“The World Wide Web” was basically a break down of just that, the World Wide Web. Some may have found this article not too interesting as a majority of it was spent defining Web lingo (making it come off more as a science book than anything else), but it’s break down of the lingo is what I appreciated most about the article and I found myself really trying to understand the in’s and out’s of the online world.
Before this article, I always wondered what HTTP and HTML did, but always just brushed it off and just generalized them as just being somethine that makes the World Wide Web work. And I’m glad that I am now able to identify each part as it’s own entity. From what I understand the Web is basically a pool of human knowledge (something I found to be quite obvious). The Universal Resource Identifiers (URL) is plain and simple: the address for informations, webpages, blogs, etc. The HTTP indicates the address space, and defines the interpretation of the rest of the URL. And the HTML is used for the transmission of basic things like text, menus, and other online information.
Now, aside from all the terminology one other point from the article that I found interesting was how it stated that emails are the most used internet service. It then went on to state that such technologies like the television and video game consoles are giving the email a run for it’s money. This is something that I completely agree with as now you can do so much more with the television and video games.. you can search the net, call someone, video chat… all our technologies can be compiled in one console. Very interesting.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Will and Kate take over the Internet
I’m sure many of you have heard, read tweets/statuses, and seen on the news talk about the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton. It was an event for the decades. And according to CNN Tech it was the sixth-biggest Web event ever.
According to John D. Sutter’s article entitled “Will + Kate = sixth-biggest Web event ever” the global Internet traffic generated by the royal wedding peaked at 5.3 million page views per minute at about 8:30 a.m. ET on Friday, beating out President Obama’s election on November 2008 which only received about 4.3 million page views per minute.
Millions tuned in both on and offline to catch a glimpse of the spectacular wedding. The royal family themselves even live-streamed the event from their own personal youtube account. So many were able to watch the event in real time and if not they were able to watch video clippings of the event online as well. The wedding was even a trending topic on sites like twitter, “#royalwedding”, where people were able to comment and keep track of Will and Kate’s every move.
This is a great example of just how far the Internet has come in terms of live streaming video and being able to receive your news online through websites and blogs. The interest in the royal wedding online does show how the Internet is changing the way people look for and consume information.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/web/04/29/royal.wedding.internet.traffic/index.html
According to John D. Sutter’s article entitled “Will + Kate = sixth-biggest Web event ever” the global Internet traffic generated by the royal wedding peaked at 5.3 million page views per minute at about 8:30 a.m. ET on Friday, beating out President Obama’s election on November 2008 which only received about 4.3 million page views per minute.
Millions tuned in both on and offline to catch a glimpse of the spectacular wedding. The royal family themselves even live-streamed the event from their own personal youtube account. So many were able to watch the event in real time and if not they were able to watch video clippings of the event online as well. The wedding was even a trending topic on sites like twitter, “#royalwedding”, where people were able to comment and keep track of Will and Kate’s every move.
This is a great example of just how far the Internet has come in terms of live streaming video and being able to receive your news online through websites and blogs. The interest in the royal wedding online does show how the Internet is changing the way people look for and consume information.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/web/04/29/royal.wedding.internet.traffic/index.html
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Virtual Death
When I first began reading the article I thought that this was a great way to utilize the Internet. I thought, “Thanks to community media like blogging this ill little girl and her family are able to reach out and inspire thousands across the world while at the same time receive support in return”. And then I came to find out that it was a hoax. I wasn’t just surprised, I was disturbed. I mean we all know about liars, but this?
One quote that stood at for me came at the beginning of the article: “The Internet did not create grifters… If anything, the net has just changed the dynamics of the game” (p.200). After reading that I thought about the final paper I did for this class. My topic was community media (specifically blogging) and how community media allows any individual to basically create, share, or follow whatever content they so choose on the Internet without the constraints of web publishing. The Internet really has changed the game, we now face the job of deciphering what to believe not only off line but over the web as well.
This article also reminded me of our first few reading for this class on how SNS and new media allows us to create our own identities. One idea that the article touched on that I found especially interesting is how people are able to “authenticate” these false identities and realities online through web links, pictures, and other web-friendly signals. The article stated, “A conventional signal can be given the appearance of an assessment signal by faking the appropriate signifiers and the malleablility of signifiers in a digital environment like the web makes it difficult to establish one signifier as more authentic”.
