Sunday, January 25

Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC)

What is CMC? Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) is the process by which people create, exchange, and perceive information using networked telecommunications systems (or non-networked computers) that facilitate encoding, transmitting, and decoding messages (http://www.december.com/john/study/cmc/what.html).
MSN, Yahoo Messenger, Face Book, Friendster. Those mentioned are just few of the popular CMC channels through the internet. It is conveniently available to any internet users mainly for communication purposes.
Chatrooms or chat windows is where the users communicate at most times. Basically, all we need to do is just type and press ‘Enter’ to deliver whatever is to be said. Take a moment to ponder, is it easier to ‘voice out’ your opinions or feelings through chats or doing them in real life?
In my own personal opinion, I think it is easier to ‘voice out’ through these CMC channels. Given a scenario, should I am to confess my feelings to one of my female groupie Jenna Dy, it would be SOOO much more easier doing it over the MSN chats or by sending her a SMS with text showing ‘ I LOVE YOU JENNA!!’ compared with me having to do it face to face or through the phone. “P/s : it’s just an example. No offence Jenna :)).”
HOWEVER, this is a very subjective matter. Generally it seems, confessing through CMC channels MIGHT appear improper in a sense that it lacks sincerity or being less romantic compared to doing it face to face or through the phone.
Sometimes, CMC channels can be misused. For example sending HOAX smses to the police station stating there is a BOMB in the building. Another commonly misused example would be those that are misusing it for fake identity through the internet. For example introducing HIMself as a FEMALE in a chatroom hence deceiving certain people to do indecent things such as stripping over the web cam and then blackmailing the victim.
In short, it is undeniable that CMC has ‘intruded’ into everyone’s daily lives. It is best to use it in proper ways and with etiquettes.

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