So, to be honest, when I signed up for this class I thought it would be going towards my Internet Writing Certificate. When I found out that it didn't, I wasn't necessarily happy about it, but I figured that I'd keep taking it. I've like the other classes that I've had with Dr. Mabrito so...why not, right?
When I found out about having to use Blogger and Facebook, I wouldn't say that I was thrilled. I know I've said this before, but I used to hate the idea of social networking. I kind of thought that, since I was busy as is with my social life in real-life, what was the point (other than keeping up with people who have moved away and are just as busy with life as me)? Well, this class has definitely changed my views about Facebook. Now I really like it. I also think that even traditional classrooms could benifit from using it. I mean, what if someone gets sick and has to miss class? I think it could be useful.
Blogger, on the other hand, is a different story. I understand that it has a different function, but Facebook (FB) seems to have worked out better and done the job just fine. Everyone in the class just seemed a lot more comfortable with FB. Also, I think that part of my annoyance comes from chronically forgetting my password/username; I even had to create a new blog a ways into the semester because I completely forgot it.
As far as the group projects go, I was disappointed. I think that those of us that really worked on the wiki (no offense, but you know who you are) worked really well together, but I wish our grade had been better. Still, I'm really proud of what we put together. I think that there's a ton of stuff that others would get from our wiki in the future.
The experience of helping to create a wiki has also taught me something. Prior to the project, I assumed that making a wiki was really easy. However, it wasn't as easy as I thought. I really did become invested in all of the researching for it and am now really tired of reading about citizen journalism. Although, knowing about all of that stuff is probably a good thing. Maybe I could use my newfound knowledge to impress people at parties? (Yawn!) Maybe not. Either way, I know it if I need it.
As for Group 2, I really liked your project. I actually went to ning.com and created one for the Writing Center today. It was nice because it was so easy to do (even for me) and I like that they have a varied selection of templates to choose from.
Overall, I think the class was pretty informative and I learned quite a bit, especially about MMORPGs and MMOs. Before Unit 5, I was admittedly ignorant about not only the gaming itself, but the players' motivations, as well. Opposite of what I thought before, I discovered that they're not single-player games disguised as multi-player ones, but instead quite interactive. I definitely think that people will continue to play/use these things for a long time from now. When I think of Harvard in Second Life, actually, I know it will.
Well...it's been a pleasure having class with all of you. Happy Holidays!!!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Identity and Communication Online
I found Howard Rheignold's Chapter 5 in his book The Virtual Community to be quite interesting. I had wondered for quite a while what those who immerse themselves in virtual worlds thought of their own identities. He wrote that "similar to the way previous media dissolved social boundarries related to time and space, the latest computer-mediated communications media seem to dissolve boundaries of identity as well". In other words, communication via the internet blurs the lines of identity.
Finally, I had found some concrete source that said what I had thought. I had, overtime recently, asked a few people who play online games (like MUDs) or worship social networking (I have several friends that I think are addicted to MySpace and Facebook) what they thought of interaction through the internet. How in-depth could a relationship with somebody, either near or far, get just using that medium? Wouldn't who the "real" person was get hidden by who they wanted others to percieve them as? Their answers always confused me, if not at first, then eventually.
"It's not really pretending because you do talk to other people", one would say.
"Yeah, but you're pretending to be a knight in some fantasy-land", I'd retort.
"You don't get it", was always inevitable.
But I tried to get it. I really did. I've never been the kind of girl who is comfortable being ignorant, even though I might never be that into whatever the subject at hand was. I wanted to know and even tried my hand at Second Life, but do I get it? Truly? No.
I can't help but to think that when interacting with unknown (in the real world, at least) others, how much true interaction is possible? Rheingold says that in MUDs people are "pretending to be somebody else, or even pretending to be several different people at the same time". Therefore, the true self becomes the fantasy self.
Frustrated more than ever, I asked a guy I know, who plays these kinds of games online, what he thought. He automatically began to defend what he enjoyed doing when I had asked about his feelings concerning the whole communication and identity issue. He said that he had even heard of people who had gotten married after they met online through games. I then had sarcastically noted that I wondered how long that would last. Then he said something I found rather interesting. He asked how much misrepresentation I thought went on in online dating services.
The man had made a good point. While I didn't think it as odd to meet another person on Match.com and have a relationship, I did in Second Life. I'd have to rethink it all. My head was begining to ache. Ugh! In the end, although I still agree with Rheingold, I decided to go with "to each their own".
Finally, I had found some concrete source that said what I had thought. I had, overtime recently, asked a few people who play online games (like MUDs) or worship social networking (I have several friends that I think are addicted to MySpace and Facebook) what they thought of interaction through the internet. How in-depth could a relationship with somebody, either near or far, get just using that medium? Wouldn't who the "real" person was get hidden by who they wanted others to percieve them as? Their answers always confused me, if not at first, then eventually.
"It's not really pretending because you do talk to other people", one would say.
"Yeah, but you're pretending to be a knight in some fantasy-land", I'd retort.
"You don't get it", was always inevitable.
But I tried to get it. I really did. I've never been the kind of girl who is comfortable being ignorant, even though I might never be that into whatever the subject at hand was. I wanted to know and even tried my hand at Second Life, but do I get it? Truly? No.
