Well, for the last couple of weeks, we have had no blogging tasks, so I'm just going to do my own exam revision.
Chow!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Assignment!
Perez- Blogger or Journalist?
Perez Hilton is making his mark on the world. Even if you haven’t heard of the proclaimed entertainer, he is sure to draw an interest from you. Firstly we will examine Perez as a person. His education, talents and setbacks are sure to amaze you from the beginning. Secondly, we will focus on the qualities of a blogger, exploring Hilton’s own blog. Following that, the characteristics of a journalist will be explored. Further more, we will examine what journalists do and how they report in today’s society. Does Perez fall under this category as well? Lastly, we will focus on how a journalist and a blogger differ, drawing from Perez’s own lifestyle and experience.
So exactly who is Perez Hilton? Perez is actually Mario Lavandeira and was born on the 23rd of March 1978, in Miami, Florida, USA (IMDb 2008). He studied at New York University and received an honours on graduation (IGN 2008), and later studied at the Tisch school of Arts and received a B.F.A in drama (IGN 2008). Early on, Lavandeira worked as a freelance journalist for gay publications. (Paper Publishing Company 2008). Lavandeira started his own celebrity gossip blog in 2004, called Pagesixsixsix, a take on the famous gossip column on page six in the New York Post (IGN Entertainment 2008). According to IGN Entertainment (2008), it wasn’t too long before the blog earned a reputation “of being Hollywood’s most hated website.” In turn, The New York post sued Lavandeira, making him change his blog name (IGN Entertainment 2008). It’s not hard to work out where his name was derived from. Lavandeira came up with the idea of Perez Hilton, a fictitious cousin of the infamous socialite Paris Hilton, to replace Pagesixsixsix (Paper Publishing Company 2008). He has since reaped the benefits’ of using such a blogging name as Perez Hilton.
Blogging is fast becoming a popular media outlet. Blogging can be described as a webpage produced online by individuals where anyone can add their ideas and thoughts (Passante, 2007: 231). And you don’t have to have any qualifications to start a blog. According to Crucial Marketing (2007), a blog is “a frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links.” Anyone can write about anything on a blog, however, to be credible, the individual must be established and have readers (Passante, 2007:234). Perez first set up his Hollywood gossip blog perezhilton.com in late 2005. Perez first hit success when he produced the first pictures of power couple Brad and Angelina (IGN Entertainment 2008). Since then, he has achieved world wide success. According to Elizabeth Day (2007), Perez’s website is “an indefinable mishmash of exclusive celebrity gossip, acerbic put-downs and precisely targeted humiliation, which now has 2.6 million visitors a month.” Quite good considering he started out with an ordinary blog. But where does journalism fit in with this entertainer we know as Perez?
Journalism is a big part of today’s society. But exactly what they do is another issue. According to editor Allan R. Andrew (1997), “a journalist combines a sense of curiosity, civic concern, idealism, a love of words, and a craftsman's attention to detail in trying to chronicle human activity in the everyday world.” But this definition cannot stand alone. Journalists also create debates and forums whilst keeping the public informed on current issues (Conley 2002: 8). According to Jane Johnston (1997: 16), it is the media’s job to inform, entertain and act as watchdogs over issues involving society. Journalists communicate with society by conveying a message through words spoken or written and pictures (Pelusey et al 2005: 4). It appears that Perez does this quite successfully on his blog. He has knowledge of the basic law system which journalists must be aware of (Pearson 1997:7). Journalists should also have core values including accuracy, fairness and balance, reflecting the diversity of the reader, reporting with an open mind and committing to their reader (Committee of Concerned Journalists 2008). According to the Committee of Concerned Journalists (2008) “the journalist should be a provider of reliable, verified, true information- even a seeker of truth.” So it can be said that a journalist is a conveyer of reliable information to the public. But not anyone can be called a journalist. A degree will get you in the door, but no training program alone will create a successful journalist (Conley 2005: 8). A journalist must educate oneself, study and not just read newspapers, and not have an interest in a current affairs, but a curiosity that expands outside the boundaries (Conley 2005: 8). As Conley (2005:8) stated “journalists aspire to become a fly on the wall.” So Perez has the second quality that Conley suggested. The fact that he educates himself and directs his curiosity outside newspapers and current affairs. Although Perez has completed university, it has never been stated anywhere that he completed a journalism degree. Therefore, Perez has some of he qualities of a journalism, but cannot be called a journalist alone.
