Module 10

This story is about a robot named Joe. It is amazing that in 1946 they were able to predict some things that robots/computers can actually do for us today. I love the part where they are asking Joe for answers to questions about killing your wife, or getting away with drinking and he is able to give them a response. Is that not what we use the internet for today? Anytime that you have a question and need and answer you can pull up the internet on your computer or even the robot in your pocket called a “cell phone” and search for a result. You will be given a wide variety of answers and solutions to your questions and problems. Joe is even able to store personal information about accounts and so forth, much like computers and used today. That is how society functions, relying on technology to store information for us so that there is less and less that we actual have to remember. Technology can even track our mistakes to help us from creating errors or leaving steps undone. I think that the difference is that our computers don’t have a mind of their own and they can’t control things without us asking them too. We are still able to keep limits on them, so that our lives can stay secure. I believe that because of technology we rely a lot on it. Without it a lot of people couldn’t get through their daily lives since that are entwined in our jobs, schools and personal lives. They are quite helpful in helping us figure out key points in our lives, and making sure that we have immediate answers. If you aren’t able to do something or have never done a certain thing on your own before you can ask your computer, much like Joe and find out the best and easiest way to do it. Without technology we wouldn’t be able to share the things that we learn so easily. I think that technology is both hurting and improving our way of doing things. It hurts us because instead of people trying to think outside the box and come up with a solution on their own, they rely on others having already found a solution and simply copying it. I believe though that people who lack creativity are still able to learn a lot more than they would be able to otherwise because now they can read or watch how it is done and figure it out on their own. I believe that Joe is a pretty good example of just a few things that computers have done for us, although he has his flaws, he had some key points in prediction about technology. 

Module 9 

As I continued to read The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman, I learned how some many things that I never thought about continued to make the world a more equal playing field. A lot of things in these sections were harder for me to completely grasp the ideas, since they were a lot more in depth about programming on computers.

                One of the things that contributing to the flattening was work flow software. This is what standardized computers and the way they communicated. It was allowed for people to work on the same projects from all over. It allowed for different individuals and even different companies to access the same information. My wife currently works in a job where she works from two different computers, one at the office and one at home, because of work flow software she is able to transport files back and forth from the two computers, even though they don’t run the same exact programs. I guess what was most shocking about the idea of work flow software was the fact that I never knew it was any different that it is today. I didn’t realize all the complications that there was when it came to sharing information, files and company information. It is insane the amount of programs that we have allowed to communicate with one another and work hand in hand.

                The next “flattener” open source software has also made it so that we have found many new advances due to the contribution of many people. These software programs allow people from all over to tap into them and edit them. They are allowed to make improvements or find problems. Someone writes a code that allows the program to run as they want. Another aspect that plays a part with the codes written for software programs are hackers, they developed a community where they would go in and change programs and share their ways. Most of this really goes above my head to be honest, I do not fully understand about computers and codes and the interworking’s that there are, I just want my computer to work when I want it to. I am grateful that there are people that have developed such programs so that I am able to do everything that I am able to from the convenience of my living room couch.

                The last section was on outsourcing, which is when companies outsource their jobs to other country, the biggest being India. Through the internet and programming companies are able to share information across seas. It was amazing to me that in the book they said that often times in other countries there are many companies that work out of one large room. Since the companies aren’t stationed there they don’t need a fancy office, so often times they cram as many individuals in the office as possible and have them working for multiple companies depending on the part of the room that they are assigned to. I think that outsourcing has provided companies a cheaper way to run businesses. A lot of companies are also able to have extended hours of customer service when they outsource to other countries. Personally, I see the advantages for companies to outsource, but sometimes as a consumer it can be very frustrating. They don’t always understand completely how the problems that you are having because sometimes there is a gap in the understanding of the company that they work for.

                This section of the book was a little harder to completely comprehend, but I still think it helped to open my eyes to all the interworking’s of companies and all the things that they are constantly doing to make sure that we are still advancing.

Module 8

How have computer been relevant in my education? It would probably be a lot easier to tell you how they have not. All throughout school I have had to utilize computers for many different purposes. For instance in college, you apply online, you register for classes and online, and you can even take classes purely online. How would any of this be possible without utilizing computers, exactly it wouldn't. I am extremely grateful for computers in my education because I take advantage of them by taking mostly online classes since by life seems crazy busy enough. Trying to balance a full time job, a family and school at once can seem at least overwhelming, but because of computers I have been able to get my education all while not leaving the comfort of my own home, which makes it seem less demanding. I am so grateful for all the technologies that have made communicating with teachers easier, so that any questions I have working from home can be answered. Programs like canvas, and this blog help me to stay on top of my school work, all while not having to worry about getting to class on time. 

It seems as though every part of my education is interlinked to computers and technologies. I have to type all my assignments from my computer. I have to post my assignments online to my professors, all on a computer. I have to go to school to take tests all of which are on a computer. It is remarkable that computers can basically run our lives and keep them organized. My computer has a calendar which reminds me when I have assignments due. Without my computer I probably wouldn't be able to pass my classes because I can't seem to remember anything on my own with out my computer or cell phone.

It is hard to imagine having to go through school without computers and all the accessibility that they bring us. They allow  us to research for projects, communicate with classmates and teachers, type assignments, turn in assignments and keep our education on track. I myself am grateful to get to go to school today and have all the help that computers have brought.