Future of the Internet

After seeing videos of the future of the Internet by my lecturer in class, I cannot help but wonder, what will the Internet be like 10, 50, 100 years down the road? I did a little more research on my own and found that the future of the Internet is a major European initiative as seen in the video below:

Future Internet from KMi on Vimeo.

"More than 1 billion users of mobile phones already have access to the Internet and this number will grow to 4 billion in the next few years" In the future, I see the whole world being interconnected via mobile devices. In the future, everyone, even those in rural areas, would have access to the mobile phone as that would be the primary device through which we communicate and carry out tasks on a daily basis.

"... As the Internet becomes the fundamental economic instrument"
In the future, consumers and businesses rely strongly on the Internet to function. Without the Internet network system, the world would not be able to function. Consumers will buy their daily necessities online and have them delievered to their doorstep daily via a sophisticated delivery system, operated by the Internet. Businesses would become ultra efficient with the future Internet and there might be no need for 5-day work weeks in the offices anymore due to flexible work arrangements made possible with Internet mobile technology.

"We are preparing for a web of things. All electronic devices will be active participants in the future Internet"
In the future, every single device would be connected with one another. Think of how your refrigerator would be connected with your bank account such that payment for goods and services becomes super speedy. Or how about cars and machines being monitored directly via the Internet? That would be a major benefit for companies!

"User genereated information will grow significantly and will be a driving force in the future Internet"
In the future, there would be no more Web 2.0. In the future, the semantic Web takes over. There will be fewer barriers for businesses, social networking and other activities on the Internet. Every single one would be activitely participating in the future Internet.

"We must imagine future Internet as a service. Mobile, ubiquitous and pervasive"
In the future, networks will be re-engineered in order to make all devices connected with one another, which increases the efficiency of the Internet for businesses and other services available. The future Internet will be 24/7, we would use the Internet more than we are using it now and it will become an indispensable part of our daily lives.

"Secure... efficient... interoperable, coherent, consistent, scalable, pervaise and reliable, these services will be networked together in the future of the Internet."
In the future, the Internet will be amazing. All these services will be networked together to provide all users around the globe with a strong network to base their activities on.

"Our future of the Internet relies on a global collaborative effort" In the future, no one gets left behind. There would be no more digital divide across the globe. In the future, everyone's lives would be improved because of the advancement of the Internet.

How long would this vision take to come true? We can only wait and see but I am surely excited to witness the advancements of the Internet in the years to come!

Some awesome websites

The Internet has been with us for many years now and it has grown to encompass virtually anything you can think of. From online references to games, social networking sites to e-learning sites, you can imagine how many million websites are out here. Today, I am going to share with you some of the websites I personally find interesting. So, here goes:

The Slightly Warped Website- The Crap Factory
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This is actually the first interesing website that I came across when I was younger and I have kept it in my bookmarks ever since! It was a website introduced to me by a friend when I was bored. The website provided me with a lot of fun facts such as getting to know about the sky dining concept in Europe, interesting signboards I never knew existed and other plain unusual or weird facts.

Websites for a cause
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I find it interesting that there are many websites out there that are created by people out of a good will. For example, the website links above have donation links for the recent Japan Tsunami disaster. This shows that the Internet has certainly been put to good use and it helps connect people all across the globe. People from all over are able to donate to Japan even though we are physically miles away. I definitely hope that these sort of websites continue to exist and even multiply, in order to better help those in need.

Omegle
Website link
I recently got to know of this website through a friend when, again, I was bored and did not know what to do. This is a website where one can randomly talk to and meet with strangers via instant messaging or webcam. The upside to this is that you get to meet all kinds or people and it helps to kill boredown. However, be warned that some people go onto Omegle with slightly warped intentions, such as looking for some "dirty fun". So, it can get irritating when you have to keep opening a new chat just because many of them are not there for the same reasons as me.

