Will Internet access be taxed?

It is the first time to hear that internet and email should be taxed. That there in the US, internet access taxation has been banned by Congress until 2014. I personal think that there should not be any taxation for Internet access. It is ridiculous that an individual have to pay for the service and taxation for the use. That is just pointless in my opinion. Every individual that live in the US have to pay a tax on every little item. Having Internet access is a privilege to me because as a high student really soon to be a college student. Really needs the internet to do researches, buy stuff online and communicate with family and friends. Also, being in college is expensive….which means if a taxation is place for using the internet. I do not think many people will have internet access; for me I will have to go old school. Go to the public or school library to use books as my research. Which is not bad, there might be so many people trying to get a hold for the same book. While in the internet I can find the same or similar information. Charge for sending email to stop spam is really just waste of money. I know that some email websites like yahoo have different choices, free or pay twenty dollars a month. To communicate with family and friends I will prefer to call, text or use a social website like myspace or twitter. Back to adding taxation for internet access, again that just pointless and a huge waste of money. Using the money to avoid spam it is just a cover up story…..in my opinion any way.

links
http://news.cnet.com/2100-1028_3-6186193.html

http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/technology/2008/11/26/the-future-of-internet-taxation.html

Freedom of speech versus Copyright! Do you own an ipod, itouch, or iphone?

I believe that everyone the right to express their opinions or feelings towards the a subject or object. I do own a Iphone and Ipod, yes it is true that I can only use Itunes and Apple programs to download music, games and ringtones. Apples users don’t have freedom to use other programs for their item. But, I know some people and websites that offer free download of stuff for apple, like Iphones, Ipods and mac desktop/laptops. Any way, there are so many different programs out there that apple can’t sue because there are so many of them. I believe everybody have a right to do something they want, if it means use a different program to download music, then go a head. I think Apple is defending their rights under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act because if the product an individual created is being re-created for others to use for free or cheaper price is not fair. An example would be if an artist did a demo and was going to use it for their next album. But out of nowhere another artist uses the demo that was not for them; uses it knowing that belongs to the individual who created the lyrics and composition. If someone buys a product from Apple, he or she should know that Apple only sales their products that uses their programs. If the individual has a problem about it then do not get a Apple product, you’re a person who is cheap in the sense of buying programs from Apple. My advise to you will be “DO NOT GET IT BECAUSE CHARGES MAY APPLY!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Links

http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/eff_sues_apple_over_first_amendment_rights_of_bluwiki/

http://www.itnews.com.au/News/101948,apple-sued-by-eff-over-gagging-threats.aspx

Google "Street View" = invade privacy!

I personally think that is funny that a couple is suing “google” because Google took pictures of their property for the Google feature “Street View” and the public can now view their home. Which they consider their privacy is being invaded; at least people don’t have to see the interior of their home only their exterior. Even if the couple wins the case, there are other websites that shows the picture of the house. I just bet these people want money; I just don’t buy “MY PRIVACY IS BEING INVADED!” How is it that their privacy is being invaded, for me it doesn’t make sense! One time my cousin who lives in Las Vegas forgot my address because they moved to another house. So, she went online and type I think my mom’s name or phone number. Automatically, my address appeared on the screen, and I did receive invitation for my cousin’s birthday party to attend. Many people aren’t aware that their information is online, first of all even if information is posted or shared. It might be posted by other people or themselves not knowledge the problem. Posting information should be limited, if an individual doesn’t like posting information make sure that, no information is going to be publicize. What is so useful is actually posting visional images of how the place looks like, so when searching the address, individual will or might remember the location or building. An example of people exposing others or themselves is like searching your name and information about might show up. It will be interesting to see if your information is actually exposed.

Links:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7959362.stm

http://www.broadstuff.com/archives/1628-Will-Google-sue-its-UK-CEO-to-get-pictures-of-his-house-onto-Streetview.html

Thailand = KING!

