What’s the value of a bit? It seems that going after folks who have traded songs or movies online is a huge expenditure of effort and money. Is DRM-protected content the way to go? If you don’t agree, propose another method for the distribution of digital multimedia so that content creators can still be compensated.
I think that DRM (Digital Rights Management) is the way to go because it is basically controlling the access and limiting the technologies and devices. There are many companies that use DRM but it is a topic and issue that continues to stir up controversy. I do agree however that it is a good way to go despite the problems that it has encountered with limiting and sometimes preventing access of digital content. The more I thought about it the more I realized how big of a problem it is to try and control the rights of digital devices or content that is being distributed. It seems to me that there have always been ways around it. Too many individuals or copyrighted companies (creators) have lost money to the ways around DRM. I believe that most of the time the creators are not compensated as much as they should be and no matter what method is taken, there have always been ways around it. I didn’t know much about it until after reading this chapter and it was interesting to me how everyone knows the risk’s and what can happen if you are caught illegally downloading music but still continue to do it anyways. It also made me think of my own music on my iPod, I do not download any music on my computer; I only upload songs and play list from different friends. I have however failed to ask where they have been getting their music from and now curious as to see the answer to that.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
eBay and FOAF-style network
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?
I personally have never used eBay to buy anything because I think that there is too much risk. I know for others though, especially a lot of my friends tend to use it to buy so many different things. I do think that it works, but I always have in the back of my mind that when I pay for something is it really going to come to my address and receive what I paid for? There is always the risk too of giving out your personal information and expecting it to stay private. I feel like we have talked about this throughout the semester and it is pretty clear that once something is on the internet there is always that possibility of the security being broken and your information getting into the hands wrong person. I also think it depends on experience on whether someone thinks there is too much risk or if it is okay for them to give out their personal information.
2. What professional benefits do you see by investing some time in a FOAF-style network?
I think there are more benefits to FOAF-style networking that comes to mind. To put your name out there in more than one way and be able to network yourself is a great tool to have and be able to use. By doing so you can benefit your career greatly, it’s like the saying “sometimes it’s not about what you know but who you know.” I think this holds true always. That is how I got my internship this summer and through my mom knowing the boss. I also formed more connections and ways to market and network my skills to others. This style of network can not only benefit you, but your friend and the company or profession as well. If your friend already has a job and is well established and happens to put your name out there as a worthy candidate and the company already knows your friends capability, you have a very good chance of getting that position. Especially in today’s society, where the economy is struggling, there are so many qualified people who are in running for a position but FOAF-style network could be what sets you apart from the rest.
I personally have never used eBay to buy anything because I think that there is too much risk. I know for others though, especially a lot of my friends tend to use it to buy so many different things. I do think that it works, but I always have in the back of my mind that when I pay for something is it really going to come to my address and receive what I paid for? There is always the risk too of giving out your personal information and expecting it to stay private. I feel like we have talked about this throughout the semester and it is pretty clear that once something is on the internet there is always that possibility of the security being broken and your information getting into the hands wrong person. I also think it depends on experience on whether someone thinks there is too much risk or if it is okay for them to give out their personal information.
2. What professional benefits do you see by investing some time in a FOAF-style network?
I think there are more benefits to FOAF-style networking that comes to mind. To put your name out there in more than one way and be able to network yourself is a great tool to have and be able to use. By doing so you can benefit your career greatly, it’s like the saying “sometimes it’s not about what you know but who you know.” I think this holds true always. That is how I got my internship this summer and through my mom knowing the boss. I also formed more connections and ways to market and network my skills to others. This style of network can not only benefit you, but your friend and the company or profession as well. If your friend already has a job and is well established and happens to put your name out there as a worthy candidate and the company already knows your friends capability, you have a very good chance of getting that position. Especially in today’s society, where the economy is struggling, there are so many qualified people who are in running for a position but FOAF-style network could be what sets you apart from the rest.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Finding Revolution Online
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.
