And so it begins ... today was the first day of Scifest. Having only finished my first audio slideshow last night at 11 I was quite tired for the first day. Things have gotten underway pretty quickly and still feeling a little bewildered to say the least.
The first multimedia package Hayley and I are working on is "Makana's Weighty Problem" - it extends from the lecture we attended today by Jane Badham about whether or not there is a magic bullet for weight loss. I'll give you all a hint - there isn't one! Prior to the lecture I conducted some background research on increasing obesity in South Africa and South Africa's obsession with weight. I found a really good site that discussed these statistics and it is official - people in South Africa are getting fatter! During the lecture, I kept trying to create a link between what Badham was saying and how this would affect the Grahamstown context. What sparked my interest is that, specifically in underdeveloped countries, low income families are the ones who suffer mostly from obesity. Badham suggested that the way to curb what she ahs called a "global epidemic" is through education and empowerment.
This got me thinking about Grahamstown, and how the many impoverished schools would be educated about nutrition and correct eating habits and lifestyles on a small income. I then came across the Pharmacy faculty's fringe event that aims to empower local knowledge specifically in school children to combat and prevent obesity and incorrect eating habits. They have put together a computer programme together with the Computer Science division that educates kids about diet and obesity. They take a very interactive and visual approach to educating kids and I thought that was quite a nice link.
I also managed to get a few pics of people eating - although they looked quite perplexed! Hayley and I plan to conduct audio vox pops tomorrow under the title of "What is the most extreme thing you have done to lose weight?" I have also emailed the Rhodes health suite manager janet kelly to ask her about the issue of health and lifestyle in Grahamstown and have asked her whether she knows of a local Grahamstown nutrtionist/ dietician who would be able to give me a broader understanding of Grahamstown's eating habits.
So, that was my first day, not too shabby. Tomorrow will prove busier I'm sure. Stay tuned for the next installment ...
Wednesday, 21 March 2007
Tuesday, 13 March 2007
My first xhtml entry - hehe:)
This is my first official blog entry using html!
Hi all you bloggers out there, sorry I haven't been in touch for a while - work has been madness. I just thought that I would show off the practical skills that I have been learning in my new media lectures. The result is this: my first entry done solely in html
So, I have been very busy at the moment. We are starting to put together multimedia packages in preparation for Scifest that starts in Grahamstown on 21 March. For more information about Scifest you can go to Sasol Scifest. We will be working in groups of two to produce the following:
- 1 audio-slide story using Photoshop, Audacity and Soundslides
- 2 multimedia feature packages (which may include a combination of text
and/or photos and/or audio) - 3 experiential blogs focused on following areas
Reporting on conferences and events
The vagaries of reporting Science
Multimedia journalism - first impressions and lessons learned
So, I am in for a busy next few weeks (eesh). But, I'm looking forward to it. It is going to be a new and exciting experience
Well, I'm off to bed to get some much needed sleep
Ciao
Wednesday, 07 March 2007
Why Structural HTML matters
Having just learnt about xhtml, I am slightly intimidated by the thought of CSS (cascading style sheets). If it’s anything like learning to utilise basic xhtml, then it can only be challenging and ummm … fun? But, before I embark on my CSS adventure, I have to look at the theoretical aspect, namely why is it important from the perspective of design/style of a webpage, to critically think about the structure of your content, navigation and other sections?
In her discussion of web page design, Debolt[1], emphasises the need to separate the structural content and design when developing a web page. This is effectively done through the use of a Cascading Style Sheet (CSS), which may be defined as “a simple style sheet mechanism”[2] that allows web page developers and users the ability to attach style to web pages. A CSS basically functions to give web site developers more control over how web pages are displayed[3].
Debolt says that it is common for web page developers, when starting to think about creating a web page, to first think of what they want the layout and style of their pages to be with regard to colours and fonts. She, however, says that it is essential for web page developers to first consider the semantic organisation and structural content of their pages before beginning to think about visual presentation.
According to Debolt, the design of a web page is the least important aspect of web page development and that a great deal of attention needs to be placed on creating a well-structured html page that focuses on content, navigation and other sections. Without a well-structured and organised html page that logically sets out the content, navigation and other sections, a CSS cannot be utilised. Once an html page is well-structured and has been ordered into content blocks, these blocks can then be positioned and styled in any position on the page. Each content block in the html page can then be assigned colours, fonts, margins and backgrounds with the implementation of a CSS[4].
