Week Five

Lecture

Being at university requires you to do many assignments and research. If you are not organized then your computer can quickly become a mess with different documents in various locations. Having an unorganized computer can be time consuming, not to mention frustrating when it comes time to find your documents. Week Fives lecture provides useful information in helping you to locate your documents effectively. Using function rather than content names to distinguish your files, installing a desktop search engine to your PC and using the properties tool to create metadata about your documents are just some of the valuable organization tips which will help you in your studies. These tips will ensure that your bit-based information can be located promptly.

Workshop

Week fives Workshop is all about how you can manage your most commonly used websites. By using the favorites list on your computer you can quickly track the website you have previously used. The activity for week five is to create a favorites list with three different folders. For example you can have a folder for university, communication and enjoyment. For further information on how to use favorites go to the website http://www.inette.com/aibtinette/favoritesl.html or open this same page up as a PDF version on blackboard. The image below is what the favorites list should look similar to.



Readings

The information we need to manage come from different formats. These include atom- based and bit-based. The website, http://archives.obs-us.com/obs/english/books/nn/bdcont.htm describes the positives and negatives of atom and bit based information. Atom-based is information in the format of books, reports and papers. Bit-based information includes digital reproductions and electronic content. Both forms of information have their pros and cons. Atom-based information is difficult to change or copy and is easily protected, however books and papers are bulky, costly and difficult to edit. Bit-based information is very cheap and flexile but the information can be easily copied and the information is not always authentic. Bit-based information has become the preferred way to obtain information. Businesses for example can promote their services and products to a far greater population at a lesser expense than with using atom-based information, such as flyers. There is also the convenience of using information from the internet which allows you to search just about anything with out having to leave your house. Video stores will soon be a thing of the past when all movies will be reachable from your computer. So you won't have to drive to the video store to get the movie you want, which is often rented out and remembering when it is due back so you don’t have to pay a fine. Bit-based information is so convenient to use which is why it has and will continue you to be so popular. So knowing how to your manage your bit-based information useful to know. The reading "Information Management and Electronic Environments" by Jim Mullaney goes in to further detail about atoms and bites.