Aiming for Better

Something interesting about communication technology that I found in the news was that AOL is redesigning the early version of AIM from 1997. I found this news item to be intriguing because AOL Instant Messaging was popular when I was growing up. It was the first technology that I used to chat with friends and create “away messages” that are similar to todays’ “tweets”. According to the news item, “The latest iteration of AIM expands tweets and lets users play movies and upload files into chats using drag and drop”(line 2, http://journals.ohiolink.edu.proxy.lib.ohio-state.edu/ejc/pdf.cgi/Weber Ren.pdf issn=10836101&issue=v14i0004&article=1016_wdwrkagaehca). I think AIM’s new direction to expand tweets and encourage microblogging is a good idea in order to compete with Twitter and Facebook. The new AIM also allows users to upload photos and videos even when instant messaging. This is also significant because photos and videos are a big part of what Facebook is and what makes Facebook so popular. This seems to be a good direction for AOL because of the digital world we live in. “AIM is available in versions for the Web, Windows PCs and Macs, as well as Android and iOS mobile devices”(line 14, http://journals.ohiolink.edu.proxy.lib.ohio-state.edu/ejc/pdf.cgi/Weber Ren.pdf?issn=10836101&issue=v14i0004&article=1016_wdwrkagaehca). This is also important because of the use of Facebook and Twitter on 3G cell phones today. This is another way that AOL can compete with the other mobile microblogging corporations. It will be interesting to see if the new version of AIM will catch on like Facebook and Twitter did. The new version of AIM will go through the 5 stages of adoption just like any other evolving technology. First, people will have to hear about it. Most likely, it will be advertised in the media and then people will be talking about it. Before doing this blog, I had no idea that AOL was coming out with a new version of instant messaging. Second, we will have to see if people like the new features of AIM like expanding tweets and allowing for the uploading of photos and videos. After that we will see if the population accepts or rejects the new version of AIM. If accepted, will people use it? This could be similar to Google+, in that some people joined but not many used it. According to the Critical Mass Theory, the value of technology goes up with the number of users. So if only a few people use the new version, then the value will not be great for each user. Lastly, will it live up to everybody’s expectations? It might take some time for AIM to catch on but it could be the next big thing next to Facebook and Twitter.

http://journals.ohiolink.edu.proxy.lib.ohio-state.edu/ejc/pdf.cgi/Weber_Ren.pdf?issn=10836101&issue=v14i0004&article=1016_wdwrkagaehca

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Shoot 'em Up

A journal article that sparked my interest was an article from the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication that discussed the effects of first-person-shooter video games that are not usually examined. The article, What Do We Really Know About First-Person-Shooter Games? An Event-Related, High Resolution Content Analysis, focuses on experimenting with different players and looking more in depth at what kind of tactics and strategies each player uses while gaming. The article then looks at what kind of violence and how much of it is experienced with each player. A couple of interesting findings I picked out from the article were, “The sample of content generated by individual users can be expected to differ systematically based on characteristics of the gamers and the length of time they spent playing–two determinants often overlooked” (pg. 3, What Do We Really Know About First-Person-Shooter Games? An Event-Related, High Resolution Content Analysis). Another finding from the article that is similar to this one and that I believe is partly influenced by modern technology is, “With regard to FPSGs in particular, Smith, Lachlan, and Tamborini (2003) found substantial amounts of realistic violent portrayals in contemporary video games of that time, concluding the standard game narrative featured ‘‘a human perpetrator engaging in repeated acts of justified violence involving weapons that result in some blood shed to the victim’’ (2003, p. 71)” (pg. 2, What Do We Really Know About First-Person-Shooter Games? An Event-Related, High Resolution Analysis). As digital natives of our generation and our reliance on technology, some of us are encouraged to spend a significant amount of time playing these first-person-shooter video games, subjecting ourselves to this violence. Better picture quality like HDTV and better sound quality like Dolby Digital and DTS helps contribute to the video game experience and attracts gamers to become more involved in the war-like tactics. Becoming more involved can influence how we play the video games and what we take from them. Better weapon and character graphics with these first-person-shooter video games helps drive creators to keep improving the technology to even better the games in order to attract more gamers. First-person-shooter video games will continue to get better because of new technology and thus continue to increase interactivity among gamers. It is important for us to remember that these are just video games and that we should not get too involved in them. As with any technology, a limited amount of time should be spent playing first-person-shooter games so that we do not rely on them for total gratification.

