Week Three - Topic 1a: Internets open architecture

In what ways can the Net be thought of as an ‘open architecture?’

Lister et al: page 164

In the terms of media, an open architecture is a computer or software architecture that permits adding to or improvement.
The Internet can be seen as an open architecture because anybody can create a website, which would be adding to the Internets architecture. Similarly, anybody can add to forums, create pages or profiles, write articles; people can basically post anything they like to the Internet.
This open architecture allows all opinions to be voiced, whether the audience is mass or minority people still are able to present their thoughts.
In this way, the construction of the Internet could be contrasted to other forms of media such as television or print media, which could be said to have a ‘closed architecture’ because it can’t be adapted; people are given what is broadcast or printed.