Should SMS be accepted as a new language and taught in schools?
No, I don't believe SMS should be taught in schools. It was developed because texting limits our use of letters/characters but this doesn't mean that it should function beyond this basic need. It would be a disservice to our children if we taught them SMS in school because they will lose critical communication skills: knowing how to write and use proper English. Words in themselves have important meanings and using acronyms destroys the beauty of language. It's alright to use SMS in texts, but not for essays. Personally, I think technology has made people very lazy and this is an example because people don't take the time to write out their words.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Relationships
To what extent do relationships that are formed online and remain virtual differ from ones that are formed as a result of meeting in person?
I'm 50/50 on this question. On one hand, I know people who are too busy, have social anxiety, or just can't seem to find someone compatible use online dating sites. They are a great alternative than going to the bar. I've actually had a few friends try this alternative (it didn't work out but at least they tried it). People who are frustrated in searching for someone are able to get better results by using dating or social sites that are limited to the same interests and goals. However, there are risks associated with virtual relationships. It's easier to lie to a computer screen than face-to-face. We've talked about security in our networks and technology, and the risks of exploitation can be carried over into these virtual relationships. I guess online is okay to help start relationships but I feel face-to-face interactions are a lot more satisfying.
I'm 50/50 on this question. On one hand, I know people who are too busy, have social anxiety, or just can't seem to find someone compatible use online dating sites. They are a great alternative than going to the bar. I've actually had a few friends try this alternative (it didn't work out but at least they tried it). People who are frustrated in searching for someone are able to get better results by using dating or social sites that are limited to the same interests and goals. However, there are risks associated with virtual relationships. It's easier to lie to a computer screen than face-to-face. We've talked about security in our networks and technology, and the risks of exploitation can be carried over into these virtual relationships. I guess online is okay to help start relationships but I feel face-to-face interactions are a lot more satisfying.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Social communication
Describe how using social networking technologies changes how you communicate with your family and friends.
I still haven't gotten into social networking, but I do envy the ease of communication it provides. Social networking includes family, friends, and acquaintances, and the sites have become galleries for people's lives. Through picture sharing and note posting, everyone included in the 'Friends' list can view the communication. Actually, I sometimes feel it's taking over our use of e-mails and texting. Once, I called a friend of mine about another friend's birthday party, but instead of calling me back, he posted his regrets on FaceBook!! Since most of our friends use the social network, he was able to make a mass communication to all of our friends. I think this was an interesting way in which communication is changing because of our networking technologies.
I still haven't gotten into social networking, but I do envy the ease of communication it provides. Social networking includes family, friends, and acquaintances, and the sites have become galleries for people's lives. Through picture sharing and note posting, everyone included in the 'Friends' list can view the communication. Actually, I sometimes feel it's taking over our use of e-mails and texting. Once, I called a friend of mine about another friend's birthday party, but instead of calling me back, he posted his regrets on FaceBook!! Since most of our friends use the social network, he was able to make a mass communication to all of our friends. I think this was an interesting way in which communication is changing because of our networking technologies.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Environment
Consider the impact of personal networking devices, in terms of the environment. What do you think are the biggest areas of immediate impact? How about long term impact?
In terms of the environment, personal devices have a negative impact. We need to remember that the creation of our devices are the result of synthetic products and that producing our technology has a high energy cost. The immediate impact is that our devices are made by man for man, and so the environment has no built-in ways to 'digest' the pollution of the toxins which come from the devices, even when properly recycled. This increases climate change and the depletion of natural resources. The long term impact of our devices, however, can be positive because of the easy access to information. Environmental issues can be shared and discussed by everyone through our personal networking devices from services such as Internet, e-mail, and social networking sites. Awareness by a few can be changed into awareness by the millions, and this is always the first step to change.
In terms of the environment, personal devices have a negative impact. We need to remember that the creation of our devices are the result of synthetic products and that producing our technology has a high energy cost. The immediate impact is that our devices are made by man for man, and so the environment has no built-in ways to 'digest' the pollution of the toxins which come from the devices, even when properly recycled. This increases climate change and the depletion of natural resources. The long term impact of our devices, however, can be positive because of the easy access to information. Environmental issues can be shared and discussed by everyone through our personal networking devices from services such as Internet, e-mail, and social networking sites. Awareness by a few can be changed into awareness by the millions, and this is always the first step to change.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Network Room
Network tour at Edgewood:
On March 22, part of our class time was spent at Edgewood's networking room. We were warned of the small space which was set aside for all of the college's computer and phone connections, but I was still amazed at its size when the door with the duck-in-a-row picture was opened.
