The Newest Thing Presentation

Monkey Bites definitely keeps one informed on the happenings in the technology world of today. The topics featured are so varied. Everything from “stikkit”, the digital post it note… to “blogmailr” which allows you to email posts to your blog …to “nottr” an application that organizes your notes for you. The topics are endless.

The one topic of conversation that came up continuously was how to download music from one’s iPod. I don’t even own an iPod and I found myself caught up in the details of whether or not it was possible. Several “cross platform solutions” as they were termed were identified. Programs like iPodRip were available for Mac as well as Windows users, as well as iPod Access that also interfaced well with Mac and Windows. After all was said and done, Monkey Bites seemed to identify Yamipod as the preferred option for retrieving ones favorite playlists. As a result of all the iPod discussion one thing is for certain, I’m getting an iPod for Christmas.


Another neat site that Monkey Bites introduced me to was RockYou. This site allows you to upload your photos and create really cool slideshows equipped with neat graphics and music. I upload my husband’s tux photo and incorporated the “James Bond” theme song along with the “Casino Royale” chips floating graphic and created my own personal 007 agent. (Smile) This is a creative tool that I will be using for personal photos from now on.

One other topic that I must mention was about Flixster. This “social networking site” is centered on movies. The site allows you to rate as well as preview movies. You can check out movie reviews, make recommendations to your friends, and play the “never ending movie quiz”. For frequent movie watchers this is a must "check-out".

Lastly, I have to include the Line Rider as one of my favorite newest things learned from this class. Thanks to the E-entertainment group, I’m hooked. The line rider is so cool! I’ve gotten pretty good at it, and now my little sleigh rider is flipping through hoops and tunnels. If you haven’t tried the game, visit linerider.com and give it a try.

Monkey Bites is a great resource and one site that will be on my bookmark forever.

Well Its About Time...

Or is it? When I saw this blog message "Games 4 Girls Gamestop" I thought well its about time. How neat is this? Finally, us women have games specifically for us. Who says we're not interested in having a little fun during our downtime? Unfortunately, some of the female critics thought the Bratz and Barbie games with all the pink frilly stuff was a bit much. The gripe was it doesn't appeal to women who are already into games. Perhaps this explains my interest in the pink, cutesy games. I'm not an avid game player so what do I know. I thought the intentions of the game industry were admirable. According, to ardent female game players it wasn't. It was a smack in the face. The game industry is marketing to young girls, and not adult women who want games in the games section marketed to them. Sounds like the game industry is missing out on some big bucks. Perhaps, in time, the "ole boys club" of the game industry will learn that they need some women representation to help market games to women. What's FUBU's philosophy? "For Us By Us". I think the same could apply here.

The slick, mini device called iPod is changing the way people enjoy music. These super, cool devices can hold up to 20,000 songs! Some even allow you to download up to 25,000 pictures as well as, hours of video. In my opinion, this little gadget has revolutionized the wonkman, sound systems, digital cameras and DVD's. You can hold just about everything on this little device that fits into the palm of your hand.

The iPod can come with cases, or car kits, or loading docks for "convenient syncing." I even saw in the JCPenney catalog where your iPod can be docked on clock/radio allowing you to listen to your favorite playlists anywhere in your home. According to the catalogue description it "works with all iPod models and recharges the batteries while plugged in".

Believe it or not, for the first time a week ago, I got a chance to see a real, deal iPod. A co-worker in the office was working away while she was plugged in via "earbuds" listening to her favorite playlist. The device was so tiny. I was amazed at how much music it held. She explained to me that she simple downloaded music from her PC or from iTunes. She had enough music that she could listen to for days without having to repeat a song. Really neat technology.

According to wikipedia, "The iPod is currently the world's best-selling digital audio player and its worldwide mainstream adoption makes it one of the most popular consumer brands". After witnessing my co-worker's iPod, I am definitely adding this gadget to my Christmas list.

One of the challenges faced with the popular iPod gadget is how to get your music off of the iPod. According to Monkey Bites, it is not easy. "In fact, using only the tools provided by Apple, is impossible; there is no way to transfer songs from an iPod to anywhere else." The reason for this is so consumers won't go around copying one another's music from their iPod. But Monkey Bites explains that there are a number of very legitimate reasons why one may need to "transfer songs from an iPod to your hard drive. For instance, suppose your hard drive crashes taking all your MP3 with it? What if the capacity of your iPod is larger than your notebook hard drive and, as you load music onto your iPod, you delete it off your hard drive to conserve space?"

