Final Entry! C:

SPRING 2011 COM 125: Introduction to the Internet

Blog Entry 10: Future of the Internet

So what's going to happen to the Internet after all we've seen now?

I was browsing the net and came across this article entitled, "6 Predictions for the Future of the Internet" written in December 2009. Link: http://sixrevisions.com/web-technology/6-predictions-for-the-future-of-the-internet/

Here are the 6 predictions this writer had in 2009:

1. Audio Web surfing - Voice-activated web surfing

2. Web surf on any device - Surf on your refrigerator? Microwave oven?

3. Input revisited - Types of input technology, like the universal mouse?

4. Mobile networking - Android? Apple?

5. The end of .com domination - No .com, just pl.ain.te.xt.lik.e.t.his

6. IE stops being used - Internet Explorer gone forever?

Right now, here we are in 2011, watching some of these predictions actually coming true. This is what I think about the predictions from 2009.

1. True. Some computers now use voice activation, like how mobile phones use voice-activation to call various contacts. Like if I want to call "mum", I say "call mum" to my phone and it would start dialing.

2. Almost true. Companies like Microsoft have developed a computerized table where you can do anything, like uploading pictures. Web surfing on any web device is really close to coming true as many companies have been trying to develop computerized "everythings".

3. Many types of input systems have been produced lately, and finding the one best input system is along the way.

4. Definitely happening now. With the advent of Android and Apple, we see everyone on their smart phones networking and surfing the Internet at any time of the day.

5. Hard to say. Not happening yet, though many would actually be for this idea when people start realizing that there are not enough .com addresses for EVERYONE. 16 to 32 bit?

6. Not happening in the near future. IE is the most used web browser at present, followed by Firefox and Google Chrome. Since IE was established first, it may be the case that many are still more comfortable with using IE than the other new and upcoming browsers.

In just less than 2 years, we are seeing so many changes to the Internet, that it is hard to keep track of the changes, and predictions of the future Internet probably has to be updated every month... or maybe even everyday. It's scary to think about it.

Of course, we can't blame developers for wanting to keep up with the needs and demands of the current tech-savvy generation. As we change and become more dependent on the Internet, so do the functions of the Internet need to change.

Here's my prediction: Web 3.0. The Internet that learns, and predicts a user's move. Not too far away I believe (:

Week 11 Entry: Using Social Media to get famous... or infamous

SPRING 2011 COM 125: Introduction to the Internet

Blog Entry 9: YouTube Exploits

Social media has become so prevalent these days that people don't just use it to check up on their friends. They use it to become famous... or infamous for that matter. While some individuals really make it BIG on YouTube, others can go hide their heads in a hole for ridicule.

Its amazing how people love to publish their talents, or lack of, on the Internet. Some music artistes have managed to become famous through the use of YouTube.

We will be looking at 2 cases where these YouTube users got famous (or not) just by RANTING: Luan Legacy vs. UCLA girl Alexandra Wallace.

Luan Legacy: (WARNING - Video/s is not for the faint-hearted. Vulgarities are spat out at machine gun rates.) This particular video has more than 360,000 views. Most of Luan's videos have more than 100,000 views per video.

Not bad for JUST talking.

So what made this guy famous? The humor? The squeaky voice? Or the insane talent of not needing to breathe when he talks?

The plus point here: At least, he does not refer to a specific person or group of people when he talks about them.

Now, here we have ex-UCLA student, Alexandra Wallace. A classic case of: INFAMOUS. Wallace posted up her video about 3 weeks ago, talking about Asians in the school library and how they talk so loud that she can't concentrate on her studies. (wow)

This video has more than 485,000 views trailed by tons of critique. As of today, people have made many videos to counter the content of this thoughtless video. (Some of these counters/spoofs have more than a million views. The makers must be really happy.)

Hey, if you want to post up a racist rant, that's your problem. But if you ruin your future because of it, is it really worth it?

