Google: How far is too far?

In class this past Friday we discussed an article, "Google's data-storing feature fuels privacy fears." The article voiced the concerns of privacy advocates in regards to Google's latest mission, Web History. Google Inc. is now offering a feature they call 'Web History' that tracks web surfers' every move. Web History will keep records of the websites users visit and store them on Google's servers instead of the users computers. The recent debut has caused an uproar in the privacy realm from various research groups on privacy. They feel that acquiring this information will give Google to much power, or worse yet that Google will combine this information with that of DoubleClick. They also feel as though most users aren't aware that their searches can be linked to them.

I feel however that in Google's defense Web History should be viewed as a "use at your own risk" featuer. The service is strictly voluntary and users are made aware of their policies and given the ability to choose what to do with their information. In order for Google to evolve some essential steps must be taken. This program will better assist Google in providing its users with the most efficient information and service. If users are too wary of the potential negatives that this program will stir up then they should stay away. Even in this technologically advanced world we live in, the same "buyer beware" standard applies that consumers have lived by for years.

weird nj wiki edit #2

I have just made a second wiki edit to the article, Weird NJ. I made an edit to the section 'Local Legends' which I had created during my first edit. In that section I added another legend about 'Devil's Tower' which is located in Bergen County, NJ. I described a bit about the legend and what locals claim goes on there and the reasoning behind the rumored haunted site.

bridgewater wiki edit #2

Today I edited the wikipedia article on my hometown Bridgewater, NJ. I added to the section 'Points of Interest'. I further extended this list by adding that the area has many parks and recreational areas that locals and visitors can enjoy. I also included a link to the area's park commission, Somerset County Parks.

doubleclick chooses google

I have just read an article on Scobleizer, about Doubleclick essentially blowing off Microsoft for Google. Most of us would assume that when a company is about to be bought out they would choose the company with the highest bid. However, these situtions are about much more than just money. A company takes into consideration the entire package and its presentation. The article outlined several other important considerations companies, such as Doubleclick, take into account when being fought over. All of these insights are completely logical. People can sometimes get too caught up in the whole money money money mentality but there are deeper, more long term concerns that have to be taken into account. A company wants to make sure it's in the right hands, that its reputation will prosper and that its employess will benefit as well. Unfortunately however, it has happened that companies get clouded over by big bundles of money being thrown at them and end up making the wrong decision. We will have to wait and see how Google's gain will affect them and what directions it will lead it in for the future.

dealcatcher.com

On Friday April 6th, we had a speaker come to us from dealcatcher.com . The former UD student, Tom Patton, had taken the class about 10 years ago and co-founded dealcatcher with another former UD student Dan Baxter.

Dealcatcher is one of the top ten sites for finding bargains online. The site offers coupons, sale prices and even has forums where site visitors can post their own deals. It orignated in 1999 and managed to survive the dot-com bust that plagued so many others.

I found it exciting to see the real life value behind what I am currently learning in 477. It is inspiring to not only see former UD students succeed, but to have earned that success from the skills learned in this class that I am formally enrolled in. While sitting in classes throughout the years many, including myself, often wonder how the subject material relates to the real world that we about to be thrown into. What class is worth investing time and energy into that will not provide any greater benefit down the road whether that be direct or indirect?

Broadway wiki edit #1

Tonight I have made my first wikipedia edit to my wikipedia article, Broadway Theatre . I noticed in the "Notes" section a comment about the spelling of theater or theatre. In my mind I then began to wonder what, if any, is the proper usage of each spelling? The spelling of 'theatre' is from the French language and is also used in England. In the United States however, as with many other words we have changed it to 'theater'. After some minor research I came to find that, for the most part the two are interchangeable. However, most commonly, when referring to the art form or actual company, the 're' ending is used. When referring to the building 'er' is more commonly used. It is typically suggested though to use 'er' in most publications.

April Fools

Scobleizer got me. I came across a post on Scobleizer that caught my attention, but it turns out the post was an April Fools joke. The article, Apple collaborating with Amazon, Google, and Cingular on new iReader?, discusses how Apple is continuing to develop products that most consumers will soon find it difficult to live without. It declares Apple's latest project is to develop an entire line of devices that will expand the usage of iPhone. Steve Jobs and other execs found that they could not comfortably use their iPhones in bright sunlight, and thus wanted to develop something similar to the SonyReader called the iReader.

To me, not being extremely knowledgable in the tech world, it seemed totally plausible. Although if such a product actually came about I couldn't see myself turning my back on paper books and sending them into extinction. I realized as I read further that Apple would not let such information leak out. The post told the story of how he came upon an Apple exec on the beach with the iReader prototype and got to play around with it. While the whole story was fabricated, it made me think, what does Apple actually have in the works? What are they going to amaze us with next, and how long can they manage to always be one step ahead?

stiuqxela

For class we have been given an assignment that is being done as an experiment. For this experiment I am linking the Packer's website through the word stiuqxela . This experiment will test how Google can generate results for the Packers using the nonsense word stiuqxela.