"We will have a cyber equivalent of Pearl Harbor at some point, and we do not want to wait for that wake-up call."
This article is sort of totally scary as shit. The fact that our nation and our nation's defense/security are COMPLETELY reliant on technology leaves us vulnerable and ironically, makes me feel very UNsafe.
The idea that situations like this could happen aren't out of the ordinary at all. Considering the eventual downfall of our nations defense, backup plan after backup plan would have to be in place. What this all needs to boil down to, eventually, is that everyone should just grow the hell up and be friends. :] ....And only worry about threats from an Alien race or a zombie apocalypse.
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/5.05/netizen.html
Showing posts with label COMM 352. Show all posts
Showing posts with label COMM 352. Show all posts
Friday, December 14, 2012
My Views on the Future
It's kind of hard to tell what will happen with technology in the future. My fantastical mind always likes to think it will turn out to be technology from show like Futurama or something, but the reality of that is probably far off.
I know when I was growing up that even things like Palm Pilots were amazing to me. To have even been able to conceive feats of technology such as Apple products like the iPhone, the iPad and even the Macintosh home computer systems, would have been totally mind boggling.
I know that I'm happy with where technology is today, even if it has reduced some of the face to face interaction that I grew up on. I feel that within a 10 year period, it isn't unlikely that the next big technological feat will come along
I know when I was growing up that even things like Palm Pilots were amazing to me. To have even been able to conceive feats of technology such as Apple products like the iPhone, the iPad and even the Macintosh home computer systems, would have been totally mind boggling.
I know that I'm happy with where technology is today, even if it has reduced some of the face to face interaction that I grew up on. I feel that within a 10 year period, it isn't unlikely that the next big technological feat will come along
Sunday, November 11, 2012
The Presence of Educational Outlets on the Internet
The presence of shows like “Reading Rainbow” and other educational materials on the Internet can be good as well as bad.
For the most part, this is a good thing. Access to educational materials through the internet are extraordinary as a resource for learning and education. My schooling and access to educational materials as a child came less from the Internet and more from physical materials like books or different mediums such as films or television. With the fast paced future that we live in, it is almost a given that educational materials make a necessary appearance over the internet. They are moving in the correct direction. The future relies heavily on the usage of the Internet, therefore it is a necessity. We use it every day and there is an almost endless limit to what can be offered through this outlet.
There are foreseeable problems with this though. Along with the great opportunity that online learning provides, parents and educators must be cautious of the dangers of the internet. Children are probably more prone and susceptible to falling into internet scams and traps. They are also EXTREMELY curious. As soon as they learn how to use a search engine, I think it could be game over. Your computer could crash from a shit load of porn or other “free” downloads. This means that parents and educators must be aware of these problems and learn to supervise their young web surfers.
http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Reading-Rainbow-Heads-Online-With-LeVar-Burton-Website-Kids-39406.html
For the most part, this is a good thing. Access to educational materials through the internet are extraordinary as a resource for learning and education. My schooling and access to educational materials as a child came less from the Internet and more from physical materials like books or different mediums such as films or television. With the fast paced future that we live in, it is almost a given that educational materials make a necessary appearance over the internet. They are moving in the correct direction. The future relies heavily on the usage of the Internet, therefore it is a necessity. We use it every day and there is an almost endless limit to what can be offered through this outlet.
There are foreseeable problems with this though. Along with the great opportunity that online learning provides, parents and educators must be cautious of the dangers of the internet. Children are probably more prone and susceptible to falling into internet scams and traps. They are also EXTREMELY curious. As soon as they learn how to use a search engine, I think it could be game over. Your computer could crash from a shit load of porn or other “free” downloads. This means that parents and educators must be aware of these problems and learn to supervise their young web surfers.
http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Reading-Rainbow-Heads-Online-With-LeVar-Burton-Website-Kids-39406.html
Friday, October 26, 2012
Tablets
Tablets are stupid. I don't own one. I don't intend to own one ever.