This seems reasonable to me. But I believe the iPod brings up the entire issue of music piracy and how to properly monitor or enforce music downloads. I'm not sure that I understand how different this is from the old days of taping music from the radio or copying a tape from my neighbor. Anyways, one thing is certain people are, and will learn how to transfer music from their iPod. The question I raise is, will it be legal?

“Show Me the Money”

Intro

As many know and understand, the Internet has changed not only how we communicate, but how we conduct business. This has become increasingly apparent in the music, film and entertainment industries. The impact of the Internet on these industries has created many “controversial issues surrounding the distribution and consumption of online music”. (Web Studies, 203) Other forms of on-line entertainment, such as computer games, have also changed e-commerce and the video game market forever.

“You’re on Candid Camera”

That’s right. Thanks to sites like YouTube.com you could be an aspiring actress or creative film producer in the making. YouTube is described as “on-line video streaming service.” (YouTube.com) The best part is it’s free to its members and you can not only create videos but share them with your family and friends. The videos are easy to view and you can search for subjects and/or categories that interest you. The only equipment required is “a device that can capture digital movies—this could be a camcorder, digital camera, or even your cell phone”, (YouTube.com) it’s that easy. You can also upload a video from Windows MovieMaker.

Even power house search engines like Google are banking on success of companies like YouTube. In fact, Google recently purchased the company from founders Chad Hurley and Steven Chen for $1.65 billion. The founders apparently have hit the jackpot, but what about Google? Google is looking ahead at the possibility of “evolving community-powered broadband world” (AdWeek). This venture is destined to have an impact on video ads. Some analysts say this may develop into a new advertising form that will enable more watches of an ad by viewers, versus the ad spots that often times interrupt a viewer online. Google would utilize the matching system, or “tagging” technique of YouTube. If you are viewing a video about real estate property you would have a video advertising option such as mortgage financing or realtors.

All this sounds great, but what are the downsides, if any? Experts say, that “YouTube's tags are haphazardly used and personalization could be deemed a privacy intrusion by users” (AdWeek). Is this a violation of privacy? Others feel that Google has bumped their heads, and that the risk of a lawsuit is way too high.

According to Google CEO Eric Schmidt says it’s "the beginning of the Internet video revolution." Only time will tell.

With a little patience, I too learned how to create a video. If I can learn how, anyone can. Trust me and create your own video. (Please note that you can keep your video private and only accessible by family and/or friends. Be mindful, it can take a long time to load and lots of patience.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REAx62el34w

See how Redbull is making great use YouTube for advertising. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-HGLA6SvfQ

“Music Maestro”

According to Castells in the Internet Galaxy, “the Internet is transforming business practice…and proving to be a key source of productivity and competitiveness for all kinds of business.” This is evident in the online music industry. In the early 1990’s consumers that were “plugged in” began to share and disseminated music via the Internet. MP3.com, a site that allows user to download music for free, helped to decentralize the “model of intellectual exchange”…”where a network of independent producers and consumers shared their own music and information on a non-monetary basis” which was not previously possible. (Gauntlett & Horsley, 205). For many music corporations this was a concern and it violated the corporation’s copyrights. Also, there was the concern of music being extracted “from copyrighted CDs into mp3 format for personal use and exchanged over the Internet Relay Chat or posting them up on websites” (Gauntlett & Horsley, 206).

According to Ian Dobie, fair use and copyright issues are more about “maintaining the status quo of the market-place”, and not protection for the rights holder’s. MP3.com has had its share of ups and downs, with lawsuits and acquisitions. Through it all they have created an established “legitimate market for independent music”, but can they maintain it?

Pac-man Days are Long Gone

Nowadays, creative abilities are mostly valued in the game industry. Specifically, businesses are seeking “creative design and scripting, software programming, project management and production, and systems development” (Flew, 105). Atari’s Pac-man is archaic and users today want “ongoing interactive dialogue” (Flew, 107). There is a game culture which feeds off of “collective intelligence”.

Popular online video games such as Planetside.com allow users to join a military outfit and fight off bad guys and alien creatures with rifles, chain guns, pistols and grenades. While you play you can chat on-line with your fellow comrades from around the globe and even beyond (Canada and England).