Journalism and Blogging have some similarities, however they also differ greatly from each other. It can be said that Blogging will be the way of the future. Journalists not only have to worry about other reporters gathering their scopes before them, but for average people who happen to be in the right place at the right time breaking their news on their own personal blogs (Passante 2007: 234). According to Christopher Passante (2007: 233), “blogs are not just becoming popular- they are changing the way journalists gather news.” So are journalists starting to depend more and more on blogs? It seems that way. Perez is said to have stated on IMDb.com, Inc. (2008), “I used to be an actor, I used to be a journalist and I used to be a publicist. I know how all these people think.” It seems that Perez has gathered qualities from bloggers and journalists to create an image of an entertainer, by which he swears by. Perez was quoted on Paper Publishing Company (2008), “I like to call myself an entertainer. The way I present my website is as a form of entertainment.” Even though Perez likes to be called an entertainer, he still really is a blogger. He has the characteristics and experience of a journalist and qualities of a blogger, but when it comes down to it, he created a blog. A blog to do one thing- blog about the lives of celebrities.
Mario Lavandeira , or as we like to know him as, Perez Hilton is typically a blogger. He posts his ideas and thoughts on a web blog, along with millions of other everyday people of society. He does however, have many characteristics of a journalist, including his wide sense of curiosity, concern for the world, love of words and pictures and attention to providing the latest information from around the world. Even though it’s hard to clearly distinguish if Perez is a blogger or a journalist, one thing is for sure- Perez Hilton is definitely proving to be a world wide phenomenon, accomplishing renowned success.
Bibliography
Andrews, Allan (1997) Just what is a journalist? Text http://www.toad.net/~andrews/journalist.html (accessed 3 May 2008)
Committee of Concerned Journalists (2008) What is Journalism? Who is a Journalist? Forum Summary Text http://www.concernedjournalists.org/node/290 (accessed 3 May 2008)
Conley, David (2002) The Daily Miracle Oxford University Press New York
Crucial Marketing (2007) Blog Text http://www.marketingterms.com/dictionary/blog/ (accessed 4 May 2008)
Day, Elizabeth (2007) Perez Hilton - The internet's queen of mean Text http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22899596-5012974,00.html Herald Sun (accessed 4 May 2008)
IGN Entertainment (2008) Perez Hilton Text http://www.askmen.com/men/business_politics_60/87_perez_hilton.html (accessed 2 May 2008)
IMDb.com, Inc. (2008) Mario Lavandeira Text http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0491768/ (accessed 2 May 2008)
Johnston, Jane et al (1998) Your guide to a career in Journalism in Australia and New Zealand Allen & Unwin: St Leonards
Paper Publishing Company (2008) Perez Hilton Text http://www.papermag.com/?parid=1337§ion=article (accessed 4 May 2008)
Passante, Christopher (2007) Journalism Penguin Group New York
Pearson, Mark (1997) The journalist’s guide to Media Law Allen &
Unwin: St Leonards
Pelusey, Michal, Pelusey, Jane (2005) The Media Newspapers Macmillan Education Australia Pty Ltd South Yarra
Perez Hilton is making his mark on the world. Even if you haven’t heard of the proclaimed entertainer, he is sure to draw an interest from you. Firstly we will examine Perez as a person. His education, talents and setbacks are sure to amaze you from the beginning. Secondly, we will focus on the qualities of a blogger, exploring Hilton’s own blog. Following that, the characteristics of a journalist will be explored. Further more, we will examine what journalists do and how they report in today’s society. Does Perez fall under this category as well? Lastly, we will focus on how a journalist and a blogger differ, drawing from Perez’s own lifestyle and experience.
So exactly who is Perez Hilton? Perez is actually Mario Lavandeira and was born on the 23rd of March 1978, in Miami, Florida, USA (IMDb 2008). He studied at New York University and received an honours on graduation (IGN 2008), and later studied at the Tisch school of Arts and received a B.F.A in drama (IGN 2008). Early on, Lavandeira worked as a freelance journalist for gay publications. (Paper Publishing Company 2008). Lavandeira started his own celebrity gossip blog in 2004, called Pagesixsixsix, a take on the famous gossip column on page six in the New York Post (IGN Entertainment 2008). According to IGN Entertainment (2008), it wasn’t too long before the blog earned a reputation “of being Hollywood’s most hated website.” In turn, The New York post sued Lavandeira, making him change his blog name (IGN Entertainment 2008). It’s not hard to work out where his name was derived from. Lavandeira came up with the idea of Perez Hilton, a fictitious cousin of the infamous socialite Paris Hilton, to replace Pagesixsixsix (Paper Publishing Company 2008). He has since reaped the benefits’ of using such a blogging name as Perez Hilton.
