Digitality and code. Imagine you couldn’t compose your assignments on computer. How would a hand-written editing and composition process be
different?
Lister et al: pages 15-17
Digitality is where numerical values are used to represent information for input, processing, transmission and storage. These numerical values are then converted into binary numbers, which are 0 and 1, and allow a mass of information to be stored. The encoding of information can now be applied to text, sounds graphics and images. Digitality allows data to be compressed into small spaces, be retrieved quickly and in a non-linear way, be easily edited, and be split from their physical form.
Images can be easily be manipulated when in their digital mode, whereas an analogue, physical copy of the same picture would be harder to change. Sound files can also be easily edited and cut up, similarly with texts which are far easier to amend on a computer.
If I couldn’t compose and edit my assignments on a computer, the process would be very different.
Firstly, simple aspects like spelling and grammar. With Microsoft Word providing ‘spell check’, any mistakes are highlighted to you with the opportunity to change them. Handwriting an essay would greatly increase the risk of spelling and grammar mistakes. They would also be a lot longer in physical length and not as easy to read.
I think the hardest part of a hand written assignment would be the editing process, as drafting and re-drafting would be a lot harder. Personally, when I compose an essay I read through and change parts many times, so having to hand write a piece of work would reduce the quality quite drastically. Other things which are taken advantage of when composing an assignment on a computer are word count (so you know how much more to do or cut out), printing (providing a neat, legible piece of work), thesaurus (highlighting different word options), and font style/size, bullets and numbering options.
Friday, 30 January 2009
Week Two - Topic 1a: Upgrade Culture
With Windows Vista replacing XP and Office 2007 replacing Office 2003, (and so on), what is ‘upgrade culture’ all about? Is some new media change just consumerism thought up by big business?
Lister et al: page 180
Lister et al defines upgrade culture as the concern that your technological facilities are never the most up-to-date or latest available; there is always something better or improved than what you have. Windows Vista replacing XP etc is a good example of this as when purchasing the latest operating system, many people are doing so in order to possess the newest technology available, when in reality the improvements are not amazing enough to warrant spending money each time a new operating system is offered.
When people purchase the latest technology, whether it is a computer, mobile phone, internet provider, television service or similar the creators are working on upgrading the current model. Soon enough an even newer, better version will be available and people will then want the latest one.
I think that some new media change is just consumerism thought up by big businesses as they know people want the upgraded product and in turn this makes the businesses a huge profit.
However, in other ways new media change is not just about consumerism, everybody knows that technology will advance soon enough and new products will replace ones that people own now. I think it is the speed at which new products and services are available is how big businesses take advantage of ‘upgrade culture’. The difference between, say Office 2003 and Windows Vista, is big and the improvements are clear. However, compare this to the difference between XP and Vista and the changes are much less noticeable, in this case I believe that the company making money is their highest priority.
Lister et al: page 180
Lister et al defines upgrade culture as the concern that your technological facilities are never the most up-to-date or latest available; there is always something better or improved than what you have. Windows Vista replacing XP etc is a good example of this as when purchasing the latest operating system, many people are doing so in order to possess the newest technology available, when in reality the improvements are not amazing enough to warrant spending money each time a new operating system is offered.
When people purchase the latest technology, whether it is a computer, mobile phone, internet provider, television service or similar the creators are working on upgrading the current model. Soon enough an even newer, better version will be available and people will then want the latest one.
I think that some new media change is just consumerism thought up by big businesses as they know people want the upgraded product and in turn this makes the businesses a huge profit.
However, in other ways new media change is not just about consumerism, everybody knows that technology will advance soon enough and new products will replace ones that people own now. I think it is the speed at which new products and services are available is how big businesses take advantage of ‘upgrade culture’. The difference between, say Office 2003 and Windows Vista, is big and the improvements are clear. However, compare this to the difference between XP and Vista and the changes are much less noticeable, in this case I believe that the company making money is their highest priority.
Week Two - Topic 1f: Immersive Interactivity
What do you make of Lunenfield’s concept of ‘immersive interactivity’? What could we apply it to?
Lister: page 21
Lunenfeld’s concept of immersive interactivity is referring to‘3D worlds’. The term ‘immerse’ means to ‘totally occupy yourself with something’, therefore what I make of Lunenfelds concept is a type of media where the interactivity takes control of more than one sense, for example reading is visual, listening is hearing. Immersive interaction can take hold of sight, sound, touch etc. This is what Virtual Reality does, and VR can actually be defined as an immersive and interactive experience which is created by a computer.
