General Overview of Website
The website that I have chosen to analyse is http://www.handbag.com/. From the title of the website – ‘Handbag’, you would probably straight away guess that this website is directed at women, as the word Handbag is associated with women more so than men.
For those of you who have never come across this website, Handbag is a website which offers the audience content evolved around the topics of Fashion, Beauty, Sex & General Life, Celebrity Gossip and Entertainment.
The content within the website, I think fits a stereotypical role of ‘women’ and what they are interested in. Although a majority of women are interested in putting on make up, looking good, and hearing the latest celebrity gossip, this is not what all women are interested in.
So although the website is trying to appeal to a large democratic scale of women – it is causing a digital divide by the fact that it only really appeals to women, and only to those who are interested in the topics the website covers.
It also causes further digital divide, as I would personally say that it has an appeal to a certain age range due to the ‘Sex’ aspect of the site. I think that this website would appeal to 17+ year olds, but not any younger than this.
Thursday, 28 February 2008
Website Analysis! #3
Hypertext on the homepage
The homepage features loads of pictures which feature hypertext on them. The user is able to interact with the website and move through the website using these, and using plain simple hypertext links too.
Content available is things such as ‘update reviews from the catwalk’, http://www.handbag.com/fashion/Paris-Fashion-Week-Designer-autumn-winter-08/special, articles on issues such as ‘living together VS marriage’ - http://www.handbag.com/love-&-sex/Relationships-cohabiting-versus-marriage/v1, and fashion news about ‘Kate donating her clothes’! http://www.handbag.com/fashion/fashion-news-and-gossip-28-february-2008/v1
The homepage also includes a section under the title ‘Daily Gossip’ – which is about Michael Jackson possibly loosing his home! http://www.handbag.com/celebrity-gossip/Jacko-may-lose-Neverland/v1 The ‘daily’ gossip again illustrates how the website is constantly updated. All of the content emphasises what the whole website is about, they are all fashion, celebrity etc related, whilst also covering aspects of life which are stereotypically important to women – such as relationships and the issues that come with them!
The homepage features loads of pictures which feature hypertext on them. The user is able to interact with the website and move through the website using these, and using plain simple hypertext links too.
Content available is things such as ‘update reviews from the catwalk’, http://www.handbag.com/fashion/Paris-Fashion-Week-Designer-autumn-winter-08/special, articles on issues such as ‘living together VS marriage’ - http://www.handbag.com/love-&-sex/Relationships-cohabiting-versus-marriage/v1, and fashion news about ‘Kate donating her clothes’! http://www.handbag.com/fashion/fashion-news-and-gossip-28-february-2008/v1
The homepage also includes a section under the title ‘Daily Gossip’ – which is about Michael Jackson possibly loosing his home! http://www.handbag.com/celebrity-gossip/Jacko-may-lose-Neverland/v1 The ‘daily’ gossip again illustrates how the website is constantly updated. All of the content emphasises what the whole website is about, they are all fashion, celebrity etc related, whilst also covering aspects of life which are stereotypically important to women – such as relationships and the issues that come with them!
Website Analysis! #2
General overview of the Homepage Design
The homepage is very busy looking! But not overly as the website has used the whole concept of what we where taught in our website making unit last year. How you should have the scroll bar reach a certain stage on your homepage, so your showing the top half of the website, but it cuts off the bottom (so it only shows a marginal section of it, not half of it, or most of it, just a little bit). This makes the website not appear to ‘confusing’ and ‘in your face’ and it also makes it appear more professional I think.
The homepage is (today) plain orange, I think it's good that they keep the background plain as too much pictures etc can be a bit in your face and confusing for the user! Although I think it would work better being pink as this is a much more girly colour! However, handbag constantly changes the colour of the website - Yesterday the homepage was purple, not only this, but when the colour changes, so does all of the content on the homepage! This demonstrates how quickly and efficiently the homepage is always being updated. I think this is great because it shows the user how the website is constantly being updated with more things for them to interact with.
The website always keep the same layout (same size boxes etc), it just changes the content within. I think this is good because it means that when someone comes to the webpage they will recognise that it is the correct website, and know where everything is. I have found from my own experience, that when WebPages change design, it becomes very hard to find sections which you usually visit, resulting in you just moving to another website.
There is also a negative aspect to them never really changing the web design, as although they change the colour, this might not be enough to let users know that the content has changed. I’ve never really took much notice of the homepage until it came to this website analysis, and I never noticed before how often it is actually updated, because all though it changes colour, it never seemed to change shape so I never really thought ‘There’s loads of new content here’.
The homepage is very busy looking! But not overly as the website has used the whole concept of what we where taught in our website making unit last year. How you should have the scroll bar reach a certain stage on your homepage, so your showing the top half of the website, but it cuts off the bottom (so it only shows a marginal section of it, not half of it, or most of it, just a little bit). This makes the website not appear to ‘confusing’ and ‘in your face’ and it also makes it appear more professional I think.
The homepage is (today) plain orange, I think it's good that they keep the background plain as too much pictures etc can be a bit in your face and confusing for the user! Although I think it would work better being pink as this is a much more girly colour! However, handbag constantly changes the colour of the website - Yesterday the homepage was purple, not only this, but when the colour changes, so does all of the content on the homepage! This demonstrates how quickly and efficiently the homepage is always being updated. I think this is great because it shows the user how the website is constantly being updated with more things for them to interact with.
The website always keep the same layout (same size boxes etc), it just changes the content within. I think this is good because it means that when someone comes to the webpage they will recognise that it is the correct website, and know where everything is. I have found from my own experience, that when WebPages change design, it becomes very hard to find sections which you usually visit, resulting in you just moving to another website.
There is also a negative aspect to them never really changing the web design, as although they change the colour, this might not be enough to let users know that the content has changed. I’ve never really took much notice of the homepage until it came to this website analysis, and I never noticed before how often it is actually updated, because all though it changes colour, it never seemed to change shape so I never really thought ‘There’s loads of new content here’.
Website Analysis! #4
There is also ‘tabs’ of hypertext links above all the picture hypertext link section. When you put your cursor over these ‘tabs’, a pop section appears over the homepage which tells you what you can expect to find in the hyperlink area. I think this is great because it helps users decide what interactive route to take that they will enjoy. All of these hypertext links present information and pathways to further information which is not available from the homepage.
Hypertext also allows users to select what they wish to view from all of the options available, allowing them to narrow things down to their true interests, in which each user will create their own unique experience. The non-linear form that handbags structure takes encourages the users to move from one page to another without having to go through them in a particular sequence.
The homepage features hyperlinks for adverts in the form of ‘world vision’. http://www.handbag.com/specials/73763/special However, instead of the hyperlink directing you to a completely different website like usual adverts do online, it takes you to another page on Handbag, where it briefly explains a few things before giving you the choice of going onto the world vision website. I think this is a good way to have adverts as I guess the website would possibly loose users via adverts whom go on the advert, realise its not very interesting, but forget to come back to the website sort of thing!
