The Network Society by Jan Van Dijk

2.3 New Media Characteristics
According to Van Dijk, the New Media is defined by its characteristics of integration, interactivity, and digital code - elaborate on this definition.

In his text, The Network Society, Jan Van Dijk explains how the New Media is defined by its characteristics of integration, interactivity and digital code. In the following piece I will be elaborating on this definition as well as the characteristics involved. The only sources I used in constructing this piece were the text itself and any notes taken during class.

1. Integration
The first characteristic that Van Dijk claims the New Media is based on is that of integration. He proposes the idea that the most important structural new media characteristic is the integration of telecommunications, data communications and mass communications in a single medium. He calls the process convergence and because of this new media is often called multimedia. There are 5 levels in which integration can take place. These are:
1. infrastructure
2. transportation
3. management
4. services
5. types of data

Integration eventually leads to the merging of telecommunications, data communications and mass communications. These all create multifunctional, high speed networks that were once called electronic superhighways but nowadays go by the name broadband. Integration is enabled by two techniques;
1. Full digitalization of all media
2. Broadband transmission through all connections by cable and by air.



2. Interactivity
The next characteristic that Van Dijk claims the new media is based on is interactivity. Interactivity is generally defined as being a sequence of action and reaction. Van Dijk puts forward an alternative definition in his text which operates at four accumulative levels; space dimension, time dimension, behavioural dimension and mental dimension.
· Space Dimension: is the most elementary level of interactivity. It is the possibility of establishing two sided or multilateral communication.
· Time Dimension: this deals with the degree of synchronicity. An uninterrupted sequence of action and reaction usually improves the quality of interaction. However interactive media such as email are used for their lack of synchronicity. Sending and receiving emails can be done at self-chosen times and places, and one is allowed to think longer about a reply.
· Behavioural Dimension: this is defined as the ability of the sender and the receiver to switch roles at any moment. It is about the control over the events in the process of interaction. At this level interactivity means that the user is able to intervene into the program itself and make a difference.
· Mental Dimension: Van Dijk considers this to be the highest level of interactivity. It is acting and reacting with an understanding of meanings and contexts by all interactors involved. It is a necessary condition for full interactivity in physical conversation and computer-mediated communication.



3. Digital Code

Digital code is a technical media characteristic only defining the form of new media operations. It means that in using computer technology, every item of information and communication can be transformed and transmitted in the form of strings of ones and zeros called bytes, with every single 1 or 0 being a bit. It is an artificial code that that replaces the natural codes of the analogue creation and transmission of items of information and communication. The formation of digital code involves cutting into pieces a number of undivided analogue items and then recombining them in a digitized form. There are many effects of the use of digital code but the most important ones are;
1. The increase in the quantity of items of information and communication: this makes their production, recording and distribution much easier.
2. The transformation from linear to hypertext media: this is the break up of the traditional linear order of large units of information and communication in such a way that they can be transformed into hyperlinks of items liable to be perceived or processed in the order that the reader, viewer or listener wants.