MY NEW MEDIA CLASS - SO FAR

Well time seems to be flying this summer. It is really helpful to stop and see where exactly we are, and more importantly what we have discussed.

So what exactly do we mean when we say new media?
Answer: New media consists of various ways technology can be applied to facilitate and make communication more efficient. Some technologies that have recently been formed include, but are not limited to Twitter, Facebook, myspace, and friendster. Other forms of new media include blogs and wikis, which are forms of collaborative software. These types of technologies emphasize interactivity and help create online communities. These examples are all listed in "The New Media Technologies: Overview and Research Framework, " written by Linda Weiser Friedman, a Professor at Baruch College. Some other new technologies were also mentioned and discussed in Clive Thompson's article "How Youtube Changes the Way We Think." This article described the growing trend of television programs and videos that are being created online.

How important is the Internet to the new media?
The internet is extremely important to the new media technologies. Without the internet users would not be able to interact with one another. They would still be separated by geographic boundaries. In addition spreading content would be too costly. Individuals would also face more difficulty when creating mash-ups as well as media files.

Why and how are the new media replacing and / or enhancing the old media?
New media is replacing old media because it is looking at pitfalls and transforming the tools to create more effective software, programs and gadgets. By analyzing technological problems, companies can perfect glitches and create more powerful and effective ways for individuals to stay connected with one another. New media is enhancing old media by also including favorable attributes to various products. For example, through convergence, users are able to have internet on phones as well as Voice activated commands to make their lives easier. GPS systems in cars now also have voice recognition. By pairing and adding similar features to products, users are able to constantly transforming their daily tasks.