Week 11 EOC: The Future of The Internet

The Internet being 40 years old has changed drastically over the course of the last ten years. In its beginning stages the Internet was not widely used or even heard of to many. In the past decade we have become more exposed to the Internet as companies and individuals have taken to the Internet to provide us with the ultimate shopping experience or communication portal. For the most part, the world is online. When the Internet first began there was no idea that we’d be able to pay our bills online, talk with a relative thousands of miles away or have to worry about our personal and private information being stolen from Internet databases. Our modern Internet has given birth to a fear for our safety and privacy paving the way for societies to adapt legislation geared at the virtual world. Today we are presented with the possibilities of the Internet allowing us to be virtually present in more places than one at any given moment. The Internet is allowing us to share information from all over the world to develop technology that would have once taken years to come to. "I think by accident we're going to stumble on conscious computers that have feelings and look at you and understand how you're doing," he said. "My iPhone has almost all the senses I have except taste and smell. It has an eye and an ear and it can feel when I am touching it and it can feel when it is being moved. It even knows where in the world it is from GPS. Even I don't know that. I wake up and say "am I home?"." says Steve Wozniak about the future of the Internet. (Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak talks about future of the web during visit to Whistler: Jeff Lee, Vancouver Sun). The future of the Internet will be grand but will call for a sacrifice of even more “old world ways” as it will allow for the digital age to flourish into something bigger.

Illicit: The Scope Of How The Internet Is Used For Illegal Activity

The internet has brought with it a tremendous amount of great advances in the way we're able to communicate and learn about what's going on in the other parts of the world. The internet has allowed us the freedom to have this world of information at our fingertips. It was to be expected that with such a great advance in our culture some bad would come along as well. While the average internet user is online for normal things like surfing, online game play, and social networking there is a vast amount of users online for the sole purpose of carrying on illicit activity. With all the great achievements the Internet allows comes with it a handful of things we wish the Internet would've never been invented for. Rule 34, if you can think it it exists in all shapes and forms. The Internet mirrors the real world providing a venue for thieves, pedophiles and drug addicts. With our personal information required on the majority of websites we provide the prize to an army of hackers who turn our information into stolen money and goods. Illegal drugs can be purchased on sites that can prove deadly buyers. "The International Narcotics Control Board also described North America as continuing to be "the world's largest illicit drug market" in 2010; parts of Europe as the homes of industrial scale cannabis factories; and growing poppy cultivation in West Asia." Illegal Drugs Sold Online Via Social Media: Huffington Post

Internet Security

We all know our basic internet security precautions of using firewalls, antivirus software and not opening suspicious emails. The big three of security. We take these precautions without even thinking anymore. They've become second nature. Yet, while we do this to protect ourselves against an attack on our personal information, what has also become second nature is our willingness to surrender critical personal information like email addresses, social security numbers, birthdays, and so much more for a chance to do things like toss a bird at another or manage our diets and bank accounts. The millions of internet users toss this information out through various sites and apps via their home computer, laptops, notepads and cell phones to a very delicate, lightly regulated entity called ambient dataland. The entering of personal data at sites like Facebook, Google, and Sony compromise our internet security by creating databases of our information that is up for grabs to hackers all over the world.

As companies take the steps needed to ensure our internet safety, another concern is rising. The future in which our government agencies can "spy" on us in our homes through built in technology in our tvs, monitors, refrigerators, and many other gadgets we would normally deem harmless. Can we trust our CIA will use this technology to protect us against possible threats to our safety? Will we as Americans willingly give up our right to privacy and allow our government to invade even our homespace?

"You know how sometimes you hunt for an item that you have misplaced? A really cool aspect of the 'Internet of Things' could allow you to ask, What did I do with my remote control? The computer could tell you precisely where it is. What did I do with my book? You might get an answer like, It's at Tom's house on his coffee table. Now think about the bigger picture and combine the Internet of Things with smart meter data. What time does your alarm wake you up? When do you turn on your TV and the lights in various rooms of your house? How often does your doorbell ring? Individually these pieces of information may not seem overly important, but connect the dots and it gives a very detailed snapshot into your private life. In the not-too-distant future, household appliances and web-connected devices will offer the government unfettered access to spy on citizens."(CIA Wants To Spy On You Through Your Appliances by Ms. Smith: Network World)

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FOUNTAIN FAN

GarageBand

To keep up with the constant demand for a designer that's hip with the times it's mandatory for creative professionals to be software savvy. As a Web Developer, coding alone can only take you so far. Audio and visual appeal is a requirement if you're gonna be competitive.

A crash course introduction to Apple's Garageband proved to be yet another push into keeping up with
technology. Garageband's user friendly interface makes it easy to create infringement free tracks for use on websites, video edits and slideshows. If you're willing to learn the program you'll find it amazing at how easily you can customize an audio clip to enhance the appeal of your project without having to deal with all the read tape of copyright infringements.

My VIDEO!!

Week 6 EOC: There's An App For That!!!