FML- Your everyday life stories
Website link
This is a website that allows people to post "bad" stories about their lives, in other words, rant. Perhaps this can be an outlet for people to vent their anger or relieve tension that they are feeling, which can be therapeutic for some. Visitors to the site are also able to read the life stories of others, making it a site for some good laughter or identification, in a sense that they know that they are not alone when life gets tough.

These are just some of the websites that I have discovered over time that I find interesting. Hope you had a good read!

Online journalism to take over?

With the emergence of online newspapers, it has made me think about the differences between online and traditional, offline newspapers and by extension, offline and online journalism. Personally, I very much prefer the broadsheet version as it has always been the traditional form of publication and it is something that I am used to everyday.

Technology advances has made it possible for newspapers to go online now and I feel that it somewhat changes the experience of reading a newspaper. The laying out of the pages on the table and physical flipping of the pages of the newspaper is something that accompanies me on my daily breakfast munching. If traditional newspapers were to disappear one day, I can imagine life to be a little different without it.

What would online journalism do to traditional publishing houses? Will they be able to retain their jobs in the future? Will offline newspapers no longer be able to sustain themselves in the future because of online newspapers? In the future, perhaps 10, 20 or 30 years from now, online journalism could take over offline journalism, considering the rapid advances of the Internet and technology. I can even count myself as a journalist, a citizen journalist, now as I write weekly in my blog to provide information for people to read. Will journalists then be obsolete in the future with the advent of citizen journalism? Will the quality of online and offline content differ? These are just some of my many concerns of online journalism.

One major advantage of online journalism, such as online newspapers, is that it brings convenience, 24/7 accessibly and less intruding on-the-go readership (imagine the packed morning trains with people taking up more space with them reading the newspapers) for people.

The Internet has also provided those who lacked the capital and perhaps the chance to be a journalist to actually have a shot at sharing their views to the public. There are many people who became famous for their online blogs actually, such as Xia Xua and Dawn Yang, examples more close to our hearts here in Singapore.

Also, with upcoming web advancements such as the Web 3.0, online journalism could spell better interactively, informational access and other benefits that traditional print journalism could not bring. Online journalism could possibly better meet the intellectual and social demands of people in the future!

In addition, another upside of online newspapers is that it is eco-friendly as it does not require the use of papers to disseminate information. Given the state of environmental decline we are experiencing as a whole, it could be a good idea to cut back on cutting those trees.

As much as I would not want to see the demise of the traditional print broadsheet, the benefits of online journalism seem to be catching up and might be more relevant and attrative in the future. Perhaps after decades down the road, I could be sitting at the table, reading the news with my laptop in the mornings, muching away on my breakfast, instead of flipping through the pages of a newspaper!

Yes We Can - The Internet takes politics to a whole new level

Below is an Emmy Winning video "Yes We Can" that was inspired by a speech delivered by Barack Obama following the 2008 new Hampshire primary. I personally do not have much interest in politics unfortunately but this video is something I have never seen before in the political arena. I felt that the video was very powerful on a political front, so please do take a few minutes to enjoy:



"Change", "Hope", "Vote", "Yes We Can" are the words I easily picked up after watching the video. The fact that I can so easily recall the words from watching the video just once shows how effective this video is for a political candidate. These are the key phrases they want to get out to the people and with over 1.7 million hits and being a winner of an Emmy, I can only imagine how many people take to those words.

I think this is the first time I have seen how politics are taken to a whole new level with the Internet and multimedia. I do not recall seeing a video on a political front such as this one. Most are usually boring, recordings of speeches, interviews and certainly not eye-catching. This video has employed the use of international artistes, music, a good juxtaposition of images, animation and catchy phrases. In my opinion, that is what makes the video so powerful: because it appeals to the people with its eye-catching and unconventional marketing.

Since many feel that young people are generally apathetic towards politics, maybe those in politics could also perhaps examine how they go about promoting themselves. Perhaps the majority of methods used are not relevant and appealing to the young, or perhaps we need more charismatic leaders that we identify we. Whatever it is, I think it is pretty evident that even in the political arena, there has to be constant change and improvements, in order to remain relevant.

