Me in Bangkok!!!

Me diving :)

Reflections

Even though I blog pretty often, I still have some problems here and there while doing this assignment. Well probably due to the fact that I am actually using blogspot to do this weblog. Probably should have just used other blog site like Livejournal or Multiply. I even had problems creating my blog as there was nowhere where I could type in my title. I had no choice but to delete my whole blog and start again as the other blog where I normally blog on has a title. Well I would not say that I am an IT savvy person.

For this particular assignment, I did not use Microsoft Words to draft it as it was more like a habit when I blog, I just type my post directly into the blog. Which after finishing, I realise was a HUGE mistake for not typing it in Microsoft first. Reason being, in blogspot, you cannot cut and paste. Secondly there is no word count function for you. Worst that could happen to me was I had a post all type out, clicked the preview button, however 3/4 of the post was missing!!! I had no choice but to re-type my post again!

For the review, I had chosen Reading 8 and Reading 11. Why these 2? Reading 8 because it has taught me the important points to take note when doing a print. As for podcast, it was something I had never tried doing however I have been listening to podcast by Mr Brown- also a famous local blogger in Singapore.

Though I have also been using blogspot for my other blog, I have not really play around with the different functions. Well I finally managed to link up the websites! The preview was also a good function as it allows you to see how your blog look, it is just like what was mentioned in Reading 8 where one of the points was Examining proofs.

'Rude' blogs popular as they have substance

This article was published in the forum section of The Straits Times. Written in by Mr Harvey Neo another reader of blogs like Talk Rock and Xiaxue, he had to disagree with Mr Ephraim Loy's view ( "Spare us these foul phrases", ST, September 9)

Neo feels that Loy was offended by two separate issues.

Firstly being both the blogs containing expletives and secondly being the fact that a teenage magazine are recommending these blogs. Loy believes that doing so, we are actually encouraging people to write in the style like these blogs.

Substance. Talk Rock in particular touches on serious social issues which many dare not speak about.

Personally, blogging is like writing a diary, writing freely so long as you do not break the law. Expletives used in blogs to me is just another way of expressing certain things. Well why some of the blogs are so popular are also because of this reason!

Singapore to receive China movies faster over digital network

China-made movies will now make it earlier to Singapore all thanks to MediaCorp Technologies and China Film Digital. Cinemas here in Singapore will receive movies using a high-speed digital network instead of getting reels of film delivered by hand.

This also meant that the same movie can be screened in Singapore on the same day as it opens in China. This would definately be good news for movie-goers here at home. Well then again it would be bad news for pirates as going digital meant that movies can be securely encrypted, making it tougher for pirates to get an early copy!

MediaCorp Technologies' chief executive officer, Mr Mock Pak Lum also mentioned that they could bring in up to 50 digital movies each year. This would definately be a boost for the movie industry! With more overseas movies coming in to Singapore, we would be able to see works of overseas talents! Way to go!

The tie-up with China is not the first for MediaCorp Technologies. Last June, a trial had been run with Hollywood studios to deliver movies from the United States to Thailand, via Singapore.

Review and Critique

Reading 11

In this article, 'An MTV host moves to radio, giving voice to audible blogs', dated 2 May 2005, The New York Times, Ken Belson reports on Adam Curry, a former MTV host who will produce and host a four-hour program every weekday starting May 13 on Sirius Satellite Radio.

Podcasts- essentially homemade digital audio files that users upload to the Internet for others to download on demand.

Subscribers of Sirius just need to pay $12.95 per month to enjoy the service. Users can also listen whenever they want and no longer need to bound to the schedule of radio stations.

Sirius is not alone, Infinity Broadcasting also have plans to convert one of its AM channels in San Francisco, 1550 KYCY airing mostly talkshows now, into one mostly filled with podcast.

In Mr Curry's show, there would also be advertising, it would have a free-form feel, unlike the mainstream radios.

From this article, though all are short paragraphs, the message was clearly conveyed. With the headlines, 'An MTV host moves to radio, giving voice to audible blogs' it would get bloggers and people interested in MTV attracted to it. Podcasters would also be interested in this article.
Information on what is podcast was a great information for those who are clueless.

Review and Critique

Reading 8

In Reading 8, ' Looking good in Print: A guide to basic design for desktop publishing ' 2nd edition, by Parker, RC, it is mentioned that because there is no "universal rules" in graphic design, it has become a challenge. Parker also mentions that "If design were governed by a set of universal rules, computer programs would replace graphic artist- and every advertisement, book, brochure, newsletter and poster would look the same. In this reading, Parker also mentions different points to take note to "look good" in print.

Points to take note

• Planning- The design process is simply an extension of the organizing process that began as you developed the concept for your project.

• Experiment- Turn off your computer and start to experiment.

• Seek inspiration- Train yourself to constantly analyze the work of others.

• Relevance- Every graphic element should relate to its particular communications function and unique environment.

• Proportion- The size of all graphic elements should be determined by their relative importance and environment.

• Direction- Effective graphic design guides the reader through your publication.

• Consistency- Consistency leads to an integrated style.

• Contrast- Contrast provides dynamic interest.

• The total picture- Think of graphic design as the visual equivalent of a jigsaw puzzle.

• Restraint- Strive for simplicity in design.

• Detail- Success in desktop publishing is based on attention to detail.

• Examining Proofs- Analyze reduced-sized copies of your pages.

I found this reading very easy to digest as basically Parker has made all the points as heading and below it, there would be a sub heading to sort of summarize the point. Then the details of the points. Even with more detail explanations, Parker would have short sentences to summaries the details which is basically the main point of the detail at the side border. It would be good as fast reference as well as there would be no need to read through the whole chapter again. For fast reference, one just need to read the heading, sub heading and the short sentences at the border and the memory is refreshed again. There you get it, how to look good in print!

Introduction

The purpose of this weblog is mainly because it is an assignment for Document Design and Publication. In this blog, there will be posts of review and critiques on 2 of the readings from the CD ROM, as well as 2 issues on media/ publishing issues.
Lastly would be a reflection on the process of creating this weblog.