Consistency and Standardization
A myriad of social networking sites have hit the scene in the last few years. Everything from Twitter, to Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, etc. etc. These sites all strive to be different and occupy some sort of niche. However, they all have similarities. I find it a pain to create different accounts for each site and keep everything up to date and detailed. I propose that there is some sort of system of cross-standardization. For instance, if I were to update some of my personal information or contact list (Friends) in Facebook, it would automatically do the same in all of my other social networking platforms. This would save me the time and trouble of logging into each account and updating everything manually. Perhaps the individual sites could reach an agreement where this could be made possible. We are already seeing different platforms merge and co-operate (Yahoo with Facebook, Twitter, etc.). The social networking sites themselves should co-operate to make it more efficient for users.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Our Class Wiki - So Far
I will be contributing to the section on Sports and New Media.
I plan to work in a variety of areas (including NBA, NCAA, MLB, NHL, PGA)
I will contribute to consistent categories for each sport (devoted sites, athlete Twitter pages, athlete Facebook pages, athlete/professional blogs). I know that some are already present, but I will update and add on to these offerings.
I will also create new sections for other sports (such as MMA, boxing, tennis, poker). Again, I will focus on social networking sites (Twitter, Facebook) as well as devoted sites, blogs, and Facebook pages.
I plan to work in a variety of areas (including NBA, NCAA, MLB, NHL, PGA)
I will contribute to consistent categories for each sport (devoted sites, athlete Twitter pages, athlete Facebook pages, athlete/professional blogs). I know that some are already present, but I will update and add on to these offerings.
I will also create new sections for other sports (such as MMA, boxing, tennis, poker). Again, I will focus on social networking sites (Twitter, Facebook) as well as devoted sites, blogs, and Facebook pages.
P2P File Sharing
File sharing:
File sharing is defined as the exchange of information, such as computer documents, programs, or multimedia. There are many ways to share files, including removable media (i.e., flash drives), servers, and peer-to-peer networking
P2P File Sharing:
P2P File Sharing is defined as a method/system that connects users in a peer-to-peer network. These users can then search for files on the computers of other users connected to that network. The user can not only download files from other users, but can also upload their own files. The P2P system involves partitioning parts/tasks among users. For instance, a user wishing to download a song will download that song in parts from a many other users. These users break up and share the "workload." Some example of P2P File Sharing applications are: Napster, BitTorrent, Kazaa, and Limewire.
Piracy Concerns:
There is an ongoing battle between content producers and users of P2P Networks. The sharing of protected material has grown and spread since the days of Napster. In a 2006 outrageous legal battle, a Minnesota mother is being sued for $1.5 million for downloading and sharing 24 songs on Kazaa (source:
http://baruchnewmedia.com/w/images/3/35/IllegalMusic.pdf). Suitable penalties for sharing content are being debated. Some believe that restricting internet access is a viable option, whereas others believe that "There's increasing understanding that broadband is fundamental to basic economic and social participation." (source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/13/technology/internet/13iht-piracy13.html).
Future File Sharing
While P2P file sharing can be used in a myriad of legal and positive ways, there will always be piracy concerns. New avenues of illegal file sharing are already being pursued. For example, alternatives to downloading, such as streaming movies, are growing fast. There are also ways to share files without having your internet address being tracked. (source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/13/technology/internet/13iht-piracy13.html).
File sharing is defined as the exchange of information, such as computer documents, programs, or multimedia. There are many ways to share files, including removable media (i.e., flash drives), servers, and peer-to-peer networking
P2P File Sharing:
P2P File Sharing is defined as a method/system that connects users in a peer-to-peer network. These users can then search for files on the computers of other users connected to that network. The user can not only download files from other users, but can also upload their own files. The P2P system involves partitioning parts/tasks among users. For instance, a user wishing to download a song will download that song in parts from a many other users. These users break up and share the "workload." Some example of P2P File Sharing applications are: Napster, BitTorrent, Kazaa, and Limewire.
Piracy Concerns:
There is an ongoing battle between content producers and users of P2P Networks. The sharing of protected material has grown and spread since the days of Napster. In a 2006 outrageous legal battle, a Minnesota mother is being sued for $1.5 million for downloading and sharing 24 songs on Kazaa (source:
http://baruchnewmedia.com/w/images/3/35/IllegalMusic.pdf). Suitable penalties for sharing content are being debated. Some believe that restricting internet access is a viable option, whereas others believe that "There's increasing understanding that broadband is fundamental to basic economic and social participation." (source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/13/technology/internet/13iht-piracy13.html).
Future File Sharing
While P2P file sharing can be used in a myriad of legal and positive ways, there will always be piracy concerns. New avenues of illegal file sharing are already being pursued. For example, alternatives to downloading, such as streaming movies, are growing fast. There are also ways to share files without having your internet address being tracked. (source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/13/technology/internet/13iht-piracy13.html).
