Thursday, July 28, 2011

I Did It!

Wow, I never thought that I would make a webpage! (http://twoplayfulotters.com/students/amueller.html) With simple instructions and patients it was easy.   I did accidentally close my notepad a couple of times.  But, I did just as you told us when we were to "view" your file and copy all of it and paste it into notepad.  I am glad I remembered that. 

I had fun changing colors.  To find out what color code went with what words, I experimented--choosing a color and seeing what words changed.  I also added a couple more paragraphs using the <p> and </p>.  I even figured out how to change the heading. I felt powerful and exhilarated.  This is never something I dreamed I could do. I did purposely leave in the sentence you wrote "This is my first html page!" because it is.


I knew it was important to be careful on choosing what sites to regard as reliable, but now I believe it even more.  ASPECT is a very good tool to use while surfing the net to get information.  If I can make a webpage, than just about anyone can.  That is a scarey thought.  Having taken this class, I feel more confident in being able to decide if a site is reliable or not.

During this semester I was able to use what you have taught us to write a short paper.  I was able use the web and see if the source was reliable.  ProQuest was also a good place for me to go.  I couldn't have written the paper without your guindence on the web.  Thank you so much. By the way I got a 50/50 : ) .

This class has been very enjoyable.  I have learned so much.  I have told my friend's who have children getting ready to start Clark, that their kids need to take this class.  I am not sure if kids learn about the deep web before they graduate from high school or how to search in different top-level domains.  I think this is a class every college student should have. 

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Journal 9 continued

Summary of activity:
At first I found this to be confusing, but after some clarification, I truly enjoyed myself.   I think that .edu would be the  best top-level domain for my topic because my topic has a historical and present day views which have been studied by scholars.  I would also use .org because it would give different perspectives of my topic in our modern age.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Journal 9: Info on the Open Web

.com
a) search engine: google
b) search strategy: organizations and privacy
c) USA Patriot Act, Epic.org, updated May 20,2011. http://privacy08.com/privacy/terrorism/usapatriot/. July 26, 2011
d) I believe this site is credible because the advisory board consists of several professors from different U.S. universities (authority).  Within the article it gives you links to the sources.There is a list of resources from different points of view. (i.e. ACLU, Department of Justice,  from different senators).

.edu
a)search engine: google
b)search strategy:  privacy law U.S.
c) "One Hundred Years of Privacy, Professor Ken Gromley, 1992. http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/privacy/Gormley--100%20Years%20of%20Privacy--%20EXCERPTS.htm, July 26, 2011.
d) First of all this website is from Harvard so I think it gives this article authority. Gromley is also the Dean at Duquense University School of Law. There is a long of sources for this paper.  It also gives me good coverage because its focus is my topic.

.org
a) search engine: google
b) search strategy: privacy U.S. law
c) Rallying Americans to Defend Their Rights in the Digital Age: A Position Paper on Information Privacy, http://www.privacyrevolution.org/images/uploads/ALA_privacy_position_paper_MAR09_2.pdf. July 26, 2011
d) ALA is the oldest library association with librarians as its members (authority). This site seems to have some political basis, but it would give a me a good view of how libraries are affected by privacy issues. It is supported by the group I mentioned above Epic (coverage).

.gov
a) search engine: google
b) search strategy: privacy and law and archive
c) Your Right to Federal Records: Questions and Answers on the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act. November 2009 http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/fed_prog/foia/foia.htm#privacyact. July 26, 2011
d) This is a joint publication with the U.S. Department of Justice  (authority).  Within the writings are links to the sources that have been used. The links are also .gov (sources). This was published in 2009 so it had timeliness.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Journal 8: Focus on Search Engines and Web Sites

Search Tool: SNAP
I liked that SNAP had a preview screen on the right side and the results on the left side.  I experimented with the mullet example from the video log.  I first typed "mullet" with a result of 2,850,000. By changing it to "mullet and -hair" the results decreased to 1,740,000.  But when I typed in "mulle* and -hair" the results only included results with Mulle. From this I figured that SNAP does not recognize the boolean operator *.  I could not find an advanced search option anywhere on the page, so I looked at settings.  This drop down menu allowed you to chose whether nor not SNAP would give you "search term suggestions", "adult warning", "preview image", and "click to open result".  I tried to click on these and was unable to change any of these settings.

