Economies in Networking Citizens - Week 4

Lines and definite definitions of the world we once used to know are continually getting harder and harder to differentiate, separate and understand. In recent years, social networks has made an impact in the field of economics, labor markets and technologies. What was a flux in the many industries, the technologies emerged. Along with social networks, they have made their way into many organizational thinking and consideration. The change and freshness they brought in terms of working together coincides well with the core of business practice.

The world has seen a significant shift of the knowledge-based work to the line of service, especially in developed countries. Departments like "marketing" or "advertising" did not exist till the need of higher skilled and specialized workers to meet with the demands of an ever competitive international business environment. With these developments, our connections bind us together in complex interdependencies. This migration can be explained with the modern economic growth theory, which acknowledges the major role that technological process and knowledge contributing to long-term growth.

The thing about service jobs, as compared to knowledge job is difficult to exactly pin-point what is exactly work and to overlook them, especially jobs dealing with creativity and services. The change in work environment and expectations has lead people to believe and want better employment, and options to follow what is of value and of meaning to them. Money isn't the priority, but factors such as job clarity and purpose; a better community/ employee circle in the work place to make friends, and even a further spouse because they spend majority of their time there. A better social community leads to a better networked firm, which also equals to a happy or happier work place.

Employees and employers are also seeking to go further and break the market in such a highly competitive state. It is not uncommon to have different companies working for one major project, or the involvement of customers and businesses. Such collaborations leads to innovations, improvements, better quality of work and synergy between the employers, employees and customers.

The impact of of collaboration and changing workplaces, initially greeted with fear and hesitation becomes no or little issue in the work places today. Employer's allows their employee's to surf the internet even if it's unrelated to work, and employer's are noticing the immense opportunity to reach other to customers and future clients through social networks. The advantages are helping with how the organization works. However, it blurs the old structures and hierarchy's, and how things get things done the traditional way. After a study done by the consultancy firm McKinsey - it says that network relationships and formal hierarchy's are different things, and are not to be put together.

With a new way of organizational works, cost comes to mind. In the beginning, where networking was new and rather expensive, companies had to incur these costs along side the other traditional structures. But as technology improved, these changes impacted organizations. The collaboration of technology and business was started by a group of technological enthusiasts, who formed platforms where customers, develops and designers to come together and designed networking pages.

Many things can affect our networks and their counterparts, such as consumer behavior. What we buy/don't buy affects its seller in another part of the world. With network, it has changed the relationship between employer and employee, created more room and better communication with our colleagues, our clients and our bosses. This has made it easier for us to understand the dynamics of the ecologies of networks, yet shed some light the responsibility, of what we must do - as an individual and as an organization.

Week 4: Economies. In Networked Citizens (pg 25-31) Bradwell, P. and Reeves, R

<http://www.demos.co.uk/files/Network%20citizens%20-%20web.pdf>

Information Ecology - Week 2

Once upon a time, there was no such thing as Internet dating, Online Blogshops, Mobile Banking. But today, all these terms have become such a part of our daily lives that trying to define it would almost be impossible. Nowadays, virtually, all human actions rely, in varying degrees on digital information networks. Information Ecology is the studies of this environment, and basically does a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities & Threats) analysis to better understand this "2nd nature of ours".

The major components of this environment is intangible flows of information transfer produced and processed through media and accessibility to available information and communication. Such complex functions has their inter-connectors and they are known as nodes & flows.

Nodes: They're job is to process and direct information to wherever they have to go. I would say they're like the one of the many fortress/watch towers on the great wall of China. All these "stations" are connected by Flows, are the line or passage where information has to go through to get to the nodes.

For example, the icons can be considered as nodes, and the lines connected them are flows!

With these nodes and flows, they stabilize a substantial amount of information and communication and enables continuity and reliability. Of course, such an amazing structure did not come about by random chance, it was build and developed with lots of planning.

Here are the 4 key dimensions of the Information Ecology that we know of today.

1) Interdependency

The most vital thing about the ecological environment is its connectivity. All the nodes are similar, and are all united in this big mutual living environment. To help them connect, they use information. It is not however, the main objective as their are secondary/complement to the relevancy of their environment. What makes them same same but different is they work according to the local flavor. Like Bubur Ayam McD is not found in any other McDonald's worldwide... it is relevant to the people here in Malaysia.

2) Change

One thing about nodes and flows are because it is digital and virtual, it is easily influenced, edited and malleable. It gives births to improvements and even drastic changes. This does not mean however, that change disrupts whatever that has been build. It is the nature of this egolocial environment to be constantly changing. These changes are merely for adaption purposes, and not for optimization. It's keeping up with times, and seeing how well it goes. Again, will be using Mcdonald's is their introduction of free refills and Wi-Fi in their stores. Its a different concept, and it is to help them test whether it helps attract more customers.