The chief advantage of a CSS is that it allows web page designers to better maintain the appearance of a web site[5]. Once a CSS has been created, it can be applied to any number of web pages and if the web page designer wants to change a specific stylistic element, he/she merely has to change the CSS without altering the structure of the html page[6]. However, a well-structured html page is essential to the smooth-functioning of a CSS. If your web page is not properly structured, the CSS will not work.
Another reason why it is important to think structurally about the content, navigation and other sections of a web page in terms of design and layout is that with the emergence of other digital mediums such as PDAs and cellphones, a well-structured html document is vital if it is to have the ability of being displayed in any digital medium. The use of a CSS allows for web pages to be more easily rendered on digital mediums such as PDAs and cellphones[7].
While web page styles and layouts may be fun and exciting, it is essential to first consider the structure of one’s html page. Without a well-structured html page, the CSS will not work and the presentation of one’s web page will be problematic.
[1] Debolt, V. 2004. “The Early Bird Catches the CSS: Planning Structural HTML”. Wise Women Tutorials. Retrieved 4 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.wise-women.org/tutorials/cssplanning/index.shtml
[2] “Cascading Style Sheets” Web Developer’s Virtual Library. Retrieved 4 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.wdvl.com/Authoring/Style/Sheets/
[3] “Cascading Style Sheet” Netlingo. Retrieved 4 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.netlingo.com/lookup.cfm?term=CSS
[4] Debolt. 2004.
[5] See footnote 3
[6] See footnote 2
[7] Kelly, B. 2006. “Use of Cascading Style Sheets”. UKOLN. Retrieved 4 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/qa-focus/documents/briefings/briefing-34/html/
In her discussion of web page design, Debolt[1], emphasises the need to separate the structural content and design when developing a web page. This is effectively done through the use of a Cascading Style Sheet (CSS), which may be defined as “a simple style sheet mechanism”[2] that allows web page developers and users the ability to attach style to web pages. A CSS basically functions to give web site developers more control over how web pages are displayed[3].
Debolt says that it is common for web page developers, when starting to think about creating a web page, to first think of what they want the layout and style of their pages to be with regard to colours and fonts. She, however, says that it is essential for web page developers to first consider the semantic organisation and structural content of their pages before beginning to think about visual presentation.
According to Debolt, the design of a web page is the least important aspect of web page development and that a great deal of attention needs to be placed on creating a well-structured html page that focuses on content, navigation and other sections. Without a well-structured and organised html page that logically sets out the content, navigation and other sections, a CSS cannot be utilised. Once an html page is well-structured and has been ordered into content blocks, these blocks can then be positioned and styled in any position on the page. Each content block in the html page can then be assigned colours, fonts, margins and backgrounds with the implementation of a CSS[4].
The chief advantage of a CSS is that it allows web page designers to better maintain the appearance of a web site[5]. Once a CSS has been created, it can be applied to any number of web pages and if the web page designer wants to change a specific stylistic element, he/she merely has to change the CSS without altering the structure of the html page[6]. However, a well-structured html page is essential to the smooth-functioning of a CSS. If your web page is not properly structured, the CSS will not work.
Another reason why it is important to think structurally about the content, navigation and other sections of a web page in terms of design and layout is that with the emergence of other digital mediums such as PDAs and cellphones, a well-structured html document is vital if it is to have the ability of being displayed in any digital medium. The use of a CSS allows for web pages to be more easily rendered on digital mediums such as PDAs and cellphones[7].
While web page styles and layouts may be fun and exciting, it is essential to first consider the structure of one’s html page. Without a well-structured html page, the CSS will not work and the presentation of one’s web page will be problematic.
[1] Debolt, V. 2004. “The Early Bird Catches the CSS: Planning Structural HTML”. Wise Women Tutorials. Retrieved 4 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.wise-women.org/tutorials/cssplanning/index.shtml
[2] “Cascading Style Sheets” Web Developer’s Virtual Library. Retrieved 4 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.wdvl.com/Authoring/Style/Sheets/
[3] “Cascading Style Sheet” Netlingo. Retrieved 4 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.netlingo.com/lookup.cfm?term=CSS
[4] Debolt. 2004.
