Reflection

Blogging is one of most people's hobby nowadays

(source: http://orangemood.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/blog.jpg)

Blogging is one of my hobbies, because I love to write and express my feeling through text, video, audio, and post it into blog. I have been blogging since four years ago, so that during the making of this academic blog so far I did not find any difficulties.

Meanwhile blogging is not only typing and posting, as a good blogger we need to learn how the blog is working. As stated by Justin Tsan (2007) in his article titled “Qualities of a good blogger” that blogger must be willing to learn the fundamental or the basic of web technologies in order to prevent any obstacles or problems during blogging.

Moreover as a good blogger, we need to be aware about social culture issue, because weblog can be accessed globally by anyone in this world. So for being a good blogger, we need to pay attention to this issue, in order to prevent miscommunication or misunderstanding among the readers.

Regarding to the topic that will be discussed, bloggers need to prepare their self with good understanding of the subject. Justin Tsan (2007) points out that a good blogger has a keen sense of curiosity, one that is needed to continue learning and exploring.

However, blogger also needs to pay attention with web design which is affecting reader’s impression, referring to Jakob Nielsen (2005) in his article titled “Weblog Usability: The Top Ten Design Mistakes” he points out that during writing into blog, author needs to avoid some mistakes such as:

- No Author Biographies
Unless you are writing a business blog, which needs credibility of the author, anonymous writings have less credence than something that is signed.
- No Author Photos
Photos offer a more personable impression of the author, and it connects the virtual and physical words.
- Nondescript Posting Titles
- Link Don’t Say Where They Go
You should use the “link titles” rather than “click here”.
More regulations that blogger needs to obey, in order to produce effective products and useable for the reader.

To conclude, being a good blogger is not only typing and expressing your opinion, but moreover there are some regulations that every blogger needs to aware, so that blogger will produce such a excellent product and useful for the readers.

References:

Tsan, J, 2007, Qualities Of A Good Blogger. Qualities Of A Good Blogger. 8 Nov. 2007. EzineArticles.com. viewed 11 June 2008, [online].
http://ezinearticles.com/?Qualities-Of-A-Good-Blogger&id=823015

Nielsen, J 2005, Weblog Usability: The Top Design Mistakes,17 October 2005, Jakob Nielsen’s Alertbox, viewed 11 June 2008. [online].
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/weblogs.html

Is photo-manipulation a part of creativity?

Altantuya Sharibuu Photo Manipulation

(source : http://inlinethumb14.webshots.com/6157/2773079370099727990S500x500Q85.jpg)

The example of photo-manipulation

(source: http://designerer.com/tutorials/cracked/IMG%201.jpg)

Photojournalism nowadays could be related to photo-manipulation. The invention of technology and the features which offered some software allow people to manipulate a document. In this case, photograph is the most common issue, regarding to manipulation. There was many cases involving photo-manipulation, for example the photo manipulation case of Altantuya Sharibuu which became the most discussed issue few times ago has proofed that photo-manipulation can do everything. Paul Martin Lester (1999) in his chapter titled “Picture Manipulation” argues that the impact of the visual image on a viewer comes directly from belief that “camera never lies”. As a machine, the camera faithfully unemotionally records a moment in time. Lester adds that new technological advances that allow easy and undetectable picture manipulation cause the public to be concerned about the truthful content of photography. It can be concluded that camera won’t say lies, but nowadays photograph maybe say untruth.

Editing images in order to change the meaning is seriously prohibited regarding to ethical of photojournalism. Webster University Journal in article titled “Policy for the Ethical Use of Photographs” stated that there are two guidelines that editor must pay more attention:

Generally allowed
- Brightness/contrast control
- Burning and dogging to control tonal range
- Colour correction
- Cropping and frame to fit the layout
- Be touching of dust and stretches

Never allowed
- Adding moving or removing object within the frame
- Colour change other than to restore what the subject looked like
- Cropping a frame in order to alter its meaning
- Flopping a photography

David Shenk (1997) in his article titled “Every picture can tell a lie” stated that cropping itself has powerful tool, even people seem that crop is a common issue. To support, Weber (1995) come out with ethical of publishing which is really needed to editor in order to produce a craft that telling the truth is extremely important in publication. Weber divides it into two parts:

CLEAR-CUT
- Don’t satisfy data or state as truth something that you know to be false
- Don’t deliberately misrepresent the facts.

