“Communicating in real-time with text enables a form of ‘authoring of the self’ that is similar to the processes of face-to-face speech but which is much more amenable to authorial control, experimentation and reflection.  Further, text-based communication carries with it the possibility for multiple, differing conversations occurring simultaneously, relying on the ability of the human brain to deal with text much better than speech.”  (Allen, n.d.)

The ever developing communication technology has been in use for a long time, and the technology has changed from one medium such as Morse code to another being telephones.  Long distance communication and providing real-time information without physical or verbal contact is the significant difference between current technology and technology of approximately 30 years ago.  There is a possibility that non-confrontational scenarios such as using chat rooms or other forms of real-time text-based communication provides a sense of confidence and increases ones ability to be heard by the audience.  However the author of the real-time text-based communication must be careful that their information is communicated effectively, otherwise the meaning and value of the information could be lost in translation; thus misinterpreted by the recipient resulting in possible conflict or confusion. 

An impact of the real-time text-based communication is a new language of expression called emoticons.  Neumann argues that text-based communication requires emoticons to allow the reader to comprehend emotions that were once visible by simple face to face contact, and even telephone communication where words could be expressed verbally allowing the recipient to understand the emotions involved in the communication.   Neumann points out that emoticons were originally created “as a way of expressing simple emotions in online electronic bulletin boards” by a professor at Carnegie Mellon University.  However these emoticons are now identified as a “primary means of expressing emotion in an online environment”.  The simple smiley face is now only one small part of the very large emoticon family.

There has been research to ascertain if the real-time text-based communication have an impact on education.  One example is the research by Compernolle and Williams into the negative “ne” being omitted by French real-time text-based chat users compared to students writings at various levels of high school.  There is a general belief that the impact of the real-time text-based chat on education is the reduction of correct grammar and vocabulary when this form of communication is being used.  There is a potential consequence that the cultural linguistics of French will deteriorate into a chat language.  However, Train argues that “the central notion is one of ‘managing’ variation, rather than eliminating it, through a principled selection of variants to be codified in a pedagogical norm” (Compernolle & Williams, 2009).

A negative psychological impact of real-time text-based chat is addiction.  According to Holliday participants of a study conduction by the University of Florida “participants described skipping sleep, ignoring family responsibilities, and showing up late for work to fulfil their desire to visit chat rooms” (p.10, 2000).  When this study was undertaken the chat room phenomenon was relatively new and possibly a novelty to internet users which may explain the addiction like playing with a new toy.  However, since this study there have been other studies into internet addiction based on real-time text-based chat and in 2009 an Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) was diagnosed in China where psychologists “agreed that Internet addiction is a mental disease” (Jifang, 2009).

Concept 17 Annotated Bibliography:

Site 1.   Antecedents and Consequences of Online Social Interaction / http://pdfserve.informaworld.com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/
861784_750429621_788060656.pdf

Bagozzi, R. P., Dholakia, U. M., & Klein Pearo, L. R.  (2007). Antecedents and Consequences of Online Social Interactions.  Media Psychology, 9(1), 77-114.  Retrieved August 3, 2009, from Academic Research Library. (Document ID:  1275276291).

This article is an objective empirical analysis on online social interaction focusing on various forms of online communication such as real-time text-based communication.  The discussion of individuals versus the collective groups use of the internet with rules of participation.  This article provides for the social identity rather than the individual identity that has resulted from the online social interaction which can occur with multiple conversations via real-time chat or forums.  The article is published by Media Psychology and was written by Richard P. Bagozzi, University of Michigan; Utpal M. Dholakia Rice University and Lisa R. Klein Pearo, Cornell University.

Site 2.   Technology Broaden’s NIC Research / http://proquest.umi.com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/pqdweb?index=2&did=664399131&SrchMode
=2&sid=1&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=
309&VName=PQD&TS=1249301241&clientId=22212

Barbee, J. T., & Clem, C.  (2004, July). Technology Broadens NIC’s Reach.  Corrections Today, 66(4), 30-31.  Retrieved August 3, 2009, from ProQuest Social Science Journals. (Document ID:  664399131).

