Technology Etiquette

This is not a rant to bash anyone, or to single individuals out for public humility. I myself am just as guilty for committing the offenses forthcoming. 

You’re sitting there listening to the professor drone on and on about something as dry as the toast you made two days ago; when that familiar buzz of an incoming text message captures your attention. One quick reply you think, as you coolly maneuver the phone so as to not cause suspicion. The next thing you know class is over and you are still pounding away in a heated debate as to whether gin or vodka makes a better martini. Better yet; have you ever gone to dinner with friends and there was just that one person whom just seamed to feel that what was going on at that moment wasn’t nearly as important as the conversation that they are having via blackberry messaging? And finally, you’re on a date with the person of your dreams and s/he sits down with an arsenal of electronic devices in anticipation of the next big thing.

Now you may laugh but, unless you are still using a rotary dial phone or, sending smoke signals you most likely have some type of mobile communication device.  The question that arises is, as technology advances keeping us in touch with the world, how are we to utilize it and still convey a level of respect toward others?    Technology develops so quickly “that oftentimes…the social rules take a while to get codified,” says Jim Louderback, editor of Ziff Davis Internet and organizer of DigitalLife…In the absence of an official manual Louderback pleads for common sense Chilton, Susan (2006,09,26). Tactless texting lapse of manners. The Record, Retrieved 09 26, 2006, from http://www.therecord.com/pdfs/2006Sep26/C01.PDF 

It is important for each of us to recognize that whatever activity that we are involved with at that moment, it is where our entire focus should be.  No matter how drab or mundane you may feel it is; it truly is a matter of respect that is required of you to convey. Unless you are expecting urgent news or you’re an on call professional, text-messaging in front of company is not proper behavior, said Jacqueline Whitmore, author of Business Class: Etiquette Essentials for Success at Work. “It is an indicator that you’re not mentally present,” Whitmore said. (Chilton, 2006).  

So the next time you seem to feel the need to debate as to which has a greater nutritional value; McDonalds or Burger King? Put yourself in the position of the professor, and consider the effort that was put into the lecture that is really for your benefit (F.Y.I. they already know the information).  Or, in the case of that hot date, look into their eyes and really listen to them you never know.Technology is continuously being advanced to make our lives easier; so take advantage it. Let that call go to voicemail, turn the ringer COMPLETELY off so that the hum of an incoming message will not distract you, and give the person talking to you the undivided attention that they deserve.   

Milestone II: Hitting the Superhighway

Do you know who the Digerati are? You could be one of them; and NO, they are not a MAFIA family that’s running the World Wide Web either. Actually, they are individuals who comprehend digital technology; similar to the Literati who are fluent in literature.  So if you are not a member of the Digerati how do you become one?  One way is to sit and read manual after manual about computers and their various programs; but really how much fun is that?  Another approach that would be much more exciting would be just by “clicking around.” By using a hands on approach, one could learn the basics quickly and confidently.  Eventually, one will become more and more efficient in maneuvering around a computer and the web.  Now here is the disclaimer: this method is effective for beginners, as the student progresses a combination of instruction and physical application provides the best learning experience for an individual.  It is also wise to be aware that while you are out there tooling around on the Web there are nasty bugs and viruses that you can catch if you not careful. I’m not talking about the common cold here; these things can do some serious damage to your computer. So what is a young Digerati to do?  If it weren’t for exploration there wouldn’t be an understanding or an answering of the question why. So it is up you grasshopper, to be wise in where you tread for some things will hurt when they bite.

Milestone I: The First Mile

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from an Information Technology.  I had visions of a professor preaching to us how computers are important in our lives, and how they make the world go around. Fortunately, I was wrong.  The first official class started off with a hands on demonstration of how computers are physically put together. After a  short discussion of how to turn them on and that fun stuff, the next thing I know we are tearing down computers to nothingness and then, we had to rebuild them (Ah guys, sorry bout the extra screws).