Sorry no picture for today! I promis next blog there will be a picture : )

I found out several days ago about how Thailand banned websites about criticize the King of Thailand. I don’t think US government will do anything like that because in the First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, of course there are limits of what we can say. But in Thailand the people have to careful what they say or post on the websites in Thailand. My told me that youtube is censored over there, that on believable that the government did, I think it’s for the same reason; talking trash about the King only as a video blog. Another reason the Thai government wants to block websites so the people won’t see, read, and listens to what other countries are saying about Thai government and what happening in the world. Everyone in the world have a right to speak about what he/she believe in. The UN or other world organization should help preventing the websites to be blocked, that is not letting people be free in their personal life, it seems they want to control their lives. I believe the Thai citizens in the US should be prosecuted for violating the law because they don’t live there anymore and like I said everyone has a right to say what they want. Everyone talking about everyone behind their backs or posts it on some blog site. The King of Thai shouldn’t freak out, there are some people that admire him and some just don’t, that is reality. And if a US citizens talks trash about the Thai government or the king, they shouldn’t.

links

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6528303.stm

http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,28348,24840506-5014239,00.html

CADIE

I never heard of CADIE until today in class, that it was a prank for April Fools. If it contact me through the Internet I might think to was a little kid trying to talk to me or something. I think its funny many people believe that artificial intelligence programs will be the cause of the human existents. Any way it’s seems likely that it will be like a human. We all had seen artificial intelligence in movies and books. Example in a book is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Considers a key issue in the ethics of artificial intelligence: if a machine can be created that has intelligence, could it also feel? If it can feel, does it have the same rights as a human being? Example of a movie that everyone knows is R2D2 in Star Wars and an exterminator Terminator. What I find funny is that people relate that artificial intelligence can be program as “good or bad guys”. R2D2 is a servant robot which is a good guy and Terminator is a bad robot killing everyone in his way which is a bad guy. Just by observing the movies and real life problems in computer now. It can be slight chances that it can be a real world with pros and cons with artificial Intelligence. To prevent CADIE from conquering the Internet, might be hard to tell because many will think is a human responding back not an artificial Intelligence , this reminds me of the movie Eagle Eye.

LINKS
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Search-Engines/Googles-CADIE-Leaves-Behind-Message-355976/

http://www.i4u.com/article23950.html

Moives

When I hear the words “special effects” I think of so many moives I have seen. Every moive uses different speical effects, like in horror moives in killing scenes. Blood and guts are flying from everywhere, that might be the make up special effects team who are incharge. In a superhero moive, the superhero can fly and have x-ray vision so that will be for speical moive program in the computer that will do that. I believe there is different moive effects for certain genres of moives. An example of animated moives with special effects would be the nightmare before christmas. The Nightmare before Christmas is not a live action movie with tons of special effects, nor is it a cartoon. Instead, it's stop-motion animation with tons of special effects. Tim Burton's (guy who created the story) masterpiece used sophisticated computer-controlled cameras to execute state-of-the-art camera movement for this feature film's stop-motion animation. Puppets (built of a foam latex material covering intricate metal armatures) were manipulated frame-by-frame on real miniature sets. The painstaking film took nearly three years to complete (dozens of animators and crew members averaged only 60 seconds of film per week), because each different pose or position equaled a 24th of a second. I will recommend to watch in youtube or borrow a friend’s copy of the movie to check out the behind the scene to get the whole concept of how it was made and what are the special effects.

links

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/specialfx/effects/history.html

http://www.filmsite.org/visualeffects15.html

Freedom of Speech

I believe that anonymous posters should be protected under the first amendment, everyone the right express their opinions or feelings towards the subject or object. Everyone in the world criticizes each other publicly or privately, it not a new thing, is actually started in the beginning of time. It’s funny how individuals complain about being judged when they judge others. An example would be” What if anonymous posters said untrue things about you that ruined your social reputation (or that of your family, or best friend, or boy friend?).” My response for that question would be let it go because not everyone is going to believe what others are saying or posting on online. Sure some people are going to believe what others say; either they don’t like you or just want to be rude, I don’t know whatever their response is personal or just playing stupid. If someone posted a negative comment about me, of course I will be upset, but I remember not everyone is going to believe it. Only close family and friends will know the truth, but some will have doubts. Again, the first amendment was made for a reason to have the freedom to say what we want. Ask yourselves, “How come the first amendment exists?”

I personally wouldn’t want to know have done it because it will end up in an argument if I personal know the person. But, some people would like to know who the liar was posting things you, then be my guest and do what you desire.

