I feel there is almost an app or website fore everything, so It’s hard to think of something new for new media. I think there should be an app or website that is cyberbully proof. It can be a place where people care fell comfortable sharing and not have to worry about negative comments or dislikes. The internet overall will never not have its negative aspects but it would be nice if there was an option for those who would not like to see it.
Our Class Wiki-So Far
So far I haven’t officially uploaded any content to the class wiki. BUT, I have been writing a list of things I plan to contribute and researching what information from each topic I pan to contribute. I’ve also been familiarizing myself with the content that has been posted on the class wiki so far and making note of what it is I could add. I also do in order to prevent a repeat of information.
P2P File Sharing
What is file sharing?
File sharing is when stored digital content is shared public or privately online. A simple example would be when an individual sends their professor their paper via email. The paper is usually contained within a file that is then attached to the email and is able to be sent to and shared with the professor.
What is P2P file sharing?
Peer- to – peer file sharing is when people can have access to digitals file within a peer-to -peer network. People wishing this network can have content their computer that came directly from another computer.
What are some examples of P2P file sharing?
Examples of this include illegal websites where movies and television shows can be streamed. These types websites are illegal since the content is stolen.
Privacy & Confidentiality
In this day and age many people have to always keep in the back of their minds the possibly of a privacy breach. With many young people on social media nowadays sometimes they don’t always filter what they share or they just don’t take proper precaution when it comes to their passwords. This can cause their personal accounts to be easily hacked or for people to access to personal information like pictures.
With companies like Facebook and Google taking information about you sometimes without your knowledge, or security breaches like the iCloud hack that happened 2 years ago, a lot people may be afraid to put their trust in new technology. While many are taking precautions there still leaves others who don’t. Maybe this carelessness is result of not facing a privacy breach of their own. Regardless, I think it is important to educate yourself about privacy and confidentiality online and with the use of new technologies like cloud storage. Find out how website like Facebook and google are using you information. Try Googling yourself to see what information about you is available for others to find. Have a variety of passwords for your various accounts (be sure to keep track of them all), back up personal pictures to external hard drives, and the list goes on. There are a variety of ways you can attempt to maintain your privacy in this digital and new media age, it is just up to you to make the effort
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Advice to the College
To start off I think Brooklyn College has a great head start in terms of using new media. They are currently present on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I definitely think they should continue to maintain their presence on these social media sites and continue to interact with students, perspective students, alumni, etc. It would be great if Brooklyn College also decided to get Snapchat. As I mentioned in my last post, Snapchat is a great way for people to share in a creative way. It would be cool if Brooklyn College selected a student to take over it’s Snapchat every once in a while in order to document their personal Brooklyn College experience. It would enable other students or possible future students to see all that the school has to offer first hand. Snapchat is also great to document events that may be happening at the school for those who did not attend and may have wanted too.
Brooklyn College can also incorporate live streams into their new media repertoire. With apps and websites like Periscope, Google Chat, and Facebook Live the school can set up live events where viewers from all over can watch. Events can include information sessions for perspective students or even career counseling. Many students work full time or take classes online like this one and may not have the availability to go to the school for certain services. It would be a convenient option to also have them online.
Creativity and New Media
One of the newest forms of media that I enjoy and I think promotes creativity is the app SnapChat. On the app you can share images and video in a way that allows you to tell a story. The app even allows you to customize images using stickers and emojis and you can also “draw” on your videos and images as well. The app has also linked with Bitmoji an app where you can create an avatar that looks like a cartoon version of yourself and use them to personalize you stories in a even more creative way.
My examples aren’t the most extravagant, but it’s just a little taste of what you can do on the app.
Creativity
Media has influenced creativity so much. As mentioned in the lecture the digitization of media has enabled the access to and the ability create their own media. Websites for blogs like this one, allows any user to create and share content they want. Video sharing site like YouTube allows any person to create a put out a video.Many videos that have gone viral were posted and shared by regular people who weren’t necessarily media professionals. A New Yorker article also mentioned how easy it for people to create their own music from home, by just using the resources of your computer and the Internet. The influence of new media allows people to share their artwork and to share their messages to a wider audience.
Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds
Apart from just interacting with people from all over the world and different walks of life virtual worlds can be used in myriad ways. For one it can be used to create support groups and learning environments where people with certain conditions can bond and where other can learn more about these said conditions. Companies and educational institutions can also use virtual online programs to set up meetings and work on projects in a more convenient setting. Virtual worlds are also beneficial when used a simulations. A medical student can use virtual simulations to practice surgical procedures. Someone who is preparing to enlist in the Army can use virtual simulations to prepare them for the real thing. And as technology improves these simulations can very closely resemble the real thing.
The cons of virtual worlds can result in a lack of actual communication among real people in the real world. But for some virtual worlds can better prepare them for real worlds interactions. Some individuals may rely on virtual realities due to their lack social interactions in their real life.
With virtual games that are currently popular like Minecraft which is geared toward children. People can be immersed in a virtual environment where they can build an create their own worlds and interact with others as they do so. Websites like SecondLife are also a great way for people to create their own ideal world.
Today we see a lot of popular tech companies coming out with Virtual reality headsets that can make the user feel as if they are immersed within a virtual world. This seems to be the future of virtual reality and virtual world. They way technology is improving virtual reality will just continue to blur the lines between what is real and what is not. 
Blog About Twitter
How do Twitter discussions compare to other forms of discussion?
Twitter vs. Blackboard:
One great thing about having discussions on Twitter is that you can get notified whenever someone replies to something you said. So even though everyone may not be on the site at the same time you can still get timely replies. One thing that inhibits discussions on Twitter is the character count. It can be a little hard to get your point across in only 140 characters per tweet. On Blackboard that is something you don’t have to worry about. It also helps that on Blackboard the discussions are categorized. So you know exactly where to go to read certain posts. On Twitter you may have to filter out posts from those you are following, along with retweets and trending posts to find and follow up on discussions. Hashtags can help but it still may not show tweets in correct order.
Twitter vs. In-Class Discussion:
Having a discussion in class or in person is the best way to have discussions. You are able to ask questions and have immediate responses. It is a lot more interactive and personal. It may also be the best way to learn because you can hear answers and feedback from majority if not all of your classmates. With Twitter it helps that you can use the internet to help boost your responses but, as I mentioned before your responses are still limited to an extent.
Social Networking Sites
My impressions of some of the top social networking sites:
Facebook: As soon as I log on I am bombarded with a timeline that is constantly updating with posts from “my friends” intertwined with posts from companies that i may be following. Along the side of the timeline you have advertisements and you can also see what topics are currently trending on Facebook. My usage of Facebook has lessened overtime. One reason for this is how ads have started to consume the site, another reason is how many Facebook users have started to share a bit too much about their personal lives on the site. This website started put with a much more professional image but I feel it has strayed far from that as of late. Also, if you want to have access to a person’s Facebook page or even a company’s Facebook page you must be signed in. With out signing in you only have a limited view of someone’s page.
Twitter: When visiting the Twitter website without even logging in you can see and scroll through top trending stories. You can see top tweets from various Twitter users including popular news outlets. Unlike with Facebook anyone can have access to Twitter profiles unless the profile is private. My experience using this website is mostly through its app. Twitter has a similar timeline approach when you first log in. The tweets seen are what the people whom you are following are posting in real time. You have the option to search topics to find tweets about specific topics. There are advertisements mixed in with the tweets you see as well. I enjoy using Twitter during times when certain television events are occurring because many Twitter users like to tweet during them. It is always interesting looking at live Twitter commentary alongside watching the televised event.
Instagram: This is another website that I usually access through its app. It is mainly based around sharing images and videos. You have the option to post pictures/ videos and see pictures/videos from the people you follow. This website also has a timeline format where you can scroll through and “like” images that were recently posted by the people you follow. I’ve noticed that the app tends to take notice of the content you tend to like the most and on the search page you can see rows of similar pictures and video that may interest you. Content tends to be categorized by “hashtags” or categories that are often listen under each post. I think it’s great to able to somewhat curate what it is you see on a website like this.
Snapchat: I think this is currently one of my favorite social networking sites/apps. Like Instagram it is heavily based around the sharing of pictures and video. It allows you to create a story everyday where you capture various images of places you went, people you were with and anything else interesting you felt drawn to capture. You can then customize the images and pictures with captions and stickers and then share it to your timeline. I like that allows for creativity and that it deletes what ever you post 24 hours after you post it. It keeps things fresh and current. Snapchat also has a discovery section where popular magazines and websites also have their daily stories that you can view and learn about current events or interesting new items. You can also view daily stories from the individuals that you follow and also send personal messages and pictures/videos to them as well. 
Media Frenzy 