Week 1 Blog Response

Posted on January 15, 2013 by | Comments Off on Week 1 Blog Response

@JaredAbrahamWSU

 

My name is  Jared Abraham. I am a DTC major and am in my first semester at Washington State University Vancouver.

Tablets and smartphones have revolutionized the way we we interact with our  computers, our televisions, and our friends. As well as, giving us instant access to people around the world in an instant. One of the many ways that we are able to  do this is  through applications. Applications, or apps, by using cellular data provided by various phone companies like Sprint and Verizon, have the ability to connect someone from Washington to someone in Rome in a matter of seconds. For instance, Facebook has given everyone who chooses to use it, a window into peoples lives through their status updates. Although Facebook started out as a website only, with the quick rise in popularity of smart devices the social media company has launched several different apps, ranging from the original Facebook app to the Messenger app. Facebook has also purchased some apps launched by different companies like Instagram.

All of these apps have what Lev Manovich calls the principals of new media (The Language of new media, pg.27). some of these principals can be found in Instagram.  For instance, an example of Manovich’s first principal, Numerical Representation (pg. 27) could be Instagram. Instagram is a photo editing app that you can install on your smart device, using algorithm to remove or add noise to or from a photo(pg. 27). Instagram could also be an example of “Modularity” (pg. 30). An example would be the pixels of an image.

It is exciting to think how far technology has advanced in just the past five years. We can only imagine what new innovations and advances will be made in the next five years.

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New media object: Spotify

Posted on January 15, 2013 by | Comments Off on New media object: Spotify

@chrisdtc101 -Chris Barnes

A new media object that I, along with many other people, have come into frequent contact with is Spotify. Spotify is a downloadable music service that can be used for free and offers millions of songs to listen to whenever you want. Because it is a new media object, Spotify meets Lev Manovich’s five criteria for new media: Numerical representation, modularity, automation, variability, and transcoding. First, for numerical representation, all the music on Spotify was recorded (likely on a computer), and then each song was stored on the Spotify app. The second criteria, modularity, is where the websites link to one another. In the case of Spotify, you can click on ads that appear on the bottom and right sides on the screen. Spotify rotates a number of ads as well as plays audio ads every few minutes between songs unless you pay for the ad-free version. The third criteria, automation, is where everything is, as you might guess, automated. Once you click the play button, Spotify continues to plays songs out of your playlist until you tell it to stop. It also automatically plays ads between some songs whether you want it to or not. For the fourth criteria, variability, Spotify offers millions of songs for free listening. It also offers a Pandora-like radio service where you can play a radio station based off a genre, artist, album, or song that you enjoy. The last criteria, transcoding, is where Spotify offers a wide and diverse range of music from sondtracks, classical, electronic, hip-hop/rap, metal, and anything else you can think of. You can choose which songs you want to listen to, put them in order, and unlike radio services like Pandora, you have complete control over what is being played.

Having met these five criteria as stated by Lev Manovich, the Spotify music service is a great example of new media objects.

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iBooks Author

Posted on January 15, 2013 by | Comments Off on iBooks Author

@v_kono

Hi, my name is Vitaliy. I graduated from Clark College with an Associate in Arts Degree. This is my first semester as a freshman at WSU Vancouver. The plan is to major in Computer Science.

iBooks Author is an application created by Apple to create gorgeous, multi-touch textbooks for the iPad. According to Manovich, there are five characteristics that identify a new media object. The characteristic of numerical representation applies to iBooks Author because it is an application that stores information electronically using a binary code (Manovich 25). The characteristic of modularity is also satisfied by iBooks Author. Manovich states that elements are combined together, yet still continue to remain separate (Manovich 30). In iBooks Author, the author has the option to make his/her textbook interactive by adding widgets such as galleries, videos, diagrams, 3D objects, and much more various items. These elements are all combined in a digital textbook, yet still remain separate from one another. Automation is the third characteristic that defines a new media object. Automation assists the individual through “agents” such as templates so that “human intentionality can be removed from the creative process” (Manovich 32). iBooks Author has many templates designed by Apple to assist the individual and make the textbook look stunning instantly. The fourth characteristic of variability is also achieved by iBooks Author. A new media object must be able to arise in many different versions in order to have variability (Manovich 36). With iBooks Author, the individual can create textbooks for a variety of subjects, as well as create more volumes for the same subject. The fifth and final characteristic, transcoding, has not been left out by iBooks Author. The media that is generated must be readable by the human, as well as the computer (Manovich 45). There is no doubt that that the textbooks can be read by applications such as iBooks or iTunes U, and these applications can decide if the textbook is the correct file format, file type, or size. iBooks author is a powerful, yet amazing tool for creating digitally-interactive textbooks, and fulfills the characteristics of a new media object.

