MY TERM PROJECT DISCUSSION

My term project which focused on the negative affects that social networks have on teens was written to be as informative as possible. Supplemented, by power point slides which feature eye opening statistics on what teens do on social networks. Many authors have scrambled to write books about social networks in terms parents can understand, my project offers just a sample of what parents may discover in these books. From the research done on this project and as a concerned uncle, I feel parents should invest more time exploring the world of social networks and what their children are doing on them, even if it means creating their own personal social network site on myspace or facebook. In time, the internet too will become regulated, but until regulation becomes a reality parents beware.

OUR CLASS WIKI SO FAR...

The introduction of wiki to me was very exciting. It is a very important tool that businesses are taking advantage of so, it was good to learn it in class. Our class wiki project so, far was an introduction of ourselves and the ability to edit our comments as well as adding picture to the wiki. I look forward to continuing work on the wiki and see the final result of our project.

THE NEXT NEW THING

The next wave of new media is going to come in the form of mental telepathy via small implanted transmitters in our heads. When scientists discover how to connect the human brain to computers, we will be connected wirelessly to the internet and to information. The ability to share our every thought with others, instead of having to type them out on a keyboard will save us time and effort. While, this may sound like a sci-fi movie, this is already being tested on paraplegics who are given special helmet that lets them control a mouse and a computer using their brainwaves.

ADVICE TO BARUCH COLLEGE

As a New Media adviser to Baruch College, I would suggest for Baruch to develop a social network site where students can communicate with each other and learn from each others experiences. I would suggest that students can access it from their homes or jobs or the kiosk booths located on campus. For students who work during the day and attend night classes having quick access to information is very important, because of they’re busy schedules. A social network site might also help night students feel more connected to the school, because the majority of activities and clubs are held in the day.
Also, through the use of text messages (SMS), students can be kept informed on class cancellations, building repairs that are taking place or if the student advisement has free openings to evaluate students. Getting students connected to a network of information prepares them for their future careers where information will always be forthcoming to them.

OLD VS NEW

The main way to distinguish between old media and new media is that new media is possible through the use of the internet. Also, old media like newspapers take longer to provide the news. New Media almost instantaneously provides breaking news all over the world. In old media information is given to us and we have no source to give feed back. New Media tools such as blogs and wikis give us a channel to voice our opinions and concerns. The three concepts, I feel best contrast old media from new media are: Use f the Internet, The speed information is provided and the voice of the people.

MODELING REALITY WITH VIRTUAL WORLDS

Some of the ways corporations can take advantage of this new virtual reality technology is by using it a training device. Whether it’s for new employees entering the company or an old employee trying to get a promotion to a different department 3-D virtual reality can give them the training they need to fulfill the position.
While, these tools are great for companies they are also very valuable to society. People can attend virtual classrooms where they can learn a new language. People can also overcome their fears by confronting them in a virtual world. People also can use it for entertainment and use it as a virtual retreat to release their stress.
The dark side to 3-D virtual reality is very severe and should be taken serious. This was the case in a Washington Post Article in which congress met with 3-D environment experts to discuss and learn about the good and bad of 3-D virtual environments. “Could Second Life be used as a place to launder money? Are children safe in online worlds? Are there churches? Are you making any money?” “At Hearing, Real and Virtual Worlds Collide” By Mike Musgrove, Washington Post Wednesday, April 2, 2008; Page D03 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/story/2008/04/01/ST2008040103032.html
While taking part of a social virtual network may seem to help some improve social skills, it may have an inverse effect on some individuals and regress their social interaction with the real world and draw them into a virtual world where they may feel more secure.
As far as the way 3-D virtual reality will evolve, I feel online shopping will become more interactive where you actually get to see how an outfit may look on your avatar and then purchasing it. Hotels will provide previews of their hotels where you can walk around its surroundings and enjoy the virtual view. Virtual reality is here to stay and expand into all parts of our lives.

SOCIAL NETWORKING

By corporate companies using social networks, like Nissan did with N-square, a company can allow their employees to interchange ideas on new products or services that can help the company. It also can create a social atmosphere that would make it harder for top talent to leave because, the feel connected to the company. “The potential payoff is happier employees who feel more attached to their jobs.” Why Is Nissan Mimicking MySpace?” By Kenji Hall Business Week Oct 30, 2007

The main ability of social networking is to be able to communicate quickly to friends and family. For example: Events such as engagements or giving birth can be communicated in a matter of seconds to everyone in your social network. A main feature which has occurred to me is connecting with old friends. My best friend from high school located me on myspace after we lost touch with each other and know we communicate on a constant basis. Some other features social networks are good for are: Looking for a job, looking for romance online and the ability to promote your business to a group of people.

However, there is also a dark side to social networking. There is a high level of anonymous people on social networks. There is no way to know to be sure who is on the other end of the computer, and even if you see a face or hear a voice you do not know what that person is capable of. Unfortunately, with new technologies comes a risk that is associated with it. The internet and social networks are a platform that pedophiles and stalkers are happy to use because; they can go unknown and manipulate young teens from their homes.

