True or False: How to Decide What Is Real on The Web

As a consumer of Web writing in both personal and professional contexts, I find it difficult to determine what is accurate on the Web. I would like to believe that when reading a Facebook or MySpace profile, that a peson would only disclose information that is positive to their character. With companies and organizations, I would like to trust that they have integrity and only use information that would benefit their cause.
When personally using the Web for writing, I try to write as I would talk. I believe that if my readers were to see consistancy in my writings that they would be able to believe that it is really me. I would form a personality with my words. For those who know me, I put all of myself in my writings.
I feel that organizations/personalities shouldn't be able to edit their own Wiki entires. It's so easy for a group/person to be biased about themselves. Important imformation that should be written about them can be easily erased. Also, false information should be added to their entries could be left out. It's too easy for people to change themselves. Can you imagine reading an article about Paris Hilton written by Paris Hilton?
Yeah, there goes the neighborhood.

Re-thinking Life Online w/ Web 2.0

Web 2.0; not only does it offer new Internet functions, but it is completely changing the direction all together of how the Web is operated by users. According to Michael Wesch, there are going to be many ways Web 2.0 changes the path of the Internet. Coinciding with this change, many aspects will have to be re-thought.
One of these aspects is ethics; the science of morality…right vs. wrong. In Wikipedia, anyone has the right to edit and re-write. If Web 2.0 allows users to eventually do this with every site, what will be able to be considered legitimate and reliable information? Just imagine what would happen if everyone had the right to change information on any website. Users will not only be given powerful voices, but they will have the ability to take over the voices of others.
Another aspect that will need to be re-thought is governance. How can a governing body exist and tell people what is appropriate to post, when anyone will have the ability to alter information? It would be an endless dog chase trying to catch people who are abusing this power. How would “Web Police” be assigned in a situation like this? What could they actually govern without stepping over the ethical line of freedom of speech?
Life online as we know could change forever.

To Read or Not to Read...Newspapers, that is

Personally speaking, I would have to agree with this weeks assigned article...Newspapers should worry, if they haven't been already. I must admit that although I wish I was an advid newspaper reader and news watcher, I am not. The only way I really read a newspaper or turn on the television to get news updates is if I happen to be home. Both my parents, who belong to the Baby Boom era, subscribe to local newspapers and news stations. They have the time to enjoy the luxury of reading a paper or watching the News at the same time every night. Being a senior college student, I barely have time to eat and sleep! The quickest and easiest way for me to consume media is via the Internet. It's interactive, continusouly updated, and easy to access. I can do my homework, check my e-mail, and read about global news at anytime from one location. Not only that, but most sites I visit have videos, sound bites, and links to other sites. I can consume at my pace and surf what I am interested in.
After being in the field of Communications for almost 4 years, I am a firm believer that newspapers and magazines should worry. I also feel that there is no way for them to turn this tidal wave around. People in today's world want fast, efficient news. Considering the average age of a computer and/or cell phone owner gets lower and lower, so do the chances of newspapers making any impact in our fast-paced world. Magazines and newspapers are going to fade away significantly when the "dead-tree readers" such as my parents start to fade. It's a sad statement, but it's the truth.

Consumer of the Web, That's Me

I have always been in love with words. Being a slow writer, I instantly fell in love with the idea of being able to type fast and have my work instantly ready for an audience to read via the computer.
Being a consumer of the Web, I read articles and updates online daily. I often use websites such as Newsweek.com or MSNBC.com to quickly catch up on the happenings of the world around me. Being a busy college student, these sites offer immediate and precise writing with the help of photographs and sound clips.
Being a producer of the Web, I use tools such as Facebook, MySpace, and Yahoo e-mail. I write notes, e-mails, blogs, and comments every day using one of these listed sites. Not only is it an easy way for me to communicate with loved ones, but it also allows me an outlet to post the triumphs and struggles of everyday college life.
Looking into the near future, I see Web writing playing a vital role in my profession. Being a senior communications major, who has already completed several internships, I realize that the Web is used for every company and often they call on communications experts to write, read, and edit all the information that is displayed online. When you write for a company’s website, you are representing that company.