Thursday, October 14, 2010
Criticism of face book.
Face book is a new phenomenon in the age of internet that came into existence only in the recent years. It is a friend-finding, dating, and information sharing website that many people and especially the young generations use to find their old friends, relatives and acquaintances, that they had lost contact with them. Face book account holders can share photos and information with one another, and enjoy the other facilities that face book provide for them. However, nowadays the growth of Face book as an online social networking website has faced many criticisms on many ranges of issues. Such criticisms are including data mining, the issue of revealing identities, and the lack of ability to cancel accounts without deleting all its contents manually first. That is why in 2008, many companies removed their advertisements from the Face book because the Face book authorities had displayed such ads on the pages of some controversial people and groups. The actual contents of the user’s page, forums, and groups have been criticised for raising some controversial topics such as Holocaust denial, and pro-anorexia etc. Censorship has also been discovered in Face book in several times. Many people in the world complained about the new changes in Face book especially the new format introduced in 2008, and also some changes made in terms and conditions to use this website with regards to removing the clause detailing the automatic expiry of the deleted contents. Face book has also been sued by some unsatisfied customers for a few times because of the matter of violation of intellectual property rights. However, with the on-going experience, reforms, and amendments that Face book is doing, this useful website has still a bright future, and it is in the process of shaping a part of the future in internet technology.
What is copy right
Copy right refers to some exclusive rights which are given to the author or creator of an original work. It is including the right to copy, distribute, and adapt that produced work that the original producer has made efforts to make it. Copy right does not necessarily protect the thoughts and ideas preserved in that type of work, but it only protects their expression, or fixation up to some extent. In many jurisdictions, copy right arises at the time of fixation, and it doesn’t need to be registered. Copy right owners have the right to control over copying and to prevent exploitation of their work for a particular period of time, and their work will then enter into what is said to be a public domain. There are also some uses, covered under the limitations and exceptions to copy right like fair use that people do not need permission from the copy right owner if they want to use them under some terms and conditions. All the other uses need permission, and the copy right owners can also officially license of transfer or assign their rights to whomever they want to. In the beginning, copy right laws were only applied for copying the books ,but later ,the authorities extended such rights to wide range of works such as translations ,derivative works ,dramative works ,maps ,paintings ,photographs ,motion pictures ,sound recordings ,and computer soft wares. Today the copy right laws have been standardized up to some extent through some regional and international agreements such as Borne convention, and the European copy right directives. Even though, some consistencies exist among the nation’s copy right laws, each jurisdiction has its own separate and distinct national copy right laws. These copy right laws are including licensing, transfer and assignment of copy right that still vary greatly between countries, and they are usually licensed on territorial basis.
Internet Censorship
Internet censorship means the authority’s controlling or suppressing the publication of any particular articles or information on internet, and also limiting the people’s access to read such kinds of information. In some ways, it is similar to off-line censorship. The difference is that national borders seem to be more permeable on line. For example when a country’s government ban some sorts of information, the people of that country can find the information they want from the websites based outside of that country. However, the government may try to suppress their people from having access to such websites by means of filtering and censorship even if they have no control over them. Filterings are normally done through the blacklists, containing the names of illegal websites. These blacklists are not usually published or revealed to public, and the authorities produce them either manually or automatically. Total control over the internet connected computers, and total internet censorship of information in some authoritarian countries such as Iran or North Korea, seem to be absolutely difficult because of the underlying distributed technology available on internet. For example data havens or pseudonymity such as free net allow the people to have unconditional free speech ,as the technology guarantees for the users that the materials are not removable and that the author of any type of information find it impossible to link to an organization or physical identity. Sometimes, the authorities are very deceitful. They normally deceive the internet users by the ISP, providing the fake messages of “not found”, “Error” or “Error 404”, which means the internet page exists, but they have blocked it. However, in November 2007, the father of internet Mr. Vint Cerf predicted that government led control of internet will soon fail due to the increasing level of private ownership.
Iranian Green movement and the new Medias.
Iranian Green movement and the new Medias.