[5] See footnote 3
[6] See footnote 2
[7] Kelly, B. 2006. “Use of Cascading Style Sheets”. UKOLN. Retrieved 4 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/qa-focus/documents/briefings/briefing-34/html/
Web Accessibility for Beginners
Until I began reading through the resources given by Brad on web accessibility, I had no idea such a concept even existed, let alone the fact that there was an entire initiative devoted to it. A little further research into the notion and this is what I managed to dig up:
Web accessibility basically refers to the ways in which people with disabilities can access the Internet[1]. Most web sites and web software have “accessibility barriers”[2], which prevent people with disabilities from accessing them. As a result, web accessibility guidelines and initiatives have been implemented in an attempt to provide disabled people with tools that will help them to “perceive, navigate, and interact with the Web.”[3]
It is important to note that the term “disability” not only refers to physical disabilities such as blindness or deafness, but also refers to people who are unable to access the web as a result of the physical environment in which they are situated. The latter particularly concerns the majority of people living in African countries, where high poverty levels have led to slow and expensive Internet connections.
So, now that we have an understanding of what web accessibility is, of what concern is it to me as a journalist?
The Internet has often been described as the democratic medium, allegedly providing information to all people and giving citizens a space to voice their concerns. There are certain groups of people, however, who have been marginalised as a result of their physical disabilities or their lack of socio-economic resources[4].
Journalists are not only responsible for the gathering and producing of news and information, but are also responsible for the dissemination of that news and information to all citizens. New media journalists are therefore faced with the challenge of providing information to all people in society by utilising a medium that has succeeded in excluding a large number of people.
By marginalising certain groups of people, information access technologies provide certain citizens with the information and, therefore, the power to make decisions regarding the societies in which they live. Similarly, in providing only a certain number of citizens with a digital platform by which to voice their concerns and opinions, the issues and concerns of marginalised groups remain unheard. As a result, new media journalists have a responsibility to utilise web accessibility tools and methods in an attempt to ensure that disabled people get equal access to essential information as well as equal access to the digital platform by which to voice their own concerns.
In South Africa, the biggest accessibility barrier is slow Internet connections due to high poverty levels. South African new media journalists, therefore, have a responsibility to ensure that their multimedia material and web pages are accessible to the greatest number of people quickly and cost-effectively. By utilising web accessibility tools, journalists can attempt to curb the marginality of certain groups of people.
[1] Henry, S. 2007. “Web Accessibility Initiative”. Web Accessibility Initiative. Retrieved 3 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.w3.org/WAI/
[2] See above
[3] See above
[4] Spence, C. 2006. “Information and Communications Technology: Challenges” National Democratic Institute for International Affairs. Retrieved 3 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ndi.org/globalp/ict/programs/challenges.asp
Web accessibility basically refers to the ways in which people with disabilities can access the Internet[1]. Most web sites and web software have “accessibility barriers”[2], which prevent people with disabilities from accessing them. As a result, web accessibility guidelines and initiatives have been implemented in an attempt to provide disabled people with tools that will help them to “perceive, navigate, and interact with the Web.”[3]
It is important to note that the term “disability” not only refers to physical disabilities such as blindness or deafness, but also refers to people who are unable to access the web as a result of the physical environment in which they are situated. The latter particularly concerns the majority of people living in African countries, where high poverty levels have led to slow and expensive Internet connections.
So, now that we have an understanding of what web accessibility is, of what concern is it to me as a journalist?
The Internet has often been described as the democratic medium, allegedly providing information to all people and giving citizens a space to voice their concerns. There are certain groups of people, however, who have been marginalised as a result of their physical disabilities or their lack of socio-economic resources[4].
Journalists are not only responsible for the gathering and producing of news and information, but are also responsible for the dissemination of that news and information to all citizens. New media journalists are therefore faced with the challenge of providing information to all people in society by utilising a medium that has succeeded in excluding a large number of people.
