Review of Dr. Rheingold's Social Media Video

Dr. Rheingold's Social Media Video located at the following URL
http://vlog.rheingold.com/index.php/site/video/social-media-classroom-why-use-forums/
is a further extension of original text based platforms of UUNET, BBS, and NetNews which were the forefront of the Blog that added images and static videos to the collaboration forums. Now the Social Media Video will insert the responder’s video as a thread to the original video. The dilemma I foresee with this medium is the lack of being anonymous and unidentified with a video response but the platform still offers the text based response as well. I do perceive that this video medium will be employed by business to capture important visual responses to ensure legal liability.

Analysis of Web 2.0 - Second Life

Second Life is a three dimension (3D) virtual reality world created and developed by its residents since 2003 when it made its public debut. The URL http://secondlife.com contains a plethora information pertain to this virtual world. The structures and items in Second Life are created from basic shapes such as cylinders, cones, triangles, circle, squares, etc. and changed through a simple edit menu to manipulate the basic object into buildings, lamps, chairs, clothing, and flowing hair.

Currently, are Doctorate course is using Second Life to hold interactive classes to discuss topic Futuring and Innovation (Socio-Technical Futuring). These sessions have shown the participants how to move their avatar, create a lamp, chair, fountain objects from a cylinder, and chat using voice and typing features. Other opportunities discovered are the usage of Second Life by businesses and other University to hold virtual conferences.

I can see the value of Second Life to extend the sharing of information through virtual conferencing and collaboration session. I understand the potential for simulating the economic commerce environment to apply business and marketing strategies which could be applied in real life. I plan on continuing my edification after the course and my dissertation is complete.

Here is a photo of our class avatars in Second Life.

Analysis of Web 2.0 - Blog Tool

The Web 2.0 Blog application is an extraordinary social networking tool. Blogging is an effective medium for sharing ones beliefs, ideas, concepts, and perspectives. The blogger must be aware that they will receive both good and bad criticism and alternative viewpoints from a potential global audience, depending upon the blog configuration. The collaboration of thoughts and ideas promote innovative starting points which may mature into a new product or service. The disadvantage of the global brainstorming is the lost of ones intellectual property.

Another downside of Blogging is the potential and realistic economic consequences encountered when writing about an organization the Blog owner is affiliated and associated. The consequences are severe when the Blogger portrays and characterizes an organization in a prejudicial, detrimental and one sided viewpoint. The economic consequence involved the immediate dismissal from employment.

Overall the Web 2.0 Blog tool is an extraordinary freedom of speech instrument that allows global discussion of local and global issues and problems regardless political structure but not necessarily of their consequences.