News Report #5

Artists visit virtual Second Life for real-world cash
By: John D. Sutter
April 7, 2009
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/04/07/second.life.singer/index.html

With the use of Second Life artists are creating online avatars to share music, visual art, and fashion to a larger audience. These artists are expiring difficult times during our current economic condition. Second Life allows artists to create an online alter version of themselves called an avatar. These virtual avatars are able to communicate and interact just like in the real world, but with no limits. In exchange for their goods/talents, other users can exchange the virtual world currency, Linden Dollars which are converted to world currencies just like at a bank. For instance 260 Linden Dollars are equal to 1 dollar in US currency. Currently more than 1 million users have signed up to use Second Life since its creation in 1999. An example artist has created her avatar and plays from her Atlanta home in pubs and clubs within Second Life. She has created a solid following that listen to her music online daily, some even recognize her on the street. Some artists have been able to make a second income from Second Life of 10,000 a year. Much of the money in Second Life comes from tips at about 18 dollars per hours when logged in.

I find the use of the Second Life technology to be great. I believe it is doing exactly what it was designed to do. Second Life eliminates the walls of the world around us and allows you to explore the world and experience things you would not have been able to if not in a virtual world. The utilization of artist to increase their income in hard times is brilliant. By being able to expand their public that they are able to touch and share their talent with means more people they are impacting and opportunity to create a following of fans.

- TJ

News Report #4

Facebook Takes a Dive: Why Social Networks Are Bad Businesses
April 1, 2009
By 24/7 Wall St.
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1888796,00.html?cnn=yes

Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube are all very new cutting edge technologies. This article reflects on the image that surrounds these applications and websites. When these new communication pathways became available the press was very interested in what was happening on them. Naturally when more people hear and read about these technologies they become interested themselves to try it out. From the business side of things, people jumped to the conclusion that because these websites are receiving so much press and attention they must be doing well. Then if they are doing well, they must be doing some good business. To the contrary Facebook and Myspace did not meet their revenue targets. Even though Facebook attracted well over 57 million visitors in the US alone with in last month, Facebook’s revenue was a mere 265 million last year. These sites will not do well in business due to the fact that the intended use is to allow people to meet and communicate freely. Visitors are various and very hard to pin down in a large group for advertising.

I found this article very interesting due to the fact that I do use Facebook, and when I log in I always think, “Wow, I bet this company is making so much”. It is interesting to see it broken down and where their revenue really comes from. Now when I think about how the advertising does have to be a very large spectrum, it would be very hard to sell the Facebook medium of advertising to one specific industry. Even though these sites are not making a large amount of revenue as thought, I believe they are still successful and will be around for some time. These sites have opened new paths of how the internet can be used and spawned a whole new era of communication. I am very interested in seeing where the path will go in the evolution of these technologies.

- TJ

Reading # 5

Information Navigation 101
By Andrea L. Foster

The recent reading takes a look into the inability of college student’s usage of peer-reviewed articles and scholarly journals. It comes to the attention of professors and campus’s that current college students have become less informed about the quality of information they are finding and where they are finding it. College students have begun to favor Google or Wikipedia as a source of higher education information. The disappointing fact of the matter is these students find this information acceptable. This has stirred and activated a many campuses to promote the use of scholarly materials found within the campus library or databases. Cal State was among the first of colleges to create a program that injected students into the scholarly material and provided instructions on how to navigate and use the university’s online catalog and databases. This imitative has spread to an additional 22 campuses, promoting the information of how to find, sort, analyze, and communicate information.

It is really has been shocking to me how much I have relied on Google and Wikipeida to locate information for college. Library 103 has introduced scholarly journals and databases to me, and they are really just as easy to use as Google. The great thing about these databases is they are user friendly to narrow down search results, so really it is even better than using Google. It has been a great experience to learn how search engines work and understand what to look for when accessing online information. I believe these are all skills that will help student in college and in the future when accessing information. I could really see a large impact if a course similar to LIB 103 was required such as freshman seminar is.

Reading #4

The Infodiet: How Libraries Can Offer an Appetizing Alternative to Google”
By: Steven Bell
Chronicle of Higher Education
Volume 50, Issue 24, Page B15

I believe that Steven makes some great points when he is assessing the competencies and comfort levels of the average students' ability to utilize their library to the fullest. I agree with Steven’s view of these students and even professors who promote the ease of access by using the internet and a common search engines. It is also shocking how many students really do not know how to find information in their library. I for myself am one of those students; I was unable to find this article within the library catalog, lucky there was help on the library blog. I did use Google to locate a copy of the article as well. This is very embarrassing for me, and I believe it is important for students to be educated on the benefits of using a library, rather than always useing a common internet search engine. If the problem is not addressed, I believe students and higher education will continue to drift away from libraries and the complex searches. Library searches do require an extra effort from the users, but it is well worth the kick back of information that is found than compared to results from Google. While we continue to use Google and other popular search engines, these companies themselves will improve their "product" and search capabilities to rival libraries intricacy of information. Out of necessity, due to the lack of introduction and pushing of students to use libraries more specific searches, I believe common search engines like Google will evolve into the higher education source of data. Optimistically common search engines will provide just as good or better results and information to use for reporting, rather than the “infobesity” that is currently found and used by students today from the internet.

