Presentation: The Wonderful World of Wikipedia

I’m sure you all are quite familiar with Wikipedia, and I’m pretty sure you all have used it in the past. Just incase you don’t quite know what it is, here is a quick definition: Wikipedia is “a multilingual, web-based, free content encyclopedia project.” Moreover, and this is why there is so much controversy revolving Wikipedia, it is written and edited by anyone with access to the website.
Personally, I love Wikipedia. Throughout my high school and college career, teachers have constantly been telling me to stay away at all costs, as if Wikipedia is some evil manifestation designed to lie and deceive me every time I look at it. On the contrary, I have rarely come across something that is a blatant lie. Obviously certain details can be missed out, but there is no more convenient way to learn a basic overview of a subject (in my opinion).
While browsing basic search engines I came across an interesting article in which a very opinionated critic by the name of Nicholas Carr voiced his thoughts after reading two articles at random on the wonderful Wikipedia. “This is garbage, an incoherent hodge-podge of dubious factoids that adds up to something far less than the sum of its parts.” After reading this quote for the first time, the only thing I could think is, “Wow, this guy really hates Wikipedia.” But on a serious note, Carr does make a valid point. Wikipedia can, in some cases, contain information this is incredibly inaccurate, and in some cases, be just plain pranks from users. To combat this weakness, Wikipedia claims that users quickly see problems and then correct them “rapidly.”
In some instances, usually with highly debatable topics, it is impossible to correct all vandalism and as a result, Wikipedia has to lock up the page. This was the case in 2006 when two companies, Nintendo and Sony, both released new products that created the biggest debate of all time (read with sarcasm). Due to an obscene amount of flaming, Wiki chose to lock up the pages. At the bottom is a link to an article that describes the conflict. Just incase everyone doesn’t quite make it to the link, I want to make sure everyone reads an incredibly interesting and important quote from the article: “Interestingly, the Wii seems to attract more conflicts of opinion on the site than the subjects of Scientology (8,475 revisions), God (7,537 revisions), and even Britney Spears (9,886 revisions.)” Ha-ha, that is just great.
Although Wikipedia creates a lot of controversy, and rightfully so, it remains an abundantly used and highly popular website. Although it is not a very “quotable” source (I don’t recommend you use it extensively for your research paper), it can be very informative on a basic level. On Thursday I am going to go into more detail on Wikipedia as well as other forms of online knowledge.

Sony and Nintendo article:
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6161547.html

Sweet toothbrush

If you read my previous post on a TiVo for the iPod, i claimed that it is the coolest invention ever. I lied. While surfing the net, i found a new toothbrush that actually plays music while you brush. Its not a real MP3 player, but it has pre-loaded bands(17 in total) ranging from Hillary Duff to Kiss. You may be expecting this product do be insanely expensive, however, it only costs ten dollars. I think that this product will be great for parents seeking to get their children to keep brushing their teeth longer. Although this product is targeted mostly for kids, I will be buying one for sure.

I really wish i had TiVo for my iPod...

Well its finally here, a TiVo like device for your iPod. Quite possibly the coolest thing ever, you can now plug anything with an S-video port into your iPod and have it record a show and immediatly watch it or save it for whenever. Creativly called the iLuv, this product could possibly (in my opinion) be the king of all iPod accessories. Personally, I can see myself buying such a device. Check it out!

Enough with the stupid iPod accessories already!

I recently came accross an article in the New York Times that talked about the direction iPod accessories are going. This article does not discuss all the high tech headphones, cases and speakers that you might expect, but it talks about the most rediculous, almost useless new accessories that have recently been developed. Take for example, the FUNKit robotic D.J. This device, as you may gather from the name of it, is a robot that plays music through an iPod. Not only does it play music, but it dances to the music, scratches on it faux record player, has L.E.D flashing lights and has yells out really sweet catch phrases like, "drop the beat!" Personally, I think this could be the most usefull iPod accessory of all time. And this is not the only sweet new accessory either. For example, there is the iPal, which is a stuffed animal with built in speakers (sadly it does not dance or scratch), and there is the equally cool Movin' and Groovin' line of potted plants with hidden speakers. I could go on listing these new accessories but the list is too long, seriously. I know...its sad.

After laughing at these rediculous devices for nearly a half hour, i'm embarassed to admit that i actually started to kind of like them. Sure, they are a complete waste of money and are mostly useless, but in my opinion, that is why they are kinda cool. What really sealed the deal for me is when i saw a short video clip of the FUNKit robotic D.J. in action. Hopefully you will all find it as entertaining as i found it. In the article attached at the bottom there is a link to see the product dancing and scratching in action and it really is quite funny. check it out.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/22/technology/22ipod.html?pagewanted=2&ref=technology

Does class online really work?

Thinking back on last week's online class, one over-arching question remained in my mind: Does it actually work? It is somewhat ironic that we decided to hold class online that day, because i had just turned in my Crossfire essay which conveniently was on online education. Through most of my research, most sources claimed that online class discussions worked well and fostered good conversations. Yet when i look back on my experience in an online class discussion, all i can think is 'what the hell is wrong with all these people, what do they see in these discussions???' For me, the whole experienced either seemed too frantic and unorganized (the unregulated discussion), or extremely slow and an ineffiecient use of time (regulated discussion). The only thing that i liked about the online discussion is that i could do other things online or watch TV.

Comming back to my original question, "does it really work?", I still have a hard time deciding. All of the research I did told me that it does indeed work, yet when i enter an online class discussion myself i find it extremely annoying and ineffeicient. I guess, just like in the Crossfire essay, I am going to have to call this issue a draw... i really can't decide.

Apple Vs. Cisco: The iPhone battle continues

If you have not previously heard, there is a large controversey revolving around the name of Apple's new phone, the iPhone. Since 2000, Cisco, the world's largest networking equipment company has owned the rights to the name, "iPhone." Under the Linksys name (a Cisco trademark name) the company has been shipping out their own iPhone which is used as a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Both companies are trying to reach an agreement outside the court room, but as of yet, no agreement has been made. Thus far, Cisco has agreed to let Apple use the name iPhone only if the device can be used to communicate with Cisco's iPhone; and agreement which apple calls rediculous. We will all find out on Wednesday (ferderal court deadline) whether or not Apple's revolutionary phone will really be called iPhone.

Game Addicts

Back in class on monday when we were discussing addiction to computer games, i was a little hesitant to believe that one could truly be addicted. I knew that people could be , "hooked" or "obsessed" but not truely addicted. Well now i can confidently conclude that it is entirely possible to be addicted to video games. I found a short new story on youtube about addicted games and i thought that it was very interesting. I won't go into a lot of detail describing it but there were a few things that really caught my attention. One statistic given was that 40% of all World Of Warcraft players are addicted...wow (no pun intended). Anyway, i think that you should all check this out and i'd like to hear anybody's opinions!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8hfK3RQs2g