http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/8395971.stm
Lately the amount of options available to consumers when buying a eco-friendly car has dramatically increased compared to previous years but until there is more infrastructure to support this new technology this phenomenon will remain out of the mainstream market. One of the causes of this recent transition can be blamed on the introduction of high taxes and more stringent legislation aimed at penalizing gas-guzzler drivers by governments in countries around the world. Another recent contributer has been the wide variety of green cars including hybrids, electric batter powered, and other experimental models that have become available to the public in just the last few years. Unfortunately although there is a wide range of models for customer to choose from the existing infrastructure for powering these vehicles cannot compare to the world wide network of gas stations available to petroleum powered cars. Also the technology of these green vehicles is incapable of comparing to the convenience of traditionally fueled cars. For example charging the lithium-ion battery of an electric car can take up to eight hours. Luckily there have been many novel ideas to solve these problems that would allow electric and other types of fuel to become more mainstream. These ideas include new technology such as wireless charging to make fueling more accessible. However until this infrastructure is implemented these new forms of fuel will have trouble competing in the consumer market.
Technology like novel fuel types have the potential to shape society as a whole. As this technology becomes more prominent society will have to evolve to accommodate this type of innovation so that people can take advantage of the benefits of these devices. Even before this technology becomes accepted society will change implementing the infrastructure that is required to make it acceptable to everyone who can take advantage of these new tools.
Reference:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10122072-54.html?tag=mncol;txt
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Journal 14, November 29th
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-10404450-17.html?tag=mncol;txt
According to a study by two Swiss human rights organizations, the Trial and Pro Juventute, a number of video games portray acts that in real life would be considered war crimes and violate international human rights laws. The study was interested in discovering if playing these games would make a person more inclined to break international law including International Humanitarian Law, the basics of International Human Rights Law, and International Criminal Law. The study involved allowing a group of young gamers to play twenty different games while supervised by three attorneys to identify if any actions the game players were making would be illegal in a real world setting. The conductors of the study said that it was not their intent to ban the games or alter them in any way but to work with developers in order to insure that future games would take international human rights into consideration before releasing them to the public. The study revealed that shooter games were the most prominent genre to neglect current human rights laws in their representation of realistic scenarios. Without any type of standard for including inhumane acts such as desecrating monuments, harming civilians, and torture gamers are allowed to experience actions that would be severely punished even in times of war. The groups who organized the study recommend that developers take special care to avoid allowing players to violate international human rights even in a game setting and in areas that reflect times of war and battle scenes.
Even though games have a notorious record for exposing players to violent and often criminal situations there is little evidence to support that this exposure correlates to the players' actions outside of the game. It has been cited on multiple occasions that games like movies are a form of creative expression that cannot be stifled due to freedom of expression rights. This however does not mean that a developer is unable to relay its message without the depiction of war crimes. There is more than one way to tell a story and there is often a perfectly acceptable way that does not allow the breaking of international law in a game setting.
Reference:
http://allpsych.com/journal/violentmedia.html
According to a study by two Swiss human rights organizations, the Trial and Pro Juventute, a number of video games portray acts that in real life would be considered war crimes and violate international human rights laws. The study was interested in discovering if playing these games would make a person more inclined to break international law including International Humanitarian Law, the basics of International Human Rights Law, and International Criminal Law. The study involved allowing a group of young gamers to play twenty different games while supervised by three attorneys to identify if any actions the game players were making would be illegal in a real world setting. The conductors of the study said that it was not their intent to ban the games or alter them in any way but to work with developers in order to insure that future games would take international human rights into consideration before releasing them to the public. The study revealed that shooter games were the most prominent genre to neglect current human rights laws in their representation of realistic scenarios. Without any type of standard for including inhumane acts such as desecrating monuments, harming civilians, and torture gamers are allowed to experience actions that would be severely punished even in times of war. The groups who organized the study recommend that developers take special care to avoid allowing players to violate international human rights even in a game setting and in areas that reflect times of war and battle scenes.
Even though games have a notorious record for exposing players to violent and often criminal situations there is little evidence to support that this exposure correlates to the players' actions outside of the game. It has been cited on multiple occasions that games like movies are a form of creative expression that cannot be stifled due to freedom of expression rights. This however does not mean that a developer is unable to relay its message without the depiction of war crimes. There is more than one way to tell a story and there is often a perfectly acceptable way that does not allow the breaking of international law in a game setting.
