Digital Age, Bruh!

The digital age has affected my life so much. I can remember watching Saved By the Bell and Zack Morris had one of those huge cell phones with the really long antenna. Now I'm carrying around an Iphone.

Computers were so basic, we used "snail mail", the internet was just starting to become popular. We used paper agendas to keep track of our schedules. Homework was submitted on paper. Now we have all these machines that do it for us. For instance, my Iphone. I keep my agenda, set my alarm, set reminders, call people, text message people, send and receive e-mails, and even read books! I have no idea what I would do if all of those things weren't conveniently placed in one small, technological device. I can access any of those things with just the touch of my finger. It's almost as if I have the world at my fingertips in a sense.

If I take decent photos with my phone, I go to the Kodak kiosk at walmart and print those pictures out via Bluetooth. Who would have thought we would be able to transfer files wirelessly?!

The digital age has greatly improved the operations of businesses. You can use handheld devices to keep inventory and inventory location. Communication within businesses is much less aggravating. All you do is simply send an e-mail requesting or giving information. The last place I worked at even had company chat so we were able to quickly assist each other while multitasking on the telephone and other computer programs.

The digital age is truly amazing. I swear I would be lost without all the digital advances we have now... Good thing my Iphone comes equipped with a GPS!

Haha. Good one, I know!

Computer Storage

Some of the computer storage devices are hard drives, flash drives, and CD drives. The data stored in these devices remains even after you shut off the computer. These devices are considered non volatile since the info remains after the powering down of the computer. Hard drives have the largest storage capacity. Flash drives allow easy transfer of 64 GB or more of data from machine to machine. CDs have capacities from 700 MB to 17 GB. When deciding the storage capacity your system need, add up the amount of storage the software needs in order to function.

Another storage device is called the Cloud. Here is a table of storage capacity and the price for that amount on rackspace.com/cloud:

The price of using the cloud depends on the amount of storage you require. Please do a Google search to view other pricing guidlines from other providers. Or you can check this site out at www.rackspace.com/cloud.

The Evolution of Windows

I have just completed watching a video which showed the way Microsoft Windows has changed throughout the years. It was amazing! The first version was very simplistic. You could see the individual pixels which made the view look very boxy. It was command driven and more complicated to use. As it progressed through the years, Microsoft Windows has become advanced. So advanced, that the picture quality is phenomenal! You navigate through it with your mouse using windows, task bars, shortcut keys. It definitely gets better with each version that is presented. Take Darwin's theory of Human Evolution... That is what this video reminded me of. There is a picture of an ape literally evolving, showing the changes throughout years that is associated with Darwin's Theory. This video was like a technological version of his theory except (OBVIOUSLY) that the evolution is proven. As I watched this video, I kept saying to myself, "Hey! I remember when it used to be like that! OH! Then too!" Microsoft Windows has changed so much, and each time, there are more benefits and easier ways to do things and more options for doing things. One example is, Windows used to have "Note Pad" but now we have that, document processor, and Microsoft Office Word. It is evolving along with our technological world! AMAZING!

Innovation or Devastation

In a presentation in Dublin, Ireland in March 2010, Google sales chief Jim Haley stated that desktops would be irrelevant in three years (SiliconRepublic.com). Smartphones, notebooks, and the amount of information available online will converge to create a different kind of future than what we’ve known, according to Haley. Do you agree? Why or why not? What impact would that have on the types of hardware and software that are the most in demand?

I agree with Jim Haley. This is because he is absolutely right! Think back to the early 90s, picture the cellular phones people used to carry around. My belief is that since those phones have come out, technology has blown up at lightspeed. In the last 5 years, technology has advanced more and faster than ever. I have an iPhone 4s. There is nothing I can't do on that little phone that I can do on a desktop or laptop computer. I can check e-mail, compose a letter, chat, call, create appointment reminders, make my shopping list, track my hours at work, etc. Our options are absolutely endless. We have come this far, who or what's to say it won't advance further. I am not suggesting that we're all going to be living like the Jetsons, but I am suggesting that technological advances are in abundance. The impact it may have on high-demand hardware and software is none. I think companies who sell and/or create the hardware and software will adapt to the changing ways of technology. Instead of having installation disks, they will have an app we can purchase for a fee. Innovation is the way of the future. Hop on the gravy train or get left behind!

