CCT205+-+Labs

=CCT205 Labs=

January 13, 2011 - What "Digital Innovation" do you feel best deserves the title of "revolutionary" and why?

I believe that the Internet deserves the title of "revolutionary". Revolutionary, in my opinion, is something that provides a big change. The internet has now become an important factor of many people's lives, businesses and educations. It paves the way for many other applications, programs and websites that users are so dependant of. Some may think Facebook, Twitter, or any other social networking sites in the past few years are revolutionary, but these would not be possible if it weren't for the Internet.

Our lives revolve around the internet whether we know it or not. Unsure about a recipe? Look it up on Google. Remember a friend from High School? Search them up on Facebook. Just got fired and need a new job? Look for one on Monster.ca. The internet allows websites such as those to give us information whenever it is in need. It is constantly being used everyday. even to the point where their internet is never turned off. In my home for example, my secure router is always on providing wireless internet access all the time.

The internet goes through so many upgrades of its own. It started from using the phone-line and it can now be used wireless. Even businesses and restaurants are providing this feature, whether anyone can use it for free or for a certain price.. the point is, is that it's available. If you were to look back 10 years ago, who would have imagined that the Internet would shape our lives like this. Before the internet, how was communication and receiving information within seconds even possible?

January 20, 2011 - What do you think about the Mac App Store?

The Mac App Store provides many tools, entertainment and games to Apple users. It also provides many companies or even budding companies, a way to get their product/app out. Its an easy, accessible way for downloading different applications from different categories.The availability of the downloads is a huge step from driving to the nearest Best Buy/Future Shop and buying a game/CD at $30+ during store hours. There are so many creative applications that aren't really necessary but thousands of people are still downloading them. It is also a good thing that many applications are free, or for a low price of 99 cents or 1.99, or even specialty apps that are much more pricey. The App Store in general for all Apple products, have guided the way for these types of downloads. Programs that were never Apple to begin with, are converting and creating applications of their own to release on the App Store. It the new generation of downloading.

The downfalls of the Mac App Store are the requirements as to what would be accepted as an 'App'. The rules come off as vague and unclear. It seems as if, only popular companies that have a lot of money are the only ones that would be allowed. It's pretty much a popularity contest where the Apple teams will handpick themselves which submitted app is okay in their books.

January 27, 2011 - Choose one and discuss a real-world example that demonstrates it.
 * Design - not just functional, but beatiful, whimsical or emotionally engaging.
 * Story - the essence of persuasion (...) has become the ability to fashion a compelling narrative.
 * Symphony - seeing the big picture (...) and being able to combine disparate pieces into an arresting new whole.
 * Empathy - the ability to understand what makes (people) tick, to forge relationships.
 * Play - in work and in life, we all need to play.
 * Meaning - our fundamental drive (...) is the pursuit of meaning.

Design is a big part of how successful an item becomes. The functionality of technology is similar when it comes to cellphones, laptops, and mp3 players. The companies that come out first are the ones that look different and stand out from the rest. We all know a phone is used to call someone, but why are more and more people buying iPhones and Blackberries over LG or Nokia. If you were to look at the design of LG and Nokia phones in the past, they look completely different than they do now. The models for the LG and Nokia are starting to look more and more like an iPhone or Blackberry.

Apple has this advantage over other brands. Their laptops, computers, cellphones and mp3 players have a very distinctive look over other brands. A Macbook pro could be easily spotted in a lecture hall full of laptops. All these devices are doing what they're known to do but the look of the device ups the ante. Design is especially important when the buyer isn't very tech savy that they just look at the esthetics of the device. To be successful, function shouldn't be the only priority. Make it work properly but at the same time make it stand out from the rest.

February 3, 2011 - "Alone Together"

February 10, 2011 - Talk about your views/concerns about the future of privacy. Does privacy really matter? Why or Why not? (Be specific)

Personally, privacy is important. It allows me to feel comfortable being who I am without someone there to judge me. Specifically the privacy of the internet has completely changed privacy. When I was younger, my friends would never be able to know what I was did on the weekend or even see pictures from a party that I attended. Now, everyone I have on my friend's list - even people i'm not that close with - can see everything I post on my Facebook profile. Pictures that I wouldn't even want anyone to see could be uploaded by anyone and only they would be able to take it off. Pictures could be saved and even if they've been removed off the internet, who knows who's hard drive or computer your pictures are saved on. This is what concerns me. It kind of scares me to put pictures of myself, my friends and my family on my blog (not even Facebook), considering where I originally uploaded them to. Social Networking isn't the only field where privacy is an issue, but it's one that really concerns me. Pictures that I had up when I was 15 and partying could still be searchable when I'm searching for a job. It could put a strain on my future.

Does privacy really matter shouldn't even be a question. Everyone is entitled to their own privacy but thanks to technology, the thin line between what is public and what is private is slowly diminishing. It's like the Internet has no shame in allowing anyone to Google anyone's name to find out information on them. A good example of this is the workplace. You keep your personal and work life seperate and that's how it should be on the Internet.

March 10, 2011 - inDesign