MetaSearch Tool: SurfWax
I found this site to be very frustrating!  I typed "mullet" in the search box and got no results by the time I had the whole word typed.  I did like that as you started typing your search results began to show up and it continued to rearrange the results accordingly.  Since I wasn't very successful I clicked on the "tip".  This told me that it "covers the last 7 days from 120 popular RSS sites."  I was very confused.  I couldn't find and advanced search, so I decided that I would come back to this site later.  When I came back I discovered that if I clicked "Original SurfWax" I could actually do a search.  I did like the feature of "Site Snaps".  This allows you to look into parts of the article.  I tried the mullet example again my results were 7 out of 7 pages.  I typed in "mullet -hair" and "mullet and -hair" I got the same two results.  Within the Site Snaps there was and "Author Summary", "Key Point" and "Site's Focus Words".  I liked this feature, because you could skim through and learn if the article is on that you would want to use
.
Subject Directory: About.Com
This time I tried my keyword search from my topic. At first I typed in "privacy and law and U.S." and got 65,400 results.  As I skimmed them I noticed several of them were cases, so I added "-v" to my search and narrowed it down to 62,300.  I learned that About.com recognized the "and" and "-", but it did not recognize the "*" and "or".  It did have tab to "Explore Topics" that listed topics in alphabetical order and a tab "Browse Categories", which allowed you to pick a category and choose a topic under that category. Again, I couldn't find anything that would indicate I could do an advanced search.  I did like the colorful nature of this Subject Directory.

I really liked SNAP because of its preview screen.  I wouldn't have to waste time checking out the web site and having to click the back button.  I would not have to leave my results unless I thought the preview of the website was worth my time.  I might use this tool on a future research project.  Like I said above, the SurfWax tool was very frustrating, I would stay clear of that one.  About.com would be a site that I would visit to see if I could find my topic in one of their categories.  Out of all the places we have visited so far this quarter, I like ProQuest.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Journal 7 Finding Articles in Periodical Indexes

1. My successful search statement used:  privacy and law* and U.S. and century

As I looked up the articles I chose each individual tab: "scholarly journals", "magazines", and "Newspapers".  This made it much easier to filter through the information I was seeking.

2. Popular Magazine:
Cullinan, K.. "The Privacy Act, in the beginning: freedom from government intrusion. " News
       Media and the Law  1 Apr. 2009: Platinum Periodicals, ProQuest. Web.  20 Jul. 2011.

With my original search statement I only got three articles. I refined my search statement to "law* and prvacy." I had a much better selection. I chose this article because as I scanned through the article I saw several dates that were referenced from the last century

3. Scholarly Journal:
Rosen, D., and A. Santesso. "Inviolate Personality and the Literary Roots of the Right to Privacy. " Law
      and Literature  23.1 (2011): 1-26. Research Library, ProQuest. Web.  20 Jul. 2011.

I chose this article because it makes several references to several privacy issues over the last 2 centuries and how "The right to privacy" came about.

4. Newspaper:
Mike McConnell.  "Law needs revision to remain effective. " Tri - City Herald  22  May
      2007,Washington State Newsstand, ProQuest. Web.  20 Jul. 2011.

I chose this article because again it makes reference to privacy issues over the years, starting in 1978 and what took place over the next 30 years.

5.  I liked the ease of being able to choose what type of periodical I was searching for.  As I stated in number  2, I had to change my search statement for finding a magazine. My original search statement was too narrow, so I eliminated  two words from it.  I also liked the feature "cite" and being able to choose which form I wanted the citation in.  I liked this much better than having to hand write it out like I did when I was first in college. Computers are wonderful tools.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Journal 6 Boolean Search

1. a)  similar* and "great depression" and (current* or today* or "21st century" ) and econom*

    b) ( "college graduate" or "college degree") and earn and ("high school graduate" or "high school education")

    c)  dog* and therap* and pet*

   d)  ("American Medical Association" or "ACA") and natural*  and medicin*

   e)  scien* and (influenc* or sway* or affect*) and "science fiction"

2. Original question: "How have U.S. privacy laws changed in the last century?

("United States" or "US" or "U.S.") and "privacy law*"  and (chang* or differ*) and (today or "21st century" or present) and (1900* or "20th century"or past) 

Monday, July 11, 2011

Journal Part 5: Digging inot Databases and Books

Cannell Library Search:
After looking at the Cannell Library book catalog, I at first used the key words "privacy and western and culture".  I came up with nothing, so I changed it to "privacy and western culture", still nothing.  Okay, let's try something different-- "privacy and law". Bingo I got several items.
The Right to Privacy: rights and liberties under the law. Richard A. Glenn. Santa Barbara, CA. ABC-     CLIO, 2003
Subject headings:  "Privacy, Right of--United States--Juvenile Literature
This is a circulating book, but not free to check out because it is reference material.
Location: Cannell Reference book    Call Number KF1262 .Z9 G59 2003
I searched ABC-CLIO publinge to find out more about the publisher and found out they are a publisher of reference books.  I also went to Google book to see what I could find.  There was an "about the author" that I read. Richard Glenn has a PhD and is a an associate profesor of government and political affairs at Millersville University.  This seems like a credible source.

