Week 11

Lastly, we conclude the module with the question on the future of Internet.

We've learnt all the advantages about what the Internet can bring about and we have had a peek into the future of the internet at the beginning of the module with the emergence of Web3.0.

After Web3.0, there could be a Web4.0. The imgination of the growth of internet is boundless.

Week 10

In this entry, I am going to introduce this other web 2.0 or social networking website, Wholivesnearyou.





This website basically let you get connected with the girls or guys next door. Yes, the network is being clustered and generated based on your address and this website enables you to know who are the members of this website that are currently online. So if there is a guy of girl staying just across the streets that you are longing to know, this is the site for you.

Well, apart from the friend making mechanism, it also promotes interest group in your neighbourhood like cars, pets and so many more. Apart from a common forum for people to discuss about issues, there is also a marketplace for you to put your items for sale and this time, shipping will not be necessary as the buyers are most probably from your neighbourhood.


WhoLivesNearYou is an innovative start-up by 2 young Singaporeans, allowing you to search for supper buddies or fellow football fanatics within your neighbourhood. It’s the perfect local portal for today’s tech-savvy teens to make friends with people who are within walking distance. With cutesy icons that remind you of the drink, Qoo, it immediately entices you in to find out who lives near you.

Through a simple sign up with your postal code, the website pinpoints your dwelling, but reveals less specific information on your location to others. It’s a safety feature that keeps stalkers at bay, although some people get annoyed that their actual residence isn’t close to what is, in fact, revealed. One user used the space in his profile to clarify his exact location.



The website isn’t another Friendster rip-off as its database of users are divided based on postal codes, thus only revealing people “closest to you”, people 5 minutes away from you, and those within a 15-minute walk. So that female user in the “closest to you” segment could well be the auntie next door who loves karaoke or her cute daughter. Her profile, if it’s truthful, should shed some light on her identity.

There’s also a function to add photos, but you’ll only be able to see other users’ photos if you’ve uploaded your own. This allows you to put a face to the name, and when you finally see them, you may well go “Oh!” - although that exclamation is most probably one of disappointment.

The profile also lists your occupation (although many users’ just read “slacker”), age, gender, as well as smoking and drinking habits. You can proclaim if you’re a social or regular drinker and/or smoker, and probably to find company that indulge in the same habit. You can also find clubbing mates who stay nearby, which makes sharing a cab home much cheaper. Better yet, find someone who drives! You indicate it in your profile if you’ve got a car or a bike. So now you know who’s the idiot who always revs his motorcycle in the middle of the night.

Still, your best bet to actually knowing your neighbour is through the detailed “about yourself” section. However, it’s up to users to decide how much they want to reveal, and sometimes, they simply don’t fill that section up. To get more intimate with your neighbours, you can send messages to them. If you want to give a shout out to everyone in the vicinity, there’s always the “Coffeeshop” forum.

WhoLiveNearYou, co-created by Mok Wen Kai, a former UrbanWire designer, has an interesting concept, different from other networking websites like Friendster and MySpace, and it’s a local site unique to Singapore residents.

UrbanWire likes the big red heart icon that appears in your profile if you are attached, making sure potential suitors know that you’re off limits. However, there doesn’t seem to be a way to add neighbours to your list of friends for easier communication, like mass messaging.

The site attracted 4,000 registrations within two days of its early July launch and currently has more than 50,000 subscribers, most between the ages of 18 and 30.

Week 9

The Internet is a really powerful tool for communication. We’ve learn that journalist has used the internet to write and bring their thoughts and reports almost immediately unlike the traditional news casting.

However, there are still strict rules and regulations in countries that do not promote freedom of speech.
Journalist are stalked, tracked and killed in missions of reporting due to controversial views that are not in line with the government stands.

The advantages of internet journalism is indisputable, however, it also depends on the country one lives in. Ultimately, the future of internet journalism very much depends on a countries’ restrictions on media freedom of speech.

