week 2 - second semister

Virtuality, Immersion, Simulacra


and Avatars

New Term

Robots

msn, chat ... smart child
Differences in conversation:
Limited responces
conversation doesn't flow
changing topic is hard, where as it wouldn't be in a person to person convo
responces are quick and easy

can

_________________________________


Smart conversations with computers




Smart bots can hold advanced conversation so it may seem as though you are having a genuine chat with another person as the conversation may flow as normal, however you are not. This is due to its programming; a word in a sentence can be a trigger to a response that the computer automatically gives.

For example a human may say a sentence such as

‘I’m watching tv, what are you doing?’

And the smart bot may respond with

What are you watching on tv?

This is due to the trigger signal that is set off when the word ‘tv’ or ‘television’ is used. The signal then sends a response. It’s as simple as that.



A Wild idea

Like in the film (date...written by...) ’Deep Blue Sea’ where experimentation goes wrong and the sharks get smarter and attack

One day computer technology could be so advanced that the computers actually have their own choice in what to say, almost like the film, ‘I Robot’ starring Will Smith, where the robot has a mind of its own.

Also like in the film as the root take over the world, computers could. Although the idea of it is ridiculous, it would be a global tragedy if it were to actually happen. Luckily our technology only does what we command.



Many smart bots have been made and are easily found on the internet, simply by using any search engine. Smart bots can also be found when no being looked for.

Whilst on msn once I got an friend request from 'smart child', which I thought was simply someone’s screen name, however it wasn’t, once I had a conversation with what I thought I a person, soon realised, I was not conversating with a human I figure d this out has some replies I was getting didn’t completely make sense, as well as this, the replies were always super fast. I would get a response, whether lengthy or short n a matter of a second. Even at this time when I didn’t know anything about smart bots, I knew this was a computer.



Smart bots are not only found on msn, but also other networking sites or in chat rooms. Research shows that there are....

Smart bots have become more and more advanced and are now have their responses based around a subject/topic, for example ...

Doctor/nurse bot...



Image



Their use (search google)

Lesson 10 (week 49) (used completely)

The Social Context (1)- Community, Participation & Web 2.0
(Community, Participation & Web 2.0)

Lecture:

Web 2.0

... is all about making new and improved forms of connections on the net, Web 2.0 sites allows users to interact and collaborate' with each other in a socially in a virtual community.

Examples of Web 2.0 include: social networking sites, blogs/ blogging, tagging, wikis, video sharing sites and mashups.

                                  I included this video as it is a clear explanation of whatWeb 2.0 is.

                                                     _________________________

                                                             

 Specific examples are;

                  

  'Wikipedia', 'MySpace','Facebook', 'Twitter', 'Msn', 'Bebo','You-Tube' and many more....

Seminar:

We discussed why Web 2.0 is called Web 2.0, one of the main reasons that we came to is because is seen as the updated version of the World Web Wide, hence the number 2, almost as if this were he second version.

Web 2.0 is very popular, especially amongst young people however it has it bad points:

                                  Pros                                        Cons

  of Web 2.0

       

Difference between Web.1and Web2.0...

“Web 1.0 was all about connecting people. It was an interactive space, and I think Web 2.0 is, of course, a piece of jargon, nobody even knows what it means. If Web 2.0 for you is blogs and wikis, then that is people to people. But that was what the Web was supposed to be all along.”

Tim Berners-Lee (2006)

What is so appealing about Web 2.0 ?

Web2.0 is forever updating, facebook for example is always changing or updating it fit with the times, wheher its introducing a new way to upload images, suc as via mobile of just the general layout you can guarentee that within a few months facebook has some new or fresher aspect whilst still following its general purpose- to connect people.

Facebook is a site where everyone is mutual, no one is of a high status or rank than anyone else. Everones overall facebook layout is pretty much the same as you cannot change it, meaning that people can concentrae more on doing the normal things in life, such as interacting.

Many people have found love, friendships and unfortunately enemies on facebook but i all comes as a package.

Although sites like facebook can connect people together alot of trouble can be caused, just like the real wold there are always problems.

Web 2.0 sites like facebook take you away from the real world and let you enter the virtual world. Its almost an escape from the reality as like myspace, twitter, bebo ect. you can create your own profile exactly how you would want to, choose who your friends are and allow people to only see as much content as you want to.

For some social networking (we2.0 sites like facebook) are like a little bit of freedom, its actually quite ironic as these sites are very controlled and in a way monitored.

Sites like these are oftedlargely controlled as they are user generated sites; its what people put into the sites that make them what they are.

Websites like 'wikipedia' are a great example; its a user website where anyone with internet access can upload or add what they would think to be helpful, educational or informatiove, so long as it is factual and relevant.

Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia that any one can use or add to (its a way of 'sharing human knowledge'). It is used as a source or to  reference peopels work and plays a large role in shared/open source of education on the internet.

The online community and contributers to sites are called 'prosumers' as they, the user of the product/ service ate involved in the making.

An exampleof this is 'Wikinomics' where users are able to share, connect with one another as a global community.

Lesson 9 (week 48) (completely used)

The Ontological Context (4)- Issues of Intelligence: AI & Robots
(No Lesson: Replacement work= Personal Study- The Development of the Internet)


The Internet and World Wide Web are the greatest telecommunicational breakthrough since the telephone. The enormous growth that the web has enjoyed in the last decade has come very quickly to a system still in its relative infancy.

How the Internet came about

The foundations of the Internet were formed in 1960 when packets of data information were formed on one side transmitted in a machine and transported and resembled at the other side. The only other clear explanation I can give for this would be that it is like the boy in charlie and the chocolate factory who wants to be on television, 'mike tv'.Who uses the machine to be broken down into tiny pieces whilst being transported into the tv and resembled on the other side.

