Objectified (1 of 15)

This is the trailer for a documentary about design and the process behind achieving good design. It is appropriately enough named for the objects themselves--Objectified. Gary Hustwit is the director. He is also the director of 'Helvetica'--a whole documentary about a typeface. (which was pretty good despite common sense)
The trailer looks good. It seems the main focus is on "clean". The shots, sounds, composition, and Helevetica font(whaddya know?) add to the minimal, clean look of the cinematography and ultimately to the message of the movie--good design. I plan to watch and this review this movie in depth in a series of 14 posts. I've seen bits and pieces online on Youtube and so far from what I can gather it seems to be right up the alley of this class. If I can procure a copy, I will post it on my blog for referential sake but I will be as descriptive as possible during each of my segment reviews.

DIY laptop stands

Article: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/tech-transport/cheapest-diy-laptop-stands.html

Yes, these laptop stands are very cool. But I won't dwell too much on that. Let me share my story. I have a Dell M1330. It blows hard. Its honestly one of the worst computers I could have. Maybe I'm exaggerating, but it still sucks. One problem that is rampant with my Dell and many other laptop is over heating. Hence the laptop stand or laptop fan or laptop cooling device. It seems like an accessory that should be unnecessary. If anything, an overheating problem with a laptop is sign of bad laptop design.

A lot of these laptop stands are very simple consisting of four bottle caps or wine works to prop it up. If this is the case, why not laptop makers design elevated laptops to avoid this whole problem to begin with? Because there is money to be made by selling people stands, fans, and cooling devices. That's why.

Wireless Energy Transfer

Is the process that takes place in any system where electrical energy is transmitted from a power source to an electrical load, without interconnecting wires. Wireless transmission is useful in cases where instantaneous or continuous energy transfer is needed.

Moving to wireless is nothing new. The most prominent example is wireless internet. But there also is wireless remotes, controllers, phones, etc. So the gist is clear. People do not like wires. This technology allows for basically anything that has to be plugged in to not have plug. I won't be surprised if I see this technology as commonplace as cell phones in the not too distant future.

HP Touch Smart

HP TouchSmart is a series of tablet PC laptops and touchscreen all-in-one desktop computers designed by HP.

Touch screens. I don't like them, and I think ever will. Touch screen seems to be the next logical advancement of screens, but in actuality it isn't or at least shouldn't. Users have been raised on keyboards. This isnt simply limited to computers but also typewriters. Keyboards are tactile. A button is actually pressed to display information. Touch screens lack that feel. This invokes a different sensation of the user. From a usability standpoint, a touchscreen needs to revolutionize the way we type if it wants to introduce a new peripheral. Think of the iPod touch/scroll wheel. It has never been seen before, but it was widely accepted because exactly that: it was never seen before and it revolutionized the handheld. So far, touch screens emulate keyboard. BIG MISTAKE. Touch screens will never enter the realm of the keyboard. To be successful, its needs to be its own new thing.

I also heard people dissatisfaction with touch screens because their arms get tired. Stop being lazy is what I say. Move more. Touch screens are not asking you give up your sedentary lifestyle. All it is asking is to move your hand a little bit.

Augmented reality

Augmented reality is a term for a live direct or indirect view of a physical real-world environment whose elements are merged with (or augmented by) virtual computer-generated imagery - creating a mixed reality. The augmentation is conventionally in real-time and in semantic context with environmental elements, like for example sports scores on TV during a match. With the help of advanced AR technology (e.g. adding computer vision and object recognition) the information about the surrounding real world of the user becomes interactive and digitally usable. Artificial information about the environment and the objects in it can be stored and retrieved as an information layer on top of the real world view.

I think this is the future in "virtual reality". The typical image of a helmet and nintendo power gloves is a thing of the past. Augmented reality incorporates human's natural sensing abilities with technology rather than replacing them completely. If this is the future, I ponder what the future of the future holds. I guess that would be the future. I suppose instead of being displayed on iPods. I see a pair of glasses with this programming installed. I see governments handing these glasses to tourists. Instant tour guide. That's just one idea.

