Glogster!!!

Today we researched into the media/social networking website of Glogster (http://www.glogster.com/). It involves registered users making their own personalised Glog (or web page) which allows you to post a variety of media such as photos, graphics, music, videos, text etc and therefore allows users to create their own personalised page to represent themselves and their views, morals, friends, ideas etc.

This provides a unique format in which to communicate and share personalised media and creations with others which in turn provides an entertaining and satisfying site. When compared to the ruling networking giants such as Facebook, Myspace and of course the very similar Blogger, many similarities can be seen. However, it is Glogsters unique ability to hold, run, import and edit a great variety of media and to portray it in a personalised way that makes Glogster stand out from the rest. Definitely worth a try.

Calculating Distances Online

Using Multimap.com I was able to calculate the directions, distances and estimated time of traveling from my teachers house, to Alton Towers. This was based upon the post codes of each, and the software would automatically locate the two distances and create the quickest driving route.

This is similar to how a GPS works. Where all the information on destinations, roads and their lengths is stored in a massive database of information- making finding the distances very easy. Here is what I found:

• Distance: 272.25 km - 169.17 miles
• Approx time: 1h 13min

Note that this is based on the quickest route for driving only, yet further options allow the shortest route to be selected instead or even walking distances/times.

Processes of an online purchase

Making an online purchase on a transactional website involves an array of mouse/keyboard inputs and visual 'informative' outputs. The general process is outlined clearly below and remains true for most online shops, despite some variation due to preferences, technical requirements etc.

1. Identify and authenticate the customer (using a user name and password e.g. Tesco, Sainsbury's) - unless a casual one time buyer is not required by the site to register (e.g. like on amazon.com)
2. Track consumer actions - an they search for items when browsing by category/by product/through search etc.
3. Maintain the shopping basket. Consumers may add to, remove from, edit and abandon the basket.
4. Checkout the goods. This is where items in a basket are confirmed for purchase and consumer/shipping/payment/order details are collected and/or confirmed.
5. Authorise payment and confirm order to complete the process.

This information can be seen in more detailed and clear view using a flowchart of the processes and transactions. In reality the five points above are all interlinked into a complex data flow process involving the sales/stores/dispatch and accounting departments to successfully collect payment and dispatch the goods accurately and on time. For this reason data flow diagrams will be latter on used to represent my coursework 'website processes' for an in depth analysis.

Evisu - A Transactional Website

Evisu is an online clothes shop, selling a wide variety of garments under the Evisu brand name. Being transactional lots of data is required (captured) from consumers in order to successfully complete the process and order/receive the goods.

I compressed this collected data into specific lists :
Consumer - Information relating to the consumers personal details

• First and last name name (and title)
• Email address (primary key)
• Phone and mobile number
• Address 1 and 2
• City
• Postal code
• Country
• Billing address

Transaction - The payment and shipping details

• Shipping method
• Payment method
• Card number
• Security code
• Expiry date
• Card holders name

Transaction-Item - Shopping basket information relating specifically to the item(s) desired.

• Size
• Price
• Quantity required

While this is for Evisu, it holds much similarity to other transactional websites and the relational databases they will hold. In some cases the site may require the buyer to register/sign in before or during the process using a user name (often e-mail) and password. This enables this information to be saved and re-used in the future for further buys. 'Casual consumers' may only buy once and therefore would not need an account. For more information on the processes involved see 'Processes of an online purchase'.

Facebook Groups

The social networking site of Facebook involves a large number of groups with ranging topic from sports and recreation, entertainment, arts, organisations, common interest, Internet and technology, student groups and just for fun.

Members will join these groups for fun, out of morel or to help be connected and informed on the topic concerned. I will look in depth at a group i find interesting and assess the reasons and benefits for joining that group.

Group: Formula 1 (automotive and racing)
Members: 3,402
Content: F1 race results, discussion board (e.g. podium predictions), event times and dates, posted links, related contacts.
Purpose: for fun, to discus the sport of F1 as the season progresses and to inform members on results and up and coming races/events they may not aware of.
Reason for me joining: Mainly as I am a big fan of F1 and wish to be part of the network of other big fans who can share similar with me interest. It is also hand to have constant access and reminders of events/results/races that occur, while on the Facebook site.
Stengths: Evert thing an F1 fan needs - discussion, results, reviews, events and contacts/links.
Weaknesses: There are few, but you must have a Facebook account first to access the group, which requires a registration process. It is not a quick process to get onto the group as you must first log onto Facebook.

