InDesign, Reader, X Suite Malware

Please be aware of malware attacks regarding the following programs: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Reader and Adobe X Suite.


"Fake emails used in December 6 and December 7 attacks attempt to trick Adobe users into opening malware-laden attachments. According to two separate Sophos reports, attackers sent one email to Adobe InDesign users, and another email to Adobe Reader and X Suite users. Both emails contain attachments claiming to be part of a critical "Adobe update," but contain malware instead. However, Adobe does not issue updates via email, and never have, according to the Adobe Online Piracy page."
DO NOT open emails from Adobe saying there is an update. Delete it IMMEDIATELY.


Specifics can be found at the following link: http://news.yahoo.com/adobe-indesign-reader-x-suite-advanced-malware-attacks-204300554.html

QR Codes... Why Aren't They Catching On?

http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/08/tech/mobile/qr-codes-gahran/index.html
^ Click the above link to read the news story


I don't know about you, but I don't see QR (quick response) codes very much at all. When I do... sure I'll check them out. The problem is, the information that the QR code takes you to is pretty much the same information that was put on whatever it was that the QR code was attached to. So, what's the point? Maybe companies don't understand that the flyer or advertisement that they put a QR code on shouldn't have the exact same information that the QR code takes you to, or maybe I just don't understand what they're all about.
Apparently, I'm not the only one. According to a study, "Archrival, a research group that focuses on youth marketing, surveyed 500 students at 24 colleges and universities across the United States. They found that although about 80% of students owned a smartphone and had previously seen a QR code, only about 20% were able to successfully scan the example QR code they were shown. Furthermore, about 75% said they were unlikely to scan a QR code in the future."

If you have a QR scanner, see where this takes you! :)

Facebook Rolling Out Timeline

http://news.yahoo.com/facebook-starts-rolling-controversial-timeline-feature-zealand-095553580.html
^ Click on the above link to learn more


According to news sources like this, the newest Facebook feature is controversial. It is a timeline layout for Facebook profiles. It is kind of like a digital diary of events, status updates, likes, important moments in your life, and more.
It is being rolled out to people in New Zealand first, and then, in the near future, it will be rolled out more broadly.
I've had it since September (and I'll tell you how to get it before it's rolled out to everyone in a minute here), and I like it. Here are a couple of pictures of how my profile looks with the timeline feature:

The clouds on the top of my profile is a photo taken by me. On the page, it is called a cover, and you can personalize it and change it as often as you want! On the right side, you see: Now, November, October, 2011, 2010, etc. You can click those to view posts from those times. Of course, if you choose 2011, it will show you the other months to look at. In my case, I put an event down for 2002, and my actual first post on Facebook was in 2004.

Do you want the timeline now? Here's how:

** IMPORTANT! Once you do this, you can't go back.

1. Visit the Facebook Developer page and enable it for your account. (allow)

2. Click the 'Create New App' button on the top right. On the New App prompt window, give your app a display name and name space -- any name, it doesn't matter. Agree to the Platform Privacy Policy and click Continue. You will need a verified Facebook account so make sure you have either a credit card or phone number on file.

3. After clearing the CAPTCHA verification you will then be taken to your new apps' settings screen (if Facebook doesn’t put you there automatically hit the Edit App button on the top right). Next, click on Open Graph link in the left column and define an action for your new app on the right pane. You can enter whatever you like; I wrote watch on the first field and chose video from the drop-down menu on the next one. Click "Get Started."

4. DONE!

Android Television!

http://news.yahoo.com/android-powered-tv-line-headed-hospital-143204053.html
^ Click the above link to read the news story


Ok, I want one of these. Too bad they aren't a public item at this point. An LCD HDTV called the Roommate III, is powered by Android, with all the Android Market apps, a built-in browser, education and movies on demand, and a whiteboard app... plus television of course. Right now, they are rolling out to selected hospitals in the United States. Apparently there have been some Android powered televisions in stores, but they didn't sell very well and were pulled. I hope that, if they take well to the hospital setting, that they will go on the public market in the near future.

Ad #11: Buckle Up

Don't wear your seatbelt? You will get a ticket, if you're lucky enough to not be human ammo in a slingshot...

Popular Providers Use CarrierIQ

http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/01/9143034-att-sprint-t-mobile-use-carrier-iq-but-dont-collect-personal-info
^ Click the above link to read the news story


This is partially in response to my previous post titled, Smartphones Tracking Keystrokes. AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile have all admitted to having CarrierIQ put on their smartphones, however the three companies say that the information gathered from the program is not used to monitor users. According to AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, the information is used to better services for the customers.
In contrast, Verizon Wireless confirmed that it does not put CarrierIQ on their phones, and they don't use any programs similar to CarrierIQ.


