Back in the day when I was young, I'm not a kid anymore, but some days I sit and wish I was a kid again. There are times I do wish I was a kid again. Why? Have you seen what these kids are playing lately? The entire video game industry is far beyond what it was when I was growing up.
For example, click here for an example of what I grew up with.
Click here for an example of what the kids today have.
Like I said, the kids these days have much better video gaming systems and games than I did when I was growing up. But at what cost?
There are times when I see children today mimic what they see or do in a video game. Using Social Learning Theory as the basis for my argument, I will contend that the majority of adolescences in todays society act out what they see in, or play in video games...to an extent.
I'm not advocating that today's generation does everything they have seen in a video game that pertains to violent behavior. Research doesn't suggest that. I will say, from my own personal observations, that today's generation is more apt to pick up the language used, notions made, and yes, even the mentality of their parents who are now playing the "cooler" video games that my generation didn't have.
Personally, I find video games calming after a stimulating, crazy day at work. I will even go so far as to say that there is a certain peace made when one hops into a multi-player game to escape for a few hours from the daily grind.
However, this needs to be done in moderation. Anything done with excessiveness can be borderline bad for the individual that is participating in said excessiveness. Too much of a good thing can be bad.
I'm excited to see what new technology will lead to the advancements in the video game industry. I'm excited to have the chance one day to lose to my children in the video game of their choice, like my Dad did with my brother and I (Super Mario was not his friend that day). Hopefully I will be able to find a balance for them so that they're not trapped inside all day playing video games, but outside playing the air guitar like most children should be.
Trip, Out
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Live & Learn
I remember a time early in what I call my 'computer adolescences' in which I got into some downloading, one thing lead to the next, and I had a crazy virus. This virus not only wiped out my entire hard drive on my laptop, but it wiped out my external hard drive as well. To this day I still feel unbelievable stupid about this occurrence in my life. Not only was it costly, but it could have been adverted would I only have been up to date on my virus protection software.
What did I learn? For starters, don't procrastinate when it come to computer software updates. They're simple to do, but yet take time and patience that at the time I did not have. I now try and set reminders for myself on a monthly basis to check out certain things that need to be updated and rely on me doing so.
I also learned that I should not be so trusting of things I download from the World Wide Web. I was lucky in that I was able to save the backup data from my external hard drive. This isn't always the case when it comes to matters such as these, so becoming less trusting is a good thing as it pertains to this particular topic.
Above all else I think I realized at this point that there is a world out there that is just malicious. A world in which there is no thought or consideration for the laymen, like myself, that forget to update his/her anti-virus software.
Aside from feeling like a total noob at this point, I also felt as though it could be a good thing. There are other ways in which I would have liked to learn this lesson, but this is the way I had to go through in my life. The positives are harder to find, but in the end I was glad that I could learn how to deal with a situation such as this, and then how to stop it from happening in the future.
I'm around my computer all the time. There are going to be things that happen to me I won't always like on here. The time I got my first computer virus taught me not only to watch what I was downloading, but look toward the future and be more proactive in my learning about specific things that are going on in the computer world.
My PC will continue to impact my life, hopefully for the better from here on out.
What did I learn? For starters, don't procrastinate when it come to computer software updates. They're simple to do, but yet take time and patience that at the time I did not have. I now try and set reminders for myself on a monthly basis to check out certain things that need to be updated and rely on me doing so.
I also learned that I should not be so trusting of things I download from the World Wide Web. I was lucky in that I was able to save the backup data from my external hard drive. This isn't always the case when it comes to matters such as these, so becoming less trusting is a good thing as it pertains to this particular topic.
Above all else I think I realized at this point that there is a world out there that is just malicious. A world in which there is no thought or consideration for the laymen, like myself, that forget to update his/her anti-virus software.
Aside from feeling like a total noob at this point, I also felt as though it could be a good thing. There are other ways in which I would have liked to learn this lesson, but this is the way I had to go through in my life. The positives are harder to find, but in the end I was glad that I could learn how to deal with a situation such as this, and then how to stop it from happening in the future.
I'm around my computer all the time. There are going to be things that happen to me I won't always like on here. The time I got my first computer virus taught me not only to watch what I was downloading, but look toward the future and be more proactive in my learning about specific things that are going on in the computer world.
My PC will continue to impact my life, hopefully for the better from here on out.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Show Me The Money
Change is inevitable no matter what. In any facet of life there will be changes that you don't like, and there will be changes that you approve of. Sometimes there will be those changes that you're hesitant to go along with, but once you get your feet wet, you find that life is just better.
