Web Research Project

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Chapter 3

This activity contains 4 questions.

Web Project 1: Alternative Web Browsers

If you ask someone what Web browser they use, they’ll probably say Internet Explorer (IE). Although IE currently rules the browser market, we’re starting to see more competition among alternate browsers.

Research browsers on the Internet. Find at least three browsers other than Internet Explorer. Write a few paragraphs that list the specifications of each browser. What are the features that make the alternative browsers stand apart from IE? Are they all free? Finally, discuss which browser you think is right for you and why.

Suggested Keywords:
Browser Comparison, Alternative Web Browsers, Browser Market Share

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

Web Project 2: Web Portals

Many Web portals began as simple search engines or subject directories. Over time, however, these commercial sites began to incorporate extra features to make their sites more attractive to Web visitors and to keep them coming back. In addition to search features, Web portals often offer their visitors e-mail accounts, news, weather, sports, and other useful tools, all in one centralized location. Portals aren’t limited to commercial Web sites—many countries, businesses, and educational institutions have their own portals too.

Using the Internet, locate and research three different Web portals, including at least one non-commercial portal (i.e., from a school, business, or government). Compare and contrast the services offered by each portal. The following is a partial list of services you might find, but be sure to include any others you locate:

Search
Email
Instant Message
Groups
Movie Listings
Phone Directory
Marketplace
Image Search
Video Search
Radio/Music
Maps/Directions
RSS Feeds
News
Weather
Personalization Option
Local Area Services
Subject Directory
Blog Space
Translation Tools
Travel Information

Sum up your findings in a brief paper. End your paper by indicating which Web portal you like best and why.

Suggested Keywords:
Web Portal, Corporate Portal, Campus Portal, Government Portal, Gateway Site

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

Web Project 3: Podcasting

A podcast is an audio or video file that has been compressed and uploaded to the Web. The term podcasting is slightly misleading—you don’t need to own an iPod to listen to one. Any device or program capable of playing MP3 files will allow you to hear the podcast. Of course, if a podcast contains video, you will need to use a device capable of displaying video if you want to get the full impact of the program. If you subscribe to a podcast, you don’t even have to look for it—the latest updates will always be waiting for you. And if you’d like to create your own podcast, you only need a few key items to do so. Podcast content can range from amateur radio shows or talk shows to audible books to programs that have been professionally created for business or educational purposes. Podcasts are available for a vast array of topics.

For this project, select a topic that has been approved by your instructor, then use a podcast directory or search engine such as iTunes or Podscope to locate three podcasts on this topic. You can explore a technology-related podcast program or look for something covering a personal hobby or interest you may have. Write a brief paper including the following items:

Describe your search process. What podcast directory or search engine did you use? Did you use more than one search tool?
Identify the three podcasts you located and summarize the content of each.
What tool did you use to listen to or view the podcasts?
Compare and contrast the production quality of the various podcasts and evaluate their content. Did any appear to be professionally done? Was the content legitimate and worthwhile? Would you subscribe to any of these podcasts for future listening? Why or why not?
Do you think you could create a better podcast on this topic? What tools would you need to do so?

Suggested Keywords:
Podcast, Podcast Directory, Podcast Search, Evaluating Podcasts, Podcast Aggregator

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

Web Project 4: Evaluating Web Sites And Resources

Whether you are surfing the Internet for your own pleasure or conducting important research, it’s important to know whether the Web site or resource you’re viewing is legitimate. As you’ve seen throughout Chapter 3, it can be easy to create a Web site, blog, wiki, or podcast. But easy doesn’t mean accurate! This chapter lists five key questions to consider when trying to decide whether the information you’ve found on the Internet is credible:

Who is the author of the article or the sponsor of the site?
For what audience is the site intended?
Is the site biased?
Is the information in the site current?
Are the links valid and appropriate?

Select a topic that has been approved by your instructor and locate three Internet resources about your topic. Review the suggested Web sites listed below for additional ideas about determining site validity. Apply the appropriate evaluation criteria to each site and determine the legitimacy of the resources you’ve selected. Write a brief paper identifying the selected sites or resources, describing your results for each site, and summarizing your findings.

Suggested Keywords:
Evaluation Criteria, Evaluating Web Sites, Site Legitimacy, Hoax Sites, Web Site Quality

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type at the beginning of the paragraph, and at the end.

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