Information Ecology

The 4 dimensions of information ecology according to Felix Stalder :

• interdependency
  
• change
  
• time-boundness
• differentiation

Organising Search Information

I have been using OneNote (in Microsoft Office 2007) for unrelated stuff and after using for this task I will use it all the time! I can instantly add a screenshot to my well organised tabs all under the net11 - task 4 tab! Add all the links and other information, and its searchable. I can hypeerlink to any other office document in my computerI am still discovering useful tools and how to make the most of the program. I do like the 'windows' key +n to take instant notes too!

2nd attempt

OK - i should have thought it out more- 'tips' is a bit to general a term for my search task so I repeated the search with the words 'javascript' 'techniques' and 'tips'. The result in google was down to a more managable 314,000. Copernic returns approx 30 all containing the words javascript - and techniques or tips. After getting sidetracked and reading about 'javascripts you should be using' I returned to the tasks at hand.

google(d)

Results 1 - 10 of about 1,420,000 for javascript and techniques or tips. (0.24 seconds)

Results 1 - 10 of about 1,770,000 for javascript or techniques or tips. (0.21 seconds)

Results 1 - 10 of about 301,000 for javascript and techniques and tips. (0.16 seconds)

Google vs Copernicus

I used google - my browser of choice - to search 'javascript tips'. The first hit is Chami.com and there was only 38,600,000 hits in total.

Next I searched using 'exact phrase' in Copernicus and once again Chami.com was at the top of the list. Most of the same top sites showed in both searches.

I actually preferred the google results -mostly because it had a desciptive phrase out lining the site and a url whereas the Copernicus results were less descriptive. I am using the free version and it is limited but I will keep experimenting with the program and rate the advantages.

google















Copernicus

So round 1 to google - however Im not giving up on Copernicus just yet!

Using Copernic

I downloaded Copernic (making sure to install custom and tick all the uneccessary 'options') and after exploring its abilities noticed I could use its 'save page as' as a 'pagesucker' anyway. It has quite a complex interface and a lot of options. I can tell I might have to spend some time experimenting with it to be able to understand the advantages. It defenitly seems more focused for searches and the options for modifying a search are more obvious - I always forget all the little tricks to modify searches in google!

Just a note on custom vs regular installs - personally I hate it when a new program associates (hijacks) file types, installs shortcuts everywhere, starts automatically, emails me offers everyday even if it has a complex and confusing unsubscribe option. This is becoming less common as Im sure people find this an uneccessary annoyance and more of a hinderance.

Standards and Validation

Adhering to w3c standards and validating your web pages is really essential in this time. The ability of browsers and peoples system's interpreting information depend heavily on the content and presentation being as user friendly and as accessible as possible. It can only be a good thing!

furl - styled vs basic html

The example of the the styled version of the same information shows how usability can be increased by a few small styles being added. The content is exactly the same but the interface makes it a lot easier to comprehend - and the color scheme tends to engage us more. There is also the many added features that fit the 'web 2.0' moniker. Being able to have a more functional and interactive experience is becoming more and more prevalent and almost expected now.