1. What might you have done differently if you were in the position of artist Ken Zeran, mentioned in this chapter?
Abelson discusses the Ken Zeran situation in chapter seven of Blown to Bits. Ken Zeran was an artist and filmmaker when someone posted his phone number on an AOL bulletin with an advertisement about t-shirts relating to the Oklahoma City bombing. Ken Zeran's phone number was listed under the contact information, but he had nothing to do with the t-shirts. Ken asked AOL to remove the post and they did so, but the original user posted the same incorrect information again on AOL. After AOL promised to prohibit anymore posts from this user about the t-shirts they did not follow through and Ken's next step was to get the police involved for his protection. Radio stations started to get involved in the case, but later apologized when they realized the true story. As a result Ken tries to sue AOL for defamation, but the court ruled that AOL is held to a different standard then publishers. I would probably follow the same steps as Ken, but take additional steps as well. I would change my phone number and email address so I would not be associated with this incident. Also, I would try to contact higher level employees at AOL so that they would take more action. I would also consider creating a blog to explain my side of the story and try to get other people to defend my side since AOL basically did nothing.
2. What might you do with access to UWB radio transmissions if you had a receiver in a car?
In Blow to Bits by Abelson, he discusses the topic of UWB or unltra wide brand radio. On page 288Abelson says that UWB, "splatter[s] radiation all across the frequencies of the radio spectrum". Abelson also explains that UWB uses low power and large bandwidth to carry information in a short time period a small distance. It does this so that it will not interfere with any normal radio receiver. This technology is used to connect television, cable box and DVD player without having to use any other cables. Also you will be able to transport your music from your computer to your car. It would be really convenient to not have to hook up my ipod to my car radio, since I do not have an audio jack my ipod goes through the radio and you have to keep changing the stations. With this technology it would be a relief and my music would instantly be in my car. Another idea could be sending directions directly to your car, which would be extremely helpful. I always use mapquest and my gps and then decide which directions to follow.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Week Thirteen
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Friday, November 19, 2010
Week Twelve
1. Considering the Prisoner’s Dilemma in this chapter, provide your own insight on how sites such as eBay “work” for most participants of this popular online auction site. Do they really work? Or is there too much risk?
When you compare eBay and the prisoner's dilemma there are four factors to consider. One, when you and the person you are buying from cooperate, you send them the money and they send you the item that you bid on. Two, you send the money to the person, but they do not send you the item. Three, you do not send the money, but the person sends you the item. Four, neither of you send anything so nothing positive or negative happens. For this they still have the item you wanted and you still have your money. Even with these guidelines most people would take further action if they did not receive the final item. There is a rating scale on eBay where you can post any comments about the person and you can rate them. If there are negative comments then this makes the sender look bad and prohibit further sales. On the other hand the person who is sending you the item now has all of your private information so if they did not receive your money for some reason they could potentially find you. Websites like eBay work because the benefits outweigh the negative aspects.
2. What professional benefits do you see by investing some time in a FOAF-style network?
The benefit to FOAF-style network is the social connections or social networking. A friend of a friend can you help you find a job in today's society. Also, having friends on Facebook or Linkedin can help you connect with people in certain companies that you can benefit from. If your work information is displayed on your Facebook profile then anyone can see the information and can potentially refer you to a company. This is useful because creating a profile is easy and allows for connection to be made. These profiles also allow you to see mutual friends, which can be a benefit to you in a larger setting because now you can approach someone and talk to them about mutual people. In the book Shirky talks about playing "dodgeball" a social networking device, which is how he met Andy. This device allowed Shirky to know that they were in the same place at the same time. These networking tools are crucial in today's society where everything is becoming digital. Without having a profile you are limiting yourself to opportunities.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Week Eleven
1. Based on the quote from this chapter, ““revolution doesn’t happen when society adopts new technologies--it happens when society adopts new behaviors,” do you agree or disagree? Cite examples to support your position.
