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

Week 5 Entry: E-learning

SPRING 2011 COM 125: Introduction to the Internet

Quote of the Week: "To know, is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge." - Socrates

Blog Entry 4: Do you think E-learning will be a success in the future?

I had my first dose of E-learning when I entered secondary school in 2003. I was excited to try out the school site and found it highly interactive.

I guess it's every student's dream to be rid of school. No more classes, scary teachers, or time taken from daily schedules. In recent years, the idea of E-learning has become more and more popularly recognized by many students. Now, there is a way to skip school and still, catch up on what you've missed. Furthermore, if you are unclear of some information given, you can immediately check up answers on the internet. While it is highly convenient, it has a higher chance for a student's complacency as well.

The technology is here now, and functioning properly. The question of it being a success in future is a different story altogether. It is hard to determine if people would actually do better in schools via E-learning. If that is the case, people in the teaching profession are in danger of losing their jobs. I do not think that E-learning could possibly replace physical schools in future. Indeed, there are online degrees that are now offered, but I think that there are still people who doubt the credibility of such courses.

E-learning takes away one very important element in education and upbringing. And that is, face-to-face interaction. In the working world, a person cannot just be expected to sit behind his or her computer all day and not meet a single soul. Employers still like conducting face-to-face interviews, and the skill of interacting cannot simply be learnt via E-learning.

All in all, the success of E-learning technology is dependent on how the individual defines 'success'. Because, like I mentioned earlier, the technology is working properly, which is already a success.

Week 4 Entry: E-commerce failure

SPRING 2011 COM 125: Introduction to the Internet

Blog Entry 4

E-commerce failure

Top 10 reasons why e-commerce fails (by www.bwired.com.au):

1) Lack of Strategic direction – No focus!

2) Poor user interface – Sites that are hard to use or navigate prevents people from searching any further. Solution: Have a “Site Map”!

3) Lack of Trust – Are there security settings put in place?

4) Payment gateway issues – Inaccessible payment methods.

5) Poor technology – When your site is not up-to-date.

6) Lack of Transparency – When information is not readily provided.

7) No personalization – Make sure your product promotions fit all. Not just certain groups of people.

8) Failure to manage customers – Not asking for feedback, which is very much needed especially on online sites.

9) No incentives – Lack of promotions or guarantees and so forth.

10) Poor product/service offering – When expectations are not met – like poor product quality – and thus, poor testimonies are given.

Based on the video that we watched in class the other day, there are 6 important things that need to be on any e-commerce website.

- Have an information page – “About us” page. This page tells people what exactly your company does, and what your company is all about.

- Have a “Contact us” page – with the email addresses, physical addresses, contact numbers, and times to call etc.

- Have a “Site Map” – this page allows users to easily navigate from page to page, without having to search too hard for page links.

- Have a “Why buy from us” page – the page that states incentives, guarantees, and other unique qualities and services that are offered.

- Have a “Legal information” page – this protects your business by laying out all the terms and rules.

- Finally, have a “Testimonial” page – the best things you can get out of products are stated in a black and white. If people love the product, their testimony would be one that is incredibly powerful.

Reflections on "The Social Network"

“The Social Network” depicts the beginning of one of the most popular social networking sites used in the world today. The main character Mark Zuckerberg is a brilliant, but socially-estranged young man who creates a program for the revolutionary, worldwide phenomenon Facebook.com. While he rises in fame and fortune, he loses the people who matter most to him in a series of court orders, neglect, back-stabbing and public humiliation.

I find that the movie had an interesting new concept to it as it was based on an ongoing success story from less than a decade ago. While the movie may be based on actual events in the life of Mark Zuckerberg, the script was romanticized and exaggerated to meet the demands of the audience today. The movie showed no real conclusion, which leaves it open for audience interpretation. This lack of finality might represent how constant changes are being made in our technological world, to a point that “nothing is definite”. Advancements are always being made within seconds.

I haven’t come across a person in Singapore who would actually say “Facebook me!” like shown in the movie. Even so, people of all ages in Singapore use this site daily to share thoughts, music, pictures and more in the most convenient method possible. That said, we still need to be weary of what we say or put on the Internet as everything is “recorded”, shared worldwide and can come back to haunt us - particularly in places where free speech is not tolerated.

My favorite part is where Zuckerberg sits alone in the Facebook and lawyer’s offices. The scenes emphasize his loneliness and the curse of being overly-active on the virtual platform - losing the ability to socialize in the real world. It doesn’t matter if you have a million friends on Facebook. It’s the actual interpersonal interaction that counts.

