Category: Technology


Windows 7 is Here… So?

Filed Under: Technology
Sep.18, 2009

Sure, I might be a huge Apple geek, and I use my Macbook and iPhone on every day.  But trust me on this one, I want Windows 7 to succeed.  The reason?  Innovation of Windows means Apple needs to ramp up their own innovation and create some new things.  I downloaded Microsoft’s newest “Retail-Candidate” version of Windows 7, and gave it a try.

I use a program on my Mac called “Parallels” to run Windows operating systems on my computer.  I have had Windows XP installed on my computer for the past year, and booted it up every once in a while to test some websites that I have designed (for compatibility).  Last night, I got Windows 7 and booted it up for the first time.  I had seen a few computers running the system before, but I never got to experience the entire operating system first-hand.

Now, before I continue, I need to bring up a crucial point.  Here is the upgrade pricing for the new operating system being released next month to the general public:

Screen shot 2009-09-18 at 2.20.19 PM

The version I tested out was the “Ultimate” version.  The… $219.99 version.  To summarize my experience: I’m confused.  No, I’m not having troubles finding certain buttons or files.  No, I’m not running intro problems with certain applications, nor did I have any installation questions.  Truthfully, I’m just confused why it’s priced so high.  I have been literally searching for impressive features, even Googling “cool windows 7 features,” finding articles in which “keyboard shortcuts” are considered cool.  Maybe I don’t find the system thrilling because I never had to deal with Vista (or I’ve been spoiled with Mac OS X hehe!).  I think that the next version of Microsoft’s operating system and Apple’s operating system will be incredibly better than where we are at now- I really think that the future is right over the hill, and we are right about to reach the top of the hill: about to see what innovations the future has to bring.

What do you believe computers will be like in five years? Ten years? Fifty years?

-Scott

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Instant Gratification – I Want It Now!

Filed Under: Technology
Apr.25, 2009

It’s a common phrase used in the 21st century:

“Just Google it and you can find out.”

People want to know their answers right away.  Maybe that’s fine if you can’t remember the 17th President of the United States, or you can’t remember how old Bill Gates was when he created his first piece of software, but sometimes it goes just a little bit overboard.  I find more and more teenagers want to know the results of everything they do immediately.  They want their exam results immediately.  They want their projects graded immediately.  If they don’t get the result instantaneously, they get angry and, clearly, impatient.

For me, I love the internet.  It gives us answers so we don’t have to have a question sitting in the back of our mind for hours.  But that kind of instant gratification shouldn’t be transferred to everything.  Also, what happens when we don’t have the internet readily available?  We need to re-train ourselves to be without the internet every once in a while.  We don’t have to have Facebook right in our hands.  We need to learn how to have patience.  At this rate, we will eventually have no patience at all that we will totally disregard speed limits or any other speed precautions.

Just imagine this:  ”I don’t have enough time to put on my seat belt.”  ”I don’t have time to eat, that takes too long.”  ”You actually take the time to choose what clothes you want to wear?”

From a quick perspective, there is no way of slowing this evolution of humanity.  The internet grows every day, with more and more people accessing it every day.  In a way, I wish I could stop the One Laptop per Child project, because I feel the children would be able to learn in a better way than using a computer.  Sure, it has its advantages.  But technology causes nations to lose their culture.  C’mon, isn’t everyone afraid of Americanization?

-ThatOneGuy

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Facebook Stalking – Affecting our Social Awkwardness?

Filed Under: Sociology, Technology
Mar.23, 2009

We’ve all done it. You see someone you talk to from time to time, but have never ACTUALLY spoken words with. You look through all of their pictures, statuses, wall posts, etc. You become to KNOW them. Yet, once you actually see them in real, 3-D life, you pass by without so much as a glance or a word. Why is this?

Well, maybe it’s cause we’re awkward teenagers that have a new outlet to avoid conversation. Maybe it’s cause our curiosity is just too starved to ignore.

Or maybe it’s because we have some SERIOUS issues on the way.

Face-to-face communication is starting to suffer, greatly because of social networking sites and texting. Don’t get me wrong; I’m an avid texter/Facebook stalker, but I feel that interpersonal relationships have suffered because we all rely so much on communication via-electronics.