Articles users can view on Handbag
One of the articles on the homepage is ‘our favourite red carpet moments’. http://www.handbag.com/beauty/red-carpet-celebrity-beauty-keira-knightley/gallery This article is posted by the people who work for the website, however it allows users of the website to become interactive with the text as it gives them the opportunity to respond to the article and give their feedback in some way, letting them play the role of ‘produser’.
Hypertext also allows users to select what they wish to view from all of the options available, allowing them to narrow things down to their true interests, in which each user will create their own unique experience. The non-linear form that handbags structure takes encourages the users to move from one page to another without having to go through them in a particular sequence.
The homepage features hyperlinks for adverts in the form of ‘world vision’. http://www.handbag.com/specials/73763/special However, instead of the hyperlink directing you to a completely different website like usual adverts do online, it takes you to another page on Handbag, where it briefly explains a few things before giving you the choice of going onto the world vision website. I think this is a good way to have adverts as I guess the website would possibly loose users via adverts whom go on the advert, realise its not very interesting, but forget to come back to the website sort of thing!
Articles users can view on Handbag
One of the articles on the homepage is ‘our favourite red carpet moments’. http://www.handbag.com/beauty/red-carpet-celebrity-beauty-keira-knightley/gallery This article is posted by the people who work for the website, however it allows users of the website to become interactive with the text as it gives them the opportunity to respond to the article and give their feedback in some way, letting them play the role of ‘produser’.
Website Analysis! #5
The users have the option of ‘logging in’ (using the username in which they use when they are participating in the discussion boards which are a huge part of this website, I will talk about this aspect of the site shortly) If they log in, they can post their comments using their username, or alternatively they can post a comment anonymously without logging in.
I think that by using the anonymous option, if this was available everywhere on the website, it would be hard to build a sense of virtual community and it would also be equally as hard to trust those who where having an input – as sometimes you get people posting abusive, random, silly comments – because they can, they don’t have to deal with the consequences because no-body knows who they are or even a made up identity they have got, people purely just know them as ‘somebody’ and that’s it.
Back to the article, it’s very small in forms of how much text there is. The fact the article is so small, I feel demonstrates that the articles are not the main appeal of the website; I know this is the case as I have used this website before. The forums are the main section of the website.
Next to this article are more picture hyperlinks, which are related to the topic of the article! You can go from this page onto more pages about beauty at special events, such as Oscar’s hair and beauty 2008, http://www.handbag.com/beauty/oscars-red-carpet-beauty-hairstyle-Marion-Cotillard/gallery. I think this helps keep the users on an extractive interactive path of something that they are interested in - after all they must have been semi-interested in the topic to have clicked on the first hyperlink? It also shows that the website has lots to offer the user.
Website Analysis! #6
Forums on Handbag!
So finally moving onto the forums. The forum allows the users to become produsers and access user-generated content, whereby all of the content is produced by the users! Forums demonstrate how “the public sphere as face to face talk is clearly over”. (Lister, P.178) I
think that the forum is the section which has the biggest appeal of this website. These forums can be accessed from any page that you are on within the handbag website. As by the top by the handbag logo, in small writing, is a hyperlink for ‘forums’. One click of a button and you’re here - http://www.handbag.com/forums/ looking at the large choice of forums in which you can explore! There are lots of options of forums to interact with, which will appeal to a wide demographic audience! Some of the forum options consist of – entertainment, which is then broken down into even more options so that you can make a more select choice - http://www.handbag.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=10, diet and fitness – again broken down (they all are pretty much!) - http://www.handbag.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=135, relationships which offers users advice and guidance on their love life issues - http://www.handbag.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=26 , and many, many more!
The forum options seem to differ from what you would expect of the website from the homepage, it seems to expand from just being focused upon ‘beauty’ and the important things in life such as relationships, to being about family, green issues, and even having forums where people can offer advice/seek advice on technology issues. Basically, the forums offer the audience everything they could need? I mean there’s even a forum on motoring! http://www.handbag.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=47 .
Website Analysis! #7
John Perry Barlow suggests, although you are given the impression websites are diverse, i.e. – lot’s of options of forums for everyone to interact in! They are not actually that diverse as you as a user can select what topic you go into and ultimately who you engage with (i.e. you pick to engage with people who share that interest etc.) These forums allow you to seek a sense of Individualism; you are able to seek others who are like yourself.
In order to post to the forum you also need to have registered. You can ‘lurk’ without being a member, but contribution is aimed towards registered members. By handbag using a registration scheme, it means that users have to input personal details to the website. This potentially could be used for their marketing database.
However, the positives of having to do this means that when you are speaking to someone on the forum you know their ‘identity’ (whether it be real or not!) rather than having to speak to an ‘anonymous’ user and never knowing if you speak to the same person more than once etc.
When you register you get to select a ‘usernames’. These usernames are often not based around the person’s real name. Usernames such as ‘bibbitybob’ demonstrate this I think! Somebody once had a username that was something like ‘Kitten_Kat’ and she got called Kat even though her name was something completely different.
By choosing a nickname it means that people can present themselves how they wish as they are not tied down by their RL identity which they have had to inform the website about, they can play around with their identity if they wish too, obviously people can do this to an extent IRL, but not to the extent that they can online. In posts such as this http://www.handbag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=456354&highlight=meet they could really post anything! And people would probably believe that they are actually learning about this user’s true identity.
Website Analysis! #8
Turkle believes that the internet allows users to become authors, not only of the text they are producing but also of themselves. They are able to construct new selves through the social interaction that they part-take in online.
I think that the forum aspect of handbag is great because it allows people to forget about things which would divide them from others in society. They can go online and speak to any of the members they want, where as In society you cannot go up to a random person you do not really know and start speaking to them about something without being branded as ‘weird!’.
I also think its great in terms of what Wilbur refers to ‘the emancipatory discourse of cyberspace’ – the sense that being online can be a liberation from the offline world and the roles and identities it requires of us. I think this can be seen in the handbag forums, where people can talk about the insecurities in their lives - http://www.handbag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=464888 , where as in Society they might be seen as weak etc to share these insecurities with people. “We can tak risks or express aspects of our self that we find impossible to live out in day-to-day meatspace”. (Lister, p. 167)
One of the successes of the handbag forum is that it allows social baggage to be forgotten, people aren’t judged anymore on their class, race, gender or nationality, as people might not even know any of these details about each other on this forum. For example on handbag, students mix with the likes of lawyers!
I think that the forum aspect of handbag is great because it allows people to forget about things which would divide them from others in society. They can go online and speak to any of the members they want, where as In society you cannot go up to a random person you do not really know and start speaking to them about something without being branded as ‘weird!’.
