When I first heard about the course, Introduction to the Interner, I thought "What can we possibly not know about the Internets? WE are the Internet generation."
My initial arrogant mindset towards this course was changed to puzzlement and curiosity as I started to "see the light" of the wonders that the Internet brings us. There is so much more to it than meets the eye.
The world wide web has been so incorporated into our own lives that some of us are absolutely inseparable to it. We practically can do anything virtually online, and everything has been covered: like e-Commerce, e-Learning and even e-Counselling. I won't be surprised if I don't recognize what a 'computer' has turned into in the next 50 years or so (if i'm still alive...).
I would like to thank our beloved Mr. Abel Choy for making our otherwise mundane course so refreshing and energizing. His use of videos, examples and illustrations, including a handful of jokes every now and then, has made coming to class more bearable and exciting.
THANK YOU MR. CHOY!
WISHING YOU AN ABUNDANCE OF FISH (nin nin you yu) AND ORANGES (dai gut dai lei) FOR YOUR OWN FUTURE!
Over the last semester, we have all been learning and discussing what the Internet has in store for us now. But what about the future? The future of the internet may not be written in the stars, but from the technology and station that we are at now with the World Wide Web, we can sort of predict the anticipated development of the Web.
According to an article entitled 10 Future Web Trends by Richard MacManus, there are 10 aspects of Internet usage that we should look out for in the next 10 years:
1. Semantic Web: With millions and trillions of information being avaible and constantly updated on the internet, it builds up the Internet's database of facts about life and everything else that comes with it.
2. Artificial Intelligence: We are empowering our own machines in making them just like us; giving them a mind of its own to carry out tasks just like how we do--or better, faster, stronger and harder.
3. Virtual Worlds: Making our lives more digital than it already is--at the forefront of this revolution is Second Life, which has everything we do in real life, except oxygen. Google Earth is also playing up in the virtual context: mapping out the world and the stars and the planets accurately and proportionally.
4. Mobile: Yes, we all know that the Internet is going mobile--probably the best thing that has happened so far in this century (apart from President Obama, that is). Information is literally accessible at our fingetips! Nokia, HTC, Sony Ericcson, LG and iPhones are making life so convenient and complete for us all. However, in order for this to happen, Wi-Fi and routers should be available wherever we are..which may pose a problem for some societies--especially during this economic crisis.
5. Attention Economy: Subscribing to RSS feeds to whatever we are interested will change how we do business and see the world. News is instantaneously updated to bring us the freshest, live & kicking, data that we need.
6. Web Sites as Web Services: Now we have web sites>>tomorrow, we have web services! With scrapers and mashups converging the sites into a contingent whole, we can find all the information and service that we need in one complete source.
7. Online Video/ Internet TV: Online streaming has become very popular, especially in this YouTube generation. People like to be entertained at work, school, on the bus or on the sea. Movie-goers don't need to go pay ten dollars to go watch a film anymore, forget the cinema--there's streaming movies online! But as all this hype may seem fine and dandy, copyright and piracy issues may come into the loop...
8. Rich Internet Apps: RIA's are taking over the world moving into "a level playing field where video, sound, images, animations, and full interactivity with your computer are all standardized" (from Wikipedia.org). Adobe's AIR platform is one, and so is Ajax, though experts say that they might not last for long... 9. International Web: Since the beginning of the Internet revolution, the United States has claimed the name to developing the most popular websites. It is true that America is the trendsetter and leading country in global media, but eventually, other countries like the United Kingdom, Australia and even possibly Singapore (possibly, but don't count on it) will catch up, making the world more international.
10. Personalization: Search engines and all that will be able to predict our preferences and interestswhenever we do anything such as THINK about a certain topic. Google is obviously the King of Websearch, boasting their Adsense and Adwords even in our Gmail accounts. Nowadays, humans don't need to think anymore...
It is so inspiring to see that the Internet is becoming greater and better than we could ever have imagined to be in the beginning of computers...
On the other hand, I'm convinced that, if we aren't careful, computers are going to rule the planet, and robots will rock the world.
Traditional journalism in newspapers, magazines and tabloids were a main source of information for everyone (apart from television and radio). They were the only places that society could be in touch with the goings-on in the world around them.
