Week 9/10 - Blog tasks

Without giving references to articles or websites, write five blog entries which creatively describe the digital technologically imbricated world (or not) of:
a) The oldest digital native you know.
The oldest digital native i know is my mother. She has been able to learn how to use the internet by using it to research holidays and buying things online a well as using email. Email is important to her for work, so it was compulsary she learnt how to use it. However surfing the web she learnt rather quickly and she still seems to be well adapt to most things available online, but it is obvious she does not know the boundaries on the internet and she can often get confused, or lost. Therefore, although this make make her more of an immigrant, i beleive she is comfortable on the internet and can do most things available to her.

b) The youngest digital immigrant you know.
The youngest digital immigrant i know would be my sister. She only really uses the internet for facebook, and she doesn't even understand most of the applications on that. Her web surfing abilities are very limited, as she cannot shop online, or know what websites are the best for what she's looking for. Nvertheless i do not think she is totally inept to use the internet, she does get by, and although she may be confused, she does manage to find what she is looking for most of the time.

c) A person known to you (could be you, but you don't need to admit it!) who most threatens the notion of native/immigrant in digital culture.
My Uncle, who, thinking about it, should have been the oldest digital native i know, as he is very accomplished when using the internet and most modern technological equipment available in the current climate of the digital age. He has really enjoyed following the growth of the digital era, and his skills have developed and changed with it. He has been responsible for teaching my how family how to use a computer and the internet, showing his extended and polished skills when it comes to anything 'new'. He gets all the gadgets as soon as they are available and just teaches himslef how to use them, proving how he loves the progression of technology.

d) Describe the daily frustrations of a fictional neo-luddite at university now in the UK.
A neo-luddite is a sort of political movement, who are against the progression of technology and the digital age that is occuring today. Their main points against the changes to our world include: dehumanisation, increase in government control, health problems, cruelty to animals and nuclear war. Some of these risks are quite 'out there' but health risks and government control are important to be aware of, as no one is doing as much exercise as they use to (couch potato culture) and the government is able to influence the internet, thus influencing public opinion.

A neo-luddite at university would really struggle, because the internet is constantly used to: communicate, share files, post information and complete work. It shows how important the internet is when at university, most of us would struggle to cope without it. Therefore it is evident that a neo luddite would probably end up pulling their hair out if they attended a university in the UK.

e) Describe the experience of a fictional technophile student in 2020.
A technophile is the opposite of a neo-luddite, and has many similar characteristics to my uncle i mentioned earlier. A technophile is someone who is very excited and supportive of the new age developing digital age, managing to adapt to change and learn all the new applications quickly and succinctly, enjoying it at the same time.

In 2020, with the expected web 3.0 plan, i imagine a technophile would be in their element, taking advantage of all the possible features available to them when working at university.

www.wikipedia.co.uk

Week 6 - Website analysis

The website i have chosen to analyse is http://www.skysports.com/, which has been around since July 1998. I have decided to analyse this website because i use it everyday because it is the quickest and most reliable site to get scores, results and information frequently updated on any sport.

It uses a very simple navigation system, providing the information for the reader in an easy to read format. The homepage is full of text, images and videos, however it is all layed out neatly, using a similar structure to a newspaper, making it familiar. It has the main story with a big picture in the top left of the page, main headlines to the right of that and then other stories, polls, scores and other links below them. It has a stylish sheet menu on the top on the page so you always know where you are and a search bar so anything can be located quickly. The homepage allwos the user to quickly browse over the page and know everything important that has happened throughout the day, without clicking on anything, very simple usage.

It includes an accessibility statement, help and FAQ's as well as contact information, therefore it can be trusted as being a well develped and a highly regarded website, as well as being very popular and very well known. It also has a privacy statement, so when i'm on it, or post a message in the forum, i feel safe. In addition it has a copyright notice and a terms and conditions notice, reassuring me that i am on a secure website with all the correct standard features.

As Lister points out, interactivity a very important commodity to a website and skysports.com is full of opportunities to get involved, as it provides forums to discuss the hot issues, blogs that anyone can post, emailing and even podcasting. Therefore it is very up to date with the 'new media' scene, providing something for everyone, allowing communication, discussions and opinion polls. This creates massive amounts of feedback for the website, providing users with the possibilty to have their say and get involved making it sociobly interactive. It is even possible to watch skysports live and even bet online on the current events.

