Web Videos and Instant Messengers

Web Videos-
Web videos have grown in popularity since the launching of Youtube in 2005. Since then, recording and uploading videos (either fan-made or live) has become a popular trend. Despite how crowded and how hard to stand out in Youtube, other websites have began popping up left and right, such as MetaCafe, Blip, and Viddler. ( http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=97405 )

Every year, the appearance of videos online began doubling over time. Not only could videos be viewed on computers, it could be downloaded and watched on mobile phones as well, such as Apple's 3G iPhone. As of last year, almost over 14 billion videos have been viewed online. Videos have also been used for advertising certain products, like the iPod and Apple Computers. http://mashable.com/2008/12/30/video-predictions-2009/

More predictions for web videos, they might be streamed live. Either on a mobile device, a computer or a laptop with wireless Internet. Imagine a teacher in another part of the country, teaching his class via web cam or video. Or a businessman who can't leave his room due to an injury doing a meeting via lap top. The possibilities could be endless. http://www.reelseo.com/10-vague-online-video-predictions-for-2008/

One problem I have with web videos is quality. When I download videos, some have some fuzzy quality to them, which makes 'em hard to see and to watch (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/surveillance/2008-01-28-web-video-startups_N.htm). Various computer companies are trying to shoot for higher quality, similar to High-Definition TV. Another problem would be the loading time for the videos. For people who have slower connection, it might take them about 30 to almost an hour to upload or unavailable at all. http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20090120224137255

Instant Messaging-
Instant messaging, a popular trend going around on the internet. First, it started with good old phone calls. Then, when the internet became more well-known, emails became the fastest way of communication. A couple years later, instant messaging arrived. One of the downsides of it, it's lowered the use of verbal words, but it has become a really fast way of communicating with other people. http://www.bigblueball.com/forums/general-other-im-news/41527-ap-aol-instant-messaging-trends-survey-email-dead.html

From Yahoo to ICQ, from MSN to AIM, each instant messenger has its own unique features. On an online survey (http://www.aim.com/survey/), over 70% of Internet users use instant messenging. Instant messenging has changed the way communication is made. Who knows, it might get better over time.

The biggest downside of instant messengers in the future, is that it might cause the increase of intrusions and may become vulnerable to viruses attached to files and software sent. Another downside is that it might decrease the usage of vocal communication skills. Almost 74% of young people use instant messengers every day. Who knows, it might be replace the use of the telephone system in the future. http://www.unb.ca/naweb/proceedings/2003/PaperFarmer.html