Blogging is fast becoming a popular media outlet. Blogging can be described as a webpage produced online by individuals where anyone can add their ideas and thoughts (Passante, 2007: 231). And you don’t have to have any qualifications to start a blog. According to Crucial Marketing (2007), a blog is “a frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links.” Anyone can write about anything on a blog, however, to be credible, the individual must be established and have readers (Passante, 2007:234). Perez first set up his Hollywood gossip blog perezhilton.com in late 2005. Perez first hit success when he produced the first pictures of power couple Brad and Angelina (IGN Entertainment 2008). Since then, he has achieved world wide success. According to Elizabeth Day (2007), Perez’s website is “an indefinable mishmash of exclusive celebrity gossip, acerbic put-downs and precisely targeted humiliation, which now has 2.6 million visitors a month.” Quite good considering he started out with an ordinary blog. But where does journalism fit in with this entertainer we know as Perez?
Journalism is a big part of today’s society. But exactly what they do is another issue. According to editor Allan R. Andrew (1997), “a journalist combines a sense of curiosity, civic concern, idealism, a love of words, and a craftsman's attention to detail in trying to chronicle human activity in the everyday world.” But this definition cannot stand alone. Journalists also create debates and forums whilst keeping the public informed on current issues (Conley 2002: 8). According to Jane Johnston (1997: 16), it is the media’s job to inform, entertain and act as watchdogs over issues involving society. Journalists communicate with society by conveying a message through words spoken or written and pictures (Pelusey et al 2005: 4). It appears that Perez does this quite successfully on his blog. He has knowledge of the basic law system which journalists must be aware of (Pearson 1997:7). Journalists should also have core values including accuracy, fairness and balance, reflecting the diversity of the reader, reporting with an open mind and committing to their reader (Committee of Concerned Journalists 2008). According to the Committee of Concerned Journalists (2008) “the journalist should be a provider of reliable, verified, true information- even a seeker of truth.” So it can be said that a journalist is a conveyer of reliable information to the public. But not anyone can be called a journalist. A degree will get you in the door, but no training program alone will create a successful journalist (Conley 2005: 8). A journalist must educate oneself, study and not just read newspapers, and not have an interest in a current affairs, but a curiosity that expands outside the boundaries (Conley 2005: 8). As Conley (2005:8) stated “journalists aspire to become a fly on the wall.” So Perez has the second quality that Conley suggested. The fact that he educates himself and directs his curiosity outside newspapers and current affairs. Although Perez has completed university, it has never been stated anywhere that he completed a journalism degree. Therefore, Perez has some of he qualities of a journalism, but cannot be called a journalist alone.
Journalism and Blogging have some similarities, however they also differ greatly from each other. It can be said that Blogging will be the way of the future. Journalists not only have to worry about other reporters gathering their scopes before them, but for average people who happen to be in the right place at the right time breaking their news on their own personal blogs (Passante 2007: 234). According to Christopher Passante (2007: 233), “blogs are not just becoming popular- they are changing the way journalists gather news.” So are journalists starting to depend more and more on blogs? It seems that way. Perez is said to have stated on IMDb.com, Inc. (2008), “I used to be an actor, I used to be a journalist and I used to be a publicist. I know how all these people think.” It seems that Perez has gathered qualities from bloggers and journalists to create an image of an entertainer, by which he swears by. Perez was quoted on Paper Publishing Company (2008), “I like to call myself an entertainer. The way I present my website is as a form of entertainment.” Even though Perez likes to be called an entertainer, he still really is a blogger. He has the characteristics and experience of a journalist and qualities of a blogger, but when it comes down to it, he created a blog. A blog to do one thing- blog about the lives of celebrities.
Mario Lavandeira , or as we like to know him as, Perez Hilton is typically a blogger. He posts his ideas and thoughts on a web blog, along with millions of other everyday people of society. He does however, have many characteristics of a journalist, including his wide sense of curiosity, concern for the world, love of words and pictures and attention to providing the latest information from around the world. Even though it’s hard to clearly distinguish if Perez is a blogger or a journalist, one thing is for sure- Perez Hilton is definitely proving to be a world wide phenomenon, accomplishing renowned success.
