Reflection

Throughout the semester I learned lots of knowledge in publication and design. Especially different genres function differently and have a unique form respectively. As for blogging there are many principles that I have learned.

Firstly is the composition of pictures and text. In blog, people will expect to see a combination of pictures and text rather than a whole lengthy text. Pictures can arouse interest too. Next, information presented should be in an ‘F’ shape, important information should be included in first sentences of the paragraphs. (Nielsen, 2006) Furthermore, composition such as ideal-real has been applied in the blog too. (Kress and Leeuwen, 2006) Balance, Proportion, sequence and consistency are important principles in document design that I have learned too (Reep, 2006). Lastly, important features that a blog should possess must be included, such as hyperlink, search engine and so on.

References:

1.  Kress, G, and Leeuwen, V, T. 2006, Reading images. Chapter 6: The meaning of composition.

2. Nielsen, J, A, 2006, F-shaped Pattern for reading web content. [online] Available through: < http://www.nngroup.com/articles/f-shaped-pattern-reading-web-content/> [Accessed 12 June 2013]

3. Reep, DC 2006, ‘Chp 4: Principles of document design’, Technical Writing, 6 th edn, Pearson, New York.

Media Distrust

(Source: Trolino)

  If mass media lost its trust and credibility from general public, this serious problem will totally destroy the media and make it no value at all. In year 2011, when an earthquake happened in Japan, mass media in Japan lost their trustworthiness. The reason could be they used unfiltered reports and information to fill the gap when facts from government are incomplete. The ability of media to pursue facts is low and reporting skills is poor, these also contribute to the issue too. At that time, people rather go for new media to obtain information from overseas media and other expertise. (Kobayashi, 2013) This issue have brought a big impact to Japan mass media as they seemed as not creditable until now.

         Based on my opinion, mass media is a great influencer. Message that deliver is able to reach many people out there, thus the truth of the information is very important; it not only affect one people but thousand, millions of people. Thus information disseminate must be true, up-to-date and reliable. White included several code of ethic that related in this case in his article. Such as, truth is the first duty of the journalist. Journalist shall report original facts that have been collected and should not disseminate inaccurate information. (White, 2008)

         White (2008) stated that: “Developing and working to ethical standards and codes is the first step in building public trust in journalism”. Mass media should not deliberately use inaccurate information to fill up the information gap. If the media careless disseminate untruth information, it should be clarify it as early as possible. By admitting and explaining themselves it will help people to think that the particular media is still creditable. (White, 2008) I believe this is what Japan’s media did not do and cause general public to totally distrust them.

         Although some people will suggest that certain level of distrust is healthy. (Kobayashi, 2013) It allow us to interpret ourselves and have more thought rather than believed blindly what media had published. However, I would still think that as a media you have to be deliver truth messages.

References:

1. Kobayashi, G, 2013, in Japan, a wave of media distrust post-tsunami. [online] Available at: <http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2013/04/in-japan-a-wave-of-media-distrust-post-tsunami105> [Accessed 11 June 2013]

2. White, A, 2008, the ethical journalism initiative. [online] Available at: <http://ethicaljournalisminitiative.org/pdfs/EJI_book_en.pdf>  [Accessed 11 June 2013]

Google Library Project

(Source: Newyorker)

Google Library Project confronted opposition by publisher who worried their profit will be thin out; since Google scan books from seven major universities library and make them available online for user. After both parties settle the infringement issue in the court, Google decide to publish only 20% of books content and allows publisher to choose publish on internet or not. (Harris, 2012)

In my opinion, the finals result is seemed to be ‘fair’ for both parties. At Google site, Google can enrich its database by adding on books from seven university library. And its user will be able to obtain more information. Furthermore, by displaying 20% of the book’s contain is consider reasonable ‘fair use’ in this case. Fair use do not have an absolute word limit, it is all depend on the circumstances. (Nolo, 2013)

Although, some may argue that Google’s action is tended to have more commercial intention. However, if the commercial motive is going to benefit the general public it can still possible to claim fair use. (Nolo, 2013) Google scan all those books and make them digitalize. It is searchable now, therefore it really bring benefit for public who want to know more about the books before purchase.