I also think its great in terms of what Wilbur refers to ‘the emancipatory discourse of cyberspace’ – the sense that being online can be a liberation from the offline world and the roles and identities it requires of us. I think this can be seen in the handbag forums, where people can talk about the insecurities in their lives - http://www.handbag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=464888 , where as in Society they might be seen as weak etc to share these insecurities with people. “We can tak risks or express aspects of our self that we find impossible to live out in day-to-day meatspace”. (Lister, p. 167)
One of the successes of the handbag forum is that it allows social baggage to be forgotten, people aren’t judged anymore on their class, race, gender or nationality, as people might not even know any of these details about each other on this forum. For example on handbag, students mix with the likes of lawyers!
Website Analysis! #9
Not only this, but forums also offer the concept of ‘gift economy’ referred to by Kollock. Handbags forums, in some cases, such as Fashion, Relationships etc, offer the attitude of “Get help for free!” Users can ask for advice from other users, whom in response will do just that, offer help and it is free. An example of this may be found at - http://www.handbag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=464938
One problem that can be found on forums however, is the problem of interpretation – how things are taken online. Someone on the forum might write something thinking it sounds nice, but someone else might take it as abusive etc. “This emphasises the idea that the meaning of any given text is not securely encoded for all of the audience to decode in the same way”.(Lister, p.22)
Virtual communities on Handbag
I think a sense of virtual community has most definitely been built up in certain forums available via handbag. I think this because they are constantly interacting with each other, with advice and information which will help each other. They are like how a group of friends would communicate on the likes of facebook, it’s as if nothing is between them (like the distance, computer screen etc that actually is between them!) I also have come to the conclusion that handbag features a virtual community as I feel that it fulfills the key points that Blanchard used to define a virtual community.
‘Virtual’ “is frequently cited as a feature of post-modern cultures in which it is argued so many aspects of everyday experience are technologically simulated” (Lister, p.34). I think this is apparent within handbag as users are able to take place in conversations which they could also have IRL; therefore these conversations are just becoming technologically simulated.
Website Analysis! #10
I think that it’s great that handbag can enforce “new kinds of association and communities which are not dependant upon spatial location and can transcend geographical, social and political boundaries & divisions”. (Lister, p.36) There are people who are ‘friends’ from all over the world on handbag and of all different status’s. All of which have come together to create a 'community'.
Here are some of the reasons why I think handbag has a community. I think this because there is a selection of ‘regular’ posters who are well recognised by other members, so much so that when they aren’t online for a while etc, people start to wonder where they are - http://www.handbag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=463537&highlight=meet .
In some cases people might try to communicate with them in other forms to see how they are. “Interactions formed in ‘virtual’ communities have ‘real world’ consequences. (Lister, p.170) I think that a forum post which illustrates just how much this virtual community has real world consequences can be demonstrated on this post - http://www.handbag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=464200&highlight=meet as you wouldn’t normally go online and give out your telephone number would you? Unless you felt VERY safe with those around you!
Shaun Wilbur notes “An increasing number of people are finding their lives touched by collectivities which have nothing to do with physical proximity”. This is shown by the fact that when handbag users cannot get access to handbag etc, they text other members and ask them to post messages etc on their behalf to say how they are doing (as mentioned before) – not only does this demonstrate Shaun Wilbur’s point, but I also think it demonstrates the ‘sense’ of community that has been constructed.
I also think its worth pointing out how users love to share their ‘good’ news with fellow members, again emphasising the community aspect I feel - http://www.handbag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=454716&highlight=meet .
Website Analysis! #11
They also do ‘show us your face’ threads http://www.handbag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=459222&highlight=meet whereby users post pictures of themselves! I think this itself would represent your identity if you did choose to post, and I think that by knowing everyone’s identity you would feel like no-one was not who they said they where and you’d trust them more etc, however the users could be posting pictures of anyone? But on this community people don’t seem to question the pictures – why would you – unless it was an obvious ‘model’ photo or something!
Lister states (p.35) that one meaning of virtual reality/space/community is where the users feel themselves to be. I think if you asked any of the handbag users if they felt comfortable, welcome, and ‘to be’ within the forum community, they would probably say yes!
Handbag goes against Howard Rheingold on his theory of virtual community. “Are relationships and communities as we know them even possible in a place where Identities are fluid? We reduce and encode our identities as words on a screen”. From my experience of this website, the members do ‘meets’ every now and then where some of the members all meet up and spend the day together. This means that their identity is not just words on a screen anymore. Members who have met them can then speak to them on Handbag and know who they are from real life as well as online. These meets are usually arranged by more well known users, as ones who are not very well known are perhaps not trusted yet? This post demonstrates how newer users can’t really arrange these meets, as no-one responds - http://www.handbag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=455517&highlight=meet. Perhaps demonstrates also the whole issue of how you have to be a regular contributor to be apart of the virtual community?
Lister states (p.35) that one meaning of virtual reality/space/community is where the users feel themselves to be. I think if you asked any of the handbag users if they felt comfortable, welcome, and ‘to be’ within the forum community, they would probably say yes!
Handbag goes against Howard Rheingold on his theory of virtual community. “Are relationships and communities as we know them even possible in a place where Identities are fluid? We reduce and encode our identities as words on a screen”. From my experience of this website, the members do ‘meets’ every now and then where some of the members all meet up and spend the day together. This means that their identity is not just words on a screen anymore. Members who have met them can then speak to them on Handbag and know who they are from real life as well as online. These meets are usually arranged by more well known users, as ones who are not very well known are perhaps not trusted yet? This post demonstrates how newer users can’t really arrange these meets, as no-one responds - http://www.handbag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=455517&highlight=meet. Perhaps demonstrates also the whole issue of how you have to be a regular contributor to be apart of the virtual community?
Website Analysis! #12
When meets do take place though, It gives other users the impression that no-ones really lying about their identity (of those who have been to the meets) as someone would have said something if somebody turned up to a meet when they where not who they had made themselves out to be on the website.
The users are weary of the dangerous aspects of meeting up, and tend to keep the ‘place/time etc’ under wraps through personal messages so that ‘lurkers’ whom consist of an identity which may not be approved of cannot get hold of this information, but they do welcome ‘new’ members to join their meets (just not arrange them!) – As they are considered part of the community if they post regularly/offer advice etc.
Although I referred to ‘lurkers’ above, there seems to be two kinds of these on handbag. One is acceptable, and one is possibly not. The one that is acceptable is somebody who does post every now and then, but sometimes comes on and doesn’t contribute – but when they do eventually contribute, they are still apart of the community.
Then there is the lurkers who do not ever contribute, these are not as accepted within the community, however – the actual lurker themselves may feel like apart of the community because they are still interacting with all the on-goings of the forum, they are just not helping to produce it. The whole concept of Lurkers still being involved in the community, is backed up by here -(http://blog.lib.umn.edu/blogosphere/blogs_as_virtual.html)
Website Analysis! #13
Unfortunately handbag is victim to what Peter Kollock would call ‘junks and jerks!’ – Lot’s of users are flamed within handbag on the odd occasion (by people who have ‘never’ been seen before – or have they, but under another identity?).
Most of the users whom are flamed are the more community based users, i.e. those who are recognized by al members and are regular posters and are welcomed by all members. I think you can see the effects of this flaming rather well on this post http://www.handbag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=455879&highlight=meet.
The forum is also victim to ‘spam’ where people who make up accounts come on and post about websites the users should go and visit because they’re good for this etc, but they’re pretending to be a fellow member rather than a marketing person.
Freedom available on the Handbag Forum
Poster believes that the internet allows you to act freely, simply because of its basic forms, regardless of what you can actually do on it. The freedom to be able to post/view what you want makes the user feel like they have a sense of freedom, but really what they are viewing is controlled by other users and what they wish to post, alternatively it is controlled by the website and what they wish to post articles on, and finally it is controlled by the websites rules and regulations of what users can say and do.
Website Analysis! #14
How does Handbag fit in with today's culture?
I think that handbag fits in well with today’s culture. Today’s culture has become use to the interactive aspect of the online world, so handbag fits in well with this. It also reacts well to the need for constant updating and breaking ‘gossip’ needing to be known!
I also think it is good in terms of fitting in with the culture of being able to be involved within a virtual community as well as a real life community, whilst offering users a generally friendly environment to be involved within.
I also feel that the website fits in well with ‘women’s culture’ of today and the ‘new women’. Before, it was not acceptable within culture that women should want to know sex tips etc - http://www.handbag.com/love-&-sex/Sex--Love-Relationship-Sex-Tips/special , but now it is accepted and this is apparent within the handbag website under the sex section.
The website has moulded to fulfil the culture of today. I think this is definitely what appeals to users, why would they want to go on a website which did not fulfil the needs RE needing information on things which are involved in their culture today? I think that the website focuses on main issues which are apparent to women at 17+ and really focuses well on what most of their interests would evolve around.
I think that handbag fits in well with today’s culture. Today’s culture has become use to the interactive aspect of the online world, so handbag fits in well with this. It also reacts well to the need for constant updating and breaking ‘gossip’ needing to be known!
I also think it is good in terms of fitting in with the culture of being able to be involved within a virtual community as well as a real life community, whilst offering users a generally friendly environment to be involved within.
I also feel that the website fits in well with ‘women’s culture’ of today and the ‘new women’. Before, it was not acceptable within culture that women should want to know sex tips etc - http://www.handbag.com/love-&-sex/Sex--Love-Relationship-Sex-Tips/special , but now it is accepted and this is apparent within the handbag website under the sex section.
The website has moulded to fulfil the culture of today. I think this is definitely what appeals to users, why would they want to go on a website which did not fulfil the needs RE needing information on things which are involved in their culture today? I think that the website focuses on main issues which are apparent to women at 17+ and really focuses well on what most of their interests would evolve around.
Monday, 25 February 2008
What makes it a 'Virtual Community' ?
Whilst doing the reading for week 4 - http://blog.lib.umn.edu/blogosphere/blogs_as_virtual.html
It got me thinking about what exactly makes a website a 'virtual community?' - As in what do we think makes it this?
I think that forums can become virtual community's but I have to admit when I think of the term virtual community, this is the only form of virtual community I think of! Perhaps this is just because it is the only one I have experienced myself?
I think that virtual community's can be created with some forums, but not all, also, I think they are created by people becoming use to each other on there, so say for example when X hasnt posted for a few days, people start to wonder where they are. I also think virtual community means when people offer support, guidance etc in many ways (even if it's guiding them towards whats going to happen in Eastenders tomorrow! etc). I also think that (like the Lister book states!) that online community's are built when in some cases relationships are not just online anymore, they become offline too. Like the members of forums speak not just on this virtual community they met on, but also in other places, like MSN, or on the phone, perhaps even meeting up etc.
I found it interesting how the concept of 'Lurkers' was approched within this text (Not the lister text, the text that was linked at the beginning of the post!), I'd never really thought of 'lurkers' feeling like part of the community, but now I can see it. I often go on forums and dont post, but I still feel like I am part of the community in ways - but like the text said, I dont feel as much of a part of the community as regular contributors.
Whats everyone elses thoughts on this? What do you think makes a virtual community? Do you think their is a place for lurkers within this space?
It got me thinking about what exactly makes a website a 'virtual community?' - As in what do we think makes it this?
I think that forums can become virtual community's but I have to admit when I think of the term virtual community, this is the only form of virtual community I think of! Perhaps this is just because it is the only one I have experienced myself?
I think that virtual community's can be created with some forums, but not all, also, I think they are created by people becoming use to each other on there, so say for example when X hasnt posted for a few days, people start to wonder where they are. I also think virtual community means when people offer support, guidance etc in many ways (even if it's guiding them towards whats going to happen in Eastenders tomorrow! etc). I also think that (like the Lister book states!) that online community's are built when in some cases relationships are not just online anymore, they become offline too. Like the members of forums speak not just on this virtual community they met on, but also in other places, like MSN, or on the phone, perhaps even meeting up etc.
I found it interesting how the concept of 'Lurkers' was approched within this text (Not the lister text, the text that was linked at the beginning of the post!), I'd never really thought of 'lurkers' feeling like part of the community, but now I can see it. I often go on forums and dont post, but I still feel like I am part of the community in ways - but like the text said, I dont feel as much of a part of the community as regular contributors.
Whats everyone elses thoughts on this? What do you think makes a virtual community? Do you think their is a place for lurkers within this space?
Sunday, 24 February 2008
Grooming on the internet discussion
I think that most people hear about people grooming children on the internet through other Media outlets, such as the news etc. If a child goes missing, then you pretty much always then hear on the news how they are checking the child's computer - I personally assume this to mean that they are checking who she has been speaking to online incase she has been groomed by a peadophile. However they could also be looking for anyone she has spoken to online/sites they have been on that will help them find the child.
I think that it's more known for peadophiles to find children online than it is IRL, but there is no proof to say this is true? Well if there is, I havent come across it myself.
I think the internet gives them easy access to children who may be vunerable, but this doesnt mean that they dont also use other methods - because surely by using the internet they are clearlly leaving a trail behind them of what they are doing?
Although it's known to be 'common' that peadophiles groom children on the internet - how often is it actually on the news that this has happened? Not that often really. Is that because they just speak to children and dont lure them into meeting up, or is it because it is not actually as common as one would think it is?
Your thoughts?
I think that it's more known for peadophiles to find children online than it is IRL, but there is no proof to say this is true? Well if there is, I havent come across it myself.
I think the internet gives them easy access to children who may be vunerable, but this doesnt mean that they dont also use other methods - because surely by using the internet they are clearlly leaving a trail behind them of what they are doing?
Although it's known to be 'common' that peadophiles groom children on the internet - how often is it actually on the news that this has happened? Not that often really. Is that because they just speak to children and dont lure them into meeting up, or is it because it is not actually as common as one would think it is?
Your thoughts?
