Name: ____________________________________

The Community of Discourse Project Assignment #3: Learn about the technology
Due: Tuesday, April 13th

Question one: What communication technologies are important to the performance of those tasks you defined in assignment #2?  Identify them and explain why they are important.

To work for a webpublished magazine, it is undoubtedly that the editors have to acquaint with many computer skills, from Microsoft's Word to build up web pages. The latter one is significant in particular. As an online magazine, plain text format would not attract readers. It would be better that editors have some senses of appreciation of web pages layout design. Some sort of advanced web authoring skill is therefore needed, such as Flash, JavaScript, and CSS. To be skilled in computer graphic design is a condition of being a competent online magazine editor as well. PhotoImpact, PhotoShop, CorelDraw, Freehand are some common graphic design software. However, normal optical and/or digital camera skill may be needed too, as a photograph is an important element of all kind of magazines. Communication with readers is a very important section as it is seen as customer service, thus editors must be versed in email program. It would be even better if editors are able to author some sort of interactive web languages such as CGI so that a message board or forum could be built on the magazine. One major thing must not be omitted is how to type Chinese. There are so many Chinese input methods and some more are still developing. The one most common and efficient yet most difficult to learn is cangxie or sucheng, they are built-in in Chinese Windows.

Question two: Assess your technological strengths and weaknesses.

My technical skills are sufficient for an online magazine editor. I am very adept in Word and FrontPage. I am now using the latest version [xp] of both programs and I know how to use most of the functions. However, Dreamweaver is a more functional and efficient web page authoring program but I have never used it before. It would be much better if I learn how to use it.

About web language, HTML is the one I am most familiar with. I know some basic CSS and JavaScript as well. I have some sort of experience of website authoring. I have been an IT prefect for years when I was in high school in Hong Kong. I am also the media secretary of Student Organization of Hong Kong in NC State since last year until now.  Yet, I know nothing about ASP, PHP, CGI, etc., which means I do not have any skill to build up an interactive page and it is my weakest point.

I have been using PhotoImpact and PhotoShop since I was in grade 6. I use the former one most often and can manipulate almost all its functions. I can also use the latter one though not as familiar as using PhotoImpact. Since I have not been using CorelDraw, Freehand, Flash for quite some time, I have fallen regretfully behind in these programs. I have to spend some time to pick them up again as soon as I can.

Photography is one of my hobbies. I have never take any regular photography class yet my father is my good teacher. He knows a lot about photography, not only digital but also optical. From theoretical and artistic skills like the composition of pictures and lighting, to some very practical skills such as diaphragm, developing and printing, he has taught me all. Nevertheless, as I've been using digital camera for a long time I forgot most of the skills of using optical camera.

My typing skill is quite adequate. My English typing speed is 60 WPM and my Chinese typing speed is 70 WPM by using sucheng Chinese input method.