How does Internet shape the future of journalism?

Journalism is associated with the profession of reporting hard and soft facts in newspapers, and magazines. However, with the advent of Internet, journalism has taken a new height combined with more innovation, unpredictability, truth, and participation. Journalism has since branched into a new category called Cyber Journalism. With Internet, the traditional culture of journalism is broken, thus embracing new concepts and changes to the interpretation of journalism.

The first change is the speed in which news can be disseminated. Normally news presented in newspapers and magazines required day/s or even months to be published for the readers. However, Internet operates round the clock. It allows journalist to post the latest news online within second. Furthermore, due to technological advancement, news around the world can also be shared among broadcast companies readily.

Second, the unlimited space for free expression allows journalist to write anything and add in more facts without the need to feel pressured over word or space limitation. For newspapers and magazines, journalists are restricted to the space of the columns that they are assigned to write in.

Third, Internet encourages strong participation. “The concept of participatory or (citizen journalism) proposes that amateur reporters can actually produce their own stories either inside or outside professional media outlets” (wikipedia). According to Szlarski (2006, December 9), citizen journalism is changing the way news is being reported. As ordinary people are allowed to determine the style, the content and what should be in the front page and how the news is to be conveyed.

Fourth, journalists are expected to be more cautious in their writings online. Internet allows cross boundary spreading of news. In such way, any negative and distorted reporting of news can be spread very quickly, which can lead to many undesirable problems if sensitive issues such as race, gender, and politics are not well handed. Indeed, online journalism also encourages non-bias reports because many cyber journalists are in fact freelance or volunteers, meaning not paid to write. In such way, readers can ensure getting truthful news.

The future of journalism will definitely be more exciting. As technology continues to improve, more ways for journalist or even ordinary people to experiment new ways to report news is expected.

Reference

Szklarski, C. (2006, December 9). Citizen journalism: all the ‘news’ that won’t fit in print. The Globe and Mail (Canada), p. A15.

Discuss – “The power and limitations of Internet for political campaigning”

“The internet became an essential part of American politics in 2004. Fully 75 million Americans – 37% of the adult population and 61% of online Americans – used the internet to get political news and information, discuss candidates and debate issues in emails, or participate directly in the political process by volunteering or giving contributions to candidates” (http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/150/report_display.asp). The high participation in Internet political campaigning is not restricted to the Americans only. In fact, many politicians across the world have seen Internet as a powerful tool to reach out to the masses to convey political messages and get support from the public.

The power of Internet for political campaigning is certainly immense. Firstly, the use of Internet allows politicians to reach not only mass audience, but target groups who are the young and Internet savvy people. For example, in the recent Malaysia election, Premier Abdullah Badawi mentioned that it was a 'big mistake' to ignore cyber-campaign as the polls showed that the Barisan Nasional coalition lost five states and a third of parliamentary seats in opposition hands. The reason was because they failed to recognize the fact that young people were more interested in looking at SMS and blogs for political information instead of referring to mainstream media such as print media (http://news.sg.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1306386).

Secondly, Internet is a great platform for politicians to raise donations for the campaigns. According to Schouten (2006), in the U.S, “Retired naval officer Joe Sestak out-raised incumbent Republican Curt Weldon to seize a House seat in suburban Philadelphia — aided by nearly $900,000 in Internet contributions.” When politician makes a compelling speech, voters have the freedom to discuss over forums, blogs and other tools before deciding whether they should continue to support or more donations to the politician. Adding on to the benefit of the Internet is that voters can actually repeat the speech that politician has made to fully understand the points that politician is trying to convey. For example, in the recent U.S election, Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton have many political speeches uploaded to YouTube for voters’ references.

Thirdly, Internet improves the interaction between politicians and the citizens. The people have the liberty to provide suggestions and get feedback from politicians almost instantly and efficiently. As the people feel more involved in the politician campaign, the support towards the politician will improve. Moreover, support for the politician will spread through word of mouth if the politician is able to reach out and listen to what the citizens have to say via web technology.

