Thanksgiving 2010. on the Web.

It is Thanksgiving week and that does not mean the web is going to get a break – they are going to get overcrowded, abused, and afterward experience that terrible bruises and sores just like many many stores that are going to have a huge sale day(s).  But one good thing:  the web does not have to be cleaned up, reorganized, and recover physically like the stores do. 

Now the web is filled with more and more ads about the deals and discounts throughout this week and for this weekend after Thanksgiving Day.  Not just on full sites on web, but I also have found an iPhone/iPod Touch app that is called “Black Friday” that updates newly available, great deals on it constantly before it is updated on websites.  Also, the shopping can easily be done a company’s own website such as Target, Best Buy, and Walmart, while they are also available on websites such as Yahoo!, MSN, and Amazon, etc.  If you shop online, it is quicker, easier, and more convenient although you will have to wait over the delivery time which is still worth it - especially at a time like this when the holidays are coming and it is way too crowded, time-consuming, and exhausting to shop at actual stores.   

It is a pretty smart idea to consider getting your shopping done online this year and avoid the terrifying overeager crowds, aisles and aisles of products at those scary big stores, and long, never-ending checkout lines at registers.  At least YOU won’t be the cause of that poor little frown on that clerk/employee’s face who has to work over Thanksgiving weekend.

Black Friday 2010

Target
Best Buy

Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your turkey! :)

DN... and AP.. what? - welcome to the world of DNS, API, WikiScan and many more fun things :)

DNS (domain name servers) are used everyday.  It is fascinating how things taken for granted has so much steps, little details, and information hidden behind.
API (application programming interface) is useful for platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.
Wikipedia Scanner is really interesting because we can enter organization name or domain name, look up their edits and rate up or down on their fishiness.
There are also Facebook and Twitter platforms that integrate DNS and API for our everyday use.
They are all useful, fun, and forever-growing although it is not definite whether they will keep up what they have achieved so far.

In the "Cloud"

The “Cloud” is where you can store/access data, software, and other things that do not need to use up your own hardware and memory.  Many different companies such as Google, Amazon, and Flickr offer this service.  Some other great examples are "Google Docs" and "Dropbox." It is pretty neat because that means businesses have advantages of having this virtual space along with other benefits as their asset and even individual users don’t have to fret and panic in case something happens to their computers (lost, stolen, broken, etc) and there is a way to get back the data and files they’ve lost.  There are, however, some disadvantages such as:  a) whatever company that provides “cloud” space to the user has the control over the data that he/she stores; the user could be locked out of their own stuff / their accounts are exposed to the chance of being deleted at the "cloud"-providing company's discretion; and b) when there is no access to the “cloud”/internet, the user cannot get to the data/files that belongs to them.

If I don’t have access to my everyday, main laptop/computer for 2 weeks because it was damaged, I would seek access to another computer first; then, I would check if it has some of the software that I usually use; internet access/checking emails, etc will be easier because they can be accessed anywhere as long as there is internet connection; however, I will encounter problems because whatever computer I am temporarily using would not have any of my old files to refer to just in case.  I would probably try to find these items in my email inboxes because I might have attached them and sent them to myself from a school computer in classes,etc.  Also, software such as word processing, digital image editing, or presentation organization/preparation programs will be quite easy to find in other computers as well.  As long as I have access to another computer, I would be able to survive those couple of weeks without my old laptop/computer although encountering some inconvenience would still be inevitable.  However, a lot of these issues have possibility of being remedied if I remember the risk, be smart, and carefully take advantage of “cloud” services.

More on "Cloud":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_46/b4009001.htm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/sep/29/cloud.computing.richard.stallman

Searching online part II. plus - cool sites.

   The search box is probably the first thing that we use when we go to websites such as Yahoo or Google. It is an addiction to be online in the world we live today and also it is inevitable and so natural to use search all the time.  What if we couldn't use search?...

   That is what I (supposedly the whole class) did.  Trying to use websites, find things that we are looking for and continue browsing, BUT- do not use search box; actively avoid using it until it is impossible to do that but to use the search box eventually.

  It was not that bad actually personally because without a topic or purpose that was so specific and/or urgent, it was not too hard to just browse around and click text or picture with hyperlink or watch videos.  But when I picked a specific word to look up, it got a bit tricky to dodge around the search to be honest.

  While looking around with several different purposes/goals in mind, I found a website called "thinkgeek."  It sells/shows different items that are literally "geeky."  Not just the content but the design/setting of the website is also eye-catching and helpful at navigating through.  The search box is right on the top under the website name, where it is so obvious to find.  The text is very clear, the site is consistent, and has good line spacing.  Go visit and check it out if it sounds interesting enough.

http://www.thinkgeek.com

Searching online... Google & PageRank.

   Google and Wikipedia are easily couple of the most used search engines online.  How do they work?  It is quite interesting to know how these searching engines work.

   For Google they use crawlers/"Googlebots" to visit huge numbers of websites then they will have all these search results available.  Google wants to make sure the search engine has relevance, comprehensiveness, freshness, and speed.  They value that the results that the user is searching for is found easily, accurately, and fast.

The "Technology" section of "Corporate Information" filled the curiosity and answered questions that existed while using this search engine that is so widely used, popular, and not to mention, easy to use and very helpful.

  On "Wikipedia," it explains that "PageRanK" is a link analysis algorithm that was originally used exclusively by Google.

It basically scores each of most visited sites then the ones with most scores show up toward the top of search engine.

   Learning about "PageRank" helps understand the mechanism of search engines such as Google.  Also the fact that the system of how this work actually helps getting rid of harmful sites or less useful sites from the results is great to know.

As we learn more and understand what we use online all the time, we can be more careful and/or be more appreciative about things that we just took for granted until now.

   These articles are recommended for those who desire to be enlightened.

PageRank

Google - Technology

Facebook/Twitter: Is our privacy protected enough?...or NOT?

   The social networking websites have many features, they are useful and fun too but they are not completely safe and definitely not perfect.
   The users should really be careful and pay attention to what kind of information they are putting out there.
   "Facebook" has privacy settings for us to adjust privacy level for all the different components of one's profile.  However, everyone should be careful, pay attention, have the settings adjusted accordingly whenever they make a profile, a group, an event, and so on.
   "Twitter" is basically all or nothing when it comes to others' access to your stuff.  The people who "follow" each other can only see the "tweets" of the other.  The location/place feature is often advised not to be turned on if you don't want certain people to know where you are.  Not too much information and nothing too personal should be mentioned on the posts/"tweets."  There is also some option to make "tweets" private.  Also the user can select option to make Twitter ask the user before someone can follow you.
   The users of relatively "open" social networking websites such as "Facebook" and "Twitter," should make sure to know when, where, and how much information to open up and share.  Try to have only one genuine personal account, add only people you really know or at least can trust, and do not put up information that you don't want some strangers to know also.  Take advantage of whatever privacy setting options that are already available and make sure to be always careful.

Find "mind-mapping" online!

   People work better with visual aids a lot of times than without them.  Having something visual helps themselves and others see the point of idea(s) and presentations for example.  Visual aids are more tangible and more likely to be remembered in the future.  There are different tools that can be used as visual aid for self and/or others.  For example, for personal use, there is mind-mapping.
   Some websites online have the program for the mind-mapping.  To name a few, there are "bubble.us" and "freemind.sourceforge.net."
   "Bubbl.us" is a website that the user can sign up with name, username, email, and password, then form and save different mind-maps.  The user can start by filling out the center bubble, then keep branching out by forming other bubbles that branch out from the center bubble or keep going into subcategories in already branched out bubbles.
  For "Freemind," the user has to actually download the program and install it before using it.  It even kind of looks like "Paint" program with big white space, and tools and options across the top and on the left side.  The user types in the center bubble then click on the child node icon, while the targeted bubble is highlighted, then keep branching out.  Other options can also be used to add whatever features desired onto the mind-map.
  Both seem useful to map out the ideas for an assignment, a topic, a course, personal brainstorming, and so on.  Being able to save different maps under different names is pretty neat too.  One thing about "freemind" is that it looks a little bit confusing because all the tool icons are not quite straight-forward to understand so it takes awhile to figure everything out before being able to actually start anything.  "Bubbl.us" is simple and straight-forward enough to just get on and keep moving because while the cursor is on each bubble certain amount of tools show up automatically every time.
   Now that I know about these neat free tools, I think I will probably be using these to organize my thoughts and ideas better.  Mind-mapping programs like these that don't require sitting around, drawing and connecting every single line and circle/bubble, would help make them look good and easier to access again in the future.  And also it would save some time and make it look a whole lot neater as well.

Bubbl.us

                                                                                
 Freemind

Post #5: Wikipedia-is it completely reliable?

   "Wikipedia" is a visitor-editable encyclopedia that has thousands and thousands of pages/articles on many different subjects that can always be added, deleted, and edited.  "Wikipedia" may be useful on some occasions, but it is not a completely reliable official source for something.

   On "Wikipedia," there is no way to customize basic layout; it has list of varying subcategories on one topic and list of quick information on the top right side, and references and external links on the very bottom.  Also, there is not really any screening system for what can be added as an "Wikipedia" entry at the very beginning.

   Edits are possible on entries on "Wikipedia" but for "major edits" it has to go through some processes and any edit can be deleted without notice.  The information entered always have to be cited and if not cited, then it would be deleted.  That is another unreliable part about it because some would go off the radar somehow and stay up there anyways even if it is not cited, reliable, or relevant.

   "Wikipedia" can be fun and is somewhat useful information source for personal use but it has its own flaws and issues.

   Go check out Wikipedia!

post#4: the world of RSS...

When are we not online? 

It is apparent that websites, especially social networking websites, are overflowing.  We are looking at many different sites everywhere and anytime but we can't keep up with all of them, all the time.  Because of this, I think RSS(Really Simple Syndication) is pretty handy and useful.  I can just pick which websites or which/whose accounts that I want to keep up with.  The feed reader will pick up the updates from my choices and update me.  