Lattitude

Google Latitude is a location-aware mobile app developed by Google. Latitude allows a mobile phone user to allow certain people on to track their location. Via their own iGoogle accounts, the user's cell phone location is mapped on Google Maps. The user can control the accuracy and details of what each of the other users can see — an exact location can be allowed, or it can be limited to identifying the city only.

In lecture, this application has been mentioned, but not by name. I think this is a very useful application. My only concern was privacy. There are times when someone wants to be low-key. Of course, the geniuses of Google have worked that in. Honestly, I dont have an earth-shattering or vaguely interesting opinion about this other than an overwhelmingly positive one. Google has done it again.

I would like to comment on the integration of technology into a social relationships. Usually, technology like cell phones or iPods are a social crutch and hinder interactions. This application brings people together literally. Real interaction is a lot better than fake "facebook interaction"(the illusion of interaction) This is good.

City of the future

The Future of cities is a favorite topic of mine.

As telecommunications and technology changes how we live our lives, it is not inconceivable to think that in the near future, we will control every aspect of our world via social media and personal devices. No longer only found in science-fiction, smart-devices and mobile communications are part of everyday life and they can only get more advanced.

Our lives will be even more integrated with technology that even the simplest thing such as talking a walk wont be without its technological aid.

Below is a graphic that goes a little more in depth. Courtesy: America Infrastructure

Steam punk

Steampunk is the mating of technology and romance, breeding some of the most intriguing gadget’s and art you’ve ever seen. It’s cool and brass-clad sexy. With a post apocalyptic type of rebellion, Steampunk enthusiast mod almost everything you can imagine and then some. This amazing urban art movement was birthed on the internet, so it’s no wonder hi-tech hardware hackers are romancing technology with a Victorian passion, yearning for the aesthetic realm of The Time That Never Happened; Steampunk – where the future meets the past.

The above description sums up what Steam-punk is. In brief, I like it. In a previous post, I mentioned my affinity for Photoshop manipulation and digital art. I want to make a distinction between digital art and art in the digital world. I feel that Steam punk is a wonderful example of the latter. Art in a digital can be but not usually as simple as paint on a canvas. I feel that art in a digital world needs to be as interactive as the digital world. This requisite did not exist in Van Gogh's time, but it does now. Art in the digital world needs to engage the viewer in the same way a website would. The question is Are artists able to meet the new and demanding challenge? I like to think so.

For other steam punk designs: http://weburbanist.com/2009/11/04/mods-26-sexy-steampunk-hi-tech-hacks/

Secret Knock detector

Steve Hoefer has taken his microcontroller and, along with a piezoelectric speaker, a gear reduction motor, and some PVC pipe, programmed it to listen for a preset sequence of knocks -- a secret knock, if you will -- and unlock the deadbolt upon hearing the right combination.

Upon seeing this, I was wowed. This is really cool. Actually, anything DIY is pretty cool. This happens to be exceptionally cool. But to be a wet blanket, I don't know if I want this to be the security device in my house. All it can take is someone listening in and the essentially have a key. If there was a voice detection key, that would be much more secure. Anyways, I would install this in my room door but certainly not on my front door.

Interpol - Heinrich Maneuver

From Wikipedia:

"The video for "The Heinrich Maneuver" was released on June 26, 2007. It is a single take of the main character, a woman in a white dress, shown in extreme slow motion applying lipstick and walking towards her demise, being hit by a bus. This overlays three other characters whose reactions to the event unfold in a mixture of speed altered motion, initially proceeding forward and then reversing. A man taking out his cellphone, a vogue lady screaming, and a waiter running to the scene. The woman featured unwittingly walks in front of a moving bus whose impact is cut short by the screen turning black as the song's outro is cut short."

This is a pretty old song that I by chance came across again. It's a good one. I would like to talk about the music video. The first time I saw it I just thought it was odd. Upon seeing it again, I think its absolutely genius. Not only the concept of a people stuck in different time lines very interesting, there also is another element that makes this video great. Basically, its one very slow take. This allows for the view to actually listen to the song. Often, music videos are quite distracting to those who want to listen to the song. A new trend is to make mini-movies for music videos. I don't immediately eschew this idea, but its about the music and not the video.

