This was a really interesting part of this semester. The thing I enjoyed the most is just looking at how technology has grown since I was born in 1988. It's pretty fascinating how someone like Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, came up with something that has been the driving force of the computing industry.
Dr. Michio Kaku made some really good points and theories about the future. I thought it was interesting how when he was asked these questions, he simply had a unique view. I liked how he didn't portray himself as a the smartest person in the world. Maybe that's why he's a theorist. At the end of his video he stated this quote:
"By the end of the century, we could have machines as smart as monkeys, which could be dangerous."
Is the death of Moore's law the beginning and transition of our society into becoming a type 1 civilization? Being that we're currently a zero civilization (we live off plants and resources like oil) it's crazy to me to think how future people in America will get their nutrients etc. It's an exciting thing to think about, but will the world simply destroy itself and humanity?
Another interesting impact on me was that there are more types of things on the internet than there are people in the world! That was astounding. I feel that if we keep improving, it's only a blessing in disguise. Yes, invisibility would be amazing to experience, but the crime rates would skyrocket. It's also something that people will get used to. With the internet, i'm still astonished by how great it is, but take it for granted. I also never realized how much I use it on a regular basis. From waking up and seeing where the bus is, to applying for jobs. It's amazing how people did these types of accomplishments without any electronic devices back in history.
Check out this video. This is another guy that I found that was interesting. He was a little more focused on the actual outcome, instead of theory. Enjoy!
I have to say, I'm not an Excel person. I tried my best to make sure that I did that project correctly, and it took me about 4 hours to do. I know that some people probably flew right through this, but I have to say it was a struggle.
The good part is that I did learn a lot. I thought that the pivot tables section was going to be easier, but I was wrong. I liked seeing how you can take such vast amounts of data and format them into an easier-to-see data package. I found that roughly 90% of males and females obtained a total average from the start of their exercise to the highest heart rate point of the exercise. It was also interesting to see how the ages, categorized by a decade, demonstrated a lower or higher performance.
I plan on using excel more often to get better at performing its strengths. I think that if I become more familiar with it assets, I myself can further my strengths in performing at a higher level for my clients. As a Public Relations student, I haven't had to use Excel that much, but after this assignment, it makes me want to learn more. Even though this was not the funnest assignment to date, it was probably the most beneficial to my future.
So I had the pleasure of creating my own avatar. I have to say, this is an interesting feature that you can easily do for a little fun. I think that avatars were a great way to keep things "secretive" and not give away your full identity. What do you guys think? Is this a decent portrayal of myself? I was a little disappointed with the accessories and types of clothing options, but it's a free site, so i appreciated the simplicity of the creation process. I used the site, DoppelMe, considering I have heard so many positive things about the site.
I think the coolest part of creating an avatar, is being able to change your appearance by your moods and what's going on in your life. Obviously, if i was more engaged with using avatars, i would have a cast on my foot at the moment. I broke my foot this week and would have updated the avatar with crutches and a cast on my left foot. Being that this is a free site, it gives you the limited use of clothing and accessories and gets the job done, so there is not too much to argue with.
I enjoyed this process, considering i have not made an avatar for myself since obtaining an Xbox a few years back. I wish that avatars were used more frequently. They are definitely a lot of fun!
I've heard a lot about Google + over the past year, but I have to say, it's nothing more than a glamorized twitter and Facebook combination.
I explored the social networking site to see the main differences, and in my opinion, I can't really tell you what's so great about it. Pulling people into your "circle" is almost the same as adding them as a friend in the first place. I think this would have been more uplifting and successful if it would have built a better marketing campaign.
I know that Google is the best search engine in the world, but this company flopped in trying to keep up with a large social media outlet like Facebook. The thing about Facebook that has been so amazing is that when it was keeping up with Myspace, it focused on staying simple and didn't copy Myspace's interface. It focused on people building connections. I think that the main reason people are so upset with Facebook is because it has gotten so global. People need to understand that when they sign in to a social media site, it is becoming public, which can be dangerous. If you feel the need to say something when you're drunk, angry etc., you need to realize that that form of action can lead to consequences.