Immersive interactivity is similar to the concept of hypertext in terms of them both relying on huge databases and also the navigation is alike, only immersive interactivity has advanced technological traits.
In environments using an immersive interaction, the information is displayed in a visual and sensory manner.
Immersive interactivity and virtual reality can be applied to 3-D games where the viewer takes control of a character as if they are them. This has advanced the gaming world significantly from older, 2-D style games but also has negative implications as people get so involved with the games they can begin to loose a sense of actual reality.
Immersive interactivity can now also be applied to some advanced chat rooms and IRC’s where users can create characters of themselves and be involved in a different ‘world’. This combines the ‘new media’ of chat rooms, messenger services and IRC’s and immersive interaction creating yet another type of ‘new media’.
Lister: page 21
Lunenfeld’s concept of immersive interactivity is referring to‘3D worlds’. The term ‘immerse’ means to ‘totally occupy yourself with something’, therefore what I make of Lunenfelds concept is a type of media where the interactivity takes control of more than one sense, for example reading is visual, listening is hearing. Immersive interaction can take hold of sight, sound, touch etc. This is what Virtual Reality does, and VR can actually be defined as an immersive and interactive experience which is created by a computer.
Immersive interactivity is similar to the concept of hypertext in terms of them both relying on huge databases and also the navigation is alike, only immersive interactivity has advanced technological traits.
In environments using an immersive interaction, the information is displayed in a visual and sensory manner.
Immersive interactivity and virtual reality can be applied to 3-D games where the viewer takes control of a character as if they are them. This has advanced the gaming world significantly from older, 2-D style games but also has negative implications as people get so involved with the games they can begin to loose a sense of actual reality.
Immersive interactivity can now also be applied to some advanced chat rooms and IRC’s where users can create characters of themselves and be involved in a different ‘world’. This combines the ‘new media’ of chat rooms, messenger services and IRC’s and immersive interaction creating yet another type of ‘new media’.
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Week Two - Topic 1c: Are new media a source of progress enhancing social activity?
Are new media a source of ‘progress’ in the sense that they enhance things we do in spheres of social activity – business, education, shopping, democracy etc? Could we say that such a proposition involves an ‘ideology of progress’?
Lister et al: page 11
Lister suggests that ‘new’ can carry the connotation of ‘the most recent’, along with the ideological implication that ‘new media’ will be better and more enhanced than its predecessors.New media are arriving declaring that they provide improved efficiency, better communications and favourable conditions in education. I think that new media are a source of progress and do enhance things we do in spheres of social activity.
New media have greatly improved business; email and the WWW have given businesses the opportunity to communicate quicker both internally and externally and to expand using websites to showcase their particular company. Laptops and Blackberry phones with the ability to connect to email and the internet has also enhanced business life.
Education has also received a remarkable benefit from new media. Students using the Internet for research and contacting tutors and computers to type up and print assignments have improved the education sphere. Also aspects of the internet mean students can download lecture information, search the library for books and access online journals.
Shopping can now be done online which may be an enhancement to some people’s areas of social activity. A few clicks on the internet can buy anything from a new book, to a pair of shoes to the food shopping, which can be a time saver. The down side to the ‘new media’ version of shopping is credit card problems, waiting for delivery and it also takes away the social aspect of shopping.
It could be suggested that the proposition that new media enhance the spheres of social activity involves an ‘ideology of progress’. However, similar to ‘upgrade culture’ this has the problem of people wanting the newest format of media just for the sake of them having the newest product available. New media are all a progression of something, which has lead to there being an ideology of progress in our culture which underpins the idea that the newer a product is, the better it is.
Lister et al: page 11
Lister suggests that ‘new’ can carry the connotation of ‘the most recent’, along with the ideological implication that ‘new media’ will be better and more enhanced than its predecessors.New media are arriving declaring that they provide improved efficiency, better communications and favourable conditions in education. I think that new media are a source of progress and do enhance things we do in spheres of social activity.
New media have greatly improved business; email and the WWW have given businesses the opportunity to communicate quicker both internally and externally and to expand using websites to showcase their particular company. Laptops and Blackberry phones with the ability to connect to email and the internet has also enhanced business life.
Education has also received a remarkable benefit from new media. Students using the Internet for research and contacting tutors and computers to type up and print assignments have improved the education sphere. Also aspects of the internet mean students can download lecture information, search the library for books and access online journals.
Shopping can now be done online which may be an enhancement to some people’s areas of social activity. A few clicks on the internet can buy anything from a new book, to a pair of shoes to the food shopping, which can be a time saver. The down side to the ‘new media’ version of shopping is credit card problems, waiting for delivery and it also takes away the social aspect of shopping.
It could be suggested that the proposition that new media enhance the spheres of social activity involves an ‘ideology of progress’. However, similar to ‘upgrade culture’ this has the problem of people wanting the newest format of media just for the sake of them having the newest product available. New media are all a progression of something, which has lead to there being an ideology of progress in our culture which underpins the idea that the newer a product is, the better it is.
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Week Two - Your Experience of Hypertext
How, in your opinion/experience, does hypertext shape the experience of using the World Wide Web?
In my opinion, hypertext majorly shapes the experience of using the web. The ability to jump from one page to another is a positive learning experience.
From my personal familiarity of the Web, I have found hypertext to expand knowledge in the way mentioned above; navigating away from a page by the click of a link, reading another article (or similar) then returning to the original page with a better understanding of the subject. I am aware that this is possible with books, and looking up different titles however this depends on knowing which books are appropriate without spending a great deal of time reading; hypertexts allow quick and easy research.
In my opinion, hypertext majorly shapes the experience of using the web. The ability to jump from one page to another is a positive learning experience.
From my personal familiarity of the Web, I have found hypertext to expand knowledge in the way mentioned above; navigating away from a page by the click of a link, reading another article (or similar) then returning to the original page with a better understanding of the subject. I am aware that this is possible with books, and looking up different titles however this depends on knowing which books are appropriate without spending a great deal of time reading; hypertexts allow quick and easy research.
Week Two - Hypertext
‘Hypertext’ was coined by Ted Nelson in the 1960’s at a conference for the association for computer machinery. It is text which has links within it which, if clicked on, gives the user the ability to jump from the current webpage to another. Hypertext links are central to both navigation between webpage’s and the formation of the pages themselves.
Hypertext is seen as a key aspect of the World Wide Web, the main impact being that it takes a non-linear form which in turn makes information open ended. Its easy to expand your knowledge with hyperlinks as you can navigate away from the page, read the information there, then click back to the original page which a new piece of knowledge which correlates to the original topic.
Livingstone suggests that as hypertext takes you to many different places, you may need a new type of literacy to help understand it. Reading a book means the information presented to you in that book is what you’re getting, no new knowledge will suddenly appear. Providing you know how to read, you have the literacy required to read the book. When browsing the web, you can read one webpage then decide to go to another to read or do something else, however a literacy to use the WWW may be necessary to help understand it.
I find that this is true, as many people new to using the internet find it hard to understand therefore it can be suggested that there is a literacy required for browsing the web.
Hypertext is seen as a key aspect of the World Wide Web, the main impact being that it takes a non-linear form which in turn makes information open ended. Its easy to expand your knowledge with hyperlinks as you can navigate away from the page, read the information there, then click back to the original page which a new piece of knowledge which correlates to the original topic.
Livingstone suggests that as hypertext takes you to many different places, you may need a new type of literacy to help understand it. Reading a book means the information presented to you in that book is what you’re getting, no new knowledge will suddenly appear. Providing you know how to read, you have the literacy required to read the book. When browsing the web, you can read one webpage then decide to go to another to read or do something else, however a literacy to use the WWW may be necessary to help understand it.
I find that this is true, as many people new to using the internet find it hard to understand therefore it can be suggested that there is a literacy required for browsing the web.
Week Two - Topic 2: Analysis of web forums and blogs
Is the asynchronous online seminar doing what we would normally in a seminar online, or does this shift online change the nature of the communication and potentially the nature of your learning?
Taking navigation into consideration, the web forum is a kind of online conversation. One person posts a question and others have the option to reply to it. Asking questions is what we would normally do in a seminar, however the nature of the communication changes as response isn’t necessarily like it would be IRL.
In terms of how people express themselves in web forums and blogs, there can be a change with some people whilst there isn’t with others. Some bloggers may express themselves as a more exaggerated person, or even a different person altogether. As students undertaking the New Media Cultures unit, the way they express themselves is most likely how they would IRL. Taking turns in the online forums is simply a matter of who posts and comments first.
The interaction of the forums and blogs compared to seminars has both positive and negative aspects. The forums/blogs are good for interaction between the group as a whole. Everybody can see everybody else’s questions and issues and provides interaction between people who may not usually communicate in seminars. However, this depends on the forums/blogs being used regularly enough. The interaction in face-to-face seminars is quicker, as everybody is present at the same time.
In terms of authority a seminar IRL is ‘controlled’ by the seminar tutor; they have the authority over the group. This differs slightly to the asynchronous online seminar as although the groups tutor still has authority, there is more of an ‘informal’ feel to it. No-one is literally presiding over the conversation even though tutors can read and comment on students communication in the forum.
