Eats Emo Kids For Breakfast

Rhetorical Analysis of Websites Final Draft

2004-11-15T18:29:00.000-05:00

When first receiving this assignment I knew right away what web site I wanted to analyze and what type of website I wanted to evaluate. I have decided to look at www.eonline.com which is in the entertainment industry. I chose this web site only because I visit it quite often for my blogs and there is so many things I can say about the site, especially negative things, since I am so good at pointing out the bad in things. But then all of a sudden www.eonline.com changed their format of there site before I could finish my paper, to a very more organized and user friendly site. So instead of comparing and contrasting two or more websites I have decided to look at the two very different eonline.com web sites that I have been analyzing.
At first entering the website there is so much going on. Scrolling words, photos in every corner and flashing photos and banners. It is a little much to take right away, but that ends when you see that the toolbar is easily accessible and clear to understand. Whatever you are looking for it is there and if you still have problems there is a search bar which will find you anything you need. I would say that the information they have is very up to date and that it is expressed clearly and efficiently. Although they do have the tendency to abbreviate some of the headlines and I have no clue what they are talking about until I click on the link. After that it is smooth sailing with very block styling of the pages.
When I first chose to examine this site, it was very similar to what I described above, expect when you clicked on one of the toolbars, for example "Features" would send you to this page of color and animation everywhere. There was so much to take in your could not settle your eyes on one thing. Most of the time it was a bright orange background with white writing, photos flashing, and sounds of previews to movies and commercials. Before the updated site I was so confused, I couldn’t even find the article I wrote a blog about, and defiantly would not say the site was expressed clear. I was literary frazzled.
Eoninle to me has always has been organized logically with their old and most recent site, even if sometimes a little drastic at times. The website is capable of or showing rational thought if you consider Paris Hitlon’s porn or Ashlee Simpson’s lip-syncing logic. The site is organized in a way in which that there is a category for each section of the entertainment industry, from music, movies, and top new articles. The way the website is written is very simple and stated in clear terms. I like this site because it is easy to navigate, understand, just has fun information and things to do like quizzes and shopping.
With the most recently updated site the text portions and graphics presented thoroughly and accurately. Although at the top of the web page there are more pictures and at the bottom of the page only text, I would try to spread the photos throughout the page so it doesn’t loose the persons interest and so they read articles they wouldn’t of if there were no pictures. I find that adding pictures to a site will catch the readers attention, especially if they are familiar with something in the photo. All the information is also updated with the latest news and headlines that are happening now. Before the site was updated the older site did not contain hardly any pictures but a variety of color and text.
The website before and after the update has always been made to bring the most diverse group of people to the site. It has every aspect of the entertainment industry, and you can find something for everyone. Although the site is an American made site I think that it would bring even more people if the brought the site in different languages, especially Spanish. The purpose of the site is just to keep everyone up to date with what is going on in Hollywood and up coming events. They address all the information very clearly and have something new to their site everyday you visit the site.
The new updated site is very casual. The home page of the site does have a lot to look at and to read that scrolls by and flashes. The graphics although simple are flashing in every corner so they can get as much information on the page as possible. There are even ads for shows that have to do with the entertainment industry, so they are trying to have everything so people do not miss a thing. The font is the same throughout the whole site except that they use different fonts sizes, and bold headlines in red. It catches your attention and I think that it is a good idea that they did that, it makes it easy to look at and understand.
Who "eonline" is trying to reach is very clear, it is anyone who wants up to date information on the entertainment industry. From new release of movies and music, gossip, shopping tips, quizzes and reviews of movies and music. I think the key audience is teens though because they focus mainly on celebrities partying and reality television shows.
Before I received the assignment I never thought how bad the "Eonline" site was so disorganized and how it effected the public like it did. I know I didn’t visit the site as much when there were color can graphics everywhere. I usually just go to the site to find something to write the blog about and then leave but since the change I actually read the headlines and surf around the site. "Eonline" has been a great site to evaluate because of all the different aspects of the entertainment industry it has and is very popular. Also, right when you enter the site you know what their purpose for making the site was and who they wanted to make the site for.

Reflection Of This Course

2004-11-13T19:26:00.000-05:00

My reflection of this course is that I have never had to write as mich in any class then I did in this one. Which I enjoyed most of the time, because there were interesting articles and stories that I got to write about. I loved the idea of the blogs and how we could just write our personal thoughts, ideas, and things we are interested about. At first I was skeptical of them but once I got in a groove it went so well and am very proud of my blog page. I think once this course is over I will continue with it. Maybe not four or five blogs a week, but will keep it updated. When first entering the course I thought we would have to write so many papers, but am glad that we didn’t. The two that we did were easy to talk about and we aimed at what that particular student liked which was a great idea. All in all this was a rather enjoyable class, was very easy going and I hope my Composition II class is just as great as this one was.
When entering my next writing course this I now know what the instructors and my peers look for when I have to write a paper. Also, I know that if I have a problem, the instructor will be there and answer any questions that I have promptly. The work that we did while in this course will help me in the future by that it helped open myself up and that my opinion in papers really help out the paper.

Reaction To The Reading: The Right To Read

2004-11-13T19:09:00.000-05:00

The article started off with a story that was published in the February 1997 issue of Communications of the ACM called The Road To Tycho. It also says that it was published in 2096. I am taking from the story and the dates provided that the story it predicting the future of the internet, pirates, and overriding systems that computers may have.
It also states that the right to read is being fought today...it is? In the US, the legal basis to restrict the reading and lending of computerized books and other data was an Act passed in 1998 by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. This was news to me and kinda of scary if you think of it. In 2001, a Disney funded bill called SSSCA required all new computer to have a mandatory copy-restriction facilities that the users cannot bypass. This was also new to me, and I am very skilled in the use of computers.
The SPA, Software Publisher’s Association, is a police-like role to catch the people who bypass this program encoded in the computer and anyone else that has anything to do with pirating. Recently it was replaced by the BSA, Business Software Alliance. They were not suppose to act like a police chain that tracks your every move, but unofficially it does. Do you think that is fair?
At a Chicago university the computer print this message when you log in:
"This system is for the use of authorized users only. Individuals using this computer system without authority or in the excess of their authority are subject to having all their activities on this system monitored and recorded by system personnel. In the course of monitoring individuals improperly using this system or in the course of system maintenance, the activities of authorized user may also be monitored. Anyone using this system expressly consents to such monitoring and is advised that if such monitoring reveals possible evidence of illegal activity or violation of University regulations system personnel may provide the evidence of such monitoring to University authorities and/or law enforcement officials."
Pressure most everyone to agree, in advance, to waive their rights under it; the fourth amendment. The quotation is a very interesting approach to this amendment.

How My Portfolio Is Coming

2004-11-12T23:44:00.000-05:00

Right when I received this assignment I wanted to get in done and over with because I have a lot of other papers to right and this would be the easiest to get done. So I stated on my portfolio that day. I have most all of it done. I just have to add my blogs after I am done with the ones for this assignment, the paper for this assignment, and the letter. Everything is organized the way I am going to hand it in, it just has some holes where the work I haven’t done needs to be. So far I am very pleased of how much I have accomplished with the portfolio and am very proud of how great it is looking.

Theme: Justin Talking With Hitmakers About His New LP

2004-11-12T23:43:00.000-05:00

Justin Timberlake seems to be playing actor again-wait, I didn’t know he did any acting, where was I?-but his return to music is also coming. The singer, who is now shooting, "Alpha Dog" has talked to two producer about recording later this year. He has talked to Rich Harrison, who has worked with Beyonce and Rodney Jerkins, who is eager to re-team with him after working with N’Sync in the past. "I actually called Justin a couple of weeks ago, I just took his address down and I’m gonna start [saving] little things here and there to let him know what we’re trying to do, ‘cause he’s one of those projects that I wish I could get in from the beginning to the end. He has an amazing talented and ability, but I don’t think it’s been brought out of him yet. I mean, he had a couple great songs, but there’s something deeper that hasn’t come out and he doesn’t even know yet," said Jerkins.
Both Jerkins and Harrison are impressed with Timberlake and both would love the opportunity to work with him on his next album. Timberlakes’ first album, Justified, was a smash hit with several successful singles, although he’s been focusing on acting for most of 2003. "Edison" his first movie, is due next year.

Theme: Nirvana Box Set: Complete Track List, Details Revealed

2004-11-12T23:42:00.000-05:00

The long awaited four-disc box set from Nirvana, With the Lights Out, drops on November 23rd. This 81 track With the Lights Out, which name came from a lyric in the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" song, includes 68 previously unreleased tracks, including rehearsals, outtakes, demos, and covers that even include Led Zeppelin’s "Heartbreaker," the Velvet Underground’s "Here She Comes Now," and four Leadbelly songs. A DVD also comes with the box set which features live and rehearsals. Home movies, and 20 full length videos. Here is the track list for With the Lights Out, according to Geffen Records:

Disc One:
"Heartbreaker" (live, 1987)
"Anorexorcist" (radio performance, 1987)
"White Lace and Strange" (radio performance, 1987)
"Help Me I'm Hungry" (radio performance, 1987)
"Mrs. Butterworth" (rehearsal, 1988)
"If You Must" (demo, 1988)
"Pen Cap Chew" (demo, 1988)
"Downer" (live, 1988)
"Floyd the Barber" (live, 1988)
"Raunchola/ Moby Dick" (live, 1988)
"Beans" (home demo)
"Don't Want It All" (home demo)
"Clean Up Before She Comes" (home demo)
"Polly" (home demo)
"About a Girl" (home demo)
"Blandest" (demo, 1988)
"Dive" (demo, 1988)
"They Hung Him on a Cross" (demo, 1989)
"Grey Goose" (demo, 1989)
"Ain't It a Shame" (demo, 1989)
"Token Eastern Song" (demo, 1989)
"Even in His Youth" (demo, 1989)
"Polly" (demo, 1989)

Disc Two:
"Opinion" (solo acoustic, 1990)
"Lithium" (solo acoustic, 1990)
"Been a Son" (solo acoustic, 1990)
"Sliver" (home demo, 1989)
"Where Did You Sleep Last Night" (home demo, 1989)
"Pay to Play" (demo, 1990)
"Here She Comes Now" (demo, 1990)
"Drain You" (demo, 1990)
"Aneurysm" (demo, 1990)
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" (demo, 1991)
"Breed" (rough mix, 1991)
"Verse Chorus Verse" (outtake, 1991)
"Old Age" (outtake, 1991)
"Endless, Nameless" (radio session, 1991)
"Dumb" (radio session, 1991)
"D-7" (radio session, 1990)
"Oh, the Guilt" (B-Side, 1992
"Curmudgeon" (B-Side, 1992
"Return of the Rat" (B-Side, 1992
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Butch Vig mix, 1991)

Disc 3:
"Rape Me" (solo acoustic, 1992)
"Rape Me" (demo, 1992)
"Scentless Apprentice" (demo, 1992)
"Heart Shaped Box" (demo, 1993)
"I Hate Myself and Want to Die" (compilation track, 1993)
"Milk It" (demo, 1993)
"Moist Vagina" (demo, 1993)
"Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip" (B-Side, 1993)
"The Other Improv" (demo, 1993)
"Serve the Servants" (solo acoustic, 1993)
"Very Ape" (solo acoustic, 1993)
"Pennyroyal Tea" (solo acoustic, 1993)
"Marigold" (B-Side, 1993)
"Sappy (a.k.a. Verse Chorus Verse)" (previously unreleased, 1993)
"Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam" (demo, 1994)
"Do Re Mi" (solo acoustic, 1994)
"You Know You're Right" (solo acoustic, 1994)
"All Apologies" (solo acoustic)

Disc 4 (DVD)
"Love Buzz"
"Scoff"
"About a Girl"
"Big Long Now"
"Immigrant Song"
"Spank Thru"
"Hairspray Queen"
"School"
"Mr. Moustache"
"Big Cheese"
"In Bloom"
"Sappy"
"School"
"Love Buzz"
"Pennyroyal Tea"
"Smells Like Teen Spirit"
"Territorial Pissings"
"Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam"
"Talk to Me"
"Seasons in the Sun"

My Choice: Ryan Cabrera More Than Just Ashlee’s Ex

2004-11-12T23:40:00.000-05:00

You might know Ryan Cabrera better as Ashlee Simpson’s ex-boyfriend then a up and coming musician, but is defiantly making a name for himself. His debut album, "Take It All Away." has sold more than 320,00 copies so far, and single "On The Way Down" has hit number 8 on the chart. But you may wonder how he got to where he is today. He was also interested in music, and at age 15 picked up his first guitar and spent the next few years teaching himself to play the chords and simple tunes. Finally getting a coach, who turned out to be Jessica Simpson’s instructor, and recommended him to her manager. After singing with Joe Simpson, Cabrera landed a recording contract and went to Los Angeles, where he lived with the Simpsons for eight months. And then...

