From M/Cyclopedia of New Media
My name is Roxanne Hawes and I am a full time student at the Queensland University of Technology [1], where I am studying a Bachelor of Creative Industries (Media and Communication). Originally from Maryborough, QLD, I moved to Brisbane at the beginning of 2004 to go to university.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
- Age: 19 years
- Birth Date: 05/04/1986
- Address: Indooroopilly 4068
- Full time student at QUT, Kelvin Grove [2] campus
- I am in my second year of study
- I will graduate at the end of 2006
BACHELOR OF CREATIVE INDUSTRIES (MEDIA & COMMUNICATION)
As mentioned, I am studying a Bachelor of Creative Industries (Media and Communication)[3] and I also have a sub-major in Television [4].
COMPLETED UNITS AND RESULTS
- YEAR 1, SEMESTER 1
- Communication in the New Economy - 6 Distinction
- Strategic Speech Communication - 4 Pass
- Media and Society - 5 Credit
- Cultures and Creativity - 6 Distinction
- YEAR 1, SEMESTER 2
- Media and Communication Industries - 6 Distinction
- Introduction to Multimedia Technology - 6 Distinction
- Media and Communication Research Methods - 5 Credit
- Writing for the Creative Industries - 5 Credit
- YEAR 2, SEMESTER 1
- Australian Television - 6 Distinction
- Narrative in the Creative Industries - 4 Pass
- Media Business - 6 Distinction
- Principles of Television - 5 Credit
Current GPA = 5.333
UNITS CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN
- YEAR 2, SEMESTER 2
- Managing Communication Resources
- New Media Technologies
- Film and Television Languages
- Media Production
SKILLS
This course has/is providing me with both a practical and contextual understanding of the rapidly growing media and communication industries. Core units have given me practical skills in:
- Multimedia
- Writing
- Communication
Other elective units have allowed me to study:
- Local industries
- International industries
- Media audiences
- Professional communication
- New media technologies
- Online communication
I have production skills in print and online media formats also.
All these skills are further complemented by the skills i am obtaining in my Television sub-major.
FUTURE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
My course provides me with many options, however I am mainly interested in working in the television or magazine industries.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Currently I am not working and just focussing on my studies. Over the course of 2004 however, I was a casual employee at:
- Zellow's, Indooroopilly Shopping Centre
- Donut King, Toowong Shopping Centre
KCB336 NEW MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES
ASSIGNMENTS
Topics of interest for assignment 1:
I'm looking at online tourism/travel, particularly those based around Australia. The separate businesses of travel, accommodation, flights, tours etc seem to, these days, be converging into a single business that includes all of these. Some of these companies include:
- Tourism Queensland [5]
- Australian Travel and Tourism Network [6]
- Australian Travel Emporium [7]
Roxanne Hawes 15:48, 25 Jul 2005 (EST)
Roxanne Hawes 12:41, 31 Jul 2005 (EST)
Roxanne Hawes 13:14, 31 Jul 2005 (EST)
Roxanne Hawes 15:43, 1 Aug 2005 (EST)
ASSIGNMENT 1: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Tedeschi, B. (2005) “Using a Cursor to Land a Better Airline Seat,�? The New York Times, 3 Jul.
- This article gives information on a new website feature offered by online travel agencies and many airline website that allows internet users to view, allocate themselves to, and book available seats on planes. Travelocity, Orbitz and Expedia are three of the major online travel agencies offering such a feature. Based on his own use of each website, Tedeschi discusses the strengths and weaknesses he believes each of these three agencies possess. SeatGuru.com, a website with information on various aircraft seat quality, is also evaluated. Tedeschi gives a comprehensive outline of the website’s layout, a basic description of how users can navigate around the site, and he gives an account of what type information users will find.
Roxanne Hawes 17:48, 10 Aug 2005 (EST)
2. Standing, C. and Vasudavan, T. (1999) “The Impact of the Internet on the role of travel consultants,�? Participation and Empowerment vol.7, iss.8, pp.213.
- This paper examines how today’s changing business and technological environments and discusses how these environments are challenging the retail travel consultants on the functions they perform in the distribution and sale of travel products. The growth and role of travel agents is explored and an overview of the travel agency sector in Australia is provided. The paper looks at the effect of new technologies on the marketplace, the emergence of virtual travel agencies and the changing airline operating environment. The detailed results of a study of travel consultants views and attitudes towards the impact of the internet on their future employment is also featured.
Roxanne Hawes 17:42, 10 Aug 2005 (EST)
3. Law, R., Leung, K., and Wong, J. (2004) “The Impact of the Internet on Travel Agencies,�? International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management vol.16, no.2, pp.100-107.
