F-O-X

In the movie we watched in class "You've Got Mail" there were so many likenesses to what we've been studying, it's almost as if they made the movie for our class. The biggest thing that I got out of it was that you always have to be aware of who you are talking to online. The identity subject is still one that escapes our grasp as an online society. Nobody ever really knows who they want to be. In the movie, the two characters talk over email...Kathleen Kelly actually talks about how much she wants to put down Joe Fox because of all the trouble he is causing her, without even realizing that it is he on the other end. Everybody knows the saying "It's a small world" But with the internet...it's become a lot smaller.
One can never be too careful with a new person online, especially when it comes to meeting in person. Both parties in the movie were very timid to the fact of actually meeting one another. Until push came to shove both parties were comfortable being relatively unknown and impersonal. But just like the cat, curiosity killed their deal and they had to meet. The irony is that the second person there always has the first judgement to make, do they stay, do they go? Luckily for us Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan followed their online hearts and not their online bank accounts.

Second Life??? Do they even have a first?

In class lately we've really been stressing Avatars and online communities. I have no problem with the people who just try it out and use it on a regular basis, however, there are users out there who actually become who they create on "Second Life." For instance, I've seen on the program where users dress up their character as a cartoon, and actually act like that certain cartoon. It's like living their fantasy in a semi-reality. So it occurred to me that there are users of Second Life who live as their character for up to 10 hours per day depending on the week. 10 hours?? That leaves 14 hours to sleep, eat, and/or do something actually productive...14 hours!!!
I understand how things can be addictive, I can say that when I first became a part of AOL when I was younger, I was so mesmerized by the internet that I couldn't stop thinking about it, even at school. However, as time went on, it was just like washing my hands, it was always available. Is this going to be the same tale? Popular for a couple years, then becomes a second nature, or will it just be an XFL type deal which is popular for a little bit then VOOM! It's gone! I guess only time will tell and we just have to kind of wait until the next big thing comes along....

Test number 2

It's funny how taking a test on a computer and taking a test on paper can differ so much...When we took our second test on Friday on PC's I felt more prepared, and more comfortable than if I were doing it on paper. For some reason, my train of thought wasn't interrupted as much as usual when taking a test. Obviously, it had its drawbacks...the constant pounding of the keys, and the awkward noises of the room kind of threw me off a little bit, however for the most part I truly enjoyed taking a test like that.
What other ways of CMC will be possible for test taking in our future? Texting? Instant Messages with professors? Pretty much anything is possible...if communication keeps advancing at this pace, one on one sessions will be possible with video chat and text all at the same time. We'll have cyber classrooms, where all you have to do is roll out of bed, and turn on your digi-cam. I'm only 22, but with all the new tech stuff I'm already starting to feel as old as my parents....