Week Ten Tasks

Part Two:
So far for my essay, I have collected quite a vast range of research (papers) on the health effects of video and computer games on young people. I have found the Griffith Library quite helpful in finding the appropriate information. I have found information on the positive, and the negative and also just facts. So far, I have just created a word document and drawn up a table with the headings - Positive, Negative and lastly Facts. I have put the information I have read (and find useful) into the column I believe it goes under. With this, I believe I will be able to clearly grasp the question and give a clear evaluated opinion looking at both sides of the argument.

POSITIVE

http://sag.sagepub.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/content/41/4/587 http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/211343686 http://sag.sagepub.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/content/41/2/145 http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/233502164/13231DF63F53BE730B6/4?accountid=14543

NEGATIVE

http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/215205389/fulltext/13231E43BBE3EE59154/1?accountid=14543 http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/304444261 http://www.computeraddiction.com/index.htm http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/304833377 http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/216935295/fulltext/13231FC65336D8773A9/1?accountid=14543

FACTS

http://www.springerlink.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/content/q725377q61127116/ http://isp.sagepub.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/content/54/4/370 http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/385320897 http://www.sciencedirect.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/science/article/pii/S0749379709004589

Part One:
Questions for discussion:

• My favourite cyberpunk movie is The Island.
• In Burning Chrome the main focus is that the future is revolutionized by the networked computer.
• Anime can be 'cyberpunk' as it is futuristic and has an international feel. It looks at the new global culture - that does not exist right now. Japan's view on cyberpunk is much the same as the Western view, both incorporating each culture's elements.
• In cyberpunk, some people may assume it as sexist as most of the female characters are good looking girls that can kick butt. But this also shows girls can kick butt just the same as a male! Look at: http://www.cyberpunkreview.com/hot-cyberchicks-kicking-butt/
• It shows that people have a vivid imagination, which involves a highly evolved technological world ie. William Gibson and his novel Burning Chrome.

  

Week Nine Tasks

Part Two:
From today's lecture what I found interesting was the idea of politics of the internet - CyberPolitics. CyberPolitics governs (Internet Society) what type of political activities that can occur on forums and what type of information can be posted on the internet - by bloggers and even gamers. CyberPolitics is something which already exists on the internet, is already prevalent. However this is a big difference between eDemocracy and CyberPolitics - eDemocracy is where the role of the internet exists in the real world, and happens outside the internet. It can cover anything from political campaigning on the internet and how the internet can help the government to raise awareness, even people's own use of the internet to criticise and reveal mistakes made by the government.  
What I also found interesting was the idea of Free Speech and Censorship on the net. In his article, 'The Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it', John Gilmore aks us to question if free speech is a basic right. In Australia we aren't given the right to free speech, unlike America who has the "constitutional right to free speech".  Another interesting concept is the idea that free speech and censorship on the net (by the libel case), is much like a newspaper. It could be said that 'Mass Media' is one source which is given to many receivers, like a journalist writing an opinion piece to his readers. Likewise, when someone decides to write a 'Letter to the Editor', his opinions will be published and cannot be retracted. This is similar to the internet, where once something is uploaded, it can stay there forever. "You cannot retract anything once it has been disseminated".
References:

• Stockwell, S. Defining Democracy retrieved online from - https://learning.secure.griffith.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_101249_1&frame=top viewed online on the 22nd September 2011
• Gilmore, J. The Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it retrieved online from - https://learning.secure.griffith.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_101249_1&frame=top viewed online on the 22nd September 2011

Part One:
My essay topic is: Does the extensive use of computer/video games have an adverse impact on the health of young people. What are the most recent papers? Clarify what both sides of the argument claim and only then offer your reasoned opinion based on facts..
When I read David Becker's article, 'When Games Stop Being Fun', I was mortified learning that people could really have a gaming addiction - "The game almost ruined my life," said the network engineer in southern Indiana. "It was my life. I ceased being me; I became Madrid, the Great Shaman of the North. Thinking of it now, I almost cringe; it's so sad" (http://news.cnet.com/2100-1040-881673.html). This article lead me to further information on Dr. Marissa Orzack, who is the founder of the Computer Addiction Services. On her website, it states that there is Clinical Psychiatric News reports on increasing complaints related to computer use. "At many colleges and universities, counselors and Deans of Students report increases in inappropriate and excessive computer use associated with rule infractions, student failures and academic drop-outs. Lawyers find that compulsive computer use can be a major factor in divorce". However Dr. Marissa Orzack also states that like any addiction this one is treatable (http://www.computeraddiction.com/index.htm).
I feel that I relate to this topic as my generation is the most technological savvy and I see people around me, friends included, that are engrossed with computer and gaming.
References:

• Becker, D (2002) When Games Stop Being Fun retrieved online from http://news.cnet.com/2100-1040-881673.html viewed online on the 15th September 2011
• Orzack, M (2003) Computer Addiction Services retrieved online from http://www.computeraddiction.com/index.htm viewed online on the 15th September 2011

My short movie, documenting my day at Future Musical Festival 2011

Week Eight Tasks

Part Two:
I have decided to go with MovieMaker to make my audio/visual project. I realised today it's quite simple to use and that I can use all sorts of different transitions, I can also make one image appear longer than another - hence, one image can have more a dramatic impact over another image! I am using all my own material so there will be no question/worry about copyright issues. 

