The Future of the Internet

There is a myriad of possibilities of a social structure that will guide the future of the Internet. With the introduction of Google Earth that provides 3D, real live satellite images, I personally feel we may be moving in the same direction. There will be three-dimensional images and virtual reality applications that will enable us to connect with people all around the world. This will also change our communication patterns as we can see the person as though as he/she is in the room, instead of through a web-camera. In addition, the global distribution of information and knowledge at our finger tips through the Internet will only make the costs of knowledge cheaper, and also more accessible and get people smarter. The world will be so inter-connected that we will no longer be confined and affected by news and happenings in our country, but to the world as a whole. Moreover, with such great demands of the Internet in the future, physical transmission methods may be extinct and all networks will be wireless and technology will be even more advanced.

Currently, NASA has came up with a Virtual Collaborative Clinic whereby doctors around the world are connected and able to share and manipulate high resolution, high definition and three-dimensional MRI scans as well as any other medical images. Moreover, besides the use of consultations and diagnosis, doctors can also simulate a surgery using the 'Cyber Scalpel', in other words, it is a virtual surgery. Such amazing discovery shows the extent and influence the Internet can be.


The following are examples taken from the science-fiction movie "The Minority Report". In the movie, the lead actor Tom Cruise is being identified through real time web and security systems that can be tracked globally just through the biometric iris scan. It shows the advancement of technology and how remarkable people can relay data to one another.

Social Networking Sites

As discussed in the previous blog posts, the Internet and the web has tremendously changed the way we communicate these days. Social networking sites , which we are so familiar with, have also helped us in connecting with friends, families and even acquaintances or even prove to be an aid for businesses. Yet, despite the advantages of social networking sites, it also has its downsides. An example would be the use of our private information uploaded on these sites. The security settings of these networking sites may not be able to defend against identity thefts and companies themselves may not even protect consumers' rights. For instance, Linked In, one of the social networking sites posted in their user agreement that they will own every single picture and ideas their user has posted on their site and they are also free to do whatever they want. This puts users at risk as it is an invasion of their privacy and poses an identity threat due to all the data-mining. The following is an interview by MoneyTalkNews regarding 'Social Networking Sites Own You':

Social media has also shifted our perception of tradition media channels. It will continue to revolutionize our communication patterns and our content usage. Below is a video on Social Media Revolution and why social media is not just a fad.

Internet and Journalism

The web has indeed shaped and changed the future of journalism. The Internet has reinvented our means of communication that has created bloggers and citizen journalists whose influence may be even greater and far-reaching than traditional media channels. The Internet has also changed and dismissed our notions of conventional reporting methods and we are free from the clutches of those few powerful "gatekeepers" in the past. This is because anyone with a mind of their own and thoughts can easily express themselves on the web, where they can be heard. According to a study by PEW Internet & American Life Project in 2006, it was found that there are twelve million bloggers in the United States and 34% of them associates blogging as a form of journalism. With the rising popularity of blogs, this trend will only continue to grow.

One classic example of citizen journalism is internationally-known site "Oh My News" that is based in Soeul. The site even offers RSS feeds, podcasts, and forums that allows room for mass discussion. Even Barack Obama responds to their interview! A new word "netizen" has also been coined in the 1990's and according to Wikipedia, it means "a cybercitizen who is a person actively involved in online communities". Netizens were not only keen in pursing information on the web, but they are also dedicated to spreading the Net to all consumers with common goals and interests, thus making a true citizen of the Net.

Our huge insatiable consumption of news are being met with the mass digital access around the world. With Google's introduction of Google Earth that allows you to view real live satellite imagery in 3D, it is highly possible that internet and journalism will evolve into this direction. We only hope that the Internet will continue to grow and flourish and we will truly have our own freedom of expression.

Political Campaigning

The Internet has transformed the way politics work. The digital wave has shaped the course of how politicians communicate to the masses. A case in point would be Barack Obama's Presidential Campaign in 2008. Obama's administrative team has successfully raised half a billion dollars from 6.5 million donors while collecting 13 million email addresses during the process. Obama used the Internet to spread his ideologies globally on the web and as such, created various online communities that enabled wide and efficient distribution. These allowed people to easily access information online and also to explore and participate in these campaigns freely.

