Post 2/19

Citizen journalism is defined as journalism done by non-journalists. If this is in fact the case, then anybody, who writes anything about community, city, state, national, or world news can be defined as a citizen journalist. Anyone can make a difference on the internet, especially when it comes to the news. People in a community where a crime happens, may be able to blog about it or write about it, letting people know what has happend before the news can even decide what to do. People use camera phones, video cameras, cameras, text messages, phone calls, etc. to communicate and spread information from person to person. Anyone writing about anything significant, can be called a citizen journalist.

How The Internet Has Changed Throughout My Lifetime

I remember the first time I ever even used the internet. In 6th grade, the new friends I was making at Cocopah were asking me if I had a screenname. I had really no idea what they were talking about. When one of them explained it to me, I immediatly knew I wanted to join in! I went home and told my dad, then within the next week, I too had a screen name. At 11 years old I was not exactly aware of all of the things that could be done on the internet. All I was a part of was the AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) chatting with friends from school. I then learned how to go to websites and , look up the Arizona public newspapers online for current even assignments, then other sources and websites to use for school assignments such as papers, projects, and presentations. As I have grown and learned new things, the internet has also developed and developed new things to do. Youtube, facebook, myspace, almost anything is possible on the internet. Back when I was just starting to use the web, I would never have thought I would be spending so much time on it later on.

Eng 494 - 1/29 Activity

When I read Meredith Badger's article about imagery in blogs, I started to think about the concept and how people are viewed through what they have put onto their blog. Honestly, I have never really been actively involved in the cyberspace blogging world. I never had a myspace, but i do have a facebook, which I rarely use. This class is a very new experience for me. Meredith's quote, "If we think of weblongs as being "homepage[s] that we wear", then it is the visual elements that tailor the garment to fit the individual." This quote is partially true in my opinion. On most people's blogs, they have fit their page to be like them. They write about and include pictures of what is important to them and what they enjoy. In my case though, I have not yet used my blog as a source of connection with other people. I have not included pictures or spoken about anything in my life that does not pertain to this class. Unfortunately, this probably leads people to think i am much more boring than I truly am, I would hope I'm not that boring anyway. Also, when she says "Often, however, the images contained within blogs do not show the blogger at all but we can still construct an impression of who the blogger is based on the subject matter they choose." This is can relate to. When I see people's blogs that are basically sports pages, I automatically assume that the person writing the blog is athletic. It may not be true, but that is the impression I get.

I looked at Adam Vitcavage's blog. When I was reading his, obviously I realized that he is a true "football" fan. Besides posting the class activities, he uses his blog to write about what he thinks and his opinions of what is going on in the soccer world. For people who enjoy this mode of communication, a blog is a great way to get your feelings and opinions out in public.