Paine and the blog

There is no question that new media is a concept that with each emerging media there has been a new level. You could also possibly say that even with significant events throughout American history there has been a change in each of those medias. Yes, journalism and media witnesses significant changed on September 11th. But prior to that, during the first gulf war we witnessed significant change in new media. It was the first time we witnessed conflict as it happened and ultimately witnessed a war up close. This was not the first conflict documented but it was done with incredible real-time effect. I remember witnessing and tracking the missile that had been equip with cameras, and the missile that had been launched between warring nations. Also, I do not believe that the government had ever been as forward about wartime information as they had been with this war. The Clinton impeachment and also subsequently the Bush elections saw an increased number of individuals that openly discussed and had dialoged the events with possibly an attempt to change public sentiment even though many had convincingly made up their minds prior to any outcomes.
The author is accurate in the assumptions that free press/speech was and is key in ascertaining real democracy. Ironically, when mentioning different details of free speech and the early press medium the author did not mention any major patrons of civil rights. Many used the literary medium as the conscience voice that would impact a nation, such individuals as William Lloyd Garrison. Garrison, an outraged and outspoken champion, among those early on that would seriously challenge the constitution and its symbolism when denied this expression and appalled at the current conditions that was affecting American society. . The Afro-American Newspaper was founded in 1892, by former slave John H. Murphy. Interesting is the fact that the author mentions many of these aspects that primarily predominantly affected these same people.
A.J. Liebling’s admonition, that freedom of the press is for those people who own the press, ideally reflects more than a financial reality but simply back to the haves and have-not, as it has been in most medias.
It was interesting to be reminded that big business conglomerates didn’t really start in the 1980’s and that it has been ongoing since medias early beginnings. It has seen periods of significant and not so significant periods of consolidation. We are currently witnessing that in this current time. Or also, the global impact that the internet and the initial principles that help incorporate the web and its many uses, emails and its connectivity, blogging and its expansiveness as a e tool of the print medium.
However, it, I assume of the subject of how 9/11 changed virtually everything is interesting to see everyone’s different perspectives of now the news first arrived with them and how they all now view the news in a different capacity. As someone who was gazed upon the tower earlier that fateful day and as a resident of Washington, DC who was awaking as many were with a phone call stating “turn on the news”, see the second plane and hearing the boom and scramble of jets from Andrews AFB. Everyone engagement with news changed, whether for the good, bad or indifferent. At one point I couldn’t get information fast enough then simultaneously instant overload. The news was almost too much to bear. I had just quit my job less than two weeks prior, and was currently in the process of moving to New York so although I lost no family or friends, this was detrimental to me as well. Being in NY during the recovery, having to ride the subway afterwards, seeing the lights and night knowing that those lights were looking for people in the recovery and still, to know that yeah media changed but so did a lot of things.


See “government terror level watch” on Fox's news ticker.

New Media Principles

There is no denying that there are key differences in new and old media. Medias complex ability to be programmable are part of its vast extensions between the many differences. The programmable aspect of the assignment of specific numerical value extends the continuous representations of new media. Modern media conceivable that it began during the Industrial Revolution is not incomprehensible but more so amazing. The initial Henry Ford blueprint for mass production undoubtedly revolutionize the production process and has been a global method standard since its initial inception. As stated the two key elements were the standardization of parts. Secondly, it was the simple set of repetitive motions incorporated into assembly production.
Modularity is what I believe to have made the Internet the necessity that it has become today. In its modular use, it provides specific and practical uses and functions that can be directed at accomplishing specific goals. Only when compatibility issues arise that modularity breaks down and compromises its seamless functionality.
Automation is also an integral part of the webs growth and expansion, and most proprietors of the technology realize this to being an additional key in the success of their products as well. Automation function of being a driver or tool that initiates or maintains maintenance or simple operations is very useful for consumers that aren't as computer savvy as others. As more products and options integrate automated technology into programs, devices and structure it will become a bigger staple within the community as a relied upon feature.
I currently see the many variables as probably the biggest distractor of new media and technology because of the usual compatibility issues that are often encountered. The scalability aspect sometime is an off-set to the variable issue and allows the modular units to function in their intended capacity and proceed with normalcy. While these different variables function differently within different applications so that it why some see these functions as benefits and others as distractions. For instance, when photoshop 5 was introduced many of the effects were no longer incorporated within the program and had to be purchased as an additional bundle package. Many viewed this as a way to get more money from consumers and users. The scalability products however did feature other uses that many found beneficial. Video gamemaker have begun using similar principles to get a more desired interactivity within their game packages and each newer version. Madden has developed this concept and continued to develop as a product that expands and develops on past foundations. Early version of Madden used rudimentary graphics and concept to create the intrigue of a football game. The simple structure and monotone effects have been replaced with advanced realism of virtual interactivity. Madden has tried to have each become more realistic than each previous version. The manufactures have scaled the product to include the same products but with elementary skill levels that allows all to attempt to gain technical improvement for users. Hypermedia is simply an additional aspect of user interactivity. This is an important aspect for manufacturer wanting to increase product or application life.
Description of transcoding defines key elements which will define the PC and internet future. The computer layer will become increasing more adoptive and those various interfaces will mold more cultural seamlessness and connectivity. Looking at old media as old media is what help some to conceptualize the transcodes into many usable languages. Much are simply electronic representation of other analog or traditional mediums on a comparative level it is one of the only ways to judge it fundamentally.