Friday, 22 February 2008
Week 5, Task 1 - Blogs
From doing some research online I found that the blog apparantly developed from the website http://www.opendiary.com/ where people kept a diary of their lives for others to view. The sucess of this website expanded the online diary to the likes of blogging, which where made again on peoples lives, or where made on specific topics that where of interest to other people with the same interests.
A person called Justin Hall is apparantly known as one of the youngest bloggers, he began blogging in 1994 for 11 years! 1994 is not that long ago really, it just shows how quickly a phenomnen such as blogging can esculate!
Now there's loads of websites where you can blog, http://www.livejournal.com/, here! and many more.
I think that blogging is good for any form of expression personally, I think that the author is able to go on there and express whatever they wish too! However, I did find it interesting when researching about the consequences of blogging, the fears of 'confidential' information being leeked etc, people can get in trouble for what they write online just as much as they could for writing it IRL. Doesnt this demonstrate the two lifes - real and online intertwining?
I also researched somewhere about how now even politicians are using blogging to get to a larger audience, I personally havent seen any blogs like this - but found it quite interesting. Politicians etc arent the only people who try to reach larger audiences, celebrities such as Jodie Marsh also have blogs online and share their whole life with their fans/audience!
There's also people who have become almost 'famous' because of their blog! The other week on 'This Morning' there was a lady who was on there talking about her blog. She was telling the audience how she couldnt really find herself a partner because they all knew what she did - blogging, and that in a weeks time all their inner details would be broadcasted to the rest of the world! What do we think too this? I personally think perhaps some people use it as a way to become an 'author' when they cant have the sucess of being an actual book writing author? I also think perhaps they prefer being an author online because it allows them to post all of this life detail, and not all of it has to be interesting etc, where as with books - I'd imagine it all has to be approved that its entertaining/relevant before it reaches shelves? Also perhaps they like the fact they can be really truthful in blogs - but they might have to tone it down for a book?
A person called Justin Hall is apparantly known as one of the youngest bloggers, he began blogging in 1994 for 11 years! 1994 is not that long ago really, it just shows how quickly a phenomnen such as blogging can esculate!
Now there's loads of websites where you can blog, http://www.livejournal.com/, here! and many more.
I think that blogging is good for any form of expression personally, I think that the author is able to go on there and express whatever they wish too! However, I did find it interesting when researching about the consequences of blogging, the fears of 'confidential' information being leeked etc, people can get in trouble for what they write online just as much as they could for writing it IRL. Doesnt this demonstrate the two lifes - real and online intertwining?
I also researched somewhere about how now even politicians are using blogging to get to a larger audience, I personally havent seen any blogs like this - but found it quite interesting. Politicians etc arent the only people who try to reach larger audiences, celebrities such as Jodie Marsh also have blogs online and share their whole life with their fans/audience!
There's also people who have become almost 'famous' because of their blog! The other week on 'This Morning' there was a lady who was on there talking about her blog. She was telling the audience how she couldnt really find herself a partner because they all knew what she did - blogging, and that in a weeks time all their inner details would be broadcasted to the rest of the world! What do we think too this? I personally think perhaps some people use it as a way to become an 'author' when they cant have the sucess of being an actual book writing author? I also think perhaps they prefer being an author online because it allows them to post all of this life detail, and not all of it has to be interesting etc, where as with books - I'd imagine it all has to be approved that its entertaining/relevant before it reaches shelves? Also perhaps they like the fact they can be really truthful in blogs - but they might have to tone it down for a book?
Week 4, Task 2 -Music Sharing Online
When I was younger, I remember always going out and buying CD's/Singles from my pocket money on a weekly basis! Now I can barley remember the last time I bought a CD/Single CD. I think that quite a lot of people would be able to relate too this? Now filesharing is available, it is a lot cheaper/easier to just type in what song you want and hit download. Why would you pay the money for it when you can get it for free?
If I cant find the song to download, then I might use Myspace to search for the song under their music section and listen too it their. I think Myspace is great for their music page because when I go on other peoples profiles - (pretty much everyone has a song!) I hear songs that I've not heard before which I then hear and like myself - Great for the artist if I was actually going to buy the CD instead of downloading it!
Lilly Allen made herself on Myspace, and a lot of artists now are doing the same - I think this demonstrates intself the cultural shift caused by the sucess of networking sites which involve music. Loads of people are on networking sites, they where not before, it's like the whole Goebell on Radio - Why was it not being used to persuade aswell as entertain before? If it was a huge part of peoples lifes, this soon changed and it was used for both. Why would industries not use something which is a massive part in society to advertise their band? Obviously because of the whole money thing, but forgetting that - Networking sites provides them with a larger audience to advertise too I think.
Bands can make it through networking sites by sending people messages etc and asking them to listen to their stuff, etc, I dont actually know how else they make it from networking sites - other than people just generally coming across their music. I do personally find it annoying though when bands add me on Myspace, as I'm not really interested in listening to their Music - But thats me, what about everyone else?
I'm not sure what's going to happen in the future in regards to it - changing popular music and whether we will still need media companies if we can produce and distribute the content ourselves, but I already do not need media companies (I do still use them for films though, even though I could download these online - doesnt this say something about the fact that perhaps people in society will always need media companies, even if it is in a smaller way than it was years ago?)
If I cant find the song to download, then I might use Myspace to search for the song under their music section and listen too it their. I think Myspace is great for their music page because when I go on other peoples profiles - (pretty much everyone has a song!) I hear songs that I've not heard before which I then hear and like myself - Great for the artist if I was actually going to buy the CD instead of downloading it!
Lilly Allen made herself on Myspace, and a lot of artists now are doing the same - I think this demonstrates intself the cultural shift caused by the sucess of networking sites which involve music. Loads of people are on networking sites, they where not before, it's like the whole Goebell on Radio - Why was it not being used to persuade aswell as entertain before? If it was a huge part of peoples lifes, this soon changed and it was used for both. Why would industries not use something which is a massive part in society to advertise their band? Obviously because of the whole money thing, but forgetting that - Networking sites provides them with a larger audience to advertise too I think.
Bands can make it through networking sites by sending people messages etc and asking them to listen to their stuff, etc, I dont actually know how else they make it from networking sites - other than people just generally coming across their music. I do personally find it annoying though when bands add me on Myspace, as I'm not really interested in listening to their Music - But thats me, what about everyone else?
I'm not sure what's going to happen in the future in regards to it - changing popular music and whether we will still need media companies if we can produce and distribute the content ourselves, but I already do not need media companies (I do still use them for films though, even though I could download these online - doesnt this say something about the fact that perhaps people in society will always need media companies, even if it is in a smaller way than it was years ago?)
Week 4, Task 1 - Social networking sites!
