Sunday, June 12, 2011

In conclusion

Labels: , , , , , at 9:28 PM





I have learnt the importance and influence that new media has. 


The blogosphere is like any other form of media. It requires design, journalistic insight and the power to publish. Its been a real joy to write for the subject of Publication Design. Although, I may not have the best eye when it comes to Publication Design, this weblog has thought me a thing or two and the discovery of numerous photo blogs have certainly sparked up an interest to photography. It is a very pleasurable pastime to take and view beautiful pieces of time. Frozen for that split second. Not only that, I too can share my photo's and learn.
 
That's not all. I have also learnt:
  1. Basic elements in composition like informational value, salience and framing (Kress & van Leeuwen, 2006)
  2. Importance of where things are placed on a document and why. (Bernhardt, 1986) 
  3. Designing for print and designing for online documents are completely different.Print is designed in 2-dimension, with much attention paid to layout, while web designs are ‘1-dimensional and N-dimensional’ which causes readers to scroll up-and-down as they read the document. (Nielson, 1997)
  4. Why visual aids are equally as important as text. (Shriver, 1997)
  5. Blogs may be more popular than traditional newspapers but newspapers are still needed because of its credibility and accuracy in information reporting.
  6. The importance of being ethical when it comes to information being put out.
These principles have served me well and will definitely be put to good use in future endeavours.


A big thank you to Miss Jenny of Taylors University for being really patient with me, at times the subject has been perplexing and her attention to detail certainly gave me a better understanding of what the subject is and requires. So for that Miss J, thank you very much.


Sincerely, 
Amelia Ho Hui Ping 
110072597 


301 words.


References
  1. Kress, G & van Leeuwen, T 2006, "Reading Images: Grammar of Visual Design," Routledge, London 
  2. Kress, G & van Leeuwen, T.2006, "Reading Images: Chapter 1: The semiotic landscape: language and visual communication".
  3. Nielson, J 1997, "The Difference Between Paper and Online Presentation," online, retrieved 18 November 2009, from http://www.sun.com/980713/webwriting/wftw1.html
  4. Bernhardt, Stephen A, 1986, ‘Seeing The Text,’ in College Composition and Communication, vol. 37, no. 1, p. 66 –78.
  5. Schriver, K.A. 1997, Chapter 6 in Dynamics in document design.
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Ultraman vs Tsunami

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , at 9:58 AM



Earlier this year, a Malaysian newspaper, Berita Harian posted this caricature that depicted Ultraman running from a Tsunami. This picture was published right after Japan experienced one of the most devastating Tsunami's in years. The tsunami was brought on by Japan's most powerful earthquake recorded.

The 8.9-magnitude earthquake triggered a deadly Tsunami that washed far inland, swamping towns, sweeping away a train and sparking massive fires that burned through the night. The death toll was not immediately clear, but there were reports of 200-300 bodies found in the north-eastern coastal city of Sendai alone. Numerous are missing. (CBC News, 2011)

This begs the question, how insensitive were the team that allowed the publishing of that particular caricature. During a time of crisis, they choose to release a picture as such? Is it ethical?

Following that, Berita Harian has issued a public apology over its publication of a cartoon depicting the devastating tsunami and earthquake that swept Japan and killed thousands.



The Malay daily published the apology on its website, Twitter and Facebook accounts Sunday after several quarters demanded that the newspaper apologise for the publication.
“We apologise for the publication of the cartoon in Berita Minggu. We had no intention of poking fun at the disaster that has befallen the nation of Japan and its people.
“In fact, we greatly sympathise with their plight and share the sorrow of the Japanese people,” the daily’s editor wrote. TheStar.com.my (Wong Pek Mei, March 2011)
That very morning a little while after the caricature was posted, many Malaysians took to social networks such as Twitter to voice out their outrage and disgust with the Berita Harian. Some even called for a boycott and an online petition page that was set up garnered 571 signatures within several hours. 
Several politicians have also slammed the cartoon, calling it 'tasteless' and 'insensitive'.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar  tweeted: "Berita Harian should apologise over the publication of the cartoon which is completely insensitive towards the Japanese.
In my opinion, the paper should have known that publishing such a caricature would inevitably harm their reputation. It was an insensitive call on both the editor and artists side. A little sympathy would have been a nice touch. 
Let's learn from this and never allow such a disgrace to befall us again. The fact that it was posted by a national newspaper not only harmed themselves but Malaysia as a nation as well. 
These are headlines of a unwanted kind. 

