Reflecting on my blogging experience

With this blogging project I realize that it is not easy to write a good blog, and to write good comments. But through the process I have learnt a lot. I am given chances to get to know my classmates and get insights of new topics, such as Jenifer’s sharing on the tool issuu, and Kandice’s idea of banning re-share on Facebook, which I have never thought of. Also, to my surprise, I had no idea that Kitty likes digital games! (And I called myself your friend…)

I have also learnt how to make a better blog with the use of new media tools. A good book is mainly about an excellent plot and a good use of language. But a good blog is more than 2 elements. New media is not about regular status updates. To keep your readers’ attention, not only do you need an original and meaningful message, you also need to balance font style, font size, font colour, images, videos, emoticons :) …and more.

A good blog is also about consistency. Blog layout, profile, profile pic, background, font style, font colour, topics of the posts (and also tags)… Every single element contributes to building the image of your blog. To keep the group of readers following posts after posts, a consistent tone or theme is one of the important elements. Take Jezebel as an example, it is rated as one of the most powerful blogs by the Guardian because of its firm focus on women-related topics.

Blogging Tips From an Expert Blogger - Social Media/Web 2.0

But in the same time, I learn to be aware of the dangerous side of new media tools. We have to be careful of what new media tools bring us. Yes new media like Facebook is very convenient, but it is dangerous to be TOO convenient. Take this as an example:

I recently mocked a friend because Spotify revealed on his Facebook page that he was listening to the 2010 Ibiza Party Workout. (I accused him of being a metrosexual several years too late.) Turns out that he, like many others, had no idea Spotify shared every single tune to which he was listening, and we discussed whether this much sharing made sense. The answer is no today but yes tomorrow, because the future of social media depends on smarter tools that permit us to share more but consume less. 

from http://www.experiencetheblog.com/2011/10/future-of-social-media-data-vs.html by Augie Ray

If we don’t choose the tools carefully, we might fall into the trap and lose some of our private information, money, or even more. Recently in Hong Kong there was a rumour about LINE app by Naver and the privacy issue it has. A lot more examples can be found on the article Your Apps Are Watching You.

We have to be wise when choosing and using new media tools. And I think the best advice I can give is to gather knowledge of the tool before using it, and be aware of what private information you put on the web.

Image by cambodia4kidsorg

Comments I've made in:

King's blog 1

Jenifer's blog 1

Jenifer's blog 2

Kitty's blog 1

Kitty's blog 2

Kitty's blog 3

Gamestar Mechanics!

haha! The first game I've made:

Writing for new media - Nico Nico Douga

Photo by by MJ/TR (´･ω･)

In Week 5 Jonathan and I introduced to the class the Nico Nico Douga live broadcast, and the merits and demerits of using it as a broadcast host. This week I will show you how the site is in terms of its audience. Before jumping into topic, let’s have a quick review of our presentation, with the new media tool, 280 slides, that Kitty and Jenifer shared with us:

To audience of Nico Nico Douga, contents that they can create are majorly comments. The comments are embedded directly onto videos, synching such viewer-generated content to a specific playback time. According to the Asia Times Online, Nico Nico Douga was the first social media platform allowing viewers to do so. With this unique feature, Nico Nico Douga benefits audience in the following area:

• Shared watching experience – Viewers leave comments directly to the event occurring in the video, in sync with other viewers, creating a sense that all viewers are watching the video together, and that they are socially connected with each other.

• Thinking process can be understood – Looking at the synchronized comments, the flow of thinking throughout the video is observed.

• Comments as a creation of content – From viewer’s private matter to discussion on latest news, comments are of different topics that you can ever think of, not just about the video. Sometimes the comments are so attractive that viewers only focus on reading comments but not the video.

• Communication between viewers – Not only is there a video creator-viewer communication, there is also a viewer-viewer communication in a video. Sometimes viewers generate topics, or comment in response to other viewers’ words, creating communication within the communication of video.

The commenting feature is what makes Nico Nico Douga special. It makes the site one of the significant new media tools because of its low barrier for any users to contribute, creating part of the content of videos even if they don’t have advanced technical skills. And since the comments are overlaid to videos, users came to believe that their contributions do matter within the social community of Nico Nico Douga.

This leads to the point why the topic of writing for new media tool is important for people now – because everyone is somehow a content creator. New media tool becomes so necessary in our lives across business exchange, educational practices, social interactions and personal development. Everyday you comment, you post on your Wall, you tweet. And the content you created can potentially influence thousands of people who might get access to read it. Therefore, as a creator we need to know and acquire the skills of how to write effectively with new media tools. We should be aware of the advantages of using new media to express ourselves or spread news, as well as the ethical issues, such as invasion of privacy, that are hidden under our texts.

Note: Unfortunately the Nico Nico videos are only open to registered users. That’s why my linked video is from YouTube.  For those who don’t know Japanese but want to try out for this site can take a look at this useful tutorial.

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mujitra/4196971117/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU3DrYwWTTI&feature=related

My digital life

I can't live a day without computer.





Morning starts with me turning on my Mac before brushing my teeth. And I go straightly to Facebook and check for new feeds. It is until 30 minutes later that I can make up my mind to have my breakfast. The next items in my must-do list are to upload Tweets, read Yahoo! News and login my e-mail accounts. Surfing through various websites, Facebook comes again with more new feeds waiting for me to read, and then Twitter, and then Yahoo! News... The cycle goes on until I finally go to bed, I hear my computer turning off with a sound of relief.


My addiction to computer is one of my drives to study this course. I would like to develop an understanding of the new digital communication tools, and how people can communicate effectively with the use of these tools. Hopefully after taking this course, I would be able to figure out why so many people, including me, are so enthusiastic about the new media.




Oh, and it's time to harvest my crops in Pigg again. See you soon!



Photo by 150hp