Following the controversial election of Iran in June 12, 2009, millions of Iranian people took to the streets to protest to what they called the fraudulent election results that brought president Ahmadinejad to power again for the second time .Many activists inside Iran, were witness that the street protests were spontaneous and it spread through the word of mouth, and some traditional networks such as friends, family and co-workers. However a more modern medium such as text-messaging helped to speed up the demonstration process. Also some satellite TV broadcasts from outside of Iran run by dissidents, and sponsored by the western powers, had a significant impact on people in this country. The outraged people chanted the slogan of “where is my vote”, and” death to dictator”. The protests were immediately followed by government official‘s reaction to crack down on demonstrators. When the protests led to bloodshed and violence, the demonstrators started to record the footages of skirmishes and violent bloodsheds, by their cell phone cameras and then put the videos on You tube and face book to inform the people in the world and the western Medias. The western Medias made their headlines as Twitter revolution in Iran, but in fact if any social networking innovations are to receive credit, they should be You tube and Face book. Twitter never became so popular in Iran, but since the world was watching Iran at that time with interests, many believed by mistake that Iranian people were also getting their news through the Twitter. Today, the green movement activists still believe that the internet and new medias such as cell phone cameras ,Face book ,You tube ,and the dissident satellite TVs will remain as platform of information-sharing for the opposition activists who use proxies to access blocked opposition websites and social networking sites.
Following the controversial election of Iran in June 12, 2009, millions of Iranian people took to the streets to protest to what they called the fraudulent election results that brought president Ahmadinejad to power again for the second time .Many activists inside Iran, were witness that the street protests were spontaneous and it spread through the word of mouth, and some traditional networks such as friends, family and co-workers. However a more modern medium such as text-messaging helped to speed up the demonstration process. Also some satellite TV broadcasts from outside of Iran run by dissidents, and sponsored by the western powers, had a significant impact on people in this country. The outraged people chanted the slogan of “where is my vote”, and” death to dictator”. The protests were immediately followed by government official‘s reaction to crack down on demonstrators. When the protests led to bloodshed and violence, the demonstrators started to record the footages of skirmishes and violent bloodsheds, by their cell phone cameras and then put the videos on You tube and face book to inform the people in the world and the western Medias. The western Medias made their headlines as Twitter revolution in Iran, but in fact if any social networking innovations are to receive credit, they should be You tube and Face book. Twitter never became so popular in Iran, but since the world was watching Iran at that time with interests, many believed by mistake that Iranian people were also getting their news through the Twitter. Today, the green movement activists still believe that the internet and new medias such as cell phone cameras ,Face book ,You tube ,and the dissident satellite TVs will remain as platform of information-sharing for the opposition activists who use proxies to access blocked opposition websites and social networking sites.
"Guitar Hero"
I find it interesting that the gaming industry has got a tight hold on young budding or potential musicians surrounded by gaming culture in our modern, digital culture and society. Children growing up in the 1960s were inspired to take up the guitar with the huge impact that the Beatles had on Europe and the United States as seen with the giant boom of cheap guitars being sold at the time. Now in the 21st century children are now instead picking up a toy imitation of band instruments that is activated through the game console with such titles as Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Maybe its good...? The recontextualisation of rock music in the game format has kept timely music fresh - a new breathe of life whilst introducing a new generation to the timeless guitar medium of the music industry. Who would know that Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" would be communicated through a digital game "played" by an 8 year old or whatever some thirty years later, still relevant to another generation.
I my self play an actual guitar but am useless at at the game Guitar Hero. I have no idea how to approach the controls after coming from a real pratical background of the instrument, and will often be dominated by a game geek. Oh Well. I suppose it hightens the awarness of guitar based music in a time when the charts are dominated by digital instrumentation and synths which is always a bonus. I just dont why it aint as satisfying for someone to actually pick up a real guitar rather than an imitation. Because lets face it, your never gonna beat the real deal.
UGC. Empowering or Exploiting?
Web 2.0 is often considered a technology that has the ability to subvert capitalism by
giving us all the ability to create. But User Generated Content is be
ing used by organisations to produce profit, the content creator obtains in no economic benefit. Are UGC platforms merely a well disguised continuation of this capitalist structure?
Essentially various organisations use UGC platforms to encourage people to create economically valuable content. Flickr, Facebook, and many other companies have recognised that by providing tools to produce, they can maintain ownership over the resulting products. As owners of the interface, they own the content created using it. This content contributes to the quality of their site, pulling more viewers hence enabling the owner to advertise and generate profit. Citizen journalism sites such as CNN iReport are typical examples – unabashedly displaying adverts next to freely created news articles. User generated content can also be used separately to benefit the organisation such as in a video advertising campaign like Doritos. It seems that web 2.0 may have democratised production by allowing the process to be carried out by all, but economic rewards are still concentrated to few
- CNN iReport - An example of a Canon advertisement alongside a user generated news story
But is this really exploitation? This critique has some merit, but it undervalues the incentives and the rewards that individuals gain from creating UGC; self-expression, peer appreciation and potential career benefits
Ideally, the internet needs a system to ensure that everyone who wants to participate in the cash economy of UCG is given that option.
Maybe something along the lines of a 'Freemium' business model? However, the application of Freemium or a model similar is unlikely to satisfy all. The creation of a way to monitor the economic return of UGC that appeases individuals, companies, and appeals to social norms would be complex, maybe even impossible.
Something fun to read before the exams Part4
The owner of the Silver medal: Big Rigs- Over the Road Racing
Playing Big Rigs just like somebody, all in sudden, pushes you on the ground, rubs 20 dollars from you, and then before leaving, spits all over you. It is a shame for either the game itself, or the person who play it.
This game, Big Rigs, was developed by a Russian company, called Stellar Stone. On their website, they claim that, this particular game surely can be seen as “the combination of the Russian computer programmers’ intelligence and hard-work. Once it on the market, it will bet all the top racing game.” On the package, they wrote, “Big Rigs contains thousand, not hundred, of free roads, motorways and hikes.” Actually, the thing which really surprises me is, it was sold thousand copies, but I can’t find who bought them, in fact.
Anyway, the biggest features make the game tragic is listed in the following:
1. When you finish the game, I mean after the first race of the first time, and then you want to try again, the moment you enter the game, it says:” YOU ARE WINNER.” If you really, really want to play it once more, then you have to reinstall the whole game again. There is something even more ridiculous. Without quitting the game, right after finishing the first race you want to try the next map (only two maps available), the moment you enter the game, it says:” YOU ARE WINNER.” What the… Yet, he only different between two maps are buildings, but I would call them “the buildings”, because they are just blocks. Somehow, I don’t even think they even qualified to be called “the block”. You know why? Because everything in there are mirages. While playing, you are not only can drive your ride through houses, but as well as mountains.
2. Whoever develops this game, hate Isaac Newton and physics? Please believe me. In its world, the big rigs can go 90 miles per hours toward a 90 degree cliff, and then go straight up, like miracle. Yes, you are not dreaming, so am I. Also, the rigs can go all the way from zero to 60 miles per hours within 5 second, and yet stop instantly with tip of your finger on your keyboard.
3. Back mirror is a steady picture. No matter where you are, the picture never changes a thing, and so is the world, where the sky always is light blue and the land is grey.
4. You think it is weird to have a grey land, well, not if it compares to the A.I of your enemies. In fact, there is no A.I at all. When the competition begins, the enemy doesn’t move an inch. I shit you not. In other words, you are racing in a game you could not possibly lose. And not to mention, same as the buildings, you also can drive through the enemy rig.
Under personal comments: ………….. I can’t say anything to a game like this. Oh, dear god, have mercy to the humanity!
HERE COMES THE GOLD MEDAL WINNER: Blood Lions (1997)
Blood Lion was made by the Chinese in 1997. It was way to classic, even as a tragic in the history of video games. There is also a rumour; it says, “In 2009, based on its great reputation, the CIA tries the game. After 10 minutes, the computer becomes a scrap instantly.”
You can say everything in the game is piece of shit, except the historical background. On its advertising, it says:” In 2010, your hometown, the super nation, People Republic of China has been invaded. Suddenly, blood shadows the clouds, flaming tears the night, and the sound of tanks crashes your dream. At front of M1A1, your tanks are weak as piece of paper. As a man, and a Chinese man, even though the foundations of your country is horrible, however please encourage yourself to join the fearless army and enter the battle for killing your enemies. Protect and save China with all cost.” It all sounds like a wonderful, and everybody is waiting for the moment of buying it. And then when the day arrives…
I really wish the game was published on GBC, or if possible, may be on dishwashing machine, or leaf blow machine, anything but not on the PC. Without mention the ugly picture, the thing that shocks people the most is its mindless AI designing. During battle, there is a chance that, when the solider under fire but he doesn’t return the fire; when you order them to do something, more than 50% your soldiers may just stand there and do nothing; sometime, without doing anything on the soldiers, they just completely act on their own, such as throwing bombs, lying down… The AI of your enemies is equally low.