The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) in the USA use technology such as real-time text-based chat to reduce the time delays experienced previously in communicating processes and administrative ideas to other prisons around the country.  NIC has also been providing successfully e-learning programs using email, real-time chat rooms and discussion forums to inmates as part of their rehabilitation and to staff for training.  The significance of this article is identifying an agency that has used real-time communication to improve the potential future of criminals and expand staff knowledge.  The publication of Corrections Today article was written by Jim Barbee a correctional program specialised, and Connie Clem a senior communication specialist.

Reference List:

Holliday, H.  (2000, July). Hooked on the ‘Net.  Psychology Today, 33(4), 10.  Retrieved August 5, 2009, from ProQuest Social Science Journals. (Document ID: 54869674).

Jifang, Z.  (2008, December). Hooked on Cyberspace.  Beijing Review, 51(51), 42.  Retrieved August 5, 2009, from ProQuest Social Science Journals. (Document ID:  1628291711).

Neumann, D.  The effect of emoticons on social connectivity in online learning.  Ph.D. dissertation, Capella University, United States – Minnesota. Retrieved August 3, 2009, from Dissertations & Theses: A&I.(Publication No. AAT 3354653).

Concept 18.  Non-speech communication through text:  audience and authors’ responsibilities.

“Netiquette was based originally in technical considerations (it was a set of conventions which assisted people to minimise the amount of time spent online, the amount of data downloaded when these things were much more costly). As a result, it can be a rather thin guide to the important elements of managing online communications from a socio-cultural perspective. Instead, reflective practice, in which we monitor and learn from our own experiences more actively than is customary, offers more valuable and long-lasting lessons.” (Allen, n.d.)

As defined by Madge “netiquette is the term used to describe the code of conduct between those communicating on the internet”.  There is usually no clear code of conduct for the author’s responsibilities of netiquette, however Madge suggests that users should contact the moderator of a newsgroup or forum to discover the guidelines available.  The user should not assume normal language is going to be used when signing up for a forum or chat room.  Similar to being introduced to a person face-to-face, where there is an unspoken etiquette to be polite and to not offend the new person there is a unwritten behaviour code.  When entering an internet communicating environment the author has a responsibility to behave in an acceptable manner that is not offensive to that particular group.

Concurrently the audience have a responsibility to understand their environment on the internet, such as identifying which text is trustworthy and reliable.  Research forums need to be credible sources providing information via non-speech communication through text that benefit the audience in their desire to learn and expand their knowledge.  Madge emphasises that “many people communicating in public chat rooms or discussion groups perceive their conversations to be taking place in a private setting”, however these rooms or groups are publicly available to all internet users.  Thus private conversations are available for anyone to read.

Users of the internet communicating information should proceed expressing their opinions with caution as there may be a breach of intellectual property laws or defamation laws.  Authors of weblogs who express their opinions in text are literally setting in stone their opinions, and the audience could perceive it as accurate information.  In this instance it is possible that this could result slanderous statements about other persons or businesses which could result in legal action. 

Users of the internet, being authors or the audience, are required to respect the laws of intellectual property such as patents, copyrights and trade marks.  Not to do so would be breaking laws that have been established in national and global jurisdictions which could have serious consequences such as financial or prison time.  Copyright laws can appear black and white when considering media websites that provide free music and video downloads.  However freedom of expression on the internet can also breach copyright laws but is ambiguous to judge as being original thought and concepts.  In Canada the Michelin case saw the freedom of expression be defeated by the copyright laws where unions used the “Michelin Man” trademark on brochures which has become a precedent.  In that scenario the freedom of expression was depicted on leaflets, however the medium of the breach can be applied to the internet.  Craig (2006) argues that the challenge to freedom of expression by intellectual property laws is an contradiction on democracy, being the political system of Canada.  Notwithstanding the paradigm IP laws are international and continue to set precedents and challenges for internet users.

