Journal 5

o What was the telecom product/service?
Online chat services using the internet and personal computers, such as Yahoo Chat!

o How were you directly or indirectly impacted by the product/service?
I was directly affected while using Yahoo Chat! because I was interacting with my class members. My class members were also affected because they were debating with me and the other members

o Did you/others/society benefit from the use? If so, how?
I think society benefits from the use of Yahoo Chat! because it is an inexpensive way to communicate. It is also an alternative to talking over the phone or writing letters. I think that many people do not use the service due to the lack of knowledge about the service and/or the internet.

There are some cases in which Yahoo Chat! can be negative, such as not knowing who exactly you are talking to in some cases and at times the communication can seem less personal because you don't have a personal connection with them, their aren't any non-verbal cues (other than smily faces), ect.

o Did problems arise because of the telecom product/service?
I felt like the debate was a little in favor of our team because we were able to lead the debate into our own points and it was difficult to debate with the time limit and the amount of information. It was hard to make all the points we wanted to because we couldn't debate each point in entirety. I also didn't feel like it was a debate because we had so little time and the paragraphs were so big. You also can't be as emotionally connected to the debate when you are typing your thoughts.

o How was your communication/information exchange facilitated or hindered by the product/service?
The communication was hindered by the use of a chat program. I don't think we (the students) have the same type of relationships during an online class as we would have in a in-class situation. It also takes time to contact each of the members to communicate and get papers done. Overall, I think chat services hinder communication compared to facilitating communication.

o Did your communication pattern/style change when the product/service was used? In what way?
I think my communication pattern changes because I have to be more explicit when I make statements and I have to make sure my thought comes across correctly. I also can't tell when people are kidding or being serious, without the addition of a smiley face. Otherwise, I don't use short hand, that often, so I don't think I communicate differently in that aspect.