I wasn’t a fan of this article only because we had already read about a Second Life story so I knew about it already. The one interesting thing I found in this article that I don’t think I knew before was that you can actually turn a profit from it. The article said that one guy called it a dream come true because it helped him pay off his bills. I like the idea of making your second life whatever you choose, but at the end of the day it’s still not real or tangible.

Question: Do you think businesses like Microsoft should be worried about this game?

Machinima

I have no real interest in the machinima stuff. Machinima is the use of real-time 3-D graphics rendering engines to generate computer animation. It is seen in a lot of video games today. I like to play video games, but I honestly do not see the appeal in machinima. I think it is cool how it is recorded in real time and real people can act and control the camera how they want, but again…not for me.

Question: What do you think is the appeal of machinima?

Virtual Hunting video was not working for me even after I downloaded the software needed.

Virtual Iraq

I thought this was a really good idea. It is not like typical therapy and that is appealing right off the bat. Also, it is proven to help soldiers suffering from PTSD to remember what happened and helps them open up and talk about it so they can get better. I definitely think this method is effective and should continue being used.

Question: Do you think Virtual Iraq is a good method to help PTSD soldiers?

Metaforas

This article was long and boring as the Metaforas usually are. I don’t get why they can’t make it short and straight to the point. It was hard for me to focus, but I found some stuff that caught my attention. I really liked this first snippet I read…”Our creative endeavors fall into different categories based on how they exist in space and time. If you look at it while standing still, it’s a painting. If you move around it, it’s a sculpture. If you pass it around, it’s a snapshot. If you live in it, it’s architecture.” The most interesting thing I found in the article was the part about space and time. The article stated that we can measure time but never fully grasp it-which is so true. Also, the part about space and memories was so true- how we organize these memories and can remember what we were doing on a particular day. The music section was okay- the only thing that really stuck with me was that song “nice and smooth”- sometimes I rhyme slow sometimes I rhyme quick. haha. I thought it was pretty funny.

Question: What did you find most interesting in this article?

Who’s Afraid of Google? Everyone.

This article talks about just how powerful Google is and how much ground it really covers. The opening line of the article explains it all- “It seems no one is safe: Google is doing Wi-Fi; Google is searching inside books; Google has a plan for ecommerce.” Google intended to be more than a search engine and so far, it is succeeding in doing that. The author describes it – “In less than a decade, Google has gone from guerrilla startup to 800-pound gorilla.” The article covers all the aspects of Google such as video, classifieds, etc, who is threatened by them, the companies signs of panic and a reality check for those companies.

For video, you can Google any topic and search for videos on it. Who’s threatened by this? The answer is Comcast and other cable providers, Yahoo! and other TV networks that shun the net. Signs of panic: Comcast wants to be the Google of television. Yahoo! bristles at any mention of Google Video. Networks were stunned to find Google compiling a database of their programs. And as for the reality check, Google video is up and running the only question is how much content can it attract or pay for?

For classifieds sites such as ebay, craiglist, monster, etc. are threatened. Signs of panic: Within hours of the Base bombshell, eBay’s market value dropped by almost $2 billion. And even before that, the classified sites were nervous. CareerBuilder and others fretted about letting Google host their feeds. Reality check: This may be an extension of Froogle rather than a stand-alone product. But it could expand to everything from travel to eBay-like offerings.

For ECOMMERCE, Froogle threatens no one yet. But what if, as the development of Google Wallet suggests, Google handled your every online transaction? The potential revenue from Google’s cut of each purchase would make AdSense look like AdCents.
Who’s threatened: Amazon, Buy.com, eBay
Signs of panic: After reports speculated that Google might take on PayPal, eBay said it would pay up to $4.1 billion for VoIP rebel Skype. Wall Street’s read: With PayPal under fire, eBay needed a new growth area.
Reality check: Rather than take on PayPal directly, the company may start with something less ambitious, like handling payments for premium video content. But after that? Watch out.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/technology/internet/20google.html?_r=1&sq=google%20articles&st=cse&adxnnl=1&scp=13&adxnnlx=1259703966-IXNnlI9lQMnUfPhpuduwlw

Google to Add Captions, Improving YouTube Videos

I picked this article because the caption got me right from the beginning. I thought the idea Google had to add captions to YouTube videos was a smart one. According to the article, their purpose for adding these captions is so that it is better for those with hearing impairments or those who are deaf. This idea would also open YouTube videos to a wider foreign marker and make them more searchable. By opening this up and making them more searchable, it makes it easier for Google to turn a profit. The technology can usually only transfer captions into English, but Google is now giving the option to use its automatic translation system to read the captions in 51 languages. This would broaden the appeal of YouTube videos to millions of other people who do not speak English but could use the captioning technology to read subtitles in their native language.

