I never thought anything would ever come close to Google as far as search engines go. It seems Google as infiltrated ever part of the Web, offering any and every application one may want. From maps, to news, pictures to video, Google has you covered.
I was surprised to see the popularity of Bing, the search engine from Microsoft that "gets things done." I have always looked at big business as untouchable and unstoppable. I mean, I wouldn't dare try to open a company of super stores when there is already Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Meijer. I also wouldn't go into the fast food burger business with McDonalds, Burger King and Wendy's already dominatitng the scene.
I am surprised that someone (Microsoft) would come and compete with Google, Yahoo and Ask, let alone the fact that Bing has been successful! I suppose that the Web is always surprising and ever changing, a final frontier for business and marketing it seems, so I shouldn't be too shocked.
Having a Mac I normally just use Google because I have the Google search bar built in. I may try to use Bing one of these days, but I have always used Google and I feel like I would be slow to change and it would take lots of convincing.
Also, I must say I am really sad that mystery google is no longer up and running, it was really fun to use!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Internet Privacy
Privacy is a huge concern these days, as is identity theft, which these two are arguable are under the same umbrella. The Internet boom has made privacy and maintaining it more of an issue because the Internet can make it hard to keep things to yourself.
I will use Facebook as an example. You can post information that is as personal as you want. You can make the settings as private as you want; however, it isn’t terribly hard to figure out a way around the privacy settings. Many employers use Facebook to research people who are applying for jobs.
I am still shocked when I see people who have pictures of themselves drinking mad-crazy amounts of alcohol on Facebook, especially with the older generation of users. I know people who have been friended by their grandparents!
Privacy is also an issue with Twitter. I have heard stories of people tweeting about going on vacation and their houses then being broken into. People need to realize the Web has tones of users and as many "privacy setting" they may set up, there are people out there who can get around them.
With the boom of smart phones anyone can take a picture of you at any time. They can then post them to the web directly from there phones. That means if someone really wanted to, they could take a picture in a public locker room at the YMCA or something and post it to the web. For us students that means people can take pictures are parties and post them up, even if you de-tag yourself on Facebook they are likely still up on Facebook or somewhere else online. Prince Harry and Michael Phelps had a field day with experiences like this.
The Neon Cactus takes pictures of the dance floor and one time someone shared a link on my Facebook wall of a picture of me on the Cactus dace floor. Even though I was not drinking in the picture, I still did not want to tell the world I was at the Cactus, so I deleted the post and had to send a message to her explaining why.
Even though you may maintain your Facebook and keep it clean, there is no guarantee that other people will not post photos of you or tag you in links that you would rather not be tagged in. Privacy is harder to maintain with the expansion of the Web, so be aware and try your best to always present yourself in a way that is pleasing to you.
I will use Facebook as an example. You can post information that is as personal as you want. You can make the settings as private as you want; however, it isn’t terribly hard to figure out a way around the privacy settings. Many employers use Facebook to research people who are applying for jobs.
I am still shocked when I see people who have pictures of themselves drinking mad-crazy amounts of alcohol on Facebook, especially with the older generation of users. I know people who have been friended by their grandparents!
Privacy is also an issue with Twitter. I have heard stories of people tweeting about going on vacation and their houses then being broken into. People need to realize the Web has tones of users and as many "privacy setting" they may set up, there are people out there who can get around them.
With the boom of smart phones anyone can take a picture of you at any time. They can then post them to the web directly from there phones. That means if someone really wanted to, they could take a picture in a public locker room at the YMCA or something and post it to the web. For us students that means people can take pictures are parties and post them up, even if you de-tag yourself on Facebook they are likely still up on Facebook or somewhere else online. Prince Harry and Michael Phelps had a field day with experiences like this.
The Neon Cactus takes pictures of the dance floor and one time someone shared a link on my Facebook wall of a picture of me on the Cactus dace floor. Even though I was not drinking in the picture, I still did not want to tell the world I was at the Cactus, so I deleted the post and had to send a message to her explaining why.
