Reflection

This blog is my final project for IPD as I currently stand at the edge of my undergraduate study. This is the first my academic blog that I think it would be an interesting way to learn and apply all theories we captured. Surely, it required me to do a bunch of research to complete and support my research about blogging phenomenon. I hope this blog will help other students to understand more about blogging world and for those people who likely to blog.

Blog is one way to communicate with people who read it; therefore, clearly purpose, context and knowledge of audience are important (Rowse, 2006). For example, this blog is an academic blog, therefore, references and citations are required to assure readers that those articles are credible. Furthermore, to make it more understandable, I learned framing, salience, and information value for publishing documents as Kress, G & van Leeuwen (2006) said. Apart of it, images and text are work together to give better understanding to the readers (Reep, Diana, 2006).

Last but not least, I will try to apply all knowledge I have to create a good blog. This course definitely benefit me a lot regarding to knowledge about publication and design. Hope you will enjoy reading it. Thanks.



References:

Kress, G & van Leeuwen, T. 2006, 'Chapter 1: The semiotic landscape: language and visual communication', in Reading images: The Grammar of Visual Design, 2dn edn, Routledge, London.

Reep, Diana C. 2006, 'Chapter 4: Principles of Document Design', in Technical writing, 6th ed, Pearson Edu, Inc, New York, p.173-190.

Rowse, D. 2008, 10 Steps to writing Successful Series on your Blog, viewed 12 April 2010, <http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/03/24/10-steps-to-writing-a-successful-series-on-your-blog/>.

Cultural/Situational Context

Every country has their own rules and regulations as same as culture differences. In this point, I will discuss about a movie called ‘Rumah Dara’ published in different countries but be banned in Malaysia. ‘Rumah Dara’ has been officially released on January 22, 2010 in Indonesia.

In other countries ‘Rumah Dara’ known as ‘Macabre’. It was available in Singapore, North America and Korea. Moreover, the initial idea of this movie is how Ladya and the gank which is the victim in this movie escaped from psychopaths in Dara’s house. Dara’s family is human meat eater or cannibals. Everyone who comes to her house will not be out anymore; they will be slashed and slaughtered by them. Every scene of this movie might put frightened feeling to the audiences, they may not be able to accept it because of the picture showed was too violence. Therefore, it is banned in Malaysia.

Moreover, Malaysia has its own regulation about censorship and separate department called Film Censorship Board of Malaysia to control movie released in Malaysia. Every movie must have approval from the Board to be released out publicly in Malaysia. The Board has created Film Censorship Act on 2002 and keeps improvising it throughout the year. Under this Act, there are three rating systems which are U (general viewing for all ages), PG 13 (parental guidance is suggested for viewer under 13), and 18 (for aged 18 and above only). Each of these ratings has its own screening time (for television show).

Furthermore, there is no clear reason behind banning movie of ‘Rumah Dara’ in Malaysia. Even though all frightened scenes have been cut off for few times, it still not passes the censorship Board. Therefore, House Production of ‘Rumah Dara’ decided not asking further permission to release the movie in Malaysia.

Yet, there are some facts why Malaysia censorship is though and strict regarding any publication material. Firstly, moral issues in the country. According to Shaari Mohammad Noor (2005), to build a good moral and value of the country, they need to prohibit materials that inappropriate to the country. Second issue is ideological and religious sensitivities. There are many different tribes living in Malaysia, therefore it will be very sensitive issues. Last but not least is cultural issue. As still in Asia, east-culture still plays dominant role. Any scene or materials showing over nudity, sex, strong language, violence or sensitive issue themes will be banned strictly.

References:

Wikipedia, 2010, 'Macabre', Wikimedia Foundation, viewed 12 June 2010, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumah_Dara#Awards>.

Puspasari, E 2010, 'Malaysia Bans Indonesian Movie 'Rumah Dara'', Viva News, viewed 12 June 2010, <http://en.vivanews.com/news/read/127130-malaysia_bans_indonesian_movie__rumah_dara_>.