Part One:

• Matt Lee writes in his article, "What is free software and why is it so important for society?" (2011)  that free software is where a user can modify, share and study software. It is called free software because the user is free. On the Creative Commons website (https://creativecommons.org/about) their mission is "Creative Commons develops, supports, and stewards legal and technical infrastructure that maximizes digital creativity, sharing, and innovation".
• Copyright doesn't make sense for some things as it was created long before the Internet. It can make it hard for someone to legally justify why they have copied, pasted etc over the Web. It requires that EVERYONE has to have explicit permission before they can use specific content (https://creativecommons.org/about). Cory Doctorow from Locus Magazine states that Copyright is forever! The net is rapidly changing, than we ever expected or imagined and when Congress wrote and revised it in 17UCC - American copyright law - they wouldn't of imagined that things would be so different in the 21st century!
• Proprietary software is the 'traditional software'. The major benefit is that there is legal protection on code on content. And it is developed by paid staff teams.
• GNU Operating System describes Free Software as a matter of liberty and that one should think of it as 'free speech' - a right. In 1981, Richard M Stallman started the Free Software foundation. Free Software gives you the right to make modifications and use them in your own work - you don't even have to mention that they exist!  
• The difference between free and open software is that open software is pushing to be in the 'bussiness world'. Emphasis on open not free! Open to all!
• Free Software is important for all computer users as it is openly available, it is community orientated - "The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbour".
• At home we have Firefox on all our computers and it is fantastic! We can Web browse without any fuss (a lot faster too!) and it saves us from getting horrible viruses - it also tells you to STOP! if the web page is not secure :) 

References:

• Creative Commons (2011) About Creative Commons retrieved online from - https://creativecommons.org/about viewed online on the 15th September 2011
• Doctorow, C (2007) Creative Commons retrieved online from - http://www.locusmag.com/Features/2007/11/cory-doctorow-creative-commons.html viewed online on the 15th September 2011
• Lee, M (2007) What is Free Software? retrieved online from - http://www.fsf.org/about/what-is-free-software viewed online on the 15th September 2011
• Stallman, M. R (2009) Free Software Definition retrieved online from - http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html viewed online on the 15th September 2011

Week Seven Tasks

Part Two:
So far my progress for producing a video is going well; I have accumulated quite a lot of images - from my camera, and pictures taken by others from the day. I now just have to choose what I want to go with and what order I should do it in! I still like the idea, and have chosen to go ahead with my day at Future Musical Festival, as it is an easy storyline and a step by step process (from the start of the day - excited, climax - having fun in the mud! To the end - tired and home time) - like figuring out the arrangement of my material! I like the idea of using Movie Maker, and there will be a tute on how to use it next week - so more information to come!! :)

Part One:

• Wikipedia is useful as a lot of different topics are covered on the site. Wikipedia gives you references and links that can further lead you to good information. The negative thing about Wikipedia is that anyone can edit the page, so it sometimes isn't that reliable.
• Facebook works because it keeps you connected to everyone, it is a highly used social medium that lets you stay in touch with friends/family via the web! Facebook stays up and running due to the amount of advertising companies that endorse the website, that's how Facebook gets it's revenue!
• To close a Facebook account, you can go on your own personal profile and under account settings, you can deactivate your account. You can always reactivate it though.
• Produsage is an ongoing project, you can create something new from old content, hence you are adding value to what's already there. So in that respect, you are gaining profit just from recycling old content!  In his article, "Towards Produsage - Futures for User-Led Content Production" Axel Bruns states that the producer of 'The Sims', Maxis, appears to profit directly from selling the produser-generated content, rather than offering ancillary services (p.5).
• Citizen Journalism is definitely the end of Traditional Journalism, it certainly makes one question the credibility of the news stories which are updated online. Citizen Journalism is a niche type of news, where you can gain access to what you want very quickly and anyone can upload their own content. However it can be based on prejudices, what the company or a person believes and what they want to cover. "Citizen Journalism relies on it's users to evaluate submitted stories" (Bruns, p.3); people will always believe what is presented to them in the news!  

