User generated content means the expansion of social networking sites and its technological enhancements.
In my opinion, facebook is the only way that people are able to communicate free of charge, with people they do not see everyday. I know that since ive left school, i have only stayed in contact with my friends because of facebook. Without social networking sites, i think it would be very difficult for me to stay in contact with friends and i would get in trouble for that!!
Its also a good way to look at other peoples pictures etc. Its a routine now too, i look at my facebook a lot! and without it, i would be a little lost if im honest.
What does everyone else think? Is anyone else obsessed? Do you think that as a society, we are all obsessed with new media technologies. There are always new additions online now, especially on facebook. I always get requests to upload the newest file to add to my profile!! its really annoying actually!!
Monday, 18 February 2008
Monday, 11 February 2008
Task2- week3. 'Public Message Boards'
'The Sun' newspaper discussion board.
Topic- Entertainment- 'Amy Winehouse'.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/discussions/posts/list/AMY_WHINEHOUSE-23786.page
In this forum, people were all discussing Amy Winehouse and her problems at the moment.
The first thing i noticed was that everyone was using smiley faces. Is this because they were actually smiling while writing it- or because they wanted to put across the idea that they felt this was a funny topic? Im not so sure. I no that people write LOL (laugh out loud) a lot in online conversations. But i very rarely am laughing out loud!
The names people were using were ones like 'Lucy78', 'Casmatch' and 'Corless'. The only one we know anything about is Luct78. Its unlikely that she is 78 years old & know anything about Amy Winehouse, but maybe its her birth year? You can guess some things about her. But then again, how do you know that she is actually called Lucy? Maybe its a man called Bob from Newcastle pretending. You just don't know!!!
From that, i believe that in discussion/message boards, you do not have an identity and you are able to write exactly what you want without feeling any real problem with doing so.
The language used in these were similar to that of a conversation really, with the occasional 'u' instead of 'you'. But then thats what you expect when having a conversation about Amy Winehouse, its something quite modern and informal, so using informal language is expected.
I think online discussion boards are similar to using IM's like MSN, what does everyone else think?
Topic- Entertainment- 'Amy Winehouse'.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/discussions/posts/list/AMY_WHINEHOUSE-23786.page
In this forum, people were all discussing Amy Winehouse and her problems at the moment.
The first thing i noticed was that everyone was using smiley faces. Is this because they were actually smiling while writing it- or because they wanted to put across the idea that they felt this was a funny topic? Im not so sure. I no that people write LOL (laugh out loud) a lot in online conversations. But i very rarely am laughing out loud!
The names people were using were ones like 'Lucy78', 'Casmatch' and 'Corless'. The only one we know anything about is Luct78. Its unlikely that she is 78 years old & know anything about Amy Winehouse, but maybe its her birth year? You can guess some things about her. But then again, how do you know that she is actually called Lucy? Maybe its a man called Bob from Newcastle pretending. You just don't know!!!
From that, i believe that in discussion/message boards, you do not have an identity and you are able to write exactly what you want without feeling any real problem with doing so.
The language used in these were similar to that of a conversation really, with the occasional 'u' instead of 'you'. But then thats what you expect when having a conversation about Amy Winehouse, its something quite modern and informal, so using informal language is expected.
I think online discussion boards are similar to using IM's like MSN, what does everyone else think?
Task1- week3. 'Identity within social networking sites'
Having an identity online is something which is so different to having one in person. People are able to use their imaginations to guess what sort of person you are. Im not sure whether this is right.
There has been a lot in the media recently about Facebook and privacy etc. I found an interesting site online that underlined the privacy issues within Facebook and its really good, so check it out. http://www.danah.org/papers/FacebookAndPrivacy.html (hope it works)
In relation to not putting your full name on your account, not only on facebook, but other sites too. Im not too sure about it, I think there is not really any real need to put both names, because me saying ellie, rather than ellie keene, doesnt really make much difference. The only thing it would do, would be to confuse your friends online as to which ellie you were. Does anyone think there are major problems with doing this?
I think there are a few risks with not saying who you really are online. You have this instant trust with people online and without knowing it, you are actually trusting this person is who they say they are......then again, why shouldnt we trust them?
Personally nothing has ever happened to me on social networking sites such as Facebook, that puts me in any danger. The only thing i have done recentlyis taken off my birthday and mobile number because apparently people can hack into your bank accounts or something like that.
Going back to the idea of trust. It is funny that we trust people so easily online, if someone were to be lying about their age or name face to face, it would be easier to see if they were lying. Online, we just have option to believe them!
