Monday, April 28, 2008

What is the Future of Blogging?

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Now it has come to the end of the semester and since I am not required to continue blogging, I am not sure if I am going to continue to do so. My decision will be based on the future of blogging. A number of things come to mind right away.
  • To what extent can my be used against me?
  • How effective of a social network are blogs?
  • How effective will they be in the future?
  • What are the alternatives?
I really do enjoy blogging, but I am not sure it is something I will continue to do in the future. I began to browse the internet and search for articles about the future and came across a very interesting blog where it talked about the future of blogs in terms of how people will use them and how they will be affected in the future. It lists nine distinct points which I find pretty believable and I have to say I agree. Based on all this I am not sure if this is my first and last blog. I will just have to see how technology evolves and use all the resources available to me to get ahead. It has been fun...farewell...for now.

Monday, April 21, 2008

One More Social Network Couldn't Hurt, But Email?

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After reading an article in the Technology Section of the NY Times called Inbox 2.0: Yahoo and Google to Turn E-Mail Into a Social Network, it has become clear to me that social networking is growing nonstop and the technology for it has just begun to evolve. Just looking back at the days of simple communications through the internet with programs such as AOL or AIM where users can have a profile and customize it any way they like. Then sites like MySpace and Facebook, came into the picture and developed a basis for a community of individuals to become friends, share comments, and network. But that was only the beginning. Now I hear giants like Google and Yahoo want to turn their web-email services into social networks. This is definitely a great way to expand their business and make a ton of money, but are we ready for this? I have to say, it sounds like a great idea and I am all for having one easy page with everything I would want to check on it like iGoogle, but more. This is just the evolving technology and one more social network couldn't hurt. But there are dangers involved with expanding social networks this way. Overall, we need to look ahead and see what is best for the future.

Below is a great video about the dangers of social networking and they are outlined for each site based on case. Enjoy!




Monday, April 14, 2008

The Evolution of GPS Technology

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After reading an article on the Rise and rise of GPS Mobile, it has just hit me that technology is evolving and there is nothing we can do about it. Now we do not even need to buy fancy navigation systems or even pay extra for them. Your cell phone, yes that device you use on a daily basis to make and receive calls, text message, check your email, and even listen to music, can now tell you where you are and how to get where you are going. It can also tell you where something is located and provide you a map of the area. In think this has to be one of the greatest additions to the technology world. Everything you need, built into one phone. The Iphone is a prime example of this. I have one and it really does have everything I would ever need. Now with the recent addition of the GPS application, my phone can tell me where I am and give me directions to where I need to go. With this new application, we can all find where we need to go and you don't even need to be in a car. You can use your phone!

Below is a video that shows you how the GPS application work on the iphone.




Monday, April 7, 2008

The New Politics: Facebook?

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What is the deal with Facebook and Politics? After reading a blog about how facebook changes politics, it has come to my attention that social networking sites are now being taken advantage of and abused by many politicians as well as political supporters and such. But, why would a social networking site mainly created for the use of making and staying connected to friends be used for politics? The answer to the question is simple and is clearly expressed in the blog. It stated that,

"Politics on the internet is about a tension: between politicians trying to use it to attract supporters and people trying to use it to influence change. The tension is that most of each group sees the other as a necessary evil that needs to be harnessed. If neither fully understands why the other is in this new space then their interaction is minimal."

I was never really into politics and ever since I came to DC, it has been hard to steer clear of anything having to do with politics. It has been all over the news, newspaper headlines, posters, etc., basically everywhere. I don't think politics should invade social networking sites. There are other sites and ways to express your opinion or support your cause. Even though using social networking sites may benefit the politician or supporters, it's not necessary. The evolution of the technology has opened up a robust forum for people to use and abuse. Now there are so many different sites dedicated to specific interests or views and there is no need for politics to expand so much as to invade sites for the purpose of influencing a change.

Below is a very interesting video on Facebook and politics, what a coincidence. Its short and interesting. Enjoy!