Embedding disbabled-

-Link to the original video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GpcrxlSNU8

Photoshop

“Photoshop manipulation is the process of image editing techniques to photographs in order to create an illusion or deception, through digital means.”

Personally, I consider Photoshop Manipulation to be the best art form of the digital age. If executed well, Photoshop gives amazingly powerful results and can be a lot of fun at the same time. Photoshop art does not discriminate. Photoshop skill can be learned. Artistic talent cannot. This of course comes makes digital art less valuable then let's say a traditional painting. There is a degree of talent involved with Photoshop, but that more deals with the overall design.

Print Ads

Print adverts need to get a message across with a single image and without the recourse of interactivity that we find today on the Internet.

As interactive media expands, attention spans are getting shorter and shorter every day.

For any company trying to get their product or service out in print format, the task is ever more challenging and difficult.

Humorous ads remain one of the few effective ways to engage an audience in a very saturated advertising market. This is an area where the audience is far more receptive and still willing to pay attention.

The future of the internet

The last post about the history of the internet had me thinking about the future. The future of the internet specifically. So where is the future of the Internet headed ?

First , is there a difference between the Internet and the Web? If we look back to the origin we see that cooperation between universities was the intention and driving force .That is the spirit of Internet. The spirit of the Web is more common commercialization and interests .

It is natural that progress will be made both on the Internet and on the Web . Bigger , faster and more complex tech for advanced software . It is the HW tech that sets the boundaries for what can be done. But already there is very much that can be done with time and money.

Also travelling to Mars will make an impact on Internet/WWWeb. Communication will be further advanced and more sophisticated.

The commercial forces will want to enroll more and more people into WWW economy and that might be a good thing. Whats the difference between working on the WWWeb and the labor market – should there be a difference? No need to worry if the difference is a good difference. But yes, can government allow WWW to control the making of daily bread?

So much to know. So much to remember . So many fascilities and tools and machines and programs and levels and dimensions and matrix´s and codes and versions and upgrades it isn´t at all strange people wonder in awe .But I believe in the systemstructure to keep the train on the track and if I am wrong we can make it right

The History of the Internet in a Nutshell

Article: http://sixrevisions.com/resources/the-history-of-the-internet-in-a-nutshell/

This was a very interesting article. For me and most of my peers, the internet began in 1990 when we were born. I recall connecting to America OnLine via a phone line. That is the history of the internet. I wasn't aware that the wheels were in motion back in 1969. Knowing the history of the internet is important. Knowing history in general is important. We can learn from not only the mistakes but from brilliance and innovation. The latter is definitely a requisite in the tech field. Be a follower or be a leader. Get busy livin' or Get busy dying. That's damn right. Sorry., I recently watched Shawshank

Video: Emerging City Innovation

Since 2007, most of the world's population lives in cities. How can we make sure these urban centers are good homes for humanity? Cities from Bogota and Rio de Janeiro to Seoul are leading the way, using fresh ideas to reduce pollution and waste; provide efficient, clean transportation; and support biodiversity.

Besides making cities smarter, it’s important to make them safe. Citizens that live in unsafe neighborhoods have little motivation to bike more than 5 blocks away from their house. On a personal note, I would love to bike or use the bus to get to work or school, by all means I would love to sell my car, I truly hate that thing But my options aren't that great in Indianapolis. This city is very spread out and biking doesn't seem like a feasible option in the winter. My obligations are all over town and having a car is the most convenient. But these new city have yet to be designed and having a smart city plan is a step towards sustainability.

Ad fight

A series of ads by AT&T and Verizon firing back. The very successful "There's an app for that" flaunting the iPhone's capability. Followed by Verizon's clever rebuttal "There's a map for that."

At lastly, the last ad I want to focus on. First of all, Luke Wilson got fat. Second of all, this is awful. It looks like it was thrown together. It was not as carefully crafted as the first two commercials. The message is effective, but delivery of that message that matters.