NCAC 2005, 'TV and Film Censorship in Malaysia', BBC News, viewed 13 June 2010, <http://www.thefileroom.org/documents/dyn/DisplayCase.cfm/id/430>.

Ethical Publising

All information shared publicly is controlled by regulation system. There is certain action that people need to avoid such as insult words, fake statement, and misleading statement. It is true that everyone has freewill to write and spoke out of ideas but there is still boundary of rules that cannot be breached.

Trespasses boundary of rules = Problem!

As it happened in Indonesia, an artist named Luna Maya has pour out her feelings in Twitter and used sarcastic words that streak out the journalists’ reputation. Therefore, she has been charged with defamatory statement to media public under law of ITE (Informasi dan Transaksi Elektronik) pasal 27 ayat 3 that written about defamation through electronic media which is her official Twitter account.

Another case is Manohara Odelia Pinot. She was an 18 years-old model and married to prince of Kelantan, Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Sultan Ismail Petra. Her case was brought to the court of Malaysia and Indonesia. The case is Tengku Muhammad Fakhry sued his wife, Manohara, because of defamatory statement that widely printed and broadly known in electronic media in Malaysia and Indonesia. Manohara claimed that her husband did physically and sexually abusing her, mistreating, abducting, and unlawfully confining her. At the end, she was awarded RM2mil each in aggravated, exemplary, compensatory damages and RM105mil defamation suit by Malaysia High Court (Mageswari, M 2010).

Both cases above categorized as defamatory publication because it contained a publication of words or images to a person that damages the reputation of others (Australian Law Reform commission, 2006).

What is the solution?

There is no publication rules that not allows you to exposed your feelings in public media, however, words chosen must be correct otherwise it would be a ‘boomerang’ for you as experienced by two artists above.

As journalist, what code of ethics we should follow?

Apart from personal issues, a journalist has certain rules to follow since they are providing recent information to the audiences publicly. A journalist must have integrity because integrity determines their credibility in sharing information. Readers believe in you to give them a truth, actual and reliable information. Furthermore, in order to avoid unethical issue in publishing, a journalist should seek the truth of the information before they release it to the public, minimizing harm by respecting the sources, act independently by no giving side interest, and be accountable to their readers, listeners, and viewers (SPJ National Convention, 1996).

References:

Australian Law Reform Commission, 2006, 'Defamation Laws & the Internet', Electronic Frontiers Australia, viewed 11 June 2010, <http://www.efa.org.au/Issues/Censor/defamation.html#defpubl>.

Mageswari, M 2010, 'Tengku Fakhry wins RM6mil in damages against wife Manohara (Updated)', The Star Online, viewed 12 June 2010, <http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/3/11/nation/20100311095019&sec=nation>.

Schotz, A 1996, 'SPJ Code of Ethics', Society of Professional Journalist, viewed 11 June 2010, <http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp>.

Printed Media vs Electronic Media

Generalization shift is common to us today, along with advance technology everything move from old pace to another pace, unexceptionally published media. Langeveld, M (2009) believes that printed media is still the king. On the other hand, he also admits that web has change the origin or nature of journalism. Further discussion will focus on existence of printed media and the effect of the trend shifting.

Is printed media dead?
Initially, printed media is the most powerful media to get information in the past because there is no other source to get information. Nowadays, Many people turn away to electronic media such as e-newspaper, website, television, etc.

Yet, even though circulation of newspaper dropped for few last years, it does not mean that newspaper dead. It proven by statement stated previously that ‘television will beat newspaper’, but until today newspaper still exist and have its own loyal reader (Reid, D 2006). According to Killman, L (2006), there is no doubt in electronic media growth in future but there is still a future for print.

(Source:http://www.niemanlab.org/author/mlangeveld/)


What is the effect of shifted trend in publishing media?

