Reflections

I have just finished my last entry for this blog and it has been a good learning experience doing this assignment. I have mastered the art of setting up a blog and finding an appropriate blogskin, which is an achievement for someone who is not very tech-savvy. There have been many reports in the papers about blogging and publishing issues which I have discussed over the course of these few months. These are important issues that will be significant in future when the blogging phenomenon continues to grow and we must be aware of such issues that are pertinent in mass communications. I have learnt how to analyse such issues and write professionally, with comments and anecdotes. Therefore I have benefitted from doing this assignment and I hope you will enjoy my writings!

TODAY 20 March 2007
“Weave your own web”

The article is about connecting people through online communities that are growing in many different ways.

Firstly, many Singaporeans connect through the popular website Friendster.com. It is a social networking site that users profile themselves and make friend by adding them into their friendster account. There are also options for posting pictures and writing testimonials for other friends as well.

However, Friendster is not the leading website in online communities. It is Myspace that has surpassed the popular Friendster, although the bulk of users come from the Western region. Nevertheless, friendster has certainly paved a way for Singaporeans to keep in touch since its introduction in 2002. I have managed to find many old friends and organized many gatherings with the help of friendster.

Secondly, Singaporeans connect with each other through online chatting. The most popular chatting service would have to be Microsoft’s MSN Messenger Service. The user-friendly chat is so addictive to some that certain companies have banned their employees from ‘IM’ during office hours, which is short for ‘instant messaging’.

MSN Messenger, however, is catered more to teenagers as many working adults prefer the traditional email approach. In addition, the features in MSN are very in sync with latest emoticons that many adults would perceive as ‘childish’.

Lastly, popular nightclub Zouk is one of the first clubs in the world to add an element of social networking to its website. Users create personal profiles and registered users even get exclusive perks like invites to party. As I frequent Zouk, maybe it’s time to get registered!

Of the three online communities that the paper has discussed, I believe the trend is for popular nightspots, like Zouk, to start this trend of having a social network online. Clubs are in the midst of stiff competition, with news of popular nightclub Devil’s Bar closing down at the end of the month. Therefore, there needs to be a portal for the regulars to connect and receive incentives like party invites through social networking online.

TODAY, 14 March 07
"China to tighten control over blogs"

TODAY, 15 March 07
"Elite Indian school bans excessive blogging"

Two of the world's populoud countries, China and Indai, have increased scrutiny of blogging. While China seeks to regulate he views and thoughts of bloggers on political matters, Indian schools have imposed a curfew where students cannot be online from 11pm at night to noon the next day.

For China's case, it is a welcomed move by many as this stance has been widely adopted by many countries, including Singapore. At present, there are over 34 million blogs in China alone and that number is growing. Therefore, there needs to be measures in place to control what bloggers are ranting about.

Political issues are classified information which is mostly secret in nature. Such information should not be on blogs as terrorists can use the information to plan attacks, which will be a major security issue for the country. Even in the Singapore Armed Forces where I work, I cannot blog about many issues in my workplace because of the high sensitivity of information.

For India's case, it is an extreme measure that has been enforced. According to the article, the curfew has been imposed because the students have been inactive in other areas like sports and outdoor activities. Instead, the students are more engrossed in Internet surfing, blogging and chatting.

In both cases, we see a similar situation where the country is adopting a tough stance on blogging. However, blogging is a global phenomenon that will continue to rise and there is a need for both countries to be more liberal and open-minded. Both countries need to realise that blogging is all about airing personal views and feelings and sharing their thoughts with their readers. If there are many restrictions for bloggers, then it defeats the purpose of having a blog.

Bloggers themselves need to be responsible by being cautious about revealing sensitive information. I believe most bloggers, especially those in the military, are prudent enough to avoid such folly.

Therefore, the ban in India is totally uncalled for and I do not support it.

The Straits Times, 4 March 07
"Foodies' blog stir interest"

Need a good recommendation for a place to eat with friends? Look no further than cyberspace, where food blogs are the latest trend to hit the blogging community in Singapore.

Blogs have been serving up a storm recently with many Singaporeans joining in the fray. Following the trend of online entrepreneurship through blogs, food is next in line. Bloggers have been using their blogs as a medium to review and critique restaurants and eateries for their readers, presumably as an informal marketing coy to spread the good name of the eatery. Some bloggers even post pictures of the food and the place where they ate to entice their readers.

I believe most Singaporeans would welcome such a marketing tactic. When friends review their dining experiences, it is from a trustworthy source and hence we will know if their recommendation is reliable as compared to general food reviews in the newspapers. As a follow-up, we can also contact the blogger and get more information about the eatery.

