Course Overview
Taking Concepts of New Media was more beneficial than anything. By taking this course, I’ve learned so much more about technology and its advancements. We touched on most key technologies that, stepping back and looking at them, will (and already does) affect not only our communication, but on a broader aspect, transform our economy, environment, social interactions and how we respond interpersonally. This is probably the most important thing I learned in the class, that technology affects people in all arenas of life, whether it be our personal relationships or our health. New media like VoIP and WiFi will alter the way people interact, transforming us into more or less relational people. Additionally, I’ve realized that there are always two sides to a new technology: a good and a bad. I wish we had more time to cover technologies in this aspect – looking at how technologies negatively and positively affect society. I believe that covering both approaches to technology would have created insightful discussion. From the discussion, people could have developed a better understanding on where society (an incremental portion) stood on certain issues of technology.
The topic that was the least interesting to me was the “Finding and Evaluation Online Communications,” week 3 discussion. The reading did cover the information overload, where the reading elaborated on the good and the bad aspects, however, the good and the bad topics dealt with information overload more than an in depth look on how technology affected interpersonal, political, or environmental interactions. I felt the discussion to be important, but not as interesting as the other topics we studied in the course.
VoIP take over?
VoIP offers “free phone calls” through the Internet. Anything that appears or is offered for free is definitely a call for more consumers, especially if you consider the new medium to be reliable. The VoIP service will lure more consumers to replace their prefer method of communication from the telephone to online communication. The cable and telephone networks will, in time, suffer dramatic losses and have to adapt to new methods of service. However, at the present time, if cable and telephone networks are creating and forming new approaches to adapt to this new technology, than they probably will not see much dramatic change, since people will tend to stick with companies that they’ve worked with before. This brings up a major topic: the integration of cable and telephone services. If say, Comcast, were to offer VoIP services to their customers, than not only would Comcast have a large population of cable consumers, but a new “telephone” aggregate of consumers. There would probably be a shift in the way the cable and telephone industries provide service to their customers, and inevitably, only a few companies would enable their customers to have satisfaction of both. Therefore, potentially, there may not be much of an impact on cable and telephone networks.
A concern, however, is for the infrastructure of the VoIP network and immediacy. Existing telephone networks, since working on phantom power, would supply service, even if the power went out, whereas VoIP would fail being dependent on wall power. Emergency calls would be a challenge since VoIP would be using IP-addressed phone numbers, and not NANP phone numbers. These are major issues that cannot be ignored. On that note, telephone and cable industries may offer packages that are separate or integrate VoIP services along with traditional communications. I’m not positive how that would work, but it could happen to make sure that a companies consumer base would rise and not fall.
Discussion Questions:
1. Would you trust VoIP services? How does this relate to your concept of the Internet and the telephone and their security?
2. What type of social ramifications do you see with VoIP?
3. Do you weigh reliability as more important than easy access? Why or why not?
Public Space & Access
Should the Internet be available and accessible for everyone, as in everyone in the world? The answer is yes! The cyberspace is a public space, meaning that it’s a place for anyone and everyone to enter, communicate in and use. However, there are limitations depending on one’s demographics. For cyberspace accessibility, the desired user needs to have several things. For one, there needs to be connectivity. A great example in the reading was the Connectivity of Wireless Networks diagram. In a rural area, radio tower A to tower B would need to have point-to-point connection, because it supports just a single radio and antenna on either side of the link.
Radios and antennas would then make a set of point-to-multipoint connection to the radio towers thus emitting a blanket of signals to cover a specific area. An individual personal computer from another close-by location (within range) would be able to access the signal, allowing all personal computers with simple wireless network interface cards to connect and access the Internet. Though it may seem as though extremely rural areas or developing areas may experience difficulty, financially and structurally, new and low-cost technologies, especially “terrestrial wireless infrastructure” are being created by small enterprises that provide “locally tailored value-added services.” Also, the relationship between cyberspace and accessibility standards is political. Policy-makers, from the issuing government to the service provider must “view rural and universal access as drivers of development and not sources of government revenue.” The right and freedom to have access to the web is a right and freedom for all people.
Discussion Questions:
1. What do you predict will happen to the culture of nations that adapt and integrate new technologies - ones that never had technology before?
2. Do you think it's benefical for cafes or coffee shops to offer free WiFi?
3. Do you see the whole world going wireless at some point in time? Why or why not?
Cantwell Versus McGavick
The Seattle Times article about Maria Cantwell gave me the impression that she was a strong, independent, and motivated character with several political aspirations. While the article stated Cantwell’s firm stance issues like the environmental (a big concern for me), Mike McGavick’s coverage made him appear as a family-oriented man whose political agenda concerned more local issues. McGavick’s persona was written to seem more manly and strict with statements regarding his business background and his remarks on Maria Cantwell.