The chosen social networking site I'm going to be talking about within this post is Facebook, which can be found at http://www.facebook.com
I personally use facebook, and I am also a member on another networking site called Myspace (www.myspace.com). I find that Facebook is good for letting me speak to my friends at University. I think that this website mostly attracts those who are at University so they can be part of that network, I also think it attracts an older audience from this. Back home none of my friends are on facebook? They all still use Myspace! This is why I am under the impression it mainly attracts University students - Which is odd. I suppose it is because Facebook has become apart of student society almsot! If you're on a night out and someone takes a photo - you know it will be on Facebook! Where as back home, you don't see the photo again. This is my personal experience of it all anyway.
I've never really considered witholding identity on Facebook until now. I've always thought it would be quite hard to do, as I only add people who I know IRL and would never accept someone that I did not know - But thats me, Maybe other people don't do this and do accept people they dont know? People who can then go on to pretend to be something they are not?
I think Facebook is great for allowing you to upload all of your photos, personally I like this aspect because it allows me somewhere to store all my photos without blocking up storage on my computer!
I do worry that people might become too addicted to these types of websites and that they might perhaps start to take over other aspects of communication, if my friends at home where on Facebook I'd probably just speak to them on there instead of texting etc.
I also think it can be quite bad in terms of that everyone knows what your doing and who your speaking too and what your speaking about! You have no control over this, on the likes of Myspace you can at least accept/decline comments before they are posted so that you know what everyones going to see, on Facebook you can log on and their can be photos/wall posts that tell all the people you know a lot that you didnt want them to know - sort of thing!
I personally use facebook, and I am also a member on another networking site called Myspace (www.myspace.com). I find that Facebook is good for letting me speak to my friends at University. I think that this website mostly attracts those who are at University so they can be part of that network, I also think it attracts an older audience from this. Back home none of my friends are on facebook? They all still use Myspace! This is why I am under the impression it mainly attracts University students - Which is odd. I suppose it is because Facebook has become apart of student society almsot! If you're on a night out and someone takes a photo - you know it will be on Facebook! Where as back home, you don't see the photo again. This is my personal experience of it all anyway.
I've never really considered witholding identity on Facebook until now. I've always thought it would be quite hard to do, as I only add people who I know IRL and would never accept someone that I did not know - But thats me, Maybe other people don't do this and do accept people they dont know? People who can then go on to pretend to be something they are not?
I think Facebook is great for allowing you to upload all of your photos, personally I like this aspect because it allows me somewhere to store all my photos without blocking up storage on my computer!
I do worry that people might become too addicted to these types of websites and that they might perhaps start to take over other aspects of communication, if my friends at home where on Facebook I'd probably just speak to them on there instead of texting etc.
I also think it can be quite bad in terms of that everyone knows what your doing and who your speaking too and what your speaking about! You have no control over this, on the likes of Myspace you can at least accept/decline comments before they are posted so that you know what everyones going to see, on Facebook you can log on and their can be photos/wall posts that tell all the people you know a lot that you didnt want them to know - sort of thing!
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
Week 3, Task 2 - Observing 'The Sun' Discussion boards!
When looking at forums to see how people come across online I looked at the newspaper 'The Sun' and their 'News' discussion board.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/discussions/forums/show/News-2.page
The first post I looked at was titled 'Dont give Heather Mills a penny!'
http://www.thesun.co.uk/discussions/posts/list/DON~39~T_GIVE_HEATHER_MILLS_A_PENNY-55376.page
The users expressed themselves in a very open way, they clearlly dont feel they need to hold back their feelings. (Obviously aslong as it is not worded in obscene language!) Most of the people share the same opinion, that Heather deserves no money from her to be divorced Husband, however - the people that do disagree are not afraid to say - although I did notice their way of putting across their opinion did not come across as strong and as passionate as those who went with the majority vote of saying she doesnt deserve a penny. For example - 'I'm not taking sides here'... it's like calming the audience before they disagree with them. Although am sure that the discussion board has seen people disagreeing with each other without the politeness of it all!
People generally speak in proper language, some sounding more intelligent than others by the way they have worded things as if they have experience at trying to put across their argument in the best form. There is a lack of short term text such as 'hwz u' etc and I think that this could be frowned upon if used as personally I'd think they where not very intelligent or mature if they used that type of language when no-oned else was, but if thats what they normally use online, then would that be considered as them witholding some of their values? I guess so! They'd have to transform themselves to use the language everyone else was just so they fitted in.
You dont really get much of an idea of what type of person they are, like I said you could probably guess who is intelligent from the way they have wrote/expressed their opinion, and you would probably think that someone who wrote something along the lines of "He should hire a hitman for her" are going to fill the stereotype of a thug... although they might actually be something of a high class and of high status!
I think they probably would discuss issues in the same way offline, but whilst they are online they are sharing their opinions on matters with people who also share opinions, so it is an interesting 'discussion' for them, if they spoke about it IRL then the people they talked too might not have an opinion on the matter and the conversation might not be very demanding, where as online there is other peoples opinions in which might question yours, or they can question other peoples opinions where as IRL they might feel like they should just nod and agree with everyones opinions. They might also choose a more 'intelligent' and appropriate language online, and not be as 'nice' about things IRL!
Peoples screennames on this particular discussion board are very random, such as 'mad as fish' etc - they give nothing away about the identity that is underneath them. This could be perhaps because they dont want to be flamed and victimized in a personal way by allowing other users to flame them using their name etc, where as if someone is just attacking 'mad as fish' then it might make them feel like it isnt actually them who is being attacked.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/discussions/forums/show/News-2.page
The first post I looked at was titled 'Dont give Heather Mills a penny!'
http://www.thesun.co.uk/discussions/posts/list/DON~39~T_GIVE_HEATHER_MILLS_A_PENNY-55376.page
The users expressed themselves in a very open way, they clearlly dont feel they need to hold back their feelings. (Obviously aslong as it is not worded in obscene language!) Most of the people share the same opinion, that Heather deserves no money from her to be divorced Husband, however - the people that do disagree are not afraid to say - although I did notice their way of putting across their opinion did not come across as strong and as passionate as those who went with the majority vote of saying she doesnt deserve a penny. For example - 'I'm not taking sides here'... it's like calming the audience before they disagree with them. Although am sure that the discussion board has seen people disagreeing with each other without the politeness of it all!
People generally speak in proper language, some sounding more intelligent than others by the way they have worded things as if they have experience at trying to put across their argument in the best form. There is a lack of short term text such as 'hwz u' etc and I think that this could be frowned upon if used as personally I'd think they where not very intelligent or mature if they used that type of language when no-oned else was, but if thats what they normally use online, then would that be considered as them witholding some of their values? I guess so! They'd have to transform themselves to use the language everyone else was just so they fitted in.
You dont really get much of an idea of what type of person they are, like I said you could probably guess who is intelligent from the way they have wrote/expressed their opinion, and you would probably think that someone who wrote something along the lines of "He should hire a hitman for her" are going to fill the stereotype of a thug... although they might actually be something of a high class and of high status!
