Week 4

Technology is constantly changing especially with input and output devices. I know this is a device that we are going to see in the near future, but this has happened so recently it has not become very well known at all yet. Most people have no idea Google has even released them yet. So for those of you that do not know, Google has very recently released not only the newest input and output device but also the newest pair of glasses. They are on the market but have not become a huge device that everyone has to have quite yet. In my previous CSC class, the professor introduced to us a video explaining to us all about the new glasses that gave a new face to vision and technology all in one. According to Google's website, the new Glass is going to allow people to “become and explorer.” “From moms to mountain climbers, Glass Explorers are the first to make, to tinker, to create, and to help shape the future of Glass.” Glass was created to be a help to everyone whether its pictures, video, information search, and even GPS navigation. The glasses come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. Google wants to bring the satisfaction level to its highest among their customers. Starting at $1500.00, Google Glass can give you a computer in sight with minimal hand use. Since the device has voice control, it is as if you have a person doing everything for you without you lifting a finger. When you want the devices attention you can simply say “Glass” and tell the device to do something and it will do it. The models that are on the market now look just like normal glasses but have the computer device attached to the top corner of the right eye. I feel that a huge benefit to this is not having to take your eyes off the road to send a text message or having your GPS system right in sight. Although, I do think it could become a huge distraction for someone driving or even walking down the street using their device. Of course, Google tries to sell their customers with the idea of never missing a moment in life again all because you have everything you need technically right on your face. Even in school, when students are taking tests, they would probably have to take their glasses off cause they could cheat very easily, but then the student wouldn’t be able to see. I could see this device being more beneficial than anything though.

I find that this device would be great for people with disabilities. Think about it, someone who can’t even click a camera button due to the loss of limb can now just tell their glasses to take a picture for them. People with certain diseases that loss the function of their hands can now just tell the device what to do. From messaging, to pictures, to searching the internet all from your eye sight and mouth is completely incredible and can give many people the ability to use technology like this again. I am sure there are many tweaks and touchups to be made on this device to make it run smoother, so they will have a newer one out in no time.

http://www.google.com/glass/start/

 

Week 3

Targeted advertising is a smart thing for businesses to do in order to grab the attention of their potentially age appropriate customers. It’s not only age that they target, it’s your interests as well because depending on your search history, especially through an account that you have to log-in to. While standing over my dad’s shoulder this week watching him pick out a golf course online on a website that gave him all the best deals in our area, not only did they advertise the latest and “greatest” golf equipment to try to sell him into buying it, but they also advertised golf courses on the sides of the screen that were fairly close to the area we live in. They made the golf courses look like paradise in order to make you want to play there, but in reality these courses are less green and not as nice as what the picture plays them out to be. There are some that I find to be particularly funny because my mom jokes with me all the time about going to Christian Mingle to find a boyfriend because around here finding a good Christian man that is what I’m looking for in a man is really hard to find. So, while I’m on the internet looking for things, I’ll always see the eHarmony or Christian Mingle advertisement because it’s like they know I’m not with someone. I do believe it is smart that they advertise it to my age group and others that are older and still single because it gives them a chance to find someone without losing hope of never finding anyone to spend the rest of their life with.    

Pandora is something that most of us use. When you create an account you have to create an account, Pandora asks you to fill out some of your personal information such as your birthday and gender. Depending on those factors, it will arrange advertisements for you to come on during your music. I was talking with my sister-in-law about it and our advertisements were different. Since I am underage my advertisements did not consist of alcohol or anything like that. It was mostly shoes and other things pertaining to my age. Since she is almost eight years older than me her advertisements consisted of alcohol, condoms, and shoes. She does not drink and neither do I, so those advertisements were things that I thought were negative in trying to influence negatively upon the audience. I understand that they have to advertise their product but it is something I could care less to watch or hear about. Although, I think it is clever they are trying to target specific ages, I think Amazon does a good job at targeting you with things that you have bought in the past on the side of your screen while you are shopping. Things that you have previously looked at will sometimes show up on the side while you are shopping so it is convenient for you to go back to the item in case you want to look at it or possibly buy that one instead. It is convenient but also tempting to get you to buy their things. It’s pretty smart if you ask me.

Week 1 & 2

Part 1 – Biography

My name is Julia Icard and I am currently a sophomore at Lenoir-Rhyne majoring in nursing. Though I may be a nursing major my actual career goal is to be a midwife, but nursing is the first step. I commute every day to LR and it was probably one of the best decisions I have ever made. I really enjoy being able to live at home while I experience college. My sports career ended when I graduated high school. I was a cheerleader for ten years and was actually given the opportunity to be a back-up dancer on the MTV show Made. On the other hand my job is also located at home because I actually own my own business. Being crafty is something that comes very natural to me and after years of compliments and encouragement I finally turned it into a business. It includes everything from embroidery, monogramming, sewing projects, and other handmade crafts. Besides being creative, I love a good book, kayaking, fishing, and being surrounded by family and friends. Another reason that contributed to my choice of being a commuter is my love for my animals here at home. I really don’t know what I would do without coming home to them every day. Over the years I have learned why dogs are truly called “Man’s Best Friend.” I have 5 dogs, 2 cats, a sugar glider, a bird, and lots of other small animals. Yes, I know it sounds like a zoo, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. One of those dogs is a long-haired miniature dachshund, Marley, that lives inside with us and she is by my side every second of every day. Marley is most definitely my best friend and the best dog that anyone could ever ask for.
            I do have to say that I am actually pretty good when it comes to computers. I took several computer classes in high school and took CSC 115 during my freshman year here at LR. We did a lot of basic things for Microsoft Word, researching with Powersearch, and made a Prezi. When it comes to Excel, I know general things like adding functions into the rows and columns. There are plenty of things that I have never used in the program but would definitely like to know more about it. My goals for this course are to become more efficient with my computer skills in these particular areas. Computers are something that I use on a daily basis but knowing more would never hurt, especially in programs that I don’t use regularly only because I haven’t learned their basics or in depth uses.

Part 2 – Good or Bad?

Personally, I believe that computers make life better but then again they can sometimes complicate things due to their occasional malfunctions. When I was one, my dad’s brother moved to South Carolina and hasn’t been home since. No one knows really why they up and decided to move away but as a family, it killed us all. Although, thanks to Facebook, I now have contact with my cousins and I am able to see their pictures as well as share some of mine with them of all the things they are missing out on. Technology allowed me to reconnect with family that we had lost contact with for so many years. Another example of technology would also be Facebook allowing me to stay connected with my best friend who moved to Florida a long time ago. Now, we will never lose contact easily because social media is right in front of us all the time. Technology does have some big down sides sometimes considering I am on the third hard drive in my new laptop that is only a couple months old. Crazy right? I could be in the middle of a paper and all of a sudden, everything on my computer would be gone. The black screen of death would corrupt everything. When it comes to school, I use a computer every single day so when it crashed, there was no going back. So, in my opinion, I believe that computers have a huge impact on our lives. Whether they build us up or tear us down, they are always going to affect us. With our highly addictive devices right at hand, we as a society are being transformed into a technological world where technology is taking care of us all, whether it be good or bad.