The Internet may seem powerful and effective in many areas for the politicians to reach out to the masses, gain supports and also to build favorable relationships with the citizens, but it does have its limitations in political campaigning too.

Internet main limitation is that it is hard to control, and misuse of the tool can result in dire consequences. Internet is an open network. Everyone has the freedom to post practically anything online. As such “many sensitive and important issues, up to date information were spread easily by using the web tools such as email, YouTube and so on” (http://theglobalist.com/DBWeb/StoryId.aspx?StoryId=3249). In this way, negative ideas or messages can be spread easily through the various web tools. For example, Hillary Clinton’s former vice presidential candidate Geraldine A. Ferraro resigned from her position in the finance committee for the democratic presidential campaign because of the offensive remark that she made about democratic opposition Barack Obama’s race. Her speech, "If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman (of any color), he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept” (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/11/obama-ferraro-race-flap-r_n_91047.html) sparked off a new topic for discussions in many web pages, and certainly up to date there is no positive support towards her snide remark.

Another limitation is that there is no actual report of the political issues. As mentioned that Internet is an open network, everyone has the liberty to voice his/her opinion. Therefore, many conflicting and bias reports can be noted in many web pages. For example, online news reporter who supports Barack Obama would post more favorable reports about him underscoring his positive attributes. However, the objectivity in news is lost. Moreover, in forums, people who are not politically knowledgeable about the subject may provide their bias comments and alter people’s choice of the candidate. Hence, the outcome of an election may be a worrying factor for politician whose message could be distorted in the process of frivolous web based discussions.

Regardless of the limitations, the power of the Internet as a platform for political campaigning is immense. As more people turn in to the Internet for more information, news, and so on, it is definitely a vital tool for politician to rely on.

What is NewsML?

It is a News markup language for the News industry initiated by International Press Telecommunications Council (IPTC). Based on the Extensible Markup Language (XML), NewsML is a standard way to describe news information content so that it can be distributed and reused widely on Web sites and other media. The use of NewsML could, for example, allow a news editor to search for, locate, and download various forms of content (photographic images, text, video) from different Web sites and then easily combine them for presentation on the news site.

NewsML and similar XML-based standards, such as Extensible Public Relations Language (XPRL) and Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL), are designed to make it easier to format and present information related to their specific business sectors.
Because NewsML, XBRL, and XPRL are all based on XML and support other XML standards, such as XML Schema Definition (XSD), they enable interexchange of data.

Reference: http://searchsoa.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid26_gci848027,00.html

Who is using NewsML?

Reuters
The Wall Street Journal
BBC
Channel NewsAsia
Business Wire
Many more listed in the website given below

Reference: http://www.newsml.org/pages/whouse_main.php

Below are some examples:




The latest: NewsML-G2

NewsML™ is a media-type agnostic news exchange format for general news and NewsML-G2 2.0 is its latest standard.

NewsML-G2 provides exchange formats for:
- General news: textual news, articles, photos, graphics, audio and video can be exchanged for the News Item
- A flexible mechanism for packaging news in a structured way - the Package Item.
- Information about concepts, used for values in controlled vocabularies - the Concept Item - and further a format to exchange full controlled vocabularies as a single file - the Knowledge Item.
- A wrapper around items to transmit them by any electronic means - the News Message.

NewsML-G2 is a member of the family of G2-Standards, thus is shares many of its components with the other standards of this family. These shared components make the IPTC News Architecture for G2 and can be considered as the framework all the G2-Standars are built on.

More information on NewsML can be retrieved at http://www.iptc.org/G2-Standards/newsml-g2.php

What is multimedia?

Multimedia is simply multiple forms of media integrated together. Media can be text, graphics, audio, animation, video, data, etc.

Multimedia can also stand for interactive types of media such as video games CD ROMs that teach a foreign language, or an information Kiosk at a subway terminal. Other terms that are sometimes used for multimedia include hypermedia and rich media.