✭ Personally... as long as Verizon is telling the truth... I'm glad I have them as my provider. Even though it isn't completely clear what CarrierIQ does and does not do completely, I don't want anything I type on my phone stored in a third-party app that someone else can access. And it's not like I have anything to hide. However, it is my personal business. I think it is enough that the phone numbers I call and text at any given time can be accessed.


"Senator Al Franken, who is the chairman of the Senate's subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and Law is asking CarrierIQ to clarify exactly what its software can and can't do." So, in that case, I will stay tuned.

Case Study 2

Task: It's being called transmedia. Can you define this using experience looking at these sites and finding information about it?

            Transmedia, in the form presented by the website http://www.fastcompany.com/1793516/michael-grant-bzrk, seems to be a way to interact with media over different technology and devices. In the blog form, the article on the page seems to me to be defined as going past the text on a page to a more interactive way of working with media. I think one thing that the transmedia world has is that it is linked together no matter the device that it is being used on, to create a larger network. (Penenberg)
            I was able to find a website that has an overview of transmedia storytelling. In terms of transmedia, transmedia storytelling seems to be a way of getting the whole story by way of multiple forms of media, whether it is film and print, film and interactive, or a combination of the three. More examples include television, books, comics, movies, magazines, websites, games. It is important to keep in mind that these are not the only forms of media that can be used. There is a very large number of media forms that can be used in transmedia. It is titled “Transmedia Storytelling 101.” According to the information on this site, transmedia storytelling is a sophisticated technique of telling stories across different platforms and formats. Uniquely, it uses many current digital technologies. Henry Jenkins, author of “Transmedia Storytelling 101”, gives an example of The Matrix. “[As part of The Matrix franchise], key bits of information are conveyed through three live action films, a series of animated shorts, two collections of comic book stories, and several video games. There is no one single source or ur-text where one can turn to gain all of the information needed to comprehend the Matrix universe.” (Jenkins) Alternatively, this means that The Matrix franchise used several different formats to tell the story. The different formats worked together to give the viewer and/or reader the full story of the Matrix universe.

            Also stated in “Transmedia Storytelling 101”, the author explains that transmedia stories are not focused on characters and plots, but rather on complex worlds that carry multiple characters. (Jenkins)
                        I think along with The Matrix, in terms of storytelling, there are comics that follow the same idea. Some comics started out as solely storytelling through frames, but the story was continued and supplemented by movies, television shows, and more. I figure this is along the same lines.

            Transmedia on the whole is much more difficult to explain since it isn’t necessarily fictional worlds, such as The Matrix. The idea of transmedia is very intriguing, and I’m sure there will soon be much more information about it on its own instead of so much information about transmedia storytelling alone.

References

Jenkins, Henry. "Confessions of an Aca/Fan: Archives: Transmedia Storytelling 101." Confessions of an Aca-Fan: The Official Weblog of Henry Jenkins. 22 Mar. 2007. Web. 29 Nov. 2011. <http://www.henryjenkins.org/2007/03/transmedia_storytelling_101.html>.

Penenberg, Adam. "Unlocking Narratives With Tech, Cults, And A Little Paranoia | Fast Company." FastCompany.com - Where Ideas and People Meet | Fast Company. FastCompany, 7 Nov. 2011. Web. 29 Nov. 2011. <http://www.fastcompany.com/1793516/michael-grant-bzrk>.

Case Study 1

I submitted this solely through Angel. I thought I should post it here, also.


             Mobile devices and tablet technology is progressing quickly, and more competitors are joining the market for both types of equipment.
            The current major tablet computers that are on the market include the Kindle Fire ($199), The Asus Eee Pad ($350), the Sony Tablet S ($475), the HP TouchPad ($250, $100 recently)), the Samsung Galaxy Tab ($500), the BlackBerry Playbook ($350), the Motorola Xoom ($450), and the Apple iPad ($475) and iPad 2 ($500). (Unknown, Tablet)

            The Apple iPad was released in the United States in early 2010, and they were only available initially at The Apple Store locations and the Apple website. Since then, it was made available at retailers along with cell phone companies. Nearly a year after the iPad came out, Apple released a second generation of the iPad, or iPad 2 with many new advancements, such as a thinner tablet size, a better processor, front and back cameras, and more, while still keeping the same battery life expectancy and nearly the same price. The Apple iPad really jumpstarted the market with tablet PCs, even though it wasn’t the first tablet to be released.
            Currently, more competitors are joining the market of tablet computers, whereas the life of the netbook computer seems to quickly be ending. While the idea of a small laptop was appealing before the takeoff of the tablets, they are disappearing from the sales floor, and not because they are selling.