By marginalising certain groups of people, information access technologies provide certain citizens with the information and, therefore, the power to make decisions regarding the societies in which they live. Similarly, in providing only a certain number of citizens with a digital platform by which to voice their concerns and opinions, the issues and concerns of marginalised groups remain unheard. As a result, new media journalists have a responsibility to utilise web accessibility tools and methods in an attempt to ensure that disabled people get equal access to essential information as well as equal access to the digital platform by which to voice their own concerns.
In South Africa, the biggest accessibility barrier is slow Internet connections due to high poverty levels. South African new media journalists, therefore, have a responsibility to ensure that their multimedia material and web pages are accessible to the greatest number of people quickly and cost-effectively. By utilising web accessibility tools, journalists can attempt to curb the marginality of certain groups of people.
[1] Henry, S. 2007. “Web Accessibility Initiative”. Web Accessibility Initiative. Retrieved 3 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.w3.org/WAI/
[2] See above
[3] See above
[4] Spence, C. 2006. “Information and Communications Technology: Challenges” National Democratic Institute for International Affairs. Retrieved 3 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ndi.org/globalp/ict/programs/challenges.asp
Tuesday, 06 March 2007
XHTML and Me
I have officially been battling with xhtml for nearly two weeks and it is both a frustrating and rewarding experience at the same time. I am a fast worker by nature and tend to be careless when it comes to the finer details and this, as I have learned the hard way, is not on in the world of markup languages.
This post is actually an extension of a previous one that looked at the relevance of journalists learning and utilising xhtml. One could argue that mastering the entangled mesh of codes and symbols is superfluous when web design programmes such as Macromedia Dreamweaver allow anyone to design a web page. However, as a journalism and media studies student who is required to learn xhtml as part of my course, I am going to stand firm in my previous assertion thatit is important for journalists to have a solid grasp of the technical language of xhtml and here’s why:
Niles[1] argues that by learning xhtml, journalism students are not only taught how to create web pages through hardcoding, but are also being taught and reminded of the important principles of journalism. An example that I have already mentioned, is precision. As a media producer, it is essential, when writing an article or taking a photograph, that the information being recorded and published is accurate. As a result, journalists need to be precise, not only in the gathering of information, but also in the actual production and distribution of that information. Xhtml is an intricate combination of codes and by leaving out the smallest, seemingly insignificant symbol can alter the entire layout of your web page. By learning to pay attention to detail, through the mastering of xhtml, journalists will be more accurate publishers of news and information.
Another reason to support the need for journalists to grasp xhtml is that it helps them to “develop the ability to understand a technical language”[2]. Journalists often have to engage with people and issues that they know very little about and they may not have an understanding of particular technical jargon that is used. Niles states that by learning a technical language like xhtml, journalists are given an opportunity to overcome their fear of technical jargon. It may also provide journalists with the ability to make sense of seemingly tedious jargonised information and documents. As a result of being able to better understand and interpret technical jargon, journalists will be better equipped to ask more informed questions and interrogate more effectively the nature of the information, thus providing a more well-rounded and thoroughly researched article.
Niles also says that by gaining an understanding of xhtml, journalists are able to set up web pages without having to buy expensive software. This is good news for journalists in African countries, who may not be able to afford the software. Many African journalists do not have Internet access in their newsrooms due to the cost of Internet connections. As a result, many of them access the Internet through Internet Cafes or through one computer in their newsroom. These computers may not have the web page design programmes on them, which may prove problematic for journalists who do not have a firm grasp of xhtml. However, with an understanding of xhtml, journalists can utilise simple programmes such as notepad, which is available on most computers, to set up web pages.
With regard to web accessibility, which will be discussed in greater detail in another post, by having a firm grasp of xhtml, journalists can develop and follow methods that promote web accessibility to people not only with physical disabilities, but also to those who struggle with slow Internet connections (Yes, Africa, I am talking to you).
By mastering xhtml, journalists are able to follow specific guidelines, like the ones suggested by Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0[3]. In order to make the web more accessible, journalists need to be able to identify and manipulate various xhtml elements. Henry[4] argues that by misusing markup language makes it difficult for users with specialised software to understand and navigate through the web pages.
In a continent that is hindered by increased poverty, Internet connections are costly and slow. As a result, the web is largely inaccessible to the majority of people living in African countries. By gaining an understanding of xhtml, as a journalist I am better suited to an African context because I will be able to use xhtml to make the web more accessible to users, shortening downloading time by replacing images with text equivalent elements, for example.
