"Weblog Ethics" response

Before I took this class, I did not realize the impact which blogs had on society. I originally thought that blogs were journals where people share opinions, but people actually post news on their blogs. "Weblog Ethics" (http://www.rebeccablood.net/handbook/excerpts/weblog_ethics.html) tells us that blogs must be factual. I do not believe that blogs should all be factual. Everybody has opinions. News has a responsibility to give us more facts then opinions, but like the article said, blogs are not censored. Not all of these “ethics” apply. Though we must correct any wrong information and note sources that may not be correct, we must also know that blogs are more then just informing the world what is going on worldwide. It is also sharing our own personal feelings, beliefs, and experiences.

"Google Print" response

“The Association of American Publishers, which includes firms such as Penguin, has filed a suit in New York claiming Google will infringe their copyrights.” This was the opening line in the article Google is sued by book publishers (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4358768.stm). Copyright infringements on the Internet have been debated for a long time. Music, movies, and videogames are bootlegged and downloaded illegally throughout the Web. I understand the reasons why people are upset with illegal downloading. I also understand, as a potential author, why “Google Print” is such a big deal. To now be able to find books and gather information without paying for the book or getting the author’s permission should be made illegal. If the authors give permission to publish the book on Google, then there might not be a problem.

"Database Fights Diploma Mills" response

It is hard to determine what is real on the Internet. Thank goodness the U.S. Department of Education has launched their searchable database in order to help determine fact from fiction. In “Database Fights Diploma Mills” (http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,66476,00.html), Ryan Singel explains that the Department of Education has developed this database to help determine what schools are actually giving out false degrees. Online schools have grown in popularity due to its easy access. But if people are taking online classes from quacks, not only are our times being wasted, but we could even get in trouble for fraud. I found it interesting in the article “No Third Degree for Diploma Mills” (http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,62689,00.html), that Senator Susan Collins was scammed by a diploma mill. The article, also written by Ryan Singel, was written in March of 2004. This article gave a better understanding on why Collins was largely involved in the construction of the database.

Search Engines

From my experience, I really did not think that searching the Internet was not all that successful, as if it had some holes in it. It is hard and time consuming to use search engines to find a lot of specific research. Survey: Searchers are Confident, Satisfied & Clueless (http://searchenginewatch.com/searchday/article.php/3462911) states that the majority of the population in the United States not only uses search engines, but are confident in their use of search engines. I do not agree that so many people have such an easy time. Deborah Fallows, says that this majority, however “are doing simple searches” which makes the results in Pew Internet & American Life project survey understandable. I agree with what Fallows says, and I also agree with what she said about critical thinking resulting from constant use of search engines.

I Found Myself Online,
And It Was Hard Doing It

I had a difficult time finding myself on the Internet. There is very little information about myself. On Yahoo, I found a disabled Webpage of all of the graduates of my high school, which had my name in it, as well as the people who graduated in line before and after me. I used my first middle and last name for the search expression “Tyler Francis Robinson” to find the Webpage. GHS Graduates (http://yorkcountyschools.org/graduates/GHS/ghs.html) said that the Website was either removed, changed, or temporarily unavailable. Other then that, Yahoo provided nothing.
I received better luck at Google. Using “Tyler Robinson” AND UMW, I found myself on the CPSC 104 Webpage (http://people.umw.edu/ernie/cpsc104). I also found my portfolio using the UMW webpage with the URL http://www.umw.edu/people_search/default.php.

Dealing With Content Issues

Content Issues on pages 74-76 in the text discusses freedom of speech on the Internet, primarily with offensive or pornographic material. I have always believed America’s right to the Freedom of Speech. However, some speech is not what we want to hear, and some material is not what we want to view. I do not believe pornographic material should be banned from the Internet, however, I do not believe that little children should have access to such material. But I’m not the parent’s child. I believe it is the responsibility of the parents to keep track of what their children are viewing online. I think filters similar to V-chips on the television, with passwords and the ability to turn it on and off is helpful to maintain restrictions, and to help prevent “accidents” but it is the parents who should do it, not the government.

In "Critical Thinking in the Internet Era" there is a line that says, "many students have difficulty recognizing trustworthy sources, though perhaps the underlying problem is a lack of understanding of the Internet as an unmonitored source of information." I wouldn't doubt that. It's true, people do lie on the Internet. You cannot really know if people are giving you trustworthy information or not. The net is so widespread and free that everything and anything goes. Now I'm not saying that everything on the Net is a lie. Of course students will find false information, but there are still honest people who do tell the truth and give information that is still good and beneficial. People just need to learn the difference. Find several different sites that agree with the source you are using. It may take more time then you prefer, but in the end it will be worth it.

This Wednesday marks the two weeks I've been away from home. I'm glad I'm finally away, free to be on my own, but honest to God, I still miss my friends. My parents know I miss them. I've talked to them a lot these past couple of weeks. But not so much with my other friends. I miss the good times of just hanging out. Concerts and movies were always great. My friends on Cross Country and Track were always great to talk to and laugh with (or at). The people in my Scout troop were very supportive, helping me with Eagle. That was awesome. My friends at work, at the Langley Commissary, even though it wasn't the best job in the world, I always had fun talking. I'll always remember each group I hung out with, each person who were my friends. If I start naming them, I'll probably run out of room on here. But anyways, you guys are great, and I'll miss each and everyone of you.

See you guys in October.

TyRo

So it's finally come. The first year on my own. Freshmen welcome to college. I am a freshman myself, new to my surroundings and this culture of living on my own. UMW. Wow! I never really thought I was going to go here, but I guess in the end, it's going to be the best choice.

Still getting used to the whole college experienced, I'm kindof glad I'm not alone in this. Orientation week wasn't just for showing us around and telling us how things worked. It was also to get the kids...sorry, we're adults now, young adults. And the reason was to let us get used to our new environment as young adults, as well as meet new people from different parts of the US and the world.

Upper classmen volunteered their time to show us around campus and to discuss with us the life that goes on here. Stations were established each day to provide us with information on various services and activities that go on during the year. On the second day, Play Fair was set up. In the morning, everyone gathered at Ball Circle to partake in fun (yet rather corny) games and events while meeting each other at the same time.

There were many entertaining activities in the evenings. One of which was the hilarious comedian Eric O'Shea, who performed his stand-up Friday night at George Washington Hall.

Books were bought, and the other students came, and soon Mary Washington became even livlier. With classes starting on Monday, there was one final thing the students had to do: the Honor Convocation. In this semi-formal ceremony, the freshmen and transfer students took the Honor Vow, thus ending orientation week, and making us official students to the University.