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Privacy and Confidentiality
The growth of the internet and new media has been undeniable. But with that growth comes pitfalls and obstacles as well. Privacy and confidentiality issues are serious dangers in the age of Web 2.0.
First, there are the privacy issues presented by social networking sites. For example, Facebook's privacy policy has been constantly criticized for making private information public. The default privacy settings are to share as much information as possible. This makes Facebook a playground for potential hackers and identity thieves.
Youtube is another example of new media with privacy and confidentiality concerns. Users who post personal videos become vulnerable to personal attack (either on the internet, or in real life).
Privacy and confidentiality concerns shook the world with the release of WikiLeaks. The project presented an anonymous way for users to post sensitive, classified, or hidden documents for the world to see. Items posted include sensitive political and military documents, as well as confidential documents about corporate misconduct. The things posted on WikiLeaks routinely become giant news stories.
First, there are the privacy issues presented by social networking sites. For example, Facebook's privacy policy has been constantly criticized for making private information public. The default privacy settings are to share as much information as possible. This makes Facebook a playground for potential hackers and identity thieves.
Youtube is another example of new media with privacy and confidentiality concerns. Users who post personal videos become vulnerable to personal attack (either on the internet, or in real life).
Privacy and confidentiality concerns shook the world with the release of WikiLeaks. The project presented an anonymous way for users to post sensitive, classified, or hidden documents for the world to see. Items posted include sensitive political and military documents, as well as confidential documents about corporate misconduct. The things posted on WikiLeaks routinely become giant news stories.
Advice to Baruch College
Baruch College is actually more involved in new media than I thought. They have a Facebook page that provides useful and interesting information. The page is also kept up to date regularly. They also have an active Twitter page, a blog, an online newspaper, and a Youtube channel with interviews from faculty and students.
The problem is that I had no idea that Baruch utilized some of these tools. The University should increase student awareness of these resources by putting up more posters, sending reminders with letters, etc. The more students use these resources, the richer and livelier they become.
I also think that Baruch should create a separate Wikipedia page that is student and faculty oriented. Currently, the Wikipedia page seems suited for an outsider who wants to read about the history of Baruch College. Baruch should create an internal Wiki that is kept up to date. So aside from focusing on history and general information, the Wiki can focus on daily events, student life, faculty news, etc.
Finally, Baruch needs to add more online courses. There are only a few online classes offered each semester. This is very unfortunate because many Baruch students are employed and need more flexibility. Online courses can be easily implemented with the use of online video lectures, Blackboard discussions, Wiki online collaborations, Twitter, blogs, etc. It would save the University money because online classes can be conducted without the need for a classroom, while also giving students and faculty flexibility.
The problem is that I had no idea that Baruch utilized some of these tools. The University should increase student awareness of these resources by putting up more posters, sending reminders with letters, etc. The more students use these resources, the richer and livelier they become.
I also think that Baruch should create a separate Wikipedia page that is student and faculty oriented. Currently, the Wikipedia page seems suited for an outsider who wants to read about the history of Baruch College. Baruch should create an internal Wiki that is kept up to date. So aside from focusing on history and general information, the Wiki can focus on daily events, student life, faculty news, etc.
Finally, Baruch needs to add more online courses. There are only a few online classes offered each semester. This is very unfortunate because many Baruch students are employed and need more flexibility. Online courses can be easily implemented with the use of online video lectures, Blackboard discussions, Wiki online collaborations, Twitter, blogs, etc. It would save the University money because online classes can be conducted without the need for a classroom, while also giving students and faculty flexibility.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Creativity
Creativity is not new. It has always existed in people's minds. There have always been storytellers, artists, musicians, dreamers. But creativity been limited by medium. But not anymore. The technological advances in new media has created an explosion of creative expression. New media has allowed creativity to run rampant in all aspects of life.
For instance, the digitizing of music has allowed for "mash-ups," a digital mixing of two separate songs. A good example of this is the mash-up of Jay Z's "The Black Album" with The Beatles "The White Album." The offspring was cleverly titled "The Grey Album." Another example is Jay Z's and Linkin Park's collaboration called "Collision Course." "Mashups find new uses for current digital technology, a new iteration of the cause-and-effect relationship behind almost every change in pop-music aesthetics."
(Read more http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2005/01/10/050110crmu_music#ixzz1qTy8o0Ca)
Educational institutions use new media to find creative ways to teach. For instance, online courses (like this one) are partly or completely online, giving students and professors scheduling flexibility. Many Universities offer virtual campuses on Second Life where students can walk around, meet, and take online classes. Youtube let's professors record lectures and go over important concepts.
