CNN vs. iReport

Although run by the same organization, CNN and iReport have many distinct differences. This was to be expected considering the different nature of the two websites.

Off the bat, I noticed that CNN.com featured more newsworthy headlines, such as Congress' bailout plan and other articles about the $700 billion deficit we face. On the other side, iReport's main headlines are about the high gas prices down south, the new facebook layout, goodbyes to Yankee Stadium and Coney Island, and then finally fifth is a blog about what citizens are giving up in the midst of this economic depression.

Next, I compared postings and articles around Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama. CNN.com's articles seem to stay unbiased and straightforward; ultimately, all articles tend to sway the reader in one way or another with some measure of intent, but CNN manages to hide it well. The bloggers, however, are blatant in their criticisms and bias and have full intent to at the very least, make their opinions known, and at the most, sway the viewer.

Last, on the topic of the presidential debates on Friday night and whether they should still take place, iReport is looking for people to write or video in and give their opinion. CNN.com has articles dictating whether or not they should still happen.

Josh Howard, You're On Candid Camera!

The cell phone: a mobile device originally created to enable users to receive or send phone calls without the need of a cord. At its basic level, it seems entirely harmless. Unfortunately for Josh Howard, small forward for the Dallas Mavericks, the mobile phone has developed into a jack of all trades. This device has been infused with capabilities for texting, taking pictures, and- leading to Howard's demise- videos.

Fellow NBA star Allen Iverson, guard for the Denver Nuggets, held his annual flag football charity event back in July. There were no ESPN cameras, only a few local news cameras to show the good will. There was also a cell phone camera on hand, taping the pre-game festivities. As the Star-Spangled Banner was playing to kick off the game, the camera found Josh Howard and some harsh words.

"The Star-Spangled Banner is going on. I don't celebrate this [expletive]. I'm black," Howard said. He also went on to make some incomprehensible comments on Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama. As the video itself has been removed from Youtube at the request of Dallas Mavericks' owner, Mark Cuban, a recount of the event with a clip can be seen at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BqG9kjknVw

Without the inner-workings of Web 2.0 enabling user-created videos to be posted on the internet, this blatant anti-patriotism would have gone unnoticed. Even so, it's taken 2 months for this story to surface and a punishment to be handed down. But better late than never.

Pop-Up Ads

On the web, there are many "untruths" which are created by individuals, organizations, even companies to increase support financially, politically, or socially. Many of these are disguised, leading the preyed-upon consumers to believe what they have read or watched is the truth. There is one glaring untruth that leaves itself open to the naked eye, and still is deemed effective: the advertisements.

Now I'm not talking about a website that's sponsored by a company and has the logo on the site- those websites have those to minimize costs and avoid pop-ups and other such things. I'm talking about those annoying ads that flash at you and shout "SCAM" at you without needing to turn your volume up. How many times have you been told you're the 250,000th visitor or that your computer is at risk of being infected by a virus? It's all crap, and it's one of the many falsities that are enabled by the new Web 2.0 style of internet.

Now, when you click on these links and get taken to site after site of useless, time-wasting information, you realize you've been had. The PC Doctor Guide, featuring publications of computer catalogues, tutorials, and other computer-friendly scriptures highlights these fake ads and rips them apart, claiming that these ads show very poor taste, and minimize the credibility of the sites they piggy-back off of, reducing the hits they receive. This blog entry can be viewed here: http://www.pcdoctor-guide.com/wordpress/?p=330. 

While these are very hard to avoid, I highly suggest highlighting sites with these ads and avoiding them whenever possible. Web 2.0 can be very useful and beneficial communally, as long as it is used responsibly.