Someone who is famous should already know how their life will change; the media post lies or truths about their personal lives. I believe they shouldn’t be upset or overact because it’s the media’s job to post lies to catch the viewer’s attention. That’s how the magazine media have million of dollars just for one small lie. Even if it’s not true then people will believe what the articles say. Again, the only people who will believe the famous person will be the close family and friends. An example of a situation of being criticize was a nude picture of a band member who sends it to his ex- girlfriend and she sends it to her recent boyfriend who was the guy’s best friend. The guy posts the pictures online and commented rude and negative things. The band member found out after a show, his band just performed. He checked the comments; there were negative and positive comments. Of course he felt bad, one month later not showing his face in public and locked in his parent’s house. He posted on his blog, the two individuals shouldn’t have done that, but he also blamed himself for not thinking straight for the chaos it caused.

I believe that everyone has the right speak up for what he/ she want to say. Everyone post negative comments on different website on different topics. It’s funny how people will not like to be judge for something and judge others for the same fear the individual haves

http://blogs.computerworld.com/anonymous_internet

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2008/10/judges-rule-anonymous-commenters-protected-by-state-shield-laws304.html

Special effects

My favorite movie of all time is The Nightmare before Christmas. I got so fascinated by it so much when I was two until now. I remember five years ago I ask myself, what the special effects in the movie are. I went on online and did a research; I found out that it took almost three years to do the movie because the characters are made out of clay texture. I thought it was a special program that made it look like that. But I was wrong; clay was use for the whole setting and of course computer program was use to add voices, background music, sound effects and etc. The Nightmare before Christmas is not a live action movie with tons of special effects, nor is it a cartoon. Instead, it's stop-motion animation with tons of special effects. Tim Burton's (guy who created the story) masterpiece used sophisticated computer-controlled cameras to execute state-of-the-art camera movement for this feature film's stop-motion animation. Puppets (built of a foam latex material covering intricate metal armatures) were manipulated frame-by-frame on real miniature sets. The painstaking film took nearly three years to complete (dozens of animators and crew members averaged only 60 seconds of film per week), because each different pose or position equaled a 24th of a second. I will recommend to watch in youtube or borrow a friend’s copy of the movie to check out the behind the scene to get the whole concept of how it was made and what are the special effects.

Links
The Nightmare before Christmas 3D - http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4200796.html

The Nightmare before Christmas - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/specialfx/effects/history.html

Wii are being played by senior citizens

I never saw the day will come that senior citizens will be playing the wii. I always seen on television and in resting homes they have boring and traditional games. Knowing what I heard, they are using the wii for their health and there are different types of games to motivate the old. My guess of why bingo is not popular as it uses to be is because video games might bring out the childhood and/or just want to play something that is new for them. In one of the articles, Wii bowling is the funniest game they ever play and plus some lost weight from playing sports on the Wii. Since October, Irene Puhala has bowled nearly every Friday morning with her buddies at the Turtle Creek Senior Citizens Center. The first time she tries it was at her daughter’s home. She even says that old people in wheelchair enjoy it also because they can play the games without getting up or using there legs. Irene bowls regularly but she does not need special shoes or a heavy ball that weighs between 11 to 16 pounds. She uses the TV and Wii console and her bowling game. I think is a smart choose, to change the traditional games to modern games that anyone can enjoy. The second article talks about how Shuffleboard and Bingo Are So Last Year. That the new era is Wii games for the senior citizens. Girard Quinlan, 78, used to bowl during his high school years. Yesterday, he watched some of his friends bowl on a Wii video games at the nonprofit IONA Senior Services in Northwest Washington, but he didn't get up to join in. If you want to know more on the articles just click on the links.

Articles
Redding.com
http://www.redding.com/news/2008/apr/28/hours/
WashingtonPost
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/09/AR2008050902773.html

OpenOffice.....

