The next new thing would be like eHarmony but for everything in life and not just dating. Users could fill out a very extensive questionnaire and then it would match them with friends with similar interests, ideas for vacation, ideas for shopping, etc.
It would serve as resource to advise you on every aspect of your life based on questionnaire which explores the deepest parts of personality, therefore the connections would not be based on superficial interests you list, but based on your innate traits.
Evidently, this would require the use of very complex algorithims, however in a few years, I certainly see it as being possible.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Our Class Wiki - So Far
I have not added any content to our class wiki, however I do have plans for what I want to do. As editor of "New Media in Entertainment," I want to make sure the page is coherent, organized, and visually appealing. In addition, I will read through the wiki page and check it for grammar and other errors.
Also, after reading an interesting article. I want to add a wiki page titled "Mobile Phones and New Media". I think smartphones is a very big part of our generation and would be an interesting topic to discuss as part of our class wiki. I've started my research by looking at the evolution of cell phones throughout the years and how new media technology has changed the cell phone industry.
Also, after reading an interesting article. I want to add a wiki page titled "Mobile Phones and New Media". I think smartphones is a very big part of our generation and would be an interesting topic to discuss as part of our class wiki. I've started my research by looking at the evolution of cell phones throughout the years and how new media technology has changed the cell phone industry.
Friday, November 5, 2010
About My Term Research Paper
My term research paper discussed the positive and negative effects of social networking on society. Positive issues discussed included easier cultural diffusion, quicker communication, and easier facilitation for business outreach. Negative effects included privacy and identity theft issues, decreased face to face interaction, and unethical business practices.
I chose this topic because social networking is considered the “in thing” in today’s society. My sources used throughout the paper include newspaper/magazine articles, scholarly journals, and organization websites. I began my research using the Baruch database system. My scholarly sources came from the EBSCOhost database and a few others that Baruch offers students access to.
In my research paper, a brief history of social networking was also discussed. I certainly learned more about the history and development of social networking sites. For example, I learned that SixDegrees.com which launched in 2007 was the first recognized social networking site.
Based on my research and own experiences with social networking, I believe the positive effects outweigh the negative. Social networking provides much more benefits that it does pose risks. Though issues such as privacy pose great dangers for users, when the right precautionary measure are taken, users can minimize this risk.
I chose this topic because social networking is considered the “in thing” in today’s society. My sources used throughout the paper include newspaper/magazine articles, scholarly journals, and organization websites. I began my research using the Baruch database system. My scholarly sources came from the EBSCOhost database and a few others that Baruch offers students access to.
In my research paper, a brief history of social networking was also discussed. I certainly learned more about the history and development of social networking sites. For example, I learned that SixDegrees.com which launched in 2007 was the first recognized social networking site.
Based on my research and own experiences with social networking, I believe the positive effects outweigh the negative. Social networking provides much more benefits that it does pose risks. Though issues such as privacy pose great dangers for users, when the right precautionary measure are taken, users can minimize this risk.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Privacy & Confidentiality
As if identity theft wasn’t an issue already, new media is like identity theft on steroids. New media makes communication and collaboration faster, but with this faster transfer of this “good” information, there comes the faster and easier transfer of the information you’d prefer to keep private.
I think a lot of the responsibility is on the user. The user needs to be more aware of what they are putting on the web. For example, a lot of social networking sites give user's the option of certain privacy settings; It is then the user's responsibility to select the best options depending on the amount of information they want to share with basically...the whole world!
On the other hand, for those users who do take precaution in what they post online, there are people who use new media unethically. For example businesses prey on potential hires, specifically looking for "dirt" and invade their privacy. Also, cyber criminals prey and hack into sites gathering information on their victims to steal their identity. There needs to be stronger internet policies that prevent this negative transfer of information and protect users.
I do believe that privacy and confidentiality in new media is certainly an issues. However, I am firm believer that is a joint responsibility of the user and new media information policy creators.
On the other hand, for those users who do take precaution in what they post online, there are people who use new media unethically. For example businesses prey on potential hires, specifically looking for "dirt" and invade their privacy. Also, cyber criminals prey and hack into sites gathering information on their victims to steal their identity. There needs to be stronger internet policies that prevent this negative transfer of information and protect users.
I do believe that privacy and confidentiality in new media is certainly an issues. However, I am firm believer that is a joint responsibility of the user and new media information policy creators.
Advice to Baruch College
I must say, I think Baruch in recent years have been trying more and more to include new media to improve the experience of its students. Besides Blackboard (which is a great tool), Baruch also posts updates on Facebook and Twitter.
