Section One – Websites
1) Adelaide Institute – www.adelaideinstitute.org
The Adelaide Institute is a group of people who, in the main and for lack of better terminology, are Holocaust deniers. They argue the veracity of Holocaust accounts by Jewish historians. Further, according to the website, The Adelaide Institute also question the verification of the dropping of the bomb on Hiroshima. Allegedly, this is apart of a bigger conspiracy of lies which are used to stifle debate on such matters
.
The Adelaide Institute also claim that the Holocaust was a myth and that there is insufficient evidence that it occurred. In Australian, this has caused Adelaide Institute some problem due to content on their website is offensive under racial vilification laws.
While the group claim to be history revisionists, they can not, from what is seen on the site, provide evidence as to what happened to the millions of the Nazi regime. The information on this site is certainly questionable.
2) Fredrick Toben – www.toben.biz
Fredrick Toben is former Director of the Adelaide Institute. He is described as an author and revisionist, pursing the truth about the holocaust. According to his website, Dr Toben claims “If we in Australia lose free expression, where our thoughts and opinions are criminalized, we may as well be dead. It is my moral, social and legal duty to proclaim that the Jewish Holocaust-Shoah is built on lies. Germans never gassed anyone during World War Two. Germans have no need to feel guilty about anything except for neglecting their cultural roots”
This site would need to be questioned as Fredrick Toben doesn’t appear to offer substance to his claims. He argues that freedom of speech allows people to speak their minds.
However, when the site starts to question the validity of events such as those that occurred on September 11th 2001, the need to question the material is very much needed. Freedom of speech and publication needs to be balanced with backing evidence. In the case of this site, one would need to wonder exactly where or how Dr Toben has come to the conclusions that he has.
3) Making money from writing www.squidoo.com/make_money_writing
There are many sites that claim you can make money from writing. This is another on how to do so. However, the thing that raised concern was the affiliate element to this site. Affiliate is another way of saying pyramid selling.
While money can be made from writing blogs, there would need to be questions raised around the number of ads on the page. Exactly how does the payment work? Who is paying for the blogs to be written and how is payment received?
4) Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
A lot of material on Wikipedia can be put up by anyone. There are very few checks and balances in having material placed on this site. The main topics that are moderated are the ones around contentious topics, such as Scientology. On other topics though, pretty much anyone can put information up and the information doesn’t always need to be verified.
5) Conservapedia http://www.conservapedia.com/Main_Page
According to the web site, ‘Conservapedia is a clean and concise resource for those seeking the truth. We do not allow liberal bias to deceive and distort here. Founded initially in November 2006 as a way to educate advanced, college-bound homeschoolers, this resource has grown into a marvelous source of information for students, adults and teachers alike.’
Information on this site also changes as when I first found the site; there was mention that it was set up to counteract what was being placed on Wikipedia. Which would have to give cause as to the aim of why it was set up given Wikipedia is not the most reliable of sources to start with.
The site is as the name indicates, is conservative in nature and in content. While the information may be factual, when reading the site one needs to be aware of the bias that is within the material on this site.
Section Two –Article on Websites
Many people have heard about blogs and wonder what they are. It is hoped that this article is able to explain what blogs are, how they are different to web pages and why people use them.
Blogs have gone from humble beginnings to an outlet for many. It allows people to publish and to connect, allowing people to have a platform and a place to hang out. It is important thought o have a look at what blogs are, how they are different to web pages, who uses them and why they use them.
A blog is generally defined as a personal journal. The topics that are covered are as diverse as the people who put them up. Topics are as diverse as politics, news, travel, cooking, computer issues and craft activities
Once the step to stat the blog has been taken, it is important to understand that to maintain a blog is more than just writing entries you can point friends and family to It is vital to understand that your words can live on line for a very, very long time. Anyone with internet access can view your blog content.
It is now a good idea to think about the following:
• Why you want to start the blog?
• Who will want to read your blog?
• What content will I be putting up?
When looking at different blogs, it is clear that people’s content and reasons for blogging are as different as the people who write them. Kerry Seebohm’s blog www.kezzers.blogspot.com is political in nature. He has had this blog for three years.
“I experimented with my own webpage initially, but found it to difficult and time consuming, and blogging is so much more convenient.’ Kerry said when asked.
“I have enjoyed politics from the age of fourteen”, he explained. “I am one of those unusual types that enjoy getting involved in the political debate. Hence my blog site is mostly about my opinions’ on politics of the day.”
His blog is aimed at Politicians and the general public, and to assist people to see through the spin that is so often seen in politics.