And this is just the beginning. Soon, we’ll all be able to just THINK a thought and it’s automatically sent to Twitter for the world’s viewing pleasures. This idea may seem ridiculous, but it is more likely than not being cooked up by some Apple scientist, somewhere (yes, Apple, not Microsoft).

Are we ready for this?

I’m sure as hell not.

So next time you see someone you love, give them a hug. Tell them you love them. Ask them about their day, as opposed to reading it later on your news feed. While our economy may be suffering with a side effect of inflation, personal relationships are suffering from deflation. A friendly hug is now worth MUCH more than it used to be. Take advantage.

-alishasmoo

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Mac or PC?

Filed Under: Technology
Mar.15, 2009

I don’t know about you, but I’d take a Macintosh over a PC any day. Reason being the fact that Mac’s actually work and don’t really have problems, which doesn’t make me frustrated and uptight. Apple is a reliable company that really spends time and money making the best products out there. The only thing that might turn you off from getting a Mac is the price. The price might be a little steep compared to PC’s, but it is worth every penny to buy that Mac. The great thing about a Mac that PC people don’t know is that a Mac can run Windows like a PC. This means you pretty much have a 2 in 1 computer and that comes in handy. My previous experiences with PC’s have been dreadful. I had a Dell laptop and it was awful, the computer only lasted a few years which is nothing compared to a Mac. Anyways, the more you ended up using the Dell, the slower it became. I became so frustrated with the Dell that I literally was going to throw it across the room. Well, when I got a Mac, I smashed the dell to bits so I could take all that anger I had with that thing out of my body. Of course, Mac’s don’t get viruses like PC’s do so the Mac’s last longer and they stay just as fast as when you got it brand new.

In Conclusion, don’t go through the hassle and frustration of buying a PC and just get a Mac.

-jordan

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Facebook Over Myspace

Filed Under: Technology
Mar.04, 2009

Myspace has come and gone, and now the new fad is Facebook. What’s the main draw to Facebook? Why is it so easy to spend hours on end flipping though different applications and friend’s pages? Who really knows why Facebook is so addicting? The answer is people want to be social.

Any time that I am on or near my computer, my Facebook page is pulled up. Sometimes I have my Facebook open and don’t even realize it. I know I’m not the only Facebook addict, because I know a few people who do the same thing. The draw to Facebook for me is purely social. If I’m on Facebook, people know that I am available to talk. Status messages let me express myself in a way that others can see, if its my mood, a funny saying, or lyrics to a favorite song. The whole point of Facebook seems to be to find friends, keep in touch, and keep updated on current ongoings between friends. Aside from the social aspect, there are many games, activities, and applications for people to play with for entertainment. A popular application is Bumper Sticker, where friends can send funny pictures to each other. There really is no point to this application but it gives people something to do when they’re bored. There are classic games such as Scrabble, Tetris, and Jetman in which friends can compete against each other for the top score.

But what makes Facebook so much greater than Myspace? Facebook has original ideas. Myspace is just copying things that Facebook has because they are realizing how well Facebook is doing. Facebook is also more entertaining. Until recently, Myspace didn’t have games, or applications, or even status messages. Facebook seems more social. Myspace is “all about me” which is great if you want to show yourself off, but more people are on Facebook to add a new social aspect to their life and actually talk to friends rather than brag about themselves. More people talk to each other on Facebook than they do on Myspace. Most people find that Facebook is a more mature version of Myspace. There is less drama on Facebook because I know a few people who have come to Facebook to get away from the Myspace drama. (I’ve never understood what creates Myspace drama anyway.) Sure, Facebook may be a bit plainer, but it is user friendly and seemingly safer than Myspace. Some may beg to differ, but this is what I, personally, have found.

All this sounds great, but some people will argue that Facebook is an easy way to stalk people. But honestly, why would you add someone as a friend if you didn’t want them to know how you were feeling at a particular moment, or if you didn’t want them to know when you broke up with your boyfriend/girlfriend? Why would you add someone if you didn’t want them to read your profile, or see who you are friends with? Why would you add someone if you didn’t want them to be able to read your Wall posts or see your Bumper Stickers? Use street smarts because the common answers to the above questions would be: “You wouldn’t.” A profile is personal, and you shouldn’t put something in it that you wouldn’t want just a classmate to see.

Honestly, more people have Facebook than Myspace now days anyway. People who don’t have Facebook are really missing out on a new social key to our generation. But what makes it so popular might never be fully understood.

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