Journal #3- Communication Technology "New Directions for Media"
New reasons and methods of communication are being developed each and every day by the new media industry. The new media indusrty has the luxury "to create and work on an emerging medium". However because it the meduim is so new, they have no guidelines to follow. Therefore, the new media is literally creating new ways for the world to communicate. Last spring, a conference consisting of media editors, students, producers and researchers met in search for the answer of the clear cyberpath to follow. Instead of finding answers, they discovered that internet guidelines are highly debatable and the direction of the medium is unclear.
The reason why it the direction the media must take online is so unclear is because the organizations are unsure how the end users are going to make use of their web experiences. Simply, the press isn't sure about how to reach their public. "Many agreed that interactivity is the 'epa center' of new media content". Producers of the new media want to engage the user with good content and material that is applicable to their own lives.
"One of the reasons new media professionals are having a difficult time reaching their goals is because the technology is driving the art form instead of the other way around". Currently, media proffesionals are being held back by their own visions just as much as they are being limited by the technology. So in order for the new media to be successful in communicating with the public, they must put their own visions aside and find out what the interests and preferences of the users are. Mass media is gone forever and the new media, which is taking its place, is gone forever.
I completely agree with the article's main point which states that in order for the new media to successfully evolve,they must have full undersanding and tailor their medium to suit the wants of the end users. Under the three meanings of technology, the technical practice of media communiation is currently most dependent upon the cultural aspect. In order to evolve as a successful medium of communication technology, the producers of new media must pay special attention to the goals, values, ethical codes and beliefs in progress of the general public. This article also touches upon the cultural studies paradigm because teh media is being shaped by anthropological and qualitative views of society and how society views itself.
Also, for the first time in media history, the user has endless options as to what kind of material they want to view. Media suddenly becomes a tool of soft mastery where the user can utilize the computer and media as a medium of expression and can play with the pieces to build a desired output. In order to be successful, the new media must discover a strong "holding power" over the audience. I believe that with time and research, the new media will achieve its goal and master the new medium of online communication.

"Virtual Communication"
Virtual communication has saved the close relationships that I have with my friends from high school and my sister, all of whom decided to attend colleges in all four corners of the United States. Not a day goes by that I'm not on the computer trying to keep in touch with all of the people who mean the most to me in my life. I didn't realize just how much I depend on email and instant messanging until this weekend when I left town and didn't have access to a computer for a very long three days. I literally felt like I was cut off from the world. I woke up early this morning and ran to the library just to check my email so that I could be updated on the current events of my friends' lives. Almost all of my communication outside of first hand conversation is through vitrual communication. I enjoy it becuase it's fast and free. Because of it, my relationships have been able to remain very strong and meaningful and I feel that my communication skills have been sharpened. I believe virtual communication has improved my communicating skills because it allows me to practice my writing and the simplicity of it doesn't allow for any excuses in my persistence of writing. Virtual communication has also made my school work significantly easier. Access to chat rooms and blackboards supplies a readily available source when I am in search of information or opinions.

Many people feel that a system of censorship should be established on the internet to protect from hackers and the publishing of obscene materials. The elimination of distribution costs and the vast availability of the internet have made it possible for virtually anyone to distribute and advertise material that many would deem abysmal. However, censorship of certain materials is being resisted because people feel that they have the right to publish anything they want to on the internet. Between First Amendment rules and technologies used to disguise certain materials, it has become extremely difficult to place regulations on the distribution of material.
Most importantly, I believe that the censorship argument involves the Cultural Studies Paradigm. Internet censorship deals with society’s ability to control the internet and the information which it sends to consumers. The belief of what should and shouldn’t be censored is a direct reflection of values, beliefs and attitudes. Most certainly, values, attitudes and beliefs about what types of materials should be censored change from community to community. This also stands true to different age groups. Parents and young kids prefer the internet to be highly censored to prevent exposing children to inappropriate material. While on the other hand, college students and middle-aged men might not care quite as much about internet obscenities. Because of the wide variety of attitudes, there is no feasible way to establish a universal law of censorship on the internet.
The argument contra censorship falls into the dystopian point of view. This is true in that the dystopian community depends on individual obedience. The most successful method, thus far in internet censorship has been through voluntary and commercial labeling of sites that may be unsuitable for all viewers. There has been much resistance to any regulatory or legislative efforts.
The censorship argument also involves the Access Paradigm. Along with the electronic media came the birth of unlimited amount of bandwidth. The power of the bandwidth gives any individual limitless power to produce or read anything online. Anyone who has access to a computer has the world at their fingertips. People have grown to value this commodity and take it as a natural right. Censorship of the internet would be like a restriction of access and therefore restriction from a natural born right.
All of the paradigms agree censorship of the internet is unrealistic and unfeasible. The Culture and Access Paradigm both conclude that the best method of censoring internet material is through the active roles of parents, concerned members of the community and internet websites who are conscious of their audience as a whole.


