This course would definatley have been better if done during the normal university semester. Because of our "accelerated learning" we seemed to not have enough time to accuratley practice what we learned during the day. We all seemed flat out worring about our blogs and the essay.
But overall it was great. It was awsome to do something completley out of left field, only to be told that it was the furture in your degree.... so I better start getting to know the internet a tad better.
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Essay
Digital media put the tools of production into the hands of the everyday computer user making it incredibly easy to produce content. These creative skills used to be something that people worked to develop. Now it appears that amateurs can produce content of a fair standard within a relatively short period of time. Where does this leave 'professionals' and highly-skilled artists? Choose one area of creativity and discuss some of the challenges facing practitioner’s vs. amateurs in producing digital content.
A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding. Marshall McLuhan
Despite the mass media dominating journalistic style for the best part of the last century, its weakness, highlighted in a recent general recognition that current formats are obsolete, has been targeted in the last decade with advancements in personal web logging technology re-assembling the process in which material is obtainable. The Monopoly on audience and readers held by the moguls of the mass media had begun to decay steadily with a rapidly increasing number of internet connections being established to view news online or, as this essay will discuss, publish news online in the form of a personal web-log. Such an ability to be published instantly has seen a revolution in the way news is being produced and selected world wide and has also put into question the current role of the journalist in the future.
Whether it is participatory journalism, journalism from the edges or online freelancing, web logging refers to individuals retaining an active role in the process of gathering, exposing, categorizing, examining and publishing all forms of news and information. A gentleman’s ban once imposed to maintain the exclusively of the news media has now been lifted, allowing the many colors of the people to shine through.
The first question to ask is whether the rise of the web log will see the emergence of unethical amateur journalism. With the establishment of a style guide for all universities in Australia offering journalism as a course and the founding of such institutions as the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance catering for those currently working in the media industry, boundaries which enable journalists to practice credibly are in place. In recent years, however, such credibility has been bought into question, most notably in the mainstream media, with companies altering such styles to implement a bias or protect self interest by editorializing the most popular news mediums. Web loggers do not have such boundaries "but what you have in print publishing today is a consolidation that's inimical to the diversity that exists in everyday life. With the rise of the Internet, people don't need to be bounded by those traditional filters anymore." (Paul Andrews (2002) http://www.ojr.org). The ability for a web logger to publish any information is possible. Unlike paid journalists, documenting news approved through an editorial process, web loggers have the ability to publish information and commentate on issues previously un-approved for coverage by mass media corporations. The risk however lies in the ethical basis of such journals which, regardless of ethical guideline, are able to be posted.
In-part, the explanation for the explosion in blogging at specialist blogging websites like Myspace.com and Blogger.com can be found in the tools for self-publishing. Internet sites have become far easier and more automated giving people with basic knowledge of the computer realistic publishing capabilities. "When the first browsers were invented, you still had to know how to script, now you've got templates and applications and free server space so that all the nuts and bolts are taken care of for you and all you have to do is concentrate on the writing." It isn’t a question about whether web logs will see the demise of the journalist; it is a question about how web logs will change journalism: and it will change journalism forever. No longer will we see editors proofing articles to drop sensitive material, solely to please advertisers and supporters and no longer will media companies be able to thwart their opinions and power over the world through their traditional news mediums"I think the Web is actually becoming more credible while established media are losing ground," (Andrew Sullivan (2002) http://www.ojr.org). Journalists will be able to use news judgment in accordance to their ethical boundaries and publish material that they were previously unable to publish.
It is therefore inevitable that Web logs will be transplanted into the future of journalism. Instant publishing and accessibility in the form of the internet, a tool (despite the digital divide) all are being encouraged to use for everyday activities such as shopping and recreation, are beginning to overtake the morning paper as not only a news source, but a primary news source. However without boundaries and censorship is blogging really journalism? Or is it just a more-up-to-date way for people to participate in our representative democracy? Instead of writing to the editor who only has a limited amount of space, typically on one page of his newspaper, bloggers can voice their opinion via the internet. Such participatory Journalism hasn’t changed with the blog (Rebecca Blood (2006) http://www.rebeccablood.net/essays/weblogs_journalism.html). People were always able to write free-lance articles and practice the art of journal keeping, however the revolution in terms of the internet now allows the piece to be published regardless of bias. Journalists previously restricted through the mainstream media are possibly the ultimate bloggers, capable of accurately and professionally recording news and opinions whilst maintaining an ethical connection through their training basis.
In this guise, web logs should not be thought of as a separate entity but as a valuable part of the evolution of the mainstream media landscape (Jason Gallo (2006) http://blog.lib.umn.edu/blogosphere/weblog_journalism.html). It is unrealistic to expect a complete, precise portrayal of a story or a subject at any one web log, as resources are not equal to such a feat. Therefore one should not expect web logs to replace mainstream media in its entirety, instead, in this growing online community, web loggers continue to be critical and extend on the stories published in mainstream media. These communities are also the basis for participatory journalism, grassroots reporting, annotative reporting, commentary and fact-checking, which the mainstream media feed upon, developing them as a pool of tips, sources and story ideas (http://www.jdlasica.com/articles/nieman.html).
