Leave Britney Alone

Youtube: Bus Uncle

(d)Briefly describe the video

-Bus Uncle is an extremely popular and famous video on Youtube and it is about the conflict between a young man and Bus Uncle.

(e)Find at least one interesting video , based on Bus Uncle, and upload it to your blog.

-This video is very funny and entertaining.Because some people remix Bus Uncle's dialogue or wordings into a rap song.

-The producer really have the sense of humor and he makes the whole issue becomes more interesting.

(f) Report some positive and negative comments about this new ability for computer users to make and widely distribute and respond to online films (such as the above three videos).

Positive comments:

-everyone can be a reporter and journalist
-some crimes and illegal activities can be discovered(eg: bullying in school and raping)
-people have great freedom to share what they see, hear, think and feel
-the discoveries od interesting ,funny and meaningful issues in different places or even different countries.
-it's a great platform for people to express their viewpoints and opinion on some issues
-easy exchange of ideas
-free people's creativity and innovation
-people can enjoy or make use of different online resources
-free of charge, convenient, entertaining

Negative comments:

-some videos are about sex and violences(unhealthy)
-some people may make use of this tool to blacken somebody's name
-it may become a kind of online bullying
-victims may feel embarrased, depressed and frustrated for being posted on Youtube
-media ethics, moral corruption
-social problem or negative impacts to the society and even the whole world
-copyright problem
-invasion of privacy

Review

A) Is there any problem with simply using the products that these two computers create for us?

Yes, there may have some problem.
Many operating systems and programs are monopolized by Microsoft and Apple.
Consumers will have less choice.
For some cases, the operating systems or programs are pre-installed on the computer that users cannot choose programs from other companies.
Besides, those pre-installed programs may not be totally suited the needs of computer users.




B)Why do some people choose to use open-source software such as Linux?

Because people can have little limitation by using open-source software.
They can also modify the open-source software by themselves.
Also, the role of the users can be changed from passive to active.
They are more involved in the development of the software.
If they know more about how the open-source software operates, they will know more about how to fix it.
Users can enjoy greater freedom by using open-source software.




C)Who owns the right to modify your digital tools? Does it matter at all? Why or why not?

In the past, most people think that only IT experts and professionalists own the right to modify users' digital tools.
Many people think IT knowledge and techniques(eg: operating systems and programming) are never something we can understand easily.
But, nowadays, this concept needs to be changed.
Because being a user of computers and different kinds of digital tools, we need to know more about our computer.
Everybody own the right to modify computer or digital tools.
It just depends on whether that modification or addition is useful, relevant and user-friendly to the users.
Some users with IT knowledge can even help to improve the function or quality of the software.

Big Questions: What philosophy is behind the open source movement? Do you agree? why or why not?

There is philosophy behind the open source movement.

-software developers can publish their software with an open source license if they want to
-everybody have opportunity to develop the same software or understand its internal functioning
-allows anyone to create modifications of the software-->port it to new operating systems or processor architectures--->share it with others or even market it.
-usage, modification and redistribution of open source software
-adopted Bazaar model: users should be treated as co-developers
-because some of them can provide advanced programming skills
-also, this can encourage additions and improvement of the software
-besides, each user's computer can be used as an additional testing environment
-early releases
-frequent integration
-provide several versions of the software
-high modularization
-dynamic decision making structure
-open source is a development methodology


sources from Wikipedia
----------

I agree the philosophy behind the open source movement.
Because this really helps to rapid the development of IT Industry.
Since traditional software engineering adoted cathedral model(software development take place in a centralized way), software companies such as Microsoft monopolizes some kinds of softwares.
This is not a healthy phenomenon.
Without the keen competition of other companies, the quality and price of the software may be out of control.
Also, the disclosure of the softwares is good for both users and developers.

Bill Gates

Bill Gates(William Henry Bill Gates III) is one of the most famous person in the world.
One reason is he is the wealthiest person in the world.
He was born in October 28, 1955 in Seattle, Washington, USA.
He studied in Harvard University. But later he dropped out in 1975.
He has great achievement in operating system and software.
He is the Chairperson of Microsoft Corporation, American business magnate and philanthropist.
He is one of the best-known entrepreneurs of the personal computer revolution.
Bill Gates is not only the chief software architect of Microsoft, but also an writer.


Some features of the operating system and software he associated with:

-He developed an Altair emulator that ran on a minicomputer.
-Microsoft produces both softwares and hardwares
-BASIC interpreter for the platform--->later Microsoft BASIC(MS-DOS)--->Microsoft Quick Basic--->Visual Basic
-IBM Partnership(OS/A separate operating system)
-First retail version of Microsoft Windows(November 20, 1985)
-Windows NT kernel development
- Mid 1980s:promoted CD-ROM
-Microsoft Office
-Windows NT
-Internet Explorer
-Windows Media Player
- Microsoft Visual Studio
-Windows Live Messenger(MSN)
-Microsoft Student, Microsoft Money, Streets & Trips, etc..


Which of the other four is most similar to Bill Gates?

