Big Darn Deals Ch. 10

I do not fully understand the whole international hacker force, but this is new news to me. After listening to the videos I still cannot grasp the whole concept of it, but it interested me so I will continue to learn about it. Secondly, it struck me how out of hand privacy can get online. People do not even realize how they can lose their private lives so quickly over the internet. Anything that you have to give your credit card number can be a danger to you, so watch out for shopping scams. Or anything that asks you for your social security number, do not give it if it is optional. And lastly, ergonomics. In my career I am going to be on the computer all of the time, and I didn't know how important it is to sit up straight, be eye level, have your wrists straight, have the right lighting, not be slouching, and so on. These little things are going to affect me in the long run if I do not do them right, so it was good to learn that.

Big Darn Deals ch. 8

First of all I had never heard of Smart Dust until this class! They are very interesting and so technologically great. I read that they could put these around hospitals and record patients movements, humidity and temperature, and even inform us of earthquakes and natural disasters! Secondly, I didn't know about the Wireless IM'ing. I knew that there were computer and cell phones that could do this, but I didn't know there was an actually device JUST for IM'ing. I would like one! The thing that gets me is that there aren't any monthly charges. You just have to buy the device and then find somewhere where there is free Wi-Fi! And lastly, to me it's crazy how a picture, video, or even a text message can go wirelessly to someone’s phone. I have never looked into and just went with the flow, but in this chapter I learned a little more about it. There are LAN's, MAN's and WAN's. It was interesting but I am still in awe of how it works!

Big Darn Deals ch. 7

I recently had Windows 7 put on my computer and I didn't think it was much different than what I had before, but I have learned a few things about it from researching it! There is a touch screen feature that sounds pretty cool. I don't have the capabilities to use the touch screen because my computer didn't come with those features, but it sounds very interesting. The second, I have always seen the Windows Update on the start menu, but I never knew what it was for. I have recently found out in the book that it is used to keep your computer up to date and free of errors. This is free to run on your computer and so I think I may take advantage of it! The third, I had heard of Vista and knew that I had Vista on my computer, but I didn't know that it was my "Operating System." I have learned a lot about the operating systems and that they have a lot of functions in running my computer!

Big Darn Deals ch. 6

The first is that I did not know about RFID's and that Wal-mart and other stores were putting RFID tags on different items. Wouldn't it be cool if we didn't have to stand in those long lines at the grovery store? Supposedly RFID tags could take care of that! The second is that I had no idea that there were so many different types of storages. They all have their advantages but also have their disadvantages. The ones talked about on the slide are all older ways of storage but are still used today! I guess they all have their own purpose. The third, I was looking at all the different memory cards in the book! There are so many different sizes and types that I had no clue about! There are so many devices that need memory cards. I always thought that cameras were the only thing, but no way!