Common Tragedy

Tragically the authors assumptions seem valid and I guess that's the tragedy. The development of weapons have not provide any technical solution for correcting or ratifying the issues at hand and civil unrest throughout the globe.
However, It is somewhat ironic that technical solutions cannot be used or found as a solutions when they seems to be all around us. Yes, the population increase has created an issue in how communities will maintain sufficient supplies of food to sustain communities and when it is becoming increasingly more difficult than previous because of depleting resources. So the issues becomes how to create, manipulate, care, and utilize what we have that equipts us to complete these tasks. Technically, in addition to what creates the current issues with production and manufacturing aspect is the opposite, which is waste. What must happen is that re-inventive ways must be introduced for waste consumption and new by products that can be produced or created from existing waste. Global participation is also key in making this effective because of the clear and concise cause and effect. The statement that we live in a finite world is true thats why it is important to look at current global condition and situations and ask ourselves if this is not a result of our abuses. As one recent commercial advertisement asks "Are we destroying the earth's ability to heal itself?" Are movies like the day after tomorrow even possible. Communities must stand up now and acknowledge the globes current conditions and not deny the fact that the globe is changing and it is not infinite. We must be more conservative and conscience in our thinking and be somewhat optimistic that technological solutions aren't more problems for new solutions to solve.

CH 18 Winston

In chapter 18 Winston discusses scientific competence for the internet and the existence of computers and the use of machine code complier-(languages), time-sharing and associative databanks made computers and data system usable. How data is stored and subsequently recovered. The creation of the Web and Internet and its history is very intriguing and difficult to believe that the technology has been around as long as it has. The post apocalyptic command grid has found a separate life outside its initial design. I believe while the internet initial design was not this it has technologically found its own purpose and continues to develop around many and developing purpose. Winston should have brought to light the importance of the email system and an early pioneer of this the pine system.

Cyberspace Communities

My online communal experience is limited to periodic usage, currently. My initial introduction I found myself burning a lot of midnight oil in different communities as I explored the many wonders of the web. Now, it has been limited to occasional IM with friends. It has provided an extension between myself and other college friends and family where discussion usually surrounds an event or topic discussion or simply retort our issues or concerns. This differs from offline because I believe the communication would be more in-frequent if this technology was not in existence, the distance barrier has been removed. Most users alike find it useful in this purpose - eliminating barriers. Currently, what affects the internet potential growth and effectiveness essentially is compatibility of applications, system and networks and secondly transmission speed.

Some characteristics of new media has been user portability and its practical usage. The portability market for existing and new devices has seen significant growth potential. Consumers have also adept a lets-wait-and-see approach towards new media. Some early adopters that have popularized certain devices and technology potentially shown others the usefulness in which refers to the practical necessity necessity of it anyways. How will this device enhance the experience, and how does it benefit my personal need.

Ecoli-nization of mobile media

Yes, the mobile telephone has revolutionized personal communication. It is a rapidly changing and advancing industry that some would argue is still in its infancy. As the price for airtime and equiptment continues to become more affordable, the greater potential that the technology will be utilized as execercised necessity. Many have seen the advantages and benefited from mobile communication devices. Emergency situation were mobile communication was essential in saving a life or catching a criminal, the benefits are there. As Rheingold states there is a corresponding disadvantage. Many mobile users do not abide by manufactures safety instructions when operating these devices while driving or at other times when it is actually not safe to operate. While most states have adopted or initiated headset requirements many states still have yet to follow and there has not been any government mandates because it is leaving those laws to state legislation. Teenage drivers using mobile devices and driver inattentiveness have caused numerous numerous accidents and fatalities.

While some features are popular they tend to be so with younger users such as picture/video and texting. While texting is becoming a craze in some culture and I am guilty in using this technology, but it provides an alternative method in instant communication. Texting is useful in relaying information such as numbers or addresses or simply question and answers. It also provides means of either being discrete within a conversation or when listen is impossible because of the environment. It will take some time for other features to gain the the popularity and for users to adopt the technology as some of the other features.

