Assignment 1
RESOURCE PROJECT
Title:
Resource project
Name:
James Farr
Student Number:
13715232
Unit Name:
Net 11
Email Address:
farrsy@hotmail.com
Date Submitted:
25/01/2007
Word Count:
13 pages
URL (if applicable):
By submitting this assignment, I declare that I have retained a suitable copy of this assignment, have not previously submitted this work for assessment and have ensured that it complies with university and school regulations, especially concerning plagiarism and copyright.
______J.P. Farr 25/01/2007_____________________
Net11 Internet Studies
Resource Project:
To develop an annotated bibliography that could function as a student help.
MODULE ONE
FTP.
FTP is interesting to an Advanced Internet user for a number of reasons like, for instance, the fact that files can be managed on more than one computer, and information can be published at any time and taken by a recipient at any time in the future, rather than files being pushed at a recipient.
FTP “emphasizes the local autonomy of the individual user, and the arrangement of cyberspace into publicly accessible and changeable regions”. (Concept 24 Client server two-way interactions).
It is important that an advanced internet user has an understanding of facilities such as FTP or Telnet for example, as even though they may seem out of date and old fashioned, they can provide lessons about past developments which in turn can assist with new developments. (Concept 27. The persistence of history.)
FTP
FTPPlanet.com .
Registrar: Network Solutions.Registrant: Ipswitch, Inc.Lexington. U.S.A.
Last updated Date: 27-jun-2006
FTPPLANET is an interesting website to view is if you are contemplating using FTP.
The site contains discussion forums, online tutorials, FTP technical guide, and, like the site mentioned previously, has a guided tour explaining the process of transferring files between your computer and a server and vice versa .
From this site you can download Ipswitch WS FTP. (see below).
Ipswitch WS_FTP home
Domain name: Ipswitch .com
Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, LLC.
Admin contact: D. Ferrick
Last updated 27/6/2006
In order to investigate the functions of File Transfer Protocol I downloaded Ipswitch FTP home, a file transfer client for windows 2000/xp/2003.
The main page, which the link above will take you to, is a bit busy in my opinion, but it is, after all advertising its own product.
It has all the usual exclamations, like save 25% if you do this, or do that and you could win…etc. so you need to sit and have a good look around the page and investigate a few of the links. But once you have clicked on the ‘Download’ button it becomes pretty straight forward, with Try, Buy, or Update options.
There is available a short guided tour to get you started and explain what using FTP can do for you.
This site is ranked highly with Google (number 3) and Baidu .com.(number 4)
However, there is a downside in that the free version has a thirty-day limit. After that payment is required if you wish to continue using it.
http://www.smartftp.com/
Domain Name: SMARTFTP.COM
Registrar: Go Daddy Software inc.
Last updated 10/10/2006
Smartftp is an FTP client site that is clear and easy to use.
For those not sure of what to expect from a program of this sort, SmartFTP offers screen shots to enable you to see how it will look when undertaking certain actions.
It has an easy to follow tutorial (including mini-movies to help) on downloading, uploading and firewall configuration.
The download page is simple to follow with clear explanations.
In the area of support, SmartFTP offers up a number of email options plus a “knowledge base” to search and a forum which includes announcements, reports, requests, support, library, and ‘project’ page in numerous languages, on which you can post your problem or “enhancement request”.
There is a free unlicensed version or a licensed version that incurs a fee.
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TRACEROUTE
Trace Route can be a valuable tool in the area of ‘Identity and Location’ (Concept 25) in areas such as recovering key information about the sources of misdirected or unwanted communications.
Below are a couple of examples of web sites from which Tracerouts and Pings can be executed.
Centralops, http://centralops.net/co/
Domain Name: CENTRALOPS.NET
Hexillion Technologies.
Last updated 11/11/2006
CENTRALOPS is a site offering free online network utilities, for example, Domain check, Ping, Tracerout, NsLookup, Email Dossier, Autowhois, among others.
Using the Traceroute facility could not be simpler. Entering a domain name or Ip address in a box is all it takes. The same applies to the Ping facility.
Other facilities offered by Centralops are just as easy to use, like ‘Domain Dossier’ which will give you lots of information on your chosen domain name.
‘Domain Check’ will allow you to check whether a domain name is available.
The site is very simple in layout, without too much confusing clutter, making it easy to use. The main page is not very long so there is not the need for scrolling back and forth meaning visitors are likely to stay and use it, as opposed to the busier, fussier sites that can take a lot of working out, which can tempt you to move on and try other sites
fifi.org, http://www.fifi.org/
Phillipe Troin. Copyright 2000 2006
Host name: Old tantale.fifi.org.
Last updated 06/08/2006
Fifi.org is another site from which functions such as ping and traceroute can be executed. The main page looks basic and simple enough, and if all you want to do is a ping, for example, it is easy to follow.Opening up the ‘Public Services’ page will provide you with the basics, not just Ping and TraceRoute but help pages for each, which explain what you are looking at when you get a result from your ping or Traceroute. Very helpful.