Summit Catalog:
At first I used the same terms as I did with my Cannell search, but I only got two books that didn't really match my needs.  I scrolled down to see if there was a "related subjects" area to revise my search.  I found and changed my search to "privacy, right of--United States". (I just now realized that search was the same as my subject heading as my Cannell search).
Privacy in Peril. James B. Rule, New York, Oxford University Press, 2007
Related Subjects:" privacy, right of", "privacy, right of -- cross cultural studies"
Location: 13 different libraries; I chose 2 of the libraries
    Portland State University (3rd floor)         Call number: JC596 .R85 2007
    Washington State University Holland & Terell      Call number: JC596 .R85 2007
It took a little more digging to find a book I could use, since my original search was too narrow.  The searches were similar in that I typed a subject and the results appeared.  I found the Cannell site to be a bit more friendly in giving the information. I was able to find the information I needed on both sites, though. 

IT ProCollection
In IT Pro, I found that you are able to narrow you search immensely by going to the advanced search.  You can narrow your search by choosing up to 3 of the following: ISBN, Content Full Text, Titles, Author/Speaker, Publisher, Code Listing, In Notes (I am not sure what this is).  You can choose how it searches each field by choosing the "word proximity": any words, all words, exact phrase, Boolean (something else I am not sure about).  Then you can even choose the  copyright date with the option of like, before, or after.  That would definitely focus your search. 
Not realizing what IT Pro meant, I typed in Jane Austin for "author/speaker".  To my surprise IT Pro came up with "zero results".  It was then that I thought about it.  Oh, this is computer site.  I can learn anything about computer technology.  I tried "i pod" to see if I was on the right track, I was. Now, you really know that I am not savvy with technology : )

Google Books
I used the same search terms as did for Summit.
The Right to Privacy. Brandon Garrett. New York, The Rosen Publishing Group. 2001
I couldn't find clues on Google Books as to this book's credibility, so I did some more digging.  I googled the publisher and found that they are and independent educational publishing house.  I then googled Brandon Garrett.  I found his books on Amazon and little author sketch.  He is a professor of law at the University of Virginia Law School.

This whole class is showing me how much research has changed since I was originally in college in the 1980s and 1990s.  My mind is spinning in circles.  I am pretty adaptable, so I could go back and forth between the tools I used.  I do like Google Books because I am able to "see" the book.  I am not sure how much I would use Summit, just because I would have to wait for my materials.  I would use it as a last resort.  As for having the most search features, I believe that would be IT Pro.  I think Cannell and Google Books were the most useful for my topic.
(I feel like I did a lot of babbling, I am sorry if that is so.)

Friday, July 8, 2011

Journal 4: Types of Information

1) To find out is a vegetarian diet is healthier than a meat-base diet I would use a medical journal because I think I would be able to find information about vegetarian and meat-based diets.

2) Target often forces musicians to alter lyrics in order to have their CD's sold in Target stores. Is this censorship? This one is hard, because I do have a strong opinion regarding this.  I think I would use an academic journal on law, because it would help me to understand censorship and the laws that govern it.

3) How much more can a college graduate expect to earn over someone with a high school diploma?  I would use a reference book with statistical data or an academic encyclopedia with information about the workforce. I hope a book with statistical data would give some type of graphic showing the difference between levels of eduction and income.  In the academic encyclopedia I would hope to find similar information or an overview.

4)  Should educators use commercial services to combat plagiarism?  This sounds more like a current event, so I would look it up in a popular magazine to see if this would lead me other resources.  IF that didn't work, I would ask a librarian to help me.

5) Is the current lack of sunspot activity affecting global warming?  I would use Academic Encyclopedias to get a background of sunspot activity and its affects.  I might also use Academic Journals to get some in-depth information.

Part 2:      My research questions

1) How have U.S. privacy laws change in the last century?
I would use Academic Journals to get an in-depth look at our privacy laws and I would also use a book since it asks about history also.

2)What are ways you can protect your identity in our ever changing world?
I would use popular magazines to begin since this seems to be a current event.  I would also use Academic Encyclopedias to help me get started.

3)  How has privacy evolved in Western culture?
I would use the Academic Encyclopedias to help me get an overview of this subject and hopefully give me a starting point.

If I got stuck on any of these, I am not opposed to asking for help.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Journal Part 3.4 Summary

I found IRIS to be helpful in helping me to narrow a topic.  In the past, I have been known to pick something to broad and had trouble narrowing it down.  I liked the idea of skimming articles and finding the keywords.  It amazed me at how much information can be gathered from just that little exercise.  After I looked over my list, I thought of questions that came to my mind from the keywords.  This helped narrow down "privacy" to a sizable topic.  For any source I use, I will make sure I take notes of that source, so I can find it again when needed.  Wikipedia is not a source I would want to use as a citation on my paper, due to the fact that I am not sure if the author is credible.  It is a good starting place to get some background on my topic.  After that, I should go into the deep web.  I used GVRL as my deep website.  The information on this site is phenomenal and is written by academics or experts on that particular subject.  I enjoyed reading the articles, especially the one that I cited.  The next research paper I have to write will be using the deep web.

