References:
- Gergi, R 2010, Document design and graphics in technical writing, viewed 15 June 2010, <http://ezinearticles.com/?Document-Design-and-Graphics-in-Technical-Writing&id=3569947>
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Reflection of the course 'Issues in Publication and Design'
After enrolling in the course of 'Issues in Publication and Design', I realized that every media issues in our society require a lot of design theories to meet our society's needs. As a document designer, I found out that designer must design his product wisely based on the theories that I have learned from this course. He must produce something interesting or meaningful in order to deliver the main message efficiently. 'Document design is the act of writing and designing along with the skillful selection, structuring and emphasis of content with the reader's needs in focus' (Gergi 2010). Readers are the final consumers of a designer's work, and designer must do his best to please his final consumers. What I learned from this course can assists me in my profession as a publications designer. Besides that, I also learned how to become a good blogger from this course. In my perspective, to become a successful blogger, a blogger must design his blog post based on the design theories to attract more people visit his blog. It's not only can raise the blogger's popularity, at the same time the blogger are able to share his ideas more effective to every of his blog visitor and thus he can achieve his aim.
References:
References:
Blogger held over Insulting Posting
The article 'Blogger held over insulting posting' that written by Jassmine Shadiqe is reporting about a blogger named Aduka Taruna was arrested by the local police due to purposely posting insulting blog post in his blog. His post is about the death of the late Johor sultan with plenty of insulting words that cause his blog visitors feel uncomfortable. He received up to thousands of comments that complaining about his action. Furthermore he was being warned by the other people and somebody made a police report to against him.
Everything is Too Late
After he realized that his blog post could bring him into troubles, he decided to delete the blog post and made a public apology about what he did in his blog. His action was obviously against the principle of Malaysia laws and 1Malaysia but also humiliate the image of the country. The blogger at last decided to become low profile and hide in Kota Baru to avoid more troubles come to him. In my opinion, I agree that the blogger's action is unintelligent and unnecessary. Publicize the personal opinion which contains insulting meaning to certain people or issue should not be practice by everyone especially on internet. Internet is a highly reachable communication tools and everybody should clear about that.
Back to the case of Wee Meng Chee
3 years ago, a creative singer known as Wee Meng Chee, had did the similar thing before and he was also being warned by Malaysia government. His song 'Negarakuku' had been suspected that contained the insulting comment about races and government. I personally think that no people should publicize own comments on something which is sensitive. Insulting people is considered as an unwise action and people should clear about the consequences of it. Instead of in public, people can discuss about certain sensitive issues privately to prevent facing the troubles which could make someone regret in his entire life.
According to Malaysiakini.com (2007), Wee Meng Chee was being investigated by police due to announcing the music video which suspected as giving bad comments about race and religion issues in Malaysia. He was nearly being expelled by the country because of ruining country image (2007).
Not only in Malaysia
In the other cases, an Iranian blogger had been arrested due to insulting his country's leader and jailed for nearly 6 weeks (Naughton 2009). Two cases above show that people should not publicize their own bad comment and think wisely before doing something unintelligent or else will get into the serious troubles.
References:
- Malaysiakini.com 2007, Special report: the negarakuku saga, Hot Topics, viewed 13 June 2010, <http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/71511>
- Naughton, P 2009, Iranian blogger who insulted leader 'dies in jail', The Sunday Times, Times Newspapers Ltd, viewed 13 June 2010, <http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5938146.ece>
iPad - A Good Deal or Waste of Money?
Test Drive iPad
iPad is a new product that produced by Apple Inc. It is a technology device which allow user to surf internet, play games, read e-book, watching video and listening music anytime anywhere. Glaser's son, Julian is an iPhone lover and he was given a chance to test the iPad. He and his son downloaded lot of games, applications and books into the iPad and Glaser summarize out the good features and weakness of an iPad. They test the iPad based on the design, interface, games, news apps and browsing, books, screen and pricing. They stated out their own opinion about the iPad based on these six factors while testing the iPad. Although iPad does have some weakness for example no camera, USB port, Flash support, no memory slot and battery cannot be change, but at the end Julian still like to use iPad.