On Cantwell’s home page, immediately you’ll find on the right-hand side the option to add yourself to her e-mailing list, an opportunity to attend an event with former President Clinton and Cantwell, a method to contribute financially, and a petition for a bill regarding the environment. However, an actual opportunity to interact with voters directly on her web page is absent since she lacks mediated communication like blogs or forums on her website. The only way to respond to Cantwell is to leave a comment in the comment box. On the other hand, McGavick’s website incorporates blogs, an audio and video gallery, and archives. Visually, a viewer can interact by watching videos of his past speeches or audibly listen to his campaign ads or interviews. This way, I believe, is a strategic approach in enabling a viewer to stay on his page and experience more thoroughly his campaign.
An important issue for me is conservation, or the environment. For Cantwell, her concern is easily visible on her website. She states is upfront on her home page with a link to aid her in her petition for a bill. She also discusses her point-of-view on her “About” page. But, Cantwell’s site fails to include a direct link to her main issues. You would have to find her concerns by reading through her “About” page and scan for the topics. The same does not hold true for McGavick. He includes a direct link to his “Issues,” therefore it was extremely easy to find his views on the environment. Cantwell descriptions are more thorough, but McGavick is short, concise and easily accessible.
I trust Maria Cantwell more than McGavick. But I agree with McGavick more so on some topics than Cantwell. One main reason is because she holds more experience in the political field. I want to also side with her more since she is particularly interested in involving her political efforts towards sustainability in the environment.
Bush verus Kerry
Why did the Bush web-designers create a site that basically required the audience to have up-to-date technology with speedy access, when the “red” states, where Bush received a large chunk of his support, were in large rural populations with slow access? Though this question cannot be explicitly answered, the compared sites between Bush and Kerry reveal that the democratic spectrum hired smarter web-designers that applied a navigation-friendly interface that included consistency and efficient usability design. Additionally, Kerry’s site produced time-stamped blogs, which to a viewer, is extremely essential since the whole election is time-sensitive. And although both sites failed to receive the Section 508 approval, the Kerry site was the overall cream of the crop.
The description of how both web-pages were laid out leads me to question what the intentions were behind the design. If Bushes site was more linear, less user-friendly, and incorporated several usability failures, what does this state about their political party? Same question applies to Kerry’s site as well. If the people of the government, whom hold so much power cannot hire decent IT people or web-designers, then that says to me that these people in our government cannot even be excellent with a simple site! I’m hoping to see sites that are more simplified, have specific and concise information with excellent navigational tools. I mean, come on – if you want people to vote for you, make it easy!
Internet & Politics
Internet technology has created a new pathway for timely, easy access and quick viewing of information. Whether the information revolves around news, entertainment or weather, the Internet is a common source used and potentially the primary source in the next couple years (sooner than later probably). The Internet has changed the way people look for information, particularly the news or information regarding the political agenda. What is amazing is that for the 2004 election, the Washington Post and the New York Times provided real-time coverage of the primary and general election campaign. Real-time media coverage online represents a form of online television but intermixed with a TiVo-like option. In the long run, I see more video coverage online than ever before – especially with software and applications like YouTube and MySpace Videos steadily growing and being used more frequently in addition to similar software. Furthermore, information, political or not, may be updated as frequently as one wants. During the campaign, updates were hourly, and public opinion polls were visited more frequently and viewed first before print versions were available. Readers may additionally view secondary sources and related links on political websites that allow them to bypass print and television media altogether. People also access Internet news, which tend to be more national and international than what is found in their local newspaper, that influences their views more narrowly than openly. For example, on a page for a political issue, you will find hyperlinks to related sites that either go more in depth or give a visual diagram about the issue. The related sites can potentially enhance the information obtainable and the psychological engagement people develop with the issue. Therefore, the point-of-view a reader initially held could potentially become more extreme or totally obstructed by using the Internet as a source for political news.
Joe Trippi, a.k.a. the Organization Man, had the right idea of gaining public awareness and support by creating a public discussion/chat board with Wavoid. Although I don’t agree with how he manipulated voters during his Kennedy aide, he had the right approach of creating a group atmosphere. I also agree with authors of the article in Journal of Online Behavior that the “Internet news sources best explain[s] political knowledge among those who use them and suggest that Internet news may surpass newspapers as the select political information source of the future.” Because of the availability for immediate feedback, multiple resources, and public opinion, the Internet will dominate the political media. The only concern is the idea that political media via Internet will create constricted ideologies and perceptions of people, candidates, issues etc.
Discussion Questions:
1. Has the Internet influenced your perception of a specific political party? If yes, How so? If not, why don’t you think so?
2. “The people who say they're definitely supporting your candidate are assigned a "one." The people who say they're leaning your way get a "two." And the people who say they're for the other guy get a "three." Your job is to convert all your twos to ones and to keep your ones from sliding.” Do you believe that blogging is now the method for persuasion or is calling still more effective?