Under personal comment: This is the longest I can get. Sorry, I just can’t take any more.
The owner of the Silver medal: Big Rigs- Over the Road Racing
Playing Big Rigs just like somebody, all in sudden, pushes you on the ground, rubs 20 dollars from you, and then before leaving, spits all over you. It is a shame for either the game itself, or the person who play it.
This game, Big Rigs, was developed by a Russian company, called Stellar Stone. On their website, they claim that, this particular game surely can be seen as “the combination of the Russian computer programmers’ intelligence and hard-work. Once it on the market, it will bet all the top racing game.” On the package, they wrote, “Big Rigs contains thousand, not hundred, of free roads, motorways and hikes.” Actually, the thing which really surprises me is, it was sold thousand copies, but I can’t find who bought them, in fact.
Anyway, the biggest features make the game tragic is listed in the following:
1. When you finish the game, I mean after the first race of the first time, and then you want to try again, the moment you enter the game, it says:” YOU ARE WINNER.” If you really, really want to play it once more, then you have to reinstall the whole game again. There is something even more ridiculous. Without quitting the game, right after finishing the first race you want to try the next map (only two maps available), the moment you enter the game, it says:” YOU ARE WINNER.” What the… Yet, he only different between two maps are buildings, but I would call them “the buildings”, because they are just blocks. Somehow, I don’t even think they even qualified to be called “the block”. You know why? Because everything in there are mirages. While playing, you are not only can drive your ride through houses, but as well as mountains.
2. Whoever develops this game, hate Isaac Newton and physics? Please believe me. In its world, the big rigs can go 90 miles per hours toward a 90 degree cliff, and then go straight up, like miracle. Yes, you are not dreaming, so am I. Also, the rigs can go all the way from zero to 60 miles per hours within 5 second, and yet stop instantly with tip of your finger on your keyboard.
3. Back mirror is a steady picture. No matter where you are, the picture never changes a thing, and so is the world, where the sky always is light blue and the land is grey.
4. You think it is weird to have a grey land, well, not if it compares to the A.I of your enemies. In fact, there is no A.I at all. When the competition begins, the enemy doesn’t move an inch. I shit you not. In other words, you are racing in a game you could not possibly lose. And not to mention, same as the buildings, you also can drive through the enemy rig.
Under personal comments: ………….. I can’t say anything to a game like this. Oh, dear god, have mercy to the humanity!
HERE COMES THE GOLD MEDAL WINNER: Blood Lions (1997)
Blood Lion was made by the Chinese in 1997. It was way to classic, even as a tragic in the history of video games. There is also a rumour; it says, “In 2009, based on its great reputation, the CIA tries the game. After 10 minutes, the computer becomes a scrap instantly.”
You can say everything in the game is piece of shit, except the historical background. On its advertising, it says:” In 2010, your hometown, the super nation, People Republic of China has been invaded. Suddenly, blood shadows the clouds, flaming tears the night, and the sound of tanks crashes your dream. At front of M1A1, your tanks are weak as piece of paper. As a man, and a Chinese man, even though the foundations of your country is horrible, however please encourage yourself to join the fearless army and enter the battle for killing your enemies. Protect and save China with all cost.” It all sounds like a wonderful, and everybody is waiting for the moment of buying it. And then when the day arrives…
I really wish the game was published on GBC, or if possible, may be on dishwashing machine, or leaf blow machine, anything but not on the PC. Without mention the ugly picture, the thing that shocks people the most is its mindless AI designing. During battle, there is a chance that, when the solider under fire but he doesn’t return the fire; when you order them to do something, more than 50% your soldiers may just stand there and do nothing; sometime, without doing anything on the soldiers, they just completely act on their own, such as throwing bombs, lying down… The AI of your enemies is equally low.
Under personal comment: This is the longest I can get. Sorry, I just can’t take any more.
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