It's not the message. It's the medium.

Chrome OS

Article: http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE5AI4UQ20091120?rpc=64

"New Google Inc software will start up a computer as fast as a television can be turned on, the search company said on Thursday as it showed off its Chrome operating system designed for PCs that do their work on the Web."

Needless to say, I'm excited. I'm a big Google fan. I find their free products are very useful and to see them venture in the domain of Microsoft and Apple is quite invigorating. Well, this isn't a David and Goliath type situation unless David was just as tall as Goliath then maybe, but still this is unchartered waters for Google.

The reason for being adventurous was pointed out in the article: Google Chrome OS is more web-oriented and "MORE WEB USE DRIVES MORE GOOGLE ADS".

The only problem I forsee for Google was the recent release of Snow Leopard and Windows 7. If consumers just dropped upwards of $200 for a new OS they may less likely to switch again albeit to a free OS.

With problems ahead, I admire Google taking proactive steps to expanding itself versus remaining complacent.

Automatic Captions on YT

Article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8369941.stm

"YouTube's parent company Google has announced on its blog that automatic captions are to begin to roll out across the site."

This is great. The spirit of the Internet (esp. the open source movement, wikipedia) is the progression of knowledge and freedom. This is a step in the direction of universal accessibility. The internet is far ahead of television when it comes to closed captioning. Of course, it was a different time during the advent of television and disability rights didn't exist. The only problem I forsee is the difficulty of putting captions on every video. The article does mention some problems with the voice recognition speech program that will eventually be ironed out. But still, my experience with voice recognition leads me to think it will never be 100% perfect.

Even though problems are on the horizon, this is a step in the right direction.

1080p and 720p YouTube

Youtube seems to be constantly upgrading and fiddling with one thing or another. Automatic captions was recently added (which I'll talk about next post). The most recent change I've seen is 1080p and 720p option on Youtube.

I must say the difference between 720 and 1080 is noticeable one. I'm noticing very fine details in 1080 that would have gone unnoticed in the 720. Ultimately, they both have clear video; it's just that 1080 is A LOT more clearer.

Don't worry, the point of this post wasn't to state the obvious that 1080 is better than 720. All I'm saying is that do we really need 1080? To be frank, how much immersive can an experience be? How much detail do we need? I'm not saying to stop development on TV technology, but all these distinctions (and stark distinctions in this case) are superfluous.

To be fair, this is all coming from a guy who's fine with an old convex screen TV.

LED Tattoos Could Make Your Skin a Screen

Article: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/11/the-illustrated-man-how-led-tattoos-could-change-the-face-of-humanity/

This is a very neat concept that may soon or later become commonplace. There will be no need for cell phones, GPS, wristwatches among other things. Basically, any accessory can be incorporated into the body with this type of technology. This will inevitable revolutionize the fashion industry. Perhaps, we are not too far from wearing one-piece silver jumpsuits like many B-movies predicted about the future.

Wall-E in Real Life: Euro-Trashbot Cleans up Italian Streets

Article:http://gajitz.com/wall-e-in-real-life-euro-trashbot-cleans-up-italian-streets/

On one hand, THIS IS COOL. On a second hand, is this practical? On a freakish mutant third hand, THIS IS COOL.

WALL-E was a good movie. I don't really see the appeal of a cautionary tale to children. I enjoyed it, but then again, I'm not a child anymore. I'm 19. I'm getting beyond myself.

Anyways, to address practical concerns, the research costs towards four millions dollars. Yes, that's a lot of money for a stupid looking robot. But you know, I feel like this is a worthwhile investment. Trash sustainability is a real concern because of the growing population. If we deal with trash in a smart way, we can set an example for our children of foresight. (something the generation before us sucks at.)

Also, this seems like the ONLY practical option for Italy. Apparently, dump trucks are not very effective in small Italian roads. We won't likely see this in America, but Italians can say good-bye to taking the trash out first thing Thursday morning.

