Saturday, September 8, 2007

Haakaa Päälle!'s Mission Statement/Introduction

And what will I post about? What will distinguish me from the other fine posters here?

Honestly, I'm not really sure. I'll probably be discovering that along with you readers. I wouldn't be too surprised if some of you figured it out before me.

But to get something out there, here are some things I'm interested in, and will probably manage to incorporate into this blog at least a little bit: computers in general (obviously), programming, algorithms and the mathematical foundation of computer science, science fiction, physics, ethics and philosophy, and non-partisan politics.

I don't have any kind of plan for this blog. I'll write what I write about. I find things work themselves out better when given a framework in which to evolve, rather than being bureaucratically executed to the finest detail.

C'est la vie.

Oh, and if you're curious, my username is a Finnish war cry meaning "Hack them down!"

Friday, September 7, 2007

Apple: Stuck in a pickle?

Is apple stuck in a pickle?...What does this even mean?...Many questions are hovering around the latest Apple news, including two brand new apple iPods, touch and classic.

The apple iPod touch, where the name says it all, is awaiting its debut later this month. This newly developed iPod features music, videos, photos, and now even websites. Could this be considered the smallest personal computer to date? Not to mention a brilliant partnership with Apple and Starbucks, where you can browse the iTunes store to preview, purchase, and even download music with no connection fees. The iPod touch, with the help of Starbucks gives a new meaning to "music on the go."

However, Apple doesn't stop with the release of one new iPod, they are also releasing the iPod classic. This is one monster of an iPod. Two versions of the new iPod, the 80 GB and the 160 GB, push the the edge of what we think can be possible in an iPod. Looking primarily at the 160 GB iPod, we see it can hold up to 40,000 songs or up to 200 hours of video. Perhaps, we should take a closer look at this, and crunch some numbers, so to speak. There are 24 hours in a day. the iPod classic holds up to 200 hours of video. This is enough video to continuously watch for 8 days and 8 hours, assuming you have your iPod classic plugged in. Another comparison of memory would be taking a look at the average laptop, containing 60-80 GB. The iPod classic doubles even a laptops memory capabilities. Could we perhaps be seeing a new era of technology, where you can get a laptop you can hold in your hand?

Even though these two iPods are gigantic in Apple news, there is even bigger news Apple has. Apple has decided to cut the price of the iPhone to $399. This is a 200 dollar price cut, which has many customers questioning Apple's marketing scheme. Macnewsworld reports Steve Jobs appeared to be dismissive of the iPhones early buyers. However Apple later decided to take conciliatory actions, such as offer early buyers $100 store credit towards purchase of any product at an Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store.

So, what does all this mean, many people may be asking. Could this unsuspected price cut for the iPhone lose Apple customers that would have bought the iPod touch or classic? Even though this looks bad for Apple customers, and it looks like Apple was only looking to make as much profit as they can, the Apple employees obviously want to try to make the customers happy and make the customers as happy as possible. So, perhaps it may just take some time for Apple employees to show that they want to make the customers as happy as they can.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

So It Begins

My goals for this weblog are a few things. First I want to be able to interact with other kids with similar interests and views on technology and the newest gadgets and video games out there. I really like how fast technology has progressed in the past few decades, even within the last few years. From computers to I-pods, from TV to video games, there are always newer versions or faster service and new accessories. Everyday life, whether you live in a small town or a large city (except for maybe the Amish), is affected by technology at some degree. If I can communicate these ideas with others that have similar knowledge, then we all can expand our ideas and thoughts on this fascinating subject and help broaden our minds.

Another goal is to gain more knowledge and know-how for the technology around me. I am not very technologically savvy, so hearing others’ ideas and reading other blogs will enlighten me to what kinds of gadgets and gizmos there are out there. I can also critique other blogs with what wisdom I have on the subject. I want to be able to know exactly what kinds of technology I use on a regular basis and use what technology I have more efficiently.

Lastly, I would like to have fun. This blog should be entertaining and interesting to write and read. I hope everyone involved with the blog will have fun with it, finding little discussions that are both friendly but a little argumentative. I hope to dig deep into the subjects to get to the little details and also to hit many large subject favorites. I am looking forward to being a part of such a great blog and blog topic.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Curiosity's Mission Statement

Today's world is moving faster and faster. A person can talk to someone half way around the world instantly. Today's business is carried out over the Internet, and files are transfered faster than they had ever been before. Even transportation is quicker. In this high paced world, things go obsolete two years after they are bought as new and maybe improved technology changes the old. So how can we keep up?

This is where I hope I can help. In my blog, I will find whats new and exciting out there and report on it. I will research everything from new ways things are used, like GPS units for farmers, to new things, like the iPhone, to future innovations and write about how cool and useful or lame and useless it is. Then I will open the floor to you and see if you feel the same way.

Technology is important to us all. We use it every day from the moment we wake up with our new alarm clock to the time we finish up on AIM and go to sleep. It has opened doors that people didn't even know existed a hundred years ago. With new technologies, we can increase crop yield to help end hunger and clean water for third world countries. We can bring education to everyone. It important to know about what's new and what's coming out so that we can help.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Group Mission Statement

Through the past century up to recent decades, the world has been changing and demanding the technological world to change as well. Countries such as America have been growing rapidly, thus requiring new innovations of technology. These innovations started with the first bulky computers, used by major corporations, that took up a lot of space; and have now become a personal aspect of everyday life, that the majority of civilians own. These personal computers have been developed with many advancements, such as the Internet, which has become a necessity in every one's daily routine. As technology grows and develops, we desire to look at both the future and the past. We use this information to help us understand technology and the capabilities it holds in our society. Looking at future developments we can look at its historical past to understand its uses and abilities. Updates on modern events and technological gadgets will be discussed and reviewed. Technology affects us in some level, from small homes to giant corporations, except some Amish communities. Most careers now demand a person to have the ability and capability to use some type of technology; be it, turning on a light while walking into their office, or using fiber optic cables to increase the speed of communications. The use of computers is used to moniter and operate many tools, even on farms, where they used GPS to make sure they put fertilizer in the same place they put the seed. As well as in hospitals, where computers are used to moniter a person's heart rate. As technological devices become faster, creators are able to make these devices easier for the user by looking at how they can better past-generation models. All in all, technology is beneficial to everyone, and we wish to document its importance.