the format doesn't have to.The pages tend to be a little cluttered and after using this site for nearly 3 years I think it's in need of a mini revamp to make it look fresher and bring it up to date.