Week 8

We have learnt the power of internet for political campaigning.

However, studies have found that while Web use by political candidates increased dramatically since 2002, politicians are still failing to take advantage of all the Internet has to offer. Ninety six percent of this year’s Senate candidates have active websites, while only 55 percent of candidates had websites in 2002.

While most candidates use a set of core Web tools, the majority of candidates are refraining from using newer and more sophisticated Web strategies, such as blogs and podcasts, on their campaign websites. Only 23 percent of Senate candidates are blogging, just 15 percent offer Spanish alternatives to their websites, and an even smaller number of candidates, 5 percent, maintain podcasts.

In contrast, between 90 percent and 93 percent of candidates offered biographies, contact information, and online donations on their websites. It is obvious from these results that despite a general increase in the use of the Internet for political campaigns, candidates are still hesitant to pour finite financial resources into new campaign strategies.

Why is this so?

Incumbents often have a record of past success in the Senate upon which they can focus in order to maintain and build upon their current level of pre-existing support. They are also usually the favorites in these re-election campaigns. For this reason, incumbent websites tend to be safer and less creative than those of challengers. Challengers are more likely to take chances online in an effort to secure votes.

Also, candidates are extremely busy, and older Americans are unlikely to have the time or inclination to personally participate in the blogosphere. For many campaigns, having a blog just doesn’t make strategic sense. Many campaigns also have extremely limited resources, and are hesitant to devote these resources to an activity like blogging.

There is a perception among many political consultants and candidates that blogging is a risky strategy because candidates worry that by fully participating in the blogosphere, they will be dragged further to the left or to the right. Bloggers are typically the most active and ideological of Americans, so there is a fear by some that reaching out to these groups may turn away moderate voters.

Fundraising campaigns, team tools and house parties are most effective on sites that generate high traffic levels on a daily basis (like a committee or Presidential candidate site). It may be that campaigns don’t feel their website attract the critical mass of users necessary for these tools to work. The campaigns are most likely waiting for proof that these kinds of tools can work for a Senate campaign before implementing them.

Week 7

There really is an app for almost anything, even when there shouldn't be.

VS

Look at the difference in the advertisements.

The Nokia commercial uses high graphic and loud music to attract the audience attention to functions of the phone but the iPhone commercial uses simple introduction by showing the audience it’s application.

We see a lot of commercials that uses cool and high-end graphics to promote a product, especially from handphone industry, and personally I feel that it’s not a wonder. Multimedia is highly used to promote technological products, even in movies. When all our sensory elements are met, the product would be able to engage us. Also, humans are always improving and we seek out for new things as an outbreak from the common things. Hence, when high-technological multimedia is made use, we would tend to be more attracted by it.

Well, for me, the initial reaction to the two advertisements was that I found the Nokia commercial really interesting and cool. It definitely captured my attention and aroused my curiosity to continue watching the video. In comparison, the iPhone advertisement was a little dull and if I am not interested in getting a new phone, I would most probably miss the ad and know what iPhone has to offer.

Week 6

In a article reported by By Ross O. Storey, MIS Asia on March 22, 2010, Singapore Unveils New Anti-Cybercrime Package.

Internet service providers (ISPs) in Singapore will be subject to a new code of infocomm security practice under a package of measures announced this morning by the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA).

The package aims to strengthen Singapore's preparedness against cyber threats to information security.

The programmes--introduced under Singapore's Infocomm Security Masterplan 2 (MP2)--aim to bolster the security of the Lion City's Internet infrastructure against cyber threats by issuing better early warnings and undertaking appropriate pre-emptive actions.

The package was announced today by Singapore's Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Lui Tuck Yew, at the IDA's annual Information Security Seminar.
Boosting national infrastructure
Lui said the the programmes will "boost the security of the national internet infrastructure and government infocomm infrastructure and services against cyber threats". They also aim to enhance competencies among the public, private and community sectors.

The seminar was co-organised by the Association of Information Security Professionals (AISP), which was formed as a joint initiative between the IDA and the Singapore Computer Society.