Reference: http://www.tech-faq.com/multimedia.shtml

Impact of multimedia for marketing

“Marketing: Visually appealing presentations with product demos can be used for creating a high impact for a new product that is being launched. Customers get a fair idea about the product in an interesting and informative manner. Demos and simulations of the products enable customers to visualize and experience the working of the product.”

Reference: http://www.icreonglobal.com/entertainment_&_media.shtml

How multimedia is used for marketing of new products?

1. Web page

For example: Tiger Balm uses its web page to advertise its new product – Tiger Balm Neck and Shoulder Rub Boost. The webpage has text and graphic to inform consumers the benefit of the product.

Another example is Samsung i620. Samsung uses its website to showcase its new phone via simulation and text information. In this way, consumers are able to imagine how the actual physical product would be like, and allow them to experience a new way of retrieving information other than the traditional way of looking at pictures that are presented in brochures, magazines etc.

Yet another example is Microsoft surface computer. The company uses lots of videos, graphics, reports, audio etc to advertise this product. Videos can be found in youtube, and many other channels in the Internet.

2. Mobile phone

For example, Sony Ericsson W550i, N71, N95, iPhone, LG KF600 and so many more are multimedia phones.

These phones can be used by marketers to promote their products via the applications that users subscribe to. For example, google search and yahoo search is available in mobile phones, like computer sets, users can get access to Internet for news, videos, songs, and so many more.

Protection and Risk-prevention tools and methods against Virus, Worms, Spyware, Phishing, and other threats etc

Are you afraid that someone that you do not know actually knows your name, your home address, your favorites, and what’s worst – your credit card numbers, passwords, and IDs? If you are afraid, then I will tell you not to be. Chinese spirits have Taoist priests to capture them. Human viruses have immune systems to destroy them. And Computer threats have security programs to eliminate them.

10 Ways to protect your PC!!!

1. Never download anything from doubtful source, never share confidential information through messaging systems, and avoid storing such data on a laptop, which is easier to lose. (Info stored in Hardware PC must be safeguarded too. Don’t be sorry like Edison’s case)

2. Use all-in-one security programs such as Symantec or McAfee, which include anti-virus, anti-phishing, anti-spyware and other useful tools. Always make sure that free anti-virus software provider is credible. *careful of Trojan

3. Always remember to update software definitions to ensure the computer is protected against the latest hacker programs.

4. Always remember to enable firewall, anti-spyware software installed, and non-expired anti-virus software present in the computer before going online.

5. Shred or tear up credit card and bank statements before disposal

6. Use less obvious passwords. If possible, do not use I/C numbers, phone numbers etc.

7. Check up on the person who requests for your personal information.

8. Refrain from revealing too much personal information in online diaries, social network sites etc. One potential source for retrieving personal data is Facebook or MySpace social networking sites.

9. Keep oneself updated with the latest news on cybercrime, security programs, methods implemented by banks to safeguard personal details etc

10. No choice, then encrypt your laptop.

References

Singh, K. (2007, September 14). Many have lax attitude towards IT fraud; Poll shows 1 in 5 does not shred credit card or bank statements before disposal, while one-third use easy-to-recall passwords. The Straits Times. Retrieved on March 5, 2008, from Lexis-Nexis database.

Loh, W. L. (2007, October 7). The price of your b@nk account: Just $440; Personal information pilfered by hackers can be sold and used for crimes like fraud and identity theft. The Straits Times. Retrieved on March 5, 2008, from Lexis-Nexis database.

Why do cybercrime exists?

Loh, W. L. (2007, October 7). The price of your b@nk account: Just $440; Personal information pilfered by hackers can be sold and used for crimes like fraud and identity theft. The Straits Times. Retrieved on March 5, 2008, from Lexis-Nexis database.

Money is a temptation to many people. Like most people, the ultimate motive of cyber thefts is to gain lots of money. However, instead of using legitimized means to earn money, they chose underhand methods. How much do these cyber thefts actually earn then?

