Location: Tompkins Community College Date: October 7, 2005 Time: 23:43 Subject: Two senior males Major: Computer Interviewer1: You guys want to get started Interviewer2: And we're from Ithaca College Guy 1: Ok, alright, Ithaca Ok Interviewer2: And this will all be recorded, the recording wont go on the blog but our analysis of the results will. Guy 1: So we can check it out if we want? Interviewer1: Yep Guy 1: I'll be like a superstar Interviewer1: Ok so why don't you talk to us about your typical day. You wake up in the morning, what do you do? Guy 1: Well my typical morning, you sure you want to know that? I don't know, my day isn't like everybody else's day. Basically I get up, go to work, watch a little bit of the TV, see what's going on as far as media, the Hurricane Katrina. Interviewer1: So you keep yourself informed by watching the news and stuff? Guy 1: Yeah, and then I also watch, what's that? W11, that's the station in the city and it keeps me posted on what's going on in the city. And then you know, drink. I don't know if you could record that but that's my basic day and then I drink or smoke. Interviewer1: That's ok, are there any particular shows you like to watch, I know you said you like to watch the news. Guy 1: As far as like the TV show, I watch whatever is really on, I'm like universal, I watch a lot of things. If its interesting I'll watch it, if not I'll flip the channel. Interviewer1: What kind of cable package do you have? Guy 1: Digital cable. Interviewer1: Nice. Interviewer2: So do you have any one night where your committed to a show, like "Lost" or something. On Wednesday's you have to watch "Lost". Guy 1: I usually watch "All in one", what's the one with um the brothers, Keenan Ivory Wayans. Guy 2: The Wayans brothers? Guy 1: Not the one with the Wayans brothers, the other one, with the bald head. Guy 2: I don't know that. Guy 1: The one with Tisha Campbell. Guy 2: I don't know that show. Guy 1: I think its "All in one". That's what I usually watch, or I watch the movie channel, or Discovery. Interviewer1: Ok, so you have the digital cable package, do you have like a DVR or anything? Guy 1: No I don't have a DVR. I have digital cable though. I can't afford TIVO or none of that. Interviewer2: Would you have it if you could afford it? Guy 1: Yeah I would take it, I don't know if I would use it that much, pausing TV and stuff like that, sports maybe if I want to catch a play, a touch down or something. Pause it, rewind it back. Interviewer1: So for watching movies, do you have any of the premium channels? Guy 1: Yeah, I watch HBO, Cinemax, I watch stuff like that. Interviewer1: So about how many hours a day do you think... Guy 1: I watch TV? Well when I got time I could at least say two hours and sometimes I am on the internet too, cause I'm a computer major so I'm on the computer a lot. Interviewer1: Oh you're a computer major ok. So tell us what you do on the internet. Guy 1: Well sometimes I'm online and I check out, I don't be on no, ya know, looking for people or nothing like that. I go on different sites, MTV, BET.com, certain magazines .com. Just checking out the internet to see whats going on, I might be writing certain documents on there. Just regular computer stuff. Interviewer1: Ok how about music, I heard you mention MTV and BET. Guy 1: I listen to a lot of music I have like 1500 songs on my computer. Interviewer2: Wow, do you download them all? Guy 1: Yeah Guy 2: 1500! Guy 1: Yeah, that's how I throw my parties and stuff off my computer. Not legal though, I'm not going to lie. Its illegal downloading. Interviewer2: What downloader do you use? Guy 1: I use um, whats the thing? Interviewer2: Kazaa? Limwire? Guy 1: Yeah Limewire. I used to use Kazaa but it took up too much space. Interviewer2: Its bad for your computer. Guy 1: Yeah, but that's what I used to use and then I switched to Limewire, that's what I use now. I actually used.. Guy 1: Everybody switched to Limewire. Guy 1: Kazaa and ??? before I switch to Limewire. Interviewer1: Wow, so how do you play all this music, do you play it through your computer, do you have your stereo hooked up? Guy 1: Yeah I play it through my computer and have it hooked up to my stereo and I play it all through there. I don't really listen to CD's unless I burn it, like a burnt CD. I listen to all kinds of stuff. Interviewer1: Like what? Guy 1: Mostly Hip Hop and R&B but depending on what rock song, ya know I might put it on my play list, I like a little rock and roll but I'm more