Microsoft has zero tolerance

Terdiman, Daniel://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/11/12/cnet.xbox.live.ban/index.html mircosoft bans 1 million xbox live players

Xbox live has apparently banned roughly one million users for playing a recently released video game “Call of Duty 4.” These Xbox users have violated their terms of agreement by using modded or modified consuls to play pirated games. Microsoft began the implementation of the ban after the release of the game. The ban not only prevents users with their individual gamertag’s from online play for that one game, but the ban prohibits users from the Xbox live service altogether. Some member receive banns ranging from a day or two, up to weeks, and even a lifetime, depending upon which rules were violated. Microsoft says each consul is fitted with protection software that will inform them of any illegal tampering of the consul.

Xbox has really made some strides in terms of technology, and I really think they may have pioneered some things to come. I think it is safe to assume the most pirated media is music, which can be downloaded freely on a vast majority of hosting and downloadable sites. I foresee ipod’s and mp3 players being outfitted soon if not sometime in the future with some type of detection devices that will keep users from syncing copyrighted material to their devices. Xbox is taking a big risk in terms of repeat buyers of the online service. While they may be able to keep the money of those million users for now, in the future it may hurt them a bit when looking at revenue for the company. However, it is the right thing to do when looking at all the copy right laws and I would assume these gaming companies are paying Microsoft far more than the xbox live members contributions

Research ignorance within a tech savvy generation.

("Information Navigation 101" by Andrea L. Foster. Chronicle of Higher Education)
http://0-web.ebscohost.com.uncclc.coast.uncwil.edu/ehost/detail?vid=2&hid=4&sid=6478ac3a-1a8b-435c-91c4-e18e58b1f44f%40sessionmgr11&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=f5h&AN=24514243

The age of net literacy is in question in this article as Foster touches on aspects of the current generation’s ability to familiarize itself with new technologies, but willing rejects proper research techniques. This article is essentially a classic push and pulls battle between students and educators in higher education. Universities are pushing for quality research that produces quality work, but students are too caught up in the convenience of the google revolution, as well as other simplistic search engines. Universities and their libraries are trying to push for literacy on the issue by providing their students with the proper research techniques, and requiring some students to attend library workshops to become proficient in proper research tactics. The problem that keeps arising is how to effectively change the mindset of the students who are not willing to conform to this ideology set forth by these institutions.

I feel the nature of all this new technology has forced this generation to access everything at quickly as possible. Everything is changing so fast everyday in the world of technology and if you don’t adapt just as quickly as things change you will be left behind. Students tend to gravitate to google because it is fun, easy to use, and viewed as something non-academic. We have grown up in a society that has taught us if something is needed you can google it. Just as youtube is often used to gather information that is not always accurate people look at these things because they are easily accessible and fun to use. When looking at library databases I think it is an issue of how easy they are to use. When I was in elementary school instead of using the card catalog we wanted to use the computer because it was easy and faster. Not that everything is all computerized instead of looking into databases we want to google because it’s faster. It doesn’t matter if the content is correct of not people are making themselves too busy with social networking, youtube hunting, and other various net time consumption activities that they don’t take the time to conduct proper research techniques.

The Infodiet: How Libraries Can Offer an Appetizing Alternative to Google

This article is very much a reflection of how times and ideologies have changed. The google age of searching has taken over the minds of college students who are not using the library as its primary source of research. This article touches on the main problem be that library databases do not closely resemble or mimic google’s interface enough to be user friendly for students. This main issues leaves libraries with thousands, if not millions of dollars worth of searchable databases but not useable according to the ignorance of the googlized population. Libraries are trying to work with database companies to find solutions in making their databases look somewhat like google’s. What they found is that instead of making searches easier it only hinders users further by trying to mimic google, and the issue of “infobesity” still plagues database users. The solution that then comes forth in this article is to try and create an aesthetically pleasing and simple article that is user friendly and helpful in teaching ignorant users how to properly search the content they are looking for. The issue of forcing students to use library databases was also raised in the article, but due to some professor’s unfamiliarity with these databases themselves this became more of a problem than a solution.

This articles some-what bothered me in terms of the proposed solutions for the problems stated. Since I have been a student at the University of North Carolina Wilmington there has not been any type of research assignment given to me where it wasn’t required for me to use anything else but a database or textbook for research. In my opinion whatever intuitions out there who believe that using library databases shouldn’t be a requirement for research is doing a major disservice to is students. Maybe I have a bias for proper research because within my Major we are required to take research methods, but at the same time any quality school who wants quality work from it’s pupils should only require quality research.

Future of Libaries

http://www.futuristspeaker.com/2006/11/the-future-of-libraries/ Thomas Frey Nov 2, 2006 accessed on Oct 8, 2009

The set up of this article takes us on a chronological journey from past to present as it makes mention of the changing times for the library. Libraries of old seemed to be prestigious and important for the archival documentation of rare works of art and writings. Anything dealing with literacy and fine art could be closely tied with the upper class, as they were the only individuals who could afford such things. The establishment of libraries grew into an opportunity for the less fortunate to have access to information they would never have otherwise. The transition of libraries from the museum type to the informative type demonstrated the library’s ability to adapt to the changing times and set up to adapt to the trends that seem to have happened, or will happen naturally.

