Mind set

It's been quite some time since i posted last time something one my created blog. As it was mentioned in the begining this blog was creaded as part of course "Information retrieval and new new media" and just now i can see that probably i will not create so many post anymore - at least not in the area of new media, because I do not feel competent to make posts which could contribute. I feel that at this stage i still need to observe more and maybe after that i can create something useful. Interesting that i checked my course mate blogs and i found that just few continue to write posts and one person is in the similar situation as i am. I dont say NO to blog as media, but my life and my knowledge is not at the stage where it might be important. So I think that this is official notice of turn on of the blog "New new media" passive/ silence mode.

Good bye Linköping, hello Vadheim!

I have decided to spend summer away from Linköping because i had job offer in Norway. So in the 1st of June my trip started. I left Linköping at the 3.am and was in Vadheim at 17.pm. Long trip, but i manage to travel by car, buss, train, plane and boat..:) Now i am in the middle of nowhere, but i must admit that nowhere is beautiful place Vadheim. This place is EXTREAMLY peacefull and quite (just 401 inhabitant). It is located in the area of
Sogn og Fjordane. See some pictures which are made while i was traveling.





Will try to keep updated information about my summer time.. :)

Science Fiction

Couple of weeks ago we had two interesting lectures by Michael Godhe about Science Fiction. If I remember correctly first thing he asked us was define concept “Science fiction” and some classmates came up with really good definitions, for example, science fiction is scientific inventions which can be achieved by humans in real, tomorrows’ solutions of present problems, intersection set of collection of scientific/ technological inventions in the past, the present and future. These are just few definitions if you are interested in finding more I would advice to check out this site. BUT if that don’ t satisfy you then maybe this theoretical model could serve as beginning for developing your own definition and if you come up with good solution, please feel free to comment.

I am not big fan of science fiction, but I start realize the exciting part of it. And I believe that it is important to understand that science fiction is not the same as fantasy. Science fiction has context, but imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically established or scientifically postulated laws of nature. However I must admit that often scientific fiction don’t explain phenomena, they just accept is as it is, like time traveling. During class very often as example of science fiction served “peace of art” called STAR TREK. I haven’t seen or read it myself, but I do agree that in 1960´s when first animated movie was launched it was achievement and nowadays we can talk about it as important historical fact in area of science fiction. Nowadays there is also many science fiction motion movies, but my truly belief is that it is more about entertainment and money than about science, technology and inventions.


If you are interested in Science fiction in different countries then visit following addresses:
Science Fiction Writers of America
Canadian Science Fiction
Australian Science Fiction Foundation
European Science Fiction
Russian Science Fiction

Globe is community

When i was googleing word "community" first source was wikipedia. I know that Wikipedia is not academic source and is not reliable, however I would like to quote the explanation of community:

“In biological terms, a community is a group of interacting organisms sharing an environment. The word community is derived from the Latin communitas (meaning the same), which is in turn derived from communis, which means "common, public, shared by all or many". Communis comes from a combination of the Latin prefix com- (which means "together") and the word munis (which has to do with performing services).”

So if we accept this definition then we can say that all people belong to one big community, because they all sharing environment – planet Earth (see drawing below). During our lecture in Norköping interesting question arise. If we all belong to one big community then what is all small groups and what is the difference among many groups. At this point I would like to reffer to Wikipedia again:
“In human

communities, intent, belief, resources, preferences, needs, risks and a number of other conditions may be present and common, affecting the identity of the participants and their degree of cohesiveness. Traditionally in socology, a "community" has been defined as a group of interacting people living in a common location. However, the definition of the word "community" has evolved to mean individuals who share characteristics, regardless of their location or degree of interaction.”

So after this explanation we can draw a theoretical model of community:

However I would like to present also Mark Comerford model:

If I would like to define the concept of community now… I would say that the most important factor is passion and interests. It is hard to be a member of community which is not interesting for you. Place and environment is not that big problem nowadays, however you need at least few other persons to start build up a community.
We were supposed to discuss what type of community is more qualitative – open vs. gated, free vs. paid, qualitative vs. quantitative etc. Honestly I don’t know what is better. I think that all depends on reason behind, the motivation, the idea of community. And I think that one type doesn’t exclude other and form of community can change by time. For example in the beginning it is opened for everyone, but later when certain amount of people is reached just invited persons are accepted. Or some parts, services of community is free, but some are paid. I really don’t know answer but I believe that most communities have many layers and members of community as well as creators are the ones who decide the mode of community.