I would certainly advise Baruch to include more online classes in their curriculum. As a student who is taking 5 classes and working over 30 hours a week, I found it extremely helpful that one of my classes was available online. This class proved that blogging can be a great way to interact with students and classmates and I think it would be essential in helping students become more "internet savvy". Yes Baruch does provide a similar forum with Blackboard, however blogs allow for better customization and interaction from a wider range of students.
In addition, something I've heard being discussed by the current USG is a potential Student Government app. This made me think of the creation of a Baruch app. As the popularity of smartphones increase, I think it would be very exciting to have a Baruch application that informed students of all the important events and dates for registration, club events, etc. Rather than students having to go on the Baruch website or read through countless emails, important dates would be easily accessible on their smartphone.
I would certainly advise Baruch to include more online classes in their curriculum. As a student who is taking 5 classes and working over 30 hours a week, I found it extremely helpful that one of my classes was available online. This class proved that blogging can be a great way to interact with students and classmates and I think it would be essential in helping students become more "internet savvy". Yes Baruch does provide a similar forum with Blackboard, however blogs allow for better customization and interaction from a wider range of students.
In addition, something I've heard being discussed by the current USG is a potential Student Government app. This made me think of the creation of a Baruch app. As the popularity of smartphones increase, I think it would be very exciting to have a Baruch application that informed students of all the important events and dates for registration, club events, etc. Rather than students having to go on the Baruch website or read through countless emails, important dates would be easily accessible on their smartphone.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Movie Bonus: The Social Network
The Social Network was certainly entertaining! It was very interesting to literally watch the creation of one of the biggest raves of today's society, Facebook. For the whole time I sat in the theatre, I couldn't stop thinking to myself "Why didn't I come up with this idea?"
The movie touched on a lot of interesting topics, including intellectual property and friendship. It really sparked my interest in intellectual property and understanding what it is. It just reinforced how secretive we have to be in today's world, especially with our ideas and potential business ventures.
The quote featured on the movie banner said, "You don't get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies". This was certainly evident throughout the whole movie: Though Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) would get more successful in terms of Facebook, he did so at the expense of his relationships including his girlfriend and best friend. The friendship theme really stood out to me, because I'm a firm believer of the cliche, "Never forget where you came from." It was interesting to see what success and money can potentially do to a great friendship. I found it very symbolic when the movie ended with Mark requesting his ex-girlfriend. It made you wonder, "Is fame and fortune worth losing those you care for?" Ideally of course, there was another way, and Mark could have certainly been successful without hurting his relationships in the process.
Nonetheless it was a great movie with good acting! I think it is certainly a must-see for today's generation!
The movie touched on a lot of interesting topics, including intellectual property and friendship. It really sparked my interest in intellectual property and understanding what it is. It just reinforced how secretive we have to be in today's world, especially with our ideas and potential business ventures.
The quote featured on the movie banner said, "You don't get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies". This was certainly evident throughout the whole movie: Though Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) would get more successful in terms of Facebook, he did so at the expense of his relationships including his girlfriend and best friend. The friendship theme really stood out to me, because I'm a firm believer of the cliche, "Never forget where you came from." It was interesting to see what success and money can potentially do to a great friendship. I found it very symbolic when the movie ended with Mark requesting his ex-girlfriend. It made you wonder, "Is fame and fortune worth losing those you care for?" Ideally of course, there was another way, and Mark could have certainly been successful without hurting his relationships in the process.
Nonetheless it was a great movie with good acting! I think it is certainly a must-see for today's generation!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Twitter v. Blackboard Discussion
One of the major differences with Twitter discussions and that of Blackboard, is the amount of words you can use to express your idea. Each tweet allows a maximim amount of 160 characters, whereas on Blackboard you are not limited.
With Twitter, responding to someone's tweet is time sensitive, because withouth a retweet it is hard to follow a discussion. However, on Blackboard, your response is easy to follow, because it creates a thread under the original post.
Twitter significantly differs from an in-class discussion, because it is much easier to express thoughts in person rather than through text. Also, just like Blackboard, with an in class discussion, you need not express your thoughts in such a concise manner as twitter requires.
With Twitter, responding to someone's tweet is time sensitive, because withouth a retweet it is hard to follow a discussion. However, on Blackboard, your response is easy to follow, because it creates a thread under the original post.
Twitter significantly differs from an in-class discussion, because it is much easier to express thoughts in person rather than through text. Also, just like Blackboard, with an in class discussion, you need not express your thoughts in such a concise manner as twitter requires.
Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds
Virtual worlds are used widely in both personal life and in businesses. For personal reasons, virtual worlds have been used in online gaming, socializing, or just "living". Also, in the current economic crisis, corporations are all finding ways to cut down cost. As a growing technology, virtual worlds, are another way that individuals can be brought together for conferences and seminars without actually having to be there. Featured in Mark Tutton's article, "According to Linden Lab, creators of Second Life, more than 1,400 organizations--including large companies, educational institutions, government agencies and even the U.S. military--use Second Life to hold meetings, conduct training and prototype new technologies more efficiently."
As with other new media technologies, virtual worlds limit the face to face interation, which can potentially become harmful to humans. In "Going to the virtual office in Second Life," "Kahai says that lack of human contact can also lead to feelings of isolation." He then goes on to say "that virtual worlds such as Second Life can help by recreating the water-cooler experience." By this he is referring to the idea that virtual worlds should create a place for "ad-hoc" conversations where co-workers discuss other things that would have at a conventional workplace.
In addition, virtual worlds foster creativity because anything is possible. In reality, people have limitations on what they can do and create, however on the web, you are free to create and be whatever person you want to be. As mentioned by Ruth La Fela, avatars are not bound by real-life contraints. “It’s the newest manifestation of how people live vicariously: if I can’t afford a Bentley, my avatar can.”
In Ruth La Ferla's NY Times article, Dam Jansen states “A year or two ago virtual goods were a quirky little corner of the online world. Now it’s mainstream.” This is certainly true, and I doubt it is the end of virtual worlds. Could virtual worlds be the new spin on regular social networking sites as we know today? I think so! As time progresses, I am sure the regular 2D sites such as Facebook will become a thing of the pass, and social networking will have a 3D twist where users will be able to connect on a more interactive level.
Sources:
As with other new media technologies, virtual worlds limit the face to face interation, which can potentially become harmful to humans. In "Going to the virtual office in Second Life," "Kahai says that lack of human contact can also lead to feelings of isolation." He then goes on to say "that virtual worlds such as Second Life can help by recreating the water-cooler experience." By this he is referring to the idea that virtual worlds should create a place for "ad-hoc" conversations where co-workers discuss other things that would have at a conventional workplace.
In addition, virtual worlds foster creativity because anything is possible. In reality, people have limitations on what they can do and create, however on the web, you are free to create and be whatever person you want to be. As mentioned by Ruth La Fela, avatars are not bound by real-life contraints. “It’s the newest manifestation of how people live vicariously: if I can’t afford a Bentley, my avatar can.”
In Ruth La Ferla's NY Times article, Dam Jansen states “A year or two ago virtual goods were a quirky little corner of the online world. Now it’s mainstream.” This is certainly true, and I doubt it is the end of virtual worlds. Could virtual worlds be the new spin on regular social networking sites as we know today? I think so! As time progresses, I am sure the regular 2D sites such as Facebook will become a thing of the pass, and social networking will have a 3D twist where users will be able to connect on a more interactive level.
Sources:
Going to the Virtual Office in Second Life, CNN.com: Nov 5, 2009 http://www.cnn.com/2009/BUSINESS/11/05/second.life.virtual.collaboration/index.html
No Budget, No Boundaries: It’s the Real You by RUTH LA FERLA, the New York Times, Oct 22, 2009 p. E1. Available at:http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/fashion/22Avatar.html
No Budget, No Boundaries: It’s the Real You by RUTH LA FERLA, the New York Times, Oct 22, 2009 p. E1. Available at:http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/fashion/22Avatar.html
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Social Networking
When one thinks of social networking, the first thing that usually comes to mind is connecting with people on a personal level; but what about the use social networking sites for professional purposes? As social networking evolves, more and more corporations are incorporating it into their business practices. Frank Langfitt opens his article, “Professional recruiters have started hunting for job candidates using social networking technology—like the kind found on the popular sites MySpace and Facebook.” Besides the recruitment and hiring process, social networking technology is also used by business for marketing and advertisement.
The benefits of social networking include faster communication and the maintenance of large number of relationships/networks without having to connect with people individually. However, as with every other technology, there are negative effects to social networking. Privacy is a widely discussed issue with social networking. Lance Hoffman, Professor of Computer Science at George Washington University stated that “by giving up such information as their name, birth date, and a list of their network of friends, users are revealing far more than they know. Third-party applications, he argued, can take that data outside of the friendly confines of a social networking site and combine it with data from other sources to piece together enough information to steal a person's identity.”
In the future it would be interesting if based on your browsing history, social networking sites automatically matched you with people around the world with similar interest. However, in terms of the overall evolution of social networking technology, I am hoping that it will have its limits. It would be very harmful if social networking started to eliminate face to face interactions on a larger scale.