I think is Steve Jobs.
Because Steve Jobs is American businessman, co-founder and CEO of Apple Inc and also he is the former CEO of Pixar Animation Studios.
Like Bill Gates's Microsoft, Steve Jobs's Apple produces both softwares and hardwares.
And both men have great influence towards the development of IT Industry and even economy.
These two intellegent men are not only genius of operating system and software, but also kow well in business and making money.

photograph edited by Photoshop

Discussion (with Johanna)

1)What is the difference between digital photography and analog /traditional photography?
There are numbers of differences.
Digital photography:
- is a kind of electronic process (sensor)
- is erasable(can be deleted and saved easily)
- no need to use films (to some extent, it saves money)
- it can be edited by softwares(eg:photoshop) easily
- more functions
- convenient,time-saving (can simply send the photo to the computer)
- can be used in many many different ways and purposes

Traditional photography:
- is sort of mechanical process (interaction between machine and film)
- uses films (films are limited)
- less functions
- need certain amount of time to get the photograph
- costly
- valuable
- quite difficult to edit
- a little bit difficult to operate












2) What use is digital technology to photographers?

There are more space for photographers to develop their creativity and innovation.
They can create certain feeling and atmosphere by using photo editing softwares, such as Photoshop.
Photographers can treat their digital photo as graphic design.
They can create something that are not existing in the reality(not like the past).
Also, digital technology is a new medium for artists and photographers to express their ideas.

PHOTO

Wikipedia VS Encyclopaedia Brittannica

A)brief history of the Encyclopaedia Britannica

-the oldest English-language general encyclopaedia.
-it has been published since 1768/ 1771
-it first edition began to appear in Edinbrgh, Scotland


B)some key features of Encyclopaedia Britannica

(i) according to Wikipedia:
- English-language
-published by a private held company
-for educated adult readers
-200 full-time editors + 400 expert contributors
-over 21 volumes
-adopted "continous revision" policy

(ii)according to Encyclopaedia Britannica:
-a Dictionary of Arts and Science
-two early printers were Andrew Bell and Colin Macfarqunar
-the editor was James Tytler(1741-1804)
-many editions(now:15) and keeps on update

C)Which encyclopedia was most useful for this research?
- Encyclopaedia Britannica .
- Because the information I found here is more clear. The information is more well-organized, arranged, edited. Not like Wikipedia, not every people can edit the information in Encyclopaedia Britannica. Numbers of experts and professional people edit Encyclopaedia Britannica. That's why the information and data we can get here is precise, correct and up-to-date.

D)can you trust this encyclopaedia 100%? why or why not?
-No.
-Because we should not believe information found in encyclopedia blindly and without our own critical thinking.
-The information may not be up-to-date and relevant.
-for research for some controversial issues or topics, we should not only rely on one or single stand opinion and source.



Source from Wikipedia , http://www.wikipedia.org/ (accessed on 9 Steptember,20 09)

What are some pros and cons of the internet and new computer technologies?

Nowadays, almost everyone have a computer in their homes.
One of the most important function of computer is surfing the internet.
Surfing the net nearly becomes people's necessary daily activity.

Pros:
We can enjoy a lot of benefits from internet and other computer technologies.
For examples, we can find numerous information, data,knowledge, stat and news from the internet.
This is really helpful and convenient for our study and research.
We can know more about other countries through the computer, such as the history, tourist spots and local culture.
Also, we can communicate with people by MSN and Facebook etc.
Besides our friends and families, we can also make friends with foreigers from other countries.
We can use computer to create works, such as artworks, writing, web design etc.
Computer and the internet let people to correct with the whole world and other people easily and quickly.
Besides, internet lets people respond quickly and directly to certain local or international issues and news. There are much more space for people to express their thoughts, ideas, feeling and opinion.(for example, Xanga, Facebook etc.)


Cons:
However, computer and internet can also bring negative impacts to people and even our society.
Some people are addicted to use computer and surfing the net. They may waste all their time in playing computer. This will badly affect their study and work. Besides, some problems may be caused by internet, for example, privacy invasion, sex and violence ,and other social problems. People will do whatever they like on the internet as they no need to bear the legal responsibility for their online behaviors. All people are anonymous on the internet. Therefore, they can talk and do something that they will never do in the reality.
Youtube and different forums can also bring great trouble to the society. Millions of videos and posts are posed on these online platforms everydays. And many of them are kind of invading the private lives of other people.




Information Revolution

(A) We can get tons of information from the internet because internet is the largest database with abundant and unlimited information.
We can store, access and share knowledge with other people by digital technologies.
Finding information and data on the internet is much more convenient and easy than in the library.
We can search things in anytime and any place.
Books can only provide information and knowlege in words and pictures.
But we can watch videos and listen mp3 sound files. (more interactive, funny, interesting, influential, consequential and innovative)

People can have closer and direct interaction or connection with the writers and authors.
The information can be uploaded by everybody, range from experts to children.
That means some information on the internet may be incorrect and too subjective.


(B) Yes.
The video ignores and neglects the possible and existed disadvantages of using internet.(such as social problems)
It only shows the advantages of using internet and that's too subjective.
Everything have two sides(bad and good).
It's impossible to focus on the good thing and totally ignore the bad one.

This is my first entry in this blog

Hello, everybody. :) My name is Cindy.
I am a Year 2 student of Visual Studies in Lingnan University.
I never use this blog before
so, i am still not quite familiar about how to use the functions wisely.
but i am sure that i can make use of this blog as a useful tool in my study in the future.
i look forward to share things with my classmates and friends here.