This section of Reach Out Pro is intended to assist health care
professionals become more familiar with the technology that young
people use today. Below are definitions for a range of technology
terms written by young people for health care professionals to
read. This section is an ongoing project and we appreciate your
suggestions for its development. Please include your suggestions
for technology terms you believe should be defined and other input
on the Feedback
Form of the Reach Out Pro website.
Social Networking Service
A social networking service (SNS) is a website which hosts
online communities and links people together. Through a SNS
individuals can interact with other members through chat and
messaging services. You can express yourself on a SNS by creating a
personal profile describing your interests and sharing your
photos.
SNS are very popular and millions of people worldwide use them
on a daily basis. It allows you to stay in contact with friends,
meet new people, organize social events or even find job or study
opportunities. Examples of social networking services are Facebook and MySpace .
Social Networking Services are membership based and usually free
to join with a unique username and valid email address. They are a
great way to stay in contact with your friends all over the world,
expand your social network and have fun.
Online Community
An online community is any group of individuals who communicate
via the Internet about a common interest. This could take place on
a discussion board, chat room or through a social networking
service. Online communities can range from Facebook fan groups
sharing their love for Coldplay, to a discussion board on a general
youth issues like Reach Out's online community forums.
The best thing about being involved in an online community is
that it allows young people a chance to express themselves while at
the same time, giving them greater control and a degree of
anonymity online. Young people can easily join online communities
by registering with a username, password and a valid email address.
After joining, users can interact and share their thoughts with
other members.
Facebook
Facebook
is an online space for young people to connect with each other
(also known as a social networking website). On Facebook, young
people can search for old friends and get to know new ones using a
wide variety of fun applications like photo sharing, blogging and
gaming.
The best thing about Facebook is that it is very user friendly:
profile and privacy settings can be customised easily to suit the
young person's needs (without using complicated html codes). It's
also available worldwide.
Young people use it because it makes them feel involved and
connected with others no matter how far away they are - all they
have to do is hop onto their friend's Facebook pages and write on
their "wall". A valid email address is required to register for
Facebook.
Myspace
MySpace is
an online space for young people to promote their talents and
connect with other like-minded people. It allows users to upload
video or audio files for others to view and listen to. It is more
commercial than most social networking websites.
The best thing about MySpace is that it gives a lot more room
for someone to express themselves. Users can customise the look and
feel of their profile using CSS and HTML language. Young people see
MySpace as an opportunity to expose their skills to a worldwide
audience, get some feedback on their works or even get recognised
by recording companies.
To use MySpace you need a valid email address and also some
knowledge of CSS or HTML language to customise your
profile.
MSN
MSN is a
program where users can chat online with people on their contact
list. Contacts are added to the list via the use of email addresses
and must be confirmed before the users can speak to each other.
MSN has chat windows, video conferencing software, group chat
and even a whiteboard (similar to Microsoft paint) where many users
can contribute to session via illustrations.
Young people use it because they can keep in contact with their
friends, have conversations while multi-tasking online, and
socialise without being physically present in the interaction. This
is an advantage for users that are shy, have a disability or those
that live very far away - who would find it more convenient to get
to know people online.
To use MSN, you need to have an email account and the MSN
software downloaded on your computer.
Skype
Skype is an
online communication service that has revolutionised the way young
people interact with others. Skype can be used to chat 'live'
through microphones and speakers in the computer or through webcam.
It allows people to experience 'face to face' conversations with
others halfway across the world.
A Skype program must be installed before the service can be
used. With a decent internet connection and a username, anyone can
come online and have direct communication with friends they have
added to their account. Users must be online for the service to
operate without charge, however, money can be put into a Skype
account to call mobile phones and home phones from the
computer.
Webcam
Webcam is an online viewing tool that many young people use to
connect with friends and family. Through programs like Skype or Msn
Messenger, webcam allows individuals to see, hear and interact with
others, live!
Webcam is a fantastic way for young people to keep in touch. It
is cheap and allows for 'real' time interaction; you can both
visually engage and verbally communicate with others in an instant.
