Sunday, May 15, 2011

Evaluate the nature of design in a specific industry context

1. In your opinion how important is it for mobile applications and devices to both look good and function properly? Comment on both the attractiveness of the software and the hardware. Functionality is the key in my opinion but attractiveness is also a big part of mobile applications and devices. Something has to do its job quickly and easily and the outcome needs to be exactly what the consumer wants. The look of an application is important to, a lot of people will look over something quickly and if it is eye catching then it has increased the chance of getting bought. The iPad and other Apple products have a certain look about them that makes them easily defined and the software and interface is also visually pleasing.

2. Who designed the iPad? Apple Inc.

  1. Was it an individual or team? Team 
  2. In your opinion, do people use this device because it looks good or because it functions well? Or does it do both? In my opinion people use is because of both, in terms of looks the iPad has its own image, for example if a building company displayed information and pictures of a house design to a potential customer the customer would most likely see that as a positive thing about the building company. In terms of functionality the iPad performs well in my opinion, it’s easy to use and understand and is also fast and responsive. These qualities are what customers look for in a product like the iPad. 

3. How has the iPad changed the way some businesses function? Can you find examples of where businesses have implemented the iPad into their day-to-day activities? The iPad is basically a digital clip board where workers can store, view, send and receive information. This is a huge advantage to business function, as well as the iPad’s basic applications there is countless apps made to help businesses. There are apps for office, finance, IT maintenance, organisation and healthcare to name a few.

4. Overall, what other major flaws of this type of technology? Can you think of anyways in the future that this hardware will be improved to the point where it will compete with desktop and laptop computers? Main flaws with the iPad would be battery life, hard drive space and performance. Laptops and especially desktops have a lot more battery life, hard drive space and performance compared to the iPad. However in the future when the iPad’s battery, hard drives and processors are much more advanced it could definitely compete with laptops and possibly desktops. However the desktop will always have specific advantages over an iPad or similar devices.

5. How do you think the iPad could help your day-to-day workflow? Are the answers straightforward? Is it more a case of combining this technology with others that already exist? The iPad can help you write things down easily, send and receive emails, take photos, download things. All of these can help your day-to-day workflow because it makes a lot of things more accessible.

6. Consider the following–has the iPad shaped the way we do business? Or has business and technology shaped the way Apple developed the iPad? I don’t think the iPad has shaped the way we do business because most of its main functions are built around things like e-mail and software that has been around for a while. I think the iPad is shaped around how it can help people and business.

7. Is the iPad and tablets in general a passing fad? Or do you think this type of technology is here to stay long-term? I think tablets will stay around for the long-term, they have some aspects that you only find in a tablet and that will give them a certain market that will help maintain consumers need for the iPad and other tablets.

8. Conduct a discussion with the whole class and determine based on the general consensus the pros and cons of tablet-based technology.

- Pro’s 
 - Looks good

 - Easy to operate

 - Performs well

 - Small and light

- Con’s 

 - No USB port

 - Short battery life

 - Fragile

 - Compatibility issues

9. Many people say that the iPad is an unnecessary piece of hardware caught in limbo between a laptop and mobile phone. Do you think this consensus is accurate? Do you think that your answer could be different in five years’ time? At the moment I see the point the question is raising, however I do not think it is unnecessary. In my opinion the iPad does things a laptop and a mobile could do but not in the same way. One main aspect of the iPad is its ability to display information to a client. Doing the same thing with a mobile or laptop will still work but not as well. I think the iPad has many features that make it stand out from the mobile and laptop, and I’m sure in 5 years it will be even more defined.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Writing Content - Weight Loss Program


Want Change?

Tired of that excess weight, wanting to be fit and active? Now it’s your turn. With our amazing weight loss plan you can achieve whatever level of fitness you desire. By following our program and keeping track of your food and exercise along with weekly weigh in’s you will be on track to your goal weight or fitness.

The program

Our program is custom made to meet your requirements, based on the information you provide us with our trainers will build a weekly program that will help you lose weight and gain back control of your life. To help you along with the program, we also offer you motivational videos from our trainers and also from people who have used our program.

The difference

Our program isn’t just straight forward directions we explain how your body works, the balance between exercise and energy intake. This way you will learn how to fuel your body effectively and not just how to lift weights. We aim to make you leave with a better standard of life and the knowledge to continue living your life with the fitness you want.

It’s all about you

Our program is built for you and is made to be easy to follow and use effectively, the best idea in the world is useless if no one can get to it. So our program is easily accessible online, this means you can access it anytime, anywhere. You can also record your daily results and weekly weigh in’s. And no-one will know your even using our program because your information is kept safe with us.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Term 2 Week 2 - ARMY copy, my version

This is my version of the ARMY copy found here: http://www.army.gov.au/artc/recruit.cfm



THE ARMY – THERES NO JOB LIKE IT

If you’re interested in join the Australian ARMY then there is a lot to take into account. The ARMY is a challenging career but also has a large number of benefits. In the ARMY you will experience adventure, teamwork, skill building and a lot more, and along with that you will get paid to do it and be looked after with free health care. The ARMY is like no other job, you will get trained to become a soldier and you will experience a lot more then you could in an ordinary job.

Your Training
The training is tough and will push you to become your best and at the end you will leave Kapooka a soldier with a great sense of achievement. After Kapooka there is even more to do in the ARMY as you will be trained in your core, you will learn specialist skills that you will use in your roll in the ARMY. After your training you will become a deployable soldier in the Australian Defence Force and the adventure will continue. 

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Term 2 Week 2 Animation - ARMY copy critique

Critique of the ARMY recruitment page found here http://www.army.gov.au/artc/recruit.cfm
·                     Does the copy get to the point quickly? I think it does get to the point quickly but it does not explain anything in detail. When the copy explains the lifestyle and difficulties involved it does not explain the change from a normal lifestyle to one in the ARMY.
·                     Is the copy shy about the offer or incentive? I think it is shy about the offer because there is almost nothing there explaining what life in the ARMY would be like or what you might do. And the copy does not explain what incentives there are to joining the ARMY
·                     Is it easy to respond to? Not really as the page does not offer much to go on with, and you are also left with not much extra knowledge then what you would have had before reading the copy.
·                     Does the copy overcome every objection to replying, leaving the reader with no choice but to act? No it doesn’t make the ARMY seem more appealing to me and I don’t feel that it gives you much information. I think the average person would assume the army would be different and unlike any other job, as well as that everyone knows the army would be strange hours and harder then an average job.
·                     Does the copy use simple words? Yes
·                     Does the copy use active language (does it address the site visitor as ‘you’)? The copy does address the visitor as “you” and the language is fairly active.
·                     Is the copy broken down into simple sections and bullet points? No