The Internet makes it easier to lie, doesn’t it?
One quote that stood at for me came at the beginning of the article: “The Internet did not create grifters… If anything, the net has just changed the dynamics of the game” (p.200). After reading that I thought about the final paper I did for this class. My topic was community media (specifically blogging) and how community media allows any individual to basically create, share, or follow whatever content they so choose on the Internet without the constraints of web publishing. The Internet really has changed the game, we now face the job of deciphering what to believe not only off line but over the web as well.
This article also reminded me of our first few reading for this class on how SNS and new media allows us to create our own identities. One idea that the article touched on that I found especially interesting is how people are able to “authenticate” these false identities and realities online through web links, pictures, and other web-friendly signals. The article stated, “A conventional signal can be given the appearance of an assessment signal by faking the appropriate signifiers and the malleablility of signifiers in a digital environment like the web makes it difficult to establish one signifier as more authentic”.
The Internet makes it easier to lie, doesn’t it?
Friday, April 15, 2011
Would You Sign My Kindle?
“Would You Sign My Kindle” by Stephanie Rosenbloom is an article from the New York Times- Tech World link that I found relevant to the “The End of Books” reading that was assigned this week. In the article Stephanie Rosenbloom asks her readers a question many fans may or may not have wondered with recent advancements in technology: Why isn’t there a way to have autographs done through technology?
Rosenbloom then goes on to reveal that there is in fact a new program called “Autography” that will allow it’s users to do just that. Autography is an online app for both the Ipad and EReader created by T.J. Waters and Robert Barrett. Autography ebook “signing” works by having a reader pose with the author for a photograph, which will be taken by an iPad camera or any external camera. The image will then be sent to any EReader, like Kindle, and then the author uses a stylus to scrawl a digital message below the photo.
I thought that this article was relevant to “The End of Books” because with this new app there really will be no reason (well, besides support) for a fan to carry or buy an actual physical book of from their favorite author because now they can have their Ebooks signed. Ebooks not only work as a compact and more efficient library but can now double as a autograph book. Interesting.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/14/fashion/14NOTICED.html?_r=1&ref=technology
Rosenbloom then goes on to reveal that there is in fact a new program called “Autography” that will allow it’s users to do just that. Autography is an online app for both the Ipad and EReader created by T.J. Waters and Robert Barrett. Autography ebook “signing” works by having a reader pose with the author for a photograph, which will be taken by an iPad camera or any external camera. The image will then be sent to any EReader, like Kindle, and then the author uses a stylus to scrawl a digital message below the photo.
I thought that this article was relevant to “The End of Books” because with this new app there really will be no reason (well, besides support) for a fan to carry or buy an actual physical book of from their favorite author because now they can have their Ebooks signed. Ebooks not only work as a compact and more efficient library but can now double as a autograph book. Interesting.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/14/fashion/14NOTICED.html?_r=1&ref=technology
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Blogging: Self Presentation and Privacy
Karen McCullagh’s “Blogging: Self Presentation and Privacy” basically discusses the new media concept of blog sites and the privacy issues that go along with blogging. While writing the article McCullagh conducted a survey from a pool of bloggers. The survey touched on such topics as how open bloggers are online, how comfortable they are online, and what they do to maintain privacy.
In the article “privacy” is defined in three different ways: 1) The right to be left alone, 2) The claim of individuals, groups, or institutions to determine for themselves when, how and to what extent information about them is communicated to others, and lastly 3) privacy protects against conduct that is demeaning to individuality.
McCallagh also writes on DeCew’s thoughts on privacy and how he believes privacy is a complex of 3 related clusters of claims that concern information about oneself, physical access to oneself and decision making and activity that provide one with the independence to create their self-identity through self expression and interpersonal relationships. The three clusters are: 1) informational privacy which centers on the notion of control over ones personal information, 2) accessibility privacy which protects against traditional privacy violations, and lastly 3) expressive privacy which concerns an individuals ability to freely choose, act, self-express and socially interact.
