In my previous blogs I have discussed the evolution of the internet from being merely an information source to becoming a business tool, a social networking tool, an international networking and relations tool, its evolution from a hobby to a career builder, the produsage effect translating to television and now the production of software itself via the internet. I suppose it is only natural to progress from consumer- produced content to consumer-produced software, and discuss the step-up of the consumers role in the evolution of the internet and now consequently software itself. However with another new internet-led phenomenon, one must ask- is this really produsage in a more large scale action or is it just an excuse and opportunity for IT students and technology interested folks worldwide to experiment with existing software structures?
The phenomenon in question is in fact labelled as Open Source Software. The differences between closed source and open source software are mainly the confidentiality surrounding closed source software produced by large companies such as Microsoft which operate the development of software as a structured business in relation and opposition to the free and open knowledge of open source software which is in fact developed by volunteers and teams in the community rather than paid employees. Anyone can see, use or even edit open source software to create their own form of software to suit themselves and fix withstanding problems of the software in opposition to developmental goals which are set by software companies. In essence, the difference between closed source software and open source software is merely software production versus software produsage.
But is open source software really produsage for the greater good of the community in general or is it more or less just for IT students looking for ways to brush up on their ‘sweet skills’ and developing software in a more experimental way than what would be allowed by the software company? I guess that in the case of software and the internet, the motivation behind the technology is not of real importance but the outcome of the experiments. Probably the greatest benefit for the production of open source software is the fact that changes are being produced by consumers themselves. Produsers who are participating at their own free will in the direction they choose, also for their own consequential benefit, the subsequent software is bound to be of benefit to the entire community rather than an exploitation. It is also possible that the software will be developed faster and a larger range of solutions will be developed through having a large number of consumers contributing to the software’s development. Possibly the greatest benefit of open source software is the fact that it will always be evolving and being bettered by those who are interested in creating something better and more interesting, as produsers will easily and quickly spot the flaws in their own designs once using their own product, once again proving the benefits of open source software in relation to closed source software, and that the benefits far outweigh the concern behind any motivation the produsers might have to make their product perform and work the way they intend it to.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Produsage and Television
In my previous blogs I have discussed the ideas and trends of produsage on the internet and the subsequent changes in uses of the internet. However, it is not only the internet that has been affected by the new phenomena that is currently sweeping the web. As I have been focussing on the effects and changes that have been occurring over the internet, I have come to neglect one of my favourite forms of media, television! I have decided that this week I will further my discussion of the topic of produsage, however instead of continuing on focussing on the internet, as I have for the past four or so weeks, that I will now focus for a moment on the changes that have occurred within the television industry due to the changes occurring to internet usage.
I have in fact studied this topic previously and find it fascinating that I have never at any point related the produsage phenomena of the internet to the produsage phenomena that is now occurring, and has been for a few years, on television. I have no doubt that it is in fact the television industry that is following the footsteps of the internet. With the huge increase in the number social networking websites on the internet and the immensely popular website YouTube, which is based all upon the idea of produsage, it is no wonder that the television producers of today are looking at ways in which they can include this phenomena in to their own media. Obviously the recent shift in the relationship between the audience and the producers is due to the fact that producers want to maintain or increase their profits. Consequently, media producers have had to ensure that they are aware of the audience’s desires regarding entertainment and television. When media producers look at the trends of the internet, there is no doubt that their audiences are enjoying having the ability to have control over their own media and are producing their own also- just look at YouTube. So in an effort to increase their audience and subsequently their profits, television producers have taken to including interactive television shows through which the audience as a whole can choose their own outcome and their own winner, which is essentially produsage in action.
And it is no surprise to the producers that subsequent television shows such as Big Brother, American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, have become hugely successful all over the world. By voting by phone and online, the audience are choosing what the television producers end up producing. However, while television producers have given the audience control over the direction of the television program, they can still maintain and preserve the strict guidelines to which they are legally bound by governmental regulations.
So to link this topic back to the internet, it is easy to see the effect that the fluidity of the internet and it’s evolving uses have not only effected global physical cultures as discussed in the couchsurfing blog, but that the internet is also having a big effect on the production of television shows. In addition, it’s also interesting to think that television producers now create websites for television shows they air and that through these websites, interest groups are evolving and creating more virtual cultures and social networks.