            In the next ten years, it isn’t infeasible to think that something else will come along to knock tablet computers out of the picture, as floppy discs, big clunky computers, low function laptops, and workstations have, and how desktop computers slowly are. However, it can also be predicted that tablet computers will take over the full size computers. With technology advancing so quickly, tablet PCs may become direct competitors to laptops and desktop computers. Motherboards and memory devices are getting smaller and more powerful, so it is possible for tablet PCs to become the new full functioning computer in the near future.

            Mobile devices are changing much more rapidly than pretty much any other technology on the market. The types of mobile phones are conventional cell phones, or smart phones. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) aren’t technically mobile phones, but rather a combination of a computer and mobile device. Conventional cell phones are very basic wireless phones. They allow the user to make a receive calls, store phone numbers, send and receive text messages, and not much else. Some of the more “advanced” conventional cell phones have low-resolution cameras, and limited browser functions. Smart phones are basically mini computers. The can perform all the functions of a conventional cell phone, along with media browsing, word processing, email managing, wi-fi connecting, GPS navigating, and much more. These phones are usually equipped with a QWERTY keyboard, and a touch screen for easy operation. The major brands of cell phones include but aren’t limited to Apple, HP, LG, Motorola, Samsung, and Sony. (Unknown, Consumer)
            The problem with the advancing of mobile devices is that it is becoming very difficult to find conventional cell phones at mobile retailers, now. Especially for the convenience and safety of older America, much more than the basic cell phone is difficult for adults to use that haven’t been exposed to technology like the recent generations have. Granted, the luxury of having a cell phone has diminished, the cost is still quite high. The price of a smart phone, without the price of a calling plan, is upwards of $300 or more for some. Of course, if you set up a contract, that price drops. But with a smart phone, you are required to pay for a data plan per month. Until early summer of 2011, most phone companies were charging a flat rate for unlimited data usage. Now, there is a flat rate up to a certain about of used data, and then there are charges for going over the data limit, making it even more expensive. The cell phone carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Telus, and Sprint, are all trying to have the best deals, even though the coverage doesn’t work everywhere.

            In the next ten years, mobile devices will get even smaller and even higher functioning. It could be that conventional cell phones will become completely obsolete, and the higher technology will be forced onto everyone wanting a cell phone, whether for the functions of a smart phone, or just a lifeline for emergencies. The continued competition will probably never lessen from where it is now. With more children getting cell phones for their personal use, the number of subscribers is very unlikely to drop in the near future as the new versions of cell phones and smart phones continue to roll out on a regular basis. The consumers’ need for the most recent technology keeps companies afloat and pushing for the next big product.

            Current operating systems for any computer technology include Linux, Leopard, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and others. More and more tweaks are occurring to technology, that these operating systems will probably be unable to handle some of the upgrades. Microsoft Windows has developed many subsidiary operating systems over the years to compensate for advancements in technology, including Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. Needless to say, most other systems will have to rework their current operating systems like Microsoft. Within the next ten years, Windows, Mac, and Linux will still be around, with changes. New systems will probably emerge over time, as well.

References

Unknown. "Cell Phone & Service Features from Consumer Reports." Consumer Reports: Expert Product Reviews and Product Ratings from Our Test Labs. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. <http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/phones-mobile-devices/cell-phones-services/cell-phone-service-buying-advice/cell-phoneservice-features/cell-phone-service-features.htm>.

Unknown. Tablet Comparison | Tablet Pc Comparison 2011. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. <http://www.tabletpccomparison.net/>.

Smartphones Tracking Keystrokes

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2011/12/is-your-smartphone-tracking-your-keystrokes-texts-and-location/
^ Click the above link to read the news story


Most of us know that smartphones track GPS locations based on satellites and service tower hits, but a new app that some smartphones have keeps track of all keystrokes made on the device, along with received messages and GPS locations.
Trevor Eckhart, a computer programmer, has posted an 18 minute video on youtube about his findings with Carrier IQ, the program that supposedly tracks keystrokes, received messages, and GPS. He says, that Carrier IQ is built into handheld devices made by many major manufacturers. It is there, and most people don't know it. According to manufacturers, it is there so they know if you're having trouble with your device, but most people don't know it is tracking them. Not only that, but there is no way to opt out of it or turn it off.