-TJ

Reading 3

The Future of Libraries Beginning the Great Transformation
By Thomas Frey
http://www.davinciinstitute.com/page.php?ID=120

Libraries traditionally have been used to store a large collection of books and other materials that are available for people who choose not too or could not afford to purchase books for themselves. This usage of libraries has begun to change. Information is more readily available today than it has been in history. This is very relevant in everyday usage of the internet, such as reading this article right now. The availability of media online has changed the use of the public library and its appeal to people who read for pleasure.

According to Thomas Frey, there are 10 key trends that are developing the new libraries we will have tomorrow. Trend one is communication. Because communication is constantly evolving and becoming more efficient, the timeline of usage left regarding books and publications is unknown. Trend two is all technologies eventually are replaced by a newer technology, such as the radio, 8 track, tape, CD player, and then the Ipod. Trend three involves the mobility of the new technology. As old technologies are replaced by newer ones we continue to see the size of the unit to decrease. Trend four, technology continues to become more complex and requires a larger user manual as it develops. Trend five, today is faster than it was tomorrow. The day is still the same length, but we have even more to do. Trend six, people will be transition to a verbal society, and our technologies will inhabit these characteristics as well. Trend seven, more global information is being provided, and people are becoming more knowledgeable about foreign cultures. Trend eight, more global systems will be established in our societies. Trend nine, experiences are becoming a more popular way of understanding information. Trend ten, libraries will become more of a culture attraction than a place to obtain knowledge.

I believe these trends are very correct in the observations of how information evolves. This will affect libraries and their usage in our current and future cultures very much. I do believe that libraries will be around for many more years, and will be reborn. Just as in trends with technology and fashion, often past ideas are revisited and improved upon. Even though we view libraries how they are today, they may become a more critical part of our lives in the future in another form or use.

-TJ

News Report 3

Tech gurus use power of Web to help veterans
By: A. Pawloski
CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/02/13/veterans.help.web.site/index.html


A group of tech savvy web designers have created USAtogether.org which enables veterans and active-duty U.S. troops to reach out to others for help. USAtogether is the child of Dave Mahler who was a former engineer with 13 years experience at Hewlett-Packard designing servers and software. A few years back Dave was in search of a new community service project, when he came up with the idea of creating a project that would help U.S. troops. The start of his project took birth in the Veterans Affairs hospital in Palo Alto. He used select stories and needs of its residents to launch his site. Browsers could select which requests they wanted to contribute to or whom they wanted to support.

Dave tried to combine the elements of Craigslist which eliminated the bureaucracy of the process in combination with the micro-lending web site that allows users to browse profiles of entrepreneurs to choose someone to give a small loan to called Kiva.org. USAtogether allows users to find a person in need by zip code, branch of service or need, creating a one to one link with the contributor and the person in need. All help that is requested is screened by volunteers of the site and keep the requests to less than 1,000 dollars. They also try to focus the attention of help towards items that really benefit people, so you will not see posts for the purchase of a new stereo.

I really think this is a great opportunity for those who have extra income or desire to help someone in need. I believe the people posting for help truly need the attention and support due to the pre screening of a post. This ensures that the help goes to a good cause and is not a scam. The best thing about this site is that people are already contributing and has been successful in helping veterans in need out. I believe it is a great example of how technology can help improve the well being of others.

-TJ

News Report #2

Google Latitude keeps tabs on friends’ locations
By: Stephen Shankland
2 – 4- 09
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/02/04/google.latitude/index.html

Google announced the launch of their Latitude software on Wednesday that will allow mobile phone users the ability to share their location with close contacts. The intent of the mobile application is to provide users with the ability to find and track close friends out on the town. To use the new application, users are required to sign up for the service selecting the detail of information they wish to share with others. Current options include the precise location, city, or nothing at all. From testing Google has found that most users are in a give take relationship. Often users share their location with only each other, rather than the single ability for users to only track them. This new technology is strengthened by the practiced skills of Google’s ability to develop mapping and location technology. Google has hopes of their new mobile technology expanding to location based advertising use, allowing an increase in revenue from advertisers. You may be asking, “Will I be able to use this new app?” For non mobile users, you will be able to log into Google from your computer and track your friends. For use on your mobile, requirements are narrowed to BlackBerry phones, Windows Mobile 5.0, or Symbian-based devices. Google is looking to expand their market to more phones soon.

