Twitter Newbie

Well I have finally caught up to my kids. Or so I think, I have a twitter account. I am far from seeing the potential of posting, following tweets on Twitter. I do believe it will be a way of instantly connecting to people in my network.

 I wish I had a mobile devise when I was in Florida. It seems like one of the best ways to use twitter is for instant moments that you want to capture right away.For example when I saw Paul McCartney while I was waiting in line at Universal Studios ET Adventure.

The use of Twitter for business is something that is is only starting to take shape. I hope to be involved so that not only can I learn from others in social situations, but also in professional business situations as well . I  see only the limitations of ones creativity and that the possibilities are endless for connecting with others in our network.

                                                                          

Twitter Link  https://twitter.com/#!/SDirmyer


Images Cited

Dugan, Lauren. All Twitter. 2011. Media Bistro. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/3-tips-for-writing-a-killer-twitter-bio-to-get-targeted-followers_b133>.

Navigating Web Pages

The world of communications has exploded since the birth of the internet. The internet allows uses to connect to other computers anywhere in the world to share information through the use of web pages.

                                                                                                                      

Computers all over the world have addresses much like people have house addresses. The IP or Internet protocol is similar to a house address and due to the size and complexity of IP addresses, domain  names are the text version of IP addresses. There are many domain names  that are registered through the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers(ICANN). "Originally only seven generic top-level domains, including .com, edu., and .org were created"(Shelly,Napier,Rivers). That has now changed with several other names now added including .gov and .mil which represent the government and military respectively.

To navigate around the internet and view web pages there are several useful tools that aid web surfers. Web browsers have the ability to store previously viewed pages. These features are set up on command and tool bars. One of the more useful tools is the web slice button which if available, allows users to receive updates such as sports or weather pages. Another useful tool is the RSS (Really Simple Syndication). Web pages can be saved, emailed  or printed. They can be customized so that they are set up as a default home page.

There are several risks when using the internet. Hackers constantly try to use the internet to invade users privacy and corrupt computers by injecting viruses or spy ware that can slow computers down. Fortunately, there are ways to protect computers by using firewalls and anti-virus software. There are also way to protect children form viewing  sites that are adult oriented. Keeping information private and secure is especially important for business and government agencies. There are ways to do this through filtering and use of passwords.

Images Cited

HTTP Photo. Home Messiah. Web. 19 Feb. 2012. http://home.messiah.edu/~jk1393/httpphoto.jpg.

Works Cited

Shelly, Gary B., H. Albet Napier, and Ollie Rivers. Discovering the Internet Complete Concepts and Techniques. 3rdrd ed. Boston: Cengage Learning, 2010. 43. Print. http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/358898640789888/

Personal Learning Networks

A personal learning network is a form of educational learning that expands to anyone in the world that has the same interests seeking to learn while also share knowledge of that particular subject to every one else in that network. 

There are many steps that can help establish a PLN. The first of course is knowing what you topic of interest is. Say for example your interest is in volcanoes. You might start by gathering every bit of information on volcanoes to include their history and how they are formed, to where active volcanoes currently are located, to scientific studies of why they become active. 


You might then start a blog on this subject as well as read other blogs to share information. People with the same interests will follow you and share there thoughts or experiences.  These blogs will contain useful information that is shared and is continuously added. Set up an iGoogle account and subscribe to the blogs you selected in Google Reader. Caution: Limit your reader to five to start. Keeping up with more blogs will be difficult(innovator Educator). 


By using Google Reader you can subscribe to other bogs in your area of interest. Form a group on Facebook to share links with others that share your interests.


It is also helpful to use social media like twitter. For example you can be visiting a volcano and tweet what your seeing first hand.  You can use your top blogs you follow to tweet and have more information. The key is to engage by offering feedback and constant updates which may be the hardest part of all.

Endless Possibilities

Personal learning networks are developing and changing just as social media is developing and changing. Can we keep up? Can we utilize this power to complete in today's highly competitive economic environment? 



Images cited
Warlick, David. Personal Learning Network. http://21clc.wikispaces.com/PLN. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <http://www.abpc21.org/images/21teacher4.jpg>.


Video Cited
Richarson, Will, perf. Personal Learning Networks. Narr. Will Richardson. You Tube, 2008. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <www.youtube.com/watch?v=mghGV37TeK8&feature=player_embedded>.


Works Cited
"5 Things You Can Do to Begin Developing Your Personal Learning Network." The Innovative Educator. Blogspot.com, 12 Oct. 2008. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2008/04/5-things-you-can-do-to-begin-developing.html>.

Getting what you pay for.. The need for Net Neutrality

All consumers wish to get what they pay for. Whether it be a quality meal at a favorite restaurant, or paying for insurance and being able to use the insurance when it is needed. We all want value for what we pay for.

Paying our ISP for internet service is no different. We pay to have access to the internet, every month via dial up (AOL),cable (Time Warner), DSL ( Verizon), fibre optic like Verizon Fios, or possibly satellite internet (Direct TV). We expect to have quality service that provides us with internet access no matter which search engine we choose to use.

The freedom to choose where we go and through what search engine we choose is net neutrality.  Unfortunately, there are ISP's out there that are aligning their business interests first, rather than providing the service we pay for. ISP's are using alignments with certain search engines so that these search engines are used and not necessarily what the customer wishes to use. The almighty dollar and greed has cause some ISP's to make it " not user friendly" when it comes to accessing search engines. What can this lead to?

If there are not laws put into place for net neutrality, whats  stopping ISP also  from keeping people from going to certain businesses to select certain brands? What if you wish to book airline tickets through Southwest but the ISP you use makes the connection near impossible or worse blocks you from getting there? You would choose another airline. This type or corruption must not be tolerated. It is an ugly form of monopolies. The government needs to address net neutrality violations or our country will risk unfair business practices, a modern day version of the 1900's. We pay for the internet access, not part of it. Keep our choices free and demand for net neutrality enforcement.

http://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-theory/10/the-us-federal-trade-commission.asp#axzz1l8tGuH31

Images Cited

Net Neutrality. 2010. Ask the Propeller Heads. Web. 1 Feb. 2012. http://www.data-directions.com/atp/App_Content/media/internet/Net-Neutrality.jpg.

Works Cited

http://www.data-directions.com/atp/View.aspx?page=articles/internetgroup/netneutrality

Kapustka, Paul. "Why you should care about net neutrality." Mac World Web Services. Macworld, 31 Aug. 2010. Web. 1 Feb. 2012. <http://www.macworld.com/article/153750/2010/08/netneutrality.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_h_cbstories>.