At a glance, the journalist, rather than losing out when web logs become even more prominent in the next few years, will profit immensely from the online publishing revolution. Rather than seeing the journalist fade away into the hard copy archives along with their many famous past works, journalists will become an integral part of online life. Gone are the days of media companies carving a path through news and opinion, leaving gaps along the way: journalists can now choose stories they believe are most important publish them as objectively as they wish and maintain a reader base to support such action without falling under the confines of a multi-national media conglomerate. The ability for the internet to become the most powerful tool of the people yet has just become a reality with the journalist now in a real position to pressure governments and voice opinion.
A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding. Marshall McLuhan
Despite the mass media dominating journalistic style for the best part of the last century, its weakness, highlighted in a recent general recognition that current formats are obsolete, has been targeted in the last decade with advancements in personal web logging technology re-assembling the process in which material is obtainable. The Monopoly on audience and readers held by the moguls of the mass media had begun to decay steadily with a rapidly increasing number of internet connections being established to view news online or, as this essay will discuss, publish news online in the form of a personal web-log. Such an ability to be published instantly has seen a revolution in the way news is being produced and selected world wide and has also put into question the current role of the journalist in the future.
Whether it is participatory journalism, journalism from the edges or online freelancing, web logging refers to individuals retaining an active role in the process of gathering, exposing, categorizing, examining and publishing all forms of news and information. A gentleman’s ban once imposed to maintain the exclusively of the news media has now been lifted, allowing the many colors of the people to shine through.
The first question to ask is whether the rise of the web log will see the emergence of unethical amateur journalism. With the establishment of a style guide for all universities in Australia offering journalism as a course and the founding of such institutions as the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance catering for those currently working in the media industry, boundaries which enable journalists to practice credibly are in place. In recent years, however, such credibility has been bought into question, most notably in the mainstream media, with companies altering such styles to implement a bias or protect self interest by editorializing the most popular news mediums. Web loggers do not have such boundaries "but what you have in print publishing today is a consolidation that's inimical to the diversity that exists in everyday life. With the rise of the Internet, people don't need to be bounded by those traditional filters anymore." (Paul Andrews (2002) http://www.ojr.org). The ability for a web logger to publish any information is possible. Unlike paid journalists, documenting news approved through an editorial process, web loggers have the ability to publish information and commentate on issues previously un-approved for coverage by mass media corporations. The risk however lies in the ethical basis of such journals which, regardless of ethical guideline, are able to be posted.
In-part, the explanation for the explosion in blogging at specialist blogging websites like Myspace.com and Blogger.com can be found in the tools for self-publishing. Internet sites have become far easier and more automated giving people with basic knowledge of the computer realistic publishing capabilities. "When the first browsers were invented, you still had to know how to script, now you've got templates and applications and free server space so that all the nuts and bolts are taken care of for you and all you have to do is concentrate on the writing." It isn’t a question about whether web logs will see the demise of the journalist; it is a question about how web logs will change journalism: and it will change journalism forever. No longer will we see editors proofing articles to drop sensitive material, solely to please advertisers and supporters and no longer will media companies be able to thwart their opinions and power over the world through their traditional news mediums"I think the Web is actually becoming more credible while established media are losing ground," (Andrew Sullivan (2002) http://www.ojr.org). Journalists will be able to use news judgment in accordance to their ethical boundaries and publish material that they were previously unable to publish.
It is therefore inevitable that Web logs will be transplanted into the future of journalism. Instant publishing and accessibility in the form of the internet, a tool (despite the digital divide) all are being encouraged to use for everyday activities such as shopping and recreation, are beginning to overtake the morning paper as not only a news source, but a primary news source. However without boundaries and censorship is blogging really journalism? Or is it just a more-up-to-date way for people to participate in our representative democracy? Instead of writing to the editor who only has a limited amount of space, typically on one page of his newspaper, bloggers can voice their opinion via the internet. Such participatory Journalism hasn’t changed with the blog (Rebecca Blood (2006) http://www.rebeccablood.net/essays/weblogs_journalism.html). People were always able to write free-lance articles and practice the art of journal keeping, however the revolution in terms of the internet now allows the piece to be published regardless of bias. Journalists previously restricted through the mainstream media are possibly the ultimate bloggers, capable of accurately and professionally recording news and opinions whilst maintaining an ethical connection through their training basis.
In this guise, web logs should not be thought of as a separate entity but as a valuable part of the evolution of the mainstream media landscape (Jason Gallo (2006) http://blog.lib.umn.edu/blogosphere/weblog_journalism.html). It is unrealistic to expect a complete, precise portrayal of a story or a subject at any one web log, as resources are not equal to such a feat. Therefore one should not expect web logs to replace mainstream media in its entirety, instead, in this growing online community, web loggers continue to be critical and extend on the stories published in mainstream media. These communities are also the basis for participatory journalism, grassroots reporting, annotative reporting, commentary and fact-checking, which the mainstream media feed upon, developing them as a pool of tips, sources and story ideas (http://www.jdlasica.com/articles/nieman.html).
At a glance, the journalist, rather than losing out when web logs become even more prominent in the next few years, will profit immensely from the online publishing revolution. Rather than seeing the journalist fade away into the hard copy archives along with their many famous past works, journalists will become an integral part of online life. Gone are the days of media companies carving a path through news and opinion, leaving gaps along the way: journalists can now choose stories they believe are most important publish them as objectively as they wish and maintain a reader base to support such action without falling under the confines of a multi-national media conglomerate. The ability for the internet to become the most powerful tool of the people yet has just become a reality with the journalist now in a real position to pressure governments and voice opinion.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Summary Lecture 9
"they were so obsessed with the fact that they could do it, they forgot to consider whether they should" Jurassic Park.
It just says it all. Humans have this huge compex about creating something virtual that is identical to the real world version. Why? why go online to talk to someone, when you can (and should be) talking to them face to face? I don't care that it may be more conveniant or less confronting.
The "one person to many" model of the first media age is somewhat mindless and egalitarian. It hails back to the dark ages of the nobles having all information and power and the plebisites sifting through the mud. Mabey it is because I'm a product of the digital age, but I believe that information should be free to access by all (Thats why I think wikipedia is fantastic). When all information is released, people in power would need to manage without corruption or smoke and mirrors, making use of all resources to the best of their ability.
The internet, in the second age of media, is helping us to achieve this. Our upbringing has been optimised through the internet and so has our transformation of representative democracy. The educated minority is no longer the educated minority: all of us are beginning to become aware of political, social and economic decisions that have to potential to influence our lives.
But is it really doing this for everyone? it is easy for me to say that ive been enlightend by this digital age, being: white, at university, graduated from highschool and casually employed with free flowing access to to internet... but what about others?
It just says it all. Humans have this huge compex about creating something virtual that is identical to the real world version. Why? why go online to talk to someone, when you can (and should be) talking to them face to face? I don't care that it may be more conveniant or less confronting.
The "one person to many" model of the first media age is somewhat mindless and egalitarian. It hails back to the dark ages of the nobles having all information and power and the plebisites sifting through the mud. Mabey it is because I'm a product of the digital age, but I believe that information should be free to access by all (Thats why I think wikipedia is fantastic). When all information is released, people in power would need to manage without corruption or smoke and mirrors, making use of all resources to the best of their ability.
The internet, in the second age of media, is helping us to achieve this. Our upbringing has been optimised through the internet and so has our transformation of representative democracy. The educated minority is no longer the educated minority: all of us are beginning to become aware of political, social and economic decisions that have to potential to influence our lives.
But is it really doing this for everyone? it is easy for me to say that ive been enlightend by this digital age, being: white, at university, graduated from highschool and casually employed with free flowing access to to internet... but what about others?
Summary Lecture 8
Today's lecture was about democracy. From Athenian democracy in ancient Greece, to representative democracy in "democratic countries" like Australia, England and the United States.
Professor Stockwell took us though the ages of media demoracy before the internet, suggesting that despite a representative democracy, citizens were still able to directly influence political decision making.
I believe that this influence would have been reduced as the years went by (It seems that companies became greedier and greedier over time... you didnt see $8million CEO payouts in the 50's so I believe that media influence over content was less filtered). In other words I believe that, up until the internet matured, the publics ablity to influence political decision making in the 90's would have been less significant than in the 50's due to censorship.
However the internet is a magical thing. It has given us the ability to improve our capability to engage in debate and also dodge the evil that is media censorship. This is teledemocracy is dictated however by the number of people that are able to use computers (the digital divide).
Like the little old lady grabbing email addresses on Burleigh Heads, people can do something to change decision making that they couldn't do before. I just pray to the net gods every night that this wll not be ruined.
Professor Stockwell took us though the ages of media demoracy before the internet, suggesting that despite a representative democracy, citizens were still able to directly influence political decision making.
I believe that this influence would have been reduced as the years went by (It seems that companies became greedier and greedier over time... you didnt see $8million CEO payouts in the 50's so I believe that media influence over content was less filtered). In other words I believe that, up until the internet matured, the publics ablity to influence political decision making in the 90's would have been less significant than in the 50's due to censorship.
However the internet is a magical thing. It has given us the ability to improve our capability to engage in debate and also dodge the evil that is media censorship. This is teledemocracy is dictated however by the number of people that are able to use computers (the digital divide).
