I think the idea of a reputation system is very interesting. However, there are also some flaws with it. For the sake of this post, I will us EBay as the example because I am most familiar with it. As someone who uses EBay on a somewhat regular basis to buy such a wide variety of things, a user's reputation may be the determination of whether or not they can even make a purchase. When I first started on EBay in middle school, the scope of products that were available was not nearly as large as it is today. One problem that I had though was buying my first item. I is not an uncommon occurrence to see no zero or negative feedback bidders posted in the item description. If this is the case, how does one get their first feedback without buying an item? That being said, it seems very cool that in a system where millions of people are "connected" to each other and have never met, that they can have some knowledge about what type of person this is and whether or not to do business with them. This is similar to the effect that blogging can have on businesses. If people post positive feedback, then consumers might be more inclined to proceed with their business. The reverse is also true.

Self-Regulation

I think that his weeks reading has a few interesting points. Most interestingly though is the idea that "blogs can be an equalizing force when dealing with media criticism. It is fantastic because blogging is a self-regulating media." I think that this is important because it is a new way in the face of negative media to spin the public opinion if your favor. In the past, what ways did an organization have to change the public perception in light of negative press? Imagine if George Bush had powerful enough blogs that could change the public perception of him? :-) That would really prove Lutz's point about the benefits of blogs .

Microsoft

The "Conversations" reading was interesting in the way in which it showed how people use blogs for different reasons. In this case, Microsoft was discussed. XML Team Program Manager Joshua Allen decided that he could use blogging as a way to alter the perception of the public regarding Microsoft; he said that "we'd show that we were real people, not the Borg." This apparently was all in an effort to get more employees to follow suit. I think that this was an important move because people seemed to want to know that there were real people working there, and what better way to show it then blogging.

Before this class, I had heard of the term "blogging," but I really had no idea what that meant. Having made a concerted effort to read some blogs (both related and unrelated to IT) people have some very interesting things (and some really stupid things) to say. A man named Leroy Sievers who has been fighting cancer and according to the doctors is supposed to already be dead, takes time out each day to post a blog. To me, this blog is interesting because it is insights from a man that knows that each day could be his last. ( http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5563178 This one is about the rescue squad where I work. He is coming to do another ride-along with us this weekend which is very exciting having read his blog and understanding how significant it was to him last time. ) Another blog that I also enjoyed reading was one I found through my professors website. This is interesting because I think that many people don't realize that teachers/professors are real people (not "Borgs") and have lives. This blog gave me insight into the life of a man that I see for an hour and a half twice a week. It also gave me some tips about what he likes and dislikes from students.
(www.greggivers.com click on blog at the top once you open this page)

Public Goods

The "Mobs" reading discusses public goods. It is defined in the book as "a resource from which all may benefit, regardless of whether they help create it." This seems to be an important idea, particularly into today's day of online social networking. In the past this idea related primarily to public TV, parks, and other general public goods. Today it can relate to ones business, social life, etc. The idea that so many people can be connected through one technology (again the six degrees argument) is rather mind-boggling. However, trends in technology don't seem to last long enough before something is considered obsolete. So once these technologies that we use on a daily basis for social networking, business, and many other things becomes obsolete, through what medium are we able to manage those contacts? As with any free technology "free riding seriously threatens their continued sustainability."