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References

  1. Japan quake, tsunami cause 'major damage' - World - CBC News. 2011. Japan quake, tsunami cause 'major damage' - World - CBC News. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/03/11/japan-quake-tsunami.html. [Accessed 12 June 2011].
  2. Berita Harian gets knuckle rap for Ultraman cartoon - The Malaysian Insider. 2011.Berita Harian gets knuckle rap for Ultraman cartoon - The Malaysian Insider. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/berita-harian-gets-knuckle-rap-for-ultraman-cartoon. [Accessed 12 June 2011].
  3. Berita Harian slammed for distasteful Ultraman-tsunami cartoon. 2011. Berita Harian slammed for distasteful Ultraman-tsunami cartoon. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=8951:berita-harian-slammed-for-distasteful-ultraman-tsunami-cartoon&Itemid=2. [Accessed 12 June 2011]
  4. Berita Harian apologises over insensitive Ultraman cartoon. 2011. Berita Harian apologises over insensitive Ultraman cartoon. [ONLINE] Available at:http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/3/13/nation/20110313224851&sec=nation. [Accessed 12 June 2011].




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Thursday, June 9, 2011

No Plastic Bag Day VLOG

Labels: , , , , at 2:25 PM

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Mobile gaming!

Labels: , , , at 3:09 AM



Now who doesn't know angry birds!

A complete gaming phenomenon, that's what it is. Angry Birds can safely say that they are the top grossing gaming app hands down. Angry Birds, the best-selling mobile game, is developed and published by Rovio Mobile Ltd. (Rovio, 2011)

So big they even made a movie about it. 
The cross-over from game to big screen was definitely not an expected one. How will the audience react to it? I'm pretty sure fans of the mobile app will be thrilled. And what's more, maybe they'll come dressed as their favourite characters. 

What will the audience expect? With a star studded cast consisting of Anne Hathaway and Jesse Eisenberg, audiences are rev-ed up for a blockbuster of epic proportions. 

Check out the trailers here: 


How did Angry Birds get so popular?

I too use an iPhone and have every version of Angry Birds. Angry Birds Original, Angry Birds Seasons, Angry Birds Rio and all the free versions provided. If its Angry Birds, I've got it. Even the plush toys and other merchandise are irresistible. Just looking at them can cause a person to visualize real life angry birds. And I'm not alone, check out this video.

Created by T-Mobile. 


According to Charles L. Mauro of MauroNewMedia.com, the products become massively successful based on their user experience design – think iPhone, iPad, Google Instant Search, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Kinect. (Charles L.Mauro,2011) So this means that the way we play angry birds makes it so addictive. The fact that we can touch the screen and fling a bird into those green pigs. This does make sense as the feeling of playing angry birds on a pc does not have the same effect. There is a PC version of Angry Birds, its less popular. 

Angry Birds is a game spread by word of mouth. Much like any other app, one person plays and if a friend see's them playing it, will probably ask to try. This is the Angry Birds form of viral marketing. 

Mobile gaming is huge, and besides games like Angry birds, you have games such as Infinity Blade. 
When the iPhone went HD, the games with graphics such as Final Fantasy, Infinity Blade and Pocket God made a killing. 

These games are even available on the iPad. Although simple, the gaming world is definitely here to stay. With smart phones becoming easily accessible, its safe to say; even our kids will be playing Angry birds. 

409 words.


