Ramblings of a Rambler

Reflection

2008-11-14T13:57:00.002+08:00

Looking back, the process of creating, developing and subsequently updating this blog has been an interesting one. More so as this is the first blog I ever created. In the process of creating this blog, I have acquired some new skills. The theories of design, placement, writing and language all helped me tremendously as I could apply them to this blog, making it more reader friendly.

Important factors in design, such as the various principles of design, graphic aids, written cues, the use of white space, colour and typography come to mind when I was designing my blog (Reep, 2006). Those factors helped me plan and design the layout and presentation of my blog, making it more relevant to my target audience.

Besides that, one cannot ignore the power of multimodality when it comes to presenting information (Walsh, 2006) As was mentioned earlier, a multimodal based document is more engaging for the users and it draws them in, keeping them interested.

Last but not least, there are the ethical aspects of blogging especially when it comes to the picture and video publication. One must consider various the aspects of what is appropriate put out into public domain. To say that this is a grey area would be an understatement.

To round this off, I am glad to finally be part of the blogosphere. With the exciting opportunities and new possibilities that it offers, not to mention the acknowledgement of its growing influence as seems to be one of the main communication mediums of the future.

Sources

Reep, Diana C. 2006, ‘Chp 4: Principles of Document Design,’ in Technical Writing, 6th ed., Pearson Edu, Inc., New York, p.173-190.

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

The media and web 2.0

2008-11-14T10:37:00.002+08:00

One of the major differences between web 1.0 and 2.0 is the high levels of interactivity offered to its user/reader. Now, the readers will not just receive information, they can also play an active part by interacting with it, using it in various ways and in contributing towards that information (Wikipedia). This feature is one of the major factors that have propelled the new media into such prominence and popularity.

While all this is happening, the traditional establishment of information, the so called ‘old media’, has not been sitting still. Despite the criticism directed against new media, many of the established organisations have recognized the power and influence of web 2.0 and the potential it offers them. We shall now look at an example of this.

In an article published in Malaysian daily The Star, writer Oon Yeoh talks about the growing use of the new media, specifically social media by news organisations. The article specifically mentions the efforts of the Chicago Tribune. What the newspaper has done is to create its own personality, Colonel Tribune, complete with a caricature and all. This provides the organisation with a human face when it joins the social networking websites and interacts with its users. The Colonel has been interacting with users of Facebook, Youtube and Digg among others. For the complete article, click here.

(Colonel Tribune)

The move by the Chicago Tribune is indeed a good one. While traditional media still have a huge market, considering the amount of people who read printed materials and those who watch the television, there is still a large, predominantly younger, untapped market of those who spend their time and primarily get their information from the internet, especially from the new media websites.

The video below, shows Rafat Ali of paidContent.org (an organisation that chronicles the evolution of digital content that shapes the future media) speaking of the need for journalists to embrace the new media to advance their field of vocation.

The new media also happens to be one of the best platforms where one can effectively use multimodal text to explain an issue and engage a reader. Multimodal texts can be defined as texts that have more than one' mode', so that meaning is communicated through a synchronisation of modes (Walsh, 2006). When a reader interacts with multimodal texts, he/she will use various senses, such as hearing, sight, tactile and kinaesthetic to when interacting with the different modes. This means that there is more engagement of the user and there is a good chance that they will become more involved in the organisation by increased participation (Walsh, 2006).

In Malaysia, the established media has not really taken advantage of this. Though most have websites, they are mainly still on the web 1.0 mod. An exception seems to be the Star, which has its own podcast, some interactive blogs and an online digital news channel, courtesy of Youtube. All this can be accessed through their main website, http://thestar.com.my/

For more information, click the following links:

Publishing 2.0, The (r)Evolution of Media
- http://publishing2.com/2008/10/16/mainstream-news-organizations-entering- the-webs-link-economy-will-shift-the-balance-of-power-and-wealth/

Readership Institute, Northwestern University
- http://www.readership.org/blog2/2007/05/how-news-organizations-can-leverage.html

Sources

Web 2.0 – Wikipedia. Viewed at 8th November 2008 at <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0>

Yeoh, O, 2008, News media leveraging on social media, The Star. Viewed on 8th November 2008 at <http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/8/21/focus/22132813&sec=focus>

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

Blood, guts n’ gore – a no-no in the outback

2008-11-13T16:06:00.019+08:00

In Australia, the government could come out with a new, standardised rating system for computer and video games then are allowed to be sold in the country. This follows the debate over the notoriously violent Grand Theft Auto 4, which was eventually allowed in after the sex scenes were edited out. The move was welcomed by those in the gaming industry and gamers themselves, claiming that Australia’s rating system was not up to date and on an average, more adults were playing computer games these days. For more information on this article, written by Simon Canning from The Australian, click here.

