Internet in the Sky: Surf but Don’t Call
By: Joe Sharkey, NY Times, September 13, 2008
URL: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/business/14essay.html?_r=1&ref=technology&oref=slogin
New technology by Aircell allows you to get broadband Internet service on your
laptop while in flight. Although you can connect to the Internet to browse the web you are not allowed to use the Internet hookup for voice over Internet protocol services. This means you can not use the laptop connection in flight to make a voice phone call, even though the technological capability is there. At the moment American Airlines is the only airline offering this in-flight Internet access, called Gogo, which launched last month. The airline has blocked programs from enabling voice calls from the environment of the confined space of the airplane cabin. Cell phone use on flights used to not be allowed because of flight safety issues, but those are now resolved. Some people want this in-flight cell phone use to be allowed, while others do not. Airplane cabins are such a confined space, and usually you are on them for hours without being about to leave. According to this article, phone conservations will not be allowed in the near future, due to the inconvenience of others.
I think the technology of having Internet service while in flight is a great break through and will catch on to other airlines quickly. Not only will it help pass time but it will help people get more work done, that otherwise could not get done until safely on ground. I feel that business people will benefit the most from this service. Now as they are traveling for business reasons they will be able to get more work done in a shorter amount of time. I know that if I fly American Airlines that I will take my laptop and use the Internet while in flight.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
News Report #4
Technology Keeps Libraries Popular
By: Elida S. Perez, Statesman Journal; August 23, 2008
URL:
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080823/NEWS/808230349/1125/OPINION
A lot of people thought the Internet would end America’s public libraries, the way that CD’s ended cassette tapes. According to an analysis of state data from Oregon, the opposite is occurring. Many area libraries are increasing their numbers of circulation and visitors due to more programs and activities focused on the community. Library officials have found that the Internet has not decreased people’s needs to go to libraries, but that the new technology has become a helpful part of the way libraries function and aids as a helpful tool in helping people find information. As the collection of books on CD’s increases so do the amount of users. Books on CD are very convenient in that users can listen while they do things around the house or run errands. Free internet access is also a reason libraries are increasing the amount of daily users. Most libraries in the Oregon area, and throughout the US, have Internet access computers and also free wireless for those with their own laptops. Another reason libraries remain popular is that they are offering various programs that cater to children, teens, adults, and seniors. Although the Internet has not lowered the demand for books, there has been an overall drop in the use of reference materials because that information can be found online.
I think that libraries will always be around, maybe not as many as there are today, but definitely in major areas. Although I can usually do most of my homework from home I find myself going to the library more for the quiet atmosphere then for research. I have used technology available in the library to check out books on CD and music CD’s to listen to as I drive long distances.
By: Elida S. Perez, Statesman Journal; August 23, 2008
URL:
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080823/NEWS/808230349/1125/OPINION
A lot of people thought the Internet would end America’s public libraries, the way that CD’s ended cassette tapes. According to an analysis of state data from Oregon, the opposite is occurring. Many area libraries are increasing their numbers of circulation and visitors due to more programs and activities focused on the community. Library officials have found that the Internet has not decreased people’s needs to go to libraries, but that the new technology has become a helpful part of the way libraries function and aids as a helpful tool in helping people find information. As the collection of books on CD’s increases so do the amount of users. Books on CD are very convenient in that users can listen while they do things around the house or run errands. Free internet access is also a reason libraries are increasing the amount of daily users. Most libraries in the Oregon area, and throughout the US, have Internet access computers and also free wireless for those with their own laptops. Another reason libraries remain popular is that they are offering various programs that cater to children, teens, adults, and seniors. Although the Internet has not lowered the demand for books, there has been an overall drop in the use of reference materials because that information can be found online.