Week 10 Entry: Internet and Journalism

SPRING 2011 COM 125: Introduction to the Internet

Blog Entry 9: Journalism and the Internet... Shall the two ever meet?

A.C. Quote of the Week: "The danger of truth is partial truth."

I am taking a course in Journalism now. What I know about the Internet is that it is promoting and killing journalism at the same time. Social media (LIKE THIS BLOG for example), encourages members of the public to write about anything they want, where ever or whenever they want. People no longer need to go through formal training in Journalism just to become a 'journalist' in a sense. Also, the Internet now provides news feeds, articles and pictures that can be searched anytime.

The most common example of citizen journalism is STOMP Singapore. People take pictures of basically... anything they want to post up online, and sometimes tag a silly headline to it. To an extent, whatever is reported from there seems highly sensationalized sometimes.

Recently, we saw the embarrassing case of a Singaporean soldier letting his maid carry his army pack. The picture which was sent in to STOMP, instantly became the talk of Facebook wall posts, and eventually, the front page of print newspapers in Singapore.

NSmen trained to be fit, strong soldiers -- yet this one makes maid carry backpack

However, there are implications of Internet news advancements. Our print journalism is suffering. With the Internet/Web 2.0 in place, coupled with smart phones, tablets, readers and iPads, people no longer need to hold a newspaper in their hands. Everything has gone digital. Even PDF files of print newspapers can be found on news sites like those of TODAY. News companies have also become members of social networking sites, like Facebook, Twitter and such. Of course, there are some who still enjoy holding ACTUAL paper in their hands.

In a way, you can see a parallel between the future of newspapers, and the future of books (no thanks to e-books now).

So, is the Internet shaping the future of the journalism?

Right now, it might seem that the Internet might just break the profession altogether, but we would have to look for any future trends.

Week 9 Entry: Politics and Media

SPRING 2011 COM 125: Introduction to the Internet

Blog Entry 8: Making or Breaking Politics

Over the weekend, I got the chance to watch "The Adjustment Bureau", starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. Matt Damon plays young politician David Norris. Norris was in the running for the US Senate, when an old high school video of his crawled out of the woodwork to foil his political campaign, ultimately disgracing himself. The press did a good job covering this event and bringing up past disgraces, like a fight in a bar. The media painted him as a 'childish' person, who was not capable of running in politics. Within days, Norris, who was initially ahead in votes, ended up losing the election.

The movie's good by the way (:

While modern politicians can use the media to their advantage, there are also some obvious disadvantages. In the US, politicians like Barrack Obama had a very comprehensive presidential campaign, using celebrities and all types of media to promote his candidacy. This is something we are not likely to see in Singapore soon. There has been some progress, like the introduction of the new People's Action Party (PAP) members recently and the use of Facebook for people to follow up on their activities; but the progress is slow.

Unlike Singapore, the US has the freedom of speech and expression, which therefore allows full media coverage over everything - from politics, to the critique of systems, to the politician's personal life.

Week 8 Entry: Multimedia

SPRING 2011 COM 125: Introduction to the Internet

Blog Entry 7: Multimedia on the Internet

A.C. Quote of the Day: "Catch up by learning how to learn."

"Multimedia is a computer-based interactive communications process that incorporates text, graphics, sound, animation, and video." What I found most interesting about class today was the topic of multimedia combined with engineering. Honestly, the best example that could be given would be that of the Apple corporation.

I currently own a 4th generation iPod Nano and an iPad. It was very interesting to watch Steve Jobbs' presentations of the new devices that were created by Apple. From the iPod, to the iPhone, to the iPad. It was funny watching and hearing reactions from the audiences when Touchscreen technology was first incorporated into the iPhone. They were in such awe and were gasping and clapping in excitement.

I sat there finding myself amused at the reactions like these technologies were created a decade ago, when they were actually created within this decade. This only shows how quickly technology is developing every single day.

Another fascinating video we watched involved using hypermedia to treat PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) patients. I find myself not fully agreeing with the therapy, because I think that it could cause people to become even more depressed instead of overcoming the problem. Class ended with a discussion on Education in multimedia application.