AP: I have to ask about your relationship with Ashlee Simpson.

Cabrera: We were best buds. It became like a brother-sister relationship. We were dating other people when I moved in, but that didn't work out. Then we got together during my video, and then after that, it was ON.

AP: And now?

Cabrera: Just like we were before — we're best friends. It sucks because we're both doing so many things right now that it's impossible to be together right now. We'll see what happens in the future.

AP: Was it weird watching your relationship on her reality TV show and knowing other people were, too?

Cabrera: The only weird part is how they show it. I'm used to being around cameras because of ('Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica'). What's weird is when they edit it and try to put a month's period into one show.

AP: Did her show help your career?

Cabrera: Sure. Whenever people get to see you, it's a great thing. Once people see an image and see the character, they can get into the music a lot more.

AP: How did you get into singing? Was it something you always wanted to do?

Cabrera: Absolutely not. The guys in my band said 'There's three of us and one of you so you're singing.' I was horrible, I was absolutely awful. That's why I put myself through that insane program.

AP: What did it entail?

Cabrera: I sang every day by myself for six hours. I was holding up chairs while singing scales to work out my diaphragm. I heard Michael Jackson did it, but everybody said not to, it's not good for your voice.

AP: A lot of your songs deal with breaking up or thanking a girl for her love. Did you draw on personal experiences?

Cabrera: I would say so. I went through losing my first love while I was writing the album. I also wrote a song about the new girl in my life. 'On the Way Down' is about searching for happiness in things that weren't real, searching for happiness in material possessions. For me, it's a spiritual song. But I left song open to interpretation. It could be about a girl, or it could be about a pet parakeet.

AP: How did you guys get into 'Rock, Vote & Win'?

Cabrera: I wanted to be involved with Rock the Vote, but Joe suggested we do our own thing. Then we got Clear Channel on board and came up with the idea. I wanted to get involved with something, I didn't care exactly what. 'Rock, Vote & Win' is really educational, and it's fun for schools. We're not trying to tell them who to vote for, we're just telling them to vote.

AP: Did you vote in the last presidential election?

Cabrera: I did NOT vote last time. When I was 18, I was a punk kid just trying to play guitar, not really trying to know what's going on. That's why we're trying to get people aware.

AP: Anything else I need to know about you?

Cabrera: I really like chocolate chip cookies.

My Choice: Elton Feels Love for Madge

2004-11-12T23:39:00.000-05:00

To read the full article you can go to http://launch.yahoo.com/read/news.asp?contentID=220001. It seems that Elton John is finally ready to apologize to Madonna after saying that the Material Girl lip-synchs. John’s comments, made October 4th, at a London music award show, sparked headlines around the world, but feels that his comments were overblown by the media. "The reaction to it was so hysterical, it was like I said ‘I think all gays should be killed or I think Hitler was right.’ I just said someone was lip-synching. I’m not afraid to speak my mind. I’m not going to mellow with age. I get more enraged about things as I get older because you see that these injustices go on," John says. But still, the singer apparently wishes to set things straight with his pal, sometimes known as Ester. Only John could manage to offend more singer with an apology to one. He stated "bloody teenage singers," and we can only assume that John means the recently lip-synching Ashlee Simpson who just appeared on Saturday Night Live using vocal tracks. Or maybe he talking about Britney Spears. Shortly after John made the comment about Madonna her spokesperson released a statement saying that the pop queen, "does not lip-synch nor does she spend her time trashing other artists." John apologized for his comments made and is currently still on Madonna’s Christmas Card List. This all boils down to was this just a publicity stunt, because Elton John’s new album drops in record store November 9th, it is called Peachtree Road. I guess we will never know but his 43rd record should be a great hit.

Reaction To The Reading: Sonic Boom

2004-11-12T23:38:00.000-05:00

For the music industry the internet has been a place where it has caused endless headaches and embarrassing mistakes for this industry. It has also provided an opportunity for the musicians and the fans to communicate with each other. But with the good comes the bad. The biggest record companies right now are, Warner, Universal, BMG, Sony, and EMI. These companies find themselves right now with the greatest challenge in their history. They find themselves having to spread via a worldwide network that dwarfs anything that came before it.
Like the example in the article, if you visit any college you are sure to find two things: computer networks with high-speed, high bandwidth Internet connections, and music fans who have amassed large collections of music without ever buying tapes, CD’s, or records. Instead of buying records at the stores many simple just download the songs they want online trading songs on Napster or so many other clones. Another example presented by the article was: go to a record company in Manhattan or Los Angeles, and you will find these two things: executives with great resistance to technological change and someone in the IT department who avidly follows online developments and may have even accumulated a collection of MP3s. Now all these big record labels are under attack by these young techies of Napster and Gnutella.
While this causes many outburst from record companies and the Recording Industry Association of America dominates media reports and courtroom drama, musicians also have been polarized by online music. For instance, Metallica’s Lars Ulrich rages against traders.

Reaction To The Reading: Reports: E-Gov and E-Policy

2004-11-12T23:37:00.000-05:00

"The Internet and Democratic Debate: Wired Americans hear more points of view about candidates and key issues than other citizens. They are not using the internet to screen out ideas with which they disagree."

During the election of the year wired Americans increasingly were going online to find political news and commentary, and is contributing to a wider awareness of political views during the campaign this year. This is a significant part of the election because the commentators have expressed a concern that the use of the internet would be harmful to the democratic deliberation. They believe that citizens are going to use the internet to find information that reinforce their specific political preference and that challenge their views. This all in all would hurt the chances of contributing to the debates. There was a survey available by Pew Internet and American Life Project with the University of Michigan that showed internet users have greater overall exposure political arguments, including those that challenge their candidates preferences and their positions on some key issues. I guess that the internet and the election go hand in hand, because the Democratic party this year, John Kerry, did not win the election. I wonder if the internet is to blame for this lose. What do you think?

Reaction To The Reading: Reports: Online Activities and Pursuits

2004-11-12T23:35:00.000-05:00

"The Internet and Daily Life: Many Americans use the Internet in everyday activities, but traditional offline habits still dominate."

In the article written by Deborah Fallows the main purpose of it is to inform the readers that the vast majority of Americans that have the internet available say it plays a major role in their daily routines and the rhythm of their everyday life would be affected if they didn’t have it anymore. It states that 88% of Americans say they use the internet in their daily routine, with knowing how many Americans actually use the internet only one-third says it plays a major, and two-thirds say it plays a minor role. The activities that were identified doing in their routines were mostly communicating with friends and family and also finding a wealth of information at their fingertips. With all this available to them now, 64% say that their daily routine would be affected if they couldn’t use the internet. While it seems that most Americans would be ruined if they couldn’t have the internet whenever they wanted it, and while all Internet users use the web to conduct their day-to-day activities, most still will use the "old" way of communicating, transacting affairs, getting information and entertaining themselves. For example, they article said that they were more likely to do these activities offline then online: get news, play games, pay bills, send cards, look up phone numbers and addresses, but tickets, check sports scores, listen to music, schedule appointments, and communicate with friends.

Rhectorical Analysis: Peer Reviews

2004-11-09T18:03:00.000-05:00

So I recieved my peer reviews and they were all very postive but not very helpful. Basically they said I did a good job writing it and that there were no errors, that they saw. So in that case of revisions I don't really have any. I am going to re-read the paper to see if I see anything but that is about it. I know I want to fix my introduction to my conclusion but that is about it. After I read it I saw that it didn't really flow with the paper, so that is one thing that I am taking into consideration. Other then that I fulfilled all my obligations as of what is suppose to be in the papaer and think it is one of the best papers I wrote. I took an alternative way to do my paper instead of comparing two or more sites I compared one site but it's before and after look. So with there revisions in mind, that is all that I have to say.

Theme: Weezer Album Nearly Done - But First Rivers Has To Finish His Homework

2004-10-26T21:45:00.000-04:00

To read the full article go to: www.mtv.com/news/articles/1491479/20040929/weezer.jhtml. You can say that Weezer are a lot like college kids. They are waiting to the end of the fall semester. That's also when frontman Rivers Cuomo returns from Harvard University to plot the final touches on their new album.
If you visit their official website they have posted that the recordings process for their fifth album is nearly complete and it just needs some tinkering and additions from Cuomo, who returned to Harvard earlier this year.
"While the man 12 songs are very close to completion, there is no way of knowing this for sure until everyone has had a chance to try everything they think may elevate the tracks," the posting states.
Of course that includes Rivers who is now away at school for the semester. While everyone agrees that most of the tracks are very close, it may turn tracks are very close. It may turn out that additional work will be needed. The band also wrote that the recording sessions for the new album will "almost certainly" wrap on Monday and the 12 tracks will "definitely sound like an album, and a hell of a good one."

Theme: Pearl Jam Caps Label Tenure With Hit Set

2004-10-20T13:59:00.000-04:00

To read the entire article you can go to:
http://launch.yahoo.com/read/news.asp?contentID=215032. It was written by Tamara Connift or Reuters and Billboard. So Pearl jam is one of the greatest grunge rock alternative bands ever. The Seattle rock band will cap its tenure on Epic Records with its first hits collection out November 16th. One of the most anticipated box sets ever being released.
It will be a double-disc 33-track greatest hits CD with songs from 1991-2003. It has 16 Top 10 hits from Billboards' air play based mainstream rock tracks chart. In the case of new songs "rearviewmirror", the name of the CD set, is split into an "upside" and "downside" with remixes on three of their songs off their 1991 debut album "Ten."
Pearl Jam is now working as a free agent, recently wrapping their run on the Vote for Change Tour and is expected to be in the studio next month to work on their eighth album.

Pearl Jam

My Choice: Incubus Singer Arrested After Airport Screeners Find Knife

2004-10-20T13:51:00.000-04:00

To read the full article you can go to: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1492055/20041007/incubus.jhtml. It was said that the Incubus frontman Brandon Boyd was arrested in New York on Wednesday for Attempting to bring a switchblade on a flight.
Boyd was charged with criminal possession of a weapon at the LaGuardia Airport. The screeners discovered the knife in the carry-on bag. The singer was denied the flight but was allowed on a later flight to Raleigh, North Carolina so he could perform that night.
"I totally forgot it was at the bottom of my bag, and when the security person pulled it out, I though Oh, no." Boyd says.
Since the delay, Boyd arrived 20 minutes before he was supposed to be on stage. So the management team arranged for a police escort. "That was the most rock star of an entrance I've ever had, the police car pulled up to the venue and I literally walked right on stage."
If you get chance to see their show go. It is one of the most well put together shows you will see and Incubus is just an amazingly talented band.

Brandon Boyd of Incubus.

My Choice: The Original Fab Five Makes It Feel Like The First Time

2004-10-20T13:46:00.000-04:00

To read the full article and interview go to: http://www.eonline.com/Features/Features/FallMusicGuide04/Qa/index4.html. Duran, Duran was torn apart from the casual sex, luxury yachts and bad guitar solos nearly two decades ago. But they are back, leaving behind lawsuits and egos. The founding members have just recorded their first record in 21-years, Astronaut, out October 12th. This CD picks up exactly where 1983 Seven and The Ragged Tiger left off. Le Bon Fills us in.

It's been 21 years since you put out an album with this lineup. Why do you think people are once again so excited about Duran Duran?
Well, I think it's because a lot of people remember us from the first time around. The original lineup means something to them, whereas the subsequent ones maybe didn't. And there's an intrinsic chemistry, I guess, with the way we are and the way we work together. That's the main reason.

You think with all the random members it didn't always feel like Duran Duran?
No. To be honest with you, I think Nick and I were in denial. That was a very important run for us, that whole thing. It was really good. We made some great songs. I guess we just needed to do this. So many people had asked us for so long about reforming and everything. There was a time when the two of us figured if we didn't do it soon it was never going to happen.

Were you worried you were all going to hate each other once you were in the same room?
Well, there was some animosity at the beginning, but 15 years is a hell of a long time to wipe out the stuff that doesn't matter.

