Technology Makes Life Easier

Though it is all around us, technology is often taken for granted, and if it wasn’t for it many people’s daily lives would be dramatically different. Technology varies in different countries; some places are more technologically advance than others. If these convenient technologies were stripped from people, in their workplace or in school simple tasks could take much longer to get accomplished. Computers, E-books, Wi-Fi, and overhead projectors are all examples of different technologies amongst school or the workplace. A number or gadgets make information accessible at a fast pace, this allows people to do their jobs more efficiently. Nowadays technology advances so quickly that it’s hard to keep up with it, one can buy the latest and greatest item on the market and a few months later a newer and better version can be released.Technology makes life easier for three reasons: It can help better educate people, allow people to reach a broader audience, and keep people of all ages connected. The FIRST reason why technology can be beneficial is because it can better educate people. Mobile technology can have many benefits. Some of them were making material more accessible, helping students collaborate and communicate better, and helping students engage learning from others peoples perspectives. There will always be students who try to take advantage of the system, but I think this shouldn’t deter educational institutions from incorporating mobile technology in their schools. If done correctly, the gift of technology can help people become better educate.The SECOND reason why technology can make life easier is because it can allow people to reach a broader audience. If new media technology is integrated properly with existing campaign strategies, it can be effective. Obama effectively used social networks to promote his campaign and to persuade the young generation to vote for him. Without Obama’s use of the internet as a form of technology the whole election could have be extremely different. This shows that technology can help someone reach a broader audience.The THIRD reason why technology can make like easier is because it keeps people of all ages connected. Research has shown that senior citizens embrace new technology if it will better their living. These technologies can be services like Skype, Vonage, E-mail, or even Facebook; all of which allows these older adults to stay connected with their family and love ones.Technology if created and used correctly can help older folks in many ways.

Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship by Danah Boyd & Nicole Ellison

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00393.x/full

In the article the authors discuss Social Network Sites (SNSs) and how the are attracting researchers. The authors describe features, discuss history, and talk about how SNSs have changed. The authors name multiple social sites like Facebook, Myspace, etc, and they state that different websites have different purposes ans uses. The services that are provided my these different websites are fairly consistent, but their different cultures and audiences vary. Sites also vary in how they incorporate blogging, photo/video sharing, and mobile connectivity. The Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication brought together some related articles to showcase interdisciplinary scholarships from these SNSs. The authors then go on and define Social Network Sites. They define it as "web-based services that allow individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system." The authors explain that MySpace was one of the first SNSs that attracted a lot of media attention in the U.S. and in other countries. Other SNSs like Friendster, Okrut, Mixi, LunarStorm, Grono, Hi5, and Cyworld were very popular in other countries around the world. Facebook was designed to support College networks only, but later expanded to high school and professional networks, and then to Everyone. There is no reliable data that tells how many people all over the world use SNSs, even though marketing research indicates that they are growing. One of the only concerns is Privacy, especially with young users. Overall, SNSs all very widespread and help people connect all over the world. Below are some links to different SNSs if you would like to join.
 http://www.facebook.com/
 http://www.friendster.com/
 http://www.orkut.com/PreSignup

Family Gives Up Technology for 6 Months

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In the video above, it shows the affect that technology can have on a family. The video also shows a lady by the name of Susan Maushart who decided to take ALL Electronics away from her family for 6 months. Many families find themselves allowing technology to come between them and their social dinner or social time. The Children explain that it was miserable at first, living with out any Electronic devices....No Cell Phone and No Texting. The had No Internet access, when they needed to do research for homework, they had to go to the library. As time went on the family started to get used to it, and started spending more time with each other. They found alternative activities to stay busy and occupy their time. When they finally received their technology back, they realized that it was a privilege not a right. They learned to not take it for granted and to cherish their electronics because they make life easier. After the experience, the mother of the family decided to write a book about it. It's called "The Winter of our Disconnect" below is a link if you would like to purchase it. 

http://www.amazon.com/Winter-Discontent-Classic-20th-Century-Penguin/dp/0140187537

