Friday, February 29, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Tax Dollars Being Spent Frivolously
Earmarks = Evil?
Besides the fact that this story is valiantly exploitatious, it says a lot for the good graces the Internet has to offer. This story is basically about the ambiguous expenditure of citizen's cash out of citizen's pockets. Senators are spending upwards of millions of dollars every year to fund what they have covertly dubbed "Earmarks".
However low, decieving or down right inappropriate these Earmarks are, this story also shows us a big advantage the InterWeb has to offer. David Heath, Seattle Investigative Reporter, used the oppurtunity of the InterWeb in an ingenious fasion. As Heath tried to track down all of these mysterious funds, he eventually came to the conclusion that there are no open-access, or even clear documents of the total spending of Earmarks by the members of Congress. So he went ahead and made one. It states in the article that Heath has now created a, i'm not exactly sure if it's a website, however some form of documentation of this inexplicable spending that is now easily accessible to the public.
Besides the fact that this story is valiantly exploitatious, it says a lot for the good graces the Internet has to offer. This story is basically about the ambiguous expenditure of citizen's cash out of citizen's pockets. Senators are spending upwards of millions of dollars every year to fund what they have covertly dubbed "Earmarks".
However low, decieving or down right inappropriate these Earmarks are, this story also shows us a big advantage the InterWeb has to offer. David Heath, Seattle Investigative Reporter, used the oppurtunity of the InterWeb in an ingenious fasion. As Heath tried to track down all of these mysterious funds, he eventually came to the conclusion that there are no open-access, or even clear documents of the total spending of Earmarks by the members of Congress. So he went ahead and made one. It states in the article that Heath has now created a, i'm not exactly sure if it's a website, however some form of documentation of this inexplicable spending that is now easily accessible to the public.
Like Our Secret Service Needs To Be More Secret
2-Way Microphone Headset
The title of this article is a little bit deceiving. At first i thought this was just going to be another Patriot Act-like creation from the government. To my dismay, watch the video on this site and you'll understand. The way they presented this product in the video it seem almost a mockery of any type of spy gadgetry.
In any case, advancements like these, especially in the round-table, business world are definitely an advantage for the over zealous business person. Even if you don't sit in conferences on a daily basis, i personally think that this little do-dad could be extremely fun. On the other end of the spectrum this device could certainly be quite invasive. If you don't want a certain person(s) hearing certain pieces of information, i think this little guy could upset quite a few individuals.
The title of this article is a little bit deceiving. At first i thought this was just going to be another Patriot Act-like creation from the government. To my dismay, watch the video on this site and you'll understand. The way they presented this product in the video it seem almost a mockery of any type of spy gadgetry.
In any case, advancements like these, especially in the round-table, business world are definitely an advantage for the over zealous business person. Even if you don't sit in conferences on a daily basis, i personally think that this little do-dad could be extremely fun. On the other end of the spectrum this device could certainly be quite invasive. If you don't want a certain person(s) hearing certain pieces of information, i think this little guy could upset quite a few individuals.
Pakistan Limits Internet
Pakistan/You tube
This is a pretty interesting story....except for this quote from Wahaj-us-Siraj, the convener of the Association of Pakistan Internet Service Providers: "The government has valid reason for that, but they have to find a better way of doing it. If we continue blocking popular websites, people will stop using the Internet."
I agree with the beginning of this statement. Yes, the government does have a legitimate reason for putting up these walls in the virtual world, but that's just theoretical. Banning the entirety of You tube from an entire nation? Seems a bit much wouldn't you say? That's my first order of beef; second, the end part of Siraj's statement: "...people will stop using the Internet." Pardon my french but that's a bunch of BS. I'm sure an outrage would ensue, however the notion that people, an entire nation even, would stop using the Inter Web is quite feasibly impossible. BBC Journalists....get a clue.
This is a pretty interesting story....except for this quote from Wahaj-us-Siraj, the convener of the Association of Pakistan Internet Service Providers: "The government has valid reason for that, but they have to find a better way of doing it. If we continue blocking popular websites, people will stop using the Internet."
I agree with the beginning of this statement. Yes, the government does have a legitimate reason for putting up these walls in the virtual world, but that's just theoretical. Banning the entirety of You tube from an entire nation? Seems a bit much wouldn't you say? That's my first order of beef; second, the end part of Siraj's statement: "...people will stop using the Internet." Pardon my french but that's a bunch of BS. I'm sure an outrage would ensue, however the notion that people, an entire nation even, would stop using the Inter Web is quite feasibly impossible. BBC Journalists....get a clue.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Google/Yahoo demographics don't lie
Google/Yahoo
This is kind of a vicious little motiff that just will not go away. This barrier has been a hard one to cross, and i'm referring to the "label" barriers. It's always difficutl to get rid of an annoying tradition like this and trying to become a global community, but do we have to keep pointing it out? I know, i know, it does make headlines, however, there are certain aspects that need to be focused on more.
With this divergence in the search engine community being brought to the forefront, it certainly explains a lot of the "buying out's" that are happening in the Web World. It's almost just a shadow of an element of the capitalist world (we love so much): Merging of corporations is as leymen as i can put it. Which obviously hurts the lower laborer more so than our masses-loving, headstrong leaders...that we love so much.
