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November 22, 2005

We the Media, Ch 11-12, Epilogue

"Cookies had, and have, big privacy implications. But, like all such technologies, they have their good points. They can save time for the user, storing one's preference for a particular site." (211)

Technologies like the "cookies" mentioned in this section of the book are used by my high school in order to help prevent and keep track of students getting on sites they aren't suppose to on the school (government owned) computers. That way they can be sure students aren't playing games or looking at inappropriate sites when they should really be working. I feel like this is a good thing because as another user on the network, them playing games or watching videos can slow down the other computers on the network and make it more difficult for me to do my work, which might actually be legitimate work for a class.

I also really liked Gillmor's explanation of how he put the book together by asking for feedback from the general online public and as actually willing to take some of their advice. It really shows that he is willing to put into practice the ideas that he describes in his book about journalism and media as conversations instead of lecture etc. That makes me respect his ideas and opinions more and makes me see him as more credible than I would otherwise.

Posted by LorinSchumacher at November 22, 2005 8:51 AM

Comments

I like the idea of cookies as well, Lorin. If I were to tie this topic into the discussion in class, I wonder if it would be possible to have something like cookies to help monitor blogs. Some in the class feel that there should be no regulations, and others feel that there should be. I don't know how they would do it, but perhaps they could put something that reads if the information is ligitimate or not?

Posted by: Andy LoNigro at November 23, 2005 9:39 AM

Lorin, sorry! I posted that blog above and accidentally left Jill's name on it. She was using this and I forgot to take her name off. lol

Posted by: Andy LoNigro at November 24, 2005 12:47 PM

I was wondering about that! I didn't remember any guests in class that day!

Posted by: Dennis G. Jerz at November 25, 2005 12:38 AM

Andy, I changed the comment info so that if people want to respond directly to you they aren't confused and then they have a link to your email and not Jill's. I hope you are having a wonderful Thanksgiving break!

Posted by: Lorin Schumacher at November 25, 2005 4:27 PM

Lorin,

I can see the point of cookies in institutions because the rules function a bit differently. However, on my home PC, I feel as though they are an obstacle to tackle when trying to navigate different sites. When I am shopping online, I don't want to be bothered by these pop ups, but I can see their importance in the classroom - to keep track of whereabouts of users and other important data.

Good points, Lorin.

Posted by: KatieAikins at November 26, 2005 12:06 AM

Lorin, I agree with you on the idea about 'cookies' and how they are useful as well as helpful. I definetly think that 'cookies' are only needed in classrooms and in libraries, not on our own computers. There is a limit as to where these cookies must be. 'Cookies' are annoying to me as well Katie, i hate them.

Posted by: Denamarie at November 26, 2005 11:03 AM

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