Bibliography
Andrews, Allan (1997) Just what is a journalist? Text http://www.toad.net/~andrews/journalist.html (accessed 3 May 2008)
Committee of Concerned Journalists (2008) What is Journalism? Who is a Journalist? Forum Summary Text http://www.concernedjournalists.org/node/290 (accessed 3 May 2008)
Conley, David (2002) The Daily Miracle Oxford University Press New York
Crucial Marketing (2007) Blog Text http://www.marketingterms.com/dictionary/blog/ (accessed 4 May 2008)
Day, Elizabeth (2007) Perez Hilton - The internet's queen of mean Text http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22899596-5012974,00.html Herald Sun (accessed 4 May 2008)
IGN Entertainment (2008) Perez Hilton Text http://www.askmen.com/men/business_politics_60/87_perez_hilton.html (accessed 2 May 2008)
IMDb.com, Inc. (2008) Mario Lavandeira Text http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0491768/ (accessed 2 May 2008)
Johnston, Jane et al (1998) Your guide to a career in Journalism in Australia and New Zealand Allen & Unwin: St Leonards
Paper Publishing Company (2008) Perez Hilton Text http://www.papermag.com/?parid=1337§ion=article (accessed 4 May 2008)
Passante, Christopher (2007) Journalism Penguin Group New York
Pearson, Mark (1997) The journalist’s guide to Media Law Allen &
Unwin: St Leonards
Pelusey, Michal, Pelusey, Jane (2005) The Media Newspapers Macmillan Education Australia Pty Ltd South Yarra
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Blog 8
Hey All!
Well, we didn't have to do a blog today, but I thought I would just write a couple of points down from the lecture. So here it is ya'll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Cyberpunk is a science fiction genre based in the possibilities inherent in computers, genetics, body modifications and corporate developments in the near future
-William Gibson is a US/Canadian writer whose fictional work has spawned a number of key concepts like 'cyberspace' and 'virtual reality'.
The Matrix pushed the limits of cyberpunk so it became like the bloated soap operas that it had originally scorned. Nevertherless it deals with philosophical issues at some depth
CYBERPUNK THEMES
1. Technology and Mythology
2. Utopia and Dystopia
3. Cities as Machines
4. Technological change
5. Modernism to Postmodernism
New Media, Internet Studies and CyberCultural Studies
New medias include the Internet and various texts in the modern era
Well that's it- nice and short for today!
I have done my essay draft and am quite happy with it. Oviousely some more editing on my behalf and it will be excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chat soon lovelies xxxxx
Well, we didn't have to do a blog today, but I thought I would just write a couple of points down from the lecture. So here it is ya'll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Cyberpunk is a science fiction genre based in the possibilities inherent in computers, genetics, body modifications and corporate developments in the near future
-William Gibson is a US/Canadian writer whose fictional work has spawned a number of key concepts like 'cyberspace' and 'virtual reality'.
The Matrix pushed the limits of cyberpunk so it became like the bloated soap operas that it had originally scorned. Nevertherless it deals with philosophical issues at some depth
CYBERPUNK THEMES
1. Technology and Mythology
2. Utopia and Dystopia
3. Cities as Machines
4. Technological change
5. Modernism to Postmodernism
New Media, Internet Studies and CyberCultural Studies
New medias include the Internet and various texts in the modern era
Well that's it- nice and short for today!
I have done my essay draft and am quite happy with it. Oviousely some more editing on my behalf and it will be excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chat soon lovelies xxxxx
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Blog 7
Blog 7
So we are back again after an awesome long weekend.
Ok I’ll start with the lecture!
Are video games are waste of time?
Today we looked at how people have approached studying video games. We learnt that video game studying is actually a very important business.
Video Games Studies includes the following types of games: Arcade Games, Consoles, Computer Games, MUDs, MMOGs
Video Games have been working together with computer games since Spacewar was first developed in the mid-1960’s.
Approaching Video Games in an Academic Way: Some Theoretical Considerations include:
Media Effects and Games;
The Persistence of Effect;
Games and Utopia;
Thinking about video games as a new form of cultural practise...
In the same way we now think about old media like newspapers, radio, television, films...
What are some ways to approach thinking about games that might be unique to this genre?
Are there questions that are specific to video games that don't apply to any other form?
Narratology vs Ludology
Narratology is the study of video games from the perspective of them being stories or literary works.