In the future, it is highly probable that rallies will no longer take place only in real life but also broadcasted over the Internet, or perhaps voting will be done online. How about more personal interactions with Politicians over the Internet in real time? I am excited to see where the Internet takes politics in the years to come!

Apple and multimedia

These days, before the launch of practically any Apple product, such as the iphone, ipod or ipad, you can expect customers to queue up outside the Apple stores way before launch time or even witness some who camp overnight just so they can be ahead of everyone else in getting the new Apple product. If this is not evidence of successful marketing, I do not know what else is. Since this communication module focuses on communicating with the use of the Internet, let us look deeper into some of Apple's marketing strategy with the use of multimedia.

Smart use of media
With a variety of print ads, video ads, use of audio, use of text and so on, Apple uses a large variety of means to reach out to its audience. Not only are they prevalent online but they are also commonplace offline. They do not only place emphasis on a wide outreach but they also pay attention to the content used. Smart and catchy phrases by the Apple team such as "Spend Smart", "Make the ultimate upgrade" and "This changes everything. Again" are just some of their carefully chosen words used to attract consumers and build their brand. Below is an example of a very powerful video ad regarding Apple's iPhone 4:



Apple has very smartly incorporated various ways in just one ad to promote its iphone 4. These include the use of animations, use of clean, sharp and clear images, music, statistics and facts, images, illustrations, authority figures such as vice president of the Apple's product marketing team and senior vice president of iOS software, emotional and logical appeals to name a few. It has all come together to produce a very powerful video ad that I myself feel like getting an iPhone after watching this!

Website
Apple's website is also a very powerful marketing tool for its consumers. With an unconventional, unique, clean and consistent layout throughout their site, it is immediately aesthetically pleasing to the eye, attracting people to its site.



Within it's site, they have stratigically employed the use of videos, images and text to market their products, like the sreenshot of the iPhone 4 above. For example, for many of their products, there are videos and images for users to look at besides plain text. Not only are users able to get detailed information about their products but they get to visualize how the products look like too.

Interactivity
Another key marketing strategy used by Apple is the promotion of interactivtiy of their products and features. This has caused many to find the iPhone4 for example, so intriguing and to purchase the product thereafter. In fact, it promotes its iPhone 4 to be more than just any other smartphone. In fact, it promotes the iPhone to be more than a smartphone. Evidence of interactivity within the iPhone 4 include a large variety of applications, video calling, surfing, touch screen and so on.

This element of interactivity of Apple's can even be witnessed in their stores, where users are able to get their hands on Apple products and consults the Apple staff on the spot should they have any enquiries. This definitely helps to draw in the crowds!

Above are just some of the ways Apple has used multimedia alone to market their products. Just imagine what else Apple has done to promote their products and services.. It is truly amazing how within just approximately a decade, Apple has grown to capture such a huge user base!

Cyber crime in Singapore and how to protect yourself

According to an article on Channel News Asia, cyber-crime happens to 70% of Internet users here in Singapore, ranging from computer viruses to credit fraud to identity theft. Despite the extent of cyber-crime here in Singapore, many stay silent about it because the way cyber-crimes work today is that they steal only little information from victims, such that they feel it is unnecessary to report it to the authorities.

Here are some statistics about cyber-crime in Singapore from the article:
- Strongest emotional reaction to cyber-crime: Anger (58%)
- 1/4 blamed the criminals behind cyber-crime
- 1/3 felt responsible for cyber-crime activities that resulted form their responses to it
- 1/10 of Singaporeans have never fully resolved cyber-crime
- About 3/10 mentioned that the biggest hassle when dealing with cyber-crime was the time taken to deal with it
- More than 1/2 said their biggest fear of cyber-crime is possible financial losses

Given the prevalence and negative repercussions of cyber-crime in Singapore, I am sure many look to preventing cyber-crime. One way this can be done is by using a security softtware such as Norton AntiVirus. It helps to detect and eliminate online threats so that we can browse the Internet safely. It also has other feautures such as internet updates and rescue tools to help remove viruses and other malicious softwares on one's PC. Given that it is a leader in the industry, it provides one of the best Internet protections. Other popular security software providers include McAfee, AVG and Norman.

