for mrs blackborow

iv had alot of trouble with my computers at home so im unable to add the pictures i had saved on ma computer as my hard drive has been wiped clean. i should have more pictures and animation up by the end of the week
xxXxx

DVD Special Features: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

DVD Special Features: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

The expected breakdown of DVD special features are;

• Featurettes
• Commentaries
• Documentaries

However, the Harry Potter DVD raised conventions as the disk is designed to take you on an adventure.

Disk 2 contains the extra features and is built as an adventure, where you must discover the secret at the heart of the DVD. This is an example of interactivity because they get the audience to relate to Harry Potter, as they are able to follow the basic path that he does in the film:

• Self-guided tours: Before you start your adventure, you’ll be offered a tour at Hogwarts. The interactive, 3D tour allows you to explore various rooms.
• Diagon Ally: You must view this section in order to access all areas of the features. Like in the film, you must remember the sequence that the bricks on the wall are pushed to gain access into the ally. You also have to visit the shops, Ollivander’s Wands, Gringutt’s Bank, and Eeylops Owl Emporium in order to get a wand, money and an owl respectively.
• Library: In the library, you are presented with a selection of books that either give clues for future reference on the adventure or show clip guides to the characters of Hogwarts.
• Hogwarts Grounds: Before you start here, you must catch the Golden Snitch using your remote. Once this is done, you get a self-guided tour around Hadgrid’s Hut and rules of the Quiddich Game.
• Interview: Here there are only sixteen minutes of the interview featurette, where the transformation of the book from screenplay to film is discussed. There is also behind-the-scenes footage of filming.
• Sorting Hat: This takes you through the four houses of Hogwarts.
• Classrooms: Here you’ll have to sit a potions exam to see how well you remember ingredients of different potions. There are also various clips from the film to explain story elements like spells and charms, and transfiguration.

Technology is used

• The standard DVD player and TV setup
• DVD ROM features that links to…
• … The internet- The Harry Potter Website.

for mrs blackborow

I've got 1 more case study to do which is the 15th one but my computer at home isnt working (it refuses to swich on) so I'll write up my last 1 - im doing it on a DVD that i have at home - and then I'll put it on the website at school on monday. Sorry
xxXxx

podcasts

Definition of a podcast: An audio broadcast that has been converted to an MP3 file or other audio file format for playback in a digital music player or computer. The "pod" in podcast was coined from "iPod," and although podcasts are mostly verbal, they may contain music.

Podcasting allows individuals to publish radio shows, that interested listeners can subscribe to. Before podcasting you would have to record a radio show and put it on your website, now however, people can automatically receive new shows, without having to go to a specific site and download it from there.

Podcasting is not like TiVo, which lets you watch what you want when you want by recording and storing video. The difference with podcasting though is that it’s used for audio and is currently free of charge. It can be used to push any kind of file, including software updates, pictures, and videos.

Different media texts use podcasts, from TV sites such as the BBC’s Eastenders site, to radio shows like Choice FM. There are also sites dedicated to providing consumers with podcasts such as http://www.podcastalley.com/ and i-tunes. Recently, with the emergence of video i-pods, podcasting has become a lot more video-based, and you can download video podcasts.

Blogging

Definition of a Blog: a shared on-line journal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences and hobbies; and postings on a blog are usually in chronological order.Blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of most early blogs. Blogs are replacing the old fasioned way of recording events in peoples l;ives: instead of people writing a diary, they use online diaries instead.

Different types of blogs:

• Vlog: video log


• Linklog: one including links


• Sketchblog: a portfolio of sketches


• Photo blog: a blog comprising of photos


• Tumblelog: shorter posts and mixed media types


• Moblog: a blog created by a mobile phone or PDA
  

Key producers of blogs:

• The main social group that use blogging are teenagers and young people, this is mainly because they were raised as a computer generation and are very comfortable with using computers and publicly express their views. Older generations have also begun to take on the concept of blogging.