I tend to side both ways but for the most part I actually tend to disagree more than I agree. My opinion being the opposite, in that society changes when new technologies emerge and only then are the behaviors of society changed. I think a good example is Facebook and how social media has changed so drastically. There has been a movie to show the shift in social interaction (The Social Network) and it is evident in so many aspects of everyday life. Business’ are now making their own Facebook page to further network and update their latest news and events. Even smaller organizations, such as ones within the JMU community have their own pages which allow for the behavior of students to change and become more dependent on finding their information from Facebook as a main source. Other sources of information such as email, telephones and even text messaging are still very much active but social networking is a new technology that has seemed to take over and change the behaviors and way of communication between people.
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?
An example where an informational cascade would be a sound idea would be in school. Students who work hard and make good grades and go above and beyond to further their education and others can see that as a motivation. Another example would be the laws. The same action taken by citizens and what the rules that are obeyed by is a good concept in which information cascade is a sound idea. One obvious example that I know everyone has heard off is jumping off a cliff, if someone did that would you do it too? Another poor choice when considering the concept of information cascade is drugs. A lot of people tend to give into peer pressure, but staying above the influence and not following what others do is the best way to go in this case.
I tend to side both ways but for the most part I actually tend to disagree more than I agree. My opinion being the opposite, in that society changes when new technologies emerge and only then are the behaviors of society changed. I think a good example is Facebook and how social media has changed so drastically. There has been a movie to show the shift in social interaction (The Social Network) and it is evident in so many aspects of everyday life. Business’ are now making their own Facebook page to further network and update their latest news and events. Even smaller organizations, such as ones within the JMU community have their own pages which allow for the behavior of students to change and become more dependent on finding their information from Facebook as a main source. Other sources of information such as email, telephones and even text messaging are still very much active but social networking is a new technology that has seemed to take over and change the behaviors and way of communication between people.
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?
An example where an informational cascade would be a sound idea would be in school. Students who work hard and make good grades and go above and beyond to further their education and others can see that as a motivation. Another example would be the laws. The same action taken by citizens and what the rules that are obeyed by is a good concept in which information cascade is a sound idea. One obvious example that I know everyone has heard off is jumping off a cliff, if someone did that would you do it too? Another poor choice when considering the concept of information cascade is drugs. A lot of people tend to give into peer pressure, but staying above the influence and not following what others do is the best way to go in this case.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
FREE
1. Why is “zero” such a hot-button word?
Free, which goes hand in hand with the word zero is…“Decline in quality and cost of money but it something next cost money we wouldn’t feel the same way.” Like the example in the listening, a free bagel is often stale but ketchup is always free and zero dollars and it is okay. Zero is such a hot-button word because it essentially refers to something being “free” or costing nothing in value. Zero means nothing and there for when used in context it can become a hot-button word when pricing comes into the picture.
2. Explain and give an example of a mental transaction cost.
The act of subscribing to a magazine is an example of a mental transaction cost. For the subscriber to pay even one cent, it is showing the advertiser that they are interested in the subscription and therefore will pay in order to read it. When a magazine is free, it is regarded as junk and not as valuable because the customer is not paying for it. The magazine is just there and available and not something that the customer would necessarily be interested in. Prescribers make their profit from advertising and tend to make up the difference and find out what makes something profitable. There is also as the audio states “controlled circulation” in which prescribers give out magazines for free. There for people often wonder why there are more readers who actually want to read the magazines that are free vs. the ones that aren’t. As stated in the audio, it’s all mind tricks of what you are and aren’t paying and what it means.
Free, which goes hand in hand with the word zero is…“Decline in quality and cost of money but it something next cost money we wouldn’t feel the same way.” Like the example in the listening, a free bagel is often stale but ketchup is always free and zero dollars and it is okay. Zero is such a hot-button word because it essentially refers to something being “free” or costing nothing in value. Zero means nothing and there for when used in context it can become a hot-button word when pricing comes into the picture.