As for ideas of life-saving during a crisis?

I think that phones can have radio receivers, applications for Morse code and in-built tracking devices. GPS-tracking and maps would come in handy too. While these may sound like we're taking a step back from technology, we need to rely on these oldies-but-goodies to save lives in a crisis. This is also in consideration of the fact that phone receptions are lost, particularly in time of crisis and chaos.

Week 7 Entry: Cyber-crime in Singapore

SPRING 2011 COM 125: Introduction to the Internet

Blog Entry 6: Internet Security Woes

This week we talked about Internet security and the various threats that we, as computer users, are vulnerable. I finally know the differences between a Computer Virus, Worms, Trojan and Phishing. (: These digital epidemics are things that many people are still unaware of. To protect yourself from these, be one step ahead: Get anti-virus protection.

In September 2010, it was reported that 70% of Internet users in Singapore are victims of cyber-crime.

"A new study, released by Symantec consumer division Norton, revealed that 70 per cent of Internet users in Singapore have fallen victim to cyber-crimes including computer viruses, online credit card fraud and identity theft. And, 71 per cent do not expect cyber-criminals to be brought to justice." http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1080159/1/.html

Aside from that, I found an interesting case of a Singaporean hacker who faces 180 years in prison charged with posting a fake July 2005 bomb threat on a technology website and 60 counts of illegally accessing a wireless network. This incident occurred shortly after the London bus and subway bombings.

It was reported that Lin Zhenghuang, then 21, was charged for a fake warning of a bomb threat at a local bus stop, with violating Singapore's Computer Misuse Act.

Cyber-crime is serious. And the law can catch up with you. But lately, cyber-crime and "cool" idea of hacking has been portrayed as something good and useful. We see it in movies and television crime serials. In these shows, hacking is usually done for the "greater good".

I guess that it would get harder to distinguish between the good and the bad as the media constantly crosses moral boundaries. People do get influenced sub-consciously. They just don't know it yet.

Week 6 Entry: The Powers of GOOGLE

SPRING 2011 COM 125: Introduction to the Internet

Blog Entry 5: Goooooooooooooooogle (:

I don't know about you, but I use Google everyday. Specifically, Google Chrome. This week, I decided to try using Google Insights for Search. This tool is somewhat similar to Google Trends. It allows users to gain insights on topics of choice and gives a visual representation of regional interest. It also displays the top searches, which allows users to more easily find more specific topics. Using this tool, I found out more about the rising use of Social Networking sites in the region for my Communication Writing class project. There are points on the graphs that are marked out by events which causes a spike or dip in the graphs.

However, I also found that the database was rather limited in specific topic choice. It wasn't able to generate information like "Objectification of women in beer advertisements" for example. The word order also matters for the search. Words placed in a different order gave a different set of results. I guess that there could be room for some improvement?

Another tool that I like to use (and can't avoid either) is Android. Through my phone, I am able to access my Gmail account, and very importantly, Google Maps. I believe that this is a very useful tool for anyone who is geographically-challenged. Google Maps allows users to pinpoint our current locations, and offers different traveling routes to various destinations of choice - via bus, car, or your own feet. It even gives an estimated time of arrival at the destination. These are just some of the few Google tools that I use very often, not forgetting Google Scholar, which is helpful when I need to look for school research.

There are endless possibilities to working with Google. It is constantly producing new technologies that would benefit their users in as many ways possible.

The one thing that fascinates me is Google motto: 'Don't be Evil'. It amused my family more when I asked and told them about it (:

"...Don't be evil. We believe strongly that in the long term, we will be better served-as shareholders and in all other ways-by a company that does good things for the world even if we forgo some short term gains. This is an important aspect of our culture and is broadly shared within the company."

In 2009, Google actually quietly dropped this motto as shown in this news link: http://www.siliconvalleywatcher.com/mt/archives/2009/04/google_quietly.php