I think these technologies are going to evolve into 3-D environments and we are going to interact through virtual worlds like virtual reality in movies. One day we may just send our avatars out to work while we stay home and relax.

MY NEW MEDIA CLASS SO FAR

So far in class we have touched on the new technologies associated with New Media. The new media are: Blogs, Wikis and Social Networks. Websites such as Blogger, Wikipedia, FaceBook and Myspace are at the forefront of this revolution which falls under Web 2.0. To explain Web 2.0, I am citing a new media wikipedia to explain the definition of Web 2.0. “"Web 2.0" refers to what is perceived as a second generation of web development and web design. It is characterized as facilitating communication, information sharing, interoperability, User-centered design [1] and collaboration on the World Wide Web.” Wikipedia “Web 2.0”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0
The internet is the heart of this new media technology, without the internet these new media wouldn’t be able to exist.
As for replacing old media, New Media such as Blogs and Wikis are able to deliver the news much faster than an old fashion print newspaper, which has to wait until the next day to report a story.
As for new media enhancing old media, the best example of this is television. Television is still very popular; however it has made a digital transformation and now it is able to appear over the internet. Television with support from the internet can be interactive you can participate in polls; ask questions to local news cast or blog about your favorite sports teams.

BLOGS vs WIKIS

The main difference to me between Blogs and Wikis is that Blogs are you’re own expressions on a subject matter while; Wikis are a collaboration of people working on or describing a subject matter.
Being able to communicate across the world is very important. For Example; Scientist today are able to share ideas and thoughts on how to cure diseases. A scientist may be close to formulating a new drug that can cure a disease but, may fall short in computing the exact chemicals together to prevent side effects of any kind. A scientist across the world that may have a stronger background in chemistry can collaborate using Wikis or new media to solve the scientist problem and help him produce the drug. These scenarios could never have taken place before the internet or if they did required much more work. To demonstrate a real situation that Wikis are helping real companies collaborate, I am citing the article: "How to Use Wikis for Business," by Ezra Goodnoe, InformationWeek, August 8, 2005, http://www.informationweek.com/news/management/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=167600331. “Nokia has been using Socialtext wiki software for a year and a half to facilitate information exchange within its Insight & Foresight group.” Nokia being such a large company with offices all over the world has used new media tools to inspire creativity and share the knowledge of their workers with each other.
Blogs can be used for collaboration too by using reply or thread features. After, the author post his/her blog readers may feel the need to contribute new or current information that the author may have overlooked. One example of collaboration blogging is http://www.Autism-Blog.com on this blog web site parent’s of Autistic children share information on new techniques or new information on how to raise a child with Autism.
I think Wikis should be used as a moderator between wealthy people and less fortunate people. Wealthy people who are willing, can share there success stories and become mentors to individuals less fortunate, who want to improve their quality of life for themselves and their families.

CHECKING OUT SOME SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

Being a full time worker and a part-time student, I don't have much time to visit these social networking sites. I rarely go on to myspace and figured why sign up for facebook, because of the lack of time.
Since, I'm accustomed to myspace this blog may be skewed a bit, but I feel like Myspace has a very simple Graphic User Interface GUI and even an elderly person with given time would be able to navigate around it.
Facebook on the other hand is more complex and very detailed oriented. The one positive attribute that facebook has over myspace is the "What are you thinking" text box. This box acts like a miniature blog and allows you to express yourself to all your friends in your social network. The other website, I chose for this assignment was Mi Gente translated in English means My People. Before, Myspace and Facebook social networks where segregated by race. For example: Asian people connected to a website called Xanga, African Americans could log into Black Planet and Latinos could log into Mi Gente. However, some of these websites turned their attention to matchmaking which,is an interesting way of creating revenue. This business decision opened the door for Myspace and Facebook, who are still free and keep their focus on social networking.

What is New Media?

My interpretation of New Media is Media that allows us the people to interact with things that draw our attention. By using our computers we are able to participate in what is occurring in the world not just sit and watch it unfold via the television or read it in a newspaper which are considered old media. Tools like blogs, wikis and social networks are all classified as new media and also allow our voices to be heard which for many years were silenced.

Comparing my definition to one found on the internet on webopedia, I believe have some similarities. You can find the definition at http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/N/new_media.html

Term Project Description

I plan to discuss in my project the negative effect that social network sites have on teens. Most social networking sites give you the option to display your circle of friends on your own website. This creates a lot of pressure for teens who feel the need to be included. Being rejected by a friend or by the in crowd at school can be humiliating because, everyone has access to these web sites and this will make a teen feel exclude from his/her surroundings.

Another negative reaction being caused by the social networking sites is the lack of proper grammar being used on them by teenagers. The internet is very fast paced and teens have developed language shortcuts to be able to communicate on these social networks. However, these shortcuts have made their way into their education. Many teachers have complained of the improper grammars used such as; u instead of you and many other phrases that show up in high school term papers.

Test Blog for Class

This is a test on how to enter a blog. This is my first ever blog and hopefully not my last.