Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

Virtual worlds has many uses, some are positive while others are negative. For example in the article "Avatar II: The Hospital" practicing in the virtual world is used to the advantage of patients. The patients avatars are controlled by instructors while the nurses have control to the nurse avatars, the nurse avatars respond to the patients avatars by typing words pop up as a text box. Such technologies are very beneficial and has a positive impact. Some of the disadvantages of virtual technology include the high cost, not everyone has access or can afford these technologies, which leaves out individuals who cannot afford. Another disadvantage of virtual world is addition, some users get addicted and become less social in real life by spending hours and hours on the computer. The article "No Budget, No Boundaries: It's the Real You" emphasizes on VW users who spend thousands on virtual goods. The article also links those users to be also high spenders in real life.

Blog about Twitter

When posting a comment or status in Twitter, special characters such as @ and # is used whereas, in Blackboard discussion board the usage of such special characters isn't required. In addition, when posting a Twitter discussion there is a limit on the word count whereas, in Blackboard there is no limit. With in class discussion it depends on how the individual expresses him/her thoughts which has no limit.

Social Networking Sites

I find Facebook and Twitter to be a little similar as far as posting status, pictures etc. On the other hand, Instagram is very different, the social networking site is more for posting pictures, liking and commenting, Instagram doesn't have the status update option like Facebook and Twitter, Instagram users can post pictures, caption along with the location. Though, LinkedIn is a social networking site, it is very different than the other social media sites which I mentioned. LinkedIn is a professional networking site, where usually job seekers network with recruiters/employers or even employees from different companies.