2. Explain and give an example of a mental transaction cost.
The act of subscribing to a magazine is an example of a mental transaction cost. For the subscriber to pay even one cent, it is showing the advertiser that they are interested in the subscription and therefore will pay in order to read it. When a magazine is free, it is regarded as junk and not as valuable because the customer is not paying for it. The magazine is just there and available and not something that the customer would necessarily be interested in. Prescribers make their profit from advertising and tend to make up the difference and find out what makes something profitable. There is also as the audio states “controlled circulation” in which prescribers give out magazines for free. There for people often wonder why there are more readers who actually want to read the magazines that are free vs. the ones that aren’t. As stated in the audio, it’s all mind tricks of what you are and aren’t paying and what it means.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
JMU only and Scratch
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?
First of all, I defiantly do not think Wikipedia is meaningless. The information might not always be accurate but I think it is a great way for information to get a start. I think a local version of “JMU only” would be of higher quality and more accurate then a worldwide version. Especially now, I think the worldwide version would focus on only what they know from the media and right now that would be the recent events this past spring and are recent victory against Tech. I think the local version would have a greater insight on other qualities that JMU has past parting and football and maybe what organizations are doing to give back to the community. Worldwide versions I feel tend to focus on a broader spectrum of what the over all concept of something, giving it less quality . Where as a local view would cite more detailed information and go in depth on things that the worldwide version would not have. I also think by having the different versions of something could really show how accurate and different something can be depending on the source.
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?
The main thing I observed as being a benefit was how it was meaningful. When you participate and involve yourself in something that you care about you tend to put in a lot of hard work and effort. When you put other people in the equation that share the same passion that you do, I think the space created is a great place for collaborative work. It is also a great way to learn a new tool in creating something new. The one quote that summarized what Scratch was all about for me was one that I believe would get others interested and involved. “Three core design
principles for Scratch: Make it more tinkerable,more meaningful,and more social than other programming environments.” All three of these are benefits that would absolutely create a space where people would want to share their work and continue to do so. Scratch also reminds me of Facebook, or social networking because there is a community that is formed and I think it is a great way to share information and learn new things.
First of all, I defiantly do not think Wikipedia is meaningless. The information might not always be accurate but I think it is a great way for information to get a start. I think a local version of “JMU only” would be of higher quality and more accurate then a worldwide version. Especially now, I think the worldwide version would focus on only what they know from the media and right now that would be the recent events this past spring and are recent victory against Tech. I think the local version would have a greater insight on other qualities that JMU has past parting and football and maybe what organizations are doing to give back to the community. Worldwide versions I feel tend to focus on a broader spectrum of what the over all concept of something, giving it less quality . Where as a local view would cite more detailed information and go in depth on things that the worldwide version would not have. I also think by having the different versions of something could really show how accurate and different something can be depending on the source.
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?
The main thing I observed as being a benefit was how it was meaningful. When you participate and involve yourself in something that you care about you tend to put in a lot of hard work and effort. When you put other people in the equation that share the same passion that you do, I think the space created is a great place for collaborative work. It is also a great way to learn a new tool in creating something new. The one quote that summarized what Scratch was all about for me was one that I believe would get others interested and involved. “Three core design
principles for Scratch: Make it more tinkerable,more meaningful,and more social than other programming environments.” All three of these are benefits that would absolutely create a space where people would want to share their work and continue to do so. Scratch also reminds me of Facebook, or social networking because there is a community that is formed and I think it is a great way to share information and learn new things.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Wiki
* "Wiki promotes meaningful topic associations between different pages by making page link creation almost intuitively easy and showing whether an intended target page exists or not."
~ I think this is a very important point and something I found very useful because I have no idea what Wiki was and to just know that it is easy and very user friendly makes me more interested to learn about it and not be intimidated.
*"seeks to involve the visitor in an ongoing process of creation and collaboration that constantly changes the Web site landscape."
~ I also really thought this was an important point to mention that it was an ongoing process and that you can collaborate with others to change the web site whenever!
* "In Wikipedia, blue links are to pages that exist. Red links, they have yet to be written."
~ I found this very useful!!! I always wondered what the different colors meant and now I know so that's really cool!
*The video Wikis in Plain English was a really cool tool to learn visually what Wiki was all about. I def learned that the most essential tools that I will need would be the edit, save and link buttons. "Edit, process and save" is the phrase used in this video to describe Wiki and helped me understand the process so much better!
