We have finally come to the end of a whirlwind semester! Firstly, I would like to thank Mr. Choy for making COM125 engaging and enabling us to look at the Internet from a broader perspective. Just last week, a question that was posted to us in class was what do we want to see happen in the Internet 10 years into the future.
Well, I think it will be really cool if we could command our computers with our minds and 'surf' the Internet with our brain power. I used to think that this was really stuff that will only happen in science fiction movies but apparently, Intel is already one step ahead and they are in the midst of developing a microchip that can implanted into our heads for this very purpose. Can you imagine how revolutionary that will be? All I need to do is think about something and it can happen on my computer. That sure beats all the technology that we have out there hands down.
I was just flipping the papers recently and it dawned on me how cheap computers, mobile phones and other gadgets that allow us to connect to the Internet have become. Technology seems to be refreshing itself every 6 months now. The launch of the iPad in the US was a big hit, and people are commenting how this will change the face of how we use computers and also opening new possibilities at the same time. Mr. Choy called this destructive technology and I agree with him. With a featherweight device that might eventually surpass the processing power of a computer someday, we have just introduced another gadget that allows us to connect to the Internet with ease. I am personally waiting for this product to hit Singapore and I hope it is as good as people make it out to be!
With its potential threats and untapped functions the Internet continues to grow daily. The term 'information superhighway' no longer does justice for such a powerful invention, because it has become a way of life. To live in the 21st century is to be connected. The Internet has convenienced us, connected us halfway across the globe and even enriched us. That is why I am optimistic about the future of the Internet. I hope that I will still be able to keep up with technology as it advances rapidly.
Having said this, it has been a pleasure writing about my thoughts on the Internet and I hope my sharing was insightful and worthwhile to people reading this! Take care and have a great day ahead!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Social Networking and Online Communities
With the eventual arrival of web 3.0, businesses are starting to explore social networking tools like Facebook and LinkedIn as part of their marketing strategies. The power of such online communities enables online users to give feedback to sellers, ratings to products and also to get in touch with business partners 24 hours a day.Social networking sites are definitely useful for businesses and I believe that the business landscape will continue to evolve.
When we look at social networks in businesses, 2 questions come to mind.Firstly, how effective are platforms like Facebook for businesses, and what are some of the other functions that can be done other than marketing.At present, companies that make use of such tools are able to attract the targeted amount of eyeballs they need to their web page just by sending out their advertisements to the users. If the user is interested, they can click into the advertisement and find out more about the product or service that is offered by the company.Two-way communication is also further enhanced as users can leave questions or comments on the social networking page and the rate of response will be quick.
Social networking sites can also be used to handle public relations issues. Granted, it may not be as effective as holding a press conference for the company, but social media might come in handy when you need a quick way of doing crisis management. Although this area has not been fully utilized by companies,I feel that it is worthwhile.Secondly, social networking tools might serve to enhance the corporate ties within an organisation as a more light hearted way of communication. Although it might seem alien and even unacceptable now, I feel that is possible that your boss might write on your profile page to inform you about the meeting later, or you could have team building games played on Facebook to improve relationships within the office.
The possibilities of social networking are endless, and if businesses are able to harness the power of the Internet, I am sure that we will see a new trend rise in our generation.
When we look at social networks in businesses, 2 questions come to mind.Firstly, how effective are platforms like Facebook for businesses, and what are some of the other functions that can be done other than marketing.At present, companies that make use of such tools are able to attract the targeted amount of eyeballs they need to their web page just by sending out their advertisements to the users. If the user is interested, they can click into the advertisement and find out more about the product or service that is offered by the company.Two-way communication is also further enhanced as users can leave questions or comments on the social networking page and the rate of response will be quick.
Social networking sites can also be used to handle public relations issues. Granted, it may not be as effective as holding a press conference for the company, but social media might come in handy when you need a quick way of doing crisis management. Although this area has not been fully utilized by companies,I feel that it is worthwhile.Secondly, social networking tools might serve to enhance the corporate ties within an organisation as a more light hearted way of communication. Although it might seem alien and even unacceptable now, I feel that is possible that your boss might write on your profile page to inform you about the meeting later, or you could have team building games played on Facebook to improve relationships within the office.
The possibilities of social networking are endless, and if businesses are able to harness the power of the Internet, I am sure that we will see a new trend rise in our generation.
Internet & Journalism
Having discussed about the Internet for the past few weeks, another aspect that we can look into is journalism and how it links to this medium. For a very long time, journalism was associated with the printed press and news media. However, at the turn of the century it has become clear that the traditional way of viewing news is no longer applicable as information relay has become so rapid that I can know about a plane crash halfway across the globe even before some of the members of the country hears or reads about it. Such is the power of the Internet.
Online journalism has definitely become a strong presence in our society. In this day and age, it is very hard to keep much information under wraps because all it takes is a click of a mouse button in order for someone to upload information on the Internet, and once the message is sent, communication is irreversible. It is exciting yet terrifying at the same time, where so much power has shifted into the hands of the public.