How would you describe Astronaut?
It's older, you know. It's a little bit more realistic. Maybe it's not as idealistic. There's that little spark at the center of it that is optimistic and up, not willing to give in. I think that's the difference. After 20 years, there's definitely a feeling of we've been through it a bit. Whereas before, we hadn't been through it, we were just about to get into it. The intention is the same. It's just that we're a little battle-scarred now.

So, your songs are on the radio again. You're selling out shows. MTV gave you a Lifetime Achievement Award last year. Does it all feel a bit weird?
I don't look down, you know what I mean? The best thing to do is look straight ahead or up.

Duran, Duran

Rhetorical Analysis: Discussion Of Websites

2004-10-20T13:38:00.000-04:00

In regards to the blog we are suppose to write about a brief discussion of websites I had wanted to include but didn't and my reasons why, I feel that it does not concern me. I knew what I wanted to do and the websites I wanted to use right of the bat. I also will use all the websites I have originally intended to use.

Rhetorical Analysis: Website To Analyze

2004-10-20T12:51:00.000-04:00

Right away I knew what web site I wanted to do. I love the entertainment industry so that was my choice hands down. But then came the bump in the road where I had to choose what site to research. It took about a week to find one that I actually thought I could write about. I knew I wanted to critique a web site where I would have a lot of negative things to say, but also a site that I visit often. Then when searching for an article for my choice I went to eonline.com. It was the perfect site for me. There was a lot of animation, information, color and about just every aspect of the entertainment industry. Now with web site on hand I was ready to being writing. But there is so much to say about this site I have no idea where to begin or how to start. I guess you will just have to wait for my essay.

Rhetorical Analysis: Exegesis

2004-10-17T22:27:00.000-04:00

To read the full blog of Exegesis you can go to: http://www.block611.com/angie/blog/2002_03_01_blogged.html.
To start off, I would just like to state a quite that was on the web site that I thought was real interesting. "On my way to the subway today, I passed by the Disney Store on Fifth Avenue and saw a quote from Walt Disney himself: Tomorrow will be better for as long as America keeps alive the ideals of freedom and a better life."
Out of all the blogs that were posted on the web site I decided to look at the one she wrote about freedom and a better life. It was first stated that now we just have to figure out what "freedom" and a "better life" is. Since September 11th happened and now that it is over and done with if you visiting New York City and Time Square you would be able to see that they are done mourning over what happened. You can tell by the billboards and pictures of half-dresses twenty-something and expensive toys that littered the city. But is the mist of all this madness was a sign of hope that made an encouraging statement to the whole city.
I have once lived in New York and would consider myself a New Yorker. Although now I do live in Florida I was born and raised a northern girl. But to consider myself an American is another question. While reading over the blog, they made a point that even though you are born in the states or rather New York are you really an American? Even though there are hard times still going on in New York over the past three years, and that I was in Florida when all this occurred I would consider me to be a New Yorker and one of the eight million who make that place so great that we can go through all of this with such an enormous amount of humanity and come out of it stronger than ever.

Rhectorical Analysis: Sex Without Strings, Relationships Without Rings

2004-10-17T13:23:00.000-04:00

In the readings for the assignment this article stuck out of all of the ones listed. I guess it was the strong title that drew me in. The article in general discussed the beliefs ans lifestyles with statistics available of twenty-something male and females.
I was really surprised and shocked by many of the statements in the article. Although I know most of the information to be the truth, it was quite depressing to actually read it on paper. Many of the beliefs and morals of the young adults and teenagers in our society that were stated are against my personal beliefs and morals, which makes it that much harder to live by myself, but it also makes it hard to trust others and witness others. Also, it will be harder in the long run to find someone to be with and make a commitment with, if that is what I intend to do.
Even though I choose not to have a religion to believe in I have and will always have strict moral beliefs when it come to sex and relationships. I find it very hard to even watch people flirt with others or making out with anybody they come across. So, if I'm this strict about kissing then it’s a bit obvious how I would be about sex. I do agrees with waiting until after marriage for sex. When waiting it will reveal what type of person you are with and it will be that much more special when the right moment come. Sex reveals a level of personality, confidence, openness, and honesty in a relationship. It is real confusing how people having sex after a month or a few dates are viewing that as "waiting." I don't even think that waiting for two or more years it that long.
I feel that the sexuality and promiscuity in our society has had a very dramatic downfall. Even my morals are not because it is "right" or it is "respectful" but for precautions, because so many papal do lie and have casual sex. With the consequences of pregnancy and STD's I would rather wait.
One thing I do think is great still is that people aspire to meet their "soul mate." But why would you go to places such as clubs and meet a random person in the mean tine? And you wonder why there are horrible relationships, heart breaks and diseases.
Cohabitation I do agree with. unlike other blogs I have seen that said how if you live together you "must" or "most likely" will have sex, I believe it is possible to live with someone you have a relationship with and receive good results. Living with a person can end up a disaster from complications like stress and financial issues. But I think living together is a good way to learn about you mate. There are many things you do not realize about a person until you live with them.

Theme: Smart Guys Step Back Before Heading Into The Futures

2004-10-16T21:36:00.000-04:00

For the full article go to: http://www.eonline.com/Features/Features/FallMusicGuide04/Qa/index3.html.

Jimmy Eat World has paved the way for the latest crop of emo-core sweethearts. This Phoenix band achieved their mainstream status with their 2001 self-titled disc, and also with the first single of the cd "The Middle" (who can forget all the partying teenagers dancing around in their underwear). They have sure pulled off quite a juggling act when they got dropped from their record label and then signed again to another majot label. Now the guys of JEW (are they jewish?) prepare to release their fourth disc, Futures, coming out on October 19th. The single already released, Pain, is just like old-skool Jimmy Eat World which a good beat and catchy chorus their song is sure to fire up to number 1 in no time at all. Frontman Jim Adkins looks to the past to give us an idea of what's to come.

As opposed to the self-titled album, there seems to be more sparse, open moments on Futures, which is more reminiscent your earlier albums. Why'd you opt to revert?Creatively, there's usually a kind of backlash. We always try to do something that's different, that's challenging and interesting to us. I think with this record, Futures, we wanted to combine how tight everything was with [the self-titled album] with the atmosphere of [1999's] Clarity. It was important to us while recording Futures that everything we laid down was doing something for the song...At the same time, we wanted to feel like it breathes a little more.
Before listening to it, with song titles like "Pain" and "Drugs or Me" and "Kill," it could be taken as a negative record.
I know what it must seem like, but I think it's really our most hopeful record. Something that's always interested me is including bits and elements of hope in really darker, more depressing types of songs. There's irony in there--I've always liked that.
After getting dropped from Capitol, did you ever look at the band signing to DreamWorks (which released the 2001 self-titled disc) as a second chance at success?
I know from an outside perspective, it must seem like that. People ask us all the time, "What did you do when you got dropped?" And our answer is, "Well, we threw a party!" We got dropped from Capitol, and the first thing we did was an eight-week tour of Europe. From our perspective, we were moving up. It was just a constant thing, and when DreamWorks came along, it took us up to another level. It's all just good.
How come it took three years to release the follow-up to your self-titled album? Didn't you want to keep the motivation?
In five years from now, it's more important that we're still proud of the record than just to get something out for the sake of getting it out. I think a lot of bands out there do that, and it's a mistake, I think, just putting out a record for the sake of being able to tour. Unless of course, you're the Rolling Stones, in which case, that's the slightest excuse.
Your video for "The Middle" featured a host of partygoers dancing around in their underwear. What's in the video for the album's first single, "Pain"?
Us, rocking furiously!

Jimmy Eat World

My Choice: 28% of Americans Adults are Wireless Ready

2004-10-16T21:25:00.000-04:00

To read the full article you can go to: http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/127/report_display.asp. You can also see what my classmate Cory Sturdivant had to say at:
http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=wellteachthwmtoswim. In this article the author states that more than a quater of Americans use wireless Internet devices. This includes everything from checking e-mail or news or other use. According to Josh Horrigan the author of the article, a study done in March, showed that 18% of laptop users reported using wireless capablilities, and 29% of call phone users report using them to check e-mail or surf the web. This is a significant rise from five years ago, when widespread use of this service seemed impossible.
This article is showing that more and more Americans are beginning to use the Internet wirelessly. This opens up all aorts of possibilities, and could lead to widespread popularity and use of wireless laptops. Soon there may even be Internet towers much like cell phone towers, this will make the country almost completely wireless. This would also revolutionize the transportation indusry amoung others. For example, truckers could arrange shipmenst and jobs from their cabs, and cross country busses would see more use as business people could do their work whike traveling, a service airlines don't offer. I am one of those people who are currently have and use a laptop wirelessley, cand can say from experience that it is the easiest more effective way to use a computer. I also can't believe that people still today do not have a computer, and how people back in the day didn't get along without one.

Rhetorical Analysis: Analysis of Key Features

2004-10-16T21:01:00.000-04:00

Web sites are very diverse, they are a medium where you can go and express your ideas and thoughts. When the internet first appeared these sites used excessive amounts of animations and multimedia, which made it more complicated and annoying. Nowadays, rather than using these extensive tools, web-designers are more into making the sites more uniform and organized. They figured out that the wild colors and images take away from the purpose of the website and the writer’s message.
The key features of web sites are more successful when they are focused. The author of the web site will present a topic or idea that they hope other people would want or need to read. The author might also provide a statement or a brief description about who they are, why they are writing a web site, and who supports the site.
The development of the web sites is when you can develop your own ideas about making an interesting web sites by analyzing other web sites. You may want to look at what you do and do not wish to include when you crate your own. Some suggestions for developing web sites are:

Use The Document Planner
As always, your rhetorical situation will influence how you organize your documents. If users and readers are using the Internet to archive print documents, they have different expectations than users and readers who come to the Internet with hopes of being entertained.
Use the document planner to identify the rhetorical context, or communication situation, surrounding your document. Who will read the web sites? Why will they take the time to slow down and read your work? Explore alternative media. Can you incorporate speeches or streaming video?
Work Collaboratively
Web sites can take some time to develop and they typically are collaborative projects. You would be wise to identify key roles and decide who will assume these roles. As you work on developing your web sites, members of your creative team will have different ideas about how to present their work online.
Decide on an Appropriate Software Tool
The first step in developing a web page is deciding what writing tool you will use to construct the site. You can use a variety of writing tools to publish your thoughts publicly online, including HTML and PowerPoint.
Consider the tools your readers are likely to use when they access your web site. For example, can you save your Word documents in HTML so that readers who don’t have MS Word can still access the texts? Can you save your work in Adobe Acrobat PDF so readers can access it across platforms?
Project Home Page
Include an attractive home/default/index page that identifies the content of the Web site.
Include graphics on your home page.
Place contact information on the site so people can email or snail mail or call you when they have questions.
Critical readers like to know if a site is timely. Identify when the site was created and when it was updated. Place date of publication on the site. Also, explain to the reader how to navigate the site.
Useful Content
Have you provided the content your readers would expect, given your purpose? Have you provided the details and examples your readers need? Have you followed conventions for citing images and sources?
Annotated Links
By including annotated links that provide contrasting perspectives or that reinforce your perspective, you demonstrate your fluency with the Internet. You also add depth to your perspective, suggesting your opinion is grounded in research on the matter.
"About" Page
Ensure the contributions of participants are accurately recognized. If appropriate, include an "About" page that summarizes pertinent biographical information about yourself and others who have contribute to the site.
As readers review your web site, they will wonder if you are a credible, objective source. By giving background information about why you are presenting the web sites, you can enhance your credibility.
Graphics
Employ graphics to deliver your message. Don’t litter your page with annoying, animated gifs or images that are unrelated to your purpose or that your audience would find disruptive.
Be sure that you do not violate copyright. Be sure to cite the source for each image you use, and only reproduce images that you have permission to use.
Web Design
Have you designed the content for the Web or have you organized it like a printed text? Unless you know all your reader will do is hit print, try experimenting.
Avoid excessively long documents. Readers appreciate shorter pages. They dislike scrolling. As a result, writers often cut longer documents into smaller pieces when the documents go online. Anything over three pages tends to be skipped or printed.
While online readers aren’t fond of long papers, they also become frustrated when printing a document that requires clicking through many small pages.
Perhaps the best solution to the short pages versus easy printing conundrum is internal hyperlinks. This way, readers can skip through text as their leisure.
Include interactive features. For example, include an email link, a discussion space, a response form.

With all the above stated the next most important part of a web site is how all of the information is organized. The organization schemes of web sites vary from site to site, all authors have one primary concern: how to provide the handles that readers need to grasp your message.

