Just one day after NBC announced its decision to stream classic shows on its Web sites, CBS announced that it will do the same, making a number of titles from its library available on CBS.com and across the CBS Audience Network. Meshing this content with the interactivity of the Web allows for more comprehensive experiences around each show -- no longer simply an old broadcast model. The future of TV just might be the New Media model. The initial lineup will include ad-supported full episodes of Star Trek, The Twilight Zone, Macgyver, Hawaii Five-O and Melrose Place. The quality and picture is surprisingly good although there is no full screen mode. All the episodes are displayed in order and ready for viewing. Soon additional seasons and shows will be added depending on the success of the model. Please... Please... let it work!
In addition to streaming on CBS.com, the shows will be available to the CBS Audience Network -- a network of Web sites and partners that include AOL, Microsoft, Comcast, CNET Networks and Sling Media -- as well as CBS station Web sites.
Scottish business leaders and education experts are entertaining proposals that will incorporate new media into children's learning experience. The roles of text messaging, social networking websites and blogs will be explored, as well as the appropriate contexts in which to use a particular medium. School children will also learn to discern information on websites, television and radio. In short, be aware of the message and the messenger. Trends shows the majority of kids know communicate with each other primarily by text and e-mail. The younger generation has always gravitated to the latest and greatest with a shorter learning cure than adults. Todays fast growing technology seems to keep kids wanting more and learning faster than ever. I believe getting and teaching information in real time can have enormous benefits in the class room. I also feel that a certain amount of decorum should be respected as well.
Commercials are meant for skipping and fast forwarding so naturally, I go to You Tube to watch them. This particular ad shows a child and his dad at the grocery store. This cute little child pulls some Cheezy Puffs from the shelf and puts them in the cart. Much to his dismay of he dad so he puts them back on the shelf. This is when the cute little boy turns into a little demon and lets everyone have it. After some time the product displays across the screen. I think this is a cute and clever ad. This has a four star rating and 685,312 views.
Ok, I know this is not all fun and bubbly but when I saw this was happening I thought, man you just can't catch a break. Not only do young people need to be aware of pedophiles while socializing on the web they now need to be aware of being targeted by street gangs. Local gang leaders are aware that kids like to socialize on sites such as MySpace and YouTube. Gang members are returning from prison with a whole new way to market to middle schoolers and the younger kids. These young at risk kids are freely giving information to the gang members who in turn do their best to recruit as many as possible. The new 21st century way these gangs go about getting to children is scary and parents need to be aware. Children have always been targeted to as being the next generation for this or for that. This is not new, but what is new is the ease of how it is being done. Parents should keep computers in common rooms and closely monitor websites.
Google is up in arms over Microsoft's proposed takeover of Yahoo. Is this just good business sense for two merging companies or is it the death of the internet as Google knows it? Is the openness and innovation of the internet in jeopardy? Does this mean that if Microsoft buys Yahoo that all "PC's" will be loaded with the Yahoo toolbar? Is Google, who enjoys over sixty percent of the internet search market truly worried that Microsoft will abandon privacy protection and let the government in our secrets, or are they just worried about market share? Either way, the always evolving landscape of the internet is changing and it appears that the new boss is the same as the old boss.
I am truly blessed. I believe everyday is some ones new beginning. A new chance to make a difference, set an example, encourage and enrich some one else's life.
