Module 1 Activities

Name Check
I haven't encountered namechk.com before, but it was interesting to test it out with a variety of candidates for my web presence names. It's quite difficult to find a "normal" word which is generally available, but I tested a few of my favourites and found a couple of suitable names. I'll decide later what to use.

Routing in Action
The visual trace tool is a lot of fun. After a while, I tried skype.com which I thought was based in the UK, but their web server at least must be in Canada, by this account. I tried a domain that I maintain with a host in Melbourne, and the trace ended in China. Is my hosting company outsourcing?

Then I tried another that I maintain but don't host, and it went the full circle via China back to Australia (see image).

Going Way Back
How interesting! I bet some designers and organisations cringe to realise that their old websites have been captured in this way. It's scary enough looking at old versions of my own sites.

The Initial Questions

I've been really slow getting started on this unit, too much work, too much travel, but here's my responses to the initial list of questions ...
How many of you have used email this week?
I use email all day every day, and only get a break when my travels take me out of range of a wireless signal, like I had last weekend. I feel that my life revolves around email!

How many have used a social networking site in the last week? I'm fully aware of social networking sites but have steadfastly avoided getting involved with them. I fear they are a huge waste of time, and pose a risk to your privacy. From what I've read so far, this Unit will require me to get involved with social networking sites, so I guess I'll break this drought soon. Maybe, I'll become addicted, but I hope not. I value my time too much!


How many of you have watched video content online? (YouTube, Facebook Video, etc.) Occasionally at most, usually to research a topic. Already in this Unit, I've used YouTube more than ever before.

How many of you have created media in the past week? (Share a photo, video, posted to a blog, or Twitter, etc?) Quite a lot, apart from this blog. I create and maintain websites and online databases for some Clubs and Community organisations, and maintaining + improving these sites is a reasonably heavy workload.