Writing for the User

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  03/12, 03/13, & 03/14
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  Must register by 3/09
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  Deadline 4/25

An Article for Valentine's Day

In case you missed this last week, I still have the link to the article proving that it just gets worse...This is an excellent reading to share with your partner, spouse, significant other, etc.

Writing For the User

Originally, I wanted you to do a mousetrap set of instructions, but I'm going to go ahead and drop that assignment (check the updated syllabus). Instead, I'd like for you to do a set of instructions on how to upload a webpage for UNCC students. I'll get to those specifications shortly, but for now let's go over Ch. 5 and 10 in Tebeaux & Dragga.

Thinking about the Digital Void...I Mean World

What do you think about these Websites?

Guggenheim Museum – New York
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
English Department Webpages:

• UNCC's English Department

• University of Louisville's English Department

• Towson University's English Department

• Valdosta State University's English Department

Electronic Gamming Monthly at 1UP
ATI Catalyst Control Center
PC Gamer Magazine Site
Style.Com Site

Also, what problems could arise if you used Dr. Eastin's monitor as the "typical" monitor for users of your webpage?

A Note or Two on E-mailing and CMD/CMC*
*CMD--Computer Mediated Discourse
-or-
CMC--Computer Mediated Communication

A good friend of mine, a software sales person, has very specific guidelines for the employees he supervises:

• Keep them short

• Change the Reply Subject to something more accurate

• Make them correct so the reader isn't confused

• Use e-mail when appropriate...let's discuss

Is there a difference between how men and women participate more in cyberspace?

When you have time, take a look at this article "Gender and Internet Usage" by Dholakia, Dholakia, and Kshetri. (pdf)

Blogs and IM/texting: I realize these are different things/activities, but I often think about them together. Maybe that's just my peculiarity, but what do you think about the value (in terms of communication) for each?

Set of Instructions (DUE March 23rd)

I have guidelines for your set of instructions assignment on our Assignments Page. This should be longer than your "Uploading a Webpage" document, but I'd be surprised if it was longer than 5 pages; however, it will depend on the number and size of your visuals. I also have a few other options for the assignment.

Reading for Wednesday

The reading for Wednesday isn't difficult, but it discusses issues too close to us to have any critical distance. Instead of me going through everything, you'll have to ask questions and make connections between technology and society. Before our next class (2/16), please preview this page and consider I'd like to have topics for your midterm from you related to technology in a social context.

Homework and Future Work

Your Résumés and Cover Letters are due on Wednesday (2/16).

Your Prose Revision assignment (three paragraphs) is due on Monday (2/21).

We'll get to our discussion on technology in/from a social context, so don't forget to do the Rhetoric of Technology reading.

Happy Reading!