Australia is well known as having one of the world’s most strict rating systems for video games. According to the Office of Film and Literature Classification, the highest authority on censorship, the maximum rating when it comes to games video is MA 15+, meaning the game contains strong content and isn’t suitable for those under 15. This means that quite a number of the more violent games are banned in Australia, including the recently released Silent Hill: Homecoming and Fallout 3 (Advertiser, 2008). A more comprehensive list on what games are banned is available here.

Fallout 3

Silent Hill: Homecoming

The main reason for such controls are the effects that such games and their content have on those who play them, especially children and teens. The issue is highly debated and considered a hot potato by many. One of the most vocal advocates against violent video games, the American Psychological Association have come out with many reports such about how video games can increase aggression (Dill, 2000). An article by Anderson (2008) here, also talks bout the connection between violent video games and behaviour.

(Above: Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the Columbine shooters, were fans of the violent Doom video game franchise)

Despite all that, I believe that such video games are being made a scapegoat as they are the easiest target. If the effects of such video games were indeed as bad as claimed, then tens of thousands of teens all over the world, including yours truly, would have gone on a rampage, creating chaos and anarchy because of the ‘evil’ influence of such games. Most people, I believe, know the difference between entertainment and real life and will not get carried away. The theories of social semiotics apply, where people use their knowledge and intelligence to interpret and make sense of their surroundings (Kress & van Leeuwen, 2006).

The Columbine massacre (where the blame was pinned on Doom), and the more recent case in Thailand where a cab driver was killed and robbed by a youth who was re-enacting a scene from the game (Bangkok Post, 2008), are one of the few tragic cases that were used to unfairly lambast the whole gaming industry.

For more information, please click on the following links:

Censory overload, a look at game ratings in Australia
-http://www.gamespot.com/features/6188493/index.html

Video Game Controversy (Wikipedia)
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_controversy

Source

Canning, S, 2008, Grand Theft raises R rating prospect, The Australian. Viewed on 3rd November 2008 at < http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,23699507-26077,00.html>

Compliance for sale or hire of computer games, Classification Board, Office of Film and Literature Classification, Australian Government. Viewed on 3rd of November 2008 at < http://www.classification.gov.au/special.html?n=294&p=191>

Ramadge, A, 2008, Video game Silent Hill: Homecoming banned in Australia, The Advertiser. Viewed on 3rd novemver 2008 at <http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,,24417752-5006301,00.html>

Dill, K.E., 2000, Violent Video Games Can Increase Aggression, media release, April 23, American Psychological Association. Viewed on 3rd November 2008 at <http://www.apa.org/releases/videogames.html>

Anderson, C.A., 2003, Violent Video Games: Myths, Facts, and Unanswered Questions, Psychological Science Agenda, the American Psychological Association. Viewed on on 3rd of November 2008 at < http://www.apa.org/science/psa/sb-anderson.html>

Kress, G. & van Leeuwen, T. 2006. Reading images. Chapter 1: The semiotic landscape: language and visual communication, Routledge ,Abingdon, United Kingdom.

A dangerous game to play, 2008, The Bangkok Post. Viewed on 3rd November 2008 at <http://www.bangkokpost.com/180808_News/18Aug2008_news17.php>

Is user generated content still kosher?

2008-11-13T15:19:00.005+08:00

Apparently, YouTube has now joined the ever increasing bandwagon of new media websites that are scaling back on their user generated contents (UGC). In the article ‘Wither user-generated content?’ the Star, a Malaysian daily, the popular video sharing website has signed an agreement with big-league broadcaster CBS Networks to screen full length episodes of some of the network’s TV series’, complete with advertising. This claims the article, marks a growing trend in the embracing of more professional content as opposed to UGC.

