Election 2010

This year before the election has taken place, social media has been able to give a first glimpse into how the country is intending to vote.

Facebook users took part in a huge "mock poll", in which Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats came top.

"Democracy UK on Facebook has posted a constant stream of serious and light-hearted news and discussion, including question-and-answer sessions with notable journalists providing a range of opinions."

"Facebook also partnered with YouTube during the election campaign to source questions for the three leaders to answer. Allan claimed that this had also proved popular, and that 180,000 votes were made and over 5,300 questions submitted."

http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2262503/facebook-touts-success-online

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/824928-general-election-2010-facebook-abuzz-with-650-000-ive-voted-users

The Xbox Live community has also allowed users to take part in a similar mock election.

"Being a young, socially and technology aware group who certainly have their fingers on the pulse 24/7, Xbox 360 LIVE members are a vitally important demographic for UK parties."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2010/may/05/xbox-live-lib-dems

I think bringing the election and politics to these formats has helped a great deal to attract the interest of many young people across the country, which is a great thing. The 'Democracy UK on Facebook' page has also helped people to keep updated and understand the election this year. For example, I was unclear on what a 'hung parliament' meant until I watched one of the videos Facebook had made in collaberation with YouTube.

What Facebook Is For...

It's suprising how true this is of some people on Facebook!

Facebook in Numbers

While using Facebook I stumbled across a page which shows the statistics of the site. A lot of facts and figures about the number of users, the frequency of their visits, activities and more are shown. This shows officially the ever growing popularity of Facebook and the amount and methods people use and access the site.

http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics

More than 400 million active users
50% of our active users log on to Facebook in any given day
Average user has 130 friends
People spend over 500 billion minutes per month on Facebook

There are more than 100 million active users currently accessing Facebook through their mobile devices.
People that use Facebook on their mobile devices are twice more active on Facebook than non-mobile users.

Mobile Updates

Social networking sites now offer the option to update your status and communicate with friends via mobile technology, e.g. phones. I've been using this application for Facebook for some time, and really enjoy being able to communicate with friends using Facebook wherever I am. This means I'm sometimes able to save money on text messaging.

With my BlackBerry phone, I am able to browse the internet via a wifi connection and access Facebook. The application also offers the option to send a text message to update my status.


http://www.facebook.com/mobile/?ref=pf&_fb_noscript=1

In the last few years, I feel as if I'm "connected" whatever I'm doing or whenever I am. With Facebook, The Internet and Wifi so freely available, and the technology always in my pocket, I am always able to access sites and information whenever I want to.
I feel that these are great developments in technology and am excited to see what is available to us in the next few years. Apple's iPhone is top of the game at the moment, combining all these things and many more applications all in one.

Facebook Safety

Facebook are set to launch drastic new safety measures after coming under scrutiny. These measures include a 24-hour police hotline, awareness campaigns and abuse reporting systems.

I think things like this really show how these sites have grown into something that reaches from The Internet and into people's lives and society.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/apr/13/facebook-safety

Bye Bye Bebo...

After researching a bit into Facebook and other social networking sites, I came across news that social networking site Bebo is due to be sold off or closed.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/apr/20/bebo-uk-losses

Social networking websites have grown and grown in popularity since 2000. Facebook and MySpace have been top choices for Internet users for some years, but AOL's Bebo has also been a favourite for the teen generation. In the last two years though, with the growing popularity of MySpace and, mainly, Facebook, the site has seen a dramatic loss of visits.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/apr/11/online-bebo-social-networking

The Guardian lists Facebook, Youtube and Google as the top 3 to satisfy the world's need to socialise, share, stream and search. But could this all change within the next decade?

To do...

I've now got my essay in full swing and am decided on my 5 things to base it around. I've tried to choose technology and media that have become a part of my everyday life and that I have a keen interest in.

1. The Internet

As with the majority of people in the present day, the Internet has become a major part of my daily life. For work, leisure and communication, the Internet has it all. I may also go into the technologies I use to access the internet, eg. desktop computer, laptop, BlackBerry phone, Xbox 360.

2. Facebook

Facebook has also become a major thing for me. It's a great way to keep in contact with friends, arrange events, listen to music and play games. The only downside is how addictive it can become!

3. iPod

I take my iPod with me wherever I go. It's great to be able to have my entire music collection with me wherever I travel to keep me entertained. I remember having to take a pack of CDs around with me 5 years ago...

4. XBox 360

I have owned various console for around the past 14 years, including Sega Master System, Megadrive (I+II), PlayStation, PlaySation 2, and Xbox 360) and also some handheld consoles (Gameboy Colour, Gameboy Advance (+SP), PSP). The Xbox 360 is my current console of choice and I think it really symbolises how far the world of gaming has come. With online play, an internet browser, Facebook and Sky TV, the Xbox offers a lot more than gaming.

5. Television

Television is a hugely important part of life today. It has always offered entertainment and information, but has been adapted through the years to offer much more.


I also missed the 90s episode of Electric Dreams. So will have to catch up tomorrow using iPlayer (something else I debated about including in my essay!)

Essay Possibilities.

Recently I have been thinking more about what I would like to base my essay on. I have been considering writing an essay based around 5 things that have changed my life or that I couldn't live without. Possibilities include Facebook and The Internet, Heavy Metal music, iPods, TV, XBOX...

Facebook and other social networking sites help me to easily keep in touch with friends and relatives, plan events and discover new music, games and films.

Iron Maiden are my favourite Heavy Metal band and for me, are the epitomy of the whole genre. They have always inspired me and being a fan has given me the opportunity to travel to new places and meet many people.

Owning an iPod has made a big difference in my daily life. I can carry my entire music collection in my pocket everywhere I go, giving me a wide range of choice whenever I'm travelling or just at home. It's funny that 4 or 5 years ago I would have to choose 3 or 4 CDs before I left home and carry them around with me!

Television if of course a huge part of modern life. Even with the internet and mobile technology, it is still one of the best forms of entertainment, news and information. And with recent advances such as Digital, interactive, HD and the upcoming 3D TVs, the ongoing development of this 80 year old piece of technology is always interesting!

Microsoft's XBOX and indeed other consoles have always been a big part of my life. I've owned Sega Master System, Megadrive (I+II), PlayStation, PlaySation 2, XBOX 360, Gameboy Colour, Gameboy Advance, PSP... so I feel I've been watching the development of games consoles for a long time. From the movement of cartridges to discs, 2D to 3D graphics, the addition of online play, hard drives, HD, wireless hardware and other great advancements. The future of gaming looks very exciting!