The Next New Thing

A new type of “new media” that doesn’t currently exist is a Hologram tablet. The new Hologram tablet is a small lipstick size electronic. When you click a button on the tablet a holographic version of the World Wide Web appears in front of you. You will be surf the web, video chat, and set appointment with a swipe of your finger. The tablet will have holographic keyboards as well as virtual interactive. The virtual interactive will include wardrobe personal dressing and prepare delicious food in five minutes. This will be the best thing since the IPod because it will expand our culture in many ways. It will make simple and easier to access the internet and information in seconds. 

P2P Filesharing

File sharing is the practice of distributing or providing access to digitally stored information, such as computer programs, multimedia (audio, images and video), documents, or electronic books. It may be execute through a mixture of ways. Common methods of storage, transmission and dispersion include manual sharing utilizing removable media, centralized servers on computer networks, World Wide Web-based hyperlinked documents, and the use of distributed peer-to-peer networking. Peer-to-peer file sharing is a form of file sharing using peer-to-peer networking

A peer-to-peer (abbreviated to P2P) computer network is one in which each computer in the network can act as a client or server for the other computers in the network, allowing shared access to various resources such as files, peripherals, and sensors without the need for a central server. P2P networks can be set up within the home, a business, or over the Internet. Each network type requires all computers in the network to use the same or a compatible program to connect to each other and access files and other resources found on the other computer. P2P networks can be used for sharing content such as audio, video, data, or anything in digital format. The original Worldwide Web browser was close to a peer-to-peer design in that it assumed each user of the web would be an active editor and contributor creating and linking content to form an interlinked web of links. This contrasts to the broadcasting-like structure of the web as it has developed over the years.

In the Wikipedia on Digital Rights Management Technologies states that digital rights management is a class of access control technologies that are used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders, and individuals with the intent to limit the use of digital content and devices after sale. The use of digital rights management is controversial because it makes P2P file sharing illegal on some terms and conditions. For an example, in the music industry major recording companies ban P2P file sharing because they own the rights the music and each individual must pay to hear the music.

Privacy and Confidentially

Privacy and confidentially is one of the major problems related to new media.  The internet is an open place, where people can explore and input information without knowing the dangers of it. However you can be exposed to all kinds of threats, viruses, and predators. The internet is an important part of the evolution of global communication. People are being able to communicate and obtain information from many other countries with a click of the button. But likewise, the amount of confidential information posted on the internet is increasing. For an example, you hear of people getting fired from their jobs for things they put on Facebook. Many people is wondering if it is safe to go online because of the excessive amount of online predators, viruses, and identity thefts. Privacy and confidentially is negative effect of the internet. Certain websites can get and share your location to everyone online. The government isn’t helping either because alongside hackers they can go into your computer or steal your information by a click of a button. These concerns are what could prevent new media from being a tool for the spread of information rather than just fun things to do online.  Once people understand what kind of information they should be sharing online and as online security increases, new media can foster creativity and communication to help improve the lives of everyone in the world.  As more generations grow up with the internet, they must learn the risks and power of such a simple tool.

Creativity and New Media

Using the new media of the virtual game called Sims 3 and my creativity, I managed to a create an avatar (Sim) that share the same characteristics of me and build a house to live in. In this virtual world I would play myself by doing daily routines of eating, sleeping, communicating with others, and completing life goals just by a click of a button. I enjoy this game so much because I could escape reality and live another life or virtual life. Screenshots of my Sims 3 virtual world are below. Hope you enjoy =)

Creativity

New media can be referred to on demand access content on any digital device, as well as interactive user feedback, creative participation and community formation around the media content. Most technologies defined as new media are digital. New media are online newspapers, eBooks, mp3 files, Youtube videos, fractals, flickr, and etc. New media fosters creativity by the widespread of digitization means that books, ideas, music, videos, photos, etc are accessible to all and can be created by anyone. The more free input in new media allows new ideas and  can develop into the creation of new technologies. Creativity flows through new media by the frequent competition in the advancement of the next best thing. Mash- Ups are examples of creativity in new media because the combination of digital bits of different things can create something new and innovative. For an example, in the article "Disney Tolerates a Rap Parody pf Its Critter. But Why?" by Brooks Barnes states that Walt Disney allows people to use their famous animated cartoons as mash-up to rap music and may other things. There is a video of Winne the Pooh cartoon characters dancing with the mash-up to the rap song of Soulja Boy Crank Dat on Youtube. This shows the creativity of people using modern day songs and old cartoons to make a mash up video of pure comedy.

Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

A virtual world is an online community that takes the form of a computer based simulated environment through which users can interact with one another and use and create objects. Virtual worlds are representation of reality but it is much simpler than the real world. Virtual worlds bridge community and creativity. Different ways virtual worlds can be used is by training programs, multiplayer online gaming, Nintendo Wii, medical procedures, and etc. Virtual reality environments have been used for training stimulator for flight and military battlefield. Another result of virtual worlds is multiplayer online gaming such as Second Life and World of Warcraft. For an example, in the article "In Room 100, It's Sid and Nancy All Over Again" by Saki Knafo it describes how a man used Second Life to make a virtual world replica of the famous Chelsea hotel in NYC. In which Sid the Sex Pistols bassist killed his girlfriend Nancy. Another example, in the article "Naughty Auties battle autism with virtual interaction" by Nicole Saidi describes a virtual world center for those who have autism to meet and interact with people in a virtual tropical getaway. The Nintendo Wii has motion capture and intuitive interaction concepts similar to virtual reality technologies of the past. Also, doctors can interact with virtual systems to practice procedures or to do tiny surgical procedures on a larger scale. The pros of virtual reality are more personal, great social interaction and communication with people who share similar interests with people in a wider geographic location. The cons of virtual worlds are it is an inescapable aspect of social life with dangers of deception that can lead to low self esteem, feeling of worthlessness and insignificance. Virtual worlds foster creativity by technology developing from old media to new media. Newspapers turn into online newspapers, books into eBooks, music into mp3 files, video into Youtube, and etc all are examples of creativity in virtual worlds. What I think the future of virtual worlds will look like is actual other world experiences. If you have the money you would be able to creative and live in your alternative world in your spare time. It will be fun and relaxing as well you could do anything you every dreamed of.

Social Networking Sites

Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, and Tumblr are all social networking websites that allows you to communicate and post comments, messages, pictures, videos, etc. Out of the many social network sites Facebook and Tumblr is my favorite. I go on Facebook to keep me updated with recent news, friends and family from afar, and to play games. I go on Tumblr to follow cool blogs from fashion, news, music and art. On tumblr, the site allows you to reblog, post, and comment on your own creative blog page. Social networking is definitely an outlet for expression and be updated on recent news.