On the other hand, the publishers now are able to choose whether they wanted Google to digitalize their books or not. Publishers can utilize Google to reach more target audiences as people now can easily accessed to the book content through internet all over the world; Google has a large number of customer base. Besides that by displaying 20% of the books contain can arouse viewers’ interest and probably stimulate purchases. It is still a benefit for the publishers.

Google is not only the search engine company who doing this, Yahoo and Microsoft is following closely. Microsoft will digitize 100,000 volumes from British Library while Yahoo will post digitized works from University of California and so on. (Band, 2006) Thus, Google Library project have to be imperative because if Google failed to do it well, Yahoo and Microsoft will have the chance to dominate the search engine market. 

References:

1. Band, J, 2006, The Google Library Project: Both sides of the story. [online] Available at: <http://quod.lib.umich.edu/p/plag/5240451.0001.002?rgn=main;view=fulltext> [Accessed 10 June 2013]

2.  Harris, P, 2012, Google reaches Library Project settlement in court case with publishers. [online] Available at: <http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/oct/04/google-library-project-settlement-court-case-publishers> [Accessed 10 June 2013]

3, Nolo, 2013, the ‘fair use’ rule: when use of copyrighted material is acceptable. [online] Available at: <http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/fair-use-rule-copyright-material-30100.html> [Accessed 10 June 2013]

BirTorrent: issues of Piracy

(Source: Techweekeurope)

        Nowadays, as technology getting advanced, we people is able to get information/files that we needed through the internet easily. This included books, magazine, movies, music, games and so on. However, also due to the technology, piracy and illegal file sharing issues is becoming more serious today.

        BitTorrent enable users to downloading large and high qualify files faster through its computer program. The more people download the particular file, the faster it will be. (BitTorrent, 2013) Due to its nature, BitTorrent has quickly become a platform for people to practice piracy and illegal downloading. Music, movie, dramas file have been share by people illegally all over the world. On the other hand, since BitTorrent do not intended to have things like that to happen, it started to find a solution to solve it. BitTorrent change their search engines that make legal files have higher priorities and collaborated with other company to deliver legally FOC files.  (Holpuch, 2013)

        Ever wonder why people want to share file to internet for others to obtain? It could be sharing things with other is part of our nature just like we like to share our life/story with others. A research based on piracy files sharing indicated that 32% of users enjoy sharing files with other people. (Karagains and Renkema, 2011) Although I think sharing is good since it bring happiness. But there is still a boundary between reasonable and unreasonable. Reasonable behavior in file sharing is only sharing among family members; while making a file to be accessible by large amount of people (online file sharing) can be perceived as unreasonable behavior.

        I believe that unethical users are the root of the problem of piracy and illegal file sharing. BitTorrent case shows how people abuse a useful website into a global illegal file sharing websites. What are the reasons make people to download these illegal files? Based on research, regarding movie/drama files, 42% indicated that they downloading illegal file to skip commercial on TV. Other reasons are legal versions is expensive and illegal version is more accessible and easy to obtain. (Karagains and Renkema, 2011)

       Glad that BiTorrent found its ways to solve its problem. People outside are struggling to solve the problem as piracy issues harm music, software and movie industry so badly. What I think is most important is to educate people what behavior is perceived ethical and reasonable and what is not.

References:

1. BitTorrent, 2013, Beginner’s guide. [online] Available at: < http://www.bittorrent.com/help/guides/beginners-guide> [Accessed 11 June 2013]

2. Holpuch, A, 2013, BitTorrent goes straight in effort to end association with piracy. [online] Available at: < http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/mar/13/bittorrent-goes-straight-piracy-illegal-downloads> [Accessed 11 June 2013]

3. Karaganis, J and Renkema, L, 2011, copy culture in the US and Germany. [online] Available at: < http://piracy.americanassembly.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Copy-Culture.pdf>  [Accessed 11 June 2013]

The rise of E-Books

(Source: Discoverymagazine)

