Wednesday, May 30, 2007

MICROSOFT EXCEL.

We were given the task of playing around a bit with microsoft excel, this task brought me back to my high school days-not that they were that long ago, when for every maths assignment we had to use microsoft excel to produce the data required. Back in high school it actually was quite difficult sometimes though, as we were not spoon feed the information like we were for this tutorial task. We had to find out the formulas ourselves. FORMULAS now thats a scary, yet familiar word, this word is daunting to many of us, x+2x*A2. I mean what is the deal with these letters and numbers, how could they possible mean anything logical, it is beyond me. Going back to the tutorial task I found it to be quite a pleasnt task, I followed all the steps that were layed out for me and it turned out quite sucessful. Yet then I ran into an obstacle at the end, just when I thought I was home free. One of the end results was meant to equal negative yet it came up with positive, I tried to fix it yet it wouldn't alter itself. I found out then that many people in the class had this same problem aswell and no one was quite sure how to fix it, so i decided to just manually alter it instead of using the formula to get the answer. But besides this minor problem I had no other complications with microsoft excel, but still either way will try my hardest to not use it anytime soon.

Thursday, May 10, 2007



MOBILE PHONE EXPLOSION!
What device do you think has changed the average person’s life the most over the past 25 years? It’s the cell phone or more commonly known as the mobile phone. Technology is increasingly invading our everyday lives, we wake up with alarms, listen to the radio on the way to work, turn on the kettle to make a cup of coffee and rest ourselves in front of a computer. What defense can we put up; technology has become a major part of our lives. Over the last decade in particular, the use of mobile phones within careers as escalated dramatically. The ability to communicate on the move is in high demand, for business, commerce and everyday social interaction (http://www.smartthinking.ukideas.com/Dependability%20and%20and%20AT.html)

We can all think back in time to when we were small children and the most technologically advanced form of communication we knew of, was the familiar cup and string telephone. These two polystyrene cups and few metres of string formed a way of communication between children.

To truly examine when the first form of communication was created we need to take a step back even further in time. Back many years in fact to the year 1876. It was on March 10th 1876, in Boston, that the telephone was first invented by Alexander Graham Bell. The first device itself was fashioned by Thomas Watson. It consisted of a wooden stand, a funnel, a cup of acid and some copper wire, and was a rather makeshift looking invention. The invention of the telephone came about because a number of pioneers contributed their knowledge to create a shared accomplishment. The creation of the telephone was a result of mankind’s need and want for communication from long distances. (http://www.privateline.com/telephonehistory/History1.htm)



Alexander Graham Bell with the first prototype.



Yet where has the first invention of the telephone brought us today? The structural changes in economies of developing countries throughout the world, has changed families’ lives dramatically. Due to the creation of the telephone we are now a mobile race of people. The average telephone is no longer useful, new goals were established to accommodate this changed family, in the form of wireless telephone (Buskart, 2007). This year the mobile phone turns 24 years old and yet its popularity continues to expand (Ankony, 2003). Mobile phones are no longer merely a phone; this cellular technology has created social networks.


An example of the social structure between people.

A social network is a social structure of nodes that are tied by one or more specific type of relations, in this case friends. Our world has been made up of continuous connections, hence leading to social networking playing a huge role in the popularity of mobile technology (Harrison, 2007). Mobile technology can be linked to youth culture through texting. For both teenagers and adults the main form of communication today is via text messaging. Texting is a cheaper way of having a conversation without actually exchanging words through voice (Harrison, 2007).

Teenagers are becoming the largest users of mobile phones. Though for most teens it’s not a necessity, but merely a fashion accessory? $57 is the average monthly mobile expense for teens. Teens between the ages of 13 to 17 have practically glued their mobile phones to side of their face or to their hands. This habit is restricted mainly to this age group. A whopping 57% of teens now own a mobile phone (Johnson, 2006). The main need for mobile phones is for emergencies. This is why parents justify the purchase of them for their teenage children. Yet the teenagers themselves would not view it this way. Advertising has displayed this cellular technology mainly as a fashion accessory. The mobile phone continues to evolve. They become smaller with the introduction of each model. They are offered in a variety of colours to suit the customer’s individual choice. Mobile phones provide the buyer with a variety of technology- internet, alarms, blue tooth, video recorder, voice recorder and camera, just to mention a few.