Janet Murray who wrote the book 'Hamlet on the Holodeck' is a good example.
Ludology, is not concerned with the story elements of games but rather with the Game Play elements.
Obviousely, however there is more to video games then just the gameplayTechnical Sense- the term computer games has come to light.
Communication- Video games can be a means of communication; early video games contained elements out of movies however the act of actually playing the games was different.
Semiotics- Video Games can be viewed as a media.
However Video Games are just that- GAMES!!!!!!
Should we be studying the game or the player itself? Or should we balance both of them? Factors which come into consideration include:
Fun concept, design emphasis, are games virtual worlds?, what is real and what is virtual?
Tutorial Task
Microsoft Word
I found this exercise quite basic. I did however learn about mail merges which I did not know before. Most of the tasks I had learnt in high school computing, but it was refreshing doing it again. This software will definitely be useful to me if I were to work for a company which uses World.
Microsoft Excel
Again, I found this exercise basic as I had studied it during high school computing. It was good however, to refresh my brain since high school! I use Excel now to budget my finances. I love it. It is so easy to observe where the money is saving (or going) on one sheet of paper.
Well, I’m off to work on my assignment!!!!!
Chow xxxx
So we are back again after an awesome long weekend.
Ok I’ll start with the lecture!
Are video games are waste of time?
Today we looked at how people have approached studying video games. We learnt that video game studying is actually a very important business.
Video Games Studies includes the following types of games: Arcade Games, Consoles, Computer Games, MUDs, MMOGs
Video Games have been working together with computer games since Spacewar was first developed in the mid-1960’s.
Approaching Video Games in an Academic Way: Some Theoretical Considerations include:
Media Effects and Games;
The Persistence of Effect;
Games and Utopia;
Thinking about video games as a new form of cultural practise...
In the same way we now think about old media like newspapers, radio, television, films...
What are some ways to approach thinking about games that might be unique to this genre?
Are there questions that are specific to video games that don't apply to any other form?
Narratology vs Ludology
Narratology is the study of video games from the perspective of them being stories or literary works.
Janet Murray who wrote the book 'Hamlet on the Holodeck' is a good example.
Ludology, is not concerned with the story elements of games but rather with the Game Play elements.
Obviousely, however there is more to video games then just the gameplayTechnical Sense- the term computer games has come to light.
Communication- Video games can be a means of communication; early video games contained elements out of movies however the act of actually playing the games was different.
Semiotics- Video Games can be viewed as a media.
However Video Games are just that- GAMES!!!!!!
Should we be studying the game or the player itself? Or should we balance both of them? Factors which come into consideration include:
Fun concept, design emphasis, are games virtual worlds?, what is real and what is virtual?
Tutorial Task
Microsoft Word
I found this exercise quite basic. I did however learn about mail merges which I did not know before. Most of the tasks I had learnt in high school computing, but it was refreshing doing it again. This software will definitely be useful to me if I were to work for a company which uses World.
Microsoft Excel
Again, I found this exercise basic as I had studied it during high school computing. It was good however, to refresh my brain since high school! I use Excel now to budget my finances. I love it. It is so easy to observe where the money is saving (or going) on one sheet of paper.
Well, I’m off to work on my assignment!!!!!
Chow xxxx
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Blog 6
Hey there!
Well, today’s blog is not going to be that long, as our classes were actually cancelled this week. We did have a lecture though so I will discuss that. There is no set tutorial task due to the cancelled classes, so I will just talk about my Perez assignment!
Lecture
David Cronenberg is a Canadian director who has worked mostly outside the Hollywood but found an audience for his films that melded horror and sci-fi with a deep inquiry into the human body's interaction with technology and how that affects our description of reality.
Cronenberg’s career included movies where science experiments go out of control
Some movies include Shivers (1975), Rabid (1977), The Brood (1979), Scanners (1981).
Another movie, eXistenZ (1999) explores the world of games and how obsessive play can warp reality.
Assignment
I have got well underway with my assignment. I have done my essay plan which I have structured into 6 points. My outline is clear I what I am going to write about and has research to back it up. I am looking forward to writing it. Shock!!!!!!!!
Well, that’s it for this week. Told you it was short!
Well, today’s blog is not going to be that long, as our classes were actually cancelled this week. We did have a lecture though so I will discuss that. There is no set tutorial task due to the cancelled classes, so I will just talk about my Perez assignment!