        An article written by Neuman (2013) revealed that French is preparing an e-book revolution. There are more people get in touch with e-book now. Several indications have been mentioned. First indication is the neutrality of media; government decided to change the definition of a book that will reduce the tax rate on e-book. Next indication is publishers’ attitude is changing; publishers now prepare their book in digital format. Lastly is innovation; software such as Youboox and Eden Livres available people to access e-books easily. (Neuman, 2013)

        Obviously, this does not only happen in French but most all over the world. As Neuman (2013) stated that “French are known to be slow starters, but very good race finishers.” Things happen in US are even faster and significant. (Neuman, 2013)

        I think that the reasons that make e-book getting more popular are due to its cheaper price and easy to access with electronic devices such as smart phone. Furthermore, research also shows that 24/7 access, wider selection and immediate updates are benefits that user can obtain from e-book. Besides that, functions such as searching within the document and hyperlinking can’t be found in traditional print material. (Renner, 2013) Furthermore, ebook can also help to reduce the paper consumption. That is why people want e-book or even e-magazine nowadays.

        On the other hand, reading print material is difference from online. There are several issues regarding reading electronic material have to be aware by the readers. First, e-book alters the page turning action from our hand to a mouse click. Readers with slower internet connection speed will confront content’s delays; need to wait the page to load. Next, some ereader software or program does not provide double page view’s function; readers’ narrative flow will be difference from reading print material as reduce the narrative flow to single page. Lastly, bookmark function is not available too. (Huang and Archer, 2012)

        E-book has good prospects and is expected to grow continually. The rise of e-book is going to bring big impact to many of us; readers, manufactures (printing industry), publishers and so on. (Ballhaus, 2010) We have to be preparing if one day e-book replace our traditional print materials.

References:

1. Ballhaus, W, 2010, turning the page, the future of ebooks. [online] Available at: < http://www.pwc.com/en_GX/gx/entertainment-media/pdf/eBooks-Trends-Developments.pdf> [Accessed 10 June 2013]

2. Huang, Chen-Weng & Archer, Arlene 2012, “Uncovering the multimodal literacy practices in reading Manga and the implications for pedagogy,” in New Media Literacies and Participatory Popular Culture Across Europe, Taylor & Francis, Hoboken, pp. 44-60

3. Neuman, F, 2013, Are the French preparing an E-book revolution? Mais oui! [online] Available at: < http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2013/03/are-the-french-preparing-an-e-book-revolution-mais-oui084> [Accessed 10 June 2013]

4. Renner, R, A, 2013, eBooks- Costs and benefits to academic and research libraries. [pdf] Available at: < https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDQQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.springer.com%2F%3FSGWID%3D0-0-45-415198-0&ei=M4S5UaboIsulrQedj4D4BA&usg=AFQjCNHLwCmMjo1bS-isIYnEFG_h8YSU4g&sig2=RwrRbUMCjYe3h8XDNj8CnA&bvm=bv.47883778,d.bmk> [Accessed 10 June 2013]

E) Screen vs Print

        There are differences in designing screen and print documents. Power point slides and textbook have the main difference in form of genre as well as layout composition.

        First, the main differences of power point slides and textbook is power point slides are more simplify. Because power point slide is use to aid the presenter to carry out a presentation; information can be communicate through presenter too, thus they may not all included in slides. Power point slides should be simple, short yet legible. (Roos and Thoothman, 2013) On the other hands, textbook’s design will consists of lengthy written words, nevertheless modern textbook is better than older one, if compare to power point, it still required more time for reader to get the ideas.

        Next, power point slides as electronic software is capable to included hyperlinks and display video or audio. (Nielsen, 1997) This creates interest point to grab readers’ attention and enhance understanding. On the other hands, textbook is still more dominating by written text; information is only can be understand by reading. Nowadays, more pictures and diagrams are included.