Who is a winner first mover or later entrant?

When I am thinking about my previous experience in field of communities (and now I am talking about virtual communities) the only thing which comes in mind is quick check of some sites I belong to but not being very active, for example, Latvian social network for friends – www.draugiem.lv or since august 2007 www.facebook.com. Basically I can say that I have been passive member of certain communities. And I think that there are at least few reasons why:

1) Active membership in any community involves regularity and time and there I am talking about at least few hours in day.
2) Participation in communities requires certain knowledge and interest.
3) New technologies and new applications develop so fast that if you fall out of information cycle, then it is quite hard to catch up with. And for me catching up associate with frustration.
4) Finally, and probably most important - psychologically virtual communities for me is unreal and involvement in them steel time I can spend in real communities, with friends, family, colleagues etc.

Last semester I took course Product development and Innovation management. In this course we discussed concept of first mover and late entrant advantages as well as concept - cyberphobia and ability to adopt new technologies and innovations. Let be bring in small example:
Cyberphobia is phenomenon that in my opinion is also dealing with so called “innovation adaption”. According to Moore*** there are several types of people who accept new technologies in different stages.
Early Market. These are innovators who are always ready to try new technologies.
Early addapters. The technology is caught betwixt and between. There are people using new technology, but it is not widespread yet.
Early Majority. The technology is gaining acceptance among pragmatists in one or more niche markets.
Late majority. The technology has passed the test of usefulness and is now perceived as necessary and standard for many applications. People start to use it to be into area.
Laggards. The late and passive user, who don’t appreciate the importance of technologies. This group is in the risk zone of cyberphobia.

If we look at society from this perspective then it would be possible to divide those who have no problems with accepting new technologies and have no threats from cyberspace and those who can barely accept innovations.
Day by day new media expand and people, including me, learn how to use it in their interests. Because of new social order and fact that technologies take central role in society new phenomena emerge every day. So from this perspective i would say that for early adopters or first movers it is huge advantage. However, i think that late enter don’t miss that much because social networks are changeing so quickly and it is easy to cach up in terms of information, however someone can feel that he/she is falling back.


*** Moore, G. A. (2004): Darwin and the Demon: Innovating Within Established Enterprises, Harvard Business Review, July-August, pp.86-92.

Contracts: Real versus virtual!

I must be honest…I never read terms of use and I haven’t read Facebook regulations as well and I had no idea what I signed for until I checked out it for my course New media.
There have been quite many discussions about Facebook terms of use which are quite scary if you read them. For me most shocking is the fact that all contents on the site is property of the Company and even after quiting the site they are legal to use data you have provided, for example, your contact information, picture etc. Interesting that actually user of Facebook has no choice what so ever, since the moment he/she join the network. Of course there is always choice to put or not put tick in the box and say „ I agree”. BUT if everyone would become so terrifaid by signing up to different communities and social networks, then new forms of communication, which have become huge industry, would not have future. But that is quite much against the priciples of internet and interactive media.

All this made me think about virtual and real agreements person is signing. Legaly there is no difference, the same terms are used, the same construction, the same obligations and responsibilities. So why do people used to read contracts put on paper and don’t read the ones on screen? Can we say that it is hidden effect of virtuality, that even the name virtual create the fealing that its not for real and we don’ t have any responsibility to take after?


If you would like to reada bit more about absurd stuff in Facebook terms of use i would suggest to check out reviews of my classmates Andras and Per as well as Ralphy's Corner.

WHAT IS NEW MEDIA?

Lately I have been working on improvements of my first blog. I have been adding different applications and features, videos and link lists etc. All that you can find on left side of blog. But then i realized that its all is mostly about view, design of blog and just a little bit about content. Can we say that nowadays design becomes more important than content. If the answer is "yes" - I am quite disappointed in concept of NEW MEDIA.

Specialists Maria Carpenter and Julie Jersyk in my opinion have explained the concept NEW MEDIA in clear way in their presentation: Key concepts in New Media.




