Jennifer's COM 300 blog

Final Course Post

2006-03-12T23:50:00.000-08:00

The most important thing I learned in COM 300 is to not get wiped out by the technology wave of the future. The more I have come to learn about the internet and new media technology, the more I realize there is so much more to learn. I also really enjoyed the reading about techno-stress because it made me feel like I am not alone in my frustration about not understanding the internet. I appreciated the simplesite lab because it was a great hands on way to introduce website creation to people who don't know a lot about technology. Also, our discussion about the man machine relationship was thought provoking because I never really considered that the frustration I have for technology may come from human error.
I would like to have spent more time on emerging technologies. I am curious about the new products and ways that the internet and technology is being used. I loved the appetizer powerpoint presentations because it gave me an idea of areas that were not deeply explored in class -- it gave just enough information to entice me to research more on my own.
If I have to pick, the least interesting topic for me was the free source/share software movement. I had a lot of trouble understanding the articles and when I researched about it online I still couldn't get a good grasp of what it is exactly. I also felt that there were times when jargon went over my head and it made some concepts more difficult to internalize. I looked some terms up after classes when I had questions but I feel those lectures would have been more beneficial if I understood the terms before.
Overall, the course was a huge eye opener and really made me aware of my technological surroundings. Class discussions were extremely beneficial and the peer support created in the beginning of the quarter was a great resource.

The impact of VoIP

2006-02-27T03:23:00.000-08:00

Because the question asked about the future impact of VoIP I assumed that none had occurred already. I was surprised to read that telephone companies are already using this technology to streamline their networks. Packet switching technology definitely seems like a more beneficial use of the internet and phone lines and i'm excited to see what kind of improvements will be realized in the future. More flexibility and lower prices are always good for the consumer and this technology seems to be able to bring this to the public. The ability to use this new telephone system wherever wifi is present will decrease the usage of cell phones (which may be linked to health risks... stay tuned for my final project!) and allow for more access to communication. A feature of the technology that grabbed my attention is the ability to choose how calls from a particular number are handled (forward the call to a different number, send it to voicemail, give the caller a busy signal, send the caller to a funny rejection line, etc). As far as I know this is not possible with a regular cellphone, so some new advantages are already visible. I feel that the potential for a large impact of this technology is huge, however there are many hurdles, as the article put it, that I feel need to be addressed before I would completely switch my service to VoIP.
The stability of the system is crucial. The article discussed how people are used to the internet not working sometimes, however more recently I do not feel this is an accurate conclusion. Many people rely heavily on the internet throughout the day and just as some people freak out over a lost dial tone, I would say that more people would freak out over a complete loss of internet. And if the telephone technology is connected to the computer, this could shut off all communication. Another downfall that I saw was the idea of a processor drain. I remember when I could not use my hair dryer upstairs while the toaster oven and television were on downstairs because it would overload the circuit. If this is a problem, a business man may not be able to multitask and look up data on his computer while he or she is talking to a client on the phone. Because this technology is not regulated yet at all, the telephone and cable companies which are regulated would have to set standards before it could completely incorporate this new technology. I feel this technology has a lot of potential and could be a great asset to society, however before it is integrated into the system, there are many concerns that need to be addressed.

discussion questions:
Because of the major kinks that are still present in the system, ho long do you think it will take for this technology to reach critical mass and truly become saturated into society?

What do you think are the major concerns people have in regard to switching to this technology?Do you feel people would be hesitant to use the technology for fear of everything being on one system?

What kind of regulations should be instated? ethical? financial? governmental? public usage?

Would this make it more or less difficult to hack into a person's information?

universal internet access

2006-02-22T01:24:00.000-08:00

What is the relationship between cyberspace as a public space and accessibility standards?

The article seemed to sum up the solution to internet accessibility in 3 important elements: decreasing the cost, increasing the capability of technology, and the utilization of license-exempt radio bands. However, these objectives are not so easy to accomplish. I do feel that American society is moving in a productive direction with the installation of wi-fi in so many locations but more needs to be done in more rural areas. I think articles such as Trends in Telecommunication Reform show how to take the next step in making the internet more available for the masses.