The ten trends are as follows:

Communication systems are continually changing the way people access information,

All technology ends.

All technologies commonly used today will be replaced by something new,

We haven’t yet reached the ultimate small particle for storage. But soon.

Search Technology will become increasingly more complicated.

Time compression is changing the lifestyle of library patrons

Over time we will be transitioning to a verbal society

The demand for global information is growing exponentially

The Stage is being set for a new era of Global Systems

We are transitioning from a product-based economy to an experience based economy

Libraries will transition from a center of information to a center of culture

I agree with a lot of what was said in this article. There has to be a reason why libraries have survived this long and it would mainly have to be due to libraries ability to adapt to its cultural environment. The trends in this article I believe to be a very accurate assessment of how time has and will change. Humans are constantly evolving and changing, looking for new and innovative ways to get things done. Because of their historical nature and their ability to change I would consider libraries to be a hybrid. They fit within any current society while accumulating the prestige and facts of those that have already come and gone.

Can WIKIPEDIA Ever Make the Grade?

Can WIKIPEDIA Ever Make the Grade?

The Wikipedia debate in this article intensifies as the creditability of the online encyclopedia is questioned. The grading aspect of Wikipedia is judged based on scholarly perception, as this new age of encyclopedia is met with mixed reviews. Professors are looking to test the actually accuracy of Wikipedia by placing false information within the site to judge the merit of it’s editing process. Simultaneously, while this is going on wikipedians are trying to increase professor involvement in the information and editing process. This article comes to a double edge sword for me because while professor involvement is encouraged, this involvement is met with stern, harsh criticism. It seems to be a losing battle for professors who see a problem but are in a position where they cannot really fix it completely. Wikipedia tries to exercise its objective outlook on content and editing, but that outlook has a very short lived future when you have scholars having their mastery of material being chopped and screwed by self made wikipedians. The sites bias positions on science gives it merit, but what it lacks in other subject areas is what raises eyebrows in the world of academia.
If Wikipedia wants to attain the level of respects it seeks, it should give more respect to the scholars it’s trying to reach out to. No professional would welcome anyone telling them they are doing their job incorrectly, and what they are offering is equivalent to an amateur’s work. My solution to this problem would be to separate Wikipedia and have some type of wiki scholar portion, provided solely for scholar’s to provide their input, without mixing it in with the openness of the rest of the site. Validity of facts may become easier to check if you can compare and contrast the two.

"Web Hoaxes, Counterfeit Sites, and Other Spurious Information on the Internet"

The "Web Hoaxes, Counterfeit Sites, and Other Spurious Information on the Internet" article goes into detail about the wide arrange of ways people can be misled on the web. This article touch bases on: counterfeit website, suspicious websites, news, disinformation, subject specific misinformation, fictitious sites, parodies and spoofs, entertainment, news groups, hacks, and picking up where another person left off. This articles talks about how counterfeit websites pass themselves off as the real legit site, while having subliminal links and messages to content that would be unrelated to the actual content of the real site. In a sense counterfeit sites give the real sites a bad reputation. Suspicious websites are those sites that are put out there that we don’t want to really believe in because of their content and set up. There are simply there to mislead us with false information. When dealing with the news even they are guilty and susceptible to false information. People are grabbing whatever information that isn’t credible and publishing it as news without actually checking deeper into the facts. This article continues on about how there are several ways of publishing misinformation in a variety ways. Whether it is humorous or malicious misleading is the ultimate aim.
I honestly feel after reading this article that everything I consume on the internet should be more thoroughly looked into. There is a lot of content that can easily be passed as the real or altered to mislead someone into thinking or believing something that is misrepresented in some way. I think this type of information should be required for everyone to know because there can be a great deal of damage done if someone is not carefully about the content that is consumed on the internet. I also feel there should be some type of sanctions against these individuals that are publishing this false content. I understand people have a freedom of speech, but when that freedom damages of endangers the freedoms of others there needs to be some type of punishment.

Michigan Governor not a friend of the library!

http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/2009/august2009/michlibrariansprotest081209.cfm?persistent=&expy_dt= Sean Fitzpatrick, American Libraries OnlinePosted on August 12, 2009.

The governor of the state of Michigan (Jennifer Granholm) has officially lost her mind. With an announcement she made in July she has intentions on disbanding the library systems in the state of Michigan, due to proposed budget cuts. Granholm has seemed to have found some place in her mind that says this would be a great idea, as well as cost effective. The Michigan librarians will not stand for this as they feel the 180 year old collection will not find its way into safe hands. They strongly feel that the collection is in danger of damage, mistreatment, and even the lost of records. The state’s librarians are looking to fight the governor’s decision to get rid of the states libraries. They have a solid argument highlighted with their resource sharing, and group purchasing efforts to combat the budget issues.
This is a horrible idea that Granholm has come up with to deal with the budget cuts issue. This is years of history she is dealing with, and I really do feel when it comes to history it is just simply priceless. I am in full support of the Michigan librarians to fight for their history and collections. These people are trying to provide a service to the public and as the governor for the people Granholm should be more concerned with what is best for the people. I am pretty sure there are less important issues that can be cut to achieve the same effect. The redistribution of the state’s library collection just would not be a smart move for the state or Granholm’s political career. Michigan’s Governor chooses dollars over sense!