Showing posts with label tori :). Show all posts
Showing posts with label tori :). Show all posts
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Facebook Freedom
Facebook recently vowed to uphold freedom of speech by allowing groups denying the Holocaust to exist (except for in cities where that denial is considered a criminal offense). Is Facebook too lenient? Should there be limitations? This story reminded me of Sam's last report on online bullying - how much is too much online? It's an interesting read.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
White House Tweet
The White House has officially linked itself to the major social networking sites: Facebook, Twitter and MySpace! Read more about how this availability is allowing more citizens to voice their opinions and commentary about the president.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
AT&T wants to keep the iPhone
The arrangement between AT&T and iPhone is set to expire in 2010, but AT&T wants to keep that until 2011... even though they may be fronting around $500 for each iPhone sale to users. Read more.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
UT (and Google...) restrict MY info
After reading this week's text on, well.... basically the end of privacy due to Google, it reminded me of UT's campaign to get students to restrict their information.
On the UT Web site, it reads:
The article states that "Google has quietly but unmistakably changed our expectations about what we can know about one another" and I agree. I don't remember when it started happening, but suddenly everyone is googling each other (and not eye googling...), potential employers are Facebook-ing applicants and privacy seems almost forgotten and even parents are seeing pictures through Facebook, myspace and Flikr.... that maybe they wouldn't have been shown otherwise.
On the UT Web site, it reads:
"The university keeps data about you that can be shown to the public, by federal law, without your permission. We call this 'directory information'. (The public includes your parents, friends, employers, insurers, and people checking on your degrees.)"Personal phone numbers and home addresses submitted to UT upon acceptance are available automatically online. The proactive and pro-privacy Longhorn must actively go online to change their information to private.
The article states that "Google has quietly but unmistakably changed our expectations about what we can know about one another" and I agree. I don't remember when it started happening, but suddenly everyone is googling each other (and not eye googling...), potential employers are Facebook-ing applicants and privacy seems almost forgotten and even parents are seeing pictures through Facebook, myspace and Flikr.... that maybe they wouldn't have been shown otherwise.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
iTunes prices are CHANGING!!!
If everyone isn't already aware, check out this article! iTunes announced Tuesday that prices for iTunes' songs may no longer all be 99 cents! Some can be $1.29!
What?! We we just talking about this in class, so I found the article interesting. The article claims the user can have the choice to reject this new system of pricing... by not purchasing iTunes. Which, by the way, holds 87 percent of online music download sales in the U.S., according to CNET.
What?! We we just talking about this in class, so I found the article interesting. The article claims the user can have the choice to reject this new system of pricing... by not purchasing iTunes. Which, by the way, holds 87 percent of online music download sales in the U.S., according to CNET.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Free music downloads via Kazaa
Kazaa, a web application that allows users to exchange a basically unlimited supply of music MP3s, videos and more, has attracted 60 million users around the world (Todd Woody, "The Race to Kill Kazaa"). Kazaa turns a profit by selling ad space through its application without charging the user a cost for downloads; therefore making Kazaa an extremely popular choice for music download.
Kazaa was able to escape the wrath of Napster's copyright infringement lawsuit because the company is very segmented with no clear person to sue... "There is no plug to pull" writes Woody in his article, "The Race to Kill Kazaa" (304).
The global entertainment industry banded together to try to shut down Kazaa, but the U.S. District Court judge was looking at the logistics of the situation: with Kazaa employees and central unit split up and separated across the globe, "Does Sharman (the company with ownership of Kazaa) do enough business in the U.S. to be lawfully included as part of the Morpheus-Grokster lawsuit (agaisnt file share)?" (305).
I think because of all the loop holes and technicalities the indsutry had to face to begin legal proceedings with Sharman (and the rest of the Kazaa network), it makes it easy for a company to become secretive and allow users to access free music download. I also think music download is too expensive - CDs can cost $20 - but I wish there was a more happy medium. Record labels and the artists deserve their fair cut of the music they make, but they shouldn't be able to charge an unreasonable fee for it. I think the proliferation of the Internet, combined with audience frustrations over the cost of CDs led to the creation of free music download.
Kazaa was able to escape the wrath of Napster's copyright infringement lawsuit because the company is very segmented with no clear person to sue... "There is no plug to pull" writes Woody in his article, "The Race to Kill Kazaa" (304).