R&B. Interviewer1: What about the radio do you listen to that? Guy 1: Usually if I do I listen to 106.9 FM, that's like every so often cause I got my computer so it don't make no sense, I don't have time for commercials I could be listening to all none stop music on my computer and you can go on certain sites, cause I got MSN and they got their own little radio, I just listen to that nonstop music. If I do listen to it, its 106.9 and 107.9, yeah those two. Interviewer1: So would you say that your computer is primarily used as an entertainment center for you? Guy 1: To a degree, I could say at least 50% is music and 50% is work, personal stuff like that. I don't like to keep too much, I keep documents but not too much personal stuff, just in case somebody tried to tap into it. Interviewer2: Do you ever use AIM to talk to people? Guy 1: Yeah I use AOL. Interviewer2: Do you have an away message up when you leave or do you just go on and sign off? Guy 1: Sometimes I sign off and sometimes I leave one on there like 'I'm around somewhere leave a message'. And I got my email address's. I got like 2 or 3 email address's. One's for school, and one's just like for family/friends so it wont be all bunched up. Interviewer1: How about video games? Do you play video games either online or on the computer? Guy 1: Online and playstation, and Xbox. Interviewer1: Is that something that you do alone, or with other people? Guy 1: I mean, alone or with other people, it keeps me occupied, I stay out of trouble stuff like that. You could call me a game fanatic, but I'm not like I used to be when I was younger because I got so much responsibility now that I'm older. I'm not the type of person to just sit on my ass all day and play video games in my boxers. I got to get out and work and do what I do but when I'm at home I'll sit there like a crackhead all day (motions playing video games very close to the TV). All day, hours and hours and hours, but that's only when I have time though. Interviewer3: What kind of games do you play? Guy 1: I mean I got a lot of games, not to be deceiving but I like action, adventure, sports, that's like my three right there. So basically like NBA games, football games, the Tombraider, synper games, stuff like that. Interviewer2: Do usually have music going when you play the games or do you listen to the music in the game? Guy 1: Sometimes I listen to the music, sometimes I put my own music on. Cause you know video game music aint all that. Usually I just put on my own music. With my friends or with myself it don't really matter. Interviewer1: How about your cell phone, do you have one? Guy 1: No, I wish I did though. Interviewer1: Do you have a house phone? Guy 1: No Interviewer1: How do people get in touch with you? Guy 1: It's more I get in touch with you, is what it is. Unless you can get into contact with me over the computer, that's like my phone. Email me, or IM me and then I'll get back at you. Interviewer1: So that's how you stay connected then? Guy 1: Yeah basically. Interviewer1: Ok, how about cameras? Guy 1: I have a cam recorder. Interviewer1: How often do you use that? Guy 1: I mean it depends, sometimes I play with it. Its not with me up here, its in the city, but usually I use it every once in a blue moon or if we're going out to an event, or if it's friends I haven't seen in a while they'll say 'hey whats going on", stuff like that. I don't be no stalker or no unibomber, oh let me slip into here, we gonna blow this, nah. I just use it for fun, I don't really, I paid a lot of money for it, it's a necessity, so just to have it. Interviewer1: So your from the city originally? Guy 1: Yes, Harlem, born and raised. Interviewer2: How come you came here? Guy 1: School. Better learning up here than in the city. I be more focused up here than in the city, ya know. Everybody trying to leave NYC and your trying to come in, we trying to leave. Interviewer1: How about any magazines or newspapers. Do you have any subscriptions? Guy 1: I don't have no subscriptions but I read the daily news and I read the Ithaca Journal up here just to keep me posted on whats going on upstate. As far as magazines I look more for like hip hop magazines like The Source, The Vibe, Double XL. I don't get into any else, I might look at it but I wont buy it. Interviewer2: Do you buy those for music purpose then? Guy 1: Yeah it keeps me posted on what new albums is coming out and whats going on in the music world, stuff like that, ya know, music stuff, its not too bad, when I can