Reference:
http://allpsych.com/journal/violentmedia.html
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Journal 13, November 22nd
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/22/technology/22distracted.html?_r=1&ref=technology
Technology has recently surfaced that will disable cellphones while the owner is driving. The purpose of this new gadgetry is to attempt to reduce accident rates due to driver negligence while using cellphones while on the road. Instead of just turning off the cellphone which requires the user going against human nature and their developed addiction to the device the cellphone is rendered inactive as soon as the car starts moving. This insures that the driver will remain focused on the road without having to fear being interrupted by a call or text message. This technology works by using the phone's GPS to estimate the car's speed and there by only activate the phone when the vehicle is off the road. This latest form of technology is currently being evaluated in relation to the increasingly popular hands-free option which also attempts to provide for the safer use of cellphones in cars. Currently prominent companies such as Ford and Microsoft have backed hands-free technology by implementing systems that use features such as voice dialing and reading text messages aloud. While hands-free technology can assist drivers remain focused while placing calls some insurance companies are wary if benefits can last once the driver has become engrossed in the conversation. Though hands-free methods have been put to good use recently consumers and companies have started to consider safer alternatives such the call blocking technology. Recently Community Coffee a firm based out of Baton Rouge implemented this technology in 400 of their trucks and saw a 30% decrease in accident rates. Due to these and similar results insurance companies are starting to offer benefits for customers that agree to use this technology in their vehicles. If the technology can catch on it can decrease accident rates while decreasing the costs of automobile insurance.
This technology provides obvious benefits in the way of safety while driving. If drivers start to use new gadgets like this there is sure to be a drop in accident rates. While hand-free technology allows users to more safely access their phones it does factor in the lack of focus once the driver is on the phone even if the call is hands-free. People are incapable of focusing on two separate activities that require attention and this call blocking technology solves that problem. Unfortunately in the world of today most people rely on up to date information for their everyday lives including receiving information about their jobs and possibly even emergency information. If someone is on the road for quite a bit they will miss that information and be unable to properly respond until they get off the road. This technology has its pros and cons but surely can provide some benefits for drivers who want to stay focused but unable to otherwise.
Reference:
http://www.newsdial.com/technology/communication/cell-phone-statistics.html
Technology has recently surfaced that will disable cellphones while the owner is driving. The purpose of this new gadgetry is to attempt to reduce accident rates due to driver negligence while using cellphones while on the road. Instead of just turning off the cellphone which requires the user going against human nature and their developed addiction to the device the cellphone is rendered inactive as soon as the car starts moving. This insures that the driver will remain focused on the road without having to fear being interrupted by a call or text message. This technology works by using the phone's GPS to estimate the car's speed and there by only activate the phone when the vehicle is off the road. This latest form of technology is currently being evaluated in relation to the increasingly popular hands-free option which also attempts to provide for the safer use of cellphones in cars. Currently prominent companies such as Ford and Microsoft have backed hands-free technology by implementing systems that use features such as voice dialing and reading text messages aloud. While hands-free technology can assist drivers remain focused while placing calls some insurance companies are wary if benefits can last once the driver has become engrossed in the conversation. Though hands-free methods have been put to good use recently consumers and companies have started to consider safer alternatives such the call blocking technology. Recently Community Coffee a firm based out of Baton Rouge implemented this technology in 400 of their trucks and saw a 30% decrease in accident rates. Due to these and similar results insurance companies are starting to offer benefits for customers that agree to use this technology in their vehicles. If the technology can catch on it can decrease accident rates while decreasing the costs of automobile insurance.
This technology provides obvious benefits in the way of safety while driving. If drivers start to use new gadgets like this there is sure to be a drop in accident rates. While hand-free technology allows users to more safely access their phones it does factor in the lack of focus once the driver is on the phone even if the call is hands-free. People are incapable of focusing on two separate activities that require attention and this call blocking technology solves that problem. Unfortunately in the world of today most people rely on up to date information for their everyday lives including receiving information about their jobs and possibly even emergency information. If someone is on the road for quite a bit they will miss that information and be unable to properly respond until they get off the road. This technology has its pros and cons but surely can provide some benefits for drivers who want to stay focused but unable to otherwise.
