Let’s Go Searching: Antioxidants

Antioxidants. A pretty broad topic to be researching I know – but as I sit at the doctors waiting to have a blood test, I figure its probably fitting to be writing about something that intertwines with daily life. So…researching anyway…I use google.com, DuckDuckGo.com and instagrok.com. Methodically I type in antioxidants – shit – spelt it wrong. eeeek. I have another go…Suddenly my screen opens up to a vast array of information – I think I’ll start reading and come back to this tomorrow. Byeeeeee.

Tomorrow:

Well I managed to get through a bit of research last night to be overloaded with more information than enough about antioxidants, their properties and how they really DO improve your overall wellbeing, health and most importantly your life. The search results I received were all obviously centred around the importance of antioxidants however the actually display of content and approach altered quite dramatically.

Having used basically no other search engines aside from Google and the applications in which parallel with the site I was baffled by this new content. So…Instagrok or DuckDuckGo were very interesting as the way they presented their information was definitely out of the search engine norm.

The information that was presented from Instagok seemed to be aimed at more of the youth generation – using a concept map to present key words that were linked with antioxidants – this was accompanied by lists, facts, journal entries and numerous other links in which can be navigated very easily. The eligibility for users to take a more interactive approach to researching seemed to be informative but much less congested as your general search engine enquiry. Difficulty can be altered to suite the users preference – thus this would aim at a variety of younger users to increase the content given as their basic knowledge of the topic increases to improve. This type of search engine provides a variety of different solutions in regard to effective research technology, however I do not think it is the most thorough and intellectually stimulating information based site for information of antioxidants – more a basic summary that would be further explained through more common search engine providers.

I began to indulge further into alternate search engine realms and came across DuckDuckGo. This search engine was much more relatable to that of the stereotypical search engine. The initial information that is presented is linked from Wikipedia to give a basic overview and definition of antioxidants. The information is much more comprehendible and informative just based on the blurb given under the heading to indulge the user to view the site. In comparison to instagrok, this website provides a much more relatable format to that of google and the array and diversity of information is significantly increased.

Last..but most definitely not least comes the almighty GOOGLE. Google is such a credible search engine in its own right, as the clear array of information in which the search provider produces is a modern phenomena in itself. I think out of all the three search providers it most definitely is the most thorough. Through the nature of its popularity it regulates the most popular and up to date information on the desired topic. Instagrok and Google share the similarity in which related topics are shown, and also the list format DuckDuckGo illustrates is also of a like format to that of Google. The only problem that Google search properties denotes is that the sheer popularity of information is presented as somewhat proof – whereby minority opinion seems to be somewhat hidden beneath due to the mass scale of information enabled within a search. For example when searching antioxidants there is a mere 5,510,000 results at 7.32PM of this eve. I can guarantee this will increase substantially overnight through content creation throughout the night, diminishing some information to the backbench. All in all…broaden your horizons…don’t just be a ‘googler’ – you never know what you might discover!

Google Alerts: The Greatest Story Never Told

Google Alerts – I stand on the fence a little with these notifications. It remains somewhat interesting however sometimes my email becomes so chok-a-block with alerts – sorry…but it really does become a  royal pain in my arse. One appropriate feed in which I subscribed to through Google Alerts is “The Australian Year of the Farmer”. My interest in farming remains paramount – the rural atmosphere runs through my veins and pumps through my blood – it’s my life. This year marks the Year of the Farmer which highlights the achievements of farmers throughout Australia –  I decided to subscribe to this feed in not only supporting Australian farmers but also keeping in touch with my interest and inspirations to one day work within the Agricultural industry – you would hope after all these alerts I would have some understanding!

I was directed through Google Alerts to a Youtube video denoting the importance of farmers in providing vital supplies for urban dwellers – and definitely our nation.

 

The video is very effective as it provides an informative presentation which can appeal to a variety of demographics – it doesn’t not singularly appeal to farmers who actually “know how to use technology”. It uses modern technologies such as sensationalised graphics and diagrams to promote the importance of the farmer and agriculture within Australia and the globe. This video made me think about the importance of social media in the connection of farming and urban communities.