We have an app for everything these days that cater to everything from organization to banking to news to entertainment. Even healthcare has crept it's way into the app world. Many of which are free and affordable. Apps have become a great part of our daily digital life. Some ideas may seem to be straight up ridiculous and serve no purpose at all. That may be the most wonderful thing about apps. There's a freedom to build an app. And as quirky as one might seem it may be the one most purposeful in the life of one person out there.

The Sitter. An app created by a mother of five who knows the importance of having a sitter at her disposal in times of crisis at her her fingertips. This app pre-screens it's database of highly qualified babysitters and provides the security of video surveillance. Customer's sense of comfort in utilizing the Sitter services accompanies the high standard of security and ongoing training.

Week 6 BOC: Parking Panda

“Parking Panda, the startup that wants to make it easier for drivers to rent spaces or rent out their unused driveways…” (Parking Spot Finder Parking Panda Raises Seed Round, Expands To D.C.: Sarah Perez). Parking Panda allows drivers in the Baltimore and Washington DC area a listing of 1,200 – 1,500 possible parking options in the city.  Drivers with unused parking spaces may also add on to this list and rent out their own personal spaces.  The fees change with the season and the coming and going of various events.  Of which Parking Panda takes in a 20% cut.

It’s with current events that Parking Panda can reach for its highest potential. Partnering with various garages, event organizers and ticket outlets this Baltimore start-up can gain its momentum and push its way into the social norm.    

How Do You Become A Mogul?

Week 6 BOC: Parking Panda

“Parking Panda, the startup that wants to make it easier for drivers to rent spaces or rent out their unused driveways…” (Parking Spot Finder Parking Panda Raises Seed Round, Expands To D.C.: Sarah Perez). Parking Panda allows drivers in the Baltimore and Washington DC area a listing of 1,200 – 1,500 possible parking options in the city.  Drivers with unused parking spaces may also add on to this list and rent out their own personal spaces.  The fees change with the season and the coming and going of various events.  Of which Parking Panda takes in a 20% cut.

It’s with current events that Parking Panda can reach for its highest potential. Partnering with various garages, event organizers and ticket outlets this Baltimore start-up can gain its momentum and push its way into the social norm.    

Save AVON!

AVON? Sure I remember them. My mother made a few purchases from them when I was a kid. They’re not a brand I think of when it comes time to make a purchase. "Avon Product’s new CEO, on the job for a week, said Tuesday she plans to review every aspect of the beauty seller’s business, including reviewing its operating model, cost structure and product portfolio." Their site looks hip and has allowed for a makeover from what I once knew it to be. Their products look great and the prices are budget worthy. But really, they’re still the catalog I remember from the past. I can’t go to an AVON store to touch and see all the great products or feel how moisturized my hands and face can be. How can I trust what I can’t touch and why would I take a chance with my money on something that hasn’t made an effort to win me over. Sephora, ULTA and even L’Oreal is in my face everywhere I go. I can count on these stores to tell me what I need and show me what I want in ways that a website and catalog will never be able to do alone. They’re hip and in the scene at the mall and even on the social network scene. I don't need every product they sell but I am an American woman and I'm sold on stores that show me everything I don't need. With AVON not out there I'm not going to make an extra effort to find someone that sells the stuff to then browse through a catalog to make a purchase I'll have to then wait for in the mail. If I need makeup I need it now. Not in three days. I need an accessible brand not something I have to work for with the little time I'm left to shop. AVON might be a better product but they're out of sight and out of mind in today's shopping trends for me.

Spotify?

In 1999, Napster and its p2p file sharing music platform sparked the beginning of an economic crisis for the music industry. Since then more than 50 percent of revenues have been lost while thousands of music industry jobs have been cut. Music piracy has greatly hurt the world of music. “From 2004 through 2009 alone, approximately 30 billion songs were illegally downloaded on file-sharing networks.” Artists and the teams of people behind the scenes have been drastically hurt by the global trend of illegally downloading music. As music is an essential part of our culture and mindset, it’s a wonder what could’ve been had the industry not had to suffer through such a drastic change.
 
Spotify emerged in 2008 in Sweden as its founders Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon wanted to provide a way to offer music while not shortchanging the industry.With over 15 million songs offered in various genres they are Europes largest subscription based music service. Their hopes to move toward the end of piracy are quickly being realized as it has already given over $150 million back to the music industry.

The Importance of Privacy

"Stop putting your life on Facebook!" my mother screams to me on one of our daily chats. I completely understand where she's coming from, yet, we both love the way she can keep up with me and the kids by browsing through pics and posts all the way from California. When I really think about it, people I haven't seen since elementary school know my whole life's story. Do I really want that? I'm torn. So last night I did what everyone with a love-hate relationship with Facebook does. I deactivated.

How important is privacy really? So I've heard about internet stalkers and predators. And that should be enough to keep my mouth shut  (or my fingertips off the keys) when it comes to where I'm at, what I'm doing, or who I'm with. But it's not. And it's certainly not for the billions of other users of all the social networks. Everyone's guilty of sacrificing their privacy at one point or another for the sake of a great comment or "Like." In some cases, that sacrifice has led to dangerous and unfortunate ends.

