Monday, December 5, 2011

SPAM

           In today's world the Internet is being used by everybody for all sorts of things.  The one thing that is annoying about the Internet is all the junk mail I receive.  This is called Spam.  These large companies try to advertise by using tricky slogans to get you interested.  If you do get hooked to these slogans, be careful what you post about you, which includes name, date of birth, address, phone number, and etc.  These things are easy to post and you may think they are innocent but you never know, so just beware of the emails that you receive.
            Recently I have been getting many emails from this one guy saying he will give me money to shop, reduce my debt, and/or buy a house.  These emails go directly to my spam box but WHY do I get them?


Hey Ben,
You qualify to be our mystery shopper
and we're paying you up to $1,000 right
now!


Register right here *

Great way to shop & get paid real cash
as a mystery
 shopper.

You can do this!

Robert

         So here is one of the emails that I have received, and I have some questions.   I did some digging on this and found out it originated in California but on my email page it says Robert is from Georgia.  Once I click on Register here I had many forms to fill out.  They wanted to know my name, but they already have it,  address, phone number.  These are little things but I have come to a conclusion that this email is SPAM.  It funny that it says, "Hey Ben,"  what is he my friend and/or pal.  I don't know him.  The world would be so better off without all those scammers and/or junk mail, i.e. SPAM!!!




Sunday, November 27, 2011

Google Earth

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab11

    View Larger Map                           Google Earth is a virtual globe, map and geographical information program that lets the viewer see anything that you can dream of.  This program maps the Earth by using images from satellite imagery, aerial photography.  The bonus to this program is it is FREE to download through Google Earth.  It allows the user to view Earth's surface, different cities, houses and buildings in each city.  A neat aspect to this program is that you can view things in 3D, such as buildings throughout different cities.                                   In my little experiment with Google Earth, I took a tour of my hometown of Burlington, VT.  My first stop was at my childhood home on Meridian St.  This was a great home to grow up in because it was on a dead end street.  There were a bunch of kids that were relatively the same age, which was great to play all sorts of games. My next visit was a stop at my old high school.  I spent four great years there, which I played three sports; soccer, hockey, and baseball.  Then I take the tour along the bike path to the Waterfront.  This is an amazing place to visit when you come to Burlington.  There are various activities to do here, which includes water sports, ferry rides to New York and/or to explore Lake Champlain, or to just relax and site see on one of the many benches on the water.  After the Waterfront we go up College Street to visit the University of Vermont.  This is a beautiful university with a great campus green.  I did spend a year and half there and it was a great time!!!!!  Finally, we go down the hill the Church Street.  This is a street where you cannot drive up or down, which is cool.  There are plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars.  I decide to eat at Vermont Pub and Brewery, which has great burgers and homemade beers.  Hope you enjoyed my tour and recommend that you visit Burlington, VT.                          
                  Even though I think Google Earth is a great tool to use to see places around the world.  However I do believe there are some security and privacy issues that come up.  Anyone can view certain things where they want to attack.  They can plan out an escape plan if they want to.  I know this is going to an extreme but you never know.    Other parts of this program lets you track planes and cruise ships to and from there destinations.  It goes in to details about when the plane and/or ship takes off and when it lands.  This information is available to anyone that wants to hurt the United States.  Again I know this is extreme but it has to be looked at in the future because the Internet is growing and this information could fall into the wrongs hands.                               Google Earth is a tool for a user to use to see different places around the world.  It shows different cities and towns.  This program lets you see where restaurants, schools, business, and among other things are located.  I do believe this is a great tool to use if you are thinking of traveling and/or moving to certain cities.  There are some issues that arise with this program but that goes with anything in today's world.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

'Google's Next Big Thing"

         Google Inc is an American public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies.  Google host and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, including one of the biggest search engines.  Since its arrival in 1998, from a garage in California, it has grown to become one of the richest companies in the world, with over a billion users.  Today Google has offices all around the world.  But know-a-days the consumers are looking for the next big thing in technology, like IPad.  With so much competition out there from Yahoo and Microsoft, Google has to come out with a BANG!  I think they have with the "Google Art Project."

        Google has followed other companies, like going into the cell phone business, but they have a couple of new project coming out that will excite the consumer.  The new projects are the "Art Project," "Google +," and "Google's Driverless Car."  I personally like the "Art Project" because you can look at famous art work from around the world and in some cases never ever will see.  The driverless car is a great idea but it scares me to think that cars are out there with no driver, but some might say, "WOW!!"  The "Google +" idea is another great idea but it seems to me it is just like Facebook with maybe a couple of new features.  I am not into Facebook, so I would bother with Google+.  With the "Google Art Project" the user will be able to different paintings and/or art work from around the world.   The user can also explore famous museum's that the user might not be able to see in their lifetime.  The best thing the user can do is to build their own art collection to show to their friends.


