CCT+300+Labs

=Week 2= =Week 3= [|http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/~adillon/Journals/genres.html]

** Why are new genres created? Why is the definition of genre controversial and not so applicable to the formation of digital genres? **
=Week 4= Do you agree with McLuhan when states comics are an extension of photographic media? Why or why not?

I agree with Marshall Mcluhan on the fact that comics are extensions of photographic media. Based on his description of the 'cool' vs 'hot' media, I understand why he would place comics in the former as well as photographs. Both forms of media provide very little information on the context of the image and information about it generally leaving the author to fill in many gaps and find his own explanation for certain details found in the images. This is opposed to hot media such as TV where the view/reader passively consumes the actions with out much creativity or imagination. Comics, like images, use still visual communication often iconic to represent certain actions, motions etc. This is not unlike images which are often intentionally unclear, blurry or in other words step away from literal and detailed representation. As mentioned in Scott Mcloud's book; a basic drawing of a smiley face represents a face; any face, the viewer fills in the details. Similarly with photographs, although the viewer no longer has to fill in the details of the face (they are there already presumably) he is left to fill the missing/invisible details such as the person's story and personal character.

=Week 5= Do you see that conventional means of mass media advertising can translate into Second Life? Provide reasons why or why not?

I feel that conventional means of mass media advertising can indeed translate into Second Life but not literally (as-is), rather I feel, these means will evolve and adapt to the specific nature/characteristics of the media.

Similarly, when the world had taken a step into E-Business and the traditional advertising methods have adapted and made a presence in the internet with a twist, this should happen with virtual worlds as well. I beleive there are two main reasons why this is inevitable, perhaps if not in the immediate future, definitely in the long run. They are:

1) Communication in all media forms still reflects human nature. This 'human nature' is the basis for advertising which aims to exploit it. 2) The capitalistic nature of our modern society, namely the 'buy-sell/promote' model will not go away and will therefore adapt.

I do beleive however, that this will not happen immediately. An example of such a failed attempt is displayed by Nissan who have given the users of one of the virtual realities opportunity to own an exact replica of their cars. This is kind of absurd since in the virtual world where anythign is possible, it is unlikely that any of the users will want to spend their time on a middle-class sedan which is to reminicent of the real, boring world. This is a perfect example of how conventional means of mass media advertising will have to understand the nature of this new reality and tailor a solution to fit it.

It is important to add that certain products will simply lose any purpose of wasting advertising money in the virtual world, e.g; Nissan cars.

Perhaps if Nissan designed an uber cool cyber car that could fly, they could truly expand themselves into the virtual reality.

Comic Analysis**
 * WEEK 6

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Group members: Dasha Kablash, Timur Khamitov, Tarek Elsaad

Colour: -Lighter colours are used for backgrounds and there are no black contour lines; lighter colors are used for outlines -Foreground colours have a higher intensity and generally brighter; black lines are used to emphasize the characters

Format: -one page comic; there is no need to flip through the pages -the comic is square-shaped, sized just so it fits in a browser window; there is no need for scrolling -buttons on the bottom of the comic to help the reader navigate through different comics

Tone and resolution: -very high resolution; not pixelated -no small details; most objects are very large, therefore, one would not have to zoom in, making it easier for web reading -no cross-hatching or feathering; solid colours are used

=Week 7=

Lab Members; Timur Khamitov, Dasha Kablash

Photoshop done by Dasha Kablash.

Concept: Self-explanatory :-)



**Week 8**
Article being analyzed; Billy Curry, "Vote to kill gun reguistry passes", Globe and Mail and can be found [|here.]

All the sources are political figures in power, however this couldn't be considered a bias since these are the relevant actors in this particular case. Not really, all actors interviewed are within the 'box', the view of the civilians who voted isn't really illustrated. The news is reported from the point of view of a political, neutral reporter with heavy description of the underlying politics. Not really... Yes, since stereotypes make presumptions which are not always accurately. There are none. The language is very loaded with political terminology that often clouds the key issue. There is a lack of context, the description of the problem isn't really provided.
 * What are the sources?
 * Is there a lack of diversity?
 * From whose point of view is the news reported?
 * Are there double standards?
 * Do stereotypes skew coverage?
 * What are the unchallenged assumptions?
 * Is the language loaded?
 * Is there a lack of context?

