E.I.R rawks

1. Using your favourite metaphor, describe the most important lesson that you had learnt in your EIR journey.

Ideas are fluid. Hold on to tightly and they'll slip through your fingers. Hold on too long and they'll evaporate. Drink them and make them nourish you is the best way to retain it. Taking evaluation skills for example. In order to get the best search engine suited for a particular topic, one must be able to evaluate the different search engines and make decisions. So, how do we evaluate them? This is one of the most important skills I had learn in EIR. This is an important knowledge for everyone to grasp as it will effectively enhance our internet research. These evaluating criteria include purpose, coverage, authority and many other more. So.. why do i say ideas are fluid? It is due to the fact that there are too many ideas from people around, but it is almost impossible for a single homosapien to digest (unless he is a genius!!).

2. Write a paragraph summarizing your findings on your research topic.

After so much of intensive research on the topic "Impact of gaming on youths", I could safely say that it is the same as technology, as there is a saying goes "technology is a double edged sword". There too many pros and cons to it. Overall, in my opinion, one should not indulge in a particular game, no matter its usefulness in helping one relieve stress or any other reasons. There are also examples whereby much indulgence in gaming will degrade ones physical fitness.

I believe that this topic - Dream Holiday - makes everyone excited upon hearing it and it somehow fills one heart with hope and love. I got to admit that I too have thousands of thought rushing through my mind now. I know that the transport nowadays are so accessible that you can name a place and you can get there in lesser than a day. However, I was not born with a sliver spoon and thus does not have the luxury to travel or explore the world. 20 years of my life was spent in Singapore and Malaysia only. Thus, I longed to visit some non-tropical countries, with 4 seasons and at the same time looking at rich cultures. I would really love to witness mother nature magically changing a landscape of colors to snow-filled wintry white. Maybe it is the fact that I have been staying in a typically hot country that make me want to visit a cold country.

Well, by now you could have guessed where my dream holiday destination is. That's right. It would be Japan. Japan is one of the popular country that people visit throughout the years, to witness different climate change and not forgetting its rich cultures.

Let's take a closer look at this wonderful picture.



I could confidently say that this picture will melt your heart and lots of fantastic images will unknowingly surface in your mind. I usually say, how great it will be if I am able to visit it someday. The magical Sakura season usually visits Japan in March annually.

Now, take a look at this!



Lots of people including me will be shouting and jumping with joy if we were there! It would really be a destination I cannot miss out and I really really hope in time to come, I will have a chance to visit.

Of course! Cultures of Japan includes.......



SUMO!
Sumo wrestling is actually a sports, only in Japan. Those sumo wrestlers are known as Rikishis fought in a small circle, trying to push the opponent out of the ring to emerge the winner. This event takes place 6 times a year and the tournament date varies.

As much as wonderful the the pictures are, I would like to thank the Japan National Tourism Organization for providing the information. I would like to evaluate this website- http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/index.html based on the following criteria:

Purpose - The purpose of this site is to introduce the hot spots and cultures in Japan to boost it's tourism industry. The site can be classified under marketing and advertising web.

Coverage - The website covers a really wide area of contents. It includes relevant images and videos, it also covers most of Japan's heritage, attraction, and also maps of the country. News and forum is also present for viewers who are interested to participate in.

Currency - Articles and news were updated almost daily and thus, the website is very current as in updated with the latest information about Japan. The website publishes and refreshes its information regularly including its event logs.

Accessibility - The website is readily accessible for any viewers in the world. Viewers do not have to register to get information and pictures from the web. However, to comment, one need to have a valid user name and password.

Presentation and arrangement - The website have fabulous arrangement for its data. Data were classified under many different columns and sub-headings were cascaded, making it for user to navigate and search for information.

This might not be the best, but it is surely one of the best site to visit if you have the same dream destination as me.

