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Hi! My name's Katherine. Welcome to My Page.
Some info about me:
- I'm from Bundaberg (so be nice to me because that's where the rum comes from!).
- This is my first year of uni. I graduated from St Luke's Anglican School last year. Oh! the excitement.
- One of my favourite search engines is Google. I love all the fantastic and utterly usless stuff you can find using it.
- I'm doing a Bachelor of Mass Communication majoring in Public Reations and Media and Communication.
- I love to travel. For the holidays i went to Hong Kong. One day i hope to live and work there.
If you find any of these random facts the least bit interesting, feel free to send me an email
PROJECT PROPOSAL
Annotated Bibliography
Wireless Technology in a Domestic Setting
Wireless and WiFi Technologies
A Brief History of WiFi. 2004. The Economist. 371 (8379): 22 (accessed August 5, 2004).
- This article suggests it is merely a brief history of WiFi, however, in terms of detail, the content is highly informative and is a good grounding for understanding wireless technology today, how it works and why. As the article mentions, WiFi was spawned by an American government agency and from those humble beginnings the technology has been rework, refined and applied to everyday life. This began many years before the idea of wireless networking or home automation. However, the article acknowledges that WiFi’s main use is within a domestic environment and dismisses the idea that WiFi will surpass other wireless technologies due to its short range. Rather, the article describes WiFi as the first glimpse to the future and what will eventually be possible with wireless technology.
Palowireless. 2004. Palowireless Wireless resource Center. www.palowireless.com (accessed August 5, 2004).
- Palowireless is probably on of the most informative sources on wireless technology available on the web. It is truly a definitive guide to wireless technologies. This site caters for all levels of understanding and the tutorials are very helpful, especially for beginners who do not understand WiFi terms. There is a wide selection of topics ranging from fairly well known technologies such as Local Area Networks and Global Positioning Systems to lesser known technology such as data ranging and infrared. However, the most interesting aspect is the detailed explanation of Bluetooth technology. As this is a commonly used wireless technology within many homes today, the site has dedicated a lot of space for discussing Bluetooth.
Wireless Networking at Home
What Wireless Networking Means To Everyday People. 2003. http://www.linksys.com/products/wp_wireless.asp (accessed August 10, 2004).
- This paper, produced by one of the many manufactures of wireless hardware, is an informing and easy to understand beginners guide to wireless networking using such technologies as LAN and the implications of this technology on daily life. The paper outlines the history of wireless technology in a brief summary and then proceeds to explain what a Local Area Network is and why and how it should be used in the home. All of this is very easy to understand especially for those who are not up to date with recent technological changes and their use in everyday life. The paper also includes diagrams, which sets this paper apart from the rest because it makes this seeming complicated technology more understandable. However, it is difficult to ignore the idea that this is also a publication that is being used to sell Linksys’ wireless products especially with its well-worded list of guidelines that a ‘good network’ should adhere to and unsurprisingly Linksys does.
Mark Ward. 2002. Wireless net takes over homes. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2591181.stm (accessed August 6, 2004).
- This article outlines one of the more modern and soon to be highly popular uses for wireless technology. As the article suggests, the no longer overly expensive option of wireless networking within the home is just beginning to become fashionable and more accessible for the general public. The main focus however is with using a wireless network to share a broadband internet connection. When written in 2002 the idea probably was difficult to believe however today wireless networking is a popular choice for many homeowners. The article also looks at the security risks that are apparent when using wireless LAN networks.
Ring, B. 2003. The Magic Disappearing Cable Trick. PC Powerplay, 92: 87-92.
- This article in PC Powerplay is a humorous investigation into the benefits of wireless technology, especially the most obvious plus of no cables. The easy to understand article explains some of the complicated terms associated with wireless networks and also examines the cost benefits of going wireless. Split into segments the article describes the “bits� needed to set up a network, the different standards of transmition and speeds, bandwidths and the pros and cons of this new technology for beginners and also IT savvy readers. The magazine also conducted a test of the major wireless hardware manufactures and has reviewed and rated each product accordingly.
Schaff, W. 2004. Wireless Networking Moves Home. Information Week, 994: 91 (accessed August 11, 2004 from Proquest: Computing database).
