I haven't been able to contribute to the class Wiki yet (things at work have been super busy) but I have been preparing a few topics that I want to be sure make it into the New Media in Entertainment Section.
Music Piracy: There is already a section on this but I feel the research that I did in my paper can really help expand this section. I have been highlighting parts of my paper that I definitely want to include.
Streaming Websites: Websites such as Spotify, Pandora, and others that allow people to access music from the website (without illegally downloading it). And how streaming might just be the cure to piracy.
New Media and Independent Artists: I would like to talk about how independent artists in the music industry have been seriously affected by new media. The ability to create a Facebook fanpage or a Twitter account and create your music using GarageBand, then share it via Soundcloud or Youtube, has made it possible for countless artists to gain widespread attention that they wouldn't otherwise have received if we were living 10 years ago. Think Colbie Caillat or Justin Bieber, two artists who wouldn't be where they are today if it wasn't for New Media. Unfortunately this applies to Rebecca Black as well.
Editing: I am also the page editor and so I have been creating a word document with my various changes/correction to sentence structure & grammar in order to add it to the Wiki before the due date.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
P2P File Sharing
What is file sharing?
File sharing is the act of providing access to digitally stored material via either a peer-to-peer network or a file hosting program. Until recently, file sharing has been frowned upon because it is responsible for a decrease in sales in a variety of industries. However, according to the article in the Financial Times "Valley View: File Sharing Joins the Mainstream" by Chris Nuttall, file sharing is becoming more common. The legal twist on this type of file sharing is that it includes ad space, which creates revenue for the companies that are otherwise losing money from the practices of illegal file sharing.
What is P2P file sharing?
P2P (peer-to-peer) file sharing involves the process of file sharing via a peer-to-peer network. This basically means that the files on one computer are uploaded via an open network that can be accessed by any other computer (aka - one of your peers). P2P file sharing has been perhaps the biggest culprit in the decline of sales in the various entertainment industries because instead of having to pay for music, movies and books, thanks to P2P file sharing, people can get them for free.
What are some examples of P2P file sharing?
Perhaps the first mainstream example of P2P file sharing was Napster. Other P2P file-sharing applications include KaZaa, Ares, Gnutella, BitTorrent (an example used in the previously mentioned Financial Times article.) Users can download these programs for free (one exception: Napster is now a paid service) and begin downloading anything from movies to music. During my teenage years I downloaded all of my music from a P2P file-sharing program known as Shareaza. Within 20 minutes and without paying a dime I was able to increase my music library by 100-200 songs. I downloaded movies as well. Sometimes the files that are available on these programs lack in quality (I would get live versions, or half of the song, or the entire movie in German) so they aren't perfect. However, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.
P2P File Sharing
What is file sharing?
File sharing is the act of providing access to digitally stored material via either a peer-to-peer network or a file hosting program. Until recently, file sharing has been frowned upon because it is responsible for a decrease in sales in a variety of industries. However, according to the article in the Financial Times "Valley View: File Sharing Joins the Mainstream" by Chris Nuttall, file sharing is becoming more common. The legal twist on this type of file sharing is that it includes ad space, which creates revenue for the companies that are otherwise losing money from the practices of illegal file sharing.
What is P2P file sharing?
P2P (peer-to-peer) file sharing involves the process of file sharing via a peer-to-peer network. This basically means that the files on one computer are uploaded via an open network that can be accessed by any other computer (aka - one of your peers). P2P file sharing has been perhaps the biggest culprit in the decline of sales in the various entertainment industries because instead of having to pay for music, movies and books, thanks to P2P file sharing, people can get them for free.
What are some examples of P2P file sharing?
