Week 8 Discussion

Technology has come along way from where it was and as of today it is beyond what anyone thought it would be. The communication of technology is traveling in many directions with devices from computers to even a cell phones. Each of these technologies have all evolved into their own stages that consist of many updates that have been made to better its own technology. With our world changing everyday the technology with it is growing itself. A walk through of these devices will give you a better look at where we are going with computers and more.

The computer has changed the way we work within our everyday lives. Education has benefited the most with mostly all schools carrying a computer that is used for learning new things from a early age for spelling to a older age learning more advanced things. It has helped greatly in the work force making jobs easier with having files all organized to controlling machines. Computers now can be programmed to do about anything and with that the future of them will change greatly. No longer will manual work must be done with a person present, the computer will be there to watch for errors and control important machinery.

The cell phone has come along way from where it was, no longer a heavy box shaped form but a sleek design. It has been made into more than just a way to communicate on the go, it is now a device that has multiple functions. The cell phone can now be seen as a mp3 device, a mini computer, and more. With the advances coming out everyday there is no end to it.

The tablet is now on the verge of being something great. It is basically the computer but more portable. It has most of the same functions but is sleeker for those who like looks over function. You can surf the web than play games all in one device. It will in time take over regular papered notebooks, no longer will people carry those stack of papers.

All of these devices have come with more advances like application. Applications have taken over the market. No longer do you have to go out and buy a book or game at the store, it’s all in your application store at your fingertips. There are so many applications ranging from books, games, and more useful things. There will be no need to go out and shop anymore when you can do it in your own home.

As for social media it has changed greatly. Facebook is sweeping the nation. No longer do people call or text one another, Facebook seems to be the easiest method since everyone is always connected with notifications.

Soon the world will change with real life heliographic images of people standing right in front of you and robots will be here to change the world. They will be here to help and do things most don’t want to.

The knowledge we carry to change the way we communicate is endless. Things will soon surely change and no one will even be that amazed because in today society people are already to use to the idea of technology.

Week 7 Dicussion Questions

Chapter 1: Bitmapping

1.    In 1968 Douglas Englebart introduced “direct manipulation” of data. How was this different than how data was interacted with before?

When Englebart presented his demo of computer manipulation using a computer and a little rolling box, this was when everything changed. Who knew a little rolling box called a mouse would have had so much impact as it does today. With the mouse you could directly interact with the computer and move anywhere on the screen. It made guiding through the computer easier. Before the mouse interaction with the computer was impossible. The computer before was just used with a keyboard so it was basically used to type documents, a more advanced typewriter.

2.    By creating an “information space,” how did Englebart’s advancement change the way people thought about machines/computers? In what ways did it lead the way not only to interfaces as we think of them today but virtual spaces and augmented reality?

Englebart found that when your working there should be a place where you could have all your knowledge mapped out in one space, this is where information space began. He wanted people to acknowledge that computers are where this is could happen. It was where all of your idea’s could come to life right at your fingertips from your mind to the screen. To add to that he crated a bitmapping screen where the visual aspect came in where you could see images to files to personal folders.

Chapter 2: The Desktop

3.    As discussed in Chapter 2, describe some of the advancements that took place at Xerox PARC, the people involved and what they contributed.

Xerox PARC is a high end science computer lab that consist of scientists whose backgrounds came from Stanford Research Institute. The company built ideas off of Englebart research and one person particular was Alan Kay. He made the idea of overlapping windows to give more depth to the desktop, it utilized the whole screen space which gave you control to move things back and forth of the screen. He turned real life into a computer from stacking papers to a trash can to throw away things. Xeror made a first desktop interface as part of a operating system. This lead to greater things that Steve Jobs brought to Apple later.

As We May Think

4.     Vannevar Bush’s vision inspired the next few generations of technologists, and his idea of a “memex” resembles devices we use today. What was the “memex” and what benefits did Bush think it would have?

Memex is a device that where individuals could store their own records, book, and communications. He wanted this place to be a sort of research where one could find things need and have notes with links involved. He wanted this device to be a private library that one could use that would of screens with information in them that could use photography as well and this would be a benefit.

Week 6 Discussion Questions

Chapter 9: Survival of the Media Fit

1.    What were the years before T.V. Like for radio? What types of content was provided?

Before the T.V. the radio was the main source for entertainment and news. There were a variety of type of “shows” like news cast, dramas, and even quiz shows. You had families tuning in at night for their daily dose of shows. You had to use your imagination more from the descriptions that were given through words.

2.    Explain the economic impact of T.V. On radio.?

The T.V. brought forth not only sound but the visual aspect that was missing from radio which drew more people to the revenue of T.V.  As more people were switching to T.V. the radio lose their main source of listeners. No longer companies paid for advertising for radio which brought in most of the money. The net value of radio went down.

3.    What is the economic model for both radio and T.V.?

Radio and T.V. are both a great source for advertising. They will never not advertise because that is how they get their share of money. Companies pay them to put their ads out their and get it across to people. It’s the number one source for this kind of work that people would not want to do manually by going out there and trying to reach everybody in the world.

4.    In the brief description of film history, Levinson discusses the work of D.W. Griffith, Sergi Eisenstein, and Lev Kuleshov. What methods did they use to help develop a visual vocabulary for film?

The methods they used to create this was using images to describe what they wanted to say in words that were solely linked to each word or meaning they were trying to get across. Even using images to create a rhythm or mood to be expressed.

5.    Technology alone was not the sole savior of radio. Explain the roll of Rock and Roll in radio's transformation.

Rock and Roll brought the radio back to life. It was new in a sense that it was lively and exciting for people to hear. It really did make the nation more fun. It was even sometimes to racy for T.V. that only radio was offering the music.

6.    “Talkies”, replaced silent films entirely, but T.V. Did not replace radio, why?

Silent films could not hold peoples attention for long, people longed for more excitement. Radio is more portable for people and doesn’t need one to try to visually stare at a image to get the point like a T.V. so it could never really be taken away. Radios are more sufficient and on the go.

Chapter 10: Remedial Media

7.  In your own words describe Levinson's parable of the window shade as remedial media.

It is a concept that fixes a problem within the media itself. For example like once the T.V. was fully created and done with advancing in technology a antenna would be added on to fix the quality of the image. It is basically a add on to fix a problem within the media.

8.    Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the VCR as a remedial medium.

The advantages of the VCR is that it added on a necessity that people liked having control of recording their favorite shows to watch later on their own time, giving people more control. The disadvantage is that there would be too many types causing storage problems.