Ensure Navigation
Be sure to create the links readers can easily understand and use to navigate your site. Create a button bar that enables users to get back to the homepage. Include a search tool or a site map, listing all pages in your Web Sites.
Consider Alternative Design Approaches
Remember that readers on the Internet tend to scan information. In general, you’re wise to provide summary statements and intriguing insights at the beginning of each documents.

Rhetorical Analysis: Overview Of Project

2004-10-16T20:23:00.000-04:00

There are currently over three million web sites, professional reports, business and entertainment portals, daily reflections, corporate reports, research results – this is a small sample of what is available online. A web site is a collection of pages on the world wide web that links one to another and other pages on the web. Any of these websites can talk about projects from autobiographies to essays, and can be persuasive, informative, humorous, and artistic. While in the past being literate was defined as a person’s ability to read for example a bus schedule, now in the electronic age, being literate is defined by if someone knows if they can write and publish a web site.
The main purpose to overview the project is so you learn how to publish your ideas on the Internet, using a variety of tools. When looking at rhetorical analysis of online readings you would want to consider the context, audience, purpose, and media invoked by the following readings. You might also want to examine how ideas are developed in these texts, are assertions grounded in personal experience, interviews with authorities, questionnaires, internet and library research, or empirical research?
In the readings section of collegewriting.com some of the most interesting writings to analyze are Sex with strings, relationships with rings and also the blog called exegesis. They are in my opinion these were the most interesting to analyze in that they were written by a person who is just stating there own opinion. Then you can have a more in depth statement to write or talk about because you can them talk about how you agree or disagree with what they had to say. People with blogs also have more interesting and creative web sites.

Field Research: Our 25 Most Anticipated Albums Of The Fall

2004-10-12T17:40:00.000-04:00

For the blog of my choice since music has been a part of my blog so I decided to write about upcoming albums, that was publsihed at http://www.eonline.com/. To start off the list:

25. Kimya Dawson: Her album Hidden vagenda is half of the indie-folk duo Moldy Peaches, Dawson dresses up in bunny suits and sings scatological ditties. Yet while her first studio disc tackles some odd topics, the tone is more subdues, with her peculiar voice lending unexpected tenderness. Her album was released on October 5th.

24. Talib Kweli: With his album The Beautiful Struggle the bookish hip-hop MC aims to escape the underground with his second solo disc, an inspired mix of consciousness-raising politics and taut battle rhymes. Beats from the Neptunes, Kanye West, and Just Blaze ensure that the tracks are radio ready; while cameos from Mary J. Blige and Faith Evans bring some beauty to this theasurus-adoring rhyme fiend. He album was released on September 28th.

23. 'Left of the Dial' boxed set: Before alt-rock was a radio format, disillusioned Reagan-era teens cobbled together a soundtrack from a disjointed mix of punk, Britpop, new wave, and Goth - otherwise known as college rock. this four-CD set expertly combs the dark underside of '80s rock and includes great tracks from the Pixies, the Smiths, the Go-Betweens, Minor Threat, and many more. Their album was released on October 5th.

22. Joseph Arthur: His fourth album release Our Shadows Will Remain, the eerie singer-songwriter ditched his NYC digs and sequested himself in New Orleans to create a collection of powerfully emotional exorcisms. Each listen reveals something more, from the mellifluous jaunt of "Echo Park" to "Wasted," a beat-heavy ode to stumbling about in a dark narcosis. He album was released on September 28th.

21. Tom Waits: Real Gone, his new album, only one new song title, "Clang Boom Steam," just about umd up Waits' instrumental approach on his lastest CD, which reunites him with longtime aides like Marc Robot and Les Claypool. The music might be described as the dirty blues played over ambient rhythms from the early industrial revolution. His album was released on October 5th.

20. Shania Twain: Let the hoi polloi lust after her Greatest Hits album (all 17 tracks). To the bubblehum aficionados amoung us, Twain and husband/producer Mutt Lange are the new Queen and King of Pop, turning out ear candy like no one since ABBA. That's why we're craving the new confections, which will also include the ballad "Don't" and "I An't No Quitter," a country foot stomper harking back to her twangler days. Her new album will be released on November 9th.

19. Green Day: Four years after their last album, Warning, that masters of the three-minute pop-punk anthem have recored an ambitiou and angsty rock opears about a disaffected kid who splits town with a girl, and you get American Idiot. Amazingly, Idiot boasts not one but two five-part, nine-minute-plus trakcs. Their album was dropped on September 21st.

18. American Music Club: The singer seemingly got riled up enough about the state of America affairs that he reunited his old band, American Music Club, to write the album Love Songs for Patriots. But Patriots, AMC's first disc since '94, is more brooding and wry than outraged. Their album is in stores on October 12th.

17. Jimmy Eat World: The Mesa, Arizona, foursome's last album, 2001's Jimmy Eat World, helped launch the modern emo era, making them pop stars in the process. Now the effusive young men are back, and whil hyper-meldoic tracks like "Work" and "Pain" should help them avoid becoming one-ht wonders, emo fans will drool over the entire 11-song package from Futures. Their album will drop on October 19th.

16. Lucinda Williams/Neko Case: Live at the Fillmore/The Tigers Have Spoken has Williams acheive a full-on live-wire staus with her first concert disc, a double CD recorded last year. It doesn't have to be a studio project for Lucinda to fiddle up to the last moment - the title, the track listing, and the realease date are all subject to change. Fellow alt-country queen Case is also cooking up a live disc, but Neko's mostly doing cover tunes. Her album will be released on November 9th.

15. Good Charlotte: The Chronicles of Life and Death, the follow-up to 2002's lightweight Young and the Hopeless, may change minds. With its deeper lyrics, less obvious melodies, and more nuanced arrangements, Life and Death is an undeniable step forward. And the new album sounds like a real band playing together rather than an overproduced studio creation. Their album was released on October 5th.

14. Brian Wilson: Of the 25 Most Anticipated Albums of the Fall, only one qualifies as The Album Some People Have Been Anticipating for the Last 36 Falls. The Beach Boys' Smile fot bumped off the release schedule back in 1967, but Wilson has now recorded it from scratch. This album was released on Spetember 28th.

13. Raphael Saadiq: Having firmly established himself as one of R&B's most talented writer-producers, Saadiq steps out from behind the boards for his funkdafied sophomore solo CD Raphael Saadiq as Ray Ray. His album was released on October 5th.

12. De La Soul: Their eighth album, The Grind Date, since 2001. It's a retuen to form for hip-hop's vetern thinking men, who here muse on life as aging B-boys with mortgages, families, and a conscience. His album was released on October 5th.

11. Pavement: Ten years on , Pavement's genre-defining second album - Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain:L.A.'s Desert Origins - sounds as carefree and catchy as it did way back in 1994. This new two-disc set overflows with 39 bounus tracks, including B-sides, outtakes, and live material from the era, as well as 11 never-before-heard songs. Their album will be in stores on October 26th.

10. Nas: To that rarefield club of rappers with double-disc albums, Street's Disciple, add Queens hip-hop legend Nas, whose eigth album is a massive 20 tracks. The set is one of his strongest. His album will be in stores on December 7th.

9. Interpol: My favorite anticipated album of the fall Antics. New York's dandiest mopesters claim they're made a more optimistic follow-up to their velvety dark 2002 debut, Turn On the Bright Lights. Sure, frontman Paul Banks atill warbles like the ghost of Joy Division's Ian Curtis. They album was released on September 28th.

8. Elvis Costello: Costello delivers a vocal-free orchestral CD, the Shakespeare-inspired dance score II Sogno, the same day...perhaps to confound rock purists who might've otherwise saluted him for getting back to basics. His album was released on September 21st.

7. Handsome Boy Modeling School: Their second album, White People, is the best party you'll be invited to this fall. The hosts are two funny, talented guys. There's a nice mix of cool dudes and cute girls. Add some real wild cards and you get a novel soundtrack of head-nodding hip-hop and smooth blue-eyed soul. Their album will be released on November 9th.

6. Elliott Smith: From a basement on the Hill, is largely just basic tracks at the time of his sudden, gruesome death last year, Smith's fragile swan song blends the drug-addled anger of early albums with the Spectoresque sonics of recent work. It's an apt conclusion to a career cut short by mysterious circumstances. His album will be released on October 19th.

5. Gwen Stefani: Her not yet titled debut solo CD is taking her msuical cues from such '80s elctro-pop mavens as Eurythmics, Prince, Madonna, and Cyndi Lauper, the No Doubt frontwoman clearly just wants to have fun on her hyperkinetic debut. In addition to the Neptunes, Dr. Dre, and Nellee Hooper, the retro-cool guest list for her eclectic dance party includes New order, Depeche Mode's Martin Gore, and Wendy and Lisa. Her album will be in stores on November 23rd.

4. Destiny's Child: The November 16th release date of their upcoming album has not even been finished yet and doesn't even have a title. All we know is that it will be a very mature album, with songs about serious subjects.

3. U2: Typically, U2 have undertaken some startling changes of direction between albums, but that's not the case with their latest disc. A preview of a nearly completed version reveals that is anything, it's even more guitaroriented, hopeful, straightforward, and irony-free. It is to be released some time in November.

2. Eminem: He's given white rap street cred, powered a Hollywood flick, an turned so-so-crew of Detroit MCs into chart-topping stars. But according to sources in the Shady secret service, Encore will sound a lot like, well, Eminem: crude wit, intricate rhymes, and once again a disc produced by Marshall himself and Dr. Dre. It is to be released on November 16th.

1. System of a Down: It's been three years since the asphaly-thick riffs and freaky operatic vocals of Toxicity helped begin radio's slow climb out of its nu-metal morass, and although the 2002 outtakes come Steal This Album! was a nice little snack to tide us over; we're getting impatient. They promise an orchestra, some obsure Middle Eastern insturments, and 'pure schizophrenia.' Their album will be released on December 7th.

Field Research: Communities.com

2004-10-12T15:45:00.000-04:00

To conclude my final week with Communities.com I observed that while there are a lot of people who joined this community they don't take much initiative to get to know the other people. The hat rooms are always almost or completely empty. The only interaction with people there seems to be is when people post on your profile to say something about you, your music, movies, or hobbies. I have to say that even though the website is put together well and the variety of clubs and people is impressive they should try to get the members to come together more. I contributed to this community by joining clubs although I never met anyone from them. Also, I posted notes and comments on several peoples profiles who I had a common interest with. While I never talked to many people I even posted a not on my blog for my composition 1 class for people who joined the community to have a chat, but that didn't work either. Although I enjoyed looking at the pictures of the other members and reading rpofiles I wish I could of had some interaction with others. Oh..well, I will definately continue to try and meet people and keep up with my profile.

Field Research: The Richest Americans

2004-10-07T20:52:00.000-04:00

Searching for blogs for my Field Research project I was glancing through my fellow students and found a fairly interesting one. It was from Cole Timonere, (http://timonere.blogspot.com) and a caption on the Yahoo! home page. On the Forbes list the money they make it unbelievable. We think that the celebrities make a lot of money with the movies, tours, and merchandise but we don’t take into consideration the people that make it possible for them to do what they do, and the technology that is available. Also, Cole states a good question, how can these people have so much money but then there are people that have so little? Also, how come there be so much money?
Back to th richest Americans...it has been a big deal that Oprah Winfrey broke the billion dollar mark but is still only number 215 on the Forbes lists. Going through the list was fun and real long. I think about how smart these people must be and the drive they must have to pursue their goals, and most being self made millionaires and billionaires. Here is the top ten:

10. Lawrence Ellison: 13.7 Billion - Oracle
9. Michael Dell: 14.2 Billion - Dell
8. Alice Walton: 18 Billion - Wal-Mart
7. Helen Walton: 18 Billion - Wal-Mart
6. Jim Walton: 18 Billion - Wal-Mart
5. John Walton: 18 Billion - Wal-Mart
4. Robson Walton: 18 Billion - Wal-Mart
3. Paul Allen: 20 Billion - Microsoft, Investments
2. Warren Buffett: 41 Billion - Berkshire Hathaway
1. Bill Gates: 48 Billion - Microsoft

The one thing that I can’t believe is that a whole family is in the top ten, now that is impressive.

Thanks to Cole he said in his article that Oracle has been shadowed by none other than Microsoft. Oracle having been announcing public one day after Bill Gates got to the media with Microsoft.

