Thursday, April 30, 2009

Peer-to-Peer networks allow for computers on the same network to have access to other computers who are on that same network. For instance, three computers can be connected to one printer, which allows all of the computers to print from the one printer.

Some internet peer-to-peer networks are used to download music files over the internet. If the music is copyrighted then this act is illegal, however not all peer-to-peer networks are illegal. Since I have begun using computers, I have used at home peer-to-peer networks as well as Client-server networks and Internet peer-to-peer networks. At home, as well as in my mom’s office, I can print a document from any computer to just one printer, a result of a P2P home network. I can also have Internet access on any of the computers who are a part of the network. As for Internet peer-to-peer, I have used this type of network for downloading music.

The use of P2P Home networks and Internet P2P networks to share some types of files is illegal because of the Copyright law. For instance, if a music producer puts a copyright label on the music then downloading it from a peer on an internet network is illegal. However, users can pay for their music and the act is legal.

I support government intervention on this type of activity because I pay for my music from iTunes. I used to download illegally until I started hearing about all the different consequences, usually resulting in large amounts of fees that are much more then to just pay for my music. I know that I cannot be sued for up to thousands of dollars since I pay. Also, the quality of the music is much better. The University does not encourage any illegal internet activity.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Keyboarding Speed Test

Test Name: TypingTest.com - Test Instructions
Gross Speed: 66 words per minute
Net Speed: 66 words per minute
Accuracy: 100%

On the second test, my speed increased by 6 more words per minute (72), but my accuracy decreased 2%, resulting in a 98% accuracy rate. The most logical reason as to why my words per minute increased is because I was more familiar with what was expected of me the second time. It is much harder to read and type, then if I were to just type what is on my mind. I do not think that the tutorial is responsible for the improvement; I think it is up to the person typing and a matter of them becoming familiar with what they are going to type. I think that web-based tutorials are definitely useful for basic skills development and improvement. Naturally I am a fast typer, however many people lack this ability. Therefore, such tutorials can be of great use for someone who is new to using a computer, or simply for someone who is interested in improving their typing skills.

When I did a search on different typing tests available online, I found a website called FreeTypingGame.net. You can choose how long you want your typing test to last, whether it is for one minute or more. Then, it provides you with a paragraph and as you type, any errors are colored red. The paragraph is simple and it was much easier to read and type then the test I took for my own type test. In fact, I did my typing test on FreeTypingGame.net and my score was 78 words per minute with 0 errors.

Click on the following link to get to FreeTypingGame.net:
http://www.freetypinggame.net/free-typing-test.asp

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Webshots

Webshots is one of the largest photo and video sharing websites, sharing more than 520 million photos. With the choice of a free or premium membership, a user is guaranteed to never run out of storage. Though there are quite a few differences in a free membership in comparison to the premium membership, the average person who is just looking for a free place to upload and share photos and videos should find themselves content with the free membership. However, if one is interested in customer support or eliminating the display of ads, they can pay a fee of $29.88 a year for those features. Webshots also provides their members with the option of having prints sent to them for a fee depending on the size and quality of the photo. Gifts are also available, such as coffee mugs, calendars, invitations, mouse pads, jewelry, clothing, etc. Each of the gifts are for sale and prices depend on the type of gift.

There are many pro’s of using a web-based storage site. One of the main reasons I would use this type of site is to be able to share my photos/videos with friends and family. Often times I forget to bring my camera out with me and then I am unable to take photos. However, usually my friends or someone I am with will have a camera. If he/she takes photos they can post them on Webshots and I will be able to access and view the pictures. If I wanted, I could save the photos to my own PC, or have them printed via the printing feature offered. Another pro of using a web-based storage site is that you are able to view millions of pictures that may be useful to you in some way. For example, if you needed to find a picture of something specific, and you find it on the Webshots page, depending on the Copyright terms of that user, you may be able to use the picture for your research, education, etc. I have previously used this method for the assignments in computer class. I would also use this website if I were interested in purchasing a personalized gift. Webshots offers gifts that are good for any occasion; therefore I could use the web site to create my own gift using a personal photo.

