New Media

New media, according to Wikipedia (2009), is 'a term meant to encompass the emergence of digital, computerized, or networked information and communication technologies in the later part of the 20th century'. Put it plainly, new media is a catch-all term for all electronic communications which includes video and audio streaming, interactive user interfaces, online communities and live Internet broadcasting.

With the rapid technological advancement and media convergence, unique forms of digital media are being created. New media outlets such as Facebook, YouTube, Friendster, blogs etc start to spring out. However, these examples are only a small representation of new media. New media will continue to change as it is constantly modified and redefined by the interaction between the creative users, emerging technology, cultural changes, etc.

In order not to be left behind by the fast-moving technology, it will be useful to familarise oneself with the terms used in New media.


New media for newbies


Avatar - A character which represents the user when he interacts with other users online


Blog - Derived from "web log". An online journal for posting diary entries or sharing of personal experiences and thoughts.


Facebook - A social networking website


Flickr - A website for sharing photographs and videos


Podcast - Audio or video files distributed over the Internet by syndicated download to portable media players and computers


Social networking site - A website which focuses on building online communities of people who share the same interests and/or activities


RSS (Really Simple Syndication) - A format for delivering Web content such as news headlines and notices


Twitter - A social networking and microblogging site that allows users to update friends by sending short text messages called "tweets"


Vodcast - Online delivery of video clips through Web feeds


Web 2.0 - The "next phase" of Internet, where the Web is increasing being used for collaboration, information sharing and social networking


Widgets - An application which provides easy access to frequently used functions such as the time, weather and calculator


Wikipedia - A free online multilingual encyclopedia


Youtube - A video-sharing website where users can upload, view and share video clips



Reference : Wikipedia 2009, New Media, viewed 18 March 2009, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_media>