New Media Reflections

Ok, I admit I’m a holdout and still haven’t embraced Twitter. In fact, I have yet to Tweet at all. I just don’t see the value in it. I know it has become indispensable and addictive to so many people, so there must be something to it. But, I confess, I am one of those people who still washes dishes by hand instead of using  a dishwasher. Now, I have tried using a dishwasher, and my contention is that by the time you’ve loaded your dishwasher, my dishes are washed and on the rack to dry. It just seems like such a waste of time to me. I know this seems unrelated, but to me Twitter is a similar situation. I can let everyone know that I’ve stepped out of my automobile, or that the weather is beautiful right now, or I could just write an email to people I actually know and care about, and tell them about my day. If I want a more widespread audience, I may post it on Facebook.

I found this clip on YouTube where Kevin Spacey and David Letterman talk about Twitter. Spacey is a Tweeter, and Dave is clueless. I think Dave’s final impression of Twitter says it just the way I would want to:

Tags: Uncategorized by markcotrupe
1 Comment »

I read an article in the New York Times about the newly announced Google Chrome operating system. Yes, OS, not just the browser. The intention of Google as seen in their Official Google Blog is to evolve operating systems out of the old pre-internet design that has caused so much frustration for current computer users. Machines are slow to start and slow to get on the internet. Google promises to have your comupter on and the internet available in a matter of seconds.

This all fits in very nicely with their attempts to move us into “cloud” computing, where apps are web-based instead of based on your CPU at your home or office. This makes everything available anywhere you have internet access, and speeds up using and sharing considerably. But not everyone agrees that this is all good. But I’m not sure all is well with this new direction in computing. After reading an article in Slate,  the situation appers to be more foggy. It points out that many of the programs we use everyday at work and at home, will not run on a cloud-based OS, and if you are a gamer, good luck finding games written for anything but windows. I believe he has a very valid point here. While Google is serving up a lot of free programs, they do tend to not be as robust as the desktop versions we use. Unless Google figures out a way to make the internet more powerful, I’m afraid their OS won’t revolutionize computing so much. What they will revolutionize is how we use the internet. Who wouldn’t want to be online from shut off in a matter of seconds. A PC with Vista, takes quite a few minutes just to start, then you have to get your browser up and deal with all the updates as you go, and Vista permissions. The Chrome OS promises to eliminate the need for anti-virus and updates. That is welcome news.

Whether or not Google Chrome OS provides us net relief remains to be seen. If nothing else, it will serve as a challenge to Microsoft to get out of their rut and re-think how computers should work.

Tags: Uncategorized by admin
No Comments »

By now we all know that the  iPhones, etc., are impressive and feature-loaded. SPRXmobile in Holland is taking Android-enabled phones a step further in utility. Their Layar augmented reality browser adds, well, another dimension to the phones. Augmented reality provides an overlay over currently viewed areas. It is like a GPS on steroids. Not only does it know it’s location, but also where the local restaurants, ATM’s, jobs, and soon, available real estate, are. It provides a radar-like screen that shows the location of things around you and updates as you move the phone around. Part of the graphical interface helps you see which places are closest. By clicking on an item you can get photos, reviews, and generally more information about the item.

I have to admit, I don’t have an iPhone, and am not particularly aching for one. I’m one of those holdouts who still uses my cell phone primarily for phone calls. While I find GPS and internet intriguing, I haven’t had much use for this yet. But the new browser by SPRXmobile does interest me. It isn’t just about “fun” information, but seems to be on track to provide truly useful information whenever you need it.

Now, if we could just convince the makers of these phones that those of us over 50 can’t read all that small print, and that we are a viable market…

Here is a video I found on engadget that is a good live introduction and showcase of this browser’s abilities:

Tags: Uncategorized by admin
No Comments »