~ I think this is a very important point and something I found very useful because I have no idea what Wiki was and to just know that it is easy and very user friendly makes me more interested to learn about it and not be intimidated.
*"seeks to involve the visitor in an ongoing process of creation and collaboration that constantly changes the Web site landscape."
~ I also really thought this was an important point to mention that it was an ongoing process and that you can collaborate with others to change the web site whenever!
* "In Wikipedia, blue links are to pages that exist. Red links, they have yet to be written."
~ I found this very useful!!! I always wondered what the different colors meant and now I know so that's really cool!
*The video Wikis in Plain English was a really cool tool to learn visually what Wiki was all about. I def learned that the most essential tools that I will need would be the edit, save and link buttons. "Edit, process and save" is the phrase used in this video to describe Wiki and helped me understand the process so much better!
Privacy
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?
If my mother were to use wifi to send me an e-mail and my home network was not protected I would defiantly be suggesting for her to enable WEP or WPA!!! I think that it is very important, especially in today’s cyber world to keep what you can keep, private. Either of these protocols offers confidentiality, something that my mother would not have had before. It is also nice to have a little bit more confidence in that what you sending are protected and a more secure network. I do believe that nothing is ever really private anymore and I know that enabling one of these protocols doesn’t guarantee complete privacy but it is a start and will make the overall experience more reliable. I do feel that one is more advanced than the other and would be a better quality service to use and that would be WPA. This system, from my reading in class and a little bit of outside reading I found that WPA was developed in regards to the weakness of WEP, which just reiterates what I already stated; that privacy isn’t really that private and there are always flaws in a system that make it almost impossible to secure each and every little thing. But overall I would suggest a protocol to my mom so she can have a more secure and protected network than she had before.
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 don’t really think that looking at e-mails without a warrant by any means is right. People have a right to privacy which has really almost all been taken away by Bush. Almost everything is digital now and a large majority of people use e-mail as a way of communicating. To be allowed to have access to someone’s privacy without a warrant is really taking away the rights of citizens. I don’t think that most citizens would give up their privacy, but I don’t think that we have a choice in the matter. Most of the time it is being done and none of us even know it is going on which is the scary part. What you do, when you think something it is private, it’s most likely not. It is like a constantly being watched feeling; to know that what you do at any point can be seen by someone else with whom you did not give permission or access to see. Overall, I think this is something that is here to stay and is only going to intensify as technology increases over time.
If my mother were to use wifi to send me an e-mail and my home network was not protected I would defiantly be suggesting for her to enable WEP or WPA!!! I think that it is very important, especially in today’s cyber world to keep what you can keep, private. Either of these protocols offers confidentiality, something that my mother would not have had before. It is also nice to have a little bit more confidence in that what you sending are protected and a more secure network. I do believe that nothing is ever really private anymore and I know that enabling one of these protocols doesn’t guarantee complete privacy but it is a start and will make the overall experience more reliable. I do feel that one is more advanced than the other and would be a better quality service to use and that would be WPA. This system, from my reading in class and a little bit of outside reading I found that WPA was developed in regards to the weakness of WEP, which just reiterates what I already stated; that privacy isn’t really that private and there are always flaws in a system that make it almost impossible to secure each and every little thing. But overall I would suggest a protocol to my mom so she can have a more secure and protected network than she had before.
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 don’t really think that looking at e-mails without a warrant by any means is right. People have a right to privacy which has really almost all been taken away by Bush. Almost everything is digital now and a large majority of people use e-mail as a way of communicating. To be allowed to have access to someone’s privacy without a warrant is really taking away the rights of citizens. I don’t think that most citizens would give up their privacy, but I don’t think that we have a choice in the matter. Most of the time it is being done and none of us even know it is going on which is the scary part. What you do, when you think something it is private, it’s most likely not. It is like a constantly being watched feeling; to know that what you do at any point can be seen by someone else with whom you did not give permission or access to see. Overall, I think this is something that is here to stay and is only going to intensify as technology increases over time.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Coming Clean
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?
