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Immersed in Technology "DIGITAL_NATION" by Frontline

Digital Nation - Frontline Virtually Amazing  

How much of YOUR life is in the Digital World? Multi-tasking, googling for answers at an urge, reading less novels, writing more paragraphs...and on. 

Thank you PBS /Frontline for this extraordinary show reviewing the many, many ways our lives have changed with technology as we rush into a world infused with technology touching our lives - changing the way we learn, what we do, and how we live.  Leaving us with more questions.
 "more and more of our experiences are moving into the virtual world".

That it will change us is certain. Neil Postman stated at Harvard in 1997 -
"ask how it (technology) will change our lives before embracing it".  However, many changes happen without our control and we must learn to adapt - we need to find the balance.

Is Technology is now bringing us back together again in a different way--- IBM office Park hub for 1980's and it is empty but in IBM's Second Life - people are at home, hotels all over the world meet regularly in 2nd Life IBM world. Their  Innovation Strategist reports, "None have met in real life- only know each other from virtual world."

Virtual human Interaction life studies at Stanford University reports how human minds reflect small  distinctions in  differentiating stuff- if it looks real - it can be percieved as "real"-especially if the  avatars wear our real faces. The "Swimming with whales" experiment results show that kids believe they swam with whales at 3 yr old after viewing computer simulations.


Where is this all taking us- with multi-tasking and googling , meeting in virtual worlds, being in the same house whle all in different worlds?

Many things to ponder and this fantastic piece reviews many of our lives' changes and offers few answers but VERY IMPORTANT questions.   Go to PBS for the full version and add your story to Digital_ Nation.  

Thanks Google Chrome Team - 21 Things!

After struggling to open my GMAIL today, I finally opened the Google browser, Chrome  and found some real gems - number 1 -a great new browser and a cool book of 20 things. This online book was designed by the Min Li Chan and the  Google Chrome team called "20 Things I Learned About Browsers and the Web". 

 Love the way it teaches one about internet use and a layman's terminology with tips to protect one's privacy.  Reading online with pages that flip and good size type also make it "user friendly".  Recommend to all. 

MLK"I have a dream" - so should WE

Martin Luther King
In remembering our past, we define our future. Thanks for the technology that brings our history
to refresh the motivation of those no longer here to forge forward today.

Apps for MAC-- what do you think of that?

 MAC App Store "Open for Biz"

Just downloaded the App for MAC app for my laptop. You need to have Snow Leopard OS X
and it takes a few minutes and is free. What is NOT free - is most of the apps. Some cost a hefty $79 like the Aperture one. Like to say that I have tried them but... so many cost money and I have them on the  my iPad and/or iPhone- and don't need to pay for a duplicate.

I am still working my way thru some of them. It is nice for those who have no iPad and like to try the features of some apps, like Evernote and Things. Not crazy about repeating apps on 3 devices- if I buy it once- would like to have it for several uses.

Composer is a fun app and Evernote- well, it works as well on the Mac as it does on the iPad.
Guess the advantage is that one who has no iPad can still enjoy some of the apps on MAC. :  )

Movie Making iPhone "only on the iPhone"

 iPhoneFilming

Pan Chan-wook, South Korean film director  known for "Old Boy" "Thirst", and "Lady Vengeance, has used an iPhone 4 to shoot for the 30 min.  film, "Paranmanjang" with a budget of $133,000 or 150 million.  He is quoted as saying it provided many angles as the size of camera provided numerous cameras with variety of shots.

The directors attached lenses to their phones( something I will research and come back with more info)
        "only on the iPhone....."  at least this movie.

Power Teacher -iPad

Add caption

Power Teacher l MOBILE for the iPad 

iPads are made for school and here is another app to attest to that statement. Teachers will be able to open their student's grades and provide updates, grades, and comments if their school institutions are using Pearson's PowerSchool program.
Will be trying it and update you on the user friendliness of this free app.


