“The Final Post” – Seeing My 112MC Work

Tasks

• 1. Visualising statistics about my life: http://horsfalk.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/statistic-pictures-flickr/
• 2. Data Visualisation:  http://horsfalk.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/data-visualisation/
• 3. Google Map: http://horsfalk.wordpress.com/2010/03/22/the-google-map-studenttours/
• Additional Montage Pictures: http://horsfalk.wordpress.com/2010/02/18/montage-pictures/

Categories

Upon accessing my blog on the right sidebar is a category named 112MC – Convergent Media every link below this one is a sub-category for my work in this module, which includes:

Inspiration – Research – Analysis

Process & Reflection

Tasks

Theory

Personal Critical Evaluation

Throughout the module I have been able to engage with the tasks presented and meet the challenges that have been presented to me. I have maintained a constant work ethic and successfully used the information I have learnt to complete the tasks required. With every activity I have participated in, I have been able to understand how they relate to the theoretical aspect of the module.

Problems that I encountered involved my completion of the tasks. The Flickr slide show seemed to be a very simple task, the difficulty arose when it came to embedding it into my blog; the way in which I overcame this was to link my photo stream to the sidebar of my blog and inserting hyperlinks to my posts. The Data visualisation was also a task I was able to complete with simplicity. Using the Many Eyes software was not possible due to the way in which I had conducted my survey; I was able to produce my graphs using another online service. Finally Task 3 the Google Map, it was relatively enjoyable producing the map. Getting my images from Flickr and adding them to the Map was not possible until I learnt that I could do page source and copy the direct link. There has been a resolution to every problem I have encountered, having the patience to deal with such matters is something I have done consistently.

There has always been a general theme to the structure of work I produce; this is because I have pictured a vision of how I would like my work to look once it is complete. I would say that I regard the planning procedure a significant part to any project I conduct, knowing what goals I must achieve to complete my finished artefact helps me stay focused. I make conscious decisions regarding my work regularly as I am in complete control of how it is produced and created. I did not feel any pressure during this module, as I was confident that I would be able to complete it.

Reflecting upon the module altogether, I would say that I enjoyed it. My personal development has been good as the course has built up my character and sense of independence. I have been able to use the knowledge I have learnt in this module and apply them with the skills I already have. The new forms of technology I have been introduced to have given me an insight into different aspects of Social Media, Convergence and the Internet. The experience has been a very value one that will hopefully be useful in my future as I aspire towards success.

Links to feedback groups:

• Emma.B: http://emmab90.wordpress.com/2010/02/22/task-2-reflection/#comments 
• Alex.C: http://marteaualex.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/microsoft-vs-apple/#comments 
• Alex.H: http://hacking04.wordpress.com/

Reflection – Mashing it up!…Relation to the Module

The internet is one complete “Mashup”, the use of APIs (Application Programming Interface) is triggering the change of direction online material and content is taking. The Hybrid forms of applications that are being created are a representation of audience participation; to continuously provide content to the developing ‘semantic web’  is the key towards understanding how it has changed over time to transform into this new, refined product we are regularly using. The relationship Mashups have to the module as whole are through the way in which our tasks of Data visualisation, Flickr slide shows and Google Maps all use innovative software to provide a new hybrid medium which can be accessed and used by the public.

The idea of feeds and RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a technology that allows information to be shared directly via a subscription; these connections to our favourite websites provide users of the web to receive the content they want, instead of searching for material it is the information that streams to the user. My usage of feeds has been helpful with the work and projects I have been conducting. Linking websites to my blog and pieces of content have made visualise my work more interesting and simpler. I have been able to recognise how the tasks I carry out relate to the internet and the media completely. I have become an active member of the web using community and will continue to participate as progressions and development in technology continue to appear.

The world of Mashups seems to be the direction that the web will have a basis upon. APIs are pioneering the future formats of technology that will be present in “the web of tomorrow”. By looking at the upcoming mashups it is evident to see that there will be less of a need for people to look to company developers to have access to new and exclusive software. The ability to produce our own user-generated content has enabled the masses to begin adding their newly created mashups to the internet and see how much public appeal they can get. I have an interest in the activity of producing a Mashup and will take time to see which APIs are available in my creation of an innovative piece of media.

