Laura

Implications of blogging on media

2006-02-12T17:16:00.000-08:00

I think that blogging is an important communication tool for media. I don't think it will hinder new media technology because I think it will in fact supplement and benefit media. Blogging can provide an additional form of two way communication between the producer and the reciever. It allows people to share ideas and expand their knowledge. I think it is more effective to have communication between ideas in a type of dialogue form. Blogging allows for this interactive communication. It also provides a sense of discussion of a topic. People can provide a view and dispute one at the same time. This two way communication offers different viewpoints allowing for unbias information. If there is an article in the newspaper, I question the objectivity of the journalist. No one can question the article and allow for other readers to read their response. Instead it is a one way form of communication. We are only recieving the story from one side. Where as in blogging, a topic or idea can be disputed and questioned. The only questionable thing about blogs is how credible is the producer and the source of the information? Can we rely on the information provided? What is the motivation of the blogger? Can we incorporate blogging into our newspaper media?

Extra Credit: “The Race of Websites 2004.

2006-02-10T00:32:00.000-08:00

I think the incorporation of the use of internet and politics is very beneficial to informing society of political news other than through television, newspaper or radio. In contrast, the use of the internet to inform voters can pose a problem if users don’t have the sufficient software and technology. For example in article, Kathy noted how Bush creates an intensive graphic, busy and interactive website for its voters. This is difficult considering at least most of his supporters are in rural areas with little or not up to date technology. The lack of technology defeats the purpose of using the website as an informative tool. I found Kathy’s research to be interesting because there is such a difference between the Democratic styled website versus the Republican. The key of the website was produced four years ago and hasn’t changed much differently. It is also interesting how much the structure of the website makes a difference on the effectiveness it has on its audience. For example, Bush provides far too many distracting graphics and clustered links. As a result, the voter can’t locate the primary information of their search. Again, the site ineffectively informs its audience. I am curious if the majority of voting will become an online process. Will this have an effect on voter ratings?

Politics and the internet

2006-02-06T11:22:00.000-08:00

I think the internet is a resourceful and convenient contribution to political knowledge. It provides people with the opportunity to choose and select the political topic of choice they want to be informed aout. According to the article, people "actively and intentionally make choices about the kinds of media they use to find news and information about different topics." I think the internet provides the opportunity to share ideas and perspectives on politcal topics. Granted, the article did not that there is a potentional problem with selection bias-although, I think that people will be selective regardless of what media source they use. Peple's political ideals won't change based on new and unbiased information they recieve from the tv or newspapers. There is always a selection process being done wheter mentally or physically with the media type. The internet simply provides supplemental support and reinforcement for pre-existing ideas and information.
I think traditional media resources such as newspapers will eventually decrease more and more as we move to a more electronically informed society.

Will the internet contribute or distract from political campaings?

Does online voting influence the response and conclusion of political elections?

Do you think the political information we recieve is credible, objective and unbias?

BLOG 4

2006-01-30T01:19:00.000-08:00

After reading the article “The GNU Manifesto” and “Shirky” I became aware of the new notion of social software. Programmers are now creating a body of free software that is available to all users. By providing a free system that can be shared with multiple users it reduces the negative attitudes of the commercialization of system software as well as reduces hostility between programmers. Above all, as a user myself, it would allow for me to no longer be obligated to one programmer or company. I feel that social contribution of software can create more accessibility and proficiency for even the novice user. The use of social software can also provide one with unlimited opportunities for enhanced communication tools and the understanding of new media systems. There are times when I can’t afford a new form of software that could develop my computer or communication skills. The idea of social software will make life easier and more efficient.

Blogger 3

2006-01-23T10:35:00.000-08:00

How have these readings changed your view of the man-machine relationship?