As a blogger myself, I do review my dining experiences on my personal blog and fortunately, my friends have responded positively by asking me more about my experience. Last month, I dined at a Brazilian restaurant where authentic Brazilian meant and delicacies were served. It was a truly gastronomic adventure as I devoured different inds of beef, chicken and fish. blogged about this experience and my friends eventually bugged me for the address of the restaurant!

Therefore, food blogs act as a form of word-of-mouth marketing for restaurants. This form of marketing promotes goodwill and does not involve any cost, therefore most restaurants may adopt such marketing in future.

However, not all food blogs may post positive comments. On the contrary, if a diner had a bad experience, then he or she may blog about it and the restaurant mat get negative reviews. I had blogged about such bad experiences in service standards from some restaurants and it is unfortunate for such establishments because it loses its reputation and readers may avoid such places in future.

In addition, while this trend is expected to ake off, there needs to be some form of guidelines regarding food blogs. There needs to be a line drawn between blogging constrcutively without damaging the reputation of an establishment severely. If not, it will be regarded as flaming and in our society, that may be viewed as an offence which the authorities have to investigate. In extreme circumstances, the blogger may get charged in court.

The Straits Times 5 Feb 07
"A link with home for overseas S'poreans: Does it work?" by several writers

The overseas Singaporeans portal, launched last year, aims to help Singaporeans around the world keep in contact with home and to network with relevant businesses.

Without a doubt, Singaporeans posted overseas would welcome such a portal. It gives them an online avenue to get in touch with the latest happenings in Singapore, which gives them a homely feeling in a foreign land. These locals would be coming back to Singapore one day after their studies or work so it is important to be in the loop about local happenings.

I recall a time when I was visiting a relative who moved to America. She told me how much she missed Singapore and that she even faithfully subscribed to The Straits Times online so as to keep in touch with local affairs. Her conversation shifted to the then General Elections 06 where she spoke relentlessly about the ongoing politics. And I stood there thinking, how does she know so much?

Perhaps, more features shold be added to te portal. These Singaporeans overseas should set up blogs and link them to the portal. In addition, photos can be posted of their experiences overseas. In this way, the portal becomes a two-way exchange of information for Singaporeans living overseas and locally.

'Will Reality TV survive'
The New Paper

Will reality TV survive? In recent seasons, viewer ships have been declining steadily, especially for shows that were monster hits when it first premiered. However, being a big fan of reality TV shows, I would say it would definitely survive any onslaught.

The trend of reality TV started in America in 2000, when the first season of Survivor was screened. It became a worldwide hit instantly, and soon after, it was the search for the next big superstar, American Idol.

Reality TV continues to soar, particularly with these two juggernaughts, because of its unpredictable plot and the use of civilians. For example, American Idol, which is into its sixth season now, attracts viewers for its comedic performances from tone-deaf contestants and also astonishing voices from unexpected contestants. The end result is a superstar picked off he street who sells millions each year.

Scripted shows, on the contrary, may not appeal so much nowadays because few surprises are in for viewers. CSI, for example, became a worldwide hit with a crime-centred plot, but sooned it spurned many other similar dramas like 24 and Criminal Minds. even for the award-winning soap drama like Desperate Housewives, its niche audience is limited to just women.

Reality TV, however, attracts a wide variety of audiences which makes them a family-oriented show. Amazing race is a show which allows cildren to know the geography f the world, while The apprentice teaches young adults about running businesses.

In Singapore, he trend for reality will continue in the coming years. Singapore Idol and Project Superstar is expected to screen its third season this year, while new shows like The Dance Floor and Deal Or No Deal are reality shows with new concepts which will be airing soon.

The Straits Times, 17 Jan 2007
'Points of weakness in Internet cable networks'
By Adam Wolfe

The Taiwan earthquake last December disrupted telecommunications network in Asia, particularly in Singapore where Internet connections were severely laging for almost a week. The key Internet connection between Asia and the United States run through the Luzon Strait between Taiwan and Phillipines. The quakes left few alternative paths for the bandwidth.

Recently, there has been talks about constructing new networks. Perhaps, then, it would be prudent to construct the new lines across different patterns, so as to avoid choke points when another disaster occurs. Singapore would make an efficient central link to the rest of Asia because of its geographical location. Furthermore, Singapore is a well-known IT hub where technological advances are way ahead of many Asian countries.

Internet networks must not be disrupted easily. The Internet is our portal to the world, and almost all businesses rely on it for communication and research purposes. A major disruption will affect efficiency of work, and for certain companies, it could mean a difference between profit and loss.

In the Singapore Armed Forces where I work, the Internet is vital for my unit, which deals with intelligence and secret forces. Most computers have classified information which are top secret in nature, and a loss of such information would be costly and dangerous if leaked out througha virus. Therefore, it is important that Internet connections are always secure and prepared for backup in case of any future disasters.