As a result, learning xhtml does not only have the ability to benefit the journalist, but it has the potential to provide people in Africa with better access to information.
[1] Niles, R. 2005. “From the Teaching Trenches: Hardcoding is Harder, but Results are Worth It”. USC Annenberg Online Journalism Review. Retrieved 3 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ojr.org/ojr/stories/050113niles/
[2] See above
[3] Henry, S. 2007. “Web Accessibility Initiative”. Web Accessibility Initiative. Retrieved 3 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.w3.org/WAI/
[4] See above
This post is actually an extension of a previous one that looked at the relevance of journalists learning and utilising xhtml. One could argue that mastering the entangled mesh of codes and symbols is superfluous when web design programmes such as Macromedia Dreamweaver allow anyone to design a web page. However, as a journalism and media studies student who is required to learn xhtml as part of my course, I am going to stand firm in my previous assertion thatit is important for journalists to have a solid grasp of the technical language of xhtml and here’s why:
Niles[1] argues that by learning xhtml, journalism students are not only taught how to create web pages through hardcoding, but are also being taught and reminded of the important principles of journalism. An example that I have already mentioned, is precision. As a media producer, it is essential, when writing an article or taking a photograph, that the information being recorded and published is accurate. As a result, journalists need to be precise, not only in the gathering of information, but also in the actual production and distribution of that information. Xhtml is an intricate combination of codes and by leaving out the smallest, seemingly insignificant symbol can alter the entire layout of your web page. By learning to pay attention to detail, through the mastering of xhtml, journalists will be more accurate publishers of news and information.
Another reason to support the need for journalists to grasp xhtml is that it helps them to “develop the ability to understand a technical language”[2]. Journalists often have to engage with people and issues that they know very little about and they may not have an understanding of particular technical jargon that is used. Niles states that by learning a technical language like xhtml, journalists are given an opportunity to overcome their fear of technical jargon. It may also provide journalists with the ability to make sense of seemingly tedious jargonised information and documents. As a result of being able to better understand and interpret technical jargon, journalists will be better equipped to ask more informed questions and interrogate more effectively the nature of the information, thus providing a more well-rounded and thoroughly researched article.
Niles also says that by gaining an understanding of xhtml, journalists are able to set up web pages without having to buy expensive software. This is good news for journalists in African countries, who may not be able to afford the software. Many African journalists do not have Internet access in their newsrooms due to the cost of Internet connections. As a result, many of them access the Internet through Internet Cafes or through one computer in their newsroom. These computers may not have the web page design programmes on them, which may prove problematic for journalists who do not have a firm grasp of xhtml. However, with an understanding of xhtml, journalists can utilise simple programmes such as notepad, which is available on most computers, to set up web pages.
With regard to web accessibility, which will be discussed in greater detail in another post, by having a firm grasp of xhtml, journalists can develop and follow methods that promote web accessibility to people not only with physical disabilities, but also to those who struggle with slow Internet connections (Yes, Africa, I am talking to you).
By mastering xhtml, journalists are able to follow specific guidelines, like the ones suggested by Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0[3]. In order to make the web more accessible, journalists need to be able to identify and manipulate various xhtml elements. Henry[4] argues that by misusing markup language makes it difficult for users with specialised software to understand and navigate through the web pages.
In a continent that is hindered by increased poverty, Internet connections are costly and slow. As a result, the web is largely inaccessible to the majority of people living in African countries. By gaining an understanding of xhtml, as a journalist I am better suited to an African context because I will be able to use xhtml to make the web more accessible to users, shortening downloading time by replacing images with text equivalent elements, for example.
As a result, learning xhtml does not only have the ability to benefit the journalist, but it has the potential to provide people in Africa with better access to information.
[1] Niles, R. 2005. “From the Teaching Trenches: Hardcoding is Harder, but Results are Worth It”. USC Annenberg Online Journalism Review. Retrieved 3 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ojr.org/ojr/stories/050113niles/
[2] See above
[3] Henry, S. 2007. “Web Accessibility Initiative”. Web Accessibility Initiative. Retrieved 3 March, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.w3.org/WAI/
[4] See above
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