Entertainment

This is possibly the broadest section within 'Online Services'. Mostly preferred to as everyone wants to be entertained, if you weren't you would feel bored and have a low sanity level! some of the major hits within electronic entertainment have been the likes of 'YouTube' & 'Call of Duty (COD)'.

To date there are approximately 117million online gamers with this on the increase 24/7... With such an enormous figure almost every household would have a games console/PC. And to date YouTube there are almost 510 million views on Jeniffer Lopez's new single 'On The Floor (Ft. Pitbull)'.



Jlo Picture taken from Goolge Images



And although Steve Jobs has passed away Apple are still increasing with popularity and well thought products... there is now an App for literally everything! From how to cook a bakewell tart to managing your bank account/accounts!


YouTube

YouTube logo



YouTube is an infamous video sharing website, actually its the largest in the world! With around 51 languages to choose from too. It was created in Febuary 14th 2005 by, Chad Hurley/Steve Chen/Jawed Karim. YouTube actually makes most of its revenue through Google Adsense, this allows thier free space to be used to advertise say the new D&G aftershave for men.

Advantages of YouTube:

• You can upload any video
• All formats are supported
• You can watch what you want to watch
• You are able to access the site at any time
• You can make money from this site by 'Monetizing'
• Movies/TV episodes are avaliable

Disadvantages:

• People can upload replicas this can be fustrating
• Your only allowed to upload 15minutes worth of video unless your a senoir YouTube user
• Advertisments can be a bit annoying at times



In my own expirence, I always use YouTube to check out my favourite artists music videos, I also use it to catch up with some TV that I may of missed. I also have a friend who makes videos around the technology/gaming side and get paid for it! Although it may not be much he is getting paid for something he enjoys. I was thinking of creating my own YouTube to promote Kent artists by making music videos for them and putting them up on YouTube for all to see!



4oD

4oD logo

4oD is a service that allows the user to catch up with TV from channel 4. what makes it unique is that unlike BBC iPlayer, 40D is just for channel 4, no one else. 4oD also make their money via monetizing just like YouTube do. This way, fans who have missed their TV channel can view it on 4oD and they will also make some money out of it too.

Advantages:

• Can catch up with channel 4 programs whenever you want
• It's free to do
• Most channel 4 episodes are up to view

Disadvantages:

• On YouTube you can view everything, on 4oD your restricted to channel 4 programs only
• Adverts can be off putting
• Some people have complained about the layout of the site
• There are better sites at times to watch specific stuff

In my own experience I have used 4oD and I did find it easy to use, however, I did feel that the adverts lingered more than other sites adverts would go on for but that was 4oD for me. Without being to hard on critizing it, I would be more likely to use sites like YouTube and BBC iPlayer to view/catch up with my TV programs. However for what 4oD is and for what it is I would say that this service is very good but it very restricted.

4oD printscreen taken from Google Images

RPGs

WOW logo

RPG other wise known as a role playing game, a good example for this would be WOW (World of Warcraft) this an online game created by Blizzard, WOW currently has 10.3 million subscribers. It is actually the largest online game in the world at the moment which is a massive achievement. WOW is also viewed as a 'MMORPG' this is a game that is secured by a server leaching out to all its users.

Within the game you can choose a character, then on you explore the WOW universe making friends joining groups and leveling up to become the most notorious character. Along the way there are challenges, imaginary weapons/animals to collect, and lots more!

Advantages of a RPG:

• Great gaming experience 
• Can create a lot of imagery stuff 
• Meet new people
• Play against people globally 
• Enter championship ranks to earn some money from it

Disadvantages:

• Can be time wasting
• RPGs are all very similar so they can get boring after a while 
• Gaming has been statistically proven to be unhealthy 
• If it's online it could get laggy at times

In my own experience I only played one RPG from what I played I liked it, but I knew that if I got it I would have to spend a lot of time on the game to actually enjoy it... other than that I used to play a lot of games when I was younger, these days I've seemed to of grown out of that stage and focused on more better/beneficial things like sports/mates/school grades. 

WOW random game play print screen taken from Google Images

I do have a few mates who are still drawn into these games., and to be truthful they get obsessed, and all they want to do is play more and more, for example, kids skive school to play the latest game out! I just don't see the point, but that is just my own opinion, and of course there will be people out there that will argue against my views.