I can't help but to think that when interacting with unknown (in the real world, at least) others, how much true interaction is possible? Rheingold says that in MUDs people are "pretending to be somebody else, or even pretending to be several different people at the same time". Therefore, the true self becomes the fantasy self.
Frustrated more than ever, I asked a guy I know, who plays these kinds of games online, what he thought. He automatically began to defend what he enjoyed doing when I had asked about his feelings concerning the whole communication and identity issue. He said that he had even heard of people who had gotten married after they met online through games. I then had sarcastically noted that I wondered how long that would last. Then he said something I found rather interesting. He asked how much misrepresentation I thought went on in online dating services.
The man had made a good point. While I didn't think it as odd to meet another person on Match.com and have a relationship, I did in Second Life. I'd have to rethink it all. My head was begining to ache. Ugh! In the end, although I still agree with Rheingold, I decided to go with "to each their own".
Second Life...the next time around
For class, we were asked to investigate a virtual world. I decided to try Second Life again. I began optimistic but that feeling soon diminished. It took me nearly a half an hour to get away from a page that discusses SL to another where users can log in. I almost gave up!
Finally, when I was able to log in (thank God I could remember my info.), I had to figure out how to get where other people were. Honestly, it was harder than I thought it would be but, eventually, I got to where other people were.
Finding work was easier this time around for me. I found that the easiest jobs were the ones where a user could just sign up for emails and get $1 or take daily surveys for money. I know that in SL a user could actually pay (in real life) to get SL money but I'm just not that invested in the game. I am, however, guessing that that's how many people have enough money to own land and homes.
I have explored the game quite a few times since but just can't manage to get that into it. I'm assuming that if there are tons of people that enjoy SL, I might just be doing something wrong. Maybe it's because I'm alone in the game.
Finally, when I was able to log in (thank God I could remember my info.), I had to figure out how to get where other people were. Honestly, it was harder than I thought it would be but, eventually, I got to where other people were.
Finding work was easier this time around for me. I found that the easiest jobs were the ones where a user could just sign up for emails and get $1 or take daily surveys for money. I know that in SL a user could actually pay (in real life) to get SL money but I'm just not that invested in the game. I am, however, guessing that that's how many people have enough money to own land and homes.
I have explored the game quite a few times since but just can't manage to get that into it. I'm assuming that if there are tons of people that enjoy SL, I might just be doing something wrong. Maybe it's because I'm alone in the game.
Second Life- My Original Experience
The first time that I had ever played Second Life was a couple of years ago for another class. At first, I was having a lot of fun creating my avatar. Afterwards, I went exploring. I quickly got bored with this because most of the people I had encountered were foreign and not very good with English, not that I could speak their languages anyhow.
From there, I began a disheartening search for shoes since mine were just not working with the outfit as a whole. I then quickly figured out that you need money to buy stuff and the $10 that the game sets you up with just doesn't cut it. I was going to need more than $10 for what I wanted.
I decided to get a job. Unfortunately, looking for one wasn't easy. I tried asking others for advice but, like I said, most of those I met were not English speakers. Eventually, I met a person who said that they wanted to help me. He asked me to come to his house, and I did. Long story short, I felt unconfortable (yes, even as an avatar) and ditched him as fast as I could. After that experience, I didn't go back until recently.
From there, I began a disheartening search for shoes since mine were just not working with the outfit as a whole. I then quickly figured out that you need money to buy stuff and the $10 that the game sets you up with just doesn't cut it. I was going to need more than $10 for what I wanted.
I decided to get a job. Unfortunately, looking for one wasn't easy. I tried asking others for advice but, like I said, most of those I met were not English speakers. Eventually, I met a person who said that they wanted to help me. He asked me to come to his house, and I did. Long story short, I felt unconfortable (yes, even as an avatar) and ditched him as fast as I could. After that experience, I didn't go back until recently.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Folksonomies vs. Taxonomies
In Folksonomies: A User-Driven Approach to Organizing Content, pretty much Joshua Porter says that taxonomies are great but they're a pain and very expensive to create. On the other hand, though, folksonomies are good because they're user driven. Based on what I got from the article, I wonder why folksonomies would even be stressed. If something that is user driven is better because of the language and cost, then why not focus on taxonomies? I do like, however, how at the end of the article Porter goes on to say that the taxonomies have the "ability to let users do most of the organizational work of the information on a web site, they may yet prove to be a valuable, time-saving way for information architects to keep a handle on the addition of information into an already-burdened architecture." I think that he had a good point. My question, then, is what's the real value in folksonomies if taxonomies already do the job. Maybe it's just me, but I don't get it.
Bookmarking
After reading about the top 5 bookmarking sites, I realized how invaluable they could be. I, for one, am all about organized researching and love the collaboration of it all. It's also nice to know that, if I wanted, whatever I bookmarked could be kept private. What a great way to get to the place I need to be online.
Also, I'm doing the Flickr assignment and noticed that it utilizes Delicious. I never realized that I'd think that bookmarking would be useful to me, but I guess I was wrong.
Also, I'm doing the Flickr assignment and noticed that it utilizes Delicious. I never realized that I'd think that bookmarking would be useful to me, but I guess I was wrong.
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