According to the THE 

• Create and score assignments - Teachers will be able to quickly create assignments, enter scores and comments, and update final grades
• View student groups - Student learning groups and teams are available to support differentiated instruction and assessment
• Manage class rosters - Enrollment changes that occur in the front office will automatically be reflected in PowerTeacher Mobile
• View student demographics - Student demographic information and photos entered in the office will automatically be available to teachers
• Email students and contacts - Teachers are able to quickly send email messages to parents and students
• Access student alerts - Medical, guardian, discipline, and other alerts created in the front office are visible to teachers
• Easily connect - Teachers simply enter their school ZIP code, and PowerTeacher Mobile automatically connects to their PowerSchool database
• Trust the security of their data - Teachers are able to access only their own schools and classes they teach and can log in using their existing account information
• Access support - Support for PowerTeacher Mobile is built right into the app

PowerSchool version 6.2.1.6 is required to use PowerTeacher Mobile. To download PowerTeacher Mobile, go to http://itunes.com/app/powerteachermobile/.

For more information, press only:
Adam Gaber, Pearson, 800-745-8469, adam(dot)gaber(at)pearson(dot)com

Techie Shopping Ideas : )

Some of the hottest gifts this year, include accessories for our gadgets.
There are some great new cases that bring protection and easier typing tools.
-Check out the Etch a Sketch case ( pricey but cool and hard case for $39 from My Gear)

  I may just have to get the iPhone ones for the iPhone 3 and 4. BTW- here's the website for a Sonders photographer who did some marketing shots of them and whose friend worked with Ohio Art to create them.  Love it!



There's also the ipad  case with a keyboard- there are several versions - most are in the $64 range - several to choose from. They will add weight but it is easier than using the keyboard on the screen.

I bought lots of iTune gift cards for they can be used not only for music downloads but apps for iPhone and the iPad.  They do add up!

Flash drives are always practical and very handy. We save our projects on a server but using your own flashdrive allows you to bring your work wherever you go- unless you are saving to a "cloud".Even then, it is faster to save and input as you don't have to log in to your email account to save or retrieve the files. Plus Photoshop files are sooooo big!
Blu rays are the way to go for more quality and there are plenty of deals out there if you don't mind shopping online and look for them.  BEWARE of frauds!  A website that looked very legit in design and coverage took my $ 72 of DVD birthday gift for my son and never answered months of phone calls, emails, and had a FAKE store front with a po box when we went to find them in person. Thank goodness we had a credit card that covered loss.
Shopping online has become an answer to avoiding crowds just be cautious!
Enjoy shopping and getting at least ONE new thing to make life more tech abled!!

HIPSTAMATIC - Hooked on ol' school photo for iPhone app

Meet the HipstaMinions from Synthetic on Vimeo.

Here is Hipstamtic - an app for the iPhone that creates some of that magic from developing one's prints in the darkroom- "you never know what surprises will come up".
I have always loved photo taking and later when "moving pictures" in video and film easier and popular. My collection of old cameras attests to the history of photography in my lineage. I love the experimenting and documenting the world with various views. iPhone app allows me to take ONE camera for many effects. Glad to be living in this day and age.    Here is the $1.99 app with a gallery of my pics to follow.

iPhone Hipstamatic app

The Beatles Arrive... to iTunes!

The Beatles come to iTunes

  It's been a hard day's night... but finally,  Apple and Apple come to an agreement and we are able to get our Beatles' music on iTunes. I enjoyed seeing the videos on the Apple site and gallery of images of one of my favorite groups of all time. There box sets and individual albums to add to your iTunes listening pleasures. Enjoy!

Software updates iPad to Print and Multi-task

Steve Jobs promised and we finally got the new software for the iPad that allows for some features our iPhones and iPods got recently- Printing wireless and multi-tasking.

Ipad as Presenter Tool

Presenter tools include the iPad - which needs the following items.
1. VGA connection - $30 from Apple store - will display ONLY Keynotes, Movies, & Pic slideshows
2. Document Camera set ups- will Mirror the iPad
Low tech makeshift  ( Web cam or video camera on tripod /gooseneck lamp)
Document Camera- from portable, low resolution ,slower moving images $265
to high end models $600-800 that record, faster transmission)


3. Expedition, Good Reader  $1.99 VGA out put- which is on sale for  $.99

4. Log me in - can operate the Smart Board from iPad
  
5. TightVNC: VNC-Compatible Free Remote Control Software
/ Mocha VNC  lite for iPad  - for controlling desktop from iPad