There are certain words that I am using that apparently the computer doesnt understand and I just cant find the correct way to put them. I keep getting errors becuase of this but have no clue what to change.  I am trying to say After doing "this" continue the game by saying "THIS" and it doesnt like the word continue. 

      In this situation I have tried the words go, keep it going, everything like that haha, it just wont agree with me.  Im not sure how to fix it but Ive been trying to figure it out.  Then as soon as that problem is fixed Im sure there will be about a hundred to follow.

     When we first got introduced to the IF games I was a bit intrigued, not guna lie.  Intrigued enough to want to make my own, and I thought it was really cool that we were going to get that chance, to make one of our own.  Its crazy.  So me being the overly excited over nothing person that I am, I was ready to start, thinking this will be great!

.........Wellllll with all the errors the dang thing has found, I start to change my mind about the game working this way or that way, or this happening instead of that, just because I cant figure it out.  But it is still fun and a great learning experience.  Eventually I will have this game done and useable!  Itll be great! haha

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL236/2008/11/g4_alpha_reports/#comments

     For some reason, when I was creating a setting for the game, I chose a school.  Seriously...dont ask why, I HONESTLY DONT know.  It was weird because usually its "I cant wait to get out of here, graduate and leave this place." But for some reason, the first place I thought of when thinking of a location was a school.

     Therefore, I named my game school house rocks, there is a point to the game, and I have it all mapped out in my head and on paper, but when it comes down to putting it into IF GAME lingo...its a little tough.  SO...right now, it is somewhat playable, Im still working out some kinks.  But Ive got time, so Im just going to try to learn some more about it and then put it all to good use in my amazing game.

     Once its done, Im sure well have to blog about it again haha! So everyone will know when its done, and I encourage you to play it, if I end up making it playable haha. I have faith that it will happen...eventually.  Its a fun game I think, I tried not to make it too difficult or confusing, ya know...for like...slow people like me. HAHA.

     But, I mean, Im having a lot of fun making it, so hopefully someone...someday will have fun playing it! I guess well see!!!!

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL236/2008/11/term_project_progress_report/

          Well this is no fun, theres nothing to critique, I loved Krugs work, and it really helped me throug this class and the assignments.  I know now that thanks to Krug, I CAN make a website and on my own.  ANd I know that when I do get stuck on anything I know that I can turn to Krugs book for help, and with his great examples and perfect explainations I can make it work.

Some links to my gratitude:

 http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MichellePolly/2008/10/krug_ch_46.html

http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MichellePolly/2008/10/krug_ch_7_and_8.html

http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MichellePolly/2008/10/krug_ch_911.html

What I have learned in EL 236...Writing for the Internet:

        Boy...where to start!  Well I learned SO many things that I was NOT planning on learning in this class.  From the title of the course I thought it was going to be LITERALLY us writing for the internet.  Well, we got there, but did SO much more!  It was great, we got to make our very own websites, its so creative and hands on which is really helpful...for people like me!

     Another thing we learned in this class was the IF GAMES!!!!!! Oh my gosh.  This part was insane.  Weird and fun, we learned so much about them, even got to make our own.  If games are crazy.  Kind of like a video game but NOT, no controls or pictures or ANYTHING, just you typing, thats ALL you can do.  And hopefully figure out the story behind it all.  THEN...being able to make our own was the coolest thing ever! So much fun!

     I really enjoyed this class and would recomend it to ANYONE, journalism majors or not.  Its great and very helpful...and useful!

Coverage:  Get rid of that HAPPY talk

Timeliness:  Yay! On time!, again?!, Im on a role

Depth:  OOOO...loooong, Video Games!, GO!, and some MORE

Discusson:  Comments!, Cant believe all the comments...this go round!

http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MichellePolly/2008/10/krug_ch_46.html

http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MichellePolly/2008/10/krug_ch_7_and_8.html

BEST ONE YET!

http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MichellePolly/2008/11/wikipedia_reading.html

http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MichellePolly/2008/11/comparewikipedia.html

http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MichellePolly/2008/11/yay_change.html

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL236/2008/11/portfolio_3/

          Well this is no fun, theres nothing to critique, I loved Krugs work, and it really helped me throug this class and the assignments.  I know now that thanks to Krug, I CAN make a website and on my own.  ANd I know that when I do get stuck on anything I know that I can turn to Krugs book for help, and with his great examples and perfect explainations I can make it work.