I have always thought that drug companies should be required to come clean about situations, especially when it puts your health at risk! I know that most of the time when you look at the commercials on TV, websites or even on the radio the print is so fine or the talking is so fast at the end of the commercial that you can’t even comprehend what is being said or read what the side effects are. It is interesting to me that the official website wouldn’t mention the side effects of the drug but another website would. I think this shows a lot about a company’s character and for a company to not provide that sort of information is wrong to the individuals exposed to the drug. I think that if a company does come clean on side effects that have gone wrong in patients it does show that there can be complications in taking the drug but it also shows the character of that company. And when I say come clean I mean a thorough explanation not a quick sentence at the end of a commercial or website. To have a good reputation weather it is represented on a website, TV commercial, radio etc I think that all information, good or bad should be required to be mentioned.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Proprietary Software can be an advantage
Some states and some companies are turning to open source software for a variety of reasons, some mentioned in this chapter. Some companies (say Microsoft) 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.
For me, I have never really paid that much attention to weather the software I was using was open source or propriety. Open source software seems to be a way for other people to understand how the software works and make modifications. Microsoft however has seemed to take the opposite approach and use propriety software. This type of software makes it up to the company on how the software is distributed and most of the time it is highly restricted. Although it seems very limited, it could also be to the company’s advantage. This might mean paying for the software but it could also mean more money to create funds for research and advance the software. This can also be an advantage because problems that are likely to occur can be fixed with the time and effort put into it. Adobe Photoshop is an example of proprietary software. The company is always coming out with new versions of the software with updates and new features. This is such an advantage because it allows for error but the customers still know that research and money is being put into making it better. There is also a license agreement that the customer agrees to on how long they will be able to use the software, and although it may seem restricted it also guarantees the use of that program until the license is up. The one thought that came to mind when I thought about proprietary software is you get what you pay for, and most of the time when using open source software it is not always what you expect it to be. With proprietary though you do get what you pay for and even though it isn’t free sometimes it is worth it to pay for something that does all of the functions you can’t always get with open source.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Social Media Tools
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?
The world of technology is constantly shifting and it’s hard for me to even keep up to pace. Like Shirky points out, everything that used to be so clear between one another are now all merging into one. “Now that our communication technology is changing, the distinctions among those patterns of communication are evaporating; what was once a part break between two styles of communicating is becoming a smooth transition.” (Pg 87) I like this quote from Shirky because it is the one thing that I so often fail to recognize but what is evident everyday and what will continue to happen now and in the future. Media tools are so useful to me in everyday tasks that I’ve almost forgotten what it would be like if these tools didn’t exist. The one thing that we have talked about in class and that is very unambiguous is privacy. It is one thing that people can no longer have complete control over once they start to use these media tools.
Out of all of the media tools named above you can make a sure bet out of it that the impact of these social media tools and networks will continue to dominate. I think that is what Shirky meant by media tools becoming “invisible”, that they are now becoming undistinguishable from one another. The presentation on social media was a perfect example of what the different time periods were like pertaining to social networking. It has steadily and rapidly increased over the years and like the presenters stated, has no intention of slowing down. All of this makes me think that the impact it will have on the money I spend towards different things. Overall I believe I will continue to spend the same but maybe not as frequent. I say these because the more and more technology that is discovered the more ways there are to buy things. Media tools can promote items that you want to buy in commercials digitally and maybe even cheaper than if you were to buy merchandise in a store. I feel like the impact on the amount a customer will spend on things depends on how up to date they are with social and networking media tools.
Community of practice
Consider the concept of a “community of practice.” How can such a community offer opportunities for learning?