• Blogging can also be an effective tool for businesses to use. Blogs can be used either internally for communication between staff or externally for marketing, branding or PR purposes. These are called corporate blogs.

Why blogs are popular with producers:

• It allows them to feel as though they are producing the media, they are participating actively, and can become like online journalists, who comment on news, politics, entertainment etc.


• It allows freedom of expression, there is no copyrighting, as there is on websites, or moderation as there is on forums.


• They can customize their blog


• It is a free, quick and easy way of publishing views


• It gives consumers the opportunity to discuss more niche subjects and still find people who share their interest.

Why blogs are popular with consumers:

• It allows them to read the opinions of others, either people that they know personally or people that they don’t, often on subjects that it is hard to find information about in the mainstream media.


• It can allow them almost instant information about news events or television programmes.


• They can feel part of an online community, commenting on other users blogs and expressing their opinions as well.


• Many readers of blog users prefer the informal, casual and opinionated views presented by regular people rather than newsreaders, journalists etc.

Technologies involved:

• The main technology involved in blogging is, of course, the internet


• Users can upload:
  1. Pictures
  2. Music
  3. Videos
  4. Games
  5. Graphics
  6. From mobile platforms such as PDA’s

Linkin Park, What Ive Done - YouTube

One Vlog http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=linkin+park+-+what+i%27ve+done&search=Search:

The up-loader of the video is able to showcase their work to the rest of the world where they can get feedback from comments and ratings that YouTube users can leave on the vlogs. The comments mean that the up-loader can develop their work based on the feedback that they get. Music artists and amateur film-makers benefit from the comments that users can leave as consumers can post the videos on their own webpages and blogs which can act as free marketing. It could also lead to a full time job in the industry for some amateurs.The users of YouTube have the options to add videos to their ‘favourites’ list, rate videos and comment or video comment clips.Not only can they upload their own videos but they can share them via email, or post the video on their own blogs. YouTube makes it easy for you to search for what their looking for easily as not only is there a search engine, but videos are categorized both by genre and by tags.

There is also a section for similar videos, which gives recommendations based on what consumers have already watched, a good example of personalization. There is ‘More from this user,’ which shows all the other videos uploaded by the same user. There is also the opportunity to create your own playlist, which makes watching videos easier and more personalized: consumers can create almost their own channel.

The video I have chosen is a music video by the band Linkin Park, and by posting their video on YouTube they are able to be publisised.

Technologies involved:

• The internet:

1. Email

2. HTML/embed codes

3. Adobe Flash Player

• Video cameras


• Home PC editing software

Metro Newspaper Online

Metro Newspaper Online http://www.metro.co.uk/:

This site complements the daily, free newspaper that is given out in train stations, and like every other website, there are different elements that the site splits into:

• News


• Sport


• MetroLife


• Fame


• Weird


• Pictures


• Gimme


• Play


• Your Metro


• Travel


• Metrosexual


• Money

On the home page there are the top stories/articles for each section, and you can access these by clicking the drop down arrow. The site has different constant advertisements for other companies like ITV 2 and National Rail. There are other ads on the top of the page that differ: Wilde Hogs, BT, NHS and Alliance Leicester.

There’s also a section called Metro TV (http://www.metro.co.uk/video/videoPlayer.html?inMediaId=1057&in_page_id=1) where you can watch news clips that are daily bulletins; morning, afternoon and evening. There are different categories to be chosen: news, sport, showbiz, film and other.

The site is very interactive by allowing the audience to be more involved with the newspaper. On each article that is printed, the site enables the readers/audience to input their own views by leaving comments on the articles. As well as commenting on the articles, the site enables you to share pictures you’ve taken and inserts them into the different categories that run throughout the site. There are also competitions in the Gimme section, as well as there being games for audiences to enjoy. As with many other sites, you have to be a registered member to enjoy all the features of the site.