Overall still an extremely useful and practical site to use and access while I'm on Facebook. The various group on Facebook fulfil a range of useful and entertaining purposes.

SMS Language

SMS has evolved based on abbreviations and informal phonics in order to keep message times as short as possible. This is a conversation recorded between me and a friend via an SMS mobile text.

Scott: Wtp sm hwz lf. Tis is borin, hope u lk it.
Sam: ya im gd, im so bord aswl. Bt the txt is quit fun.

TRANSLATION:
Scott: Whats up Sam. This is boring, hope you like it.
Sam: Yea i am good, I'm board aswell. But the texting is quite fun.

SMS allows users to quickly send short burst of textual data to other mobile users, in a quick, convenient and cheap way. This has made it the communication medium choice of many people in the information age. However, in turn it is limited in the amount of information/data that can be sent and there may be no instant or any feedback if the user does not reply.

E-mail - what, how, where and why?

E-mail basically stands for electronic mail, and involves the sending of a message over the Internet from one computer (user) to another desired computer (domain). This may be done using an client such as Outlook Express or a browser based client such as Yahoo and Hotmail which are provided by online websites.

E-mailing requires connection to a mail server in order to manage the storage and distribution of the messages. When Emails are received they are sent from one users mail server to other server(s) for retrieval. Once the email is in the desired server the email client will take control and collect the mail.

Messages are usually sent using a SMPT sever (simple mail transfer protocol-port 25)

Messages are usually received using a PoP3 (post office protocol-port 110)

or a IMAP (Internet mail access protocol-port 143 server)

See diagram below*.

A typical Email system will allow you to...

• Receive and read mail
• Create and send mail (both text and also attachments like files and photos).
• View sent, deleted, draft and junk email
• Add contacts/email addresses for future reference
• Delete mail
  

Advantages of Email

• simple and easy to use
• reasonably fast
• provides permanent record (unlike telephone)
• can deliver wide range of messages, attachments, file types
• can deliver to almost any recipient(s), provided they have and Internet connection.
• can be informal or formal
• safe and secure (can't be read by others e.g. fax)

Disadvantages of Email

• often misused - spam mail can block up mailboxes
• viruses, worms and Trojans can be attached
• is only read when recipient downloads mail from server.

The Email system and its protocols POP3 and SMTP* (source-www.applix.com-http://www.applix.net/images/pop%20and%20smtp.jpg)

Unit 2 - Transactional Websites

Part of the unit 2 coursework is too investigate a transactional website in detail and evaluate the key features of its design. Although it may sound obvious, to help clarify the project outline here is an official definition of what a transactional website actually is:

"A website which involves a biodirectional flow of data, typically to and from a database. Customers need to be able to not only look up information already on the site but, also add new information of their own"

Since I'm here I might as well practise my quoting skills we will need for the coursework - just in case for some outrageous reason the Exexcell examiners think I'm cheating =) - here you go.
MicrosoftTechNet (US) -Capacity Planning, the Internet transactional website.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/iisbook/c04_the_internet_transactional_web_site.mspx?mfr=true. Accessed October 2nd 2008

A commercial transactional website will therefore, in other words, closely interact and communicate with consumers to satisfy their wants by providing products/services via an ordering system. This is effectively online business designed to handle and process all of the consumer/firm transactions that would occur over the Internet. This holds a vast variety of advantages (and of course some disadvantages) for both consumers and the firm operating the website. These will be explained latter.

B2B and B2C???

B2B- this means 'business to business' and refers to the transactions between two different companies, such as a retailer and its suppliers. Many of these are now conducted by extranets (private networks that connect more than one organisation).

