Jenkins

Question:

How does your capstone measure up according to the definition proposed in Henry Jenkins' "Eight Traits of the New Media Landscape"? For this entry, describe the principle that your project fits best and the one it fits worst. How might you alter your project to fit better?


Answer:

To me the biggest trait our capstone would fit under is Convergent. The reason being is that our system is built entirely on what the users give for input, and becuase of this the site and station will be controlled by the mass media. As Jenkins says '.... participatory impulses of consumers, who want the ability to control and shape the flow of media in their lives; they want the media they want when they want it and where they want it.' By providing this type of voting system we hope to create the media they wish to have when they want.

The least of the eight traits that our capstone will incorporate is Global. Our capstone will broadcast over FM radio and is restricted to the size of our antenna, which will result in a smaller broadcast radius. Due to the small broadcast signal we will only be able to generate a small list of users at first. A simple solution to this problem would be to allow users to play the daily song lists online(which has already been done) or increase our radio signal.


Question #2:

Do you agree or disagree with Jenkins' definition, and why?


Answer:

I agree with Jenkins's idea of New Media becuase of the openness of the definition. Unlike Crosbie, Jenkins' definition only requires that the media incorporates some of the traits outlined in his article, Global, Convergent, Innovative. Crosbies definition was to limited, in order to be New Media it had to recreate the way we communicate, which I disagree with. Whereas just building onto existing ways of communication or even creating an artistic project can be considered New Media.

Crosbie

Question #1:

How does your capstone measure up according to the definition proposed in Vin Crosbie's "What Is New Media?" How might you alter your project to fit better?


Answer:

I think our capstone measures up ok with Crosbies definition of New Media. The idea we have presented is more of a vehicle then New Media as described, because we are not creating a whole new way to communicate but merely expanding on the ways we currently do. Our project will add more to the Informational Revolution by creating a broadcasting station that is based on the many to many commmunication described by Crosbie. Our vehicle will create a many to many communication that is tailored to individuals/groups needs. Here the radio isnt braodcasting only what the DJ plays, instead the users vote to individualize the station to thier needs, which can be compared to Levis who are now mass producing individualized Jeans, to thier clients.


Question #2:

Do you agree or disagree with Crosbie's definition, and why?

Answer:

I agree with alot of what Crosbie defines as New Media. But at the same time I feel that alot of projects and works shouldnt be considered vehicles, but actually New Media itself. I think that you need to consider the use of media/medium that is used in creating a work. For instance I believe anything that invovles blending technologies together to create a new vehicle, should be considered New Media, becuase the ending result couldnt be accomplished without the preceding Media that created it. I dont think that all New Media has to be a whole new way of communicating entirely, but can be a small step in increasing/enhancing the way we currently communicate.

This may be a possible solution to how the station will play its music.

• - We will begin creating a playslit each night at 11:30pm.

• - CPU selects most requested songs

Two Choices
A) Play 411 songs a day = 24hrs * 60mins /(3 1/2 avg song length)

1. Least selected songs play from 1:00 am to 9:00am(lowest to highest ranked)
2. Most selected songs play from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
3. Again least selected songs play from 5:00 pm to 1:o0am (highest to lowest ranked)

B) 137 songs played a day, day divided into 3 sections each 137 songs

1. The day is divided up into 3 8hr intervals
2. Each interval plays the same songlist, in different orders
3. Between 9:00 am - 5:00 pm make a smaller playlist of 1/2 the songs, and play them twice in random orders

*Math

• 24hrs * 60 min = 1440 minutes in a day
• avg song = 3 1/2min
• 1440min /3.5min = 411 songs a day
• becuase 411 is alot of songs to play we divide the playlist into 3 sections
• 411 songs a day / 3 sections = 137 songs a session
• middle section will really be 2 of the same play list
• 137 songs a session / 2 = 68.5 songs per session for middles section on avg

Link to our new website template
Template

First draft of our logo

Here is a list of the current options the system will support.


User Options

- Registered

• - Requested songs


• - View month stats


• - View daily stats


• - View Yearly stats


• - Vote for next day songs


• - E-mail admin suggestions


• - Preview songs


• - Search for songs

- Unregistered

• - Search for songs


• - View songs

Admin Options

• - Add songs


• - Remove songs


• - Remove users


• - Read suggestions

Here is the first approach regarding our new Capstone project

After 1/2 of a semester Derek, Joe and I have choosen to do another capstone project. Our project will be to create a website that will allow users to select songs from a list, that will create a playlist for the radio station to play the next day.