POTC Dead Man’s Chest Film Website

Pirates Of The Caribbean Dead Man’s Chest Film Website http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/pirates/:

The Dead Man’s Chest website is part of the Disney site, but it is still seen as the official site for the film. It comes in eight different sections:

• Dead Man’s Mail


• Mobile


• Dead Man’s Chest Soundtrack


• Register


• Dead Man’s Chest DVD Info


• Dead Man’s Chest Video Games


• Multiplayer Online Games


• And a link back to a Disney Xtreme Digital Beta

Dead Man’s Mail
http://host-d.oddcast.com/php/start_disney/door=163&cl=59&AID=0
This is one of the many interactive parts of the site, where you can type in sentences and hear them being said as some of the characters from the film would say them. Also there’s the opportunity to dress up a skull with different pirate accessories and make up from the film. Also you can pick different backgrounds:

You can also pre-recorded messages to send to your friends via email, as well as getting them sent to your phone:

Mobile http://home3.av.net/tts/store/index.html?id=7f0000010000010b71a4c7e300000017&theme=mDisney&offerLocationId=AvSt1_DbA&initialization=10&venueID=DisneyPirates:
You can download many different graphics, soundtrack mastertones, wallpapers, and games all to your phone, at a small price (in dollars though as it is an American site). It also gives you the opportunity to do exactly the same for the 1st movie, The Curse Of The Black Pearl.

Dead Man’s Chest Soundtrack http://disney.go.com/disneyrecords/soundtracks/pirates2/index.html:
This gives you the chance to buy and preview the movie soundtrack CD online. However, you cant buy the CD from the official website, the link passes you onto amazon.com

Dead Man’s Chest DVD Info http://adisney.go.com/disneyvideos/liveaction/pirates2/main.html?startLocation=blackPearlDeck&startPage=about&subPage=dvdinfo:

• Bonus features – a description of the added features on the DVD like the Audio Commentary: Screenwriters Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio


• A synopsis of the film


• Production notes, where you can download the whole PDF file


• Cast and Crew information

Dead Man’s Chest Video Games http://disney.go.com/disneyinteractivestudios/pirates/:

The game is available on PSP, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advanced. There is a description of the features for each console as well as the chance to watch the game trailer. You can also buy the games online, but from the Disney online shop this time.

Multiplayer Online Games
http://disney.go.com/pirates/online/index.html:

This is a new feature and was launched this spring. There are downloads available, news on the game and the people involved with it, screenshots and concept art. You can also sign up to get more information about the game via your email address.

Creative Zen Vision W

Creative Zen Vision W mp3 player http://www.creative.com/products/pmp/:

Creative Zen Vision W mp3 player: ‘Widescreen entertainment on the move’. This mp3 not only enables you to store between 30GB and 60GB but enables you to store videos. It can store up to 15,000 Songs or 240 Hours of Movies - Also Supports a portable camera and a built-in Compact Flash slot - Plays up to 13 Hours Audio Playback & 4.5 Hours Video Playback.

You can download songs and videos from the Internet and then put them onto the mp3 player due to the fact that it comes with USB Cable and the Software CD-ROM. As well as storing and playing songs and videos, it is possible to record songs off the radio for example. You can also record your own voice and therefore means hours of fun with your friends.

There is also a FM Radio feature, meaning you have the option of tuning into your favourite FM radio station on your mp3 player, instead of listening to albums/singles. The mp3 player also has the capacity of storing pictures; acting as your own digital photo album.

As well as all these features, the Vision W is lightweight and compact, making it easy to be portable and compact.