Other innovative and truly far out games our virtual games. For example, CNN Money.com talks about the future of video games where players use their bodies as controls and images are actually projected on the sides of skyscrapers. (Click here to read the article. http://money.cnn.com/2006/09/27/magazines/business2/realworld.biz2/index.htm)

Video games are definitely on the rise and are becoming mainstream. Handheld game devices like PSP and Ninetendo are growing like wildfire, while Microsofts’ XBOX Video System continues to sell millions of game consoles. According to analysts, “it’s all about the Benjamins” for Microsofts XBOX, as it produces newer models with costs ranging from $299 to $399. This doesn’t include all the additional items like a $50 game to play in the console. According, to USA Today, video games are "one of the fastest growing forms of media entertainment". Profits generated are so lucrative, that its possible that one day soon college students will be able to major in video games.

Profits are soaring. Did you know...

• "Video game sales exceeded the movie industry's annual box office draw last year by $1 billion.
• The current video game hit, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, sold more than 1.4 million copies at an average $48 apiece in its first three days. That $70 million windfall easily puts it in the ranks of a blockbuster movie.
• The popularity of NFL video games has given longtime TV football announcer John Madden celebrity status among teens and young adults.
• Designers can make $50,000 a year right out of college and twice as much if they are part of a team that produces a hit video game." (Source: USA Today Money.com)

Conclusion: Food for Thought

The Internet offers a wider audience view, and some businesses are banking on the future profits. Everywhere from music to the film industry, to video games, businesses are hoping to cash in, and start-up company founders like YouTube hope they’ll be the next Bill Gates. However, where is the line to be drawn?

Things to consider:

• Will Google be violating privacy rights by using YouTube's "tagging" technique?
• Will Google need to closely monitor their user’s videos? And, can it expand its community without pushing them away with all the advertising?
• As far as the music industry goes, is online piracy really harming the artist, the publisher and the consumer? As portrayed in the advertisements, are you stealing from another’s wallet?
• The video game industry appears wide open; however, how much is too much as far as violence for our youth? What responsibility does the creator have in marketing games to the appropriate age group?

Works Cited:

Articles/On-line Sources

Castells, Manuel (1998). “Information Technology, Globalization and Social Development”
http://www.komm.ruc.dk/mcmc/extdocs/castells.html (B)

Quah, Danny T. (1998). “The weightless economy”
http://www.unesco.org/courier/1998_12/uk/dossier/txt11.htm (B)

Wilson, Ralph F. (2000). “Web Marketing Today. The Six Simple Principles of Viral Marketing”. http://www.wilsonweb.com/wmt5/viral-principles.htm (B)

Macklin, Ben. “The Broadband-iTV Blend.” eMarketer. April 3, 2001. Available from www.emarketer.com.

“Convergence.” Whatis?.com July 25, 2001. Available from http://whatis.techtarget.com

Monkey Bites http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites

“With YouTube, Google Takes Aim at Video Ads” AdWeek. October 16, 2006. Available from
http://adweek.com/aw/iq_interactive/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003255036&imw=Y

“Video game college is 'boot camp' for designers” USAToday.com http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2002-12-03-video_x.htm

Books

Flew, Terry (2002). New Media An Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press.

Castells, Manuel (2003). The Internet Galaxy: Reflections on the Internet, Business, and Society. New York: Oxford University Press.

Gauntlett, David (Ed.) (2000). Web Studies: Rewiring media studies for the digital age. 2nd Edition. New York: Oxford University Press.

Hayles, N. Katherine (1999). How We Became Posthuman: Virtual Bodies in Cybernetics, Literature, and Informatics. University of Chicago Press.

Jones, Steven G., (Ed.) (1995). Cybersociety: Computer-Mediated Communication and Community. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications.

Rheingold, Howard (2003). Smart Mobs: The Next Social Revolution. Basic Books.

References

Malonis, Jane A., (Ed.) (2002). Gala Encyclopedia of e-Commerce, Gale Group, Farmington Hills.

The Future of the Media

After viewing Maria's presentation and reading the story about Indymedia Ireland, I posed the question, what will the future of the media be? Ironically, there was an article link about this very subject from Monkey Bites to "The Glass House".