One such example that I wish to discuss is the idea of Stomp. To me Stomp was probably started with good intentions of spreading interesting new quickly and also giving the people a channel to relay news that is taking place in everyday life and allowing them to share their views on the particular issue. However, in recent times I feel that the platform is being abused by people, and it also shows the hypocrisy of some people during criticism because they are more concerned with the act of videoing an event and posting it online rather than taking constructive action.Let me cite a few examples.
For example, people have been filmed littering or not offering seats in the public transport in Singapore. However, people hiding behind their camera hand phones and blacklisting these people by putting their faces online for all to see to make an example of them is not exactly the most civic minded thing to do. Things like giving up seats for the disabled or elderly, or a couple's private quarrel are not issues that people should pry into. I feel that with the option of Internet journalism so readily available to the common person on the street, this power is misused. We should take some time to reflect where the line should be drawn, before the situation gets out of hand.
In view of online journalism, I think the use of blogs and social media tools also need to be further analyzed because with misappropriate use it could ruin a person's life if certain information is spread through this powerful medium. Personally, I feel that journalism is one of the grey areas of the Internet, and we would probably need another 10-20 years before we can find a balance in finding what is the most ethical way of utilizing it. Until next time, signing off!
Online journalism has definitely become a strong presence in our society. In this day and age, it is very hard to keep much information under wraps because all it takes is a click of a mouse button in order for someone to upload information on the Internet, and once the message is sent, communication is irreversible. It is exciting yet terrifying at the same time, where so much power has shifted into the hands of the public.
One such example that I wish to discuss is the idea of Stomp. To me Stomp was probably started with good intentions of spreading interesting new quickly and also giving the people a channel to relay news that is taking place in everyday life and allowing them to share their views on the particular issue. However, in recent times I feel that the platform is being abused by people, and it also shows the hypocrisy of some people during criticism because they are more concerned with the act of videoing an event and posting it online rather than taking constructive action.Let me cite a few examples.
For example, people have been filmed littering or not offering seats in the public transport in Singapore. However, people hiding behind their camera hand phones and blacklisting these people by putting their faces online for all to see to make an example of them is not exactly the most civic minded thing to do. Things like giving up seats for the disabled or elderly, or a couple's private quarrel are not issues that people should pry into. I feel that with the option of Internet journalism so readily available to the common person on the street, this power is misused. We should take some time to reflect where the line should be drawn, before the situation gets out of hand.
In view of online journalism, I think the use of blogs and social media tools also need to be further analyzed because with misappropriate use it could ruin a person's life if certain information is spread through this powerful medium. Personally, I feel that journalism is one of the grey areas of the Internet, and we would probably need another 10-20 years before we can find a balance in finding what is the most ethical way of utilizing it. Until next time, signing off!
Internet & Politics
Politics... one of the topics that has been the bottom of my interest list for a very long time. Somehow, I feel that belonging to this generation and living in a comfort zone like Singapore, political discussion has been rather minimal because the youth are preoccupied with many other things. These things could range from the crazy rat race of pursuing their education, or hanging out with their friends that they get so caught up with their pace of life.Hence, in my opinion politics tends to take a backseat.
However, I do acknowledge that the Internet is a powerful medium for a politician to reach out to people in this age, especially to the younger generation. In the most recent US presidential elections, Mr. Barrack Obama was wise in making use of the Internet to publicise his campaigns and it received very positive feedback. It would be interesting to see our very own political candidates use the Internet for campaigning later this year, as this might spark a larger interest in the younger generation.
With the rapid relay of information made possible by the Internet, I think that this is a new avenue for politics to grow and it might give rise to newer and more creative methods of campaigning by political candidates.However, one of the risks that is involved with this method is actually related to public relations as well because once information is put up on the Internet, it is very hard to control the flow of information. Hence, if the wrong message is sent out to the public, dire consequences will be faced by the candidate.
Caution should be exercised when utilizing the Internet for political agendas, but if one can fully harness its potential their chances of success will definitely increase through the use of this powerful medium.
However, I do acknowledge that the Internet is a powerful medium for a politician to reach out to people in this age, especially to the younger generation. In the most recent US presidential elections, Mr. Barrack Obama was wise in making use of the Internet to publicise his campaigns and it received very positive feedback. It would be interesting to see our very own political candidates use the Internet for campaigning later this year, as this might spark a larger interest in the younger generation.
With the rapid relay of information made possible by the Internet, I think that this is a new avenue for politics to grow and it might give rise to newer and more creative methods of campaigning by political candidates.However, one of the risks that is involved with this method is actually related to public relations as well because once information is put up on the Internet, it is very hard to control the flow of information. Hence, if the wrong message is sent out to the public, dire consequences will be faced by the candidate.
Caution should be exercised when utilizing the Internet for political agendas, but if one can fully harness its potential their chances of success will definitely increase through the use of this powerful medium.
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