Nevertheless, it is not this vast amount of interactivity and feedback options that appeal to me; it is the amount of information i can view and find out in such a short amount of time, that is updated as soon as they get the information, with very high standards of grammar and vocabulary. It is also so in tune with todays culture because at least every other person is interested in sport, and this website has all the information with all the gadgets, developing and changing in tandem with the new media scene.

Lister et al. (2003) New Media: A Critical Introduction, London: Routledge

Week 3 - Topic 2 Web Forums

A) Is withholding one’s identity ethically wrong?
It is obvious not to give your name and address out on the internet etc., but there is also the issue of pretending to be someone you are not. I do not believe it is that much of a problem, as long as there are boundaries, because i believe for some people it gives them the chance to be someone they are not, create a different character to an extent giving them more confidence to comment and interact with others. It allows a sort of escapism from their usual self, acting differently, an internet ID it could be called, because in a real life study group, some people may not contribute as they'd like and say what they want. It opens up opportunities to show different aspects of thinking and saying things. At times, if you say you are older, or have achieved things you havn't, you will get more respect in the forums, however there are limits to how far you go to changing your identity, such as stereotyping or taking the mickey out someone else or using your moulded identity to put across untolerable views.

B.) Should we always use our full name?
Similarly to the previous question, it is a matter of choice, that is the brilliance with the internet, you can be who you like, but again there a the limits of putting one of your mates full names and pretending to be a right idiot. Sometimes the best option is to use a nickname, as i don't really like putting my whole name on, it seems rather formal, i think it's better to be a bit more adventurous and playful.

C.) Far from adopting a ‘mask’, isn’t one appeal of the Net that you can express your true self among like minds?
This is a definate positive that web forums offer, as i was saying before, web forums give people the confidence to speak out in a group, due to there not being as much pressure compared to a seminar group or similar. Poeoples true feelings are expressed creating more of an argument and passion, which is shown as there is no fear of being shown up and it is subject specific to what you're interested in.

D.) What kinds of risk are involved in online self-expression? Online relationships?
It is often the case that characters collide whilst online, plainly because people have complete opposing opinions. Therefore when someone comes out with a rash statement, the believe to be true, others can find this offensive, and it gives that person a bad name. Therefore at times it is best to keep some views and attitudes on a piece of paper, rather than a forum. Online relationships are dangerous to get into, because that question of identity is asked once again, and no one can be sure who they are talking to. Also if two people get on well on the internet, doesn't mean they will get on in real life.

E.) If you are participating in online social interaction might you shape your identity and expression to ‘fit’ that group?
I beleive a person would have to shape their identity to have involvement in the discussion. This is because you would not be taken seriously and would get no respect in the first place. However this begs the question, why would you want to have social interation with a group you have nothing in common with? Wouldn't it be boring and unbeneficial, unless you were just having fun developing your own characters!

F.) If you are a ‘digital presence’ how can you be manipulated by others?
A person could easily get your attention and brainwash you by just saying he is somekind of genius. The media today is constantly manipulating people into believing things, and it is the same on forums, it is easy to be drawn into something someone tells you.

Lister et al. (2003) New Media: A Critical Introduction, London: Routledge.

Week 2

Qb) According to Lister et al., some commentators stress the ‘newness’ of new media, but others (such as Kevin Robins) can be seen to be saying that nothing fundamental has changed, because new media technology is another product of capitalism, and therefore will fit into and serve a pre-existing capitalist society and culture, rather than transform it in any fundamental sense. Any thoughts? Can we critique this position?

There is a valid point put across in Lister et al., arguing against new media, saying that it is a product of Capitalsim because the government and others around media do have a massive influence on what goes on. However it is apparent that, although we do live in a capitalist society, i believe new media would have developed exactly the same if it were a different circumstance. i also believe it has transformed culture, just as much as the telephone has, as it is constant change, constant improvements and constant communication within the culture of new media, such as blogging! No one can control what we say on our blogs (to an extent), therefore how can it be a product of capitalism?

Task 2b - Goebbels Speech about radio.

A speech by Nazi politician Joseph Goebbels about radio: http://www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/gpa/goeb56.htm



How is Goebbel’s view of radio linked to a political ideology? Why does he identify certain kind of communications potential in the medium?

How might his views seem to people today? What is radio ‘good for’ in your opinion?

