Week 4 - Tutorial task

What is cyberspace ?

There is much debate over the "reality" of the spiritual realm. There is a god, there isn't. There's a heaven, or hell, or not. And so the discussions go on. Cyberspace, Is it real? Does it exist? How can one truly comprehend it? Is it similar to the spiritual? Can it be compared? Is it "alive"? Let’s look at it this way: a rainbow is it real, or just an illusion?

Michael Benedikt defines cyberspace as "a globally networked, computer-sustained, computer-accessed, and computer-generated, multi-dimensional, artificial or 'virtual' reality." (Michael Benedikt 1991)

Apparently there are 3 levels of cyberspace:

In level 1 you have a mental map of the information landscape that we are using on our computers to find information to communicate with others. Everyone that has a PC and internet connection participates in it.

Level 2 is when you are actively communicating with a machine or another human being trough the meditation of a computer. Etc., E-mails and bulletin boards, they are examples of cyberspace islands, whereas the internet is such a global space.

Level 3 will be attained when that latter stage has been reached. Then, we will have a parallel world existing next to the physical world that will actively engage all our senses, though it will consist of data alone. (Michael Bauwens 1994)

Conclusion:

Cyberspace is like a rainbow, you know it’s there but you can’t touch it.

Bauwens, M. (1994). What is cyberspace? Computers in Libraries, 14(4), 42-42-48. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/62816469?accountid=14543

Michael Benedikt. Cyberspace: Some Proposals, in Cyberspace: First Steps, (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 1991), pp. 199-224


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Facebook Terms of Use

Sharing Your Content and Information, when you post something you can regulate on privacy settings who you will allow to see it. Once you posted something trough Facebook, they are allowed to use it. When you delete Facebook they delete all the information you have posted, unless someone else have shared it, then it’s still out there and free for anyone to use.

Basically you can hide certain information from other users, but once you have shared it, it’s for everyone to use, unless you copyright all your pictures so people can see that it belongs to you.

 “We do our best to keep Facebook safe, but we cannot guarantee it. We need your help to do that”
It’s up to the users to keep Facebook safe by not spamming, using harvesting bots or spiders, upload viruses, use someone else’s identity, harass or bully other users, or post porn or violence, discriminate, anything to disable the proper work of Facebook and so on.

This is not very safe at all, and there will be people who violates these terms of conditions. Then it is important to report this to Facebook, so it can be taken care of.

If a person is under the age of 13 they encourage them to not sign up for Facebook, and if they learn that they have collected personal information from a child under the age of 13 they will delete it. Minors are strongly encouraged to ask permission from their parents.

To keep the privacy information secured they use a firewall and encrypt that information such as passwords, using secure socket layer technology (SSL). They also use automated social measures to enhance the security; analyzing account behavior and remove inappropriate contents, possible signs of abuse and disable accounts for violation of their Statement of Rights and Responsibilities.

Week 4 - Response to content

“Boys vs Girls”

It is well known that gaming is more popular amongst boys than girls this may be because of various kinds of reasons. The implication is that if games were produced in accordance with feminine tastes, the number of women or girls active in gaming culture would increase, one problem with this is that it tends to neglect the diversity of games that’s already out there.  And it implies that game preferences are decided by gender. “The pattern of female gaming around the world variable enough to suggest that gender alone is not a reliable predictor of gaming habits.” (Diane Carr 2005)

It’s not that girls don’t like games; it is simply that the video games are designed and marketed to boys. Girls don’t particular enjoy killing and shooting, even though there is a group of girls that do. However, girls enjoy brighter games as Mario, dancing games, the Sims. Girls are more interested in games with storylines and less around competition. If girls got presented this from the early beginning there would be more of the gamer girls, today the gamer girls are the chicks that play the so called "boy's" games. 

Week 3 - Tutorial task

Task 1

What was Stephen Stockwell's first article in an academic journal? What year? Provide a full citation. What database did you use?

 Stephen Stockwells first article in an academic journal was in the Legal Service Bulletin under the title of 'Kuranda police shooting'.

Stockwell, S 1981, 'Kuranda police shooting', Legal Service Bulletin, vol. 6, pp.48-49, HeinOnline. Viewed 19.08.2011  

http://heinonline.org.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/alterlj6&collection=journals&page=48 

In which comic did Governor Slugwell appear? Which Issues? Give their full citation for the earliest. Where did you find this information? What database did you use?

The Governor Slugwell appeared in the comic the Flaming Carrot Comics. He made an appearance in issues 7, 10 and 11.

Burden, B 1985, 'When the shoes aren't worth the shine', Renegade press, no. 7, p.p. 3 - 31. Viewed 19.08.2011via. Trial Database underground and independent comics.

http://comx.alexanderstreet.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/View/797256 

What is the latest medical thinking on the dangers of mobile phones? Provide a full citation.

Mobile phones are thought to be hazardous to health. It is believed they are the cause of health problems such as cancer and genetic damage if used too often.  

Mobile phones are posing several worrying health issues. There is also big concern over whether prolonged mobile phone use causes cancer, genetic damage and other serious terrifying health problems.

Sarah Glazer, Mar 16, 2001 ‘Cellphone safety’ The CQ Researcher. Viewed 19.08.2011. From ProQuest

http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/228354147/131473CDAE23892C228/5?accountid=14543

In Bladerunner, what is Leon's reaction when Holden asks him about his mother? Quote the 1982 draft script and provide a full reference.

‘Holden: I mean, you're not helping. Why is that Leon? -- They're just questions, Leon. In answer to your query, they're written down for me. It's a test, designed to provoke an emotional response. -- Shall we continue? Describe in single words, only the good things that come in to your mind about... your mother.
Leon:    My mother?
Holden: Yeah.
Leon:    Let me tell you about my mother...’
After Holden asks Leon about his mother Leon gets visibly upset and shoots Holden.

Blade runner: http://www.trussel.com/bladerun.htm viewed 19.08.2011 From Google

What does Paul Soukup say Walter Ong saw as the main paradox in 20th century communication? Cite your source.

“that a society given so much to the use of diagrams and to the maneuvering of objects in space … should at the same time develop means of communication which specialize not in sight but in sound” (Soukop, p. 14)

Paul, S 2004, ‘Communication research trends’, Centre for the Study and Communication of Culture, Vol 23, p. 14, viewed 19.08.2011 from Google
http://cscc.scu.edu/trends/v23/v23_1.pdf

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Task 2

IRC internet relay chat

IRC was created in 1988, IRC is a full featured Internet Relay Chat client for Windows that can be used to communicate, share, play or work with others on IRC networks around the world, either in multi-user group conferences or in one-to-one private discussions.

People are able to have conversations to take place in real time through the medium of tying each other messages online. Everything that either person types will be simultaneously displayed on both of their own screen. This could involve people from all over the world communicating in communicating trough IRC within electronic zones that can be said to constitute “virtual communities”  (Reingold 1993)

Number of users today, 20 August 2011             
Network             Users    Channels   Servers
QuakeNet          72771    56560          42

IRC started to fade away because it has been used as a hacking group, and new modern instant messaging programs were developed with newer display and features with avatars and emotions etc., MSN messenger, yahoo, Google plus, facebook and twitter to mention a few.

IRC was a popular way to chat and share links in the 90s. People have been addicted to “tweeting” their real-time status updates for over 20 years. IRC started a trend with instant messaging and led it to evolve into tweeting and facebooking. In 1996 four Israeli technologists invented the instant messenger (IM) system for desktop computers called ICQ. This technology helped to develop the emotional lexicon of social media, with avatars (expressive images to represent yourself), abbreviations (ASL? = age, sex, location?) and emotion icons.

Sources:

Brett Borders, june 2, 2009 ‘A Brief History Of Social Media’, viewed 20 August 2011 <http://copybrighter.com/history-of-social-media>

Oikarinen, J., & Reed, D., 1993,  Request for Comments: 1459 Internet Relay Chat Protocol, viewed 20 August 2011. <http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/text/rfc1459.txt>

Susan C. Herring, ‘Computer-Mediated Communication’,  John Benjamins Publishing company, p.47. Viewed 20.08.2011, via Google scholar <http://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=NMZE8H4rX7gC&oi=fnd&pg=PA47&dq=mIRC+internet+relay+chat&ots=mvH9gcdLJ-&sig=NU18F6iPFlIICJwoiNJY1yiJo2o#v=onepage&q&f=false>

Week 3 - Response to content

A hacker is a person who illegally and without authorization gains access to a computer system. A hacker also has been defined as "a person who enjoys learning the details of computer systems and how to stretch their capabilities,” and “one who programs enthusiastically." The hacker is using computers to construct trial and error.

A hacker has also been described as a “cracker” who breaks into high security computer systems to get a kick and look around for fun.

In this new millennium, we are living in a society that is highly dependent upon information technology. However, whilst technology can deliver a number of benefits, it also causes new vulnerabilities that can be taken advantage by persons with the necessary technical skills. Such as hackers represent a well-known threat in this area and are responsible for a big part of disruption and damage to information systems. Nevertheless, they are not the only criminal element that has to be taken into consideration. 


