Sunday, September 19, 2010

Web Research

Use the Internet-based Web Research exercises to broaden your understanding of the concepts presented in this chapter. To discuss any of the Web Research exercises in this chapter with other students, post your thoughts or questions at scsrte.com/dc2009/ch2/forum.
Scavenger Hunt
Use one of the search engines listed in Figure 2-10 in Chapter 2 on page 78 or your own favorite search engine to find the answers to the following questions. Copy and paste the Web address from the Web page where you found the answer. Some questions may have more than one answer. If required, submit your answers to your instructor. (1) The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) sets Internet standards. What is the purpose of the W3Cs Markup Validation Service? (2) What cable company was established in 1858 to carry instantaneous communications across the ocean that eventually would be used for Internet communications? (3) What was eBay's original name, and what was the first item offered for auction? (4) How many Web pages is Google currently searching?
Search Sleuth   
The Internet has provided the opportunity to access encyclopedias online. One of the more comprehensive encyclopedia research sites is Encyclopedia.com. Visit this Web site and then use your word processing program to answer the following questions. Then, if required, submit your answers to your instructor. (1) What is Today's Featured Topic on the site's home page? (2) Click the letter, B, in the Browse by alphabet section and then click the Bio-Bon link. Scroll down to the first blog entry and then click this link. What is the definition of a blog? What are the titles of three related articles? (3) Type "MP3 " as the keyword in the Search text box and then press the enter key or click the Research button. How many articles discussing MP3 are found on the Encyclopedia.com Web site? (4) Type "netiquette" as the keyword in the Search text box and then press the enter key or click the Research button. Click one of the personal computer links, review the material, and, if required, submit to your instructor a 50-word summary of the information you read.



Social Networking  
MySpace is considered one of the pioneering Web sites that helped popularize the online social networking phenomenon. Calling itself "a place for friends," it allows the more than 100 million registered mem­bers to create profiles for free and then invite friends to join their networks. The growth of this Web site has helped it emerge as one of the more popular search engines. Visit the MySpace site (myspace.com), type the name of your favorite musical artist or group in the Search text box, and then click the Search button. How many search results were found? Visit some of these profiles. Then click the Music link above the Search text box and search for another artist or group. Summarize the reviews you read and videos you watched.
Blogs
Many of the best blogs in the blogosphere have received awards for their content and design. For example, loyal blogging fans nominate and vote for their favorite blogs by visiting the Blogger's Choice Awards Web site (bloggerschoiceawards.com). Visit this Web site, click the Best Blog Design, Best Blog About Blogging, and Best Education Blog links, and view some of the blogs receiving the largest number of votes. Then visit other award sites, including the Interactive Media Awards (interactivemediaawards.com), Bloggies (bloggies.com), Best of Blog$ (thebestofblogs.com), and Weblog Awards (weblogawards.org). What blogs, if any, received multiple awards on the different Web sites? Who casts the votes? What criteria are used to judge these blogs?

Ethics In Action   

Some Web cams display their output on a Web page. The feasibility of installing Web cams in 47,000 locations susceptible to terrorist threats, such as nuclear and chemical plants, national airports, and gas stor-age facilities, is being explored. Citizens would monitor the cameras and report suspicious activity. Critics of this proposal state that the constant surveillance is an invasion of privacy. Visit the USHomeGuard Web site (ushomeguard.org) and then write a summary of the citizen corps' roles in this proj¬ect. Then locate other Web sites that oppose this plan and summarize their views. If required, submit your summary to your instructor.



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