Some links to my gratitude:

 http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MichellePolly/2008/10/krug_ch_46.html

http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MichellePolly/2008/10/krug_ch_7_and_8.html

http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MichellePolly/2008/10/krug_ch_911.html

What I have learned in EL 236...Writing for the Internet:

        Boy...where to start!  Well I learned SO many things that I was NOT planning on learning in this class.  From the title of the course I thought it was going to be LITERALLY us writing for the internet.  Well, we got there, but did SO much more!  It was great, we got to make our very own websites, its so creative and hands on which is really helpful...for people like me!

     Another thing we learned in this class was the IF GAMES!!!!!! Oh my gosh.  This part was insane.  Weird and fun, we learned so much about them, even got to make our own.  If games are crazy.  Kind of like a video game but NOT, no controls or pictures or ANYTHING, just you typing, thats ALL you can do.  And hopefully figure out the story behind it all.  THEN...being able to make our own was the coolest thing ever! So much fun!

     I really enjoyed this class and would recomend it to ANYONE, journalism majors or not.  Its great and very helpful...and useful!

Coverage:  Get rid of that HAPPY talk

Timeliness:  Yay! On time!, again?!, Im on a role

Depth:  OOOO...loooong, Video Games!, GO!, and some MORE

Discusson:  Comments!, Cant believe all the comments...this go round!

http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MichellePolly/2008/10/krug_ch_46.html

http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MichellePolly/2008/10/krug_ch_7_and_8.html

BEST ONE YET!

http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MichellePolly/2008/11/wikipedia_reading.html

http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MichellePolly/2008/11/comparewikipedia.html

http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MichellePolly/2008/11/yay_change.html

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL236/2008/11/portfolio_3/

This is fun! haha

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL236/2008/11/wikipedia_workshop/

      Well I dont know how long it takes for someone to go in and change it, but fifteen minutes later, noone had touched it. So I waited...and did the second site.....

      My second site was MY FAV NUMBER 7, because it is the absolute best number in the world.  So...thats what I said.  And...well apparently everyone agrees because...it still says that! I am so proud!

     I know the assignment said to pick two sites I knew a lot about, well I did, but it also said to give meaningful information, which I did for the journalism site, but the 7...well I couldnt think of anything.  Soooo....I did another site.

      I decided to change the location of Saint Vincent's.  Fun but dumb. So after a while, when STILL no one had changed any of my edits, I had to go back and fix it. haha I felt too bad.

    Sooooooo....needless to say, the reaction I got was no fun.  So Im planning on going back and try again.

  I found this assignment to be somewhat fun, I kind of felt bad through it all, because I knew I wasnt suppose to be doing what I was doing.  But....it was still fun!

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL236/2008/11/wikipedia_workshop/ 

                                                     The Great Setonian

     School newspapers are carried on from high school to college even sometimes starts in middle school.  All school papers are interesting and fun.  Its local and talks about people you know which makes it even more interesting.  Although the school papers are always supported and loved by many, no paper is as loved as Seton Hill's school paper, the Setonian. 

       The Setonian is a very loved paper, it has so m any people that care for it enough to spend time that they dont even have, trying to make it absolutely perfect.  People are so dedicated and motivated to this paper, you always know its going to turn out great, each and every issue. 

      Dr. Jerz, head of the journalism department, also very dedicated to the paper, and willing to help out whenever needed, he has a class that he teaches that really helps the students interact and participate in the Setonian.  This class is EL200, Media Lab, it requires the students to help out on the Setonian in whatever way they can.  "Media Lab allows us to get real hands on experience with the paper" said Shellie Polly, Media Lab student.  "In Media Lab we learn about the media and the importance of it in our society, as well as the importance of our paper and news."

     "Its so exciting to get a chance to particiate in the paper!  It makes you feel important and known!  Its a great feeling." said Polly.  These students are able to do tons of things, such as copyright, help with layout and things like that.  They are also encouraged to write articles for the paper and submit them to be published.  If the article doesnt make it, its a great experience for the students.  "I started out just turning in articles and getting them critiqued, and getting them back.  Now...I get two articles in just about each issue!  Its amazing! And Ive come such a long way!' said Polly.

Evergreen Story:

    Things to do around Greensburg (possibility) Just a thought.....

    Cove should be open on Sundays...

Coverage: Not long, but useful! 

Timeliness: Geeeeeeez, MoRe!, Again and again

Depth:  Closest I got :(

Discussion:  Yay! Comments! 