LESS-CUT
- Distinguish between facts and opinion
- Always check the facts
- Don’t assume that what an ‘experts’ has said is the truth; experts can make mistakes too, or they might lie.

In conclusion, the photo manipulation is prohibited according to ethical of publishing, because somehow editing images are causing serious impacts such as misinterpretation or misunderstanding among the viewers. Cliff Edom (1980) cited in “Picture manipulation” by Lester stressed that “Both composite pictures were criticised by a minority group for misrepresenting the truth.” So that for editor who wants to express their creativity should pay attention to some ethics in order to produce a craft which can be enjoyed by every people without making any random meaning among the society.

References:

• Lester, PM 1999, Chapter Six: Picture manipulation, Photojournalism Ethics,viewed 10 June 2008 [online].
http://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/writings/chapter6.html

• Policy for the Ethical Use of Photographs, Webster University Journal, viewed 10 June 2008, [online].
http://www.webster.edu/~barrettb/journal_ethics.htm

• Shenk, D 1997, Every picture can tell a lie, About.com, viewed 10 June 2008, [online].
http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/1997/10/7815

• Weber, JH 1995, Ethics in scientific and technical communication, WISENET Journal, vol. 38, July 1995, viewed 10 June 2008. [online].
http://www.jeanweber.com/newsite/?page_id=22

E-commerce : Should or Should Not

e-bay one of online shopping site

(source: www.ebay.com)

E-commerce or usually called as Online Shopping, becomes the most popular stuff to do recently. Tim Gray (2005) in his journal title “Consumer Buy Into Online Shopping” showed that 37 per cent from 1,000 correspondents were “very satisfied” with shopping online during the holidays, while 24 per cent were “somewhat satisfied”. Thirty per cent said their online shopping experience had improved over 2003. The term of shopping online has been influencing consumer behaviour, consumer feel that online shopping offers some features which can not be seen in ordinary stores. Moreover, since 1990 online shopping has emerged into every corner of life, linking of people to the culture of capitalism in frequent and daily ways (Davis, 2001).

In my opinion, convenience is the most factors why people choose shopping through online, firstly because online store available 24 hours and secondly, people can access wherever they are and whenever they want, as long as there is internet connection. Mary Wolfinbarger and Mary Gilly (2001) in their report titled “Shopping Online for Freedom, Control, and Fun” point out that according to their research with online shoopers suggest that goal-oriented shoppers are interested in e-tailing because of four specific attributes:
1. Convenience and accessibility
2. Selection
3. Availability of information
4. Lack of sociality

However Steve Elliot and Sue Fowell (2000) report satisfactory and unsatisfactory costumer experiences:
SATISFACTORY:
- Increased customisations, (e.g capability to treat customers as individuals)
- Convenience in purchasing (e.g anytime, from anywhere, to anywhere)
- Responsiveness in product delivery (e.g instantaneous distribution of digital products and service)
- Cost saving through lower price (e.g site aims at providing lower costs and latest information on music scene


UNSATISFACTORY
- Security
- Ease to use
- Poor levels of service
- Costs
- Product delivered did not meet expectations.

Regarding to security risk, Miyazaki and Fernandez (2001) point out that government and industry organisations have declared information privacy and security to be major obstacles in the development of consumer-related e-commerce. Privacy of personal information is a serious issue for customers. Some customers hesitate to do online shopping simply because avoiding their privacy information for being corrupted by other people.

To conclude, shopping online is a fun stuff to do, people can enjoy the features but costumers need to be aware during transaction especially regarding their personal information because this is the most problem that customer usually faced.

References:

Davis,S.G, 2001, Culture Works the Political Economy of Culture, Minneapolis, London: University of Minnesota Press.

