Flow Charts and Elections

Registration and Election Process for the May 2010 Automated Elections, Philippines

Hmm.

This post is REALLY LATE.

My two week passed by like usual.. but my mind failed to remind me that I had to update this blog. It was only when I looked at my bookmark a while ago that I remembered my lonesome account.

The last meeting we had was about networks and flow charts. I was glad that we are taking this certain topic. We've already learned of flow charts during my high school, and sadistic as I am, I wanted to reminisce of the intricate charts that we had to conjure during that time.

For the session, we headed to the lab to do an exercise for flow charting (if there is ever such a word). We had trouble with what program to use for the exercise as the default program for our topic is not installed in the new desktop computers. We had to scour the internet for a free flow charting program.

When we had settled with a program, we were instructed to make a flow chart for the registration and election in the May 2010 automated elections. Our groupmates compressed and worked on one computer. We used the official site of COMELEC (Commission on Elections) as the source of our information. After all, we need to have verified and valid information for this flow chart. We goofed along as we made our flow chart. We finished in time, eager to be dismissed.

I had the job of uploading the picture. I planned to design the flow chart with a little dash of color and graphics, but I was too lazy. =D

In the end, I uploaded it as is, only proofreading the phrases we typed.

It was fun tinkering with the program for flow charts. I thought making them in Microsoft Word was enough. I never encountered programs especially made for flow-charting. It was a new experience.

The activity tested our stock knowledge regarding elections. I think it is right to assign this activity, to remind us of the impending doom elections.

Another activity done.

Until the next meeting,

Ellie Lao

Web 2.0 and Social Media

Web 2.0 are web apps that facilitate interactive informartion sharing, interoperability, user-centered design and collaboration on the Web. It allows its users to interact with other users and draws together the capabilities of client-server-side software, content syndication and the use of network protocols. (Gr. 5)

I am certain that everyone is familiar with the Web. If you're not, then how can you read this post right now? =D The Web has evolved and transformed the culture of the world. It opened up to new industries and possibilities, that eventually led to social networking.

Social Networking started with Bulleting Board Systems, file sharing and online news (AOL). Then , came those sites that serve as a database (finding classmates, acquaintances). Weblogs or blogs became an instant hit in the web. These transformed into micro-blogging sites like Twitter, and social network sites like Facebook.

Social networking is already integrated in our culture. Each individual seems to log in to those social sites at least once a day to update their status or comment on posts. It seems surreal that only 30 years ago, we have to pick up the phone and dial a number to know what a friend's up to.
Its impact is ENORMOUS, and undoubtedly changed our lifestyles. Today, it allows us to share and use information, and form relationships online.

Of course, social networking has its banes and boon. We have heard of news about people getting in trouble because of unnecessary sharing of information, fraud, credit theft and simple carelessness. Sometimes, heinous crimes have been committed because of socail networking (murder, kidnapping, rape,etc.)

The intentions of people and groups who developed social networking may have good intentions, but like anything else, if abused, it will lead to horrible consequences.

Still, these will not stop the implementation and influence of social networking in our lives. Even now, we're required to use these sites for our class. o.o It will be interesting how it would turn out for everyone. As of now, I wonder if I could keep blogging every week.


We'll see. =D
Ellie Lao