Doing this means that a single signal can be routed to multiple users, and an interrupted packet may be re-sent without loss of transmission, this is when computers were massive and had many connections and interconnections, its all alot moresimple now.

Now that computer technology is all alot more simple, it can be broken down meaning smaller gadgets and technology.

The internet has changed the world and revolutionised peoples lives, especially in terms of communicationa dn entertainment. People can now send instant messages, via msn and  facebook chat, additionally instead of writing letters or making a phone call, there are now so other options; e-mail, video chat or recorded message, all of which are alot quicker, easier and most are cheaper. This also applies with gain infomation from a source, instead of going to the liabary people can gather the information they need by simply typing in a search engine and the search comes up in a matter of seconds. And for  those who prefer a primary source of informaion you can even read books online read books. There is a wide option, so theres something for everyone.
We can also watch live channels and play online games with others on the move with no need of TV and video games, everthing can be done via the net. Even shopping which can be delivered straight to your door. The powers of the internet!

Lesson 8 (week 47) (completely used)

The Ontological Contect (3)- Issues of the Body: Cyborgs & Alfie

(Identity & Representation)


Lecture:

Identity- Who are you ... in Cyberspace?

 The definition below taken from an online dictionary full explains the world insidee the computer, known as the virtual world...
_________________________
virtual world (definition) Virtual World Definition
used, above and below
A virtual world is a genre of online community that often takes the form of a computer-based simulated environment, through which users can interact with one another and use and create objects. Virtual worlds are intended for its users to inhabit and interact, and the term today has become largely synonymous with interactive 3D virtual environments, where the users take the form of avatars visible to others graphically. These avatars are usually depicted as textual, two-dimensional, or three dimensional graphical representations, although other forms are possible (auditory and touch sensations for example). Some, but not all, virtual worlds allow for multiple users.
___________________________

Who is our audience?

In a way our audience on a site when we represent our selves through characters  is the other people connected to that site. Everyone makes their profile knowing that other people are going to see it or read it, that is what makes our audience people that we interact with. Old friends, new friends, family ect.

Do we have separate identities for different websites?

Most people have separate identities for different sites without even realising it. It’s like having a password, or homepage, we often have more than one and in terms of homepages they are not always in the same layout. For example a person may have a different layout, picture or overall persona on a social networking site like facebook compared to their Bebo or Myspace. I additionally depends on what is on offer form the sites as a site like Myspace is more free in layout and design that facebook where everyone is equal as everyone is as human.

Who is accessing your information online?

The majority of websites have pass codes/ passwords as well as the option to change your setting, even blogger does. People have the right to privacy, if someone didn’t want another specific person to see something on their profile it is possible for that person to be blocked. I believe this to be very important as everyone is individual and some people prefer more privacy than other so the option should be available.

Seminar:

In cyberspace you can be your own person, everything is virtual, you can even give virtual hugs and kisses, basically cyberspace is a place where you can exaggerate your personality.

Many sites on the inter allow you to create your own person/ image of yourself, facebook for example has programs like  ‘Farmville’ linked to it, where you can make a mini character of yourself. You have the ability to change skin tone, hair styles, clothing ect. Like the video game ‘The Sims’ you can be who you want to be in the environment of your choice.

Farmville is not the only place you can create a virtual character there are many other sites of similar aim; ‘Habbo hotel’, ‘Ciytville’ ect.

Having different games and sites that cater to every means that everyone is happy. It’s great that there is a place for everyone to make their own ‘mini me’ on the net, whether your into films, sports or chess, it’s just another way to socialise.

found placement

Lesson 7 (week 46) ... (completely used)

The Ontological Coontext (2)- The Birth and Death of Cybersace

(The Birth and Death of Cyberspace)

Lecture:

Cyberspace = the creation of a new world.

The creation of a new eletronic world. A world of which anything can happen, away from the normal world. The term cyberspace was first used by William gibbson, it's all about science and eletronic communication.
 To understand the idea of cyberspace i found that thinking of  the 'Matrix'helps as it is along the lines of that.
Its a virtual world, the characteristics of which are made up by the computerised environment.
Virtual worlds are common nowdays, it's like a separate online community, they can be found in online games and video games such as 'Halo' and 'Second Life

"cyberspace is socialising however through a computer, it's all quite technical when you look at it in depth"

Charlie Nelson, computer graphics

Seminar: 

                  HOW IS CYBERSPACE SIMULAR AND DIFFERENT TO REAL LIFE:

simular: everyone is presented visually as human

               anyone and everyone is welcome

different: Online 

                 Everyone is more friendly

                 Not face to face

                 No full contact or interaction

                 have to access via computer

Lesson 6 (week 45) (completely used)

The Ontological Context (1)- Issues of the Interface...................................... 
(Design & the Desire for Immediacy)

Lecture: 

"User Interface is a means by which people interact with a particular machine, device or computer programme." (google)

Ipad, and any smart phone (such a blackberry or ipohne) can be classed as interface, because you can do multiple things with it- including interact.

Deviceslike these enable people to use the internet, download (apps or) applications, as well as use the phone, text and use instant messenger. With Blackberry for example you can use 'Blackberry messenger' (BBM).

A devide labelled as interface is powerful as it has more than one use,

allows someone to use more than one system of communication at once, 

the term interface includes the layout and how the controls on the device respond.

This is mostly because it is interactive, the user can touch and interact with the screen.

(Almost as though you finger is a magnet and inside you device there is another magnet, 

when the magnets connect the device comes to life )- metaphor.

What makes interface good: visual design, content, overall look, animation,video, sound and quality.

(above used)

Seminar:

 

                         Positives (cctv)       Negatives (of cctv)