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL200/2008/11/portfolio_3/

     Now the discussion section on the other hand, Saint Vincents page out did Seton Hills.  Seton Hills doesnt have any pictures or like anything to make you want to read that page, or interest you in the slightest.  But Saint Vincents has a picture three pictures and explains where they came from or what they do.  It has a better way of keeping the reader interested.

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL236/2008/11/wikipedia_workshop/     

    Since I always found the most, and "best sounding" information on wikipedia I always went straight to it to get my information.  Then after that..like...wikipedia has the words that I would use, so it makes it really hard not to plagarize. I guess you could say "Its hard to put something thats already in my own words...into my own words."  Ya know?

     As it was mentioned in the first reading, how many times wikipedia was sited in almost a year.  Well....to be completely honest, I try not to cite it so I dont get charged for plagarism.  Like, if I have a paper due, Il make sure I can find the same information or really close information on another site and Il cite that.  I dont know, but I really do rely on wikipedia for a lot and Im starting to think that I really shouldnt.

    After reading all this and hearing what Ive heard, I cant say that Im determined to stop using wikipedia, it is indeed close to my heart! haha So I guess well see what happens the next time I write a paper, I think I will think twice but still go for it! Who knows!

    Wikipedias just so great! haha I cant let it down!

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL236/2008/11/wikipedia_and_society/

    Well, my questions is...I got assigned an article for the Setonian about a RUMOR.  I was terrified haha, not guna lie.  Well I went for interviews and found out the rumors were 100% false.  Well thats what I wrote my article on was the rumors being false.  Well, the assignment was to report it whether all the information I found out was true or not.  Where does that come in to this whole situation?  I was just curious because of the fact that I really thought you were allowed to report anything false.  You could find a way around it but could not report anything false. 

      Well, Im not saying anyone is wrong, I just wanted some clerification.  Maybe its because this is the real paper and my article was just for the school paper and maybe they dont have the same rules?  I dont know...just thinking out loud.

     I thought it was kind of funny actually.  And I was dying to know the answer.  Haha Sorry this whole blog is a question, I was just intrigued. haha

Fun stuff!!!!!!

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL200/2008/10/snsg_ch_13/ 

      Well I never understood the specification in the time alotted for a usability testing for a website.  In the beginning of chapter 9, Krug shows us a prime example of what certain amounts of time mean.  For the assignment we had, that was obviously not the REAL observation for usability testing that you would use for a serious or BIG business.  I mean, we used the correct steps and what not, but I came to find out that it is a bit more serious than it was in class.  Thats good to know!

       The tips about "true things about testing" really intrigued me!  I found that very helpful.  It really pointed out the importance of testing your site.  I thought that was just to see what people liked...but its really a lot more than that.  You need to test for many things, make sure your site will stand up on its on and be able to ast and give the users what they need or what they are looking for.  The graph of "Traditional Testing and Lost-Out-Lease Testing also found a way to help me out some.  It tells you how many testers you should have and the difference between the two amounts.  Which I didnt realize.  Hmm....Then he even showed a sample test session.  Now thats amazing...and SO helpful! It also points out that you should review the results right away.  Something I didnt know.  I mean I still did it, cuz I was an assignment, but still, I didnt realize that.

      These chapters had so many great examples that were surprisingly easy for me to understand pretty easily.  Not only did I actually understand them, but I was able to apply them to the work I do, and now I know for the next time I have something like this to do whether its testing or creating the site, Krug has helped me out a lot.

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL236/2008/10/krug_ch911/

       Another item in the room was a box, I examined the box, didnt really find much out.  Somehow....really SOMEHOW haha a journal came about, and mentioned a "mystery".  They said that hopefully they would be able to unlock the mystery.  Well....little me...all confused and left out.....I had no idea what to do next.  It also mentioned a boy named James, they said how can we punish him with this knowledge.  SO.....Im thinking James knows something...so I have to go find this kid. 

      Soooooooo......I went a direction....to find James and get some info....and got to the lobby.  Next I was in a courtyard with a building reading Bethlehem Hospital Administration. The next thing I know Im in a horse drawn carriage.  So....the driver asked me "where to?"!  I tell him a direction....next thing you know Im in the lobby again...obviously NOT in the wagon anymore.  Ugh...Im getting super confused at this point, but THERES JAMES!!!!!!

