Sunday, February 26, 2006
A bit too much reality?
Here's a useful opinion column on the drawbacks of the Xbox 360's photo-realistic graphics capabilities. You may have experienced a similar reaction going from a 12 inch portable TV to a 42 inch plasma screen!
Digital animation
Wired has an excellent feature on recent uses of digital animation, very useful for thinking about how new media technologies are helping institutions be even more creative / entertaining / profitable. The pictures are nice, too.
Is the tide turning?
Recent news suggests that the era of music (and films) for free is coming to an end. And here, here and here. The widespread acceptance of legitimate online sources of music, in conjunction with the high-profile pursuit of illegal downloaders, is making inroads in a cultural attitude that has proved stubborn: once Napster (the original) set the precedent for free music, even a relatively low 79p per track has seemed steep to many (although several times this is acceptable for ringtones...) If you've followed the links above you'll know Scotland has a digital pirate on every street; it's most likely the same could be said for all developed nations. Perhaps a 100% legitimate digital world is a little way off at the moment.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Dial-up's 'terminal decline'
Broadband connections in the UK now account for 64% of all connections, up from just 1% in 2001. Speeds are also rising dramatically. These changes are important to you in terms of your new media technologies exam because of the increased capacity for online activity: faster downloads of music, film and TV; on-demand services like NTL:ondemand, which could mean the arguments about future DVD formats become fairly pointless; in general all moving towards a situation where internet connectivity is as commonplace (and as relied upon) as electricity.
It could mean a rise in nostalgia for the beeps and whistles of dial-up modems (please don't pay for this!)
It could mean a rise in nostalgia for the beeps and whistles of dial-up modems (please don't pay for this!)
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Student blogs
On the right you'll find links to this year's student blogs. You can use them to supplement your own research into new media technologies and share ideas using the comments system. You are part of a learning community now!
If your blog isn't listed and you want it to be, use the 'contact us' link on the right. Students from other schools researching new media technolgies are welcome.
If your blog isn't listed and you want it to be, use the 'contact us' link on the right. Students from other schools researching new media technolgies are welcome.
Monday, February 13, 2006
The cost of new media
Or should that be 'the crazy cost structures of new media'? Emily Bell argues in today's Guardian that a world in which films on FilmFour are free (soon to be a free channel) but the first few seconds of a song - as a ringtone - costs £3.50, is a nonsense. She's got a point. Just goes to show: some people will buy anything.
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