(From the article linked above) Former Justice Department prosecutor and law professor at the University of Colorado Law School Paul Ohm told Forbes magazine that the software could be grounds for a class-action lawsuit as it violates a federal wiretapping law. “If Carrier IQ has gotten the handset manufacturers to install secret software that records keystrokes intended for text messaging and the Internet and are sending some of that information back somewhere, this is very likely a federal wiretap,” he told Forbes. “And that gives the people wiretapped the right to sue and provides for significant monetary damages.”


Hmmm... kind of unnerved by this.

Google Doodles

Love the doodles that show up when you go to Google? You know, the ones that incorporate google into them, and are themed? I love them, too. Although, I don't know about you, but I highly doubt that I've seen every one. Now, you can! All at once!


Here's how:
1. Go to google.com
2. Click 'I'm Feeling Lucky' without typing anything into the search box
3. See every Google Doodle ever created, starting from 1998!

12 Days of Christmas

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Items-12-Days-Christmas-top-apf-2579366987.html
^ Click the above link to read the news story


Thinking of getting your loved one the gifts of the twelve days of Christmas?
You would need to buy:

• 12 drummers drumming
• 22 pipers piping
• 30 lords-a-leaping
• 36 ladies dancing
• 40 maids-a-milking
• 42 swans-a-swimming
• 42 geese-a-laying
• 40 golden rings
• 36 calling birds
• 30 French hens
• 22 turtle doves
• 12 partridges in pear trees

I hope that you've been saving your pennies. For the first time, the gifts sung in the twelve days of Christmas have surpassed $100,000. On average, it would be $101,119.

Some Cool, Some Slightly Disturbing Techy Gifts

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45409170/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/#.TtBQnBxc2u4
^ Click the above link to read the news story

1. Cursor Stylus - transitions from what we know from a desktop computer to a touchscreen. Plus, it keeps your screen fingerprint and smudge free.
2. Powerbag - is basically a charging station in a bag for smartphones and tablets.
3. Compubody Sock - ok, this one is slightly awkward. This is basically a sock that you put over your head and around your computer for privacy. ...uh huh...
4. iHelicopter - is a remote controlled helicopter that is controlled by you and your iPhone.
5. Grab-It Gadget Holster - is another awkward one. This is a gadget holder that straps around your waist and leg, and holds smartphones, iPods, keys, etc. Might not be so weird if it didn't strap to your leg...
6. Angry Birds Speakers - Angry birds. Enough said.
7. Umbrella Messenger Bag - too much to hold onto, and it's raining? This messenger bag has a place that holds the umbrella for you. Problem solved.
8. iCade - is pretty much an arcade-like controller for your iPhone.
9. SLR Lens iPhone Mount - enables you to connect an SLR camera lens to your iPhone. Cool, but not cool.
10. Wipe T-Shirt - don't, just don't wipe your electronic screens on your shirt. Ok, we all do. This is a basic tshirt but it has stripes of microfiber on it.

The Sport of Black Friday

Ok... let's be honest. Black Friday is ridiculous. If I didn't have to work on Black Friday, I would not leave the house. I have never seen the point in it, and I don't remember once even kind of wanting to go Black Friday shopping. People will fight (fist fight, even) for a space in line, in the freezing cold, to be the fourth person in the door when the store opens, because being fifth isn't acceptable. Why. People will trample others, sometimes to death, without a notion because they need to get the deal. At least one person dies every Black Friday. Worth it? I don't think so...


But really, are the deals that great on Black Friday? Not really. Chances are, the prices will continue to drop from Black Friday through Christmas, so why is it necessary to get it NOW? It isn't. Black Friday isn't really worth it on the whole. It has become a sport. Who can be the "best" at it. People plan for weeks and months ahead of time, checking flyers and circulars for deals, and planning their attack of the stores (and I mean attack in a literal manner...).


Then you have Cyber Monday, where special deals for online shopping take place.


But, what I am seeing more and more of is "Pre-Black Friday" sales. Now, wait a minute. If Black Friday has to take place, why are we doing Black Friday sales before Black Friday? Why not just have those deals all year? Pretty soon that is what it's going to be if they don't pay attention. Realistically, if a corporation can sell items at this discounted price once, they can afford to sell it at the discounted price all of the time. No? Yes.