I like the idea of Open Source software because it doesn’t cost $150.00 and free versions of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. I consider using Open Source software at home, if I get a new computer or laptop. For sure I will save lot money; I think about two hundred dollars. I will suggest the idea of installing this software to businesses, big or small; they can save a lot of money. With the money save they can use it for other supplies for the business or build another building in another country or state. After, reading Open Source software in wikipedia there are some more programs that are for free. And examples are Open Source culture, Open Source government, Open Source journalism, and etc. Reading the article about President Obama’s administration is considering using Open Source for government computers is a really interesting subject. The title of the article got my mind to try why would he want this? Maybe, because U.S is in a huge debt it will be wise to save some several million of dollars. That’s what I think because how the economy is bad. Anyway, I was right after all because U.S is in debt, here is the amount wasted " $400billion dollars and up! “

articles

New York Times-

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/15/opinion/15robb.html
Chicago Tribute-
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-fri-microsoft-woes-jan23,0,7443830.story

E-Waste In Under- Developing Countries

I have never heard of E-waste (Electronic Waste) until my teacher told us about it. I was amaze how third world countries are getting worst because old technology is being thrown away. That isn’t fair for anyone living a bad condition. The old computers have bad toxins that are harmful for humans of any age. When my old technology isn’t working anymore I will try to take it to get fixed. If the fixing doesn’t work, I just throw it away. I have heard of recycling places for old technology, but I have never got inside of a technology recycling place. I think E-waste shouldn’t exist in poor countries; there should be special factories and tools for people who want or needs a job. And also have special type of masks, gloves, and clothing to protect the individual from harm. From now on, I will try to prevent to buy too much technology that I don’t need. And using the technology with care and not over do the usage. After, reading the articles, the E-waste isn’t good for anyone. To prevent harm on us and the environment surrounding us, there should be a special kind of programs. These programs will be responsible of taking care of old technology being taking apart in a fair manner. Like I said before, it isn’t fair that the poor countries are getting worst, when maybe they want to improve their condition of living. Countries sending the old technology are getting richer and strong. While, poor countries are receiving crap and becoming weaker.

Articles:
1) USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/environment/2008-07-06-ewaste-recycling_N.htm

2) "60 Minutes" - Video and Article
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10092317-54.html

3) National Geographic News
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/11/1108_051108_electronic_waste.html

Video Games Can Help Release Stress

My opinion about this topic is that I think it is true that video games do help reduce stress. It depends what type of games you are into; action, arcade, shooting, puzzles, etc, you name it. When I have a very hard day…I feel like playing music. I do play various instruments but I wish I can play many of my favorite songs. But reality is some of them are really hard that I try and try. I still don’t get it. That when Guitar Hero 1-3 or/and RockBand 1-2 comes in….I can play for hours by myself or a group of friends. My stress does all come out by jamming through the songs because I am having too much fun I don’t remember how I become stress out. I tried to play other video games that looks fun or sounds fun…but after trying to play I start to get so frustrated that I want kill the game for being so hard or boring. I am horrible in shooting and racing games, it looks fun and easy, but I tried me either dying in the shooting game or being three place in the racing games. I really don’t play too many games because I think is a bad habit, I only play when I feel like I really want too. But most of my time I manage to do other things that isn’t a video game, I find myself reading a book to release my stress by imaging the whole story in my head like is a movie I can only see. But I do agree that video games does some stress release.

TERRIOSTS ON MYSPACE

The fact is that many of us do have an account in Facebook,MySpace,Buzznet,or Twitter…etc. It’s a very easy way to connect with family and friends, if they live near or far way. After reading and hearing the problem that terrorists are using these accounts to inform each other or others who wants to enjoy what is the plan! But is it a fact that, is it really terrorists using these websites or is some group trying to scare people. Actually I don’t know if I should be concerned because it can always be a joke from some group trying to be funny or just want a nation to be scared. I remember reading the privacy policy before accepting what are the rules for account(s). It warns the individual that any form of THREATS TO OTHERS, THEIR ACCOUNT WOULD GET DELETED FROM _____CHOOSE YOUR ACCOUNT(s) NAME___________________! I feel safe on these accounts because I never put my real information and my friends are people that I really know in my life. I guess a person should be really worried if their really information is out there for every single person can see. My account is private; my pictures are private (only for friends) and etc. My advice is that don’t worry about terrorists being on MySpace because in reality it just can be a sick joke from some group who wants desperate attention. Also, remember don’t give your real information to anyone you don’t know in any of the account(s) you have!