Ragna Borries
Psy 409
Dr. Leon James
Week 1 Report: Using Netscape for the First Time
A. Self-assessment ratings:
How difficult was this week's task (lumping all the subtasks together) ?
Circle one.
Very easy 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Very hard
This week's rating=7
How much negative emotion did it cost you, all in all?
Very little 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Very much
This week's rating=6
How valuable for later use is this knowledge or skill going to be for
you?
Not useful 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Very useful
This week's rating=8
How likely is it that you'll be getting good at this week's task?
Not likely 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Quite likely
This week's rating=8
How satisfied are you with the computer and Internet systems?
Not satisfied 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Very satisfied
This week's rating=6
How hard did you try to get through this week's task?
Gave up easily 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Refused to give
up
This week's rating=7
My Netscape adventure started with the fact that I chose to
work on a
Macintosh (I should have just stayed with my beloved IBM). Although the systems
are not that different I was confused. When I finally entered the system,
though, my confusion was washed away by surprise. It might sound strange to old
computer literates, but simply seeing the colorful first page (Homepage?) was
exiting to me. Moreover, the system was set up in a way that I was able to find
all the buttons mentioned in the assignment. What a relief...I was in a good
mood.
"What's cool" attracted my attention. I figured this
must be interesting
information, hip news, maybe even the latest fashion trends. However, I did not
succeed to advance in this section. Somehow I got stuck at the Intel Info
section. I lost control of what was going on, and I became very desperate to
figure out EVERYTHING AT ONCE. I finally managed to get back to the main menu
through "Home". For the next option "Directory" now sounded more interesting to
me. No more of the "cool stuff"! When I opened the directory I found the
options "International, Pointers, Yahoo Search, Search, Write Us etc.". I
understood that I was supposed to clic on any of these options to advance in my
search. I selected "Frequently asked questions" and found instructions about
the usage of the system. This information gave me a sense of relief because I
realized there were other people who apparently also did not know what the
Netscape was all about. Through the "Search" option I also found the 5-week
Internet workshop "Atlas for WWW", and "Patrick Gispen's Internet Roadmap"
which offered some more detailed instructions on the operation of the system.
The "Stop" button was my next subject of interest. I did not
want to use the
"Home" button again, so I thought to myself that "Stop" could also get me to a
new place by simply stopping the activity in the section I was in. However,
nothing seemed to happen as I kept clicking on "Stop". My interpretation must
have been wrong. Luckily the computer lab assisstant came by to relief me. He
explained to me what "Stop" is all about. I did not fully grasp all of the
information. Nevertheless, I realized that "Stop" simply means "Stop". No false
interpretations! Computers are not thinkers, and therefore most of the commands
simply mean what they say (not like complicated twisted human brains). Since I
wanted to get back to the Netscape "Homepage" I simply clicked on "Back". This
option simply took me back a "page". How easy...
Using the system for the first time during this week
showed me that I need to
restructure my thinking pattern to be able to communicate via a computer
network. My mind is very dependent on quick responses and complicated
explanations to a simple problem. Many university courses require students to
think in a very critical and analytical way. They want us to think "one step
further", to look what is "behind" a simple argument. Computers are different.
I noticed that a computer command is not trying to convey more than what it
actually says. My biggest problem during this week's assignments was to "keep
it simple".
Through this realization, my anxiety of this technological
matter
(technophobia) was greatly diminished. I learned that if I am patient I will be
able to manage this system, and I will also be able to operate it successfully.
The only time when I felt really lacunae was during a phase of frustration and
fear of "not being to handle this". Computers now seem much less scary.
Although I am merely reporting on my experiences of the first week, I feel that
I have overcome a mental barrier. I had wanted to learn about the Netscape and
other communication systems before but the fear of failing to succeed lead me
to back off.
The Netscape gives me the impression that there is help for
novices. The help
options like "The Atlas to WWW" are laid out in a very simple and clear way,
easy enough for even a total beginner to understand. I noticed that I feel more
secure in opening the help options and using them for my advancement in the
system. My acquisitions therefore are, the realization that I will not be
inadequate if I keep trying, and that endurance will lead me to succeeding in
operating the system.
It is important that every novice in this field overcomes the
inferiority
complex of not being able how to do this. Computers remain to be machines, and
I will not have a machine control me. Through this assignment I have learned
that I am in control of how successful I will become in the operation of
Netscape. The computer has no power to stop me. I am really content about this
change in my thought pattern. Missing out on what computer communication has to
offer, simply because of lack of trust in one's learning ability, would be sad.
Hopefully I will be able to advance successfully in the exploration of Netscape
throughout Psy 409.
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