How would technology look at us, if it had a mind?

Technology would look at us as hungry dependent creatures demanding unlimited help and enhancements in an evolving and developing environment. But what would technology expect from us, if it does? I would expect that it would want from us to do more, and learn more.

We know that we always expect more from technology, and always complain that it is not quick enough, not large enough, not small enough, not clear enough, etc. Are we ever going to be happy with technology? We should ask ourselves if we are using the current technology to its fullest. We must do our job, which is to increase the level of our understanding of the technology we use, how it works, what is the logic behind it, how to build on it, and more. Globalization, the Internet, and businesses competition raised the bar on our expectations.



Personally, the more time I spend reading and learning about new technology, the more I feel I am behind. No matter how much I use technology and computer applications in my work, and no matter how much time I spend reading, testing and researching, the rapid development in technology and computer applications makes me feel as if I am left behind. Maybe it is just me, but being passionate about web, graphic, and animation design, I am always eager to learn as much as possible about this field. Keeping up with new technologies, upgrades, and updates is intricate and time consuming, but it is not an option anymore, it is a must. This is the only way to keep yourself up-to-date with the latest in your field, and to be able to succeed in this competitive market.

Holography Technology

If you are looking for something kind of new, cool, and futuristic, then you should read about Holography Technology. With Holography you can view things in 3D and in 360 degrees. Holography had captured our imagination since the movie Star Wars. It is a technique that allows the light spread out from any object to be recorded and then restored to create a 3D image. Since then many companies and educational institutes around the world have developed and used this technology in a variety of ways (University of Arizona, Musion - UK, Cisco –USA, Zebra – USA, etc). These organizations realized the importance, advantages and benefits of implementing such technology to fulfill the demand of this technological generation. Therefore, they invested, and are still investing, tremendous time, effort, and money to keep creating communication tools for the future. Cisco’s TelePesence, is one of the tools, in which a 3D image is recorded in one location and shown in another location, in real-time, and in any place around the world.

Cisco On-Stage Holographic TelePresence Experience from Musion Systems on Vimeo.

Similarly, Musion Eyeliner, a high definition 3D holographic video projection system allows a 3D moving life-size hologram to appear within a live stage using Peppers Ghost technology (Tricky illusionary technique used in theater and in some magic tricks).

Black Eyed Peas Hologram - Live at the NRJ Music Awards 2011 from Musion Systems on Vimeo.

Social Networks! The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Before 2008, I could not understand how and where social networks, like Facebook, MySpace, etc, could be helpful or beneficial. Then, I started using it and realized the good part about it, to communicate, connect, collaborate, and more importantly to share.

The Bad thing about these networks is that it could be addicting, and time consuming, especially if you want to follow-up and respect social communication protocols. (Reply back and forth).



The ugly part of these networks is that it could be a hunting ground for child predators and sexual molesters.

The future of these networks will depend on its developers, specifically, the kind of terms, conditions, restrictions, and more importantly, a secure and protected environment were it is safe for all.

PC vs Mac

I have been a PC user for the past fourteen years, and I am still using PCs in my work. However, I started using Macs after registering with Full Sail University last year. There is no win-win in this argument. It is a matter of opinion, preferences, and maybe, it is just what you have to use as part of your business environment.


I still use both Mac & PC, though here are some of the facts, Mac is safer, as fewer attacks targeting it Mac OS X comparing to Windows. Design wise, I think Macs are more appealing and have a futuristic look and feel. Operating system wise, you can install Windows on Mac, but you cannot install Mac OS X on Windows.
I also think that the default programs (iWeb, iPhoto, Garage Band, etc) that come with Macs are better and useful compared to the ones that comes on the PCs.

Frameworks for Possibilities

This chapter talked about a moving and inspiring story. A story of little girl that had chemotherapy and went to school with no hair, and how kids made fun of her and did not play with her, and how the next morning the teacher shaved and changed the whole environment. The next days all students asked their parents to shave their heads too. The teacher had a vision an opportunity to change and managed to create frameworks for possibilities.

In an Economist article, Hamel (1994) stated, “Perhaps the greatest advantage of a vision of the future is that it changes the way companies see their business today. It helps bosses see their firms as a portfolio of resources, and not a collection of independent business units. They can cultivate a view of competition as a way to acquire foresight, as well as simply to expand market share”.

Similarly people around the world look at the United States as the land of opportunity. They know it, heard about it, or read it. For years, regular immigrants have come to the States with only a vision or an idea, and have managed to establish an empire. But the question is why? Is it the freedom that stimulates creative thinking, or competition, or maybe the infinite possibilities available? In his book Zander (2000), “A vision articulates a possibility.”

A vision is not just about a business’s desire for new, future, and potential opportunities and goals, however, it should reflect the desire of all the employees.
Randall (1998) stated in his article, "Enforce" the vision. In other words, put it into practice.

References

Randall, Iris., & Clarke, Robyn D. (1998) Follow my vision. Black Enterprise, 28(12). Retrieved March 24, 2010, from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=6&hid=13&sid=9a54881f-8fa1-4907-b9a4-4c93102aa718%40sessionmgr14&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=755384

Hamel, Gary. (1994) The vision thing. Economist, 332(7879).
http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=9&hid=4&sid=9a54881f-8fa1-4907-b9a4-4c93102aa718%40sessionmgr14&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=9409197671

Mobile Devices & Education

Newer generations are more flexible and accepting of new technologies. They are digital learners, open to new technologies and have the gift of multitasking, especially when it comes to computers and digital media. However, recently we noticed a movement toward small mobile devices. Laptops have become more like a fixture compared to the use of Cell phones, iPods, Smart Phones, etc. Having said that, when will these devices replace computes in schools? Or will they?



Looking at what iPhone applications and tools can offer, I can simply predict the use of such devices in education, schools, and businesses to enhance learning. Furthermore, I believe that we will witness the appearance of mobile LMS & PLE devices that are more compatible with each other and serve as user friendly cross platforms for people to manage & learn remotely from almost any place. Moreover, businesses that create educational games, calculators, camera, etc realized the advantages of mobile devices. Many of these products were building with wireless capability and come with dynamic IPs. Cell phone, mobile devises, and wireless communication technologies are evolving and invading almost all aspects of our live, and will play its roll in education too. Surviving in this competitive technological world requires flexibility. For me, flexibility means fast, Internet accessible, and practical small wireless devices.

PDF - Perfect Delivery File!

PDF (Portable Document Format) is the perfect format to deliver and exchange files over the Internet. The PDF format was introduced by Adobe in 1993. There are many advantages and features in the format that makes it unique. For me, the best feature is it capability to compress large file size, and more importantly, have the option to choose different settings of compression.

Furthermore, when it comes to security and protecting your content over the Internet, PDF support data encryption
cannot infected by viruses, as well as its ability to assign password or provide users partial control over your files (disable print, save, etc). PDFs are fast, easy to create and view (Free Acrobat Reader), cross platforms, and are capable of saving and embedding an image’s color profiles.


How To Create/Edit PDF Files For Free