Module 5 Red Queens or Increasing Returns

While searching for a copy of an older movie I found myself at a loss at my local video store. This was one time where having only the latest movies was not to my advantage. What next? I finally took the Netflix online option and was able to download and watch the movie on my laptop for a low monthly cost.

As I consider my search for the movie I find that having the internet option was convenient, but would not be my sole source of movie obtainment. I see Netflix and rental/retail stores as Red Queens (Thournburg.2008) trying to keep pace in meeting the movie watching demands of the consumer. There is fierce competition and another video rental option Red Box is trying keep up, but Netflix and independent rental/retail stores still have the advantage of getting the newer titles sooner.

Now, Netflix would like to be an increasing return (Laureate Education. 2011) in driving the local video stores into extinction and there are clear advantages to Netflix as I discovered. However, there is still something to the satisfaction of going to the local store and renting or buying the video and taking it home for instant viewing.

Only time will tell, but Netflix could become and increasing return if the video rental/retail store fails to keep pace with accessibility of movies and limits their inventory. DVDs still will be purchased or rented for now as the consumer likes to have a product or “hard copy” they can enjoy and physically own or rent. Netflix with their on demand instant movie online approach has a large market, but I still see some movie watchers staying true to the physical ownership or rental of a tangible product.

Resources:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2011). Increasing Returns. Baltimore, MD: Author

Thornburg, D. (2008c). Red Queens, butterflies, and strange attractors: Imperfect lenses into emergent technologies. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.

Module 4 Disruptive Technology

Is Second Life a disruptive technology? Looking at Dr. David Thornburg’s idea of “wild card” (2009) technology, Second Life does have the characteristic of coming from virtually nowhere. It simply appeared in the world of the web where users can access and create a new world.

Second Life is a virtual world that the user creates and has complete control over; a life where anything is possible. Through technology, a person can create an alter ego and the world in which he/she exists.

What is the purpose of Second Life? What will it replace; games; Social Networks? Philip Rosedale sees second life replacing the web itself.( cite). This bold statement requires Second Life to replace a technology that is so complex and developed that the technology must surpass anything on the web today. This will take time before it can reach this level of advancement.

Dr. Thornburg also requires the disruptive technology replace an existing technology (2009). Second Life has yet to replace any particular technology. Second Life has not usurped any games, social networks or other web programs during its initial inception. In applying this part of the definition Second Life is not a disruptive technology.

Second Life will need time and advancement for it to be a true disruptive technology. Right now it is still in its rough draft stage. Second Life needs to find a way to impress today’s web savvy users to want this to be the new modality of web use or interaction.

References:

Laureate Education, Inc. (2009). Emerging and future technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Rosedale, P. (2008). Philip Rosedale on Second Life [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/the_inspiration_of_second_life.html.

I have responded to Karen and Lou's blogs.

Module 3 Rhymes

Rhymes

A technology that has rekindled a past affect would be the blog. Through the blog we have the opportunity to voice and share our opinion and views about any subject matter. Our voice is available for millions to hear and interact as it is presented on the web. We convince, argue, and present a personal viewpoint that everyone or no- one can choose to hear.

In the past a soapbox speech was very similar. An individual would stand on a makeshift stage and present his or her opinion and views on the individual’s topic of choice. People had the option to engaged, listen, or simply ignore and move on from the speaker’s message.

Blogging rekindles the affect of the need to be heard and have a voice in today’s society. The stage is on the web and can be constructed and personalized to the blogger’s preference. The topic is exclusively the blogger’s choice and what is said comes directly from the author. Passers-by can engaged, read or ignore what the blogger has to present, but the blogger has had the opportunity to have his or her say.

For more about blogging visit these sites:

http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/history_of_blogging.asp

http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2011/03/a-brief-history-of-blogging/

The tetrad shows the technology of the DVD player. This device uses laser technology to read codes to produce a picture and provide clear visual projection for movie viewing. The technology replaces the VCR and the Laser Disc where this technology evolved from. The DVD player is finding itself fading away to the Blue Ray player that applies digital reading technology.
Link to tetrad

Sites Visited Module 1

I have visited and posted on the following sites:
http://educ7108kdean.blogspot.com/
http://louannmorris.blogspot.com/

An emerged technology that has become commonplace in distance communication is the webcam. Thanks to the webcam, we can visually communicate to anywhere with a web connection. This has allowed instruction and learning to occur though the web in a more interactive capacity. Instructors, students and administrators can now conference, meet, teach, and learn without the limitations of distance and location.

As with all technical innovations, there can be issues that come with the convenience. Connectivity, drivers, clarity, and lens issues can be some of the more common problems found with webcams.

The webcam provides the opportunity for people see those they communicate with that they might not have been able to before. A key benefit is to be able to correspond through the dual channels of audio and visual modalities. The webcam also allows for multiple people to communicate and interact from small meeting to entire classrooms.

This technology can improve through better visual clarity and integrating more visual options such a graphics and multiple camera angles.

Link to an article about webcams

http://www.ehow.com/list_6153912_advantages-disadvantages-cameras.html