(S10) Desktop vs. Laptop

What do you think is the future of desktop computers?

Take a look at these links before you answer:

Intel Kills Desktop Production

Top Ten Desktop Computers 

Forget Mobile vs Desktop



1.  So what do you think?  Will desktops be necessary in 3, 5, 10 years?  And will you be using one?

2.  Do the "Computer Configurator" exercise on the Top Ten link.  What device does it suggest for your needs?

3.  Comment on someone else's answer and provide facts along with your opinions on why you agree or disagree with their answer.

(S9) Power

Batteries are the power for many tech devices; phones, tablets, laptops, tv's. 

Technology is constantly advancing and so are batteries. 

Here are links to view four different kinds of batteries:

• Transparent Batteries
• Paint-On Batteries
• Lithium Ion Batteries
• Flexible Batteries

1. What implications could these batteries have on new technologies?  For example the flexible battery might launch the development of a wearable phone.   What potential creations could you imagine with these types of power sources?
2. Which of the options do you believe is most useful? Why? 
3. What other power sources, that you know of, or have researched that are available out there to compete with battery power?  

(S8) Homeschooling vs Public Education

What if, in the future with advancements in technology, homeschooling would be more prominent than actually going to a building with many different people learning with each other?

1. Speculate on how some technologies like; tablets, online classes, virtual schools and social networking (to name a few) might affect the way 'school' could change in the future.

2. Do some research on your own. Find some facts you found about; the growth of online education OR how technology is affecting "brick and mortar" schools OR statistics about technology in schools. Please cite your findings with a short link that is not older than 2012.

3. What's your personal opinion about your findings and/or the possibility of traditional public school changing.?

(S7) Social Media Privacy

PRIVACY

Do We Give Ourselves Any?

1. What social media do you engage in? How often?

2. Do you think you or others might reveal too much information sometimes on social media websites? If so, how?

3. What are the potential harmful effects of sharing any information on social media like Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterist or Instagram?

4. What are some good features of sharing on social media websites?

5. (Optional) Random thoughts on social media ...

Week Off....

I think we need a week off from homework!

If you did a good job on last week's piracy topic (100 points)...
enjoy this week off.

If you missed last weeks blog or want to spiff it up...
take the extra time to get it done this week.

Happy Holiday...

MsK  :)

(S6) Internet Piracy

Computer piracy is a controversial issue with modern technology. 



  

LOOK at the links provided BEFORE you comment

Money is lost by musicians and producers because music can be acquired for free.  Money is lost by developers and designers because software can be downloaded for free. Money is lost by actors and movie companies because film is copied and distributed freely. Websites like "The Pirate Bay", "bittorrent" and "utorrent" offer free downloads and share files to anyone who visits their sites.

So what do you think?  Look at this Infographic Look at these quick Facts

1. In the past, people bought blank cassettes and blank DVDs and copied music, software and movies onto them. What did you think of that? Right, wrong? After all, why sell blank DVDS if you were not going to copy something?

2. What about now?  Is Pirate Bay cool? Software is so expensive. Pirate Bay is free.

3. Do you think the consequences of pirating or filming copyrighted motion pictures are fair? Some of the penalties have been up to $ 250,000 in fines and up to 10 years in prison. Are there clear consequences for copying or pirating material? FBI Charges MegaUpLoad

4. What if you were a musician, movie maker or software developer trying to make a living? How would you feel if you created an amazing game that took you months to create and after you put it on the market to reap the rewards... everyone just shared it for free? What would you propose to happen then? Would you try to get a ban against those sites on the Internet?

5. What do you think the future looks like regarding this issue.... for artists and...for pirating?  Great link: All Songs Considered / Hot & Trending

6. What are SOPA and PIPA? Do you agree / disagree with these policies? Why?

(This is a combination of two student blog entries) 

 ➡ NOTE: Please don't comment with ideas off the top of your head! DO some RESEARCH.

(S5) Bitcoins

Bitcoins Explained

Bitcoin interview with Bruce Wagner

1. How do you think the increasing use of Bitcoins will change the way we handle money in the future? Identify some potential good features / bad features.

2. Would you use Bitcoins now that you know how they work? Why or why not?

3. Had you ever heard of bitcoins before this blog?

(S4) Web 3.0

Web 3.0 – What will it look like? Is it already here? It’s always difficult to tell just where we stand in terms of technological chronology. But if we assume that Web 1.0 was based only upon hyperlinks, and Web 2.0 is based on the social, person-to-person sharing of links, then Web 3.0 uses a combination of socially-sourced information, curated by a highly refined, personalizable algorithm.  HUH? 

1. What are the distinctions of Web 1.0?  Web 2.0?  And what really is Web 3.0?  What is 3.0 also called?  Research and put these ideas in your own words!
2. Do you think we are experiencing any signs of web 3.0 right now?  If so, what are examples of 3.0 now? 
3. How might Web 3.0 change our lives?  Good?  Bad?  

(S3) ipad Controlled Home

1.  Check out this video.  Would you like to live in a home like this? Why/not?  What are your favorite and least favorite features?

2.  Are there better ideas using this technology or is the Savant home the best?

Compare other systems

3.  What add-ons or modifications would you make?


4.  How hard is this to design and build?  Do you think you could do this... someday?

Setting up an automated home

(S2) New Tech

January is a big month for New Tech.  The CES 2013 is usually the debut event for new gadgets, media electronics, digital devices, and more.  It's always exciting to see what's out there!  I've combined  two GenYES students blog entries here, but several more  "new tech" ideas will appear in future blogs.   Have fun exploring!

1.  Check out these "new tech" devices first and compare the two.  Which interests you the most?

Hands Free Video Call Headset The Hands-Free Videophone captures the user’s face with three cameras in each of the left and right sides of the frames. The video sent to the other person is created by combining the pictures with a pre-rendered 3D model of the users face. 

HUD Google Glasses  These glasses have a front facing camera used to gather information and could aid in augmented reality apps.  It will also take pictures.  The spied prototype has a flash- perhaps for help at night, or maybe it was just a way to take better photos.  The camera is extremely small and likely only a few megapixels.


2.  Check out some other new technologies launched last week.  Which items do you think will significantly impact our lives?  Which ones do you personally like the best?  

1.  CES 2013

2.  New Technology 2013

3.  Popsci 2013