However, it was really amazing to see the actual cables that are used to connect the countless servers and computers that make Edgewood run. Edgewood uses Class B subnetting, which is the typical subnet for universities and allows for 65,000+ subnets. Within this small room, there were colorful Cat5 cables running along the walls and overhead on catwalks. Most of the cables were plugged into one mainframe with a 10 gigabtye ethernet, and there were smaller cables going into the phone network as well. There was a seperate box which connects Edgewood to our Demming Way campus, and it uses ethernet hand-off as a way to avoid having a server station at Demming Way.
With 600 workstations and 80 virtual machines in the utility room, the air can't go above 85 degrees. But as Issac (our tour guide) pointed out, the room used to be wall-to-wall crammed with machines. Over the years, technology has been able to compound more into smaller and efficient hardware. This is great news since Edgewood is continuously looking at having to expand. Part of this is because we are relying more on voice over IP, the wireless connections of its students, and the smart phones which need to connect to Edgewood's network.
But Edgewood does get help once and awhile. In regards to what skills it takes if you want to help with the networking, Issac stated that he's able to manage or learn anything with level 2 protocols. For the more challenging things, we outsource to TDS. Questions such as how to secure our network from illegal downloads in dorm activities is definitely a challenge, and so Issac and the team works with TDS to help minimize the traffic flow.
All in all, I thought it was an interesting experience. Despite its size, the network room supports and handles all of Edgewood's connection needs. I take it for granted what goes into the physical requirements that allow me to access the internet, but Issac and Edgewood do a great job at meeting the needs of its students and faculty.
Oh, yeah, there was a poster of Dana Carvey as the Church Lady, a popular SNL character, hanging on the back of the door. It was put up because of the catchphrase, 'Isn't that SPE-CIAL?!'. The network team borrows the phrase when they run into a problem or scene which has no other words to explain the situation. Just like in any other career, IT people need to have a sense of humor when dealing with challenges :)
On March 22, part of our class time was spent at Edgewood's networking room. We were warned of the small space which was set aside for all of the college's computer and phone connections, but I was still amazed at its size when the door with the duck-in-a-row picture was opened.
However, it was really amazing to see the actual cables that are used to connect the countless servers and computers that make Edgewood run. Edgewood uses Class B subnetting, which is the typical subnet for universities and allows for 65,000+ subnets. Within this small room, there were colorful Cat5 cables running along the walls and overhead on catwalks. Most of the cables were plugged into one mainframe with a 10 gigabtye ethernet, and there were smaller cables going into the phone network as well. There was a seperate box which connects Edgewood to our Demming Way campus, and it uses ethernet hand-off as a way to avoid having a server station at Demming Way.
With 600 workstations and 80 virtual machines in the utility room, the air can't go above 85 degrees. But as Issac (our tour guide) pointed out, the room used to be wall-to-wall crammed with machines. Over the years, technology has been able to compound more into smaller and efficient hardware. This is great news since Edgewood is continuously looking at having to expand. Part of this is because we are relying more on voice over IP, the wireless connections of its students, and the smart phones which need to connect to Edgewood's network.
But Edgewood does get help once and awhile. In regards to what skills it takes if you want to help with the networking, Issac stated that he's able to manage or learn anything with level 2 protocols. For the more challenging things, we outsource to TDS. Questions such as how to secure our network from illegal downloads in dorm activities is definitely a challenge, and so Issac and the team works with TDS to help minimize the traffic flow.
All in all, I thought it was an interesting experience. Despite its size, the network room supports and handles all of Edgewood's connection needs. I take it for granted what goes into the physical requirements that allow me to access the internet, but Issac and Edgewood do a great job at meeting the needs of its students and faculty.