This is kind of a vicious little motiff that just will not go away. This barrier has been a hard one to cross, and i'm referring to the "label" barriers. It's always difficutl to get rid of an annoying tradition like this and trying to become a global community, but do we have to keep pointing it out? I know, i know, it does make headlines, however, there are certain aspects that need to be focused on more.
With this divergence in the search engine community being brought to the forefront, it certainly explains a lot of the "buying out's" that are happening in the Web World. It's almost just a shadow of an element of the capitalist world (we love so much): Merging of corporations is as leymen as i can put it. Which obviously hurts the lower laborer more so than our masses-loving, headstrong leaders...that we love so much.
Micro-scope
Microsoft's Telescope
This is another huge step in the potential of the global-wide-web. We are able to look at pictures and videos of tiny microrganisms, and now being able to pan far reaches of space is a giant leap.
The article does also mention something about terabits. Understanding the measurements of these giant projects also creates a better appreciation for these particular advances. Creating a better understanding of these projects creates a more engaged audience (aka: ourselves as students). How bout that, a real world use from these major classes already! But on a more serious note: what an opportunity for the average person to be able to generate a globabl citizen thought process! I have a theory. I think that, if more attention was put, this "simple" program could do some global good. Putting yourself in perspective with the Earth and how, comparativly, small we really are.
This is another huge step in the potential of the global-wide-web. We are able to look at pictures and videos of tiny microrganisms, and now being able to pan far reaches of space is a giant leap.
The article does also mention something about terabits. Understanding the measurements of these giant projects also creates a better appreciation for these particular advances. Creating a better understanding of these projects creates a more engaged audience (aka: ourselves as students). How bout that, a real world use from these major classes already! But on a more serious note: what an opportunity for the average person to be able to generate a globabl citizen thought process! I have a theory. I think that, if more attention was put, this "simple" program could do some global good. Putting yourself in perspective with the Earth and how, comparativly, small we really are.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Hot or Not is Hot
Hot or Not is apparently Hot
The only thing i really have to say about this article is...wow. In this day and age the hottest sites on the market are sites that are strictly devoted to being judgemental? I suppose the only people that engage in these types of activites are there by their own free will, and probably know full well what the consequences of being a part of this are.
(I have a hot or not account myself)
The only thing i really have to say about this article is...wow. In this day and age the hottest sites on the market are sites that are strictly devoted to being judgemental? I suppose the only people that engage in these types of activites are there by their own free will, and probably know full well what the consequences of being a part of this are.
(I have a hot or not account myself)
Friday, February 8, 2008
China Ban Potentially Lifted
China/Olympics
This story is interesting for a couple different reasons. One it shows how technologically specific we have become. We now have the potential to block certain items from being searched on the internet, which in and of itself is astounding. Number two, it shows that there are even underlying cultural aspects in regards to the interweb. In our history cultures have clashed for many different reasons and in this particular situation the battlefield is invisible. I'm sure that there will definitly be some controversial repercussions from this.
This story is interesting for a couple different reasons. One it shows how technologically specific we have become. We now have the potential to block certain items from being searched on the internet, which in and of itself is astounding. Number two, it shows that there are even underlying cultural aspects in regards to the interweb. In our history cultures have clashed for many different reasons and in this particular situation the battlefield is invisible. I'm sure that there will definitly be some controversial repercussions from this.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Google fearing the Microsoft Expansion
Google "David or Goliath?"
With the merger of Microsoft and Yahoo comes the competition factor. With the comments on this sites page you can see the indecision of the masses in action. However, i think there is a heavy favor for the "Pro-Merger" side. I personally think that this is a bad move, however competition-thriving it would be, it would just be promoting Monopolistic firms once again. I do not believe that Google is the "new" goliath, i think that we should stop the combining of these super-net powers and keep to the individual graces of each; otherwise, the internect could be on a downward spiral of corruption itself....Dun Dun Duuuuuun!
With the merger of Microsoft and Yahoo comes the competition factor. With the comments on this sites page you can see the indecision of the masses in action. However, i think there is a heavy favor for the "Pro-Merger" side. I personally think that this is a bad move, however competition-thriving it would be, it would just be promoting Monopolistic firms once again. I do not believe that Google is the "new" goliath, i think that we should stop the combining of these super-net powers and keep to the individual graces of each; otherwise, the internect could be on a downward spiral of corruption itself....Dun Dun Duuuuuun!
Hybrid Escalade
Hybrid Escalade for MVP of Super Bowl
For the 2008 Super Bowl MVP they awarded an '09 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. Apperently it gets around 18 miles to the gallon and has a 40% fuel efficiency increase from the previous models. This peeked my interest, number one, because i love Cadillacs in general. Number two, this is great advertising for Hybrids all-around. There was, again, a record number of people watching the SB this year, and with all those eyes there is deffinitely some people that this could directly affect.
For the 2008 Super Bowl MVP they awarded an '09 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. Apperently it gets around 18 miles to the gallon and has a 40% fuel efficiency increase from the previous models. This peeked my interest, number one, because i love Cadillacs in general. Number two, this is great advertising for Hybrids all-around. There was, again, a record number of people watching the SB this year, and with all those eyes there is deffinitely some people that this could directly affect.
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