References

  1. Creators of Angry Birds plan to publish cookbook - Food & Drink, Life & Style - The Independent. 2011. Creators of Angry Birds plan to publish cookbook - Food & Drink, Life & Style - The Independent. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/creators-of-angry-birds-plan-to-publish-cookbook-2295812.html. [Accessed 12 June 2011].
  2. Rovio - Blog. 2011. Rovio - Blog. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.rovio.com/index.php?mact=Blogs,cntnt01,showentry,0&cntnt01entryid=55&cntnt01returnid=58. [Accessed 12 June 2011].
  3.  YouTube - ‪Rio Trailer‬‏ . 2011. YouTube - ‪Rio Trailer‬‏ . [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf6zeRwk5LE&feature=player_embedded. [Accessed 12 June 2011].






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Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Issues in Online Media : New media ecosystem; new media qualities & freedom of speech & public sphere

Labels: , , , , at 11:08 PM

Is print media as credible?
With sites like The Onion creating parody news, have journalistic ethics been thrown out the window?

Recently, there was a particular piece of news circling the online world, that caught my eye.
Online news has the upper hand with breaking news, heck; I for one live a life that revolves around the internet.

When the connection is down, one wants to cry. It also drives me nuts not being able to use applications on my smartphone or laptop. Basically, you are rendered handicapped.





Source: www.theonion.com

back to the news mentioned, it was regarding the British Royal Family.
The headline read "Prince William Divorces Kate Middleton after 5weeks"

The article said:

"LONDON—Barely a month after marrying 29-year-old Kate Middleton in a royal wedding ceremony watched by an estimated 2 billion people worldwide, Prince William announced Tuesday that he and Middleton have divorced and that the entire marriage was "a tremendous mistake in every possible regard." "I really don't know what I was thinking—we're a terrible match, I don't love her and never have, and, to be honest, I never really had any interest in being married in the first place," announced the now unattached Prince William to a dead-silent British press corps. "People thought our wedding was some sort of fairy tale, but I assure you it was all just some ghastly ceremonial farce that got out of hand. I'm just relieved it's over, frankly. And I'm glad I'll never have to see that awful woman again." Prince William then told the assembled reporters, "Well, see you all later," smiled, and walked back into Buckingham Palace"


So ladies and gentleman, what do you think about all this sensational head-liners? Do they destroy the ethics and standards that real journalist set? In my opinion, the recent parody news released by the Onion is extremely offensive.

For one, it can be considered as slander, do they really want to be sued?
Two, it is defamation of a public figure, yet another lawsuit.
Three, Fake news can mislead the reader.

Do take into account that because of online news we in Malaysia know exactly what's happening half way across the world in real time.

As stated by Jim Brady, the editor of the Washington Post.com
I think the argument about bloggers vs. journalists has been over for years. We've all co-existed just fine for a while now, and the truth is, the distinction is less relevant every day. There are thousands of journalists who now blog, and there are lots of bloggers who are trained journalists." (Jim Brady, 2008)

Brain McNair believes that online media is an evolution of traditional media. McNair states that journalists, journalism and traditional media will not experience any form of death, because they are needed on so many social, political and cultural levels worldwide. (McNair, 2009)
For your account;
www.thestar.com.my
www.themalaysianreserve.com
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  1. Digital Dilemmas: Ethical Issues for Online Media Professionals (Media and Technology Series) by Robert I. Berkman | LibraryThing. 2011. Digital Dilemmas: Ethical Issues for Online Media Professionals (Media and Technology Series) by Robert I. Berkman | LibraryThing. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.librarything.com/work/789357. [Accessed 07 June 2011].
  2. Online Media: Legal, Business and Content Issues - Summer Schools in Europe - Directory of summer courses. 2011. Online Media: Legal, Business and Content Issues - Summer Schools in Europe - Directory of summer courses. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.summerschoolsineurope.eu/index.php?action=showcourse&id=400. [Accessed 07 June 2011].
  3. The Onion - America's Finest News Source. 2011. The Onion - America's Finest News Source. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.theonion.com/. [Accessed 08 June 2011].
  4. Kress, G & van Leeuwen, T 2006, "Reading Images: The Grammar of Visual Communication," 2nd edn, Routeledge, New York
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