In contract, Wilbur’s blog, www.wilburnfriends.blogspot.com been set up for fun. Wilbur is the mascot for the Mawson Lakes Cub Pack and is joined by Charli and Baggie on his blogging journey.
“Akela thought it would be a good idea to set one up. It is to share our adventures through scouting” explained Wilbur.
It is not uncommon for scouting groups to have a web presence of some description. Nor is it unusual for different sections to have their own mascots – mainly stuffed animals, to add a bit of fun to the section. Many are taken on activities with the youth members and for the younger sections, they are often used to help with homesickness.
The blog has clearly set up as a way to share and to demonstrate the fun that can be had with blogs. It allows for a element of escapism for the reader and allows the writer to be able to be share the adventures of Wilbur and friends within scouting.
For others, creating and maintaining a blog gives them a chance to learn and explore what blogs do. This is especially true for Katherine Cox, a 2nd year TAFE SA student. Katherine is a blogging novice and is using the blog as a learning tool for “Write Article for Publication Two”.
Katherine is looking to use it more of an online journal as she takes the journey into the unknown. However, she is considering themes for her blog around travel, cooking, photography and art as she goes. Her blog at www.katz0001.blogspot.com is a work in progress and one which can be interesting to watch evolve over the course of the semester.
There are many reasons why people create and maintain blogs. The examples here are only snippets of the many that are around. There are many spaces which also offer free blogs vs. paid sites. The differences between these have not been addressed here, at this time. It comes down to personal choice and for anyone who is looking at creating their own blog, it is certainly worth doing more research on before deciding on which way to go. So, for those who do take the next step of creating a blog, good luck and have fun. Remember, it is what you make it.
References
Section One - Websites visited and used
Adelaide Institute – www.adelaideinstitute.org
Fredrick Toben – www.toben.biz
Making money from writing www.squidoo.com/make_money_writing
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Conservapedia http://www.conservapedia.com/Main_Page
Section Two – Article
Kerry Seebohm - www.kezzers.blogspot.com
Wilbur and Friends – www.wilburnfriends.blogspot.com
Katherine Cox – www.katz001.blogspot.com
3 comments:
I'm read very extensively on European history (holocaust included). There are some very valid questions about the holocaust that need to be addressed by mainstream historians but this is not allowed (question the holocaust - you go to jail in most western countries). I would like some answers to my questions before I am convinced that this holocaust took place but whenever I've asked for clarification on some blogs, I generally just get "your an anti-semite or it's well documented if you can read." Well, I can read and I still have some questions and that goes without saying for any historical writings that I've read. So...who can provide me with the answers to my questions.
And what about the 1st holocaust where 6-millions jews were dying of starvation in eastern Europe during and after World War I?
While you do make some interesting and argumentative statements, your solutions are as vague, nor does any exist as reasonable and actual answers given by the Holocust believers who's only retorts are to smear the characters and reputations of those who, within their rights for freedom of speech and to question the Holocaust which leaves much to be questioned and answered besides belittling and criminalizing those who do? No other debates or doubts about historical facts have received such cruel actions...
I would like to know more about you that seems to make you some kind of an authority to express your oppinions and thoughts, while others are subjected to denial of the same right.
Many would like some more direct answers instead of circiling the qestions and thoughts bu throwing
a "hot Potato" back to the questioners, who do have answers for their theories but are forbidden to give them....
The "Hate Crime" Laws instigated by Israel are not valid justice and should be abolished by those countries who have accepted it and are willing to make the questioners criminals to be handed over to Germany or Israel. This defies all form of pure justice...
58 million died in World War Two, and I would say they died in vain if the world no longer has the freedom to question the Second War, from which only a Jewish Holocaust has been pulled.
Anonymous - you are a sanctifiable gutless wonder hiding behind a name like Anonymous, if you are going to make comment about what she has written. I have met Frederick Toben, and while I know (not believe - KNOW) that the Holocaust happened, it is simply one of the best documented events of World War 2 (probably next to the Atomic Bomb attacks on Japan) I believe that he would not hide behind Anonymous, I respect Frederick for his visibility. Also, please do not tell me I don't understand what you are saying because, although I was paid a small gratuity, I built the original websites (I did not write anything - just used Fredericks data).
I have met Australian soldiers (amongst other foreign troops who annoyed the Nazi's by constantly escaping) who were in some these camps where the exterminations took place, these troops have testified when needed.
Just how you can deny eye-witnesses (oh that's right, they are Jews and in your eyes don't count as people) military unit histories and admissions from German (and their allies) guards.
How people can question this abomination is totally beyond me, to do so is an affront to to the memory of all those millions who have died.
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