Technology in the future...

...is it beginning to have too large an influence on our lives?

I was just reading about such things as electronic pill bottles that remind you when to take your pills, throw your weekly pill case away! Washers that automatically do your laundry and dry them? You bet. Your phone reminding you to do the most remedial tasks so you don't have to?

Sounds a lot like the movie Idiocracy to me.

Don't get me wrong, this is a tech blog - but should our technological devices (and even those beginning to have embedded tech features) have such a large influence on us? Is there a place to draw the line?

(Influenced by this news post)

Please comment, i'd like to hear your opinions!

Internet Censorship - What do you think?

A new bill is always trying to pass through the Senate that will in one way or another limit the availability of content on the internet, censoring the internet for United States citizens. Thankfully, each bill has been thwarted by either denying it or delaying it. However, I have a feeling one of these days one of these bills will be passed.

What do you think it will be like if or once this happens? Do you have an opinion?
What kind of content should be blocked, and what should be left alone?
Maybe you actually live in a country that already has similar stipulations, what is it like?

I'd like to hear your opinions.

Using Linux, and why to do so.

The majority of computer users use Windows based OS's. This is a fact. For most people, it's the ease of use with operating systems like Windows XP, Vista (sort of) and 7. For others, it's just because Windows is far over-hyped in media and it comes on most computers that mom and pop or even your grandparents would buy from any retailer. No matter the reason, we cannot deny its usefulness.

Although for the popularity and ease of use comes a great responsibility on the users too. Most malware and viruses specifically target Windows based computers simply because they control the vast majority of the market. This means you must be much more careful about keeping your computer safe.

 Reason #1 for using Linux (even occasionally, for more important tasks): It's much more safe. 

Linux is a separate operating system, completely different than Windows, each a different distro (there are many different versions of Linux, and some Linux distros try to compete with the ease of operating that Windows supplies).  HOWEVER, the majority of Linux distros come with the option to boot with a LiveCD. This means that you will not even need to install Linux to begin using it, tasks such as checking your bank account is made easy with Linux and can be done in moments. 

 Reason #2 for using Linux: You don't need to install the operating system.

Finally, one great example I can think of for using my Linux LiveCD was to pull files off the Windows partition of my hard drive when Windows was beyond repair, and system restore would do nothing. I managed to boot up the Linux LiveCD, navigate to what I needed and put it on a flash drive so I didn't lose anything very important. Another instance is dragging a necessary core windows file back into the system32 directory after it has been corrupted to the point where you cannot boot. This is invaluable.

 Reason #3 for using Linux: It can save you in the event of a computer emergency.

There you have it, there's literally no reason why one shouldn't use Linux when they have the opportunity to. 

For your convenience, here is a link to a page where you can download a Linux LiveCD to burn to a disc http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download, this is just a Linux distro that I have personally found very easy to use and work with. 

Any comments, stories to tell, anything? Feel free.

Nokia taking on Windows 7 Phones.

Microsoft needs to always compete with the top products out there, and thus they have unveiled the Windows Phone 7 to compete with other smartphones like the Google Android and the Apple iPhone.  Today news hit that Nokia, a company once prominent in the smartphone and mobile device industry made agreements with Microsoft to put out their new phone! Although I don't really care for Microsoft products anymore, it seems as if the new phone could be interesting. As always, it's going to be VERY user friendly like the Windows operating systems (which can be a burden to any power user). We will have to see how this turns out!

Any likes or dislikes about this or the Windows Phones in general, or any other comments about this happening? Feel free to share!

I only gave a brief cap, but here's a full coverage of this story here if you're interested in reading more.