Research/Analysis – Social Networks

Social networks have been a significant part of my internet usage. The ability to communicate with my friends ‘instantly’ with an online service has been one I have enjoyed participating in. Like all things, the social networking sites that have been accessible to the public have changed rapidly over time as vast improvements continue to be made. An online community is the theme of these company’s, giving the user a chance to “re-connect” with family and friends they may have lost contact with; this unique selling point has been accepted by the consuming audience. With feedback upon which services are likened to and which are in need of change, these websites have enabled themselves to achieve audience satisfaction.

My initial introduction to social networking was the online instant messaging service called MSN. I used MSN frequently, it became part of my regular methods of contacting my friends as I progressively built a network of contacts that I was able to speak to “instantly”. My involvement with MSN was very practical in my consideration to the reasons I used it; the service was a free contacting tool, I did not need to top up my phone credit because I felt fairly confident that I would be able to find my friends online. The technological advances made over time lead on to various features and gadgets embedded in the MSN interface. The interaction of games, group conversation and events made the experience a very pleasing one. The repetitive way in which I constantly accessed the service was reflective of my attachment to the service. Adding contacts to my friends list and updating my profile became an activity I did all the time,  I was fully immersed with the service.

I began using Myspace, a social networking site that allowed people to connect with eachother, including celebritities. This exclusive service made the audiences feel as if they were making a connection to the people they wanted to follow. My usage of Myspace felt very productive, I was able to visit the websites of my favourite musicians and share content with my friends online. I enjoyed Myspace and the customization of my profile. Myspace was very unique with its concept and the way it used innovative technologies. Although I was very pleased with my participation of Myspace, I knew that something “bigger and better” would come. My days of Myspace were coming to an end, I needed a new stimulation.

My usage of social networks progressed on to Facebook, the very popular social networking site. My first experience and choice to use Facebook was because of a concert I went to and my access to the pictures that were taken. I did not have an account, my friend kept telling me that the pictures were on Facebook if I wanted to get them. I inevitably gave in and made an account; the sharing of photos and videos was a very interesting new medium of looking at content. I was able to add all of my MSN contacts on to my facebook profile in a somewhat clever convergence. The facebook interface was very innovative as it linked people to eachother and I was able to find people on Facebook I had lost contact with. I now use Facebook on a regular basis as it has now eclipsed the way in which I used to use Myspace and MSN. Facebook has become the top of the social networking popularity chain; as progressions in technology continue towards new forms of communication, it will be interesting to see what new social media comes and takes over.

Inspiration – Fifa Football Game

A game that has consumed most of my childhood is the Fifa series. I have been addicted to the game from a very young age. I have always been interested in the workings of the game and eager to see how the company EA would make developments to their previous product. I would say that the progression within the game and continuous releases in the following year is an inspiration to my work. Seeing how changes in accessible technology has revolutionised the gaming experience in making a more interactive product for consumers and the gaming nations.

As the introduction of the web swept the world by storm and began converging with various formats of technology, gaming became a very active member of the internet community. The idea of building gaming communities online and having competitions from the comfort of your home was a phenomenal innovation. Gamers like myself were sold by the concept and began plugging their consoles into the web. Over the years a social network of gaming has been produced and is now the essential selling point for buyers of games. “Multi-playerbility” and access to Online gameplay are essential for most gamers I come across. The convergence that exists within gaming is paramount to the consumer’s engagement to the game.

The transformation of gaming reflects the desire in which people have consumed technology. maximizing the potential of computing with the use of the internet is a combination that has made my gaming experience more realistic year by year. My involvement with the Fifa game has continued as I have enjoyed seeing the changes in gameplay and the different complex variations that have been formed with each new copy. Becoming more involved in the game seems to be the aim for developers today, as they continue to use audience feedback to improve their product; it seems as if things can only get better, we hope.