This was when THE INTERNET took over.
Not only did news channels and famous newspapers (for example the the New York Times and The Daily Telegraph) create their own websites for easy access online, but so did other people--and they arent even journalists.
Who am I talking aboot? The People. From the news reports that they hear on the TV or the radio, or newsletters, magazines, etc. they have heard the "officials" say of a matter, and they may have something to add of their own. Knowing that they'll be turned down or ignored by the editors of the papers, or be dismissed or flicked away by the press, people started to report the news in their own light--their own understanding. Thus ignited the revolution of CITIZEN JOURNALISM.
Where can i find these intriguing creatures and their reports? Right here. In Blogspot or Livejournal or even Twitter. They scourage for information for anything that they can find to comment on or diss, and re-write the whole story in their own words.Bloggers are most famous for expressing their opinions on all kinds of issues--including what kinds of eyedrops (steroid/non-prescription) people should use and why.
In all, Citizen Journalism can make everyone their own reporter. I encourage this form of journalism as it gives people a chance to show off their ideas; they may even bring out a new point where the major newspapers and magazines may have overlooked... After all, freedom of speech needs to be practiced in order to truly be a democratic nation.
On the other hand, these so-called "journalists" should not expect their work to be treated as important or more worthy of attention than articles you see in newspapers. It is not their official profession to publish any of their material, and creating expectations to enhance their own self-esteem in the reports they give will not benefit themselves or others in any way--unless they are just gratified to know that they've done their part in expressing their say.
So. Where do you get your information from?
Anyhoo. Want to be a citizen journalist? Here's an instructional video on how to be become one:
With the internet being the newest media as a social resource, it's no surprise that POLITICS have been introduced on the web.
News channels such as MSNBC, CNN, BBC, and ESPN have set up an online database for up-to-date headlines and news stories.
This made updates on the latest happenings much more convenient and accessible for everyone; whether they are at home, at the office, on the go (with the help of hand-held devices like PDA phones).
Also, the BIGGEST, newest, hottest topic of discussion for everyone to catch is the OBAMAFever.
Yes, the newest US president to join the Hall of Fame as the first ever Black President of the United States has gained popularity with mesmerizing motivational speeches, humanitarian charm, and a matching grin heralding the words "YES, WE CAN CHANGE" has left the world with an ogling obsession over this new-age saint. The astounding support for Barack Obama has launched him to celebrity status, and you don't need to be an American to know what's going on with this president.
Barack Obama's official website--www.barackobama.com (go check it out!)--reports recent news on the goings-on of his presidential agenda, press conferences and addresses. Now we are all informed of every step and movement of which direction the winds of politics blows. However, this may not be necessarily an advantage...
In early January (before his swearing-in as president), the world watched on global news networks--on the TV as well as on the internet--as the President visited his ailing grandmother in Honolulu, and when Obama family romped happily on the beaches of Kailua.
Right, now everyone who's anyone knows that the newest American President has a sexy six-pack and a hot bod. Phew, at least he doesn't have a pot-belly like the rest of his predecessors (maybe except JFK, another celebrity president--there should be a correlation between popular presidents and fitness). People tend to forget WHY they voted him in the first place. Although Barack Obama is undeniably charismatic and make the ladies go red and breathless, the American democratic population voted him as president because they saw hope and a chance to rely on him to change their lives and re-build America. I bet if the rest of the world would vote Obama if they were ever given the chance--I certainly would.
Here is a video of Obama's concession speech during the New Hampshire primary remixed into a song by Will.I.Am. with guest appearances. This music video was honored the first-ever Emmy Award for Best New Approaches in Daytime Entertainment:
Aesthetically, the HTC Touch Diamond is as flawless and outrageously mesmerizing as the mineral diamond. It includes 4 GB of internal storage, and uses TouchFlo 3D technology. Wi-fi is available using the Opera 9.5 internet browser which makes surfing much more convenient and far less impatient. The Diamond runs on a Microsoft OS, and comes with Microsoft Office and Windows Media Player. Picture browsing has never been so much fun as you flip through the images like a flip-book (as contacts or images). Excellent stuff.
Taiwan's HTC has done a good job in thier advertising campaign for the Diamond, rembering to boast its sleek and elegant body, and its full functionality as a professional business and entertainment phone.