However, if you delve into the ‘Documentation’ section it can become somewhat bewildering unless you are a very advanced internet user. ‘The GNU’, ‘Debian Document Tree’, and ‘Whole Document Tree’ sections contain huge amounts of information and tutorials that would require some serious study as it can look daunting at first glance and would probably require at least some prior knowledge of at least the basics of ,for instance in the Debian Tree, Linux functionality.
.
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PING
DNSstuff.com, http://www.dnsstuff.com/
Host name: DNSstuff. Alias: project1.dnsstuff.com
Last updated 13/09/2006
DNSstuff is a web site from where numerous tests can be performed. For example, Domain name tests, I.P. tests, Hostname tests, among others.
The home page makes life easy as all the functions that this site offers are right there on the same page. Therefore instead of the usual list of links down the side of the home page that take you to another page from where you can perform the required function, with DNSstuff you simply scroll down the page a little and there they all are.
There is a request on the main page for you to join up for $36, in order to support DNSstuff, but all the functions on the main page appear to work fine, even if you choose not to join. Obviously there are additional services available should you join, like “18 unique member tools”, and forum access to “ask the tough DNS questions”, but this is still a very useful website to a non-member. ----------------------------------------------------------------------
MODULE 2
NEWSGROUPS
Newsgroups are a valuable source of information and have an advantage over email lists in the fact that they are threaded, meaning they are sorted by subject and order of response.
This enables you to easily follow the pattern of conversation and response.
(Concept 21)
Newsgroups, like email lists, involve the input of people from many and varied backgrounds and locations using various types of hardware and software, and it is important to keep this in mind when posting your ideas and comments.
While it is not strictly a law, it helps if users adhere to a certain degree if ‘nettiquette’ (concept 7) and try to treat other users as you would like to be treated. And don’t forget that there are many ‘lurkers’ out there who may belong to lists or newsgroups but do not actively participate. If you are a lurker, try to participate to some degree in order to create an awareness of yourself to other people so that you will be included and have an identity. (concept 21)
http://www.netalert.net.au/02566-What-are-Newsgroups.asp
Netalert.net
Registrar: Tucows Inc.
Registrant: Dominic Main Netalert Limited
This is an Australian Government site that explains what Newsgroups and newsreaders are and do.
This is a particularly helpful site to parents as it has helpful sections on how to protect children (and themselves) from the dangers and pitfalls of newsgroups, including advice on filters and parental control software.
For the beginner there is a list of related articles from which you can learn the basics of chat rooms and instant messaging.
There is also a useful tool called Technology Toolbox Assistant in which you can set parameters like budget, needs, wants etc and a list of the most suitable products will be produced.
This is a no nonsense site that I feel would appeal particularly to the more mature or mature minded. The passages are all quite short and further research may be required, but this site gives a good basic overview for the uninitiated. Straight facts. No hype.
The main page includes a toll free Internet Safety Helpline.
http://tile.net/news/
Tile.net
Registrar: Tucows Inc.
Registrant: C. Knight. Sparknet Corporation.
Last updated 12/10/2006
Tile.net is described (by itself) as the “comprehensive internet reference”.
This site has an enormous number of Newsgroups to choose from. They are listed by Index, Description, and Newsgroup Hierarchy. Each has an A to Z menu.
Browsing through any letter option in any of the three categories mentioned above will present an enormous list to choose from.
There are ads down the side of the page that change, depending on which page you select, some having some relation to the topics on your chosen page, some not (that I could see).
On choosing any category you are greeted by the Internet Connection Wizard that will lead you through the process of obtaining your news (NNPT) server.
You may not find the newsgroup you are looking for here, but with so many to choose from it is certainly worth checking out.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~jfuller/gen_use.html
http://www.rootsweb/.
Registrar: Network Solutions.
Registrant: MyFamily.com. Inc
Last updated: 3/10/2006
A Usenet newsgroup, this Genealogy resources website is the source of a huge number of newsgroups, all (obviously) aimed at researching of family history.
With a very large list of groups, each one is ‘gatewayed’ with a mailing list.
Entering the index of mailing lists you will find a large number of lists corresponding with each newsgroup. ( For example, the soc.genealogy.britain. was gatewayed with a mailing list GENBRIT which contained 71 mailing lists to choose from.)
The site is certainly not flashy but is easy to navigate.
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MODULE 3
HTML INSTRUCTION
While programs are available that will do all the work for you in, for example, web page construction, an understanding of html will give you ultimate control in the way you organize your information and how you use your meta data and data.
(Concept 11)
http://www.annabella.net/html.html
Annabella’s HTML Help.
A. Ramsden.
ANNABELLA’S HTML HELP is a web site dedicated to explaining the workings of HTML.
The site is well set out and the colour scheme used makes it ‘easy on the eye’.
As well as being easy to read, the site is easy to navigate and uses straightforward language, meaning it can be read and understood by novice html writers.
The subjects covered will take you from the very beginning of using and understanding HTML, right through to the more challenging aspects.
This site also contains a link to ‘The HTML Writers Guild’ in which you can enroll to undertake on-line courses in web design, from using Dreamweaver to Java script.