I, myself, am a blogger. I own and use a blog that is more like a personal journal. And I thought it was interesting when McCullagh listed the information that she considered needs to be kept private on blogs: information regarding others, emotions, sex/relationships, arguments, financial information, work, healthcare information, and other information like illegal activity, and political and religious beliefs.
When I first started blogging I actually touched on many of the subjects listed above.. but only because I knew who was following me (friends and family) and did not mind if they knew these particular things, but as my following broadened to people I do not know I am now very conscious of what I share and post.
In the article “privacy” is defined in three different ways: 1) The right to be left alone, 2) The claim of individuals, groups, or institutions to determine for themselves when, how and to what extent information about them is communicated to others, and lastly 3) privacy protects against conduct that is demeaning to individuality.
McCallagh also writes on DeCew’s thoughts on privacy and how he believes privacy is a complex of 3 related clusters of claims that concern information about oneself, physical access to oneself and decision making and activity that provide one with the independence to create their self-identity through self expression and interpersonal relationships. The three clusters are: 1) informational privacy which centers on the notion of control over ones personal information, 2) accessibility privacy which protects against traditional privacy violations, and lastly 3) expressive privacy which concerns an individuals ability to freely choose, act, self-express and socially interact.
I, myself, am a blogger. I own and use a blog that is more like a personal journal. And I thought it was interesting when McCullagh listed the information that she considered needs to be kept private on blogs: information regarding others, emotions, sex/relationships, arguments, financial information, work, healthcare information, and other information like illegal activity, and political and religious beliefs.
When I first started blogging I actually touched on many of the subjects listed above.. but only because I knew who was following me (friends and family) and did not mind if they knew these particular things, but as my following broadened to people I do not know I am now very conscious of what I share and post.
The End of Books
I really enjoyed and appreciated that Robert Coover’s “The End of Books” was fairly short and very to the point. It made for an easy and interesting read. This chapter focused on the concept of hypertext, which is term coined by populist Ted Nelson over a century ago used to describe the writing done in the nonlinear or nonsequential space made possible by the computer.
Prior to reading “The End of Books” I was pretty familiar with the concept of both reading and writing works through cyberspace and by using technology. But through the reading I learned the exact term for the concept. I also learned that unlike print text hypertext provides multiple paths between text segments now often called “lexias”, hypertext presents a radically divergent technology that is both interactive and polyvocal and lastly, I learned that hypertext frees the reader from domination of the author and that the reader and writer are said to become both co-learners and co-writers.
One thing that I found incredibly interesting is how hypertexts uses such things like the change in font size or style to represent a change in character or mood/attitude in writings. I myself enjoy writing fiction and use this as a tool as well. I also found it interesting how writers and non-fiction writers in general are now able to self publish their own works online through such sites as Intermedia.
Prior to reading “The End of Books” I was pretty familiar with the concept of both reading and writing works through cyberspace and by using technology. But through the reading I learned the exact term for the concept. I also learned that unlike print text hypertext provides multiple paths between text segments now often called “lexias”, hypertext presents a radically divergent technology that is both interactive and polyvocal and lastly, I learned that hypertext frees the reader from domination of the author and that the reader and writer are said to become both co-learners and co-writers.
One thing that I found incredibly interesting is how hypertexts uses such things like the change in font size or style to represent a change in character or mood/attitude in writings. I myself enjoy writing fiction and use this as a tool as well. I also found it interesting how writers and non-fiction writers in general are now able to self publish their own works online through such sites as Intermedia.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
9 Reasons Why You're Addicted to Facebook
Via All Facebook Link
http://www.allfacebook.com/nin-reasons-why-youre-hooked-on-facebook-2011-04
http://www.allfacebook.com/nin-reasons-why-youre-hooked-on-facebook-2011-04
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Navigating Technomedia
Sam Han’s Navigating Technomedia was a fairly easy read that focused on the three eras of media (Mechanical, Electric, and Broadcast) and each of their histories. Through the reading I learned that the mechanical era is defined by print and being able to lock words in space. I learned that the electric era is defined by the invention of the telegraph and how telegraphy proposed the possibility of written communication no longer being bound by physical space (as did the invention of the telephone during this time). And I also learned that the broadcast era helped to mass distribute information through such things as the radio.