      I did what I thought I had to do...and I questioned James.  Well James had some serious issues.  He was super nervous about something and all he said was "I dont feel I am qualified to answer that." or "I dont know sir, I dont know."  UGH JAMES!!!!!!

      Next stop...ARCHIVES.Nothing there for me.  Going on an hour fifteen at this point. Ugh...who woulda thought.  I guess I just dont get these games.  I dont understand what were suppose to do.   Maybe if like...it said something like the goal of this game is to find the key to the chamber and open the chamber or something like that.  I guess I just need to learn how to master these games a little better...or at least learn to read them right so I can make it further after not getting anywhere for SO long.

      I thought James was the key to some major information...I think I questioned him for like ten minutes and just couldnt think of anything else to ask.  I just didnt know anything to ask.  Then after not succeeding with James, I tried to go to other places and I just couldnt make it there.  It kept saying that going the way I was going would throw me off a cliff or something I dont know.  All I know is I didnt want to fall off a cliff.

      When I managed to make it to the Hospital, I couldnt figure out how to get there.  I was all of a sudden in a horse and buggy.  Didnt know how I got there or how to get out.  I pressed the direction I was told the hospital was and that just got me back to the lobby.

     I dont know....maybe Im like James...maybe Im the one with the issues haha.  All I know is these games just dont like me.

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL236/2008/10/if_game_tba/  

     In this chapter he introduced the "tagline", then he informed us thats theres nothing better than a good tagline.  That just goes to show you how important a tagline can be when creating a website.  Thats where Id be stuck.  Considering I dont have good creative skills.  For a tagline its more affective if it characterizes the whole enterprise.  This one little tagline needs to sum the whole site up pretty much.  To the point that people know what exactly the site is for and what not. 

     BUT "Tagline? We dont need no stinking tagline"....taglines arent always necessary.  It depends on the site.  I did not know this.  Sites like ebay, amazon, cnn, things like that....you already know what that is right?  Well there ya go!  No need for a tagline.  If you go to ebay...you know why youre there.

     I also loved that he pointed out TWO questions to ask yourself when you make your site.....1. Whats the point of this site? 2. DO you know where to start.  These are two great questions..I never would have known to ask myself.  But I they would be very affective. 

     In chapter 8 it said "Everyone likes ______."  This was an eye opener as to like...what and how to make the site.  Its just a reminder that youre the one that needs to not make your user think.  Make your site the way THEY would like it, NOT the way YOU would like it.  Thats something you can never forget.

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL236/2008/10/krug_ch78/

      I agree completely with the Omit needless words.  It really does seem to be that a lot of the words are there to take up space or something, most of what you read is nothing you need to know to get to what you are doing or anything.  It gets a bit redundant and extremely annoying, when seeing page after page of stupid type, huge paragraphs that mean nothing to you...are you even going to read it if it doesnt interest you? Probably NOT!

    HAHA! I love the "Happy talk must die", it says if, while reading, you can hear a tiny little voice saying "blah blah blah blah blah" that needs to go. HAHA Well put!

      Along with the needless words, I agree with Krug that the instructions should bounce.  The example on the page was a perfect example.  It had instructions then a question.  Do you really think the people browing a website are stupid enough not to know how or why to answer the question? Or even that they are supposed to?  I think they are very much equiped enough to figure it out all on their own and get done what needs done.  You dont want your reader to think you think he is stupid now DO YOU?!

     The example in Ch 6 of the mall, PERFECT.  It walks you through...it shows you how specific and easy your site should be.  That was a good example! I enjoyed it!

      Then it pointed out the "Utilities" which is something you cant forget.  Its extremely important for a website I think.  I look for them all the time to help me get through a site.  Never realized it 'til now...but still.  ALSO...a search box...VERY IMPORTANT!  I use the search box before ANYTHING.  Its perfect for when youre in a hurry or if its one of those darn sites with the LONG BORING paragraphs you dont really need to know about.  Yeah..search box...GREAT!

     HA! Krug has so many great examples!  Another one is...when you make a web site...think of a mall directory, the one that says "YOU ARE HERE", then it gives you all your options.  Yeah...thats great too!  Especially when you want these pair of shoes and its the last pair and the store is about to close.  You run straight to the directory...DONT YA?!

       Color coding was another good point he made.  I never thought of that actually.  But color coding certain things to show the user that they pertain to each other can be very helpful as well.

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL236/2008/10/krug_ch46/#comments