It's neat to think that everyone will one day be contributed to media as citizen journalist. No longer will individuals have to question the truth (or will they) about an incident or story. In the future they will be able to view it for themselves and make their own interpretation. However, with advancements in media come side effects. According to Dave Winer, "In ten years news will be gathered by all of us. The editorial decisions will be made collectively, and there will be people whose taste we trust who we will turn to to tell us which stories to pay attention to. Instead of three of these, there will be thousands if not tens of thousands. One for every political persuasion, one for every mood, demographic, age range, maybe even by geography. The role of gatekeeper will be distributed, as will the role of reporter. Very few people, if any, will earn a living doing this, much as most of us don't earn a living by cooking dinner, but we do it anyway, cause you gotta eat." http://glasshouse.waggeneredstrom.com/blogs/frankshaw/archive/2006/10/14/1787.aspx

Frank Shaw (arthur of the article) questions who will do the cover of city council meetings and the war in Iraq if its not the media. I believe that it will need to be a joint effort between citizens and news media like Los Angeles Times or CBS. The future of media will need to be a collaborative effort, one allowing everyone to have a voice. The difficulty will be sifting through what to believe and what not to believe; however, I don't think that's much different from today.

Do your family members remember their family stories? Do they truly know how the family began and where their family roots lie? Heritage Maker says that they will help you "Celebrate Your Stories". Just yesterday, (Saturday, 10/7) while working at the Roanoke Business Festival at the Roanoke Civic Center, I met an Independent Consultant for the company Heritage Maker. Becky the consultant shared with me that families can preserve their history by publishing photos and stories about ones family. The company will "publish professional hardbound, stitched, reinforced storybooks" with photos and all. You can purchase the software and make digital storybooks, design your own book, postcards, calendars and more. She advised that currently they are the only company on the market with this type of technology. Apparently, in addition to being user-friendly, its easy and quick to do. After a lengthy conversation with the consultant I was sold.

Since I started using a digital camera, I've been lost as to what to do with my photos. I've been accustom to putting together an album that can be pulled out when friends and family come over to visit. William, one of our fellow classmates in one of the threaded discussions suggested that I use an on-line album to share my photos with family and friends. This is a great technique to use if everyone you want to share information with is on-line. My grandmother is seventy-six and yes believe it or not she is on-line; however, she still desires to retain the photo or have a copy of her own to share with friends.

Earlier this year when my grandmother turned seventy-six I put together a powerpoint presentation for her birthday party equipped with photos and stories. Afterwards, everyone wanted a copy of the 50 plus page slide. The file was too large to email, so I burned CD's for everyone, but this too is not as convenient as retrieving something from a bookshelf. I love the idea of "Making Heritage" by creating your own book. The company also offers to publish a "scrapless" book.

It may sound old fashion, but technology has removed all those hand-written correspondences that we once had as well as photos at our fingertips. I still like to be able to retrieve a photo album, or now in this case a book about my family from the bookshelf.

For more information on Heritage Maker visit www. thegiftofheritage.com.

Welcome to my blog, I think. :-)

Hello Fellow Classmates.This whole idea of blog is so very new to me. I feel very ackward in posting comments and only hope that fellow classmates are the only ones that review this blog. The other component that is unsettling about posting information is whether or not it is free of mispellings and grammatically correct. So, I apologize in advance if it is as I'm not certain if and/or how to conduct spell/grammar check on comments.Just to provide you with a brief background on myself, I am employed in the public sector and serve as Volunteer Coordinator for our organization. My position is housed in the organizations Human Resources Department, and as a result in addition to my role as Volunteer Coordinator and recruiting individuals to volunteer I also have H.R. responsibilities. In our efforts to recruit volunteers and a diverse workforce we are exploring various forms of new media including a volunteer blog and a blog for our department so staff members can staff informed. Another idea I recently approached my supervisor with this week was a video that could be posted on our webpage as well as sent out to potential candidates. In reviewing monkey bites, it asked if you'd be interested in learning more about podcasts and this immediately caught my attention as it brought to mind the video idea that I had discussed with my supervisor.According to wikipedia, "podcasting is the method of distributing multimedia files, such as audio or video programs, over the Internet using syndication feeds, for playback on mobile devices and personal computers." Just about anyone for a small fee can be a "podcaster" and broadcast information. There are also web sites that will allow you to "podcast", I think that's the correct use of the term on their web site for others to download or play. If I recall correclty there was a podcastspot.com site that said all you really needed to be a podcaster was "a microphone or a webcam" to "start creating and sharing digital media." They referred to it as "getting conversational" and as a great tool to share you opinions, thoughts, ideas or feelings. ideas, opinions, and feelings. This form of media could be a great tool for families far away to contintue to stay in contact with one another.