Julian is playing Labyrinth with his dad's iPad (Source: PBS.org)
Not Worth at All?
In my opinion, I think that iPad overall is a good product from Apple Inc, as it can makes people life more convenient and fun, but iPad still have its feeble. For the pricing, iPad obviously is cheaper than an ordinary laptop, but it is prove to be too expensive as a device to read book, play games, and surf internet as a net book can do it as well. Moreover, buying an iPad is more expensive than buying a net book. Some people might think that there is no reason to buy an iPad as it is just a bigger version of iPhone and both devices can do the same works.
What?! No Flash Support?
iPad does not have Flash support, which is an important element in internet especially the web 2.0 content. It is pointless to buy an internet surfing device but without the Flash support. I personally using an iPhone and I can understand the inconvenience of surfing internet without Flash support.
iPad doesn't support Flash!! (Source: Theonbutton.com)
According to the Adobe's group manager of Flash Platform product marketing, Adrian Ludwig (2010), he indicated that it is difficult to surf the heavy Flash contents website for example Disney.com by using iPad, and it could be very frustrating. iPad is a good deal if people use it as an e-book, but it might be difficult to treat it as a computer because of the lack of Flash support (Ha 2010).
References:
iPad is a new product that produced by Apple Inc. It is a technology device which allow user to surf internet, play games, read e-book, watching video and listening music anytime anywhere. Glaser's son, Julian is an iPhone lover and he was given a chance to test the iPad. He and his son downloaded lot of games, applications and books into the iPad and Glaser summarize out the good features and weakness of an iPad. They test the iPad based on the design, interface, games, news apps and browsing, books, screen and pricing. They stated out their own opinion about the iPad based on these six factors while testing the iPad. Although iPad does have some weakness for example no camera, USB port, Flash support, no memory slot and battery cannot be change, but at the end Julian still like to use iPad.
Not Worth at All?
In my opinion, I think that iPad overall is a good product from Apple Inc, as it can makes people life more convenient and fun, but iPad still have its feeble. For the pricing, iPad obviously is cheaper than an ordinary laptop, but it is prove to be too expensive as a device to read book, play games, and surf internet as a net book can do it as well. Moreover, buying an iPad is more expensive than buying a net book. Some people might think that there is no reason to buy an iPad as it is just a bigger version of iPhone and both devices can do the same works.
What?! No Flash Support?
iPad does not have Flash support, which is an important element in internet especially the web 2.0 content. It is pointless to buy an internet surfing device but without the Flash support. I personally using an iPhone and I can understand the inconvenience of surfing internet without Flash support.
According to the Adobe's group manager of Flash Platform product marketing, Adrian Ludwig (2010), he indicated that it is difficult to surf the heavy Flash contents website for example Disney.com by using iPad, and it could be very frustrating. iPad is a good deal if people use it as an e-book, but it might be difficult to treat it as a computer because of the lack of Flash support (Ha 2010).
References:
- Ha, A 2010, No flash on apple's ipad, Socialbeat, Venture Beat, viewed 14 June 2010, <http://social.venturebeat.com/2010/01/27/no-flash-apple-ipad/>
- Ludwig, A, Apple's ipad - a broken link?, Adobe Flash Platform Blog, Adobe Systems Incorporated, viewed 14 June 2010, <http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplatform/2010/01/apples_ipad_--_a_broken_link.html>
Emoticons and Email Etiquette
Email is a kind of communication tool that cannot be lack in people's life. Every people in the world have to communicate with each other and email takes a very important role in it. Without email, human's life will become less convenient and less efficiency. A lot of important information and message can be clearly write down and send to the receiver through email. Most of the people nowadays do have their own email account and they know how to use it.