        Lastly, they differences in term of information value. The placements of elements are differences. In power point, we can identify composition such as left-right, top-bottom, Centre-margin easily, while in text is hardly. Picture above show an example of a textbook’s page, there are no left-right and centre-margin layout. Three subtitles are quite confusing the presence of top-bottom composition too. By compare to powerpoint slide, left-right which represent given-new, top-bottom represent ideal-real is visible for the readers. (Kress and Leeuwen, 2006)

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References:

1.       Kress, G. & van Leeuwen, T. 2006. Reading images. Chapter 6: The meaning of composition.

2.       Nielsen. J, 1997, Concise, scannable, and objective: how to write for the web. [online] Available at: < http://www.nngroup.com/articles/concise-scannable-and-objective-how-to-write-for-the-web/ > [Accessed 13 April 2013]

3.       Roos, D., and Thoothman, J., 2013, 10 Tips for more effective powerpoint presentation. [online] Available at: < http://money.howstuffworks.com/business-communications/effective-powerpoint-presentations.htm#page=10 > [Accessed 14 April 2013]

D) New media v Traditional media

(Source: Techtoolsforschools)

        New media bring great influence to traditional media. Facebook has altered the marketing promotion nowadays.

        In term of advertising in last time, they are created to ‘push’ to consumers. (Naughton, 2006) If people do not want to see it, they avoid it through turn off the TV or radio. But now, in order for company to survive, it has to adopt social media advertisement for example in Facebook. The comment function in Facebook allow users to express their feeling toward the advertisement, sometimes some negative comment will ruined the marketing effort.

        And because of new media, people’s voice and opinion can be more easy to broadcast and shared by others quickly. This issue brings a problem to companies; it is harder for companies to keep secrets now. (Naughton, 2006) All social media is a platform for people to share the ‘secret’. The more you wish to keep, people found it more interesting to share. Public relation news management techniques are no longer effective.

        In term of publicity, back to last time, companies rely on published media release to media to get publicity via mass media. Only when the news is published, then public will know about the incident. But now, just a shared button in Facebook will expose the incident quickly, sometimes things happen too quickly for company to take control.

        In term of marketing communication, Facebook make company more accessible by the public. Business can interact with its customer through Facebook’s fanpage. (Bozzuto, 2012) This seems to be an advantage for businesses.

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References:

1.       Bozzuto, A., 2012, The Difference Between Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Google+, YouTube, & Pinterest [online] Available at: < http://www.impactbnd.com/the-difference-between-facebook-twitter-linkedin-google-youtube-pinterest/> [Accessed 11 April 2013]

2.       John, N., 2006, Blogging and the emerging media ecosystem. [online] Available at: <http://reuteursinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/about/discussion/blogging.html> [Accessed 14 April 2013]

C) Credibility and Compelling Blog

(Source: Amdesign)

        Blog credibility can be perceived in different ways. Firstly, the blog will be creditable when the blogger’s experiences, knowledge, expertise is strongly related to the blog’s content. For example, research found that when Iraq’s war occur, people find that those blog who posted by soldiers on the front line of the battle are most creditable. (Johnson and Kaye, 2008)

        Next, number of readers and followers of the blog can be an indicator for determine creditable of a blog too. People will return to the blog only when they think the information is useful and creditable. Who wants to read a blogger which disseminated untruth information?

        There are many ways to create compelling content. First way is to include latest trends in blog’s post. (Clark, 2012) People want to get in touch with up to date things, if blogger can find ways to link its blog to the latest trend, it might get people attention.

        Next, is to ask your readers. By asking the blog’s reader what content they wish to see in the following update. (Clark, 2012) Just imaging that blog’s posts are products while readers are consumers. It helps blogger to retain and get more reader when they construct posts that readers wish to read. This is something like understand the customer’s needs.

        Lastly, share your story is another important ways. Blogger can either share their successful or failures. (Clark, 2012) By sharing blogger’s experience and their own story make the blog more compelling, because what make a blog differences from other is the blogger itself.

(249 words)

References:

1.       Clark, B., 2012, 22 ways to create compelling content when you don’t have a clue [infographic][online] Available at: <http://www.copyblogger.com/create-content-infographic/> [Accessed 12 April 2013]

2.       Johnson, T., J., and Kaye, B., K., 2008, Can you teach a new blog old tricks? How blog uders judge credibility of different types of blogs for information about the Iraq War. [online] Available at: <http://www.jou.ufl.edu/faculty/mmcadams/papers/Johnson_Kaye_2008.pdf> [Accessed 12 April 2013]

B) Different blogging's benefit in Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia

(Source: Blogwritingcourse)