References:

• Bruns, A. From Reader to Writer: Citizen Journalism as News Produsage retrieved online from - http://produsage.org/files/12132812018_towards_produsage_0.pdf viewed online on the 8th September 2011
• Bruns, A. Towards Produsage - Futures for User-Led Content Production retrieved online from -http://produsage.org/files/12132812018_towards_produsage_0.pdf viewed online on the 8th September 2011

Week Six Tasks

Part Two:
The production tools that I might use in my own audio-visual piece is - http://picasa.google.com/ - as this website gives me the opportunity to create a movie from the photos I already have available (stored) from my computer or even my iPhone! As my audio-visual piece will be of my day at Future Musical Festival 2011- from the start of the day (pres), to the end (going home) - I was thinking that I could even use PowerPoint or a simple Microsoft Movie Editor as they will both quite clearly get my narrative across. It will show step by step - the beginning of the day, at a friend's house having the 'pres', to driving in the taxi (nearly there!) to finally being THERE! And then the fun begins - getting muddy, and dancing/rocking out. Lastly, night-time comes and we're all tuckered out. I am however intrigued by creating an animation of my day of the festival, with the use of http://www.xtranormal.com/ - this website lets me create an animation just by typing! Although as I would not have created the images myself, I may come across serious issues to do with copyright - so I think I will just stick with my own photos from the day (accumulated pictures from my camera, a friend's camera and iPhone).


Part One:
It could be said that Hollywood is having trouble adapting to the rise of the Internet due to piracy issues. A lot of people are downloading movies illegally, even before movies have been released. Nowadays instead of paying to see a film in a theatre, people can watch a movie from the comfort of their own home. In today's lecture it discussed how "download services are re-populating our distribution landscape". In a society that is always changing and modernising, we can now see the launch of all sorts of new download services, which are easily accessible and also costing quite cheaply or free!

The problem with the Internet however is that there isn't a lot of quality control. Anyone can produce their own content and therefore it becomes difficult to seek out the "good stuff".

In his article, "Transforming Filmkaing through Crowdsourcing", (2010) Michael Mascioni comments on how independent filmakers are gaining their audiences through social media. With the use of the Internet, independent filmakers have been able to market their films, hence raising funds for their movies. More and more companies are using the Internet as a means for promoting their products.

Hollywood must embrace the Internet as a means for distributing their films, they should understand that change is something not to be feared and that the use of the Internet is now essential for reaching a world wide audience.

References:

Michael Mascioni (2010) Transforming Filmkaing through Crowdsourcing retrieved online from - http://www.internetevolution.com/author.asp?section_id=709&doc_id=190970 viewed online on the 1st September 2011

Week Five Tasks

Part Two:
1. The first University in the world is al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt in 970 A.D and was formally organised by 988 A.D.  I found this information on - http://www.ehow.com/list_6603611_list-oldest-universities.html - viewed on the 25th August. I found this specific website on Yahoo's web search under 'Oldest University in the World'.

2. Stephen Stockwell's band is called The Black Assassins and he plays the keyboard aswell as vocals. Some of their songs are called Death Take Me Now, Drugs and Azaria. I found this information on - http://members.optusnet.com.au/~toxicoh/blackas.htm - viewed on the 25th August. I found this specific website on Bing's web search under 'Stephen Stockwell's Band, Brisbane'.

3. The World's biggest machine is the Large Hadron Collider. It weighs 42,000 tonnes and cost $10 billion to build. I found this information on - http://www.popsci.com/bown/2008/product/large-hadron-collider - viewed on the 25th August. I found this specific website on Bing's web search under 'World's Biggest Machine - Weight and Price'.

4. Justin Bieber's lawyer's name is Kenneth Feinswog. I found this information on - http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/the-big-comic-con-gaga-bieber-threaten-legal-action-20100908-150uo.html - viwed on the 25th August. The best way to contact him is most likely by telephone as I found this on www.pipl.com.

5. Jetstar has the cheapest fare from the Gold Coast to Melbourne at a rate of  $69 on special and when landing at Tullamarine. I found this fare by initially searching on webjet.com, but after realising that these weren’t the cheapest fares - I looked up the individual airline’s website/s. To calculate the amount of fuel needed to drive to Melbourne from the Gold Coast, I worked out the distance between the two locations by subtracting 70km from the chart distance so that we start from the Gold Coast, then calculate the fuel price on http://www.travellers-autobarn.com.au/fuel-price-calculator. The calculator said that at $1.30 per litre it would cost $144.46 to drive to Melbourne, therefore making the Jetstar flight cheaper.

• Viewed 24 August at - http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/special-offers
• Viewed 24 August at - http://www.virginaustralia.com/Personal/Specialsoffers/Bestfares/index.htm?city=OOL&dest=MEL

6. Hatsune Miku is an anime/manga character (originally a Vocaloid voice synthesiser) for the Vocaloid franchise. Her birthday is the 31st of August 2007. I found this information on -http://www.animevice.com/miku-hatsune/18-20703/ - viewed on the 24th August. I found this specific website through the Yahoo Search Engine.

7. A place to stay in Antartica is Vernadsky Research Base. I found this information on - http://getaway.ninemsn.com.au/fsantarctica/antartica/7929297/antarctica-adventure-151-part-two - viewed on the 25th August. I found this specific website on Yahoo's web search under 'Getaway, Antartica'. And a live webcam in Belarus is in Minsk. I found this information on - http://www.camscape.com/view/5976 - veiwed on the 25th August. I found this specific website on Bing's web search under 'Live Webcam in Belarus'.

8. The song that was top of the Australian pop charts this week in 1991 was Everything I Do, I Do It For You by Bryan Adams. I found this information on - http://www.take40.com/music/number-ones/date?day=23&month=7&searchYear=1991&Search.x=50&Search.y=16 - viewed on the 25th August. I use Take 40 religiously, so I went straight to the site.

9. A Holden Astra was used as the Google Street View Car in Australia. I found this information on -http://www.smh.com.au/technology/biz-tech/smile-australia-youre-on-googles-candid-camera-20090616-cebb.html - viewed on the 25th August. I found this specific website on Bing's web search under 'News headlines - Google Street View Car'.

10. I was able to translate this question list into Spanish, and then back into English via freetranslation.com. I found this under Bing's web search under 'Translate.'

Spanish Translation:

Q1) Dónde estuvo la primera Universidad establecido y en que año?

Q2) Qué es llamada la banda de Stephen Stockwell y qué juega él? Puede denominar un par de sus canciones?

Q3) Qué es el peso de la máquina más grande de mundo? ¿Cuánto costó construir?

Q4) Quién es el abogado de Justin Bieber, y qué son la mejor manera (más rápido, más seguro) contactar al abogado?

Q5) Qué es la forma más barata de viaje de la Costa de oro a Melbourne?

Q6) Quién es Hatsune Miku? ¿A qué compañía pertenece ella? ¿Qué es sus cumpleaños?

Q7) Encuentre una webcam viva en Bielorrusia. Encuentre que un lugar para permanecer en Antártida.

Q8) Qué canción fue la cima del taponazo australiano traza esta semana en 1991?

Q9) Qué tipo de coche es utilizado para hacer 'Vista de Calle de Google'?

Q10) Traduzca estas preguntas en español y entonces tradúzcalos atrás al inglés.

English Translation:

Q1) Where it was the first University established and in which year?

Q2) What is called the band of Stephen Stockwell and what plays he?  It can call a pair of its songs?

Q3) What is the weight of the largest machine of world?  How much it cost to build?

Q4) Who is the lawyer of Justin Bieber, and what they are the best way (faster, surer) to contact the lawyer?

Q5) What is the cheapest form of trip of the Coast of gold to Melbourne?

Q6) Who is Hatsune Miku?  Why company belongs she?  What is its birthday?

Q7) Find a webcam alive in Belarus.  Find that a place to remain in Antarctica.

Q8) What song was the top of the Australian pop outline this week in 1991?

Q9) What type of car is utilized to do 'View of Street of Google'?

Q10) Translate these questions in Spanish and then translate them behind to the English.


Part One:
"Dramatic structure is the foundation of screenwriting.” On the website Syd Field (the paradigm worksheet) it explains that all, if not most films, have a beginning, a middle and an end – a point at which the beginning turns into the middle, and the middle turns into the end. This is evident when comparing this ‘dramatic structure’ to the movie Rubber. In the first act you see the birth of the tyre, arising from the junkyard (beginning). You then see the tyre learning its own abilities (middle) and finally using its own mind to ‘crush and destroy’ animals, objects and people (end). There is a clear beginning, middle and end to this first act.

On Clapperboard, “Exploring the Meaning of Movies” it states that,

“Dramatic action is not so much as what is said, but what is not said. By reading between the lines or watching the actions of a character, we are able to understand their point of view.”

This is apparent in the movie Rubber. The audience who is watching the tyre from afar tries to analyse how the tyre is blowing up certain animals, objects and people without even touching them. One little boy states, “I think the tyre is blowing it up with his mind!” Nothing was said to make this obvious to the boy, but the boy read between the lines by watching the actions of the tyre. In the end, each audience member will always take away different meanings from films, however everyone will always try and read between the lines.

References:

• Syd Field (2011) The Paradigm Worksheet retrieved online from - http://www.sydfield.com/featured_theparadigmworksheet.htm viewed online on the 25th August 2011
• Clapperboard (2008) Exploring the Meaning of Movies retrieved online from -http://www.theclapperboard.com/view_posting.php?posting_id=129 viewed online on the 25th August 2011