On Monday, February 11, 2008, Yahoo turned down over $42 Billion from Microsoft. This was an attempted buyout of Yahoo that was ultimately unsuccessful. If you look at today's internet search engines, Yahoo and Google come to mind before anything else. They are both growing rapidly, without showing any signs of slowing down. As I speculate why the buyout was avoided, I look first to the fact that Yahoo still possesses very much potential in the current market that it's in.
Within the next few years, I still believe that both of these companies with be successful. I do not see either search engine being absorbed within the next five years. Although Google seems to be slightly more powerful, there are still countless users who would keep Yahoo on the map. Innovation is the key. As long as these companies keep generating new ideas, there will be consistent opportunities for improvement and evolution.
On February 12, Google introduced a new product: "The G-Phone". In order to keep growing and developing follow-up ideas, Google needs to keep up with the market. They also need to focus on more than on sector because that will allow them to produce even more for larger range of individuals. Children and adults both enjoy technology. There are different degrees of affection for technology, but it still exists within a very strong percentage of the population. As long as Google remains on top of things, focusing on the different markets, there will be no stopping this company from continuously evolving over the next five years.
What is the "deep web"? There are a few ways to explain such a topic. It actually refers to the content that is NOT part of the areas covered and accessed by search engines like Google and Yahoo. In fact, it has even been speculated that the "deep web" is several times larger than the surface that is covered by search engines.
One development that exists to access the "deep web" is through something called a "federated search". Certain innovations like www.science.gov as well as people searching databases are being formulated to access information from the "deep web". Human crawlers and "Stumble-upon" are also used for similar purposes. "Stumble-upon" allows users to randomly jump to any site, including "the deep web". This invention is designed to let users access any data that is connected to his or her personal profile and interests. It is actually very interesting to see how it works.
I believe that intellectual property will always play an extremely important role in the world. However, within the next few years, I see policy issues become stricter. Also, it would be too far-fetched for more legal issues to arise.
Governance and corporate ethics will continue to play roles within the internet community, extending outside this community as well. There is a constant debate over whether internet censorship is hurting or helping internet users, often referred to as "The Virus of Internet Repression". Critics feel that too much filtering takes away from the internet has to offer. Some people will feel like censorship is a good thing, but it hurt the world as well.
The world of the internet is endless. There is so much to see, and there is no telling what else will be available within the next four or five years. The possibilities seem endless.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_web
http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/
http://www.internettutorials.net/deepweb.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6724531.stm
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The Dark Internet
I have always thought that the internet was an amazing invention. We are able to access so much, while communicating with one another on a regular basis. Instant messengers, MySpace, Facebook, and other forms of networking and communication bring this generation together. It's almost as if these applications have taken over the world. But let's think about it: is the internet really a great invention? I mean yeah, i'll admit I am a fan of it...but there are several people who see the dark side that the web can bring out. There is a negative side to most things in this world.
I guess it really isn't rocket science how the internet can be negative for some people. The program "To Catch A Predator" is a perfect example of how the internet can lead to horrifying and unsafe scenarios. All it takes is one chat room to spark an unwanted conversation between a 40-year-old man and 14 year-old girl. Do those conversations entail anything odd? Yes....usually.
MySpace is also risky when it comes to this type of problem. Children and teenagers from all over the world love to showcase their pictures, interests, and favorite moments on their particular MySpace page. Usually, we will log into our MySpace page and notice several friend requests from people that we might not even know. Creepy? Yes. It's interesting how many people feel the need to friend others that they do not even know. There are some ways to counter this type of problem. One can set his or her profile to private so that only certain people can view it. However, this does not stop people from being able to submit friend requests on a daily basis. Will there ever be a way to fully avoid contact from unwanted people, or even predators? Sadly, I do not know how to answer that questions.
Facebook is fairly similar to MySpace in the way that people can submit friend requests to one another in sort of a networking movement. However, facebook does not allow everyone to see a personal profile page. The privacy seems to be more of a focus on a facebook, rather than on MySpace. One can adjust setting to that he or she can block a specific person that might be making him or her uncomfortable. I am sure privacy will become more and more of a focus as the years pass by. With the increasing power of technology, there is a really no other option.
