Definition of New Media - Assignment # 4

After studying new media for a semester I am asked to define new media. I went on line and google new media and the following definitions were given:



1)New media is a catch-all term for all forms of electronic communications that have appeared or will appear since the original mainly text-and-static picture forms of online communications. (Definition from Whatis.com)



2)A generic term for many different forms of electronic communications that are made possible through the use of computer technology. The term is in relation to "old" media forms, such as print newspapers and magazines, that are static representations of texts and graphics. (Definition from the webopedia computer dictionary)



3)The forms of communicating in the digital world, which includes publishing on CD-ROM, DVD, digital television and, most significantly, the Internet. (Definition from PC Magazine Encyclopedia)



4)Is a term meant to encompass the emergance of digital, computerized, or networked information and communication technologies in the later part of the 20th century. (Definition from Wikipedia)



All 4 definitions explain the concept of new media. From the phrase itself you can get the concept of there is a new way of getting media out to the public. We all know that the old way of getting media to the public was television radio and newspapers and magazines. All the definitions listed above brush upon the idea that new media is no longer paper based but computer based. However new media (even though it is computer based) is really so much more. There are so many aspects of new media that can not be included in a simple definition. New media is virtual reality, social networking, (twitter, facebook, LinkedIn, blogs, wikipedia), social bookmarking, video search site, internet, cell phones, Iphones, Ipads, webinars, webcasts, mashups, and so much more. One paragraph on new media is just not possible. If you want to just scratch the surface a paragraph is fine but to really define new media you can write a novel. After describing new media you can go into the five C's of new media; communication, collaboration, community, creativity, and convergence. Look around you and you can not go far without finding new media, it is in your house, on the streets, at your job; wherever you go now a days there is new media. So if you want a simple definition of new media go to a dictionary, if you want to know what new media means, look around and watch what others are doing and you will soon learn what new media is.