In a teenagers eyes these programs are a must have on their mobile. With each new model brought onto the market new and updated technological advancements are added. This results in the purchaser wishing to upgrade to the new model. Phone manufactures are finding out what is hot and persuading the target market it is exactly what they want and need (http://www.content-articles.com/article.aspx?i=61212).

Let’s not neglect the adult population though, as 80% of adults have a mobile in their possession. The notion of dependability, technology has become like a life raft to the average person, technology has become an integral part of our everyday existence. Mobile telephones have received much negative attention in the press, yet there are also reports stating that mobile phones have saved lives, proving that there are positive and negative arguments towards the mobile technology. I’m sure we can all say that we have been in a scenario where a mobile phone has gone off in the movie cinemas, or off in a classroom. This distraction makes mobile phones appear as a nuisance, as some people are careless and do not use the volume levels to their convenience. Yet in association with this argument, over 140,000 calls are made to emergency services a day from individual’s mobile phones. The positive factor of most people now owning a mobile phone is that if there was an accident the likelihood of someone being there with a mobile phone is high, so help can be called more rapidly (Lacohee, Pearson & Wakeford, 2003).

What began with Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the simple telephone, a way of communicating between people, has now evolved into the modern day mobile telephone explosion. What was a simple form of communication has now become a necessary part of everyday life. With the busy lives that we now lead, the need for technological advancements in communication will need to continue. The need to keep abreast of global trends is never more warranted. With this in mind most people in the world own a mobile phone. This will ensure that people are contactable anywhere, anytime.
Reference List

Ankony, J. (2003). Now and Then. Chicago; Telephone. Volume 244, Issue 6, p.25.
Buskurt, P. (2007). Moving Targets: Introducing mobility into universal service obligations. Kidlington: Telecommunications Policy. Volume 31, Issue ¾, p.164.

Harrisson, J & Hirst, M. (2007). Communication and New Media. Victoria:Oxford University Press. Chapter 1 & 7.

Johnson, B. (2006). Wireless Generation eager for innovation. Chicago: Television Week. Volume 25, issue 13, p. 26.

Lacohee, H, Pearson, I & Wakeford, N. (2003). A Social History of the mobile Telephone with a View of its Future. BT Technology Journal: Volume 21, Issue 3.

http://www.content-articles.com/article.aspx?i=61212

http://www.privateline.com/telephonehistory/History1.htm

http://www.smartthinking.ukideas.com/Dependability%20and%20and%20AT.html

Wednesday, May 2, 2007





HABBO! oh these 5 letters spell out the most pointless invention ever created.


It did not start out well firstly i had extreme difficulty getting into the actual program, i dont know what its problem was, it just would not let me get in. Passwords, names, usernames, characters it all just is a little bit to complex for a little person to wonder round hotels in the end, talking to strangers about the most random things ever. Who would honestly in their right mind want to have conversations with other small cartoon characters, I personally found only one use for it- a good laugh. When you are merely a by stander watching the conversations that people are having, there is a humourous side to it. Starting fights with people is always fun, as people seem to take it so seriously. Are you kidding me, people need to get out of the house more as the computer has taken over their brain.

This virtual world has places you can visit, from hotels, clubs, swimming pools, garderns and stacks more. So if you are interested in virtual worlds or are just up for a bit of fun and a good laugh then visit www.habbo.com





This is one of the rooms you can visit in Habbo World!
Some of the characters you can choose from.


















Wednesday, April 25, 2007

MY 18th BIRTHDAY!!!!

Well, well it was my 18th birthday on the 21st of April which was a saturday. Some girls and boys and I crusied down the coast for the best weekend ever. My parents hired us out a room for the weekend at International Beach Resort (thanks guys!!) and yeh prob one of the dodgiest hotels ever but it was the only one that would take us becuase as usual i left it to the last minute.
Turning 18 prob is one of the most exciting things ever, i had SSSOOOOO much fun i wish i could re-live that weekend over and over again. We shall review for everyones enjoyment.


This is how it all started> It all starts with one pulse, leading to another, leading to another until you are well on your way to having a better time than usual. This is all we consumed the whole weekend (good effort guys!) nah im jus kiddin, by the end of the weekend we had a whole wall but we knocked it over that many times we merely gave up on ever building it.