My Tweets: by Pernell Cooke

http://twitter.com/pcook008

Every week I log on to Twitter to update my followers about whats new and relevant in the Technology world. If you want to follow my Technology related tweets follow me on Twitter @pcook008! At first I felt that tweeting at least once a week about New Media Technology was a waste of time. As time went on I started learning a lot more about gadgets and cool Technological things that I would never had of found out about if i wasn't in this class. When I find something interesting, I like to share it one twitter so that others can also learn something new and exciting. Not only is it a simple grade, its not even hard to take some time and just catch up on the new technology of the world. My first tweet was about the different Tablets and variations of the iPad; Samsung, Motorola, H.P., Dell, Blackberry, and Toshiba all have their version of the iPad. Since this tweet on Jan 13, Apple have released the iPad 2 which is a newer and sleeker version of their product. I also reported that "Angry Birds" (the addicting and fun app on phones) will be turned into an Animated Series. Another one of my tweets were about Microsoft and their 20 billion dollar record sales, all due to the launch of the Kinect for Xbox 360. This was huge for Microsoft because even in a recession they manage to do their biggest numbers Ever. I tweeted that this past Super Bowl was the most high-tech ever, mostly due to the 600-ton, $40 million high-definition video screen at Cowboy Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Technology is advancing so fast, one of my tweets pertained to some Schools not having Textbooks anymore and allowing students books to be on laptops. Recently, Japan experience a 8.9 magnitude earthquake that had a tremendous toll on the country. Prayer tweets and tweets from celebrities were Re-tweeted by many in order to show the sympathy that people felt for Japan. When Apple launched the iPad to people broke into pandemonium, I posted a video that shows the crazy lines and demand for this highly sought after product. The world cup in Qatar in 2022 will be well air-conditioned in order to keep people cool. My tweets vary, I try to incorporate Technology from all walks of like, because it is all around us. I like to post things about video games, cell phones and gadgets, and whatever catches my eye. In order to see these great technology tweets, follow me at @pcook008 and i'll be sure to follow back! http://twitter.com/pcook008
Below are some links to some Videos that you may find interesting: 
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2011/03/25/dos.santos.ipad.2.frenzy.london.cnn


http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2011/03/14/aqui.japan.pray.twitter.cnn

I tweet honestly, I tweet passionately: by Danah Boyd

http://www.tiara.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/marwick_boyd_twitter_nms.pdf 

This article talks about people's different personalities depending on there particular audience. Peoples audiences are normally imagined in order for them to converse appropriately. The way someone would talk on Facebook, Twitter, or Myspace might not necessarily be the way they would talk in the workplace. Sometimes people have to different lives, an online and real life one. Some people may think that there audience is limited but often times if it is on the internet anyone can view it. Security settings on ones profile often makes a difference as well, but some people don't block their private information from outsiders. This allows strangers to see people pics, age, and various other info. Many times people know when its appropriate to say or discuss particular issues depending on where they are and who they are with. People talk differently in a Text or Instant Message than in an E-mail or formal Letter. People have to adjust their way of talking and writing depending on their target audience. If someone is amongst a group of colleagues and professors the chosen vernacular would have to be different form being around ones friends or family. The article goes on to explain Twitter and how it works. It explains followers, tweets, DM's (direct messages) and how twitter is used to reach millions of people. If someone has a public twitter account their tweets can be read by anyone, with this being said ones audience can not be counted or calculated. In the article research was shown about the audience that people on Twitter reach by asking a number of different questions like: "Who do you imagine reading your tweets? Who do you tweet to? What makes an individual seem “authentic” on Twitter? What won’t you tweet about? What subjects are inappropriate for Twitter?" The responses to these questions where different but helped researches see that Twitter is used for many different purposes like: Personal, Business, Networking, Dating, or even Educational.  No matter what you use Twitter for, it is definitely an efficient way to connect with many people on a large or small scale. If you'd like to create a Twitter account or recommend it to a friend like the following link: https://twitter.com/signup