Emoticons (Source: Bestfreeicons.com)
Misuse of Email
However, sometimes email could bring unnecessary problems if the sender does not write the email in a proper way. A serious email can become a joke if sender does not state his emotional clearly in his email. Thus, Professor Fahlman invented emoticons in order to solve this problem. Besides that, the other common mistake was some of the people usually did not state their information completely in a single email and it could waste each other's time. Moreover, email sender should differentiate the formal and informal situation wisely. Problem often comes due to the lack of judgment in determine the nature of an email.
Yahoo! Mail Interface (Source: Yahoo.com)
Email is still benefits to us
In my opinion, email does a great job in the role of communication, as everyone needs it. 'Combining the chattiness of the phone with the contemplative nature of old-fashioned letter writing, email is probably the most useful and far-reaching tool the net has to offer' (Mandeville 2005). I agree that the use of emoticon can make the things better and avoid those annoying problems, but people must clearly know when they can or cannot use the emoticons. A formal email should avoid using emoticon in order to create a serious mood. Emoticon can result a better relationship between sender and receiver because it can create a good atmosphere and reduce the awkward situation. 'Acronyms and emoticons have become the hieroglyphics of a hurried generation. They're informal, often clever, and they save time' (Martin 2002).
References:
Misuse of Email
However, sometimes email could bring unnecessary problems if the sender does not write the email in a proper way. A serious email can become a joke if sender does not state his emotional clearly in his email. Thus, Professor Fahlman invented emoticons in order to solve this problem. Besides that, the other common mistake was some of the people usually did not state their information completely in a single email and it could waste each other's time. Moreover, email sender should differentiate the formal and informal situation wisely. Problem often comes due to the lack of judgment in determine the nature of an email.
Email is still benefits to us
In my opinion, email does a great job in the role of communication, as everyone needs it. 'Combining the chattiness of the phone with the contemplative nature of old-fashioned letter writing, email is probably the most useful and far-reaching tool the net has to offer' (Mandeville 2005). I agree that the use of emoticon can make the things better and avoid those annoying problems, but people must clearly know when they can or cannot use the emoticons. A formal email should avoid using emoticon in order to create a serious mood. Emoticon can result a better relationship between sender and receiver because it can create a good atmosphere and reduce the awkward situation. 'Acronyms and emoticons have become the hieroglyphics of a hurried generation. They're informal, often clever, and they save time' (Martin 2002).
References:
- Mandeville, A 2005, Email - an introduction, The Internet, BBC, viewed 15 June 2010, <http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A3764621>
- Martin, JA 2002, A guide to internet lingo and emoticons, Sci-Tech, Cable News Network LP, viewed 15 June 2010, <http://archives.cnn.com/2002/TECH/internet/04/02/emoticon.guide.idg/index.html>
E-book popularity on RISE
Nowadays, e-book seems to be more favorable to the reader worldwide because of its convenience, pricing, and functionality. Amazon's Kindler Book did a great job in selling e-book to the public since it was launched, but Apple iPad might take over its place and become the world most successful e-book that developed by Apple Inc. Publishers at first are strongly unhappy with the rise of the e-book as e-book might terminate their business, but soon they realized that they have to compromise with the e-book producer. If they don't do so, soon their business will comes into the end, as the worldwide reader are gradually goes into the era of the e-book, just like the music and movie industry.
Benefits of E-Book
With an iPad, user can just simply choose the book they want to buy, pay online, and then the book will automatically download to their iPad. Moreover, the price of a digital book is cheaper than an ordinary printed book. With these benefits readers will rather choose to buy an e-book instead of the ordinary book. E-book can even borrow from the library which is open 24/7 and the book that had borrowed will automatically disappear once the duration time is up. Few months later, this kind of new reading style is ready to hit the market and offer more features to every reader.
Apple iPad (Source: Apple.com)
E-Book is good for us
In my opinion, I optimistically view about the rise of the e-book as it really brings benefits to the society. E-book is not only a reading device, user can use it to surf internet, play games, watch movie, listen music, view photos, shopping and etc. Although an e-book device is expensive, but the digital book that sell online will be much cheaper compares to an ordinary book. In addition, if the readers buy a lot of digital book online, soon they can reach the break-even point, means that it is still worth it at last. We must agree that e-book nowadays is slowly implanted in our society.