The technology that would be used to do this is not new. This technology has been around and used for turning speech into text and also for using it to transcribe voice mail messages for users of its Google Voice service. The technology that will be used for captioning these videos is called “auto timing.” It will will make it easy for anyone to add captions to their videos. In addition to helping people who are deaf or do not speak English, the captions will make it easier for anyone to search text inside videos and find specific snippets within a video.

Overall, I think Google is being really smart with this decision. It will definitely be good for people with disabled hearing and other people might enjoy it as well. The question is, will people actually use it?

http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/23/google-adds-kid-safe-filters-to-search/?scp=25&sq=google&st=cse

Google Adds Kid-Safe Filters to Search

Once again, I was attracted to the title of the article. I think this is a really good thing to have for younger kids who do use computers now. This article starts off by going over how to change the setting so that no explicit content comes up when kids go to search. It even provides an instructional video. Once the setting is changed, any search made will be subject to Google’s strictest filter. To assure that this really worked, colored balls will appear on the top of the result search screen. If there are no colored balls, then it is not locked. Even though there is this option to change the setting, kids can still find a way around it by either changing it back themselves or using a different search engine. The article still encourages parents and teachers to monitor their children’s use of the internet. Google is really a dynamic force that is way more than a search engine. They are constantly coming up with new things and as long as people like them and need a search engine, Google will stay in its top position.

White ice crystals fall from clouds

Multitudes of snowflakes fall

Water vapor in the air

Temperature less than 32 degrees

Inches fall in winter

Snow crystals and snowflakes

Remarkably complex and beautiful structures

White powder is the real thing

Snow is amazing to earth

Send it our way

references:

Snow is a type of precipitation in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds

snow is precipitation in the form of small white ice crystals.

Snow is formed from the water vapor in the air at a temperature of less than 32

The most snow ever to fall in one winter was at Mount Baker in Washington State. In the winter of 1998-1999, 1, 140 inches fell, almost the height of the ..

Snow Crystals – This site is all about snow crystals and snowflakes, and how these remarkably complex and beautiful structures appear, quite literally, …

California is among the most photographed snow destinations on earth. Do you have an awesome shot from your last trip to the slopes? Send it our way!

Just add water and the powder instantly erupts into amazing artificial snow that looks and feels like the real thing. Technically, it’s a superabsorbent 

Bella is now friends with Jessica, Mike, Angela, Eric and Jacob Black.

Mike poked Bella.

Bella thinks her lab partner is strange.

Bella is now friends with Edward Cullen.

Edward Cullen is overwhelmed and frustrated he can’t read a certain someone’s mind.

Bella is now a fan of vampires.- Jacob Black commented on this: “dislike”

Bella is now in a relationship with Edward Cullen

Bella is now friends with Alice Cullen , Jasper Cullen, Emit Cullen  and Rosalie Cullen.

Jessica posted an event: “La Push” Surfing and other fun stuff.

Bella is unconditionally irrevocably in love with Edward.

Edward Cullen wrote on Bella’s wall ” You are my only reason for living- if that’s what I even am.” -Alice likes this status

Victoria is missing James and seeking revenge.

Bella does not want it to be her birthday.

Jacob Black sent Bella a Dreamcatcher.

Bella and Edward Cullen ended their relationship.

Bella is numb.

Bella misses Edward.

Bella added extremely dangerous activities to her interests.

Edward Cullen wrote on Bella’s wall ” don’t do anything reckless.”

Bella loves having Jacob in her life- I think he’s a beautiful person.

Bella wrote on Jacob’s wall “where have you been? I know you don’t have mono!”

Jacob is now a werewolf.

Bella is lonely.

Bella is now a fan of werewolves.

Alice wrote on Bella’s wall ” We need to go to Italy immediately to get Edward before he goes to the Voltore! I’ll explain later. – Jacob Black commented “Don’t Go.”

Bella added Italy to Places I’ve Been.

Bell and Edward Cullen are now engaged.

Question: Do you think you could write a novel using only your mobile phone?

Cross-Platform Storytelling- I think the whole ITV thing is a really cool idea that people will really enjoy. Everyone wants to feel part of their shows and even though they could always go online to their show’s website and join fan clubs and do other interactive stuff, the concept of the ITV might intrigue people and be more convenient for them to be interactive right from their couch or wherever they watch TV.

Question: Do you think ITV will be successful? Why or why not?

We Tell Stories- I was really into this idea that We Tell Stories has. For someone who does not like to read, I was actually really curious about this site and anxious to see what it will be like. It sounds like a great, exciting way to read. I like the idea of you can get updates immediately as the author is writing it. I think this site will do really well especially for younger kids (and myself) who find it boring to sit down and read a book. I also liked the posts by Nicci.