I have been a Facebook subscriber for about 5 years now and it has somewhat taken over not only my life, but the way everyone communicates. It's becoming a trend. It's easier to "Facebook" someone before you get phone numbers. It's a way to introduce your friends to co-workers and build a better form of communication in your spare time.
As far as the poll goes, I think a lot of people were simply excited about the "new" platform. Everything that google does is spectacular and I think since their branding is so positive, many new people wanted to believe that Google Plus was going to be just as successful. Facebook works and I don't really see a reason to try to compete with it right now. Eventually, like every other social media outlet, this will become boring and new platform will begin to merge into the internet trend.
I think that Google just came out too early. They should pull back and begin planning and brainstorming new ways that they can be extremely different and also figure out a way to market their product to compete with the mega giant, Facebook. Most of the people that chose Google Plus over Facebook were haters. Haters are obviously going to look elsewhere.
It's very similar to liking a sport. You have your baseball fans and football fans. Sure there are going to be people that are open minded and like both sports, but there is always going to be that one fan that wants to hate or argue why one is better than the other. There is never going to be a "perfect" platform, but it's important to realize that sometimes you have to give one site it's glory and be patient with your future products.
Google made millions upon millions of dollars last year and has been around way longer than Facebook. You (Google) had your turn. Don't be the next most hated company on the internet. That's a great way to lose your branding. cough cough (Metallica vs. Napster).
If you have any suggestions of how I can improve my relations with Google plus, please "add me to your circle". I'm always down to try new platforms and learn more about todays innovative techniques in improving technology and communication efforts.
This video, pretty much sums up my feelings. haha. What do you think?
So this week I finished up my presentation on the organization "To Write Love on Her Arms" (TWLOHA). I have to say that this presentation was something new to me. As a Public Relations major, I usually have a lot more time to present and it was quite the challenge to engage an audience, but it was a fun challenge. I used no bullet points and wanted to focus on the dark beauty of the organization.
If you haven't actually had a chance to check out this organization, I highly suggest that you do so. I've been involved with their message and story since I was in high school and love the way that a small non-profit like TWLOHA is becoming so global.
The main focus I wanted to get across in my presentation was that this organization isn't just doing things that are beneficial to people and society, but their branding and overall message creates a solid business structure. They have a trendy, cool aspect about them and that's one of the main reasons I wanted to get involved with this organization. A successful organization or business should be able to sell itself on a daily basis. TWLOHA focuses more on the younger generation and forces people to get involved with what they are doing.
When evaluating myself, I think that I met the requirements necessary in getting the message across through the usage of images and video media. I think that music, if not used properly, adds way to much noise to a presentation, so I wanted to focus on that aspect. I related the presentation to a company and demonstrated, very quickly, the importance of what the organization was doing and how a company should look at that message and run with it. It's not stealing, it's an influence.
As the great Steven Tyler, frontman of Aerosmith, once said "Everyone steals from one another. You just have to learn how to make it your own, so that person who you stole from wants to steal from you."
I also had the pleasure of viewing Samantha Mauder's powerpoint presentation on Disney. She didn't really present it from a business standpoint, but I appreciated learning more about a company's diversity and how it branded itself as "a place where a kid, can be a kid." If you think about it, Disney made being a kid okay at any age. I personally think that Disney rips off the working class, but that is the business of making money I guess. But we're getting off topic...
In conclusion, I feel that my presentation was enjoyable and presented in a newer, modern approach. It's definitely not to the standards of a TED performance, but I always look at myself as an improving character in the presentation world.
Here is the link to my presentation. I hope you enjoy and I look forward to hearing from you. TWLOHA Presentation
I have to say it's rather fascinating how computing has evolved in the past 40 years. How did we go from a computer taking up an entire room, to being able to communicate and access information in our hands. I found this week's set of lectures to be extremely entertaining and awarding. I think that cloud computing is the best way to improve the economy. Not only can small businesses begin competing with larger corporations, it just simply puts a little more power into the people of youth.