The first night we decided to stay in the hotel and wait for the exciting hour of 12 to come upon us so we could scream with all out lungs out off our verandah that is was my birthday, believe me we completed this with no problem. With all the most wonderful people in the whole world amy, stacey, tam, bec, puddy, matt, nick, ethan, trent and hannah, couldnt have had the best birthday without you guys.
The next day consisted of shopping for the perfect dress for my birthday night to come (this night was the highlight of the weekend) this is what we came up with arent we cute------


Definetely didnt match on pupose ;)


I also got my nose pierced then decided to ring my parents and tell them, that was fun :) but they took it suprising well, as they thought i got a tattoo when the first thing i said when they picked up the phone was "You guys are gonna kill me but dont freak out".

My birthday night was awesome unforntunetely the girls werent 18 so the guys took me out clubbing. Because it was my birthday i got free drinks and entry for myself and the guys. I collected a whole arm full of stamps by the end of the night i was so proud lol

The whole night consisted of me drinkin way to much, dancing my butt off and having the time of my life. I cant explain the whole weekend because i would be here forever and you would be reading it! So instead here are some pics.

Tam, Bec and I busting a move!







Yes we still wear a uniform even though we dont go to school!




I Hope everyones 18th is as good as mine. Make the night last!!

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

thE bEsT giRLs You wILl eVer coME Across

TheseThree Girls: Tam, Bec and Me

What can i say, we together are like the new age Three Musketeer's. We are joint at the hip, we are always together, never to be alone.
We have, and i have great confidence in saying this, THE MOST RANDOM WEEKEND"S EVER. everytime we are together we seem to get ourselves wrapped up in something random. It's hard to explain, because it's not somethin you can explain it's something you have to experience or witness. Anyone you ask will tell you that we are the life of the party. Even though most the time we dont know anyone when we first arrive, as we love random people's parties, but by the end of the night evreyone knows of these three girls. As why bother going through life unnoticed, dont be afraid to stand out.


Something new we have discovered is V energy drinks, they are jus like alcohol but way cheaper and it still doesnt rob you of that lovely hang over in the morning. As we discovered the other weekend that drinking 6 v's in one night does not leave you feeling to good :) in the morning that is.... oh and we love lollypops (starburts one's from the servo) and our fav person in the world Stephen from Freedom servo he is the raddest fella ever (see ya on friday night Stephan)

Well, well, this picture represents a bec and cat tradition. Every weekend bec and I get ready at my place before heading out to a party. There used to be only one mirror and this would be world war 4 trying to use it, yet mum came to the rescue and bought me another one, so now getting ready is a much more pleasant task. When us girls get ready for a party it consists of the following tasks:
1. Picking out of clothes
2. shower so we are clean as clean can be
3. getting dressed
4. make-up
5. straightening of hair, which i have to do to everyone its Great!!! not
6. Perfume- tams motto you can never have too much on
7. after wasting enough time we head off



Now here are some of our random nights:


WE LOVE TO FIRE DANCE- Josh's party



We love maccas & Playgrounds- sorry matty we broke ya swing































We love bustin a love on the dance floor- especially tam
Bec just got her licence so she loves to drive Ella the
Exel, which we all love. Otherwise it definetely Hannie Bananie, we love her she always drives us round, so much LOVE to Her.
Well thats all i have for now but im heading to a random party tonight with bec and tam so i bet you it will be interesting. I hope everyone's night is as cool as mine. Have a merry easter and dont drink TOO much, just enough...:)
Peace x

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

bit of this bit of that

1) The essay topic I am doing is advances in technology over the era’s and where it has brought us to today.
Title:
A history of technology : the twentieth century c.1900 to c.1950. Part 1.
Publication:
Oxford : Clarendon Press, 1978.
Description:
7 vols. : ill, plans, port ; 26cm.
Notes:
Bibl. - Index.
Contents:
v. 1. From early times to fall of ancient empires. v. 2. The mediterranean civilizations and the middle ages. v. 3. From the renaissance to the industrial revolutionc1500-c1750. v. 4. The industrial revolutionc1750 to c1850. v. 5. The late nineteenth centuryc1850 to c1900. v. 6. The twentieth centuryc1900 to c1950. Part 1. v. 7. The twentieth centuryc1900 to c1950 Part 2.
ISBN:
0198581513
Subjects:
Technology -- History.