In the black market, the details of an online banking account with at least thousands of dollars cost around $300 US. The information about a person’s life, including birth dates, credit card, and identification numbers cost up to $18 US. As for credit card information it is for $1US to $6 US. Moreover, a list of 29,000 e-mail addresses, the amount is $5US. It sounds really pathetic for the effort to steal these data. Hence, cyber thefts have to constantly look for large number of preys to hack into their computer systems for higher returns.

On the other hand, people who know how to utilize such information are able to embezzle funds from other people’s bank accounts. One example provided in the artile is the case on “New Yorker Shiva Brent Sharma, who at the age of 20, amassed a cyber loot of $150US,000 before he was nabbed in 2005 for identity theft.He bought stolen credit card accounts online and managed to transfer large amounts of money to himself. He once stole $20,000 US in less than 36 hours.”

Cybercrime is certainly a lucrative illegal business.

Cybercrime related news reported in Singapore

Yee, L. (2006, July 29). MAS warns of e-mail scam using its logo. The Straits Times. Retrieved on March 4, 2008, from Lexis-Nexis Academic database.

In this article, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) tries to inform the public that fake “e-mail containing its name, logo and letterhead are being used in a financial scam.” “The e-mail - sent by cyberspace tricksters on the lookout for easy money - typically asks recipients for personal information or to transfer funds to a particular party or account” was reported. The problem that MAS encountered is called ‘phishing’ – a form of Internet fraud that tries to dupe someone into providing confidential information such as credit cards, passwords, and make someone do something he/she would not / should not normally do such as transferring of money into a foreign account. Similar acts of ‘phishing’ also happened to big banks in Singapore such as OCBC Bank and Citibank.

The implication of ‘phishing’ could be devastating if one is not aware of the danger and clueless of how to protect he or she against cybercrime. The article below is an example of a man being cheated of $48,000 by cyber thefts.

Chong, E. (2006, June 13). Man loses $48,000 in Nigerian e-mail scam; One con artist arrested, sentenced to three years' jail; others still at large. The Straits Times. Retrieved on March 4, 2008, from Lexis-Nexis Academic database.

“BUSINESSMAN Ng Yong Ngee responded to an e-mail that sounded too good to be true - a 30 per cent share of $8US.5 million ($13S.6 million) for his help in transferring the money out of Britain.” With that, the 30-year-old owner of an interior design firm parted with about $48,000 - and became yet another victim of Nigerian con artists.”

Google Tools and Services



Google Reader

Personally I think this is a very useful tool for me. It is a tedious process to visit individual blog sites; hence, with Google reader, time is saved. This is because Google reader allows all the latest blog entries to be available to you at any time. With that, I just have to click the link of the latest blog entries to keep updated with the current events that happened to my friends.

YouTube

This is probably the most effective way for hunting down videos on practically anything. Whether it is songs, campaigns, movies, or even scandals can be found using this tool. Want to learn language, go find a video from YouTube to help you do so... Want to learn guitar, same thing applies....

Google Search tool

Personally I think Google search tool is more effective as compared to Yahoo. I tend to get better results using Google. For me, I like Google scholar because I am using it as a platform for me to find relevant journal articles that is related to my topic more easily as compared to my school database. Only when I need access into articles that Google could not provide, then I will use the database.

Blogger

How can I not mention anything about blogger when I am using Google's service to blog? This is probably the most ingenious creation to allow people from all walks of life to share personal thoughts, feelings, and things about their own life with anybody online. Blogs allow me to understand my friends more when words are harder to be spoken. Pictures and interesting videos can also be uploaded to make blogging experience even more exciting.


More on Google tools and services, do refer to this website: http://www.linksandlaw.com/technicalbackground-Google-Services.htm#Google_Mobile
Furthermore, there are basic descriptions on each tool and services that Google provides.

Source: http://media.katu.com/images/070529_surface_470.jpg


Microsoft Surface Computer

What is it?

Microsoft Surface (Codename: Milan), is a forthcoming product from Microsoft which is developed as a software and hardware combination technology that allows a user, or multiple users, to manipulate digital content by the use of natural motions, hand gestures, or physical object.