Reference:
http://www.newsdial.com/technology/communication/cell-phone-statistics.html
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Journal 12, November 15th
http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-10398073-245.html?tag=newsLeadStoriesArea.1
Recently a number of technologists from prominent organizations and businesses such as NASA, Google, Microsoft, the World Bank, and others met at the first Random Hacks of Kindness event to discuss and present new technologies that could be used in case of disaster. Coders from the various attendees worked for two days on developing ways that technology could be used to help solve real-world problems especially when traditional methods of communication and response are rendered unavailable. The participants worked on a number of tools that took advantage of technologies such as social networking sites like Twitter and apps for mobile devices for easily sharing information that could not be communicated otherwise. Other projects included utilizing digital maps in order to help locate those in need of aid. First place went to a team mainly formed of people from NASA that created an app that would notify a designated group of people to tell them the user was safe with a single button. Previously NASA coders have created a tool that could be used to take pictures in order to inform authorities of the status of each area affected by disaster such as the location of wildfires. NASA has also stated that it would like to share data obtained from various satellites and other data collecting tools. Officials hope that experts will be able to put these resources to good use by designing programs and applications that could be put to good use in case of emergency. The organizers of the Random Hacks of Kindness event will be the start of a technological community focused on bigger picture problems that affect everyone. The next event will take place just next year in Washington DC.
This event is an excellent example of what the field of technology can offer the people of the world especially when rivals of industry work together in order to help make sure the world is prepared for what ever disaster it may face. With the use of technology the world can become a much safer place where people can be equipped to handle any situation that might occur. This gathering of technology professionals is a great start to a community that can help make this world a safer place for al that live in it.
Reference:
http://radar.oreilly.com/2009/10/random-hacks-of-kindness-disas.html
Recently a number of technologists from prominent organizations and businesses such as NASA, Google, Microsoft, the World Bank, and others met at the first Random Hacks of Kindness event to discuss and present new technologies that could be used in case of disaster. Coders from the various attendees worked for two days on developing ways that technology could be used to help solve real-world problems especially when traditional methods of communication and response are rendered unavailable. The participants worked on a number of tools that took advantage of technologies such as social networking sites like Twitter and apps for mobile devices for easily sharing information that could not be communicated otherwise. Other projects included utilizing digital maps in order to help locate those in need of aid. First place went to a team mainly formed of people from NASA that created an app that would notify a designated group of people to tell them the user was safe with a single button. Previously NASA coders have created a tool that could be used to take pictures in order to inform authorities of the status of each area affected by disaster such as the location of wildfires. NASA has also stated that it would like to share data obtained from various satellites and other data collecting tools. Officials hope that experts will be able to put these resources to good use by designing programs and applications that could be put to good use in case of emergency. The organizers of the Random Hacks of Kindness event will be the start of a technological community focused on bigger picture problems that affect everyone. The next event will take place just next year in Washington DC.
This event is an excellent example of what the field of technology can offer the people of the world especially when rivals of industry work together in order to help make sure the world is prepared for what ever disaster it may face. With the use of technology the world can become a much safer place where people can be equipped to handle any situation that might occur. This gathering of technology professionals is a great start to a community that can help make this world a safer place for al that live in it.
Reference:
http://radar.oreilly.com/2009/10/random-hacks-of-kindness-disas.html
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Journal 11, November 8th
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/does-technology-reduce-social-isolation/?ref=technology
According to a recent survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project the average American's social circle today is smaller today than twenty years ago but new technology such as social networking sites and cell phones are not to blame. Based on a telephone survey that polled 2512 adults residing in the continental United States, the Pew discovered that in fact people who use digital technologies on a regular bases are more likely to frequent social sites such as parks and cafes and are participate in local organizations. On the contrary the study indicated that people today are less likely to know their neighbors and interact with them compared to before the use of these technologies. To gather this information Pew asked questions that would usurp previous findings that linked the use of digital technologies to social isolation. Although the Pew did agree with other studies about the average number of intimate friendships dropping from three in 1985 to 2 the Pew found that only six percent of people thought they had no one they could confide in which is not a significant increase. In addition the survey revealed that users of mobile phones tend to have a twelve percent larger circle of friends compared to those who do not use cell phones. Also the Pew was able to confirm that people's social circles in America are becoming less diverse but those who do utilize digital technologies participate in more diverse groups than nonusers. Finally as to be expected people still prefer face-to-face communication when interacting with friends and family members.