The Minister said that, through the AISP, which is the first such organisation in Asia, Singapore aspires to build a critical pool of competent infocomm security professionals who subscribe to the highest standards.

The new anti-cybercrime package includes the establishment of an Industry Code of Practice by the third quarter of 2010, to be incorporated into Singapore's telecommunications regulatory framework. ISPs will be subject to periodic IDA audits to ensure the Code is being met.

Greater ISP info sharing
There will also be greater sharing of infocomm security information among ISPs, coordinated by the IDA, to make better decisions about combating emerging cyber threats.

The Minister said that to protect the public sector infocomm infrastructure, new key capabilities will be introduced by leveraging business analytics tools. The aim was to present relevant information to decision-makers in a more timely manner to facilitate the early identification of cyber threats and for pre-emptive measures to be taken.

He said Singapore's public sector capabilities to address threats from massive cyber attacks such as Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS), will be broadened through a combination of policies, technical controls and competency building.

A DDoS attack occurs when multiple compromised systems (primed by malware or trojans) flood the bandwidth or resources of a targeted system, overwhelming the business' network so that it can no longer provide the intended online service, or obstructing legitimate communications between the business and its customers.

Another part of the package is the formation of the Cyber Security Awareness Alliance--"GO SAFE ONLINE"--to consistently remind IT users are reminded to take personal responsibility in protecting themselves against cyber threats.

Virtual cyber security park
The Minister said that the Alliance was also working with the National Crime Prevention Council to develop the 'Virtual Cyber Security Park' portal that will enable students to learn various facets of cyber wellness, safety and security via interactive mode such as educational online games.

He said: "In reaching out to the community-at-large, various approaches will be adopted by the Alliance such as leveraging social networking websites to create interest groups for sharing cyber security tips and best practices."

The Alliance will continue to tap platforms of partners such as seminars, trade associations networking sessions, and outreach events by industry leaders' groupings, such as the Singapore IT Federation, to connect better with businesses, in particular small and medium enterprises

Interesting article! Singapore’s defence system takes all forms of threats into considerable. No wonder so many foreigners want to be a Singapore citizen. A safe country no doubt.

Week 5

Google Map offers street maps, a route planner for traveling by foot, car, or public transport and an urban business locator for numerous countries around the world. It also offers stat elite view, terrain view and even street views. It is a very useful tool to find out your route and have an idea of how the street or place looks like especially with the street views.


I’ve made good use of Google Map to find out the speed limit signs planted on Tampines Ave 10 after receiving a summon from the Traffic Police. My summon letter proved to have a discrepancy as I was summoned for travelling over 60km/hr on that road when official sites state that the speed limit for that road was 70km/hr.


Hence, I went on Google Map and went on the street view and conscientiously check for the speed limit signs.


Alas, the view proved to be useful for I did not have to travel that route again to look out for the signs while driving. And I proved myself correct that the speed limit was 70km/hr. So, WAIVER OF SUMMON HERE I COME!


Next,



Phew! My video!

The first video I painstakingly made!

The experience was horrible because I am not a very tech savvy person. Especially when I’m not using my own laptop (because my LCD cracked). I am so not used to using this laptop!

Anyway! I think the processor of this laptop is slow, hence, it took me quite a while to upload the video into the movie maker program.

Firstly, I had trouble finding a video since this is not my laptop.

Then, after I chosen some clips from my trip to LA Disneyland in 2008, I had to wait for it to upload into the movie maker program as mentioned.

Thereafter, I had trouble finding out how to insert the slides for my captions.

Finally, I’ve gotten it done!

PHEW!!!
Overall, not a very good experience. Hence I concluded that I would not make any more videos again unless required. Sorry!

*Pardon the missing video. I am still having trouble to upload it after weeks of trying.
P/s: I SWEAR I did a video. So sorry you are not able to view the video of my trip in LA Disneyland in 2008. :(