Like the little old lady grabbing email addresses on Burleigh Heads, people can do something to change decision making that they couldn't do before. I just pray to the net gods every night that this wll not be ruined.
Summary Lecture 6
I was very interested to hear the contents of this lecture, especially the references to copyright law.
With a high bandwith conection from Telstra running into my Dell computer at home (Brands dominate my life), I am comfortably able to reach my 10gb download limit (Flowing into what I thought, up until recently, was a big hard drive at 80gb, however my Ipod is proving this wrong).
The content that I download would be, at a copyright level, alarming. mabey 3, 700mb movies, 30-40 music tracks at 3-4mb each and contless pictures and data.
When reaching my limit, I wonder if telstra passes on my information to the relative governing bodies of entertainment. I mean seriously, Im not downloading 10gb of word documents right. It isn't hard to figure out.
So where does it stop? Does 10gb a month of illegal activity warrent an arrest? or mabey if I were to change my plan to a higher download limit, would that be less acceptable to the entertainment industry?
Its all a disgrace. I have personally boycotted all music written by Metallica in a protest to their bold attempt to punish downloaders. They are millionare rockstars making millions of dollars from free music, raising a fan base, encouraging people to buy their records and attend their gigs: yet they are greedy enough to want it all...
Music should be free. Does Di Vinchi recieve proceeds from people looking at the mona lisa? Music is art, and bands should be writing music for those purposes and Ipods, instead of holding a monopoly share for these poeple, should be the access point (80gbs of free music shouldn't be too hard to fathom)... the world would be an infinitly better place. I don't care about the 'internet law'. Im going to continue to download my music, admiring my favourite bands and indulging myself in music, instead of only being able to access what I can afford, which would be about 1 CD a month.
With a high bandwith conection from Telstra running into my Dell computer at home (Brands dominate my life), I am comfortably able to reach my 10gb download limit (Flowing into what I thought, up until recently, was a big hard drive at 80gb, however my Ipod is proving this wrong).
The content that I download would be, at a copyright level, alarming. mabey 3, 700mb movies, 30-40 music tracks at 3-4mb each and contless pictures and data.
When reaching my limit, I wonder if telstra passes on my information to the relative governing bodies of entertainment. I mean seriously, Im not downloading 10gb of word documents right. It isn't hard to figure out.
So where does it stop? Does 10gb a month of illegal activity warrent an arrest? or mabey if I were to change my plan to a higher download limit, would that be less acceptable to the entertainment industry?
Its all a disgrace. I have personally boycotted all music written by Metallica in a protest to their bold attempt to punish downloaders. They are millionare rockstars making millions of dollars from free music, raising a fan base, encouraging people to buy their records and attend their gigs: yet they are greedy enough to want it all...
Music should be free. Does Di Vinchi recieve proceeds from people looking at the mona lisa? Music is art, and bands should be writing music for those purposes and Ipods, instead of holding a monopoly share for these poeple, should be the access point (80gbs of free music shouldn't be too hard to fathom)... the world would be an infinitly better place. I don't care about the 'internet law'. Im going to continue to download my music, admiring my favourite bands and indulging myself in music, instead of only being able to access what I can afford, which would be about 1 CD a month.
Powerpoint Tutorial Task
The brief was right, it was pretty basic. Out of all of the microsoft office programs I can use powerpoint the best and I believe it is the most valuable. It is easy to customise you slide, even beyond powerpoints templates.
It will be usefull to keep the audience awake itself, and also to keep ny future speeches prompted and rolling along. It is great to have points on the screen to talk to and also pictures to give examples etc.
It will be usefull to keep the audience awake itself, and also to keep ny future speeches prompted and rolling along. It is great to have points on the screen to talk to and also pictures to give examples etc.
Microsoft Word Tutorial
I didnt find this as hard to do as the Microsoft Excel document. Will be useful when sending multipule letters to multiple contacts, especially with my degreee. For once I didn't need any help!
In saying this however, I may need some help posting the documents onto the blog.
In saying this however, I may need some help posting the documents onto the blog.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Summary- Lecture 7
Today was an introduction and summary into the significance of computer and video games in terms of the media landscape. It is weird, you have all of these differences and theory points tucked away in your mind and a lecture like this brings them out. You could never put your finger on the theory behind gaming, so to have it explained is more like bringing the flower out of its bud, or the catapiller out of its cucoon.
For instance the narratology vs ludology debate. If given the game counterstrike and Red alert and asked to spot the differences I could, however I wouldnt have been able to tell you why before today. Now I can safely say that Counterstrike is on the side of ludology and Red Alert the side of narratology.
I believe that computer games are our porthole into the now relitavley defunct world of virtual reality. You play a game because, unlike a movie, you can interact with characters: making playing one step closer to real life. All that is needed to add onto that element is the 3rd element of touch.