- This paper examines the impact the internet is having on travel agencies and explores this notion based on the perception of tourists, with Law, Leung and Wong place a heavy focus on the tourism industry in Hong Kong. It also looks at whether there are any differences in the perceptions of long-haul and short-haul travellers on issues relating to disintermediation. The results of previous reports dealing with the growth of the internet and disintermediation in the travel industry are shared in detail also. The paper concludes that the coexistence of both online and traditional distributional channels is a possibility in the future and supports this statement with well explained and detailed findings.
Roxanne Hawes 17:45, 10 Aug 2005 (EST)
4. Smith, A. (2004) “Information Exchanges Associated with Internet Travel Marketplaces,�? Online Information Review vol.28, no.4, pp.292-300.
- This article describes, in very basic terms, the current status of the e-travel industry and the developments that are occurring. It explores several key concepts from the business literature as applied to e-travel. The article also gives an in-depth comparison of the similarities and differences of traditional and online travel services, with one main focusses being on the differing models each service currently has. By providing all this information, the article serves as a foundation for material for planning and marketing travel marketplaces.
Roxanne Hawes 17:45, 10 Aug 2005 (EST)
5. Clarke, L. (2004) “The Booking Prize,�? Caterer & Hotelkeeper vol.193, no.4347, pp.50.
- This article delivers a basic overview of one of the business tools provided by the internet boom of the 1990s - online booking. Clarke discusses how a number of large hotel chains have implemented online booking systems and the success they have experienced. He then goes on to emphasise that small businesses can embrace this technology too and offers options on how they can do so. ‘Keyword optimisation’, a technique employed to improve traffic driven to websites, is also explained and explored within the article, as to are short and informative case studies on Travelodge and Hilton International’s use of online booking systems.
Roxanne Hawes 17:47, 10 Aug 2005 (EST)
6. Lester, R. (2004) “Shrinking frontiers for the Online Travel World,�? Marketing Week (UK) vol.27, iss.51, pp.26.
- This article provides a basic overview of the online travel and holiday industry and the author presents his views on a number of problems faced by these online companies. The article delivers facts on the industry’s present financial state and, using this information, the author makes predictions about its future. Lester highlights, in particular, the increasing level of competition between the ever-increasing number of online travel and online holiday operators and the subsequent inability of these operators to make a profit.
Roxanne Hawes 17:47, 10 Aug 2005 (EST)
7. Slaughter, S. (2004) “Man or Mouse?,�? Business Travel World, Jul., p.20.
- This article reports on the sufficient growth online travel agencies experienced in the United States over 2003 and the first half of 2004 and discusses whether or not this trend will be repeated in Europe in the coming years. It provides a comprehensive account of the trends seen in the US, takes a close look at what a variety of US online travel agencies have on offer, the challenges these online agencies are currently facing such as the consolidation of agencies as a result of increased competition, and the present position of online travel agencies in Europe. Slaughter acknowledges and covers some of the differences in the US and European market, particularly the different patterns of travel.
Roxanne Hawes 17:47, 10 Aug 2005 (EST)
8. Frary, M. (2004) “Online Onslaught,�? Business Travel World, Jun., p.4.
- This article discusses the change of online travel agencies focus from the leisure travel market to the corporate market that has occurred in recent years. It states what members of the corporate market require in terms of travel and goes on to assesses the level of success various online travel agencies are reaching in meeting these requirements. Frary gives a detailed and informative explanation of the new features, aimed at the corporate market, online travel agencies have incorporated into their websites, and looks at the strategies traditional agencies are employing in order to obtain part of this online market. The article also briefly compares and contrasts what US airlines and UK airlines are doing in an attempt to win over the corporate buyer.
Roxanne Hawes 17:47, 10 Aug 2005 (EST)
9. McPartlin, J. (2004) “Travelin’ On(line),�? CFO vol.20, iss.15, pp.13.
- This article provides an insight into the explosive market online travel has created. McPartlin gives a detailed account of the extremes some online travel agencies go to in order to fight competition and to gain and maintain their share of a variety of markets - in this particular case the article concentrates on the business market. The article explores both the positives and negatives of using such online travel services, and also provides large companies that are contemplating a move to online travel-management platform with information on , for example, what feature and offers to look for when deciding on an online travel service.
Roxanne Hawes 17:47, 10 Aug 2005 (EST)
10. Gasson, S. (2003) “The Impact of E-Commerce Technology on the Air Travel Industry,�? Annals of Cases on Information Technology vol.5, pp.234-248.
