Week 2 - Tutorial Task

* How long have you been using these communication technologies?
The first new communication technology i used independently was my first mobile phone. I began using it when i was ten years old and have gradually upgraded since then. I began using MSN messenger and myspace shortly after. Then once i matured around the age of 16, I started using facebook, twitter and tumbl.

    * What influenced you to start using these particular technologies?  How did you find out about them? 
I got my first mobile genuinely because my friends started using them and it was 'cool' to own your own phone. Then when it came to social networking sights and instant messaging, i changed the sights i used as trends changed so that i was using the same medium as most of my friends. That way it was easier to stay in touch and keep connected. 

    * Is privacy an issue for you when using new technologies?  What do you think of companies like Facebook and Google who collect information about their users?   (How do you deal with issues around privacy?)
Facebook privacy isn't a major issue for me because i only publish information that wouldn't land me in any trouble. Although, when talking to people on tumblr, i am VERY aware of privacy issues there. Genuinely because when you ask somebody a question anonymously, The reader has the ability to find the latitude and longitude of the IP address, put those digits into google, and pin point your exact location.

    * Do you have friends whom you know only from the internet and have never met in person?   Is this different to people that you know in person?  Describe the difference.

I have a few online friends who i have never met in person. Online relationships are very different to relationships formed in person. Online relationships are founded primarily on having similar interests, so there is always something to talk about. But i find it almost impossible to trust an online friend with any of my personal details because in reality, i know nothing of this persons personality or demeanor. You can be anybody you want to be online.