Should we be studying the game? or the player of the game = I think both. The key behind making a game more realistic or better is to study it (apply new technologies when released and more current real world applications) and the reactions , joys/triumphs and the gamer had whilst playing it.
For instance the narratology vs ludology debate. If given the game counterstrike and Red alert and asked to spot the differences I could, however I wouldnt have been able to tell you why before today. Now I can safely say that Counterstrike is on the side of ludology and Red Alert the side of narratology.
I believe that computer games are our porthole into the now relitavley defunct world of virtual reality. You play a game because, unlike a movie, you can interact with characters: making playing one step closer to real life. All that is needed to add onto that element is the 3rd element of touch.
Should we be studying the game? or the player of the game = I think both. The key behind making a game more realistic or better is to study it (apply new technologies when released and more current real world applications) and the reactions , joys/triumphs and the gamer had whilst playing it.
Tutorial Task 7
Completed the microsoft excel document. Found it hard, but im a bit of a geriatric when it comes to anything technological. Im barely keeping up with this, so when formulas and columns come into the equation, I tend to get scared. I would do anything in my power not to use this program.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Tutorial task no.6
Hitler and his two friends. Satan and Satan.
"Fullysick" horse and cart. High techness to the max.
Mick Jagger.... marvelling at the news.
You need aircon everywhere during summer.
He is the ultimate chess piece. I put him as the Bishop, as they can only go sideways: its always fun to say that presedents arent straight. Although we cant say that about bill.
Success is all great, until you are overcome by your friends satin and satin.Friday, November 24, 2006
Lecture 5
Jason's lecture was definatley unexpected. Instead of the usual 2 hour session of rhetoric about the significance of the internet in our careers and life as theory, we were able to see it in action. I was interested to see that even art is becoming outdated in the real world. Virtualness has taken over, giving art a new lease of life and greater exposure.
Adam, in an earlier lecture, made reference to the Mona Lisa as being different in the virual world, as oppossed to viewing it in the flesh. But what about Jason's work? purposly designed to be accessed digitally, Guy Debord's theory of impersonal representation would be accounted for. But I think I would miss the wine and cheese of an art gallery opening.....
Adam, in an earlier lecture, made reference to the Mona Lisa as being different in the virual world, as oppossed to viewing it in the flesh. But what about Jason's work? purposly designed to be accessed digitally, Guy Debord's theory of impersonal representation would be accounted for. But I think I would miss the wine and cheese of an art gallery opening.....
Tutorial Task Day 5
No phone cameras were harmed in the making of this post. All images sourced from the evil global internet empire of google.
Summer: The season where I go jumping from one airconditioned room to another. I wasn’t meant to be in a land capable of churning out 50 degree days. England really did punish us by sending us here. Beach is good though (for passing out on that is), just need to spend 5000 hours in my local gym and ill be ready for summer 09’. Wish me luck.
Unconventional? You bet! Anyone else would just sim downstream
Its what we all thought were real friends, the quintessential group that everyone kind of wanted their friendship group to be. Except me. I always wanted to replace Kurt Cobain in Nirvana.
High tech: when the enemy is throwing rocks at your tanks armed with uranium tipped shells, laser guided missiles, and silver tipped bullets, you know you are high tech. Murderers.
For some reason whenever I see this I think of news. No I lie, I think of Tracy Grimshaw and the next instalment of what outlets I can save thousands at when I go on my next cloths shopping trip. Yay.
Summer: The season where I go jumping from one airconditioned room to another. I wasn’t meant to be in a land capable of churning out 50 degree days. England really did punish us by sending us here. Beach is good though (for passing out on that is), just need to spend 5000 hours in my local gym and ill be ready for summer 09’. Wish me luck.
Unconventional? You bet! Anyone else would just sim downstream
What my blog friends have been posting about
It seems everyone has had the same reaction to this course so far. Going by the posts that my blog friends have made about the lecture and course content, it seems that they have beeen awoken (As I have) to the influences that the internet is having over their lives. It seems that all have become a little wiser when it comes to taking the internet for granted and have learned a little about what to expect in the future. Certainly all activley use instant messaging on a daily basis and all also use the internet regularly
They have had mixed opinions on 3d chatting, although it seems that all were new to it.
All mastered the scavenger hunt task, using several different search engines.
Special Mention to Binny. His blog has taken off like a rocket! Pictures, essay like posts: it certainly seems he has mastered the ability to create an online habitat. With a bit more attention to detail in the second week, I hope I can also achieve net nerd status!
They have had mixed opinions on 3d chatting, although it seems that all were new to it.
All mastered the scavenger hunt task, using several different search engines.
Special Mention to Binny. His blog has taken off like a rocket! Pictures, essay like posts: it certainly seems he has mastered the ability to create an online habitat. With a bit more attention to detail in the second week, I hope I can also achieve net nerd status!