afford it. $3.95 is a lot of money when your on a budget, but I get them when I can. I can make my little pictures, take the pictures out and put them on the wall, saves me money. Interviewer1: Cool, I think we're all set. Guy 1: That's it? Interviewer2: Do you want to talk about your media use. Guy 2: Yeah yeah. Interviewer1: Well first of all, talk to me about that because I keep seeing you playing with that thing. Guy 2: Oh this, this is a sidekick 2. It got phone, IM, internet. Interviewer2: So its all in one? Guy 2: All in one, camera. Interviewer3: Theres a camera on that? Guy 2: Yeah you know. Interviewer2: And you can hook it up to you computer? Guy 2: No, not this one, the next one, the sidekick 3 has that. Interviewer2: So how do you get the pictures? You can see them on there and is that it then? Guy 2: Yeah. Interviewer2: So you can get them printed somewhere? You can send them to your email right? Guy 2: Yeah, all I got to do is send them to my email. Interviewer2: That's crazy, who makes that? Guy 2: T mobile. Interviewer3: How long have you had that for? Guy 2: The whole summer, since the beginning of the summer. Interviewer2: So do you have a computer at home too? Guy 2: Yeah, I got a laptop but it don't have no internet connection or nothing yet. Interviewer2: Well you don't need it cause you have that. Guy 2: Well yeah, you know. Interviewer1: So what kind of music do you listen to? Guy 2: I listen to rap, R&B, old music, like the old school R&B, old dudes. I listen to all types of music, hold on. Hello, yo, let me call you back, cause I'm doing an interview right now. I'm sorry. Interviewer2: Can you listen to music out of that too? Guy 2: No the next one you can listen to music out of it. Interviewer2: So how do you listen to your music? Guy 2: Oh I got music at home, I got tons of cds, I listen to CD's. Interviewer1: Do you get CD's from other people, they burn them for you? Guy 2: Yup, I got burned CD's, I go to the bars listen to music get my drink on ya know. Interviewer2: What do you guys do when you leave the house and you want to listen to music while your walking or something. Do you have a portable cd player or an ipod? Guy 1: I got a cd player. I want to get an ipod but those is expensive. Guy 2: It might sound funny but, I listen to music in my head. Interviewer1: It doesn't sound funny. Guy 2: It doesn't sound funny? I entertain myself, ya know, if nobodys gonna do it, I might as well do it. Interviewer1: So can you download ringtones for the Sidekick and all of that? Guy 2: Yeah, I got all that. Interviewer1: What kind of ring tones do you have right now? Guy 2: What you want to listen to? The one that just rang? Interviewer2: That wasn't a song was it? Guy 2: That was a vibrator. Interviewer1: Well cause the ringtones cost money right? Guy 2: They cost a lot of money. (He plays his ring tones...) And you know I had to have this. Interviewer1: So you can just listen to the Sidekick" You don't need anything else. Guy 2: Yeah but it don't go on that long. I know you heard this ...that's Amarion, I love that song. I love this phone. Interviewer2: Do you have it with you at all times? Guy 2: Of course. Interviewer2: What about when you go to sleep? Do you turn on silent? Guy 2: Its right next to me, its on max right next to me, this is my baby right here. Interviewer3: and why is that so important for you to have. Guy 2: Cause without this no body can contact me, I cant talk online, I'll go crazy. Interviewer3: And why is that so important for you to have? Guy2: cause without this nobody can get in contact with me, I can't talk online, I'd go crazy. Interviewer1: So you talk online through that. Guy 2: Yeah Interviewer2: Can you put up away messages on that? Guy 2: Yeah, away messages, buddy lists and all of that. I got like 200 people on my list. Interviewer1: Mr. Popular Guy 2: I aint that popular, I used to be though, I aint gonna lie. For real you might catch my pictures in some of these hallways. Guy1: We used to run TC3 at one point when we lived on campus. Interviewer1 and Interviewer2: You can live here? Guy 1: Yeah campus is in the back. Interviewer2: We could not find any other building besides this one. Guy 2: Any other questions for me? Interviewer2: Yes, what about movies, both of you. Guy 2: I'm a movie freak. Interviewer2: Really, whats the last movie you saw? Guy 2: I don't know the name of it matter of fact. Interviewer2: Was it at the theatre? Guy 2: No, no no Interviewer2: Do you rent more than you go to the theatre? Guy 