Will Smith Fan Site

Will Smith Fan Site http://www.willsmithzone.com/:

The site is dedicated to Will Smith and to bringing you the latest on Will Smith's music career and was set up by his fans. There are many different sections within the site:
· A gallery full of pictures of Will
· The latest news on his career and what’s going on in his life in terms of his family etc
· What the press have been focusing on in his career and any magazines or TV shows that he will feature in
· There is a section focusing on his latest move The Pursuit Of Happiness where you can access the trailer, as well as there being news on his up coming film I Am A Legend
· A look at the best singles he’s released

As well as these options on the homepage, there is the actual tool bar that navigates you around the whole site:

The ‘You’ section enables the audience to
· Download icons and wallpapers
· Join the The Jazzy Jeff & Will Smith Fan Community which is a forum where you can voice your thoughts and opinions
· Sign the site guest book and taking part in the poll of the month which is currently asking which actress Will Smith should star in a movie with.
· Buy CDs and DVDs from an online shop: http://www.willsmithzone.com/you_store.html

The site not only advertises Will Smith merchandise and news, but other fan based sites that are affiliates of this Will Smith site:
http://www.willsmithzone.com/web_affiliates.html

The fact that the DVDs and CDs that Will has been in or has produced mean that the Music and Movie industries both get promoted as people are encouraged to buy the CDs and DVDs.

Though there isn’t many that can be said in terms of key concepts, the site enables the Will Smith fans to interact with him on a whole new level that was available before. However to access most of the information you do have to sign up to become a member of the site.

Myspace

Myspace www.myspace.com:







Myspace is a social networking site where you can make your own individual profile and interact with your friends, favourite artists/bands, and comedians etc. As well as this you can get information on your favourite music genre/artist/album, join certain groups based on different issues or areas, submit your own photos, music and videos as well as submitting blogs on your profile. Your profile can be a private page which means only the people you add as your friends can contact you and see your page, or public which means anyone who has signed up to Myspace can see your profile. However you have to have added people in order for them to comment you. Up and coming artists (mainly rock artists) use Myspace to promote their songs and widen their fan base. They can then get enough fans to start doing gigs which enables them to make a profit and put some more money into promoting themselves. Here are a few examples:
· Skindred: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=3011504
· Even Nine: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=38841578
· Spin: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=48166118
However artists like Nickleback and Linkin Park who have been successful also use Myspace in order to inform their fans of any up coming gigs/concerts, and albums.

The wide range of music genres means that Myspace users that are into the more niche genres get to interact with their favourite bands on a whole new level that wasn’t available before.

The toolbar at the top of the page enable you to access the different sections within the site. For example like with the music artists, you can interact with other entertainers like comedians. Richard Blackwood has his own page: . Radio stations like Choice FM, also use Myspace as they are able to promote their own events.

Having your own profile enables you to comment/message your friends on their own profiles, as if it were like msn you can online conversations with each other. You can also have your own pictures that your friends can comment on.

The site acts as a friends’ reunited site as you can find friends that went to the same school as you for example.

Playstation 3

The Playstation 3 http://uk.playstation.com/:

It’s a new Sony Playstation games console that is generally aimed at younger generations and teens. However ate the price of nearly £400, it would seem that it is really aimed at those in the upper middle classes who would be able to afford it.

New features it has:
♦ The 60GB 2.5-inch hard disc drive
♦ An online gaming service comparable to Xbox Live. It will be called PlayStation Network Platform
♦ PS3 games will only be available on Blu-ray discs to stop piracy
♦ The PS3 will play DVDs and CDs as well as PS2 and PS1 games

The site enables you to get information about games that are specially tailored for the high quality of the PS3 as well as giving you news about the new console.

Angie Le Mar

Angie Le Mar Show on Choice FM http://www.choicefm.com/sectional.asp?id=3329:

‘Get in tune with your feminine side… join Angie every Saturday…and don’t forget: do your shopping on a Friday’
The show starts at 9am and finishes at midday on a Saturday morning. The show is aimed at those who are opinionated on life issues such as gun crime and representations of ethnic minorities in schools and communities. Between discussions however, there are inspirational songs that are played.

The page gives you the option of:

• Listening to recent interviews for example the one with David Cameron http://www.choicefm.com/Article.asp?id=357582
• Have your say on certain subject via email
• Listening to past interviews
• Catching up with celeb gossip
• You can also learn more about Angie’s career and how diverse she is in terms of work

From Angie’s biography, you get to feel more involved with the show and her as a presenter as well as feeling as if you know Angie. You can also see her photo gallery from this page as well as being able to email her about anything.

