Globalization

How much does technology impact on our everyday lives, careers, social circles, etc.?


Technology is literally everywhere nowadays so of course it has a big impact on our everyday lives. It's almost as if we are dependent on technology. Why? Because the majority of us use computers, watch TV, own a mobile phone and own a gadget. Whoever thought a mobile phone would become a camera, mp3 player AND an Internet browser! My question is: Do you remember life without the internet? Because I don't! Having access to the internet has benefited me in many ways, including personal, business and even family wise.

The Internet allows us to reunite with lost friends and family. It also allows us to keep in touch with others, even if they live half way across the world! Before the Internet, yes it was possible to this, but it was also expensive. However now, this is not the case. We have emails and social networking sites which are free and easy to use.

Business wise, the Internet is very useful. We are able to search for job opportunities in the comfort of our own home. Due to the number of different sites available to us, we are able to learn a number of new and different things everyday.

Overall, since we use technology on a daily basis, life without it would be somewhat difficult. We are able to access information within an instant due to its reachability.

However, there does seem to be an issue based around the global digital divide. Not everyone has equal access to technology. There are countries in the world who have easy access to the Internet, but on the other hand, there are countries with either limited or no access what so ever! For example, in Western societies people are very Internet dependent. But what causes this digital divide? Issues concerning income level and location are just two of many reasons. The less advantaged people with a low income level, such as Third World countries in Africa, may not be able to afford a computer, resulting in deprivation of Internet access. Also, location wise, those living in urban areas are likely yo have more access to technology than those living in rural places.

So life with technology has been made easier for some of us but we have to remember there are others who have never owned a computer let alone know how to use it! Let's just hope that one they we'll be able to bridge the digital divide.

Everywhere, Privacy & Surveillance

Online privacy, does it still exist anymore?

I found an article in class today and it made me question myself to whether privacy on Facebook really does exist. The article which was from May 2010 stated that:

"The social network has come under fire for a series of recent changes to its policies that have limited what users can keep private, as well as embarrassing technical glitches that exposed personal data."

With Facebook being such a most trusted and popular social networking site you have to wonder how these technical glitches happened.

I believe online privacy is gradually starting to disappear. There may be some sort of privacy but with the amount of email spamming, computer viruses, hackers and identity theft happening it makes it harder to keep details and information about ourselves private. On the other hand, it is down to us to be careful in what information we share online. I think the problem with Facebook is that people get too comfortable and tend to post anything and everything. I say never share too much as you do not know who could be reading it. Whoever thought that sharing information could get you into trouble. Here's another article i found:

This article just goes to show that your audience isn't as small as you think, anyone could be reading what we are saying and unfortunately it could lead to consequences like the the one above. But should teachers really be able to have access to your Facebook profile? This is just one of many disadvantages of surveillance, privacy and security online. Data can be recorded, people are able to hack into your information and police and government are able to track you down.

So when you use the Internet, THINK! We have to accept the fact that anything we post online has a chance of becoming public. My conclusion: Online privacy does not exist.

Open Source - Important or not?

Open Source is the term used to describe free access to the source code of a program and extension free redistribution rights for the software. In simpler times (and what I understand), it is free software made available to the public, who are then able to modify and download with no costs.

Here's a video I found on YouTube which made me understand the whole concept of open source a bit better:

Linux, Apache, PHP and MySQL are just a few examples of open source software. Linux is a popular operating system which is very similar to Windows and Mac OS.

I even use open source software myself. Instead of using Microsoft Office, I use Open Office, which is the "leading open-source office software suite". I am also a user of Audacity. Other examples of open source software include NVU, which is the equivalent to Dreamweaver. Firefox, which is the equivalent to Internet Explorer and The Gimp which can be used instead of Photoshop.

Brazil announced a few years ago that they will be adopting to open source software. The article,  announced that Brazil's government ministries will be abandoning Windows in favour of the Linux operating system. By switching from Windows to open source software, they believe that they can save around $120 a year! The main reason for this switchover is down to economics. In my opinion, I would do the same as well considering you will be saving money. Plus, why use Windows when you have the alternative of using the Linux operating system which is free and shares the same functions.

Overall, it seems that open-source alternatives could be good for developing countries. Reason being, not only will it help decrease the digital divide but it is also the cheaper option for allow those living in developing countries to have access to technology. So i guess open source is important. Like Mitch Kapor said: "Without the Internet and the web, no open source - without open source, no Internet or Web." 

The 'Spoilsports' of Video Games

Surely when playing video games everybody becomes competitive and is desperate to win. Many spoilsports exist in the world of gaming. This takes away the whole fun experience of it all. Why? Well, firstly they're breaking the rules and I know I wouldn't be happy with myself if I completed a video game through cheating. I prefer a challenge, no matter how long it takes to finish!

As we all know, every game has rules and when players abide by these rules, a magic circle is created. HOWEVER, when a player has no interest in adhering to these rules, they are known as a 'spoilsport'.
Katie Salen and Eric Zimmerman applied Johan Huizinga's concept of the magic circle to digital media. They said:

"In a very basic sense, the magic circle of a game is where the game takes place. To play a game means entering into a magic circle, or perhaps creating one as a game begins." Magic Circle (virtual worlds) - Wikipedia

So who are the 'spoilsports' of video games? Well there's:

- Hackers. [These include aimbots, wallhacks and texture models]
         
               - Aimbots are one of the most widespread cheating devices used in first-person shooter games.
                 It will automatically aim to kill a players opponent once the player has established a line of  
                 sight with an opponent and pulled the trigger.
              -  Wallhacking allows players to see through walls in order to know when their target/opponent is
                  near so that they can attack.

- Team-Killer

               - The name says it all, these are the spoilsports who are out to kill members of their own team.

- Griefers

              - These spoilsports will do anything to upset the magic circle. Whether it will be by spamming
                 offensive messages or even giving away their teams position.

Noone likes a spoilsport as their only intentions are to ruin the game for others. Here's a story I found:




Call of Duty Spoilsport Arrested

This just goes to show that being a spoilsport in the gaming world could result in serious consequences!