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Summary- Lecture 4
Acossiate Professor Stockwell's lecture today was a chance to transcend beyond the realms of logical positivism and into the meaning behind the world we have constructed around us. The thing that stuck me most was the Disneyland/museum analogy. All of my senses are telling me, whilst im in Disneyland, that everything is real. The branded Disney man hole cover, the disney railroad and Tarzan's island. But for reasoning beyond that, I know it has all been fabricated, set up delibratley to entertain and set a mood.
But is this , as professor Stockwell mentioned, not unlike the museum accross town? Why are the exhibits there more real than the confines of Disneyland? They too were created at a point, pulled out of thin air and pursued by the people.
After that lecture, I believe in sophism. Surely we can all do better if we are given the same opportunities and all have the right to an opinion. If we all represent ourselves through our education and knowledge, perhaps the world could prosper even more.
I can see now how im staring at the wall in Socrates' cave. Everything about my life is a fabricated representation of reality. To think that this hole is being dug deeper and deeper by the day suggests that my generation and the generations ahead, need to be more aware of the forms.
But is this , as professor Stockwell mentioned, not unlike the museum accross town? Why are the exhibits there more real than the confines of Disneyland? They too were created at a point, pulled out of thin air and pursued by the people.
After that lecture, I believe in sophism. Surely we can all do better if we are given the same opportunities and all have the right to an opinion. If we all represent ourselves through our education and knowledge, perhaps the world could prosper even more.
I can see now how im staring at the wall in Socrates' cave. Everything about my life is a fabricated representation of reality. To think that this hole is being dug deeper and deeper by the day suggests that my generation and the generations ahead, need to be more aware of the forms.
Tutorial Task Number 4
The concepts for this 3d program for internet chatters is quite different to that of MSN. MSN obviously has a very personal interface without the exposure to the rest of the world. When trialing the active worlds program, I typed "where is everyone from?". I had 2 responses from Ohio in the USA and one from the UK. However with time and funding such a hurdle could be overcome with techology figuring out a way to incorporate this programming technology into a local format.
People with msn often don't become 100% involved in the chatting experience. Sometimes you could have MSN minimised on your computer screen with a user status set to busy whilst you complete another task. It seems that a 3d chatting program like active worlds doesnt permit this, as the entire purpose of the program is to devote your full attention to it. Such a program would not be a practical tool for the modern computer, mixing business with social enterprises at the same time.
People with msn often don't become 100% involved in the chatting experience. Sometimes you could have MSN minimised on your computer screen with a user status set to busy whilst you complete another task. It seems that a 3d chatting program like active worlds doesnt permit this, as the entire purpose of the program is to devote your full attention to it. Such a program would not be a practical tool for the modern computer, mixing business with social enterprises at the same time.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Scavenger Hunt
1. What is the weight of the world's biggest pumpkin (include the year of this record, is there a more recent record)?
The world’s biggest pumpkin, weighing in at Rhode Island, New England, at 1,502lb on the 21st of October 2006. The Times Online stated that the record may have been broken after the date of publishing.
Search engine used: Ixquick
2. What is the best way (quickest, most reliable) to contact Grant Hackett?
If you want to contact Grant, please write to the Miami Swimming Club, their address is:Miami Swimming ClubPO BOX 2461BURLEIGH QLD 4220http://granthackettonline.free.fr/?page_id=107
Search engine used: Ask Jeeves
3. What is the length of a giraffe's tongue?
The Giraffe's tongue is sticky and black and can be up to 18 inches in length.
http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/vecase/Behavior/Spring2002/Kawwass/giraffe.htm
(Edu site, so pretty credible)
Search engine used: Ask Jeeves
4. How would you define "ontology"? In your own words, what does it mean?
Ontology is the study of being or existence. It seeks to describe or posit the basic categories and relationships of being or existence to define entities and types of entities within its framework.
Search engine used: Wikipedia
5. What was David Lynch's first film?
His first short film Six Figures Getting Sick (1966)
Search engine used: Wikipedia
6. When was the original "Hacker's Manifesto" written, and by whom?
The Conscience of a Hacker (also known as The Hacker Manifesto) is a small essay written January 8, 1986.
7. What is the capital of Bhutan, and what language do the citizens speak?
Thimphu, Dzongkha
Search engine rule: Wikipedia
8. What is the cheapest form of travel from Bergen, Norway to Ornskoldsvik, Sweden?
By flight
9. What song was top of the Australian Pop Charts this week in 1972?
Robert Flack- the first time I ever saw your face.
Search engine: Ixquick
10. What punk band was Stephen Stockwell (head of the school of arts) in?
The Black Assasins
search engine: Ixquick
The world’s biggest pumpkin, weighing in at Rhode Island, New England, at 1,502lb on the 21st of October 2006. The Times Online stated that the record may have been broken after the date of publishing.
