(Blog 2) Blogging in Cyberspace

Describe your experience and knowledge of writing in general and writing online.

For as long as I can remember I have always used writing as a way to express myself, my thoughts, my deepest emotions.  Throughout my teenage years I recall turning to writing (poems) to document specific periods of my life. Everything I wrote was meant to be read by my eyes only.  I never enjoyed sharing anything I wrote.  I never really felt confident that it was good enough.

Writing is extremely important to me.  I have worked extremely hard to become a better writer.  One of the reasons why I choose English-Writing Option as my content option is because English/writing is involved, embedded in everything we do.  In order to communicate, to teach any subject, in any job, we need to be able to write well.  Since I choose this major, my writing has improved dramatically.  I like to think I’m a good writer.

One thing that I would like to change in my writing process is the fact that I over think things and don’t just allow ideas to flow.  That sometimes gives me writers block.  I think I just want to sit down and a write a paper from beginning to end, when in reality it’s ok to start at the end and work your way back.  I can basically write any type of paper a professor gives me.  If I don’t know a format I will do some research on it.  I don’t really have much experience writing online.  Last semester, I created a blog for the first time for one of my classes.  It was an interesting experience.  It actually gave me some ideas about starting my own blog, but after giving some thought I don’t think I have anything that interesting going on in my life that I would blog about it every day.  I also have a facebook and even though I check it regularly I only post things/status about 3-4 times a month.  I use Google regularly as well.

Overall, I guess that I don’t really write that much online.  These days I only write school papers; that is really all the time I have for writing.    

(Blog 1) Tech Inventory

Technology Inventory

NAME: Juliana Fernandes

Using a scale from 0 - 10, where 0 is no experience, and 10 is highly proficient, rate your familiarity with the following. After your initial rating, use the questions as prompts to write a short description of the range of your experience. If you have had little experience, you might include an indication of your interest in the listed practice or process.

Email

How many accounts do you have?

5

How often do you check your email?

Some accounts every day, others once a week.

Instant messaging

What programs do you use? Google

How many accounts? 4

How much do you use it (them)? Not often. Once a month.

How do you use it? (send files, link to sites.. . .) Just to chat.  

Discussion lists (List servers which you participate on through email)

0

Forums, newsgroups (Which ones?)

0

Sites associated with a special interest where you post creative work? 0

If so, what websites?

Blogs

How many blogs do you read regularly? 0

Do you have a blog prior to this course? If so, who sponsors your blog?

The only blog I ever created was for Chandler’s class. (Blogger.com)  I did browse through other blogs when I logged in, but very briefly. 

Wikis

Which wikis have you used? Please link. Wikipedia

Have you helped create, contributed to a wiki? No 

Using shareware or freeware

(Downloading/editing software for your own purposes) 0

I would like to learn more about this, since I always have to ask for help when I need to download or edit something in my computer.

Searching the net for information

Which search engines do you use, and why? Google. Not sure why, I think because I believe to be the most helpful and accurate.

Do you use (have bookmarks for) lists/or sites which focus your search NO

Building websites

How many websites have you created? 0

Did you create them for yourself or for school/work?

Did you use an html editor or code, or a little of both? Which programs? Not quite sure what this is.

Miscellaneous programs, practices + Information about access

1. Do you have experience with the following? If so, list the programs you use to do the following tasks:

Creating drawings No

Creating animations No

Creating/editing videos No (Would like to learn more about it)

Editing photographs + other images No (Would like to learn more about it)

Creating/editing sound files No 

2. Are you comfortable with downloading + installing software, troubleshooting software, and using help sites? No 

3. If your computer "crashes" or gets a virus -- what resources do you have for help (friends count!)? What would you do? Call my brother in law or send it to get repaired.   

4. Do you have reliable access to a computer at home (or work)? Yes 

5. What browser and word processing programs do you have on your personal computer? Explorer / Word 2007

6. What kind of connection do you have (dial-up, DSL, cable, wideband, etc.) and how fast is it for downloading and uploading files? (or you can just describe how long it takes the Kean site to load if you are unfamiliar with the terminology) Cable – the Kean Website loads within a couple of seconds.   

7. What kind of backup do you have for your files for school? For your system software? I just save my papers under My Documents and for my systems I have no idea, will have to ask my brother in law. 

8. Assuming you use email and that you get a large number of emails in a given day, how do you keep track of/organize the emails/files you want to keep? I just keep what I want and delete what I don’t need. 

9. Do you own a smartphone? If so, which one? (brand, model, os) Yes.  IPhone 4.  I probably don’t maximize its potential. (Not a lot of patience). 

10. Are you an avid texter? Do you use a number pad, mini keyboard, or touch screen to text? Not sure.  I text when needed.  I use the touch screen to text.  

11. What other technologies do you own and use? Be as descriptive as you can about each.  We own a smart TV and I have no idea how to use it.  I just turn it on and change the channels.  

12. When researching for a project or paper, what online resources do you use specifically? I use the Kean database to write papers.

13. Do you have any art or design experience? Please specify and elaborate if you do. No