Post 9: Web 3.0

Well I can't wait to see the day when Web 3.0 arrives. Like the presentations, I think that it will be like Web 2.0. For one, it will be the applications that we use that will represent it instead of a fancy internet browser. Still, I wonder what new developments can be made. We have already progressed really far. We can improve on some things but I feel like we have already made the major discoveries. Maybe it will be Web 2.5 instead of Web 3.0. Either way I will b interested to see how it affects our everyday life and our use of it.

Post 8: Virtual Communities and Second Lives

Over the past few weeks I have heard many stories from people about Second Life. I have not gotten myself one because virtual communities are not really my thing but I have to admit that I am tempted to try it out and see for myself. Though I have not used one personally I have watched others tinker away and found it interesting. I do not have any negative opinions about virtual communities because I think that they can be helpful. Whenever I think of virtual community I always think of the show Futurama and the episode when the group put on helmets to actually enter the Internet. If it ever evolves that far or maybe I should say when it evolves that far, it could be a good tool. However, right now I don't think that it will be something that everyone will want to use. It needs time to spread. There are still people like me who are not convinced about virtual communities.

Post 7: Blogging and Microblogging

Well I wondered when we would get onto this subject. I have had to make blogs before for different classes but I never really thought about getting one for myself for personal reasons. Whenever I made one I always thought it was cool but I didn't use it much. I guess I am just cautious about putting my thoughts on a page that is viewable by anyone. I have always been wary of putting my ideas and personal information on the interweb and it has prevented me from blogging for any reason other than school. I think another reason is that I wouldn't have anything to post of interest and there wouldn't be anyone to read it. At least I don't think it would have much value.

Post 6: Mobile Web, Mobile Identity

Well we finally get to Cell Phones. I remember when I didn't have one and all I could think about was all the cool stuff I could do if I got one. When I did get one in Grade 11 it really wasn't as grand as I thought it would be. It was not really a brand new model and it had no special features which may have had something to do with it. However I got a brand new phone before I started university. It had all the features that I wanted but surprisingly I don't feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. I use it but I am not on it all the time nor do I rely on it to survive everyday life. I am always available because of it but I don't think that that is the same thing as having a digital identity. I honestly dont think I use my phone enough for that.

Post 5: Collaborative Tagging

Tagging has quickly grown on the Internet to be incorporated in many sites. Tagging involves putting content on the web like movies, pictures and other items and then tagging it with keywords to make it easier to find by others. There is no question that it is useful to be able to find pictures and videos and bookmarks so easily. The site Delicious works by storing, sharing and discovering bookmarks. Flicker does the same thing but with pictures. Tagging is fairly common now in all parts of the web. Facebook has picture tags and Youtube has tags for its many videos. Personally I don't see why it is so important to max out sharing of your information. Sure you want people to see it but probably only certain people. I would not want everything I post to be viewable by everyone especially if it is personal. Youtube is an exception since it is meant to be seen by everyone but pictures are something different.

Post 4: Facebook and Myspace Concerns

To continue on with the problems with Facebook and Myspace, there are privacy and security issues as well as pressure. You see, there are people who try to gain as many friends as possible even if they are adding a complete stranger or someone who they met once. Everything from the oldest friend to the briefest acquaintance to a complete stranger on the other side of the world is fair game. In high school this can put quite a bit of pressure on people to accept every request that comes their way. I make a point of only adding people who I have known well and not who I have met for a brief moment. With stalking being such a big problem these days, you have to know who you can trust with your information.

Post 3: Facebook, Myspace and Friendship

This was the topic of my presentation in class and I have to say that it sometimes baffles me how much people love Facebook. I remember using it in high school but it was always just something to pass the time. However there were people around me who would spend every free minute in the day updating their pictures and profiles. I didn't think much of it then, but now I can see that it might be a problem. It is so addicting that it might actually take away from socializing even though it is supposed to help. There are some who would argue this. Obviously the users of Facebook would say that it does no harm at all. Of course parents would be of the opinion that it is dangerous and unhealthy for teenagers to spend so much time glued to a computer screen. I am not sure which side I would take.

Post 2: Privacy in Web 2.0?

The issue for this next post is privacy in Web 2.0 communities like Facebook and Myspace. It is not as much an issue that the security measures are not adequate as the fact that people make it so the measures are almost pointless. People are so lax with the protection of their personal information that it makes it obvious why so many parents do not approve of some Web 2.0 communities like Facebook. Addresses, phone numbers, emails... It is all so easy to find when you leave the door open to the whole world. It is not just the people you know that find their way to your page.

Post 1: Facebook and Web 2.0 Communities

Seeing as I am already behind slightly I will start with my first post on Web 2.0 Communities. We have watched a lengthy movie on the effect of different Web 2.0 Communities like Facebook and Myspace on different age groups. These communities come in different forms and as demonstrated in the video, some parents are very cautious and others openly disapprove of these communities because of the dangers that they present to their children. The fear that they will meet someone online who will wish to do them harm is always foremost in a parent's mind. With the introduction of online games like Webkinz for the younger generations, this fear could develop even more. It is another community where people meet with strangers and I am of the opinion that it is making it so that children will be introduced to Facebook faster and in their eagerness they may post confidential information by accident, not knowing the risk.

New Blog

Well it is second year university and I find myself in need of yet another blog to use for IASC classes. However rather than use the old one I have opted to create an entirely new one for this years courses. The main focus will be IASC 2P60 which is a very interesting course and it requires 9 blog posts over the course of the year. Here we go...