Summary- "An Argument Contra Censorship" http://www.december.com/cmc/mag/1998/nov/kraynak.html
In the past, the content broadcasted through traditional media was easily regulated due to limited bandwidth. In result, only a few sites needed to be controlled and censored. However, all this has changed with the growing popularity of electronic media. Cost of distribution has been eliminated and virtually anyone has access to publish something online. Due to the vast differences between traditional and electronic media it is impossible to place the two in the same legal category. Furthermore, the online community cannot be bound within national borders.
Some large organizations attempt to protect their internal networks by constructing firewalls and filters. However, these applications limit bandwidth. There are also technologies used to disguise types of internet traffic. Overall, censorship is resisted because of the belief in the freedom to do or say anything without restriction.
The most successful way to censor information coming over the internet is for parents to monitor what their children look at. Voluntary and commercial labeling have also been found to be highly effective.

Many people feel that a system of censorship should be established on the internet to protect from hackers and the publishing of obscene materials. The elimination of distribution costs and the vast availability of the internet have made it possible for virtually anyone to distribute and advertise material that many would deem abysmal. However, censorship of certain materials is being resisted because people feel that they have the right to publish anything they want to on the internet. Between First Amendment rules and technologies used to disguise certain materials, it has become extremely difficult to place regulations on the distribution of material.
Most importantly, I believe that the censorship argument involves the Cultural Studies Paradigm. Internet censorship deals with society’s ability to control the internet and the information which it sends to consumers. The belief of what should and shouldn’t be censored is a direct reflection of values, beliefs and attitudes. Most certainly, values, attitudes and beliefs about what types of materials should be censored change from community to community. This also stands true to different age groups. Parents and young kids prefer the internet to be highly censored to prevent exposing children to inappropriate material. While on the other hand, college students and middle-aged men might not care quite as much about internet obscenities. Because of the wide variety of attitudes, there is no feasible way to establish a universal law of censorship on the internet.
The argument contra censorship falls into the dystopian point of view. This is true in that the dystopian community depends on individual obedience. The most successful method, thus far in internet censorship has been through voluntary and commercial labeling of sites that may be unsuitable for all viewers. There has been much resistance to any regulatory or legislative efforts.
The censorship argument also involves the Access Paradigm. Along with the electronic media came the birth of unlimited amount of bandwidth. The power of the bandwidth gives any individual limitless power to produce or read anything online. Anyone who has access to a computer has the world at their fingertips. People have grown to value this commodity and take it as a natural right. Censorship of the internet would be like a restriction of access and therefore restriction from a natural born right.
All of the paradigms agree censorship of the internet is unrealistic and unfeasible. The Culture and Access Paradigm both conclude that the best method of censoring internet material is through the active roles of parents, concerned members of the community and internet websites who are conscious of their audience as a whole.


Summary- "An Argument Contra Censorship" http://www.december.com/cmc/mag/1998/nov/kraynak.html
In the past, the content broadcasted through traditional media was easily regulated due to limited bandwidth. In result, only a few sites needed to be controlled and censored. However, all this has changed with the growing popularity of electronic media. Cost of distribution has been eliminated and virtually anyone has access to publish something online. Due to the vast differences between traditional and electronic media it is impossible to place the two in the same legal category. Furthermore, the online community cannot be bound within national borders.
Some large organizations attempt to protect their internal networks by constructing firewalls and filters. However, these applications limit bandwidth. There are also technologies used to disguise types of internet traffic. Overall, censorship is resisted because of the belief in the freedom to do or say anything without restriction.
The most successful way to censor information coming over the internet is for parents to monitor what their children look at. Voluntary and commercial labeling have also been found to be highly effective.