Justin Turner

2004-03-06T22:02:00.000-08:00

Last Entry:

So this is my last entry into my blog. It really saddens me to say this because I have truly come to like this class. I must admit, the only reason I picked this PWR 2 was because it fit into my schedule. And even a couple of weeks into it, I was having trouble getting into it. Computers and technology related topics just is not my thing, so I was not feeling the class.

But with a couple of readings, that all started to change. Mainly, the Information Gap and others that highlighted many of the relevant problems concerning technology really caught my interest. This interest led me to choose the Digital Divide as the topic for my hypertext.

Upon researching for this, I grew even deeper in my interest. Everything was really starting to piece itself together. And now, as I step back and look, I am truly amazed at the class and how I've grown in it.

The class has improved me in various ways. Not only do I now have a deeper appreciation for computers and stuff, but I am surprised at how I have become more competent with computers. I taught myself Dreamweaver, created a hypertext, and upkept an online journal. Being able to do all these is so far fetched from where I was when I came here.

However, I do think that the class may have been a little too concerned with its topic. We spent a lot of time talking about the Digital Age, but never really committed much time to development as a writer. But I really liked what we did in other areas. I loved the readings--though at times it was complicated to keep up with them. I also think that I became more comfortable as a public speaker. The notion of the OCTs was kind of unhelpful, but overall, I think this class really helped me with oral presentations. And also the hypertext was fun. I really like how I am able to create a hypertext and think the assignment served as an outlet to refine my research skills.

Overall, I think I have truly benefited from the class.

2004-03-05T16:36:00.000-08:00

hello...it's me again. I'm really in great spirits at the moment because my week is finally over. I am so glad that I made it through because this has honestly been one of the most crucial weeks of my Stanford career (I know...it isn't that long of a career but let me vent anyway). I will definitely have fun this weekend to compesate for the hours of stress I dealt with.

On another note, I have started to look at other hypertexts--especially those of members of the other section. There are some extremely talented and intelligent individuals in the PWR class. It is amazing how professional their hypertexts look. Had I not known better, I would never think that it was a first year college student who composed those hypertext. I am really surprised and the potential of people my age.

But on that note, I have to go. Meetings are calling my name...PEACE!!!

2004-03-04T19:40:00.000-08:00

So, I had no idea that the blog assignment was due so soon. I just figured that because the last entry was due on March 10, that we would have up until then to complete it. Needless to say, don't think this entry is a feeble attempt at bulking up my blog (because I was going to write in it anyway).

On to better things, I am really getting excited about my hypertext. I think it is coming along beautifully. Also, when I step back and look at myself, I get excited that I practically taught myself Dreamweaver and made my own website. That is amazing considering the person I was when I came into the class. Even if you read my blog entries, it seems like the person who wrote those first couple of entries could not be one to familiarize himself with a relatively complex program and create his own website. BUT IT IS!!!!

DISCLAIMER: Don't think of this as boosting my own ego, I am merely patting myself on the back.

2004-03-04T01:39:00.000-08:00

So I did my presentation today and it went O.K. I got good feedback but I feel like it could have gone a little better. I was rushing through the slides trying to finish in a timely manner. I think I could have done slightly better on slowing down my words and making eye contact, but I'm satisfied with my performance.

Other than that, stuff is slowing down. I'm glad I did my presentation early because now all I have to do is sit and watch the others present. That gives me more time to do my hypertext which is great because lately time has been a major concern of mine. So on a good note, things are beginning to look up...

2004-02-28T18:26:00.000-08:00

Life has really been crazy lately, and it shows no signs of slowing down. But, I am glad to say that my hypertext is coming along. It is nowhere near the ideal, but I think it is progressing nicely. In comparison to others, it may not be the tightest, but considering my background, I am extremely happy.
I have become relatively familiar with a new program (Dreamweaver) and done a lot of things with computers that I have not done before. Now that I sit back and think, I am accomplishing many of the goals which I set out to get when I picked the class. I never thought I could create a hypertext--not to mention an alright one.
Other than that, classes will really pick up for until the finals. Overall, this quarters class have not met my expectations. But, this PWR class has actually exceeded my expectations. As much as I don't like computers and technology, I have started to appreciate and familiarize myself with them more, and even think this is my favorite class of them all.

2004-02-21T13:40:00.000-08:00

So this week was a very stressful week for me. But, on a positive note, it was also a very productive week for me. I got a lot accomplished on my hypertext. It has much more direction now that the preliminary draft of the hypertext was due. I just need a couple more sources to tie my claims in and hopefully I will be alright. My only problem concerns how the hypertext actually plays off. Since, I am not the most computer savvy person there is, I don't quite know how my hypertext holds up against others. But hopefully, conferencing and peer editing can help that.