 

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Hulu

Posted on January 15, 2013 by | Comments Off on Hulu

@cougar_sean

Hulu is an online website that allows anyone and everyone to access the latest in television entertainment. There are highlights of weekly episodes, lists of popular shows and even clips of various programs under the “best of” category. Hulu is a new media object as defined by Manovich as it fits all five characteristics he explains in his book, “The Language of New Media”. The first descriptor he uses is the visual aspect of such an object–numerical representation. This is a website; it is digital and plays digital videos. Secondly, there must be modularity; links to other websites that draw from the host site. Hulu has ads and even commercials interspersed within the programs it shows. Although many find this to be obnoxious, the ads serve their purpose. Automation or the process of working without any human interaction is easily identified with weekly updates and the upload of episodes at a specified time each day. Humans need not worry about pressing the “upload” button at just the right time in each timezone if we can simply program a computer to do it for us. Variability is another part of Manovich’s definition of a new media object. Hulu displays, based on shows viewed previously by the user, shows and clips that are related to the intended audience. For instance, if someone were to watch an episode of the Colbert Report, Hulu will suggest other episodes and perhaps even shows that are often coupled with Colbert like the Daily Show. Lastly, there must be technological influence in the form of transcoding. Transcoding is all about the way in which new media is associated with certain stereotypes in culture. Hulu for instance brings in audience members from all facets of life: people living without television who depend on online streaming, people with busy lives who miss certain shows and wish to view it online rather than waiting for it to rerun, et cetera. Hulu encapsulates the five core concepts of a new media object and will continue to set the trend for the digital age as more and more people choose to eliminate their cable or satellite contracts and switch to online streaming.

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Kik Messenger

Posted on January 15, 2013 by | Comments Off on Kik Messenger

@_CougQueen

Hey guys! That’s my twitter name, ^^^^^, follow me! My name is Bethel Muasau, I am a freshman here at WSUV, majoring in Biology, wanting to become a Family Practitioner.

In “What is New Media,” by Lev Manovich, he talks about all the possible media objects made through computers and media objects not made by computers. There are five characteristics that define new media according to Lev Manovich; numerical representation, modularity, automation, variability, and transcoding. A new media object that has been in use of lately is Kik. It is not as popular as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or even Tumblr. Kik was created by Ted Livingston from Waterloo University, in Ontario, Canada. It took Livingston 15 days just to reach a billion followers, “it took twitter two years to do that,” says Livingston. Kik is a free instant-messaging application that enables users to send messages to their friends, see when they’ve been delivered and when their friends actually have read the message. It even lets users know when their friends are typing a message. According to Manovich, the first characteristic that was mentioned that defines new media is numerical representation. In the article, it states, “numerical representation is a media object that is converted from analog media sources than composed of digital source,” (Manovich 27). On Kik, it allows the times to change and because of this, the binary code that contains 1s and 0s, are converted so that times, dates, and thanks to something called “digitization,” data can be continuous as well as represented with good quality, (Manovich 28). The second characteristic modularity – is the structural parts of new media, (Manovich 29). On Kik, the messages and the way the contacts are presented are organized the same way, every time you log on. Units presented each time you log on come in choices to either create new message or add new contact or add a smiley face, all of these units make up Kik. Third characteristic that defines media is automation. As Manovich said on page 30, automation is almost defined like automatic. The media object can be created or fixed automatically. Every time you “Kik” a friend, and there is no service, Kik will automatically inform you that the message has not been sent or the message is not able to be sent. The fourth characteristic is variability – otherwise known as existence of different, potentially infinite versions, (Manovich 32). This step would not be possible without modularity. This is the storage part of Kik, or any other new media device. Because there were other social networks such as MySpace, Facebook, and Tumblr, Kik was made so that there would only be messaging involved. Kik only involved messaging another person or other people. Lastly, the fifth characteristic – transcoding. According to Manovich, (45), “Transcoding is the ability for an object to combine “cultural layers” and “computer layers” to create a certain experience or mood for the user.” On Kik, the cultural layers are things such as what you want to input and people you want to add. The computer layers are the edits to things you want to input onto the object. Combining the two together creates the mood, as said, for the Kik user. Kik is a new media object that could be used effectively according to Manovich’s five principles.

