My New Media Class - So Far

As the semester is merely pass the middle, I have learned the various types of Old Media vs. New Media and their technologies. With the sense of media changing everyday the need for new technology comes as a burden. Some of these technologies include YouTube which replace the film, Itunes replace the CD, Netflix replace the DVD, wikis, podcasts, and ebooks. Also apart of New Media, are social networking sites such as Facebook, Myspace, Twitter & Match.com. The internet is essential for these New Media because the advancement over Old Media is at the ease of the user and availiblity. In order to access any of these New Media the internet must be present. Whether your downloading the latest songs, watching a movie, or conversing with friends on social network sites you must be connected to the World Wide Web.

New Media are replacing Old Media to the availability of new technology. With the internet many companies have made it easier for their customers to recieve their services at the ease of a "click." Old Media refers more to a hard copy such as newspaper, books, cd whereas New Media is digital and can be access anywhere with a computer and internet access.

Cited Readings: Friedman, Linda. "Old Media, New Media." 2009. Baruch College.

Modeling Reality With Virtual Worlds

Virtual Worlds are becoming the new essence of the technological boom. It is normal to now apply these worlds to actual locations in the real world. Virtual Worlds allow users to explore the environment and interact with new people and information. Similar to Social Networking, it allows it users to communicate and interact, enabling them to share ideas and developing their own models. Virtual Worlds allow people to create characters with unique features which they'd wish to have but don't. For example, The Sims was one of the first games to introduce a virtual world were the players can create a character who would live a natural life just like we do, but everything was to the users discretion. This is not wrong, it can / have help many before to express themselves and practice interacting with society playing a role related to their identity. Virtual Worlds are a great experience if the user can control their sense of reality seperating the virtual world from the real world.

The only dark side I can a virtual world having is its mind control. It can build a urge that may control the users belief as to what is real and what is not. The joy the user gets from this world might be his/her escape for happiness creating a false sense of reality. Overall, Virtual Worlds can be a great experience for those with self-control, it can help a user better themselves and work on issues they face but do not address in the real world.

Social Networking

Social Networking Technologies have many advantages to them and can be used in numerous ways. The most common way of use is keeping in contact with family and old friends or reacquainting themselves with someone from their past. Large companies such as (Yahoo, Coach, Microsoft, etc) advertise new products and services which offers a new reach of marketing bringing business opportunities. Other ways these technologies are used for advice and feedback. Some organizations have even created charities and fundraisers solely from the use of social networking technologies. For many this new technology is a form of exposure to of their talents, Musicians often promote themselves allowing users to listen to their works and being able to provide opinions. Social Networking Technologies offer the advantage to express yourself however it may be.

Not all social networking technologies reflect pure goodness, theres always the "dark side." When subscribing to a social network, you easily open access to spam being sent to your email and allowing others to know your whereabouts. Sure, Facebook & Myspace allow users to post pictures, comment on others wall, or even learn about someone base on their profile info but theres the down side. As mentioned in class lecture notes, Social Network sites open the door to sexual harassment with inapproiate comments and random messages. This can lead to people being stalk, and or even rape. Although these sites offer a variety of privacy settings it is your choice as to who you allow to be your friend and whether or not their trustworthy.

What i like about these sites is it versatality. They allow you to express yourself in ways you cant in your everyday life, whether its updating your status or uploading a video or idea you never thought would be a success but just wanted a random persons feedback. Social Network Technologies can become a self esteem builder or make that one person who thought theyd be a nobody become that next big thing.