Perhaps the first mainstream example of P2P file sharing was Napster. Other P2P file-sharing applications include KaZaa, Ares, Gnutella, BitTorrent (an example used in the previously mentioned Financial Times article.) Users can download these programs for free (one exception: Napster is now a paid service) and begin downloading anything from movies to music. During my teenage years I downloaded all of my music from a P2P file-sharing program known as Shareaza. Within 20 minutes and without paying a dime I was able to increase my music library by 100-200 songs. I downloaded movies as well. Sometimes the files that are available on these programs lack in quality (I would get live versions, or half of the song, or the entire movie in German) so they aren't perfect. However, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Privacy and Confidentiality
With the spread of new media comes growing issues regarding privacy and confidentiality. We all remember the Myspace days where girls were being kidnapped and such because it's supremely easy for a middle-aged guy to Google image a 15 year old kid and make a fake profile to lure in little girls. Even before Myspace there were chat rooms where identities were frequently made up and you couldn't know who to trust.
As new media advances, so do these issues. If you post a Facebook status that you're out to dinner with the fam and your page is public, the whole world knows that your house is empty. People can find out where you work, your phone number, your address, email - basically nothing is sacred. You can't even apply for a job without worrying about those pictures of yourself doing a kegstand.
It's also an issue for those who own copyrighted material. My term paper was on music piracy, which is a perfect example of the fact that there is nothing you can't get for free on the internet. I don't even go to the movies anymore because I know that in a week I can find new movies somewhere online. It's a serious blow to the entertainment industry. I wanted to read Hubert Selby's "Requiem for a Dream" last week and it took about 5 minutes of Googling to find a PDF of the whole book. This week's reading regarding the Youtube/Warner Music Group issue relates to this subject. Amateur artists frequently gain popularity by posting "cover" versions of popular songs on their Youtube channels and they often run into the problem of their videos being taken down or the audio being taken off.
Then you've got Wikipedia, where people's biographies are being vandalized (see my post on poor Esperanza Spalding.) It seems that no matter what, as long as new media advances, the issues of privacy and confidentiality on the internet will advance right along with it.
As new media advances, so do these issues. If you post a Facebook status that you're out to dinner with the fam and your page is public, the whole world knows that your house is empty. People can find out where you work, your phone number, your address, email - basically nothing is sacred. You can't even apply for a job without worrying about those pictures of yourself doing a kegstand.
It's also an issue for those who own copyrighted material. My term paper was on music piracy, which is a perfect example of the fact that there is nothing you can't get for free on the internet. I don't even go to the movies anymore because I know that in a week I can find new movies somewhere online. It's a serious blow to the entertainment industry. I wanted to read Hubert Selby's "Requiem for a Dream" last week and it took about 5 minutes of Googling to find a PDF of the whole book. This week's reading regarding the Youtube/Warner Music Group issue relates to this subject. Amateur artists frequently gain popularity by posting "cover" versions of popular songs on their Youtube channels and they often run into the problem of their videos being taken down or the audio being taken off.
Then you've got Wikipedia, where people's biographies are being vandalized (see my post on poor Esperanza Spalding.) It seems that no matter what, as long as new media advances, the issues of privacy and confidentiality on the internet will advance right along with it.
Advice to Baruch College
My advice to Baruch College would be to use New Media to improve upon the majors in the liberal arts program. We all know that Baruch has a famous reputation as a business school, and so liberal arts programs do not receive as much funding or attention as the business majors. Just for some proof, my major is "Management of Musical Enterprises" and a few semesters ago I went to the advisement offices for advice on my schedule and the person at the desk didn't even know my major existed.
I know that during the busier days of the week (Monday-Thursday) all of Baruch is filled to capacity. This means that the classes offered during the Spring and Fall semesters take up every room of the college and so funding for new classes and programs are limited due to space. I think that Baruch should take advantage of the spread of new media to introduce more online classes to it's programs, resulting in a more colorful and exciting class selection. Professors have the option to conduct a lecture through Second Life, as well as coordinate group projects via Twitter, Blackboard, etc. The issue of space therefore disappears.
Another way I think Baruch should take advantage of New Media is for it's professors to get a Twitter. I know that the Registrar has one to update students of registration dates and such but wouldn't it be great if homework reminders were in your Twitter feed? Let's face it, most of our procrastination comes from social networking sites, and if our professors were present on those websites MAYBE (I'm not saying definitely) we would be more inclined to keep up with them. Also, it's great because if a professor is going to be out the next day they can send a Twitter update. I don't know about you guys, but I don't check Blackboard very often, and I know most of my classmates don't check their Baruch emails very often. I don't want to sound selfish but I think it might be effective if our Professor's were updating us from the places on the internet where students spend the most time.
