The Internet Culture in Virtual Reality by Castells

As a tool of communication and technology sharing, the Internet has become a powerful force that is difficult to control. According to Castells the Internet has become the center for libertarian values of privacy, freedom, and openness. Castells believes that the interaction between four types of cultures resulted in this: the ‘techno-meritocratic’ culture, the ‘hacker ethic’, the ‘virtual communitarians’, and the entrepreneurs. The author believes that with time the flexibility of the Internet will be used in commercial interests to change the culture of openness of the Internet into the culture of control.

Castells in the chapter “Virtual Communities or Network Society” reflects on how the internet has changed the way people communicate with each other. The author speaks about how most people’s social interactions increase, rather than decrease, which is the general opinion of the internet. A major criticism against the communication through the Internet is that there is little time for communication in a real time. According to Castells’ studies this fact is wrong and he rejects it. Then the author mentions such a notion as ‘networked individualism’. This means that people build their networks on their own interest. In other words, the author points out that nowadays the society is no longer organized according to the geographical location but on the choice that a person makes via the Internet.

Castells reflects on the connection between the iIternet and the government, on civil society, democracy in the society in the chapter “The Politics of the Internet: Computer Networks, Civil Society, and the State”. The author brings up such aspect of the relation between government and the Internet as China. In this chapter he tells about a new version of the search engine made specially for China by Google. Besides, the chapter discusses the role of the government in the aspect of absolute freedom in communication.

When developed countries with technological infrastructures were joining the internet, developing countries began to experience a Digital divide separating them from the Internet. China went on to make its first global Internet connection in 1994, between the Beijing Electro-Spectrometer Collaboration and Stanford University’s Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. In the chapter “The Digital Divide in a Global Perspective” Castells gives a detailed analysis of the usage of the Internet all over the world. Then the author examines the connection of the digital divide and the Internet. According to Castells’ research, connectivity is an obligatory element of economic development and the netiquette is the code of effective communication via the Internet.

Free Dog And Puppy Games Taking Steps Towards Virtual Reality

Some of us may have already noticed the surge in free dog and puppy games available to play online. Arcade websites have been featuring all sorts of dog games portraying puppies and dogs as the main characters in the adventure. Their popularity has grown to such an extent, that a simple search in Google for the term dog games will return over fifty million results. The themes in these games vary from veterinarian clinics, pet care center and fashion salons, where children can play dress up games with their favorite pet. However, a special kind of theme sets itself apart, while catching the eye of technology enthusiasts like me. A new concept in free dog games places the player in control of a virtual room or house, with the sole objective of caring for the dog or puppy inside.

Free dog games in which the player’s only objective is to care for the pet are called pet caring games. The player starts off in a virtual room, inside a house, with a list of actions and items at his disposal. For example, he would need to click on the bowl, and place it somewhere in the floor in order to feed the dog. Other actions include voice commands in the form of praise or reprimand, pretty much the same way they are used by dog trainers. To help gamers get the ball rolling, there is usually an icon in the corner of the screen advising on the situation and making recommendations for actions to take. For example, the image may alert you that the dog is hungry, or thirsty. You might also be advised of the animal’s wrong doing, and that he needs to be corrected.

In any event, these online free dog games aim to encourage children and adults alike into getting their feet wet in terms of caring for a dog at home. In the same way young, want to be mothers take a doll home that can scream, cry and mess their pants, these virtual dog games attempt to do the same thing for a pet at home. Thus, the use of virtual reality is essential. The better the realism aspect of the game is, the more entertaining it will be for gamers. Nowadays, we are only enjoying the rudimentary stages of virtual reality, as it is being used in free dog games online. The use of detailed graphics as a tool is very helpful. Background artwork and character images can be made to look very real. Although most of the 3D artwork and high resolution graphics are limited to console versions, ever increasing Internet speeds and processor prices are sure to bring some improvement to the home Internet user.

Sound scores also add realism to free dog games online. With the use of stereo speakers hooked up to your computer, you are sure to hear a real dog barking while playing the game. All these features which add realism to dog games are only in the beginning stages. However, in dog caring games the only way to improve on the experience of game play is by adding realism, and with new technology advances being implemented day by day, we are sure to see improvements in this area as well.