Ad #10: Canon Camera

This advertisement is for Canon. The camera body is 2-dimensional on the ground, and to camouflage it with the other dividers next to it, this one is the camera's zoom lens. A bit unrealistic, but cool none-the-less.

iPad and Fire

http://news.yahoo.com/ipad-second-place-competitor-kindle-fire-192859606.html
^ Click the above link to read the news story


The Apple iPad has a new top competitor, and critics are saying it is the Kindle Fire. ChangeWave, which is a research company, found in a survey that 65% of people planning on getting a tablet would get an iPad, and just 22% would get the Kindle Fire. The remaining 13% is split among the other tablets on the market. Even though there is a 43 point spread between the two tablets, it does put the Kindle Fire as the second place competitor to the iPad.
A big selling point? The Kindle Fire is priced about $300 lower than the iPad starting price. Not only that, but apparently Amazon is planning on releasing new models of the Fire, since the reception of the first generation was so good. Next year, according to rumors, Amazon is planning on releasing an 8.9-inch and a 10.1-inch Fire to go along with the current 7-inch model.

Amazon Phone

http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/18/tech/mobile/amazon-phone-analyst/index.html
^ Click on the above link to read the story


An Amazon phone... Sounds interesting. Apparently, this phone will cost less than $200, and may be available as soon as the middle of next year. It is still rumored, but it wouldn't surprise me.
Would I buy one? I don't know. I think I want to see how the Kindle Fire rates in the tablet world in terms of ease of use, battery life, execution and such before I think about buying a phone from this company.
I think I am still in the mindset that Amazon is the shopping site that made an e-reader. I am getting used to the idea of a tablet from them, let alone them making a cell phone.

Ad #9: Pepsi Twist

Ok, this is one that I am not sure about. The idea is interesting, but I don't know how this would work in an actual ad...

FOLLOW-UP: Facebook Update

The update has started rolling out. I have gotten it on my page. Below, you'll see a picture of the new sort option.
When you click on sort (default option after update takes place), you get to choose how you want your newsfeed to be sorted. You can choose "Highlighted Stories First" to have the stories that have been deemed most important at the top, or you can choose "Recent Stories First" to have your newsfeed stories appear in reverse chronological order.
"Recent Stories First" is my choice!

Ad #8: Bic Razors

Like the Mr. Clean ad, this is also one of my favorites. This ad is for Bic razors, and it is a brilliant idea in my book. Although, it must be an interesting job to try to remember to only mow part of the grass...

Ad #7: FedEx Kinkos

Here's another advertisement for FedEx Kinkos. A highlighter is "painting" the curb. They've got some great ideas!

Social Media - Facebook Update

http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/10/tech/social-media/facebook-recent-stories-returns/index.html
^click the above link to read the news story


Ever since Facebook's last update where there were recent stories and top stories, there has been criticism. Personally, I would like to choose which stories I considered top stories. Instead, Facebook decided that it would choose for me. Even if I unchecked it as a top story and Facebook said it wouldn't put stories similar to that specific story at the top of the news feed, it pretty much never got it right.
According to a story on cnn.com, Facebook is rolling out an update that will almost seem to go backwards in time a little bit. This update will have a sort option at the top of the newsfeed that will allow the Facebook user to organize the content how they want. They can put "Highlighted Stories First" or "Recent Stories First." By selecting "Highlighted Stories First," what Facebook/users deem the most important will show up at the top of the page, kind of like how it is now. Selecting "Recent Stories First" will put the newsfeed items in reverse chronological order.
Facebook says that the update will be rolling out over the next few days.
What's your opinion? Do you like having the top stories option like it is now? Or would you rather have it sortable?

That... would be one big OOPS!

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/upshot/million-dollar-mistake-german-museum-204133529.html
^Click the link above to read the story


A cleaner at a German museum has committed what most of us would call a colossal "oops." A piece of art in the museum features a series of wooden planks and a discolored plastic bowl... Not anymore. The cleaner cleaned the discolored bowl, removing the stains which told the story that it got discolored from water running over the piece of wood. Apparently the cleaner was unaware that she was not to approach the works of art.
The work of art, by Martin Kippenberger (deceased) was worth over $1million. OOPS!

Ad #6: Mr. Clean

This has to be one of my favorites. Of course, when something is painted on the road, dirt, mud, and filth shows on it. Except this one. Mr. Clean is present with a bright white crosswalk line. Perfect.

Steve Jobs. The Biography.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/03/tech/innovation/steve-jobs-book-sales/index.html
^ Click the link above to view the story


He was a somewhat elusive person. He was working, but not in the public eye. It was a huge story when he would show up for new product launches. Even though he was suffering from cancer and other life issues, Steve Jobs was there, but not there.
Steve Jobs' biography written by Walter Isaacson is a top-selling book on the market in the United States.
The book covers Steve Jobs' 55 years of life, starting from his youth to co-founding Apple in his parents' garage. From his leaving Apple, to returning 11 years later, building a multi-billion dollar company and creating extreme successes in the iPod, iPhone, and iPad.


