A) Upgrade culture is something designed to improve and enhance the users experience of such such programmes as Mircosoft Office, however it is also big business as people will buy the newer version of Office compared to buying the older versions his in turn generates more money for Mircosoft and other companies. So it could be said that some new media change is just for consumerism
B) Lister et al. stated that it is not only the new or digital media that has changed society, but also the printing press, telephone, photography, and of course the Internet have help turn our society into what it is today. I do not think that any of these are a product of capitalism, i think that "new media" is an extension on what some would say is "old media" like the printing press.
C) New media is defiantly a way of progress in education, business, shopping, democracy etc.
In education it means that we can read our lectures online, submit work online, and even enroll. In business the Internet allows business to boom, as it allows online shopping so you can buy anything from a weeks food to a new bed at just a click of a button, this is more convenient for most people as it means they can shop in their own time.
Ideology of progress i do agree with as you need a process to improve our media and keep it up to date.
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I think that maybe the primary reason for releasing upgrades is more capitalist than it is for the benefit of the user. Often there are few significant differences between one version of something and the next, which come out in quick succession of one another. Often I find that the latest version of something isn't worth the money for the few benefits it offers. If they were really trying to improve the service they provide surely they would provide updates for my existing software rather than making me pay for a whole new version?
ReplyDeletec) I remember when I bought my first camera phone that had some sort of clip-on camera (don't laugh...it was really cool at the time!) and about a month later ones with intergrated camera's came out...I'm sure Sony knew this would be happening but didn't choose to wait to release it- I think we can safely say that it's not in our best interest that so many 'new' and concequently 'better' models are released of just about everything.
ReplyDeleteBut when we look at things we don't pay for upgrades on-the internet, for example, the benefits you talk about definitely seem in the users interest.
In response to Rodge:
ReplyDeleteYes. You can see why Microsoft are worried can't you. Google 'gives away' e-mail and other 'essential' software. OpenOffice is free and it's compatible with MSOffice. This stuff is paid for by advertising (and loss-leadering to loosen Microsoft's grip). It's part of 'cloud computing' which delivers software 'just-in-time' 'just for use' over the Inet, with safe storage online. The aim is to deliver computing like electricity, but wirelessly!
'Upgrading' becomes something that is just included in your overall service rental -or the initial cost of the computer/handset.
I agree with Kay about the "clip-on" camera.
ReplyDeleteIts the same with Ipods, Im sure they could have made tiny with with lots and lots of memory years ago..but they simply wait so we spend more and more money on "new" products that we "need".