The product provides effortless interaction with
digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects.
Source: http://faq.programmerworld.net/cool-gadgets/what-is-microsoft-surface.html

Benefits of surface computer

• Recognize physical objects from paintbrush to cell phone
• Allows hands-on, direct control of content such as photos, music and maps without the use of mouse or keypad
• Allows interaction with all forms of digital content via gestures, touch and physical objects
• Allows the sharing of photos, buying of items etc
• Allows multi-user experience

Source: http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-announces-surface-computer/ & http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/touch-me/microsoft-surface-confirmed-touch+sensitive-10k-minority-report-table-264338.php

How it aids learning?

1. Provides an entertaining and innovative platform for interactive learning experience between students and teachers
2. Allows fast transferring of pictures, lecture notes, homework from lecturers to students or vice-versa without the use of thumbdrive etc
3. Reduces cost. For example, touch sensitive surface computer does not require any markers, pens, pencils for writings
4. Motivates students to study because surface computer technology allows animated learning experience
5. Reduces hunger that could impede successful learning. Students are able to order their choice of foods and drinks speedily using the surface computer while studying.
6. Promotes maximum satisfaction in learning.

Cost of suface computer

Expected to be over USD $10,000; however, prices are likely to decrease over the next 5 years.

Source: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/touch-me/microsoft-surface-confirmed-touch+sensitive-10k-minority-report-table-264338.php

Success or not?

The technology looks promising; however, does people really require such a technology is still dubious. Furthermore, is there any security or privacy issue to take special precaution of with such a technology or does the cost justify the benefit of this technology requires years to examine.

Issues about security, privacy and legal issues for e-business

Legal issues for e-businesses vary accordingly to the law and regulation of the country that the e-business is in. At http://www.e-future.ca/alberta/ebusiness/pwt_online_legal_issues.asp, it provides an overview of the legal, security and privacy issues that must be taken into account when online business is in concern. Factors such as contract, consumer protection, taxation, intellectual property are mentioned.

In Singapore, entrepreneurs with the interest in setting up their e-business, they could refer to the E-Commerce Business Policy Helpdesk at www.ida.gov.sg to seek information on regulations and policies related to e-commerce.

E-marketing - How to make it a success?

1. Convenient search tool
"Searchandising -- provides a shopper experience in which it's easy to seek, browse, find,
compare, select and ultimately buy the perfect product."
Source: http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/60696.html

2. Help shoppers make decisions
- Navigation refinement
- "Take the example of a customer looking for diving watches. He doesn't know that's what
they're called, so he just searches for "watches." In addition to a result list of watches, the
search returns general attributes such as brand, price and gender, along with refinements
specific to watches, such as waterproof, warranty or strap type.

By clicking on waterproof, he finds the diver's watches he was looking for. Similarly, a search
for "blenders" shows refinements or features that would help a shopper make a purchase
decision about a blender (such as capacity and speed along with brand and price). Allowing
shoppers to narrow their search by attributes helps them find products that fit their buying
criteria and make buying decisions quickly."
Source: http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/60696.html

3. Invest in Search Engine optimization
- Millions of people rely on Yahoo, Google, Alibaba, MSN etc; therefore, it is important to
make your site prominent in the eyes of the consumers when they are searching for
something in the Internet
Source: http://fivesparrows.com/blog/2008/01/20/the-secret-to-e-marketing-success-just-do-it/

4. Personalization
Be close to clients by addressing their names in emails, e-newsletters etc. Makes clients feel
valued in your website, and so on.
Source: http://www.phoneplusmag.com/articles/241echannel2.html

5. Top ten tips for e-marketing success
Source: http://www.businesszone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=170381&d=1095&h=1097&f=1096

RANKINGS

30 largest social bookmarking sites: http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/social30.html OCT 2007 1. digg.com

25 most popular tech business sites: http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/tech-business.html NOV 2007
1. News.com