New technologies occur in society because people want them and create them. Our society wants change and always strives to be the best at everything especially in the technology department. However, when new technology first appears it takes people awhile to adjust and adapt to the new improvements. In the book Shirky mentions emails in chapter six. When email was first invented no one thought the it would actually replace the postal system. Not only has email replaced the mail, but now people use the phone less as well. There is no need to pick up the phone and call someone when you can instantly send them and email. Email is inexpensive and has instant results that is why people are constantly using email. Yes I do believe with the quote mentioned in the question because when society decided to adopt new behaviors such as email, society grows and adapts to the new behavior. Now email is not only a noun, but it has transpired into a verb by saying that I am emailing someone. Email can be accessed just about anywhere from the computer to a cell phone.
2. Look deeper into the concept of a “information cascade.” Can you cite an example of where following the actions of others was a sound idea? Where doing so ended up being a poor choice?
Information cascade is when people watch the actions of others and then make the choice to follow their actions. A good example of an information cascade is described in chapter seven by Shirky. Post World War Two in 1989 when small protests broke out in Leipzig, Germany against the German Democratic Republic. The protest size started to grow larger and when the government went to address the problem there were too many people and issues for it to be easily fixed. Later in the year over 400,000 people marched in the streets in Leipzig when the Berlin Wall was torn down. A poor example of an information cascade could be if union workers go on strike from working due to wanting a higher salary or different benefits.
New technologies occur in society because people want them and create them. Our society wants change and always strives to be the best at everything especially in the technology department. However, when new technology first appears it takes people awhile to adjust and adapt to the new improvements. In the book Shirky mentions emails in chapter six. When email was first invented no one thought the it would actually replace the postal system. Not only has email replaced the mail, but now people use the phone less as well. There is no need to pick up the phone and call someone when you can instantly send them and email. Email is inexpensive and has instant results that is why people are constantly using email. Yes I do believe with the quote mentioned in the question because when society decided to adopt new behaviors such as email, society grows and adapts to the new behavior. Now email is not only a noun, but it has transpired into a verb by saying that I am emailing someone. Email can be accessed just about anywhere from the computer to a cell phone.
2. Look deeper into the concept of a “information cascade.” Can you cite an example of where following the actions of others was a sound idea? Where doing so ended up being a poor choice?
Information cascade is when people watch the actions of others and then make the choice to follow their actions. A good example of an information cascade is described in chapter seven by Shirky. Post World War Two in 1989 when small protests broke out in Leipzig, Germany against the German Democratic Republic. The protest size started to grow larger and when the government went to address the problem there were too many people and issues for it to be easily fixed. Later in the year over 400,000 people marched in the streets in Leipzig when the Berlin Wall was torn down. A poor example of an information cascade could be if union workers go on strike from working due to wanting a higher salary or different benefits.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Week Ten
From the audio book chapter on Free:
1. Why is “zero” such a hot-button word?
Zero is a hot button word because when people hear the word zero they automatically hear the word free thus jump to the idea of taking the item. Today's society is driven by money. People want to be rich and successful thus they need money. When you hear that something is free people are shocked and do not hesitate to take the free item. Since everything today has a price tag people are surprised to see that something is free. When you do find an item that is free people splurge and take as many items as possible because you do not have to pay. Free or zero cost items allow people to indulge because you do not have to think logically that the price might affect you. You do not have to open your wallet, thus the free item does not affect your bank account.
2. Explain and give an example of a mental transaction cost.
Mental transaction cost is when you decide whether or not to purchase a product based on the price tag of the product. Is this product worth the money? Do I actually need this product? These are common questions you might ask yourself when you are trying to decide if you should purchase the product. This is why a zero cost of an item is so important. An example of a mental transaction cost is when you are deciding whether or not you should buy a new pair of jeans. You might look for a coupon for the store first to save you money. When you go to the store the average price of jeans might be about $50, but the jeans you want are $80. You might not try on the jeans you want or even look at them because of the price.
1. Why is “zero” such a hot-button word?
Zero is a hot button word because when people hear the word zero they automatically hear the word free thus jump to the idea of taking the item. Today's society is driven by money. People want to be rich and successful thus they need money. When you hear that something is free people are shocked and do not hesitate to take the free item. Since everything today has a price tag people are surprised to see that something is free. When you do find an item that is free people splurge and take as many items as possible because you do not have to pay. Free or zero cost items allow people to indulge because you do not have to think logically that the price might affect you. You do not have to open your wallet, thus the free item does not affect your bank account.
2. Explain and give an example of a mental transaction cost.
Mental transaction cost is when you decide whether or not to purchase a product based on the price tag of the product. Is this product worth the money? Do I actually need this product? These are common questions you might ask yourself when you are trying to decide if you should purchase the product. This is why a zero cost of an item is so important. An example of a mental transaction cost is when you are deciding whether or not you should buy a new pair of jeans. You might look for a coupon for the store first to save you money. When you go to the store the average price of jeans might be about $50, but the jeans you want are $80. You might not try on the jeans you want or even look at them because of the price.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Week Nine
1. The “power law distribution” or “long tail” phenomenon, as seen in behavior online on the Wikipedia, suggests that the concept of an average user of wikipedia is meaningless. Support your answer: how do you think a local, “JMU only” version of the Wikipedia would compare to the worldwide version? Would it be very similar? Higher quality? Less quality? Why?
To have a JMU only version of Wikipedia I think would be successful, but not at the beginning. It takes time for any new trend to pick up speed and that is what would happen with the JMU version. This new version of Wikipedia would consist of current JMU students, faculty members, alumni and perspective students can join as well. Anyone can write on the website, which leads to concerns of people writing incorrect information on the website. Also there would be a limited number of users and the amount of users would vary depending on student enrollment. I think that students might post information that is not important or could be hurtful to others so that could be a negative effect of the JMU only version of Wikipedia. Overall I think having a JMU only version of Wikipedia would be an interesting experiment and most likely successful.
2. After reading the article about Scratch and exploring the Scratch website, what are some observable benefits in creating a space to share student work?
There are several benefits of creating a space to share student work. For example the Scratch website was created initially to focus on an area where students can be interactive and share their work with other peers. Students are able to share, evaluate and discuss each others projects posted on the website. This allows students to learn how to communicate effectively together, collaborate their ideas and help others. It is important for the younger population to learn the new technologies because they are the future and technology is the future. Scratch not only allows academic growth, but it gives younger students the opportunity to learn a new website and new technology. This website allows them to be innovative and creative. With the website students are allowed to demonstrate their work without having to talk to people if they feel uncomfortable in a large setting. Some students may feel more comfortable posting their work online and working together that way. Scratch is a great idea and will be popular and successful in the future.
To have a JMU only version of Wikipedia I think would be successful, but not at the beginning. It takes time for any new trend to pick up speed and that is what would happen with the JMU version. This new version of Wikipedia would consist of current JMU students, faculty members, alumni and perspective students can join as well. Anyone can write on the website, which leads to concerns of people writing incorrect information on the website. Also there would be a limited number of users and the amount of users would vary depending on student enrollment. I think that students might post information that is not important or could be hurtful to others so that could be a negative effect of the JMU only version of Wikipedia. Overall I think having a JMU only version of Wikipedia would be an interesting experiment and most likely successful.
2. After reading the article about Scratch and exploring the Scratch website, what are some observable benefits in creating a space to share student work?
There are several benefits of creating a space to share student work. For example the Scratch website was created initially to focus on an area where students can be interactive and share their work with other peers. Students are able to share, evaluate and discuss each others projects posted on the website. This allows students to learn how to communicate effectively together, collaborate their ideas and help others. It is important for the younger population to learn the new technologies because they are the future and technology is the future. Scratch not only allows academic growth, but it gives younger students the opportunity to learn a new website and new technology. This website allows them to be innovative and creative. With the website students are allowed to demonstrate their work without having to talk to people if they feel uncomfortable in a large setting. Some students may feel more comfortable posting their work online and working together that way. Scratch is a great idea and will be popular and successful in the future.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Wiki Summary
The main points of the Wiki Presentation:
1. A wiki promotes meaningful topic associations between different pages, is not a carefully created site, and invites all users to create and edit their own pages.
2. Ward Cunningham created the first wiki by creating the software the Hypercard stacks. This is a Mac software which allowed the users to build stacks on their own computers by linking information.