Twitter launching paid business accounts

Article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/twitter/6635221/Twitter-launching-paid-business-accounts.html

My take on twitter: it dances on the fine line of genius and utterly stupid. I don't really understand it's popularity. I have my conjectures, but at the end of the day, its an anomaly to me. One thing I never understood was its business plan. Everything is free and there are no ads. How does it make money? Charging for 'premium' accounts seems like an obvious move that should have done months ago. But perhaps, I am underestimating the genius of Twitter yet again.

When the British came to India, they introduced tea to the culture. It was an instant hit. Upon realizing this, the British hiked up tea prices and made a killing.

Perhaps the creators of Twitter had a similar mindset of the British. They wanted to create a cultural dependency on its product before charging for a product that companies need to have.

Sneaky....sneaky.

Apple "refuses to repair smokers' Macs"

Article: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/353512/apple-refuses-to-repair-smokers-macs

The article seems to focus on Apple's side of the story which is smoking leads to cancerous residues in the computer and they don't want our workers dealing with any hazards. I can see their point of view but I'm more focused on the smoker's rights in this case. I just see this as another effort to stamp out smokers socially. Aside from that, this is a consumers' rights question., if a customer has suitable warranty, it should be honored. Apple cannot refuse service to a customer without making him or her aware and consent to any changes in warranty policies. Consumers have rights too.

Wikipedia launch among top Internet moments

Article: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/technology/news/e3ied5661580e6e68a13d980e64bc9f5637

Here is the Webby's list of the 10 most influential Internet moments of the decade:

-- Craigslist, the free classifieds site, expands outside San Francisco in 2000, impacting newspaper publishers everywhere
-- Google AdWords launched in 2000 allowing advertisers to target their customers with laser-sharp precision
-- Wikipedia, the free open-source encyclopedia, launches in 2001 and today boasts more than 14 million articles in 271 different languages and bringing strangers together on projects
-- Napster shutdown in 2001, opening the file-sharing floodgates
-- Google's IPO in 2004 put the search engine on the path to powering countless aspects of our everyday lives
-- Online video revolution in 2006 that led to a boom in homemade and professional content on the Internet and helped reshape everything from pop culture to politics
-- Facebook opens to non-college students and Twitter takes off in 2006
-- The iPhone debuts in 2007 and smartphones go from a luxury item to a necessity with an app for just about every aspect of modern life
-- U.S. presidential campaign in 2008 in which the Internet changed every facet of the way campaigns are run
-- Iranian election protests in 2009 when Twitter proved vital in organizing demonstrations and as a protest too

The one I want to focus on is Wikipedia's launch. I've heard that Wikipedia's success is thanks to top billing during mostly all Google searches. In fact, I've heard the relationship described as "Google is Wikipedia's sugar daddy." I'm not questioning that at all. I actually agree with it. I want to focus on Wikipedia's clout and credibility. When I say credibility, I don't necessarily mean accuracy. This is old issue that has been debated ad nauseum. I mean its social reputation. I remember being in high school and technology-inept teachers would scoff at the idea of anonymously editable information bank. Writing it off as inaccurate, they forbade students from ever using it.

Accepted in the tech circles, Wikipedia earning this recognition could solidify its reputation with non-techies i.e. my high school teachers and educators everywhere. This would be a huge leap for progression of knowledge.

This is what a bad idea looks like.

A product that allows a laptop to be used in car. No big deal maybe even a good idea. Used by the driver. That is a big deal and definitely a bad idea. So you might be thinking "Why?" or perhaps "How is this product safe?" Well, I have no idea why and for the safety factor, if you use it in the way depicted, it isnt. Well, it isn't meant to be used this way. Basically the AutoExec WM-01 Wheelmate as it is called is a tray that you can attach to your steering wheel on which you can easily write or use it for holding your drinks or snacks when taking a break from driving. However, people are finding it quite useful for their netbooks or laptops. The manufacturer says to never use this product while driving. But come on, let's be real here. This is like given a loaded gun to disgruntled postal worker (and just as deadly). The inevitable will happen.

But to take this issue to another level, if people really do want to operate laptops and cars simultaneously, there must be a better way. I'll leave this up to car engineers to figure out.