I think after the initial seminar about setting up and using the blogs / forums I have the media literacy to be a user of them, but not and advanced user. Having never used blogs or forums before this type of communication is relatively new to me. This doesn’t make me feel like I have a disadvantage as such, just that confidence to be an ‘advanced user’ of blogs/forums will come with practice.
Taking navigation into consideration, the web forum is a kind of online conversation. One person posts a question and others have the option to reply to it. Asking questions is what we would normally do in a seminar, however the nature of the communication changes as response isn’t necessarily like it would be IRL.
In terms of how people express themselves in web forums and blogs, there can be a change with some people whilst there isn’t with others. Some bloggers may express themselves as a more exaggerated person, or even a different person altogether. As students undertaking the New Media Cultures unit, the way they express themselves is most likely how they would IRL. Taking turns in the online forums is simply a matter of who posts and comments first.
The interaction of the forums and blogs compared to seminars has both positive and negative aspects. The forums/blogs are good for interaction between the group as a whole. Everybody can see everybody else’s questions and issues and provides interaction between people who may not usually communicate in seminars. However, this depends on the forums/blogs being used regularly enough. The interaction in face-to-face seminars is quicker, as everybody is present at the same time.
In terms of authority a seminar IRL is ‘controlled’ by the seminar tutor; they have the authority over the group. This differs slightly to the asynchronous online seminar as although the groups tutor still has authority, there is more of an ‘informal’ feel to it. No-one is literally presiding over the conversation even though tutors can read and comment on students communication in the forum.
I think after the initial seminar about setting up and using the blogs / forums I have the media literacy to be a user of them, but not and advanced user. Having never used blogs or forums before this type of communication is relatively new to me. This doesn’t make me feel like I have a disadvantage as such, just that confidence to be an ‘advanced user’ of blogs/forums will come with practice.
Week Two - Topic 1g: Non-linear, Non-sequential Reading and Writing
What do you understand by ‘non-linear, non-sequential reading and writing?’ Does it capture the experience of the Web?
Lister et al; page 27
The World Wide Web is essentially related to links and activity of web pages.
I found understanding Non-linear and non-sequential reading and writing easier after thinking about linear and sequential reading and writing. Lister et al say that a books author writes their thoughts / knowledge in an order which can be followed in a similar understanding by the reader.
However, web based reading can provide hyperlinks which offer the viewer to go to another webpage. In these circumstances, reading and writing is non-linear and non-sequential as the viewer chooses in which order they wish to receive the information.
Micheal Joyce suggests using hypertext is reading and writing in and order chosen by the viewer. The viewers choices compose the existing position of the text, rather than the authors representations or the initial staging of the information. Therefore the information may be written originally in a sequential fashion but the viewing is non-linear / non-sequential as it is down to the viewers choices. (Notes Toward an Unwritten Non-Linear Electronic Text, "The Ends of Print Culture", Postmodern Culture, Vol 2 Issue 1, 1991)
I think that non-linear, non-sequential reading and writing does capture the experience of the Web in terms of the vastness of it. A book, for example, contains a certain amount of information and for other opinions / theories / more information another book would have to be found. The Web on the other hand contains all of the information in some shape or form. A hyperlink allowing the viewer to look at a different site broadens the amount of information easily and readily available to the viewer, which is a fundamental experience of the Web.
Lister et al; page 27
The World Wide Web is essentially related to links and activity of web pages.
I found understanding Non-linear and non-sequential reading and writing easier after thinking about linear and sequential reading and writing. Lister et al say that a books author writes their thoughts / knowledge in an order which can be followed in a similar understanding by the reader.
However, web based reading can provide hyperlinks which offer the viewer to go to another webpage. In these circumstances, reading and writing is non-linear and non-sequential as the viewer chooses in which order they wish to receive the information.
Micheal Joyce suggests using hypertext is reading and writing in and order chosen by the viewer. The viewers choices compose the existing position of the text, rather than the authors representations or the initial staging of the information. Therefore the information may be written originally in a sequential fashion but the viewing is non-linear / non-sequential as it is down to the viewers choices. (Notes Toward an Unwritten Non-Linear Electronic Text, "The Ends of Print Culture", Postmodern Culture, Vol 2 Issue 1, 1991)
I think that non-linear, non-sequential reading and writing does capture the experience of the Web in terms of the vastness of it. A book, for example, contains a certain amount of information and for other opinions / theories / more information another book would have to be found. The Web on the other hand contains all of the information in some shape or form. A hyperlink allowing the viewer to look at a different site broadens the amount of information easily and readily available to the viewer, which is a fundamental experience of the Web.