4. Other leading wiki services are Wikispaces, PB Works, Google Sites, and Media Wiki.
5. On Wikipedia the blue links are to pages that exist and the red links are links that have yet to be written.
Week Eight
1. If your mother uses wifi at home to send you e-mail, and your home network is not protected by WEP or WPA, what reasons would you suggest to her for enabling one of these two protocols at home if the liability of reading those e-mails still exists once her message leaves your home, on it’s way to school?
Having a WEP ( Wired Equivalent Privacy) or the better system WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) system protects the sender's computers as well as the receiver's computer. If you do not have a secure network on your computer than it is easy for someone to steal your private information including e-mails as well as passwords. In addition to having private information stolen from a non secured wifi system, you are the one paying for the internet. If your internet service is unprotected then anyone can gain access to your server therefore they are getting free internet while you are paying for it. Yes there is still a risk when it enters the internet and follows me on my way to school. Even if you have a secure network nothing is one hundred percent guaranteed secure so any valuable information should probably not be sent over the internet.
2. Some news reports have suggested that the Bush administration used the USA Patriot Act to look at the e-mails of American citizens without a warrant. What’s your position if this was indeed the case? Should citizens be willing to give up their privacy? Does it bother you to know that your online communications are very potentially semi-private instead of private?
I think that somehow the United States government always finds a way to gain more information about the citizens. The USA Patriot Act was created to fight against terrorism and reduce the government's involvement with intercepting phone calls and e-mails and other records. I do not think that the government has the right to look through my private e-mails to search for information. If they do not have a warrant or probable cause then the government has no reason to search through my private information. Since the United States was founded on freedom and liberty I do not think that the government has the right to search through people's private information. If the government has the right to search through e-mails then people will lose their freedom. Online communication regarding e-mails should be private. However, websites and other public information posted online such as facebook is open to anyone who wants to read the information. Therefore this information can be considered semi-private because it is available to the public.
Having a WEP ( Wired Equivalent Privacy) or the better system WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) system protects the sender's computers as well as the receiver's computer. If you do not have a secure network on your computer than it is easy for someone to steal your private information including e-mails as well as passwords. In addition to having private information stolen from a non secured wifi system, you are the one paying for the internet. If your internet service is unprotected then anyone can gain access to your server therefore they are getting free internet while you are paying for it. Yes there is still a risk when it enters the internet and follows me on my way to school. Even if you have a secure network nothing is one hundred percent guaranteed secure so any valuable information should probably not be sent over the internet.
2. Some news reports have suggested that the Bush administration used the USA Patriot Act to look at the e-mails of American citizens without a warrant. What’s your position if this was indeed the case? Should citizens be willing to give up their privacy? Does it bother you to know that your online communications are very potentially semi-private instead of private?
I think that somehow the United States government always finds a way to gain more information about the citizens. The USA Patriot Act was created to fight against terrorism and reduce the government's involvement with intercepting phone calls and e-mails and other records. I do not think that the government has the right to look through my private e-mails to search for information. If they do not have a warrant or probable cause then the government has no reason to search through my private information. Since the United States was founded on freedom and liberty I do not think that the government has the right to search through people's private information. If the government has the right to search through e-mails then people will lose their freedom. Online communication regarding e-mails should be private. However, websites and other public information posted online such as facebook is open to anyone who wants to read the information. Therefore this information can be considered semi-private because it is available to the public.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Week Seven
The official website for the drug Olanzapine probably didn’t mention the fact it might cause diabetic symptoms in patients. Another website obviously did. Commercials on TV now are required to mention possible side effects. Should drug companies be required to come clean about situations like the one with Eli Lilly’s Olanzapine in their commercial websites? Why or why not?
Drug companies like Eli Lily's Olanzapine should be required to state the side effects of their product because some drugs can be harmful to people. If someone has a reaction there is usually a reason why and having the side effects listed is an easy way to find the source of the reaction. If a person is taking several drugs at the same time it is crucial that the side effects are stated because the drugs could be counteracting each other thus creating a dangerous situation. Consumers have the right to know about all of the side effects and the drug companies should be forced to share all of the information. After all it is their social responsibility to reveal information because if something happens to the person taking the drugs there could be a negative result such as a law suit.
