What’s it all about?
The web. How did it start? Where is it going? How do I stop my email being used by Latvian organised crime? Why is it covered in cats with terrible grammar? And where do they come from?
This class touches on the origins of the network and the progenitors of contemporary online culture. It will provide context for many of the major players in the current online ecosystem, as well as an overview of the underlying technologies and platforms. This will feed into a better understanding of ‘best-practice’ activity surrounding security and identity-protection – showing you how to roam further, and stay safer, online.
Oh, and we’ll explain where all those cats come from.
What will we cover?
We will start with a brief history of the internet, what it has become and where it is likely to go. Then we will take a look at some of the communities and services available online. We will discuss music and video piracy online and show you what to do and what not to do to watch and listen to what you want. Finally we will discuss the growing area of online education. Some of this is subject to change. We will attempt to prepare enough material so that there is some flexibility in the proceedings.
Who will be teaching?
Lucas Rutten is a former physics nerd from Monash Uni who is now studying law at Melbourne Uni. He has taken an interest in Cyber law and Intellectual Property law and generally wants to see more widespread use of the internet for education and innovation.
Tom Morgan is a PhD candidate in Architecture at Monash University. He has an interest in the connections between urban and virtual societies, and the potentials embodied in a rapidly cybridised world.