First of all, what exactly is UGC? One of the main features that set the new media apart from the rest is the high involvement of its users/readers in determining its content. More specifically, UGC, also known as consumer generated media, is a reference to any materials created or uploaded to the internet by non-media professionals (Interactive Advertising Bureau, 2008).

This means anything from articles or opinions that are posted up on blogs, reviews of products on online trading sites and videos that are posted online. One of the most well known examples of UGC is entries in Wikipedia and CNN’s I-Reports. Although the concept has been around for a long time, it only took off in a big way with the arrival of new media and web 2.0 which offered its users new levels of interactivity (Wikipedia).

Many of those in the information and communication establishment are critical of UGC. While not against the new media and web 2.0, they criticise what seems to be the amateurish approach of UGC and its tendency to be opinionated, and are superficial. The importance of the professional context in which ones writes or presents information will help with the credibility and clarity of an issue (Putnis, 1996). Below, is what veteran BBC newscaster Jeremy Paxman did when instructed to promote UGC on the network.

Nevertheless, despite the criticism and the apparent trend of popular new media websites ‘distancing’ themselves from UGC, it will still be round in the foreseeable future. The reason is simple, the reason most new media websites are so popular is primarily because of UGC itself. Users do not just want to know what the so called ‘professionals’ and ‘experts’ think of something, they want to put their own views out there and listen to opinions from regular folk like themselves. So unless the above mentioned websites and others like them want to risk losing the mass of their users, UGC will be around and most probably flourish for some time.

For more information, please click on the following links:

Principles of UGC
- http://www.ugcprinciples.com/

User Generated Content (Wikipedia)
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User-generated_content

YouTube’s CEO on the power of UGC
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcAwrLw92rw

Source

Yeoh, O. 2008, Wither User Generated Content, The Star. Viewed on 30th October 2008 at <http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/16/focus/2274205&sec=focus> on 23rd October 2008>

IAB Platform Status Report: User Generated Content, Social Media, and Advertising — An Overview, 2008, Interactive Advertising Bureau. Viewed on 1st November 2008 at <http://www.iab.net/media/file/2008_ugc_platform.pdf>

User generated content – Wikipedia. Viewed on 30th October 2008 at <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User-generated_content#Criticism>

Putnis, Peter and Petelin, Roslyn, 1996, Writing to communicate, Professional communication: principles and applications, Prentice Hall ,Sydney.

Facebook’s new layout – breaking the status quo, or the evolution of new media?

2008-11-12T12:24:00.018+08:00

4 years might seem like a long time in the world of the new media, but when compared to the traditional media forms, it becomes relatively younger. That’s how long the popular networking site Facebook has been around. The internet phenomenon, which has over 100 million users, is no stranger when it comes to ‘breaking new grounds’ (Wikipedia).

One of the more noteworthy changes that Facebook went through was its decision to compulsorily enforce its new layout on all its users in September 2008. Although the new layout was made available to users as an option for nearly 2 months beforehand, that choice was taken away. This issue is covered in article by the Star available here.

(Above left: Facebook's old layout; right: Facebook's new layout)

Its creator Mark Zuckerberg, claimed that the changes were done for the better, while conceding that not everyone will agree with them. He was spot on. The change in layout resulted in a furore, a flurry of complaints and even a mini-revolt by the sites users. Many users were not happy, claiming that the new design and layout was confusing, less organised and had too much white space, among other things (Fulton, 2008).

Users, upset at the unfamiliar layout, begin demanding a revert to the old template, even forming groups on the website itself (Fulton, 2008). The following video shows an interview with one of those users.

(Source: I-report.com)

When look at in the perspective of issues in publication and design, the reaction to a massive change in the layout can be explained by the following:

‘In any document, the readers do not just read the words; they also ‘read’ the visual presentation and layout of the text. The design is there to guide readers, make it more interesting for them and to present an overall identity of the document.’

Source: Reep, 2006

Therefore, it follows that when the fundamental design of a document changes, it would have an effect on the reader.

On a personal note, I believe that such a change is only natural. After all, everything evolves somehow or another. When such change happens, especially a change in something that we are so familiar/intimate with, such as the well-known and liked layout and design of Facebook, those connected with it, users like us will normally have some sort of negative reaction as we are pulled out of our comfort zones and thrust into new/unfamiliar territory. Nevertheless, such changes are necessary or else, we can’t move forward. Just look at the reactions whenever Microsoft launches a new software or update. Though criticisms come pouring in hard and fast, users eventually embrace them as they are proven to be superior products.