Drug companies like Eli Lily's Olanzapine should be required to state the side effects of their product because some drugs can be harmful to people. If someone has a reaction there is usually a reason why and having the side effects listed is an easy way to find the source of the reaction. If a person is taking several drugs at the same time it is crucial that the side effects are stated because the drugs could be counteracting each other thus creating a dangerous situation. Consumers have the right to know about all of the side effects and the drug companies should be forced to share all of the information. After all it is their social responsibility to reveal information because if something happens to the person taking the drugs there could be a negative result such as a law suit.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Week Six
Some companies have gone on the record against open source software. Explain some of the advantages of using proprietary software and cite your advantages with websites that take or mention these positions.
Open proprietary software is software that is licensed and registered to a certain owner. This is also referred to as public domain software. The owner is the only person who has legal rights to this software and is allowed to change or fix the software. Other people are not allowed to post or create their own information and put in on your website, which is the opposite of the popular Wikipedia that is an open source software. For example people who use any type of instant messenger are allowed to say whatever they want in their chat and this does not reflect poorly on the creator of the software because they were not the people talking in the chat. iTunes and Adobe Photoshop are examples of proprietary software because someone owns the software. Other people are not allowed to change the layout and design of these software programs, but you are allowed to purchase songs or create different images in photoshop. To find a list of sources I went to google and searched and a list of these websites appeared.
Sources:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13505_3-9789275-16.html
http://software.ivertech.com/_ivertechArticle13894_OpenSourceSoftwarevsProprietarySoftware.htm
http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/node/1446
Open proprietary software is software that is licensed and registered to a certain owner. This is also referred to as public domain software. The owner is the only person who has legal rights to this software and is allowed to change or fix the software. Other people are not allowed to post or create their own information and put in on your website, which is the opposite of the popular Wikipedia that is an open source software. For example people who use any type of instant messenger are allowed to say whatever they want in their chat and this does not reflect poorly on the creator of the software because they were not the people talking in the chat. iTunes and Adobe Photoshop are examples of proprietary software because someone owns the software. Other people are not allowed to change the layout and design of these software programs, but you are allowed to purchase songs or create different images in photoshop. To find a list of sources I went to google and searched and a list of these websites appeared.
Sources:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13505_3-9789275-16.html
http://software.ivertech.com/_ivertechArticle13894_OpenSourceSoftwarevsProprietarySoftware.htm
http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/node/1446
Friday, October 1, 2010
Week Five
1. If Shirky is right, and we’re headed to a period where social media tools like YouTube, Flickr, and social networks like Facebook become “invisible,” what’s the impact on things you spend money on as consumers? Books? Movies? Music?
Social media tools have made a large impact on society today so I do not know how these tools can become invisible. Youtube specifically deals with music and television clips and without this website it would be much harder to determine what new song to buy on itunes. Also Youtube provides movie trailers and television clips. Certain social media tools such as Facebook and Myspace have applications where you can share some of your favorite songs, book, television shows and movies with your friends. On these websites you can join groups with other people who share the same interests as well. On Facebook you are able to create a status of what you are doing, which often is an opinion about a song or an event in popular culture. Now buying products online is the new fad, which seems to be gaining interest not losing interest. People buy music online, a large majority through itunes, and now you can download books online to your computer. I think if these media tools disappeared then the buying industry would drastically change.
2. Consider the concept of a “community of practice.” How can such a community offer opportunities for learning?
Clay Shirky the author of "Here Comes Everybody" defines community of practice as a groups that are cooperative and supported by social tools where they are able to find other people who have similar interests (101). An example of these communities of practice is Flickr which is described in the book when he talks about describing the quality of a picture. Flickr is a website where photographs can be shared and people are able to comment on the pictures creating a community. Shirky also claims that all websites attract people who are interested in the same topics and are willing to talk about these interests (102). Being able to comment on someone else's work allows people to learn about another person and see a different perspective on the same issue. People can agree or disagree with opinions, but at least there will be several opinions.
Social media tools have made a large impact on society today so I do not know how these tools can become invisible. Youtube specifically deals with music and television clips and without this website it would be much harder to determine what new song to buy on itunes. Also Youtube provides movie trailers and television clips. Certain social media tools such as Facebook and Myspace have applications where you can share some of your favorite songs, book, television shows and movies with your friends. On these websites you can join groups with other people who share the same interests as well. On Facebook you are able to create a status of what you are doing, which often is an opinion about a song or an event in popular culture. Now buying products online is the new fad, which seems to be gaining interest not losing interest. People buy music online, a large majority through itunes, and now you can download books online to your computer. I think if these media tools disappeared then the buying industry would drastically change.