I think that libraries will always be around, maybe not as many as there are today, but definitely in major areas. Although I can usually do most of my homework from home I find myself going to the library more for the quiet atmosphere then for research. I have used technology available in the library to check out books on CD and music CD’s to listen to as I drive long distances.
news report #3
“One in Five Employers Uses Social Network Sites When Hiring People”
By Max Brenn, eFluxMedia, September 15th, 2008
URL:
http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_One_In_Five_Employers_Uses_Social_Network_Sites_When_Hiring_People_24316.html
By Max Brenn, eFluxMedia, September 15th, 2008
URL:
http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_One_In_Five_Employers_Uses_Social_Network_Sites_When_Hiring_People_24316.html
A recent study shows that one in five employers use a social network service to research information about job candidates. A survey made by CareerBuilder.com, an online job site, found that 22% of 3,169 hiring managers use social network sites to research potential future employees. According to this survey, an additional 9 percent of managers said they plan to start using such sites in the near future. Of the managers who search their candidates on Internet, 34% said they found information that caused them to drop a candidate from the list of potential employees. Information posted about the candidate drinking or using drugs is the man cause of being dropped by the hiring manager. Another reason a candidate could be rejected from a potential job is by posting inappropriate photographs or information. Of the hiring managers, 24 percent said the network social sites helped to solidify their final decisions about the candidates.
Even though my career is babysitting, I have had mothers use a social network site to research me. One of the mothers I babysit for added me as a friend on Facebook and told me that she uses it to determine whether or not she trust the person with her child. She also mentioned to me that she has turned someone away not because of what they had posted, but what the pictures that other people had posted of them. I like the fact that employers use social network sites, such as Facebook, because it allows them to know how the person is outside of the work force. I think it also helps keep such sites as “clean” as possible because people are aware that their boss could be looking at their pictures from a party they attended or how they interact with other people.
Even though my career is babysitting, I have had mothers use a social network site to research me. One of the mothers I babysit for added me as a friend on Facebook and told me that she uses it to determine whether or not she trust the person with her child. She also mentioned to me that she has turned someone away not because of what they had posted, but what the pictures that other people had posted of them. I like the fact that employers use social network sites, such as Facebook, because it allows them to know how the person is outside of the work force. I think it also helps keep such sites as “clean” as possible because people are aware that their boss could be looking at their pictures from a party they attended or how they interact with other people.
reading report #2
Information Navigation 101
Although college students are constantly using technology to interact with friends and listen to music, when it comes to using technology for academic research they can be clueless. Information available electronically has exploded over the years, leaving some students confused. Due to this confusion of students, instruction in information technology is occurring at colleges across the country. Not only are classes being taught on this, but information-literacy programs are also being considered as a means to measure an institution’s performance. Information literacy showed up in academics as early as 1989 when the American Library Association urged colleges and schools to incorporate it into their curriculum. One of the reasons for this confusion of academic research via technology is because there is an overwhelming amount of information available and people need help determining what is relevant. Most college libraries have a staff member available to aid in narrowing down search results in order to point people in the right direction when researching data. Some librarians feel that information literacy should not be a separate academic discipline while others feel that it is a very important topic but that it is not a new issue. Since many accrediting agencies and colleges say graduates must be literate in information, standardized tests are now available to measure students’ skills in this area. A few of these tests are multiple choice while others present students with the same type of problems they would encounter in the work force. Although students are generally the ones getting questioned about being information illiterate, some people wonder if it is the faculty members who are slacking in this area.
I feel that some students are in fact information illiterate, while others have a grasp on this subject. Due to this separation in students I think a test should be given at the beginning of junior year to test the knowledge of each student’s ability to use technology for research. By the time a student is a junior they should have had to perform research for classes, thus giving them enough experience to pass the test. If the student does not pass the test they should be required to take a class on information technology. By requiring a test on this subject it will ensure that all graduates have some knowledge on information technology and will be better prepared for the “real world”.
Although college students are constantly using technology to interact with friends and listen to music, when it comes to using technology for academic research they can be clueless. Information available electronically has exploded over the years, leaving some students confused. Due to this confusion of students, instruction in information technology is occurring at colleges across the country. Not only are classes being taught on this, but information-literacy programs are also being considered as a means to measure an institution’s performance. Information literacy showed up in academics as early as 1989 when the American Library Association urged colleges and schools to incorporate it into their curriculum. One of the reasons for this confusion of academic research via technology is because there is an overwhelming amount of information available and people need help determining what is relevant. Most college libraries have a staff member available to aid in narrowing down search results in order to point people in the right direction when researching data. Some librarians feel that information literacy should not be a separate academic discipline while others feel that it is a very important topic but that it is not a new issue. Since many accrediting agencies and colleges say graduates must be literate in information, standardized tests are now available to measure students’ skills in this area. A few of these tests are multiple choice while others present students with the same type of problems they would encounter in the work force. Although students are generally the ones getting questioned about being information illiterate, some people wonder if it is the faculty members who are slacking in this area.