3. Will you vote online in the future or will you vote at a physical polling station? Why did you choose what you chose?
in-class exercise
PART ONEsource:english.ohmynews.com13 TOTAL FEEDS
Stories include:
1. Main News
2. Korea
3. World
4. Technology
5. Arts&Life
6. Entertainment
7. GlobalNews
8. OhMyNews at a Glance
9. Sports
10. Asia Pacific
11. Africa & MiddleEast
12. Americas
13. Europe
No sponsored blogsNo archives accessible, since no database of archives.
Free to view material.
Source:pbs.org12 TOTAL FEEDS
Stories include:
1. Frontline
2. Frontline/World
3. I, Cringley
4. Mediashift
5. NerdTV
6. NOVA
7. NOVA scienceNOW
8. NOW
9. Online NewsHour
10. PBS Ombudsman
11. Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly
12. Tavis Smiley
Sponsored Blogs = 31. www.typepad.com
2. www.lithium.com
3. www.squarespace.com
No archive database
Free to view material
ComparisonAcknowleding that most online mainstream news requires a login, subscription, fee or all the above, sites like PBS and OhMyNews are probably viewed more and thus drawing in more readers because of the exclusion of a "login" barrier. Furthermore, this growing trend is likely to affect the method in which mainstream media will attract more viewers and persuade them to subscribe as paying consumers. My guess is that eventually, mainstream media will have to offer more information or reduce their pricing to attract more readers or influence people to believe that their news source is the most accurate and reliable as the popularity of blog news becomes more prominent in society.
PART TWO- If you sort by the quotations, whatever you put into parathesis shows up by whatever the search engine found. Whatever word you choose to put in parenthesis, the searh engine will find that specific word.
- When I clicked on the tag section, related tags, such as technology, digital-divide, Internet, E-Government, and development came up. Therefore all the articles relating to those tags that the search engine could find popped up.
- WEIRD. When I clicked on the "Blog Finder" tab, my results took about 30+ seconds to search, but what actually came up weren't results, but this:
"There are no blogs tagged digital divide yet.However, I changed my search word to "digital-divide," adding the hyphen, and then there were results.
People who had blogs related to my topic included
1. Jonathan Schwartz's Weblog
2. Morph-The Media Center conversation
3. Media Metamorphosis
- There were 18 posts within the last 12 hours. However, altogether, there are 11,336 links to Blogcritics.org. If there is an average of 18 posts per 12 hours, than in a day, there is an average of 36 posts. With my topic however, there are 18,744 related links. This is not surprising for my topic, since it is one of the more popular topics dicussed on blogs throughout the world (since it affects a majority of people).
- Using Google, for "link:blogcritics.org" found 23,900 related links. Google found more related links than Technorati. I believe they are different because Google is a larger search engine that may include links that also include the actual word blogcritics.org. I also believe that Google may have found more sites because they are a more advanced and popular search engine.
- Blogrolls help you find other sources on similar topics because they provide links that are related to similar topics immediately. Usually, you can find them on the sidebars.
Side Kicked
Blogging has created an outlet for expressive news where a writer’s employer or salary does not limit their style of news telling. Because the root of established media in terms of communication and information is from a corporate point-of-view and influence, people are looking to blogs to find information that is closer to the truth. Hence, blogging is the new alternative source for information. There are two major types of established media that blogging effects. One Big Media blogging effects is newspapers and the second is radio.
The newspaper industry, like a human body, includes many parts. Each part plays a specific role that affects another part. Within the industry, you have editors, writers, producers and more. However with blogging, one person has all the choices and makes all the decisions. Information is therefore less filtered, you can say, or raw. Furthermore, blogging is more personal. With the September 11th attacks, people in New York City used the power of the publishing tool to post links to articles from various news organizations to provide more information and context than the Big Media. People were posting the life status of specific individuals to let others know that they were okay.
A similar media like blogging, called podcasting, affects the other Big Media, radio. Radio actually was a precursor to the blogging phenomenon since “regular people” were invited to give their opinions. However, podcasting has changed the options of listening to radio all together since it provided people with the choice of, with one click of a button, to receive a 30-minute segment of the days news, automatically downloaded when it was available. The news in those 30 minutes were of the highlights around the world, not just local news.
The implications of blogging or podcasting on the established media are substantial. Over time, the concept of choice will indubitably affect the means of communications for news corporations, radio broadcasting companies and the like. I foresee the diminishing of smaller news companies, the radio being solely dominant for real time events and entertainment and blogging and podcasting maturing to a higher level of standards that in turn will increase its use and audience.
Discussion Questions:
1. "A shallow citizenry can be turned into a dangerous mob more easily than an informed one." How has blogging contributed to "shallow citizenry"?
2. Most people will never meet except online. How has blogging contributed, will further contribute and potentially hurt people groups from different areas of the world?
3. Information technology, will lead—among many other things—to mass customization, disintermediation (elimination of middlemen), and media convergence. Do you believe this to be true? Why or why not?