Even though you may maintain your Facebook and keep it clean, there is no guarantee that other people will not post photos of you or tag you in links that you would rather not be tagged in. Privacy is harder to maintain with the expansion of the Web, so be aware and try your best to always present yourself in a way that is pleasing to you.
Gaming!
I must say: I don’t really understand the world of gaming.
Growing up I never got into video games, in part because we didn’t have a computer so online game wasn’t an option.
One day though, my mom decided I need a Play Station 2. Her best friend’s son, Zach, who was my best friend, had one and she thought I should have one to. I didn’t necessarily want one but I didn’t mind having one. Growing up in a single parent home with three other siblings, I knew money was tight for us so I was a little weary of why my mom was so adamant about making sure I had one.
Anyway, Zach’s mom offered to sell us Zach’s PS2 so that he could upgrade to the newest system, after all he was actually a gamer. My mom said no thanks and that we would buy a new one. Later I asked her why we couldn’t just buy Zach’s; after all I really didn’t have a burning passion to have on in the first place. My mom said, “why can’t my kid have something new? Why do my kids always have to have second best?” Turns out it was more of a pride issue of a mom wanting to provide something nice for her kids than simply just getting the game system. I remember feeling bad for getting one, but it was something my mom wanted to bless us with out of her hard earned money.
Even with the PS2 I never got into gaming. Yeah I played it a fair amount, but it was never an addiction, I think I had about three games.
Gaming is life for some people. They get all the gaming magazines, they keep updated on all the gaming news, and they play it for hours a day. Many of these avid gamers are submerged in the worlds of their games. They dress like their characters in the games and they go to gaming conventions and role-play. I can’t say I understand the addiction and the need to seek identity via video games, but I am sure people could say the same about me and my hobbies. No judgement here.
Growing up I never got into video games, in part because we didn’t have a computer so online game wasn’t an option.
One day though, my mom decided I need a Play Station 2. Her best friend’s son, Zach, who was my best friend, had one and she thought I should have one to. I didn’t necessarily want one but I didn’t mind having one. Growing up in a single parent home with three other siblings, I knew money was tight for us so I was a little weary of why my mom was so adamant about making sure I had one.
Anyway, Zach’s mom offered to sell us Zach’s PS2 so that he could upgrade to the newest system, after all he was actually a gamer. My mom said no thanks and that we would buy a new one. Later I asked her why we couldn’t just buy Zach’s; after all I really didn’t have a burning passion to have on in the first place. My mom said, “why can’t my kid have something new? Why do my kids always have to have second best?” Turns out it was more of a pride issue of a mom wanting to provide something nice for her kids than simply just getting the game system. I remember feeling bad for getting one, but it was something my mom wanted to bless us with out of her hard earned money.
Even with the PS2 I never got into gaming. Yeah I played it a fair amount, but it was never an addiction, I think I had about three games.
Gaming is life for some people. They get all the gaming magazines, they keep updated on all the gaming news, and they play it for hours a day. Many of these avid gamers are submerged in the worlds of their games. They dress like their characters in the games and they go to gaming conventions and role-play. I can’t say I understand the addiction and the need to seek identity via video games, but I am sure people could say the same about me and my hobbies. No judgement here.
3D For You and Me!
The other day someone did their research presentation on 3D TV. It seems like a really cool concept; however, I don’t know if I would want to use it all the time. What I really want to look at though is the turnover of products in the fast-paced technology industry.
I remember when I was in sixth grade and DVD players had just come out. They were really expensive and if you had one you were WAY cool. In the past couple years you can’t even buy a VHS player, only DVD players.
Also, iPods used to be super expensive and not a lot of people had them but now they are so affordable that nearly anyone can buy one. Same thing with flat screen TVs and iPhones. I wonder: will 3D TVs be next?
In three years when I am furnishing my apartment in a trending, up-and-coming, 20-something neighborhood of Chicago, Seattle, Denver or New York (fingers crossed) will I have no choice but to buy a 3D TV? Will 3D TVs replace the flat screen like DVD did the VHS, or the smart phone did to the flip phone?
