Web 1.0 vs. Web 2.0

Before starting New Media Techologies (KCB202) last semester, I had never heard of these terms before. I think possibly it is just something that is used in "studying-media-land" because I have never and probably never will hear normal, everyday people discussing this topic on the bus. 

It is important for us as media students to be aware of the difference, and to embrace the new world of opportunities that is available with Web2.0. 

Before I go on, check out this video that interviews Tim O'Reilly about what exactly Web2.0 is...

Web 1.0 was about information "presentation" on a website, where as Web 2.0 is about harnessing collective intelligence among Internet users. (O'Reilly, 2008). Ultimately user contributions are a major key to market dominance in the Web 2.0 era, and often companies gain both financial and cultural capital by allowing and promoting user-led content. 

There are sites that would not be in existence if they were not web2.0 platforms, such as Flickr, Youtube, Fanpop and iTunes. Most of these sites also incorporate more than one media source such as internet and music, internet and television and internet and camera photography. 

Here is a video I found about Flickr, how to use it, why and what it does...

 

I never thought I would be interested in anything 'IT' related, but the more I know about the creative outlets available, the more I am inclined to try them out!!

P. 

User-led Content creation

The Future Is User-Led

I find that the notion of user-led content creation is creeping its way into my life. When I was in high school, I have not heard of (or maybe just never thought of) media as user-led. I am left wondering now whether or not I would have heard about it if I was not a media and communications student. Maybe I’ll never know.

Produsage can be explained as:

“the production of ideas takes place in a collaborative, participatory mode which breaks down the boundaries between producers and consumers” (Bruns, 2008)

What this means in simple terms, I think anyway, is that no longer do we simply consume media in the one form, produced by professionals and for mass audiences. Now, with new technologies, everyday people have the opportunity to add their own content to the internet (sometimes then it spreads to more conventional media eg. musicians who start on YouTube or MySpace) and add to online creative platforms, commenting on or enhancing the work of others.

Bruns states that “Produsage is based on the collaborative engagement of (ideally, large) communities of participants in a shared project.” This could be blogging, using the blogging network to share content, or forums where people can share ideas on a large scale and where people are not restricted by locality. This could also be a range of different online platforms such as Flickr, YouTube, Fanpop and other such sites.

There are many reasons why people contribute to online collaborative platforms. In order for these people to understand what kind of cultural capital they are adding to a site (usually owned or set up by a large company) or what kind of social power they are hoping to gain from a site. Bruns believes that “produsers... must develop a better understanding of what, how, and why they contribute as individuals to produsage projects.”

For the purpose of most media discussion, audiences of each media or referred to as consumers, whether or not they choose to purchase anything. In the case of produsage or user-led content, people are not only choosing to look at, watch, enjoy or be a fan of online content, they are also choosing to be a part of it.

Produsage.org states that “Participants in such activities are not producers in a conventional, industrial sense, as that term implies a distinction between producers and consumers which no longer exists.”

I do dispute the statement by produsage.org that “participation in produsage projects is generally motivated mainly by the ability of produsers to contribute to a shared, communal purpose.” People often contribute to criticize others, make their opinion heard, get themselves ahead in their particular field and make themselves known. I think that this is a direct reflection of life, really. Now the natural human traits that used to be restricted to face to face communication can now occur online. I think it’s a normal progression, given our dependance on the internet for so much these days.

It’s no wonder that media and communications students use self-imposed media exiles to gain some perspective.

From Sunday April 13

Online Communities

Although running slightly behind the eight-ball with my brand new blog, I will start with the week 6 topic online communities (and maybe catch up the others later on).

Recently there has been a huge rise the amount of online communities available to internet users. Why this has occurred is up for debate but some reasons could be the rise in perceived danger that is associated with traditional face-to-face contact, for example mothers rarely spend all day in the backyard chatting anymore (sunburn?), children don't play in the street anymore (possible abduction?) and people rarely go on blind dates anymore (abduction, general humiliation?). It is interesting to consider these factors when looking at the different online communities that are out there.

Online communities form and organise themselves for a number of reasons. Bruns (2008) outlines the major ones as being:

• Active user participation as content creators

• New forms of personal and community identity

• New forms of collaboration.

• Ability to operate in fields of interest neglected by mainstream media, business, politics and research.

• Reciprocity: People contribute to communities with the expectation they will receive useful information for themselves in return.

Examples of prominent online communities are Bub Hub, Australian Music Online and Fanpop. These sites are all examples areas in which like-minded people can collaborate, share ideas, watch content related to their interests and talk to others through forum based participation.

This rise in online communities has really widened the gap between traditional media and new media technologies. It is due to the rise in technology that this interaction between people can occur so easily, and at any time or place. Traditional media cannot really provide this same interaction, and now it is common plave for television show producers to also cater to their audiences online. This may be through online 'update' based sites such as that for It Takes Two on Channel 7 and that forBigBrother on Network 10 or it can be a site that provides actual television content for viewers to watch (MTV), either for the first time or as a subsequent viewing after watching the show on TV. This has also enabled Australian viewers to watch American content as it airs in the US.

The collaboration of communities is a direct reflection of the intellect and interest of those participating online. Flew states that "The value for the communities' particpants stems from their personal and intellectual diversity... the willingness of memebers to participate in some from of collectivist economy... [and] to establish friendships which may be ephemeral or long lasting." Such characteristics are often contrasted to the traditional old media such as the TV (2006, 63).

I am not personally a part of any online communities. I do not add to forums, so I would not classify myself as a member. I do however, sometimes read forums and I do watch online television (often the comments are under the video) and I do use YouTube... so maybe I am more involved than I think??

P.

OOPS!

Welcome to my KCB201 Blog!!

Hi Everyone,

For the rest of the semester this will be my KCB201 blog, discussing everything 'Virtual Cultures'. I look forward to getting some comments and feedback on my posts, so feel free to leave a message!

I have found so far that this subject is much more interesting than I first thought it would be, as I can relate most of the topics covered to my own online media use (or lack thereof) or to something that is currently happening in the news. 

So stay tuned for posts about online media!

P.