Microsoft word web app. vs Google Doc. and Cellular radiation (Sept. 16 - 22)

Friday sept. 18 (BOL)
Various topics were covered in this episode.
One interesting topic was about Microsoft putting office on the web to compete with Google doc.
Detailed analysis was done and it was clear that Microsoft’s office web version is far too inferior to that of Google’s. Microsoft office web app. needs lots of improvement to compete with Google. Apart from being slow, the worst part about it was about its poor sharing feature and ability. Users had to create a folder, invite a person to share and change their status to edit. This is a way too long complicated process. They have to focus on web more. 70-80 % features found on the desktop version was not there.

However, the good thing about it was the desktop document could be viewed perfectly in the web. A very fancy and giant power-point presentation looked just as good on the web as on the desktop.
Hurdle is its performance. If Microsoft has to succeed with this app it cannot afford to make it as an extension of the desktop, just like add on. It needs to be convenient and have the features like their successful desktop version do.

The next discussion was about the possible effects of the radiation from the cell phones. Technology geeks seemed to be annoyed by this topic. One of them even said that if you don’t want radiation at your home, turn-off your TV! People are coming up with the ways to capitalize with fear and make money out of it. No thorough research has been done that proves that radiation is damaging. There has been preliminary research that says yes and other says no. There was some kind of metal available to be worn on the clothes that could block the radiation.

Sept. 14 week

The Buzz out loud podcast had several different topics discussed and criticized. There were a few topics that seemed to rise out of all the items discussed. One of the prevalent topics was about Twitter.

Twitter has expressed they may introduce ads to their site. They have not made an official announcement, but are "leaving the door open for exploration in this area” (paidcontent.org) This option, the "money maker" option, has pondered the minds of many as to whether twitter would ever explore this option. The co-founder Biz Stone publicly said he is in no rush to add ads to the site. It seems as if twitter is trying to make money first with the premium accounts and maybe later with the ads. Twitter is in the first phase of producing premium accounts to bring in $140 million next year.

Twitter has mixed feelings on the ads because there are inconveniences on the user if ads are introduced to the site. Many users don't like ads covering everything across the screen or a new pop up ad plastering the screen every time they click or point on something. And they definitely don't want the random e-mails and phone calls that may result in "showing an interest" about something online. This option could be a great business practice, but it could also be a great business plummet. Only time will tell. Prediction: if twitter does well with the premium accounts there will be no ads introduced. If that happens its a win-win for twitter and its users.

Weekly Tech Assignment for 8/31/09 - 9/6/09

This week on net@night Amber and Leo had a dry week for tech news. Of course the biggest news this week is the sale of Skype. The gang at net@night criticized how short minded it was for these companies not to buyout the patent that makes Skype, well Skype. Speaking of patents and trademarks, apparently Apple is trying to be the big bully on the block and claim that everything is there’s. From glossy chat bubbles on the iPhone apps, to a school logo that uses the same fruit, Apple is slowly taking over the world. But all this aside, the main topic for the night was about a new internet service called GigPark. GigPark operates how many of us do when we need a specialized task done. We ask someone to recommend someone. Something that has been going on for centuries and GigPark has managed to cluster all recommendations into one place. While this is still a fledgling company, it really has room to take-off by linking up to other major sites like Facebook, Twitter, and the major Canadian directory, Canpages. While the creators admit that right now the site only works well in Canada, the potential to spread into the U.S. and around the world will be simple. There are already pockets of areas all over the world that are linking up to the site and adding their recommendations. This site also gives business the opportunity to, more or less, advertise their business through testimonials about the business. Each time someone talks about their business, it is added under their testimonial page where everyone can easily see all their reviews. But this site is slanted towards the positive side. Every posting about a business starts out with “I recommend.” This keeps a positive attitude about the site and keeps hate mongers at bay. Cause as we all know, we can always find bad reviews about everything, but the only ones that matter are the good ones. Well that wraps up this week’s post, until next time beware of the world domination of Apple. And to those who listen to the Buzz Out Loud podcasts, remember to stay healthy and stay fat.

Weekly Tech Assignment for 8/31/09 - 9/6/09

BOL -- Episode 1053 8.31.09

This episode of Buzz out Loud discussed several tech. topics. The apple are conducting a show this fall in which they would talk about the apple tablet. The hosts were however suspecting that Apple would again talk about their new iPod rather than the tablet.

They also talked about Wikepedia adding color coding to text editing. This feature is available through the wikipedia plug-in called wikitrust. It would color code the recent edits. There would be different color coding for texts edited by trustworthy source and different for the ones which are not from a reliable source, This feature seems to help users in determining the reliability of the information they are seeking for with relative ease.

The hosts also debated about the preference of the users of the advertisements to be shown in computer games. Massive incorporated would feature the tech that will continuously collect anonymous information from the users, send it back to database for analysis and send you advertisement of the game based on the analysis.

"find my phone" feature of Apple iPhone finally paid off, as this feature helped in the arrest of three muggers. These people robbed a Pennsylvanian and did not turn the iPhone off. Through the find my phone feature these three criminals were arrested quickly.
They also discussed iPhone cover made up of non-newtonian device. This cover would protect iPhone from a drop of two story building and even a hard throw at a wall.
A Japanese company is coming up with a high-tech wheel chair. This wheelchair would operate 4 hours per charge. The amazing thing about it is it can detect obstacles near it and also navigates through joystick. Also It's shape is designed in such a way that people do not need to turn around to sit on it.

Hence, August 31st episode of BOL covered the topics about current devices and technologies in the market except for the wheelchair that has not been affected by technology so much.