Lecture
David Cronenberg is a Canadian director who has worked mostly outside the Hollywood but found an audience for his films that melded horror and sci-fi with a deep inquiry into the human body's interaction with technology and how that affects our description of reality.
Cronenberg’s career included movies where science experiments go out of control
Some movies include Shivers (1975), Rabid (1977), The Brood (1979), Scanners (1981).
Another movie, eXistenZ (1999) explores the world of games and how obsessive play can warp reality.
Assignment
I have got well underway with my assignment. I have done my essay plan which I have structured into 6 points. My outline is clear I what I am going to write about and has research to back it up. I am looking forward to writing it. Shock!!!!!!!!
Well, that’s it for this week. Told you it was short!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Blog 5
Back again, after another awesome weekend!!
So first we'll examine the lecture. We talked about the history of the computer and the internet. We started with a video about the history of codes. It was fascinating learning about how codes were used when the Nazi were about. We also watched a clip based on what happens when files are on the Internet. I enjoyed this basic video on how things are processed across the internet.
Early Computer Origins
A few people were discusses in yesterday’s lecture which directly influence computer orihins. They are:
Charles Babbage- designed computer to calculate and print mathematical tables
Ada Byron, Lady Lovelace- designed a computer to play music
Alan Turning- wrote a paper on “The computer of Numbers”, also devised the first working computer The Bombe which was used to break German enigma codes
Computers were first commercially produced by IBM in the 1950s
The following are all computer devices which came about over history…..
Xerox- a photocopier produced in the 1970’s
Apple- home brew meetings, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak produced this primitive machine with no keyboard in the
IPM & Mircrosoft- IPM were not sure if they could produce results, as they did not have the software to do this (the hardware was not a problem). Decided to buy software from Bill Gates (Microsoft). Apple started to slide.
Modern Computer Uses
This is what you and I probably are most familiar with, being the new “computer generation” If you’re not then you are way behind my time!!!
The Internet
The internet is a network of networks. It uses servers, mainframes and personal computers that use CMC and are connected by a phone line or broadband. The idea of the Internet came from RAND Corporation in the 1960s.
****The Internet is not the same as the World Wide Web!!!!!
I bet you didn’t know that!!
World Wide Web (www)
The Web is one particular use of the Internet which came about in the 1990s as people began to see the potential of communicating with other people.
Cyberspace
Cyberspace is the interconnection of reality and imagination, including hardware, software and logic assembly of silicon and electricity on your desk.
Early Internet Applications
Electronic Mail (Email)
So we all know what email is right? Well basically it is an electronic system which sends documents form one sender to the other. EASY!!
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
This is just a system which allows us to download onto your computer with minimum requirements.
Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
This is just a chat system which was popular in the 1990’s- it was the first chat system we used in real time which saw people typing to each other!
MUDs, MOOs, MUSHes, etc.
These are just variants on programs which are referred to as MUDS- online battle games, think dragons and medieval times!!!!
Some more recent applications that I am definitely familiar with are Instant Messenger, Peer-to-Peer file sharing, portable audio and voice chat!
So basically in the lecture we learnt a lot of real terms and discussed where all of these technologies fit in.
Today’s tutorial task was based on Wikipedia.
Article One
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London
This article was based on London including its history, the number of airports present in the area, its population and what lifestyle its society lives. It was an accurate article and gave me an insight into London. It covers all basic facts about the area, and does follow the guidelines for a usefull article. It provides colourful pictures and explanations on important places. It is not biased at all as it just gives the facts about London. I would probably include some information for tourists, as I intented to actually read about things to do in London.
Article Two
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britney_Spears
This article was very useful in giving an insight into anyone who does not know who Britney Spears is. It states her Birth and childhood, her albums and release years, her children, marriage and even how her personal life has received so much media attention since her split from her husband. This article is very accurate and does cover all basic facts that you would need to know to understand a part of her life. I believe it does follow Wikipedia guidelines. I though this article would be biased in that Britney has received so much negative press, but it does not once mention that, rather saying she has received a lot of media attention due to her personal life. If I were to make changes I would probably just include more information on her including all her hits.
So that concludes my tutorial task for this week.
I am still in the process of working on Perez Hilton's status. i have decided to alter my topic in saying "Perez Hilton. Blogger or Journalist?"
I have planned to explore his journalistic qualities and how this helps him to write a blog. He still is a blogger however, as he does not have the requirements to be called a journalist. One of my main points will be his experience with interviewing, daily writing and reporting, which are all journlaistic factors.