Not terribly thought provoking but give me a break.

Posted this one just for fun. But this made me thing of the implications of photographers. Notice I said photographers and not photography. After capturing this "unique" pose with a camera, the photographer decided to release it on the Associated Press wire. I think the photographer didn't think of Colin Powell's reputation. This made me think of history class. I recall learning that when FDR was president, no one took a photograph when he was in his wheelchair. He was always sitting in a chair with others also sitting or propped up in photographs. Very few photographs of FDR in his wheelchair exist. I think photographers back then weren't interested in humiliating someone rather showcasing someone. It really is a telling sign of our culture now and then.

Anyways, these types of celebrity-in-an-odd-pose pictures are commonplace so I don't think much damage has been done to Powell's reputation. None that he hasn't caused all ready that is.

McDonald's Changes European Logo from Red to Green

McDonald's is swapping out the red in its logo for "a deep hunter green" to tout its environmental credentials in Europe. Yet another business jumping on the "green" bandwagon. For some reason, being eco-friendly is quite popular. Perhaps it was Al Gore who set this whole thing in motion. Before An Inconvenient Truth, environmentalism was just a niche group and now after its very mainstream as you could probably tell by the swarm of "green" products and our very own McDonalds changing its iconic logo. As an environmentalist from the get-go, I question this new fad. Companies are jumping on board to capitalize on the popularity of going green for profits and are not concerned about sustainability or the planet itself.

Whether the intention of people and companies to go green is questionable, the Earth is ultimately benefiting so I'll shut up now.

Article: http://www.newstimes.com/business/article/McDonald-s-makes-its-logo-more-green-in-Europe-261897.php

Neat and a metaphor. Two in one!

From the article:

"Ever wondered what to do with all those cassette tapes gathering dust on the shelf or lying unused in old shoeboxes? Send them Brian Dettmer. Not for the first time, the Atlanta-based artist has broken the mould with a collection of 3D artworks made by breathing new life – of a sort – into discarded cultural detritus. The shells of cassette tapes make up the bones of life-sized human skeletons and animal skulls – so the new creations appear more lifeless than the media from which they are formed."

As you can tell, that is a skull. But it is not made of bone. It is actually made of old cassette tapes. Nothing is more apt than a correlation between death and obsolete technology. I like the idea of breathing new life into old things (recycling) and using things for other than their intended meaning. So I guess this is my lucky day. In the realm of art, nothing is obsolete.

Article: http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/dead-cassette-tapes-reincarnated-skeletons/17849

Now, This is a good Cell Phone ad.

So it isn't bold or innovative, but it is effective. That is the one purpose of an ad. It demonstrates to the consumer the big role a cell phone plays within our lives. Cell phones are so commonplace that most people don't give them too much thought. This ad not only reminds us of that huge impact, but also ties in the HTC branding quite organically. A cell phone can do all these things, and an HTC can do all these things for you. Very good ad from a design and marketing standpoint.

Article: "Creator of Palm Pre commercials puts pipe down long enough to defend his work."

http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/08/03/creator-of-palm-pre-commercials-puts-pipe-down-long-enough-to-defend-his-work/

I'm not the only one creeped out by the aforementioned commercial. Apparently, everyone is too. But here is the other side of that story.

Gary Koepke is the co-founder of Modernista, the agency behind the ads, and he recently defended his work in an interview with AdAge:

We weren’t trying to creep people out, but one thing I have learned now in this digital age is people can be as rude as they want as long as they don’t have to look you in the face. The Pre is probably being talked about more than other phones right now because of the marketing and advertising, and that’s a good thing. Could the ads work harder to show exactly how the phone works? Yes, but we knew it would be polarizing people to have a woman not shout at them and tell an interesting story.

It’s a very different look and feel for this sector. There’s nobody involved in an iPhone ad, and ‘Your life is on BlackBerry’ — isn’t that great? Instead of having a life? We wanted a middle ground between those two places — what about the people who want a really great smartphone?