I have always been amazed by the applications and ideas Google has produced. The new application does not fall short of my expectations of the quality and originality Google creates. It does raise some privacy issues to my mind. While Google has claimed to take users privacy into consideration, I think it is always important to approach these new technologies with a bit of hesitation. I think the use of the application has many capabilities, which is a positive, as well as a negative. The adaptability of this information is great when used for its intent, such as keeping in touch with close friends and family. I do have concern for stalkers, privacy, as well as safety of users. I will be interested in the adaptation of the technology for advertisements based off of your location.

-TJ

Reading Report #2

Can Wikipedia Ever Make the Grade?
The Chronicle of Higher Education
From the issue dated October 27, 2006
By Brock Read

I believe Wikipedia has been a great addition to the world of information, providing the public with easy to access information in a timely matter. I found the study by Mr. Halavais to be a great example of how a community as a whole can still correct its self and provide accurate information that is geared for quick information. I do think when using Wikipedia it is good to question the validity of the information being conveyed, but I do believe it does communicate effectively the main idea and broad definition of the topic being researched. I do not think Wikipedia should be considered as a scholarly bank of knowledge and information, but I would state it does have a great chance to help successfully than misinform a person regarding a subject. This belief is reinforced by the average that Britannica articles would average three errors, and Wikipedia post would average about four errors.

I found the information regarding how a person more prone to the computer science/information world would be geared to post, than compared to a writer or poet. I do believe if more promotion within our higher educational classes to contribute and post would help increase the participation from a broader range of educational backgrounds.

I believe only time and increased number of users attracted to being able to publish their hard work of education online will only attribute to a more reliable and informational resource. While it is well on its way, perhaps soon Wikipedia will gain more of a respected reputation within the scholarly community.

- TJ

Reading #1

"Web Hoaxes, Counterfeit Sites, and Other Spurious Information on the Internet"
By Paul S. Piper

As information becomes more easily available for the public, it is important to have reservations about what you encounter. It is amazing the detailed and extravagant hoaxes groups and individuals will pursue to mislead the public as much as they can. A great example of the great lengths and details these hoaxes are conducted with is the story of Dr. Bichlbauer from the counterfeit homepage of the World Trade Organization. A trade group requested the author of the web site to address their conference, which he accepted, stating rash ideas, and then staging his own death in a fabricated attack when he returned home. As well as hoaxes there are a number of suspicious web sites that simply are created to stir the public. Web sites such as the one attempting to “disprove” the Holocaust took place. These web sites go to such lengths as having Ph. D references, but if dug deeper into these sites, links and opinions are most likely to surface.

While sites geared toward entertainment and comedy can be obvious counterfeit, some sites are not as obvious. The free press has picked up a story or two that was false reporting it as real to the public. This is a very serious problem when the press reports a false article to the pubic who will take it as the truth. This raises my concerns, and the abundance of disinformation available.

I am appalled by the fake organizations that created donor sites claming to help support specific causes or to help the families of those suffering. These scam sites took advantage of good people to better themselves and keep the donations.

I did not realize how many different attacks there are on information on the web, and how easily accessed it is. I have already read several of these web sites mention in the article and did not realize what I was reading until now. I even regarded my internet capabilities as above average and still was fooled by counterfeit sites. I believe knowledge of detecting a counterfeit site should be brought up more commonly, decreasing the chance of success of distributing disinformation.

News Report #1

Obama poised to be first “wired” president
January 15, 2009-01-19
By Brandon Griggs
CNN http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/01/15/obama.internet.president/index.html

In the midst of the information age, it seems everything is digital and easily accessible on several different types of media mediums. With these media barriers broken and nothing in his way, Barak Obama has begun and will continue to communicate directly with the public through a YouTube channel as well as his own personal Facebook page. Yes, president-elect, Barak Obama can be your friend on Facebook as well. Using these mediums and reaching out to Americans directly will skip the traditional media filters that have reported to the public before. The effect of this new approach of using technology to face the public directly will bring Americans closer to Democracy, and into the agenda of Obama.

Obama has already started strong in his online campaign, “friend-ing” more than 1 million MySpace friends and 3.7 million supports on his Facebook page. The online communication is opening up a two-way communication for Americans and their President. This communication is not taken lightly either, a blog can be found at Change.gov, the official site of the president-elect’s transition team, with postings of ideas from people that are rated. These top rated ideas are to be gathered into a briefing book and then given to Obama. This new approach to direct communication is tearing down the walls of media, creating a new transparency, and stronger voice of the people. It is forecasted these technologies will be continued to be used, in addition to new technologies by future presidents.

The initiative of Obama to reach out to the public and inform them directly really appeals to me, and makes me feel more involved and have a voice in my government. I am looking forward to the effect this will have on his office as well as Americans. I hope that people feel more informed and comfortable with the direction due to the availability of information.

-TJ

My First Post

Here goes my gnarly adventure into the world of Blogging and the world of the unknown.