First thing will affected is journalism sector. A journalist forced to get information as soon as possible (ASAP) because fast-paced of internet would be the threat for printing media. Once the information available in internet, people does easily to read it and even download it. Therefore, to sustain in this industry and have strong stand in competition with electronic media, UNESCO Media Development (2007) has some strategies for journalist such as giving technical support for local and commercial initiatives in print media, improve the technical quality and increase standard quality of the print media content, and lastly expand and increase readership of print media.

Secondly, it would affect to financial area. From the first time, people paid for monthly fee newspaper or other print media like magazine. Now, people can get information free of charge from the internet. This condition shakes the print media company financially, since how they can compete with free thing. As Rousselot, F (2006) says that internet is problem, but it is also the solution. Print media company earn money by borrowing internet’s business model through advertising.

References:

Josefowicz, M 2009, 'The Fallacy pf the 'Print is Dead' Meme, Media Shift, viewed 11 June 2010, <http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2009/04/the-fallacy-of-the-print-is-dead-meme117.html>.

Langeveld, M 2010, 'Moderating declines: Pasing the NAA's spin on newspaper circ data', Nieman Journalism lab, viewed 12 June 2010, <http://www.niemanlab.org/author/mlangeveld/>.

Reid, D 2006, 'Papers battle online new sites', The BBC's flagship technology programme, viewed 11 June 2010, <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/6220424.stm>.

UNESCO 2009, 'Print and Electronic Media', Communication and information, viewed 11 June 2010, <http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=1528&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html>.

iPad

Technology is an area with no limitation. From time to time, there are new inventions of product with purpose for easy use and is not exceptionally for Apple with their new invention, iPad.

According to Glaser, M (2010), as a new product, iPad has some advantages and disadvantages regarding to the features and function of it. From article he wrote, it showed that different group of ages has their own interest toward iPad, for instance his son is only interested to it for gaming, while he prefers to read books. Thus, there are some issues will discuss later on concerning iPad.

iPad syndrome?

Recently, as a booming product, iPad grab much attention of technology and Apple lovers by 11.5% in US market share by the end of May 2010 (www.getclicky.com) and 22% of e-book market share (Raby, M 2010). And even before it released, demand for it was mountain. Through advertisement and demonstration, they prepared audiences to buy when it is launch.

At first time seeing iPad, you might think that is a giant iPod touch because the similar design and only size difference. iPad is identical with e-book and it will be the first choice for people who do not have this gadget yet. Moreover, it targeted to people who wants to upgrade their e-reader to featured-rich and color-filled gadget experience too (Medeiros, N 2010).

Do iPad adopt multimodal text theory?

Referring to Walsh (2006), texts that contained more than one ‘mode’ in order to deliver message called multimodal texts. iPad as a media to read books electronically proved that multimodal texts exist. We are not only reading a page full of texts but it accompanied by pictures, sounds, videos, etc. iPad was a new outstanding gadget features that impressed the world and they happily use it. Thus, advanced technology brings new idea and shifts monomodal text to multimodal texts as appeared everywhere today in difference medias such as printed text, gadget, newspaper, websites, etc.

Is audience satisfied?

Subsequently, even though iPad famously known, research in America showed that people who really interested on iPad only 4.6% overall the market and 65% people are not interested at all (Sutherland, Ed 2010). It happened because they are not reader user and some of them prefer to use iPhone instead of iPad concerning to its size, similarity features and another extra benefit which is call line while iPad do not have it.

(http://www.cultofmac.com)

References:

Glaser, M 2010, 'Glaser & Son Review the iPad', Media Shift, viewed 10 June 2010, <http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2010/04/glaser-son-review-the-ipad098.html>.

Medeiros, N 2010, 'ILL and iPad: reflections on the fast and furious', International digital library perspective, vol. 26, No. 2, pp. 66-68, viewed 5 June 2010, <http://www.emeraldinsight.com.ezlibproxy.unisa.edu.au/Insight/viewPDF.jsp?contentType=Article&Filename=html/Output/Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Pdf/1640260201.pdf>.

