Class Assignment

A true Web 2.0 story

A story I came across today about the Auto Industry Bailout was one of the best and most innovative examples of 2.0 techniques I have seen in a while. The article is on a website called The Daily Beast, and uses images and an interactive map to chart the different sides of the story (as told from sources such as The Washington Post, Newsweek, National Review, Wall Street Journal, Center for Automotive Research and more).

Not only does this include images and video input. But the most simple thing about this interactive article is that to get to any of the information you do not have to even change pages (let alone link to another website). The thumbnail of each story section has information pop up when you roll the screen over the picture.

It is apparent that whilst we are moving in a world where more is better - simplicity still reigns as king.

Can you 'defame' a city?

I understand that the people that Bill O'reilly is representing in this video may reflect a problem but just because you interview 12 people does not mean you take a honest view of the city of San Francisco. In the video below, O'reilly is attacking the 'liberal' San Francisco which is now apparently out of control.

It brings me to the idea of freedom of speech on the internet in a public forum. I come to thinking, if organizations such as Fox can cast light on anyone or anything in any manner they choose, then why shouldn't the public (as individuals) have the freedom to write on posts and discussion boards without being edited.

I understand the inherent problems with the idea, but it stands to challenge the free range O'reilly continues to have on painting people and places in negative ways to serve his motives.

The debate continues...

According to the Communications Decency Act (CDA) of 1996, "No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider."

However this does not set a major stance as to how websites are held accountable for the content that is posted by users on their forums or chat areas. Basically, at the moment, this is an ethical question left up to the organization as to wether they:

a) screen and edit all discussion boards and chat rooms

b) exercise no control over what users say

or 

c) provide no room for user input and discussion.

I think that clearly the third option (c) is outdated and moves against the grain of the progressive web. That would be a backwards step.

I think the first choice is the best. However with all the layoffs and redundancies that are already happening in the industry, it does not seem as though these websites could afford to hire more people to monitor and edit these interactive sections. The question also leads to, who has the right to say what should and should not be edited off a website?

These are all ideas not to be taken lightly, as in the United States, convicted crimes can reach up to millions of dollars in damages and have carried up to 5 years jail time. 

It is an extremely tough topic. And although this new found level of interactivity between generator and user we have on the web is a great thing, i think these public forums can also be extremely damaging. I was recently made aware of a college gossip website forum called Juicy Campus, after perusing the site, it becomes distressingly obvious that this anonymous website just fosters defamation and bullying to happen on a cyber level.

TAKE your friends along!

In June of 2002, Ali Kemp was raped and murdered upon finishing her days work at the local pool. The tragedy continues to haunt the local community and her fellow Kansas State University classmates. Whilst everyone continued to grieve, her parents took action creating The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation (TAKE) in 2004, dedicated to empowering women of all ages in self-defense. It is upon this backdrop which the University of Miami Sorority, Alpha Delta Phi, will host an event at the beloved ‘Rat’ on campus here at UM raising money for the TAKE Foundation. 

The event starts at 5pm on the 19th of November and costs only a few dollars per song.

SMH Post # 5: A crisis of content

This was a prime example of the failure of Sydney Morning Herald to realize that their main objective is to represent and inform the local Sydney community rather than to provide world news.

 The premiere of the new blockbuster film 'Australia' was held in Sydney last night. This movie marks a proud movement for many Australians and shows off the local talent of many of the actors. As well as this, it was held in Sydney and drew much international media towards the event. Yet the main article on the website was about Bill and Hillary Clinton (nothing of breaking news importance) and the writeup on the Australia premiere was actually under entertainment and Hollywood news.  This does not make any sense to me and is completely devoid of logic.

I believe the editors need to get their priorities in check.

SMH Post # 4: A two way street

 The Sydney Morning Herald was and still is known primarily for its print news publication. However, over the last 10 years the website has gained much credibility and respect back at home with its adaptation of technology and also the way it has appealed to the interests of its users.

I think it does many things better than many international news websites, however they have failed to secure a strong relationship with users because have failed to really adapt the technology of email news updates and sms messages. This is quite frustrating because often a heading will give the number or email to contact to provide interesting or new information, but not such service is offered the other way around.

I think this is a large mistake. Not only does it show that you are taking from your readers but not willing to extend what you can also give, but it also shows that the website is behind in technology and unwilling to adapt.

People look to online news sites for reliability and dependability. Still to this day a story in print news holds much higher credibility than that of the stories online. This is why online news have to take advantage of the ability to employ new tools to draw readers. I am puzzled SMH.com.au haven't realized this already.