Post presentation reflection

After giving the presentation and hearing from the others of all of the advances that technology has allowed emerge, it is evident that the next generation has a lot to look forward to. Technology is greatly affecting communication in general. The way people meet, the way they spread an idea, or the way they are able to "see" the world are all going to be directly affected by the technology available to them. In the record industry, I believe we will see many major record labels trying to keep up with technology but amplifying other qualities they have, now that they are not the only ones able to produce good quality music. They will continue to have the most networking capabilities and use the independant label world as a competition to seek out who can make it on their own. This allows them to see who is "sellable" and makes a major record labels job that much easier if the artist is already globally know. Technology has helped in massive ways to the spread of music and the variety now being exposed.

Amy Karr-Web 3.0: The Systematic Web

Today I will be discussing the emerging technology of Web 3.0, or the Semantic Web and will address the question of the week, which asks, “How are emerging technologies impacting society?” The Issue today is that we have made it easier for the average Internet user to read content on the web, but now we face the issue of implementing new technology that allows for the computer to understand human content through semantics. The Semantic Web is a developing technology that takes data and links it together to form a network that will better connect users to the information they actually desire. There are many resources available on-line but no way to connect and process it in a way that the computer can understand. My main argument is that the World Wide Web gives us access to information, but this information is not understood by the computer and cannot effectively provide what we ask the computer if it does not know what we mean. The information that we have access to via the Internet is limited to documents on the Web, rather than data. The Semantic Web will provide the opportunity to connect data for the advancement of research. Once the technology is implemented fully onto the World Wide Web, it will save the time and effort put forth in research by bridging related data together and eliminating the never-ending Google search. Institutions that use semantic technology, such as the medical field, in the same way save time and energy that would normally be devoted to an endless amount of time searching medical records and historical data. The development of The Semantic Web is taking measures to revamp how research is done, and this impacts not only the efficiency of gathering information for Internet users, but for the advancement of research particularly in the medical field.

A helpful video of the development of the world wide web: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=off08As3siM

The Future of Record Labels

Today I will be presenting on the future of record labels. Record Labels are responsible for a large portion of the global music sales but are beginning to struggle with growth and profitability in an era of advancing technology. Music fans are not putting money directly into corporate pockets like they used to. Advancements in technology like iTunes, Independent labels, and several mediums of digital downloads ( legal and nonlegal ) have brought a decline in the Record industry but a massive rise in the music industry. Record labels are now looking into innovative ways to keep up with technology to maintain necessity and relevance.

My argument is that the rise of advanced and accessible technology has brought an incline in the music industry and a decline in the record label industry. The two are different entities that work under the same umbrella category of entertainment, so are often misunderstood or just used interchangeably. In my presentation, I clearly define and separate the two as different jobs within the industry. I also expand on the increase in independent labels. Independent labels are privately owned and operated smaller labels that take advantage of the convergence of telecomm, media, and computer technologies made readily available to us. Once musicians and other artists realized the capabilities and accessibility's they have to all of the same technologies as a major record label, independent labels and music production began to flourish, causing the demise of the major record labels.

My presentation goes into detail how the digital music evolution has played a significant role is my main argument and I conclude with how record labels must play in the game of the indie labels in order to maintain relevance and necessity. They will need to use tactics like game shows, and push the fact that they do still have the resources to reach major connections internationally with a little more accreditation.

Derek Fadner - Cloud Computing and its Impact on Society

Today, I will be presenting the class with a case study answering the research question for this week: “how are emerging technologies impacting society?” The case study topic I will be investigating is cloud computing. Cloud computing has existed in various capacities for over a decade, but today we are seeing rapid growth and improvement throughout this area of technology. Cloud computing by definition is data and software applications no longer existing on a person’s personal computer, but on web-based servers managed by third-party providers. Users range from individual citizens to both large and small businesses. Cloud computing provides a convenient way to do a number of tasks such as email, photo sharing, and data storage. Everyday examples of cloud based systems include Hotmail, Gmail, Google Docs, iCloud, and pee-to-peer file sharing applications such as Napster and Limewire. Because information is stored on virtual web servers, there are issues concerning the privacy of cloud users. In addition, as is the case with a majority of new technologies, there are ongoing legal issues that have yet to be resolved.

The main argument I will make in regards to this week’s question is that cloud computing is having a significant impact on our society and the way businesses and individuals use software and store data. These impacts could lead to a decreased reliance on an individual’s own hard drive. There is also the potential for a shift towards accessing software applications solely via the
internet instead of downloading them onto our devices. Because cloud servers are managed by third-parties, businesses will continue to reap cost saving benefits associated with no longer maintaining hardware, reduction in software purchases, and decreased reliance on IT support. These cost saving measures, coupled with the convenience that cloud systems provide, will cause users to overlook concerns they may have regarding privacy and continue to embrace cloud
based systems.

Click
here to see further what cloud computing can do for businesses. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae_DKNwK_ms

luke cavanagh, megan villa, sisi berry, lindsey keeney, EZ, Christian Haile