Reflection 4

Today i used the invisible web database at http://spark.tp.edu.sg/.

However, i did not use the one at http://library.books24x7.com/ as it does not have the information about my topic(the effects of eating disorders on teenagers) yet.

I think it is more effective to search the invisible web (databases) than using search engines, meta-search or subject directories, since it is a collection of information updated by professionals or non-profit organisations, their information is really accurate and specialised, as it is actual information, not tampered to become propaganda. it is also up-to-date and reliable as it is maintained by trustworthy organisations or governments. Also, the information here would be very unique, as it is not stored inside any other search databases in the web, like meta search engines.

I think I will use the invisible web (databases) for research in my Diploma, which is Game and Entertainment Technology (GET). This is because for my Diploma, it is very specialised in programming, using the programming languages JAVA and C++. I would not be able to get my information from normal means like search engines or meta search engines or subject directories, as programming is really specialised, and also, the invisible web is also written and reviewed by professionals in their respective specialties. Thus, the information would be very detailed, up-to-date and also very trustworthy.

However, one disadvantage about the invisible web is that the information is limited, since it is manually uploaded and written by a small pool of professionals. Some topics may not be available yet as the web administrators are busy with other articles.

I have also learnt something from my wiki experience. By wiki-ing, we can share information and resources with other people who are or will be doing the same topic as me, which is the effects of eating disorders on teenagers. This means that by adding more and more information on the wiki, there would be more knowledge gained when other people want to learn more on the subject, as for example, if an article contain only partial information, and another article contains the other part of the information, the 'gaps' would be 'filled', and thus the information would be complete.

Reflection 3

I think there are many benefits when using different search facilities to search for resources related to my topic. For example, certain search facilities may not have all the indexes of the web pages, therefore it is important to go through a few search facilities to find all the best and most related results. I think that the meta search is the best kind of search engine as it covers all the different search facilities. this means that it takes all the best links from the different search facilities, whereas if we were to go to a single search facility like Google, there would only be a few good links. I think that meta search directories are a quick and easy way to search multiple search engines simultaneously to get the top results indexed in each search engine. Subject directories are also really useful as for example, you are not sure exactly what the topic is, and you can use the hierarchical style, from A-Z indexes or subject categorized i.e. automobiles, animals, computers, etc.

I feel that using site feeds in the blog creates accessibility. for example, if i wanted to visit yan zhangs blog, i can just click the link on my blog page, and i would be directed immediately, without having to type the web address into the address bar.

I think the best think about collaborating on wiki with other students working on the same topic is an excellent idea as sharing information is vital in our growing society today. If we share with each other, we would fill in the gaps in each other's information, thus making the final work complete, and everything would link up nicely. This means that whoever reads the wiki would learn better from our combined efforts.

Reflection 2

We learnt the search engine more intricately. The main thing was Boolean Operators, which are 'AND', 'OR' and 'AND NOT'. We broke down our main topic, mine was Discuss the effect of eating disorders on teenagers, into keywords, and also put in keyword variations. So i broke mine up into Keywords: Effects, Eating, Disorder and Teenagers. Keyword variations: Impacts, Consuming and Teens.

My end result was:

(Impact* OR effect*) AND (eating OR consuming) AND disorders AND (teenager OR teen*)

The ' * ' indicates the wild card option, or truncation, which for example, 'teen*', the search widens up to 'teens', 'teenagers', 'teenage', etc.

I tried the above search at google.com search engine.

I was impressed by the Google's search function and features, as it gives u total control of your search, and produces many results in just under 1second!

i feel that participating in discussion forum is fun, as you can learn from many other people who are more experienced, and i do not feel so anxious as it is not real life, but rather, we are behind a computer screen.

I think doing citation and bibliography is important as it is important to credit people who have racked their brains to produce valuable information for people to learn, and it is also important as they would not be able to accuse you of plagiarism as you have credited them.

Reflection 1

Today, we've learnt quite a lot of things.... that i can't really remember anything much... ugh... its like stuffing 10GB of stuff into a 5GB thumb drive. Hopefully... by the end of this CDS... i can master it...! However... i can still recall some things. We will be doing some research topics... and i chose the effects of eating disorders in teenagers. I found all the 3 different sources of information, a blog, a website and a forum! This is great, as i can have a large flow of information from these websites.

I think the purpose of the shopping website I had visited was to buy and sell second hand items, or maybe new items sold by online vendors. I think this website is useful to get cheaper goods than you would normally find in shops, and also it can bring out the entrepreneurship skills in people!

Shopping Spree

So sleepy... it like 11.30pm right now.

If i had 500$$$... i would buy these stuff (500 is not enough!!)




This is a super awesome gaming mouse from Razer... called the Mamba, since gaming is so fun. It also looks very amazing... hehe. It costs about S$200 at http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/RAZER-MAMBA-WIRELESS-GAMING-MOUSE-5600-DPI-NEW_W0QQitemZ370346103521QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMice?hash=item563a5912e1

And of course... with a mouse... you need a keyboard!



This is also another great keyboard from razer, it has a mirror(reflective) surface. Its very sensitive so, awesome for playing games that requires fast reflexes. Its called the Razer Lycosa Mirror Gaming Keyboard. It can be bought at S$120 at http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/Razer-Lycosa-Mirror-Gaming-Keyboard_W0QQitemZ280478003884QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_216?hash=item414dcab2ac#shId

And lastly... An antique!



This is a JVC MX-D2T 7-in-1 Midi component system, it can play old cassette recorders, which i have tons of them, because my dad used to buy lots of them, like black sabbath and so on... so this great machine can play these old cassettes, yea.

It can be bought at S$180 at http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/JVC-MX-D2T-7-in-1-MiDi-Component-SYSTem-180-OnLy_W0QQitemZ380216130113QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_216?hash=item5886a5ba41

Ice Breaker

Justin Tay (JT)
im a GETer
who plays DOTA during his free time
who listens to T.M. Revolution
who watches The Mentalist, Heroes, FlashForward, Supernatural, etc

I think i am like a baguette...
Hard on the outside, soft on the inside


I like programming.... can't wait to learn more about it
Erm... dont give up as it can be quite challenging.
http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/