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Weekly Threaded Discussion

• Week 1 - Introduction: Let's Get to Know Each Other in the Class

  • Biography & Photo - Let's get to know each other in the class.  Please tell us something about you. For example, tell us who you are, what you do, why you are taking this online class, what you expect to learn from this class, anything that you'd like to share with the class. Also, we are going to make a course homepage. Please send a digital picture of yourself as an attachment with your biography, if you didn't have your picture taken at the orientation. Remember, this is a part of class participation.

  • Personal Email Address and AOL Instant Messenger Screen Name - Get a screen name from AOL Instant Messenger. Make sure to include your personal email address and your AOL Instant Messenger screen name with your biography.

• Week 2 - Netiquette Rules and Guidelines
  
  Perform an Internet search and find at least five (5) rules and guidelines on netiquette.

  • What netiquette rules or guidelines do you think are most important? Why?
  • What rules or guidelines are least important? Why?

• Week 3 - Microsoft Windows.

  Microsoft’s Windows is the most popular PC operating system in use today.

  • Why do you think this is so?
  • Do you think this trend will continue? Explain your answer.

• Week 4 - Buying a PC.

  1. What configuration would you suggest for entry-level PC?
  2. Visit the Web sites of at least two vendors to learn about their current offerings and the cost of your configuration.
  3. Does the vendor include 30-day price protection?
  4. What type of warranty is provided?

  Post a brief summary of your findings and the URL of the vendors you visited.

• Week 5 - Job Hunting and Resume Writing Tips

  Resume writing is critical in controlling the image you present to employers. The stronger the skill and experience descriptions are in your resume--the higher the number of interviews and salary offers you will receive. 

  • Go to read the 10 tips on resume writing.
  • Then perform an Internet search to find at least three (3) web sites on job hunting and/or resume writing tips and post their URLs on the threaded discussions.

• Week 6 - Speech or Voice Recognition Software

  Speech or voice recognition software is becoming more popular. Microsoft’s Office XP has speech and voice recognition feature. Will this eventually replace other input devices such as the mouse and keyboard? Why or why not? Explain your answer.

• Week 7 - Which One Is the Best Way to Learn?

Educational software is available for virtually any topic. In your opinion, do you think that someone can generally learn just as well using the computer and software as they can learn from a book? Explain your answer.

• Week 8 - Is the Internet Addictive?

  In her book, Caught in the Net, Kimberly S. Young argues that the Internet can be addictive. Young’s methodology and conclusions have been questioned by several critics, but Young remains resolute. She points out that at one time, no one admitted the existence of alcoholism.

  • What affect did the Internet have? Why?
  • In your opinion, is the Internet’s influence positive or negative? Why? 

  Here is a site where you can take a test to see if you're addicted. Enjoy! http://www.netaddiction.com/resources/internet_addiction_test.htm

• Week 9 - Digital Camera vs. Traditional Camera

  With a digital camera you can store your images electronically instead of on film.

  • Do you think digital cameras will eventually replace traditional cameras?
  • If so, how long do you think it will be before something like this happens?
  • If not, why do you think it will not happen?

• Week 10 - Hoax and Spam

  1. Hoax

     • Have you ever received e-mail spreading one or more of these hoaxes?  If so, give some examples. 

       • CIAC Hoax Pages 
       • Netlore: Rumors, Hoaxes & Urban Legends
       • Truth or Fiction?
       • How To Spot an Email Hoax

     • How would you decide if the information was true or a hoax?

  2. Spam

• After reviewing the following sites, decide how you think you'll handle spam.

  • Fight Spam on the Internet!
  • A Spam Law That Slams Small Business
  • Microsoft, Spitzer Crack Down On Spammers
  • Phishing: Spam that can’t be ignored
  • Spam Will Likely Worsen Despite U.S. Law

• How important do you think it is to limit spam?

• What steps would you be willing to take to stop spam?

11. Week 11 - Should Internet Connection Be Free?

Who Controls the Internet? Note the advantages of a DSL (digital subscriber line) and a cable modem. Although most ISPs charge a standard fee for dial-up access, to attract users (who view advertisements on an ISP’s home page) some ISPs now are providing free service. Following this lead, a California-based DSL recently advertised free, high-speed Internet access (a service that usually costs $50 a month) to users who agree to ads aimed at their demographic group. Some people advocate and predict that Internet connection should be free for everyone. Do you agree? Why or why not?

12. Week 12 - Jargons

There are a lot of codes, abbreviations and acronyms used by chatters in the chat room. Go to http://www.stevegrossman.com/jargpge.htm#Jargon and find five (5) jargons that you like the most and share them with the class. (List each jargon with its meaning.)