Raby, M 2010, 'iPad Collects 22% Of Ebook Market Share At Warp Speed', I4U, viewed 5 June 2010, <http://www.i4u.com/article34902.html>.

Sutherland, Ed 2010, 'iPad Survey: 4.6 Percent 'Extremely Interested'; 16.4 Percent 'Somewhat Interested', Cult of Mac, viewed 8 June 2010, <http://www.cultofmac.com/ipad-survey-4-6-percent-extremely-interested-16-4-percent-somewhat-interested/38042>.

Walsh, M. (2006),” The ‘textual shift’: Examining the reading process with print, visual and multimodal texts,” Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, vol.29, no.1, pp.24-37.

Good Design for Screen Genre

In order to give readers better understanding, most of the time we use images or tables to support it. However, according to Reep, D (2006), there are four important principles to make good document design regardless of topic and audiences.

1. Balance

It is important to have balance in a page of document. Weights of every element are counted. This slide (Slide 3) has heading top of it, two different pictures demonstrate Given and New concept side by side, and at the bottom part are simple explanation about it. This slide has equal space to every corner, and then it shows a balance.

Slide 3

Apart of it, these images are helpful for readers to ‘fill in gaps’. Instead of reading full text of Given and New concept, these images successfully interpret all the concept as the words of a text will never be able to tell everything (Walsh, 2006).

2. Proportion

In this picture (slide 10), size of the picture is big and there is no written text beside it to explain what is the picture about. Therefore, this slide is not proportional.

Slide 10

Basically, images and written are stands side by side for readers to have fully understanding about topics discussed. Walsh (2006) said that images are helping readers to visualize then understand the subject matter better. In this slide, a picture stand alone without any justification, people may not be able to understand what the picture (LRT Map) is unless they are Malaysian.

3. Sequence

The way people read a document will be different as there are factors influenced behind it such as individual background, cultural, etc. Therefore, it is very important for the writer to know the culture of certain area, so they can manage the document well and the readers can absorb it well too.

Slide 7

Normally, readers start reading from top left corner to the bottom right corner and they tend to scan from up to down (Reep, D 2006). This slide provides important information first which is the heading then big size of picture and end with words. It follows readers’ sequence of reading; writer put priority of importance of information delivered from the most important to less important items.

4. Consistency

In presentation documents, we need to have consistency of features, style, and format. For instance, we keep using font size of 30 and font style of Arial for details text and for heading font size used is 42 and font style is Garamond. Then, we used a bullet for every point. It repeatedly done for all slides, therefore, it shows consistency in our text presentation.

Slide 4

Slide 9

Last but not least, in my opinion, a document design should be able to grab readers’ attention and make them understand of issue discussed. Multimodal text is a helpful invention in publication and design world as writer can expressively send the messages to audiences effectively.

References:

Reep, Diana C. 2006, 'Chapter 4: Principles of Document Design," in Technical Writing, 6th ed., Perason Edu, Inc., New York, p. 173-190, viewed 18 April 2010, http://p8080-130.220.165.27.ezlibproxy3.unisa.edu.au/fedora/get/changeme:931547/CONTENT

Walsh, M. 2006," 'Textual shift': Examining the reading process with print, visual and multimodal texts," Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, vol. 29, o. 1, p.24-3, viewed 18 April 2010,http://search.informit.com.au.ezlibproxy.unisa.edu.au/fullText;res=AEIPT;dn=149631

New Forms of Media Publishing

As technology developed at very high-tech level, together as it is, media publishing shifted from print media to online media. However, it does not mean that print media is erased; it is only percentage of using it become lesser than before. Today, many people adopt social network to be connected with one another such as Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.

In the past, people find it hard to connect with people, to get information fast and actual. Some of them need to buy newspaper or watching news from TV at home. But, at this moment, they do not need to waste their time and money, they only need to key in the website address and it will give you information needed. Additionally, in recent times, people have internet access at their own mobile phone which means you are able and free to browse information and get connected to people anywhere and anytime.