With regards to discussing online groups. I think that it is really easy to put up this barrier and pretend you are something you are not. Like in a discussion board, it is easy online to pretend you know what others are talking about and you can easily change your identity to fit into specific groups.
What does everyone else think? Are we silly to believe everything online? Or as a society, do we simply just believe it because we have no choice but to?
There has been a lot in the media recently about Facebook and privacy etc. I found an interesting site online that underlined the privacy issues within Facebook and its really good, so check it out. http://www.danah.org/papers/FacebookAndPrivacy.html (hope it works)
In relation to not putting your full name on your account, not only on facebook, but other sites too. Im not too sure about it, I think there is not really any real need to put both names, because me saying ellie, rather than ellie keene, doesnt really make much difference. The only thing it would do, would be to confuse your friends online as to which ellie you were. Does anyone think there are major problems with doing this?
I think there are a few risks with not saying who you really are online. You have this instant trust with people online and without knowing it, you are actually trusting this person is who they say they are......then again, why shouldnt we trust them?
Personally nothing has ever happened to me on social networking sites such as Facebook, that puts me in any danger. The only thing i have done recentlyis taken off my birthday and mobile number because apparently people can hack into your bank accounts or something like that.
Going back to the idea of trust. It is funny that we trust people so easily online, if someone were to be lying about their age or name face to face, it would be easier to see if they were lying. Online, we just have option to believe them!
With regards to discussing online groups. I think that it is really easy to put up this barrier and pretend you are something you are not. Like in a discussion board, it is easy online to pretend you know what others are talking about and you can easily change your identity to fit into specific groups.
What does everyone else think? Are we silly to believe everything online? Or as a society, do we simply just believe it because we have no choice but to?
Monday, 4 February 2008
Task 2- week2. 'Blogging'
Blogging is a good form of communication, it allows us as users to be able to clearly see others work and allows us time to look through it in our own time and to comment on our views in relation to various topics. I think it allows us a lot more thinking time, which make our comments better.
Similar to any other genres?
I would argue that using blogs to communicate is very similar to other forms of communication such as using msn or other instant messaging sites. This is because people are able to communicate with others by using language that we are all comfortable with using. We are able to feel as though we are having an informal conversation with others about issues that we are interested in.
The only downside and difference to blogging, is that it doesnt always have an instant reply like msn does. Meaning you would have to check your blog regularly to be able to see what else is going on. It means that you need to get into a routine of checking your blog just like how often you check your facebook!
What do others think about blogging? do you think that it is easier once you get in the routine of checking it?
Language
If you think about it, in a seminar, you do not speak in a formal manner. So it would be silly to suddenly start typing formal words when doing your blog. I think using an informal everyday language makes blooging feel less educational and more like having a normal conversation with other people.
If we were forced into using academic language, I think it would make us all find blogging difficult. We would be trying too hard to please others, rather than actually thinking about what we were writing. What does everyone else think? Do you think using a more relaxed, informal language makes it easier for us to communicate on here, or do you think we may become bone idle if we feel as though its an informal thing?
Similar to any other genres?
I would argue that using blogs to communicate is very similar to other forms of communication such as using msn or other instant messaging sites. This is because people are able to communicate with others by using language that we are all comfortable with using. We are able to feel as though we are having an informal conversation with others about issues that we are interested in.
The only downside and difference to blogging, is that it doesnt always have an instant reply like msn does. Meaning you would have to check your blog regularly to be able to see what else is going on. It means that you need to get into a routine of checking your blog just like how often you check your facebook!
What do others think about blogging? do you think that it is easier once you get in the routine of checking it?
Language
If you think about it, in a seminar, you do not speak in a formal manner. So it would be silly to suddenly start typing formal words when doing your blog. I think using an informal everyday language makes blooging feel less educational and more like having a normal conversation with other people.
If we were forced into using academic language, I think it would make us all find blogging difficult. We would be trying too hard to please others, rather than actually thinking about what we were writing. What does everyone else think? Do you think using a more relaxed, informal language makes it easier for us to communicate on here, or do you think we may become bone idle if we feel as though its an informal thing?
Friday, 1 February 2008
task1-week2, 'Time, Authority and Identity'
Obviously typing out certain things takes up a lot more time than saying them. Hpwever, when you type things you are concentrating on this and this only. When you are in a seminar, you can be easily distracted by others around you and that could affect the point you wish to put across.
