The Next New Thing

Its pretty hard to suggest a new media tool because there is already so many out there. I would design a tool that delivers news. It would be like a digital newspaper delivered daily. On a usb port or memory card that could connect to portable devices. I think this would be a good tool because it would be away reinvent the newspaper. People can get a subscription and just attach it to their phones, i pod or whatever other mobile device they are using. Keeping up with the news would become much easier.

Our Class Wiki - So Far

So far I haven't had much time to work on the wiki. I am contributing to How New Media are Used in Business. I was shocked that so much information was already posted by my classmates. I was also shocked when I didn't find anything about viral marketing. Viral Marketing is marketing through existing social networking tools. company Twitter, facebook and youtube videos are great examples of this. Viral marketing is a different way to advertise but can be very effective because new media is so popular. I have been doing some research and will be adding to the Marketing and Advertising using New Media wiki page.

About My Term Research Paper

My term paper was about the effects new media technologies have on corporate communication. I choose to write about this topic because I've noticed that a lot of changes have been brought about because of these technologies. Twitter, wiki's and facebook do have a huge impact on corporate communication. I actually learned a lot of the negative effects when doing this paper. I know every technology has good and bad but I wasn't very knowledgeable about the negative effects of new media in business.

When conducting my research I read a lot of articles on the importance of corporate communication and how new media tools are changing communication. I think this is a very important concept to understand. Especially since many of us well be future business people. We depend on a lot of new media tools and I know later these tools will be integrated into the corporate world.

Privacy & Confidentiality

Privacy and confidentiality are being redefined by new media. New media allows information to be stored and shared quickly. A lot of new media tools ask for a lot of information which is why so many fear that new media technologies are a threat to privacy.

The fact that so much information is shared raises concerns about privacy and where to draw the line. Everything is logged, our phone conversations, social networking messages, even when you apply for jobs employer can find out so much about you. We have to be careful of what information we share and put out into the cyber world.

As we continue to rely on new media tools our worlds become less private. We have to define the privacy line for ourselves and decide which information should be shared. The biggest thing we have to understand is that once we release information there is no getting it back.

Advice to Baruch

Well, new media tools can be used for a lot. They can help engage students in learning. I would suggest students learn how to use twitter, blogs and facebook; these tools are becoming more prominent in the business world. I would also suggest that Baruch utilizes tools like web ex and conference calls for group projects. These tools are also becoming more prominent in the business world. I would also suggest the school use develop twitter and facebook pages for their departments and schools. This would allow students to know what’s going on at the school at all times. I would encourage professor to use these tools in the classroom. Some professors are not technologically savvy but I would require at least one new media tool should be used. The way we communicate is changing students, and teachers need to be prepared for these changes.

Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

Virtual worlds are becoming more and more popular. They allow people to live lives that they dream of from the comfort of their computer. As Nicole Saidi article “'“Naughty Auties' Battle Autism with Virtual Interaction” puts it “Residents of this digital realm can represent themselves with 3-D images called avatars and connect with each other over the Internet.” Essentially that is what virtual worlds are.

Virtual worlds are interesting and are having a profound effect on communication and the way people are learning and coping with the world. Nicole Saidi article discusses the benefits virtual worlds have on autistic people. It’s helping to strengthen the communication skills. Virtual world is also much more personal than electronic communications such as email. Virtual worlds are also a great communication tool, allowing people from several parts of the world to communicate and interact with each other. Virtual worlds allow people to be creative and create the world’s they desire.

Just as in the real world virtual world has its crimes. I believe the biggest threat with virtual reality is the effect it will have on real life social interactions. We have to be careful of people becoming too dependent on virtual world and excluding real social interactions out of their lives.

Overall virtual worlds are a great tool the enhance communication, convergence, creativity, convergence, and community. I think in the future virtual worlds will be used a lot more at work, home and school. I see virtual worlds helping to improve these areas.

Social Networking

Social networking definitely allows people to stay connected with their peers and things they enjoy. While social networking allows people to socialize more, it has tremendous potential in the work place. As stated in Chuck Hamilton‘s article “What‘s Next? Your Future in Social Networking” “These networks are emerging as key tools for business innovation. Social networks allow businesses to collaborate with all kind of people, with diverse backgrounds and different level of experts, from all over the world.” Social networks allows communication and collaboration between business all over the world. This is huge, this is changing the way business is done. Another good thing about social networking is a lot of sites are free. Many businesses use social networking tools to help spread the word. It cost practically nothing to reach parties all around the world.

Social networking has been good for business but there are issues with social networking and social networking tools. One of the biggest problems I foresee is “disconnecting” from social networking. The New York Times article “Is Myspace Good for Society? A Freakonomics Quorum” discusses the effects of social networking tools. Steve Chazin brings up the point of disconnecting. With everything being so available to us through our phones and computer it is really hard to stay a way from social networking. Its becoming some what addictive. Another concern for social networking I have is cyber crime. Cyber bullying is something I am concerned about. I wonder when and how do the tweens draw the line. there is also scams and issues like sexting. Although there are a lot of benefits to social networking we have to be aware of or potential negatives Social networking opens doors never even dreamed of 10 years ago.

Overtime I see social networking cites coming with more guidelines just to ensure the safety of users. I see social networking tools continuing to grow. We will use these tools more and more in our everyday lives.