The readings have not exactly changed my view of the man-machine relationship but more so have confirmed my thoughts and perceptions of the difference between the machine and a human being. The article argues that the machine has constructed a society in which revolves itself around “accuracy, precision and time” (“Being Analog” 2). I find this to be very accurate in societies fast-paced, bustling, robot-like lifestyles. We incorporate so much machinery and technology in our lives that we become dependent on it in almost everything we do. For example, for entertainment a person results to playing video games inside the house, whereas they could be developing human social interactions and physical activity that is more important for the human body and mind than zoning out in front of a machine. Social interaction encourages creativity, thought, emotion, communication skills in which a machine does not. Similarly, “add too much technology to the mix, and you soon move the game beyond the reach of human abilities” (“Being Analog” 9). People eventually will become so dependent on machines they will have no thought, creativity or developmental skills of their own. I support the article’s argument that in today’s machine oriented society we are leaving behind generations of heritage and replacing it with new inventions. Yes, these inventions create efficiency and production in our lives but they do not provide a sense of substance, feeling, emotion, connection, tradition and family.

Moved from comment to post

2006-01-18T13:03:00.000-08:00

Based on the both the readings and my personal experiences with technology, I think that my life is extremely affected by the “information overload” of technology today. I agree with the article written by Mark R. Nelson that “the volume of information on the Internet has exceed the ability of most people to find the information they need” (Nelson 1). The incredible amount of information accessible on the Internet is overwhelming. As a result, people and I myself have experienced a sense of anxiety when I am required to research a subject and there is countless sites and sources for information I don’t even know is accurate to the data I need. That is why I think it is important to encourage “information literacy” and education with computer and technological resources. For example, after reading the article “Information Overload, Retrieval Strategies and Internet User Empowerment” I was informed how many of the search engines serve different functional principles based on the information one is searching for. It is important to understand the different functions and available sources we have online. Otherwise, there will eventually be a digital divide among people who know how to retrieve and understand information in a technological society and those who are left behind and unaware “how computers can help identify, access, and obtain data and documents needed for problem solving and decision making” (Nelson 3).
I am also overcome by how “technology itself is extremely vulnerable to uncontrolled proliferation” (Carlson 3). In particular, it is irritating how I can receive hundreds of junk email by random people and business. In addition, I feel that sometimes people have far too much access to personal information online. Technology has become more and more invasive and overwhelming in my everyday life.

2006-01-08T20:18:00.000-08:00

The article “As We May Think” by Vannevar Bush brought to my attention numerous technological advances that have evolved over the last 60 years. In particular, simple arithmetical computation used on a calculator today wasn’t as simple years ago. Computations were made at slower speeds. The calculator was constructed with a thermionic-tube equipment in which counted electrical impulses. This most likely led to the advancement of the typewriter, calculators and finally computers.

In addition, it was interesting to learn how the departmental recording systems have changed. The rapid selection system included using punch cards to make computations and track transactions. In recent years, we have a computer system that has access to not only transactions made but also keeps a record of a customer profile. Along with many other advantages of the new systems in our department stores, it makes the consumer process even easier and more efficient.

The "memex" compared to todays personal computers is similar in certain aspects. The memex was a device in which stored information, tracked certain readings and research, stores photos and images as well as has a similar physical set up as computers today. In contrast, the memex has evolved to the new technologically advanced computers such as the convertible laptop, blackberrys, PCs etc. Today, computers have faster and broader accessibility. Not only do people have the capability to research and "trail" their findings, but they can communicate with one another all the way across the world. Instead having concerns about department computer systems stores can sell and track their products and sales online. Computers have provided society with never ending possibilities.

I think in 2025 computers will eventually become smaller and more condensed. Communication will exist through these mobile computer systems. For example, the Blackberry has become widely popular. It has acquired abilities to communicate through messaging, internet and even provides its user with the options to listen to music. These are all characteristics of the larger laptop computer just condensed into a smaller device. This smaller device in the future will accomodate our face paced, on the go society.

Hello!

2006-01-04T12:45:00.000-08:00

This is Laura. Hi.