Current [edited
4/18/07 11:05am]
Computer technology has become integrated into much of
modern life, mine included.- Cars--Amazing
things with the computer efficiency, pollution and difficulty and cost
to repair (about $750 a year for our
96 Volvo's computer problems)
- Household
appliances-- including Digital Camera, Robot
Vacuum, Current sound system the
refrigerator that creates a shopping
list of needed items (We don't have
one of these but the computer in our washing machine and dishwasher
both had problems last year with a cost of $200 and $325 each)
- News--Blogs,
YouTube, Google, Yahoo,
etc. replacing(?) traditional newspapers, TV, Radio (I access these as well as read 1-2
newspapers and magazines a day)
- Communication--Email
replacing traditional mail, VOIP (Vonage,
Skype etc.
replacing POTS,
on line banking, various new media sources Apple TV, Netflix,
Vongo
starting to
"replace" movies(?), iPhone etc. integrating functions and replacing
last generation cell phones,
iPods, Internet access devices, PDAs (Palm Pilots). (I have an mp3 player and use Skype for US
and communication with daughter in Newcastle England)
- Teaching--Using
Internet sources as class content and as a communication tool with
students (Burden of Proof) and as complete class room management tool
(Blackboard, WebCT). ( I use the
Internet for all documentation for my Critical
Thinking class, TitleV
and also for current examples in class [OJ,BP
]
- Commodification
of personal computers--differientation minimal even with Tablet
PC [My current main computer is a
"no name" ARRC computer-cost approx $550. Not quite a commodity but I
will buy a new computer this year an Apple Notebook but it will run the
Apple and Microsoft operating system cost about $1500]
Broad issues: Will computer technology:
(a) increase individual freedom (empowerment) or foster control over individuals?
(b) broaden the differences between people
(c) decrease personal privacy?
- Nefarious behavior moves to the new technology Spam,
Phishing (my Nigerian friends), Scams (recent Tax Preparation and
submittal sites),
communication and even formation of terrorist
groups using the
Internet as way to organize and communicate
- Losing more and more of our privacy-- Google and other sites know all
- Monopolies--Microsoft (ex Mac vs Windows,
Netscape vs Explorer, Microsoft and AT&T Vs Google acquisition of
Double click)