Although it is time consuming, when you get into the routine of doing your blog, it becomes easier. Having an online blogging system instead of a seminar, allows you to think a lot more about what you are writing and allows you to put everything you need down without anyone saying anything or interupting you.
Authority & Identity
Because it is your blog you are the person in charge of what you say. Others are invited to contribute, however, you are the one who is free to say exactly what you wish.
However, becuase you are aware that a tutor is looking over what you are writing, its inevitable that what you are trying to say needs to be easily decoded by him/her. You are trying to write down what you know they would like to hear. This is similar to a seminar where you are trying to answer in the best way possible.
What do others think? Is it something you are in full control of, or do you think you are influenced by what you think is expected of you?
Although it is time consuming, when you get into the routine of doing your blog, it becomes easier. Having an online blogging system instead of a seminar, allows you to think a lot more about what you are writing and allows you to put everything you need down without anyone saying anything or interupting you.
Authority & Identity
Because it is your blog you are the person in charge of what you say. Others are invited to contribute, however, you are the one who is free to say exactly what you wish.
However, becuase you are aware that a tutor is looking over what you are writing, its inevitable that what you are trying to say needs to be easily decoded by him/her. You are trying to write down what you know they would like to hear. This is similar to a seminar where you are trying to answer in the best way possible.
What do others think? Is it something you are in full control of, or do you think you are influenced by what you think is expected of you?
Task one- week2, 'Expression & 'interaction'
It is not as easy to express yourself when writing down issues i do not belive. I think that being able to communicate in person face-to-face is a better way to communicate ideas as you are able to see facial expressions of others. For example, when in a seminar, you are able to see when people are agreeing or disagreeing or do not understand, therefore things such as facial expressions and being able to see each other is an important factor which is missing when doing an online seminar.
Taking turns is also a way in which we are bought up to be able to understand each other. The whole point of a conversation is to take it in turns within a conversation. Allowing other people to have their say is an important factor in a conversation. Without this you would just have one person talking and the other one listening.
Asking questions is a good way to make it obvious that taking turns is the normal thing to do within a conversation. This then allows others to answer and to bring up their issues.
If you have not been socialised into doing this basic language expectancy then you would find doing this forum difficult as you would not ask questions to each other, allowing them their time for their say.
Does anyone else agree? i think that it is a good practice for us to do things such as tasks online, but sometimes find it difficult to put across my points.
Taking turns is also a way in which we are bought up to be able to understand each other. The whole point of a conversation is to take it in turns within a conversation. Allowing other people to have their say is an important factor in a conversation. Without this you would just have one person talking and the other one listening.
Asking questions is a good way to make it obvious that taking turns is the normal thing to do within a conversation. This then allows others to answer and to bring up their issues.
If you have not been socialised into doing this basic language expectancy then you would find doing this forum difficult as you would not ask questions to each other, allowing them their time for their say.
Does anyone else agree? i think that it is a good practice for us to do things such as tasks online, but sometimes find it difficult to put across my points.
Task one- week2, 'Navigation'
I found navigating around this forum difficult at first. I suppose it is because it was something I wasn't used to. Also, because i associate going online and having conversations with friends as something that I relate back to my leisurely activity.
I believe that it is something that takes a lot of getting used to, and online seminars is a way in which we can communicate to each other without feeling uncomfortable or having enough time to do so. Livingstone's point in lecture 2 is valid and I believe we would talk about more online than what we would do in a seminar.
However, I would also argue that it is in fact not easier. We do not have the time to actually communicate with tutors, which could effect our way of thinking. Also, it may be easy to become lazy when doing an online seminar, atleast in seminars you are forced into speaking by tutors!
I think to do an online seminar, you need to have the type of media experience to do it properly. Issues such as typing and being able to navigate around the forum becomes a major issue and without having prior knowledge, you may become confused.
I believe that it is something that takes a lot of getting used to, and online seminars is a way in which we can communicate to each other without feeling uncomfortable or having enough time to do so. Livingstone's point in lecture 2 is valid and I believe we would talk about more online than what we would do in a seminar.
However, I would also argue that it is in fact not easier. We do not have the time to actually communicate with tutors, which could effect our way of thinking. Also, it may be easy to become lazy when doing an online seminar, atleast in seminars you are forced into speaking by tutors!
I think to do an online seminar, you need to have the type of media experience to do it properly. Issues such as typing and being able to navigate around the forum becomes a major issue and without having prior knowledge, you may become confused.
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