=**Week 9**=


 * Wikipedia.org:**

Functionality.

1) The 'bare-ness' of Wikipedia is refreshing. In specific, the lack of ads, cluttered web design etc. It is very straight forward and performs the function of providing key, bite-size and scannable information very well.

2) Due to the nature of Wikipedia, its open source and ability by any one to edit/modify any content implies that even if certain links aren't working there is a mechanism in place that will ensure that this gets repaired. This applies to spelling mistakes, wrong information and any other functional purpose.

3) Generally, Wikipedia is a reliable website as far as functionality goes, its always available and generally functions effectively.

Transparency:

1) Transparency is Wikipedia's middle name. It is a internet encylopedia that gets editted by anyone interested. This means that people will be likely to be update infromation that they have knowledge of. Since Wikipedia is open-source, the question of transparency is hard to even talk about considering that there is no one person or group of people that control content.

2) Wikipedia are very keen on sources and most informatoin requires a source that is clearly arranged at the bottom of every page. Wikipedia is usually rather up-to-date as a source of information since it is constantly editted by knowledgeable (not always) users.

3) Although Wikipedia is transparent, this could be considered a negative effect. Since there is very limited control on who edits information, it is not always the case that knowledgeable people update the infromation implying that much of the infromation could be wrong.


 * About.com**

Functionality:

1) This site performs well functionally, as a reliable search engine, with an effective lay-out, intuitive design and interesting concept.

2) Unlike Wikipedia, the site isn't as effective at inter-linking ifnromation. Rather it provides (or tries to) a competitive edge by having permanent experts that make the content for much of the site (see transparency).

3) The uniquen'ess of the categories that the site can 'help you:' with, for e.g: "Learn Something" is very functional for someone not looking for something in specific.

Transparency.

1) By having a regular team of experts, about.com has a bit more credibitility in regards to their infromation, however lack the breath and possibly the up-to-date content. Assuming that about.com has a 1000 editors, Wikipedia could have 100,000. About.com does however accurately specify sources and authors.

Conclusion:

'Information' is a very broad term and various sites offer differnet outlooks or specifics into providing knowledge. Wikipedia for example aims to have a very wide span of operations and replicate and online encylopedia that can be editted by anyone.

About.com on the other hand promises customers advice and help on making decisions. These similar, yet different points of view or motivations are clearly mirrorer in the functionality and transparency of the two sites.

For a user to utilize the internet correctly, in order to find infromation, the user must be aware of the best source of finding the answers for his specific problem.

=**Week 10**=

The link for my social network: http://trk.socialgo.com

This social network site will be used to share and analyze music and other media forms that will be posted by its members.

Currently, I have uploaded 3 songs of my production as well as a Blog entry and widgets.

In the process of adding; - Widgets - Group Members - More Blog entries - RSS feeds. - IGoogle gadget. - Feedburner

=Week 11= How does Twine fit in to the descriptions of Web 3.0 outlined in the aforementioned slides? What features of Twine did you find most relevant to Web 3.0?

Answer: Twine is a almost like a social network, except it brings together peole based on their interests rather than realtionships amongst group members. It's much like the Semantic Web, or rather is an example of the Semantic Web due to its ability to have 'smart' infromation, i.e: information about information. This makes it particularly useful when looking for relevant and similar results. For e.g: if you join the Guitarist group, the links for similar or relevant groups are very to the point, for e.g: types of guitars, music videos etc...

The feature that is most relevant to Web 3.0 is how they are able to match up users based on thier interests. This is more complicated then simply comparing the descriptions, rather Twine follows the user and establishes his patterns of behaviour, basing it on the Twine's he joins etc. Essentially, Twine 'tags' every bit of information, so besides the exchanges between humans, the computer adds it own communication, describing further the communication between people.