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Week One - Email and Email Lists
Email (E-Mail) stands for Electronic Mail. In terms of the kinds of communication that email allows, text, images, document attachments, and audio can be sent. This method of communication is extremely quick, after being sent the mail is received within minutes. This is one of email’s main advantage over paper mail, along with being easier (no printing, purchasing stamps and placing in a letterbox), cheaper, straightforward to sort out and prioritise (providing the sender has used the subject line) and secure (no overheard telephone conversations).
Email lists are the electronic version of traditional mailing lists. Used primarily by companies and organisations to send information to their customers or associates, email lists are usually automated by software and a reflector address which sends the mail once instructed to do so.
I use email regularly for group work and sometimes for keeping in touch with my parents at home. I receive mails from email lists which I have subscribed to such as concert notification dates and store newsletters. I have a good experience of email, although email lists can become frustrating when receiving a lot of ‘junk mail’ from companies and organisations which you have not intended to sign up to.
Email lists are the electronic version of traditional mailing lists. Used primarily by companies and organisations to send information to their customers or associates, email lists are usually automated by software and a reflector address which sends the mail once instructed to do so.
I use email regularly for group work and sometimes for keeping in touch with my parents at home. I receive mails from email lists which I have subscribed to such as concert notification dates and store newsletters. I have a good experience of email, although email lists can become frustrating when receiving a lot of ‘junk mail’ from companies and organisations which you have not intended to sign up to.
Week One - IRL's, Chatrooms, Messenger Services
Chat rooms are usually on the internet or on online servers where two or more people can communicate using primarily text, but in some cases audio and visual too. There are hundreds of different chat rooms ranging from friends having informal discussions / chats to ones which have a specific topic or subject where people from all over the world can talk to each other.
Messenger services are similar to chat rooms in terms of instant chat but are primarily used from one-to-one group conversations between people who know each other. The most popular messenger service is probably Windows Live Messenger (commonly called MSN).
IRC – Internet Relay Chat. Again, this is similar to both chat rooms and messenger services in terms of it being a real time chat system on the internet. IRC’s are mainly used for group conversation and chat rooms are refered to as ‘channels’. The difference is that IRC’s are created by operators or admins who have control over the channels.
I have used both messenger service and chat rooms in the past, however I rarely use them now. After experience with both, I prefer messenger services to chat rooms as I find them easier and favour the fact you can choose your contact list so only friends are available to chat to.
Messenger services are similar to chat rooms in terms of instant chat but are primarily used from one-to-one group conversations between people who know each other. The most popular messenger service is probably Windows Live Messenger (commonly called MSN).
IRC – Internet Relay Chat. Again, this is similar to both chat rooms and messenger services in terms of it being a real time chat system on the internet. IRC’s are mainly used for group conversation and chat rooms are refered to as ‘channels’. The difference is that IRC’s are created by operators or admins who have control over the channels.
I have used both messenger service and chat rooms in the past, however I rarely use them now. After experience with both, I prefer messenger services to chat rooms as I find them easier and favour the fact you can choose your contact list so only friends are available to chat to.
Week One - Your Experience Of New Media
Before reading the required sections from the Lister book, I would have described new media as emailing to replace a posted letter, digital television and its interactivity to replace the standard 5 channels, online news papers/articles to replace printed editions along with instant messaging and online networking sites such as Facebook / MySpace. These are the types of ‘new media’ which I have experience with and use on frequent occasions.
I have considered these examples because although these types of new media are what I am used to in daily life, I am fully aware of the older media and communication methods which it has replaced. People from younger generations will grow up with these ‘new media’, however, to them what we now describe as new and advanced will be old, as new advancements will have been made.
In other words, ‘new media’ is a term which will always be used, but the media it is indicating will gradually but constantly be changing.
I have considered these examples because although these types of new media are what I am used to in daily life, I am fully aware of the older media and communication methods which it has replaced. People from younger generations will grow up with these ‘new media’, however, to them what we now describe as new and advanced will be old, as new advancements will have been made.
In other words, ‘new media’ is a term which will always be used, but the media it is indicating will gradually but constantly be changing.
Week One - New Media??
New Media is a loose term which describes a wide range of changes, mainly technological advancements, which have happened to many different types of media. I found the following quote the most useful to help understand what is actually meant by ‘new media’… “A unifying term which actually refers to a wide range of changes in media production, distribution and use.”
New media is referred to by some as ‘digital media’ as it is thought to be a more specific term.
New media is referred to by some as ‘digital media’ as it is thought to be a more specific term.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
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