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Projection Keyboards: New Media

Posted on January 15, 2013 by | Comments Off on Projection Keyboards: New Media

@RachaelS_DTC

 

Lev Manovich describes the difference between new media and old media in his book The Language of the New Media. He organized his ideas by defining new media through five principles; numerical representation, modularity, automation, variability, and transcoding. Manovich realizes that these principles do not work for all new media objects, but they show “general tendencies of a culture undergoing computerization” (27). An example of a new media object is a projection keyboard where a virtual keyboard is projected on a flat surface. This new technology follows all five principles Manovich uses to describe a new media object. First, it shows numerical representation since it follows algorithms to process functions. The projection keyboard also shows modularity. Modularity is described as a media objects that is composed of multiple structures create this objects (29). The projection keyboard is composed of a projector, laser, sensor and other important structures that allow this object to function. The projection keyboard can process things automatically, showing he presence of Manovich’s third principle. Keystrokes on the virtual keys are detected by a sensor to determine which keys were used. This process is automatic and the user only needs to use the virtual keys and the device will compute the desire keystrokes onto the computer. The fourth principle applies to the projection keyboard since there are multiple forms of projection keyboards and they can be used for multiple devices. Laptops, ipads, and other computers are able to use projection keyboards. Transcoding, the last principle, includes the “blend of human and computer meaning” (37). Humans are able to create meaning from the use of a projection keyboard. In other words, humans can use the virtual keys to instruct the computer to do a task. Humans create a meaning for the computer as the keys are used. New media objects are different that old media objects by how they affect our culture. As technology advances, meaning between humans and computers are able to be conveyed easier. Manovich explains this idea through the five principles he created to define new media objects.

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Kyle McGee

Posted on January 15, 2013 by | Comments Off on Kyle McGee

@kylemcgee77

#dtcv

Hello. My name is Kyle McGee. I am a first year student here at WSUV and I am trying to achieve a Business degree. The Roku Streaming Player (@RokuPlayer) is a new media product that my came across a few years ago. I have enjoyed using it at home for the past couple of years and just had to get my own when I moved to Vancouver. The Roku Streaming Player is a device that allows you to access internet streamed video and audio through your television. It offers hundreds of channels with favorites such as @Netflix, @Amazon Instant Player, @Hulu, and @Pandora. All you need is a television set and an internet connection. The Roku fits into the characteristic “#Numerical Representation” because it allows you to stream in 1080p HD. 1080p refers to resolution which is “the frequency of sampling” (Manovich 28). It also fits into “#modularity” because it allows you to view hundreds of movies and TV shows that make up @Netflix (along with many other entertainment companies). The Roku fits in the “#Automation” category because it allows you to type in, search, and scroll through desired content with the use of a remote control. The Roku has to know what the content you are searching for is. In others words, It “requires a computer to understand, to a certain degree, the meanings embedded in objects being generated.” (Manovich 30). When it comes to “#variability,” the Roku fits in because it comes in different models. The models are based on HD content, what type of HD content is playable, and other added features. Finally, the Roku can tie into the “#transcoding” characteristic because it consists of “the computerization of media.” (Manovich 37). The media that has been computerized (video and audio) is streamed through your TV via internet connection. The Roku Streaming Player is very useful new media product.

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New Media Objects: Lev Manovich – What is New Media?

Posted on January 14, 2013 by | Comments Off on New Media Objects: Lev Manovich – What is New Media?

@DTC_AlexTDTran
There are various different examples of new media within the world today. These examples range from a variety of items found on the internet as well as in everyday life. For example, an item such as an alarm clock can be interpreted to be “new media” following the terms given out by Lev Manovich. This is because the terms used do not all have to be included in this one digital item. If it fulfills any few categories of “new media” then it can be considered to be new media (49). This follow me as problematic; however, irrelevant to the topic in question. Primarily, these terms are just guidelines in an attempt to define new media as he stated (49). What then is something that can be considered to be “new media”? A cell phone, a tablet, a desktop monitor, anything that seems to involve automation and numerical representation is adequate to be considered “new media”. A cell phone for example would fall under the terms, numerical representation, modularity, automation, variability, and perhaps transcoding. Simple things such as numerical representation and modularity can be seen immediately. Any cell phone is coded with a numerical system that follows algorithms in order to act or function. Modularity means that it includes multiple different objects or created from such objects (51). “Apps” and other parts of the cell phone is more than enough to fulfill this category. Furthermore, automation and variability are also very basic additions to cellular phones (even though Manovich calls them more middle ground (63)). Automation within cellular phones through the use of voice mails, alarms, etc. Variability can be seen through the various amounts of cell phones out there that serve the same purpose. It seems that variability is a must now in society not because of the need for it to be new media but rather for the necessity of being different. As for transcoding which has a broader definition involving culture (63) it can be seen throughout different cultures the need or lack of need for a cellular phone. Many cultures still use verbal communication passed on through other people as well as letters. In more modernized and less egalitarian cultures one can see the use of cellular phones more often not just serving as a method of communication but a way of organizing his/her own thoughts, reading emails, reading the news and also browsing the web. Although cellular phones are not as modern as they seem to be, they can still be considered new media as it’s technology develops. However, it seems that perhaps anything technological can be considered to be new media for as long as it fulfills one of the 5 or infinite requirements.