I am a huge fan of “community of practice”! As Shriky says, I am always asking my friends “How did you do that?!” I am taking another class for my minor this semester called Informational Technology. It is all about learning new forms of technology such as Photoshop and Dreamweaver (those are the two media tools I have worked with so far). I am able to learn how to navigate and use these tools through a website called Atomic Learning and Technology Skills Training. This is a program that takes you step by step on how to operate the media tool such as Photoshop, to recreate and make images your own (endless possibilities) or Dreamweaver, where you can create your own website. Atomic Learning has tutorials on different labeled sections of the program and visual and vocal tools to help you out. It is very user friendly and I have found it so useful! I think “community of practice” and websites such as Atomic Learning are great ways for people to learn new skills. I know that for the job that I would ultimately want (Event Planner) I need to have the most diverse and up to date skills that I can to be in a business that requires creativity and business. “Community of practice” would be great for anyone who wants to learn something new and an easy way for them to figure out “how someone did that”. I support this way of practice to the fullest and think it is a great way to learn anything that you have trouble figuring out that just needs a little more attention.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Everyone is a Media Outlet
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).
Whenever I have a personal question that I feel is important to me and I’d like answered I usually go to Google. You can almost usually always find what you are looking for. There are always countless links to the topic or subject you want answered. I go to the site and type in, not necessarily a question but just a word or two of what I’m trying to find. Generally the results that appear are what I am searching for. If I don’t find the information that would answer my question the first time I tend to rephrase my wording and that usually works out the best for me.
This method of answering my own questions comes a lot easier than consulting a professional that would give me similar information and not have to pay for a visit if that is what my question was relevant to. I also try and make sure that the sources that I am looking up are creditable and not just someone’s opinion or blog that has been posted with information pertaining to my question. I also think this way of answering my personal question works the best because if the question I am asking is something very personal to me I may not want to consult anyone for the answer. Finding the answer to my question through a search engine on my own still gives me the same knowledge base, just without anyone knowing my personal concerns. That is why I use Google when I have an important personal question that I’d like answered.
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 never used Craigslist or EBay to buy or sell something. I have actually never sold anything at all online. I have, however used Amazon for the first time to purchase Here Comes Everybody for this class. The process of doing this was very easy to me, although I asked my roommate for help sense she had used it several times. All I did was type in the title of the book that I wanted to purchase (Here Comes Everybody) and several listings of the book came up. I had the choice of buying a used or brand new book and the prices varied on each. I picked a used copy of this book and had it shipped to me. The total came out to be a little over eight dollars including shipping and I was very satisfied with how good of shape the book was in and pleasantly surprised at how easy it was. I received an email right after I made my purchase and it included a date at which it was to arrive. When the book was actually sent out, I also received an email and got the book a week earlier than expected. This site was very user friendly and I would absolutely use it again! I was always very hesitant with using online sites to purchase anything because of privacy and making sure I go what I paid for but after my experience this first time, I have no problem using it again.
Whenever I have a personal question that I feel is important to me and I’d like answered I usually go to Google. You can almost usually always find what you are looking for. There are always countless links to the topic or subject you want answered. I go to the site and type in, not necessarily a question but just a word or two of what I’m trying to find. Generally the results that appear are what I am searching for. If I don’t find the information that would answer my question the first time I tend to rephrase my wording and that usually works out the best for me.
This method of answering my own questions comes a lot easier than consulting a professional that would give me similar information and not have to pay for a visit if that is what my question was relevant to. I also try and make sure that the sources that I am looking up are creditable and not just someone’s opinion or blog that has been posted with information pertaining to my question. I also think this way of answering my personal question works the best because if the question I am asking is something very personal to me I may not want to consult anyone for the answer. Finding the answer to my question through a search engine on my own still gives me the same knowledge base, just without anyone knowing my personal concerns. That is why I use Google when I have an important personal question that I’d like answered.
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 never used Craigslist or EBay to buy or sell something. I have actually never sold anything at all online. I have, however used Amazon for the first time to purchase Here Comes Everybody for this class. The process of doing this was very easy to me, although I asked my roommate for help sense she had used it several times. All I did was type in the title of the book that I wanted to purchase (Here Comes Everybody) and several listings of the book came up. I had the choice of buying a used or brand new book and the prices varied on each. I picked a used copy of this book and had it shipped to me. The total came out to be a little over eight dollars including shipping and I was very satisfied with how good of shape the book was in and pleasantly surprised at how easy it was. I received an email right after I made my purchase and it included a date at which it was to arrive. When the book was actually sent out, I also received an email and got the book a week earlier than expected. This site was very user friendly and I would absolutely use it again! I was always very hesitant with using online sites to purchase anything because of privacy and making sure I go what I paid for but after my experience this first time, I have no problem using it again.