The global entertainment industry banded together to try to shut down Kazaa, but the U.S. District Court judge was looking at the logistics of the situation: with Kazaa employees and central unit split up and separated across the globe, "Does Sharman (the company with ownership of Kazaa) do enough business in the U.S. to be lawfully included as part of the Morpheus-Grokster lawsuit (agaisnt file share)?" (305).
I think because of all the loop holes and technicalities the indsutry had to face to begin legal proceedings with Sharman (and the rest of the Kazaa network), it makes it easy for a company to become secretive and allow users to access free music download. I also think music download is too expensive - CDs can cost $20 - but I wish there was a more happy medium. Record labels and the artists deserve their fair cut of the music they make, but they shouldn't be able to charge an unreasonable fee for it. I think the proliferation of the Internet, combined with audience frustrations over the cost of CDs led to the creation of free music download.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The gift of the iPod
News media is going crazy over the gift giving habits of President Obama and his family. He got criticized for bringing DVDs that aren't adaptable in England in the past; now Obama gives the Queen an iPod! Read more.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
iPhone takeover
iPhone sales hit 17 million... yikes! Nearly 14 million of those were sold in 2008 alone. Check out the article.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Now this is just creepy...
Check out this article about an earphone set with infrared that allows you to blink, wink, or stick out your tongue to operate your iPod.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Battle of the Browsers
Undoubtedly, two mega giants control the Internet browser market: Microsoft and Google. Like the article, "The second browser war," confirms, Microsoft's Internet Explorer and and Google's Firefox dominate the browser scene.
I have found Firefox to be much more reliable and easier to use; however, I only recently switched over. Why? Because Microsoft had Internet Explorer already loaded onto my PC. It was much more convenient to simply use what I had. I find this to be the case most of the time with dominant trends.
I have not had the chance to try out Chrome but it sounds like a well-thought out browser plan. I also like that Google browsers are open-source which means each individual user can change or rewrite the software how they prefer.
I have found Firefox to be much more reliable and easier to use; however, I only recently switched over. Why? Because Microsoft had Internet Explorer already loaded onto my PC. It was much more convenient to simply use what I had. I find this to be the case most of the time with dominant trends.
I have not had the chance to try out Chrome but it sounds like a well-thought out browser plan. I also like that Google browsers are open-source which means each individual user can change or rewrite the software how they prefer.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
No I-products for the Gates' kids
Microsoft-minded Bill Gates prohibits iPods and iPhones from his kids... read the short article...
Sunday, March 1, 2009
The Power of PowerPoint
I use PowerPoint. My friends use PowerPoint. AND my teachers use PowerPoint. Everyone does! The thing I never thought about before is how PowerPoint owns the presentation market. In Ian Parker's article, Absolute PowerPoint: Can a Software Package Edit Our Thoughts, he drew up some thought-provoking conclusions which makes me reevaluate how I feel about PowerPoint.
Parker talks about how PowerPoint takes away the conversational nature of a lecture or presentation. While the positive side effects of PowerPoint - like having a physical outline, preparation - exist, I now feel that PowerPoint is overused.
The example that resonated the most with me was the two examples about the teachers. The first talked about a teacher who lost the extemporaneous nature of his lectures. Clifford Nass said before PowerPoint, his lectures had a basic skeleton, but were open to change and evolve as his mind thought of new thoughts, like relating something to the Wizard of Oz. In his post-PowerPoint world, he says if he would have randomly brought up Wizard of Oz, his students would immediately forget the example - there was no slide on that thought.
The second example discussed a teacher who eliminated a very interesting book from the syllabus simply because its nature was not conducive to PowerPoint. I can't imagine! Taking off a really great read - potentially something that could impact the students - solely because its theory isn't PowerPoint-friendly.
I do use PowerPoint myself, and I find it to be a stress-reliever for in class presentations and more interactive; however, I hope that teachers never abandon the details and effectiveness of spontaneous in class lectures.
Parker talks about how PowerPoint takes away the conversational nature of a lecture or presentation. While the positive side effects of PowerPoint - like having a physical outline, preparation - exist, I now feel that PowerPoint is overused.
The example that resonated the most with me was the two examples about the teachers. The first talked about a teacher who lost the extemporaneous nature of his lectures. Clifford Nass said before PowerPoint, his lectures had a basic skeleton, but were open to change and evolve as his mind thought of new thoughts, like relating something to the Wizard of Oz. In his post-PowerPoint world, he says if he would have randomly brought up Wizard of Oz, his students would immediately forget the example - there was no slide on that thought.