 
However much the majority truly wants  privacy is probably the same number of internet sites that want to give it to us. Billions are made from internet ads that are sent to us based on our personal information. And as much outrage that may stir up in people it isn't enough to keep them from disclosing it all down to the way they like their salads tossed. ""The sector also may benefit from the views of average people, said Linda Woolley, executive vice president of government affairs at the Direct Marketing Association. Despite recent controversies over Google's privacy policies, "you didn't hear of people cancelling their Gmail accounts.""From where I sit, I do not see hordes of Americans running to Capitol Hill saying we need to do something about this," she said." (Web giants' consumer privacy strategy faces hard sell by Jasmin Melvin: Reuters)

Why Instagram Is So Valuable

It was a few months ago when I started to see my friends post pictures that have been edited with these filters that made their photos seem warm and nostalgic.  I ignored the name Instagram the first time. But as I saw more and more Instagram pics pop up on my Facebook feed I knew I was doomed to follow along. I wanted those cute filters too. 

To my delight, I was on it and snapping away pics of my kids via Instagram on my old IPhone 3GS in no time. With a tap of a button I could post a pic that made it seem as though I fiddled away on Photoshop for a good while. Who wouldn’t find value in an app that would enable such an awesome document of life with such ease.

With it’s recent Android platform addition the expected Instagram patronage is expected to surpass the 50 million user mark.  Its patronage alone is the key value to this 2 year old company that easily poses a threat to all other social networking sites.  “"Anytime you see a social platform that's growing that quickly, that's got to be cause to be nervous," said Paul Buchheit, a partner at the start-up incubator program Y Combinator and a co-founder of FriendFeed, which Facebook acquired in 2009.” (Facebook to buy Instagram for $1 billion by Alexei Oreskovic and Gary Shih: Reuters)

"Facebook is acquiring a similar company in that it's fast growing, doesn't have revenue or a business model, but has become part of the online culture," said Gartner analyst Ray Valdes. (Facebook to buy Instagram for $1 billion by Alexei Oreskovic and Gary Shih: Reuters)

"I would wager that almost everyone is also a Facebook user, so it's not like they're expanding their market," Valdes said of Facebook. "What they're buying is traction, they're buying engagement, they're buying brand value." (Facebook to buy Instagram for $1 billion by Alexei Oreskovic and Gary Shih: Reuters)

My Modern Internet

In the mid '90's the Internet had less than a handful of things to do with just about the same number of surfers. Chatrooms, the spark of .coms and a few resourceful sites. No biggy. It was all cool and fun. Nowhere near what the Internet means to people today. It seemed to be more of a hobby than the necessity it's become today. "According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, fewer than one in seven Americans were online in 1995. Today, the majority of Americans are surfing the Web, exchanging e-mail, reading bank statements and ball scores, checking the weather. Today, Pew says, two out of every three Americans spend time online." (The Internet Transforms Modern Life:Steve Almasay CNN.com)

Today I don't have to wait for my internet to be dialed into some bouncy response signal. In fact I don't need to hear my computer find its way onto the internet at all. I get it on demand, stealth mode. If it's slow a millisecond I'm wondering what the problem is. Seriously, what a snob. But that's how my modern internet is. It's quick, fast and in a hurry just like the way the internet has changed everyone's life these days.

Sadly, the Internet has taken the joy out of crumpling a newspaper each morning to soak in all the current events of the day. The news is now limited to the customized google searches I make each day. But there's almost unlimited resources out there to pick from from articles to videos to blogs. I can hear of monumental events through someones tweet where it hasn't been edited by someone's government. I can get news through the eyes of the people as well as from the establishments right when it's happening.

My mother used to spend quite a bit calling overseas and would sometimes hesitate on making the calls as a typical bill could get rather high. Today my mother, who up until recently wouldn't touch a computer, now Skype's with her relatives and I on a daily basis for free. My modern internet has allowed for immediate communication worldwide with emails being sent out by the millions each day and phone and video calls connecting people from all corners of the globe.

Oh and I can transfer money between my accounts, rent a movie, and order Chinese food with less than 5 clicks using a smart phone. MY MODERN INTERNET is mobile.

 

My Voice

I'm a freelance Web Developer born and raised in  Los Angeles and trained in Las Vegas. I've got the non-stop go get 'em attitude of Los Angeles and the glamorous ritz of Las Vegas pumping through my veins. I'm a business woman and a creative soul. I was fascinated with a computer from the first time I held a floppy disk as a kid. In high school I was given my very first Hewlett Packard (which was badass at the time). Taking it out of a box so big I could fit in it if I wanted. It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. I totally rocked the AOL chat rooms, which basically was all the internet meant to me at the time. I was totally oblivious to what was happening, but, after the Packard I seemed to have every new device there was. I was always utilizing the internet some way or another. Not once thinking of how it worked, until April of 2006. I started my own home-based business. I rocked the trade shows and conventions gathering a good amount of interest. But I couldn't hold onto it because I didn't have a strong internet presence. I bought books upon books to teach myself a thing or two and before I knew it I realized I was so much more interested in creating effective websites than selling lingerie. But the biggest lesson learned was how important an effective website was to any business or creative outlet, physical or online.