However, while I do feel that the internet and access to information is important, for small countries in Africa, there may be more crucial issues to tackle. But as I thought about this more over the weekend, I had a somewhat of a change of thought. With access to the internet, farmers in these rural countries could gain the information necessary to improve their lives and help their towns. And, as the article discusses, it could be economically beneficial as well. I feel that the ability to obtain information should be available for everyone and am confidant that the digital divide, with the help of articles such as this one, is slowly closing.

Questions:
Is the UN responsible for bridging the digital divide? Should each country have the burden of providing the opportunity for information for its citizens?

Is the internet the most important item on the universal agenda?

What are some possible negative impacts of having internet access available to everyone?

Politics and the internet

2006-02-13T09:59:00.001-08:00

On the whole, I agree with the premise of the authors in the two articles. Joe Trippi's article talks about a marginal decrease in "cost per body" when the internet, or I.T., was used in the campaign. Similar to the slow amount of change between the the mid 1800's until about the 1960's, the use of the internet will trickle into the campaign trail slowly but surely. The influence will probably be exponential, that is the amount it is used will develop at an exponential rate, because the internet in general has developed in this fashion. As politicians and their campaign managers discover the benefits of I.T. and new uses for this technology, we will be seeing more and more of it in future elections.

The 2nd article (Reidel,Gangl,Oxendine,Jackson,Sullivan,Borgida) sited a survey that mentioned, "the use of the internet is often stimulated by news stories on TV or in newspapers, prompting activists to look for more detailed information." I thought this was really interesting because it is such a clear use for the internet that I have never utilized. It further illustrates how the class readings have opened my eyes to technology. Voters can become more informed in a much easier way by using the internet to research points that are unclear based ontelevision reports. The availability of national news on the internet as well as how in depth the coverage is compared to print sources is enourmous. The internet as a national news supplement can be invaluable during an election year if a party can use I.T. to its advantage.

1. In today's society, there is a major problem with not everybody having equal access to the internet. How much of an effect do you think this has on the relationship between politics and I.T. ?
2. Would it be beneficial for politicians to devote resources to making the internet available for more people?
3. Was Trippi's method of stickering buses to deceive his opponent's team the right thing to do? How will the increased influence of I.T. change the way the primaries are run? Could it prevent this type of occurrence from happening in the future?

politics and the internet

2006-02-13T09:59:00.000-08:00

On the whole, I agree with the premise of the authors in the two articles. Joe Trippi's article talks about a marginal decrease in "cost per body" when the internet, or I.T., was used in the campaign. similar to the slow amount of change between the the mid 1800's until about the 1960's, the use of the internet will trickle into the campaign trail slowly but surely. The influence will probably be exponential, that is the amount it is used will develop at an exponential rate, because the internet in general has developed in this fashion. As politicians and their campaign managers discover the benefits of I.T. and new uses for this technology, we will be seeing more and more of it in future elections.

The 2nd article (Reidel,Gangl,Oxendine,Jackson,Sullivan,Borgida) sited a survey that mentioned, "the use of the internet is often stimulated by news stories on TV or in newspapers, prompting activists to look for more detailed information." I thought this was really interesting because it is such a clear use for the internet that I have never utilized. It further illustrates how the class readings have opened my eyes to technology. Voters can become more informed in a much easier way by using the internet to research points that are unclear based ontelevision reports. The availability of national news on the internet as well as how in depth the coverage is compared to print sources is enourmous. The internet as a national news supplement can be invaluable during an election year if a party can use I.T. to its advantage.