I think it is very likely that 3D TV will be just as affordable as the ones we have available today. When we see the newest technologies coming out at the technology fairs around the world we can bet a pretty penny that within a few years they will be superior and affordable to us (but still cool and useful)!
I remember when I was in sixth grade and DVD players had just come out. They were really expensive and if you had one you were WAY cool. In the past couple years you can’t even buy a VHS player, only DVD players.
Also, iPods used to be super expensive and not a lot of people had them but now they are so affordable that nearly anyone can buy one. Same thing with flat screen TVs and iPhones. I wonder: will 3D TVs be next?
In three years when I am furnishing my apartment in a trending, up-and-coming, 20-something neighborhood of Chicago, Seattle, Denver or New York (fingers crossed) will I have no choice but to buy a 3D TV? Will 3D TVs replace the flat screen like DVD did the VHS, or the smart phone did to the flip phone?
I think it is very likely that 3D TV will be just as affordable as the ones we have available today. When we see the newest technologies coming out at the technology fairs around the world we can bet a pretty penny that within a few years they will be superior and affordable to us (but still cool and useful)!
Multitasking
In class the other day we talked a little bit about multitasking, whether it be updating a twitter status while in a meeting or sending an e-mail while taking the cab. I think one very common multitask is texting and drive. Here is my two cents: just say no. Nothing needs you attention more than the road and drivers around you when you are driving. There are too many accidents and deaths for such a simple, avoidable distraction.
Anyway, this post isn’t about texting and driving, it is about our ability to multitask aided by technology.
Nowadays when we can be completely connected to everyone all the time, we can multitask like never before. We can send an e-mail while out to eat, or read a news story while sitting in class. It was until these past few years that we had all these things available to us anywhere. It used to be if I wanted to send an e-mail, I had to sit down at my desk, log onto my computer and go to my e-mail providers website. If I wanted to read a news story I had to buy a newspaper.
I don’t always look at these technologies as conveniences as I do as unnecessary distractions. I don’t always want to be available via phone. I don’t always want to get an e-mail as soon as it comes in. There are times when I just want to relax and forget about work or school. I know that someday when I am in the workforce it will probable be expected that I am available via e-mail 24/7, especially with the popularity of smart phones.
Sometimes my life is so busy I feel like something has to give but nothing can. I feel that if I join the move to get an iPhone or use my smart phone to the fullest of its abilities, I will be even more involved and submerged into the busyness of my life: always checking my e-mail, Facebook, Twitter and whatever else I am a user of.
Look: the new iPhone promotes its ability to multitask, http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/multitasking.html.
Many of us think, “How did our parents live without all of this? The Internet? IPhones? Facebook?” Well, they probably spent more time communicating face-to-face with people. Don’t tell anyone, but sometimes I secretly wish it was still that way. I am a huge people person, I value my friendships a lot and sometimes I wish I was distracted by and connected to so many things!
Anyway, this post isn’t about texting and driving, it is about our ability to multitask aided by technology.
Nowadays when we can be completely connected to everyone all the time, we can multitask like never before. We can send an e-mail while out to eat, or read a news story while sitting in class. It was until these past few years that we had all these things available to us anywhere. It used to be if I wanted to send an e-mail, I had to sit down at my desk, log onto my computer and go to my e-mail providers website. If I wanted to read a news story I had to buy a newspaper.
I don’t always look at these technologies as conveniences as I do as unnecessary distractions. I don’t always want to be available via phone. I don’t always want to get an e-mail as soon as it comes in. There are times when I just want to relax and forget about work or school. I know that someday when I am in the workforce it will probable be expected that I am available via e-mail 24/7, especially with the popularity of smart phones.
Sometimes my life is so busy I feel like something has to give but nothing can. I feel that if I join the move to get an iPhone or use my smart phone to the fullest of its abilities, I will be even more involved and submerged into the busyness of my life: always checking my e-mail, Facebook, Twitter and whatever else I am a user of.