- This case study provides extensive information regarding online reservation systems, e-commerce and new internet technologies and expresses the impact these have on the travel industry. A general history of the use of information technology in the air travel industry that expands from the 1960s to the present day is given, as too is a detailed explanation of the American airlines’ SABRE (Semi-Automated Business Research Environment) system. The case study also reports on the current challenges and problems facing organisations and breaks this information down into well explained sections covering ‘Trends in the travel industry’, the ‘Challenge for e-commerce transactions’ and ‘The future of the air travel industry’.
Roxanne Hawes 17:47, 10 Aug 2005 (EST)
11. Holly, T. (2005) “Meeting of Minds,�? Business Travel World, Jun., p.18.
- This article explores how online travel agencies were perceived by fellow industry members when they first entered the managed corporate travel space three years ago and what the traditional and online travel agencies have had to do to become more competitive within the marketplace. The article gives an informed and relatively detailed comparison of the traditional travel management companies and online agencies. It focusses on the areas of service, value, agency models, experience and technology and includes direct quotes from industry experts such as Matt Hulett, the president of Expedia Corporate Travel.
Roxanne Hawes 17:47, 10 Aug 2005 (EST)
12. Feldman, J. (1999) “Battle of the Mouse Clicks,�? Air Transport World vol.36, iss.1, pp.49-50.
- This article looks at the great lengths suppliers, computerised reservation systems, travel agents and high-tech firms are going to in order to retain the loyalty of corporate travellers due to reports of this particular consumer market’s $50 billion yearly expenditure. Problems companies like Expedia, E-Travel and AXI Travel are facing, features and tactics they are employing and financial information are all stated in a manner that is easy to understand and to the point. Generally, Feldman, through all this information, emphasises the importance of the implementation of new functions technology has created and the idea that the product itself has become of secondary importance to online travel agencies.
Roxanne Hawes 17:47, 10 Aug 2005 (EST)
13. Tsai, M. (2004) “Web-Travel Sites are Growing, but Pace Eases,�? Wall Street Journal, 11 Aug., p.1.
- This article gives a basic, but comprehensible and informative, account of the growth of the online travel industry over the past couple of years and discusses the amount of growth the industry expects to see in the future. Percentages of growth online travel agencies, such as Orbitz Inc., experienced in previous years are clearly stated as too are the percentages of the total number of online bookings made through online travel agencies. Tsai acknowledges the increased competition in online travel and reiterates the point that the online travel industry has much room for growth through quotes from reliable analysts.
Roxanne Hawes 17:47, 10 Aug 2005 (EST)
14. Gianforte, G. (2003) “The World at our Fingertips - How Online Travel Companies can Turn Clicks into Bookings,�? vol.10, no.1, pp.79-86.
- This is a factual and informative paper written by Greg Gianforte, the founder and CEO of RightNow Technologies, who states his belief that travel firms are not making the most of online booking opportunities - they need to provide exceptional online end-to-end user experience or else face a loss in customers. The paper includes research that supports this belief. It also gives eight simple ways, all supported by research or examples, that online travel companies can ensure best practices in site design and navigation. Gianforte also answers the question ‘how does an operation improve customer service, but still reduce overheads?’, he explores the pitfalls of software implementations, and provides a checklist of positive attributes organisations should look for when considering a customer service and support system.
Roxanne Hawes 17:47, 10 Aug 2005 (EST)
15. Brandt, A., Kandra, A., and Layton, S. (2005) “Online Travel: Smarter Search Options,�? PC World vol.23, iss.8, pp.39.
- This advisory-style article consists of information for consumers on how to discover the best possible travel deal for them. Formatted into subsections, the advice ranges from starting your search with one or all of the three major online travel agencies (Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity) and an explanation of what each agency offers to tips on what to look out for before clicking to buy tickets. The article attempts to be unbiased by discussing the drawbacks associated with doing business with any of the companies it mentions. The addition of search-engine trave sites to the online travel landscape is also briefly discussed and the role they play for consumers is assessed.
Roxanne Hawes 17:47, 10 Aug 2005 (EST)
16. Pauwels, P., Semeijn, J., and van Riel, A. (2004) “Online Travel Service Quality: the Role of Pre-Transaction Services,�? Total Quality Management & Business Excellence vol.15, iss.4, pp.475-494.
- In general, this article assesses the overall quality of the online travel service. It provides a detailed review of the literature on online service quality and, within this section, discusses different views of the role online travel services and the modelling and measuring of service quality. It also looks at how technology can enable and facilitate the exchange of information between customers and the service provider through accessibility, navigation, design, reliability and responsiveness to name a few. The article also reports on a study of quality perceptions of pre-transaction services provided on three existing travel sites in the Netherlands.
Roxanne Hawes 18:49, 10 Aug 2005 (EST)