Yes, it is true that Facebook is one of the largest social networks in the world regarding to genre or structure of the site. Currently, concerning about users, Facebook has big size of it, which is 132, 040, 907 users (Compete.com, 2010). Then, in order to keep up with the demand of users, Facebook also provided link to another web such as yahoo.com, google.com, myspace.com, msn.com, and live.com. Moreover, Facebook has private structure in it where we can choose people who request to become our friend, it give small boundary for everyone has closer relationship one another such as family, old-friend, etc.

However, there are some issues about Facebook (Wikipedia 2010):

• Privacy Concern
• New Facebook (upgrade)
• Inappropriate Content controversies
• Censorship controversies
• Third-party responses to Facebook
• Student-related issues
• Intellectual property rights, etc.

(For further information, click here)

Facebook is one of example of multimodal texts. According to Kress, G & van Leeuwen 1998), semiotic trends were shifted from monomodal to multimodal texts. Multimodal texts are those who have more than one ‘mode’ which means synchronization of modes to be communicated such as spoken or written languages blend with still or moving images (Walsh, 2006). Facebook has all the features of multimodal texts, we can upload videos, photos, and we can play games in it. All elements combine together helps readers to have meaningful experience in languages and other semiotic systems (Oakley, T 2005) and it will increase reader’s interest and contribute to give better understanding (Reep, D 2006).

Profile

(Contained: Photos and texts)

Application

(Contained: movement images)

Features

(Contained: Photos, Texts, Links, videos)

References:

Compete.com 2010, Facebook.com vs twitter.com, viewed 17 April 2010, http://siteanalytics.compete.com/facebook.com+twitter.com/#

Kress, G & van Leeuwen, T. 1998. "Front pages: The critical analysis of newspaper layout", in Introduction to Communication and Cultural, viewed 18 April 2010, http://p8080-130.220.165.27.ezlibproxy3.unisa.edu.au/fedora/get/changeme:520689/CONTENT

Oakley, Todd 2005, 'Implied narrative in medical practice,' in Language & Literature, vol. 14, no. 3p. 295-310.

Reep, Diana C. 2006, 'Chapter 4: Principles of Document Design," in Technical Writing, 6th ed., Perason Edu, Inc., New York, p. 173-190, viewed 18 April 2010, http://p8080-130.220.165.27.ezlibproxy3.unisa.edu.au/fedora/get/changeme:931547/CONTENT

Walsh, M. 2006," 'Textual shift': Examining the reading process with print, visual and multimodal texts," Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, vol. 29, o. 1, p.24-3, viewed 18 April 2010, http://search.informit.com.au.ezlibproxy.unisa.edu.au/fullText;res=AEIPT;dn=149631

Wikipedia 2010, Criticism of Facebook, viewed 18 April 2010, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Facebook

Blogging communities: what, how and explain?

What is blogging Community?

Basically, online community defined as ‘group of people who has same goals and interest connect and exchange information using web tools’ (Owyang, J 2007) and in this case is the tool is blog. Recently, blog is become habitual for everyone as it growing bigger in size. It connects people through out the world and sharing thought together. Someone submit information and the readers give comments, critics, and opinions of it, then this cycle known as a blog community.

Are you thinking of creating your own blog community?

According to Rowse (2008), there are nine steps to make you own blog interesting and dependable.

• Take the lead and be the community that you want your readers to be
• Ask questions
• Give readers homework
• Give readers a job to do on your blog
• Link to reader’s blog
• Answer readers’ questions
• Invite readers to take the lead with guests posts or giving advice to each other
• Make readers famous
• Do project where readers can participate, submit tings and be active

Furthermore, White (2009) has categorized blog into three groups:

• Single Blog / Blogger Centric Community

This kind of blog community is controlled by one owner (individual or organization) even though sometimes there is more than one blogger writing a blog.

• The central connecting Topic Community

It has network formation that is combination between subject matter (domain) and membership (community). Also, it has linked between blogs for a common passion or topic for further information.