Okay, his ads didn't go over well so this egocentric hothead is going to think other-wise. Palm Pre is being talked about? Yes it is. Because its a serious competitor to the iPhone and NOT because of the awful ad campaign. His ads did not create any more awareness about the product than there all ready way. And to top it off, he insults the consumer by calling them rude. This guy has no foresight or sight for that matter.

Palm Pre Commercial - BAD

She is creepy.

This commercial does a great job of not telling me about the phone in an effective way and manages to creep the hell out of me all at the same time. Is she naked? Why is she in a field? Why is she naked in a field? All that aside, I do appreciate the boldness of the ad agency, but boldness means nothing when the final ad isn't good. The phone may be a great phone, but I'm walking away creeped out and not intrigued like a I should be.

This comic brilliantly illustrates the point of my last post.

Stuart McMillen focuses on America in his political cartoon saying that America is closer to Brave New World than 1984. I agree, but I would like to add that if America is Brave New World. China is 1984. With that in mind, I'll let the comic speak for itself.

Spot the Difference - China's Censorship

Shifting gears to a more serious topic, take a look at a side by side comparison between a UK google search and a China google search. We've heard of China censoring unflattering information but this reveals the degree of that censorship. China is attempting to blot out information. Unfortunately for them, the suppression of education only makes the people want to be educated.

Take a look at America. It's the opposite. We have an abundance of information yet most Americans are uninformed about the most basic things about this government. If China wants its citizens uneducated, give them cable television and 90 channels of American Gladiators.

Why Tumblr is better than blogspot

Personally, I've opted for a Tumblr blog versus a website. I lack the technical skill to build an impressive website. I can build a bare bones website but seriously what's the point? There is no better way to turn off a person than an unprofessional website.

Saying Tumblr's customization options are vast is a gross understatement. I've visited other Tubmlr blogs and I haven't seen two exactly the same. Blogspot allows for customization, but its all within the confines of Blogspot. Customization is one thing, but certainly not the only thing. The ease of use with Tumblr soars over Blogspot. With Tumblr, all one has to do is write and post it. Truly simple. With blogspot, its a little difficult to manage multiple blogs attached to one account.

Tumblr's interface is sleek and simple. Blogspot is convoluted but manageable. Also, integration with other website such as facebook or flickr is a breeze with Tumblr. This is not the case with blogspot. It is possible, but not as simple.

Ultimately, I am using Blogspot at the moment, but I do so begrudgingly.

Opting for blogs instead of traditional websites

In the spirit of writing a blog, I would like to write about a trend that I've noticed within my niche interest groups. As the title suggests, a lot of people of note are opting for a blog rather than a traditional website. For example, comedian Aziz Ansari's website is actually a Tumblr blog (which I actually prefer, I'll get to that in the next post.) Here is the link: http://azizisbored.tumblr.com/

The benefits of having a blog versus a traditional website:

• Easier to update
• Part of the blogosphere (See Here:http://gizmodo.com/5251710/aziz-ansari-challenges-imax-ceo-to-debate)
• Short, frequent posts are easier to read
• Easier to read content leads to more readership.

White House Deputy CTO Andrew McLaughlin has his say.

From Gizmodo:

"McLaughlin, a major supporter of net neutrality rules, made the comment in a telecom law conference last Thursday by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln law school. "

To play devil's advocate, I'm siding with telcoms. If we get right down to it, people are dumb. An overwhelming majority of Americans don't know or care about what net neutrality is, and frankly they shouldn't. They needn't be overly concerned with spectrum allotment or any other technical specification that there's debate over. Unfortunately, for net neutrality, many that shouldn't be concerned are. When the public gets involved with things that they don't understand, it gets ugly real fast.

Nevertheless, when Glenn Beck tried to call proponents of net neutrality Marxists and Communists for, interestingly, the very same "controlling content" crap this statement vaguely implies, he was a moron and a fear-monger.

Sorry, but as ridiculous as I think the telcos are for trying to defend their overly-controlling practices....it has to go both ways. They're not communists, they're not dictators. They're simply misguided, trying to take whatever shortcut they can get.