Choice FM

Choice FM http://www.choicefm.com/default.asp:

Choice FM is a radio station that is ‘number one for Hip Hop and R ‘n’ B’. They started off as an underground station, until 1990 when it started to be broadcasted legally. A few years ago Capital FM bought them.

The site is targeted at teenagers and young adult but there are different shows that are catered for people with different tastes in urban music:

• Masterstepz: British cuts and garage à teenagers
• Natty B: purely reggae
• Martin Jay: ‘The Prince Of Soca’ and does the Caribbean Affair on Sunday nights
• Angie Le Mar Show: is like a radio talk show as well as incorporating some music into the show

The homepage is very informal and has many different blurbs and flash animations to advertise events, competitions and shows: There an access all areas section within the site called ‘AX-S’ where you can sign up to receive behind the scenes information on Choice FM and experience Super-hi stream audio along with message boards and competitions.

Choice gives the audience a chance to give them their own feedback about the Station and they can therefore monitor their audience’ response to their station and know how to improve/develop it.

Key Concepts:

• Interactivity - a selection of different activities, such as viewing pictures, talking to people and watching the studio ‘wapcam’
• Convergence – ‘wapcam’ converges both the Internet and mobile phones and therefore give the audience new ways to interact with the station

In addition to the Choice FM website promoting its own company, it also promotes other companies. Every time you go on the site, the advertisement changes – Digital radios, comic relief and the Job Centre.

Eastenders

Eastenders: http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/

The Eastenders is a programme produced and broadcasted by the BBC. It enables fans of the programme to interact with the show by:

• Playing games
• Voting on issues related to the show
• Watching episodes online that they’ve missed.
• You can even watch the Square via webcam

Because the show targets families, the site is also targeted at families. The page is very colourful and informal. There are different sections to the Eastenders site:

• Helplines for serious issues covered in the episodes like bullying. This gives parents the advice on how to spot if their child’s being bullied. It also gives the Childline information so children can get in touch and voice their problems
• News on the characters and the show
• Competitions
• Fun and Games mainly for children, though there are quizzes about storylines that happened years ago which would obviously appeal to the older audiences
• Have your say

The Fun and Games page:

It’s very interactive as you get to:

• Make up your own storyline that lasts up to 10 scenes
• Give one of the characters, like Dawn, a makeover
• Do a wide range of quizzes related to the show and its characters
• Get the weekly quiz to your phone
• Create E-cards for your friends and family

The only industry that is illustrated within this site is the television industry, and everything is done by the BBC itself:

• Production: BBC
• Broadcasting: BBC 1 and 3
• Transmission: BBC

Key concepts:

• Interactivity – the fact that you can get quizzes sent to your phone, you can watch episodes online mean you’re consuming in a different way than you would have done a few years ago
• Immediacy – quick and easy to download wallpapers and get podcasts of the episodes you’ve missed
• Convenience – It means that you don’t have to watch the TV at the time that the show is scheduled. You can watch them online.

BBC Music

Music Page For The BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/:
The set up for this page is the same sort of layout as the actual BBC Homepage:
• Events
• Pick of the Week
• News
• Artists and Albums
• Learn and Play
• Have Your Say
• Chance to listen to podcasts etc
• Pages for different genres

The site is replacing traditional ways of how we consume music and music information. Before we would only have the choice to listen to the radio to find out about our favourite genres, artists etc. To listen to music we would have to either listen to the radio or buy CDs. Now you can listen online, and voice your opinions on certain music related issues.


The BBC Music page caters for all types of people: from those who listen to classical music - http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/classical/, who are classed as more sophisticated, upper middle class, to those who listen to urban music - http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/urban/ - teens and the younger generations. The urban page uses more colloquial language i.e. ‘Young Buck Cool With Dipset???’.

