extra credit post - 05/23/05
I think that VoIP will be extremely useful for improving telephone networks. I think that this technology will catch on first with people who make a lot of phone calls internationally, especially for business. Companies are always looking for a way to cut down on costs and talking over the internet does just that. This seems like a way to make conference calls from country to country a lot cheaper. Even for those of us who use it for personal reasons would seem to benefit from it. Everyone cannot afford a long distance plan on their cell or home phones, so a VoIP connection over the internet, which most people have, would seem like an extremely great option. This seems true for cable as well, since it is not always affordable to everyone. Cheaper technology is always more inclusive so I think it's a great idea.
VoIP technology - 5/23/05
I think that this is a great new piece of technology. Like many other technologies that have been introduced, it takes a while for people to catch on to it because they are used to and are comfortable with how they usually do things. But once a few people catch on to VoIP, I think that this will change cable and telephone networks for the better. I think that anything that offers great service (for a cheaper cost) to soceity will eventually become extremely popular once more and more people realize how good it is, including VoIP technology.
public space 05-09-2005
Before reading this first article I had no idea the lengths that governments around the world were going through to censor certain internet use, but I'm not surprised. I can see both sides of the argument when it comes to putting limitations on what most consider "public space". People are worried, on one hand, that certain things detrimental to society will be put on the internet, while those on the other side of the argument fear for censorship of free speech. It seems to be extremely difficult to put any type of restrictrions on "public space" and I have not come to the conclusion if I agree with this. I also wonder if there's a way that certain materials can be censored in ways to appease everyone. This is done with television now...There's basic cable that is censored to a degree, and if people want more they have to buy the channels that are playing the material that they want. Could this be used toward controlling the "public space" on the world wide web also? Could they charge people to visit certain sites that would otherwise be kept from operating via internet? Would this be fair?
Midterm report on individual project
The research that I have done so far for my project is going well. I am finding a lot of good and detailed information. The only problem I am having at this point is narrowing down my topic which I feel is necessary. I'm not sure what aspect I want to cover and how to do it as effectively as possible, without leaving out vital information or background information necessary to understand what I'm talking about. At this point I'm leaning towards focusing on radio broadcasting over the internet and the effects that it has on radio as a whole medium, as well as it's impact on its users and the community. I need to get on the ball because I am a habitual procrastinator but I don't want this project (as well as those for other classes) to sneak up on me at the end. Wish me luck! ;-)
readings and open source software 5-04-2005
I see a connection between the readings on the "second superpower" and open source software. Both rely on the internet for a sort of community and connection. Whether it be for business or pleasure people can connect to each other for ideas and/or help. There is no longer the necessity to rely on big business for this. People are joining together to support one another and to share similar interests. The "second power" also relies on the internet to widely and instantaneously spread ideas and messages to the supporting community. In each case, people no longer have to be near each other to communicate. In a sense the internet has brought people closer together over space and time. Also, control is not limited to those people who create but participation is open to a wide range of people.
Blogging and the community 5-2-2005
Blogging facilitates community because it creates a space where people with similar interests can find each other and share ideas. It gives a voice to individuals who want to express their opinions, and allows people to comment on these opinions. It promotes conversation with people what one may never come into contact with but may have a lot in common with or want to discuss something with. It promotes a community beyond the limitations of distance because all one needs is access to the internet and an idea they want to share. People who may have never thought of conversing before are brought together because they may have seen something interesting on another blogger's page and just had to leave another comment. It facilitates thoughtful conversation because a post has to grab someone's attention enough to want to post a response. No one is forced into this community and it is built from the ground up. No one has to be invited and it is not exclusive. Anyone with anything to say can contribute as a member of the blogging community.
GNU & Market Networking
Why scholars should study the open source software movement...
Because this is where the future is headed. It is important to study this new innovation to understand the pros and cons associated with it. Open source software is created to give people thier own personal stronghold in creating their software, catering to themselves, if they so feel the need. This software makes things more personal for the individual and more and more people are turning to this way of operating their computers. If scholars are not familiar with this technology they stand the chance of being left behind.
When I first read these two articles I was confused to say the least, and I didn't quite get the connection between the two. However, upon thinking about it for a while longer I realized that both articles seemed to be geared toward making our technology work best for us and our markets more personal and individualized...like trying to help us help ourselves if we so choose to, instead of relying blindly on software engineers to create things for us or big companies to sell things to us. In the end, who knows more about us, and our immediate networks for that matter, more than us?
Electronic voting (4/20/05)
After reading these articles I don't really know if electronic voting is a step forward. In theory it sounds like a good idea, and less work. But my main concern is that there is no actual ballot. There is not actually something that can be traced because it is all done by computers. When I mark my vote on a ballot, I am sure that is what I want to mark, and if counted correctly by officials (one thing I can't be absolutely sure of) my vote will be counted accurately. However when I push a button on a machine, how do I know it went through, how do I know it went through correctly. I like the idea of having something solid in my hand that I can view. I do like the idea of the electronic voting that also prints out something you can see. It would interesting to see if there was some kind of confirmation number they could give you (not traceable to who you are of course) that you could check out on the internet, or maybe just before leaving the polls, to make sure your vote was counted correctly.
