Facts about Computers

This is a presentation done by me and Chris based on facts about computers (Stuff like programs, systems, etc). Enjoy!

The Big Picture

What is machine language and how is it different from human language? 

Machines use codes that they can read (binary codes) which are basically 1 and 0. There are different forms of combinations of 1 and 0s so that the system can read it and transform it into whatever the codes represent. Humans use alphabets and letters, which are both symbols, as language. Even though the language is totally different, both languages represent almost the same things, except in different forms.

Who was the first computer programmer? What did she create? Explain in details. 

The first computer programmer was an English woman named Augusta Ada Byron, or Lovelace. She was a fan of Charles Babbage's works in programming. She was good in Math and was interested in programming. The important thing she did was that she added notes which included complete details into the Analytical Engine. That means she was able to not only improve calculations, but also allow the computer to use numbers to make graphics, language, and music. She also was first to recognize that computers could be tied to music - by composing music. 

Dylancholy. "OMG Facts - The First Computer Programmer Was Lord Byron's Daughter, Born in 1816." RSS. OMG Facts, 22 June 2012. Web. 16 Nov. 2012. <http://www.omg-facts.com/History/The-first-computer-programmer-was-Lord-B/52075?c_val=1>.

Diwali!

HAPPY DIWALI EVERYONE! Here is a Prezi presentation done by me explaining about Diwali :) Enjoy!'

Diwali on Prezi

"Invisible" keyboard for iPhone

In the 20th century, it was quite rare for a person to have a mobile phones. Mobile phones back then were very simple and expensive compared to phones today. Today, almost everyone has a phone. In fact, not having a phone would only make it weird for a person in today's world. Phone technology has improved so much within the 10 years of the 21st century. We can tap on the phones to type. Now, you can just tap on your tables and you'll be typing already. These keyboards are physically non existent and when you press in the appropriate places, the vibrations will be picked up by the phone and show what you tapped on the desk. This is another huge step for the "Vibrative Virtual Keyboard" companies.

- Can type on the "invisible keyboard" and the phone will pick up the vibrations made, showing the letter you typed
- Can be used on any surfaces
- These don't really require touchscreen surfaces or scanners in order to type
- It is still being developed

I think there are a few good things to this keyboard. Since this keyboard can, in theory, be accessible anywhere on a surface, a typing keyboard will not be necessary. This can be helpful or bringing your phones anywhere you want. Just install the software and turn on the bluetooth and you're good to go! Another good thing could be that it's much easier to type on the "invisible" keyboard than tapping the letters on the iPhone (the letters are tiny and some people find them hard to press). The third good thing could be that it might encourage people to finally use the iPhone as an educational thing (to write notes, etc). Since it's much easier to type on an iPad than it is on an iPhone, people don't really get iPhones. Now with this keyboard, it could help encourage people and make them think twice before getting an iPad.

Like always, when there is an advantage, there is a disadvantage. Disadvantages could be that overusing it or if it makes you tap on a surface hard, it'll hurt your fingers and possibly damage them. Also, since it is affected by vibrations, maybe listening to music won't be such an effective way to use this (unless it can detect differences and only pick up vibrations that you make by tapping). And third, it is probably not really easy to type with and since it uses some auto-wording, it may be frustrating to get it the way you want it. Then again, this is only a prototype.

Will these keyboards improve and change the world by allowing you to type anywhere on a phone? Will this new keyboard ACTUALLY influence people to buy an iPhone instead of an iPad? As a prototype and as a complete device, how can this actually help phone users apart from typing? Will this be the new generation of typing? Can the phones pick up the correct vibrations? These are all unanswered questions that people would love to know. Of course it's only a prototype and it is definitely good for a prototype.

Ray, Bill. "IPhone Senses You Typing on Table, Bit of Wood Etc, Turns Vibes to Text • The Register." IPhone Senses You Typing on Table, Bit of Wood Etc, Turns Vibes to Text • The Register. TheRegister, 9 Nov. 2012. Web. 09 Nov. 2012. <http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11/09/vibrating_keyboard/>.

Spying on Child: Risk it or no?

Everyone, if not, almost everyone has a social network that they are part of. With computers and all those devices such as iPad or any technological stuff, people can chat with friends or random people. With the Internet and enhancement of technology, people have started to connect more with each other, whether if they're friends in real life or random strangers on the Internet. Out of all those people, kids are one of the most active groups on the Social Network media such as Facebook or Twitter. The social networks can largely affect a child's life and if bullied, can lead to suicide. All of this has lead to awareness from parents. Parents ban children from going on social network websites and some parents keep track of what their children do. Not all children are the same but children have their own private rights. So are parents allowed to track everything their child does and give them no private rights? 

- Kids should be able to have freedom and private rights

- Some parents keep track of what their children do by keylogging or many other tracking methods

- Parents need to be able to trust their children until it reaches a certain point

- Parents should talk to their children more and try to find out the reasons for why they use technological devices

Many cases such as Amanda Todd's suicide, has caused many parents to be more secure with their children. I think one good thing about parents tracking what their children do is that it prevents children from doing crazy things and allows parents to be aware of any bad situation their child might be in, allowing them to help or prevent their child from using social networks. Another advantage may be that the child are becoming more open and allows them to create more friends. Kids should be able have their own private rights. Not everyone in this world are bad and by making children from having limits to what they can do, it prevents them from meeting good, helpful, and smart people on the Internet that the child might actually enjoy talking to. Another possible advantage could be that the child is active, happy, and improves communication with new people they might meet in the future (in other words, practicing talking with new and random people might help the child when the child meets new people in real life).

One possible disadvantage is that if the kid has too much private rights, it might lead to the parent being unaware of the child's bad situation (if the child were to be in one). Some people on the Internet are kind and just want to meet new people, but most people sit behind their computers like cowards and just make other people's lives as miserable as they can. Another disadvantage could be that allowing children too much time on the Internet, might get them addicted to the Internet and get too sensitive about what people say. Since most people are bad, some child safety would be nice. 

Could there be a way to ban and/or arrest all the people on the Internet who like to insult and/or cause harm to other people? Could there be a way for a child to have lots of freedom but meet only nice people on the Internet? Instead of banning social network sites or preventing use of technological devices to children, is there a way that parents can teach their children how they must act and follow those rules on the Internet? 

Vila, Monica. "Trending Stories." Mashable. Mashable Lifestyle, 19 Oct. 2012. Web. 07 Nov. 2012. <http://mashable.com/2012/10/19/monitor-kids-spy-fine-line/>.

Google brings out their own "Siri"

Apple's Siri or Samsung's S Voice has really revolutionized this world and showed the world that the world is improving in technology extremely quickly. About 5 years ago we had to turn on our computers and had to search with a keyboard and typing. Now we can just turn on our iPhone, connect to the Wi-Fi, and just speak the words of what you were going to search right into the phone. Now Google wants to join in on the fun with their own voice-assisted intelligent personal assistant - the "Google Now". And of course, Apple now allows the application on their Appstore.

-"Google Now" may now be used a lot more than the Siri of Apple's products
-Both Siri and Google Now have very similar results and both are efficient when asked a question
-When asked a specific question, Google Now is the better voice-assist application system
-While Google Now is slightly better at searching for results, it cannot do many things that Siri can, such as setting your alarm
- Google Now can be used on both iProducts and Android while Siri is only on Apple products


I think that one possible advantage is that it allows Android users to be more comfortable with searching and that they finally have their own voice-assist system. It helps people get used to Google and will now search things much more easier and with good results. People might also have been lazy to search something because they had to type it - now they can just speak it out and they'll get the results.

Like always, where there is an advantage, there's always a disadvantage. With all these stuff, it's good to know that technology is improving but what about health? With Google Now, more people will now start to become so much lazier by just talking instead of using their hands. Like holding your phone and searching your stuff was hard enough, now you can just speak it out. "Google Now" has a limitation to searching whereas Siri can search or do many things such as opening an application or setting an alarm.

Will "Google Now" improve and make it to the point where many people want to convert from Siri to "Google Now?" (Improve as in better search results, more helpful, and helps with the phone like Siri). What can Google Now do to make their search results better and attract more people? Will there be anything for mute or deaf people or people who have trouble talking?

Cheng, Jacqui. "ArsTechnica." Ars Technica. Ars Technica, 31 Oct. 2012. Web. 07 Nov. 2012. <http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/10/googles-enhanced-voice-search-lands-in-ios-app-store/>.

Tablets as main entertainment?

There are many types of entertainment in every generation. As technology improves, entertainment also changes. In the Medieval Ages, they had books, live shows, many types of physical games. The 20th century had televisions and shows. In the 21st Century, technology just exploded and computer technology has improved a lot. 8 years into the 21st Century, we had smartphones. And now 10 years into the 21st Century, we already have an invention which hundreds of millions use - tablets. Studies show that everyday, millions of people worldwide play games in the evening or whenever they have time. The world is changing very quickly and entertainment sources are becoming more fun to play.

- People are starting to use tablets as entertainment more than smartphones.
- People tend to play with tablets whenever they have free time or in the evening
- People are more focused and play on tablets longer than people who play on smartphones

I think an advantage is that it helps people get used to the tablets. Games also help people in a mental way (example: help pick decisions better, mental concentration improves, etc). Game marketing will also improve on tablets, well because people are starting to play games more on tablets than on consoles or watching TV.

To advantages, there are always disadvantages. A possible disadvantage could be that the game could be too addicting, bringing down a student's grades. Another possible disadvantage is that people are not becoming productive and becoming more dull by the minute. They could be out there learning something or playing sports in the evening but they spend time on their tablets.

I think gaming could be a good thing to ease off stress but it could lead to the disadvantages I stated above. Could there be a way where gaming DOES improve your mental abilities drastically? Is there a way where gaming could actually be productive in anyway possible? Is this starting to become a real problem? Those are unanswered questions that could prove anything.

This video is a small example of games on the iPad.

Etherington, Darrel. "Study Shows Why Tablets Could Become The New Center Of Living Room Entertainment." TechCrunch. TechCrunch, 29 Oct. 2012. Web. 03 Nov. 2012. <http://techcrunch.com/2012/10/29/study-shows-why-tablets-could-become-the-new-center-of-living-room-entertainment/>.