Jeremy Brandstad
English 102
27 February 2011
Discourse Analysis Paper
There were some items for the Wysocki reading that influenced me. All the talk about different layouts for writings I found very useful. I do agree that how fonts and the size of fonts do change the way I look at the text. The font can tell you a lot about the writing at times. The font can be a distraction too. Say the font is set to a fancy style. That sort of font tends to distract me. Pictures are another thing he talked about. The pictures in a text can help the reader imagine what is going on. I found Wysocki’s reading to be very influential.
The article about Web Audience showed me a different side of things that I never thought of. This article is very true I believe on how readers just scan. When I make my own web page I will make sure to always put the important pieces in the beginning and least important at the end. When I think about how I read online it relates exactly to how I read. I always scan and if I see a heading that catches my attention I will read. I tend to only read half of an article cause I usually get all the information I want. Broken links are also a problem with websites. A website should always make sure there links are working correctly.
There could be many different types of conversations going on about PC vs. Mac and its hardware. It’s argued that Mac has better made computer parts. At the same time Mac’s cost a lot more than a PC. I did some extra research myself on reliability of pc and macs. It’s definitely not that pc are less reliable it just depends on the brand of computer. Mac and the Asus computer rated the most reliable computer in 2010 (Racoma.) Makes me happy cause I always by Asus computers. Asus runs windows and is a PC. When I bought my laptop I spent roughly $1400.00. I went onto Mac’s website and made the exact same laptop but found that I could make as good of a computer. The mac still ran me twice the money but didn’t have as good of hardware. My conclusion came to that yes Mac can be a reliable computer verse the PC. That’s not necessarily speaking towards all PC’s. HP and Dell computers do have lower reliability. The argument is that if you buy a PC it will just die and you will pay the extra in repairs. The conclusion comes to that you can take the risk of buying a PC or do your research and find the most reliable and the best priced computer.
What type of computer should be used in schools Mac or PC? Hamady talks about iLife suite and how it’s the best application for schools. His reason is that it makes it easy to send receive and arrange photos, music, and videos. It also makes it easy to make videos. I can see his side of thinking. Yes, being able to make videos would be easier. The other side of the conversation is how often the kids are going to be using the computer for videos. I personally have only made one video in my entire school career. You can also just as easily make videos and etc with a PC. Of course you will need to go online and find free software. The Mac would be more easily accessible. An added feature that Mac has is that it can switch between windows and macs OS X operating system. PC you cannot do this (legally.) That way if there is a student use to using windows they can still us windows and vice versa. The arguments could go on forever between which would be better. Either one will do the job so just go with the better deal.
This next article is about the advertisement between Mac and PC. This article is definitely one sided towards Mac. I have noticed from reading many different articles about why Mac is better it is always about the anti-virus. The Mac articles won’t ever touch on the power of a pc and the support for games. They only talk the positives of their computer. Now putting that aside the advertisement is very interesting. Mac takes PC’s most common disadvantage and that’s quality. On the other side PC advertisement is about how much more expensive Mac is compared to PC. They both target each other’s weaknesses and use it for their advantage. One thing good about PC is there are many different companies you can choose from that change the quality of your computer. If you buy a Mac you get what they have that’s it there is no finding a better price or better quality. The battles between Mac and PC will last forever. Neither computer is better than the other.
Stevens, Ben, and Rick Georges. "Mac v. PC - Magazine - ABA Journal." ABA Journal - Law News Now. 1 Mar. 2008. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
Racoma, Angelo J. "Apple & ASUS Are Most Reliable Computer Companies [Survey Says Apple & ASUS Best in Reliability & Customer Support, While AT&T, Dell & HP Have Poor Reliability & Support Scores] » TFTS – Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities." Nexus404. 30 Nov. 2010. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
Hamady, Chris. "Mac or PC." Mac or PC in Education. 2008. Web. 27 Feb. 2011.
Hesseldahl, By Arik. "Mac vs. PC: What You Don't Get for $699 - BusinessWeek." BusinessWeek - Business News, Stock Market & Financial Advice. 15 Apr. 2009. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
Hi Tim:
ReplyDeleteGood work here. I think the compelling thing about your research question, for me personally, is the tenor and the tone of the debate surrounding mac vs pc. How are people discussing the issue, and differently?
As I read your post, I also started thinking about how the mac vs pc argument segues with the open/closed platform debate. Addressing this issue, as opposed to hardware specification, might be a way for you to demonstrate the broader relevance of your work.
Keep up the hard work.