I have in fact studied this topic previously and find it fascinating that I have never at any point related the produsage phenomena of the internet to the produsage phenomena that is now occurring, and has been for a few years, on television. I have no doubt that it is in fact the television industry that is following the footsteps of the internet. With the huge increase in the number social networking websites on the internet and the immensely popular website YouTube, which is based all upon the idea of produsage, it is no wonder that the television producers of today are looking at ways in which they can include this phenomena in to their own media. Obviously the recent shift in the relationship between the audience and the producers is due to the fact that producers want to maintain or increase their profits. Consequently, media producers have had to ensure that they are aware of the audience’s desires regarding entertainment and television. When media producers look at the trends of the internet, there is no doubt that their audiences are enjoying having the ability to have control over their own media and are producing their own also- just look at YouTube. So in an effort to increase their audience and subsequently their profits, television producers have taken to including interactive television shows through which the audience as a whole can choose their own outcome and their own winner, which is essentially produsage in action.
And it is no surprise to the producers that subsequent television shows such as Big Brother, American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, have become hugely successful all over the world. By voting by phone and online, the audience are choosing what the television producers end up producing. However, while television producers have given the audience control over the direction of the television program, they can still maintain and preserve the strict guidelines to which they are legally bound by governmental regulations.
So to link this topic back to the internet, it is easy to see the effect that the fluidity of the internet and it’s evolving uses have not only effected global physical cultures as discussed in the couchsurfing blog, but that the internet is also having a big effect on the production of television shows. In addition, it’s also interesting to think that television producers now create websites for television shows they air and that through these websites, interest groups are evolving and creating more virtual cultures and social networks.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Produsage... just the way you like it
In my previous blogs I have discussed the introduction of a new wave of internet technologies and uses, and have also looked at specific examples of sites and networks that are single-handedly changing and evolving the spider web that is the internet, internet uses and even physical networking habits. While online networking sites have become increasingly popular and have revolutionised our use of the internet over recent years, and allowed international citizens to be more connected to each other than ever before, so too have websites that encourage produsage changed the way we use and view the internet.
In my first blog from a couple of weeks ago now, I discussed the beginning of the internet and how it’s changed- it’s evolution into a business tool, etc and the produsage phenomena has had a similar effect. The term produsage, for those of you who do not study new media or have not already worked it out- clever if you have- refers to the idea of consumers not only merely using or consuming their choice of media or programs, but also taking part in the production side of it, creating the content and structure of the media themselves. This new phenomenon can be seen through the relatively recent explosion in networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, where users create their very own profiles and “internet selves” so to speak, to broadcast to the world wide web, as well as sites such as del.icio.us and blogging sites, such as that I am currently using to produse my blogs at the moment, to broadcast individual opinions and share information for individuals to present their own individuality to the world, while also creating an internet space that they are comfortable using and are happy with the outcome and calling it their own.
One such produsage site which has in itself become its own phenomenon is YouTube. YouTube is a site which can be used for networking, business opportunities, entertainment and even political elections and campaigns. Through the user’s ability to easily upload their very own video footage to the internet, with relatively few regulations, individuals are not only expressing themselves and broadcasting their individuality and talents to the world, but they are also participating in one of the largest produsage communities on the internet and in the world! What began as an interesting idea over dinner and as more of a fun, entertaining hobby, has turned into one of the biggest internet phenomena, with produsers being offered careers with a few clicks of a button. It is now possible for any user to have their 15 seconds of fame through the word of mouth and the international online community. Perhaps it is the opportunities that the produser sites such as YouTube creates for participants or perhaps it is the user’s interest in merely being able to have complete control over their own media, whichever it may be, the produser phenomenon has exploded not only as a hobby but also as a networking and even business and career tool. This once again links back to my previous blogs regarding the internet as a business tool and niche markets all over again. The produsage phenomenon has definitely changed the way in which consumers view and use the internet now with the ease of produsage making the internet a much more user friendly technology, with so much more popularity that Oprah Winfrey even had an entire show devoted to YouTube, and we all know that if you’ve made it on Oprah, then you’ve made it big!
In my first blog from a couple of weeks ago now, I discussed the beginning of the internet and how it’s changed- it’s evolution into a business tool, etc and the produsage phenomena has had a similar effect. The term produsage, for those of you who do not study new media or have not already worked it out- clever if you have- refers to the idea of consumers not only merely using or consuming their choice of media or programs, but also taking part in the production side of it, creating the content and structure of the media themselves. This new phenomenon can be seen through the relatively recent explosion in networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, where users create their very own profiles and “internet selves” so to speak, to broadcast to the world wide web, as well as sites such as del.icio.us and blogging sites, such as that I am currently using to produse my blogs at the moment, to broadcast individual opinions and share information for individuals to present their own individuality to the world, while also creating an internet space that they are comfortable using and are happy with the outcome and calling it their own.