Field Research: Feature: Underneath It All

2004-10-07T20:41:00.000-04:00

http://launch.yahoo.com/read/feature.asp?contentID=219459
For the article of my choice I have decided to write about musicians that in today’s music business, being gone for four years is an absolute eternity. That is how long it has been since, Isaac, Taylor, and Zac Hanson released there last album, and during that time all the boys have done a lot of growing up. To get everyone updated Taylor got married and has already become a father. Also, the whole band has relocated from there home in Tulsa, Oklahoma to New York City. They have also split from there recorded label and formed there own independent record company called 3CG. The first album to be released from the company was there third proper studio album, Underneath. The brothers have produced most of it themselves and also working with other songwriters and musicians; from Matthew Sweet and the New Radicals’ Gregg Alexander.
Recently, the men of Hanson did an interview with Launch, an online music company through Yahoo!, and had this to say:
LAUNCH: Tell me about your new label, 3CG Records, and why you chose to go this route. What in the last four years led you to this point?
ZAC: The reason we chose to release our new album on our own independent label...well, we can't go forward without saying that you wouldn't leave your label if you were completely happy, so there is that. But I think we wanted to do something that was exciting and something that we were passionate about--taking on completely the business side of the music business. Something that we were excited about challenging.
TAYLOR: And I think, in general, we just were excited to do something different, and we were excited to really set ourselves up for the future in a way that was different than just being creative and just being artists. Also, we really want to be able to help other artists. We really want to be able to bring other music forward to new audiences, and really be involved in that way. I mean, we're not just interested in just being "Hanson." We want to write and produce for people. We want to score movies. We want to do things that are outside of just the confines of being in this band. And creating the record company, it gives you a lot of great opportunities. It gives you an avenue to express yourself in different ways. Most importantly, starting this record company was an opportunity to really get closer to our fans, and really build better a relationship with our fans.
LAUNCH: How has your fanbase changed? Most of your fans were children in the beginning. Have they grown up with you?
ZAC: Well, since our second record, This Time Around, four years have passed. So when you look at the fans now, the fans are four years older! That's one of my favorite things, is to look at the people who have come forward from Middle Of Nowhere and then to This Time Around and now to Underneath, which has just come out. Just to see the fans grow and change with Hanson, and with the music that we make.
TAYLOR: Yeah, I mean, you can be 40 years old or you can be 10 years old and be a fan--and we've seen it all--but definitely our peers are the most devoted. They're the hardcore fans.
ISAAC: And they're the majority of the fan-base.
TAYLOR: Yeah, with the majority of the fans that are traveling and coming to shows all over the country, it's amazing people to see people that are college age--you know, finding their life, deciding what they want to do with their life. And that are really still passionate about this music during a really important time in their life. I think it's a really exciting time to be in this band because we really feel like we can touch those people and really be involved in their lives at a time when they're going to make a lot of really important decisions.
LAUNCH: Do you feel, in a way, that you sort of have a clean slate, since there are people who may have been too young when you first came out, so for them, Hanson's a brand-new band?
ISAAC: Sure, sure. I think, hopefully, every record that you release is a new interpretation of you.
TAYLOR: That's kind of your job, in a way.
ISAAC: It's another chapter, a new slate. You're reinventing yourself every time. Obviously you're not going to go from doing pop-rock to doing hardcore rap, or something like that. Obviously that's not going to happen...
TAYLOR: Why not, why not?
ISAAC: I don't know...um, I just thought that maybe we shouldn't...
TAYLOR: Just as a band, you're always growing. And I think we've taken this to a different place, producing most of it on our own. We've always produced--since I was, like, 12, we've produced our own albums--but we took on production in a more robust way on this album. We had a lot of amazing collaborations. With every album, we're just taking it forward, and what's amazing about the position we're in now is we really have the opportunity to bring forward more and more who Hanson is in a more clear way, 'cause we're really building a team of people who are working with us and for this record company, 3CG Records. Some people ask us, "Do you guys ever worry about misconceptions about your band or this and that"? And I think the only way you can dispel misconceptions, whether you're Aerosmith or whether you're Paul McCartney, is to just be who you are, and let that come out. And that's really the job of 3CG Records, and the job of our band, is to just keep making music.
ZAC: 3CG Records is us.
LAUNCH: What are the misconceptions you're talking about?
ZAC: You know, there was just an article written that said we were from Australia! That's a misconception. Whether it's that, or whether it's people not knowing what our music is.
TAYLOR: Like, "Aren't you guys from Sweden? Aren't you from Australia?" It's just about educating people on who we are musically.
LAUNCH: So who are you musically these days? What's the biggest difference about this album and the last two?
ISAAC: I think the biggest thing that is very clear about this record is kind of the intimate elements, the full breadth of the music. There's some more space...it's more articulate, more easily accessible. Underneath articulates the wide array of music that we make, I think, in a more accurate way than any other record of ours in the past, because it really goes from extremely mellow to just full-on pop/rock, just, you know, letting your hair down, just banging on the guitar. I'm really excited about the record for all those reasons. I think it really does show a large part of who we are in a much more clear way.
TAYLOR: It's always just about taking it forward. I mean, you can't stand still. You can't sit around and ask people to be interested every time if you're just kind of cookie-cutting it every time.
ZAC: You can't ask people who you are. You have to show them.
TAYLOR: You have to lead people to get excited and be passionate and be activated by what you do.
LAUNCH: Is it true this album took three years to make?
ISAAC: Between two and a half and three, yeah.
ZAC: Most of last year was spent touring acoustically. We made an acoustic EP in a studio with about 150 fans around us, and then we went out and we did acoustic shows all across the country in intimate venues and clubs, all the way from Trees in Dallas to Carnegie Hall. We ended the tour in Carnegie Hall, and that's such a pinnacle venue for your musical career. But also to end an acoustic tour that way, it's built so well for acoustic music, you just sort of stand on that stage and look at the crushed red velvet seats and the gold gilding and huge white dome and four tiers of seats and opera-style boxes, and you just go, "Damn!"
TAYLOR: A lot went into making this record. I mean, there were a lot of big decisions, producing most of it on our own. A lot of collaborations. There was a transition with the decision to start a record company, and building a record company, and kind of coming up with the plan to do that was a big thing. All those things take time, you know. And also, when you make a record, it's got to be the right record. It's got to be ready to come out. And we wrote, God, 80 songs over the period of this album. We were always writing. And we already have another whole batch of songs ready for the next record. A lot of creation went on during this process. Even though we were anxious to get music out for a long time, all the steps that had to happen for us to release it independently and to produce the record and to collaborate with a lot of great people, all those things took a certain amount of time. It's amazing that it's come together the way it has.
LAUNCH: Doesn't running a record label detract from your ability to focus on the creative aspect of being in a band?
ZAC: A lot of people, they go, "Wow, you've got a record company. Doesn't that make you, you know, fall away from the music? Doesn't it add an extra barrier? Doesn't it make your mind more...full?"
TAYLOR: It does, somewhat.
ZAC: Yeah, but for us, what it's really about is making our minds less full. To be able to go, "Let's not worry about that. Let's bring this back to people who love making music, who are passionate about the music they make." And then there's the people on the other hand, who are the fans, who wanna communicate and wanna come to shows and wanna buy records and wanna experience this thing that you've made, and make that relationship two, instead of three.
TAYLOR: It's not just an independent release, also. I mean, really, there's a lot of independent labels that are non-majors, that have built up a name for themselves as a genre or a kind of a specific type of label. But really, this is not only an independent release, this is a self-release. This is a label built to facilitate releasing Hanson music, and then eventually releasing other music, but it's not built on the shoulders of any other corporate structure.
ZAC: It's totally built on the shoulders of the ones you see right here!
TAYLOR: Yeah, it's set up to be able to release the music the way we want to release it and build that fan-base. And I think that's a big defining factor. The mantra with 3CG Records will always be, whether it's a self-release or a release by other artists, we'll always be about doing the things we've done, which is to build an audience, to really establish the relationship, and allow that to flourish and put the music up front. And no matter what the artist is, whether it's rap or whether it's rock or whether it's pop or whatever it is, that's the most important thing. It's building that connection and building that relationship of trust with your audience. That's the thing that will have them come back time after time.
LAUNCH: Have there been things you were able to do with this record, creative freedom-wise, that you weren't able to do before?
ISAAC: I think it is important when you're making a record that you're doing different things no matter what time in your life it is, no matter how many albums you've had in the past. So I think doing it independently did not necessarily change the creative process on an immediate level...
TAYLOR: 'Cause we've always been control freaks!
ISAAC: Yeah, exactly, exactly! [laughs] We've always been very hands-on, very involved, and sometimes have driven people who work with us a little bit nuts. So I think when it comes to actually releasing the record, I think the way that we were able to focus our energies on a more specific strategy and message and so on, that's really the big difference. Creatively, it's very much the same as far as a working environment, although this record, I think, is more organic and more kind of raw and in-your-face.
TAYLOR: I think because of where our minds were when we were making this record--we were all thinking about the self-release and kind of where we would go with that, and just the future of this music--I think that affected the creation of this album in a positive way. It's really just about freedom. It's about the excitement. Every time you go out to do something it's like when you're a little kid on Christmas Eve and you're like, "Oh my God, I just can't wait!" You're on the eve of something exciting, and all your options are open. And we have so much freedom. We can do whatever we want. And there's also something with the evolving industry: There's a lot of great people that don't have jobs; they have been at great companies and have had great heritage, and we can pull them into our team and go forward and build this company. But again, it's all just comes back to the music. That's what it's all about. That is the only thing that keeps it real. That's the only thing that makes it worth the work and the dedication.
ZAC: Bringing it back to where your question started, which is whether having an independent company changed how this record was made and how this record was released, I think the biggest difference is that we're able to put the bar here [holds hand at head height] instead of the bar being way up here [holds hand high in air above head]. We say, "You know what? We're an independent company. We're a small company. All our focus is on if we can be successful enough to make another record--and then with that record, be successful enough to make another record after that." Because that's what we're here for. That's what drives us as musicians: the passion for making music that affects people.
LAUNCH: Is it ever humbling to be on your own label now, having been on a major label where you were expected to sell millions of records?
ISAAC: Well, the advantage is it doesn't impair you, being independent. It does not necessarily impair you from being able to be successful.
TAYLOR: It's not about saying that the success level that we're shooting for is medium success as opposed to huge success. The real point is your business model allows you to only have to have a small amount of success. The issue with the structure of a lot of the major companies is it's become imperative to have great success or it's a loss. Everybody knows that this is a very risky business. The job of an independent label is to be smart and say, "How do we do this in a way that can allow us to build our fanbase and continue to put out music and give it to fans?" And believe me, it doesn't take $100 million to make that happen. It doesn't take $10 million. It doesn't take $5 million! It takes great songs and then a few focused people that are really passionate. So what it's really about is building a company whose business model says, "We're not in the hole so far that if we don't sell a bazillion albums, we're gonna have our shirts be taken off."
LAUNCH: Do you think labels like 3CG point to the direction of the music business in the future?
TAYLOR: You know, I don't know if exactly what we're doing is the future for every artist. I don't know if it's the future of the music business. I do know that we're not the first to want to self-release an album or to have devoted fans or to be passionate about our music. That's happened many times. And it hasn't always worked and it hasn't always not worked. It's been successful many times. But I know that for us, this is really our answer. This is our answer to a really interesting time in the industry and a really interesting time in music and in the world. I think it's an example of what's happening with businesses. I think it's an example of what's happening with the world economy. I mean, I think it all kind of goes together. But our focus is making great music and touching our fans. I do think it would be exciting to see more artists get back to that. And as long as artists are getting back to that idea, and keep their focus on the things that matter, whether they're with a major label or whether they're on a indie label or whether they're playing gigs 300 days a year, that's the right place to be.
ISAAC: Yeah, there is no right or wrong choice for anybody. Every artist has to make a decision for themselves--what they think their position is, where they think they can grow and not grow, what they need to take for themselves and what they need to let someone else deal with. I think in our particular case, we just felt like this was the right decision for us.
TAYLOR: I do think that, like any company or any business, if the music industry doesn't wake up and remember they're not indispensable, they're gonna all fall flat on their faces. You can't just go along and try and set up a pattern that's just going to work every time, like, "If we scrutinize this and develop the scientific structure, then every time we put this out it's going to work over and over and over and we can all sit on our asses and wait for the checks to come." That doesn't work. The key is not major versus minor versus independent. The key is to be focused and to continue to reinvent and to continue to be humbled by the audience. The audience and fans are the only ones that are gonna keep it alive. And that's the danger with the industry right now, is everybody--and I mean everybody--got cocky thinking they didn't have to work to keep their fans excited and keep them coming back to the well. And I think quality control went downhill. The job of artists is to not let that happen, and the job of the future music executives is to be the quarterbacks and continue to say, "Look, I'm gonna be here and I'm gonna be calling the plays. And I'm gonna be setting up these artists to succeed." That's the thing that people are going to respond to.
ISAAC: We've got to always remember that the most important thing, the only people that really matter, are the fans. They're the ones who buy the records. They're the ones who keep all of us afloat. And if you don't respect them and take into consideration how they feel about music on any level...
TAYLOR: You've got the Internet, you've got information everywhere. There's all kinds of different cultures. Everything's thrown together. It's a massive melting pot. You find a lot of great music. It's all there. So our job as artists is to continue to set the bar really high, as far as what the standard is. I mean, the standard should be Prince's live show, not Britney Spears's live show. The standard could be, "Well, I could sing as well as the American Idol people that didn't make it," or "I could sing as well as Aretha Franklin." You've got to set up a standard. That's what we're shooting for.
ZAC: I think, hopefully, when people look at us and they hear our music, the passion has to be there. People have to feel that from music. They have to listen to a song and go, "I feel it. I got it. It's there." It's got to be something more than a vocal track. It's got to be a piece of someone.
LAUNCH: You just mentioned the Internet. The Web's been blamed a lot for the sorry shape of the music industry right now. Do you agree or disagree?
ISAAC: I'd actually like to take this question, 'cause I actually just talked with the L.A. Times about the one-year anniversary of iTunes and all this stuff. The way that I think the Internet has affected things overall is that people now have the ability to research and find music in a way that they didn't have before. Which I think is a massive advantage for an artist and for an audience. But I think there's also this double-edged sword, which is that the industry and artists were slow to recognize the fact that the Internet was not only just a research tool but also a commerce tool. That has been a little bit negative. But I think the end result is that the audience has the opportunity to find music in a more comprehensive way than they ever have. A little band in Tulsa, Oklahoma can post their songs on their website and sell 30,000 records in the Philippines because some fan heard a song, bought the record from the website, and then took it over to a Filipino radio station, and the station loved it and played it, and all of a sudden, their independent record that was made in Tulsa, Oklahoma got released and sold 30,000 copies. I'm talking about a band who actually had that happen--a friend of mine from Tulsa who sold 30,000 records in the Philippines because of the Internet.
ZAC: I think there's a couple of important things to think about when you think about the Internet and you think about music. Neither of them will ever go away. The Internet is here. Music can't disappear. Music is the soundtrack of people's lives. It guides you, it carries you, it helps you through those hard times. It helps you through the happy times. It's indispensable.
TAYLOR: Nuclear holocaust might eliminate the Internet...
ISAAC: Yeah, that's true, but it will eliminate a lot of things.
ZAC: It'd still be rebuilt! [laughs] The Internet is an amazing tool, and it's not going away because there are too many advantages, like the immediate contact with people. And I think what Ike was saying about the ability to have a comprehensive research of music is so true. Fans no longer have to rely on a band's one single on the radio. They can go and find a whole plethora of the music that that band makes, from covers to albums to one-offs with other bands. And hopefully, that can be seeded in the fans and in people who love music and people who buy music. You've just got to support artists. If you love the music they make, then you want to support them by going to concerts, by buying albums--because you want them to release another record. You want them to come out with new songs and new material. You want them to not have to work at Burger King. You want them to be able to focus on making great music that can hopefully change your life and help you make it through.
TAYLOR: We're in an era where the MTV generation of people judges things based on visuals first, and what people are talking about with the Internet is it being a thing that's going to make things more and more fickle, but I actually think it's the absolute opposite of that. I think the Internet is gonna counteract the idea of one-hit wonders because it causes people to actually have great music--because there's so many options that if you don't step up, you're just gonna be at the bottom of the barrel. If you don't step up, you're not even going to get a look because there's so many options and it's so available.
ISAAC: People will only download one of your songs, as opposed to the whole album! As opposed to 12 of your songs, 'cause the other 11 songs kind of suck.
TAYLOR: They don't have to go buy the album. There's not one avenue where you can go to the one department store, like it was 50 years ago, to buy everything. At the department store, it was all there, it was the only place. Now, you've got a million strip malls, and the Internet. Now you can see it all, buy it all, check it out, taste-test it, and then maybe buy it. You hear the song, think it's cool, check it out on the Internet. Boom--there's their website. I think it's gonna be a rebirth for the idea that you can hear the music first before you judge the color, creed, attitude, and dressing style of a particular artist. So artists have to step up.