Journal Part 3.3 Research Questions

Three research questions that I find interesting.

1. How have U.S. privacy laws change in the last century?
  
2. What are ways you can protect your identity in our ever changing world?

3. How has privacy evolved in Western culture?

Journal Part 3.2 Wikipedia

I just repeated the same process that I did in GVRL with Wikipedia.  I started with the same topic, Privacy.
Keywords: internet privacy, informational privacy, privacy law, privacy policy, domain privacy, privacy laws in the U.S., anonymity, security, income, identity theft, Western  culture, Anglo-American, individual right, physical, organizational privacy, spiritual and intellectual privacy, technology, invasion of privacy
Citation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privacy. July 6, 2011
Unfortunately, I cannot tell you who wrote this information, because several people I am unable to identify have all contributed to this article. Therefore, I am not sure how valid this article is.  It did give me some more ideas about privacy which I could look up on GVRL to find accurate information.

Journal Part 3.1 Deep Web Search

My world seems to be getting bigger everyday.  I knew there were other search engines.  Helping my son with a report, I was told to go onto the Fort Vancouver Library site and click on homework helps.  There was a whole other world opened to me; I didn't know it was called the deep web.  It boggles my mind with how much information is out there if we are willing to dig "deep".  I found it interesting that there are two types of search engines: static,   which searches the surface and dynamic, which is able to search a database. By using the advice from the IRIS topic of Subject Encyclopedias we were told to find keywords as we skim over articles.  This list of words could help narrow down your topic.  I decided to experiment for myself using Gale Virtual Reference Library.
Topic: Privacy
Keywords: self-disclosure, technology, ethics, intrusive activities, right of individual, access, journalist, constitutional privacy, tort privacy, self ownership, celebrity privacy, surveillance, DNA, government, commercial, gender, economics, ethnic origin, private space and family life, manners, electronic storage, protected by law   
(I have never thought of privacy in so many ways)
Interesting Article: Privacy. Bonnie McDougal. pp 1899 - 1907. New Dictionary of the History of Ideas. Vol 5. Charles Scribener's Sons, Detroit, Michigan, 2005

Friday, July 1, 2011

Journal Part 2: Plagiarism

My answers from the Prudue OWL assignment:

1.  I think this writing is okay, because the person is stating facts about his or herself.
2.  I would put a reference as to how I came to the conclusion stated.
3.  I would rewrite the sentence: "I find it ridiculous that 57% (my source) of high school students think their teachers assign too much homework.
4.  I am not sure what to do with this one, because the thought is credited to Martin Luther King within the paragraph. So to be on the safe side, I would do a brief cite at the end of the paragraph.
5.  This one is okay.  The citation at the end gave credit to the quoted parts of the answer.
6.  I would give this answer a brief citation and reword it by stating that, "King writes to his fellow clergy....." Then I would cite it at the end.
7.  The writer acknowledges the information paraphrased by Kara, so it is fine as written.
8.  This one is common knowledge, so needs no citation.

That was a lot of information I wish I would have had 20 years ago when I first went to college.  Not having been a confident writer, I was never sure how to decide if I should cite information.  Now,  I am much more enlightened.  As I write papers, I will refer to my notes on when I have to cite.  There are 5 must cites: direct quotations, paraphrasing someone's ideas or thoughts, arguable assertions, statistical information, and graphics.  The maybes I will ask myself if it is common knowledge or can I find it in a number of textbooks or encyclopedias? If the answer is yes, then I don't have to cite it. I can cite the source if I want the reader to see the source.  This seems pretty simple if you are diligent in your note-taking and organized while writing your paper (or other tasks that you are using the info for).  If I am in doubt of having to cite a source, I would ask a librarian or my instructor. If neither are available, I would cite it just to be safe.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Yeah, I figured it out!

I did it!  I figured out how to create my own blog.  It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  I was a bit frustrated on how to input my "blog".  After a few tries of playing with buttons, I got it.  That seems to be my relationship with computers, try, try, and try again until I get it.

Using a digital workspace compared to pen and paper makes it easier to share with a group of people at one time rather than one at a time.  This will also save time and make it easier to communicate more often.  I will also be able to share pictures of my family and not worry about making tons of copies and wondering if I missed somebody.  On the other hand, a digital workspace isn't as personal as a hand written letter.

I do keep up with the goings-on of out town family through facebook.  It is a nice way to see pictures of my nieces and nephews.