The Final Saga

Well, here we are. Week 15 and time for Christmas vacation. I think Gary Larson exemplified how I'm feeling with one of his far side cartoons:

I'm really glad I took this class. Even though I thought I had a pretty good knowledge of media tools, I've really learned some awesome techniques that I can apply to my personal life and eventually to my classroom.

Next semester I will be taking a communication in the workplace class and English Comp, both online. I'm really excited about finishing up my education online, especially since I now have knowledge of the resources I can use. I really enjoyed starting a blog, too. Make sure you check out my personal blog at www.sewsewgood.blogspot.com. Thanks for reading!

R-Re-Remix

This week we're discussing copyright laws in regard to remixing. We saw one of my favorite news anchors, Stephen Colbert, discussing this with Laurence Lessig. Then we saw a TED video by Kirby Ferguson.
I agree totally with Mr Ferguson and Mr Lessing. In the words of the author of Ecclesiastes 1:9,

"What has been is what will be,

and what has been done is what will be done,

and there is nothing new under the sun."

 Nothing we create is new. It may not have been seen or heard, but there are only so many colors you can paint with, so many notes in a scale, so many words to sing. I've always thought copyright laws were taken too far by our society. They should be there to protect the artist, not to exploit the legal system and take advantage of new artists. Especially in our instant communication society, no one will be able to truly take your work from you and discredit you. "Imitation is the highest form of flattery," don't attack someone just because they loved your work enough to add to it. You're both benefiting from this relationship.To punish them for expressing their own creativity is a disservice to yourself and the artistic community.

Generation F[acebook]

I actually think a few of the points Gary Hamel made in his article "The Facebook Generation" will be good for businesses. I think it's great the way the internet is effecting businesses. The company I work for, Select Design, is extremely successful, yet the two owners still come into the office and walk around our production department. They know everyone's names, and if you have an opinion on something they will listen and consider it. So many larger corporations such as Apple, Facebook and other web or technology based companies are adopting this "small town" feel to their offices and I think it's great for moral. I also love the emphasis on creativity and profit sharing that we've seen lately. No business is successful without the web and social media. It's important to include that in your company.
The only thing that really bothers me is the internet's influence on work ethic. I have seen quite a few younger kids right out of college that will walk out of meetings, throw fits, and send out insulting emails to colleagues. This kind of attitude of "I want to get my way no matter what" and "I don't have to do what you tell me to do" is so infuriating. Sometimes you have to do what your boss/leader says. You don't always get to choose what you do, and there will come days where you have to force yourself to do stuff.

The Long Tail

This week we read an article and watched a video on the long tail.
It took me a little while to really understand exactly what they were talking about. I think the DVD example Chris Anderson made in his TED video really helped the most. As the price of your technology drops, more people can afford it and it gets more popular. I remember my family held off on getting a DVD player for at least a year after they came out. Even then, we paid a few hundred dollars. Now? I could go out and buy one for 20 bucks. But I doubt you could find a home right now without one in it.
I definitely agree with Mr Anderson's theory. I can see it happening with everything we use. Computers, cameras, cell phones, and eReaders are all drastically dropping their prices, but the companies aren't suffering- quite the opposite. If you only sell 100 computers at $1000 a piece (100,000), you're making less than if you sold 500 computers at $500 (250,000.)

Podcasts, Ho!

I haven't listened to a podcast in about 5 years. I've been slightly busy the past 4, mind you (having a child.) But I used to be obsessed with one in particular: Ask a Ninja. My friends and I used to get more excited about that than LOST. Unfortunately you can no longer find the original on iTunes. Only some weird cartoon version that I don't really care for.

Now I must say, I'm not a fan of your traditional audio only podcast. Technically speaking, a podcast doesn't have to be only audio. It can be video, PDF or even files you download to your computer. (You can find the wiki definition here.)

Now wait a minute. What's the difference then between a Vlog and a video Podcast? Well, mainly it has to do with the downloading of the podcast. You can subscribe to it and have it directly downloaded into your iTunes so you can then listen (or watch) it later.

Podcasts in my opinion are going the way of the dinosaur. Apple kind of saw to that when they started throwing a fit about people using a word that included "pod" in it. 

Ultimately I think podcasts, blogs and vlogs are starting to mesh into one big group of subscription media. Anyone with a laptop or a smart phone (aka 90% of the population) can record their thoughts and advice, upload it, and gain an instant following. 

Back in the Vlogger again

This week we were told to "take it on the road" for our second vlog. Unfortunately I had a very uncooperative three year old, who made recording in a public place impossible. So, instead we did a tour of her play room/art gallery. Of course, she was an angel in the final video. Go figure.

Vlog Post

This week we're making Vlogs! I decided to kill two birds with one stone and make a video about sewing, so I can use it for my personal blog, sewsewgood.blogspot.com.
My handsome and talented husband was my cameraman, and I added a few little bells and whistles for your enjoyment.
And now, your feature presentation: