Goanimate.com My first movie!!

Can't imbed it for some reason, here's the link.

Twitter!

I have an account! AlexanderProcyk

I will be using this for all sorts of things, facebook posts and to follow business and financials sources...

I hope to make many great connections, but we will see... I am on the fence about this particular social media tool.

N.p., 20 Oct. 2012. Web. <http://media3.picsearch.com/is?qg46RWHkCA6h_5j7NBpHqxf4-FES9_MqMYeKAobBkyM>.

Reading Assignment... I thought I knew!

Browsing the Web

I've been online since I was about 12 and learned some new things about what I've always taken for granted. I would recommend this chapter and even this book (Discovering the Internet) to anyone who was trying to get a firm or firmer grasp of internet concepts and information that you can apply to you every say web surfing.

Mainly what I am taking away from this chapter are some shortcuts used to visit and revisit websites. I was aware of the more traditional options such as favorites, history and the address bar of course, but I am glad to have gotten clarification on RSS feeds and the suggested site web slices.

I am glad that there was a large portion about internet security. You have to be very careful when it comes to hackers stealing your information. Identity theft is a huge problem and a lot of people are affected because of internet shopping. Most web browsers have built in features to help keep you secure. I would always recommend a Virus Program, personally I've always used Norton Anti-virus and have never had a problem. The chapter also explained about spyware and adware, which is malicious software that "steals" your information and slows down your computer. But don't worry… you can always download certain programs to get this of this waste of space.

Shelly, Gary B., and Jennifer T. Campbell. Discovering the Internet: Complete. Boston, Mass: Course Technology/Cengage Learning, 2012. Print.

N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. <http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/23703672.jpg >.

Personal Learning Network... what can you teach me?

 

I've been doing a lot of reading about Personal Learning Networks otherwise known as a PLN. The general principle is to have a unified location for an exchange of new ideas and techniques regarding a specific topic, It would incorporate many different social media tools like twitter, Facebook, blogs and more. I have been giving a lot of thought to what I would be using mine for. I am interested in finance, especially where mortgages are concerned and I'd benefit greatly if I were able to have one place to do all of my research. This is my interest now but I feel that it would evolve or possible change all together, these are no limits on how many specialized PLNs you can have. My PLN will be a work in progress, always adding in new sources and removing things that are out of date since the business world is ever changing.

I found a great list of reason to use social networking tools to build the PLN that sums it up pretty well. The list and addition information can be found here.

5 Reasons to Use Social Networking Tools to Build Your PLN

1. To facilitate learning in a more personalized manner
2. To share resources and lend support to peers with similar interests & passions
3. To continually challenge your thinking and lead you to new resources without your having to spend hours searching on your own
4. To be constantly motivated by your network of peers (PLN) who stimulate you with new ideas and resources you might otherwise never come across
5. To make it easy to DM (direct message) peers and/or experts who are always willing to offer suggestions, answer questions, and celebrate your successes with you.

 



N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. <http://lsteachertech.wikispaces.com/file/view/PLN.jpg/202870696/PLN.jpg>.
N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. <http://lsteachertech.wikispaces.com/What+is+a+Personal+Learning+Network%3F+%28PLN%29 >.

Wordle - finally working!!!

Don't slow me down!!!

I never really knew about the issue of Net Neutrality until this assignment. I don't particularly like the idea that a company can control what or how efficiently I can look up things that are important to me. But, after reading the article and watching the video I gave the issue some serious thought. I hate when a page I'm trying to view is running slow, but I also remember logging on to dial up and came to the conclusion that with all the technological advances recently and the ones that will be coming in the future it shouldn't be a huge deal.

Normal access is a beautiful thing, but if you are a gamer or movie buff paying for a premium service is just a fact of life. I have digital cable and DVR for instance, but if I want quality HBO programing then it costs more. On a side note I love "Game of Thrones", I was shocked at how well they do follow the series even though the lack of intimate detail, which was a reason I got into reading R.R. Martin's work, is a shame. I am confident that we still live in America and the reason we have so many cool products and features are due to commercialism. I do believe some regulation is necessary, slowing down a competitor is unethical, but giving your product a boost where you can just makes sense.

Pulling an excerpt from the article "FCC Chairman Defends Net Neutrality Regulations."  by Brian Keonig, “We need to protect and promote competition.” Stated by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski and I could not agree more with him.

Sources:

Kapustka, Paul. "Why you should care about net neutrality | Macworld." Macworld helps you navigate the Apple universe. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2012. <http://www.macworld.com/article/1153750/netneutrality.html>.

"Net Neutrality - YouTube." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9jHOn0EW8U>.

Koenig, Brian. "FCC Chairman Defends Net Neutrality Regulations." The New American | Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2012. <http://www.thenewamerican.com/tech/computers/item/13009-fcc-chairman-defends-%E2%80%9Cnet-neutrality%E2%80%9D-regulations>.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EpsMIknp7Z8HJXlwoBwazTPO-wEY_SSTtxk7RfeFgYhTsposYCkcywgUbGpsNlwbiXy6XVExHC18bzjhLvX60tgl5qdKSJsqOJQKaLMjmGvueTHUIdQzzjUdAtFHFX3nQiR3L1NSP0xR/s1600/net_neutrality_capitalist.jpg

Symbaloo Account Created!

Website organization made easy! I've just started checking out the features and am already a big fan!