There are many institutions that are involved within the music section of the BBC website:
¨ Radio: podcasts from BBC radio shows from BBC 1Xtra to different music radio shows dedicated to different genres
¨ Music: they have information on the album and artist of the week voted by BBC website users…
¨ Advertising: …this promotes the artists and their record companies. They also predict which albums/artists you would be interested in depending on who you’ve showed interest in already.
The music industry can then get feedback from the BBC as they give you the chance to ‘have your say’ on the albums and artists they show on their site.

The album of this week is: Brett Anderson

Technologues Used:

• mainly the internet
• podcasts
• lots of audio sections where you can listen to the pick of the week

Examples of key concepts:

• Proliferation – More music choice and reaching to the nice audiences for example folk/country and experimental music fans


• Immediacy – quick and easy to download singles from the album of the week and get podcasts of the radio shows


• Convenience – It means that you don’t have to listen to the radio at the time that the show you want to listen to when it’s scheduled. You can listen to the podcasts online.

The BBC

BBC broadcaster website: www.bbc.co.uk

The BBC website complements the T.V and Radio channels that are broadcasted by the BBC. Within the site there also a number of different information pages that aren’t linked to their channels and programmes including:

• News and weather: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
• Lifestyle: http://www.bbc.co.uk/lifestyle/
• Money and Business: http://www.bbc.co.uk/business/
• Health: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/
• History: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/
• Learning: http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/
  and many more.

The technologies used:

• Webcams for the radio pages so you can see inside the studio

Each page has a different target audience, meaning the BBC website as a whole has a very vast audience in itself. Also within the different pages, there are different levels of interaction in order to get the audiences involved with the BBC. Here are a few examples:

• The Money and Business Page:
  It has a very formal looking layout, and is targeted at business people, and mainly focuses on the economy and the stock market of the country at the moment: http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/fds/hi/business/market_data/ticker/markets/default.stm
  Any money or economy issues that come up on the news are also incorporated into the page; there are video and audio news, as well as actual business programmes that can be watched online. There is a section within Money and Business that concentrates on how the government are using taxpayers’ money and the rising prices of houses, called ‘Your Money’. This heading involves the audience as well, as you feel more involved: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/your_money/default.stm
  
• The Children Page:
  The layout is a lot more fun and colourful, which would help engage the children. There are also moving animations. The children are encouraged to learn about animals, weather, seasons, science and news such as slavery, with the Freedom Fact Files link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldclass/freedom_fact_files.shtml
  As well as being educational for children, they offer pages for parents on parenting and helping their children how to do better at school:
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/children/parents/
  Children can also listen to audio books online, and the BBC have a range of books online that are on the page for a week. They also have radio that are based around shows like Barney:
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/kids/
  

Within some these different pages, there are games to help involve the audience, and on Bitesize for example, make their experience on the site more enjoyable:
♦ http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/games/
♦ http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/quizzes/
♦ http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/quizzes/
♦ http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/coolstuff/fun_games/quiz/fun_games_quiz.shtml
♦ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/games/
♦ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/quizzes/
♦ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/funny_old_game/default.stm

BBC on your mobile: what do you get?
You can get information sent directly to your phone, for example news, weather and sport. Even kids can get Newsround updates to their mobiles:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mobile/web/what2get.shtml#wtgNews
All of this can be done in three easy steps: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mobile/web/how2get.shtml?cbbc

The BBC fundamentally uses the site and as far as I can tell no other institutions do, however phone companies may benefit from the amount of money people use by getting information straight to their phones. Any advertisements that are on the site are all by the BBC and promoting their TV programmes, mainly because they are funded by the public and therefore don’t need other institutions/companies to pay them for ads.

for Mrs Blckborow

hiya
i was just wondering if when we are analysing a website, do we have to include what technologies are used, because the only ones i could find are webcams.
thankyou
xxXxx

heeeeeeeeeey

this is my wonderful new blog and its going to be amazing lol.

xxXxx

Welcome to your new tech blog

hi zahra happy blogging! ms b