I know I plan on purchasing the book soon. What about you?

Raise a Nerd... Purposely?

http://gadgetbox.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/02/8601012-10-gadgets-to-help-parents-raise-a-nerd
^Click the above link to read the story


Ok, so I never really considered myself a nerd exactly. I like technology and all that good stuff.
Hear me here when I say I don't like labeling, but I have never heard of parents that want to purposely raise a child as a nerd... Apparently there are gadgets and such that can increase the likelihood that the child will grow up nerdy.
1. Star Trek feeding system
2. HTML for Babies Book               (WHAT?!?! this one blows my mind)
3. LEGO Mindstorms
4. Ride-In Dalek
5. Portal 2 plush Turret
6. Foam D&D dice
7. Night Vision Monocular
8. Walking Dead lunchbox
9. Gaming controller teething toy
10. AT-AT stroller


Yeah, go ahead and click the link. Every item has either a video or photo attached so your mind can be blown and confused like mine...

Ad #5: iPod and iTunes

Obviously this is an ad for the iPod and iTunes. Not only does it show that tons of albums can be stored on a device, but it is 3-dimensional, which only adds a cool touch to it!

Ad #4: Heineken

This ad is for Heineken Beer. Can you see why this one is so clever? If not, you're in good company. It took me a little bit to see it. There is a hand reaching around the bottle from behind it's background. GIVE ME!

Palazzo Motor Home

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/technology-blog/3-million-luxury-camper-40-mobile-mansion-220233175.html
click the link above to read the article

Oh yeah... look at this piece of work. The Austrian company Marchi Mobile designed a luxury "camper" with a hefty price tag of a mere $3million. This 40 foot long motor home had 430 square feet of floor space before the pop-out bar is activated (which adds 80% more space). And don't worry about losing it in the dark... it is covered in glow-in-the-dark paint. Hardly a camper if I do say so myself because, well... with these accommodations, I don't think you would be spending a whole lot of time in the wild.

Ad #3: Karate

This is an advertisement for a karate school. I'm not sure where this was from.

Strategic placement is what this ad is all about. Let's put a karate dude punching the ground over a crack in the sidewalk. BRILLIANT!

PROBLEM!

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/one-year-old-tries-to-work-magazine-like-an-ipad-2583883/
click the above link to view the video and read the article


I think we have a problem here... yes, it is cute to watch a one year old baby get confused at why this magazine doesn't work like an iPad, but that right there is the issue! Are books becoming obsolete? Even a one year old is so tech-savvy that the concept of turning pages isn't good enough in comparison to swiping on an iPad. Don't get me wrong, I am an Apple lover, I love technology and all the advancements, but I also like to physically flip pages of a book. I like to sit down with a little kid and READ a BOOK. Hmmm...

Turn Steps Into Electricity

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/13/tech/innovation/pavegen-kinetic-pavements/index.html
click the above link to read the news story


          Leave it to England to beat everyone else when it comes to being green. How awesome of an idea this is... take common cement slabs for sidewalks and replace them PaveGen paving slabs. They convert energy from people's footsteps into electricity. This technology will be making it's debut at the 2012 London Olympics, helping to power Europe's largest mall.
          PaveGen paving slabs are made of recycled rubber, so they aren't even using non-renewable resources. Every time a person steps on one of these slabs, energy is delivered instantly to whatever the slabs are connected to. Excess energy can be stored for up to three days in a battery.
          "In their first commercial application, 20 tiles will be scattered along the central crossing between London's Olympic stadium and the recently opened Westfield Stratford City mall -- which expects an estimated 30 million customers in its first year," which, according to the developers, that amount of traffic could produce nearly half of the outdoor lighting needs for the mall.

Online News Survey Report

            Thirty-five responses to my survey were collected via Facebook, Twitter and e-mail. I went about creating my survey by thinking about what was most important for news in general. I broke my survey up into three sections, general news, online news, and demographics.

            In thinking about different news sources, I thought before asking about online news that it would be important to see what people used on a regular basis.

That was my first question. An overwhelming percentage (77.1%) of the survey takers said they use online sources on a regular basis, followed by television (54.3%), newspaper (45.7%), radio (34.3%), magazines (17.1%), and tabloids (5.7%). My second question asked to rate each of the above sources by opinion of reliability. On a rating of 1-5, with 5 being extremely reliable, the average ratings came in as follows: newspaper came in first with a 3.82 rating, followed closely by television (3.63), radio (3.57), and online news (3.26). Magazines and tabloids fell short at 2.71 and 1.23 respectively. My third question asked which categories of news people checked most often. Each category can be checked through different sources, which I thought was important to know. 74.3% of survey takers checked national news most often followed by local news at 68.6%. These were followed far behind by regional news at 9%, international news 17.1%, and both sports and entertainment news tied at 22.9%.