Google and Gmail has been a substantial part of my learning and managing time. Without the use of "Google Docs" I would have to constantly go back to writing e-mails with group members and edit large research reports. With the development of cloud computing, I can now do this important communication at my own time, allowing me more time to accomplish other tasks.
I think it's really important that we the people of today's society, not forget to communicate face-to-face, but it's also important to utilize today's technology to the fullest extent. My favorite part of this weeks lectures was when we focused on Platforms as a service, Desktops as a service, and Software as a service. I think it's important that you notice that Saas is beneficial because you can everything at your fingertips with a monthly purchase. One of the most annoying things about previous software, in my opinion, were the constant updates. I hated having to get expansion packs or buy another $50 software, for a simple update. I also liked how every 10 years, we have a substantial increase in computer technology. As Professor Olson stated in his lecture, every 10 years there has been a computing cycle
that requires a new platform.
o1960’s--- mainframe computing o1970’s---mini computing o1980’s—client/server computing o1990’s—Desktop Cloud computing o2000’s—mobile cloud computing o2010’s—social revolution…based on the cloud!
(Post PC Era)
I also really enjoyed how small 27-person companies are making a difference in the way they compete in the market by using cloud-based technology. I really want to explore more options in improving a companies branding and I think that having great, easy-to-use software for you customers is extremely beneficial, considering most people in today's society are beginning to migrate to that type of communication and interface.
This was also a really cool cloud-based software that I found interesting and made me understand cloud computing a little better. Let me know what you think!
I have to say that Software programmers have to be some of the most underrated people in the world...well the ones that are extremely successful (Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerburg) really make up for it. I couldn't believe how much effort and code needs to be organized in order to perform at a quick and successful rate.
One part of this week's lectures that I really enjoyed was the part where professor Olson spoke about the "layer cake". I thought it was cool how the four parts, consisting of user, application, operating software, and hardware worked together on an independent level to be a well-oiled machine. It was also amazing to look into how software reacts effectively with computers and how interfaces are becoming more similar in order to keep up with competition.
One of the things I love about Apple products, are their simplicity. I grew up, like a majority of others probably taking this class, on a window's interface. In the old days of "macintosh" I couldn't understand how people could actually enjoy that style of computer software. Windows was quicker, sexier and to some extent, better. Now, Apple is way ahead of its game. They have a lot more efficiency and are a lot easier to use. I really enjoy that Apple and Windows are on the same playing field, and this does a lot for competition. The better the competition, the more expansive and creative your company and brand becomes. Having a computer that is comfortable to your lifestyle, will not only make you work better, but it improves your way of life. When I first got my Macbook Pro, I fell in love with how simple it was to organize my files, and how much "easier" college became. I took notes at a more effective rate, organized my contacts and schedules, and have a vaster amount of storage data than I ever had on a Windows platform. But we're getting of topic. :)
One of the most fascinating aspects of the new age of software is how global it is becoming. Having various programmers work on software like Facebook, Twitter and even Foursquare is beyond me. How do people learn to become so expansive and creative in giving people in today's society, what they want and somehow, need?
It seems that these software programmers are constantly pushing the envelope, and I found it really funny how in this weeks lessons, we go straight into various types of licensing. But in this video, are programmers who wish to work for Facebook, being ethical and "respectful" to fellow programmers? Every year, the company hosts "Hackathons" where various programmers compete and build unique forms of codes to produce a different style of program or "computer art" to prove themselves to the company in hopes for a job. How is what they are doing ethical and how can we as americans still be following the law, in order to achieve the next technological advance? I guess that is something that we will just leave to the politicians. Let me know what you think? Do you think the greats of the past 20 years would have been more expansive if they pushed the envelope illegally?