For many people there is a huge knowledge gap when it comes to one of the most important industries in this country…Agriculture.

A day after discovering this video I received another notification from Google Alerts again relating to the Australian Year of the Farmer. I was lead to the official website and discovered a blog that featured an article by Danica Leys, “Using social media to connect farmers and urban communities”.

I thought that Leys made some very interesting points about the power of the farmer in our economy and our way of life. Questions also can be raised about the naivety of some urban folk in their knowledge of farmers – they do not understand that farmers are integral within Australian industry. Stereotypes of ‘the farmer’ have degraded their legitimacy to ‘urbanites’ as they seek to neglect the importance of their existence.

However, the influence of social media and digitalisation has enabled the gap between country and city communities to decrease as knowledge of farming is more accessible to a variety of people via the internet. This may be through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other interactive networking sites.

…I believe that social media is a powerful tool to connect rural and urban communities by sharing experiences growing understanding and building respect.

The public are now enabled to the real stories about how our nation operates – and how food and other commodities are enabled by the farming community. Social media is invaluable.This is our time to flourish – this is our time to bloom – Australian farmers must unite to promote themselves as the heroes in which they are. Let’s use digitalisation to show Australia and the world how important our farmers really are.

wewalksideways

Reblog: How to Write a Thankyou Note

HOW TO WRITE A THANKYOU NOTE

August 15, 2012 · by  · in Creative Writing

It can be hard to write a perfect thank you note- finding the right things to say without sounding corny or insincere.

The ideal note is warm and complementary, trying not to be too formal. Perhaps start with a casual greeting:

Hi Greg!

Be specific- thank the person for their specific contribution for the evening or event, something to show them you appreciated their presence:

Jeremy and I wanted to say thank you for coming on Saturday night. The cap you wore with the helicopter spinner on it greatly assisted with dinner conversation, and my visiting relatives were very interested to hear you trace your lineage back to Hitler.

Then thank them for any gifts received and/or dishes supplied, including at least one comment on how much you like or can use the item:

The Brumby’s voucher you gave us for our anniversary was very thoughtful, particularly as it expired last year and so my ‘problem thighs’ won’t suffer. Also, the crusket you bought along provided a savoury alternative for desert, a potentially embarrassing hole in our planning as you pointed out.

Make sure to allay any unease the guest may have over any incidents or mishaps that may have occurred:

Please rest assured that I have bought Jeremy around, and he can now see how the wicker chair in James’ room could appear to be a toilet if it was very dark and he squints.

It is always polite to mention something personal about the guest, such as family members or special events in their life:

We wish you all the best with the moustache you are growing, and support your decision to fill in the blanks with whichever colour texta you have on hand. It really is not that noticeable.

Now just sign off and that’s it! Writing a thankyou letter wasn’t as exhausting as you thought, was it?

 All our love,

 Susie, Jeremy, and James.

 PS. I have posted the parachute pants you took off after dinner, and took the liberty of sewing up the hole in the crotch that Grandma Cohen was alarmed by.

Read more helpful and enlightening letters on my creative writing blog- http://acivilisedpursuit.com/

Creative Commons

Creative Commons all seems to be a bit of a whirl for me – originally looking at all the different licensing I was baffled and confused by the scope and variety in which copyright licensing can be categorised. How can there be so many different licensing models – and who the hell designed them?!

I went in cold turkey and went with my gut instinct. I decided to license my blog under the Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported license for my work! Here’s a little insight into why I chose this particular license….

I decided to use this particular license as I believe it enables like-minded bloggers like myself to become involved in a creative landscape, however keeping perspectives realistic when attributing other peoples work. I don’t want people copying my shizzz…but commenting seems to be applicable in this networked group that will most predominately be interacting with me. Hypothetical scenario – this blog becomes the most famous in the world (not going to happen…well at least I don’t think so) – the point here is that no matter how many comments I receive they must be considerate and rational otherwise I will disregard the comments as spam…you know where to go if you don’t appreciate my work. Spam that I receive will just be deleted – I don’t really care if you think my posts are pointless – don’t read the blog if you’re not interested.