Hanson

Field Research: The Rise Of The Electronic Community

2004-10-05T18:15:00.000-04:00

Internet based businesses are being launched from many consumer activities. The global computer network that is the internet is starting to make very drastic changes in the way that the consumers conduct their economic, social, leisure, and professional lives. Soon, these "electronic communities" will be redefine industries, distributions and marketing. "The key to success is understanding the concept of ‘consumer processes’ and the fundamental ways online technology transforms them," states the article.
Companies everywhere are developing online services. Each focusing on one consumer activity. For example, the article listed buying a car, purchasing a home or planning a vacation. These ‘electronic communities’ are forming with consumers who have a common interest in these particular fields. It allows these people to interact with each other and provides them with the goods and services to achieve their goals. The companies already tapping into the electronic community have begun to go into the disruptive power of the internet. "Its ability to transform the way the consumers achieve their fundamental interests, economic, leisure, social, professional and others," the article sais. And already have discovered a whole new value chain made possible in cyberspace.
The article studied nearly two dozen electronic communities and all point to the same conclusion: "The power of a global interactive computer network lies in transforming the means by which consumers satisfy their critical desires." Eventually the electronic community will take over and have a massive impact on every company.
But with all this said the electronic community is not new. When the internet first appeared, researchers and government employees used the internet to form their own communities of interest.
In this article, when reading the entire article at: http://www.informationweek.com/583/csc.htm they described a framework and the consumer process, for understanding the strategic implications of the Internet. They explained several ways that the Internet and related technologies fundamentally alter consumer processes and, therefore, transform how people accomplish their interests. They examined leading electronic communities that are revolutionizing the way consumers plan vacations, watch sports, find jobs and conduct other key aspects of their lives. They showed how the new technology is already beginning to reshape industry structure, products and services, and the nature of competition. Finally, they offer practical steps to prepare for the significant opportunities and threats ahead.

Field Research: The Internet and College Students

2004-10-05T18:00:00.000-04:00

To start off I would like to say that I was a little offended by this article dealing with college students, races and computers. My father is a Hispanic man (Puerto Rican) and my mother is white (German) and what I basically got from this article is that minorities are lower than whites and can’t afford computers. Another point is that since they don’t have a computer they will have worse study habits. I know that even though I have a computer I hardly study but still am a A/B student. Also, it states that whites make more money and can’t furnish their children wit h computers. I have to say that I have always had computer access, sometime two to three computers in my household. So to say that whites make more money; which some may, they should really revise that statement in a more appropriate way. I know people are different but to say things the way they stated it was not right. To read the article in it’s entirety go to: http://www.sociology.org/content/vol005.003/korgen.html

The Journal of Sociology conducted a study by college students. It was revealed that differences in race and ethnicity influence internet use and influence study habits of college students. Blacks and Hispanics are less than half as likely to use the internet as whites. They say they are many factors that affect this division in race, but they only state one which is computers. The longer the computer has been in the home, the more likely the amount of internet use will increase. Some statistics are: Whites that own a computer, 47%, Black 23.2%, and Hispanic 25.5% in their household. Now the most interesting part: “I can see hoe a racial division does affect internet use. More whites make more money than the other two races which in turn provide them with the resources to furnish their children with computers and access to the internet,” stated by the Journal of Sociology.

Field Research: 1st Week at Communities.com

2004-10-05T17:41:00.000-04:00

It has been my first week at communities.com and so far it has been dull. When ever I have free time I log on to the site to find people to talk to, search around the site, or 'lurk.' I tried interacting in a chat rrom but I could not find one person in any of the chat rooms I was interested in. Communities.com has over one-hundred different clubs/communities that you can join to talk to people with common interests. I join the muisc commmunity. Even though I have not meet anyone from it I think soon enough I will. Looking around the site, it shows you who has recently logged on with a photo of that person, so I start there to look for people to talk to but usually doesn't work out. I also decided that soon I should add a photo of myself to share with the community. When I tried to meet a person who just logged on I went to there profile to see if we have anything in common, and lucky enough we did, but some of his music was questionable. I tried to start a chat with him, but he didn't respond to anything I was writing to him, so I gave up. That has basically been my week at Communities.com. I also don't think that I can write 250 word about this week since not much happened, so it will end here. If anyone else has joined Communities.com maybe we can start a chat and other people will then join, so we can get a feel of the people that join this community.

Field Research: Searching For Community In Cyberspace

2004-09-30T20:48:00.000-04:00

Everywhere you go we see a variety of coffee shops and bistros, but most are self serve and hardly recreate communities, and as a result "the odor of nostalgia often seems as strong as the espresso" says Sherry Turkle. Ray Oldenberg an anthropologist wrote about "great good places"-the local bar, bistro, coffee shop, etc. where people of the same community can gather easily for conversation. He considers these places to be the heart of society. Some people now are trying to fill that void using the technological advances of cyberspace. In many MAUDs, which are being used, "players" help build the virtual world. They are able to make "rooms" where they can set the stage and set rules. Recently Sherry Turkle meet a persona on a MUD. After passing the bouncer, Tony (the persona) and she encountered a man asking for a five dollar cover charge, and once they paid they received stamps on their hands. Here are some other events that happened in their MUD.

The crowd opens up momentarily to reveal one corner of the club. A couple is there, making out madly. Friendly place . . .
You sit down at the table. The waitress sees you and indicates that she will be there in a minute.
[The waitress here is a bot--short for robot--that is, a computer program that presents itself as a personality.]
The waitress comes up to the table, "Can I get anyone anything from the bar?" she says as she puts down a few cocktail napkins.
Tony says, "When the waitress comes up, type order name of drink."
Abigail [a character at the bar] dries off a spot where some drink spilled on her dress.
The waitress nods to Tony and writes on her notepad.
[I type "order margarita," following Tony's directions.]
You order a margarita.
The waitress nods to ST and writes on her notepad.
Tony sprinkles some salt on the back of his hand.
Tony remembers he ordered a margarita, not tequila, and brushes the salt off.
You say, "I like salt on my margarita too."
The DJ makes a smooth transition from The Cure into a song by 10,000 Maniacs.
The drinks arrive. You say, "L'chaim."
Tony says, "Excuse me?"
After some explanations, Tony says, "Ah, . . ." smiles, and introduces me to several of his friends. Tony and I take briefly to the dance floor to try out some MUD features that allow us to waltz and tango, then we go to a private booth to continue our conversation.

The world is getting so weird and different with all the advances we have. I just think this is a little weird, and there are other ways to meet people besides using a computer. Would you ever use a MUD like this? Post your thoughts.

What Annoys Me: Cheerleader Shorts

2004-09-30T20:31:00.000-04:00

Twice a week I attend tow classes at the University of Florida Tampa Campus. I have found that so many blonde preppie girls love the idea of wearing cheerleading shorts to school. (Sarcasm) This ‘fashion’ they have really bugs me. Every time I see a girl with them on I cringe at the sight. Why don’t they wear normal clothes? Are they cheerleading? No, they are in class. Are they at home? Apparently not. So why wear them? And the worst part is when they keep rolling them up to make them shorter because they are ‘to long.’ They roll them up and then push them down to around their hips, then roll them up again and then push them back down. If you keep pushing them down of course they won’t be shorter. And I don’t know about you, but I surely don’t want to see there ass and fake pasty tan. I would love to hear what everyone has to say about this so please post your comments.

Field Research: Britney Gets Married

2004-09-29T01:48:00.000-04:00

In top headlines this week, Britney Spears now Britney Spears Federline was married for the second time on Saturday September 18th. And by 11:30 PM Monday September 20th the marriage has officially lasted longer than her first marriage. The singer and once back up dancer were wed in a small ceremony in California. They were photographed leaving the home early Sunday morning with a beaming britney. Entertainment tonight reported that after the wedding the reception was held at a Hollywood Nightclub Dubin’s at 2 AM When the rest of the guests arrived they came out wearing suits with words ‘PIMPS’ embroidered on the back. How embarrassing is that. I thought Britney would have been a little more classy for her wedding. But then again her career has taken a land slide from selling 10.8 million records with her first CD release to now 2.8 million with her most recent release, you would do anything to get back in the lime light. Also, have you seen her videos she is half naked in all of them, I thought sex sold your product I guess it isn’t working for Britney.
The singer says she is excited about marrying Federline and doesn’t think she is ro you. In a TV interview Spears said "I want to be a young mom, That’s my dream , you can judge me however you want but that’s what I want to do." Well, I guess she is ready to be her mom because he new husband already has one from his other babies momma. What has Britney gotten herself into. I think the marriage will last no more than six months. She will go running back to Justin Timberlake, because they were made for each other. Don’t you think?