Personally, the conversion of television from analog to digital hasn't been as big of a deal to me as some of the population in this fine nation we live in. However, it hasn't been that big of a deal for me because I love changes in technology. True, it might take me awhile to figure out how to best use a new technology, but I eventually get my feet wet and fall in love with trendy new advancements. I believe that this advancement to a new type of technology, as it pertains to digital television, has many people confused and overwhelmed because they're not really the type of folks that like change too much, especially when it come to technology.
Television is a staple in our society. It is where we get our news, our gossip, our entertainment, and even for some people, where we buy our products. Almost everyone in the U.S. now has a television in their household, and for good reasons. When it comes to changing this staple, for any reason at all, a percentage of the population just isn't ready for the Price Is Right in HD. They're comfortable with what they have now, and don't want to change.
So, why change? And why is the title of this posting Show Me The Money? Well, it's simple...C.R.E.A.M.(Cash Rules Everything Around Me). From a social and economical stand-point it make sense to switch from analog to digital because there will be more money that circulates through our economy. Regardless of whether or not someone received a free voucher for a converter box, they will still probably need to buy a new home recording device, a new TV, or even a DVD player because VHS will now be obsolete. Granted, this is extreme, but feasible to say the least. There will also be those that now will be able to order movies directly through their cable service provider. There will be those that see a truly better picture, and want to then purchase a new HD television. And what about the 3D thing people are now craving? Exactly, people will spend money.
In addition to more people spending money on new technology, there will be more of a demand for better programing, and the possibility of more niche channels may pop up. More demand for better technology may also result because once people see how bad-ass a football game in HD is, they'll want more. Advancements in 3D technology may also lead to less expensive HD televisions. A less expensive TV means that more people will be able to buy them. More people buying a less expensive TV means that there is more money circulating.
The flip-side to this consumption is of course the TV, VCR, or anything else one may deem as obsolete will get thrown away. Where does all this go? Will there be places in America that look like this? It's hard to say, but the ramification may be something that our politicians have not yet thought about.
In conclusion, change, like I've already stated, is inevitable. It's going to happen whether we like it or not. It might be expensive for some, or fun for others, but regardless, it will happen. I'm personally both excited and leery of what this new era of digital television may bring. That being said, does anyone know of a good deal on any 3D televisions out there?
Personally, the conversion of television from analog to digital hasn't been as big of a deal to me as some of the population in this fine nation we live in. However, it hasn't been that big of a deal for me because I love changes in technology. True, it might take me awhile to figure out how to best use a new technology, but I eventually get my feet wet and fall in love with trendy new advancements. I believe that this advancement to a new type of technology, as it pertains to digital television, has many people confused and overwhelmed because they're not really the type of folks that like change too much, especially when it come to technology.
Television is a staple in our society. It is where we get our news, our gossip, our entertainment, and even for some people, where we buy our products. Almost everyone in the U.S. now has a television in their household, and for good reasons. When it comes to changing this staple, for any reason at all, a percentage of the population just isn't ready for the Price Is Right in HD. They're comfortable with what they have now, and don't want to change.
So, why change? And why is the title of this posting Show Me The Money? Well, it's simple...C.R.E.A.M.(Cash Rules Everything Around Me). From a social and economical stand-point it make sense to switch from analog to digital because there will be more money that circulates through our economy. Regardless of whether or not someone received a free voucher for a converter box, they will still probably need to buy a new home recording device, a new TV, or even a DVD player because VHS will now be obsolete. Granted, this is extreme, but feasible to say the least. There will also be those that now will be able to order movies directly through their cable service provider. There will be those that see a truly better picture, and want to then purchase a new HD television. And what about the 3D thing people are now craving? Exactly, people will spend money.
In addition to more people spending money on new technology, there will be more of a demand for better programing, and the possibility of more niche channels may pop up. More demand for better technology may also result because once people see how bad-ass a football game in HD is, they'll want more. Advancements in 3D technology may also lead to less expensive HD televisions. A less expensive TV means that more people will be able to buy them. More people buying a less expensive TV means that there is more money circulating.
The flip-side to this consumption is of course the TV, VCR, or anything else one may deem as obsolete will get thrown away. Where does all this go? Will there be places in America that look like this? It's hard to say, but the ramification may be something that our politicians have not yet thought about.
In conclusion, change, like I've already stated, is inevitable. It's going to happen whether we like it or not. It might be expensive for some, or fun for others, but regardless, it will happen. I'm personally both excited and leery of what this new era of digital television may bring. That being said, does anyone know of a good deal on any 3D televisions out there?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)