It is obvious that new technology has created many different opportunities to communicate with friends and family but it is the user's choice when deciding how to put that technology to good use. Technology such as cell phones and social networking site give people an excellent chance to stay in touch but if they do not use it to do so they are not taking advantage of its full potential. These technologies are only the start of a social process that brings people together. After they get in touch it is up to the individual to go out and interact with the rest of the world.
Reference:
http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/18--Social-Isolation-and-New-Technology.aspx
According to a recent survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project the average American's social circle today is smaller today than twenty years ago but new technology such as social networking sites and cell phones are not to blame. Based on a telephone survey that polled 2512 adults residing in the continental United States, the Pew discovered that in fact people who use digital technologies on a regular bases are more likely to frequent social sites such as parks and cafes and are participate in local organizations. On the contrary the study indicated that people today are less likely to know their neighbors and interact with them compared to before the use of these technologies. To gather this information Pew asked questions that would usurp previous findings that linked the use of digital technologies to social isolation. Although the Pew did agree with other studies about the average number of intimate friendships dropping from three in 1985 to 2 the Pew found that only six percent of people thought they had no one they could confide in which is not a significant increase. In addition the survey revealed that users of mobile phones tend to have a twelve percent larger circle of friends compared to those who do not use cell phones. Also the Pew was able to confirm that people's social circles in America are becoming less diverse but those who do utilize digital technologies participate in more diverse groups than nonusers. Finally as to be expected people still prefer face-to-face communication when interacting with friends and family members.
It is obvious that new technology has created many different opportunities to communicate with friends and family but it is the user's choice when deciding how to put that technology to good use. Technology such as cell phones and social networking site give people an excellent chance to stay in touch but if they do not use it to do so they are not taking advantage of its full potential. These technologies are only the start of a social process that brings people together. After they get in touch it is up to the individual to go out and interact with the rest of the world.
Reference:
http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/18--Social-Isolation-and-New-Technology.aspx
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Journal 10, November 1st
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/01/business/01proto.html?_r=2&ref=technology
Recently businesses have taken the lead of software designers, sharing their ideas for green innovation through open source patents. Through the sharing of green initiatives companies will be able to share what they have discovered while not jeopardizing their positions in the competitive market. Due to the fact that green solutions do not directly tie into a company's business practices there is little risk that sharing these new ideas will hold negative consequences. Also these new methods for maintaining a green and sustainable business can be utilized across all types of industry. Therefore companies can feel free to share their in house technology with other industries without fear of competition. Once this practice of having open patents get started more and more companies will participate as soon as they realize the potential. Soon there will be communities built where businesses can share ideas and track who is using who's ideas. If this practice is accepted companies will be able to take advantage of a free flow of ideas, all meant to create a green society that can be sustained for years to come. There are many incentives for sharing technology for the companies as well. For letting other businesses use their patents companies can collect annual fees making a little extra money for their innovation and generosity. Even though this novel idea has many benefits it does not coincide with the normal manner of patents. Without proper authorization and preparation, participating businesses could be penalized for infringement on patents.
Even though this idea does not follow the traditional way of doing business it is an excellent way for companies to contribute to the advancement of green technology and in the process gain advantages that they never had before. As with the open source movement in software development, collaboration between companies pertaining to green technology is a great way to contribute to the field and help develop new techniques that would have not have been possible any other way. With these new business practices firms can start to interact as the rest of the world already has using modern technology and can start to work together to create a sustainable environment that we can all benefit from.