A Digital World
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?
This question is one that I actually had direct contact with. Last summer, the summer before I came to JMU (this is only my second year here) I went to China to study abroad with my school, UVA-Wise. It was the best thing I've ever done but also the most different. The culture shock was huge and it took me a few days to really adjust to all the differences. I took classes at the Shanghai International University on the cultural background and history of China. I learned that a lot of their restrictions came from their government and that the people really didn't have much say or control over it. The students who I came with all had a day out with our pen pals and went so many different places around the city. I learned a lot about not only the sites but about them, their goals and how they lived their everyday life. The most interesting thing to me was that the one thing said to me by a girl I met, Gigi. She listened to almost all of the same music that I did! I asked if she had seen the music videos on You tube and she explained that it was blocked. She then went into detail on how the government put restrictions on what the people are allowed to see. It made me really sad because all of the things that I have been able to experience and been exposed to all my life, she probably has no idea about any of it. Lets face it, our country is so advanced and has access to things that five, ten years ago didn't even exist yet.
I knew now that I could not access You Tube and told my roommate about it so we went back to the hotel where we stayed and tried for ourselves, sure enough it was blocked. I went to search for it on Google and found that the things available to search in China were severally restricted. I really didn't understand how a country like China, who also had many technology advances was a place so restricted to it. Gigi also went onto explain that the government was very secretive on issues and that most of the time the people would never know many of the things being changed and done right in front of them.
I believe that this world is full of good and bad issues but that's how people learn and make the choices and decisions that they do. To restrict people of this knowledge, the way to see the world in a different way is robbing them of a chance to live a very sheltered and cutback life. I don't believe Google/Yahoo should change their censoring of search results based on what country you live in but I don't think that Google/Yahoo have much control over this though. Like Gigi told me, the government has so much power that the people are powerless, much like Google is to China. The power of knowledge is in the hands of the Chinese government which has been limited and I feel as though will limit the knowledge of the people as well. While American's have to many options of search engines, television stations, music, techology in genreal, "In China, the situation is reversed: The technology creates greater government control of the information its citizens receive, and better tools for monitoring their behavior." (Blown to Bits,4) This whole issue reminds me of one quote that JMU is famous for, "knowledge is power" and I feel explains the way China is perceived on censoring issues and the lack of knowledge that is capable due to the power of the government.
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 had mixed emotions on this subject. For one, I myself have several of these cards and never really looked at it in depth like this chapter has. The one thing that caught my eye the most and that I could personally relate to was the description of TJX. "The theft of information about 45 million customers of TJX stores, described in Chapter 5, “Secret Bits,” was even larger than the British catastrophe." (Blown to Bits,36) I used to work at TJ Maxx back home in high school for two years and the leak of personal information is what made such a huge controversy for this store. I worked a lot of customer service and we promoted a TJX Rewards card not too long after this incident and it was very very hard to convince the customers that the information they were giving us was safe after the theft of so people happened.
For every customer I had to ask " Would you like to save 10% today by applying for a TJX rewards card." So what would happen is the customer would fill out a form of personal information and I would enter it in the computer and if it was accepted then they would save 10% on the purchase right then and there, if it wasn't however they would receive a letter in the mail on how to receive a rewards card. This was very hard for me to promote sense almost everyone customer was a regular and aware of what had happened in the past. I also feel like it depends on the amount of discount that a person would get in order for that person to give their personal information out. No one wanted to give their personal information, social security numbers were required and several customers said they didn't want the discount anymore after finding that it was needed and the discount only being 10%. Now if it was a higher discount I feel as though some might reconsider because they want to save money.