Sources

Wikipedia - Facebook. Viewed on 28th October 2008 at <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook>

Facebook unveils new look with a new approach, 2008, The Star – Biz. Viewed on 24th October at <http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/10/business/20080910134240&sec=business>

Fulton, S.M. III, 2008, Facebook users unite in outrage over changed layout, Onekit.com Software Magazine. Viewed on 28th October 2008 at <http://www.onekit.com/store/review/facebook_users_unite_in_outrage_over_changed_layout.html>

Reep, Diana C. 2006, ‘Chp 4: Principles of Document Design,’ in Technical Writing, 6th ed., Pearson Edu, Inc., New York, p.173-190.

Photojournalism - the power of the photograph and ethical considerations

2008-11-11T13:17:00.013+08:00

Photojournalism can be briefly defined as a form of journalism that uses pictures to tell a story (Wikipedia). Ideally, the picture itself, without the help of texts should be able to tell its audience the full story (Smith, 2001). The power of pictures to tell a story should not be underestimated as a still photograph is indeed, a very powerful medium and has the power to deeply affect its audience.

(Sample photojournalism shots)

An ABC National Radio’s ‘Media Report’ on the 4th of October 2007, discusses a photographic galley at the city of Dubrovnik in Croatia, its attempts to keep the memory of the city’s bitter past in the Balkan War and the effects of the photographs displayed. One can get a taste of what is on display at the gallery from the following quote: “Right at the entrance a large photograph of a middle-aged woman, her face distorted by pain, her mouth wide open, and her left hand pressed against her cheek in horror. The woman's hair glitters golden, so do her nails, and the ring on her terrified hand. She might have been wealthy once, but this is of no importance now.” The visitors to the gallery, who are mostly tourists, are described as silent as they moved from picture to picture. The full transcript can be viewed here: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2007/2051819.htm#

When talking about war or other forms of human suffering, an important issue that still dogs the ethics of photojournalism arises. Simply put, what can and should be published? The National Press Photographers Association code of ethics clearly states that a photojournalist must “Treat all subjects with respect and dignity. Give special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime or tragedy. Intrude on private moments of grief only when the public has an overriding and justifiable need to see.”

That statement however, raises a whole lot of other questions as what is acceptable to certain people or segments of society are not to others. The ethics of photojournalism is a very subjective field (Daniel, 2006). For a deeper perspective, watch the video below.

WARNING – THE FOLLOWING VIDEO CONTAINS IMAGES THAT MAY NT BE SUITABLE TO ALL AUDIENCES. VIEWER DISCRESSION IS ADVISED.

Personally, I firmly believe that photojournalism is one of the most effective forms of journalism and getting a message across. Photojournalism plays a essential part in documenting important issues and influencing change by raising awareness of such issues.

For more information, please look up the following websites:

The Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar
- http://www.photojournalism.org/

Photojournalism (Wikipedia)
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photojournalism

Sources

Wikipedia, Photojournalism. Viewed at <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photojournalism>

Smith, B. 2001, Designing a Photograph: Revised Edition, Amphoto Books, New York.

The power of the photograph, 2008, ABC National Radio’s ‘Media Report’. Viewed at <http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2007/2051819.htm>

Daniel R. Bersak ,D.R., 2006, Ethics In Photojournalism: Past, Present, and Future, Department of Comparative Media Studies, School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Other references

Ritchin, F. 1991. Photojournalism in the age of computers, The Critical Image: Essays on contemporary photography, Lawrence & Wishart, London. pp 215-224

Blogging Issues - Part 4

2008-11-10T11:13:00.002+08:00

New forms of media publishing

The advent of the internet has changed the field of media and publishing over the last few years. Where once most people depended on traditional media organizations and methods to update themselves, now, more and more people are also depending on the internet, be it blogs, online news portals, forums and video sharing sites such as Youtube. In fact, most newspapers and television channels have their own websites now that provides updated news and content to online users. The new media also attracts many other segments such as software and video games, radio and of course marketing (ABC Radio National, 2007).

Being interactive and easily accessible, one of the major issues pertaining to these new forms of media is its capacity to be an agent of social change (Wikipedia, New Media). Unlike the traditional media establishment, there are fewer restrictions that bind the new media.

