Evaluation - question 6

What have I learned about technologies from the process of constructing this product?


The hardware and software I have used in each stage of production:
Research - hardware:
- Computer
Research - software:
- The internet; facebook, surveymonkey, magazine's websites, blogger
- Word
Planning - hardware:
- Computer
- Camera
Planning - software:
- Internet; blogger
- Paintshop Pro
- Publisher
- Word
Production - hardware:
- Computer
- Camera
- Phone camera
- Memory stick
Production - software:
- Paintshop Pro
- Publisher
- Internet; blogger
- Word


Things I have learned through using this technology:
Firstly, I hadn't used a blog before, so I learned how to use this. I created the blog, and then learned how to publish posts, add photos and links which is what I needed to do for this particular blog. As I did more research and planning, I continued to use the blog, adding things as I did more work, and therefore learning about the blog itself.


Another thing I didn't know how to use was Survey Monkey. This is a survey website which allows you to create your own survey, and publish it on different sites to collect responses. With this site, I learned how to create a blog, and then publish it on a website such as Facebook.


When I used the camera, I learned how to adjust the settings to that I got the picture I wanted. I learned how to adjust the brightness and darkness, and also the sharpness of the photo. I also learned how to use the colour setting, allowing the colour to change from black and white, to sepia and so on.


I could not have completed my blog without technology. This business relies on technology - taking and manipulating photos and creating media texts on computer software programs. If I had not used any technology, my media product would not have been realistic at all, and not have been suited to the type of media text it was categorized in.


There were not many pieces of technology I could have done without, but I could have created my product without the program Word, because I could have written my article straight onto my blog, and onto my media product. I could have also done without a phone, because I already had a camera. Otherwise, all the technology I used was necessary. 


The main bit of technology I couldn't have done without is Paintshop Pro. This is where I manipulated my images, and also created the layout and text of the whole magazine. Without this, my magazine would not have been able to have text or different layers of photos on.


The positives of using technology are most of them are easy to use, and the result after using them is far better than if you didn't use them.


The negatives are that technology can sometimes be temperamental, and if you haven't saved your work, or the program crashes, then you will have lost your work.