The Issue of Cloaking

This past week our class discussion focused a little on websites published by individuals or groups who conceal their authorship deliberately to disguise a hidden political agenda. These websites are called cloaked websites. These cloaked websites make it hard to distinguish fact from propaganda because these sites usually have a url address that would not be suspicious of being a fraudulent site. Many cloaked website even have .org address's which may give a web user a sense that it could be a scholarly site. Since they also show up in the top search results on search engine sites like Google or Yahoo, cloaked websites are very effective in grabbing the attention and fooling web users. The sites
As cloaked websites were brought to our attention as a dangerous method of propaganda, we also learned how to spot these sites. although authorship is usually disclosed, they can be clues to know that the information presented is false or is trying to convey a different view point. For instance, martinlutherking.org has a link at the bottom to Stormfront's ( a white supremacist group) homepage. However if you didn't click on the Stormfront link could a cloaked website like this one really be spotted. Most people know enough about Dr. King to know that this information can't be the truth, but what if this website revolved around a black figure that wasn't as well known.
The point I'm trying to make here is that myself and my classmates have been studying the ways that new media have been used for several months now. We may be able to point out certain aspect of websites that may not be as obvious to a child or an adult that has little knowledge about types of scams new media can bring. Cloaking can be a very dangerous tool of the Internet, and people should become aware of the misdirection it can bring.

Where are the Parents?

This week we discussed the dangers and harm cyberbullying can have on a person especially on a young teen. With kids having access to the latest digital technologies kids no longer have to be bullied face to face or simply at school. The bullying can follow them where ever they go. Certain threats from online or cyberbullying have even lead to threats that imposing death or suicide. Cyberbullying can involve anything from harassment, embarrassment, or even torture. This is a horrible problem but this is reality. Teenagers everywhere can be victims of this form of bullying.

However, I believe the parents can take some time to monitor their child's activity online to make ensure their child's safety. Most parents are unaware of cyberbullying and whenever serious threats are imposed on their child they always seem to be clueless to why something happened. Parents to take some time to at least talk to their children about whats going on with their lives. Whether it's school, or their friends the parents should have an idea with what is going on in their kids lives. Another idea would be to set up online alerts with their child's name in it. It's simple to use and it will give you updates on websites or blogs that have your child's name posted to it. And if issues get worse makes sure the school is involved in the situation.

Cyberbullying is definitely harmful and their may not be a clear cut way to stop it, but their are ways to monitor it, and it starts with the parents.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sernmvO2454

Is the IPAD worth it?

This week we discussed a new product by Apple called the IPAD.  If you are like myself, you do not have one either because of the price or for the simple fact that you don't really know to much about this new form of technology. In class we watched a clip from youtube.com to get a little insight on what expectations are for the product and its users. This  new Internet fantasy is supposed to revolutionize the way you use technology. This apple product as features of computer but its design to look like a giant iphone or an i pod touch. Its simply just a flat screen without a keyboard, but you can browse the web listen to music and even read a book. A product designed to personalize your life. However after viewing the clip I was not very impressed. In my opinion this is just a bigger version of the Ipod touch. There are some cool and interesting applications that Apple has installed into the Ipad but I don't see the point in buying such an expensive product. The Ipad is trying to be and look like a new style of a computer, but you can't type up a document and print it out. The Ipad lets you read and purchase books with a touch of the screen however Amazon has already invented the kindle that allows you to do the same thing. The product is flaunted as a revolutionized experience but in my opinion I think that since there is nothing we have seen in the Ipad that we haven't seen in other Apple products doesn't make me think that my life will be changed for the better because of the Ipad. I feel that if something is supposed to be revolutionary then it has to bring something new to the table, with the IPAD i simply don't see that.