3) Time-Boundness

To sustain the stability, reliability and efficiency of this environment, it has be updated and fast with its information flow. You snooze, you lose! Being timely, is important depending on the usage of the information you gain. For a stock broker, he has to have minute-to-minute update and data, anything more than 30 minutes is outdated; whilst the news agency who runs daily newspaper can use it as valid news. The Apple Pie in Mcdonald's has only a shelf life of 15 minutes, and anything after is considered as spoilt, and unable to eat.

4) Differentiation

Flows and nodes exist as long as they are making a difference through production of information for others to use. To survive in this environment, one has to have different functions and capability and it does not reply of collective cooperation. The similar differences will come together, and form a network that helps understand and help improve it. With different functions, it makes things less complicated and messy. This gives births to new flows, the flow of the flows and the maintenance of the existing. If all Mcdonalds were run under one big boss, say all the outlets in M'sia (over hundreds) cannot possibly be giving optimum results. Therefore are are split into branches and overlooked by different managers.

I can't help to think these 4 points are also key points to help a family function. These 4 functions go hand in hand, and together they are strong. They have the same focus, but have their own tasks and responsibilities to enable the structure to always be updated and susceptible to change :) They are an important aspect of our lives, and almost impossible to live without!

Week 2: Open Cultures and the Nature of Networks. "Information Ecology" (pg 62-66) Stadler, F. <http://felix.openflows.com/pdf/Notebook_eng.pdf>

I Just Texted To Say I Love You

This is how bad our world has been. Despite technology being able to bring forward information and communication era to a whole new level, it has some negative effects as well. Children don't bike around the neighborhood, or just playing and having a childhood like a normal kid. We're always on our gadgets, and despite being able to connect more, we are actually becoming quite disconnected with the people around us.

Scary isn't it? This is why I vow to never get a Smart Phone with Data Plan for if I get one, my life on the world ends and begins virtually - and that is very, very bad.

What do you guys think? :) How do we overcome this con?

Cyberspace Wants Their Own Space

When I went through the article "A Declaration of Independence of Cyberspace" I was quite moved. It was real, it was exciting, there was danger and almost every element provided in an action thriller movie. The internet is such an amazing and wonderful thing!

From what I gathered from the article - the reality and the virtual is at some sort of war. The non-virtual world is hungry for power, is greedy for profit and unaware how much danger they're putting the two worlds in. We have social entities that are in grave danger, yet march on with our own madness. We do not seek to find the solutions in our own problems, but we think by showing our power and being a bully to a perfect and peaceful world that is cyberspace, thinking that our solutions lie out there somewhere instead of ourselves.

The article, from what I understand says that it is willing to help us if we didn't just simply gate-crash the party and try to be the boss. The virtual world has solutions to offer, but we must take the initiative and humble ourselves to work in accordance to their success. I believe that for anything great to happen and to last, one has to start from the grassroot level. Like a mighty tree can only withstand bad times with a foundation and roots set deep.

For our world to prosper and their world to remain in peace - we can adapt some of their ideas and make it work our own way. No peace can ever be attained by calling war, even if for the best of motives. We must first respect the beauty of cyberspace and not act for personal gain.

Here are the 5 points that make cyberspace thick, and we must always keep it that way! :) Here goes!

1. No Big Boss That Hides and Only Appears When He Wants You Terminated (No Central Authority)

In short, there is no higher power that monopolizes everything that happens in the cyberworld. We are free to do whatever we fancy, and remember, not to be overboard!

"We are creating a world that may enter without privilege or prejudice accorded by race, economic power, military force... or station of birth."

2. Two plus Two is Four and That's Not The Only Way To Do It (Different rules, Different Way of Doing Things)

The point here is to say that in the cyberworld, there isn't such thing as fixed rules or a uniform code. There isn't one way to just doing things, and this must be remembered at all times for things to go on smoothly and without force.

"Your legal concepts of property, expression, identity, movement, and context do not apply to us. They are all based on matter, and there is no matter here."

3. A New Place, a new way of Living and Dealing with Things (Internet Culture)

With internet being more that just a tool for communication and information, it has become a whole new network that is digital and virtual. With that being said, the way we approach this is a whole new thing and cannot be interpreted as what we are used to in our non-virtual world.

"We are forming our own Social Contract. This governance will arise according to the conditions of our world, not yours. Our world is different."

4. The Individual, The Institution & The Community (Transactions & Relationships)

Despite our vast differences, we are interconnected, if not directly connected like in any networks. We no longer are faced the the limitations of physical space and distance anymore. As long as you have access to internet, the whole world is your friend. It's a connector that starts from now and ends at never :)

"Cyberspace consists of transactions, relationships, and thought itself, arrayed like a standing wave in the web of our communications. Ours is a world that is both everywhere and nowhere but it is not where bodies live."