Elliot, S & Fowell, S ,2000, Expectations versus reality: a snapshot of consumer experiences with Internet retailing, International Journal of Information Management 20, [online], viewed 8 June 2008.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_shop#cite_ref-39

Gray, T, 2005, Consumers Buy Into Online Shopping, Ecommerce-Guide.com, [online], viewed 7 June 2008.
http://www.ecommerce-guide.com/news/news/article.php/3454171

Miyazaki, A.D & Fernandez, A 2001, Consumer Perceptions of Privacy and Security Risks for Online Shopping, Journal of Consumer Affairs, vol. 35, issue 1, pp. 27-44, [online], viewed 7 June 2008.
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1745-6606.2001.tb00101.x

Wolfinbarger, M & Gilly,M, 2001, Shopping Online For Freedom,Control and Fun, California Management Review, [online], viewed 7 June 2008.
http://www.csulb.edu/~mwolfin/Freedom_Control_Fun.pdf

Citizen Journalist: Another Form of Journalism

Sophisticated gadget allows citizen to cover a news

(Source:http://api.ning.com/files/LwG*AtNDAjyA2ZYuh3LnDdssVzByInPfGCmvAGewY00_/NokiaN93.jpg)

Richard Sambrook (2005) in his article titled “Citizen Journalism and the BBC” reports that within six hours exactly after London Bombing on 5 July 2005, BBC received more than 1,000 photographs, 20 pieces of amateur video, 4,000 text messages, and 20,000 emails, which all those stuffs were reported the London Bombing tragedy. Those came from everyone who getting involved as eye witnesses regarding to London Bombing.

According to article by Yehonathan Tommer (2007) titled “The Journalist of the Future is Here”, he examines that ordinary citizens together with their sophisticated gadgets such as cell phone, a Skype telephone communication, a digital camera and computer e-mail access to broadband and satellite, have delivered the new statement that everyone can be a journalist, even without graduated from any particular education institution. Supported by this digital era which offers unlimited information, allow the citizens to post any posting regarding to relate issue only through internet connection in a few minutes only. Tommer also points out that citizen journalists will replace the traditional staff reporter with a regular domestic beat or the correspondent.

Citizen journalist as we can see, they can collaborate with traditional reporter in order to produce a news story and dig in-depth information. Citizen journalists hold an active role in the process of searching information, reporting, collecting facts and information. J. D Lasica (2003) in a journal titled “Online Journalism Review” classifies media for citizen journalism into six types:
1. Audience participation (e.g: personal Blogs, photos or video clip captured from personal gadget.
2. Independent News and Information Websites (e.g: Consumer reports)
3. Full-fledged participatory news sites (e.g: Ohmynews.com)
4. Collaborative and contributory media sites (e.g: Slashdot)
5. Other kinds of “small range media” (e.g: Mailing list, e-mail newsletter)
6. Personal broadcasting sites.

In my opinion the citizen journalist is another journalism form which has the same importance with traditional reporter or reporter who is hired by news agencies and the newsworthiness of news that is immediacy of news can be depending on the participation of citizen journalist.

References:
Lasica, J.D, 2003, What is Participatory Journalism, Online Journalism Review, [online], viewed 5 June 2008.
http://www.ojr.org/ojr/workplace/1060217106.php

Tommer, Y 2007, The Journalist of the Future is Here, Ohmynews International, viewed 5 June 2008.

http://www.ohmynews.com

Sambrook, R 2005, Citizen Journalism and the BBC, Nieman Reports, [online], viewed 5 June 2008.

http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/reports/05-4NRwinter/Sambrook.pdf

Don’t underestimate the word ‘copyright’

Copyright nowadays

(source:http://www.urheberrecht.ch/E/img/cartoon1.jpg)

The current issue involving copyright as reported in article titled “Harry Potter case illustrates muddled web copyright laws” has reflected how copyright such a sensitive issue to collide. The story was begun when Stevan Vander Ark, big fans of harry potter has been sued by JK Rowling (Harry Potter’s Author) and Warner Bross simply because Vander Ark violated copyright after announcing in order to publish the print version of Harry Potter Lexicon. Moreover JK Rowling as the author stated Vander Ark as a plagiarist and a thief (Caruso, 2008).