An example of its power to affect social change is the widely acknowledged effect that bloggers and online news portals had on the March 2008 Malaysian General Election. Many voters relied on the internet for coverage on election issues and campaigns due to the widespread belief that the mainstream media is heavily controlled by the ruling party (Mahathir, 2008). The online campaign that was heavily pro-opposition resulted in the ruling party’s loss of its two thirds majority in parliament, for the first time since independence 52 years ago.

Sources

ABC radio National, New Media Publishing, viewed 23 October 2007 <http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bigidea/stories/s1485827.htm>

Wikipedia, New Media, viewed on 23 October 2007 at <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_media#New_media_as_a_tool_for_social_change>

Mahathir, M. 2008, Now They Tell Themselves…, viewed on 23 October, 2008 at < http://rantingsbymm.blogspot.com/2008/04/now-they-tell-themselves.html>

Other references

Yeoh, O. 2008, Malaysia's new media gains credibility post-election, viewed o 23 October 2008 at <http://www.zdnetasia.com/blogs/msiaexplorer/0,3800011234,63002674,00.htm>

Blogging Issues - Part 3

2008-11-10T00:43:00.010+08:00

Designing for online vs. print

There are some differences when it comes to designing a print document and a website. The 2 samples referred to when discussing the differences below are:

For print: The New Straits Times (printed edition) a Malaysian daily
For web: The Peoples Parliament, a popular Malaysian socio-political blog

Print document - The New Straits Times

Front page of the NST (Source: http://ultimibarbarorum.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/20071212370x1000.jpg)

Being two dimensional, most of the focus when it comes to designing a print document has to do with its layout (Nielsen, 1999). For example, the information in the documents should be arranged from top to bottom as the movement of human eyes matches that of gravity (Arnstson, n.d.). That is, it is easier to take in information when one reads the design of words or images from top to bottom.

The placement of articles/topics together with the type of text used will ultimately determine and have some impact on the intended audience of the print document (Chandler, 2000). This makes genre another important aspect to consider when one designs a print document.

Webpage – The Peoples Parliament

Screen shot of 'Peoples Parliament (Source: http://harismibrahim.wordpress.com/)

The layout of a webpage is equally as important. Due to the wealth of information that is available on the website, it is not lumped together, as this will just confuse the reader (Parker, 2003). Information is organized with the use of clear paragraphing, white space and segmentation of information.

Texts are written in a more factual genre, providing readers immediate and relevant information with regards to ‘why’ someone visits the site (Walsh, 2006). Hyperlinks are used to good effect here as they bring the readers directly to where the information is located

Being one of the most effective places to demonstrate the effectiveness of multimodality, the text and colours that are used is designed to attract and maintain the interest of the reader. Photographs, videos are used as they can sometimes communicate more extensively than written texts (Walsh, 2006).

Sources

Nielsen, J. 1999, Differences Between Print Design and Web Design, Allertbox: Current Issues in Web Usability. Viewed on 22 October, 2008 at <http://www.useit.com/alertbox/990124.html>

Arnstson, Amy E., n.d., Graphic Design Basics 5th edition, Thomson Wadsworth USA

Chandler, D. , 2000, ‘An Introduction to Genre Theory – The problem of definition’, viewed 21 October, 2008 at <http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/intgenre/intgenre1.html>

Parker, Roger C. 2003, Designing documents for web distribution, Looking good in print, 5th Edition, Paraglyph Press, Scottsdale, Arizona, pp. 265-293

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

Other references

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

Blogging Issues - Part 2

2008-11-08T14:57:00.001+08:00

Classification of blogs & blogging communities

According to Wikipedia, blogs can be classified based on its subject matter, media type and objective.

Subject matter:

Refers to the main focus or content of the blog.
Includes personal blogs, businesses, media and marketing blogs, political blogs, social-advocacy blogs, automotive blogs and many more.

Media type:

Use pictures or videos as its main method of communication.
Known as vlogs and photoblogs respectively (Think Quest, 2006).
Sample:

Shave & Cut, A barbers chair just outside of the shower room, 2008. (Source: http://www.desolatemetropolis.com/dm/)

Objectives:

Some blogs that are there for informational purposes
Others that are there to advocate and push a particular viewpoint about an issue or product/service (The Media Report, 2008).

