Computing and Media Technologies begin as two separate entities
converging together overtime through, film, photography and binary
information. These technologies are developing through experimentation
and the format in which the cultural collective forms for the needs
of mass.
New media can be broken down into two distinct layers, Cultural
Layer and Computer layer. The understanding of the cultural layer is to be known
as the input information (user generated), whereas the computer
layer is generated from the input information through automation and
variations of the same. This transition from the user generated information to
the media form and the transcoding for computer or digital
information.
During the text of 'Language of New Media' as Manovich speaks of
transcoding he states that "computerization turns media into
computer data" (Manovich, 2002, p.63). The computer storing and re distributing the media that it has been given. "In new media lingo,
to “transcode” something is to translate it into another form."
(Manovich, 2002 p.64)
Transcoding doesn't happen without another 4 principles of new
media such as numerical representation, modulation, automation,
variability. Each of which cross one path or another. Computerization
requires numerical or coded information, binary or otherwise,
Modulation through mixed mediums being digitized, automation, the
process of creating the binary and coding into a visual or piece of
spectral information. Variability the changing of the medium e.g.
photograph into a video format. Although suggesting that all within
the cultural layer has to be of human origin Manovich states a
database "originally a computer technology to organize and
access data, is becoming a new cultural form of its own"
(Manovich, 2002 p.64), can be consequence of the principle
transcoding.
Manovich suggests that the "computer layer and media/culture
layer influence each other" (Manovich, 2002 p.64) rather than
have computer layer overpowering the cultural layer, they converge to
develop each other further. With the development of computer and
digital technology, new media continues to grow along side rather
than being the technology. Is it suggestible that transcoding is
changing the development of software and the skills required?
Bibliography
Manovich, L., The Language of New Media (Cambridge, Mass.: The MIT Press, 2001)
Showing posts with label variability. Show all posts
Showing posts with label variability. Show all posts
Wednesday, 16 October 2013
New Media Variability
Manovich states that new media has five different forms, numerical representation, modularity, automation, variability and transcoding. As each of these form play a developing role of new media has a vast variety of new content, which can be accessed almost anywhere by consumers, this content can be altered accurately more that several times.
"A new media object is not something fixed once and for all but can exist in different, potentially infinite, versions."(Manovich, 2002, p56).
With the impact of new media focusing on variability, this gives rise to individuals to create their own versions of media objects. However this is often created by using a computer format, whereas old media involved a "human creator" from industries that could make copies of the original, although it would be an exact duplicate, whereas different consumers would have their own versions.
"Numerous copies could be run off from the master"(Manovich, 2002, p56).
Modularity can be linked with variability without this process, consumers wouldn't be able to store any media text. This is done by the breaking down of pixels that are then recalled when an image comes onto the screen.
"Variability would also will not be possible without modularity"(Manovich, 2002, p56).
As consumers connect onto the internet there are often various items that will appear that will appeal that will appeal to their interests, as they browse through the platform the computer takes note of where they are throughout the search online. As the computer can then start to identify the content that is appropriate for the individual, where everyone's online media experience is different.
"The information about the user can be used by a computer program to automatically customize the media composition"(Manovich, 2002, p57).
This can also be seen as software updates are generated automated, by checking the internet for updates to software that maybe located on their computer. These can be all done without the user having to give too much input, an example would be editing software Photoshop, as the late program or feature update are improved.
Bibliography
Manovich, Lev, 2002, The Language of New Media,(Cambridge, Mass, :London MIT Press)
"A new media object is not something fixed once and for all but can exist in different, potentially infinite, versions."(Manovich, 2002, p56).
With the impact of new media focusing on variability, this gives rise to individuals to create their own versions of media objects. However this is often created by using a computer format, whereas old media involved a "human creator" from industries that could make copies of the original, although it would be an exact duplicate, whereas different consumers would have their own versions.
"Numerous copies could be run off from the master"(Manovich, 2002, p56).
Modularity can be linked with variability without this process, consumers wouldn't be able to store any media text. This is done by the breaking down of pixels that are then recalled when an image comes onto the screen.
"Variability would also will not be possible without modularity"(Manovich, 2002, p56).
As consumers connect onto the internet there are often various items that will appear that will appeal that will appeal to their interests, as they browse through the platform the computer takes note of where they are throughout the search online. As the computer can then start to identify the content that is appropriate for the individual, where everyone's online media experience is different.
"The information about the user can be used by a computer program to automatically customize the media composition"(Manovich, 2002, p57).
This can also be seen as software updates are generated automated, by checking the internet for updates to software that maybe located on their computer. These can be all done without the user having to give too much input, an example would be editing software Photoshop, as the late program or feature update are improved.
Bibliography
Manovich, Lev, 2002, The Language of New Media,(Cambridge, Mass, :London MIT Press)
What Makes New Media Different
"A new media object is not something fixed once and for all but can exist in different, potentially infinite, versions" (Manovich, 2002, pg.56)
When copies are made of old media, they are all identical, however this is not the case with new media where many different versions of a piece of media can exist.
As Manovich states (Manovich, 2002, pg.56), variability can't exist without modularity, allowing each element of new media to exist independently. This allows the various individual parts to be compiled in multiple ways to create new things each time with each new media each time with each new combination, each combination can be considered new variations of the same pieces of media.
