Now I have to Discuss Linux here in the CIT world...........

                               Linux?

                    Linux is an operating system.

As an open operating system, Linux is developed collaboratively, meaning no one company is solely responsible for its development or ongoing support. Companies participating in the Linux economy share research and development costs with their partners and competitors. This spreading of development burden amongst individuals and companies has resulted in a large and efficient ecosystem and unheralded software innovation.

Windows and OSX are predominantly found on personal computing devices such as desktop and laptop computers. Other operating systems, such as Symbian, are found on small devices such as phones and PDAs, while mainframes and supercomputers found in major academic and corporate labs use specialized operating systems such as AS/400 and the Cray OS.

Linux started as a server OS and has become useful as a desktop OS and many other Device Systems.

Some of the popular electronic devices Linux is used on today includes:

                                   Children Laptops

          Dell Inspiron Mini

          Garmin Nuvi

                                             

                Google Android Phone

                                                    TiVo Video Recorder

                              

                           

                                     

                                     Sony Bravia Television

                       Yamaha Motif Keyboard

                                    

                                      

These are just the most recent examples of Linux-based devices available. Linux is on a lot of crap out there, Awesome. The next questioned posed is would I use it. Well Its seems I am already am using stuff using Linux.Linux looks pretty cool. I hope I learn a lot more in my studies.

Scott Abides, Cheer's.........

Project Natal by Microsoft for the Xbox360

I am going to try and cheat and use this Bloggy for my next 2 blog's. Since it is a cool Media device and it is something new from good old Microsoft........

I think this is awesome. It is for a Game console but the possibilities are limitless.. The link in the Title shows a video that not only is a gamer trip but a media one too. You can watch movies all with the wave of motion of your hand. I can see this being used in MS-Office applications in the near future too. No more keyboard and mouse, plus it would make an office board meeting a little more interesting. I have seen nothing but rave reviews about this. With Project Natal you can upload images to use and play with. It has voice and facial recognition, so it knows you. There is Live Chat, so now you can stay at home and still shop with friends or get the Family together for a full on interactive Game or social night. I think this Kicks the shit out of that Nintendo Wii junk. Once you go and see the video I have provided  for you all (not naming names but for the Technology challenged, fresh out of High school kids in my other classes the URL is embedded in the title or header of this blog.)  I think we will all agree that more can be done with this piece of equipment, than what is just advertised. A little imagination would probably turn this into the next Military Tactical hardware.... Who Knows? I am really digging it and want to get my hands on it, but of course with all my Tech toys, Warranties beware of me... 

   Okay I need to go and take my Play nice with the other classmates Pills, I hope you all agree with my findings here, if not well that is what the comment portion is open for here on my bloggy. If I need to piss off?  let me know.... If you want to give me a Nobel prize for nothing I will accept one too in the comments section.

Scott Abides, Cheer's.........

 

FLOPPY'S and Stuff

This Bloggy we go back to terms. And we have a little research to do. We get to look at internal Floppy Drive’s and External Floppy drive Price’s. I think I saw a floppy on a George Lucas Film once. Just kidding I am Old and remember when these thing where like huge, like a 10 inch to 3.5 floppy. I cannot believe people still use these thing's they seem so Pre historic. Like an 8 Track player versus a CD or MP3 player. Plus we look at connection types and of course Pro’s and Con’s of prices and usage. This is real fun stuff. Well not really, but it does add up on the Dry ’ O ’ Meter.

Internal Floppy’s look like they are going on the EBay for .99 cents to $30.00 bucks. They are going cheap because they probably came out of something or for it to be used you have to actually install them into your PC.

External Floppy on the EBay is going for .99 cents to about $150.00 bucks depending on Brand. Most External connectors are USB now. There is a SATA type connector too. These puppies are price for the easy Plug and Play feature. All you have to do in plug in and run. Plus I think the speed and read is boosted with the USB set up. So these drive seem to take the advantage if you are running a lap top maybe.

