Zeitgeist 2010: Year in Review

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Zeitgeist 2010: Year in Review
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2011-What’s to come?

I thought of writing about the most recent technology news for the last blog posting of the semester, but then I realized that it was not really anything exciting.

• Wikileaks’ Julian Assange
• “Great Christmas Deals!”
• Free shipping offered for a few more days by Amazon, you still have time to buy!
• Who will win out-the Kindle or the Nook?
• The latest, greatest, and most out-of-datest Apps for iPad.

But surprisingly, there are a few exciting and interesting pieces out as of today.  For one, Wikileaks has created an even bigger buzz.  A group called Anonymous has recently carried out “attacks” on big name coroporations who have recently suspended their Wikileak Accounts.

As Christmas is right around the corner, and the New Year soon upon us, there is a great deal to talk about concerning what 2011 will bring for us.  Recently Google released Google Zeitgeist summing up the year in searches.  Watch and enjoy!

That’s all for today, Have a great break!

Mark Zuckerburg making new Friends with lawmakers

With the past few months issues concerning privacy on Facebook, Zuckerburg is finally making moves! Literally. He’s expanding his Washington, DC corporate office, and making friends with a few lawmakers alike. Privacy concerns are not the only reasons Zuckerburg planted in Washington, though.  As of recently, net neutrality has also become an issue for the quickly growing company, despite concerns about the site. 

Though way outnumbered by the Google enthusiasts on Capitol Hill, Zuckerburg plans to stick out his movement for more support and to straighten out the privacy conerns many of his users have.

http://washpost.bloomberg.com/Story?docId=1376-LCRV9P0UQVI901-33LSNAND3FN0K5L1FUKHN440MH

Facebook posing a danger to our armed forces?

When I wrote about Facebook and the armed forces a few weeks ago, I was trying to shed a positive light on the benefits of Facebook for the troops, as long as it was used the right way.  This week, that’s not so easy to do.  Recently, the Air Force warned troops about the danger Facebook can pose against them.  But wait–it gets better–location apps and sites like gowalla and foursquare are contributing too.  The first warning from the Air Force told its troops that location sharing could allow enemy troops to track them down.  It didn’t take long for the word to spread to other branches of the Armed Forces either.  With more than 140,000 troops still in Afghanistan and Iraq, location sharing isn’t necessary.   Don’t put yourself in harms way.

Aside from that, Facebook still has its perks for our troops, as long as they’re just as careful as we are.

Also, don’t forget to utilize Twitter next Friday to get all the hot Black Friday deals!

Follow your favorite stores for the best deals! 🙂

Businesses take advantage of Teens and Social Media

This semester we’ve embraced the various aspects of social media outlets.  Admittedly, we are obsessed with technology.  The other day I stumbled upon an article on the media and technology site “mashable.”  5 Teen Social Media Trends that can be applied to Small Business discussed the low percentage, 24% to be exact, of small businesses that take advantage of social media.  But here’s my big question. ready? WHAT’S TAKING YOU SO LONG?!?! Do business owners live on the moon? Subsequently failing to notice that nearly every tween, teen, and 20-something you see is participating in social media?  The article made the best point in saying that many businesses don’t use social media because it’s time consuming. Huh? ok, yes I do procrastinate and spend way too much time on Facebook, youtube, etc., BUT that procrastination time is not spent via status updates–those take two minutes.  How difficult would it be for small business owners to update a status every time they sit down to send an e-mail, or check an invoice?  Sorry, small businesses, but it’s that time when you’ll have to bite the bullet and use what is right at your fingertips.  Billboards are a thing of the past–stop wasting money on them.  And a phonebook? The most recent thing I’ve used that for is to prop up a plant in my room.  Props for many of you trying to be old fashioned, but some things just can’t stay the same.