Sources:
Social Networking Technology Boosts Job Recruiting by Frank Langfitt, NPR, March 16, 2008. available from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6522523&sc=emaf
Knowledge@Wharton, "Leaving 'Friendprints': How Online Social Networks Are Redefining Privacy and Personal Security http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2262
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Check Out Social Networking Sites
Facebook, Myspace, Friendster, and Hi5 are four different social networking sites; however, they all have the same general purpose of connecting people.
Myspace is where I had my first real “social network” experience. Myspace allows for the most customization of the four sites. While I used Myspace, I was able to use HTML codes to design my background, add music, change the layout of my profile, color scheme, etc.
In terms of the general idea, Hi5 is similar to MySpace. Though it does not allow for as much design customization as Myspace, you still have the option to change your profile background and the general layout of your page. Even though I already had a Myspace and preferred it, I decided to create a Hi5 account because it was the most widely used social networking site in Jamaica at the time. It was through Hi5 that I had the chance to reconnect with many of my friends and classmates from Jamaica, who had not been on Myspace.
Personally, Myspace and Hi5 served for more personal reasons. I would only use Myspace for business purposes if I was in the entertainment industry or something of that nature.
Friendster is the only social network out of the four that I had not used. It terms of customization, it is most similar to Hi5. Its only real area of customization is choosing a background. Friendster did not really appeal me. Just as Myspace and Hi5, I would only use Friendster for personal purposes.
As stated on its homepage, “Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life.”
Myspace is where I had my first real “social network” experience. Myspace allows for the most customization of the four sites. While I used Myspace, I was able to use HTML codes to design my background, add music, change the layout of my profile, color scheme, etc.
In terms of the general idea, Hi5 is similar to MySpace. Though it does not allow for as much design customization as Myspace, you still have the option to change your profile background and the general layout of your page. Even though I already had a Myspace and preferred it, I decided to create a Hi5 account because it was the most widely used social networking site in Jamaica at the time. It was through Hi5 that I had the chance to reconnect with many of my friends and classmates from Jamaica, who had not been on Myspace.
Personally, Myspace and Hi5 served for more personal reasons. I would only use Myspace for business purposes if I was in the entertainment industry or something of that nature.
Friendster is the only social network out of the four that I had not used. It terms of customization, it is most similar to Hi5. Its only real area of customization is choosing a background. Friendster did not really appeal me. Just as Myspace and Hi5, I would only use Friendster for personal purposes.
As stated on its homepage, “Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life.”
Facebook is the most widely used of the four and is also the one that I prefer and use regularly. Unlike Myspace, Hi5, and Friendster, Facebook does not have any profile customization features. The color scheme and theme of all user profiles are the same. Because of Facebook’s design, it can serve for both personal and business purposes. It is “fun” enough to interact playfully with friends and family but it is also professional enough to be used to maintain business networks.
Besides the extensive customization features, Facebook does not lack anything in comparison to the other three sites. I still kept my account on Myspace and Hi5 active, but I almost never visit them because the majority (if not all) the people I connected with on those sites now have a Facebook. I do however check the sites periodically to see if any old friends are attempting to reach me.
Besides the extensive customization features, Facebook does not lack anything in comparison to the other three sites. I still kept my account on Myspace and Hi5 active, but I almost never visit them because the majority (if not all) the people I connected with on those sites now have a Facebook. I do however check the sites periodically to see if any old friends are attempting to reach me.
MySpace
Hi5
Friendster
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Blogs v. Wikis
Blogs and wikis are two forms of new media widely used in today’s society. Both blogs and wikis play an important role in the convergence of technology. Today we have become a quick, easy, and instant society, so convergence media such a blogs and wikis allow us to communicate and share information easily and quickly.
Before this class, I basically considered wikis to be the new media version of an encyclopedia, and a blog to be the new media version of a person’s diary or journal. However, I have come to realize that blogs and wikis go much deeper than that. Blogs and wikis serve as a platform for writing and sharing information online. The purpose of wikis is to usually collect factual information, while blogs are more opinion-based. Blogs and wikis can function for both personal and business purposes. According to Margaret Locher, “Diverse organizations, including businesses, schools and government agencies, are waking up to the benefits of wikis… [because it is] easier to gather and share information as well as record discussions about a subject.”
Though similar, they have some significant differences including their content, format, and purpose. In terms of format, each wiki page has its own theme, whereas a blog has many different posts with their individual themes. Unlike blogs, wikis are meant to be worked on by more than one person. With a wiki, contributors can continuously add and edit the information of others. With a blog, there is only one person or group that is able to create posts. Although people may have the opportunity to comment, the focus is still on the creator’s post and everyone else’s idea is seen as follow-up. Because of its comment style, blogs are better for conversation and not ideal for collaboration like wikis are. However there are specific blogs, called collaborative blogs, where a specific group of people all share a username/password and can post/edit on the same blog. An example of a collaborative blog, is Dailykos, which is a political blog that allows users to post on the site.
