May 2007 Archives
As recent graduates, several of Hung Truong's classmates will be headed for typical next steps in their technology careers: working as programmers or pursuing master's degrees in computer science.
But the 23-year-old, who received his undergraduate degree from the University of New Mexico, instead plans to study the growth of social-networking sites like Facebook and why unpaid volunteers spend time fixing incorrect Wikipedia entries. He enrolls this fall in a new graduate program in social computing at the University of Michigan.
Michigan's program clinched his decision to attend that school. Social computing "has more of a focus on real-life applications, whereas [computer science] is very broad and more ambiguous," he said. "I do think there's a growing interest from students, myself included, and the universities seem to be responding to that."
After years of worrying about how much time freshmen spend on Facebook, schools are incorporating the study of social networking, online communities and user-contributed content into new curricula on social computing. The moves, like other academic expansions into fields like videogame design, are part of an effort to keep technology studies relevant to students' lives - and to tap subjects with entrepreneurial momentum. Yahoo Inc. and Microsoft Corp. are among the tech companies that have invested in schools' social computing programs.
The programs tend to draw as much from the sociology, psychology and communications departments as they do from more traditional computer science classes.
Hundreds Enter, but Some Complain Winners Are Often Pros Seeking Exposure, Not Loyal Listeners
Time was, interacting with a favorite band didn't go much beyond joining a fan club and singing along, lighter or cellphone outstretched, at a concert. Now, artists are asking listeners to shoot their next music video.
Several popular acts, including established artists like Björk and the Red Hot Chili Peppers as well as indie bands like the Decemberists, are holding video-making contests to coincide with the release of their latest albums. Even Ozzy Osbourne will invite fans to create the video for his single "I Don't Wanna Stop" later this month. Prizes range from cash and computers to having your creation distributed as the band's "official" video.
Record labels hail the competitions as a way to tap into the growing interest in user-generated content, and connect with their most passionate fans. While music videos are no longer a central part of the programming on MTV and VH1, they've enjoyed a resurgence in popularity thanks to sites like YouTube and MySpace. But the contests are alienating some listeners, who gripe that winners tend to be highly skilled video producers looking to gain attention, and aren't always die-hard fans.
See samples of music videos fans have entered into contests. The videos range from amateur efforts produced by high school students to entries from professional videographers.
