The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The internet definitely has improved our communication and connection with others. We can now be connected to people who are over a distance and even strangers.

Source: http://www.phpbb.com/

Internet forums, such as phpBB, are the basic platform for people to share knowledge and experiences. We can post our question or whatever we want to share online, common known as a “thread”, and wait for other guests to help us or to give their feedback.

Source: http://www.hku.hk/

However, these new collaborative tools also have their constraints and restrictions. For example, it is not a common practice, rather a taboo, to use them in working environment. Let’s take my company as an example. All of our documents are classified as confidential. Thus, we cannot post or even use personal emails for communication or sending attachments since there is no 100% guaranteed security system on the internet. Everyone could have a chance to get hold of everything that was sent via the internet. For example, the software “Foxy” was meant to let people share their files. If I wanted to download the latest Lady GaGa Single, all I have to do is to search via Foxy. The software will search those’ computers who have installed it then I could download the Single from their hard disc. However, there were numerous incidents that even the government’s confidential documents were exposed.

Everything has its affordances and constraints. However, whether it is an affordance or a constraint, it completely depends on how we use them and if we use it wisely.