Reference:
http://sciencecommons.org/projects/greenxchange/
Recently businesses have taken the lead of software designers, sharing their ideas for green innovation through open source patents. Through the sharing of green initiatives companies will be able to share what they have discovered while not jeopardizing their positions in the competitive market. Due to the fact that green solutions do not directly tie into a company's business practices there is little risk that sharing these new ideas will hold negative consequences. Also these new methods for maintaining a green and sustainable business can be utilized across all types of industry. Therefore companies can feel free to share their in house technology with other industries without fear of competition. Once this practice of having open patents get started more and more companies will participate as soon as they realize the potential. Soon there will be communities built where businesses can share ideas and track who is using who's ideas. If this practice is accepted companies will be able to take advantage of a free flow of ideas, all meant to create a green society that can be sustained for years to come. There are many incentives for sharing technology for the companies as well. For letting other businesses use their patents companies can collect annual fees making a little extra money for their innovation and generosity. Even though this novel idea has many benefits it does not coincide with the normal manner of patents. Without proper authorization and preparation, participating businesses could be penalized for infringement on patents.
Even though this idea does not follow the traditional way of doing business it is an excellent way for companies to contribute to the advancement of green technology and in the process gain advantages that they never had before. As with the open source movement in software development, collaboration between companies pertaining to green technology is a great way to contribute to the field and help develop new techniques that would have not have been possible any other way. With these new business practices firms can start to interact as the rest of the world already has using modern technology and can start to work together to create a sustainable environment that we can all benefit from.
Reference:
http://sciencecommons.org/projects/greenxchange/
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Journal 9, October 25th
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10381355-266.html
Last Thursday the Federal Communications Commission unanimously voted to begin the process to create regulations in order to preserve the internet as an open form of communication. Although in favor of gathering research, Republican Attwell Baker does not see much point in specific rules because she believes there is little threat to internet openness. Leading up to the vote there was much debate on the subject with principle web companies like Google and upstarts agreeing that the internet's openness be preserved with prominent internet service providers were wary of intrusive regulation. Phone companies like AT&T and Verizon are fearful that the new regulation will target mostly network traffic causing higher costs and hassle to the companies responsible for handling that traffic. The new policies would prevent ISPs from viewing data sent on their network for any reason. This includes illegal activities such as pirated software and other unlawful uses of the companies' network. In addition to letting illegal activities go unnoticed the new policies would make it impossible for ISPs to increase efficiency by sorting data by type to allow for faster processing of data. While ISPs announce their disdain of the proposed plan open advocacy groups like the Open Internet Coalition, Public Knowledge, and Free Press are praising the FCC for their decision.
This decision is an important milestone in the history of the internet. Rarely has the United States enacted any policy to regulate or otherwise affect the internet. At least in the United States the internet has acted as a platform where free speech can flourish with minimal meddling by the government or anyone else who might choose to impede that right. Hopefully these new policies from the FCC will continue this tradition so that the internet can remain a safe-haven for free expression and wont be the start of a trend to regulate a once free space.
Reference:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/172371/fccs_net_neutrality_plan_draws_fast_fire.html
Last Thursday the Federal Communications Commission unanimously voted to begin the process to create regulations in order to preserve the internet as an open form of communication. Although in favor of gathering research, Republican Attwell Baker does not see much point in specific rules because she believes there is little threat to internet openness. Leading up to the vote there was much debate on the subject with principle web companies like Google and upstarts agreeing that the internet's openness be preserved with prominent internet service providers were wary of intrusive regulation. Phone companies like AT&T and Verizon are fearful that the new regulation will target mostly network traffic causing higher costs and hassle to the companies responsible for handling that traffic. The new policies would prevent ISPs from viewing data sent on their network for any reason. This includes illegal activities such as pirated software and other unlawful uses of the companies' network. In addition to letting illegal activities go unnoticed the new policies would make it impossible for ISPs to increase efficiency by sorting data by type to allow for faster processing of data. While ISPs announce their disdain of the proposed plan open advocacy groups like the Open Internet Coalition, Public Knowledge, and Free Press are praising the FCC for their decision.
This decision is an important milestone in the history of the internet. Rarely has the United States enacted any policy to regulate or otherwise affect the internet. At least in the United States the internet has acted as a platform where free speech can flourish with minimal meddling by the government or anyone else who might choose to impede that right. Hopefully these new policies from the FCC will continue this tradition so that the internet can remain a safe-haven for free expression and wont be the start of a trend to regulate a once free space.
Reference:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/172371/fccs_net_neutrality_plan_draws_fast_fire.html
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