I don't necessarily understand the fascination with tablets. It's like a big iPhone. I can still do most of the things that an iPad can on a device that fits in my pocket. If I have that, why would I ALSO want to have an iPad. I own a MacBookPro laptop and it services all of my Internet and basic computer needs. They most definitely are a fad. The only reason anybody wants one is because they don't have one. It isn't our future because it isn't replacing existing technologies; those that need no improvement.
I honestly only use my laptop anymore to access school related sites or shop online for the convenience of a keyboard. My iPhone has replaced my laptop for most of the other reasons I use the internet, particularly social networking.
For some instances, I DO understand the need for a tablet. Theses instances mainly relate to children. I noticed that my younger cousins used tablets quite frequently for reading and gaming apps. This is a use that is somewhat lost on my generation. We tend to have to read physical copies of books and favor gaming consoles for our entertainment needs.
As for this current generation of children who are disconnected from society due to an overload of technological advances, tablets provide a unique way for parents to keep their kids quiet and entertained for hours on end.
Otherwise, I don't understand the need for an iPad or other tablet. I'm not too sure what more they can provide that my iPhone or laptop doesn't already provide for me. If I want a big screen, I'll watch something on my laptop or my TV. If I want to socially network, I'll use my phone. Not a tablet.
I don't necessarily understand the fascination with tablets. It's like a big iPhone. I can still do most of the things that an iPad can on a device that fits in my pocket. If I have that, why would I ALSO want to have an iPad. I own a MacBookPro laptop and it services all of my Internet and basic computer needs. They most definitely are a fad. The only reason anybody wants one is because they don't have one. It isn't our future because it isn't replacing existing technologies; those that need no improvement.
I honestly only use my laptop anymore to access school related sites or shop online for the convenience of a keyboard. My iPhone has replaced my laptop for most of the other reasons I use the internet, particularly social networking.
For some instances, I DO understand the need for a tablet. Theses instances mainly relate to children. I noticed that my younger cousins used tablets quite frequently for reading and gaming apps. This is a use that is somewhat lost on my generation. We tend to have to read physical copies of books and favor gaming consoles for our entertainment needs.
As for this current generation of children who are disconnected from society due to an overload of technological advances, tablets provide a unique way for parents to keep their kids quiet and entertained for hours on end.
Otherwise, I don't understand the need for an iPad or other tablet. I'm not too sure what more they can provide that my iPhone or laptop doesn't already provide for me. If I want a big screen, I'll watch something on my laptop or my TV. If I want to socially network, I'll use my phone. Not a tablet.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Annoying Technology: Touchless Bathrooms
The most annoying bit of technology that I found from the list would have to be touchless bathroom installments.
I work in the kitchen of a restaurant. For the workers’ “convenience”, all of the soap, sanitizer and paper towel dispensers are automatic, touchless devices. This would be great and help prevent cross contamination, amongst other things...IF THEY EVERY FUCKING WORKED!!
I can’t recall the numerous amounts of times that I have place my hand under a filled soap dispenser to was my hands and receive no soap. The same can be said for sanitizer and paper towel dispensers. To make the situation even more frustrating, half the time the soap dispenses after you pull your hand away in anger. Many times the motion sensors are faulty at best. This isn’t all necessarily at my job, but in bathrooms elsewhere as well. Sinks and soap dispensers only occasionally work correctly for me. There is always at least a minor portion of trial and error.
Another inconvenience of these contraptions is stocking. You have to press a billion buttons to get the damn things open and unwrap an equal number of things to refill soap or paper towels. Far from convenient. I would MUCH rather use paper towels on the old fashioned, no fucking improvement needed, paper towel roll. It’s almost like someone invented a simple dispensing mechanism for these things on purpose...
But surely enough, humans will be humans. Nothing is fast or convenient enough for us ever. The thirst cannot be quenched. We go out of our way to make intricate contraptions that either end up not working at all or proving to be more difficult to use than their predecessors.
I work in the kitchen of a restaurant. For the workers’ “convenience”, all of the soap, sanitizer and paper towel dispensers are automatic, touchless devices. This would be great and help prevent cross contamination, amongst other things...IF THEY EVERY FUCKING WORKED!!