System Software

1.    The software that is included in system software are the operating system (OS) - which controls the way your computer functions- and utility programs - which perform general housekeeping for the computer.

2.    The different kinds of operating systems include the following four categories:
                                       - Real-Time Operating Systems-- require minimal user interaction
                                       - Multiuser Operating System-- enables more than one user to access the computer                                 system at one time by efficiently handling and prioritizing requests from multiple users
                                       - Smartphone-- allows user to make and answer phone calls, has productivity features, etc.
                                       - Microsoft Windows-- operating environment that works with MS-DOS and incorporated a user-friendly interface like the one that was first introduced with Apple's operating system.

3.      The most common operating systems are as follows:
                                       - Microsoft Windows
                                       - Mac OS
                                       - UNIX
                                       - Linux

4.       I have just researched Jing. Jing has three main purposes/uses. The first one is Screen shots. "Jing will capture a window, pane, or region with just one click." The second is for Screencasts. Jing will record everything you do (for a maximum of five minutes). This is good for making tutorials. The final one is for sharing. Instantly, Jing enables you to upload screenshots and screencasts instantly to Facebook, Youtube, and even your e-mail.


** Please visit http://www.techsmith.com/download/jing/default.asp for a free download of Jing and try it for yourself!!!                                           

Adobe Photoshop

The application software I like most is Adobe Photoshop. I am a "borderline-pro" when it comes to Photoshop. There are countless amounts of advantages to learning, knowing, and using Photoshop. I have used it in school since 2004. Contrary to common assumption, this program can be used for a lot more than just editing photos. Yes, it is fun to superimpose your sibling's head on the body of a cock roach, but there are so many more options! Let's take a look at the advantages of Adobe Photoshop:
                                          - Create posters, flyers, candy bar wrappers
                                          - Fix old, damaged photos with a few clicks of a mouse
                                          - Make advertisements, calendars, and even brochures

One reason why students should use Adobe Photoshop is because it can be used to create all of the things you would need more than one Microsoft Office program for. Like I stated previously, Photoshop enables you to edit/enhance photos, create flyers, design business cards, or even make your own calendar! Check it out, people! It is well worth the time!!!!

Social Networking & Society

Social networking has taken over the world. The advantages to social networking can include communication, notice of events, what is going on with friends/family/work, meet new people, keep in touch with those who do not live close, etc. Disadvantages can include decreased productivity, people can post incriminating pictures of you at a party, you can make yourself look bad through pictures and posts to potential new employers, etc. Those all apply to me personally and more than likely, to others as well. Society has become so obsessed with social networking that almost every person and every business is involved. I believe social networking dampers the development of human interaction. Human interaction comes naturally, but when a person sits in front of a computer all day, I feel they are ruining what nature taught them. How are these people supposed to react in a social situation when all they know are online conversations which don't require emotion, facial expressions, and body language. I suppose it effects society positively because we are keeping up with the growing technological world, but I believe there is too much hype. Businesses are using social networking to learn about potential employees. They will access a person's Facebook, for example, look at their pictures and read their posts. That is why a person really needs to watch what they post and what their friends tag them in. Employers look at these sites to get a preview about the kind of person you are. In the next two to three years, I have no idea what social networking is going to be like, but I know there will be something new to replace Facebook and/or Twitter. There is always something better being created and worked on. The popularity of Social Networking will continue to rise as the younger generations learn computers at a younger age than the people above them (on an educational level). There is a possibility that just as resumes are required for pre-interview, that a social networking profile will be required as well. Maybe. The world is full of possibilities. I just hope things don't get taken too far. If things do get out of control, they are going to start taping stickers on computers that say "If you are a computer addict or know someone who might be, call 1-800-***-****". Just like on the back of a lottery ticket. I am not totally against social networking but I definitely believe that younger generations need to learn the importance of these sites and the importance of the content posted.