On the other hand, in Singapore, it appears to be a different case. The local politicians do not engage in digital elections as vigorously as compared to the US parties. There are certain rules, regulations and stipulated laws that set certain restrictions to political content online. An example would be that the Singapore government has banned all podcasts and videocasts in all future elections. Furthermore, bloggers who would want to write and speak up about the elctions are required to register with the relevant authorities. After registration, in the event that the government finds the content unsuitable, the blogger will have to delete the post(s). This also could be one of the main reasons why young adults and youths are not as apathetic towards politics. Besides the fact that Singapore is not exactly a debating society, schools are also not actively promoting political involvement and educating the students on politics. It could also be because of the youths' lack of understanding of the functions and operations of politics that they seemed to be turned off by politics. Some may feel that one man cannot make any major change in politics, thus the general apathy towards the government and politics.

If only the rules are more flexible, less stringent and more political content is published on the web whereby allowing people to freely access the information and giving them room to express their thoughts, all these attempts might be able to engage young people in politics. Perhaps the Internet can play a more vital role in the upcoming elections.

Multimedia

Samsung Mobile Showcases the Winter Olympic Games Throughout the Years

Rock Out with the Samsung Omnia II's SWYPE Technology

The advertisements are short, simple and cool and it convinces consumers to buy their product. For example, a tie-in with the Winter Olympics is a great move because the event itself is a well-known and highly-anticipated one, thus it creates a lasting and memorable impression on the audiences. Moreover, the Samsung omnia II Swype technology was a newly invented technology that was fun and funky as shown in the advertisement. This shows that their marketing communication has succeeded in capturing the audience's attention. All the visuals, audio and graphics further enhanced the video and persuades the audience to purchase their products as well as creating brand awareness.

Internet Security

Poor Internet Security Leads to Cyber Crime

It is a growing concern as tens and thousands or even millions of viruses are introduced yearly. If the computer is securely protected, it will be susceptible to viruses, phishing scams and hackers who will do anything to steal one's personal information and personal identity. Thus, hosted security services should be part of a cost-cutting consideration even during an economic downturn. With technological advances and more sophisticated methods employed by these hackers and 'virtual attackers', Singapore government has addressed these issues seriously by dedicated more time and efforts to fight computer crimes. A case in point was a Singaporean hacker who was convicted to 180 years in prison for posting fake July 2005 bomb threats. The following is an article extracted from SC Magazine online:

A Singaporean hacker has been charged with posting a fake July 2005 bomb threat on a technology website and 60 counts of illegally accessing a wireless network.

Lin Zhenghuang, 21, was charged last week with facetiously warning of a bomb at a local bus stop - just after the London subways and bus bombings. Other site users reported Lin's post to authorities, according to an Associated Press report.

Lin, who uses the online pseudonym "krisurf," also faces 60 charges of illegally accessing nine wireless networks between July 2005 and February 2006, according to the AP. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and US$6,500 in fines.

Lin has been charged with violating Singapore's Computer Misuse Act.

Garyl Tan Jia Luo, 17, was also charged with accessing the web via another person's internet connection in November of last year. A neighbor told authorities that Tan had accessed his web connection in May 2006.


(http://www.securecomputing.net.au/News/70959,singapore-man-faces-180-years-in-prison.aspx)

Google Tools

Google Translate

This service provided by Google helps to translate any text, or webpage URL or a document into another language of your choice. In the past, there was no such programme that was free and available online; instead people had to engage professionals to translate their text for a fee. This translator tool is very useful, especially when I have friends from overseas who speaks a different lanaguage e.g. spanish. This tool helps me to translate their words and aid in my interaction with them. I can also pick up few simple words or phrases whenever I am travelling to another country whose people does not speak English or Mandarin. This cool feature of Google translate even provide audio whereby it teaches you how to pronounce the word. I can even share my translated text with friends and families which makes it so fun and convenient. Below is an instructional video on Google Translator Toolkit:

Google Answers

This question and answer service was introduced by Google to allow users to pay researches to answer questions, which can costs from US$2 to as much as US$200. Users who are satisfied with their answers can also leave an additional tip of US$100 to the researcher. This was a cool and innovative Google tool; however this service was officially terminated on 1st December 2006. Personally, I feel that in this age where we are fully equipped with digital literacy skills, such service might not be as useful as it would be in the past. We can easily search for information on the Web for free, instead of paying Google Answers. One of the example of the question posted was "How to find a supplier to print funny holiday business cards for their business?". To substantiate my above point, I just merely did a quick search and 425,000 results appeared instantly in less than 0.16 seconds. This shows how fast the internet has evolved and has become increasingly easy to navigate and search for information. Thus, I think that it is a smart move for Google to shut down this service and instead, focus and expand on other tools and services that would be more effective and efficient for users to find information.

Although Google Answers have ceased this service and stop accepting questions, they have archived all their questions and answers in the past that are still available for viewing. If you are interested, you may visit: http://answers.google.com/answers/