Weber, René; Behr, Katharina-Maria; Tamborini, Ron; et al. (July, 2009). What Do We Really Know About First-Person-Shooter Games? An Event-Related, High Resolution Content Analysis. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication. Retrieved from http://journals.ohiolink.edu.proxy.lib.ohio-state.edu/ejc/pdf.cgi/Weber_Ren.pdf?issn=10836101&issue=v14i0004&article=1016_wdwrkagaehca

Modern Gaming

I like to play video games in my spare time because I believe it is relaxing and it is nice to focus my mind on something different other than work and school. Bioshock 2 is a game I just played last week and a game I really enjoy playing. I like the game because I think the narrative is creative and neat and I think it is very entertaining. I mainly like shooting games but I can play a wide variety of video games. I was impressed with the series as a whole because I have played many games where the first game in a series is a really good game but then the second one does not live up to my expectations. I enjoyed the first Bioshock very much and the second one as well. The technological features in a game are very important because gamers are always looking for the coolest and newest ways to enhance the gaming experience. One technology in Bioshock 2 that contributes to its game-play is terrific animations and appearance with HDTV 720p/1080i/1080p, which provides crisp and colorful picture. Another feature accompanied with this animation feature is the detail that is present in every aspect of the video game. An example would be the weapons you use throughout the game. Every weapon used has great detail in it, making it possible to visibly see every little part, which is really neat. Along with video, audio is an important feature of video games that can affect whether it’s a good or great game. Bioshock 2 is equipped with in-game Dolby Digital, which enhances the audio effects during the game, providing realistic audio effects with rich surround sound. A technological advancement that sets apart Bioshock 2 from the first Bioshock is the ability to dual wield, which means you can fire two weapons at the same time using both hands. This is a really cool feature which contributes to the effectiveness of the video game. New features in a video game series are a good way for impressing the gamer and keeping the game interesting and entertaining. Another aspect of Bioshock 2 that enhanced the gaming experience is the simple functionality of the game. I have played some video games where there are so many game controls involved that it complicates the game-play and detracts the experience. Bioshock has very simple controls similar to other shooting games, which makes it a lot easier to play. Moving around in the game is also very simple, along with firing weapons, jumping, and accessing different functions like the map or the game objectives. A key is also available on the screen to help the player by informing them what weapons they have, how much ammo is available, and what objectives are needed to be accomplished. “BioShock 2 capitalizes and improves upon the high-quality effects, unique gameplay elements, and immersive atmosphere that defined the first game” (undefined. (n.d.). Bioshock 2. In Bioshock Wiki. Retrieved undefined, from http://bioshock.wikia.com/wiki/BioShock_2).

Technology Diary

I didn’t realize how much technology I used until I actually had to journal every form of it for a whole day. I even started getting annoyed having to take out my notebook and tally all the texts I sent and received throughout the day. This is where I spent most of my time, as far as my technology use goes. I received approximately sixty-five texts and sent sixty-six for a whopping one hundred and twenty five texts all day. I used the alarm clock application on my phone twice, once in the morning in order to wake up and again at night to set it for the following morning. I also used sixty-sixty minutes of Internet time throughout the day, which included Facebook and other applications. I made only one phone call for about a minute, but listened to three voice messages. Lastly, I listened to my iPod for approximately fifteen minutes.  I believe I used my technologies efficiently partly because I only used the Internet in certain intervals, not a little at a time many times throughout the day. I only got on Facebook after classes and before and after work. I think my time was pretty well spent except maybe for my text messaging. Personally, I think it’s kind of embarrassing sending one hundred and sixty five texts in a day; Although, I think many other people are a lot worse than me. Setting a limit for texts throughout the day would be a way to cut down on my technology use. A theory that explains my use is that it is so easy for me to access Facebook and Internet via my smartphone. I believe the convergence of media causes us(humans) to become more reliant on technology. It becomes a habit to constantly check our phones throughout the day. I believe that this is unhealthy and we should have techniques to restrict our technology use. This link shows how technology can take over our lives and cause us to rely on technology every day. "Email, PDAs, iPhones, laptops, and cell phones dominate our modern world. Our uber-connected lives have made us virtually available at any time, at any place -- the movies, the golf course, traffic lights, you name it(Soong, J. (2008). When Technology Addiction Takes Over Your Life. Web MD. Retrieved October 16, 2011 from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/when-technology-addiction-takes-over-your-life?page=3)." This website shows how technology addiction affects some people and also gives some tips to using less technology and being less dependent on it.
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