Field Research: The Internet as a Unique News Source

2004-09-29T01:47:00.000-04:00

Scanning through my fellow classmates blogs I came across one worth wile to read (and I don’t find many) it was researched by Nicole Holup,(to check out her site go to: http://writingblog.org/nholupblog) and it was very in depth and interesting. The technological age we have come to know, it seems more people are starting to look to the internet as a prime source for news and more detailed converge that would not be aired on a daily broadcast. An example is given in her article written by Deborah Fallows: one of the most search topics on the internet is the was in Iraq. People who search for information on the Iraq war, tend to search for images which are not allowed to air on national television due to censorship laws. As a result, news converge of the Iraq war is one of the most commonly searched topics. It is estimated that 25% of Americans logged onto the internet in order to view horrific war images detailing the activities unfolding overseas. (Fallows) Although such a small percent of American have chosen to view these images, an overwhelming amount are apposed to this idea. According to Deborah Fallows nationwide survey, a small margin of 47-44% of internet users believe that these images should be shown online; while 58-29% believe that the images should not be viewed online. Currently, the internet is accepted as a source of information. However, the fact that images which contain such horrific content are available online disturbs many Americans, particularly women are more opposed then men. I think that these images should be allowed. What is the difference between a beheaded man and a man and women naked having sex. Well, less blood, but both are found on the internet and are both images people do not/want to see. Being a women, I know I would want to see what really is going on and images and information that news can’t talk about.

Field Research: Communities.com

2004-09-29T01:45:00.000-04:00

The community that I joined was www.communities.com. From the list of choices I was already familiar with two out of the three so I went with the one I had no idea about. Communites.com is a great place to meet people from all around the world. They say when you use Communites.com you will make new friends which you can add and sort in your friend lists. As a member you get access to chat and chat in different communities, like movies, books, sports, teens, parents, sex, etc. and you will also get your own ‘home’ where you can fill with information about yourself. Also, the community is 100% web based, so you can access it from anywhere on any computer with internet access. Finally, it provides advanced searches that feature to help you find people, where they are located, age, interests, find old and new friends and even a partner. The best part is that it is free. The way that communites.com has been formed and maintained is one of the best that I have found. It is organized well and very easy to move around and use. If you were trying to meet new people I would definitely check out this webpage first.

Field Research: Technology, Community, Humanity and the Net

2004-09-29T01:42:00.000-04:00

To read the whole article go to: http://speakout.com/activism/opinions/3807-1.html

"Communication technology, from alphabets to internet, have been changing the nature of communities for nearly 10,000 years. We just did not know it until recently."
In the beginning, Plato warned us. In his tale of Thoth in Phaedrus, ‘That recording knowledge in books would destroy the oral tradition of knowledge and pedagogy." It is also noted that people would lose the skill of remembering and education would cease to be a living dialogue, and the words would become a solitary and lifetime decoding of facts from mute objects. Plato was right!
Social critic Marshal McLuhan said, "Phonetically literature man, from the Greeks to the present, has been consistently aggressive with his environment. His need to translate his environment into Phoetic, literature terms turns him into a conjuror and a cultural bulldozer or leveler...And when messages can be transported then come the road, and armies, and empires. The empires of Alexander and the Caesars were essentially built by paper routes."
Even Pre-Gutenberg Europe, Elizabeth Eienstein, was the historian of the impact of the printing press, and noted ‘getting the news’ was a community event.
A new medium introduced a rather distance between people in local communities, and spanned a distance that had separate people who share religious vales, but not speak the same language. This separation came with the invention of a new more abstract ‘virtual’ kind of relationship among people.

Field Research: MUD, MOO, and MAUD

2004-09-29T01:39:00.000-04:00

What are these three words exactly? You may not know what they are or mean, but you use them almost every time you o online. To start off, let’s go through the terminology of these three ‘words.’ MUD is a multiuser domain, MOO is MUD object oriented and MAUD is multi academic user domain. MUDs, MOOs, and MAUDs are server programs that run the internet. They allow multiple user access via Telnet. All these things are tools that make internet in accessible spaces. You can find most MUDs, MOOs and MAUDs run through games. In these games, player’s travel ‘room to room’ where they may encounter objects, monsters, or other players. They can also take objects, kill the monsters, and chat with the other players. You will as a player have the option of sending mail to each other or posting notes or thoughts on the discussion boards they have available.
MUDs are probably the most commonly used on the web. They are similar to IRC (Inter Relay Char) in that they allow players to chat with each other. They also allow players to express motion.
Over the past two years or so, MUDs, MOOs, and MAUDs have been used for academic purposes. It is the link that allows communication between the instructor and the student. Also, because it is especially useful for distance education.
The best way to learn and understand these MUDs are they one should really visit a site. The best place to try is the MAUDs associated with news groups.

Field Research: Computers, Telephones, and Television, Oh My!

2004-09-22T13:36:00.000-04:00

I was glancing through blogs when I came to an article about technology taking over, which was written by Heather Jean Conway (to check out her site go to: http://writingblog.org/stepbystep) and I think she makes some really good points. In your daily routine for each day you always whined up finding yourself in front of a computer, watching television, and talking on the phone or rather your cell phone. We as humans cannot deny these technological advances that make our lives so much easier. For instance, when was the last time you actually wrote a hand-written letter? Nowadays, ‘snail-mail’ is out of the question and e-mail is what it is all about. Technology is taking over! As quick and convenient it might be, is it for the better? For instance, people who are computer wizards can find just about everything and everything about you. Just scanning different news centers online, found out that even though this technology is convenient and reliable that it is quite dangerous. Although with the bad comes the good. I know I use the computer just about everyday for some school project and that is where it comes in handy. You can search for just about anything from a subject on Plato, lyrics to a song, recipes, the weather, and even movie times. The world is not just getting taken over by computers but also cell phones. How many people do you know with a cell phone? Or an even easier question would be how many people do you know who don’t have a cell phone? How about IPOD’s or Palm Pilots. I know I have both. What about the On Star Button for your car, so you can have just about any information right at your fingertips. Technology is unstoppable. If we are not careful and smart about the technology we bring to this world soon it will be taken over by robots and destroy us, just like in Terminator. Judgement Day is coming!

Ramones Guitarist Dies of Cancer

2004-09-21T22:30:00.000-04:00

"Here Today and Gone Tomorrow," no one knew those word better than Johnny Ramone. Legendary punk rock guitarist Johnny Ramone, of The Ramones passed on Sunday afternoon when he passed away at his Los Angeles home. He was fifty-five. Ramone was fighting prostate cancer for years now and has been hospitalized since June. The drummer, Marky Ramone had this to say: "It just proves when cancer seeks a body to penetrate, it doesn't matter how healthy you are or how unhealthy you are. It just seeps in, and there's nothing you can do. I always admired his guitar playing, and his legacy will live on in every band that has, is and always will be trying to duplicate the Ramones sound."
While the band was ignored by mainstream America, The Ramones pulled through with their hard-charging two minute, three-chord anthems have changed music forever. Since The Ramones played a big part of rock and roll in the 1980's, in 2002 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Which nowadays paved the way for alternative band from the Sex Pistols to Green Day.
The band formed in 1974 and this past year had been their 30th Anniversary, which hundreds of fans paid tribute to the band and Johnny in Los Angeles. Recently there was a tribute concert for Johnny Ramone, bands like The Red Hot Chili Peppers, X and Black Flag were among many of the bands who preformed. In 2001, at age forty-nine, leader singer Joey Ramone passed away from lymphoma. Then a year later bassist Dee Dee Ramone was found dead of a drug overdose. Johnny Ramone is the third member of The Ramones to have died.

Annotated Bibliography: Cyberstalking and Electronic Harassment

2004-09-21T21:57:00.000-04:00

To check out the full article go to: http://www.safetyed.org/help/stalking/cyberstalking.html

Hatcher , Colin Gabriel. 2000. Cyberstalking and Electronic Harassment. 20 Sep 2004
Sooner or later you or someone you know will be a victim of cyberstalking or even electronic harassment. The web started out to be a place where you can meet people and chat with strangers, then according to Hatcher something went wrong. Somewhere along the line you might be a victim of harassment or stalking. People may do this for many reasons, one being an argument that might of occurred, or someone trying to get revenge. Also, oddly enough a they think they have feel in love with someone just by having a few conversations.
Cyberspace is a place where you can be anonymous and have no inhibitions. It is a place where you can say whatever you want and not get in trouble or face any consequences for what you said. If you had a conversation with a stranger face to face you would choose your words wisely because there is a period of ‘feeling out’ according to Hatcher. Online people skip right over this because they don’t know and don’t care if they are ever going to talk to this person again.
So to try an lessen the harassment and stalking on the web use your head. When talking to people online treat everyone how you would treat them if you were face to face with them. "Harassment is a repetitive form of abuse, deliberately aimed at you, with the purpose of causing you distress. Under U.S. law "stalking" means that you are being both followed around, and threatened with physical harm," says Hatcher.

Here are some examples of online Harassment:

You may get sent abusive communications via chat or email, or you may get sent obscene or disgusting pictures.
You may get threatened with death or bodily harm.
You may get followed around like a lovesick puppy and pestered over a prolonged period of time by someone who tells you they are in love with you.
You may experience a series of electronic attacks on your internet connection, disconnecting you over and over again.
You may get sent electronic viruses to try to cause problems on your computer.
You may see nasty, cruel or defamatory things written about you on someone's web site or in a post they make to a discussion group.

Annotated Bibliography: The World That Is Web Blogging

2004-09-21T02:09:00.000-04:00

Over the past couple of weeks working on this web blogging assignment I have researched and discovered what ‘blogs’ are as we know them, and what their purpose is. I never heard of the world ‘blog’ before but once I saw an example of one it came to me, it is a live journal. Also, I realized what they were. Learning about them and how to create them has giving me a whole new perspective on the world of web blogging.
Blogs are not designed for one specific reason, each person has their own blog for a certain purpose. For example, my composition 1 class will be using them as a tool to communicate our thought and ideas in an online atmosphere. Also, to understand the electronic culture of the web. Other people use ‘blogs’ as diaries, journals, discussion areas, archives, and so forth. Nowadays blogs are so diverse and widespread that you can find about any topic through the computer. But also be a useful source for information and just bringing people together through the internet.
Blogs have become increasingly popular over the years with millions of people connecting with each other everyday. People just think that it is just an easier way of communicating with people and expressing their views and themselves.
My finale thoughts on blogs is that I believe that they are very productive tool for all types of people. They have so many purposes and I do not see why I didn’t create one earlier in my life. It has helped me stay organized an up to date with events, and hopefully soon will be a way of me and my peers to express our thoughts to each other throughout the semester.
I found my resources on this topic through friends and these websites: http://oreillynet.com/pub/a/javascript/2002/06/13/megnut.html
http://clickz.com/experts/em_mkt/enl_strat/article.php/1572551
http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=2555
http://news.com.com/2010-1071-281560.html?legacy=cnet

Anti-Bush Tour Kicks Off

2004-09-20T02:46:00.000-04:00

For the first time in history a concert that finally makes sense. A music tour where the whole purpose is to go against the President of the United States. And you can bet the only people you will be seeing there are kids with Mohawks, black leather and multiple piercings. The headlining band on the tour Anti-Flag thinks that this anti- President Bush concert will make a huge impact. "I do believe a song can change the world, because people are inspired by music," says Justin Sane, lead singer for the group Anti-Flag. He continues, "there is a lot of emotion tied up in this presidential race. People are feeling the need to express themselves." To check out where the tour is going and who will preforming go to www.punkvoter.com, this tour will travel through several states from Ohio to here in Florida.
If the whole punk scene is not for you, some of the biggest names in rock are starting their own tour to raise money for the Democrats. Some acts on this tour include: Bruce Springsteen, The Dace Matthews Band, and Perl Jam.
If you can’t make the tour coming to a town near you, make sure you pick up a copy of "Rock Against Bush," which has sold over 300,000 copies. Also, a second volume of the CD has just been released in August which already has passed the 70,000 mark.
Other bands on the tour include Midtown, The Nightwatchman, Epoxies, The A.K.A.s, Strike Anywhere, Tom Morello Acoustic, and Mike Park.
Make sure you leave your comments on how you feel about this tour, I would love to hear what everyone thinks of it. And remember everyone out there go and vote because you all have a voice so speak up and use it.