According to Economists Intelligence Unit E-readiness ranking in 2007 is as follow:
1. Denmark
2. USA
3. Sweden
4. Hong Kong
5. Switzerland
6. Singapore
7. UK
8. Netherlands
9. Australia
10. Finland

Source: http://graphics.eiu.com/files/ad_pdfs/2007Ereadiness_Ranking_WP.pdf

Why E-Commerce failed

10 reasons why E-commerce failed

According to http://www.allbusiness.com/sales/internet-e-commerce/3972-1.html the reasons are:

1. Selling the wrong product online
For example, perishable goods such as vegetables are not advised to be sold online.

2. Lack of marketing

3. Poorly designed web site
For example, a website that is very complicated with too many graphics or little links for users
to get information.

4. Obsolete
Sites must always be updated with the current happenings in order to stay competitive.

5. Poor checkout procedures
Shoppers should not have difficulty making purchases online. If they have, then the
chances of them not returning to the site to make purchases the next time will be very high.

6. No privacy policy
This is highly important for the shoppers to give them an assurance of what the company
would do with the information collected especially when credit card numbers etc are involved.

7. Not testing the site
This is to ensure that all links within the site are able to work so as to allow shoppers or users
to get information readily.

8. Poor order fulfillment
Word of mouth is either disastrous or beneficial. Therefore, what is promised on the site must
be fulfilled.

9. Straying away from objective
If the objective of the business is to sell men's apparel, then sell only related goods and not
foods, bikinis, etc.

10. Poor customer service
This is the factor that cannot be abolished whether in online or traditional business.
Customers are the only people that your business depend on. Without them, your business
cannot survive.

10 Key factors why some E-Commerce succeeded

1. Provide better customer support, resulting in customer satisfaction

2. Provide constant updates of information for the customers i.e. useful for their needs
- Encourage online customers to return to the site for more information
- For example constant updates on promotions. Refer to http://coldstorage.com.sg

3. Navigation of the site is easy and simple
- Allow fast search of products and services
- Allow fast and simple transaction

4. Introduce new products and services that meet the growing demand of customers
- Products fit is crucial

5. Ensure utmost security and privacy of consumers' datas

6. Good site design
- Allow consumers to judge the company and form liking based on first impression

7. Ensure consumers' expectations are met
- For example, delivery on time

8. Good marketing strategies
- Knowing exactly who are the target groups
- Knowing how to attract more people to the site
- Knowing the future plans etc

9. Specialization in E-commerce
- For example, successful online retailers like www.walmart.com, www.amazon.com,
and http://www.dell.com

10. Competency in managing the company
- Trained employees
- Skillful technicians etc

According to SIIA http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9027149 below are the Top 10 E-Commerce developments:

1. Google (launched September 1998): "Google did more to fundamentally change the way we use the Internet than any other event in the last 10 years," the SIIA said. Thirty percent of users turn to Google to help them find information on the Internet, and nearly one-half of 6.9 billion online searches conducted by Americans in February were on Google.

2. Broadband (June 2004): Available and affordable broadband penetration reached 50% among U.S. users in 2004. Although it took nearly four years for broadband to reach this milestone, the SIIA said estimates indicate that by the end of this year, broadband penetration among U.S. users will reach 90%.

3. eBay auctions (launched September 1997): "EBay showed us that the Internet could be used to reach massive national -- and even global -- markets better and faster than ever before," the SIIA said.

4. Amazon.com (initial public offering May 1997): The SIIA said Amazon popularized online shopping because it's Web site was easy to use and offered customers a wide variety of products from which to choose. "It signaled the increasingly important role that e-commerce would play in the American economy," the SIIA said.

5. Google Ad Words (2000): Keyword advertising represents 40% of the online advertising market, bringing in $6.8 billion in revenue annually, the SIIA said. "Keyword ads are the simplest and most cost-effective mechanism to reach targeted audiences, affordable to even the smallest business," the group said.

6. Open standards (HTML 4.0 released in 1997): Overseen by the World Wide Web Consortium, the HTML open standards are the "most influential and important data standard in the history of publishing," according to the SIIA.