2. Consider the concept of a “community of practice.” How can such a community offer opportunities for learning?
Clay Shirky the author of "Here Comes Everybody" defines community of practice as a groups that are cooperative and supported by social tools where they are able to find other people who have similar interests (101). An example of these communities of practice is Flickr which is described in the book when he talks about describing the quality of a picture. Flickr is a website where photographs can be shared and people are able to comment on the pictures creating a community. Shirky also claims that all websites attract people who are interested in the same topics and are willing to talk about these interests (102). Being able to comment on someone else's work allows people to learn about another person and see a different perspective on the same issue. People can agree or disagree with opinions, but at least there will be several opinions.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Week Four
1. You have an important personal question you’d like answered. Explain the procedure for getting your question answered and why this method appeals to you (you don’t need to get specific, but let’s assume the answer does not require specific expert knowledge, as from a doctor).
If I have an important question that needs to be answered the first thing I do is go to my computer and Google the question. I do not know how, but Google always has the answer, the search engine has yet to be defeated. Once I type my question into Google especially now with Google instant that comes up with what I am thinking it is easy to come up with an answer in a short amount of time. The more specific the question the better results you will get from Google. If the question is general then I might have to go through a few pages of results before I find exactly what I am looking for. Even though I would prefer an answer from a person, typically my mom, Google is a great tool if I can't get a hold of an actual person.
2. Have you used a website like Craigslist or EBay to buy or sell something? What was the experience like? Would you use such a service again? If you haven’t, detail how you have sold or bought something outside the environment of a retailer.
I have personally bought stuff from Amazon.com usually I buy books for school online and additionally I have bought movies from Amazon as well. When buying products from Amazon you are not buying from a retailer because the products are posted on the website from individual people who are usually responsible for shipping the product to you after the purchase. Buying a product is simple, just type in what you are looking for and click on the product. Then the website will prompt you with purchasing information such as credit card and shipping information. I have tried selling my textbooks online, but I have not had much luck in that department. However, my buying experience has been very successful and I consider myself a loyal Amazon.com customer. This is the first website I visit when looking for a certain product that I cannot find in a retail store. Even though I have personally not used Craigslist my family has had success using the website when selling furniture and other products.
If I have an important question that needs to be answered the first thing I do is go to my computer and Google the question. I do not know how, but Google always has the answer, the search engine has yet to be defeated. Once I type my question into Google especially now with Google instant that comes up with what I am thinking it is easy to come up with an answer in a short amount of time. The more specific the question the better results you will get from Google. If the question is general then I might have to go through a few pages of results before I find exactly what I am looking for. Even though I would prefer an answer from a person, typically my mom, Google is a great tool if I can't get a hold of an actual person.
2. Have you used a website like Craigslist or EBay to buy or sell something? What was the experience like? Would you use such a service again? If you haven’t, detail how you have sold or bought something outside the environment of a retailer.
I have personally bought stuff from Amazon.com usually I buy books for school online and additionally I have bought movies from Amazon as well. When buying products from Amazon you are not buying from a retailer because the products are posted on the website from individual people who are usually responsible for shipping the product to you after the purchase. Buying a product is simple, just type in what you are looking for and click on the product. Then the website will prompt you with purchasing information such as credit card and shipping information. I have tried selling my textbooks online, but I have not had much luck in that department. However, my buying experience has been very successful and I consider myself a loyal Amazon.com customer. This is the first website I visit when looking for a certain product that I cannot find in a retail store. Even though I have personally not used Craigslist my family has had success using the website when selling furniture and other products.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Week Three
1. If managers aren’t important anymore towards the formation or control of groups using online tools, what do you consider the main role websites such as Meetup.com, Facebook, or MySpace have provided newly emerging groups?