According to serious issue involving plagiarism above, we can all say that copyright is a thing that people need to pay attention carefully, because there are laws which protect it. Reep (2006, p.41) points out that copyright is the legal protection for the creators of original works, including written material, music, art, and graphic, films and television programs. Moreover it is illegal to violate the creator’s copyright by using these works for own benefit without getting permission and paying the appropriate fees. As reported by Smiers & Van Schijndel titled “Imagine a world without copyright” they emphasise that copyright was once a means to guarantee artist a decent income. It now is the tool that conglomerates in the music, publishing, imaging and movie industries use to control their market.

In my opinion the term of copyright must be stricken, because this is the way to protect the originality and the creativity of artists. The product which has been produced by artists is not an easy thing to do. The artists need to spend their time, creativity, and effort in order to produce one craft. So that copyright is helping them to protect their works from plagiarism. But Reep (2006, p.41) suggests that when using works in the public domain, people must cite their sources so that the reader knows where the information originated. This term has been applied to all postings that I have been posted before, in order to avoid plagiarism. Because as we all know that, the punishment for the one who violate the copyrights laws is not that light, maybe you will be detained or sued because of it.



References

Caruso, 2008, Harry Potter case illustrates muddle Web copyright laws, ABC News, viewed 5 June 2008.
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Story?id=4690190&page=1

Smiers & Van Schijndel, 2005, Imagine a world without copyright, International Herald Tribune, viewed 5 June 2008.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/10/07/opinion/edsmiers.php

Reep, D, 2006, Technical Writing: Principles, Strategies, and Readings, Pearson Education, US. p. 41.

Facebook-ing Phenomenon

According to Cashmore (2007) currently there are more than 15 millions people in the world have been registered as active members on Facebook and mostly of them are teenagers. The trend of facebook-ing becomes more and more bombing, enthusiasm of society regarding to this new communication tools are really surprise. Actually what is the function of social networking site? McDowell (2006) states that social networking is made in order to maintain social relationship, allowing users to establish friendships or romantic relationship, while others may focus on business connection.

(statistic of Facebook users, taken from :http://mashable.com/2007/04/13/facebook-users/)

In my opinion, those features are provided by social networking sites are really attracted audience to getting involve. As stated by Walsh (2006) that today’s society are experiencing ‘paradigm shift’ that is multimodal, multimodal is the situation when visual, electronic, and digital text collaborate into more than one ‘mode’ in order to produce a message.

So that, the huge number of social networking sites member is really reasonable, first because people nowadays compete to build more relationship with more different backgrounds of friends. Second, this is the effect of multimodality which has mentioned earlier by Walsh (2006) people choose multimodality because its provides tools to people getting information easier and unusual moreover it have potential to combine words and images in complex structures with logos, menu bars, hyperlinks, hot spot, video clips, animation, graphics, music, sound effect, voice-over or write-over.

Reference:
Cashmore, P 2007, Facebook’s Active Users In Millions, Mashable Social Networking News, viewed 3 June 2008.
http://mashable.com/2007/04/13/facebook-users/

McDowell, M 2006, Staying Safe on Social Network Sites, US-Cert Cyber Security Tips ST06-003, viewed 3 June 2008.
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST06-003.html

Walsh, M 2006, ‘”Textual shift”: examining the reading process with print, visual and multimodal texts’, Australian journal of language and literacy, vol. 29, no 1, pp. 24-37.

New Forms of Media Publishing

Moblog (mobile-blogging) becomes the latest trend of publishing. Nowadays people want everything convenient and simple. Bloggers can post their posting through cellphone. BBC News.com (2007) argues moblogging, as its name implies, takes this mobile. Meaning a blog post or entry is written and sent from a laptop via wi-fi hotspot in a café or from a capable mobile phone. As long as it is done on the hoof, it qualifies.

Reference

• BBC News 2007, Hi-tech ways to stay in touch, 7 November 2007, BBC News, viewed 29 April 2008, <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7082566.stm>