Texting has benefited simple communication. However I'm not so sure I agree with Rheingold comparison that this technology has toppled government or elected presidents. The organized messages that are broadcast are a relatively small and fractional amount. As more mobile capabilities improve it is possible they too will become even more of a necessity.

mediamorphosis x 3

Fiddler assessment of the third stage of media in my opinion is seemingly accurate. Fiddler outlines the 4th media as well and explains the necessities of what speed of the media has meant for the morphisis. Now in the twentieth century as in the nineteenth, the steady progression of commerce and science and technology is providing even more industries than emerged when traditional communications existed. The pace of application or devices usability and compatibility life has changed and seen a more rapid increase than when the railroads intervening necessities need for speed was initially realized. The not so simple task of understanding the basic properties and ability to manipulate electricity continues to be a key technological event. These basic enterprising properties of speed continue to be key to scientist and development of new methods of controlling electricities natural phenomena.

Other key elements that revolutionize media was the ability to transmit information and data quickly. This same principle currently applies to media and communication today, transmitting date and information seamlessly. An additional solution in medias morphisis was the mathematical applications being introduced and applied to electricity. Fiddler analyzes that electricity is a key element that spark initial technological change but I feel that it is more than just that single element . It is also the introduction of other scientific methods ie. the application incoproation with mathematics.

The introduction of radio and its evolution has introduced global communities to rural communities and vice versa, and singularly individuals. As these technologies see their 2 and 3 mediamorphosis, the potential for the continual evolution and introduction to new technologies happens and development at an expedited pace because of market and money making potential.
The initial development that sustained major networks and companies are now finding that the necessity in diversification is key to corporate longevity and company survival. These outlets must offer more ways to bundle services that consumers want and can afford.

Propagating Sound and Capturing Sound CH. 2 & 3

This weeks chapter reading assignment was very informational. Alot was explain as far as how the initial companies that the communities now rely heavily upon were established. From the early stages of semaphores to the development of the telegraph and telephony, and the development of radio and simple transmission we now call broadcast. There were no easy step in these discovery. It also was interesting their explaination of diffusion of these technologies into American and the global cultures. The process from creating from one technology to another help build and spawn creativity and ingenuity and layed the foundation and ground work from many companies and their establishments, and build capitalism as we now know it.

Informing Ourselves To Death

Neil Postman speech that he delivered to German Informatics Society must have left them scratching their heads. With this invitation to speak he outlines the various evils of computers and it's relationship to human interaction. He does make several interesting point but I'm not sure if they were guided in the right direction. Computers should not be looked upon as replacements in everyday life but more as enhancements to it. Computers continue to narrowcast our lives and diffuse past communal interaction. But when does information become too much information, and is that actually possible. Because we tailor our information, respond to mostly silicited materials and reject the unsolicted. A lack of information can be a bigger variable than the author gives credit to. Divorce, War and other comparisons on how a lack of information can be a factor. I thought that alot of the writers analogies simply used the wrong adjectives in attemping to describe how certain processes information was a dominant factor.

Readings: Media Technology and Society-Intro & CH. 1

Interesting reading. I always believe that most invention all began with people like Marconi, Edison, and Morse but to learn that what we now have today in communications beginning infastructure is a combination of ideas and theories built upon predecent technologies and ideas. Each technology is independent in its own way but also dependent on existent technologies. Supervening technologies not only advanced various mediums in communications but affected culture and society as a whole. The different variables about supervening technologies lead you to believe that necessity is possibly not the only factor.

How the internet killed the telephone business

Well, if you were a complete tech junkie you would believe this, However, I do not feel as if this were true just yet. There are new choices in how voice communication is being used and the internet may not be the killer but Cellular/Mobile may be. VOIP is just lastest technology that has concerned the bell companies but at the same time I'm sure that not too many of them are worried. They are probably developing ways to complete with the initial VOIP leaders, just as they did with long distance and with cellulars. Most Bell companies now have significant market shares of the mobile industry. These telecoms cannot no longer simply rely on the former bread and butter of land lines and long distance. They must adjust the way the products are marketed, priced and sold, not only to benefit and retain the consumers, but to remain competitive with new technologies and medias.

Comments: Social Aspects of New Media Technologies...

The five main theories that were outlined by researchers; uses & gratification, critical mass, diffusion, media system dependency and social theoretical perspectives all have relevance to their applications. But as the authors stated with technology changing ever so rapidly it is sometime difficult to categorizes new media within one theory. Also, most researchers of Media consumption are correct and new media can be directly correlated to it gratifications. These enhancements and improvements to new technology and the either embrace it or reject it theory limit the potential of the technology and ultimately creates additional theories, uses and technologies. Thus, continuing the cycle.

First Post

Well... This is my first post for MCDM-UW. This blogspace is reserved for COM 546: Evolution Trends in Digital Media-K.Gill, Instructor