Finally, print (old media) has transformed into digital content (new media). Now magazines have digital versions of their issues that can be read on electronic devices. Sometimes these digital issues offer innovative content like video clips and interactive games. Advertisers in these magazines can create interactive content and provide direct links to their website.
Creativity has always been there. It's not new. It's just that technology has allowed people to flex their creative muscles. New media has allowed people to show their photographs and their musicality. It has allowed businesses to grow and be more efficient. It has allowed students and teachers to explore a new way of teaching and learning. Creativity is endless and new media is just starting to catch up with the human imagination.
For instance, the digitizing of music has allowed for "mash-ups," a digital mixing of two separate songs. A good example of this is the mash-up of Jay Z's "The Black Album" with The Beatles "The White Album." The offspring was cleverly titled "The Grey Album." Another example is Jay Z's and Linkin Park's collaboration called "Collision Course." "Mashups find new uses for current digital technology, a new iteration of the cause-and-effect relationship behind almost every change in pop-music aesthetics."
(Read more http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2005/01/10/050110crmu_music#ixzz1qTy8o0Ca)
New Media has also allowed for creativity in the areas of photography and videography. Sites like Flickr and Tumblr allow anyone to upload pictures to the internet. Professional and amateur photographers alike are scouring the globe to find inspiring images. Creativity in movies has exploded thanks to digital effects. Movies like "300," "Avatar," and "Inception" were all inspired by imagination, but were brought to life by the breakthrough's in technology and new media. Sites like Youtube allow anyone to post videos of whatever they want. Sometimes posting Youtube videos can even get you rich (ahem Justin Bieber).
Businesses are not immune from new media either. For businesses, the internet has allowed for online conferencing making meetings more efficient than ever. Virtual Worlds like Second Life have allowed for virtual meetings and team-building exercises. Companies can now look to social networking sites for inspiration from customers.
Technology companies have been the most active in relying on others to innovate for them. This is in large part because the Internet lets people exchange ideas easily and rapidly with large groups, and computing tools let people design new products cheaply...Lego started a site called Design byME, where fans can use Lego design software to create their own models. Lego then sells the designs, effectively offloading the design cost to fans.(Read more http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/26/technology/internet/26twitter.html)
Educational institutions use new media to find creative ways to teach. For instance, online courses (like this one) are partly or completely online, giving students and professors scheduling flexibility. Many Universities offer virtual campuses on Second Life where students can walk around, meet, and take online classes. Youtube let's professors record lectures and go over important concepts.
Finally, print (old media) has transformed into digital content (new media). Now magazines have digital versions of their issues that can be read on electronic devices. Sometimes these digital issues offer innovative content like video clips and interactive games. Advertisers in these magazines can create interactive content and provide direct links to their website.
Creativity has always been there. It's not new. It's just that technology has allowed people to flex their creative muscles. New media has allowed people to show their photographs and their musicality. It has allowed businesses to grow and be more efficient. It has allowed students and teachers to explore a new way of teaching and learning. Creativity is endless and new media is just starting to catch up with the human imagination.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Creativity and New Media
To explore the topic of creativity in new media, I created an avatar in Second Life. At first, I picked a sports car as my avatar, but then decided on a guy in a penguin suit and a top hat. It just felt weird flying around in a red sports car instead of flying around as a human being. Naturally, I was a little overwhelmed by the complexities of the game. I started walking around, trying to avoid all the other avatars. I then decided to take my opportunity to visit places that I've never been. Below is my journey:
The Statue of Liberty: I've never visited the statue of Liberty, and I most definitely would not have been able to get this view in real life.
The Acropolis: I love Greek and Roman mythology, so this was a free way of visiting history.
The Eiffel Tower: Another long-awaited destination. The details in Second Life are amazing.
The Statue of Liberty: I've never visited the statue of Liberty, and I most definitely would not have been able to get this view in real life.
The Acropolis: I love Greek and Roman mythology, so this was a free way of visiting history.
The Eiffel Tower: Another long-awaited destination. The details in Second Life are amazing.
Machu Picchu: What a sight to behold!
Bora Bora: After all that flying and sight-seeing, I was exhausted. Time to relax and take in some sun.
Temple University: Next, I wanted to check out the virtual campus of Temple University and explore the amazing ways that Second Life could be implemented.
Toronto: Finally, being from Canada, I felt homesick and wanted to visit downtown Toronto. Ahhhh, Yonge St (without the swarms of people!)
Although the size of the maps were relatively small, it was amazing to see the amount of detail put into these "worlds." It was really cool being able to visit all of these places and landmarks right from the comfort of my couch. I can see how some people can become immersed in Second Life. And that's only the beginning. I chose to visit realistic places, but Second Life is bursting with fantastical landscapes dreamt up from people's creative imaginations. With just a little dedication and time, you can pretty much create whatever you want!
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