5. What you see is not necessarily what you get (Virtual Identity)

With everything done online and digitally, one can easily be mistaken by perception from off the screen and what is really, real. It has the ability for you to be a completely new person, or a better improved version of yourself and no one will ever truly know it except you. It's a persona that doesn't allow room for discrimination and prejudice.

"We are creating a world where anyone, anywhere may express his or her beliefs, no matter how singular, without fear of being coerced into silence or conformity".

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Fascinating thing this Internet, isn't it? It's so unique and definitely one of its kind to deserve its own set of rules and guidelines! With all 5 points mentioned above, it has improved our lives someway or another. It has opened up our eyes to new things and allowed us to contribute to the world we live in. It's a beautiful place of opportunities that never cease to stop until it crashes down. Sadly, the boundless blessing that is internet is constantly under threat of those who seek for more than they ever need.

It is up to us, no matter how big, or small a consumer of the cyberspace to make sure that we play our part in preserving the internet that we know it today. We also must remember to give back what we have taken, and that is we must always contribute in our own ways for the peace and protection of the cyberspace - where limitless opportunity and improvement await.

Networks & Societies

Reading the article Why Networks Matter by Manuel Castells, one begins to ponder about the beginning and marvel at the wonders that networks is. Networks, who used to be and still are the organization of many social entities have improved and moved forward tremendously with the age of information and communication. What used to be a time lapse is forever an issue of the past - as today the world is constantly progressing and updating itself with the newest of technology.

In this article, there are a few main points that has been highlighted.

He says that networks are global. It is boundless, has the ability to interconnect with various organizations and is constantly diminishing the borders of what we call - the old world. With this, although not every human being has the opportunity to be in the global network - it has already influence and set new path ways for many nation and corporations. It has, in short structured a new way of living around the world, and we are all somehow, influenced by this sort of globalization.

With networks, it is simply out with the old and in with the new. Failure to upkeep and stay updated will cause the downfall of what used to be successful dictatorship and absolute monopoly. To be updated is to be more flexible in today's world. We have learned to live life in less rigid terms and are more open to change and various opportunities. To be successful and keep above the water - big associations and organizations must work together with its smaller parts, and always allow room for change, room for cooperation and room for healthy competition.

To be a sufficing network, one has to cooperate, consult and work together to find solutions. The ideals and ways of the world we once knew can no longer feed us and provide us. We must come together and make decisions, and not lived under one idealistic ruler with their own greed and gain.

With the internet, everyone can be involved in the restructuring of a new world order. We live in a world that has ample of opportunity, information and we have the means to communicate. Our worlds are opened up to exposure and new experiences. With networks, we can rebuild this world - and reckon we are all at a stage where we can contribute to a better network and world.

With networks, we are no longer separate entities living for sole survival. We all are part of a big contribution towards the advancement of these networks and we are free to use it for our own uses and according to our own values and stands. However, we must integrate the vastness of the goodness that comes with networks and shared experiences and define them. Our world is the space and time we live in (networks) and they are the material world of our mind and representations.

Finally, the mystical force that powers the world we live in today is located in the networks that structure society. It is the connectors/disconnectors that gives rise to power and ability. They matter because they are the underlying structure of our world that we live in today. We must understand the basics of the working or cease to fully understand their true potential. If we don't understand our own "networks", we will forever just "adapt" and follow", not understanding the potentials that it has for the betterment of our world and the big bright future.

What do you think? To simply follow or to push forward in the understanding of the world that we have lived in, living in and will forever live in? What will happen if we simply just follow the flow, or push the boundaries of what we know? What can happen, will we be victorious or will we be in danger?

The 9 Habits of Highly Effective Blog Posting

I'm the sort of person who enjoys following routines and fixed ways of doing things - so naturally guidelines, basic rules and instruction manuals work very well with me. Which boils down to this - Why did I not find this article Nine Signs of an Effective Blog Post by Darren Rowse, who is a professional in the blogging field much earlier? I started blogging since 2007 and still am. This is useful for anyone who wants to start their own blog, or trying to improve :)

Here are the nine things to do to make a successful blog post... Remember, you must always try your hardest to satisfy all nine of the criteria's! Here goes!

1. The Headline

Like the start of an essay, the introduction is the preview of what is coming ahead - if it's not interesting enough, chances are its not going to captivate you enough to read the remaining parts of the essay. Bear in mind that there are many other things out there trying to grab your attention - and a play with words that is fascinating and relatable to prospective readers.

Though not the best example though "effective", it gives you an idea on how to catch the audiences attention. You either promise them a benefit, or simply cause curiosity for them to read on!

