Identity and Representation

When online, you are able to construct your own identity. You are able to create who you are. Some people choose to have an alter ego, they may be one person in real life, but once they are online they become someone completely different or even someone with multiple personalities! Why? Because we are able to do so. The Internet gives us so many opportunities to become who we want to be, maybe some people are scared to act a certain way in real life therefore choose to be this 'different' person online. We are able to present ourselves in a variety of different ways, resulting in us having a real life identity AND identities in cyberspace.


In cyberspace, you are given the chance to change your name, age, interests and even your gender. Your display picture also has an effect on your identity depending on how you pose.


Does my identity change between real life and online?
I'm sure everyone does not act the same online as they do in real life. When surrounded by different people, we tend to act in a certain way. You have a different identity when you're with your family, different groups of friends and even when you're with your boyfriend. Also, when you're online, you tend to be a different person depending on what social networking site you are using. I say this because I am a different person online than what I am in real life.
I grew up using Piczo, Freewebs, Hi5, Bebo and Myspace. However, now I only use Facebook and Twitter. My personalities on both these sites differ, as I have family on Facebook I am restricted in what I can write. I feel I can not say whatever is on my mind. Whereas, on Twitter I feel more free, I am able to write whatever I feel whenever I want. Twitter gives me a sense of freedom, I say things on there that I wouldn't say in front of certain groups of friends and definitely wouldn't say in front of family.


Does posting too much about your identity online affect your identity in real life?
I believe posting too much online does have an effect on your real life identity. For example, I know someone who is a completely different person online than when they are with their friends. With friends, she is a quiet individual who rarely participates when friends are having general discussions. However, this person is a member of the social networking site, Facebook, and she also writes a blog. When I first read this blog, I refused to believe it was written by the same quiet girl. When I browsed around on her Facebook, I still refused to believe it was the same girl. When online, she becomes a whole new person. Someone with a voice, an opinionated individual with a number of things to say. This makes me wonder, why is she not like this in real life? I always think why do some people have more of a voice online rather than in real life. Is something holding them back? Who are they really? All these questions spring to mind. Online identities make you question who a person really is in real life. What is their TRUE identity?

Cyberspace vs The Real World

I've always wondered what it would be like to be a different person, to be someone else completely different from myself, and I'm sure you have too! Well, it is possible, because of cyberspace we are able to try out new identities and be whoever we choose to be.


In cyberspace we are given the chance to express ourselves, we can choose to be a different person to who we are in real life. Cyberspace gives us the power and freedom to do, be, write and act however we want without being judged.

It's like cyberspace has a whole new language. When we log on to MSN or social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, we find ourselves making abbreviations of words and often using slang and emoticons. For example, :-D means a very happy face whilst :-O means a shocked face. Social acronyms are really popular in cyberspace and new expressions are constantly being thought of. The most common ones include: LOL, OMG, BRB and LMAO, which simply mean; laugh out loud, oh my gosh, be right back and laugh my ass off. I remember being in school and a friend of mine literally said "LOL" instead of laughing. I just found it really weird as the term is only ever used in cyberspace. However, nowadays many youths are bringing these expressions into the real world and using them in their everyday conversations with friends.

A number of sites allow you to create a virtual world, giving you the chance to design your own character. Like I said before, we are able try out new identities. When making an avatar, we can make it to resemble us or we can even design it to be the person we want to look like.

Virtual Worlds

> Second Life

 

Second Life is a free 3D virtual world where users (aged 16 and over) customise their own avatar then go on to socialise with others. Users are referred to as "residents" who can start their own business in the virtual world, or even buy property and play games with other residents as well as date them. PLAY Second Life

> Habbo Hotel

Habbo Hotel is another virtual world. Created for teens, this game is based around a virtual hotel. Users can create their own avatar, meet new people and also decorate their own hotel room. PLAY Habbo

Many people sometimes forget that cyberspace and real life are two different worlds. I once met this young girl who would constantly go on about this guy she is seeing. She would tell me how he lives in America and that he's coming over to live with her. BUT, what I didn't know is that she's actually never seen this guy in real life, he was someone she met in the virtual world of second life. Yes, these games are there to meet new people but in my opinion I find their whole relationship a bit strange. This is the problem with cyberspace, people tend to get too attached and sometimes you don' know what you're getting yourself into. So, be careful!