 

Next came the WYSIWYG presentation: fun with computer terminology; needless to say, I now have a fondness for acronyms.  Oh, did you know that pixels are square, or in some cases rectangle?  I always thought they were round dot that overlapped each other on a screen, so it was definitely news to me.  Another interesting fact is that each pixel is made up of an intensity of three colors (RGB), to produce the color images we see when looking at a computerized image.  Needless to say this will not be your average man v/s computer class. With intensity like this learning will be a lot of fun.  Most importantly, I have discovered that Information Technology is more than learning fundamental computer terminology or as basic as a WYSIWYG perspective.  Information Technology brings together the world in so many ways just as it brought a group of students together for a learning experience. It literally has become the common language the brings all people together no matter who they are.

Green Eggs and SPAM

Just when you though that you couldn’t take another hotgirlcheckin@spammail.com your in luck! You will be getting even more of these exciting solicitations than your inbox can handle. Is this really true you may ask?  Unfortunately, YES; so set your spam filters to stun because it’s game on.

                                                   

According to an online article in the latest Computer World:

Spammers have found a way to mine free Web-hosting services for cash.

Online scammers have long used free hosting services such as Yahoo Geocities or Tripod as a way to get around e-mail filters that might otherwise recognize their spammy Web sites. But now some enterprising spammers have begun selling each other these free Web pages, according to security vendor McAfee Inc.

For $25 per week a spammer will sell 50 Web-hosting accounts that can be used to redirect Web traffic to sites that normally would be flagged.“These ‘link providers’ create and maintain thousands of free hosting accounts on behalf of the spammers,” wrote McAfee’s Nick Kelly in a recent posting to McAfee’s Avert Labs blog.

“They know that the bigger hosts are unlikely to get blacklisted because they have so many legitimate users,” he added.  Scammers also use the free Web pages to try to manipulate search engines, by making it look as if their Web sites are widely linked, said Adam O’Donnell, senior research scientist with Cloudmark Inc., an e-mail filtering company. . .

The free hosters have been placed in a tough position because they do not want to shut down legitimate users, but they also do not have the technical resources to mine spam for Web pages that are being misused, O’Donnell said. Spammers making money from free Web-host services, Robert McMillan, http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9003411&intsrc=news_ts_head

While I am all for entrepreneurship, this is ridiculous. Not only is spam mail very annoying, it also takes up valuable space in ones in box that could be used to receive messages from, hmmmm, our own potential clients and business contacts. Spammers should realize that if people really want a bootleg Rolex, or a cheap bottle of the magic blue pill THEY WILL LOOK FOR IT.  That’s the wonderful thing about the World Wide Web, it a great search engine that will help you practically find anything you want. All these “businesses” need to do is to be linked up with the appropriate web pages and they will get the business they are looking for. And, yes I do know that every time someone clicks on a spam link these companies are making money, but there has to be a legitimate alternative to the harassment that we receive on a daily basis.

The Burgh is on Steroids!

Ahh, No! Although, Pittsburgh is getting FIT and it’s not because of the opening of a new Bally Total Fitness Center, downtown. September 13, 2006 saw the introduction of WiFi to the Pittsburgh downtown epicenter, and surrounding communities, giving techno heads a new arena to flex their muscles. Under the watchful eyes of Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (http://www.downtownpittsburgh.com) Chief Executive Officer Michael Edwards and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Pittsburgh took a giant step into the world of technology. 

The city’s new Wi-Fi network is unique in the nation in that it covers a large, 90-block area, provides two hours of free access daily and allows users to surf at speeds comparable to a DSL modem, according to partnership Chief Executive Officer Michael Edwards.  “This really puts Pittsburghon the cutting edge of technology,” said Mr. Ravenstahl.  City launches
Downtown Wi-Fi, offering two free hours of access daily, Rich Lord. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06257/721696-53.stm

I think that this is a great opportunity for the City of Pittsburgh to reestablish itself as an exciting and competitive place to live. Not since the beginning of the Second Renaissance has there been an explosion of innovation dedicated to putting Pittsburgh back on the map. Under the direction of such organizations as the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, and the guidance of strong leadership Pittsburgh can once again be revitalized to take its place among the great cities of the world as it had once been in the days of our forefathers.