Module 3 - Contributing to the infosphere

Site 1 - Keeping up with the HTMLs

Raggett, Dave <dsr@w3.org> Arnaud Le Hors, W3C Ian Jacobs, W3C

Copyright ©1997-1999 W3C^® (MIT, INRIA, Keio), All Rights Reserved. W3C liability, trademark, document use and software licensing rules apply.

http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/

retrieved from World Wide Web on April 26 2007.

I have included this site here because it seems essential to me that we stay ahead or at least in step with the latest developments in trying to standardise web markup language. The 3WC organisation is recognised as the leader in this and for the sake of future communication and equality, it would make sense to keep this site in mind if you are really into writing HTML.
As they state on this site: "HTML 4 also takes great strides towards the internationalization of documents, with the goal of making the Web truly World Wide."
Access is the key I think. If the internet is to really achieve its potential, surely the universal language is critical. No advanced internet user should leave home without this one.

Relates to Concept 28: The paradox of the World Wide Web

In fact all topics related to the internet and its use could come into this concept. So many people are working so hard on developing the next fabulous bit of wizz technology ... the computer-human interface starts to stretch a little for those of us who do not have the time/access/inclination to be so involved.


Site 2 - About (everything).com

New York Times Company (NYTC) (2000) various authors. Retrieved from World Wide Web Thursday 27 April 2007 http://webdesign.about.com/cs/weblogs/a/aa101402a.htm

About.com is a stunning example of how a huge amount of information can be collected online in an easy to sort through manner. The internet pages on about.com provide step by step guides on how to set up blogs (and everything else) plus good up to date articles about how they are being used, latest developments and examples of excellence or just plain madness. I think this is a reputable site because it is closely moderated and all the contributors are chosen by the NYTC. The publishing policy states very clearly that stories are not linked to specific providers under any sort of 'sole provider' agreement with the NYTC. It is easy to move through about.com to compare various internet tools. The interpage linking and linking to offsite articles makes for broad reading and deeper understanding.

Relates to Concept 29: The challenge of fast data

We are being challenged in terms of how we think aboutinformation. The internet can provide us with heaps of info (such as about.com) but we are right to feel just a little wary of totally accepting all that says as true. The information is constantly changing, being updated, revised, even thrown out! Is static info better? Sometimes, but the internet is always changing ...