One such produsage site which has in itself become its own phenomenon is YouTube. YouTube is a site which can be used for networking, business opportunities, entertainment and even political elections and campaigns. Through the user’s ability to easily upload their very own video footage to the internet, with relatively few regulations, individuals are not only expressing themselves and broadcasting their individuality and talents to the world, but they are also participating in one of the largest produsage communities on the internet and in the world! What began as an interesting idea over dinner and as more of a fun, entertaining hobby, has turned into one of the biggest internet phenomena, with produsers being offered careers with a few clicks of a button. It is now possible for any user to have their 15 seconds of fame through the word of mouth and the international online community. Perhaps it is the opportunities that the produser sites such as YouTube creates for participants or perhaps it is the user’s interest in merely being able to have complete control over their own media, whichever it may be, the produser phenomenon has exploded not only as a hobby but also as a networking and even business and career tool. This once again links back to my previous blogs regarding the internet as a business tool and niche markets all over again. The produsage phenomenon has definitely changed the way in which consumers view and use the internet now with the ease of produsage making the internet a much more user friendly technology, with so much more popularity that Oprah Winfrey even had an entire show devoted to YouTube, and we all know that if you’ve made it on Oprah, then you’ve made it big!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Couchsurfing- the reversed social network
Within recent years there has been a huge increase in the number of networking community websites on the internet. I discussed this topic in my previous blog, looking at the information increase due to the internet and also the niche markets which have become more prevalent and, more importantly, more accommodated through the phenomenon. In this week’s blog I plan on discussing this idea further by looking at the effect that such online networking and online communities can have on the physical world. An example of the virtual communities’ effects on the physical world can be seen through the website or social network- whichever you would prefer to call it – Couchsurfing.com.
Couchsurfing is a unique online network which has taken the virtual community and created a physical network, in which participants of the network can find like minded individuals through the website and end up crashing on their couch for a night or a few nights, as a form of accommodation when travelling intrastate, interstate or even internationally. Rather than the other regular networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, where you would mostly only network with individuals you have at some point physically met in your life first before adding them as a contact to your profile before continuing contact through the use of the internet, Couchsurfing has really just reversed the direction of the relationship and has created a networking platform where strangers are given the opportunity to communicate electronically first before meeting physically later.
As a traveller myself, I have met a number of people who have taken the opportunity to use Couchsurfing and thoroughly recommend it, as well as have friends who are currently couchsurfing their way around the world. When I discussed the process with my mate Andy, a fellow Aussie currently couchsurfing around the USA and now South America, he made the comment, “it’s really all about good karma” (2008). I believe this comment really captures the essence of networking websites such as Couchsurfing, which are connecting individuals and cultures all around the world, daily. It highlights the fact that while the internet was previously seen as a new technology merely for the dissemination of information on a wide scale, the internet has now become its own very powerful networking tool to aid not only individuals in their quest for free accommodation, and businesses alike, but also international relations and education in a sense.
Another huge difference with a networking site such as Couchsurfing is also the trust that is involved for both parties. This trust not only involves the two contributing parties themselves, but also the rest of the social network, as once the safety of the network is compromised, so too is the success of the whole network. However this is also one of the main reasons as to why Couchsurfing and similar social networks are so successful and not only that but are also assets to the global community, promoting international relations. With such online sites linking strangers all over the world, it seems the global community is shrinking in size. Through the relationships established via online networking facilities, I believe it is fair to say that the internet and online networking sites are having a positive effect on the global community and may even one day have greater impact on international relations, even though this may just be my very optimistic world view.
References:
Andrew Balzat, April 2, 2008.
Couchsurfing is a unique online network which has taken the virtual community and created a physical network, in which participants of the network can find like minded individuals through the website and end up crashing on their couch for a night or a few nights, as a form of accommodation when travelling intrastate, interstate or even internationally. Rather than the other regular networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, where you would mostly only network with individuals you have at some point physically met in your life first before adding them as a contact to your profile before continuing contact through the use of the internet, Couchsurfing has really just reversed the direction of the relationship and has created a networking platform where strangers are given the opportunity to communicate electronically first before meeting physically later.