The second example discussed a teacher who eliminated a very interesting book from the syllabus simply because its nature was not conducive to PowerPoint. I can't imagine! Taking off a really great read - potentially something that could impact the students - solely because its theory isn't PowerPoint-friendly.
I do use PowerPoint myself, and I find it to be a stress-reliever for in class presentations and more interactive; however, I hope that teachers never abandon the details and effectiveness of spontaneous in class lectures.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Thinking about Lent?
If you're thinking about giving something up for Lent - why not technology? Well, why not Facebook at least?
Check out this article: http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/entertainment/Facebook-Love-it-or-Leave-it.html
Check out this article: http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/entertainment/Facebook-Love-it-or-Leave-it.html
Sunday, February 22, 2009
What is real life?!
I can't say I really understood what "The Media Equation" by Nass and Reeves was talking about. Humans confuse the media for reality? Isn't that why the media is there? To simulate reality, give us something to connect with through an inanimate object - like the TV or computer?
The chapter says their findings hold true for every group tested, from business people to sophomores in college. They say "all people automatically and unconsciously respond socially and naturally to media."
I liked the radical points at the end of the article, promoting people to look introspectively at their lives to see how they personally want to accept media. It makes you think of how we are so drawn in to charismatic speakers on TV and how despite what they say, we favor them.
The chapter says their findings hold true for every group tested, from business people to sophomores in college. They say "all people automatically and unconsciously respond socially and naturally to media."
I liked the radical points at the end of the article, promoting people to look introspectively at their lives to see how they personally want to accept media. It makes you think of how we are so drawn in to charismatic speakers on TV and how despite what they say, we favor them.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Helpless Internet paradox
Overload! was a bit of an overload. But, in reading that particular article it dawned on me how the Internet really is leaking into every aspect of our lives. Not only did I refer to Blackboard to check our homework, but then I read the article (online), took notes on the article (on Word) and logged into my blogger account to complete this homework assignment (online). The entire sphere of my homework was related somehow to my computer. And now my eyes hurt!
Reading the article gave me a sense of helplessness. Nordenson seems to say that we are less likely to learn the news information presented to us because we are always multi-tasking, and it is nearly impossible to staple something to memory without giving it attention. I feel helpless because we can't turn back the floods of information being created daily; we can only try and sift through it with our dwindling attention spans but probably end up clicking Ctrl + T and opening a new tab to check our e-mail.
Another point that I felt rang true was when Nordenson alluded to Michael X. Delli Carpini, dean of the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania,
The ticos had to actively pursue news by watching the newscast, in an entertaining way - with friends around the TV. But for American kids, presented with way too many options, we choose to avoid spending one hour devoted to a compiled newscast and instead devote that hour to finding our own news online, "that interests us", and end up retaining next to nothing.
This refers back to the paradox Nordenson spoke about at the beginning of Overload! Young consumers want more in-depth news, but we fail at getting it ourselves. We become fatigued when dealing with the dozens of Google results after searching "Blind Pig fire" and instead learn about the details from people's Facebook statuses.
Reading the article gave me a sense of helplessness. Nordenson seems to say that we are less likely to learn the news information presented to us because we are always multi-tasking, and it is nearly impossible to staple something to memory without giving it attention. I feel helpless because we can't turn back the floods of information being created daily; we can only try and sift through it with our dwindling attention spans but probably end up clicking Ctrl + T and opening a new tab to check our e-mail.
Another point that I felt rang true was when Nordenson alluded to Michael X. Delli Carpini, dean of the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania,
“'In the 1960s, if you wanted to watch television you were going toI lived in Costa Rica for four months last year and was witness to the drastic difference in knowledge that the Costa Rican ("ticos") students my age had regarding politics and worldy affairs. I can only now think to relate this to their lack of HBO, Showtime, and other non-news related television channels. The tico students I met and hung out with would every night before dinner gather in the living room, and flip it to the same news station for the 5 o'clock newscast. As a trickle effect to their up-to-date news knowledge, their conversations reflected this.
watch news. And today you can avoid news. So choice can be a mixed
blessing.'”