Huh. Seems like the Internet is our gift and our curse.
My last blog talked about the miracle of Google, and what it can offer, but there are also many disadvantages to having so much information available at your fingertips...
Just finished reading an article about how this 'worm' called "Trojan.Silentbanker" which stealthily downloads itselfs onto your hardrive, and steals all your bank account information when you do your transactions online. Cheeky-cheeky.
Even the dual password thing in Singapore is not immune to it! Just when we thought we got it all covered and safe.
Seems like nothing can be trusted anymore, and we all need to watch our backs. The best thing to do right now is to update our anti-virus softwareREGULARLY, and make backups, backups, backups!
Best search engine in the history of the Internets? There can be only 1 answer: GOOGLE.
It has saved the lives of desperate students in search for answers and meaning to life; it has entertained the ignorant and procrastinating employees at work; but most importantly, it has brought Internet browsing to a whole new level.
Google is the God of all search engines that the World Wide Web has to offer. Not only does it allow searches based on percentage of relevancy on all websites, but furthermore, it offers other alternative searches for all kinds of information and formats:
1. Image search- displays searches of different formats of images/pictures/gifs, etc.
2. Google Maps- illustrates the roads and territories of countries and cities all over the world!
3. Google News- brings frequently updated important news coverage from all over. (Includes sports--essential stuff).
4. Google Video- much like YouTube, this video search engine offers video streaming that Google users can independently upload and share. Also like YouTube, viewers aren't allowed to download any of the content. A Google video player can be downloaded to a computer to conveniently watch the videos.
5. Gmail-Google mail which frequently upgrades its storage space to allow for larger files and lengthy emails to be saved without the account user having to frequently delete and clear their inboxes. Users of Gmail started off as an 'invite only' standard: people could only be 'invited' to obtain a Gmail account through a friend or acquaintance. With the ever-growing popularity of Google and Gmail, now almost everyone who has access to the Internet has a Gmail account. YEH.
6. Google Shopping-Shop online through Google! Search by category or price range. Very simple and easy to use, with great images for customers to see the products before they buy it.
7. Google Groups- Everyone wants to be a part of something--and now with Google Groups, everyone is making up their own clubs...about a certain hobby, interest, company, class (a.k.a. COM 125's Google Group created by our beloved Mr. Abel Choy), or even about themselves. Talk about narcisistic.
8. Google Books- much like a Google version of Amazon.com or Barnes&Noble, yes, of course google has to have their own online book reference center. Search for keywords that you want to find in a book, and it will automatically show it to you; be it the relevancy of the entire book, or just a single chapter or sentence in it. Innit?
9. Google Scholar- useful database for Graduates and Undergrads to find relevant secondary sources of information to use for their research, projects and assignments. Swim through oodles and oodles of dull-lookin boring, so-called, Scholarly journals and articles just to find that single reference to a desired topic. Excellent stuff, but might not quite reach up to Ebscohost's standards just yet...
10. Google Earth- This is probably one of the most advanced and enjoyable programs that Google has EVER come up with. Fly over the clouds and visit destinations that you've always wanted to visit, or see again. Periodically updated satellite images of Earth are shown to the viewer, and can even zoom up close enough to see single buildings or structures. Bored of our planet? Look to the skies--go stargazing through Google Earth, and don't forget to check your horoscope if you can even decipher what all the alignments are...Perfect for Subterranean homesick aliens--I like.
11. Blackle- The environmentally-friendly, energy-saving, hippie-like version of the Google web search engine that claims to save 1,095,896.547 Watt hours. Do your part; it's time to switch.
12. Elgoog-Google Mirror developed by a company called All Too Flat that was kind bored and severely confused. They decided to mirror the search results and words and everything they can think of and show it all in reverse. Use it only if you have time on your hands--or else everything looks like Finnish.
Google offers so many useful programs and search engines that make my life so much easier. I would like to give my sincere gratitude to the creator(s) of all these programs and software. Keep it up! Hint: You guys should make a Google Recipe database for all the wannabe cooks out there.
!THANK YOU GOOGLE!
And now, for the final act of the night, here is a video that I have created a couple of years back. It is a short slideshow of the Singapore Baha'i Summer School back in 2006.