Search engine used: Ixquick
2. What is the best way (quickest, most reliable) to contact Grant Hackett?
If you want to contact Grant, please write to the Miami Swimming Club, their address is:Miami Swimming ClubPO BOX 2461BURLEIGH QLD 4220http://granthackettonline.free.fr/?page_id=107
Search engine used: Ask Jeeves
3. What is the length of a giraffe's tongue?
The Giraffe's tongue is sticky and black and can be up to 18 inches in length.
http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/vecase/Behavior/Spring2002/Kawwass/giraffe.htm
(Edu site, so pretty credible)
Search engine used: Ask Jeeves
4. How would you define "ontology"? In your own words, what does it mean?
Ontology is the study of being or existence. It seeks to describe or posit the basic categories and relationships of being or existence to define entities and types of entities within its framework.
Search engine used: Wikipedia
5. What was David Lynch's first film?
His first short film Six Figures Getting Sick (1966)
Search engine used: Wikipedia
6. When was the original "Hacker's Manifesto" written, and by whom?
The Conscience of a Hacker (also known as The Hacker Manifesto) is a small essay written January 8, 1986.
7. What is the capital of Bhutan, and what language do the citizens speak?
Thimphu, Dzongkha
Search engine rule: Wikipedia
8. What is the cheapest form of travel from Bergen, Norway to Ornskoldsvik, Sweden?
By flight
9. What song was top of the Australian Pop Charts this week in 1972?
Robert Flack- the first time I ever saw your face.
Search engine: Ixquick
10. What punk band was Stephen Stockwell (head of the school of arts) in?
The Black Assasins
search engine: Ixquick
Lecture 3
part one
skipping 8 years into the future was a different approach. To think that you are stuck in Socrates' proverbial cave by denying the possibility of the world being transformed from beneath us through a constantly developing media landscape is ignorant. I thought that the expulsion of news papers as a medium and the further adoption of cyberspace as our most prominant and eventually sole source for news wasn't such a big deal, however after sifting though the possible implications of such change It made me feel sad that we were making our media so impersonal.
To pick up a newspaper, just like watching a band live or watching a movie in a cinema, is diffferent to reading the same news on the internet. Guy Debord's immense accumulation of spectacles is a reflection of the internet which transforms news into a mere impersonal representation.
It seems such a tremendous waste of resources to continue to produce newspapers and magazines soley due to this downfall in regard to news on the internet, however other problems that may arise out of a dominant media spectrum such as epic are numerous.
1) To have a world wide news service, what language do we use?
2) Would local news die due to international free-lancers posting greater amounts of material? Companies such as RG Capital are allready killing the quality of content on local radio, a multinational corporation such as google would surely enhance this gap.
3) Is it right to have one organisation dictate the processes for the gathering of news and information? is their word the final word?
4) Will the world become too globalised, as borders become "virtually" non-existant?
It is interesting to note that most people are predicting the fall of a superpower in America as resources in China boom, however with global media being controlled by the American culture it seems that their dominance has only just begun....
skipping 8 years into the future was a different approach. To think that you are stuck in Socrates' proverbial cave by denying the possibility of the world being transformed from beneath us through a constantly developing media landscape is ignorant. I thought that the expulsion of news papers as a medium and the further adoption of cyberspace as our most prominant and eventually sole source for news wasn't such a big deal, however after sifting though the possible implications of such change It made me feel sad that we were making our media so impersonal.
To pick up a newspaper, just like watching a band live or watching a movie in a cinema, is diffferent to reading the same news on the internet. Guy Debord's immense accumulation of spectacles is a reflection of the internet which transforms news into a mere impersonal representation.
It seems such a tremendous waste of resources to continue to produce newspapers and magazines soley due to this downfall in regard to news on the internet, however other problems that may arise out of a dominant media spectrum such as epic are numerous.
1) To have a world wide news service, what language do we use?
2) Would local news die due to international free-lancers posting greater amounts of material? Companies such as RG Capital are allready killing the quality of content on local radio, a multinational corporation such as google would surely enhance this gap.
3) Is it right to have one organisation dictate the processes for the gathering of news and information? is their word the final word?
4) Will the world become too globalised, as borders become "virtually" non-existant?
It is interesting to note that most people are predicting the fall of a superpower in America as resources in China boom, however with global media being controlled by the American culture it seems that their dominance has only just begun....
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Summary- Lecture 2
Lecture 2
Today was enlightening in the sense that I found the missing history that wasn't taught conventionally along the Magna Carta and the Cold War. It was interesting to hear that the history of our beloved, treasured internet is bound loosly to the realms of our generation. Such a new concept with names that are still influencing the world.
The lecture focused on the history of the electronic world and the two sides which have contested it: Apple and Microsoft. I have always known that there was a distinct difference between the two but have never known why. It seems that IBM and microsoft have a 'business tool' persona and apple the clarity of choice regulation thorugh it's branding.