2: I don't rent, I buy the movies, or I get them boot leg. I'm from the city too, I'm from the Bronx though and in the city you wouldn't believe what you can get out there. Interviewer2: Are they good copies? Guy 2: Great copies, exactly the same. I can show you. Interviewer3: So how many movies would you say you have on DVD? Guy 2: I have a lot, I got over 30. Guy 1: I think I have about that too. Guy 2: I don't know though because a lot of my CD's they get missing, let somebody hold them and all this. I got movie DVD's, I got fighting DVD's. Interviewer1: Their all categorized? Guy 1: Yeah, its all kinds of DVD's. I have regular movies, I have hip hop DVD's where there's certain neighborhoods showing different artists and where they grew up. And you got the ones with the girl fights and the dudes beating each other up in the street and stuff. Guy 2: I like karate movies though. Japanese movies and all that, I got this one Japanese movie and the storyline is great. I think you would cry, you would all cry. Guy 1: Is that the one where they be talking like this (mouths fast talking over slow dialect) Interviewer1: Its all dubbed over. Guy 1: The tape is saying one thing but their mouth is saying another. Interviewer2: My old roommate was really into that. Guy 2: I'm serious I got "Drunken Master", "Snake and a Monkey", I got mad stuff. I be sitting there watching that stuff. Interviewer3: Ok so if your not gonna watch a movie, do you have HBO and all that with digital cable. Guy 2: I don't got no cable, that's why I be watching movies all the time, movie night is every night. I be going over to peoples houses, my man got a big TV. Interviewer1: How big is your TV? Guy 1: I got a 20 inch. I want to try and upgrade it but its expensive. I want to go to rentway but they trying to charge you out your ass. Cause you know you gotta pay weekly but by the time you pay it all your damn near broke and you could have bought 2 or 3 big screen TV's. They want a certain amount of money per month but when you finish your payments you've spent about 2 or 3 thousand dollars and you realize damn I could have went to Best Buy and got 2 big screened TV's and still have money left over. I just chill with my 20 inch. Guy 2: I watch mostly sports though. Interviewer2: Do you play video games? Guy 2: Yeah I play video games, PS2. Grand Theft. I go crazy over Grand Theft. Guy 1: Im waiting for PS3 and Xbox 350 to come out so I can go get that. Interviewer3: You guys are big with the video games, you like them a lot? Guy 1: Yeah I do Interviewer2: Do you play with friends? Guy 2: Yeah but sometimes I don't like to play with people because I don't be that good so I don't want them to whoop my ass, I don't want them to beat me because I'm a sore loser. Interviewer3: So how many hours a day do you guys play or is it not really every day. Guy 2: Its like when your bored and you got nothing to do. Guy 1: Bored and off work. Guy 2: Chillin, nobodys calling your phone and your like 'I'm gonna play video games'. Interviewer3: So usually by yourself, not with other people. Guy 2: No I live with my brother and my best friend, sometimes I'm by myself and sometimes I'm not. But if I'm by myself most likely I'm watching a movie or playing video games. Interviewer2: And when you guys get together say before you go to the bar or something and your all drinking or eating, what kind of media is on then. Guy 2: It depends because if theres females there everybody is just talking with some females. If there aint no females there, there is music. But the music is usually tuned out you don't really hear the music but if you hear a hot verse come on you be like 'oh!' Interviewer2: But would it be weird to have no music? Guy 2: It wouldn't be weird. Guy 1: It depends on how the scene is, if you don't got boring people then you aint gonna be bored. Guy 2: Like our people, we'll sit down and talk about a lot of stuff, whats going on in society and all that, what we agree with and what we disagree with, sports, and the next thing you know the conversation jumps to girls and then the conversation jumps to dudes, the conversation keeps jumping. Interviewer1: So your not really listening to anything that's happening in the background, its just there. Interviewer1: Do you subscribe to any magazines? Guy 2: Nah, "Slam" the "Source" and "Double XL" is the only thing I'm messing with right now. Interviewer1: But then again you can just read it online right? Guy 2: Yeah but I don't really read magazines like that.