Concept 18 Annotated Bibliography:

Site 1:   The Minto Pyramid Principle / http://www.barbaraminto.com/concept.html 

           The Minto Pyramid Principle Concept (n.d.).  Retrieved July 1, 2009, from http://www.barbaraminto.com/concept.html 

This website provides information on Barbara Minto’s work, which reflects insights drawn from more than 30 years of conducting courses worldwide at major consulting firms and corporations.  The phrase “Take this and make it Minto” is common in many of these organisations and the Minto Pyramid Principle is considered the ‘lingua franca’ for serious-minded professionals, especially those who want to be heard.  The “governing thought” concept teaches that the author has a responsibility to the audience to be succinct and clear in their communication.  Barbara Minto has lectured at the Harvard, Stanford, Chicago, London and Manchester business schools, and at the State University of New York.  Barbara Minto holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

Site 2:   Information technology and human rights / http://muse.uq.edu.au.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/
journals/human_rights_quarterly/v018/18.4metzl.html 

Metzl, J. (1996).  Information technology and human rights.  Human Rights Quarterly, 18.4, 705-746.  Retrieved August 2, 2009, from Project Muse Journals.

Metzl discusses how technology can enable human rights via the audience.  Such information which was once delayed and costly to produce is now accurate and timely because of internet communication, and is a tool for human rights advocates to respond quickly.  The article also discusses where the audience have failed in their responsibilities, such as choosing to look away and disregard human rights.  At the time of writing this report Metzl was a third year student at Harvard Law School, and holds a doctorate in Southeast Asian History from Oxford University, and worked for two years as a Human Rights Officer for the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia.

Reference List:

Craig, C. J.  (2006).  Putting the community in communication:  dissolving the conflict between freedom of expression and copyright.  University of Toronto Law Journal, 56.1, 75-114.  Retrieved July 23, 2009, from Project Muse Journals.  (DOI:  10.1353/tjl.2006.0002)  http://muse.uq.edu.au.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/journals/
university_of_toronto_law_journal/v056/56.1craig.html

Madge, C. (2007).  Developing a geographers’ agenda for online research ethics.  Progress in Human Geography, 31(5), 654-674.  Retrieved July 25, 2009, from Academic Research Library. (Document ID:  1341867391).

Concept 23. Human-computer interfaces.

“Interacting with websites feels similarly impersonal or, more subtly, further indicates the extent to which humans readily accept the presence of machine-like ‘intelligence’ in their lives.” (Allen, n.d.)

The element of this concept is the bridge between humans and artificial intelligence used in many websites has narrowed.  The growing communication on the internet by users, in other words humans, has led to a grey area of knowing whether the respondent is also human or another computer or software designed to respond to the user.  Industries using machines to assist customers, such as banks and telephone companies, has grown exponentially.  For example, by accessing the Computer Share website on http://www-au.computershare.com/default.asp?bhjs=1&fla=1 the user is able to make changes to their own portfolio.  The user can change their address, bank account information and access statements of their transaction history for taxation purposes.  These transactions are simple and processed over the internet whilst the user may think they are making the changes.  Alternatively Link Market Services site, http://www.linkmarketservices.com.au/public/home.html, requires users to print out forms and post their changes to the administrators.  Shareholders generally desire minimal disruption in their lives to make changes, and in this example the impersonality of the internet is accepted.

Komiak, Wang and Benbasat evaluate the differences in trust between virtual salespersons on internet sales websites and human salespersons.  The analysis of the salespersons by Komiak et al is to “determine to what extent research on trust in a computer agent can draw from prior research on trust in a person”.  The use of virtual salespersons by e-businesses allows “customers realize that unlike human salespersons, virtual salespersons are not guided by the goal of gaining commissions”.  The study determines that users of the internet are perceived to be able to trust virtual salespersons knowing they are non-human ‘intelligence’ that does have the motivational characteristics of human salesperson.  It is surmised that the trust building process increases using virtual salesperson compared to human salespersons providing users reassurance that their needs from the online store is to provide the best possible outcome for the client and not the employees sales commission.

A common question asked of receptionists is “do you have a website?”, and this question, as well as many others that are based around website availability, may represent how humans are less interested in dealing with humans and acquire answers to their enquiries via a website.  This phenomenon of business websites offering information and the ability to communicate succinctly via emails has been available since the 90s.  The emergence of websites as a business tool has resulted in less face-to-face interaction with customers where the computer interfaces with them providing satisfactory service can as this form of data collection has become ineffective.

