Technology Pit

Hardware to Software

chuckaaay — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:03:04 +0000

I was looking for news on technology today. On the New York Times website I found an article on the iPod app store. Typically Apple has been focused on improving its hardware; however, they are now concerning themselves with advancing their software. As described as “the future of digital distribution,” Apple has been changing its methods. The year 2007 marked the beginning of Apple’s app store. The app store is used for the iPhone and the iPod Touch.

The touch screen is what enabled Apple to create more sophisticated software, such as downloadable games which are more entertaining to the user. Both the iPhone and iPod Touch are now internet capable, which allows users to purchase apps on-line without the necessity of a computer. Apple has been creating both free and purchasable content. This way, Apple creates the revenue to continue developing more applications, while still being able to offer free apps for users who do not want to pay for their software.

Power Up

chuckaaay — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:41:43 +0000

USB ports are beginning to be the norm for most removable and rechargeable devices. It only makes sense that they would be integrated into our regular wall outlets, because that would make recharging our devices more convenient. Consumers are becoming more and more reliant on electrical devices, and this product will not only make it easier for consumers to use their portable gadgets, but it will lessen the amount of separate products that the producers have to create so that consumers can effectively use their devices. Since consumer society is based on convenience, this product seems to be worth its price of an estimated ten dollars. These special wall outlets will be on the market sometime next year, which seems reasonable because more and more USB-compatible items continue to come out. Consumers’ lives continue to become easier, and the producing world also simplifies many of its own challenges in putting this product on the market. This is going to be a great buy as soon as it is released.

Off-Road Firefighting

chuckaaay — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:04:08 +0000

Fire trucks have always been large, loud, and fast. When you are driving down the street if you see one coming, you get out of the way. But what if the fire is not near the road? On the popular science website, I read an article on a Firefighting ATV that goes where other fire trucks cannot. Equipped with water cannons and multiple features to survive an inferno this new firefighting vehicle could prove to be valuable in the fight against large fires in wooded areas away from roads or other accessible paths.

The article does not say exactly how much one will cost, but this is a great development for fire fighters. I would have to definitely say it is worth the price. It can save our woodlands from being completely destroyed, and it protects the operators from the inferno they may be going into. It may be cheaper than helicopters that would do the same thing from above. Overall, it is a great invention, not to mention it looks amazing, too.

The Kestrel Eye

chuckaaay — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:33:52 +0000

Yesterday in the news, I read of new satellite technology that will allow our soldiers to see what is going on the other sides of hills or mountains. It is known as the Kestrel Eye. They will be able to coordinate themselves to best attack an enemy, or defend themselves from oncoming danger. The satellite will be able to reflect back an image in almost real time to the location specified by the soldier utilizing the device. The satellite is capable of downloading a couple of pictures per second, and will be able to store all downloaded pictures onto a server that all of these satellites will be able to access. This way, all of the soldiers in an area will be able to see what is going on around them.

The Kestrel Eye is conveniently small enough and it is lightweight so soldiers will be able to carry it in their packs with them at all times. Possibly the most convenient thing about the Kestrel Eye is that it will cost only $1 million per satellite. I would say that the Kestrel Eye is definitely worth the cost, especially when it is going to be helping save human lives.

Windows 7 Bugs

chuckaaay — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:17:10 +0000

The latest, greatest operating system out today for PCs is Windows 7. But like most other operating systems to come out to date, there are many flaws tied in with Windows 7. The flaws are constantly being fixed with service packs and security updates to make them run smoother and faster. In the news today, there was an error described as the “black screen of death”. This is an error that occurs in the Windows 7 operating system that causes the screen to go black. The title comes from another error known as the ”blue screen of death” in older Microsoft operating systems.

It has been reported that reloading Windows will fix the problem. My question would be: is it time to upgrade to Windows 7 yet? If Windows 7 is the latest operating system out, it has flaws that need to be worked out. If you want to be part of the group of people affected by the flaws, reporting them to get fixed, then it sounds like a great time to upgrade. If not, it would probably be best to wait. I think that although the new features are creative and handy, they do not outweigh the potentially high number of bugs that still need to be worked out.

Fifth Gen Nano

chuckaaay — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:48:09 +0000

I have owned an iPod Nano for a few years now, and decided to look up how much they have changed. First, I noticed there is an iPod Touch that was not available when I purchased my iPod. It has obviously been a while since the second generation iPod Nano first came out. I checked out the iPod store and looked at the newest iPod Nano’s features. The Nano is now offered in nine different colors. When I first got my Nano there were only a few colors. More interesting than that, though is that it now has a built in radio tuner. I thought that would be useful considering I only used to listen to the radio in my car and now, I do not have a car. My favorite new feature, however, is the video camera that was added. It records at 1.5 Mbps. I think it makes the Nano a great value for only $149.99. To top it off, they also offer free engraving on the iPod. I would say the iPod Nano is worth the price. I found all my information from the iPod store online.

Deadly Drones?

chuckaaay — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:54:20 +0000

While I was looking at the news today, I saw the use of drone planes in Afghanistan. In this article, Us Warned On Deadly Drone Attacks, I found that we are still threatening to use destructive forces against terrorists. I want to touch base on a question that I have been pondering: Is it right for us to be spending so much money on fighting terrorism today? Our national debt is increasing everyday as we continue the war on terror.

The application of the newest, most expensive technology, such as the deadly attack drones, is effective because it keeps our soldiers safe. Is it right to be spending so much money on the development of weapons of this nature, though? At what point do we have to ask the question: are they really terrorists or are they being forced into fighting for their own defense? I think that by looking into our debt and involvement in this war, we may need to review our actions thus far. You cannot put a price on a life, yet we are spending abundant amounts of money on developing weapons that kill. There has to be a better way.

Let Me Introduce Myself…

chuckaaay — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:21:01 +0000

Hi, I am Charles Romine and I created this blog as a project in my ENGL 106 class at Purdue University. In this blog I wish to explore the new technology coming out in the world today. I have a basic knowledge of how most technological items work, but I am not afraid say I don’t understand the purpose of an item. I have been involved in a FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). I was on Team 135, The Black Knights, which is a student led team. Penn High School seniors from Mishawaka, Indiana compete against other teams throughout the world.

This experience, which I participated in last year, has led me to pursue a degree in Industrial Management from the Krannert School of business at Purdue. I am currently involved with Purdue FIRST and have been placed on Team 461 at West Lafayette High School. I have a basic understanding of technology and I want to determine whether or not new technology coming out today is worth its costs. Costs of new technology may be reflected on the consumer, the environment, or even the producers or the product. I would like to compare the usefulness of these new technologies to their prices and then determine if they are worth the hype.