            In section two, I asked solely about online news. When it comes to online news, we can pick and choose what we view. I asked what forms of online news people were drawn to for my forth question. As I expected, plain articles came in first (71.4%). Photos accompanying articles came in second although far behind (42.9%). Videos were third (25.7%), and videos accompanying articles last (14.3%). I think the most telling question of this survey was my question five, which was how often do you check news online? Not a single person said that they never check news online, while 68.6% said they check it daily. Weekly and monthly made up the remainder. This next result confused me because it repeated a part of a previous question. For question six, I asked how reliable people felt online news sources were on a whole. Previously, the result came in at an average of 3.26 out of 5. In this question, however, the result came in at an average of 3.43 out of 5. I’m not sure if this result was different because I had them thinking solely about online news or if they were comparing the sources in the first question about this. Question seven was mostly for my own benefit. I asked which major online sites people use for getting their news online. I use some of the choices that I gave, but I was curious about other peoples’ preferences. I also set an option to write in something that wasn’t listed. yahoo.com and cnn.com both tied at the top with 42.9%. msnbc.com (31.4%),  foxnews.com (22.9%), npr.org (22.9%),  huffingtonpost.com (22.9%), reuters.com (14.3%), abcnews.com (11.4%), ap.org (8.6%), theonion.com and c-span.org tied with 2.9%, fsrn.org, newsbusters.org, azcentral.com, usatoday.com, change.org, and northcountrynow.com (not major) were all write-ins totaling 8.6%.

            In section three, I thought it would be extremely important to find out the demographics of those taking my survey. Question eight asked whether the survey taker considered himself or herself a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or something else. If they chose something else, I asked them to specify. 31.4% considered themselves Republicans, 34.3% said they were Democrats, 22.9% Independent, and the remaining 11.4% were made up of write-ins of Green, “Small D Democrat” meaning not partisan, Communist, and dependent on the issues. Question nine I figured was also quite important. Considering how much we rely on technology now, I was curious to see the age ranges of the survey takers. No one aged 15-20 took the survey. The following categories came in with the following number of takers: Ages 21-24: 11 people, ages 25-29: 3 people, ages 30-34: 4 people, ages 35-39: 2 people, ages 40-44: 4 people, ages 45-49: 2 people, ages 50-54: 4 people, ages 55-59: 1 person, and age 60 or older: 4 people. My final question, question ten, separated male from female. Those who took my survey were 23 females and 12 males.

            I kind of thought it was interesting that even those older than 50 checked online news so often, females especially. I think it is kind of assumed that the baby boomer generation and those old than that try to steer away from technology as much as possible. That may be true for some, but for those who took this survey for me, it didn’t seem that way… not for news anyway. With what I collected, I learned a lot about how important news is, and how reliant people are on how easy it is to get their news from more modern sources. They still use traditional sources, albeit not as much.

Ad #2: Benjamin Moore Paint

This one is for Benjamin Moore Paint. This is hanging off the side of a building with clear rectangles which capture the gradient of colors of the sky on any particular day. Basically, this advertises that Benjamin Moore Paint comes in any color, any shade, any hue imaginable. Good idea in my opinion, but is it stretching the truth? I don't know. I haven't looked at paint samples for this brand.

Blackberry Outage

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/12/tech/mobile/blackberry-outage/index.html
http://news.yahoo.com/blackberry-outages-spread-north-america-135707967.html
click either link above to read the article


A critical network outage as part of Research in Motion is to blame for millions of Blackberry users not having any service in North America today. Other continents, including Latin America, have been dealing with this outage for a few days now.
Research in Motion (RIM) is the maker of Blackberry smartphones, and unlike other cellphone manufacturers, they handle the message traffic of the smartphones, also. The service outage started on Monday with customers in the Middle East, Europe and Africa. South America and Asia experienced difficulty with service beginning on Tuesday. The United States and Canada joined the "party" on Wednesday.
According to Research in Motion, Ltd, "A crucial link in its European infrastructure failed Monday, and a backup didn't work either. The underlying problem has been fixed, but a backlog of emails and messages has built up that the company has yet to work down."


Is this acceptable in today's day and age?

Ad #1: FedEx Kinkos

This one is for office supplies at FedEx Kinkos. What an idea... take a giant bottle of white out to make it look like it was used for paining the crosswalk. Smart people.