2. The Content

If you are lucky to find illustrations in the forms of images in the form of pictures, graphs and others - its best to use it to your advantage. Remember to make it relatable to your topic and your audience. Our brain loves colors and the saying that a picture paints a thousand words - is true!

There are many ways to capture reader's attention. Here's the one of the example: This is the Hierarchy of Needs by Abraham Maslow. This example summarizes the 5 major stages/points of this principle and it is easy to read, understand and most importantly, its easy on the eyes and is captivating.

3. The Introduction

The reason why students can barely stay awake reading text books because it is filled with little lined words in black that is mundane, repetitive and *gasp* non-stimulating. Therefore, it is important that your header and introduction is clear to transmit the most precise points of the reading (ie: the benefit, why, what, who and etc). It is important at this point to reinforce the benefits, explain what is upcoming, establish your goodwill and credibility and of course, how does this relate to the audience you're trying to reach.

Remember, you want an active reader, not a passive one on their way to dreamland! :P

4. The Background

Picture yourself trying to revise for your final exams that happening in 3 hours while your little brother is raging on his World of Warcraft game, your mother is watching television while your youngest sister is yapping away on the phone. Chances are that nothing will go in and you'll end up frustrated, and just leave your exam to the hands of the Gods because it's too difficult. Same goes with blog posting - be precise, clear and avoid clutter, too much distractions and maybe it's a good idea not to put music that can steer the attention away from the main topic.

Remember, less is more! And crystal clear is always good!

5. The Sequence

Picture this: Imagine if you were to ask someone for directions from Inti College Subang Jaya to Carrefour and the person decides to tell you the way from the ending point instead of the starting point. If you manage to still find your way - you're a genius! But I think almost everyone if put in this situation, we would be so confused they wished they didn't ask earlier on. Therefore, it is always important for the writer/author to place the points in a systematic order for easier understanding and linkage by the reader.

Here's an example of systematic writing/illustration and I believe even if the most art illiterate person were to try, he would be properly guided and lead that his attempt would be quite fruitful no matter what.

6. The Points

To create a successful blog post, once has to be persuasive. You must be credible, reasonable and make sense enough for your readers to understand your point of view and hopefully agree (not necessarily 100%) with your story. Remember never be undermine the knowledge of your readers and just make something up without evidence, and always appeal to them with statistics, stories and even through their emotion.

Remember, persuasion is power! And a very powerful tool! :)

7. The Hook

Now that you have established an captivating start, it is also equally as important to maintain that level of interest throughout the blog post. You must remember that there are many other blog posts out there fighting for the attention of your reader and remember to play it smart. You don't need to be slap-stick funny, you just need to keep your readers on the hook till the end.

Remember, criteria number 7 of an effective blog post is to be... you guessed it - Interesting!

8. The Credibility

Besides being interesting, persuasive as an author it has be to be believable. In short, you have to be credible in what you say. Would you believe if someone suddenly shouted "Hey! Mountain so and so is the highest in the world!" Our response would most like be "dude, get your facts right." For we all know that the highest mountain in the world is Mount Everest - and therefore it is important to know what you are saying. Be sure to state your sources, put your points correctly to earn the hard-earned trust of your readers!

Don't be like the boy who cried wolf too many times! You'll lose your reader's trust and that is something very difficult to earn back!

Last but not least...

9. The Impact

Finally, if you have satisfied the last 8 criteria's, you just need to tick off one more to make this post a roaring success. In the end of the post, to cause or be the cause of action is to have simply - touched the hearts of your audience. You must try your best to leave the audience is awe, or maybe wanting more - or just enough for them to get started and moving.

Remember, its important for action to happen or your post might just be like the others. Remember to inspire, and help your readers aspire!

Alright, I am done with my summary and understanding of this piece. I had a lot of fun doing it but more importantly, learning from it. Please feel free to leave your comments, and to everyone else - enjoy your weekend! :)

Happy Friday!

First Day of Global Networks

Hi everyone!

I am a rather new face in this program. Red hoodie and eyeliner sound familiar? I did not transfer over here from the Mass Comm diploma like the majority here, but instead I come from the AUP Program and was set to go to the US before the winds changed the tide and sent me here. I'm officially an UOW student! Woohoo!

I am super confused on what I'm supposed to do, or what is upcoming ahead for this semester. All I know is that I'm supposed to blog, tweet and go on delicious for this assignment, and it is fine by me. Although I must admit, starting anew is weird as I'm quite a social media freak myself. In my real virtual world, I blog at http://www.couskie.net and you can check out my twitter at www.twitter.com/juinniechew :) Oh, I really like to eat! Just thought you should know that hehe.

Looking forward to making new friends and working with you guys!