The human-computer interface may feel impersonal yet the ability to perform tasks via packets of information over the internet in a busy modern world can save users valuable time.  Websites such as www.nab.com.au or www.wbc.com.au provide personal and business banking services to its’ customers.  Products on offer vary from internet banking where money can be transferred from the users account to a creditor or a family member without physical cash being exchanged, however the customer is satisfied that the transaction has occurred even though there has been no human interaction with the user.

Concept 23 Annotated Bibliography:

Site 1:   HCI Bibliography:  Human-Computer Interaction Resources / http://hcibib.org/

Perlman, G. (2009).  HCI Bibliography:  Human-Computer Interaction Resources.  Retrieved August 3, 2009, from http://hcibib.org/

This website provides information to designers of interactive computer systems and researchers on human-computer interaction.  The home page comprises of links to many discussion and resources in the discussion of human-computer interaction ranging from its definition, recommended readings to interface development resources.  The usefulness of this website is to provide “an electronic bibliography for most of HCI on the screens of all researchers, developers, educators and students in the field through the World-Wide Web.” (Perlman, n.d.).  Gary Perlman is the Director of HCI Bibliography, a cognitive psychologist majoring in computer science and has a Ph.D. from the University of California.

Site 2:   The next generation in human-computer interfaces – awesome videos / http://singularityhub.com/2009/03/04/
the-next-generation-in-human-computer-interfaces-awesome-videos/

Kliener, K. (2009). The next generation in human-computer interfaces – awesome videos. Singularity Hub: A blog about singularity.  Retrieved August 4, 2009, from http://singularityhub.com/2009/03/04/
the-next-generation-in-human-computer-interfaces-awesome-videos/

This website is interactive with examples of human-computer interface expanding beyond the keyboard, mouse and monitor.  The new technology shown in the videos on this blog are examples of broadening the power of the computers to produce music and expand the imagination of users.  The popular touch screen technology sold commercial in products such as the iPhone are becoming multi-sensitive where the computer can detect multiple inputs of data from the user’s hands.  There is a bias against Microsoft in this blog who are deemed to be muddling their way through the touch screen technology.  Keith Kliener is the founder of this blog and was previously employed as a Manager of Hardware Operations at Google.

Reference List:

Altman, M., & Rogerson, K. (2008, October). Open Research Questions on Information and Technology in Global and Domestic Politics-Beyond “E-”.PS, Political Science & Politics, 41(4), 835-837.  Retrieved July 31, 2009, from ProQuest Social Science Journals. (Document ID:  1588762301).

Komiak, S. Y. X., Wang, W., Benbasat, I. (Summer 2004/2005). Trust Building in Virtual Salespersons Versus in Human Salespersons: Similarities and Differences, e-Service Journal, Volume 3, Number 3, pp. 49-63.  Retrieved July 31, 2009, from Project Muse Journals. (DOI: 10.1353/esj.2005.0010).

26.       Privacy and Security.

“The Internet is a profoundly ‘open’ system and advanced Internet users are cautious about either accepting or sending material from and to unknown sources and are careful in releasing information about themselves in any form. Conceptually, the Internet challenges us to take greater responsibility for the protection of privacy and security than perhaps we are used to when dealing with the media.”  (Allen, n.d.)

Not just advanced internet users but generally all internet users, both individual and businesses are aware of the risks involved in using an open forum such as the internet.  Security is an absolute necessity if you use the internet from viruses, worms, spam and Trojans.  For instance the Slammer worm in January 2003 “infected 90% of vulnerable computers within ten minutes.  Future attacks … will do their damage within a couple of minutes” (The Economist, 2003).  At least twice a year Microsoft advise users of Vista or (the os I use at work) are encouraged to install patches to their operating system to prevent attacks from various worms or viruses.  Microsoft feel a responsibility to their customers to protect them and their computers from attack so users can continue to use their products.  If such protection was not made available to Microsoft customers it is plausible this would impact on the future sales of the products, specifically the software, thus reducing significantly the profit margin.

