Browsing Tag

technology

Breaking News: Limes are for drinks, not P2P File Sharing

It’s time to uninstall Limewire, folks.

“As a result of a court-ordered injunction, we are required to disable ‘the searching, downloading, uploading, file trading and/or file distribution functionality, and/or all functionality; of LimeWire’s P2P file-sharing software”, reports a Limewire spokeswoman.

The Social Network prompted many people to reminisce about Sean Parker’s launch of Napster. Once his software faced lawsuits, Limewire’s green icon found a place on my desktop and has sat there since the early 2000’s.

Now Internet users must find alternate sources for downloading their favourite shows and music. University students enjoy peer-to-peer file sharing on campus using programs like DC++ and Shakespeer, while millions of others seem content listening to songs on YouTube.

Steve Jobs must be thrilled about the potential boost iTunes sales will have as a result.

FULL STORY

October 26, 2010 by

No Apple Care for me. I’m a PC.

School’s back in session, but this blogger’s computer is still in repair!

Here’s what happened in the last few weeks: I turned nineteen, moved back to London, and then downloaded Facebook Mobile, something I said I’d never do. But as someone majoring in media studies and enrolled in a course called ‘The Brief History of Social Networking’, downloading it seemed like the natural thing to do, considering the circumstances. It’ll be the first thing to delete off my phone once I pick up my laptop next week.

Nevertheless, I am still determined to never watch Gossip Girl, no matter how often I overhear my roommate following the lives of Blair and Serena. I’ll admit that I enjoyed reading the series’ prequel, but that’s where I drew the line. I just hope Blake Lively doesn’t lose sight of the genuinely friendly, down-to-earth girl she was when I met her at a movie premiere six years ago.

Despite weekly updates from Rescue Time (which tracks your online habits), my lack of computer access has also emphasized how much time we waste casually browsing the Internet. One minute you’re checking your e-mail, and then suddenly you come across an interesting news article or click a link in someone’s tweet, without acknowledging how time consuming this process becomes. Outside of keeping up with current events courtesy of The Globe and Mail’s mobile app, I’ve also had time to read two fantastic books: plus size model Crystal Renn’s autobiography, Hungry, and The Secret Life of Bees.

I’ve also been listening to new music releases on MuchMusic and MTV and adding to my list of albums and singles to download. You can be sure Brandon Flowers’ Crossfire album is on that list, in addition to Kings of Leon and Goo Goo Dolls. Hopefully they won’t be as disappointing as Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream record. Her latest two singles may be catchy, but the rest of the album was a letdown and not what I was expecting from her follow up to One of the Boys.

September 22, 2010 by

Tales of a Telemarketer

Remember the 90’s, i.e. that time before Facebook took over? One of my most memorable bookmarked pages is a list of funny answering machine messages. Over ten years later, I listen to them almost every night. Last week I was greeted by “Machine? Yes. Human? No. Message please” and someone else admitted that they “sold out to technology” by investing in a voicemail service. How long ago do you suppose they recorded that message? It’s rather outdated for 2010.

For a telemarketer like myself, I’ll admit that it’s refreshing when people try to be creative. Tonight’s pick belongs to “It rings. It beeps. You talk.” – short and snappy, the way it should be.

Meanwhile, another fellah who reminded me of Mr. Rogers belted out a cheery tune about being unable to pick up. I can only imagine what American Idol auditions would be like if they didn’t set an age limit. I wonder if CTV considered that as a last straw before pulling the plug on the Canadian version last year: Canadian Idol goes Over the Hill.

Also, to all the parents who think their youngster is absolutely adorable and should be the household’s spokesperson, send a postcard or a holiday newsletter. Better yet, go green and make it an e-card with a cute photo.

Hallmark also offers a voice greeting feature in many of their cards now. So sing your loved one a happy birthday, but please hold off on bursting into song every time you can’t make it to the phone.

As for availability, when you’re taking a bath, please don’t feel obligated to pick up. This would be an excellent time to make use of an automated greeting.

Speaking clearly into a microphone can take practice. On that note, I wish all the best to everyone at Centauri delivering Inspiration Challenges this summer!

July 13, 2010 by

A Name is Not a Number

After re-watching Up in the Air, I realized that it is such a powerful film because it emphasizes how frequently people are undervalued. Corporations need to make cutbacks in order to stay afloat, but rarely have time to give personal attention to their terminated employees. People aren’t numbers, they matter. My high school classmates like to joke about how each of us was another statistic who was accepted to their top choice universities, but beyond that, we are all individuals.

Prom season is upon us again. I wonder how many seniors are ranking their friends on a scale of 1 to 10. I remember everyone whispering to their friends about who looks surprisingly decent in a suit and which girl in a mini dress looks the hottest. Then once everyone uploads their photos, the rating process continues. Some people are taken, others are suddenly higher in demand and majority are scrutinized solely based on appearance.

How I Met Your Mother also effectively portrays how judgmental we all are. One night in McLaren’s, Barney draws the Hot-Crazy scale and explains that hot girls are more likely to be nuts. Maybe that’s why employers become disappointed with their workers – sometimes people are hired based on looks rather than their resume. Regardless of whether they are willing to admit it, Abercrombie stores hire models because sex sells and modelling agencies hire salespeople. Far too many agencies are paying representatives to tell potential clients that they are beautiful in order to make a nice profit. Their intention is that the young and naive will be so satisfied with their boosted ego, that spending over $1000 on a beauty and runway boot camp (which will likely bring them little success) seems like no big deal.

Finally, Up in the Air is really great because it examines how face-to-face communication cannot always be replaced by machines. After accompanying George Clooney’s character across America to tell people they’ve been let go, the optimistic recent grad realizes why telling people ‘it sucks to be you’ shouldn’t be done on a Skype date. Technology is no doubt taking over our lives, but there needs to be a limit.

May 31, 2010 by