- This article is an account of the writer’s own experiences in discovering the wonder of wireless technology (as well as the expense encountered and installation problems). Schaff discusses the different equipment that is available setting up a home wireless network. Although written in Canada, the same brands of technology are also available in Australia. He then goes on to describing the best products and the companies that make them. In this case that is Linksys and Netgear, both of which, we are told, dominate the global market. Schaff also makes a point about the security ‘headache’ associated with wireless technology and networking. This is a wireless networking issue that has received substantial negative coverage and as the author explains, this factor can make installation difficult or simply deter possible wireless buyers altogether.
Home Automation
Intelligent Home Show. 2004. Intelligent Home Show: Intelligent living for today and tomorrow. http://www.hannoverfairs.com.au (accessed August 12, 2004).
- This Australian website contains everything that anyone would possibly want to know about home automation. The digitally-integrated home is fast becoming a more common option for new home builders and this site outlines all the wireless possibilities that home owners may be interested in. Even though wireless solutions are readily available today, especially for the home-office, the site also goes into great detail about home entertainment solutions and the energy efficiency of have a partially or fully automated home. The main focus of the site is to make the idea of being free to do work, or control lighting and home heating or air-conditioning from anywhere in the home or even the backyard highly desirable and practical. The site also highlights the security positives of owning a wireless automated home.
MSN House and Home. 2004. Smart Homes:Your Wish Is Their Command. http://houseandhome.msn.com/Improve/SmartHomes0.aspx (accessed August 7, 2004).
- With wireless technology becoming more inventive, accessible and helpful to everyday people, the idea of wiring up a home is becoming more acceptable to homebuilders. This article talks about creating a digital home, what is involved, the cost and the benefits. Topics covered include automated lighting (both for mood and security), heat, ventilation and air-conditioning, automated home security and communication systems as well as appliances that communicate with one another. Also of interest was the integrated home entertainment network and the home office network. Overall the article goes into more wireless options for the home as well as wireless networks and computers.
Social Effects of Wireless Technology
Hansen, D. and I. Macneill. 2003. Unwired. BC Business, 31 (11): 29 (accessed August 11, 2004, from ABI/INFORM Global).
- This journal article, although not entirely on home wireless networking, made some interesting points in regard to large corporations giving employees more freedom by equipping their computing equipment with wireless cards. No longer is the office entirely necessary for internet access. Employees can now do work from home by using a wireless network. With businesses initially doubtful about the long term value of introducing wireless systems, the 'out of office trials' have proved successful and once again reiterated the usefulness of wireless computer technology, not only to the success of the business but also the well being of employees. Having the opportunity of working from home instead of going into the office has lead to employees becoming more motivated to work.
Rifkin, J. 2000. The Age Of Access. London: Penguin Books.
- Rifkin has a strong understanding of the New Economy and the social implications that the 'Age of Access' does have and will continue to have on society. The first chapter of his book outlines the change from an economy where wealth was once only associated with tangible property to today where intangible property, such as information, is highly sort after and in some cases, priceless. The section titled ‘Proteans and Proletarians’ discusses the way in which society and more importantly the human conscience, has altered and adapted in a world of computers and networks and how psychological traits such as multiple personas have developed in the young people of today. Rifkin argues that a world of networks and constant connectivity has had, and will continue to have a significant influence on the human psyche.
Smith, M. 2000. Some Social Implications of ubiquitous mobile networks. ACM SIGMOBILE Mobile and Communications Review 4 (2): 25-36. Queensland University of Technology, Online Learning and Teaching Web site: https://olt.qut.edu.au/CI/KCB336/sec/index.cmf?fa+displayPage (accessed August 10, 2004)
- This resource is a highly detailed paper outlining the social benefits, but more importantly the rarely thought of implications, that wireless technology will have on society. Smith suggests these problems are beginning to surface as more and more people are using wireless devices. He predicts that eventually, when these wireless devices are cheap enough and broadband wireless connections are widely available, our social lives will change dramatically. The paper describes the technology that is currently being used such as wireless LAN technologies, satellite services and other wireless technology such as Bluetooth and cell phones. Also discussed are the severe social outcomes that could arise like the relationships between power-groups and the emergence of counter-power groups.
Katherineedwards 17:41, 12 Aug 2004 (EST)
