Practical__6

>> Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Database (Gateway)



This week, we have learnt how to use the database (deep search engine).

Academic Gateway


This is the database I used for this week practical.



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From the picture, it seems to be very powerful and useful. It has varieties of search functions like books and articles etc.


However, I hardly to find some very helpful information from this database engine. I think this is because of my topic is not that linked to the data which have been stored in the database engine. But I think if I got some specific questions or topics, I will still try this engine, as this engine most likely can give out some hidden information which seems to be more professional.

Meanwhile, i hope you all can find the different functions between different search engines. Do give it a try. ^_^..


Thanks for your reading~!

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Practical__ 4&5

>> Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Meta Search Engine



By this week, we are supposed to learn the function of the Meta Search engine and the subject directory. These are two more powerful search engines. Indeed, what Meta search engine can do is give you the combined searching result from many different major search engines; however, it doesn’t have its own database. This can save our time very effectively that we no need to go through each search engine one by one. By using Meta search, we can get the hottest searching result from different search engine at the same time. ^_^ Meanwhile, it’s also very powerful as it provide web, images, audio, video, news and even for yellow page search requirement!!
Here is one of the Meta search engines that I use.




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So base on the picture, we can see the different search facilities and more over the favorite fetches and quick starts. These are all the powerful functions of Meta search.

And for this particular Meta search engine, it donate for ASPCA.*. Every time we search by this engine, it will donate the money to the charity system. That’s one more reason why I choose the Meta search engine. I hope you all can like this kind and useful Meta search engine.







Subject directory



For subject directory, my choice is Yahoo!



By using this method, I can often find a good starting point of my topic. And directories are also useful for finding information on a topic when you don't have a precise idea of what you need. Many large directories include a keyword search option which usually eliminates the need to work through numerous levels of topics and subtopics

However, I found when I am looking for a specific question; it might be not that accurate because of the question may not be linked in to the directories. Hence, compare to Meta search engine. I more prefer the Meta one. As no need to build our own database, so maybe tomorrow we can build our own Meta search engine. Cheers! ^_^

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Practical_3

>> Saturday, November 8, 2008

Search Strategy



This week, we were being taught about how to make our search more effective, basically it’s about to create search strategy, compare & evaluate search effectiveness. So, how to use Boolean operator to minimize the time limit that can give us the most accurate answer we wanted. Here’s the key words I am using for my topic:

The impact of online gaming on youths.

Key words: impact ; online gaming ; youths ;

Step1: find the synonyms for the key words , as follows:
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Step2: use Boolean operator to connect the synonyms:

(impact OR effect* OR influence* OR consequence* ) AND (online gaming OR virtual game*) AND (youths OR teenager*)

By using this, we can get the most relevant result. By using ‘or’ and ‘and’ we have increase the accuracy for finding the most expected answer.
Meanwhile, we also used the same searching words to find on another search engine called Google Scholar (http://scholar.google.com/).

However, the expected result is only a few. Therefore, we can see that Google Scholar can only give us for certain formed documents such as pdf, doc, ppt and so on. Instead of giving us specific documents, Google give us all the sources related to the answer which including web pages, blogs, forums and all this kind of discussion topics.

Hence, based on different target we want, we should be able to choose which search engine is more effective and use Boolean operator to make a best way to find our expected.



Briefly reflect on lessons learnt from this practical by answering questions below :

a) Were you impressed by Google’s search functions/features? Why?

b) How do you feel about participation in discussion forum? Is it helpful for your research? Do you feel anxious about talking to others you do not know?

c) Why must you do citation and bibliography?


a) Of course. As the first search engine and one of the biggest companies, Google has made his own way to become successful, no need to describe so much. All these companies nowadays are following the way which Google walked by. Let’s just let the pictures talk the truth.

1.Different language versions..



2.Advanced search







3.Temporary cached



4.Different functions



5.More specific links to more search engines



6.Interest linking picture



7.The speed for reacting a searching and the sea number of results



In the view of all above, that’s why I am really impressed by Google’s search functions. I hope all of you can really how to learn and enjoy by using Google. It will become our own teacher. If we come across any difficulties, we can just conquer it by finding our answer ourselves! ~~~

b) Being participated in discussion forum, I feel it’s very helpful. There are always someone who is very knowledgeable to answer your questions very carefully and specifically. However, to post on a forum is really hard. First of all, we need to create a new account, after active your account, you have to go to the linked part of your topic and post a new topic.

It’s a bit complicated for me. And it do takes time to wait for others to answer your question. Besides, there are people not here to answer your question and you have to deal with them. So, though this is another way to find answers and discuss with others, I won’t prefer it. About do you feel anxious about talking to others you do not know? Actually I am not because no one knows what I am. So I can just ignore what they say about me. By the way, a man should not feel shy and shame about asking questions right? Ok, hope you enjoy the forum..

c) It’s based on copy right. As for know, I am keeping my own blog. So it’s not hard to believer that after so many hours work, if someone just copy and paste your thing to his own space, you will get upset and very angry. Hence, due to all respect to the original writer and author, we seriously need to do citation and bibliography. All right that’s all for today…
Wish all of you a nice day!~

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Practical 1&2

>> Sunday, November 2, 2008

Free S$500!!!^_^

At first, when I was told that I can buy something on ebay, I actually had no idea what to buy. I have never been on ebay before and I cannot decide what to buy. Looking at the varieties of products posted on the main page of ebay.I suddenly find maybe 500 is not enough for me. I have to admit that ebay is a great success in online shopping field for its perfect way to attract the eyes from consumers. After a quick check of the index, I decide to buy a watch. Then I used the advanced search function to help me find a watch which between SG 300 and 500. Then a list of wonderful watches comes out. The list’s url :

http://jewellery-watches.shop.ebay.com.sg/items/Wristwatches__W0QQ_sacatZ31387

Then, I slowly go through them one by one. Finally, I am focused on two watches.


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Both of them all well-made product and the price is acceptable. Besides, both the seller have announced some specifications and descriptions. I really like the variety of these two watches. However, when I read the second one’s descriptions, I kind of hardly to focus on because they are such a mess. Though I can see the hard work and the honest from the word, I really have a headache when reading such a crowded passage. Instead of putting all the information in words, the first one used numbers of block of pictures.
The example is as follows:




And I really appreciate the promises that he made to us consumers. To have a first experience online shopping, this promise of the quality of goods really builds an interface of trust between seller and buyer.

Of course the main idea of this seller is to ensure all the consumers to feel free, safe and convenience to buy stuff from him. Moreover, he doesn’t want one-time deal. From the work of his advertisement, I can see he was building a relationship that can last to long term business. That’s why I finally decide to buy this beautiful watch which will cost SG408.13 and 25 on transport.

Therefore, this is my first experience online shopping. I hope you all have enjoy everyday like I do….^_^

Here are some more work example from his product:



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