Putting yourself online Making Web 2.0 work for you By Jonathan Smith Overseas School of Colombo

Goals of this workshop To know the meanings of important and current internet-related terms To understand the evolution of the internet To start making your own website To utilize the OSC Hotlinks page

Terms used in this workshop Server: a computer whose hard drive is accessible to a number of other computers (used for data storage, running shared programs) Uploading: the act of copying something from your computer onto another computer through the internet Downloading: The act of copying something from another computer to yours through the internet Locally: something done on your computer (accessible only to you or your immediate colleagues) Globally: something done on the internet (accessible to everyone in the world) http: the original programming language used for web pages

Terms used in this workshop (con’t) Blog: A web page with regular journal-like entries Example: Wiki: A web page allowing others to modify content Example: Website: A collection of web pages * There are two ways of making a website : METHOD #1: Create on your computer (using a local program), then upload to someone else’s server that is “seen” on the internet METHOD #2: Create on someone else’s computer through your web browser (using their program), then store it on their server, where it is “seen” on the internet

What is “Web 2.0”? “WEB 1.0” Static websites Publishing/making One-way flow Software made by a few corporations Storing content on your computer Using programs through local computer “WEB 2.0” Blogs and wikis Contributing/collaborating Multi-way flow Open source (free) collaborative software Storing content on other peoples’ computers Using programs through a web browser “WEB 3.0” 2010-???? ? ?? ??? ???? ????? ??????

Making a website: Method #1 creating locally, publishing globally ADVANTAGES: Creativity/imagination is boundless Total control over look and content No internet connection needed until uploading – so quick editing DISADVANTAGES: Software to make website can be complicated You must have software locally to make your own site You need to upload to someone else’s server and the ‘rent’ is not free Some common software programs: FrontPage, Dreamweaver

Making a website: Method #2 creating globally, publishing globally ADVANTAGES: Quick, easy, and free Simple program with easy interface/design tool and templates No uploading – you work and save on ‘their’ server DISADVANTAGES: Does not allow much creativity – usually using basic templates and very simple design tools You need a constant, reliable fast internet connection – otherwise a slow process There my be advertisements on your site (pay a fee to remove) Some companies that provide this service: Google, Yahoo

Putting yourself online is putting yourself on the line "Never before in the history of the planet have so many people - on their own - had the ability to find so much information about so many things and about so many other people." -Thomas Friedman So, before you establish an online presence, put some time into thinking about: WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE FOR PUTTING YOURSELF ONLINE? WHO IS YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE? HOW MUCH AND WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION DO YOU REALLY WANT TO PUT ONLINE? …and don’t forget that once you put yourself online, you are ‘accessible’ to the entire world.

Bibliography The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman The Economist, Oct 25, 2008 Wikipedia