Amazon's Kindler (Source: Techfodder)
'Developments in technology and the internet have changed the nature of digital content and its accessibility and have opened up new opportunities for the publishing industry' (Vasileiou, Hartley & Rowley 2008). Industry of e-book provides a huge business opportunity which attracted the companies worldwide willing to invest in this field. According to BBC News (2009), 'Sony is taking steps to open up its e-book Reader and online e-book store'.
References:
Benefits of E-Book
With an iPad, user can just simply choose the book they want to buy, pay online, and then the book will automatically download to their iPad. Moreover, the price of a digital book is cheaper than an ordinary printed book. With these benefits readers will rather choose to buy an e-book instead of the ordinary book. E-book can even borrow from the library which is open 24/7 and the book that had borrowed will automatically disappear once the duration time is up. Few months later, this kind of new reading style is ready to hit the market and offer more features to every reader.
E-Book is good for us
In my opinion, I optimistically view about the rise of the e-book as it really brings benefits to the society. E-book is not only a reading device, user can use it to surf internet, play games, watch movie, listen music, view photos, shopping and etc. Although an e-book device is expensive, but the digital book that sell online will be much cheaper compares to an ordinary book. In addition, if the readers buy a lot of digital book online, soon they can reach the break-even point, means that it is still worth it at last. We must agree that e-book nowadays is slowly implanted in our society.
Amazon's Kindler (Source: Techfodder)
'Developments in technology and the internet have changed the nature of digital content and its accessibility and have opened up new opportunities for the publishing industry' (Vasileiou, Hartley & Rowley 2008). Industry of e-book provides a huge business opportunity which attracted the companies worldwide willing to invest in this field. According to BBC News (2009), 'Sony is taking steps to open up its e-book Reader and online e-book store'.
References:
- BBC News 2009, Sony to back open e-book format, Technology, BBC, viewed 15 June 2010, <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8201093.stm>
- Vasileiou, M, Hartley, R & Rowley, J 2008, 'Progressing the definition of "e-book"', Library hi Tech, Vol. 26 no. 3.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Good Design for Screen Genre
A well-designed document always gets more points compare to the bad designed document. Most of the time reader prefer read a good design document because they can catch the messages or information of the document easily and effectively. In Reep (2006) article entitled "Chapter 6: Document design", she indicates that every document designers must design their document based on the four design principle, which is balance, proportion, sequence and consistency in order to produce a good document.
Slide 1:
Balance principle was applied in the slide above because of the visual "weight" concept. As we can see that author trying to apply a lot of color in this slide to "heavier" the "weight" of the main point. Reep (2006) said that color could catch reader's attention before the black and white. That is why the main point in this slide was colored by purple, yellow, sky blue and pink red.
Slide 2:
Author refers to another principle in the slide above, which is proportion. Proportion is about the arrangement of the size and placement of the contents in a document. Author emphasize the title "Ideal and Real" by enlarge the font size so that reader can get to know what is the slide about.
Slide 3:
The slide above clearly shows the texts without being overlap by the background color because author considered the usability of color. White texts and dark background can produce a high contrast. Author trying to avoid using too much color on the slide to prevent confusing and distracting reader.
Document designers must carefully design their document because nobody likes to read a bad designed document. Principle of design must always take consider in it so that reader can always enjoy reading a good document without being confused.
Reference List
- Reep, Diana C. 2006, ‘Chapter 6: Document design,’ in Technical writing, 6th ed., Pearson Edu, Inc., New York.
New forms of Media Publishing
Online-based media publishing is getting more popular nowadays because of its efficiency and convenient. These new forms of media are commonly used by everyone to deliver the information and people should not avoid using it. The speed of delivering information to the communities by using online-based media publisher is even faster than satellite television. One of the various kinds of new form media publishing is Youtube. According to Mahalo.com (2010), Youtube is a portal that people can share their video to everyone online. Viewer just have to sign up a Youtube account for free and then they can upload the videos, leaving comments and to view offensive videos.
