Media technologies

Media technologies have exploded in the past 20 years. From the early days of word processors which were very large and cumbersome to today’s netbooks, laptops, pda’s, i-phones and e-readers all very portable and offer various media technologies. Gone are the days of typewriters from our childhood. Today we send a message via cell phone, computer and we communicate.

The computer, netbooks and, laptops now offer gaming, TV online, plus word process, excel spreadsheets, power point slide shows and presentations access to unlimited other programs which can be loaded on with ease . The computer can be used by children as young as 4 to adults. The various programs offer something for everybody. Most computers also have programs available for hearing impaired or those who have visual issues as well as some physical challenges, a computer in most forms can be used by almost every person. Computers are used by businesses for everything from accounting, to communication to web applications for advertising or selling products or services. Most business use the computer for most aspects of conducting business, from keeping track of customers, to invoices and keeping track of inventory, shipping or whatever needs they may have. The computer can be adapted with the programs needed for most business. The computer uses audio, video and textual forms of communicating. The computer has the ability to (with the use of online access) to send audio, video and textual communication from one computer to many other computers. There is also the ability to connect to other computers and have a conference with other computers where video, and audio as well as a PowerPoint presentation can be seen and heard by all the computers connected to the network.

No one can deny the mass communication of the cell phone. Most Americans have cell phones, even children and many senior citizens have cell phones. We as a culture use the cell phone to communicate with family friends, business associates and even work relationships, even to run our business. The new cell phones which have the capabilities of connecting to our e-mail, going on line to conduct business they have become very valuable in the country as a form of communications. Children use their phones to talk to each other as well as text each other. Parents also text their children and keep track of where their children are, since many parents work outside the home. Schools also use the cell phone as a means to keep in contact with parents of students. Many schools use the cell phone to notify parents when their child is absent or have health or behavioral issues and needs parents’ attention.


The audience is anyone who can use the phone. They have Disney phones for children, teen phones with extra text features and fancy cases, and big button simple phones geared for senior citizens. I believe there is a phone for every person who can use a cell phone. Some phones allow you to watch TV, videos and listen to music. Cell phones use textual, video and audio form of communication depending on the phone which you use. A lot of cell phone also have a global position system GPS , which offers step by step or turn by turn directions for those who need directions and have this feature on their phones. While other cell phones offer the same functions as a PDA, personal digital assistant, which allows the user to keep track of appointments and function as a mini, hand held computer. Most phones have storage capabilities for some files, phone numbers addresses, web address and email address. Many phones also have video cameras and picture cameras which can be saved to the phone and transferred to a personal computer.


The internet or the world wide web ( www.) is in use in most countries around the world. We use them on our computers, and cell phones. The internet allows many people to research subjects from almost any area about almost any topic. We can get access to libraries, dictionaries, encyclopedias as well as news articles from around the world. We no longer have to go to our library to find a book, we can go on the internet and find the book and the information we need and the page it on all with typing in a search or name of an article or book. The world has opened up to all who have internet access. There are a few places where the local government has censored the internet, but otherwise information is available by the act of typing a search. The internet changed the way many people get their news, as now they go on line and can get the latest news almost as the new is happening. The internet has become part of most businesses and families. The internet gives us e-mail, instant messaging, video, music and even now telephone on the internet. We can talk to others via internet in other places and many have video as well, so you can see who you are talking to. Many retail businesses have online site for shopping of their products. While service orientated business like motels and airlines and even plumbers, and electricians have online access for those who wish to use it. The internet has opened up the country in the sense that even those of us who live in the boondocks of the USA, have access to products across the country and around the world. The intended audience is anyone from young children with the websites for young children, like’ Nick Jr’.,’ Sprout TV’ and other sites for young children, to senior citizens with web sites like ‘AARP’ and ‘Senior Living’. The internet is for all people, no matter the age or where they live around the world. The internet uses video, audio and textural media for communicating with the user.

The introduction of satellites for TV and radio has been almost as big and stands to overtake the cable as a form of media technology. The days of the antenna on the roof to get a few channels on the TV and the radio are gone. We can now get stations from across the country and even from Europe. The satellite which was originally intended for use space explorations and defense is now used to bring TV and radio to the homes of everyday people. Companies like Direct TV bring channels from across the country giving subscribers hundreds of channel options along with music channels and sports channels from around the country and some from other countries. Satellites have also brought us the cell phone in sense the cell phones use smaller signal dishes but still use the basic technology introduced by the satellites. We now can see the pictures transmitted via satellite of the surface of the moon and the view of earth. We get our weather forecasts due to satellites ability to see the storm or the rain and clouds or lack of from above the earth via satellite. Recently we were able to see the oil spill from a view above the earth; we had the ability to see the extent of the oil spillage all due to satellite pictures. GPS and places such as map quest use similar technology on a somewhat smaller scale, but satellite technology has given us many forms a of media, video, audio, and textural. The audience is every person, from scientists to young children listening to radio or watching TV.

The world has opened up due to the advances is technology and the media which uses it. The rate that technology is advancing cans only mean bigger and better media communications to come.

Just my thoughts, Jean