I’m back! My week away flew by and before I knew it I was back home again! Greeting me practically at the doorstep was my computer. 20 new e-mails, hundreds of RSS feeds, and 2 classes to catch up on, I just about walked back out my door. I’m feeling the pressure now, with only a week and a half to go I am swamped. Time for some serious catching up! Starting with reflections on my digital life and copyright laws.
Personally, over the years I have grown more and more cautious of what I post online. During my high-school days I was much more naive to the concepts of online predators and cyber bulling. Posting my picture, talking on ICQ or MSN, pretending to be someone i’m not, etc. were not foreign concepts to me. It is only recently that I have began to take more precautions and use more common sense with regards to my online actions. I haven’t even signed up for a facebook account! With that said, it is obvious to me that my digital life has been spiraling downhill over the past couple years, while many others have been doing the opposite. However, with that in mind, one can’t erase the past. Everything that I have posted online will always be there one way or another. Someone will always have that picture no matter how many times you delete it. That is one of the frightening things about online activity, sometimes there is no escape! Here is a link to a thought provoking video, which describes the power of thinking before you post perfectly: Think Before You Post
As far as copyright laws are concerned, i’m not sure what to say. I will admit, I am one of those people who download music from Limewire, and TV shows from Pirates Bay. I can’t even remember the last time I bought a CD, but I know I burnt one a couple weeks ago. So the debate continues: Am I stealing? I could write a whole book on the pros and cons of this question and still not reach an answer, therefore, I am not about to start even trying to answer my own question. A classmate of mine discussed this exact issue on his blog and I believe he gave it great justification, while at the same time supporting both sides of the debate.
Sometimes copyright comes down to personal preference. I know when I post pictures, webquests, etc. online that I don’t mind other people using them as a resource. It actually makes me feel good to know that I have helped someone else out. That is the great thing about creative commons. I love that it allows you to copyright your work, yet share it with others, all within your own control! Check out this video for further information: Creative Commons
As you can see I have yet to figure out how to display a video directly on my blog. If anyone can help me I would appreciate it! In the meantime, I will continue to try and figure it out!