2)

Title:
The history of the telephone [electronic resource] / by Herbert N. Casson.
Author:
Casson, Herbert Newton, 1869-
Publication:
Champaign, Ill. : Project Gutenberg ; Boulder, Colo. : NetLibrary, [199-?]
Notes:
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
ISBN:
0585014574 (electronic bk.)
Subjects:
Telephone -- History.
Form/Genre:
Electronic books.
Other Authors:
NetLibrary, Inc.
I choose this particular text as I want to immerse myself in the history behind the technological advances in the way that we communicate today, and one of the main ways we communicate is via the telephone. So this book will help me understand the full history behind this important tool.


Title:
A history of technology & invention : progress through the ages. Volume 3, the expansion of mechanization 1725-1860 / Edited by Maurice Daumas ; translated by Eileen B. Hennessy.
Author:
Daumas, Maurice.
Publication:
New York : Crown Publishers, c1979.
Description:
ix, 758p : illus., facsims., maps ; 26 cm.
Notes:
Translation of Histoire generale des techniques.Includes bibliographies.
Subjects:
Technology -- History.
Related Title:
The expansion of mechanization 1725-1860.
This text would be very beneficial when writing my essay as this book is completely relevant towards my essay topic. As I want to explain the technological advances through the ages and this book includes the history behind it all.


Title:
Communication and new media : from broadcast to narrowcast / Martin Hirst and John Harrison.
Author:
Hirst, Martin
Publication:
South Melbourne, Vic. : Oxford University Press, 2007.
Description:
xix, 420 p. ; 26 cm.
Notes:
Includes bibliographical references.
Summary:
Presents a new way of looking at media and mass communication. Traces the history, development and theories of mass communication and the emergence of new media. Looks at questions of ethics, regulation and governance.
ISBN:
9780195553550 (Pbk)9780195553550 (pbk.) :0195553551 (pbk.) :
Course Code:
CMM16
Subjects:
Communication Mass media
Other Authors:
Harrison, John, (John Murray), 1952-
Although it is the text book, it will be very beneficial when writing my essay, as it touches on most of the important technological advances over the eras.

3) http://mail.canarie.ca/MLISTS/news2003/0027.html
You can join this websites mail list and they keep you informed in the recent advances in technology and also the telecommunication market. This website would be beneficial as I would be receiving mail that informs me of any changes in technology that have recently occurred.

1. What is the weight of the world's biggest pumpkin? The biggest pumpkin ever grown is 1502 pounds (681.29574kg), it was grown by Ron Wallace of Greene, Rhode Island.
2. What is the best way (quickest, most reliable) to contact Grant Hackett? Hang out at the Melbourne Pool, stalk hsi coach Pope.
3. What is the length of a giraffe's tongue?A giraffes tounge is 18 to 20 inches long, it can be extended up to 24cm.
4. How would you define the word 'ontology'? In your own words, what does it really mean ? Ontology is basically teh meaning of being or existance. It is being a physical object such as a human being and living in reality.
5. What was David Cronenberg's first feature film? David Cronenberg's first effort was a 1966 short film called Transfer.
6. When was the original 'Hacker's Manifesto' written? It was written Janurary 8th 1986
7. Why do all phone numbers in Hollywood films start with '555'? In order to give out phoen numbers in movies, without actually giving away real numbers.
8. What is the cheapest form of travel from Crete to Rhodes? The Cheapest way is by ferry.
9. What song was top of the Australian Pop Charts this week in 1965? I'll nevee find another you- The Seekers
10. Which Brisbane band includes Stephen Stockwell on keyboards and vocals? The Black Assassians.

The overall basis of my assignment invloves around the advances of technolgu over the era's, focusing on the advances of the telephone. I decided on this particular advance as I today as a teenager could not live without my mobile phone, it is my main form of commincation. In my essay i will go into more depth about where the telephone started and where it has come to today in the present century. Also, how people today rely more on technology to communicate, rather than face to face communication.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Shall we review the lecture....why not?

Can anyone honestly say that they take a deep consideration into other's thoughts? Taken a step back and really tried to develop an understanding into how someone is feeling at an exact time, in an exact situation? La Jetee takes this step back and views the world from behind someone else's eyes.