To hear that the initial function of the internet was to aid the military was also alarming. If they had this concept and technology years before the general public, imagine the technology being developed now.
The use of new communication technologies to communicate with my friends and family
I use microsoft messenger service to communicate with my friends and family on a daily basis back in the late 90's. The first use of such technology was prompted by a family member moving overseas to work. Rather than pay an expensive rate to use the phone for a limited amount of time, my family and I could communicate with my ex-patriot sister for the cost of a local phone call (dial-up in those days) and "chat" to her for as long as they saw fit.
In the process of using this technlogy, I found that most of my friends had hotmail accounts which automaticaly made them ellegable to communicate over the internet also. We would discuss assignments, exchange files and talk about the preceeding day at school. This transformed into an organising tool for the holidays and right up until now, a way of keeping in contact.
Our family still uses this service, although in a slightly more advanced format. Introduced along the way was the webcam and the microphone which enabled us not only to see my sister who was more than 6000kms away but it also enabled us to speak to her (all in real time) and now even the local phone call cost has been disabled (cable internet entered the spectrum).
Monday, November 20, 2006
Introduction post
Welcome to my blog.
Few things about me.
Name: Trent Brown (no nickname... although if I had one I would like it to be "The Stig" borrowed from Jermey Clarkson)
Where I live: Burleigh Heads GC
Music: Im a music head, Ipod = the device has taken over my life. I love grunge rock, rock and all other types of music except emo bands like The Used and my Chemical Romance.
Interests: Im a car freak. Going to uni to get a crappy job at a newspaper so that I can get some experience and work for a major motoring publication.
Why I took this subject: If it helps me build my path to a job in journalism, why not?
My favourite authors include Robert Fisk, Jermey Clarkson, John Carey, John Pilger and George Monbiot. I think that investigative journalism is perhaps the most important part of the journalism world as it delves into the depths of issues rather than skimming the top.
Lecture 1
Today's lecture was an accelerated introduction to the realms of new communications tecchnologies. Information about the growing demand for technology and its use in communication.
Taken out of the lecture was the relevance that the exert from the daily show had in regard to my major of journalism. It is hard to believe that 3 years of official study (in regard to starting my career) or even 50 years of experience in the journalism industry (radio announcers, writers etc) can be outperformed by an amatuer article published on the internet through a blog. But the more I think about it the more it makes total sense.
If you work hard enough, create an image good enough or gain access to the right places then why should you need to fully understand the ethics and formalities of journalism? Credibility is becoming scarcer by the day in terms of mainstream media, so the credibility of a blogger with nothing to gain or lose (advertising contracts, political adgendas) is perhaps greater.
It is scary to think that graduating and becoming affiliated with a news organisation instantly grants me a label of bias. It seems that if you were to publish a regular opinion or resource with a reader base on the net you would not only be able to publish raw news but you could also be ethical in your application. It seems that the only reason Im doing journalism at university is to be paid for the privelage of satisfying somebody elses news agenda. If only they paid me to post my views, I could become a web based investigative journalist overnight!!!.... look out John Pilger.....
Questions asked and answered included
what is communication?
Any process that transfers, transmits or makes information known to other people.
what is technology?
Technology is the scientific study of mechanical arts and their application to the world.
people introduced included:
Aristotle
Aristotle's model of communication.
Marshall Mcluhan
technologies are extensions of the human body.
Shannon and weaver
model of communication.
Taken out of the lecture was the relevance that the exert from the daily show had in regard to my major of journalism. It is hard to believe that 3 years of official study (in regard to starting my career) or even 50 years of experience in the journalism industry (radio announcers, writers etc) can be outperformed by an amatuer article published on the internet through a blog. But the more I think about it the more it makes total sense.
If you work hard enough, create an image good enough or gain access to the right places then why should you need to fully understand the ethics and formalities of journalism? Credibility is becoming scarcer by the day in terms of mainstream media, so the credibility of a blogger with nothing to gain or lose (advertising contracts, political adgendas) is perhaps greater.
It is scary to think that graduating and becoming affiliated with a news organisation instantly grants me a label of bias. It seems that if you were to publish a regular opinion or resource with a reader base on the net you would not only be able to publish raw news but you could also be ethical in your application. It seems that the only reason Im doing journalism at university is to be paid for the privelage of satisfying somebody elses news agenda. If only they paid me to post my views, I could become a web based investigative journalist overnight!!!.... look out John Pilger.....
Questions asked and answered included
what is communication?
Any process that transfers, transmits or makes information known to other people.
what is technology?
Technology is the scientific study of mechanical arts and their application to the world.
people introduced included:
Aristotle
Aristotle's model of communication.
Marshall Mcluhan
technologies are extensions of the human body.
Shannon and weaver
model of communication.
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