Internet as the Primary Source of News

More and more Americans prefer to get their news from the Internet rather than the more traditional sources including television, radio and newspaper. Demand shows significant increase during the occurrence of highly relevant stories such as the Presidential Election and the Iraq war. Dependence on the Internet as a news source for world events is very evident on the workplace primarily because of the ease of access and practicality aspect.

It is interesting to note that Americans categorized as belonging to the wealthy, educated and influential group are coming out to be the ones who rely most on Internet usage for their news requirement. It would not be so far fetched to say that this reliance would also include the other economic groups in the near future as well. Users of Internet news sites in general, show tremendous consistency in their practice of informing themselves with the latest in news. Studies that have been conducted show that users tend to remain Internet users once the switch from other sources is initiated.

The Largest Internet-Usage Population

China’s human population has long been known to be large but recent research has proven that a specific group of its population is deemed to be the world’s largest. This is China’s population of Internet users. China managed to outrank United States after its Internet use experienced explosive growth in spite of serious government efforts against pornographic and subversive materials available in the Internet.

The fact that PCs and Internet access has become increasingly affordable is a large contributory factor to the medium’s phenomenal popularity. Consumers who already have so much choices and alternatives at their disposal see unlimited personal and business opportunity as offerings found on the Internet continue to diversify. China is expected to maintain the lead as lifestyle change gears towards mobility. There is a marked increase in the percentage of the online population of China who access the Internet through the use of their mobile phones. This is not so surprising since the Internet has become an important element of doing business in the same manner as that of mobile phones.

Capturing Motion

The motion capture technology is being used to produce movements that are so fluidly human in animation films. Courtesy of a fiber optic suit that has long strips of tubes that is snaked around the body and fastened at several key points, computer software tracks the fiber optics and every movement is digitized in real time and brought to life with 3D animation. The suit can also be used to improve athlete’s games and in physical therapy for both humans and animals.

The technology actually boils down to the simple principle of recording how light bends. While animation in older films necessitated the use of dozens of cameras and filming from all angles, cameras can now be replaced with a suit to move animation into the future.

The Cybergnats

The fast-evolving digital business has spawned the cybergnats phenomenon which is one strategy to survive the fluctuating business cycle. Cybergnats are companies that do special effects on a very small scale and with a staff as small as two to twelve people. They have become a critical part of the industry as they lend flexibility and control over costs.

The secret of these companies in surviving the ups and downs of the production market lies in the use of powerful and affordable technology while being careful to stay lean. Having just the equipment and the people needed instead of million dollar computers sitting in air conditioned rooms ensures that overhead remains manageable.