There is also a “Useful Links’ page containing links to chat rooms, forums, help pages and more. Very helpful.
http://www.html.net/
HTNL.NET
OUTPUT I/S
Andreas Astrup, Joachim Cohn Jacobsen.
HTML.NET is a website offering free tutorials on html and CSS (cascading style sheets).
This site claims that by working through the 15 lessons you will have made a website in approximately one hour.
The tutorial is structured using the assumption that the student has no prior knowledge of writing html, explaining everything in simple terms, for example, what a browser is, and exactly how to open up the notepad application.
The tutorial also covers uploading and validation should you make through to the end, and finishes of with some helpful ‘final tips’ that includes some useful links should you wish to move on to CSS or go further.
Apart from the distracting advertisements down the side of the pages, this is a very easy to use and informative site.
BLOGGING
Below are a couple of web sites dedicated to blogs and blog etiquette.
http://www.blogging.com/
Blogging.com
Registrar: Tucows Inc.
Last updated: 13/10/2006
Blogging.com is a site which, as the name suggests, allows you to place your blog onto the internet.
The main page is colourful, friendly and inviting with the different categories of available blog types clearly set out, making it very simple to navigate.
Each category, e.g. family blog, personal blog, community blog, has a ‘demo’ option so you can take a look at how each type of blog may be used.
The ‘publish manual’, accessed via the ‘help’ option contains a very detailed and extensive ‘publisher control panel’ which covers everything you could possibly want to know about getting your blog up and running.
There is also a ‘template manual’, which provides all you need to know on the subject of templates and CSS styles.
Lastly there is a support desk should you get into difficulties.
The trial version is free and will provide you with 100mb of disk space. Should you choose to pay a fee you will have 1Gb available to you. Obviously the more you pay the more disk space and bandwidth you get.
http://www.practicaletiquette.com/blog-etiquette.html
Practical Etiquette.com
Registrant: Karielle Samstead
Registrar: Tucows Inc.
Last updated 8/09/2006
Practical Etiquette is a site dedicated to etiquette in general, with a simple one page section on ‘Blog Ettiquette’ (which means there is not a great deal to write about it).
This page consists of ten basic ‘rules’ for good behavior when blogging, (Nettiquette concept 7) and the author makes some good points about the things to take into consideration in respect to other bloggers and their skills and equipment. (Invisibility of Difference.concept 8)
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MODULE 4
SEARCHING THE WEB
Advanced internet users need to develop an awareness if the intricacies of searching on the internet.
With massive amounts of information available which is mostly overlooked by the average internet user, it is important to understand the various techniques for getting the best from their internet search, including for instance, using Boolean search techniques and investigating the ‘Deep Web’.
Advanced internet users should also bear in mind that the web is not a ‘virtual library’ (concept 32) in that is does not adhere to one tried and trusted method of categorisation.
http://www.rockymtnweb.com/free/advanced/index.htm
The Rocky Mtn Web Studio Hart Web Company Last updated 15/07/2006 This site has some interesting tutorials on using the internet and is divided into sections, with each section hyperlinked.The ‘Glossary of internet terms’ alone is extensive and very helpful.There are links to free tutorials from spotting spoof emails through to the section titled “What else can you do on the web?”.It is worth the visit to this ‘What else” page as it has a large number if hyperlinks taking you in all sorts of directions around the www, from fun things to the more serious side of life, ending with a short A-Z of interesting things that can be done on the world wide web.From a personal point of view, I found the main page of this site very ‘busy’, meaning it causes the eye to jump around the page as there are box’s and mini posters and a side bar of links all competing for the eyes attention. That being said, once you focus on the central part of the page it is easy to navigate and once you have chosen a link/topic, that link is set out in plain text. Page 13 of 13 http://webteacher.org/windows.html Web teacher by Tech Corps. Last Updated On:07-Sep-2006 Sponsoring Registrar:Network Solutions LLC. Web Teacher is a well laid out site that is very easy to navigate with no garish and distracting advertising.The home page is very simple with all the available options laid out horizontally across the upper half of the page, meaning no need for scrolling up and down.As you enter each of the tutorials the pages are very basic, using simple black text on white background with short blocks of text, meaning you are not confronted by a busy, long page that can look daunting at first glance. Color is used sparingly which also helps and makes it very easy to follow.The tutorials range from “Web Basics” through to “The web in the classroom”.As this last heading suggests, this site is aimed at teachers with for example, lesson plans available in the ‘Web in the class room’ section. However the site would be very helpful to anyone who wants to become more than just a casual browser.
http://www.k12science.org/tutorials/advanced/
CIESE (Centre for improved engineering and science education)
From the Stevens institute of technology.
Domain ID: D3122510-LROR
Admin. Name: Jason Sayres.
While the heading of this site is ‘Advanced internet user tutorial’ it does offer instruction on some basic tasks that will help somebody get more from the internet other than mere browsing.
Explaining things like caches and cookies, through to tips on locating lost websites, this is a good basic tutorial.