Example of a piece of art work:


Example of a view of a museum:

       In conclusion,  I believe that the future in the technology world is bright for Google and even its competitors.  I do believe the driverless car is coming in the next five to ten years but I also think that there is going to be a BIG merger with one of the big players.  Can you imagine if these companies started to work together, share ideas and/or secrets to see what they can come up with.  Only time will tell if I am right about a merger.

Resources:

http://www.google.com/about/corporate/company/history.html

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/16/view/13079/google-art-project.html








Monday, September 26, 2011

The Dark Side

The Dark Side

The Internet is a global system of computer networks that serves billions of users worldwide.  These networks consist of private, public, academic, business, and government networks that carry a vast range of information.  Some of this information is public and/or private to the different users.  The Internet can be accessed almost anywhere by anyone, especially through mobile Internet devices.
People use the Internet to talk, post everyday life things, and much more on sites like Facebook and/or MySpace.  These sites are a social utility that connects people with friends, family, and others who work, study and live around them.  Users use the sites to keep on their friends and/or family by viewing their pages, by looking at photos and postings.  But are these sites safe?  On the most part I believe they are, however I think people post too much information.


I believe Facebook is a great tool to stay in touch with friends and family.  It is very easy to use and it is FREE.  Some people go to far in posting information on their lives because they tell their followers their whereabouts 24/7.  Other then posting information some post pictures that are harmless to them but could get them into trouble in the future because you never know who is looking at these pictures.  I agree with the ISU students that it is up the user to be aware of the information they post.

When users post information on the Internet it is out there forever and can be seen by anyone.  This is what I do not get about these users; they believe they can post anything no matter what.  In these two articles people think they are untouchable but in reality they can get caught and face consequences.

I do believe Facebook and MySpace are great sites to connect with friends and family.  If these sites are used in the right way, you can stay in contact with people even though they are miles and miles away.  There are some dark issues that arise on these sites but with the proper care and awareness, the users should be fine.  The bottom line the user has to be SMART on what is posted on their page.


Thursday, September 15, 2011

iPAD

            When the Apple iPad came out in early 2010, it was a huge hit.  The American people wanted the new thing in the technology world, just like the iPod and iPhone.  The iPad is a computer tablet designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc.  The device is used for the internet, reading books, watching movies, playing music and/or games, taking photos, and other things.  I believe that the iPad is a new trend in the technology world but it is here to stay.  Of course companies will try to make these tablets better and faster but the iPad is where it started.
           
       The iPad can be used for so many things that it is a device that you have to have.  The tablet is used in leisure, to be held when relaxing, to watch movies or even reading books.  This device is more adequate than the desktop computer.  The iPad is lighter and can be moved around the house at will.  The device can even go to the workplace and/or on family trips.  The one thing that the iPad is missing is a real keyboard, which may be difficult for some people when using a touch screen.
           
       The way technology is going these days; the newspaper industry days may be numbered.  In some cases it is already happened across the nation.  More and more people are reading the newspapers on Internet.  This will hurt the job market because production of newspapers goes down and jobs will be lost.  While our economy is already struggling and the unemployment is sky high, this will only add to the problem.  However I do see the newspaper companies making deals with Apple and/or other technology companies to be able to display their papers.
            
          When the iPad hit the market it sent other companies scrambling to find new ideas to compete with Apple Inc., like Motorola and Google.  I think most of these tablets are used for the same things and/or same ideas, which makes it hard to distinguish between them.  Now Apple Inc. has produce iPad2, which is lighter and thinner than the original iPad but is that much different?  Then there are rumors that iPad3 is coming out later this year.  How is this tablet going to be different from the first 2?  I hope that Apple Inc. is not just throwing these tablets out into the market to make a BUCK!!
            
     When iPad and iPad2 came out in 2010 and 2011, Apple Inc. has sold millions and millions of copies across the world.  They have stole the market and sent its competitors trying to catch up.  Since Apple Inc. started this new technology; I think they will always be on top of the market and its competitors.  Like I said before, I hope they do not sacrifice quality over quantity.

Resources:

Monday, September 12, 2011

Week 1

The Dallas Cowboys had a chance to start the season with a BANG, but then it had to fall apart with a fumble, punt block, an interception on Revis Island.  It is only the first game but Mr. Romo has to be able to finish this game for the Cowboy's, especially if this team wants to be successful this season.  It was just a sour end to a promising start from my team, especially on defense.  However, from what I saw last night this team can compete for a spot in the playoffs.  Now onto San Francisco, which is a must win.  Let's GO!

Monday Night Predictions

Pats roll  28-10

Denver nips Oakland at home 24-23