Look: the new iPhone promotes its ability to multitask, http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/multitasking.html.
Many of us think, “How did our parents live without all of this? The Internet? IPhones? Facebook?” Well, they probably spent more time communicating face-to-face with people. Don’t tell anyone, but sometimes I secretly wish it was still that way. I am a huge people person, I value my friendships a lot and sometimes I wish I was distracted by and connected to so many things!
Robots, Robots, Everywhere!
One emerging technology that we talked about was robots! Not going to lie, the fantastic Will Smith movie “iRobot” has left me a little weary of this subject. I can’t help but think that in the end of it all the robots are going to take us all out.
I suppose it could be pop-culture cultivating this fear in me. Another exampling being the Flight of the Conchords’ song “Robots” where the main line is, “The humans are dead, the humans are dead, we poisoned their a**es with poisonous gases.”
Although thinking about the possibilities of where robot technology can go can be scary, the technology is truly amazing. The Toyota robot is really cool. I can’t believe that we as humans have come up with that. It amazes me to think back on how when we first came here on earth we had nothing but nature; earth, wind and fire if you will. Today we have mega-cities, TVs, cell phones and robots to add to the list. Whether robots will someday check me out at the store or put a Band-Aid on my child’s leg is yet to be determined; however, as weary as I am about robots, I am interested to see how far this technology goes.
I suppose it could be pop-culture cultivating this fear in me. Another exampling being the Flight of the Conchords’ song “Robots” where the main line is, “The humans are dead, the humans are dead, we poisoned their a**es with poisonous gases.”
Although thinking about the possibilities of where robot technology can go can be scary, the technology is truly amazing. The Toyota robot is really cool. I can’t believe that we as humans have come up with that. It amazes me to think back on how when we first came here on earth we had nothing but nature; earth, wind and fire if you will. Today we have mega-cities, TVs, cell phones and robots to add to the list. Whether robots will someday check me out at the store or put a Band-Aid on my child’s leg is yet to be determined; however, as weary as I am about robots, I am interested to see how far this technology goes.
Mobile Technology
We talked about mobile technology the other days and I must say it truly is fascinating. I am only 21 and I got my first cell phone when I was 18, so mobile technology is really all I know. Yes, I remember the days when I would have to call my friends’ cell phone from home phone; as much as you would think the days of, “Hello, may I please speak to Jason?” were over, they lasted well into the year of 2007.
Today when I leave the house, I do a pocket check of three things: my wallet, my keys, and my phone. If I for some reason forget my phone, which is a rare occasion, I fell naked. Dead. Lost to the world. Alone. Even if I am in a large group of people. Let me say: I hate it!
I wish I could enjoy time with my friends without wondering if another friend is trying to get a hold of me. I often feel like I can’t just “be where I am,” I check my phone every few minutes to see if there is a new text. I feel like I have been conditioned to always be seeking for something better, even when I am enjoying myself.
I think one way to remedy my rudeness of seeking others’ attention while with friends is to leave my phone in my car or leave it on silent and only check it while heading to the bathroom or on downtime. I don’t want to be that guy who is always on his phone and never really listening to what his friends have to say. New goal: be where I am when with friends and not in cell phone-land.
Today when I leave the house, I do a pocket check of three things: my wallet, my keys, and my phone. If I for some reason forget my phone, which is a rare occasion, I fell naked. Dead. Lost to the world. Alone. Even if I am in a large group of people. Let me say: I hate it!
I wish I could enjoy time with my friends without wondering if another friend is trying to get a hold of me. I often feel like I can’t just “be where I am,” I check my phone every few minutes to see if there is a new text. I feel like I have been conditioned to always be seeking for something better, even when I am enjoying myself.
I think one way to remedy my rudeness of seeking others’ attention while with friends is to leave my phone in my car or leave it on silent and only check it while heading to the bathroom or on downtime. I don’t want to be that guy who is always on his phone and never really listening to what his friends have to say. New goal: be where I am when with friends and not in cell phone-land.
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