Check Out Social Networking Sites

I have facebook. I like it because it seems it more sophisticated than Myspace. It also seems that people are more aware of what they put on their facebook. I like it because I can find old friends and keep in touch with my friends and family all over. I feel Myspace has more going on, on their website. I had Myspace several years back and it seems like its more of a tween thing. When I fist got facebook you had to have a college email. Now that isn’t the case. I think the age group for face book will change. Facebook and Myspace are similar. They allow you to network with people. I think Myspace is a great tool for upcoming musicians. I think face book is more for socializing and can has more of an effect on your personal; life. One thing I do not care for on these sites are the games. I do not understand the Farmville or Sorority game on face book.

Prior to this assignment I was not aware of Friendster. It allows user to share media and stay connected with friends. Similar to face book. Friendster is cool but I prefer face book. Mostly because I already have a network of friends on face book.

I also checked out twitter. I like twitter for several reasons. I like that it communicates information in real time. I like that it has trending topics. I also like that celebrities have to verify their accounts. I don’t think twitter will be something that people keep for years. It strikes me as a fad that can get old quickly.

Blogs vs. Wikis

According to Wikipedia “Ward Cunningham, the developer of the first wiki software, WikiWikiWeb, originally described it as ‘the simplest online database that could possibly work.’" Wikis allow you to edit web pages. Wikis are ideal when you want to present facts. Wiki’s are also great collaboration tools.

Marget Locher's Aricle “More On How to build Your own Wikipedia” touches on some of the benefits of wikis. Locher states that wikis “can help people improve their process and get projects done faster.” She also states wiki’s “Don’t require a lot of personnel support to them and many of the tools are free.” Noam Cohen’s article “An Internal Wiki That’s Not Classified” discusses the United States Embassy in Rome use of the wiki tool. The Embassy uses Diplopedia. One of the benefits of this tool is “the ease in finding information.” We see that wiki’s can be more green, less expensive and a great organization tool.

Blogs on the contrary, are very similar to journals. They are usually written by one person and allow others to comment on the blog post. Blogs can be personal or professional. Blogs are updated on a regular basis, however wiki’s are updated constantly by multiple users.

Both blogs and wikis can help improve communication and collaboration between individuals. They both allow users to provide feedback. However, Wikis can expand at a faster rate then blogs. There is really no right or wrong when it comes to Blogs and Wiki’s. I think it really a preference , both provide benefits. Wiki’s can be more collaborative. Each web page is edit by several users. At the same time blogs can be very informative. Blogs and wiki’s help improve communication, collaboration, creativity convergence and community. Ultimately the choice of which tool is more effective is based on preference.

Old vs. New

Old media and new media can be distinguish in many ways. Newspapers, radios, Television, books, and postal mail are all examples of old media. Old media tools are slower then new media technologies. Old media is limited. A lot of new media technologies like email, blogs, video conferencing and webinars allow people to communicate with people in several locations at once. New Media allows information to travel faster. It has allowed people to communicate in new and creative ways. Everyone can share their opinions through blogs and other social networking sites. Overall new media has allowed information to be provided instantly. It has broken down geographical barriers and enhanced communication.

New Media in Corporate Communications

For my term paper I would like to look at new media in the corporate world. Specifically the effects new media has on the way business is done and how people communicate. I will look at new media communication tools such as email, webex, webniars, blogs, instant messaging and twitter. I will examine how companies utilize these tools help improve their business.

What is New Media?!?!

We are now experiencing communication changes like never before. The internet has open doors for people to communicate more openly, more rapidly, and in ways never imagined in the past. We are now in a generation that is reliant on all things digital. The internet has led to the development of several new media outlets. New media includes the internet, blogs, wiki’s, and social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace.

There are many new media technologies. The most important factor of new media is the internet. It has revolutionized they way people communicate. It allows people to communicate and interact with others quickly. It also provides a bit of anonymity, so people are saying more things that wouldn't be said face to face. A good example of this is in the New York Times article "Wal-Mart Tastemakers Write Unfiltered Blog" By Michael Barbaro. Barbaro’s article discusses Wal-mart's "Checkout Blog" which provides reviews of some of Wal-marts merchandise. This blog tool has allowed shoppers to communicate in real time. They also get feedback on products from several different people. They can also respond to the information provided. Barboro’s article states “Wal-Mart says the Web site helps buyers solicit quick feedback from consumers on the merchandise — and shows a softer side of the giant company.” Information is being delivered in real time by real people; which makes all the difference.

Old media such as newspapers, magazines, and even telephones are constantly being enhanced by new media. Newspaper and magazines would take a day or so to be updated, new media such as blogs and online magazine are updated in real time that is what separates new media form old media. The New York Times article “Brooklyn Blog Helps Lead to Drug Raid” by Michael Wilson talks about the Brooklyn blog that lead to a drug bust. Residents within the community commented on a blog post; which helped law enforcement arrest several people. The New York Police Department uses old media such as telephone when they want people to come forward about crime. They blog allowed residents to come forth while remaining some what anonymous.

New media is enhancing and changing the way people communicate. It has drastically change they way people work, learn and the way people spend their down time. New Media has also change the way we look at privacy. As new media continues to grow we can expect many changes in everyday life.