Oh, yeah, there was a poster of Dana Carvey as the Church Lady, a popular SNL character, hanging on the back of the door. It was put up because of the catchphrase, 'Isn't that SPE-CIAL?!'. The network team borrows the phrase when they run into a problem or scene which has no other words to explain the situation. Just like in any other career, IT people need to have a sense of humor when dealing with challenges :)
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Cell phones
While the price of a acquiring a cell phone and associated service is going down, the cost of using a cell phone and associated service is going up. What do you think is meant by this statement?
I think this statement is reflecting how dependent we're becoming to our mobile devices. In my opinion, our phones and computers have a life span of 2 years before they are considered "out-dated". Just as televisions and computers first came out, phones were extremely expensive and large. But since cell phones have pretty much replaced the traditional phone, we are using them for more than just talking.
Phones such as the iPhone and Droid are our mini-computers. They allow us to access our e-mails, Facebook, bank accounts, etc., and phone companies realize how we are using these devices. The money isn't in the actual hardware of the phones, but in the services they can give to the user. Since phones allow us to stay mobile, people are willing to pay the fees that keep them connected.
I think this statement is reflecting how dependent we're becoming to our mobile devices. In my opinion, our phones and computers have a life span of 2 years before they are considered "out-dated". Just as televisions and computers first came out, phones were extremely expensive and large. But since cell phones have pretty much replaced the traditional phone, we are using them for more than just talking.
Phones such as the iPhone and Droid are our mini-computers. They allow us to access our e-mails, Facebook, bank accounts, etc., and phone companies realize how we are using these devices. The money isn't in the actual hardware of the phones, but in the services they can give to the user. Since phones allow us to stay mobile, people are willing to pay the fees that keep them connected.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Security?
"Nothing is really secure - Get over it!" If this is true, then what might be the consequences, given your own use of networking technologies:
I know this is a true statement because the modes we use to transmit our messages and information are not handed from one person to another. While our technologies are great, everything leaves a digital footprint when we use them. With this said, it means that we need to always be aware of the risks when we send information. Online shopping is great because of its convenience and competative market, but you're also exposing important information since that information travels from network to network until it gets to the right destination. While it's traveling, anyone can intercept it.
The opposite can also occur. Even if you are simply browsing the Internet, the fact is that you are connected to millions of computers. Using firewalls and anti-virus software helps to protect us but there will always be loop holes people can find to access information from your computer or phone. We need to remember that our technologies follow the rule of "give-and-take", and this means that our inter-connections from our networking exposes us to the good and the bad.
I know this is a true statement because the modes we use to transmit our messages and information are not handed from one person to another. While our technologies are great, everything leaves a digital footprint when we use them. With this said, it means that we need to always be aware of the risks when we send information. Online shopping is great because of its convenience and competative market, but you're also exposing important information since that information travels from network to network until it gets to the right destination. While it's traveling, anyone can intercept it.
The opposite can also occur. Even if you are simply browsing the Internet, the fact is that you are connected to millions of computers. Using firewalls and anti-virus software helps to protect us but there will always be loop holes people can find to access information from your computer or phone. We need to remember that our technologies follow the rule of "give-and-take", and this means that our inter-connections from our networking exposes us to the good and the bad.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Staying in touch
What technology do you use to 'stay in touch' and why?
The technology I use the most to stay in touch is my cell phone. Of course I use it to make and recieve phone calls, but I also use it for texting. When I want to make sure my message will get recieved and responded to, I send texts to my friends and family. It's easier to get a hold of people at night (when they're not at school or working) but my phone is my primary way of keeping in touch. E-mail is also really important to me, but its use is more for my academic and professional life. I'm seriously considering whether to start using FaceBook because it's such a great way to contact people I've lost touch with and a lot of my friends use to share pictures. But we'll see!
The technology I use the most to stay in touch is my cell phone. Of course I use it to make and recieve phone calls, but I also use it for texting. When I want to make sure my message will get recieved and responded to, I send texts to my friends and family. It's easier to get a hold of people at night (when they're not at school or working) but my phone is my primary way of keeping in touch. E-mail is also really important to me, but its use is more for my academic and professional life. I'm seriously considering whether to start using FaceBook because it's such a great way to contact people I've lost touch with and a lot of my friends use to share pictures. But we'll see!
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