Reflection – Connecting to the cloud

“The web that we have is less than 5000 days old”, a statement that has initiated my reflection and response for comment. Within a decade we have been able to digitize the way in which we live and run our lives, through operating systems. The proposal of theorists to have predicted the state of society and economy to be run through this machine would have been judged ludicrous and incomprehensible. Although sceptics refused to accept that progressions in technology would revolutionize the world, by transforming it into an information highway controlled by the workings of the internet, uploads, sharing thus creating the priceless artefact we call ‘the web’.

Reality within the web is a concept that has triggered the discussion and thought of human life being consumed and controlled by the web. The idea that every aspect of life is accessible through the internet is an idea that continually seems more achievable as time goes on. From its humble beginnings in the Web1.o format of linking computers, to the more advanced version of  Web2.o we live in. Progressions have continued towards the formulation of the ‘Semantic Web3.0′ where all data will be linked and transferred across the globe. The way in which technological pioneers have provided us with advances at a pace more rapid than anything ever conceivable. As we move towards the inevitable Web4.0 of linking every aspect of the world, consideration must be put towards how we will react and engage with changes in society.

Co-dependency is a theory that has enabled viewers of the  Web to see its progression and realise how much we as a people rely upon its usage. Being ”always online” has led on to discussion regarding whether or not there is an evident attachment to the web and all of its content. To allow total transparency considering the depth in which we access the Web and input data would be dangerous; this is because of the personal surveillance mechanism the web is becoming. People within society will be able to access important information, knowledge of regulation and control of distribution will be the determining factors of ”our future in the web”. The relationship between our reliance on the web is similar to that between our reading and writing, the web has become part of our habitual practices. The artificial intelligence that is being created out of the web is phenomenal; it is through our contributions that it continues to grow and evolve. The dependency upon the web has also brought about discussion of whether we can escape from it and “Unplug” ourselves from its grasp.

The sharing of opinion will bring about the resolution to such restriction. Over time the web will change into a system that facilitates all our requests and needs, in becoming an inevitable development  that controls all types of data including intellectual property. The acceptance of new technologies will be the deciding factors in knowing which new practices we adopt into our living schedules, as “the web is a reflection of us”. Something that provokes my thought is the issue of power and control. Authentication of media content and ownership will be major issues in the future as more content becomes accessible.

Google Maps – Process & Reflection

The Google Maps task was an activity I felt I was in complete control of. Having the freedom of choice to create a map that covered any area of particular interest proved to be a challenge I wouldn’t have expected. In the introductory workshops briefly explaining how we would use the interface I felt comfortable using the line tools and marker mechanisms. I initially felt that I would not enjoy the brief due to the fact that I have not experienced Coventry as a City and wouldn’t know how to include content in an interesting way. After playing around with the site for a few hours and discussing with my peers and lecturers, I came to concluding that it would be useful if I made a “Student Tour” around town.

Once I had established the theme for my map I decided that I would get started with lining out my path of choice and placing markers on the my newly created Google Map. I was very confident using the technology within the site and found it relatively simple producing and labelling the body of the map. The next step in the completion of this task was to take pictures and video that I would later upload, insert and embed into the place markers. The day of photography and filming was enjoyable, I got a camera and set out with my friend shooting images on location around the town and city centre. For my video sequence I was able to negotiate a member of the Subway staff to film a mini-promo clip. After the day was done I began choosing which Photos and Videos would be best suited and usable for my map.

I began uploading my pictures to Flickr, uploading my videos to YouTube was initially difficult as I had filmed them in an AVI format. I downloaded a video converter and converted them to MP4 so that they would work on the site; once this was completed I moved on to linking them to my Google Map. Adding my content to the map was satisfying as I was finally seeing it how I had envisaged it; completion was simple, I started on my ‘final touches’ by changing the icons to ones that suited the marker being described. The map was near completion, I thought it would be handy if I had links to websites of the company’s I had in the map thus making the interaction to the map more convergent and accessible.