• Boundaried Communities

There are many different blogs in one platform which connection provided for closer relationship among members.

Next, www.acne.org is an example of blog community. This site is created for people who have problems with pimples. In this site, members are allowed to share their experience, problems and solutions in message board. It provides personal quiz as well that it will give solutions exactly to your problems rather than general solutions. It is absolutely freedom for everyone to share and build relationship among them in this community.

References:

Owyang, J 2007, Defining the term: "Online Community", viewed 17 April 2010, http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/2007/12/28/defining-the-term-community/

Rowse, D 2008, How to Build Community on Your Blog, viewed 17 April 2010, http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/04/26/how-to-build-community-on-your-blog/

White, M 2008, Blogs and Community - launching a new paradigm for online community, viewed 15 April 2010, http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au/tkt2006/edition-11-editorial/blogs-and-community-–-launching-a-new-paradigm-for-online-community

Classification of Blogs

‘Hot fever of Blog’ gives an opportunity for everyone to write blogs with different purposes. Therefore, Wikipedia has classified types of blog as below:

By Purpose:

■ Personal Blog (traditional blog)

■ Corporate and organization Blog (supported by WordPress.com)

■ Filter Blog (supported by Chopin, K, 2007)

By genre:

■ Travel blogs

■ Education blogs

■ Fashion blogs

■ Political blogs (supported by WordPress.com)

By media type:

■ Vlog (Video Log) – It contained videos

■ Linklog (Hyperlinks Blogging) – A blog that consist of links

■ Sketchblog – It include portfolio of sketches

■ Photoblog – It comprises photos

■ Thumblelog – It has shorter posts and mixed media.

By device:

■ Moblog (Mobile Blogging) – It is written by a mobile phone.

Examples:

VLog

LinkLog

Sketchblog

Photoblog

ThumbleLog

According to Margaret Simon (2008), there are nine different types of blog that will be discussed shortly.

1. Pamphleteering blog: It contained numerous of issue together with arguments, comments and opinions inside of it. Usually, it created by individual or organization.

2. Digest blog: It provides summary of issue raised where readers would likely to comment, critics and explore about it.

3. Advocacy blog: This is intentionally pushing some ideas or point of view toward a particular issue. It usually done by political group, commercial party, etc.

4. Popular Mechanics blog: This kind of blogs is providing readers about mechanic process to do something such as photography, gardening, etc.

5. Exhibition blog: It might be recognized as vanity publishing. It usually done by craftspeople, artist, and writers to bring them to the greater popularity and audience.

6. Gatewatcher blog: Blogs that controlled by small group of experts. These people are watching over function of media be done in job.

7. Diary blog: People are free to express their own stuff in this blog. It can be categorized as personal blog.

8. Advertisement blog: This blog made for advertisement sake which many companies use blog to engage their target market.

9. News blog: It is very important blog as it gives people news. It has significant part as it gives contribution of journalism.

As blog has tremendous growth in size, there is limited of knowledgeable bloggers regarding to what is an appropriate format, topic and style should be written in a blog. It caused complexity to categorized blogs.

In my opinion, as overall types divided, there is an overlap between one type and another. It would be the audiences, the topics, and even the purpose of the blog itself. Format and type dependent each other to be written. For example is political blog, then all format will be in the formal way presented such as word chosen, depth discussion about topics, etc.

References:

Chopin, K 2007. Finding Communities: alternative viewpoints through weblogs and tagging, viewed 17 April 2010, http://www.emeraldinsight.com.ezlibproxy.unisa.edu.au/Insight/viewPDF.jsp?contentType=Article&Filename=html/Output/Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Pdf/2780640404.pdf

Simons, M 2008. A Taxonomy of Blogs, viewed 15 April 2010, http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2008/2372882.htm#transcript

Wikipedia 2010, Blog, viewed 16 April 2010, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog#Types

WordPress.com 2010, Types of Blogs, viewed 16 April 2010, http://en.wordpress.com/types-of-blogs/