B2C - this means 'business to consumer' which involves the transactions between conventional commercial websites and the individual customers. Luckily we will
mainly focus on these in unit 2, which will then form our coursework.

eBay

I visited eBay to find out a little more about this popular and extremely successful trading website. Here's what i found:

Major Purposes - to host trading transactions (locally/nationally and internationally) between public consumers all over the world. This involves the buying and selling of various goods other consumers may desire.

Target Audience - Anybody above 18 years old. Although products of all ages/genders/income are available to satisfy a large variety of markets.

How it works - All users have a registration which allows them to auction their own items or purchases others. Auctioning is usually carried out within a specific time frame, such as two days, and bids are made by other users on the price they are willing to pay (there is often a starting bid). The product will go to the highest bidder who will in turn be shipped the product to his/her destination. The buyer will have to cover the shipping costs, which may vary depending on the respective locations. These costs are transferred online, specified buy the seller e.g. through credit cards or checks.

This is the basic process and it quite trustworthy due to a pointing system where positive/negative comments can be made on purchases and therefore the service and reliability of sellers can be reviewed.

Benefits - A clear and simple buying/selling service with a huge network of members featuring a large selection of goods that will appeal to all markets of buyers. It holds a good navigation system with a search facility, favorites, viewed items and facilities like help/forums/reviews/charts etc. Being so established it is also very safe and trustworthy with detailed seller profiles and a positive feedback rating system.

Limitations - Some of the products lack detail and technical accuracy. There is also language limitations as while English is primarily used (being an American site) some products descriptions are in others and no translator is available. This could lead to communication errors.

Overall a very good site/e-business considering the amount of data necessary and complexity of the processes that must accurately be constantly carried out 24/7 in order to carer for its millions of worldwide users. This is what has made it such a successful shopping model.

Online Services

Basically here are some of the main services you can get online, which can be classified into separate groups. Note that within each service many variations will still exist (eg. Hotmail, Yahoo and G-mail are all email services. This is a clear representation of the broad masses of information available to Internet users today. Enjoy...

Communication - e-mail, instant messaging, web cam, social networking, newspapers, online conferencing, blogs, discussion boards, help desks.

Real-time information - timetables, news services, traffic reports, weather beuros (public information systems), maps/satellite.

Commerce - online shopping, banking, auctions, advertising, booking services.

Government - online tax services, e-voting, applications for services/grants, public information (laws/locations), revenue collection, discussion board.

Education - Virtual learning environments, online training, course information/past papers, currency/file/language converters, e-books.

Business - videoconferencing, collaborative working, business networks, e-commerce.

Entertainment - multi-user games, radio players, video/music sharing, instant chat.

Download services - music, video, files, photos upgrades, software.

E-books - What they should all have.

Lately we have been researching e-books on the Internet in preparation for our unit 1 coursework (where we will need to create our own). I will not post all my specific findings here in detail, yet here are some of the main strengths I found in the various e-books. Note that when I create my own I will aim to emphasize and include all these strengths and minimise any weaknesses.

Strengths - What the ideal E-book will have....

1. Use of color to add to interest
2. All the necessary links clearly available (e.g. home, back, help)
3. Small scroll bar or full page view (saves constant scrolling)
4. Organised paragraphs
5. Pictures for clarity and interest
6. Fast downloading time
7. Ability to be viewed on all software/hardware
8. Use of different and varied media when appropriate (e.g. animation, photos, audio files)
9. Should have the option of printing, email, downloading and copying.
10. Format settings (e.g. language selection, font size, zoom)

13th ICT lesson....

Well, 3 weeks into the first term of school and out of my 4 A-levels I have had 13 Applied ICT lessons so far. First impressions?....well the outline of the course looks interesting. We will create an e-book for unit 1, a online database for unit 2 and have a 12 hour exam for unit 3.

However, so far creating this blog has been the most interesting element. Unit 2 is like a really boring year 10 Business Studies lesson and involves nothing I don't already know. Unit 1 with Mrs. Shikora is similarly tedious as we analyse e-books in preparation to make our own. Now I don't mind preparing a bit, but it really needs to get more interesting pretty fast before all my interest fades.

I have always liked making and creating things in ICT, so I'm eager to start. We are doing Applied ICT right?.....so lets start applying! I am sure I speak on behalf of the class when I say "No more theory". Please Edexcel send out the coursework!