Hopefully you will see some more progress next week!!!!!
Chat soon Ya'll
xxxxxxxxxx
So first we'll examine the lecture. We talked about the history of the computer and the internet. We started with a video about the history of codes. It was fascinating learning about how codes were used when the Nazi were about. We also watched a clip based on what happens when files are on the Internet. I enjoyed this basic video on how things are processed across the internet.
Early Computer Origins
A few people were discusses in yesterday’s lecture which directly influence computer orihins. They are:
Charles Babbage- designed computer to calculate and print mathematical tables
Ada Byron, Lady Lovelace- designed a computer to play music
Alan Turning- wrote a paper on “The computer of Numbers”, also devised the first working computer The Bombe which was used to break German enigma codes
Computers were first commercially produced by IBM in the 1950s
The following are all computer devices which came about over history…..
Xerox- a photocopier produced in the 1970’s
Apple- home brew meetings, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak produced this primitive machine with no keyboard in the
IPM & Mircrosoft- IPM were not sure if they could produce results, as they did not have the software to do this (the hardware was not a problem). Decided to buy software from Bill Gates (Microsoft). Apple started to slide.
Modern Computer Uses
This is what you and I probably are most familiar with, being the new “computer generation” If you’re not then you are way behind my time!!!
The Internet
The internet is a network of networks. It uses servers, mainframes and personal computers that use CMC and are connected by a phone line or broadband. The idea of the Internet came from RAND Corporation in the 1960s.
****The Internet is not the same as the World Wide Web!!!!!
I bet you didn’t know that!!
World Wide Web (www)
The Web is one particular use of the Internet which came about in the 1990s as people began to see the potential of communicating with other people.
Cyberspace
Cyberspace is the interconnection of reality and imagination, including hardware, software and logic assembly of silicon and electricity on your desk.
Early Internet Applications
Electronic Mail (Email)
So we all know what email is right? Well basically it is an electronic system which sends documents form one sender to the other. EASY!!
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
This is just a system which allows us to download onto your computer with minimum requirements.
Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
This is just a chat system which was popular in the 1990’s- it was the first chat system we used in real time which saw people typing to each other!
MUDs, MOOs, MUSHes, etc.
These are just variants on programs which are referred to as MUDS- online battle games, think dragons and medieval times!!!!
Some more recent applications that I am definitely familiar with are Instant Messenger, Peer-to-Peer file sharing, portable audio and voice chat!
So basically in the lecture we learnt a lot of real terms and discussed where all of these technologies fit in.
Today’s tutorial task was based on Wikipedia.
Article One
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London
This article was based on London including its history, the number of airports present in the area, its population and what lifestyle its society lives. It was an accurate article and gave me an insight into London. It covers all basic facts about the area, and does follow the guidelines for a usefull article. It provides colourful pictures and explanations on important places. It is not biased at all as it just gives the facts about London. I would probably include some information for tourists, as I intented to actually read about things to do in London.
Article Two
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britney_Spears
This article was very useful in giving an insight into anyone who does not know who Britney Spears is. It states her Birth and childhood, her albums and release years, her children, marriage and even how her personal life has received so much media attention since her split from her husband. This article is very accurate and does cover all basic facts that you would need to know to understand a part of her life. I believe it does follow Wikipedia guidelines. I though this article would be biased in that Britney has received so much negative press, but it does not once mention that, rather saying she has received a lot of media attention due to her personal life. If I were to make changes I would probably just include more information on her including all her hits.
So that concludes my tutorial task for this week.
I am still in the process of working on Perez Hilton's status. i have decided to alter my topic in saying "Perez Hilton. Blogger or Journalist?"
I have planned to explore his journalistic qualities and how this helps him to write a blog. He still is a blogger however, as he does not have the requirements to be called a journalist. One of my main points will be his experience with interviewing, daily writing and reporting, which are all journlaistic factors.
Hopefully you will see some more progress next week!!!!!
Chat soon Ya'll
xxxxxxxxxx
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Blog 4
Blog 4
Hey everyone!!!
Today’s lecture was about Wikipedia. So, you thought Wikipedia was a reliable source! Wrong! Wikipedia can be edited by anyone who has access to the internet. It should never be treated as a source for a university assignment. It should only be used as a quick overview if needed.
Lee Cox’s information is an example of just how unreliable Wikipedia really is. Stephen Stockwell edited the information to suit him, and wrote completely untrue claims.
