M1: Compare and contrast the use of different platforms

A platform is a way of engaging with created content which can be used either on or offline. Different types of platforms will be used in different ways depending on the content which is going to be shared to other users of the platform. 

For example, if an engineering company was to produce information to show their audience what that company does the best media platform to use would be a webpage. This is because a webpage is accessible for everyone in the world as on a webpage you are able to change the language and settings to make it suitable for everyone, no matter if they have a disability. By using a webpage you can also access these pages on many different devices instead of only being able to look at the website on one device, this means that it will be easier to find out information and interact on the web as you don't have to have one certain device to view it, this makes it accessible to a larger audience. However, by using a webpage it means you have to access the internet, you will need a server to do so, but this can be expensive in the long run. If you don't have access to the internet it means that the information on the web won't load and can't be accessed. 

On the other hand, another platform which can be used to show content is a blog. An advantage on using this platform is that in enables people who view your blog to comment and share the content in which you choose to share. This means that you can also connect with new people and can learn different things by also looking at someone else's blog. Although, by being able to comment and share different posts it gives the opportunity for online trolling and cyberbullying, which can cause negative effects in peoples lives, not just who's post the comment is shown on. Blogging can also be time consuming as they are mainly text based and can be boring thing to write as well as not looking as inviting as another use of platform e.g apps. 

Another use of platform is an app, this allows people to get a direct message from the app updating you with latest information via a notification. Apps such as snapchat are also a way to communicate with friends and families, which is a benefit to using an app as it means you can get notified every time someone messages you, meaning you always know when someone is trying to contact you. A disadvantage in using an app is it is inconvenient because the file to download can be large, which will take up storage on your device, especially if the app has a lot of content to it. It also costs to develop an app meaning in the long run it will become very expensive for the company, in order to keep the app updated and still an app which is fast to use, not outdated and easily accessible. 

Platforms such as a CD or a DVD can also be used to share content with anyone around the world. A positive to using this platform, which is on a disk, is that you don’t have to download data onto the device in which you are viewing the content on. This means that it doesn’t take up storage as you won’t have to download, therefore won’t take up room on your device. However, a negative side to using a platform, which has a disk, is that the disk may get scratched or broken, this will mean that user wont be able to view the content which is on the disk, if this is the case, then the disk wont be worth the money as it can be broken, especially with younger children. To use a disk you will also need to purchase/have a DVD/CD player, but these are outdated and may be harder to find and come become more expensive that another platform. 

A kiosk is a use of platform which is more modern. An advantage of using an information kiosk is that its fixed information and cant be changed by anyone who is using it, this will mean that the content which the public is accessing is correct and will be easy to understand. A kiosk also doesn’t require the internet, this means that they are accessible to anyone, whether they can afford to use the internet or not. You normally find a kiosk in a busy shopping centre, such as Meadowhall, but the internet it these places seem to be poor, therefore a kiosk would be the best platform to use. But, to an older audience a kiosk can be confusing and the functions can be harder to understand and they can have difficulty using a touchscreen device. As a kiosk is a more modern device they can be quite expensive to put into places such as shopping centres, at first, but if the kiosk is there for many years then the cost will be worth it in the long run.

An example of another platform is an interactive television. These are a more modern way of accessing content, and are mainly used by people who are middle aged people and younger. A benefit of using this platform is that it is guaranteed to connect to the big TV, whist being able to download apps and watch things such as Netflix or YouTube on the TV. Although, if you don’t have access to the internet the apps on the TV wont be able to be used, meaning the TV wont be able to used to its full potential. Not only is it expensive to by the TV, if you are wanting to use all the features of the TV it will become costly as you will need a server to then access the internet.

You can also use a mobile device as a platform. This includes using phones, tablets and laptops. A positive to using a mobile device is that it is portable and can be taken and sued anywhere. This means that it is easier to connect and communicate with anyone in the world and have access to modern, new realised apps. However, using and purchasing mobile devices can be expensive and if you are not going to use the device frequently then it will be a waste of money and not worth the investment. As majority of devices are touchscreen this can be confusing for an older audience as if the device doesn’t work first time when touching it, then it can become very stressful and not worth the hassle.

Overall, I believe that the best platform to use, which is accessible to majority of the audiences is a webpage. It allows anyone to access and share content and and has a lot of accessibility features so can be used by anyone all over the world, without being too confusing.