As a traveller myself, I have met a number of people who have taken the opportunity to use Couchsurfing and thoroughly recommend it, as well as have friends who are currently couchsurfing their way around the world. When I discussed the process with my mate Andy, a fellow Aussie currently couchsurfing around the USA and now South America, he made the comment, “it’s really all about good karma” (2008). I believe this comment really captures the essence of networking websites such as Couchsurfing, which are connecting individuals and cultures all around the world, daily. It highlights the fact that while the internet was previously seen as a new technology merely for the dissemination of information on a wide scale, the internet has now become its own very powerful networking tool to aid not only individuals in their quest for free accommodation, and businesses alike, but also international relations and education in a sense.
Another huge difference with a networking site such as Couchsurfing is also the trust that is involved for both parties. This trust not only involves the two contributing parties themselves, but also the rest of the social network, as once the safety of the network is compromised, so too is the success of the whole network. However this is also one of the main reasons as to why Couchsurfing and similar social networks are so successful and not only that but are also assets to the global community, promoting international relations. With such online sites linking strangers all over the world, it seems the global community is shrinking in size. Through the relationships established via online networking facilities, I believe it is fair to say that the internet and online networking sites are having a positive effect on the global community and may even one day have greater impact on international relations, even though this may just be my very optimistic world view.
References:
Andrew Balzat, April 2, 2008.
blogging is not for me
I really have to admit... I'm hating this assignment... something new every week
Friday, April 18, 2008
The internet and virtual communities
With the introduction of new websites and media technologies, comes the increase of readily available information- big surprise there. The internet in recent years has been providing the general public with the ability to produce and distribute their own opinions, beliefs and work through easily accessible resources and websites such as MySpace, YouTube and blogging pages similar to the one on which I am writing right at this moment. Along with this new information technology and the consequential information revolution also comes an increase in the number of opportunities for extended networking. Subsequently- well I believe that its subsequently- there has been an explosion in the number of new networking facilities, both socially and professionally leading to the creation of a new internet-based culture of web based communities.
From this new form of networking technology has come the endless supply of new information on the internet and an increase of technology-savvy consumers, who all contribute to their own networking site, which also in turn forms the basis of their own online community.
Websites such as Wikipedia and YouTube have also led the charge in the new phenomena of the creation of virtual communities and the endless supply of the new information available daily. With the introduction of such websites, information that would previously have been extremely difficult to find, or were only available or accessible or interesting to niche markets have suddenly become readily available to an amazingly increased number of consumers to the point where interest and activities that were once relatively unknown or were seemingly unpopular, have become much more widely recognised. In a lot of cases, I find that interests that were once thought of as strange now have online community groups where consumers interested in particular topics can discuss their opinions with fellow like-minded consumers.
The interesting characteristic of these online groups are that it doesn’t matter where in the world the consumer may be located, they can still participate within their chosen online group. This new phenomenon can be seen through the creation of websites and virtual groups such as ‘Feeders’, an online community group which is attracted to and turned on by people putting on weight or putting on the weight themselves. In a world that is seemingly obsessed by being slim and losing weight, the idea that people might actually be turned on by others or even themselves gaining weight would be thought of as strange and would have to create difficulty in trying to find fellow devotees. However with the massive increase in information and networking facilities on the internet, devotees can easily find and connect with others who are equally interested in such a niche community group. The differing localities of the individuals involved also can be seen to be a catalyst in the creation of such online community groups as participants of groups such as ‘Feeders’ commonly have no other form of communication to others in the group other then the net to contribute to their interest group. Perhaps locality is the reason behind the speed of the recent increase in community groups, or maybe the participants’ feeling of belonging? Whichever it may be, the new networking phenomenon is not likely to slow down or disappear anytime soon.
From this new form of networking technology has come the endless supply of new information on the internet and an increase of technology-savvy consumers, who all contribute to their own networking site, which also in turn forms the basis of their own online community.
Websites such as Wikipedia and YouTube have also led the charge in the new phenomena of the creation of virtual communities and the endless supply of the new information available daily. With the introduction of such websites, information that would previously have been extremely difficult to find, or were only available or accessible or interesting to niche markets have suddenly become readily available to an amazingly increased number of consumers to the point where interest and activities that were once relatively unknown or were seemingly unpopular, have become much more widely recognised. In a lot of cases, I find that interests that were once thought of as strange now have online community groups where consumers interested in particular topics can discuss their opinions with fellow like-minded consumers.
