Natural User Interfaces Are Not Natural:
I found this article an interesting read. It basically talks about how many of the old ways of people interacting with hardware or machines in their environment are changing for the better. For example in the quote by Steve Ballmer of Microsoft he talks about how they are expanding beyond just using the keypad and mouse. Although these multi touch interfaces have been around for decades in prototyping & other industries, I think what he means is that people are starting to get more comfortable with new sensor interface devices into their daily lives, almost to the point of expecting an old fashioned analog faucet to produce water by a wave of their hand, even though the device requires use of the handle.
How do I feel this article relates to my own work, well it’s tough to say because I’m more into narrative graphics & design that tell a story. If I had to incorporate the new GUIs that are out there into my work, I suppose the interaction would come if my animation sequence was embedded into a kiosk in a gaming convention where as the user would use arm motion or their fingers to relate to the kiosk to control Play, pause, fast forward & stop my animation sequence.
In my experience with using the new GUIs (Graphical User Interface) that are out there, I really like them. I feel for example in a restroom setting where as a lot of guys don’t practice the best hygienics, I personally welcome a sensor driven touchless environment as I feel it is more sanitary.

Why the future doesn’t need us:
Basically the gist of this article talks about how the author fears & expects that computers & robots will acquire the ability to surpass human thinking in the next 30 or so years. He predicts that computers & technology will gain intelligence & will end up making their own decisions. He predicts that they will have the ability to self replicate & will end up competing with humans for precious resources, there by forcing humans out of existence. Such as the example he gave with docile the dinosaurs in South America separated from North America by the water submerged Panama landbridge. When the land bridge emerged the more aggressive dinosaurs from the North overtook the less adapt species in a matter of time. Or with the Borg episode from Star Trek. He feels that once computers surpass our thinking, we are bound to suffer the same fate. His thought changed after reading Engines of Creation which is described here in this passage “imagines some of the changes that might take place in a world where we had molecular-level “assemblers.” Assemblers could make possible incredibly low-cost solar power, cures for cancer and the common cold by augmentation of the human immune system, essentially complete cleanup of the environment, incredibly inexpensive pocket supercomputers – in fact, any product would be manufacturable by assemblers at a cost no greater than that of wood – spaceflight more accessible than transoceanic travel today, and restoration of extinct species.”
How do I feel this article relates to my own work, well again it’s tough to say. I am not a technology scientist developing new cutting edge hardware neither do I have interest in doing so. Although my opinion my change as I progress in the D & T program. In that case, I would make sure I would develop things from an ethical stand point making sure not to develop technology for the purposes of destruction.
How do I relate this to my own experience, I think the author is too pessimistic in his outlook on humanity’s use of Technology in life. Sure there are a few bad apples but I think that humanity overall is heading in a positive direction with exciting innovations that I can clearly see in my day to day life. For example, a lot of the creations from Apple Inc that better peoples lives. I think the CEOs & scientist creating this technology are fully aware of the ethical dilemma the author talks about. I think he may need to give people more credit. & not be so negative in his thinking.
The Web Means the End of Forgetting:
Basically the author talks about how when ever you post something on the web, you don’t really know where it could end up or in who’s hands. Like for example when your being considered as a candidate for a position at a top company, your last night’s drunken pirate party binge, with you in compromising photos on Facebook might not go over so well with the companies screeners at a quick Google search for your name. Some advocates of privacy recommend data having an expiration date sort of like forgiveness or moving away to a new town to start over
How do I feel this article relates to my own work, well I try to post the process of my work on my blog giving a place my thoughts for people to read about how I create a particular piece of art. Some people in the field in which I work are very interested in the way you think & create.
How do I relate this to my own experience, well I try to display my work in online gallery or create websites of my artwork that are searchable. To anyone that wishes to see it.

Great Wall of Facebook: The Social Network’s Plan to Dominate the Internet — and Keep Google Out
This article basically talks about how Facebook is trying to overcome Google as far as internet usage from people. The Facebook Co. has even enticed several former Google employees to work for them instead. Even this is exemplified in Facebook’s public rejection of Google trying to acquire them or their intentionally shielding users information from Googles Web crawlers. They are both competing for online AD revenue from advertisers. Unfortunately I think this is like comparing apples to oranges. 2 totally different types of things or in this case, 2 different types of companies.
How do I feel this article relates to my own work, well I primarily use Google as a way for people who don’t know me to get to know my work. Facebook on the other hand is personal & a little to personal with those people targeted ads which come across as really creepy. If I were to relate Facebook to my work I guess I would advertise books I’m producing for sell on Facebook Ads since they have a large audience.
How do I relate this to my own experience, Well It’s like I said before it’s like comparing apple & oranges. 2 totally different things. I think that the Facebook CEO has some growing up to do & may need to take some courses on Technology & ethics especially since he is dealing with people who tend to protests privacy concerns from his mishandling of peoples personal data. Google on the other hand is respectful in handling peoples data & allow users to opt in search preferences when they are logged into their Gmail accounts for example & have even taken the extra step of allowing secure searches under their new “https” secure search. I enjoy both services for different reasons as I went into earlier.~

“FaceUp” version 2.0 – It’s shiny, new & improved!

Hey everyone, today I’m going to be talking about the improvements
that I made to the student organization social networking site
called FaceUp. Basically I tried to improve upon the sites interface based on the
feedback I received from class where as some aspects of the site
was not clear to the user. I managed to add an extra tab for companies
to join the organization with. They would be made aware of the networking
student organization site through career services department as a way
to connect better with students in an informal setting. Kind of a way to
get to know the people you may end up working with, that is for the
industry party aspect of the site. The other aspect would be play, were as
you get to play sports or enjoy some other kind of shared interest with other
students in the university as based on your common interest. I like to think
of this site as a way of making new friends with people not only on a
professional level but personal as well.
For example, in my last company we had summer picnics where we would
chat & play with workers from all departments playing softball or volleyball
regardless of what department they worked in or pay grade etc. I did
similar activities when I was in the military. These kind of events help to build unit
cohesion. In the military your more likely to help save the life of someone
you actually know & care about in the battle field then a stranger. The analogy
of the concept here is somewhat similar. Not exactly a battle situation
but your more likely to help out & collaborate with someone you know
then someone you don’t. I also added a mouse hover over feature to the calendar
so that as your mouse pointer goes over a certain party or sporting event,
the event on the calendar would be enlarged for a better view of the event.
Once you double click on the event, it will RSVP you. Double click the event again
to remove your RSVP. With the new changes I added an edit feature that you
can only see when you log in to your profile. The edit feature is not seen when
another user views your profile & interests. The information of your interests
is voluntary & is visible to your friends & student organization council who
are in charge or moderating the site & organizing the party events & possible
creating new clubs based on the popularity of an interest. The more students &
people that like the same thing the larger it will appear to the user.

Reimagining Social Networks

Here is the outline of my site map.

How would you design a social networking system like Facebook?

As a group we all went to Facebook for a start to research our common
interests. Then we moved away from Facebook & went beyond our
Facebook page used as a reflection of ourselves.