7. Wi-Fi (802.11 launched in 1997): The development of this form of wireless networking allowed business users to be connected to their clients and their companies no matter where they were and paved the way for more mobile technologies.

8. User-generated content (YouTube in 2005): "Right now it is impossible to say what the full ramifications of the 'citizen journalist' era will be -- but the dramatic impact of YouTube tells us more than any other recent development," the SIIA said. YouTube is what Web 2.0 should be, the trade group said: Anyone, anywhere can use You Tube to deliver a message that will be heard and seen around the globe.

9. iTunes (2001): "ITunes legitimized the digital music industry, revolutionizing the music industry," the SIIA said. In 2006, more than $2 billion worth of music was sold online or through mobile phones, almost double what was sold in 2005, the group said.

10. BlackBerry (1999): "The BlackBerry makes communication instantaneous, and mobile," the SIIA said. The Internet-connected device has allowed users to engage in e-commerce anywhere and launched a whole mobile culture, the group said.

->More to come

Ressurected

Every child once lives in a dream of fantasy. Every adult laments the fact that they were once a child who appreciates fantasy too. However, the reality of life speaks otherwise. Very often, we are caught in the situation where are mind, soul and body could not synchronize for optimum result. We may think in a way, but act in a different way because we are suppressed by many external factors.

In Second Life, everyone with Internet access is given the opportunity to rekindle their imagination and creativity, and live in a world that has minimal restrictions. Second Life is a 3D virtual world where individuals can create an 'avatar' - an in-game representation of yourself (www.spannerworks.com/ebooks) to build your own residential area, communicate with residents in the virtual world, trade with residents using the unique Linden dollars, and so on. For more information on Second Life features, please refer to http://secondlife.com/whatis/ or the official website at http://secondlife.com/.

In order to fully appreciate the fun and usefulness of Second Life, the best way is to join and be part of this wonderful creation. When is the time that you can touch the clouds, fly like a bird, move to one place to another in a split second using teleport? Second Life gives you the answer. For teens who are aged below 18, there is even a world exclusively dedicated to them. Second Life basically provides everyone the chance to move away from the mundane reality and enter a new world of hopes, opportunities, fantasies, and fun. According to Wikipedia, more than 20 million users have created an account in Second Life, so what is holding you back now? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_life)

Internet age - A bliss?

Human beings are never alone. Million of years ago in a farway land, there exist a planet called Cybertron. There is nothing more interesting than constant battle between the Autobots (protector) and Decepticons (destroyer) in that planet. Due to an unfortunate event, Autobots must prevent Decepticons from reigining the planet earth. With the little information that they had about Earth, Autobots made full use of the World Wide Web (WWW) to gain knowledge on the information that they require. The Autobots probably would like to express gratitude to Tim Benners-Lee, the developer of WWW for such a great invention of all times.

What is WWW? It is a hypermedia resource that allows unlimited access to distributed information on the Internet and provides flexibility in web publishing. As such, Internet (large collection of computers interlinked between one another around the world) has become a prevalent phenomenon in this century. As many would agree, Internet has in fact become the daily bread of most people's lives.

However, Internet is such a big thing that if we do not spend sufficient time to explore and fully utilize it we will be outdated with the latest technology, service, and opportunities that exist in this world. We should make full use of Internet to embark on a new journey of opportunities and not solely for information seeking only.

Like the video that Mr Abel Choy showed, the future of Internet lies nothing but loads of chances to success. We can invest in stocks and properties, develop products, create a business and so on. But the future opens up many possibilities than what is mentioned in the video I guess. Maybe one day, the public will have e-conference directly with government bodies instead of emailing them only, gamers will be able to play interactive online games such as 4D magix in a game version and so on.

Till then, we have social shopping, DOTA and many other RPG/MMORPG online games, e-services, webcam service and so many more to do in the Internet that makes COM 125 a miserable module to take when there is likely more than necessary to learn about.