Blog: New Media

One form of new media that does not exist but would be interesting to see would be a virtual reality system connected to social media. Virtual reality systems such as the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive systems already exist but in their own separate realm. It would be unique to see how mixing social media platform abilities with virtual reality would be, it seems like a special experience! Being that users can post videos, pictures, music, and their own personal content on the internet, mixing this with virtual reality would give users a more connected and empirical experience.

Blog: P2P

File sharing is when one uses the internet or a network to transmit files from one computer device to another. P2P file sharing stands for “Peer-to-Peer File Sharing" and is used to distribute any digital media over networking technology. Individuals can use this kind of file sharing to gain access to movies, books, music and games. The peers involved in this P2P file sharing activity are distributing servers and end-user computers. The article “The BitTorrent Effect” by Clive Thompson discusses BitTorrent, a Peer-to-Peer program and its creator Bram Cohen. This program allows participants to access, download and upload large amounts of files, data and information. Cohen’s BitTorrent program aimed at “geeks” who will make use of free, open source systems to swap Linxus software online without breaking the bank.

Reference:
The BitTorrent Effect by Clive Thompson, Wired, January 2005
https://www.wired.com/2005/01/bittorrent-2/

Blog: Privacy

New media has brought about many great perks as technology has advanced and allows us to do many exciting new things. Although this is true, there is a huge debate on whether or not social networking sites and new media respect privacy. Users are constantly giving away a great deal of their sensitive information without fully realizing this. Facebook recently came under fire for wrongfully collecting its users data which ultimately violates their privacy and confidentiality. Releasing so much information can be beneficial being that content and advertisements can be suited to you but regardless, it is usually done without the users knowledge, thus violating their privacy simply for companies to produce copious amounts of money. The idea of privacy being violated is important to focus on now with the uprise of new media technology being that it is a fundamental human right.