Also, webcam settings including brightness and contrast can be
easily customised to suit the user's needs.
For two-way webcam interaction, both users must possess a webcam
device and a decent internet connection. Webcams can be purchased
separately, or built into the computer. Use your email address to
log into Skype or MSN to find out more!
To use webcam you must have a camera attached or built-in to
your computer, a valid email address and be signed in to Windows Live
Messenger.
Twitter
Twitter is
social networking space that is a more simplified version of
Facebook. Rather than full profile pages like you would see in
other online social networks, Twitter profile pages contain a
status update only. Users answer one simple question - "What are
you doing?" and your response is sent to all your followers. In
turn, their responses are sent to your home page giving you
immediate information on what your contacts are up to!
Updates are limited to 140 characters, which means that your
updates are short and sweet. Twitter is useful as it only takes a
couple of minutes to log in and see what everyone is up to.
You can also comment on your friend's responses, and send private
messages, although these actions are also limited to 140
characters.
A valid email address is needed to use Twitter.
Blogging
Blogging, (short for weblog) is a way for anyone and everyone to
write about their experiences and observations of the world they
live in. Members of blogging communities are assigned their own
'space' which can then be featured on a social networking page or a
collective site. Blogs often feature themes such as travel, music
or current events. Other blogs function like online diaries - a way
for people to update mass audiences of their daily activities or
special moments. Blogging is mostly text based, but video (vlog) or
graphic blogs are becoming increasingly popular.
Young people like writing blogs because it allows them to be
creative, it requires low maintenance and is a great way to get
their voices heard. Young people like reading blogs because it
gives them a chance to be part of a wider community while being
entertained and informed.
Media Streaming
Media streaming is the transfer of multimedia files across
telecommunication networks. Media streaming allows users to view
video and audio files without storing the entire file on the hard
drive of their computer. A good example of a media streaming
network is YouTube.
The best thing about media streaming is that it is generally
free and it is easy to use with a large selection of files
available on the internet to view.
Young people use media streaming to listen to new and different
music, watch videos and catch up on television programs they missed
during the week. Young people can also upload their own audio or
video files to websites like YouTube and MySpace for others to
stream. To receive files through media streaming you need a media
player like Windows Media Player, Real Player or QuickTime although
many websites have their own inbuilt player to view files. A high
bandwidth connection is required to stream the files seamlessly
otherwise the digital transfer may be pixilated and stop frequently
to compensate for poor data flow.
Youtube
YouTube is an online space people use to share and view videos.
It allows anyone to visually engage, inform or entertain others.
The best thing about YouTube is that it's accessible worldwide. It
allows young people at home the chance to see and hear real life
events half way around the world in a mouse-click (e.g. Barrack
Obama's inauguration speech).
Young people use YouTube mainly for creative expression and
information sharing. Thumbnails on the homepage show people
singing, strumming on guitars, dancing, or ranting about everyday
life - it's that easy for users to access media that's outside
their sharing circle!
To register for YouTube you must have a valid email address. To
watch videos you need to install a 'flash plug in' and programs
like windows media player or quicktime. YouTube also allows people
to upload movies from their mobile phone. Visit www.youtube.com to find out
more!
Flickr
Flickr is an online space where users store, sort, search, share
and edit their photos online. It allows people to view and comment
on photos that other users upload, and also, to take these photos
for personal use (e.g. media presentations),
The best thing about Flickr is that it is accessible
worldwide. Photos can be shared both privately and publicly.
Users tag their photos with "keywords" that allows for easy
searching by other users. When pictures are used they are then
subject to the intellectual property licensing that authors have
attributed to their photos, for more on this see http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/
To register for Flickr you must have a valid yahoo email
account. Visit http://www.flickr.com/ for more
information.
Peer-To-Peer File Sharing
Peer-To-Peer file sharing is where one user can gather a large
file from many different sources on the internet, using small bits
of data, called torrents.
Peer-To-Peer file sharing was created to share large files for
de-centralised open-source software for Linux based computers, but
commonly young people now use it to share music or films.