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Chris Stansberry New Media

Posted on January 14, 2013 by | Comments Off on Chris Stansberry New Media

Twitter Name: @Stansberry_DTCV

Hi class my name is Christopher Stansberry, I’m in my second semester as a Freshman here at WSUV and I plan on majoring the business major Management and Operations. I graduated from Heritage and did running start at Clark my senior year. I wish everyone the best in this course.

In the book “The Language of New Media” Lev Manovich sets specific guidelines he believes are the outline or definition of new media objects using five key aspects. These factors include the presence of numerical representation, modularity, automation, variability. and transcoding. Broken down, Manovich means all new media can be “composed of digital code” (27), as well as “assembled into larger-scale objects [while] continuing to maintain their separate identities” (30). Also new media has allowed for “human intentionality [to] be removed from the creative process” (32) in addition to the ability to “give rise to many different versions” (36). Since 2001 there have been several new media objects arise that are still subject to Manovich’s definition including the social networking site Instagram. Instagram, mainly used on mobile devices as a application, is a place where people can share pictures often with chosen editing filters taken from there devices for everyone to enjoy in a news feed format that allows users following you the ability to ‘favorite’ or ‘comment’ your pictures. The app is essentially software that has been created by programmers using a interpreting language which can be boiled down to binary code, portraying the new media object Instagram as being numerically represented. Modularity is also shown in this website since the collection of functions and programs combined to create the application can separately be edited to fix bugs, make improvements, or change small things such as the color of the favorite or like buttons. When you upload a picture to Instagram you have the option of editing the photo with a number of options such as preset filters, zooming, cropping, focusing, and even borders. This is an obvious example of automation. Automation is set in place to make it easier for the next user, and the editing features on Instagram make it so anyone can be a photographer. Variability is displayed because the application could exist in infinite forms. The code could be changed so many ways that there is ultimately a never ending possibility of ways the app could appear or be used. According to Manovich, “in new media lingo, to ‘transcode’ something is to translate it into another format” (47). Instagram has computerized photography and made it solely digital. Instead of having photos developed and scanned into a computer for others to enjoy online, you can now take the picture and share it instantly from Instagram, which has created a whole new culture and terminology. When users speak of Instagram you’ll often hear of how many favorites they got on their picture, or how there ‘feed’ is cluttered with pictures of this or that, in addition to terms like “photo map”, “profile pic” or “avi”. Instagram is one of many revolutionary new media objects that continue to shape the definition of new media.

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New media 3-D HD TV

Posted on January 14, 2013 by | Comments Off on New media 3-D HD TV

@clonelord -Norman Enz

#dtcv

#new media

These new media devices have just recently been released to the public in the last 6 to 8 months.  3-D has in the past only been reserved for movies theaters or large planetariums like IMAX theaters or amusement parks never has it been in the home on a regular TV before.   This goes along with Numerical Representation as it can take an analog signal and convert it to digital, as well as taking a digital and providing an extra layer make it into 3-D, which normal high definition TV don’t do. (Manovich 28).  It uses Automation (Manovich 32) as an automated process was used to make the device but uses digital technology as well for the processing of the signal to High Definition or to 3-D.  It uses Variability (Manovich 37) as there are different settings for viewing options and for hooking other devices say like a surround sound system to boost the volume and home theater experience for a home user.  It uses Transcoding (Manovich 36) as the TV can take in either an analog or digital signal then converts to binary and then converts it again for the pixels on the screen for different color and intensity to show a complete picture that is ever changing.  This 3-D television is as considered a medium (slide 26) as it is being massed produced for people to have in their houses for everyday use.  This new media that was once reserved for private or public screening at a cost is now being produced for the average person to use for a more reasonable cost.

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