I can’t recall the numerous amounts of times that I have place my hand under a filled soap dispenser to was my hands and receive no soap. The same can be said for sanitizer and paper towel dispensers. To make the situation even more frustrating, half the time the soap dispenses after you pull your hand away in anger. Many times the motion sensors are faulty at best. This isn’t all necessarily at my job, but in bathrooms elsewhere as well. Sinks and soap dispensers only occasionally work correctly for me. There is always at least a minor portion of trial and error.
Another inconvenience of these contraptions is stocking. You have to press a billion buttons to get the damn things open and unwrap an equal number of things to refill soap or paper towels. Far from convenient. I would MUCH rather use paper towels on the old fashioned, no fucking improvement needed, paper towel roll. It’s almost like someone invented a simple dispensing mechanism for these things on purpose...
But surely enough, humans will be humans. Nothing is fast or convenient enough for us ever. The thirst cannot be quenched. We go out of our way to make intricate contraptions that either end up not working at all or proving to be more difficult to use than their predecessors.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Computer Memory
The evolution of computer memory and memory storage devices, considerably revolutionized the way we use computers. To think that in a span of about 20 years, we went from extremely expensive, one tons storage devices to easily affordable and compact flash drives and mp3 players, is nothing short of amazing.
I remember when the iPod first came out when I was a child. It was revolutionary and mind blowing. To think that you would no longer have to carry around a bulky CD player (not to mention, most of them would skip if they weren't held perfectly still) and try to fit 20 of your favorite songs on one mix CD, was inconceivable to my 10 year old mind.
Devices such as these are taken for granted nowadays. A floppy disk nowadays would probably be recognized as trash and dead technology. Most computers don't even have a floppy drive anymore! Even now as I'm glued to my iPhone and Twitter, I take for granted the revolutionary processes that allowed me to carry around such a miraculous device.
If 10 year old me knew that I would one day own an iPhone with 6,000 songs on it, plenty of fun games, and fast access to the Internet, he'd poop his pants.
I remember when the iPod first came out when I was a child. It was revolutionary and mind blowing. To think that you would no longer have to carry around a bulky CD player (not to mention, most of them would skip if they weren't held perfectly still) and try to fit 20 of your favorite songs on one mix CD, was inconceivable to my 10 year old mind.
Devices such as these are taken for granted nowadays. A floppy disk nowadays would probably be recognized as trash and dead technology. Most computers don't even have a floppy drive anymore! Even now as I'm glued to my iPhone and Twitter, I take for granted the revolutionary processes that allowed me to carry around such a miraculous device.
If 10 year old me knew that I would one day own an iPhone with 6,000 songs on it, plenty of fun games, and fast access to the Internet, he'd poop his pants.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Social Networking: Facebook and Twitter
Facebook and Twitter are very powerful social media tools that help tremendously with connecting and networking with tons of people all over the world. While they can sometimes (and oftentimes) become a delightful distraction from our work, overall they are the most powerful social and business networking tools available.
I use Facebook and Twitter for social reasons as well as networking and business related ventures. I find these to be an unbelievably useful facet for sharing and connection in my social life. On the business and networking side, it is almost a necessity for my band.
Social media sites such as Myspace, Facebook and Twitter have revolutionized the way musicians connect with their fans. Before this, world of mouth and print advertising were among the only ways to connect with fans. You would find out about concerts this way. The only way to obtain music from bands would be directly from them or at music stores. With the social networking sites available today, you can check out literally thousands of bands and even listen to their music before you go see them.
When I was in high school, I followed all of the bands I loved on Myspace. It was the easiest way to be informed about shows and tell other friends about shows. If you like a bands’ music, you can download it straight from their page.
On the networking aspect, My band can communicate with other bands, promoters and most importantly, fans. By communicating through Facebook or Twitter with other bands and promoters, my band can play a lot more shows than if we were to simply communicate with people in person or on the phone. This is where Facebook and Twitter become some of the most useful tools that we have as a band.
Without social networking tools, being a musician is an immensely difficult task.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2200880/A-THIRD-U-S-population-refrains-using-Facebook-Twitter.html
I use Facebook and Twitter for social reasons as well as networking and business related ventures. I find these to be an unbelievably useful facet for sharing and connection in my social life. On the business and networking side, it is almost a necessity for my band.