Question: Would you read a story from this site?

I know this generation is all about the social-networking sites, but I don’t think that politicians, especially the President should have one. I don’t see it as being necessary. It almost seems that these new technologies we have are making political campaigns easier. The whole texting idea just doesn’t seem right. I mean it is smart because people are constantly on their phones, but it just seems strange to think that cell phones can now help aid in helping a politician get elected. I can’t believe how much more views Obama got over McCain with all the videos and other stuff on the internet. To me it seems these candidates were trying to “be cool” by doing all this stuff online to show they are with the times. I don’t know what else, like I said before I am not into politics.

I actually liked the videos about the one laptop per child. I had never heard of this before but it seemed like a pretty good idea for those children in poorer countries. I like the size and style of the laptop and how it is durable and water resistant, but I could never imagine having one. It almost looked like a toy laptop that I had when I was younger that taught me how to spell and do math and other stuff like that. I think if they could help under-educated children and might spark more of an interest for them to learn.

Questions: What are your thoughts on politicians using social networking sites?

If you voted, did you ever watch a candidate’s video on Youtube or check out their social-network site to help decide who was the better candidate in your mind?

Do you think the one laptop per child will do well?

2. Next week, I plan to finish the writing part and get my book layed out in Indesign.

3. I’m concerned I won’t finish the book on time. I don’t know how long it will take to print.

4. I am learning a lot of history I never knew about my topic.

1. I was able to visit all of the schools I applied to. When I looked at the published materials for each school, I was looking more at the scenery more than the people. I don’t consider myself a racist person, but if I did see a brochure with a majority of people who were a different race than myself, I might think twice about considering the school.

2. I do not agree with her position. I think a lot of times people play the “race” card when it is not needed. I do not feel the picture was “talking down” to minority students. I understand why schools do that though I do not necessarily agree with it. I don’t think there is a difference between manipulating a photo and staging one. Both are technically a lie. Staging is a straight up lie so you can show people what they want to see. And manipulating is just changing a picture that has already been taken. Neither are right.

Other question: I do not think it is acceptable to construct images of diversity. I understand why they would feel the need to do that, but I don’t think it is the right thing to do. Also, I feel like it almost turns people off in a way because they can detect the falseness of the photo. I think schools should just stick to real photos without staging or editing them. People might respond better than they think.

Question: What are your feelings on photo manipulation? Would you manipulate a photo to look better for others to see?

Photoshop

I really enjoyed this article because Photoshop is a program I have now been using a lot for classes and even for personal pictures. It is crazy how popular photo manipulation has become over the years. Almost every picture we see in celebrity magazines is retouched and now we have the technology to retouch photos of our own. I don’t know if I would use that technology to take people out of pictures but I thought it was nice how the woman had a picture of her and her dad made after he passed away. I happen to really like photoshop and though it could turn pictures into something they weren’t, it could also alter them in a good way. Plus, photoshop is fun to use.

Question: Have you ever used photoshop to render a picture? Do you think one day all our pictures will be photshopped?

This article just made me want to play Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. I own the game and I have played in numerous times. I haven’t played it in so long so this article refreshened my memory about and I suddenly had a desire to play it again. The article brought up good points though I felt it was a little longer than it needed to be. At one point the author talks about the idea of “narratologists” and “ludologists”. I definitely side with ludologists. I agree that the game is the thing and what the characters can do and how they do it matters most, not that narrative path. I knew the back story of the character CJ, but I disregarded it after a while and just played the game how I wanted. I wasn’t particularly good at the missions, maybe because I’m a girl, but I still enjoyed the “power” and freedom I had as a different character that is in no way like me. It is actually a fun game to play because it allows you to do just about everything.

Question: Have you ever played San Andreas? If you have, what do you think of it? If not, does this article make you interested in trying it?

Ridiculous Life Lessons From New Girl Games

I had never heard of any of those games before but I thought they were pretty funny. I understand what the author is saying about sending the wrong message to girls, but at the same time, it is entertainment, just like San Andreas for boys. I think these games are fine to play once in a while, they are a good escape from reality.

Question: Do you feel these games send the wrong message to young girls?

Is This Man Cheating on his Wife?

I thought this article was very interesting. I had never heard of Second Life before but it sounds both cool and scary at the same time. I’ve played virtual games before like the Sims and I do get into the game, but I can’t imagine letting a virtual game take over my real life. I can understand getting into a game as an escape and just for something new and fun, but I think Mr. Hoogestrat has taken it a little too far. I feel bad for his wife. He is not technically cheating on her, but it just does not seem right to be so engrossed in a fantasy life.