Filesharing is easy to do, is non-profit and open source and
free. It means large files and information are easy to access and
can be shared globally, and very quickly. To use Peer-To-Peer
Filesharing you need a torrent reader, and a website which lists
active torrents which you download from.
Torrents
Torrents are part of the peer-to-peer file sharing system (see
peer to peer file sharing definition hyperlink). Torrents are small
parts of files, which are gained from many sources on the web.
Instead of downloading a file emailed from one source, the instead
collect small parts of that file from many sources on the
internet.
It is not uncommon for young people to use torrents for sharing
music, e-books or films. The best thing about torrent downloading
is that it is easy to use, is non-profit and open sourced, and most
importantly, is free of user subscription fees. It means large
packets of data are easy to access and can be shared globally.
To use the torrent network, you need a torrent reader, and a
website which lists active torrents which you download from.
iPod and iPhones
iPods are portable media players. iPhones are iPods with an
added telecommunications function. They come in various styles and
colours to suit their users. Users can download music or videos
straight from iTunes or other peer to peer file sharing server.
Users may also download Apple software and use these to load their
music onto their computer to their iPod/iPhone device.
Ipod's and iPhones are accessible to young people because of
their user friendly interface and their trendy designs. Larger
memory storage and advanced applications allow for viewing videos,
photos, whole length movies and even games. Because iPods and
iPhones are linked to the internet, they also receive immediate
updates as soon as they are available.
The iPod or iPhone must be connected to a computer for the
transfer of data through the iTunes program, as well as for battery
recharging. The internet is also required to download software and
media files. Visit www.apple.com.au for more
information.
MMORPG
MMORPG stands for Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game.
It is an online video game which allows thousands of users
worldwide to participate and compete in the same game challenges -
usually as a team on a quest.
Young people play MMORPG because it is challenging. MMORPG also
has an attractive role-playing aspect - it provides an escape from
reality and allows people of a common interest to interact with
each other. MMORPG games also include social functions such as text
and voice chat.
Playing a MMORPG requires a Start-Up disk (or downloadable
software) for the particular game (for example World Of Warcraft
(WoW hyperlink)), an internet connection and user registration to
the online game server. Many MMORPGs usually require a monthly fee
to play.
WoW
WoW stands for World Of Warcraft. It is an MMORPG (hyperlink to
MMORPG) where millions of users play, communicate and compete in an
online world. Users can join teams and races (e.g. the Hoarde or
the Alliance) and adopt identities such as; priest, mage, rogue,
death knight, warrior, druid, paladin, shaman, hunter or
warlock.
WoW challenges users to raise their skill levels and gain new
powers e.g. the ability to cast stronger spells. Users can earn
over 40 new skills. WoW also allows for social and team work
interaction - some skill levels are only attainable through
co-operation and strategy.
Young people play Wow because it's social, challenging, and
provides an interesting and engaging context which users can
control and participate in. WoW also includes social functions such
as text and voice chat.
To play WoW you need a Start-Up disk (or download software) for
World Of Warcraft, an internet connection and an account on the
relevant online gaming server. Wow usually involves a monthly fee
to play.
What is Second life?
Second life is an online virtual world where young people can
connect with each other. Users must first develop a digital
representation of themselves or "avatars" before they can play the
game.
Second Life lets young people get creative online. It is mostly
user generated so 'residents' can create their own world by using
'Second Life' tools to make furniture, outfits and objects. Second
Life has successfully integrated real life elements like an online
economy and its own currency (linden dollars), marketplace where
users can make purchases, as well as social functions like
nightclubs and restaurants.
While it is free to register for second life, it does cost
linden dollars to purchase objects built by other users. Though you
must be over 18 to use second life there is also "Teen Second Life"
which targets under-age users. For more information see www.secondlife.com
DeviantArt
Deviant art is a social networking site, where young people post
art. People can follow other artists, and comment on each other's
work. For many young artists, Deviant Art is their professional art
portfolio.
Young people use it because they can create a portfolio online,
share their work, learn how to improve their work and possibly gain
industry connections. All that is required to be part of Deviant
Art is an account online at www.deviantart.com.