So what exactly is the truth?
Correspondence Theory: Just the facts - observable, measurable
Coherence Theory: Does it fit together and make sense?
Performative Theory: I do declare
Social Theory: What can we agree on?
The Matrix study showed gave us a glimpse into the future, in that machine’s take over controlling society. It asks us whether machines have already taken over society in the present day.
Many people have tried to distinguish the line between virtual world and reality, but often it is becoming so blurred it is impossible to distinguish between the two. The following people have come up with their own terms of explaining the phenomenon.
Guy Debord = 'Society of Spectacle'
Umberto Eco = 'Hyper-reality'
Jean Baudrillard = 'Simulacrum'
William Gibson = 'Cyberspace as Consensual Hallucination'
Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari = 'Becoming Media'
Tutorial Task
How do the ideas from Walter Benjamin's "Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction" apply to contemporary digital media?
Walter Benjamin explains that Mass production enables all people to view digital movies and not just the elite sort. This type of production is much better suited to today’s society. A quote from the article I like is “Quantity has been transmuted into quality,” basically saying that over time we have supplied much more quality in digitally enhanced films.
There was a time when "Art" was made by artists who were skilled professionals. Now that anyone with a computer can create things digitally (music, images, videos, etc), what does that mean for "art"?
This now means that art can be seen by anyone and created by anyone. Basically everyone’s ideas of what art it can be seen. It can give people the chance who don’t normally publish art to do so.
Is a photoshopped image "authentic"?
Of course a photoshopped image is not authentic. How can something in a magazine which has been airbrushed to the max be called real?
Do digital "things" have an "aura" (in Benjamin's terms)?
Media such as music, images and video are a form of art which is expressed by mass media. The “aura” refers to people’s sense of awe they have to these such productions. These digital medias provoke feelings and opinions, and so are considered to have an aura.
I have also chosen my topic for my essay:
Perez Hilton. Amateur Blogger or experienced Journalist?
I'll chat again next week, when my assignment is further down its track!!!!!!!!!!
Hey everyone!!!
Today’s lecture was about Wikipedia. So, you thought Wikipedia was a reliable source! Wrong! Wikipedia can be edited by anyone who has access to the internet. It should never be treated as a source for a university assignment. It should only be used as a quick overview if needed.
Lee Cox’s information is an example of just how unreliable Wikipedia really is. Stephen Stockwell edited the information to suit him, and wrote completely untrue claims.
So what exactly is the truth?
Correspondence Theory: Just the facts - observable, measurable
Coherence Theory: Does it fit together and make sense?
Performative Theory: I do declare
Social Theory: What can we agree on?
The Matrix study showed gave us a glimpse into the future, in that machine’s take over controlling society. It asks us whether machines have already taken over society in the present day.
Many people have tried to distinguish the line between virtual world and reality, but often it is becoming so blurred it is impossible to distinguish between the two. The following people have come up with their own terms of explaining the phenomenon.
Guy Debord = 'Society of Spectacle'
Umberto Eco = 'Hyper-reality'
Jean Baudrillard = 'Simulacrum'
William Gibson = 'Cyberspace as Consensual Hallucination'
Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari = 'Becoming Media'
Tutorial Task
How do the ideas from Walter Benjamin's "Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction" apply to contemporary digital media?
Walter Benjamin explains that Mass production enables all people to view digital movies and not just the elite sort. This type of production is much better suited to today’s society. A quote from the article I like is “Quantity has been transmuted into quality,” basically saying that over time we have supplied much more quality in digitally enhanced films.
There was a time when "Art" was made by artists who were skilled professionals. Now that anyone with a computer can create things digitally (music, images, videos, etc), what does that mean for "art"?
This now means that art can be seen by anyone and created by anyone. Basically everyone’s ideas of what art it can be seen. It can give people the chance who don’t normally publish art to do so.
Is a photoshopped image "authentic"?
Of course a photoshopped image is not authentic. How can something in a magazine which has been airbrushed to the max be called real?
Do digital "things" have an "aura" (in Benjamin's terms)?
Media such as music, images and video are a form of art which is expressed by mass media. The “aura” refers to people’s sense of awe they have to these such productions. These digital medias provoke feelings and opinions, and so are considered to have an aura.
I have also chosen my topic for my essay:
Perez Hilton. Amateur Blogger or experienced Journalist?
I'll chat again next week, when my assignment is further down its track!!!!!!!!!!
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