Laptops

Now giving laptops to underprivileged kids is a wonderful idea. Hooray for learning right? However, I think there are better things this country can do. First off, if laptops is what we are set on giving away, how about we send those to kids in the US that struggle because they live in a poor school district? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for helping out the world, but I think its kind of like airline safety:

Always save yourself so you have the strength and resources to save others. In events such as the tragedy that happened in Haiti, we have to help out. But when its other countries facing the same problems we face- I think we need to look out for Number 1 first. There is a whole other world that many americans are ignorant to in regards to poverty and the standard of living. How about sending some laptops to the kids in public school systems that will probably end up being janitors for a company that sells laptops.

YEAH MAN! GO TEAM!

I guess I just don't understand...

So a company as big and as rich as Apple comes out with a supposedly ground breaking product in the iPad. Now, I'm no expert, but I feel like they are going about it all wrong. Touch screens are becoming huge. The iPhone is huge. Mac laptops are growing. Now when I use these words: huge and growing, I am speaking in terms of popularity- in fact, in size, these things are getting smaller. So why would Apple present this new product in comparison to the iPhone that is pocket size? Who would want a notebook sized iPhone that can't make calls or take pictures? This makes no sense to me. When I first saw it, I figured it looked like a laptop, minus the keyboard. But with a touch screen, a keyboard can be located directly on the screen. I liked that idea. However, the idea of it being an iPhone on steroids doesn't really get me all excited. And to make things worse, Apple is now having all sorts of legal issues behind the name "iPad". A Japanese phone has used the name since 2002... and also named the iPad, is a canadian lingerie company's product:

Why didn't Apple look into this?

Let's take this a little further- survey says: This is a dumb product.

Pope knows best

Pope Benedict XV is acknowledging the growing power of mass communications. He has become more open on the internet and other sources of widespread communication throughout the past years and urges other priests to do the same. this is wise in my eyes. I think that what's a better way to reach a lot of people easily, cheaply, and effectively? Putting a bible in their hotel room dresser? Nobody even looks at those. I think the Church is coming of age and becoming more modern. I think that's going to help the Church make progress. In my church back home, we utilize technology more than any other in the area. You can catch the sermons online. You can tithe online, automatically if you wish by the week or by the month. With a growing population, perhaps by the popularity of the online community, the single campus has grown into 5 locations, but staying connected with only a few pastors, they take turns visiting each campus and showing live video feeds on a huge screen to the others. It's like watching TV on a big screen. The use of technology and things such as Facebook and blogs by churches will greatly increase their popularity and community. It will help their followers become involved and know what is going on within the church. You go, Pope Benedict XV!

Greatest tool on the Internet

Obviously, one of the first things my roommate and I did when we moved in was hook up the TV. We were very disappointed to find that the TV my roommate brought in, although of decent size, is quite old and has problems with the cable hookup- which of course is what this school uses in the dorms. We started with only ABC Family and the Golf Channel. Hooray for watching old guys in funny pants and a whole lot of Full House. However, after some time and readjustments we were able to get a few more channels. We now can freely watch 2-24. Problem is, the only channel that shows us anything but golf, is channel 2, which is CBS, not exactly a true sports network. But through the beauty of the Internet, we are saved. Being a College Basketball enthusiast, I like to watch any and all games. So when I discovered sites such as ESPN360, Justin TV, and atdhe,I became hooked pretty quickly. I've found that as I return to my room from wherever I may have been, the first thing I do is head to these websites and find a game to watch. All for free. All in pretty good quality. Live streaming straight to my laptop. It may even be better than watching the TV in our situation, as my roommate and I support very different teams and follow different sports with different levels of enthusiasm. We can both watch whatever we want. I am completely addicted. When tournament time comes in March, all the games are able to be viewed online through the CBS or NCAA website... I dare you to try to get me away from my computer. 

Internet

It is pretty funny how things can change. Some things take millions of years for transformation, others, not as long.  Technology is advancing at such a ridiculous rate that its nearly unfathomable. In the time it took me to make sure I was using the word 'unfathomable' in the right context and spelling it correctly, there has been another huge advancement in technological progress. Its hard to think that only 40 years ago, the first bit of data was sent by computers, and in doing so, crashed and failed to send the full message. Those poor scientists...  and now, in not even half an average lifetime later, we can sit on the other side of the world, post a blog and instantly have access to it anywhere, full of links, articles, videos, and pictures. the world's information is at the fingertips of anyone with internet access. Is there anything in this world that has evolved that much in such a short amount of time? Computers that took up an entire room or floor of a building are unthinkable. I type this on a computer that is about the size of a folder, smaller than the average textbook. It goes past computers, cell phones can get internet access and you can talk on the phone and then check facebook, because we all know how important it is to change your status as your status actually changes every 3 minutes...

TXT Haiti to 90999

There is a new way of contributing to the reconstruction of areas hit by natural disasters. With the recent earthquake that devastated Haiti not long ago, the Red Cross has implemented a program in which people can quickly and easily provide help from anywhere at anytime. It is within human nature to help others when they need, if it is within capabilities and limits. The problem for Americans is that the event happened in Haiti, which is anywhere from 600 miles to 3500 miles from the continental United States. This makes for a difficult time commitment- making volunteer work almost impossible for the average American resident. The most connected we can feel is to try to promote awareness and give means that can be used to reconstruct the nation. Within the past years, the popularity of text messaging has skyrocketed. the American Red Cross is raking in the benefits of this with their program. With a simple text to 90999 with the word "Haiti", the individual contributes ten dollars to the relief fund for the disaster victims and contributes to all things needing financial support in Haiti. Americans have been generously donating money, sometimes hitting nearly $100,000 an hour, through these text messages. There is another number you can text to donate five dollars instead of ten. I think this is a great use of technology for Americans. There is no need to get up, no need to reschedule events, no need to document your spending, it simply shows up on your next phone bill. I find this as an intelligent way of incorporating ways that Americans communicate and fund raising in a simple and fun way.

My First Post

My first post.