Secondly, one can employ the use of multiple passwords and also make sure that these passwords are frequently updated. This prevents hackers from easily hacking into one's other accounts.

Also, one should always remember to never disclose personal information such as one's address, telephone numbers, passwords, credit card numbers and so on unless absolutely necessary and only when it is an exchange with an authentic and credible source. This is to prevent identity theft and other related cyber-crimes.

Lastly, it is good to be educated about cyber-crimes as much as possible. They should come from credible sources such as books, credible online sources and even relevant authority figures. This includes knowing the different forms, how it happens, prevention methods and so on. With these knowledge, we are then better able to detect such cyber-crimes and decrease our chances of falling prey to it.

These are just some things that we can do as individuals to prevent ourselves from falling victim to cyber-crimes. Afterall, we are responsible for what we do online. If we do not take precautionary measures to protect ourselves from cyber-crime, we only have ourselves to blame should we fall victim to it. So, start now, before it's too late!

The Great Google

I am sure many of us are familiar with using Google's basic functions or at least, have heard of the name Google, which is the world's number one search engine today. To be honest, I did not know the extent of how great Google was until I sat through a week's lecture on Google by one of my instructors in school. I have played around with Google's features ever since and I am more than pleased to share what I have learnt.

Google Maps

The first thing that I explored on my own after my instructor's lecture was Google Maps because I personally found it very handy. It is a feature that enables you to get directions to where you want to go or it simply allows you to check a place out. I knew that Google Maps existed but I have never played around with it so extensively till last week! I am surprised at the accuracy and comprehensive list of features, such as having a comprehensive street view, enabling users to search what's available nearby and directions via public transport, private transport or walking. It really amazes me how Google manages to get such comprehensive coverage on areas around the world, not just Singapore. I will definitely be using this more often!

Google Trends

I also learnt about Google Trends in class and explored more on my own. Since I was doing a project on the record-low fertility rate in Singapore, I decided to search for low fertility trends in Singapore. Google Trends allow you to search by region and year but my search returned no results when I selected "Singapore" under region. I found out that Google Trends is better for getting a general idea of a certain trend and I would personally not use this feature for research papers as it is not comprehensive enough for my liking. One good feature in Google Trends, though, is that it brings you news results from your search too, which might be useful in helping you to gain more insights about your search.

Google Docs

Another feature that I found useful was Google Docs. As a student, perhaps many would expect me to be familiar with this feature but to be honest, I only became acquainted with it this semester when my lecturer used it to share documents with us and after my friend shared a file with me. The benefits of using Google Docs is that one is able to share files to many users at one time, as opposed to sending one file multiple times to many recipients. Also, it allows one to change settings, such as visibility and ownership, to suit one's preferences. However, I found it challenging to use as I found its interface slightly complicated. Also, as it is not a popular sharing platform among my peers, I do not see myself using it extensively anytime in the near feature but thumbs up to Google for creating such a useful file sharing feature that can be used by many at no cost at all!

Movie showtimes

Another interesting feature I learnt about Google is that local movie showtimes are available on Google! All I have to do is type "Showtimes for Singapore" and I am able to search for movie showtimes via theatre, day or timing. I do not know why I did not discover this useful feature earlier in the past but now that I have, I no longer have to go to the individual movie theatre company's website to check movie timings! It saves me so much more time and makes deciding what time to watch a movie so much more convenient!

Google has so many more features that are possibly undiscovered by many but it surely is a top-notch company that is competitive and versatile. Nowadays, you hear many people "googling" something thet they are unsure about and this certainly shows how successful the company has been. Google has been very useful to the majority of us so far I believe and I foresee that it will continue to grow to remain as great as it is now.