Social media sites such as Myspace, Facebook and Twitter have revolutionized the way musicians connect with their fans. Before this, world of mouth and print advertising were among the only ways to connect with fans. You would find out about concerts this way. The only way to obtain music from bands would be directly from them or at music stores. With the social networking sites available today, you can check out literally thousands of bands and even listen to their music before you go see them.
When I was in high school, I followed all of the bands I loved on Myspace. It was the easiest way to be informed about shows and tell other friends about shows. If you like a bands’ music, you can download it straight from their page.
On the networking aspect, My band can communicate with other bands, promoters and most importantly, fans. By communicating through Facebook or Twitter with other bands and promoters, my band can play a lot more shows than if we were to simply communicate with people in person or on the phone. This is where Facebook and Twitter become some of the most useful tools that we have as a band.
Without social networking tools, being a musician is an immensely difficult task.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2200880/A-THIRD-U-S-population-refrains-using-Facebook-Twitter.html
Monday, September 10, 2012
Samsung/Apple Work Conditions
Samsung and Apple’s working conditions aren’t the best in the world. There’s no getting around this. But this doesn’t necessarily mean I would give up my iPhone for it and it doesn’t mean that we haven’t seen this before in America.
Many Americans have jobs with similar working conditions. Standing for 12 hours a day is NOTHING for adults. That’s what most Americans in the food industry do every day. I know I’m on my feet at least 9 straight hours most work days and I have pulled 12 hour shifts. This is nothing to be shocked over at all. If you can’t stand up for that long, you’re a pansy. It’s much better than seeing most Americans sitting around on their fat asses in a cubicle and contributing to an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle.
Secondly, overtime hours being forced are workers isn’t unheard of. This definitely isn’t fair, but it happens to American workers as well. According to an issue of Game Informer, workers of the gaming company Rockstar Games have been put through similar overtime situations numerous times. During the rushes to finish games, the workers have been forced to work up to a 100 hours in a week. This trumps the 150 hours of overtime for Samsung workers. These harsh conditions have been repeatedly reported from the Rockstar Games.
Third is the issue of underage workers, there is no dodging the subject. Child labor is wrong and illegal. I don’t want to think that any child works a 12 hour shift to make me an iPhone that I take for granted.
Finally, on the issues of employee suicides and deaths from Samsung. If you kill yourself because you hate your job, why can’t you just quit? No one is forcing you to work there. There are possible extenuating circumstances and I am not educated 100% on China’s labor laws, but I’m pretty sure they have a little more of a choice in occupation.
I have mixed feelings about Samsung and Apple’s labor issues. Americans are put through similar working conditions in the States. If workers are unhappy where they work, they can just quit. This doesn’t mean we should hinder the advancement of technology because of the working conditions everyday Americans experience.
Many Americans have jobs with similar working conditions. Standing for 12 hours a day is NOTHING for adults. That’s what most Americans in the food industry do every day. I know I’m on my feet at least 9 straight hours most work days and I have pulled 12 hour shifts. This is nothing to be shocked over at all. If you can’t stand up for that long, you’re a pansy. It’s much better than seeing most Americans sitting around on their fat asses in a cubicle and contributing to an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle.
Secondly, overtime hours being forced are workers isn’t unheard of. This definitely isn’t fair, but it happens to American workers as well. According to an issue of Game Informer, workers of the gaming company Rockstar Games have been put through similar overtime situations numerous times. During the rushes to finish games, the workers have been forced to work up to a 100 hours in a week. This trumps the 150 hours of overtime for Samsung workers. These harsh conditions have been repeatedly reported from the Rockstar Games.
Third is the issue of underage workers, there is no dodging the subject. Child labor is wrong and illegal. I don’t want to think that any child works a 12 hour shift to make me an iPhone that I take for granted.
Finally, on the issues of employee suicides and deaths from Samsung. If you kill yourself because you hate your job, why can’t you just quit? No one is forcing you to work there. There are possible extenuating circumstances and I am not educated 100% on China’s labor laws, but I’m pretty sure they have a little more of a choice in occupation.