I think that creating this sort of spam/comment/licensing control enables me to hold somewhat some power in the work in which I am producing and the feedback in which I receive from other WordPress users. So what are you waiting for bloggers – get creative and COMMENT!

wewalksideways

wewalksideways by Kat Porter is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Children of tomorrow-land …

We are faced with a continual battle of how we are supposed to raise our children – to what standard – to what means – to what end?

It’s a continually controversial and contriving field of discussion and debate whereby we the people – the bystanders – stare on aimlessly in the distance waiting for our turn in the realm of parenthood. THIS SCARES THE SHIT OUT OF ME

How am I supposed to be able to comprehend the overwhelming influence of a child that comes into this world – it’s mine – what am I supposed to do with it? That’s a common response that many adolescent individuals have within their minds.

A buzz of inspiration ran through me at reading KJ Dell’antonia’ article ‘Grounded? Thank Mom and Dad’

This opinion based piece questions the authority of the parent and how the grounding of children remains paramount in their existence and their development. The example used is whether or not the 8-year old child is able to attend a school camp. But due the child undermining her parents authority and instigating ‘X’ she is unable to attend. The tantrums follow – the crying- blah blah blah blah blah. The point – we are subject to a variety of interpretations of how we should raise our children – and how do we know what is right?

Journalists among journalists discuss the issues with children – these days most of their problems are strewed from Facebook, YouTube and “X”. What is “X”? Where are these problems stimulating from and how do we as adults deal with “X”?

‘Why didn’t anyone tell me that grounding my child would be this hard?’

Google Reader, is a great way for parents to find information about differing views in which parenting should be undertaken – this is great – it sends you any information in which you feel relevant to your cause and you can subscribe to it. For example, I subscribed to the topic of fashion and articles that are relevant continually appear for convenience. For anything your in to – from parenting – to fashion to health to literature – the world is at your fingertips.

And just for the record – I’m not pregnant.

wewalksideways

Nike: Find Your Greatness

Yep. In Spirit of the Olympics I thought this video was particularly good. Ive been asked to review this clip – I guess in any way that I fine relevant. I think that the clip is particularly effective as it doesn’t just reflect the underlying universality of the Olympics, but it also denotes the importance of community – whether we are large or small, we all bring something as a community to our global arena. The voiceover reiterates this sense of community, “Somehow we have come to believe that greatness is reserved for the chosen few…for the superstar…the truth is…greatness is for all of us.” The young diver at the conclusion of the clip remains somewhat in isolation, nervously anticipating the jump/dive that he endeavours to undertake – one may think that this is not characteristic of “community” , however I believe he represents us as ONE – ready to step up to the challenge – ready to execute – even if we sloppily jump rather than dive to the challenge. From BMX tricks to Baseball – Diving to Dirt Rugby – we all form a strand in the narrative for the 2012 London Olympics. What coloured strand will you be?

Yep. In Spirit of the Olympics I thought this video was particularly good. Ive been asked to review this clip – I guess in any way that I fine relevant. I think that the clip is particularly effective as it doesn’t just reflect the underlying universality of the Olympics, but it also denotes the importance of community – whether we are large or small, we all bring something as a community to our global arena. The voiceover reiterates this sense of community, “Somehow we have come to believe that greatness is reserved for the chosen few…for the superstar…the truth is…greatness is for all of us.” The young diver at the conclusion of the clip remains somewhat in isolation, nervously anticipating the jump/dive that he endeavours to undertake – one may think that this is not characteristic of “community” , however I believe he represents us as ONE – ready to step up to the challenge – ready to execute – even if we sloppily jump rather than dive to the challenge. From BMX tricks to Baseball – Diving to Dirt Rugby – we all form a strand in the narrative for the 2012 London Olympics. What coloured strand will you be?