“Information and communication technology shapes our perceptions, distributes our pictures of the world to one another, and constructs different forms of control over the cultural stories that shape our sense of who we are and our world. The instant we develop a new technology of communication – talking drums, papyrus scrolls, books, telegraph, radios, televisions, computers, mobile phones – we at least partially reconstruct the self and its world, creating new opportunities for reflection, perception, and social experience...”
--Burnett, Robert and Marshall, David P., Web Theory


So, what is new media for me? As more I think as more I am concern that it is not just design and new tool, but also content is important. However I must admit that interactive platform and nature of internet have changed the form of communication and I will try to explore it in my next post.

Digital divide by Manuel Castells

Manuell Castells: The Internet galaxy. Chapter 9: Digital divide is subject i have been thinking a lot lately. There you can read short review and find some coments as well.

Dimensions of digital divide

Internet is used in many areas of life as a social, economic and political activity. Access to Internet is a requirement for overcoming inequality in a society whose governing functions and social groups are organized around the Internet. The meaning of “the digital divide” refers to inequality of access to the Internet. In broader sense, the term digital divide refers to the gap between those people with effective access to digital and information technology and those who are without having access to it.
Castells mentioned some factors which have great influence on phenomena “digital divide”: level of income, education, age, involvement in labour sphere, ethnic digital divide as well as family status (married – unmarried), disability, and geographical location. Interesting that gender doesn’t play that big role, but lack of knowledge of English language might be a barrier to use new technology.
The digital divide measured in terms of access was broader in Europe than North American (November 2000). Age-discrimination much more in Europe with 44 percent of people in the 55-64 years age group being online in the US in contrast with 12 percent for same age group in Europe. Women were almost as likely as men to be online in the US (52 percent to 55 percent) while in Europe the gender gap remained (20 percent to 35 percent). There was a great national difference in the practice of online access in Northern and Southern Europe: the Uk, Germany and the Netherlands had a level of diffusion equivalent to two-thirds that of the US, While France, Italy and Spain had less than one-third of the US level.
However as author of book point out if we look on concept of digital divide in terms of access - gap is shrinking, for example, 63 percent of Americans were online by 2003, and over three-quarters around 2005. The digital divide in terms of access to internet, will be mainly the concern of the poorest, most discriminated segment of the population which will further increase the gap. But, for most people the substantial pre-existing divides between genders, between rural and urban areas, between age groups either disappear or diminishing in just five years (Castells, 2001. p 254). But nowadays new form of digital divide emerges: access to high – speed broadband services, digital subscriber lines, cable modems, as well as wireless – based Internet access. So we can say that the digital or technological divide will never disappear because there are too many factors which influence it. We can say that digital divide also has it own life cycle and it develops in spiral movement. If in the beginning of 1990´s we could talk about access to internet as one of major problems, then now we are talking about knowledge to get information as well as the technological developments and it implementations.

The knowledge gap

Education and long- life learning is essential resource for work achievement, personal development and now internet is one of educational tools in the schools system. Internet based learning is not only matter of technological proficiency. It changes the kind of education that is required both to work on the internet and to develop learning ability in an internet based economy and society. In the information age, most important skills are ability to know what to look for, how to retrieve it, how to process it, and how to use it for specific task. (Information --> knowledge --> action). However Castells is convincing that schools are not the best place to learn to use new technology. He indicates few factors which affect learning new technology:
1) Schools are differentiated by territory, class and race;
2) There are lack of well educated teachers;
3) There exist different pedagogical styles, different schools with different economical and cultural backgrounds;
4) School inability to offer proper education end up with involvement of families.

The global digital divide

The rapid diffusion of the internet is preceding unevenly thought out the planet. However the level of internet penetration for individual countries was lower, for example, developing world. Another problem is that it is difficult to provide accurate picture because access points to the internet might be collectively shared among groups of related people.