I have mixed feelings about Samsung and Apple’s labor issues. Americans are put through similar working conditions in the States. If workers are unhappy where they work, they can just quit. This doesn’t mean we should hinder the advancement of technology because of the working conditions everyday Americans experience.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Samsung vs Apple
Don't get me wrong from the start, I'm an Apple user through and through. I own an iMac desktop, a MacBookPro laptop and an iPhone. They create superior products and I rarely have problems with my Apple stuff. However Apple, don't you think you went a little too far?
It’s one thing to have your patents infringed upon, and to have several phones that almost EXACTLY resemble iPhones. That was no bueno Samsung. But to claim that Samsung has caused Apple “irreparable damage” is completely stupid. There is no way Apple can be taking that much of a hit from the other products. Like I mentioned before, Apple creates superior products and they also apply to those products, great ideas. Their products always appeal to even the most inexperienced of users. As a rule of thumb, if you’re have trouble with an Apple product, you’re probably trying too hard.
My family recently got all new phones and there happened to be a great deal on a family plan for iPhones at our local sprint store (we basically were paid to get them, but that’s getting off track.) My parents, who are in their 50s are able to learn the nuances of their phones and discover new things every day.
They are both very technically challenged individuals to say the least, so to provide them with an extremely advanced product that they actually have no problem using, is nothing short of a miracle (and salvation from an “Apple 101” headache for me). I guarantee I would have trouble figuring out how to use one of the Samsung phones for at least a couple days, and that would be doubled or tripled for my parents. I would have to show them how to do everything
So what should Apple really have to worry about? Yes, their phones were basically cloned by another company. I do think this is screwed up, but isn’t emulation one of the sincerest forms of flattery? Samsung sees how well an Apple product works and used similar id eas in theirs.
They did technically infringe on copyrights and patents but Apple should also have confidence in their product. Chances are, there are bugs and problems with the other products and they will never truly be as unique and superior as an Apple product. All in all, it’s about time Apple realizes that their products are emulated all the time. How many tablets are on the market now with similar Apple features after Apple released their iPad? A bajillion? Yeah that’s what I thought.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/25/editorial-engadget-on-the-apple-vs-samsung-ruling/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57501103-37/apple-targets-8-samsung-phones-for-sales-ban/
http://gizmodo.com/5938219/why-the-apple-v-samsung-ruling-may-not-hold-up
It’s one thing to have your patents infringed upon, and to have several phones that almost EXACTLY resemble iPhones. That was no bueno Samsung. But to claim that Samsung has caused Apple “irreparable damage” is completely stupid. There is no way Apple can be taking that much of a hit from the other products. Like I mentioned before, Apple creates superior products and they also apply to those products, great ideas. Their products always appeal to even the most inexperienced of users. As a rule of thumb, if you’re have trouble with an Apple product, you’re probably trying too hard.
My family recently got all new phones and there happened to be a great deal on a family plan for iPhones at our local sprint store (we basically were paid to get them, but that’s getting off track.) My parents, who are in their 50s are able to learn the nuances of their phones and discover new things every day.
They are both very technically challenged individuals to say the least, so to provide them with an extremely advanced product that they actually have no problem using, is nothing short of a miracle (and salvation from an “Apple 101” headache for me). I guarantee I would have trouble figuring out how to use one of the Samsung phones for at least a couple days, and that would be doubled or tripled for my parents. I would have to show them how to do everything
So what should Apple really have to worry about? Yes, their phones were basically cloned by another company. I do think this is screwed up, but isn’t emulation one of the sincerest forms of flattery? Samsung sees how well an Apple product works and used similar id eas in theirs.
They did technically infringe on copyrights and patents but Apple should also have confidence in their product. Chances are, there are bugs and problems with the other products and they will never truly be as unique and superior as an Apple product. All in all, it’s about time Apple realizes that their products are emulated all the time. How many tablets are on the market now with similar Apple features after Apple released their iPad? A bajillion? Yeah that’s what I thought.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/25/editorial-engadget-on-the-apple-vs-samsung-ruling/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57501103-37/apple-targets-8-samsung-phones-for-sales-ban/
http://gizmodo.com/5938219/why-the-apple-v-samsung-ruling-may-not-hold-up
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