I think they probably would discuss issues in the same way offline, but whilst they are online they are sharing their opinions on matters with people who also share opinions, so it is an interesting 'discussion' for them, if they spoke about it IRL then the people they talked too might not have an opinion on the matter and the conversation might not be very demanding, where as online there is other peoples opinions in which might question yours, or they can question other peoples opinions where as IRL they might feel like they should just nod and agree with everyones opinions. They might also choose a more 'intelligent' and appropriate language online, and not be as 'nice' about things IRL!
Peoples screennames on this particular discussion board are very random, such as 'mad as fish' etc - they give nothing away about the identity that is underneath them. This could be perhaps because they dont want to be flamed and victimized in a personal way by allowing other users to flame them using their name etc, where as if someone is just attacking 'mad as fish' then it might make them feel like it isnt actually them who is being attacked.
Week 3, Task 1, Question 4 - How I change my identity online
If I am participating in online social interaction then now I dont think I would need to shape my identity or expressions to fit into the group, I only interact now with friends - who know my identity and my expressions so would know if I was putting them on!
When I was younger though I'd go in chatrooms and pretend to be older than I was so I could fit in with the people I was speaking too. Also, now - If I did go on a forum it would probably be a shopping one where people post new tops etc that they have found and are considering buying, which I might reply to and say Yes I think you should - or - No dont do it, sort of thing! However, because I am replying they might think I have the authority to do so, so they might think I know everything about fashion - which I definately don't! So I might be unknowingly creating an identity that others will percieve me to be.
When I was younger though I'd go in chatrooms and pretend to be older than I was so I could fit in with the people I was speaking too. Also, now - If I did go on a forum it would probably be a shopping one where people post new tops etc that they have found and are considering buying, which I might reply to and say Yes I think you should - or - No dont do it, sort of thing! However, because I am replying they might think I have the authority to do so, so they might think I know everything about fashion - which I definately don't! So I might be unknowingly creating an identity that others will percieve me to be.
Week 3, Task 1, Question 3 - Risks involved with online self expression & discussion on online relationships
I think that their is risks involved with online self-expression, but it depends on what is thought of when self-expression is referred too. Personally I can be quite opinionated, and I do tend to express this quite a lot! I use to use a forum and if I disagreed with what somebody had said on a general life matter then I would say so - obviously in a nice way, but it would still occassionaly get flamed. Obviously I am not the only one prone to that, lots of online community users can be flamed if other members dont agree with their opinion on something. I think opinions is the base for self-expression, because you're self-expression is based upon your own values which I believe come from your opinion on X and X issues etc.
I have witnessed online relationships taking place, on the forum I used to use, people would appear to be really good friends with each other - even though they had never met! Such good friends that in some cases they even met up in big groups everynow and then with several of the forum members attending so they could all socialise! I personally dont think I would ever participate in such an event, but I can see why some poeple do, although I think in society it could be frowned upon, as people might think along the lines of do they not have any 'real life' friends? But I guess too them, these people are they're real life friends, as well as their other friends who they havent met through the internet.
I think the internet can be good RE helping relationships bond, I have friends who have got to know their now boyfriends better through the likes of MSN - general chit chat which develops. I think that quite a lot of people would be able to relate to that? Knowing someone who had done that I mean, possibly people a little younger than us now perhaps... (I still think I'm 17 at times!)
Internet is also good for prolonging relationships, I use facebook to get in touch with friends from Uni or send messages/photos to people from back home, people I've met on holidays etc, without this the contact would perhaps be a little less and our relationships would perhaps deteriate a little more than what it has.
I think that its great if people can build relationships, even if it is online - with people who have similar interests etc. It's also good that their is an alternative for people to meet someone they 'love' through online dating, as Dave stated in todays lecture - It is possible that now more people meet their partners through the internet than IRL!
I have witnessed online relationships taking place, on the forum I used to use, people would appear to be really good friends with each other - even though they had never met! Such good friends that in some cases they even met up in big groups everynow and then with several of the forum members attending so they could all socialise! I personally dont think I would ever participate in such an event, but I can see why some poeple do, although I think in society it could be frowned upon, as people might think along the lines of do they not have any 'real life' friends? But I guess too them, these people are they're real life friends, as well as their other friends who they havent met through the internet.
I think the internet can be good RE helping relationships bond, I have friends who have got to know their now boyfriends better through the likes of MSN - general chit chat which develops. I think that quite a lot of people would be able to relate to that? Knowing someone who had done that I mean, possibly people a little younger than us now perhaps... (I still think I'm 17 at times!)
Internet is also good for prolonging relationships, I use facebook to get in touch with friends from Uni or send messages/photos to people from back home, people I've met on holidays etc, without this the contact would perhaps be a little less and our relationships would perhaps deteriate a little more than what it has.
I think that its great if people can build relationships, even if it is online - with people who have similar interests etc. It's also good that their is an alternative for people to meet someone they 'love' through online dating, as Dave stated in todays lecture - It is possible that now more people meet their partners through the internet than IRL!
Week 3, Task 1, Question 2 - Expressing yourself
I guess that the internet has a huge audience with people who use the internet to access all different types of communication available online where they can speak to people who are similar to themselves, whether this be RE interests or if they have the same disability, ethnicity, sexuality, etc.
It's good for them to know that there is people out there who shame the same values/experiences as themselves, specially if they live in a society which does not have people who share the same things in common with them within it.
For example if there was someone in society who had a fascination with flowers, they could go onto a forum and talk to other fellow flower lovers! They might not find someone who loves flowers as much as them within society, but online they might do as there is the option of them connecting with someone who is on the other side of the world - regardless of where they are, they still love flowers! They can talk to them about the latest flowers, the best way to keep them, and loads of other stuff. They can open up and really express just how much they love flowers with these people and not fear the threat of being frowned upon!
Obviously that was the most random example ever, but the internet plays a huge role in letting people express themselves differently - there's no way I'd of sat in a real seminar and gave an example about a flower lover! But online it is OK for me to use stupid examples as it's not as threatening and I can express the real weird way of explaining things me, without holding back.
It's good for them to know that there is people out there who shame the same values/experiences as themselves, specially if they live in a society which does not have people who share the same things in common with them within it.
For example if there was someone in society who had a fascination with flowers, they could go onto a forum and talk to other fellow flower lovers! They might not find someone who loves flowers as much as them within society, but online they might do as there is the option of them connecting with someone who is on the other side of the world - regardless of where they are, they still love flowers! They can talk to them about the latest flowers, the best way to keep them, and loads of other stuff. They can open up and really express just how much they love flowers with these people and not fear the threat of being frowned upon!
Obviously that was the most random example ever, but the internet plays a huge role in letting people express themselves differently - there's no way I'd of sat in a real seminar and gave an example about a flower lover! But online it is OK for me to use stupid examples as it's not as threatening and I can express the real weird way of explaining things me, without holding back.
Week 3, Task 1, Question 1 - Withholding Identity online
, TIn response to one of the questions from Task 1 - 'Is withholding one’s identity ethically wrong? Should we always use our full name?'.