It should be noted that many blogs today, despite their focus and objectives use all mediums mentioned above when delivering a message. Therefore, it is more advisable to classify blogs on their subject matter and objectives.

Blogging communities generally cluster around the classification and type of the respective blogs (White, 2008). In Malaysia, one example would be National Alliance of Bloggers - All-Blogs. Made up of mainly socio-political bloggers, this community was formed as a response to allegations by government officials that what was written in blogs were false and just ‘rubbish’. All-Blogs state that it aims to ‘protect the rights of bloggers and promote blogging in a responsible manner’ (mamakk!!!, 2007).

The logo of the National Alliance of Bloggers, 'All-Blogs'. (Source: http://rockybru.com.my/)

Sources

Wikipedia – Blog. Viewed on 23rd October 2008 at <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog>

Think Quest, 2006, Blogging, the phenomenon – Types of Blogs. Viewed on 23rd October 2008 at <http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/01130/typesofblogs.html>

The Media Report, ABC Radio National, 2008, A taxonomy of blogs. Viewed at <http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2008/2372882.htm#transcript>

White, N., 2006, Blogs and Community - launching a new paradigm for online community?, The Knowledge Tree. Viewed at <http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au/tkt2006/edition-11-editorial/blogs-and-community-%E2%80%93-launching-a-new-paradigm-for-online-community>

Mamakk!!!, Highlights from the blogosphere, 2007., NAB, All-Blogs, PABS - what are they?. Viewed at <http://www.mamakk.com/05/malaysia/nab-all-blogs-pabs-what-are-they/>

Blogging Issues - Part 1

2008-11-08T14:06:00.000+08:00

Blogs as current phenomenon & benefits to the community

From a measly 23 blogs that were known to be in existence at the beginning of 1999 (Blood, 2000), the amount of blogs have exploded to an estimated 112.8 million that are tracked by Technorati alone. It is conservatively estimated that the readers of those blogs could reach as high as 6 times that number.

While the blogging trend still hasn’t caught on in Europe (Rubel, 2006), in Asia however, the blogosphere is "surging forward" with nearly half of those online actively blogging. This is according to Blogging Asia, a Windows Live Report that was published in December 2006 (Jaques, 2006). Many of these bloggers happen to be youth who are driven by the need to express themselves.

Like the rest of the world, blogging has hit Malaysia in a big way. According to Gaman, a Malaysian blogger, nearly 30% of Malaysia’s most poplar bloggers write about personal stuff while 16% each blog about politics and technology (Gaman, 2007). The rest constitute blogs about the media, food, automotive news and others.

Though a relatively new phenomenon here, blogs have had an impact on the lives of Malaysians. A good example is in the political arena where bloggers were seen as a major influence on the voters and one blogger even got voted into office.

Sources

Welcome to Technorati, Technorati Media. Viewed on 19th October 2008 at <http://technoratimedia.com/about/>

Blood, R. 2000, "Weblogs: A History and Perspective", Rebecca's Pocket. Viewed on 20th October 2008 at <http://www.rebeccablood.net/essays/weblog_history.html>

Rubel, S. 2006, Blogging slow to take off in Europe, Micro Persuasion. Viewed on 18th October 2008 at <http://www.micropersuasion.com/2006/04/blogging_slow_t.html>

Jaques, R. 2006, Asian blogosphere surges forward, Information World Review. Viewed on 20th October 2008 at <http://www.iwr.co.uk/information-world-review/news/2170274/asian-blogosphere-surges>

Gaman, February 6, 2007, 50 Most Influential Blogs in Malaysia, Sabahan.com. Viewed on 20th October at <http://www.sabahan.com/2007/02/06/50-most-influential-blogs-in-malaysia/>

Welcome

2008-11-07T22:55:00.003+08:00

Ramblings - passing from one topic to another; using or containing more words than necessary to express an idea.

Rambler - a person who roams about without a fixed route or destination idea.

With the above in mind, I bid you all a warm welcome to this little corner of cyberspace where yours truly will doodle a little bit about the current issues that are affecting new media, with a focus on its design and publication aspects. Intended for those who are interested in such matters, this blog hopes to answer whatever question, scratch whatever itch and fill whatever gap you may have about the issue. Constructive remarks and criticism are most welcome.

Cheers !

The Rambler