IM programs vs 3D Enviroments

Hello again bloggers,

this weeks tutorial task was to compare the 'qualitative' differences between regular IM programs and a 3D enviroment. Firstly I had to make a quick google search for the definition of qualitative and I hope I managed to get a somewhat accurate idea of what it means. So here goes.

I guess the question really is what is different about the kinds of socialising that happens in these spaces? Does the 3D aspect make much difference? Or in more simple terms are there things that are possible in the 3D world but not in an instant messenger program?

I think that a 3D enviroments such as second life or active worlds is completly different to instant messenger such as msn. Often because people seem to escape into these worlds to become somthing that they are not in real life. They have the ability to change their appearance to create someone that probhably doesnt even look like them. Not only that but they can choose where they go in these worlds, meet all kinds of new people that are also playing the game, in saying that I guess it could be viewed more from a game aspect rather than a communication tool.

In msn messenger one would generaly come accross as themselves not another person and these days we have display pictures where most people generally uplaod a recent photo of themselves. The are not really pretending to be someone else as opposed to second life where many people are. Also in msn the contacts must be added they do not just appear this generally means that one knows all the contacts on their list where as in second life alot of the other characters are just strangers.

I think that in the end both programs are still doing the same thing. Allowing their users to communicate with other. However second life tries to make it a little more realistic and life like by intruducing worlds and characters, in that sense its a little more interactive and fun.

I was highly amused at the fact that I was able to fly around in second life and communicate with people from all over the world, I even chatted to a character who was a dog! So yes I think essentially both programs are acomplishing the same thing however 3D enviroments may be more exciting and interactive.

Thats all for today folks :)

Microsoft Excel...

This weeks tutorial task was to create a spreadsheet in exel, and create a letter in microsoft word by following the instructions provided on the learning at griffith website. I found the exercise very helpful though a little difficult. I also had trouble deciding how to show what I had done in the blog but I got there in the end as you can see from the image on the left. Overall a very helpful exercise :) I wasnt to sure about how to post the letter so I just coppied and pasted it below:


Dear Mr Johnston,

I am writing to apply for a position within Mass Media Inc.

I have recently completed a Bachelor of Communications degree at Griffith University and feel that I have the suitable skills and experience to be a valuable asset to your company. During this degree I have completed subjects in:

· New Communications Technologies,

· Styles and Genres of Journalism,

· Youth and Society,

· and Effective Writing.


Please find attached a copy of my resume.

Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Jessie Hunt

Walter Benjamin's "Art in the Age of Mechanial Reproduction

Hello there bloggers,

This weeks tutorial task asks us to consider the following questions in relation to Walter Benjamin's "Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction."

• How do the ideas from Walter Benjamin's "Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction" apply to contemporary digital media
• There was a time when "Art" was made by artists who were skilled professionals. Now that anyone with a computer can create things digitally (music, images, videos, etc), what does that mean for "art"?
• Is a photoshopped image "authentic"? Do digital "things" have an "aura" (in Benjamin's terms)?

Benjamins ideas are relative to contemporary digital media as art was, is and will be in the future, open to replication. Benjamin suggests that recreating orginal artworks takes away from their originality or their 'aura,' I believe the opposite. Technology today allows us to touch up, or even recreate damaged artworks, whith out these technologies the artwork itself would deteriorate and no longer exist. I supose that the recreated art work could even been seen as a fake or a plagiarised work, perhaps even a different work altogether. So I would have to say that while the recreation of artworks does keep them alive and allow us to repair damaged works it is possible to understand how a recreation causes the orginal to losse its 'aura' or orginiality.

There are many different types of art in todays society, however I do not think that is it fair the say that one artist is more skilled than the other. One artist may be a magnificant portrait painter while they may not be able to take an edit a photo to save their lives or vice a versa. Even dating back to 1887 artists such as Marcel Duchamp has some pretty out there ideas as to what could be considered art. I do not beleive that placing a a wheel upside down on a stool could be seen any more 'art worthy' than the digitally created images or music created today. Not to mention that you still have to have a knack for choosing what to take a photo of or how to create a song its not as simple as some make it out to be.

As for whether or not a photoshopped image is 'authentic' or in Benajmins terms has an 'aura' I believe it does. If someone takes a photo and edits it on photoshop they are still creating something new and authentic. However I doubt Walter Benjamin would see it that way!

Well thats all for today bloggers :)