Variations of media can include several edits of one video or photo. These variations are all from the same source file that has been edited, making them essentially the same despite their minor differences.
As New Media exists as data, it can be transferred and viewed from almost any electronic device and the media we see can be customised for things like browser compatibility or the location found in the users IP address can be used to provide location specific information.
When media made the transition from analogue to digital, the possibility for variability increased. It can be argued that analogue media isn't dead, not yet anyway, ie. groups of camera enthusiasts still use old cameras and develop their photographs in a dark room using the chemicals that digital cameras left behind. It's increasingly uncommon to find analogue media today as digital is more convenient.
Variations can also be created automatically by computers, ie. an image can be matched to the scale of the viewing platform being used by the viewer. This links the idea of automation, where computers can create media with very little human interaction, to that of variation.
All of the aspects mentioned here are important in determining what New Media is, rather than just one of them.
Bibliography
Manovich, L (2002) What is New Media and Principles of New Media from the Language of New Media (Cambridge, Mass :London MIT Press)
When copies are made of old media, they are all identical, however this is not the case with new media where many different versions of a piece of media can exist.
As Manovich states (Manovich, 2002, pg.56), variability can't exist without modularity, allowing each element of new media to exist independently. This allows the various individual parts to be compiled in multiple ways to create new things each time with each new media each time with each new combination, each combination can be considered new variations of the same pieces of media.
Variations of media can include several edits of one video or photo. These variations are all from the same source file that has been edited, making them essentially the same despite their minor differences.
As New Media exists as data, it can be transferred and viewed from almost any electronic device and the media we see can be customised for things like browser compatibility or the location found in the users IP address can be used to provide location specific information.
When media made the transition from analogue to digital, the possibility for variability increased. It can be argued that analogue media isn't dead, not yet anyway, ie. groups of camera enthusiasts still use old cameras and develop their photographs in a dark room using the chemicals that digital cameras left behind. It's increasingly uncommon to find analogue media today as digital is more convenient.
Variations can also be created automatically by computers, ie. an image can be matched to the scale of the viewing platform being used by the viewer. This links the idea of automation, where computers can create media with very little human interaction, to that of variation.
All of the aspects mentioned here are important in determining what New Media is, rather than just one of them.
Bibliography
Manovich, L (2002) What is New Media and Principles of New Media from the Language of New Media (Cambridge, Mass :London MIT Press)
New Media - Modularity & Variability
For many people, the term "New Media" is used as an umbrella term to denote the technological progress which has occurred in society over the last few decades. For media theorist Lev Manovich, however, this popular consensus is "too limiting" (2001, pp. 19), so he decided to outline what exactly is meant by new media by determining five main principles to serve as a kind of check-list to which all new media forms should conform. These characteristics include "numerical representation, modularity, automation, variability and transcoding" (2001, pp. 27-48), and for me two of these characteristics, modularity and variability, seem to be more closely linked than the others, and it is the relationship between these two that I will now try to explain.
As Manovich writes, modularity is the term used to describe the "fractal structure of new media" (2001, pp. 30). What he means by this is that a new media object consists of separate, independent elements, which are in turn made up of even smaller, independent elements and so on, right down to the smallest "atoms", for example the World Wide Web. As Manovich goes on to describe, it "consists of numerous Web pages, each in turn consisting of separate media elements (which can be) accessed on their own" (2001, pp. 31). We can therefore safely say that, because of the example given and the fact it coheres to the principle of modularity, the World Wide Web can be described as a new media object.
Bearing this in mind, we can understand what is meant when we are introduced to the term variability. As described by Manovich "a new media object is not something fixed, but something that can exist in potentially infinite versions" (2001, pp. 38). This potential for multiple different versions of a media object existing is down to the fact that, because media elements are independent and therefore maintain their own identities, they can be assembled into numerous sequences, allowing for such variability in multiplicity to occur.
Manovich, L. (2001) The Language of New Media (Cambridge, Mass. : London MIT Press)
Variability in New Media
Lev Manovich (2002, p. 44) presents five principles that describe New Media. As with all descriptions of abstract concepts, this is just one way of looking at it. This presentation can definitely help people understand what New Media means, but so could a different description with for instance more or less categories. However, the five principles of Manovich give a clear description of the whole complexity of New Media.
His first three principles: numerical representation, modularity and automation are without doubt important requisites. However they might cover more than New Media alone and are therefore not its most important characteristics. cultural transcoding is definitely a key concept without which there would be no such thing as New Media, but it could be classified as a consequence of it. Therefore, it could be argued that the aspect that is really responsible for New Media is variability.
Variability means that media are not the same for everyone but change according to the user, making the usage of the 'same' media a different experience to everybody (Manovich, 2002, p.56). The reason variability could be viewed as the main aspect of New Media is that it does not just focus on how the content is made, but on how the user interacts with it. This interaction is what makes New Media new. A key feature in this is that variability enables to view media on a continuum of how New it is. An e-book is on a low level. You can change type size and fonts, but it remains similar to the traditional book. Further on the scale there might be DVDs. Their menu uses branching and they have extras, but it still is not as New as for instance Facebook, were you can personalize your profile and use it for many different purposes, enabling a much wider range of gratifications for its users.
Bibliography
Manovich, L. (2002). The Language of New Media. MIT Press.
Bibliography
Manovich, L. (2002). The Language of New Media. MIT Press.
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