Here are The Terms we get to look at and define:

DMA Direct Memory Access. This transfers the data to the memory without having to use the CPU.
Low level formatting This is track and sector formatting done at the Factory for IDE drives.
SATA or Serial ATA. This is the standard now. It uses a Serial data path cable than a parallel or an EIDE cabling.
ATA AT Attachment, is basic level connector. Some other would be – PATA or ATAPI. ATA sets how your Peripherals like Zip drives/ CD and DVD communicate with the mother board and BIOS.
IDE Integrated Device Electronics. This covers the way the Drive it self operates.

Second Life – A CIT Discussion of a Virtual World Application……..

 

 Category: Virtual world

 Publisher: Linden Lab

Release date: June 23, 2003

Platform: GNU/Linux, Microsoft Windows, Windows XP

 License: Common Public License

First release date: 2003

I think this is what we are talking about this week. My Brain has been Encrypted up there lately and really out there, so here goes:

            I guess a business can find and apply this as an application, Maybe even in the medical word, like Psychology. I personally would not use it unless It was made mandatory a job I was doing. Then I would have to Assess this job I am doing and if I want to be a part of it. This all seems like some type Of World of War craft Crap to me. Or a Nintendo Wii Mii Game. It would be use full in the schools since all these little punks ( Students ) are all Gamers. So they would probably dig this as part of their curriculums and would not even know they are learning something.

So here is a little about that.

Second Life virtual world developed by Linden Lab launched on June 23, 2003Built into the software is a three dimensional modeling tool based around simple geometric shapes that allows a resident to build virtual objects.In 1999, Philip Rosedale formed Linden Lab. There is no charge to create a Second Life account or for making use of the world for any period of time. A Premium membership (US$9.95 per month) facilitates access to an increased level of technical support, and provides a stipend of L$300/week ( L$ is like there monetary system ) Second Life has its own money that can be used to buy, sell, rent or trade land or Virtual goods And services with other users. Avatars may take any form the user chooses, animal, vegetable or mineral, including being made to resemble the person whom they represent or even more abstract forms, every aspect of an avatar is fully customizable. A single Resident account may have only one avatar at a time, although the appearance of this avatar can change between as many different forms as the Resident wishes. A single person may also have multiple accounts, and thus appear to be multiple Residents , Avatars can communicate via local chat or instant messaging. Chatting is used for conversations between two or more avatars, and is visible to any avatar within a given distance. IMs are used for private conversations, either between two avatars, or among the members of a group, or even between objects and avatars. . As of version 1.18.1.2, voice chat, both local and IM, is also available on both the main grid and teen grid, using technology licensed by Vivox, a provider of similar services to other MMO worlds.

 

Scott Abides…Cheer’s!!!!

                    New Innovative Tools for People with Disabilities

Welcome Bloggy Fans - This week I have to blog about technology for the disabled, for Computer Information Technology School. There are a couple different pieces of technology I found during my research I want to talk about.

The first is a neat laptop style computer for Autistic kids.  Autism affects 1 in 150 kids. Teaching these kids can be a challenge for parents and caregivers. These computers were designed by a Boston firm called Continuum. It allows teachers to use cards and sounds for positive feedback to teach basic concepts.  It shows promise in helping Autistic kids learn to communicate.  The price for these computers is not listed, but they were designed by the same company that designed the One Laptop per Child laptops, which only cost $100. 

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/linda-tischler/design-times/can-good-design-help-autistic-kids-learn

Another neat piece of technology I found is a software program that can be loaded on a tablet PC which allows people with communication difficulties from autism, stroke, birth defects, and deafness, among other issues to communicate by taping or touching the appropriate part of the screen.  This program is surprisingly affordable.  It is only $30 for the software.  There is also a monitoring service that allows the program to connect the patient to family and friends via standard internet connections. 

http://www.touchntalk.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=4

I think these are pretty cool ways to use technology to help out disabled people.  Being able to communicate can allow disabled people to live a fuller life. These guys seem to get the coolest toys.