             In Myanmar, there are very strict regulations on internet. People have to go through multiple steps to get access to internet, such as registration and preparing signed letter. Besides that, people still have to endure prohibitive payment as well as be prepared that online activities will be recorded. Benefits of blogging to Myanmar’s communities will be networks for private goods. Due to the high restriction, blogs become one of the important tools for people to express their thought, ideas and life experience, as long as they do not dabble about political issues. (Lai, 2011)

           In Cambodia, there are no restrictions of speech in internet and less government intervention over internet activity. Unfortunately, Cambodia has lowest internet penetration rate in Southeast Asia. High costs, the lack of dial-up telephone line and language differences are barriers that face by Cambodian. Benefits of blogging to Cambodian will be knowledge exchange as networks of practice. Bloggers in Cambodian use blog to disseminate and enhance information about technology to younger generation. (Lai, 2011)

              In Malaysia, government imposes dual standard rules on traditional media and internet. Government is less concern on internet activity as compare to traditional media. The benefit of blogging to Malaysia will be networks for mobilization. Blog is an important tool while come to politic issues in Malaysia. Since people do not have much freedom in speech in traditional media, they expressed their ideas and though in internet. Blog in here provides freedom to exchange information and discussion. (Lai, 2011)

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References:

1.       Lai, Chih-Hui 2011, ‘A multifaceted perspective on blogs and society: examples of blogospheres in Southeast and East Asia’, Journal of International Communication,  Vol 17, Issue 1, 51-72.

A) Blog v Facebook v Twitter

(Source: Mediahub)

         The emergence of smartphone and WiFi allows us to access social media easily and it is become indispensable in our daily life.

        Facebook has 1.06 monthly active players, Twitter has 500 million total users, blogging service provider such as Tumblr and WordPress has 100million and 74million blogs respectively. (Smith, 2013) In individual aspect, 74% uses Facebook, 34% uses Twitter and 45% uses blog. For business users, the percentages are 91%, 85% and 32% respectively. (TechnoratiMedia, 2013)

        Individual uses Facebook to stay connect with people via instant messenger, video call, games and sharing pictures or status. (Twitip, 2009) Main function for business in Facebook is to interact with people, get connect with people closely through brand anthropomorphic. (Bozzuto, 2012)

        Individual uses Twitter to share short thought and felling in text format in order get people attention and response quickly. For business, they can uses micro-blog to deliver short but interesting message to attract attention and direct people to their website. (Bozzuto, 2012)

        Individual uses blog to express their feeling and ideas in a more lengthy text form. More information is shared as compare to Twitter. Business can uses blog to include adequate information about its product and company. Blogs is social media that has most power to influence a purchase. (TechnoratiMedia, 2013)

        For marketing purpose, social media should be consistence with traditional media, message and value that the company wish to deliver should be the same. (James, 2009) Social media is a further support of the traditional media as it provides the chance for business to interact with public and wider the penetration.

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References:

1.    Bozzuto, A., 2012, The Difference Between Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Google+, YouTube, & Pinterest [online] Available at: < http://www.impactbnd.com/the-difference-between-facebook-twitter-linkedin-google-youtube-pinterest/> [Accessed 11 April 2013]

2.       James, L., 2009, Should you advertise on social networking websites?, Warc Best Practice, [e-journal] Available through: Unisa

3.       Smith, C., 2013, How many people use the top social media, apps & services? [online] Available at: < http://expandedramblings.com/index.php/resource-how-many-people-use-the-top-social-media/> [Accessed 11 April 2013]

4.       TechnoratiMedia, 2013, TechnoratiMedia 2013 Digital Influence Report [online] Available at: < http://technoratimedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/tm2013DIR.pdf> [Accessed 10 April 2013]

5.       Twitip, 2009, Twitter versus Facebook: Should you Choose one? [online]Available at: < http://www.twitip.com/twitter-versus-facebook/> [Accessed 10 April 2013]

Purpose of the Blog

This blog’s content is target at college or university student who age around 17-25 with any major course. The purpose of this blog is to share issues about media, publication and design. To lets college and university student to better understand about media, especially those who are not get contact with communication subjects/course.