1. In today's society, there is a major problem with not everybody having equal access to the internet. How much of an effect do you think this has on the relationship between politics and I.T. ?
2. Would it be beneficial for politicians to devote resources to making the internet available for more people?
3. Was Trippi's method of stickering buses to decieve his oppenent's team the right thing to do? How will the increased influence of I.T. change the way the primaries are run? could it prevent this type of occurance from happening in the future?

blogging and new media technology

2006-02-06T08:24:00.000-08:00

What are the implications of blogging technology on established media?

As I read the articles on the influence blogging has had on the established media, especially in the last few years, I began thinking about Al Gore's new television network, Current. The network allows viewers to submit blogs, podcasts and video and the on air segments are developed based on these submissions. Almost everything that is aired has been created by viewers. This is a true testament to the power of blogging and the need for the American society to have their voices heard. Blogging is a free method of expresses our first amendment rights, and has been an incredible resource in getting into the minds of our society. Blogging is a way for the community to share their ideas about everything, instantaneously, because so many people feel they are not being heard. Anyone can post a blog and if it is made open to the public, anyone can view your blog. The media can see what its viewers are thinking and change what is happening to suit new needs. The community has always shaped the media but now this is an easier way to understand what it is the audience wants and feels. TV stations are now accepting camera phone photos and "citizen journalists" and giving them on air time on the news programs. This advance shows a new way in which the media is using the viewer and getting them involved in what is happening around them.
discussion questions:
Did reality television have an impact on blogging technology and established media?
In the future, how much of the evening news will be devoted to viewer submissions?
How else can blogging be used to benefit society?

Extra Credit Post

2006-01-30T01:55:00.000-08:00

The Shirky article was interesting to me because I had never really thought about how much people interact with each other online. It truly is almost like having a one-on-one interaction with someone, yet the etiquette rules are barely considered online. There are times when I am on an instant message program and I will sign off of my computer and completely forget I minimized a window of a conversation with someone. In person, disappearing from a conversation would never happen and I have definitely gotten in trouble with friends for completely forgetting about them online. Social software has been beneficial to my life but only recently is it becoming second nature like in person interactions are.
In addition, the differences between in person and social software/online communication have different standards. Online on a facebook or myspace site, pictures and text are monitored by both the webmasters and other users. There is a report button that sends a message to the owner of the site, and they deal with the inappropriate content. In person communication is a little different. If someone is inappropriate, it is rare that a person will call over a policeman to solve the issue. Because online communication is less personal, there is more opportunity for enforcement and regulation of rules. Though to some this may feel restrictive, for others this is a sense of security.

Open Source Software Movement

2006-01-30T01:01:00.000-08:00

It is beneficial for communication scholars to study the open source software movement because of the social implications this concept has on society. By having such an open and borderless environment, many people can gain from this system of sharing. The GNU article discussed the unhappiness of programmers because of the commercialization of system software. With open source programs, "users will no longer be at the mercy of one programmer or company which owns the sources and is in sole position to make changes. "
The Second Superpower article brought up an intresting point. It talked about the power of individuals and the internet in relation to the American superpower and government. The article discussed the dissemination ability of the 2nd superpower using the image of the beat of dance music, spreading through a sea of dancers. When members of the community study these dance patterns and write about them, it has the effect of both amplifying the patterns and facilitating community reflection on the topics highlighted. This metaphor visualized the open source software movement to me in that word of mouth is what spreads the open software to users. And the scholars, by researching and discussing the movement, further amplify the idea.

discussion questions:
How much would the average household consumer really benefit from this 'free' shared software?

Are there any hidden flaws to the system that have been overlooked?
While there are definite benefits to the movement, would there be a way for hackers to break in to your computer? Would computers be more vulnerable to viruses?

How does competition among open source businesses play into the equation?