Goebbel's, being in charge of propaganda for the Nazi party during Hitler's reign, saw a great opportunity in radio to bring the country together as a whole and influence the people in supporting the war and the Nazi party. I believe he also saw it as a way of manipulating the people of Germany into thinking the war was a good idea and their policies were correct. This idea would have worked, because of the fact the radio was a new source of technology, therefore people believed what was being said, showing the power of the radio. People would have beleived what was being said because of the domineering and interlectual voice coming out of the radio, no one would question it. It is obvious that Goebbells was passionate about the media and the development of technology, as his ideas were able to be spread across the country like wildfire, gaining support and respect. There is also the aspect of using radio to communicate and contact pilots and others fighting in the war, allowing updates on the situation in the war progress. This proves to be a great asset as it gives a picture of what is going on elsewhere as soon as it happens. Goebbell's views are very much to do with the war and what is going on at that present time, however he does look to the future, and even the possibilities of technology to come. Therefore i believe he would be very interested in the media today and all the levels and opportunities it has, however his views and ideas at times would be far too political for the radio and media. People today would view Goebbell's thoughts as intense and overpowering and maybe just too strong and involved in something like the radio, although it was a piece of genius.

In my opinion radio is good for one thing, listening to music, either when i'm in the car or at work, as it is the only time i use the radio because it just keeps me going and keeps me entertained.

Task 1 - IRL’s, chat rooms and messenger services

IRL stands for Internet Relay Link and it is another form of digital online communication. It is a type of forum, as people login and primarily chat to groups of people, as well as having the opportunity to chat privately one on one with people. I do not use IRL's personally, however after researching them, i have found them to be a good way of getting to know people.

Chat rooms are similar to IRL's, but they are just big online forums that anyone can join and participate in. Chat rooms are mainly text based, although some have now implemented both text and voice simultaneously. It is a very informal way of communicating and sharing information, however many activities can be enjoyed in chatrooms such as webcam chat, online gaming and exchanging pictures. Again, i do not use chatrooms because i prefer knowing who i am talking to, as it could be anyone. Chat rooms have caused many problems, especially with people pretending to be who they are not and meeting with others they meet in chat rooms.

Messenger services, such as MSN, are very popular as they allow personal one on one discussions with the people you know. Messenger services let you set up a user name and create a online contact list of friends and family, allowing you to only speak to these people. You can also have group discussions with these contacts, as well as video messaging and file sharing.

I use MSN messenger regularly, as i find it very useful to chat to any of my friends anytime, anywhere. It is used more for personal satisfaction, rather than gaining information or organising events etc.

Task 1 - Bulletin board systems and Usenet

Bulletin board systems (BBS) were mainly used before the internet was made popular in the 1980's. It was used as a base for communications between geographically dispersed users who accessed the BBS over telephone lines, however it has been developed over the years allowing users to connect to BBS using a terminal program. It is used so people can download or upload software, such as local news, online games and instant messaging.

Bulletin board systems are simple to use as it is a case of setting up an user name and account and then just by logging in, everything is easily accesssible. I enjoy playing on the online games as there is so much available and you can speak to others whilst playing.

User and Network is combined to create Usenet, which is a internet discussion system. Users simply post and read articles in certain categories, called newsgroups. Usenet is basically a cross between email and web forums, using elements of BBS creating threaded discussions with news reader software and posts stored on the server.

Task 1 - email and email lists

Email stands for electronic mail and it is similar in structure to a letter, however in a digital form. It is the basis of internet communication as it is fast, flexible and reliable. It is a method of creating the message and transmitting it through networks to other email addresses, or just simply storing the text based message. Networks provide gateways to other computer systems allowing mail to be sent anywhere around the world. Most email systems use text editor to compose messages, although others are available this is the most popular.

When messages are sent, often the computer automatically notifies the user if online, otherwise they are stored in electronic mailboxes where they can be read, stored, forwarded to others or simply deleted.

Email is very easy to use, as it is just a case of setting up an account with an email server, such as MSN or AOL, then getting other peoples address to contact them, by just clicking on 'NEW', typing a message, entering the address, then clicking 'SEND'.

I still use email for contacting people who do not have instant mailing, such a MSN Messenger or Facebook, and also for sending large files, like assignments or pictures to other computers, or to other people.

Email lists are mainly used for business usage, providing people with extensive mailing lists. Mailing lists make it possible to send a message to one email address, for automatic redistribution to a large number of individuals' addresses. The typical uses of this are discussions within groups and businesses with a common interest, and also the distribution of information about activities, events and other services.