Describe New Media

In a simple definition, new media is the new tools to broadcasting or communicating around the world.

The following are examples of new media:
Online Videos (examples: YouTube, Mega Videos, Hulu, etc.)

Social Networking Websites (examples: Face book, Twitter, Linked In)

Instant Communication Tools (examples: Aims, Messenger, etc.)

Blogging Website: (examples: Blogger and Word press)

Pictures (examples: Flicker, Photo Bucket, etc)

How do we distinguish “new” from “old”?
There are two ways to distinguish “new” form “old”

The first one is: being replaced and doing replace
Nowadays, new media is continuously replacing the old one. For instance, online video gradually kicks Television set and cable out of the market. Most of time, people will prefer to watch videos (includes dramas, films and shows) online by using computer rather than to watch a TV show at a specific time in front of the TV. This example shows how new media is replacing old media. (HOLSON, 2008)

From the example above, it also tells us how to distinguish “new” media from “old” one. That is when people start to use another media to perform the same function as the media that people used to use, the media people used to use becomes the old media, and the media ,that replaced the “used to” media, becomes mew media.

The second one is: the environment of using media
In order to use old media, people have to make sure themselves have a certain time available and are able to arrive at the specific location by using a special device.

In other hand, new media are usable at anytime, anywhere and by using some convenience and portable devices.

For example, when people want to watch “Sex and the City”, they have to be available in front of TV at a specific time and place. This is the traditional (or old) way that people used to watch this drama. However, with new media (i.e. Internet), people can use iPhone to watch the drama on YouTube at anytime or anywhere by saving the videos in iPhone or using public wireless Internet.

Citation:
Holson, Laura M. December 3rd 2008. Retrieved on September 14, 2010  http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/04/technology/personaltech/04basics.html?_r=1&emc=eta1