Yes, I'll have to sort through and occasionally filter through/delete/edit feeds, etc, but it is still quite convenient.

As you can see, this symbol on the left is the RSS symbol and if you find it (or just a box that says RSS next to a URL on the top of your browser)     and click it on a website, the feed will be available.

I tried out couple of examples such as GoogleReader and Netvibe and they are simple enough, fun, and convenient.  However, Netvibe seemed like it could be a bit cluttered or slow.  Other than that, these examples proved that these feed readers make it easy to pick and choose while making it easier and more accessible for web users.

Check these out!:

GoogleReader

Netvibes

Blog Post #3

Dallas area inside or near downtown is still not quite familiar to me.  I am relatively new at leisure/entertainment seeking in that area, having just recently started to go out there for occasions such as film festivals, concerts, and dinners.
Last Thursday, another chance came along to check out somewhere new.
I was invited to my friend Zeena's 21st birthday dinner party at a restaurant called "DISH."  It is located not quite all the way inside the downtown Dallas but it is right off of Wycliff exit right after Mockingbird.
What I saw around this place was interesting because there were a few buildings of somewhat fancy, flashy businesses surrounded by residential buildings and ordinary, everyday shopping areas so close by.
After I parked and walked toward the door, a man in a suit opened the door for me, I mentioned my friend's name to the host, and joined the rest of the group, waiting for the birthday girl and to be seated.
When Zeena arrived, we were led to and seated at the tables set up for us.  The interior design was stunning and also interesting at the same time.  There were different colored lights inside boxed-in rectangles across one side of the ceiling, one side had chandeliers, and one side of the restaurant was leveled a bit higher than the rest of the restaurant, had different colored wall with its own texture and design, and curtains that were pushed open.  There were couple of flat screen tv's on two sides of the walls tuned on models/fashion channel.
Aside from just the interior, the food, service, staff, and the music were great too.
I ordered the vegetarian plate which varies throughout seasons.  At this time, it was vegetable lasagna with squash and eggplant and it was plated beautifully.  It tasted pretty good too along with the Shirley Temple that I ordered with it.  Others from our group commented that their flatbreads, salads, and chicken clubs are excellent as well.
I would love to go back again soon because I really enjoyed the ambience of "DISH" as a whole which kind of reminded me of NYC scene/restaurants.
Next time, I will probably try the pan-seared salmon or the honey BBQ veggie burger...

Check out DISH Dallas, TX!

Blog Post #2

Last Saturday night would be the one of the most historic moments of my life up to date.
It was the night that I went to the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington for the very first time after living in Dallas/Fort Worth area for about 9 years.
Saturday, September 11th, 2010.  7:00 PM.  Texas Rangers vs. New York Yankees.
The distance to walk from the parking lots to the entrance of the ballpark building was pretty far and because of the end-of-summer heat, it felt worse.  But as soon as we had gone through bag check, ticket check, the escalators, then to our seating section, all that was worth it.
The whole ballpark was packed and the overall seating capacity of 49,170 was almost completely filled up.
The opening ceremony and few introductions were given before the actual game began.
The excitement of people, the staple ballpark food and drinks, the baseball team gears everywhere, and the Rangers' leading score all gave me positive impression of being at the Rangers' game for the first time.
However, because of unfortunate weather, the game was delayed an hour at the beginning of sixth inning. As soon as the sixth inning was over, my friend and I had to leave (considering that there were still 3 innings left and it was already 11pm) but the rest of the group we went with informed us of the Rangers' win at the bottom of ninth inning!  That was a quite exciting news.
I would definitely go back but next time, maybe it would be when it is cooler, and at lower level seats so my nose doesn't bleed trying to get to my seat..

                                                      The Texas Rangers Official Website

Blog Post #1

Although trying to be a student and have a social life outside of school can be kind of difficult, it is not impossible.  Being university students in Dallas/Fort Worth area can be not so fun sometimes because some people do not think there is much to do around here. Well, not true.  Look around more carefully and you would be surprised.
For example, last night I went to a friend's birthday dinner that I was invited to.  I had never been to Addison area to go to do something like go to a restaurant and hang out.  I admit that I get a bit hesitant to go to an area that I don't know well.  But I figured that I would venture out anyways because I wanted to go and check it out when I got a chance like this.  When I arrived at the location of the party, I was surprised and excited.  The place was called SOHO Food and Jazz right off of North Dallas Tollway on Belt Line Road in Addison.  They had live jazz music playing the whole time, the staff was friendly and attentive, and the food, of course, was amazing.
Even with a group of around 15 people, we could still have a good time, enjoy the food, and the atmosphere without much inconvenience.  They were more than happy to accommodate  us and they made sure we were doing fine all evening.  I had a chance to check out a new restaurant, try some great food, also meet some new people, and make new connections.
So, if you are more of an NYC person than Texan cowboy type of person, then go check it out.
http://www.sohofoodandjazz.com
You will experience the same pleasant surprise that I felt.

First Post

Excited to have a space where I can share ideas, thoughts, pics, articles, etc.

Hoping to make the best of it! :)