Week Three: Web 2.0

Web 2.0 is a term coined by Tim O'Reilly to describe a an improved version of the World Wide Web. At this very moment, I am taking advantage of Web 2.0 by blogging. During the days of Web 1.0 people used personal web pages at domains such as Geocities or Angelfire. The concept of Web 2.0 allows for more 'collective intelligence'. This is especially evident through blogs, wikis, RSS feeds and podcasts. This collective intelligence allows for a collaboration of ideas from people all over the world. "The new Web is a very different thing. It's a tool for bringing together the small contributions of millions of people and making them matter. Silicon Valley consultants call it Web 2.0, as if it were a new version of some old software. But it's really a revolution" Time Magazine. So where is all this heading? With the convergence of media, will we rely on podcasts and blogs to update us on our cellphones as we wait for the bus? It is true that Web 2.0 is bringing us together as a community with no geographical boundaries.

Making a podcast is as easy as looking into a camera and talking. You're nodding your head if you saw my amature podcast in the last post. Web users can subscribe to podcasts, or watch them on sites such as Youtube. So where is this heading? Well some can say that Web 2.0 technology such as podcasts and blogging will make print media and radio news obsolete. I say although blogs and podcasts are popular among social networks, when it comes to academics, we will still rely on print resources as a credible source. After all, who would source an amature podcast in a second year CCIT essay? However, "that's what makes all this interesting. Web 2.0 is a massive social experiment, and like any experiment worth trying, it could fail."Time Magazine.

A great article courtesy of Time Magazine: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1569514,00.html

Week Three: Tutorial 3 Podcast

Week Three Podcast:

Week Two: Firstshowing.net Review

As soon as I came across this well organized site, I knew that this entertainment blog would receive a good review. FirstShowing.net uses tabs to categorize information such as reviews, podcasts, news and trailers. On top of that they have a search engine for quick and specific results. As a first time visiter I found myself able to interact with this site on many levels. Apart from reading articles and reviews, I had access to quick loading trailers. The site is constantly being updated and I find myself returning to check out the latest interviews and upcoming releases. There is a also a useful section for top films of 2007 which features many great indie films that may have been overlooked by the average movie watcher.
The most interesting thing about this site is the release schedule for upcoming films through 2009. Unlike tribute.ca, we can see the exact date of the movie's release instead of simply knowing that it is "coming soon to a theatre near you". I noticed something in the Movie News section that was very humble about the creators. They've included links from many sites such as SlashFilm and CHUD.com instead of providing their readers with one source, they've given us a choice of many articles and opinions and for this freedom of choice, I give the creators of FirstShowing a grand applause. The site is not only entertaining but also educating. The reviews and articles are well written and the site receives two thumbs up for overall stickiness.

** This blog was created before I switched tutorials. Therefore this review is based upon the 6:00-7:00 lab list.

Week One: What is the biggest issue facing blogging, citizenship and the future of media?

The Biggest issue that a blogger faces is the lack of privacy and credibility. Blogging is a form of expression, the right to freedom of speech, but a blog can cause controversy if it falls into the wrong hands. Writing out one's thoughts can be a healthy way of expressing thoughts and emotions. I have even proven this method in the past by using a journal as a way of recording a good memory or even for the sake of a good rant. However, I find that the best part of writing in a journal was the ability to vent out my feelings without anybody being affected by my words. When people use sites such as LiveJournal or Blogger to rant or gossip, the targeted subject can be affected emotionally because they too have access to their sites. This can bring about new ways of bullying, and even cause political or social conflict.

Aside from expression, many people use blogs as a way of gaining attention. People like Perez Hilton for example, http://perezhilton.com/. His blog features "juicy celebrity gossip" that people use for... entertainment purposes? Although his site is similar to an online tabloid, it has become a popular source of celebrity information. Blogs are easily accessable. Easier than leaving work during lunch hour, running to the store, picking up a magazine or newspaper and finding the time to read it before bed. Sure we can access them easily, but how credible are the sources?
If you do not know much about the author, can you trust their opinion enough to make it your own? Interestingly enough, The future is looking 'blog-friendly' with converging technology that allows you to blog from your cell phone. It will be harder to escape blogs in the future, the best solution is to read with caution.

This link outlines a few dangers about blogging : http://www.slais.ubc.ca/COURSES/libr500/05-06-wt1/www/A_Cho/dangers.htm.

An article about kids and their blogs: http://http//www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7668788/page/2/