The finished map has been linked to my WordPress blog and the task finally complete. I felt entirely comfortable during the completion of this task and progressively became more engaged with the requirements of the activity as I drew closer to the completion of the project. Through being persistent and committed to the task I have been able to produce a piece of work I am proud of. My work ethic throughout this brief has been constant in an activity I would regard a success. I have learnt how to use various forms of technology this term that I know will help me in the future, the experience has been one I have valued in my personal development.

Here’s a link to the pictures I used for my Google Maps:

Maps Images

The Google Map – StudentTOURS

Here is my Google Map, the theme is “StudentTOURS”. The map should show you some of the places to visit while you’re in town. I have embedded a few videos on the Subways tab, Enjoy.

View Larger Map

Reflection – Convergence=Ubiquity

The evolution of the internet has been astoundingly rapid, from earlier uses of delivering information via the web 1.0 interface to the highly convergent internet highway that is web 2.0; we are now seeing a shift towards progression and more innovative uses of the web with the introduction of a more intelligent web 3.0. The transition has always been anticipated by theorists, the materialization of the predicted future in regards to technology is happening in front our eyes. To understand how we enable computers to ‘learn’ from us will revolutionise the way we use such technology. The argument that arises from all the speculation about technology and uses of the web is whether we are enabling the computer to inevitably control our thinking.

Retail seems to be the main threshold for companies to utilise advances in web technology. Extending the compatibility of web-based advertising is a step that major retail outlets have taken to engage their consumers and target audiences. Making the shopping experience a more interactive one will enable people to feel that they are at ease with themselves as the clever interfaces used in the supermarkets they visit already know what they need to buy via ‘reward cards’ and can tell them if they forget. It is the seemless nature of such technology that shows the real direction we are heading towards; ‘ubiquitous computing’ is becoming a reality as we will be completed consumed and surrounded by technology, it will become normal and part of our habitual practices as we shift towards our utmost digital era.

Ideas of the ‘Semantic web’ are helpful in defining web 3.0, the progression of computers initially understanding syntax to being able to now understand meaning has triggered the innovation of the web. Computing is continually becoming more and more intelligent, the way in which computers have now got the software to build character profiles on people to understand their desires and ‘needs’ is a powerful use of technology. Human life and the use of technology is a relationship that will be the pioneer in shaping the future we live in. Referring back to the issue of privacy, if computers can link to each other thus sharing information companies may be able to access things about our personal lives that they may have struggled to view before. To develop the web with a considered control and conscious decision towards the production of robotic technology and new software will be crucial in making a future that brings peace and sustainability in our web usage.

Reflection – User-Generated Content, We live in Public

In the past lecture we have been looking at videos that are created by the audience. To understand the significance of user-generated content is a theory and concept that the likes of Marshall McLuhan have been in knowledge of years ago. ‘The audience need something to do’, by having the ability to become engaged with the media they are consuming, a somewhat interactive spectrum of information has been created; this phenomenon has allowed the ‘gatekeepers’ of media content to make profit and utilise their audiences free of charge. There is less of a need of for businesses to spend money on content, as the user will produce it for them.

Although user-generated content is very valuable to media corporations, it can also be a threat and detrimental to the main aim of profit that they pursue. Copyright  infringement is a term that has caused controversy around the ownership and distribution of content that is viewed by the public. The conflict arose from the ‘passion’ of the audience, there is an unspoken right shared amongst consumers of the media that they can take from it whatever they want in a creative manner; this right has been the cause of tons of: forums, fan sites and blogs. The lack of ‘control’ corporations have over their users has led on to arguments of copyright and how information will be obtain and delivered.

As we as a consumer continue to produce user-generated content and upload them on to the major corporation web sites, the idea of privacy becomes less of a concern within our communities. The convergence that is social networks has allowed people of the world to access each other’s information threw the simple click of a button. The concept of one’s ‘private life’ is a disintegrated memory in today’s digital world. As technology evolves and moves towards its most advanced stages, the life we live will be for the public to see; knowing who regulates our information will be the next instalment of expanding our knowledge.