Like any web-site, there are con’s that go along with it. One being the fact that your pictures are capable of being viewed by any user who is able to access them; therefore you must take precautions when posting pictures on the web site. If you are certain that you do not want to show the public eye a certain photo or video, do not post it. One of the main reasons I would not use this site is for that specific reason. I know that my photos are not private and they can be accessed, therefore I would not choose to post them. Another reason I would choose not to use this website is because I have a photo shop program on my laptop that I can edit and print photos off of. Instead of paying approximately $30 a month for bonus features, I would just use the program that I have on my personal computer and print the pictures from home. There are not too many reasons for why I would not use this website; in fact I have used it in previous years. Now I tend to use Facebook to upload and share photos that are only to be viewed by my friends.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Privacy Issues

In today’s computer-oriented society, privacy issues are of my greatest concern. People enter personal information online each day for different types of things, such as, an online purchase using a credit card, or by simply updating their statuses on Facebook. Though most businesses keep to their privacy policy, those who do not enforce such policies share personal information with others.
I believe that most information posted on the internet is likely to be viewed by those that you are unaware of. Though Facebook and Myspace have privacy settings that disable “strangers,” from viewing your information (pictures, blogs, etc.), somehow, somewhere there is a person who can hack into your account and view your information. I do not understand why so many people put personal data online for others to see. In most instances, I could log on to my Facebook account and choose any one of my friends at random, and just by looking at their page, I could most likely tell you where they are from, or where they live, the high school or college they attend(ed), and where they may work. I can also see pictures of him or her, his or her friends, and any personal blogs he or she may include to identify their self. If I can access such information within just a few minutes, people who spend hours hacking into other computers are capable of doing just the same.
Aside from the common means of online communication, those who give their credit card numbers online are also at a bit of a risk. If the business shares their information with other businesses, then your credit card number is likely to be viewed by others. Often times, people can access information outside of the internet just by providing a credit card number. Therefore, whatever is posted online can also lead to identity theft outside of the World Wide Web. The same types of problems occur when people give their social security number online.
Though there are many different factors that attribute to online risks, I feel that privacy is definitely the most important because it can lead to identity theft which could lead to bigger problems. Therefore, I put as little information about myself on the internet as I possibly can, and I rarely make online purchases. It is not that I do not trust the internet at all, I just take big precautions.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Searching the Web


When I began my search on Ask Jeeves.com I typed in “Healthy Food” and 39,000,000 results appeared. The first ten hits were extremely relevant to my intended search, offering healthy food choices, fitness information and healthy recipes. The first web site that appeared was the Food Network (http://www.foodnetwork.com/healthy-eating/index.html). It gave great ideas for healthy, delicious recipes. As I continued to browse through the first ten pages of results, I was becoming overwhelmed by all the different web sites offered. Some were for more specific types of diets then others.

Learning different ways to prepare healthy foods is always interesting and a lot of times it allows for me to learn a new way of cooking something that I would not have known before. However, there were just too many results. So, in order to focus on low-carb options, I went to advanced search and in “all of these words” box I kept healthy foods and in the “one or more of these words” I typed “low carb”, “sugar-free”, and “Vitamin C.” Because I focused my search on three specific topics, the amount of hits decreased by almost 35,000,000! That is an incredible amount.

After this experience, I now know that in order to have a better focus on what I am looking for, I should advance my search or include more/less words in my search. For example, instead of just typing in “healthy food”, I typed in low carb healthy food and received 683,000 hits. The first ten were extremely relevant to my search and gave recipes or ideas for a low carb eating habit.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Biography

My name is Destiny Moor. I am a freshman at the University of Delaware. I like to work and spend time with my family and friends.