It's interesting to see how easy it is for people to find one another. But it's even more interesting that most of these people do not want to be found. Maybe in a few years it will be possible for people to have all of the privacy that he or she wants. Until then, my advice is to be remain cautious when working with the internet. Have your fun, but know your boundaries. There's a lot of weird people out there.
I guess it really isn't rocket science how the internet can be negative for some people. The program "To Catch A Predator" is a perfect example of how the internet can lead to horrifying and unsafe scenarios. All it takes is one chat room to spark an unwanted conversation between a 40-year-old man and 14 year-old girl. Do those conversations entail anything odd? Yes....usually.
MySpace is also risky when it comes to this type of problem. Children and teenagers from all over the world love to showcase their pictures, interests, and favorite moments on their particular MySpace page. Usually, we will log into our MySpace page and notice several friend requests from people that we might not even know. Creepy? Yes. It's interesting how many people feel the need to friend others that they do not even know. There are some ways to counter this type of problem. One can set his or her profile to private so that only certain people can view it. However, this does not stop people from being able to submit friend requests on a daily basis. Will there ever be a way to fully avoid contact from unwanted people, or even predators? Sadly, I do not know how to answer that questions.
Facebook is fairly similar to MySpace in the way that people can submit friend requests to one another in sort of a networking movement. However, facebook does not allow everyone to see a personal profile page. The privacy seems to be more of a focus on a facebook, rather than on MySpace. One can adjust setting to that he or she can block a specific person that might be making him or her uncomfortable. I am sure privacy will become more and more of a focus as the years pass by. With the increasing power of technology, there is a really no other option.
It's interesting to see how easy it is for people to find one another. But it's even more interesting that most of these people do not want to be found. Maybe in a few years it will be possible for people to have all of the privacy that he or she wants. Until then, my advice is to be remain cautious when working with the internet. Have your fun, but know your boundaries. There's a lot of weird people out there.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Our Future With Computers
Today I am posting my first message for my Everyday Computing class. The topic will revolve around the future of the computer as well as it's effects on automobiles and overall society. I believe it is safe to say that computers run the world. Whether that is deemed as an exaggeration or not, the fact is that most of the world is dependent on some type of computing device. Between job searching, posting, blogging, writing, and surfing the net, it is fair to say that the world has been evolving thanks to this invention since it's inception.
Now you see television commercials showcasing minivans and other vehicles that allow people to watch movies and play video games in the car. It is amazing that within a years, such an innovation can come into effect. Looking more closely, this particular privilege might not be the safest of ideas. However, it makes money and several people will be buying into this idea if they have not already.
Personally, I would never even think about buying a car that had a television inside of it. I don't care how "cool" it might seem. It's unsafe and I would never use the product. I guess it might come in handy in certain situations, like long trips with the family. So, looking back on what I initially stated, I still hold to that opinion, but that can possibly change when I eventually marry and have children. Just like technology, minds constantly change.
Speaking of change, I want to look at the evolution of technology, specifically regarding the stereo system. I remember back when I was in elementary school. It was far too early too even think about buying a car at that age, but we all heard about the cool car stereos with compact disc changers. Almost ten years have gone by since then, and now we have all of these new additions to the entertainment system that we call a car. MP3 players are fully compatible with most vehicles at this point, as there are numerous types of connections and cables to allow such a thing. Personally, I use a FM transmitter for my IPOD while I am driving larger distances. I love the thing. Give it another five years or so, I will probably find something even better than the "old" IPOD.
The automobile has become powerfully connected to the standard computer systems. Numerous mechanics use computer systems in order to analyze car problems or to determine the necessary steps to make any repairs. With this resource, mechanics are able to become even more proficient. Computer systems also play a large role is the audio systems of a car. Entertainment is usually one of the most popular features of an automobile, specifically the type of stereo or speakers within the vehicle. Innovations will continue to develop, and the possibilities are endless. By 2025, it has even been speculated that cars will be literally packed with computers, greatly enhancing safety features.
Sources:
http://www.diseno-art.com/car_future.html
http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/future-car/future-car.html
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