Cheers,
Mike

I have received National Service Enlistment notice recently and went for the full body check-up in building of Manpower base located at 3 depot road. I woke up early in the morning (6.00 am!!) to prepare for the check-up as I heard from some of my friends that it would take more than 5 hours if we get there late. Initially, I was reluctant to believe that it would take 5 hours for a simple check-up. However, I heed their advice and went there early. Upon reaching, I saw a number of guys were there already, ahead of me. My appointment was 8.30am but I reach there at 8am whereby the gate just open. I was one of the few who got to take photos, x-ray and stuff. It only took me about 2 hours to complete all the stations till the last one. T he last station was a vocational test station. I cannot believe that I took more than 3 hours doing that test! They test me about all sort of questions. From physics, mathematics, algebra, signs, and many many other more that you can never imagine! During the first hour of the test, I took great effort to ensure every answer was pondered over and guaranteed to be correct, but after that 1 hour, i told myself that I do not care anymore, and start random clicking and punching in of answers. I feel like a joke and well, at the end of the day, I wish I do not get into any funny unit >
Cheers,
Mike

a. Which criteria did you use to evaluate Stomp.com? Why did you choose this criteria? What lessons have you learn from this activity?

2 criterias were used to evaluate stomp in my team. Firstly, Stomp allow freedom of speech. There is almost no limitations to what a member can say in the discussion forum or comment on a certain top stories. Users also can choose to add photos or news to the section by sending the administration team of the site. There are no moderators to moderate they content of posts.

Secondly, all the internet citizen are granted access to the site and voice out their opinion. This can show that all the comments were not from a professional or administrator.

I have learn that setting up a citizen journal may not be that simple after all. One have to consider all sorts of possibilities and filter unwanted or undesirable posts from ground user.

b. How do you feel about sharing your views via Wiki?

I feel good to share what i think and idea to the community. I hope that it can awaken or drill some sense into people who have a totally different perspective from me. It is just like a platform for me to voice out my feel about this topic.

a. Do you think it is more effective to search the invisible web (databases) than using search engines, meta-search or subject directories? Why?

I certinly think that it is better to searh the invisible web than the public search engines. Probably it is because we get better services with money? I do not really know. But the search results from the invisble web is very much better than the ones found on Google or Yahoo, more relevant to the topic and article reflect the topic with lesser junk information.

b. Will you use the invisible web (databases) for research in your own respective Diplomas? Why?

The invisible database will be the best source for my diploma's project research. It is clearly classified and article found are reliable. For instance, my course requires us to research for some herbs. I could easily click under the science column and start start searching for related sources from the large pool of data. The only thing that needs improving would be their period of article. I mean, they should get and include the latest data and insert it into heir database for searches.

c. What have you learnt from your wiki experience during this practical?

I have learnt that a collaboration is not as simple as it seems. I have to look through other people's comment and what have been written , to avoid repeated data. It was fun in a way, as I am able to work in an environment with unknown people and it really explores me to the society.

I would like wish all of my friends and family a very happy new year! I had a great day yesterday counting down and going out with friends. Initially, my friend told me that we will be eating in Sakae Sushi buffet at Dhoby Ghaut. However, wheni got there, it turned out to be Sakura International Buffet! I was HORRIFIED when I learn about it. Due to past experience eating in Sakura, I feel that the $32 will be going down the drain again. By far, I still think that Sakura's buffet does not worth the money spent due to the lack of variety of food and the tastiness too.

The buffet ends at 10.30pm. After having the buffet at Dhoby Ghaut I rushed back to Tampines, as I promised my another group of friends that I will count down with them.

"Holiday" doesn't seem to be a very good thing to me after-all. Well... not actually a bad thing either, I must say. Haha. This is due to the fact that holiday equals more projects. Same as before, this rather short term break was fully packed with project, project and more projects!

The good thing is... IT'S CHRISTMAS! It's time to be jolly, merry, and forget all about the frustrating things or any tripping stones u faced and celebrate! At this time time of the year, it never fail to lighten my feeling.

I hereby wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Good luck for everyone's future endeavor..

Cheers,
Mike