I know that during the busier days of the week (Monday-Thursday) all of Baruch is filled to capacity. This means that the classes offered during the Spring and Fall semesters take up every room of the college and so funding for new classes and programs are limited due to space. I think that Baruch should take advantage of the spread of new media to introduce more online classes to it's programs, resulting in a more colorful and exciting class selection. Professors have the option to conduct a lecture through Second Life, as well as coordinate group projects via Twitter, Blackboard, etc. The issue of space therefore disappears.
Another way I think Baruch should take advantage of New Media is for it's professors to get a Twitter. I know that the Registrar has one to update students of registration dates and such but wouldn't it be great if homework reminders were in your Twitter feed? Let's face it, most of our procrastination comes from social networking sites, and if our professors were present on those websites MAYBE (I'm not saying definitely) we would be more inclined to keep up with them. Also, it's great because if a professor is going to be out the next day they can send a Twitter update. I don't know about you guys, but I don't check Blackboard very often, and I know most of my classmates don't check their Baruch emails very often. I don't want to sound selfish but I think it might be effective if our Professor's were updating us from the places on the internet where students spend the most time.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
About My Term Research Paper
I loved this research paper! The only thing that I'm upset about is that I couldn't include all of the information from my research. Some of the articles I found were up to 60 pages long so of course I had to pick and choose where my information came from, since I was pulling info from 10 sources. However, each source was incredibly useful for my paper but also brought up a lot of great conversation starters at the studio while I was in the middle of research.
How you did your research Well, I use Google Scholar as well as the Baruch library databases. Some of my search terms included: streaming music, music piracy, p2p, illegal filesharing, etc. After that I would read the abstract of the article, or just skim the entire article (if it was short enough) to decide on whether I would use it for my project. I had a general outline for how I wanted my paper to go and so as I was reading through each of my sources I would highlight with a different color (I'm OCD sometimes) of which section I wanted the information to end up in my paper. What you found in your research; what you learned I was able to learn the definitions behind the terms mp3, p2p, filesharing. I was also able to read about a lot of statistics that help to predict that perhaps streaming music can serve as a solution to music piracy. My research provided me with information about the various legislation that has been put in place to block music piracy, which is useful if I ever decide to take entertainment law. Why you chose your topic I chose my topic because I'm always trying to apply my schoolwork to my desired career. I am already working in the music business yet there is so much more to learn. If I'm going to write 10 pages and research through 10 sources I want to be able to use the information that I've gathered even after I submit the assignment. Your major findings / conclusions My biggest finding was that it seems that the record labels attempts have often been futile when trying to fight the piracy problem. However, when embracing the digital era, they seem to have been more successful. Also, as we've learned in class, forms of new media are constantly developing and improving upon themselves in order to appeal to the largest audience. I feel that music piracy was a predecessor to the idea of streaming music, and over time, in an attempt to appease the labels and the legal aspect, the media fixed and transformed itself into a medium that still attracted the music fans but also made a profit and remained legal. How your paper contributes to the field of "new media" My paper contributes to new media because, as I mentioned before, it is an example of how new media builds upon itself and develops over time. Perhaps it was only a matter of time before piracy transformed itself into streaming. Streaming music is piracy without the downloading aspect, and it offers users a faster way to access music. However, it also makes money with advertisements or a monthly fee that avoids the website from being considered an illegal application. My paper also mentions other forms of new media, search enginers such as Google, the video-sharing website Youtube.com, as well as explains the emergence of music piracy, which is perhaps the most damaging form of new media to exist in the realm of the music industry.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Creativity and New Media
Since I'm always trying to incorporate music into my classes, I went in that direction for this assignment. I wanted to use the music website known as SoundCloud.com to upload my own recordings from the Apple program known as Garage Band.