One of the more interesting facts that I learned through Navigating Technomedia is that while these three eras are very different they all need one another to exist and to be effective. Technomedia is defined by interoperability between devices and medias do not replace one another but instead they work within each other. Technologies of the past and the future incorporate one another.
The idea of technomedia and how it incorporates technologies and does not replace them reminds me of the evolution of the cellular phone and how different the cell phone is now as compared to cell phones of let’s say 5 or so years ago. I recently broke my smart phone and had to revert to an old cell phone of my father’s. The cell phone I am using now as a replacement phone isn’t that old at all, it was probably release in 2004 or 2005 but the differences in this flip phone when compared to the my smart phone are obvious. In just five years the cell phone went from simple graphics and just being able to send out receive calls and text to today’s phone which incorporates the internet, a camera/video camera, and an mp3 player among other things. By the cell phone picking up the qualities of a camera or iPod it still did not replace them it is just incorporating them. And it’s funny to think that now a “standard” cellular phone is not one that is just used for a phone conversation but instead it is one that call send texts, search the internet, take photographs, and play music.
One of the more interesting facts that I learned through Navigating Technomedia is that while these three eras are very different they all need one another to exist and to be effective. Technomedia is defined by interoperability between devices and medias do not replace one another but instead they work within each other. Technologies of the past and the future incorporate one another.
The idea of technomedia and how it incorporates technologies and does not replace them reminds me of the evolution of the cellular phone and how different the cell phone is now as compared to cell phones of let’s say 5 or so years ago. I recently broke my smart phone and had to revert to an old cell phone of my father’s. The cell phone I am using now as a replacement phone isn’t that old at all, it was probably release in 2004 or 2005 but the differences in this flip phone when compared to the my smart phone are obvious. In just five years the cell phone went from simple graphics and just being able to send out receive calls and text to today’s phone which incorporates the internet, a camera/video camera, and an mp3 player among other things. By the cell phone picking up the qualities of a camera or iPod it still did not replace them it is just incorporating them. And it’s funny to think that now a “standard” cellular phone is not one that is just used for a phone conversation but instead it is one that call send texts, search the internet, take photographs, and play music.
Personal Dynamic Media
Through Alan Kay and Adele Goldberg’s essay “Personal Dynamic Media” I learned that the idea of today’s standard notebook/laptop was brought on by the desire to make computers more useful and available to everyday people of all ages. I also found it quite surprising that this idea was being formulated in as early as the 1970’s.
“Personal Dynamic Media” discusses the Dynabook which was basically the beginnings of a laptop. The Dynabooks goal was to be able to meet all and any needs of it’s user from storing files, to reading books, and even making art and music. By reading the article I learned that the Dynabook was successful in achieving these great ambitions. The notebook had an animation program called SHAZAM as well as a music program called TWANG. The Dynabook was also able to store and manipulate files and information, and read books.
I found this read to be incredibly interesting, especially since the essay included many pictures. While reading the article I couldn’t help but notice how the Dynabooks programs like SHAZAM and TWANG are very similar to programs we have today like Microsofts Paint and Apple’s GarageBand. I was amazed at how far we have come in technology in just 30 or so years. I loved seeing the beginnings of what is now a laptop and how it has progressed so much.
“Personal Dynamic Media” discusses the Dynabook which was basically the beginnings of a laptop. The Dynabooks goal was to be able to meet all and any needs of it’s user from storing files, to reading books, and even making art and music. By reading the article I learned that the Dynabook was successful in achieving these great ambitions. The notebook had an animation program called SHAZAM as well as a music program called TWANG. The Dynabook was also able to store and manipulate files and information, and read books.
I found this read to be incredibly interesting, especially since the essay included many pictures. While reading the article I couldn’t help but notice how the Dynabooks programs like SHAZAM and TWANG are very similar to programs we have today like Microsofts Paint and Apple’s GarageBand. I was amazed at how far we have come in technology in just 30 or so years. I loved seeing the beginnings of what is now a laptop and how it has progressed so much.
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