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Monday, January 31, 2011

Net Neutrality – What Is It?

Net neutrality is a new term for me.  It really surprises me that I have not heard about it prior to this, as it has been an issue since 2005.

So what exactly is net neutrality?  Net neutrality is the philosophy that network providers will not engage in discriminatory actions that would affect a user’s internet usage.  Because this is an ongoing dilemma that affects a large amount of people (think about how many people user the internet on a daily basis), there is a lot of information that can be found on this topic.  A good starting point is Net Neutrality 101

One may ask how your internet usage can be affected by someone else besides for your contracted provider.  It’s simple.  A network provider can block the competition entirely from reaching the user.  The provider can also degrade the service that you are receiving from another supplier in hopes that the user will get discouraged with the provider and therefore look for a new one.  Another way would be by charging extra for services and information that is technically public access.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Introduction to the Internet

If one were to ask a teenager what the Internet is, they probably wouldn’t even have to hesitate to think of an answer.  But try asking a middle age adult.  I bet that at least half of them either don’t know or respond with a wrong answer.  Ask the question again to the elderly and they may think you are swearing at them or something because they have no clue what that word is that just came out of your mouth.  Look for yourself at the statistical data in US Report: Internet Usage by Age.  


Courtesy of nc.edu

So what exactly is the Internet?  The Internet is a network of computers that transmits information all around the world.  In today’s standards “computers” doesn’t just mean the hard drive, monitor and accessories that are “plugged in” to an electrical outlet in your home or business. The networks of computers that connect to the Internet include laptops, blackberries, iPhones and cell phones.

The Internet can be used for various reasons relating to personal use, school use or business use.   Some examples include research for a school paper, inquiry on a product or service, ordering items not available locally or sold cheaper somewhere else, looking up medical advice or possibly just surfing (browsing) for pleasure.  Today’s more modern technology even allows for banking online including paying monthly bills.  Because of its popularity and usefulness, the Internet is being introduced to children in schools at a relatively young age.  To get an overview of what your young one may be learning, the San Diego Public Library offers a short overview of modern technology. 

Thursday, January 20, 2011

The Hype of Blogging

courtesy of ShashiBellamkonda

Do you blog?  What is the purpose of you blogging? 

In today’s society, you hear the word blog everywhere.  It is used in social settings and professional settings.  Blogging seems to be a thing of the present and the future.   Is blogging here to stay?  Alyssa Gregory summed this up in will blogging be another fad.

Yes it’s true that many people can reach out to a blog.  They can read it for their own enjoyment, learn something new from it or elaborate on a blog by posting their own comments to it.