Few days ago, the president of Polish was dead in plane crash in Western Russia with his wife. Few hours later, Russia Today immediately upload the video that reporting about the dead of Polish president. So far, there is around 800,299 people view this video since the accident happened. Not only that, hundreds of comments about that video happened too. It means that the information had passed to over 800,000 Youtube communities in no more than 10 days.
Youtube:
Besides that, people can watch many kinds of video in Youtube except pornography. The power of Youtube is much more powerful than people thought. Commentors in Youtube community act as a very important role because their comments could affect the one who involved in the video as well as the author.
Old form of media publishing is still important, but people cannot ignore the trend of new form media publishing. New form media publishing can bring a great impact to the public. Media people must use this form of media publishing wisely so that it can bring benefits to the community.
Reference List
- Mahalo.com 2010, Youtube, viewed 17th April 2010, <http://www.mahalo.com/youtube>
Blogging Communities
Blog is getting more popular among the community, and thus blogging community formed due to the up rise of blogging. Blogging community is take shape by a group of bloggers who share the same ideas or interest and they often interact with each other who involving in a discussion. They consider as a very active online community and they can bring a big influence on certain issues like political issue. Nikkis (2008) indicates that to be a successful and high reputation blogger, blogging community is the main factor and this is not showing off.
According to NikkiS (2008), there are seven important steps to create a blogging community effectively. Firstly, blogger must often read other blogger's blog to look for inspiration and to figure out what is your interest. Next is always comments on others blog so that people will get to know who you are. Third step is to reply people's comment so that they will not feel being ignored and fourth step is to list the blog in directories. Moreover, blogger must often add new entries so that viewer will keep attention on the blog. Sixth step is to decorate the blog so that it will look more interesting and attractive. The last step is to promote or to market the blog to make the blog being more popularity.
White (2006) mentioned that blogging community is classifying into three categories, which is:
One blog centric community is about reader not only get to know the blogger but also the community who comments blogger's post. The power of this community was sternly controlled by central blogger.
In topic centric community, blogger will only concentrate on posting the entries based on a particular party or issues. Position is not important to them and communities can find more interests that are specific.
Boundaried community is a space where people can enjoy not only the blog but also discussion board, social networking, instant messenger, search engine and many other features. Owner can set and impose rules on the community.
Samples of Topic centric community:
The blog above is about introducing good food and travel guide in Malaysia. This blog consider as topic centric community because the topic is fixed and the community around this blog is mostly discuss about the food and travel guide but no others. Blogging community can share their common interest and ideas in this blog but only restricted to food and travel guide topic.
Reference List:
- NikkiS 2008, How to build a blogging community, viewed 17th April 2010, <http://www.ehow.com/how_2152382_build-blogging-community.html>
- White, N 2006, Blogs and community: launching a new paradigm for online community?, viewed 17th April 2010, <http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au/tkt2006/edition-11-editorial/blogs-and-community-%E2%80%93-launching-a-new-paradigm-for-online-community>
Classification of Blogs
Blog is a broad range of medium that often used by online community to discuss certain topics and it is very effective and efficient among the community. Blog can classify into many kinds of subject matter and each subject matter talking about different topic with each other. According to the chart of Technorati (2009), there are many kinds of topics in weblog for example celebrity, gaming, finance, parenting, sports, economics, green issues etc and different kinds of bloggers have their own favorite topics.
From the chart above, hobbyist bloggers will be more interest in talking about their personal musings. Business topic is more common written or view by self-employed bloggers. Part-timers will pay more attention on health topic and finance is the favorite topic by corporate blogger and so on.