Wikis have become so popular, it is difficult to think of a new use for it. As the need for information grows, I am sure wikis will have significant impact on information and its accessibility.
Before this class, I basically considered wikis to be the new media version of an encyclopedia, and a blog to be the new media version of a person’s diary or journal. However, I have come to realize that blogs and wikis go much deeper than that. Blogs and wikis serve as a platform for writing and sharing information online. The purpose of wikis is to usually collect factual information, while blogs are more opinion-based. Blogs and wikis can function for both personal and business purposes. According to Margaret Locher, “Diverse organizations, including businesses, schools and government agencies, are waking up to the benefits of wikis… [because it is] easier to gather and share information as well as record discussions about a subject.”
Though similar, they have some significant differences including their content, format, and purpose. In terms of format, each wiki page has its own theme, whereas a blog has many different posts with their individual themes. Unlike blogs, wikis are meant to be worked on by more than one person. With a wiki, contributors can continuously add and edit the information of others. With a blog, there is only one person or group that is able to create posts. Although people may have the opportunity to comment, the focus is still on the creator’s post and everyone else’s idea is seen as follow-up. Because of its comment style, blogs are better for conversation and not ideal for collaboration like wikis are. However there are specific blogs, called collaborative blogs, where a specific group of people all share a username/password and can post/edit on the same blog. An example of a collaborative blog, is Dailykos, which is a political blog that allows users to post on the site.
Wikis have become so popular, it is difficult to think of a new use for it. As the need for information grows, I am sure wikis will have significant impact on information and its accessibility.
Sources:
Wiki While You Work; The technology popularized by Wikipedia can help companies gather and manage their own collective knowledge. Here's how to get started by Margaret Locher. CIO, May 1, 2008. Vol. 21, Iss. 14. Available at:
http://www.cio.com/article/336818/More_on_How_to_Build_Your_Own_Wikipedia
Wikipedia on Collaborative Blog
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collaborative_blog
http://www.cio.com/article/336818/More_on_How_to_Build_Your_Own_Wikipedia
Wikipedia on Collaborative Blog
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collaborative_blog
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Describe New Media
New media is all around us! New media technologies include eBooks, social networking, blogs, etc. However, in order to have new media, there must have been old media, but how do we distinguish the two? Old media include newspapers, television, radio, and similar forms of media. I consider new media to be old media, but with a "twist." New media is essentially older media that is more easily accessible or my widely distributed. The table below featured in Linda Weiser Friedman and Hershey H. Friedman's "The New Media Technologies: Overview and Research Framework," portrays this idea more clearly. It shows the correlation of a specific "old" media to that of a "new" one.
TABLE II – THE OLD VS. THE NEW
Also described in The New Media Technologies: Overview and Research Framework," new media is characterized by the 5C's; communication, collaboration, community, creativity, and convergence. New media is generally said to use at least 3 of the 5C's.
Source:
Friedman, Linda Weiser and Friedman, Hershey H.,The New Media Technologies: Overview and Research Framework(April 2008). pages 9-24. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1116771, pp. 9-15.
TABLE II – THE OLD VS. THE NEW
Books → | Ebooks, wikis |
Journalism → | blogs |
Music → | pandora |
Newspapers, Magazines → | ezines |
Radio → | podcasts |
Television → | Full episodes on the web |
Telephone → | VOIP |
Film → | Amateur videos on the web |
Photography → | Flickr, Picasa |
Art → | Museums on the web |
Also described in The New Media Technologies: Overview and Research Framework," new media is characterized by the 5C's; communication, collaboration, community, creativity, and convergence. New media is generally said to use at least 3 of the 5C's.
Source:
Friedman, Linda Weiser and Friedman, Hershey H.,The New Media Technologies: Overview and Research Framework(April 2008). pages 9-24. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1116771, pp. 9-15.
Proj: Social Networking or Anti-Social Networking?
As technology develops, there is always debate on its positive and/or negative effects on society. From sites such as Myspace to LinkedIn or Facebook to Twitter, social networking is often at the forefront of such debate. Through analysis, one can highlight the pros and cons, or positive and negative effects of social networking on society. Positive effects include easier cultural diffusion, quicker communication with distant friends and relatives, and easier facilitation for professional networking and marketing. Negative effects include privacy and identity theft issues, less face to face interaction, and higher cases of disorders such as ADHD.
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