I think that it is perfectly acceptable for someone to be a member of an online forum/community and not share their personal details such as their real full name. I would most definately say that this is not ethically wrong. I can understand why people might suggest that this is ethically wrong, but I would have to disagree with them. I think people might feel it is wrong because they will be under the impression that everyone should always know who they are talking too, but I think that everyone should also be able to protect themselves from being flamed, fraudery, etc.
I think that sometimes people join forums etc to live the life they want to live, or to forget about things that perhaps other people in society know them for, etc, they want to be themselves/or someone else, but they probably dont want someone else who is perhaps from next door who is online doing the same thing recognizing them.
Of course I understand that my argument could be argued with in reference to peadeophiles and the like, but they are creating a whole different identity! Obviously I do not agree with identitys that are produced in order to carry out crimes. I also dont agree with identitys that are created and result in hurting other people, i.e a married person pretending they are single and a fellow online person falls in love with them then finds out or something like that!
Personally on a forum I'd never give my real name or my full name as I wouldnt want to be recognised, or have people know my details. I also dont put in my home address to things if they ask for it unless I am buying things online!
I think that it is perfectly acceptable for someone to be a member of an online forum/community and not share their personal details such as their real full name. I would most definately say that this is not ethically wrong. I can understand why people might suggest that this is ethically wrong, but I would have to disagree with them. I think people might feel it is wrong because they will be under the impression that everyone should always know who they are talking too, but I think that everyone should also be able to protect themselves from being flamed, fraudery, etc.
I think that sometimes people join forums etc to live the life they want to live, or to forget about things that perhaps other people in society know them for, etc, they want to be themselves/or someone else, but they probably dont want someone else who is perhaps from next door who is online doing the same thing recognizing them.
Of course I understand that my argument could be argued with in reference to peadeophiles and the like, but they are creating a whole different identity! Obviously I do not agree with identitys that are produced in order to carry out crimes. I also dont agree with identitys that are created and result in hurting other people, i.e a married person pretending they are single and a fellow online person falls in love with them then finds out or something like that!
Personally on a forum I'd never give my real name or my full name as I wouldnt want to be recognised, or have people know my details. I also dont put in my home address to things if they ask for it unless I am buying things online!
Thursday, 7 February 2008
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
Week 2, Task 2, My blog as a form of communication.
I think that my blog is useful in communicating my own opinions on things that I am learning for this unit. If I find anything that is interesting, or something that I think is hard to explain but I had made a way of understanding it in my own head, then I think it's a good way of keeping note of it all so that myself and others can benefit from it.
It's not really a direct communication provider though because although whoever is reading it is directly recieving my thoughts, I might have posted it days ago, same if they have something to say back to me through a comment that will help me - I might not see it till days later.
I think that blogging encourages us to communicate with other students on the course, as we are reading/commenting on peoples blogs who we probably dont speak to in real life, it would then be rude not to say hello or something if we then seen them in person if it was a regular occurance that we spoke to them via blogs.
My audience is fellow students and my tutor who is marking me! I tend to write non-short hand anyway so havent changed my writing form, I think that this suits blogs as for some people short 'text' language is really annoying/hard too read.
Hopefully the forums will pick up soon and we will be developing some seminar like discussions on there some time soon!
It's not really a direct communication provider though because although whoever is reading it is directly recieving my thoughts, I might have posted it days ago, same if they have something to say back to me through a comment that will help me - I might not see it till days later.
I think that blogging encourages us to communicate with other students on the course, as we are reading/commenting on peoples blogs who we probably dont speak to in real life, it would then be rude not to say hello or something if we then seen them in person if it was a regular occurance that we spoke to them via blogs.
My audience is fellow students and my tutor who is marking me! I tend to write non-short hand anyway so havent changed my writing form, I think that this suits blogs as for some people short 'text' language is really annoying/hard too read.
Hopefully the forums will pick up soon and we will be developing some seminar like discussions on there some time soon!
Week 2, Task 1 - My views on online blogging
What do I think of the difference between online seminars/real life seminars?
I think that doing it online provides a bit more work/thought on my own opinion than what I'd probably be doing if these seminars where done how they usually are. I also think that in seminars I can be quite quiet and not always have an opinion, and then later think of my own thoughts on what was raised and wished I'd voice them, with online seminars I can reflect on my thoughts and do this! I also think that in real seminars the tutors spur on a lot of thoughts/conversations, but in this istance it is the students spurring each other on or their own thoughts. It's letting us develop our own opinion on certain subjects, in which may be left at that, or may be questionned by fellow students.
I think that it's good being online as well because YOU decide when YOU want to do the work and how much - depending on how well you want to do, etc. So instead of HAVING to prepare stuff for say Monday morning, you can be in charge of your time schedule with this unit and decide when is suitable for you to do the work on a weekly basis. Whether this be two hours a day, or ten in one.
I think the language used in blogs, in normal cases is easy to understand, but some I have viewed on here have been very academic and big word-ed! Personally this puts me off reading it all because I'd rather read something that was easy to quickly scroll through and that I'd understand in a new way because hopefully they'd be putting forward their thoughts in their own way etc.
I think that doing it online provides a bit more work/thought on my own opinion than what I'd probably be doing if these seminars where done how they usually are. I also think that in seminars I can be quite quiet and not always have an opinion, and then later think of my own thoughts on what was raised and wished I'd voice them, with online seminars I can reflect on my thoughts and do this! I also think that in real seminars the tutors spur on a lot of thoughts/conversations, but in this istance it is the students spurring each other on or their own thoughts. It's letting us develop our own opinion on certain subjects, in which may be left at that, or may be questionned by fellow students.
I think that it's good being online as well because YOU decide when YOU want to do the work and how much - depending on how well you want to do, etc. So instead of HAVING to prepare stuff for say Monday morning, you can be in charge of your time schedule with this unit and decide when is suitable for you to do the work on a weekly basis. Whether this be two hours a day, or ten in one.
I think the language used in blogs, in normal cases is easy to understand, but some I have viewed on here have been very academic and big word-ed! Personally this puts me off reading it all because I'd rather read something that was easy to quickly scroll through and that I'd understand in a new way because hopefully they'd be putting forward their thoughts in their own way etc.
Week 2, Task 2 from Learning Journal - Hypertext
I never really thought of hypertext enabling us to shape our own experiences of the internet. Listers reading made me think about things that I had not before. Although I knew we overall decided what we read and what we didnt, I never really put much thought into the fact that by doing that I was creating my own 'unique' experience. Unique to the extent that it would be very odd if someone else was going through the exact same websites as me, in the same order, same time etc.
I think the internet would be hard to use without hypertext! It would be so hard to find anything, so it definately really shapes our experiences, it makes it a lot less stressful than what it would be if it didnt exsist.
I think the internet would be hard to use without hypertext! It would be so hard to find anything, so it definately really shapes our experiences, it makes it a lot less stressful than what it would be if it didnt exsist.
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