Sunday, January 28, 2007

How important are the 5 W's?

When searching the Internet there are millions of sites to choose from. Some are specialized and will only appeal to a certain group of people with specific needs. Others are more generalized and will appeal to a broader more generalized population of Internet users. I believe that http://www.comcast.net/ to be a site that is more generalized.

First of all, the generalization of this site makes it appealing to almost anyone that can use the Internet. However, it is probably a bit more appealing to subscribers of Comcast vs. non-subscribers. With so many options, it may contain the answer, but if not found at this particular site it can possibly be a good beginning to their search. If someone in particular was looking to research, this may not be the site. Typically, research sites tend to be a little more specialized. Secondly, this sire contains a vast amount of general information. It contains news information from what is going on in politics to Hollywood. Also, it contains magazine type information ranging from fashion to how couples meet/ The user may choose to look up information on cars, finances, entertainment such as movies, TV, or music, kids games or even travel. Thirdly, this site is considered a current sire. Meaning the information found here will have to do with current events, current styles, or "what's hot" if you will. Historic information or past fads will not be available here. The only older information that may be found here includes old statements if you are a Comcast subscriber and old pictures or videos if you have them saved. Next, the information here is most directly related to the United States. It contains war information and other current international events. However, the other information that this site contains is probably not a relevant to someone is China as it is to someone in the United States. Finally, the main purpose of this site is to inform. In the particular case it is acting like a web-based newspaper or possibly a tabloid.

However, because this site is considered to be generalized there is room for confusion. Because most of the information is most relevant in the United States does not mean that it will not pertain to someone in China. But if they misconstrue the articles or content this may make way for a possible misconception. As with all sites location, religion, language and many other factors can play a role into the interpretation of what you read of hear.

In conclusion, no matter where you are we all have access to the same information on the world wide web. So take in to account the who, what, when, where and whys of a site before the true meaning of the site gets misinterpreted.

It's Comcastic. . .

Have you considered what the Internet has brought to you in it's mere twenty year existence? Imagine the world being less informed and everyday tasks such as looking for a car or paying bills a lot more difficult. One site, in particular, has a multitude of these web based tools to offer. The Comcast page can offer almost anything one can ask for. With one click on http://www.comcast.net/ you can learn about world news and all of the latest celebrity gossip with a slide show of pictures and subtitles. If that is not what interests you all of the tabs on the left of the screen will take you anywhere you want. If you simply want to manage your Comcast account, you can do that as well. Furthermore, the Comcast page offers a tab for the Latino population. Just another example of how Comcast is extending it's range to broaden it's reader variation.

When making a comparison between the Comcast page and the newspaper one may think that they are very different. In some aspects they are different, but in many they are very similar. The newspaper can offer a lot of the same news information but in order to find it one must look through the pages to find that particular article. On Comcast there is a nifty search bar where you can enter what you would like to read about and search for in in that manner. Or, the very helpful tool bar on the left, kind of like an index, can be used to navigate your search as well. Thirdly, glance at the main body of the page and look at the compressed, yet descriptive, blogs about the inner lying stories, and make you selection through those.

On the other hand, when implying differences there are many as well. In my opinion I feel that the Comcast page is more interesting than the newspaper. When a reader is choosing a story or article to read sometimes a title as an attention grabber is just not enough. Of course, the newspaper has pictures and includes attention grabbing photos, but most of the newspaper is just text. On the Comcast page there are more pictures and the continually moving slide show in the center of the page is the main attraction. For me, that is what captures my attention and makes me want to read more articles. Another difference would also be the content of the newspaper vs. Comcast. As already mentioned Comcast is multi-functional and not just text based. In addition, you can listen to the radio, send or read emails, look at photos, or even watch a video. All of which are features that the newspaper does not offer alone.

In conclusion, the Internet is a huge integral part of many peoples' daily lives'. Who knows, maybe one day the Internet will take the place of printed text.