Internet... it came from where???

This reading assignment is based on chapter one from "Discovering the Internet" Shelly/Campbell. The first chapter of the book is a high level overview of the Internet.


First off I'd like to Define the Internet as a global network of computers that allows individual and business computers around the world to share information and other resources and to conduct business transactions. It gives us the ability to pull information from locations we would never be able to access otherwise.


The Internet is used for anything you can think of! Individuals can use the Internet for a variety of things, instead of going to the library I can access a multitude of online resources for research and pleasure. E-books are quickly becoming the way of the future, although I will still never give up my paperbacks! I don't have to go fight the lines during the holidays anymore, I can point and click, pre-order new products, have them wrapped and shipped to myself or directly to the intended party. What a convenience, as long as the page doesn't freeze! The main used of the Internet in my opinion is Entertainment and News, I consider these 2 to be very closely related and usually interchangeable; We have websites run by the Media, Blogs and the ever popular Facebook! I know I learn something new every day... and that day is not wasted!


The Internet started coming into existence in the 1960's due to a number of seemingly unrelated factors. Big parts of the inception came from academia, industry and the government. By government I am referring mostly to the Military who during the Cold War wanted to make sure we kept up with the "Sputniks". It grew from there as more research centers joined the project, it eventually became unified and a specific protocol was created. The first browsers for the internet were for academics, but eventually capitalism reared it's head and Netscape was born. I remember this browser, it was extremely simple to use and was very limited... not that I realized that when I was 11. Since then we have many browsers and options to connect and find what we are looking for.

We live in a great age. If I need to find some information I can go through my desktop computer, my laptop, my phone, my nook, my kindle... need I go on? We use telephone lines, cable broadband, wireless and other methods to connect and the possibilities are always expanding.

 I am looking forward to the new IPhone 5, this will be my first truly smart phone; sorry blackberry. I am a big fan of apps and really love the free ones, free due to advertising done by various businesses anyway. It's amazing how easily we can be reached by a company attempting to sell us it's products. Being a self realized impulse shopped I try to turn a blind eye to anything not directly related to what I am trying to do.

Sources:

1. Discovering the Internet, 4th edition Shelly/Campbell
2. http://www.wackamole.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/internet_history1.jpg

To Blog or not to Blog!

This is technically my first blog; I had a Livejournal that I sporadically updated with my writing. Sadly, it and all of my content was deleted. Having a wide readership is a great way to get opinions and information on thing that are important to you, not to mention possibly changing someone's mind. I have a large number of friends on Facebook, 90% of which I do know personally. Facebook is mostly a way to entertain and when I get serious, I do not feel it is the best forum. I am excited to learn about this process and got a lot out of the articles.

The first article by Chris Brogan entitled "How to Blog Almost Every Day" provided me with a number of best practices and procedures I hope to adopt. It sounds like common sense, but it is very important to spell out a winning procedure. I learned from this article that blogs should be ever changing, evolving and do not have to be perfect at first. The main point is to get it posted, you can edit the blog later. Following the same format each time may not be the best way to make your point. I like trying new things and this concept makes a lot of sense.

The second Article "How to Blog" reinforces the first article. Post often and try not to worry too much about quality. Quantity is the important aspect, it can be quick and dirty, the important this is to get it posted. A very good point is being explored regarding the tone of your blog, you want it to be clear but not so dry that the reader would rather find something else to do. Grab the readers' attention immediately! The first line needs to give a good impression, otherwise why would you give it a chance? The article also stresses originality and new content, if I am just going to repeat what I see everywhere I am about as useful as a parrot, but a lot less interesting. It's very important to be active on other Blogs, as much as I enjoy reading others opinions I want others to be exposed to my own.

          The third article entitled "How to Blog Your Way to Small Business Success" By Matthew Bandyk stresses the importance of blogging for the small business. Getting your name out there and directing people to your business is the whole point. Keep it simple and human. No one will want to read an advertisement, but a person's opinion is a powerful thing. The small business' blog should be casual and easy to find through a search engine.

          The fourth article "What A Blog Can Do For Your Small Business" by Darrell Zahorsky is mainly about how easy and useful creating and using a blog is for a business. A business blog is a free marketing tool that should be used to help expand a business.

          The fifth article "Use it or lose it: Five Tips on How to Keep your Blogging Regular" by Darren Rowse had some very good advice. You should not be over extending yourself, one person can multitask but really, how many unique posts can you throw up on multiple forums? If you have a following, you need to keep them engaged. If they are expecting to see something every Tuesday, they had better see it every Tuesday. It's easy to find something new and forget the guy who doesn't post anymore. Don't promise more than you can deliver or you may run the risk of losing trust. Follow a schedule, a routine is the essence of success. Have someone or something remind you of the commitments you've made, life is difficult and can get in the way so a reminder is essential.

          This exercise was extremely useful and I hope that what I've learned is adequately reflected in my Blog. Does anyone else have any advice for me?

Sources:

• How to Blog Almost Every Day (Chris Brogan)
• How to Blog (Slate)
• How to Blog Your Way to Small Business Success (US News & World Report)
• What A Blog Can Do For Your Small Business (From Darrell Zahorsky, former About.com Guide)
  
• Use it or lose it: Five Tips on How to Keep your Blogging Regular (ProBlogger) 
• http://www.gabrielweinberg.com/blog/images/blogging.jpg