A little information on both before I go ahead and post what I was able to do:
SoundCloud: SoundCloud is a type of music social networking site where users can upload their own original music and share it with others. You can create playlists, follow other users, and if you allow them, they can download your song(s). You can have a list of your own favorites made up of your favorite songs from other users on the site, and everything can sync with Facebook - so you can have your SoundCloud playlist right there on your Facebook page. I think it's going to be a huge innovation in the way music is heard, and in my opinion it is most definitely an example of how new media fosters creativity. Before, you had to pay someone to distribute your tracks, and now you can essentially market yourself (SoundCloud is a free service!)
GarageBand: GarageBand comes with every Mac that Apple sells, and it is basically a miniature recording studio on a laptop. You can record anything straight from your computer, and it supplies loops and effects if you wanted to use them. I have recently discovered that I am not incredibly good at using GarageBand, but I know some of my friends who are in bands and have used it to create entire albums. I think the combination of GarageBand and Soundcloud is huge, because you don't need to have thousands of dollars to have a truckload of talent and good music, but it used to be that you needed the money for recording studio sessions and marketing. Now, when used correctly, you can share your creations with the world right from your computer.
I enlisted my friend Jaimie for help with this project, she has a really excellent voice. I'm not much of a songwriter but I love playing piano covers of popular music. Since her parent's anniversary was coming up, we recorded 4 songs, two with both vocals and piano accompaniment, one an instrumental, and the last was an a cappella.
It worked out in the end for both of us, Jaim was able to give her parents a great gift on the budget of a broke college student, and I was able to explore the possibilities new media brings to music, as well as hopefully get credit for this assignment.
Here are the tracks, please be kind, it probably could've came out a lot better, it's my first time with GarageBand!
1. Your Song Piano Instrumental (Elton John Cover)
2. On My Own Vocal with Accompaniment (Les Miserables Cover)
3. Amazing Grace A Cappella
4. Only Hope Vocal with Accompaniment (A Walk To Remember Soundtrack)
Hope you enjoy!
A little information on both before I go ahead and post what I was able to do:
SoundCloud: SoundCloud is a type of music social networking site where users can upload their own original music and share it with others. You can create playlists, follow other users, and if you allow them, they can download your song(s). You can have a list of your own favorites made up of your favorite songs from other users on the site, and everything can sync with Facebook - so you can have your SoundCloud playlist right there on your Facebook page. I think it's going to be a huge innovation in the way music is heard, and in my opinion it is most definitely an example of how new media fosters creativity. Before, you had to pay someone to distribute your tracks, and now you can essentially market yourself (SoundCloud is a free service!)
GarageBand: GarageBand comes with every Mac that Apple sells, and it is basically a miniature recording studio on a laptop. You can record anything straight from your computer, and it supplies loops and effects if you wanted to use them. I have recently discovered that I am not incredibly good at using GarageBand, but I know some of my friends who are in bands and have used it to create entire albums. I think the combination of GarageBand and Soundcloud is huge, because you don't need to have thousands of dollars to have a truckload of talent and good music, but it used to be that you needed the money for recording studio sessions and marketing. Now, when used correctly, you can share your creations with the world right from your computer.
I enlisted my friend Jaimie for help with this project, she has a really excellent voice. I'm not much of a songwriter but I love playing piano covers of popular music. Since her parent's anniversary was coming up, we recorded 4 songs, two with both vocals and piano accompaniment, one an instrumental, and the last was an a cappella.
It worked out in the end for both of us, Jaim was able to give her parents a great gift on the budget of a broke college student, and I was able to explore the possibilities new media brings to music, as well as hopefully get credit for this assignment.
Here are the tracks, please be kind, it probably could've came out a lot better, it's my first time with GarageBand!
1. Your Song Piano Instrumental (Elton John Cover)
2. On My Own Vocal with Accompaniment (Les Miserables Cover)
3. Amazing Grace A Cappella
4. Only Hope Vocal with Accompaniment (A Walk To Remember Soundtrack)
Hope you enjoy!
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