Today managers are not important in the job market for the creation and management of online websites because the websites have made it accessible for any person to control a website. It used to be that one person was needed to start a business they had a to plan ahead so that they had enough time to contact every person involved in the business. Now with email on people's phones it is very easy to access everyone in minutes. In Clay Shirky's Here Comes Everbody Ivanna looses her phone Evan, a friend of Ivanna, creates a website in order to locate the lost phone. The website was productive and eventually Ivanna found her phone. The website generated a lot of followers, just random people, and together everyone searched for her phone. By Evan creating the website put him in the role of a manager and he controlled the situation. Facebook has allowed people to become more creative and independent because you are in charge of your Facebook page. Instead of looking to a manager to tell them how to design a Facebook page, people have done it on their own.
2. Describe a group you are a member of (online community, church, job, etc.) and how it is organized. Is there management? How is information distributed within the group?
I am a member of a Jewish interest sorority on campus called Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi. It is organized in a hierarchical manner with an executive board who gets to make the final decisions in the organization. There are five positions which make up the executive board such as president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and member at large. Without these five positions the sorority would fall apart because we are used to needing approval and waiting to hear about final decisions. At meetings the executive board talks about any important topics and reveals new thoughts and conclusions they have determined. After they speak everyone else is allowed to speak and ask questions. This is the management style of the sorority and how information is passed down to everyone.
Today managers are not important in the job market for the creation and management of online websites because the websites have made it accessible for any person to control a website. It used to be that one person was needed to start a business they had a to plan ahead so that they had enough time to contact every person involved in the business. Now with email on people's phones it is very easy to access everyone in minutes. In Clay Shirky's Here Comes Everbody Ivanna looses her phone Evan, a friend of Ivanna, creates a website in order to locate the lost phone. The website was productive and eventually Ivanna found her phone. The website generated a lot of followers, just random people, and together everyone searched for her phone. By Evan creating the website put him in the role of a manager and he controlled the situation. Facebook has allowed people to become more creative and independent because you are in charge of your Facebook page. Instead of looking to a manager to tell them how to design a Facebook page, people have done it on their own.
2. Describe a group you are a member of (online community, church, job, etc.) and how it is organized. Is there management? How is information distributed within the group?
I am a member of a Jewish interest sorority on campus called Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi. It is organized in a hierarchical manner with an executive board who gets to make the final decisions in the organization. There are five positions which make up the executive board such as president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and member at large. Without these five positions the sorority would fall apart because we are used to needing approval and waiting to hear about final decisions. At meetings the executive board talks about any important topics and reveals new thoughts and conclusions they have determined. After they speak everyone else is allowed to speak and ask questions. This is the management style of the sorority and how information is passed down to everyone.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Week Two
1. Both Google and Yahoo have been criticized for censoring their search results in China. What are your feelings about this? Why should Google, or why should Google not, produce different search results for different countries?
Even though China is generally a conservative country meaning they have been known to censor information in the past it does not surprise me that Google censors information in China. Google and Yahoo are just abiding by the laws of China. However, I do not think it is right to censor any information because it is free public information, which every person should have the chance to see or read. Since the point of the internet is to gather and distribute information I do not see why any country should censor information. I think that Google and Yahoo should produce the same search results in every country since we are all people I do not see why there should be different regulations depending on where you live. Even if Google and Yahoo censor certain information there are other search engines that probably are not censored where you can find the same information.
2. Chapter 2 revealed the reason behind grocery loyalty cards. How do you feel about the use of these cards that offer us discounts at the cash register? Do you feel your purchasing privacy is worth a discount?
I have never really thought about loyalty cards as invading my privacy because I think the loyalty cards are actually beneficial. I do not care if the loyalty cards memorize my purchasing history. In fact I am glad that the cards memorize my purchasing history because they produce coupons, which will help me save money in the future. I think it is a great idea to offer loyalty cards especially to stores where you frequently make purchases. However it is important to not get out of control making purchases just because you have a loyalty card or coupon.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Introduction
Hi my name is Julie and I am a junior at JMU. I am a communications major with a concentration in interpersonal communication and my minor is education media. I am from Westboro, Massachusetts and will probably move back to MA after I graduate. Ideally I would love to work on a radio talk show, but in reality I will most likely end up working in an office. I hope to learn about different types of media including the internet. In addition I am interested in participating in an online class and keeping a blog, which I have never done before.
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