Nowadays, there is various type of blog in the internet and different types of blog have its unique way to deliver the message to the viewer. Device type blog for example Moblog is a form of blogging that bloggers use their mobile device to post their blog entries anytime anywhere. Media type blog like vlog, linklog, sketchlog, tumblelogs, splog can deliver the messages in audio, video, pictures and sketches which is more efficient and attractive than word-based blog entries.
Sample pictures of Vlog:
Simons (2008) indicates that people should not simply post any their personal lives, their family pictures and anything personal on blog because there are alternative ways to do so and many companies used blog as a medium to promote their product and it cause blog is not like a blog anymore. I personally do not agree Simons's perspective because people is allowed to freely create their own blog to do anything they want and the function of blog is not restricted by anyone.
Reference List
From the chart above, hobbyist bloggers will be more interest in talking about their personal musings. Business topic is more common written or view by self-employed bloggers. Part-timers will pay more attention on health topic and finance is the favorite topic by corporate blogger and so on.
Nowadays, there is various type of blog in the internet and different types of blog have its unique way to deliver the message to the viewer. Device type blog for example Moblog is a form of blogging that bloggers use their mobile device to post their blog entries anytime anywhere. Media type blog like vlog, linklog, sketchlog, tumblelogs, splog can deliver the messages in audio, video, pictures and sketches which is more efficient and attractive than word-based blog entries.
Sample pictures of Vlog:
Simons (2008) indicates that people should not simply post any their personal lives, their family pictures and anything personal on blog because there are alternative ways to do so and many companies used blog as a medium to promote their product and it cause blog is not like a blog anymore. I personally do not agree Simons's perspective because people is allowed to freely create their own blog to do anything they want and the function of blog is not restricted by anyone.
Reference List
- Simmons, M. (2008), "A taxamony of blogs", ABC Transcript, viewed 16th April 2010, <http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2008/2372882.htm#transcript>
- Technorita 2009, Day 2: the what and why of blogging, Technorati State of the blogosphere 2009, viewed 16th April 2010, <http://static.technorati.com/09/10/19/231/topics-blog-about-606x397.png>
Blogging Phenomenon & Benefits
Blog is a kind of medium that used by online communities to share or to publicize their ideas, opinions, thoughts, minds, articles etc. Most of the blog is base on journal style and it is quite easy to get started. "A blog is a personal online journal that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption." (TechTarget, 2009). Blogger can upload his journal every day. At the same time, he also can post some pictures, music or videos to make his blog looks more attractive to boost his popularity. According to Technorati (2009), people who create their blog as a hobby occupied 72% of 2,828 bloggers, 15% as part-timers, 4% as corporate and 9% as self-employeds. There are many talent bloggers in Malaysia so weblog is also popular in Malaysia.
United State of America does have the greatest number of blogger in their country. The pie chart below indicates that US occupied 48% of the worldwide number of blogger:
There are many benefits of prevalent blogs to the Malaysia community. People can shop without going out because blog shop is popular in this country. Besides that, blogger can voice out their dissatisfactions, complains, or spread the awareness through weblog because weblog is a highly reachable medium in our country. Political and country issues are often discuss in blog by leaving comments in the blog post.
Reference List
- Technorati 2009, State of the blogosphere 2009 introduction, Technorati state of the blogosphere, viewed 15th April 2010, <http://technorati.com/blogging/article/state-of-the-blogosphere-2009-introduction>
- Technorati 2009, Day 1: Who are the bloggers?, Technorati State of the blogosphere, viewed 15th April 2010, <http://static.technorati.com/09/10/16/135/bloggers-worldwide-606x157.png>
- TechTarget 2009, Blog, viewed 15th April 2010, <http://searchwindevelopment.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid8_gci214616,00.html>
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Purpose of my blog
The purpose of my blog is to discuss about the matters and cases that related to the area of the publication and design. The target audiences of this blog will be my friends around me especially my course mates and lecturers. In this blog, I will magnified the influence of internet media (eg. blogging, online newspaper) to the field of communication and media so that people will understand the importance of it to our society. Audiences are free to comment every single blog post.
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