The Next New Thing

One type of new media I'd love to see is: VR as a new media.

We've known that VR as a technology has slowly started coming into fruition, with headsets like the Oculus VR being developed. We've also seen the type of uses that VR has, and I can imagine VR becoming a big big part of our digital life.

I think there's a whole new level of interactivity to be had - imagine if VR users could join an artist while they're working, and it'll seem as though the VR user was right next to them, and able to observe the artist's process.

Have front row "seats" to a game you can't make it to, tag along on a cruise or vacation with family when you can't make it.

Alternatively, being able to dive into things like movie trailers or shows could become equally as amazing. There would be a whole new wave of learning how to connect older digital media, with newer VR techniques.

At some point, a virtual world that connects the world would be the absolute highest point for VR as a new media in my opinion.

I think VR could be the first step as a new media in creating an interactive experience that is much more than the types of "new media" that we know now.

Our Class Wiki - So Far

My biggest contribution to our Wiki so far is the addition of a section for the game Counter-Strike.

First, I've updated the description with the newly updated player count, and have referenced it.

Secondly, I've created a section inside the Counter-Strike area, detailing their most recent game's customization options. I've also added an image relating to the content.

I've made minor edits for a missing ref tag in the Role of Gender in Video Games section, as well as typos in the Blizzard section under Gaming.

I also plan on adding section on art programs in the Arts section, with information about various types of digital painting programs, such as OpenCanvas, SaiPaintTool, Krita, etc.

P2P File Sharing

File sharing is the act of sharing a digital something over the internet. These can include, but are not limited to, all forms of media, such as videos and images, computer programs etc. Generally these files are transferred from storage sites online, or from physical tools, such as CDs and USB drives.

Nowadays, there are numerous ways for users to get their files. One of the more prominent ways is through P2P sharing, which stands for Peer-2-peer. Simply put, Peer-2-peer essentially means that peers open up their resources and, using them, "collaborate" together to create a connection. Through this, they can transfer files and other things quite seamlessly.

An example of this is the BitTorrent program, which has become immensely popular, and also a hot-spot for illicit activities.

BitTorrent lets users upload files, by creating torrents, which other users can activate and download. The more people that are actively downloading (and then uploading, or seeding), the faster the speeds. (Thompson)

However, the very nature of the program allows users to share files that may not be legal, such as ripped TV shows and other programs, and there have been many moves by all types of groups, including Internet Service Providers, to limit and curb this behavior.

Since the downfall of Kazaa, users have switched to the easier-to-use BitTorrent, and there are hundreds of sites loaded with torrents for users to download.

Thompson, Clive. "The BitTorrent Effect ." Wired. Wired, Jan. 2005. Web. 28 Apr. 2015. <http://archive.wired.com/wired/archive/13.01/bittorrent.html>.

Privacy & Confidentiality

There are numerous issues of privacy and confidentiality when it comes to new media.

New media is a relatively new concept for us, and one of the key issues with this is the legal system is having a hard time adapting to the constantly changing concepts on the Internet.

First, the use of the Internet is so widespread now that information is disseminated in the blink of an eye. There's a saying that what goes on the Internet stays there forever. It's pretty much true.

In terms of privacy and confidentiality, we'll look at social media. In recent years we've seen a steady increase in the demands for a safer, and more private social network. Historically, Facebook was not very consumer-friendly, in that its privacy options were very limited. Compound that with the rampant use of the network by teenagers, and you have a recipe for a privacy disaster. Teenagers generally don't know or don't believe in hiding their information, and as such, many blatantly display it thinking nothing of it. However, anyone with malicious intent can then take advantage of this information quite easily. We are at an age of technology where we can effectively look up someone's private information with a couple clicks - if they did not hide their information effectively. 
In response to this and many other issues that cropped up, Facebook did introduce a slew of privacy options for the security-intent users. However, they aren't intuitive at all to navigate, and often come with more issues than not.

Also, there are many other uses for social media networks that are not exactly ethical. For example, employers looking to hire may peruse social media networks of their potential employees, and look for any issues that stand out. It's might not be ethical, but it is an issue that many are not aware of.