I feel that some students are in fact information illiterate, while others have a grasp on this subject. Due to this separation in students I think a test should be given at the beginning of junior year to test the knowledge of each student’s ability to use technology for research. By the time a student is a junior they should have had to perform research for classes, thus giving them enough experience to pass the test. If the student does not pass the test they should be required to take a class on information technology. By requiring a test on this subject it will ensure that all graduates have some knowledge on information technology and will be better prepared for the “real world”.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Reading Response #1
The Future of Libraries Beginning the Great Transformation
Libraries started out as a storehouse for important documents, art, and manuscripts. They helped to preserve collections of work, such as that of da Vinci. One of the first major contributions to libraries as they are today was the invention of the printing press followed by a great amount of funding provided by Andrew Carnegie. People used to go to libraries to find information, but now that most information is available online, most visitors of libraries are there to read for their pleasure. According to this paper there are ten trends that are affecting how they library will develop in the next generation. The first one discusses how the way we receive information is constantly changing and if we will ever reach the ultimate form of communication. The second trend is that all technologies that are new now will soon end and be replaced with something else. The fact that we have not reached the smallest particle for storage is the third trend. Once we have the smallest storage unit we will then be able to have standards for storage and information. The fourth trend deals with the means of searching. Text search is what today’s search industry is based on, but in the future it will become more complicated with the addition of searching by taste, mass, texture, speed, volume, and others. Trend five is that today we compress our time therefore compressing our needs. Over the years we have acquired the what for more needs faster. The seventh trend is that the demand is exponentially growing for global information. The key to our ability to prepare for the global societies of the future is to learn about and understand the cultures of the rest of the world. The need for creating cross-border systems will increase as we move towards more homogenized societies and cultures is trend eight. Trend nine is that we are transitioning to an experience based economy from a product-based economy. According to this trend future books will be evaluated not by the words on a page but by the experience they create. The last trend is that libraries will transition to a center of culture from just a center of information. In the past the library mostly served as a resource for information but in the future it will help connect communities.
I think the main difference in libraries from the past to the future is that people will use them to find information not available online, such information that can only be found in older written documents. I still feel that libraries are important especially for the younger children. Most children (that I baby-sit for) love reading books and do not like reading information on the computer.
Libraries started out as a storehouse for important documents, art, and manuscripts. They helped to preserve collections of work, such as that of da Vinci. One of the first major contributions to libraries as they are today was the invention of the printing press followed by a great amount of funding provided by Andrew Carnegie. People used to go to libraries to find information, but now that most information is available online, most visitors of libraries are there to read for their pleasure. According to this paper there are ten trends that are affecting how they library will develop in the next generation. The first one discusses how the way we receive information is constantly changing and if we will ever reach the ultimate form of communication. The second trend is that all technologies that are new now will soon end and be replaced with something else. The fact that we have not reached the smallest particle for storage is the third trend. Once we have the smallest storage unit we will then be able to have standards for storage and information. The fourth trend deals with the means of searching. Text search is what today’s search industry is based on, but in the future it will become more complicated with the addition of searching by taste, mass, texture, speed, volume, and others. Trend five is that today we compress our time therefore compressing our needs. Over the years we have acquired the what for more needs faster. The seventh trend is that the demand is exponentially growing for global information. The key to our ability to prepare for the global societies of the future is to learn about and understand the cultures of the rest of the world. The need for creating cross-border systems will increase as we move towards more homogenized societies and cultures is trend eight. Trend nine is that we are transitioning to an experience based economy from a product-based economy. According to this trend future books will be evaluated not by the words on a page but by the experience they create. The last trend is that libraries will transition to a center of culture from just a center of information. In the past the library mostly served as a resource for information but in the future it will help connect communities.
I think the main difference in libraries from the past to the future is that people will use them to find information not available online, such information that can only be found in older written documents. I still feel that libraries are important especially for the younger children. Most children (that I baby-sit for) love reading books and do not like reading information on the computer.
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