Tag: internet

TUMBLR!

rangerthecat1 Comment

I have had a Tumblr quite a while now. At first, it was a website that I would go on only if I had absolutely nothing else to do and I was just in bed, feeling lazy. Now, it has become a daily part of my life that I am getting more and more addicted to.

Tumblr is a social networking and blogging site. Like Facebook, each member has their own page where they post and share things. Following someone means that all of their posts will show up on your dashboard, which is kind of like a personalized home page different from every other members, because it has a different collection of things.

People write stories and post videos, but Tumblr is mostly filled with a plethora of photos. It is filled with photos of EVERY THING IMAGINABLE. And a lot of GIFs which are a cross between a little video and photo; it’s like a moving picture that has about 5 to 10 frames, generally speaking.

Now, Tumblr is not just somewhere to mindlessly and aimlessly look at photos of cool stuff and read funny little remarks. It’s a place to discover new things. I follow all different kind of blogs, including fan pages to my favorite shows, health blogs, self-improvement blogs, blogs for fashion, blogs for beauty, blogs for cute guys, blogs for bands/artists or music in general, blogs that post photos of animals. I even follow a blog dedicated to cats. But a blog can also just be a compilation of everything that interests the poster. I see a lot of things that I have never seen before and learn cool facts that I had not known about my favorite celebrities, bands, or shows.

One thing I really like about Tumblr is that for me, at least, it is reserved mostly for people that I don’t know. This way, I don’t have to be afraid of posting something people will criticize or annoy me about. Tumblr is sort of like special insight into my mind, and sometimes I would rather the people close to me stay a bit distanced from that.

It is just one of those awesome websites that I can’t live without… No, really, I like it that much. It’s an awesome way to pass the time and find out about cool, new things. If you don’t have one, I really suggest you get one! That is, if you’re not worried about falling into the Tumblr trap like I did and fall in love with it!

Internet Censorship

rangerthecat1 Comment

I can’t believe that it has gotten to a point at this school where we will have our every move monitored while using the internet.

I can understand that students have been using the internet for inappropriate things during inappropriate times, but I just can’t believe that it has come to this.

All I want to do is to go on Facebook for a few minutes during my free period and play some tetris, look at some photos, and chat with people from back home. But, because student have been extremely stupid and disrespectful, I can’t even spend a few seconds on facebook in my “free” time, and I have to wait until weekends or after study hall.

Personally, I don’t do anything wildly inappropriate on the internet. Sometimes, I’d go on facebook during study hall or play a few games during my free period. I also like to use Skype to get information about homework from my other friends that don’t live on campus.

I like to think of myself as an adult, and my peers would think of themselves as the same. It’s ridiculous how we are treated like children and monitored, even if we want to do something simple like watch a video on Youtube.

I’m so over this…

Privacy Plz!!

frog3Leave a comment

The Internet and privacy go together like cats and dogs. In this digital age nothing remains private. Every picture that you upload, every comment or status update you make will be on the Internet forever. Attempts to delete foolish posts or pictures are valiant but futile; if someone really wanted to see this ”deleted” information they would find a way. Companies that are supposed to protect your privacy seem to release a constant stream of personal information.

Fortune 500 Internet Companies such as Google are the biggest offenders of this “crime”. Google in an attempt to penetrate the smartphone market has created the android.

The goal of the Android is to be a direct competitor to the IPhone. Admittedly the Android is a much more open system, allowing users a greater degree of customization. This freedom does not come without its cons, in 2011 researchers discovered pre downloaded software on the Android contains security leaks. Information that is at risk includes credit card numbers, contacts, email addresses etc.

The only way to protect yourself from these privacy “attacks” is to protect your password and try to limit yourself to closed systems. Only if companies would value their users privacy.

SOPA= Evil

frog3Leave a comment

In the mist of all the talks of free speech and SOPA, a site that most of us use has been shut down. Megaupload, that famous provider of  intellectual properties for free, allowing users to get quality software without paying. It is as simple as clicking a button.

The founder of Megaupload Kim Schmitz was found living in an extravagant manor. This home was described as an electronic fortress, equipped with the highest quality surveillance available on the market. This wealthy man refused to let police in and then resorted to hiding in a safe room. The police then cut into the safe room where they found Kim Schmitz cowering next to a sawed off shotgun.

He was promptly arrested and is currently waiting for his court date in a New Zealand jail. Following his arrest the FBI shut down Megaupload, a decision that was met with much outcry on the internet. Following  Megauploads shutdown, the FBI was attacked by Anonymous and had their own site shutdown.

I for one to not support SOPA finding the bill to be complete @$%*&, it remains to be seen whether other “questionable” sites will be taken down.

Censorship and privacy,Is it really necessary?

frog3Leave a comment

Internet privacy and censorship is an issue that has caused much controversy in recent times. With the astronomical growth of the Internet in the last decade, cyber bullying has become an unprecedented problem. Proponents for the removal of online anonymity have argued that cyber bulling would end if people would have to take responsibility for what they say.

A major problem with cyber bulling is the anonymity of it. For example, if a child bullies another child in person, the child can tell school administration and get the problem sorted out. If a child is bullied on lets say Facebook, it is much more difficult to catch the bully.

A fourteen year old boy killed himself on September 9th at about 2 o clock on an early Sunday morning. He was being bullied for his homosexuality, via the popular blogging site Form Spring. It also happened to be suicidal awareness month.Gay Pride

A very recent issue that has reached attention is Internet censorship. This bill is being debated in Congress right now. What it will do is outlaw “illegal pirating of movies, music and other copyrighted material.” This could be a very big deal to many people.

Many people illegally download copyrighted material on a daily basis. It will be interesting to see the backlash that comes from this bill if it is passed.

Technology

rangerthecatLeave a comment

I have come to the realization that I have a terrible addiction. And that addiction is technology.

I am slightly ashamed to admit this, to be honest.

I am probably not helping myself much as I sit here in front of my computer screen and type this blog, simultaneously on Facebook in another window. There is an unfortunate dependence I have seemed to build for the use of technology, and as much as others may not want to admit it, I have noticed it in them as well.

The internet is out of commission around campus, and it has been for about a week. At first, everyone was bugging out because they have no access to Youtube and Facebook.

WHAT?!?!?! OH MY GOD WHAT AM I GONNA DO?!!

I freaked out for a second, but then I realized something.

I have become way to dependent on these things. When was the last time I sent a letter by mail? Or researched from a source other than the internet? When was the last time I spent a day without texting my friends constantly? It has been a long time since these things have happened. I have forgotten the value of things unrelated to technology.

A break from the internet is a good thing for us OVS students here on campus. I feel like it has given me a chance to enjoy other activities that I like but usually neglect, like playing guitar, reading a book, or even just enjoying the outdoors.

So bye for now, technology. I’m taking a break from you.

Stolen

yourgingerkidLeave a comment

It’s almost ironic that last week I posted a blog about how incredibly fantastic the iPhone 4 is. At the Best Day Foundation, another post of mine, my iPhone 4 was stolen.

MEEP

It was sitting in my beach bag, inside my small make up bag, and underneath all my makeup; somewhere I thought no one would look.

I honestly have nothing to hide on my phone, or on any other electronic item for that matter, but it’s still a bit nerve-racking to have something of yours stolen.

My iPhone was the first item to ever be really stolen from me. I’ve had people “borrow” my things and not bring them back. I’ve have lost things and just assumed that I have misplaced them. Never has someone directly taken something important from me. It’s like your privacy has been invaded.

Which bring me to to the topic of privacy.

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