The interesting characteristic of these online groups are that it doesn’t matter where in the world the consumer may be located, they can still participate within their chosen online group. This new phenomenon can be seen through the creation of websites and virtual groups such as ‘Feeders’, an online community group which is attracted to and turned on by people putting on weight or putting on the weight themselves. In a world that is seemingly obsessed by being slim and losing weight, the idea that people might actually be turned on by others or even themselves gaining weight would be thought of as strange and would have to create difficulty in trying to find fellow devotees. However with the massive increase in information and networking facilities on the internet, devotees can easily find and connect with others who are equally interested in such a niche community group. The differing localities of the individuals involved also can be seen to be a catalyst in the creation of such online community groups as participants of groups such as ‘Feeders’ commonly have no other form of communication to others in the group other then the net to contribute to their interest group. Perhaps locality is the reason behind the speed of the recent increase in community groups, or maybe the participants’ feeling of belonging? Whichever it may be, the new networking phenomenon is not likely to slow down or disappear anytime soon.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
The business revolution
When the internet was first introduced, it was thought of as merely a resource for information, accessible by individuals situated in localities all around the world. This new technology was thought of as so amazing, the idea that people all around the world could see the same exact page on their computer was amazing! I can still remember when my primary school first got the internet installed on the library’s computers- the technology was seen to be so delicate and there was also very little to search for in comparison to the internet nowadays. However over the past 15 years or so, the internet has evolved so rapidly and grown so much that it is hard to picture how it used to be. Along with the technology’s evolution, so too have the uses of the internet evolved. What was once used for merely searching for information is now used for communication, a business tool, as well as for media sharing of television, music, radio and film, networking opportunities and even whole businesses. The idea of business over the internet is what I planned to focus on in my blog this afternoon.
In the past decade, the use of the internet for business purposes has sky rocketed. This has led to the huge increase in the expansion of business via the internet, and can possibly be attributed to the internet’s ability to reach such a large audience with a relatively inexpensive tool. Due to such a large increase in the size of a business’s market through internet tools, and the ability of the internet to promote local businesses worldwide and not only locally, a business revolution has occurred. This revolution allows businesses an ease in focussing their scope onto niche markets, which go beyond the mainstream interest which local businesses would previously had to have serviced in order to maintain profits. However with the introduction of internet based businesses such as Amazon.com, it is clear to see that the internet has forever changed the global business environment in a major way. This new business revolution has been labelled “The Long Tail” by Chris Anderson who has published a book and has a subsequent blog regarding the effect that the internet has had on business and niche markets all over the world. This ‘long tail’ effect also discusses the idea that by focussing on niche markets businesses, and even performers- such as bands and other musicians- can actually survive and create and maintain a professional career by reaching and having 1000 true fans. Anderson discusses in his blog the idea that with only 1000 devoted true fans that will buy anything you sell or produce the performer can make a professional living out of their work. The long tail effect essentially states that by merely focussing on a niche market, a business can successfully operate, a phenomenon which could not have occurred without the internet and the new technologies and trends that have subsequently followed. It is possible that networking opportunities have been created by this long tail effect, however maybe it was the long tail effect on business that has been created by online networking communities. I think that in this case, I may just leave at this ‘chicken or the egg’ idea and further discuss this topic maybe further down the track in future weeks.
In the past decade, the use of the internet for business purposes has sky rocketed. This has led to the huge increase in the expansion of business via the internet, and can possibly be attributed to the internet’s ability to reach such a large audience with a relatively inexpensive tool. Due to such a large increase in the size of a business’s market through internet tools, and the ability of the internet to promote local businesses worldwide and not only locally, a business revolution has occurred. This revolution allows businesses an ease in focussing their scope onto niche markets, which go beyond the mainstream interest which local businesses would previously had to have serviced in order to maintain profits. However with the introduction of internet based businesses such as Amazon.com, it is clear to see that the internet has forever changed the global business environment in a major way. This new business revolution has been labelled “The Long Tail” by Chris Anderson who has published a book and has a subsequent blog regarding the effect that the internet has had on business and niche markets all over the world. This ‘long tail’ effect also discusses the idea that by focussing on niche markets businesses, and even performers- such as bands and other musicians- can actually survive and create and maintain a professional career by reaching and having 1000 true fans. Anderson discusses in his blog the idea that with only 1000 devoted true fans that will buy anything you sell or produce the performer can make a professional living out of their work. The long tail effect essentially states that by merely focussing on a niche market, a business can successfully operate, a phenomenon which could not have occurred without the internet and the new technologies and trends that have subsequently followed. It is possible that networking opportunities have been created by this long tail effect, however maybe it was the long tail effect on business that has been created by online networking communities. I think that in this case, I may just leave at this ‘chicken or the egg’ idea and further discuss this topic maybe further down the track in future weeks.
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