I am glad that readings were cut from the syllabus. Although they were interesting and extremely insightful, they were beginning to become a little too much. But I still have the book so I can do some readings on my own.

2004-02-16T00:50:00.000-08:00

Well we didn't have class this past Friday...YEAH! I know I probably shouldn't have been as excited as I was, but I almost did a flip when I heard the news. And what did I do with my extra hour and fifteen minutes?...PROCRASTINATE. Instead of using it to my advantage, I did what I do best--waste time. But I think I deserve it being that this has been one of the hardest weeks of my life. Not only did I catch a virus, but so did my computer. That made it very hard to do my assignments (including this one because my RCC when to L.A. for the extended weekend). So, I feel as though I earned that hour of procrastination.

But on a more serious note, the final hypertext is coming closer and closer still. Yet, I am still not where I want to be in regards to research. I feel rushed, but then again, that's college life. I got a really interesting idea to do an interview/experiment to prove my thesis in East Palo Alto. Time permitting, I think this would be a tremendous asset to my project. But we'll see how that goes...

As for the readings, what I found interesting was the article concerning females in the gaming industry. I disagreed with one particular author who claimed that woman were being excluded and that there needed to be efforts made to promote equal representation in the industry. I had problems with that argument because he (or she) made it seem as the though the fact that there are more games directed toward a male audience was an intentional move by the industry. Supply and Demand is one of the most fundamental and easiest principles of basic economics, and I feel as though the author skipped right over it. If fighting/fantastical/sports games are selling, then that's what will continued to be developed. True, these games don't necessarily cater to the average female, but that's the way the cracker crumbles sometimes.

Well, I'm done. Sorry to jump around with so many subjects.

2004-02-06T14:22:00.000-08:00

This was a very interesting week. It seems that the final hypertext is creeping up out of nowhere. Actually, I am kind of nervous because the date that it is due seems so near, yet I am nowhere near where I want to be as far as research is concerned. My topic is very interesting, however, I just don't have the time that I need to allocate specifically to researching. I'm sure in the end, I'll pull it together. I just don't like the way things are going.

On a more positive note, we touched on visual mapping this week. The concept was kind of futile to me initially. However, after the second excercise, I started to realize its importance. When we were assigned to map out the layout of certain websites, I began to get a good idea of what worked and what did not work for the audience. This will proved to be an excellent resource in the future, when my group and I are developing our hypertext.

Other than that, good week...but glad it's over!!!!!!!!!!

2004-01-30T02:26:00.000-08:00

Being that it is beginning to seem as if I have developed a sort of pesimistic attitude toward technology, I thought this would be a good opportunity to shed positive light on the phenomenon.

After viewing some of this past week's projects, I must admit that technology deserves a pat on its back. Yes, it may promote laziness; and indeed, it does yield a disparate information gap. But it also is a way to foster communication in a comforatable manner. It can provide certain people with a means of venting where there would be no other alternative. Additionally, technology allows for great advances in the exploration and curing of the human body.

For these developments, kudos to technology. It does, in fact, have it's advantages; and if done in moderation, can give way to positive effects. So, on that note, I'll leave ...

2004-01-23T20:28:00.000-08:00

It seems that each week is filled with more and more informatin that was unknown to me, which never ceases to captures my interest (Probably because I have never really delved into the world of computers or advanced technology). This week, I found it intriguing how computers and the future advancement of our virtual age, can and will have negative effects. Will highly specialized, sophisticated technolgy in the making, many of us are caught up in the "ewwws" and "ahhhs" that such machinery would bring. However, will such an increase in skill required to operate such technolgy, there will still be a group of people excluded from resources that would give them a chance to learn these skills. This would kind of serve as a "class ceiling" concept; because in effect, those who are already at the bottom, will remain there with no way of moving up. The detrimental information gap will probably widen, and have even worse effects on the socio-economic gap. We need a solution...

2004-01-15T19:47:00.001-08:00

The topic of my post is on that of a subject which was touched upon this week in class (In fact, it was a topic that I found particularly interesting). It is that of the dependency of my generation on technological resources. Though I never allocated a great amount of consideration to the topic, the future of my age group appears to be headed in a direction that is quite scary. I, for one, have occasionally thought of how technology has been intertwined in the contemporary education system. However, it was not until recently that I thought of the future of it. I am fearing that if some of the technology that is being introduced and thought of actually becomes a reality, then my children will be subject to an age which computers and other electronic appliances does all the work for them. Though that would be extremely convenient for any individual, I believe that ultimately, it results in a student that is lazy and comparatively incompetent. And even though I never thought the day would come when I would say this next statement, the day has finally arrived. Because I, for one, am wholeheartedly and unreservedly and advocate of the old, dry-paged book.

2004-01-15T19:47:00.000-08:00