In order to alleviate privacy concerns, Facebook and other social media networks should implement a series of privacy safeguards, that both help teach a user about privacy and why it's important, and give them a streamlined approach to guarding their information.

In terms of confidentiality, we have to wonder what uses our information become when it's put online. The Internet is too fresh for the legal system to catch up and there are many that try to take advantage. It's not uncommon for companies to buy lists of emails gained through other means and spam the users with promotional emails, as well as other unethical uses.

Until the legal system catches up and is able to directly deal with these issues, we have to be mindful and careful about what kind of information we put online, as well as what our information could be used to do.

Advice to Baruch College

First, I'd make a general digital new media plan for the College. By this, we'd pick out types of new media we'd be interested in using, and then we'd have to analyze and see what is needed and what isn't.

First, we have Facebook. Baruch College already has numerous pages, each with a different function, such as departmental pages, registrar and bursar, etc. While it's important to keep each Baruch page separate, as each page is intended for different uses, I feel that sometimes it can be fragmented - and users may have trouble finding exactly which they want. I believe a more centralized approach is better, and much like Baruch's webpage is, I think something along the lines of a central Facebook hub/page, with links to each of the other Baruch pages would be much more easier to navigate and find what you're looking for.

For Twitter, I would recommend we have separate Twitter accounts - one for general tweets, and the second for announcements and for user support. I've seen many companies do this - and it helps when users are able to directly contact a company for a specific reason, as opposed to asking the question on a general Twitter page, where they most likely will just be redirected elsewhere.

For Youtube, I would suggest we follow a more structured approach in choosing the videos we upload. Furthermore, I think it'd be good to come up with a game plan for consistent uploads, in order to maintain activity. From a glance it seems that the page uploads almost any kind of video that relates to Baruch in some way (there's ECON lectures up there for some reason).

Lastly, there are many other types of new media we should look into, and identify the pros and cons of each (such as Wikipedia and blogging). In general however, it is probably not a good idea for an institution like Baruch to have a Wikipedia that can be edited by everyone - malicious users could misdirect or misinform users looking for information on Baruch and it's procedures.

Creativity and New Media

New media has allowed me to be creative in ways that I normally would not be able to.

One of my hobbies is art. Before new media, all of my art was traditional - paper and pencil, etc. However, with new media, there's a variety of "new" ways that art can be drawn.

With a tablet, I can "draw" digitally, just as I would on paper with a pencil. It's incredibly intuitive, and there are many art-editing programs that I can utilize. There are essentially none of the limitations of traditional art. Mistakes can be undone instantly, and we have limitless types of brushes and styles we can utilize. We have so many options to take advantage of.

After I draw something, I typically upload it to deviantart.com, which is a site dedicated to sharing any kind of art creations, whether they're poems, or art etc, and to Facebook, in an album, more for myself to keep track of what I've done (like a portfolio), and for my friends to see and comment on, if they're interested.

Facebook album

Done digitally

Creativity

With new media, our ability to create and share user-generated content has increased drastically. We are able to share stories, art, music, for all the world to see. There are numerous platforms dedicated to the creation and sharing of UGC (user-generated content).

For example, in the musical world - before the introduction of video sharing sites such as YouTube, aspiring musicians did not have a platform to show off their skills. Now, there are many musicians that have become Internet-famous, and are able to make a successful living off creating music and sharing it on Youtube. Many have even gone on to sign labels and tour around the world, and have huge followings on Youtube and social media.

In addition, the distribution of music has changed. Digital is the new medium, and it is quick, cost-effective, and convenient. Recording music has gotten quite simpler - all you need is a mic, and a computer. Like Mark Vidler said, "You don't need a distributor, because your distribution is the Internet. You don’t need a record label, because it’s your bedroom, and you don’t need a recording studio, because that’s your computer. You do it all yourself." (Frere-Jones, 2005)

Essentially, while previous aspiring musicians may have needed large amounts of money to record and distribute their music, the arrival of new media has effectively cut the cost dramatically. There are an incredibly large amount of music existing in the digital world, created by users and shared globally.

Frere-Jones, Sasha. "1 + 1 + 1 = 1 - The New Math of Mashups." The New Yorker. The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2005. Web. 30 Mar. 2015. <http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2005/01/10/1-1-1-1>.