Indecision 2010 – Republican Earthquake Tsunami of Nothing

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Discovered Indecision 2010 – Republican Earthquake Tsunami… via reechard
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Technological WarScare

For the past two years, one of my best friends from high school has been dating a active duty Marine.  We have had highs and lows of her not being able to be in contact with him for weeks at a time other than letters–nothing different than people have experienced for centuries, although the postal system is a little faster now.  In early August, Richie was deployed to Afghanistan.  My close knit group of friends was pretty sure that this was going to be very difficult for our friend, but knew she would pull through.  What we didn’t expect was for her to be able to have as much, almost more, contact with Richie than she did while he was at Camp Lagoon, NC.  Our friend stays in close contact with her soldier via new media outlets such as Skype and Facebook, of course.  Even we are able to hear from him, and send our best wishes with the expectation of hearing from him within a day, or even a few hours.  Technology has given us the ability to stay in such close contact with even our military, the leaves are just a little less painful. 

But are they?  The Washington Post printed a story on just that this morning.  New Media, including SNS and Skype, alongside easily accessible cell phones have caused the military to install a new procedure that requires divisions to go into blackout mode when serious tragedies have hit their division.  This is done in order to protect the loved ones of soldiers who may have been harmed that day from finding out via New Media.  The sacred tradition of telling the next to kin in person is one the military wants to maintain.  However, that has become more and more difficult as SNS has grown, and news spreads rapidly online.  While they can bring so much joy and happiness, they can also bring a great deal of pain. 

Here’s the article, if you’d like to read more!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/04/AR2010110407505.html?sid=ST2010110407698

Thanks, old pal! It’s the great pumpkin, again!

It’s that time of year again-the leaves fall briskly on the ground in burnt orange and golden yellows, ghosts decorate the neighborhood, children dress as pirates and princesses, but most importantly It’s the great pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

That’s right, Charlie Brown is back on abc! You might be asking yourself what this has to do with New Media? Charlie Brown has been an memorable part of many of our lives, as well as the lives of our parents. In fact, Charlie Brown has been around for more than 60 years–and he has remained in the lives of many, even after he retired from the air. Today, we are still able to enjoy the simple comedy of Charlie Brown via YouTube, and other popular video sites. We can still enjoy the simple things, whether we believe new media itself to be simple or not.

 

3-D:not so new-who knew?

The recent fad of 3D televisions has hit the market head on in the past few months, and the push has been pretty big.  Although I don’t know anyone who has actually bought one, the ads have been unending.  Alongside the tv, DVDs and BluRays are also being offered in 3D.  This fad has been pretty popular, from young kids all the way up to adults.   But what makes this so exciting all of a sudden.  As long as I can remember there have been IMax theatres showing popular new releases, and even documentaries.  This poses the question: why have companies waited so long to release this technology to the public?  The Washington Post has a video explaining this, and it’s pretty interesting…

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2010/08/16/VI2010081603065.html

(Sorry I can’t upload links or videos from all sites-downsides of using a “free” blog)
Also, in my attempt to get the video on my blog, I realized I would have to pay unless it comes from a small number of collaborating sites…funny how that works into today’s readings.  Especially considering YouTube and Google are at the top of  that list–authenticity and accountibility. 

Either way, I was led to VodPod, a website dedicated to blogging and sharing all of you favorite videos of anything you want pretty much.  On the home page, one of the most popular videos is a mock trailer for a Twitter movie and makes fun of The Social Network. 

 



Twitter Movie Trailer : Rated Awesome
– Watch more Tech Videos at Vodpod.

Cyber relationships making the news

I was surprised when I saw this article headlining in today’s Washington Post, but being as how I’ve written about it before, I thought I should read it.  I hadn’t expected to stumble upon a love story that stemmed from a SNS site specifically for Cystic Fibrosis, leading these two people to fall in, but of course a dating website.

After a week of morbidity in class, I thought that this article put a happy spin on things.  Read the article here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/14/AR2010101407482.html?hpid=artslot

 

Sorry for the poor posting of the URL, but for whatever reason the blogger won’t provide an alternative (It’s not working).