La Jetee though takes technology and communication into its own hands to develop a French new wave cinema presentation, of a man's memory. La Jetee wanted to take technology to the next level, instead of developing the same predictable movies that society is used to viewing (eg: Western style movies were very popular at this time) La Jetee drills into the hard real issues that society was experiencing.

The threat of nuclear war had arisen and society was being faced with the issues that this could be placed upon them at any moment, without their control. La Jette gives an insight into how one man can experince a moment that would haunt him into adulthood. La Jette taps into his inner emotion, by using dramatic effect. Such dramatic effect represented in La Jetee includes dramatic voice over, detailed still images and the notion of the dramatic effects being represented.

La Jetee displays the idea that if one man's memories are that strong of the past, then they would be able to send him back in time and re-experience this time once more. Throughout this man's experience back in time he revisits the women that's face faunts his mind. They experince moments together, but then that one fateful moment returns, the moment on the jetty. He tries to save her, but he came to the cold hard relisation that you can not escape time.

La Jetee relates to everyday society as society is forever being faced with dramatic issues that we all wish we could go back and change, but when thought about logically time is an object that cant be escaped, we can run but we cant hide. La Jetee opens up a new wave of cinema that many will follow, as they opened the door to realistic cinema, so not just one can feel the emotion behind the experience, but anyone who dares.

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

welcome to the life of ME...

Hey, hey all my name is Cathryn, but i'm truly not a big fan of my full name, so all my friends, well actually everyone i know knows me as Cat and that is not cat with a k but with a c. People seem to commonly make the mistake that since my nickname is the same as an animal that it could certainly not be spelt the same, but im here to amaze you it is.

I am 17 years old but 18 next month (ahhh cant wait). Last year I graduated from Trinity College in Beenleigh and have now crept my way into the big wide world of uni. These three letters spell out the name of a new and complex society where I have developed the new found fact that getting lost is actually really easy. This is my second week in this new world and have already experienced the following: lack of direction, always being late (I like to sleep), being overwhelmed, stress, hunger (I always seem to get hungry when in class) and yet overall excitment to know that i have entered the big wide world and that in 3 years I will leave with a Bachelor in Journlism.

Lets go back in time to not that long ago, QTAC time. I have ever since I was a wee lil kiddy, always wanted to become an actress. Since I was 7 years old a group of family friends and I have always held performances on Christmas Day, holidays (we used to always go camping), Easter or just on a good old family bbq. I always wrote, directed and stared in these performance (yes i was a boosy lil kid) as I loved to entertain people. My dad used to film every play and dance we perfromed and if I could show you them you would fall to the ground laughing as there is nothin like looking back over the works of a 7 year old ill tell you that (definetely no Steven Steliberg ). So all my life i have wanted to become the next Robin Williams (but of course a girl version) as I love the fact that he can make the world laugh in any situation. Now you all may be wondering why I doin Journalism, well I got to a point where I realised that only like one in a million people actually make it big in the enterainment industry, my goal seemed to fade away quicker than it came, so I looked into what else i liked to do which was writting so journalism it was. Yet I still have not given up on my dream I am auditioning for NIDA (an elite drama academy) when I have finished my uni degree as then i will have a degree to catch me if I fall. Dreams are never worth giving up.

Journalism caught my fancy, as I would love the opportunity of getting to travel around the world to report. Travelling was a major part of my life when I was younger as I was an army brat. My Dad was in the army so stayin in one place for a long period of time was not something I was exposed to. I attended 7 different primary schools in 4 states around Austrailia, I know it may seem like a sob story but i loved it, i wouldn't swap my life with any one. As not many people can say that they have driven all around Australia. So as I was exposed to travelling when i was younger I would love to travel for work and experience what else the world can offer me and get paid to do it :)

Just to let you know a lil about myself now, some of my interests include running (long distances) I loved running cross country and athletics at school and i miss so much doing it now. I also love the beach as i surf, and of course I love to shop as any girl does. If you ever want to find me, I pretty much live now either at work or uni as I go straight from work to uni or uni to work(oh the joys of being me) I work at Crazy Clarks jus to let you all know, you prob find this funny as most ppl laugh when I tell them I have no idea why. Working at Crazy Clarks I have discovered that you really must be crazy to work there not like a bad crazy but have a really outgoing personality as at work everyone there is pretty much nuts but I love it we have fun.

Well im off we will chit chat next time when my blog returns.

Peace.