Annotated Bibliography: Romancing The Phone

2004-09-20T02:28:00.000-04:00

While browsing the CNN News site a discovered a very unusual article about four men seeking romance but with a twist. To check out the actual article you can go to: http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/09/15/sp.phone.romance/. To start off these four men are now part of a new mating game that is virtual and mobile. It is basically a fantasy world were anyone can wine and dine with a virtual girlfriend over the net on their 3G phone. Also, if you want to find someone but aren’t home that often don’t worry it is mobile and can go anywhere you go. You can download an artificial girlfriend and track her movements via images on your phone.
This whole virtual girlfriend is aimed to men between the ages of fifteen and thirty-five. It is a very serious opportunity to have a relationship in your life. If a man does want to start a serious relationship with a girlfriend they will have to present her with gifts and real money. But if a anniversary or special date is forgotten don’t think you are getting off easy, you will be getting the ‘cold shoulder’ from your lady friend.
With this new Artificial Life software you can send her (the girlfriend) messages, ask questions and even flirt. She is also built with artificial intelligence. Also, she has her very own likes, dislikes, secrets and behaviors. While holding conversation with you don’t be surprised if she asks you about sex. Even though you can talk about it there will be absolutely none. Which to me defeats the whole purpose of this virtual girlfriend. A guy who actually does decide to go through with this game must not be very good with the ladies, so I would think that he would look for any opportunity to get laid and not just have a lady friend he can talk to.
Other then being virtual girlfriends to men, these virtual agents are being used by the technology and marketing firms to interact with customers.

Lazy Eye Helped Rembrandt's Art

2004-09-20T02:09:00.000-04:00

A recent article published at BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3665670.stm stated that having less then perfect vision a possible reason of being a great artist. Scientists at Harvard Medical School say that Rembrandt had in fact a ‘lazy eye.’ They studied a portrait of him finding that one of his eyes looking straight while the other looked outward. Being that this is true this may help perceive the world as a flat image, having aligned eyes let you see the world three dimensionally. If ever taken an art class it is said that a student should close one eye in order to flatten what they see. So this ‘handicap’ called stereo blindness might be and asset to artist then a liability.
Dr. Livingstone and colleagues looked at twenty-four oil paintings and twelve etching of self portraits of Rembrandt. In all but one painting his ‘lazy eye’ is in fact depicted in his paintings. With all the paintings that were examined it is in fact true that his eye is exotrophic. While studying this they have come to the conclusion that his ‘handicapped’ eye is about ten degrees off center. Dr Livingstone quoted: "It illustrates that disabilities are not always disabilities. They may be assets in another realm."

No Beck For You Until '05

2004-09-20T01:44:00.000-04:00

"He may have two turntables and a microphone, but he won’t have a new record out until 2005." says E! Online. To check out the article go to: http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,14959,00.html. The bands record label Interscope records has decided to push back the CD release until early next year. It was said that it is not ready for it’s October 26th release date and that tracks are still being selected for their eighth full length album. All of alternative rock is anticipating the release of their new offering. Supposedly on their new record there is a cameo on one of the tracks made by Jack White of the White Stripes. Also, as usual Beck will be preforming their new album the day of the release.
The three-time Grammy winner has been in the studio for over a year to make a follow up album to their 2002 release. If you are familiar with the sound of Beck, this album will mark the return of the bands funkier side. Two songs already on the set list for the album include a song called ‘Guero’ which has a ‘stripped-down funk track replete with Spanglish) and the near likely single ‘E-Pro’ is a straight up hip-hop influenced track.
Well, if the record doesn’t receive the expectation that it is intended to, the ‘Where’s It At’ singer has another reason to celebrate. He recently got hitched to Scientologist Marissa Ribsi, sister of actor Giovanni Ribsi recently in the Sky Captain and The World of Tomorrow.

Beck Hensen

Annotated Bibliography: PEW/Internet: How Americans Use Instant Messaging

2004-09-16T23:34:00.000-04:00

Pew Internet and American Life surveyed Americans and how often and if they use Instant Messaging. They have found out that four out of ten people actually use it. So that tells us that about fifty-three million American adults use the instant messaging program. Also, less than half at about eleven million use the instant messaging (IM) at work. They also say that is encourages productivity. My opinion of this for work purposes is that it would seem to lessen productivity because of all the interaction and talk going on and it is possible to go off on tangents, and this will put off doing your work. Also, in this article they didn’t put the statistics for college students using the IM during classes. I know I have seen several students use the program during class which also would less productivity and knowledge since they won’t be paying attention. Also, IM usage varies with different age groups and what you make use of it for. For most, it is so people can stay connected with their social circle. Also, for self-expression through profiles and buddy icons. But you can also use it to block unwanted communications or people using the tools that the IM provides. With the tools available you can choose who you want to talk to and manage your buddy list. The article says that this happens not that frequently, no more than a few times a month, but there will be more adding then deleting.
To find similar articles you can go to: http://www.pewinternet.org/reports.asp

The Ten Most Hated Men in Rock

2004-09-16T22:52:00.000-04:00

Okay, so this website www.riverfronttimes.com have derived a list stating the most hated men in rock. But some may ask who numbers them one to ten? According to San Francisco Chronicle pop-music critic Aidin Vaziri. While we may not agree with this ranking (which I do not), the criteria for what makes these rocks hated is somewhat dead on: have talent, use it well for a substantial period of time, then intentionally squander it for commercial riches, fame and/or forced mass appeal. So you may think that it is quite difficult to find these men, but voila, a group of eleven men graded these talented "sellouts." Without further ado, let the hatred begin!
They started of the list at number one. The one who holds this position is the one and only Sir Paul McCartney of the Beatles. They tore him limb to limb in the article. First stating he is below John Lennon and could not even carry his roach clips, which was a hit below the belt. Next, saying the song "Band on the Run", which was amazing I might add, sounded like it was written by a third grade. I don’t know about you but I know I couldn’t write words like: "Well, the night was falling as the desert world began to settle down. In the town they’re searching for us every where, but we never will be found." Even though a duet with Michael Jackson, you can’t hate this man. They also talk about how he did not know Lauryn Hill was a girl but you know he may not be hip with the new R&B music so give him a break. He is a legend in my eyes does not to be on this list.
Alright number two is up and it is not only but one of the best guitar players Carlos Santana. They put him on this list because of the number one hits he had with Rob Thomas and Michelle Branch. They called this ‘pathetic’ because he is considered to be the heir to Jimi Hendrix.
Next up on the chopping block is, the margarita man himself Jimmy Buffet. Although his tunes are real catchy I was never really a fan. The whole time they talk about the Alcohol-rehabilitation counselors, antidepressant manufacturers and shrinks. Also, how the cycle works. But hey, no one can say they hate ‘Cheeseburger In Paradise.’
The next is a double dose, The Adams Brother Ryan and Bryan. The ‘Summer of ‘69' was great but they can’t get over that he had one bad hit with the release of three albums. Also, dating the likes of Winona Ryder and Parker Posey didn’t seem to boost his career either. Bryan who I never really heard of paved the way for Phil Collins (who rocks) and Patrick Swayze.
We are half way through the list and number five does not deserve to be on the list. The man with the million glasses the one, the only, Sir Elton John. The only reason that he seems to be on this list is because he cannot stop putting out those great pop hits. And I know I am not the only one but we never want the sun to go down on Elton John.
Number six on the list is Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls. The are putting him on the list because apparently no one knows the title of there songs and with there ‘neo-glam outfit’ are the worst band in America. I definitely know that I can think of a worse group then them, for instance the Insane Clown Posse and Atreyu, but not the Goo Goo Dolls. They brought alternative rock back for the summer they had there song out and we all reminisced about 1994.
We follow this with G.E. Smith of Hall and Oates, the lead guitarist from 1979 until 1985. But that is only part of it, they also talk about how he was on SNL and his blonde ponytail. Although there is not much to say about him I loved when Clay Aiken sang a Hall and Oates song and it was great, so how bad can they be.
Emo, what is it exactly? Apparently suburban white kids likes this genre of music and id a genre within a genre within a genre. So the next couple on this list is Conor Oberst and Chris Carrabba of the band Dashboard Confessional. All I know is I want to smash my head into a dashboard when I hear one of there songs. They are on the list because every song of theirs is ‘overwrought’ and ‘essentially intellectually dishonest’ or how I would like to say the same.
The artist at number nine is one of the most deserving to be on the list, as well as number eight. It is the pimp Fred Durst. He is on the list since he started the late 90's rock like Kid Rock. But fortunately for us his career is over.
Last but not least is Bob Weir. He is here because of his side project Rat Dog. Since he is so old now they are saying he needs a teleprompter so he can remember the lyrics. Basically it is time to retire and you might get off the list.
So this concludes the list of the most hated men. To see the rest of the list you can go to: www.riverfronttimes.com

Annotated Bibliography: Electronic Culture, Ethics and Etiquette

2004-09-13T13:09:00.000-04:00

There is a very diverse and multi cultural world out there that has there own ‘standards’ and ‘expectations.’ No different from these cultures, the Internet culture has its own. While the internet can be frustrating and confusing there are several resources that can help anyone learn about this electronic culture. They are addressed in one of two topics: ethics or etiquette.
Internet ethic topics may include fair use of computing resources, intellectual property, rights of individuals, freedom of speech, privacy, equitable access, and responsibilities of educational institutions.
Internet etiquette, or netiquette, is basically a code of conduct for the world wide web. According to the article, the most effective way to learn netiquette is to observe a subgroup in the Internet community.
Another advantage to this electronic culture is the instant help you can receive if you are ever in a troubleshooting area.
While ever student should be aware of the legal issues surrounding the web, many people do not. Make sure you should are aware of the legal issues at hand, including copyright infringement and plagiarism, both vital issues.

For more information on this topic check out these sites:
http://dlis.gseis.ucla.edu/people/pagre/getting-help.html - The Art of Getting Help
http://www.siin.com/elec.html - Electronic Harassment
http://www.fau.edu/netiquette/net/ - The Net: User Guidelines and Netiquette
http://alexia.lis.uiuc.edu/~janicke/lisa.htm - Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe

What I Have Learned About Blogging...

2004-09-10T13:53:00.000-04:00

When we first received our assignment to Blog, I was in the complete dark. I asked, What is Blogging? Where can I get a site? And what do I write about? But then there was a light at the end of the tunnel, it is basically a live journal, and from then on life was peachy. So far in my experience with blogging I have learned that the term blog is short for web log, a "log" of a diary-like entry that is published on the internet. But when looking at different peoples websites I have found that blogging has evolved to much more than diary entries, but an easy way of publishing content on to a website almost instantly. Also, the content can be anything from photographs, recipes, restaurant reviews, thoughts, and just about anything that can be digitally storable.
The true power of the blog comes from its interactivity with visitors and other blogs. As an author, you can allow your web visitors to comment on your entries. Your visitors, at least those who either comment on your blog, or make a comment about your blog on their blog have a name, an email address, a website – an identity. As you find other blogs that you like to read, you link to them on your blog site, and Vise-Versa. All of this helps build a community of those who share a common interest.
Finally, by opening up your blogs to comments, you invite the collective intelligence (hopefully) of your readers to add to your thoughts and to contribute to your knowledge. You've created a collaborative thought space. Now anyone can publish.

First Blog....EVER!

2004-09-04T20:37:00.000-04:00

Ok, so this is my first time blogging.

Why Write?

I write to express things that are sometimes hard to say to others or even admit to myself. A lot of times I find it easier to write a note to someone telling them why I am mad or upset, Etc. because for me it is easier to express some feelings on paper or computer rather than have to tell the person to their face. I also write as a way to remember important things or events that we will want to know later. Like concerts, because I have one like every week. Also, the days I work...holla at Hot Topic. Most people keep a journal so that however many years from now they can look back and remember what was going on and how they felt at that time. I also write as a way to keep a record for future generations. Imagine how much we wouldn't of known about the people from back in the day..like Medieval times, (those Dark Ages must have sucked, no toilet) if they had not found a way to record their history.

Ok I am done for now....