I believe that purchasing privacy for discounts depends on the person and the experiences that they have had. I myself have not had any problems with loyalty cards but have seen when they go very wrong. That is why this question is so hard for me to lean one way or the other. "We lose control of our personal information because of things we do to ourselves, and things others do to us." (Blown to Bits,36) It is both our fault and not at the same time because we are trusting someone else with our information and expecting it to stay private when that is not always the case, like TJX. I do feel that I am more careful after I worked at TJ Maxx on the information that I give out and ask questions before I give out my information. Where as before I worked there I did not at all. I do not however believe that it is not worth risking your privacy just to receive a discount. The technology and things that people can do these days is unreal and not impossible as what happened to TJX, it could happen to me too.
Villages and Sharing
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?
I consider the main role of websites such as Facebook or MySpace to be social networking. These sites were put in place to allow people to stay in touch with their friends, family, aquatints etc. This was made possible when these sites were created allowing unlimited picture uploads, instant messaging, in-box messages, the possibilities go on and on. Newly emerging groups are happening all of the time within these websites. If there isn’t a group and you think there should be all you have to do is create one yourself. There is no need for managers to point you in the right direction or tell you how to work these social networking sties. By producing your own group for something you’re interested in, upcoming events etc is a great way to meet new people with the same interests as you and build a whole new networking system within a larger system. For websites such as these, you can create and do anything you want to do, being your own manager. That being said the control of these sites lies solely with the people who are a part of it. Users of Facebook and MySpace are what make the site such a success and well known. People are constantly using it, updates and reuniting with others making the formation and control up to the user.
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?
One group that I am a member of on campus is R.E.A.C.H, which stands for Real Educators Activating Campus Health. This group is one that, in order to become a member you have to fill out an application. There is then an interview process that also happens and you find out shortly after if you are invited to become a part of this organization. There is more to the organization than just getting past the interview process. There are programs that you present on different aspects of campus health. However, in order to present these programs you have to take a credited class for one semester to become a nationally certified peer educator.
R.E.A.C.H does have a supervisor, someone who oversees the organization as a whole and a member manager which is in more direct contact with the members of the group. The member manager is how we receive all of our information. Our information is received through email, mostly about meeting times and new upcoming programs. When we have meetings we decide there who will be facilitating and presenting the programs and also discuss any current events that pertain to our group. This group is great on organization and it is very easily fixed if there is ever a miscommunication among the group. Almost all of our organization happens during the meetings and is decided as a whole. We ask who is available to volunteer their time to put on a program and who has time to facilitate new ones. This way of organizing works very well and helps old members get to know new members by paring up with someone new. Overall, everyone distributes to help make this group function and stay organized by volunteering and having open communication with one another.
Friday, September 3, 2010
~*a little bit about me*~
Hello! I'm Kelly McDow. I'm 21 years old and from Roanoke, Va. I am a transfer student from UVA-Wise, so this is only my second year at JMU but my fourth year in school. I am an SCOM major with a concentration in organizational and minoring in Educational Media. I really love JMU and am glad I took the initiative to transfer and make a change in my life. My family means everything to me and were very supportive of me transferring sense both of my parents went to JMU as well. They met here and loved that I transferred here. My sister is a senior in high school and plans to go here as well, so we try to keep it in the family!
Anyways that's a little about myself and as for this class I'd really like to learn about how to navigate this online class first of all and feel comfortable with it. This is my first time ever taking an online class so I'm a little nervous. I'm also really excited to learn about more technology in society and everything this class has to offer. I would really love to become an event planner. I had an internship back home at a local country club and was actually the "Banquet Sales Manager" aka wedding/events planner there and I absolutely loved it!! I'm hoping this class will futher my skills and knowledge that I need so I can become more successful and effective in whatever I do!
Anyways that's a little about myself and as for this class I'd really like to learn about how to navigate this online class first of all and feel comfortable with it. This is my first time ever taking an online class so I'm a little nervous. I'm also really excited to learn about more technology in society and everything this class has to offer. I would really love to become an event planner. I had an internship back home at a local country club and was actually the "Banquet Sales Manager" aka wedding/events planner there and I absolutely loved it!! I'm hoping this class will futher my skills and knowledge that I need so I can become more successful and effective in whatever I do!
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