Issues of the Interface - Facebook Design

So from what I learnt today, an interface is...

"a means by which people interact with a particular machine, device or computer programme"

"layout of an applications graphic or textual controls in conjunction with the way an application responds to user activity"

...these are the two definitions I understand the most!

There are two different interfaces which I use to view Facebook. 1. Desktop screen-based interface - PC/Laptop
2. Handheld - Smartphones

Yes, both interfaces allow us to view Facebook but not in the same way. This is because the designs are different from each other.

When viewing Facebook on a desktop screen-based interface we are able to view a lot more than on a handheld device. The desktop version is constantly being changed and updated. Here are two images of the old and new Facebook interface:

                                                                        

The old Facebook layout

 

Facebook re-designed

In my opinion, the new Facebook interface is more appealing and looks more modern. Although, it did take me a while to get used to it. Over the years, from what I can recall, Facebook has changed its interface numerous times.

As you can see, from the re-designed Facebook interface it allows us to know what is happening at the very moment amongst our friends. This is called the "news feed". We can either choose to view news that is "most recent" or the "top news". On the left hand side of the page, we have the options to view our messages, events, photos and friends, as well as the applications we join. Whilst on the right hand side of the page, this is where our events and requests are. We are also given the chance to connect on the go and a link is provided to "try Facebook mobile".

On the other hand, on a handheld device (such as a Blackberry, which is what I use to view Facebook) there are two ways in which you can view the social networking site. Either through the Internet page or through the Facebook app which can be downloaded via Blackberry App World. I prefer to use the application as its much more easier and more efficient. Here is an image of the Facebook app interface:

 





Unlike the desktop version, we are limited in what we want to view on Facebook for Blackberry. With one reason being the obvious fact that the screen is smaller! The interface on a Blackberry shows us the "news feed", with six other icons at the top of the page. However, these icons are just images so in order to know what they are, you must hover over them until the text shows. The icons are: notifications, messages, upload a photo, friends, search and places.

So different Facebook interfaces have different designs, resulting in us interacting with it in different ways.

Citizen Journalism and Newsgames

Citizen Journalism is the term used for when members of the public collect and report they're own information. For example, I could be at the scene of a current newsworthy event which I decide to film or take a picture of. I will then go on to upload it on my online blog or YouTube. This is called citizen journalism.

Due to technology, such as the Internet and mobile phones, we are able to capture, upload and share footage with others online within seconds. I suppose one advantage of citizen journalism is that members of the public are able to capture footage that professional journalists can not. This could be due to not being present at the time of the event. However, one disadvantage of it all is that the information reported by the public may be fabricated or not 100% correct and this is because they do not have the same media knowledge as a professional journalist.

This week we looked at news games, which i found quite exciting! I suppose, as well as news games being informative, they also provide some kind of entertainment. Here are a few games i looked at:


GAME 1: Killer Flu

From the title of the game, I'm sure it is quite obvious what news story the game generated from. Yes, SWINE FLU! This game is about the seasonal and pandemic flu and was commisioned by the UK Clinical Virology Network. The game was used to explain how the flu spreads. It requires the person playing the game to take on the role of the flu and try to spread it onto others. This game was designed to inform people on the details of the flu itself.


GAME 2: Splash + Grab

This entertaining game was based on the news story about Paul McCartney and Heather Mills divorce. Players must take on the role of Heather Mills and try to earn a larger divorce settlement by splashing water on Paul McCartney whilst avoiding the judge at the same time. Although this news game was far from informative, it is very entertaining!


GAME 3: Credit Crunch Chaos

From the obvious title, this light entertainment game was based on the credit crunch crisis. Players take on the role of Gordon Brown and their aim is to jump on as many £50 notes as possible, then secure them with a British flag. However, David Cameron is standing by, waiting for Gordon Brown to fail. The whole point of this game is to give players the chance to become the Prime Minister and to see if they can handle the economy any better.