The ticos had to actively pursue news by watching the newscast, in an entertaining way - with friends around the TV. But for American kids, presented with way too many options, we choose to avoid spending one hour devoted to a compiled newscast and instead devote that hour to finding our own news online, "that interests us", and end up retaining next to nothing.
This refers back to the paradox Nordenson spoke about at the beginning of Overload! Young consumers want more in-depth news, but we fail at getting it ourselves. We become fatigued when dealing with the dozens of Google results after searching "Blind Pig fire" and instead learn about the details from people's Facebook statuses.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Phones, and TVs and Computers... Oh my!
This chapter of the book served as a great introduction, an overview of the roots of technology and a glimpse into its future.
For many of our generation, the babies of the 80’s, the idea of being away from communication for more than the duration of a plane ride is a whimsical idea.
In the Trendspotter’s Guide to New Communications I became shocked by the reality of many of the predictions: daily we see improved connections, increased mobility, the inversion of home and office, loss of privacy and rebirth of cities (I see this in Houston!)… just to name a few.
I continued reading in 1-2 and stumbled upon a particularly interesting part saying “ because technology defines the limits on what a society can do, technological innovation might be expected to be a major impetus to social change…” (13). I see the ramifications of this in our changing and developing techo-world today. Our society is able to peace talk over nations, have families communicate clearly and doctors can discuss medical strategies at the moment advice is needed.
For many of our generation, the babies of the 80’s, the idea of being away from communication for more than the duration of a plane ride is a whimsical idea.
In the Trendspotter’s Guide to New Communications I became shocked by the reality of many of the predictions: daily we see improved connections, increased mobility, the inversion of home and office, loss of privacy and rebirth of cities (I see this in Houston!)… just to name a few.
I continued reading in 1-2 and stumbled upon a particularly interesting part saying “ because technology defines the limits on what a society can do, technological innovation might be expected to be a major impetus to social change…” (13). I see the ramifications of this in our changing and developing techo-world today. Our society is able to peace talk over nations, have families communicate clearly and doctors can discuss medical strategies at the moment advice is needed.
Maybe Google IS Taking Over the World...
I found this news article online; Google owns more than 70 percent of the online search market. Wow!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Just Google It
Technology is starting to make its footprint in every realm of our lives - no longer can we sit frustrated at a dinner table, trying to remember who wrote a certain book from high school. Nope. Now we can find the answer in a matter of seconds in a variety of ways: for the less civilized of us, question-answering text message services like CHACHA or for the more mobile world, using the Internet on the phone to simply "google" the answer.
To the younger generation, Wi Fi phones are not a new techno-craze; the phones are the norm. Although Google is a trademark, it is certainly making its way into the younger vernacular as a verb meaning "use a search engine on the Internet to find the answer."
I see the constant use of the Internet to answer our questions as an overall positive direction of investigation. Armed only with Internet connection and a question, one can find an endless supply of previous articles and varying points of view on the subject matter; therefore, people nowadays seem more inclined to investigate and to figure out answers ... because it IS easier.
The problem comes from ignorance of what the Internet holds - any child, professional or jokester's two cents on a topic. I think schools need to address the growing use of the Internet for research and implement classes on how to research critically online. Although I can see some of the negative side effects like a lower tolerance for long stories that the article, "Is Google Making Us Stupid?", talks about, I think people are learning the efficiency of skimming articles and that reading long novels will never die out due to too much Internet. Just check out J.K Rowling's sales or the Twilight series.
To the younger generation, Wi Fi phones are not a new techno-craze; the phones are the norm. Although Google is a trademark, it is certainly making its way into the younger vernacular as a verb meaning "use a search engine on the Internet to find the answer."
I see the constant use of the Internet to answer our questions as an overall positive direction of investigation. Armed only with Internet connection and a question, one can find an endless supply of previous articles and varying points of view on the subject matter; therefore, people nowadays seem more inclined to investigate and to figure out answers ... because it IS easier.
The problem comes from ignorance of what the Internet holds - any child, professional or jokester's two cents on a topic. I think schools need to address the growing use of the Internet for research and implement classes on how to research critically online. Although I can see some of the negative side effects like a lower tolerance for long stories that the article, "Is Google Making Us Stupid?", talks about, I think people are learning the efficiency of skimming articles and that reading long novels will never die out due to too much Internet. Just check out J.K Rowling's sales or the Twilight series.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)