Personal information is presumably easier to access via the internet compared to previous record keeping methods.  The concept of the paperless office has resulted in client and personnel records being kept on databases or CRMs (marketing / sales databases) which are usually stored on an in-house server or a client server.  Businesses who require increased security will employ firewalls to protect their clients’ data thus reassuring the clients that their data is not being abused by outside sources such as hackers.

Each time an internet user registers to be part of a newsgroup or chat room, or even purchase an item online, the user will often be confronted with a “privacy statement” that in most cases will be ignored.  It is interesting that since the birth of the internet and these privacy statements, as well as terms and conditions to protect the producer of the website that the “I agree” button is clicked without question.  In years past, there was the saying of “read the contract first” from the olden days.  However in the current technological world of the internet, contracts are easily ignored and may be just scanned over slightly by the user.

With the emergence of weblogs, of blogs, privacy has become a paradox on the internet.  Blogs which are an online diary can involve any subject the author wishes to use.  The audience of the blog may be members of a specific forum or newsgroup however these groups can contain thousands of members who can read about the author’s life and times.  As stated by Kitzmann that “before electronic media, the place of the diary was a private place, a place of momentary seclusion and self-reflection”.  Now that the diary has become a public place on the blog and webcams an individual’s private life has become public or even viral in uploaded videos on www.youtube.com.au.  However, in most cases it is the individual’s choice to place themselves in a position where their identity becomes public property.

Concept 23 Annotated Bibliography:

Site:      We know you’re reading this. / http://proquest.umi.com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/
pqdweb?index=5&did=
9220681&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT
=309&VName=PQD&TS=1249565004&clientId=22212

We know you’re reading this. (1996, February). The Economist, 338(7952), 27-28.  Retrieved August 6, 2009, from ProQuest Social Science Journals. (Document ID:  9220681).

This article, whilst anonymous, is about the day in the life of an American and the loss of privacy not from the usual source being “Big Brother” but what the author refers to as “little brothers” who are everyday people blogging about themselves and other people.  The author continue to assess various forms of privacy breaches in every action an individual will experience on a daily basis, from buying groceries with a credit card to postal address.  There is an interesting reference to telephone companies now installing phones that allow for bugging by the government.  The Economist is a London publication founded in 1843 that specialises in politics, economy and current affairs.

Site 2:   Digital money:  Electronic cash may rise sense / http://proquest.umi.com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/pqdweb?index=3&did=32278691&SrchMode=1&sid
=7&Fmt=4&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1249566674&clientId=22212

Vary Coates, & Steven Bonorris. (1998). Digital money: Electronic cash may rise sense. The Futurist, 32(6), 22-25.  Retrieved August 6, 2009, from ProQuest Social Science Journals. (Document ID: 32278691).

This article discusses the escalation of online shoppers globally and how money is now electronic cash.  Electronic cash is being disseminated into data that could be exploited by money launders or terrorists.  The security risks referred to in this article are US based, but the Australian government have the Anti-Money Laundering / Counter Terrorism Financing Act 2006 which can be further sourced at  http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/Anti-money_laundering to protect businesses and individuals from criminal activity.  Vary Coates is the president and Steven Bonorris the former counsel of The Institute for Technology Assessment (ITA), a non-profit research group established by analysts formerly with the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment, which was closed by the Congress in late 1995.

Reference List:

Kitzmann, A. (2003). That different place:  documenting the self within online environments. Biography, 26.1, pp. 48-65, Retrieved August 6, 2009, from Project Muse Journals, (DOI: 10.1353/bio.2003.0026).

Special Report: Fighting the worms of mass destruction – Internet security; Internet security.  (2003, November). The Economist, 369(8352), 65-67.  Retrieved July 25, 2009, from ProQuest Social Science Journals. (Document ID:  471835591).  http://proquest.umi.com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/pqdweb?index=0&did=471835591&SrchMode
=2&sid=4&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=
PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1249445444&clientId=22212

White, G., Shah, J., Cook, J., & Mendez, F. (2008). Relationship Between Information Privacy Concerns and Computer Self-Efficacy.  International Journal of Technology and Human Interaction, 4(2), 52-62,64-68,70-82.  Retrieved July 31, 2009, from ProQuest Social Science Journals. (Document ID: 1428880561).