Week 2 Entry: Social Media - Boon or Bane?

SPRING 2011 COM 125: Introduction to the Internet

Blog Entry 2

A.C. Joke of the Week: “Do people snigger at the mention of Friendster because it sounds like… hamster?”

Social Media: What exactly is it? The first thing that comes to my mind is – Facebook!

Facebook is a social networking phenomenon that gathered over 150 million members in the short span of only 5 years. I observed some close friends over the past few months and realized that the first page people usually open is none other than, Facebook, with the exception of Twitter, Gmail, SIM portal and UBlearns of course.

We started off the week discussing the definition of social media and the differences between social and traditional media. Social media are media that are designed for social interaction, and are highly interactive, accessible and scalable on a global network. Traditional media, on the other hand, is static, has a physical limit and has short-lived value, mainly surviving on advertising.

With social media, I can check up on my friends and family members and their daily activities. Through social media, I can find out about happenings in the world, and I can make my mark in web history just by commenting on it. Furthermore, there are a variety of social medium, where one can express his or herself in a myriad of ways.

SO, the BIG question is: Is social media a BAD idea?

I would say that I agree to a certain extent.

Over the years, as social media grew in popularity, there has been more news of cases of people in the younger generation getting addicted to the internet. Along with this addiction came other problems such as – “social isolation and the invasion of privacy”. However, whether or not we know the exact numbers of cases is a different story altogether.

No doubt, the people who use social media mainly lie within the younger generation. As my father as says, “You young people are lucky. Lucky to have cell phones, the internet, your own computers. Lucky that now, you don’t have to go through the trouble of face-to-face interaction… Especially in situations where you want to get to know a person of potential romantic interest!”

What my dad said was quite true. With the internet and social media, people “forget” how to behave in real social situations. Some would rather make all the “noise” they can on a social networking site. And still, there are others known as “page stalkers” that wouldn’t mind checking out another person’s profile page, thus invading the person’s privacy. Of course, privacy settings are now in popular use, but are they really effective in keeping a webpage ‘private’?

That aside, I believe that some parental control, guidance, and maybe even restrictions, in internet use is important. Adolescents should try to use some discretion when using social media because what you say on the internet will never disappear.

Is social media good or bad then? Well. It’s a conundrum in itself.

Week 1 Entry: COM 125 Lesson ONE

SPRING 2011

COM 125: Introduction to the Internet

Well we had our first lesson on the Internet with Mr Abel Choy (: We started off the lesson with a few jokes and a guessing game: "How much is Facebook worth today?" and; "Rank the top few websites". Turns out that Google ranks number one and is worth about US$199.7 billion. My uncle made a joke of Google once. He said, "If Google were to give shares to all their employees - I wouldn't mind working as their cleaner."

Aside from all the jokes, I found out that there's more to the internet than just clicking links and typing things into the search engines. Everything we see on the internet are actually packets of codes that are translated to give us whatever we see on-screen. I never knew there was a Internet and "Intranet" - a compilation of computers connected together to form a networked environment inside an organization. So technically, some of us have an intranet of our own right in the comfort of our own houses.

Over the years, the internet has penetrated many different forms of social media. One of the most common devices we see people using to access the internet, is none other than our mobile phones. Also known as "smart phones" today, people can easily upload pictures, download files and chat with their friends without having to drag around a heavy laptop. "Smart phones" can be used anywhere as long as there is a wireless or "wifi" connection, or a data plan.

Another interesting revelation was that of the the Web Versions: Web 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0. From what I gathered from the class, a Web 2.5 should exist since a lot of the websites we see today are caught between versions 2.0 and 3.0.

Our first lesson ended off with a discussion on browsing and popular browsers. My personal favorite is Google Chrome. I like this browser because it is fast. And I mean. Really fast. You'll see what I mean right here in the video that I have posted. Google Chrome is also easy to use and it allows me to gain easy access to my Gmail account. Most importantly, Google chrome remembers the pages that I frequent, and it has not yet given me much trouble so far (:

Link for video:http://www.youtube.com/user/googlechrome#p/c/6C464642AA716B69/0/nCgQDjiotG0

During our second lesson, I heard some really familiar stuff that I learnt about in CSE 111. I honestly didn't think that COM 125 was going to be a module that looked into much technicalities. But I'm glad that the first two lessons have been good so far, and I really like the videos shown in class. They are highly informative.