Advertising

In case you didn't know, I pay a lot of attention to advertising. I like to dig around on the internet to find examples of clever advertising for products. Over the course of the rest of the semester along with my beat posts, I will be posting some of these examples that I think are really worth sharing. I may not agree with the use of some of these, but the ones that I share will be pretty creative and clever. I hope you enjoy :)

Local Event News Story

Rest Peacefully, Steve Jobs

A graphic design student at the Polytechnic University School of Design in Hong Kong named Jonathan Mak Long edited the known Apple corporation logo into the ultimate tribute to the late Steve Jobs. Jobs passed away the other day after a long fight with cancer.

Questionable Advertising

I saw this ad on the back of a tractor trailer this weekend in NYC. I don't know about anybody else, but this advertisement for Michael Jordan's cologne says to me: "with this cologne, you too can smell like the back of Michael Jordan's head."

Complaint of the Day.

Why has it become the social "norm" to have a DSLR camera? It is completely pointless unless you have a clue about how to use it. I am sitting here at a college football game, and this woman in front of me has a Canon DSLR. Of course, I snooped... she was using it on Auto... the whole time. And her lens? Did even change the zoom once.
So I ask myself, "self? Why did she spend $700+ on a camera she is only going to use one setting of? She could have gotten a point-and-shoot for $100 to do the same thing that she's doing right now."
I see it at work all of the time. I am the go-to person for camera questions. How I got this task? I have no idea. But anyway, countless times, I've gone over to our camera display and people ask me to compare two or three cameras for them. It baffles me when people have me compare 2 point-and-shoots with a DSLR. In my opinion, if you need to ask the difference between a point-and-shoot and a DSLR, you don't deserve a DSLR. Maybe that's just me.
I make sure that I ask what they are going to be using it for. That's a big one. If you're just going to be snapping pictures to snap pictures, get a point-and-shoot...

Television vs. Live

Indeed an eventful weekend so far, and it realistically hasn't even started yet. My brother and I took off for NYC to see two Yankees playoff/ALDS games. One today, Friday 9/30, at 8:37pm. One tomorrow, Saturday 10/1, at 8:37pm. Both games against Detroit Tigers. Of course, like many games this baseball season, it started to rain. It got to be raining hard enough that after the top of the 2nd inning, the tarps were pulled over the infield. About a half hour later, the rain let up and the grounds crew pulled the tarp to the outfield so the lines could be repainted and the infield prepped to start play again. YAY! No... it began to POUR again, this time much harder. Already soaked, I remained under the stairway, trying to dry a bit. After waiting about another hour, the game was suspended. The walk to the car? Several blocks in the pouring rain... awesome. I just got over a cold. I hope I don't get another one. If I do, though, it is all for my Yankees.
Anyway, this game will resume tomorrow at 8:37pm, and tomorrows game is moved to Sunday at 3pm. My question, why was it announced suspended on television before we found out at the stadium?

News Relating to Last Blog Entry

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Supermarkets-start-bagging-apf-1866082873.html?x=0

click the above link to view the news story.

It was really weird... after I wrote my last blog about self-checkout registers, this article was posted on yahoo news. Really ironic to me that after I was backing up the technology to this man, that a news story would be released about many corporations getting rid of them.

It says wait for the cashier...?

I had a conversation with one of my members at work the other day. Like so many before them, it was about the self-checkout registers.
It started out with him throwing things on the belt, through the sensors... in turn annoying me before even going over to fix it.
I did, several times, with him complaining the whole time. My issue was, we had our normal three self-checkouts and three other registers open with human cashiers, 2 of which had no lines, no waiting... and he chose the self-checkout.
When he was finally done, he snatched his receipt from the printer, threw his items into his cart and approached me again. He strongly pointed behind him at the self-checkout and said, "Those are pieces of s**t. They take jobs away from real people."
Oh... how many times I've heard that. I said, "Sir, I'm sorry they give you trouble. However, those machines give me a job. They can be finicky at times, but it's not just the machine that messes up. They really are simple machines with pretty intelligent technology."
He still wouldn't believe me. And so, he left.
A few days later he came in the store again. He asked me to go over to the self-checkout with him "just in case." I usually don't, since I had other things I needed to get done, but he didn't have many items. I said, "just don't rush things, put things in the middle of the belt, and listen to what it says." He sighed a sigh like the one you give as you roll your eyes. I gave a silent sigh of my own, and he started the checkout. Surprising to me, he did as I advised, and had no issues. "That went better than last time. Must be lucky today." I replied with a little chuckle, "Sure, we'll call it that."