Castells conclude that in terms of access it is more likely that we will see fast diffusion of the Internet around most of globe in the coming years. He also puts on record that conditions under which the internet is diffusing are creating a deeper digital divide. Key urban centres, globalized activities, and higher educated social groups are being included in the internet based global networks, while most regions and most people are switched off. The internet in the developing world is being driven by the huge gap in telecommunications infrastructure, internet service providers, and internet content providers as well as by the strategies being used to deal with this gap.
It is important to talk about Internet and digital divide because of the information technology revolution, the rise of the new economy, and diffusion of internet, the world experienced a substantial increase in income inequality, polarization, poverty and social exclusion. Global process of uneven development is the most dramatic expression of the digital divide. The internet based economy and internet based information systems hide many factors which affect and even tend to control society:

1) Dependence on networking and global reach of the new economy;
2) Education, information, science, and technology - critical source of value creation in the internet based economy;
3) Dependence on global financial flows;
4) New technologies, new production systems, new global markets, new structure of world trade eliminate traditional agriculture;
5) Governments are increasingly forced, disciplined, limited by global flows of capital and information;
6) Rise of global criminal economy;
7) Governments suffer a widespread crisis of legitimacy;
8) Crisis of legitimacy cause civil wars, large scale banditry, mass massacres etc.

Digital divide is measured by connections as well as lack of connection. Internet is not just a technology. It is technological tool and organizational form that distributes information power, knowledge generation, and networking capacity in all realms of activity.

There are few things what Castells haven’t mentioned in his chapter about digital divide. For example, digital divide relations to business environment, different national and multi-national companies. The accesses to better broadband connection between companies and eagerness to get information and feedback quickly are becoming the major priority of companies. So the companies with better infrastructure of internet can use this as an incentive in gaining access to global costumers but those with frail internet connectivity or connection lay behind in the competition.
The reader of chapter should keep in mind that book is written in 2001 and now in 2008 the phenomena digital divide shall be analyzed from other perspective as well. Chief research officer at Canada's advanced Internet development organization is convinced that nowadays Digital divide is not anymore question of access or affordability. It is about finding new business models, for example, find opportunities to reduce co2 and invest in green technologies. We can say that it is step in future, however there always will be gap between different countries and it is quite hard to catch up developed countries and maybe idea of new, alternative business models is good solution.

The question i want to post: Can developing countries compete with high developed countries in terms of technology?

Sherry Turkle: Second Self: Computers and the human spirit

Sherry Turkle is an excellent women who is not just a Professor of the Social Studies of Science and Technology but also director of Massachusetts Institute of Technology program in Science, Technology, and Society. She have dedicated her life to science and i think that it is wonderful. Thanks to that we have opportunity to reach outstanding books and articles written by her.

In this posted note you will find short introduction to her book: THE SECOND SELF. As it was described by publisher the MIT Press "Sherry Turkle looks at the computer not as a "tool," but as part of our social and psychological lives; she looks beyond how we use computer games and spreadsheets to explore how the computer affects our awareness of ourselves, of one another, and of our relationship with the world. "Technology," she writes, "catalyzes changes not only in what we do but in how we think."

The aspect of computer culture development plays important part in the book. First published in 1984 and then republished after twenty years its not just showing but also giving comparison of the new media culture.

More details you can get by reading all book from cover to cover, however if you are not exactly sure i would advise to check few chapters:

• Introduction to the MIT Press Edition (2004) Sample Chapter - Download PDF (86 KB)


• Introduction (1984): The Evocative Object Sample Chapter - Download PDF (73 KB)

I am not a computer game player yet and I have always been wondering about people spending hours in front of their computer without eating and drinking. what is that magic mixture, what can keep human attention for so long time? Maybe that’s why for me extremely interesting was Chapter 2 - Video Games and Computer holding power. S.Turkle explains that for players computer games mostly are seen or associate with sports, sex or meditation - activities that gives pleasure and pleasure always have been important for human. She also talks about the architecture of games or the dynamic, vital environment of internet, which is so exciting, colorful, that compare to books or even TV - can hold attention for longer time.

I must admit that this post is created as homework in course Information Retrival and New New Media. And there is more useful coment by my classmates on certain book, for example, in Ralphycorner, T i r u m a l K u m a r and Innovations in Society.

I will stop writing her... and if someone read this far then I am impressed that I managed to hold you attention for so long... :)

PS. Book can be found online at e-brary

Welcome to my first blog...

Here we are.... where we are?

It has no physical location except this - http://www.newmediablog-teiksma.blogspot.com/ but for new generation people this information should be enough to explore more. lets begin journey in unexplored area.. for me its gona be new expierence, because I will be for first time creating... Good luck!