Old VS. New

The best way to distinguish new and old media is the medium used to convey information. New media usually uses advanced technology and the internet to put information out there. It makes information accessible. Take for example the cell phones such as the trendy iPhone. Someone with that phone has to simply go on the web and visit any site containing lastest news. Or that may not even be necessary. You can have an application for a newspaper like the New York Times has for the Blackberry and go straight to the site. For PCs, downloading Google Desktop allows you customize the type of information alerts you want. On the sidebar, you can have stock information, the lastest news, weather updates and more. This way, information comes to you! As opposed to the old media method, information isn’t at your finger tips. For example, a student doing research on the constellations would have to go to the library and look up astronomy books or use an astronomy textbook and browse through it for the information needed. Now, doesn’t this seem more time consuming as opposed to going online, logging on the Newman Library databases, enter the proper criteria and start reading?
The latter is an easier and faster method of obtaining information. And, it’s also a time saver. We live in an age where that saying “Time is money” is definitely applicable. For instance, not having the newest information on a stock at a timely manner can either make or break an investment.

With new media, there is an ease with dispersion of information that is very useful with businesses and individuals. For example, in the article title “An Internal Wiki That’s Not Classified,” it spoke about the handiness of a wiki named Diplopedia, which is open to any one who works in the State Department. Diplopedia allows State Department workers to contribute information needed by users such as Ambassador Ronald P. Spogli, who reads biographies on it often. Using old media wouldn’t be easy or quick. For example, information on newspapers and magazines have to be printed on paper, delivered to distributors and then sold to readers to have information reach people.