Can't Stop Geeking

As someone who likes technology and sees the benefits of it, I have to say that there are sometimes when it’s ok to be away from the internet for a while. Take, for instance, the iLoo. This was designed by Microsoft’s UK branch for public access. It’s a public toilet with internet access. That’s right; you can download while you offload, or stream whichever you need to do. Why was this considered a bad idea? From a sanitation standpoint, public restrooms like this get notoriously abused. People do business in these things other than for its intended use. Second, even with a vacuum suction technology, there is still a chance for microscopic bacteria to get onto the console. I don’t know about you, but if my computer is going to get bacteria on it, its going to be from me only.

Here’s the bigger issue for me. As a global culture, it seems we spend more time on the internet than doing almost anything else. I’m not knocking the internet, I love all the information I have access to, but I don’t need it every waking minute of the day. When I’m in the restroom, I should really be able to survive without the internet for the time it takes me to do my business.

Not exactly.

If you still need powerful computers for designing graphics or other coding issues, you’ll still one of those. But if you want to surf the internet, it appears that you will soon be doing that with your TV. Google is offering software to be integrated into certain TVs as well as some satellite TV services. This will help some people who want to surf the internet but have vision issues or can’t get really fast internet access. This should be an interesting development to watch. Google seems to be innovating to grab some of the market away from Apple. And you know what the best part is? We as consumers are going to benefit the most from this.

Well, if you’re Mark Cuban, the answer is yes.

Cuban believes that everything the internet was 5 years ago, Facebook is now.  I have to humbly and wholeheartedly disagree.  Facebook has done what very few other sites have been able to do; provide a platform for long distance and long ago friends to reconnect. Facebook lets you catch up, stay abreast of your friends coming and going and share goofy and funny stories.  But the whole experience of the internet is so much more than that. As someone who does freelance work writing articles in addition to blogging, I spend quite a bit of time doing internet research.  There is information out there that cannot possibly be contained in the small niche that Facebook occupies. While most people gravitate to Facebook, I think the internet has more to offer if people are willing to go out and find it.

I just watched a Today Show clip concerning a father and son who had a bit of trouble with their online relationship via Facebook. Basically, the dad posted some pictures of his son on to his page, and his son didn’t particularly care for it. The pictures included some from when this kid was 6 years old and younger. One of them was of the son sitting on a toilet, which, on a side note, why do parents feel the need to immortalize that in a photograph? So the son de-friended his dad. What’s the moral of the story? If you’re going to friend family members, at least be respectful of that other person’s online space. I personally am friends with my Dad and we have had no problem. Of course, no questionable pictures have been posted of me on FB by my dad. I leave that to my friends to do that.

As much as I try to stay in touch with the wheelings and dealings of this electronic community, there are certain things I just don’t know. For instance, I was reading a story by Bob Sullivan who details prevalent internet scams.  I had no idea that FBI impersonators are a very common scam.  You would think that something that outlandish would be suspicious.  Or fake blogs for crying out loud.  Now, don’t worry, this blog is legitimate; I’m sharing ideas and other interesting facts I learn, and I’m not set up to scam anyone.  This is sad and a little scary though.

Oh, those silly Silicon Valley Boys.  I guess Apple and Google are starting to get into the heated argument ring with each other.  Apple is miffed that Google is promoting the Droid which resembles the iPhone in a number of ways and Google is irked that Apple appears to be trying to shut Google out of the mobile web market.  Personally, I think both companies need a little reality check.  Apple needs to free themselves from the exclusive contract with AT&T so that Verizon customers can have an iPhone.  In this age of technology and expense, entering into an exclusive agreement with a company limits your sales.  If AT&T was hoping Verizon would go away, the strategy of having the iPhone exclusively didn’t seem to work.

Suzanne Choney from MSNBC wrote this article last Friday detailing some research done as to whether the internet is helping or hurting human intelligence. Some say that the access to all the information the internet has is making us smarter in a slightly different way than in years past. Others say that we are using Google as a crutch to do the bare minimum in terms of research. So where do you stand?

Me personally, I think the information on the internet is fantastic. I’ve accessed things and studies topics I wouldn’t normally have been able to. On the other hand, with the proliferation of blogs and other sites put up with faulty information, reading info from one site only doesn’t alkways paint the fullest picture. If you plan to do research, it’s best to gather information from multiple, credible sites.

Google is set to take down it Chinese search engine due to allegations that the Chinese government’s actions toward human rights activists using gmail to communicate as well as oppressing other companies.  I wonder if  the doomsday clock movement on Thursday has something to do with this.

This comes from foxnews.com.

The doomsaday clock, a clock debuting in 1947 and representing man’s proximity to nuclear annihilation, will be moved for the first time in three years.  People can watch the clock change over the internet.  Of course, the direction and amount of change will not be made public until the actual change which leaves room for a lot of speculation.  What is causing the clock change.  More dangers or fewer? Nuclear war issues or climate change issues?  Whta do you think?

Imagine you have a website you like to visit.  Whether it is because of the content, the look or layout of the site, or if they offer mercahndise online, this is the first site you visit when you get on the internet.  Now, imagine you’re blind, or you have a muscle disease that hinders fine motor coordination.  How easy is it to visit your favorite site now?

Some companies are starting to optimize their sites to accomodate those with impairments, and the World Wide Consortium, which establishes internet standards, has developed guidelines for creating accessible sites. Having a cousin who lives with Cerebral Palsy, I know how hard it is to live with a disability. So, bravo to those companies who are already taking this step, and if you know of someone who works in web design, whether it’s a local orange county web design or a national company, let them know the good they can do for those with disabilities.