Technology is increasingly seen as potential tool for terrorist organizations. This is leading to the emergence of a new threat in the form of ‘cyber terrorists’, who attack technological infrastructures such as the Internet in order to help further their cause.

source:

Robert J. Sciglimpaglia, Jr., Computer Hacking: A Global Offense, 3 Pace Y.B. Int'l L. 199 (1991) at: http://digitalcommons.pace.edu/pilr/vol3/iss1/8

S. M. Furnell, a and M. J. Warren, Computer hacking and cyber terrorism: the real threats in the new millennium,? Volume 18, Issue 1, 1999, Pages 28-34, at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167404899800066

Week 2 - Tutorial task

Part 1: b)
Facebook is the most used social network in our generation and has more than 750 million users. I personally may be on facebook more than on any other web page, even my email don't get this much attention. The first thing I do when I get on my computer is to check facebook, it has almost become like the morning paper. And as they say "if its not on facebook, it's not true"

C)

Read it Later

http://readitlaterlist.com/

This app allows you to simply read it later, sometimes when you are rushig and you find an article that you want to read but you  just don’t have time,  you can use “read it later” you don’t have to hesitate with saving or bookmarking and never find it again. Later on when I’m on Google Reader and have more time, it will show up in my reading list with the other blog feeds I follow. It’s an easy way to keep track of articles online. You can even get it on your Iphone.

Read It Later

One click save. When you are on a page you want to read later, click 'Read It Later' and the page will automatically be saved to your list.

Mark As Read

After you are done reading a page, you can remove it from your list by clicking 'Mark as Read'.

Reading List

Open your reading list in one click. You can view your read and unread items, search and sort for easy list management.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook

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Part 2:

New communication technologies that I use to communicate with my friends and family must be my phone and my computer, I generally use facebook, and skype to keep in touch with friends and back home I Norway sometimes I still use MSN Messenger.

I got a cellphone when I was 10years old, I got it so that my mom and dad could get hold of me, not that they ever did. I’ve had a phone for 10years, and I have no idea what I would do without it. I’ve been using it for so long that it has become a natural extension of me. I don’t know how log I’ve had facebook, but it think I started to really use it about 4 years ago I got it cause everybody else got it, and to be cool for following the new trends. Facebook has become my morning paper, and a way for me to keep track of what all my friends are up to, and not feel so left out even though I’m on the other side of the world. Skype I Just generally use to talk to my mom and dad, and some of my closest friends occasionally.

When I first started using social networks I did think privacy was an issue, but now I’ve gotten so used to it that I don’t really care anymore. About everyone has my information anyway, as long it doesn’t show my address or details about my credit card, and security number. It’s abit sketchy but if usually if I don’t feel safe with giving out information I google the webpage and see if it’s a scam or anything else dodgy about it.

I don’t have friends from the internet that I’ve never met in person, I did once but it was just some random that I talked to on MSN when I was 13. Can’t really consider it as friends. I would think that it is much different than the people you meet up with daily. People you see in person you hang out with, you find something to do together. On the internet you can’t really hang out, you just talk. So people on the internet can be the ones that know your feelings, but don’t know how you act or behave around people. They don’t know how fun you can be to hang around, or boring. But then again when you just hangout you don’t necessarily talk about everything, so the person on the internet could be the one that knows you inner thoughts.

Week 2 - Response to Content

Computers has evolved rapidly in the last 50 years. They have changed from only being able to be doing one task at the time, to do multiple tasks and being both an entertainment and a work center at the same time. Now days we do almost everything from our computer; studies, pay bills, socialize, watch movies/TV, listen to music, store memories and photography’s, work, develop programs and games and many more.  

The internet or the World Wide Web has also evolved into something huge, in the 1960s it was authorized by the United States government to build robust, fault-tolerant, and distributed computer networks. In 1980’s Commercial backbones led to worldwide participation in the development of new networking technologies, and the merger of many networks. In the 1990 it became a commercialization of international network and it grew into virtually every aspect of modern human life. In 2009 an estimated one-quarter of the Earth’s population uses the internet and it just keeps on growing. This leads us to wonder what the next step may be. Etc, are we soon able to use proper holographic in our homes? What will be the next communication technology in 10 years?

Resources:
Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet viewed 08.08.2001

Week 1 - Tutorial Task (myself)

I am Iren, I'm 20 years old and currently studying in Australia. I am half Thai and half Norwegian, I've lived in Norway all my life until last year when i decided to move to Australia, so I got into Griffith and packed my bags. Now I've been living in the Gold Coast for the last 6 months.
'

My hobbies are travelling and going to music festivals. Before I moved to Australia I went backpacking by my self for a month down the east coast all the way down to Melbourne, it was amazing and so much fun.
I absolutely love music festivals, the atmosphere just makes you happy and alive my favorite one is Roskilde in Denmark. They have all kinds of bands there from indie to electro



  Down the great ocean road

Being a uni student and studying is different from what I am used to, but I really enjoy it and I have met heaps of interesting people here. Last semester I did Arts, but this semester I changed it to communication, for the reason that it has more opportunities and its something that suites me more. I chose this course cause it seemed like something fun, media and communication has always interested me. I have not decided what to become when I "grow up", but I know that this is what I like to do right now.