Man's relationship with machines

2006-01-22T23:34:00.000-08:00

When I read Being Analog I couldn't help but compare it to a real relationship between two people. I couldn't help but conclude that opposites attract. In many ways, machines finish the sentences of humans; Machines do what humans cannot easily do. The relationship is love/hate in that machines perform many mundane and difficult tasks for humans, yet at times can be extremely frustrating.
Machines and humans work differently (as described further by Taylor) but computers would not be as useful if they did the same tasks humans could do. Humans have more room for error than computers do, and before reading this article I did not give enough credit to the usefulness of the computer. Because I get so frustrated with them so often, it was hard for me to see that most of the problems associated with the computer are based in human errors. Sometimes it is beneficial to give the responsibility of a task to a computer. After looking at the chart at the end of the Norman article, I realize that my negative or positive view of the computer is based within the angle in which I look at a given situation. My view of the man-machine relationship has changed from these readings because I realize that certain situations call for different methods of solution (computer v human). It is important to understand the benefits of each and for them to work together in order to achieve the best results.
An Ah-ha that I found in this article was the question of how much time will be required in the future to fully learn the history, culture, and techniques of modern life, as they increase exponentially with time?
How much must we understand computers in order to function in our society?
Are most of the frustrations associated with the internet due to human error?
What is a situation in which a computer would detract from the solution? In which a human would detract from the solution?

January 18- information overload

2006-01-17T23:57:00.001-08:00

How my life is affected by information
I can definitely relate the "technostress" discussed in Carlon's " Information overload, retrieval strategies and Internet user empowerment." As a student, I am often called upon to utilize the internet as a resource for research. Carlon notes, "Finding and/or providing information on the internet is sometimes a frustrating and time consumming experience, requiring much patience and energy." Nelson refers to this concept as information overload. He explains that not understanding information, feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information to be understood, not knowing if information exists or where to find it and not having the key to access this information, all lead to information overload. While at times it may seem there is a surplus of information (especially with the www expanding by 17 pages every second), it is difficult to determine what of this information is valid and credible. Both authors discuss the need for narrowly tailored searches and digging into the deep web, howver it is difficult to find the relevant information below the surface of the net.
I feel that I have benefitted greatly from information being so accessible, credible or not. Experiencing the amount of knowledge available puts into perspective the vastness of the net. It seems as though the more I discover about technology and the internet, the more I understand and realize there is so much more I have yet to learn.

2006-01-17T23:57:00.000-08:00

week 1

2006-01-10T20:09:00.000-08:00

My ah-ha from "Social Aspects of New Media Technologies" comes from the concept of critical mass. It was interesting to see somewhat of a hint of peer pressure in terms of technology. Though time, money and skill all play a part in the likelihood of achieving critical mass I wonder if any other factors could influence the ability to reach critical mass... marketing? advertising? word of mouth? a genuinely good product?

My ah-ha from "Technologies of the Third Mediamorphosis" is based on the section of telegraph technology. "Telegraphic news soon created in readers an excpection of immediacy and a growing sense of closeness." From the viewpoint of 2006 looking back on early telegraph technology, it is hard to imagine that what we now consider to be basic and almost obsolete technology was at one point a major breakthrough, giving society a feeling of immediacy and closeness. With inventions such as the telephone which now has the ability to facilitate video phone calls and cell phones with cameras able to send instant pictures, the introduction of immediacy with the telegraph is incredible. My ah-ha is based in differences of the definition of immediacy in relation to technology of both generations.

Bush's Memex is similar to the modern day computer and internet however it is not hard to understand why the similarities are present. Because of people like Bush we have technology such as the internet today. It is those who fantasize about a better way to live and do everyday tasks that bring us the technology once thought of as impossible. I am sure others thought of ideas similar to Bush's Memex because the concepts and desired outcomes of the machine are so beneficial to society. Today's computer and internet are similar to Memex but that is not surprising to me.

In 2045 I believe there will have been tremendous advances in technology. The internet will be cluttered with immense amounts of advertisements and incredible amounts of information. But with all the junk, I believe there will be powerful programs that will filter the information desired and the internet will be much more efficient, despite the increase in distractions. And perhaps there will be a device that will render the keyboard obsolete because one would be able to think of the words and the computer could infer the desired task.

First Post

2006-01-04T12:45:00.000-08:00

first blog post