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Listed below are
two reviews of technology-related newsletters. Links are provided to the newsletters’ home
page should readers wish to see more information or subscribe to their
service. |
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Graphics.Com is a newsletter and website dedicated to creating and using graphics. The site’s newsletters have a different focus every issue. The topics have ranged from tips on using various software programs to locations of online image galleries highlighting examples of new trends or techniques. The newsletter does a good job embracing the graphics community by covering a multitude of software programs. There are tips, plug-ins, templates and more discussed or reviewed regularly. They also discuss upcoming trends in technology, new hardware on the horizon, and even career links and information. The newsletter provides links to the main sites articles and features, making accessing any of the items or resources a seamless process. There are often announced contests for people to practice or demonstrate their abilities on discussed techniques or applications. The main site also provides forums for members to access. This allows subscribers to discuss and share advice or opinions on the various articles in the newsletters. The subscription is completely free with submission of registration. Educators who teach computers applications or web publishing will find this sight a wonderful resource and extension for their class. The information provided will help keep the subscriber up to date with trend, continually provide new resource links which is extremely important since the web is always changing. Guided examples make providing differentiation, anchor, or enrichment activities very easy to incorporate into a Graphic Arts unit. Students could be encouraged to enter the announced competitions. Recommendation – 5/5 for anyone seeking to enhance their own personal abilities, expand their knowledge and resource base in the graphic field, or seek material and resources for student activities. |
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Javascript.Com - http://javascript.com/ Javascript.Com is a newsletter service dedicated to providing subscribers with Java related news, information and tutorials. Subscription is a weekly service and is currently free with registering being a simple process. The newsletter comes in html format which allows for quick and seamless integration with their main webpage. The newsletter contains a short synopsis of new articles with clickable titles linking subscribers to the full online version of the article. The articles range from simple java scripts showing off new goodies to general code updates for upcoming browser versions. The sample code links provide simple instructions and samples of the code in action. There are also “Tip of the Day” links and quick registration links to other newsletters that may be of interest to current subscribers. This newsletter is full of information and resources for the tech / web savvy. I very much enjoyed the free coding tips and free Java applets. The ability to see samples in action before downloading made finding what was useful and fun easy. I also felt the weekly letter was a plus as well, making it easy to stay in touch with Java trends and the community. I, however, did feel that there was no theme or binding point to each newsletter. I felt they were just random events thrown together and fired off to the subscribers. There were no forums to access; this definitely takes away from a feeling of community or ability to reflect on information with peers. Recommendation – 4/5 The newsletter is a treasure chest in resources and information. Like most treasure chests, you never know what’s inside until you open it. The “Pot-luck” style of this newsletter may appeal to some technology enthusiasts but would make it very difficult for an educator to try and incorporate this site or newsletter into part of their curriculum or for use as an extension / anchor activity. |