Website

Here is a link to the website I made about my research paper topic:

http://kmuscaro.weebly.com

Extra Credit Questions

1. What do you think of having an "avatar"? Have you tried any sort of virtual reality game, program, or tool? How has it worked out? I have never been compelled to have an avatar or really given it much thought at all. Computers have never really been my favorite thing.
2. What is your "policy" on forwarded emails? I usually dismiss forwarded emails completely. I never forward them unless I think they are really funny. You can usually tell if they are going to be stupid and sappy at the very beginning and I usually just delete those without even reading them.
3. Do you have a Facebook or MySpace account? What is your experience with it? If you have kids, what kind of restrictions do you put on their use of the computer and providing personal information on it? I have a Facebook account. It is a really good tool to keep in touch with friends from high school for me. On my account I have restrictions that don't allow you to even find me on Facebook unless you have a mutual friend. I don't put phone numbers or addresses or anything like that either and I only "friend" people that I know.
4. How do you feel about giving your name, phone number, email address, and/or your address or zip code when shopping? It is really strange that we are always giving out information, especially when identity theft is ever present. I am always a little irritated when I am asked.
5. On p.113, Gurak mentions an "information panopticon" which refers to an endnote on p. 165 mentioning Michel Foucault. Foucault has written about 18th century philoshopher Jeremy Bentham's theory of surveillance in his book Discipline and Punish. He was a bit ahead of his time, don't you think? He was very much ahead of his time. I bet people thought he was crazy when he talked about his philosophies in the 1700s.
6. Have you ever bought anything through the Internet? Have you ever been ripped off? What are your favoirite places to purchase things online? Yes, I purchase things from the Internet. No, I have never been ripped off. I usually buy clothes online and currently, Christmas presents from Amazon.
7. How can we filter out the angriest sites? Should we? On p. 61, Gurak advocates "developing and supporting sites that embody inclusiveness, civility, and scholarly ideals"-- would you agree with this? Should everyone have to be inclusive? Or should everyone hold scholarly ideals? I don't think we should just filter sites because they are angry. I feel that everyone has the right to their first amendment. As readers, we can choose to disregard the angry sites if we wish. Not everyone has to hold "civility and scholarly ideals."
8. How many of you have been looking dilligently at the notes in the back as she includes them? Also, have you noticed and can identify the documentatuion style she is using? What is it? Why does she choose this style over others? Has anyone checked out any of the sites she lists at the end of the book? I have, admittedly, not been looking at the notes in the back of the book or visiting the websites listed. I think she may be using MLA format as her documentation style but I am not sure why.

Cyberliteracy Discussion

Chapter one

Combines features of prin and spoken word and does so in ways that change how we read, speak, think, and interact with others. How so?

It is more impersonal, makes it hard to confront others, people don't understand sarcasm, etc.

Cyberliteracy is not neutral in value.