Question: What are your thoughts on the article? If you were the wife would you consider divorce?

Cyborg

This article was boring. I guess the concept of cyborgs is intriguing but I could not get into this article. Half human/animal half machine is interesting but after reading the articles before that were somewhat relatable I had no interest in this.

Question: Do you think cyborgs are beneficial?

Telescope in Eye

I like this article a lot. I happen to have terrible eye sight and even though I don’t have macular degeneration and I’m not legally blind, I think the telescope is a great idea. It is weird to think that they can actually transplant a telescope into an eye but if it is helping people then I say it is a great thing. I still have to wonder how it feels and looks though.

Question: Would you consider getting the telescope if you really could not see?

Tiny Camera in Eye

Whoa. I don’t know if this is a really cool thing or a creepy thing. I think it amazing that it could be done, but I would feel very uncomfortable around him knowing he s literally watching and recording my every move.

Question: Would you let him document your life through his eye?

Twitter

Another crazy technology. I think the BCI2000 could be helpful for a disabled person but other than that I feel there is no real need for it. I think people would get sick of it after a while. While watching the video it seemed like it was slow to process what the man wanted his status to be, I would get very frustrated and impatient. Also, I am usually thinking about a million things while doing something so I feel like that would be a hard adjustment to really have to focus your brain on to what you are trying to say.

Question: Would you ever use the BCI2000?

South Korea Boot Camp

I never understood how people could stay on the computer for such long hours. 17 hours is outrageous. I get bored after a while and my eyes start to hurt. I think South Korea had a good idea with the boot camp, but I wonder if the kids really change after doing it or if they still spend long hours on the computer.

Question: Do you think a camp like this would work in our country?

JENNIFER RINGLY- I thought this was a little strange. I was almost a little disturbed by her. I don’t like the idea of having everyone see what is going on in my life. I can’t imagine having a camera on me at all times. I like having my privacy.

Question: would you ever consider having your life broadcasted for everyone to see?

FACEBOOK- This was a very interesting article because I don’t think anyone takes the time to stop and think about how Facebook is tracking what we do. It is crazy to know that all our information could be accessed so easily by our Facebook page. The thing I found to be the craziest was the part about how even if you do not have a Facebook account, they can still track down your purchases.

Question: Do you ever worry about your information being tracked down? Do you have privacy settings on your facebook and if so for what reason?

The facebook quiz was pretty surprising. I go on facebook just about everyday and I never realized how much of the stuff I thought was private actually isn’t. Though I found it to be interesting and surprising, I didn’t take any further action and change any settings or sign the petition.

Question: after taking the quiz, did you change any privacy settings? did you sign the petition?

I really liked the privacy and security guide. After I looked over it, I went to check my privacy settings and if something wasn’t set to “only friends” I changed it. The Facebook Fail document was an easy read, but I basically knew all the things that it was going over.

Question: Did the facebook readings make you change any of your privacy settings? Do you think it is important to keep your profile private?

TWITTER- I have a twitter but I rarely use it. I go on it to look at others people’s tweets, mainly celebrities because I just like to see what they have to say. I am not in to the whole “make a status” thing because I really don’t think people care what I am doing, and if they do, they could always reach me on my phone. I have made status’ before but again, I don’t really like them. All of the Twitter articles were good and I learned more about the site. For example, I was always confused on if I tweeted something about someone and I wanted them to see it, if they could indeed see it or not. I know it depends if they are “following” me or not. I didn’t like the part about ghost Twitters because I like to believe that the celebrity I’m following is actually writing their own tweets and not having someone do it for them. The Daily Show clip was funny. I like how they brought up the point about how 7th graders can’t use phones in class because they are expected to pay attention, but grown people are tweeting at Congress meetings. The last part about stalkers was funny too.

Question: Do you have a twitter? If so, do you like it? If not, would you consider getting one after reading these articles?

PARENTS- I had never heard of parentconnect before reading the article. When I was in high school, if you skipped a class, the school would call your house and leave an automated voice message saying that the student was not in the class at the particular time. I got in trouble for this a few times, so I can’t imagine my parents using parentconnect. I don’t know if I necessarily agree with the parentconnect. I think it is good for parents to monitor their children’s grades in school, but I feel the more pressure parents put on and the more controlling they are, the outcome could be bad. The GPS article was very interesting. I never knew anyone who used it so they could keep track of where their child is, but I can think of people I know who it would actually be a good idea for. I always think it would be a good thing to have incase anything tragic happened like a kidnapping or anything along those lines, but at the same time, I feel like as long as kids have cellphones and tell their parents where they are going and tell them the truth, these aren’t really needed.

Question: Would you ever use a GPS to track your kids? Why or why not?