Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wikipedia
My feelings about Wikipedia are a little bit mixed. I definitely use Wikipedia, but it is usually when I am looking something up simply for my own knowledge. Usually, I look at stuff regarding movies, television, or sports. Sometimes I use it when I am looking for a definition of something or to explain an everyday thing. I normally don't read Wikipedia articles to use for scholastic purposes. I have never cited a Wikipedia article in any paper I've written in college. I don't recall any professor say specifically not to use Wikipedia, I just have never felt it to be entirely reliable when writing a scholarly essay. I definitely think it could be used for certain academic purposes, I, however, am just a little skeptical.
Monday, August 25, 2008
response 1
When I think of the World Wide Web, I never really quite grasp simply how far it reaches or where each link stems from. With Bush’s essay about the memex, I was able to get a stronger grasp on how many of the ideas behind new media came to be. The memex seems to strongly resemble a very basic form of the Internet. While it doesn’t connect all users together and allow each one to fully interact, it does gather a multitude of information and link together common themes.
Bush describes the memex as a “private file and library,” a place where a person “stores all his books, records, and communications…that may be consulted with exceeding speed and flexibility.” He continues to describe the memex as a supplement to his memory. This depiction strongly resembles today’s Internet. While it is most definitely not private, it does serve as a file and library. One can access it quickly and with ease (normally). However, while the memex may be used to aid the memory, the Internet provides a plethora of new information. I do feel, though, that through linking the different information together, the memex could provide its user with new and useful data. The memex also allows users to annotate the files they are viewing, much like the message boards of blogs of today.
With this device, Bush is depicting a certain type of reader and writer. I feel he is portraying a very interactive reader and writer. One who does so to gain information and expand his amount of knowledge. I think the reader using a memex would become a better writer because of the ability to comment right along with one’s literature.
These ideas coincide with Kirschenbaum’s ideas from the previous reading. He strongly felt the new media used by individuals now is creating more reading and providing different avenues for people to write. However, Gioia and Iyengar would disagree. They wouldn’t have liked the memex feature that allows users to flip through pages quickly – even flipping up to a rate of 100 pages at a time. Gioia and Iyengar didn’t feel that this was considered reading.
Bush describes the memex as a “private file and library,” a place where a person “stores all his books, records, and communications…that may be consulted with exceeding speed and flexibility.” He continues to describe the memex as a supplement to his memory. This depiction strongly resembles today’s Internet. While it is most definitely not private, it does serve as a file and library. One can access it quickly and with ease (normally). However, while the memex may be used to aid the memory, the Internet provides a plethora of new information. I do feel, though, that through linking the different information together, the memex could provide its user with new and useful data. The memex also allows users to annotate the files they are viewing, much like the message boards of blogs of today.
With this device, Bush is depicting a certain type of reader and writer. I feel he is portraying a very interactive reader and writer. One who does so to gain information and expand his amount of knowledge. I think the reader using a memex would become a better writer because of the ability to comment right along with one’s literature.
These ideas coincide with Kirschenbaum’s ideas from the previous reading. He strongly felt the new media used by individuals now is creating more reading and providing different avenues for people to write. However, Gioia and Iyengar would disagree. They wouldn’t have liked the memex feature that allows users to flip through pages quickly – even flipping up to a rate of 100 pages at a time. Gioia and Iyengar didn’t feel that this was considered reading.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Web Autobiography
In my house, we have had a form of the internet since I was in about 7th grade. I did grow up with most of the current technology, but normally was slightly behind everyone else it getting that technology. By 7th grade, my mom finally let me create my own AOL account and talk to others through instant messenger. This is how I first remember using the web. I rarely used it for anything else. I didn't search for many things then. I used it as a means of socializing. There was one time my mom got on my account and sent a message to a friend of mine who I was with at the time. I remember this as being one of the first times I was aware of how scary it was to think someone was impersonating you on the internet or really just that the person on the other side of your conversation could be anyone.
On a daily basis I visit basically the same sites. I always check my mail on the mix website. I check my bank and credit card accounts online. I also check espn.com, tvguide.com, and ew.com simply for my enjoyment because I love sports, tv, and movies. I am not much of an instant messenger. I use text messages more often. I do have a facebook and myspace page. I rarely use the myspace page. My facebook page I use to keep in touch with friends. I probably use the web for about an hour or 2 a day.
I love using the web. I use it for gathering information and keeping track of different things.
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