WHAT MAKES YOU SPECIAL? THE GENOGRAPHIC PROJECT.

WHAT MAKES YOU SPECIAL? THE GENOGRAPHIC PROJECT.

Could researchers have accomplished this project 100 years ago? 50? 25?
Why is the timing of the Genographic Project important?
How important are the indigenous groups to the project?

I’ve always wondered where we came from. Also what my ancestors looked like and who they were. Everyone has question, that they do not have answers to. The IBM and the national geographic will change all that. These two groups have created a project called “The Genographic Project.” This project would help discover the origin of humans and trace our ancestry back to the beginning of time.

To help out the geneticists’ everyone has to contribute in some way, thus, helping complete the research needed and giving everyone the answer to our origin and family tree. Geneticists’ need DNA samples from everyone to test it, Not only from one person but from different people of different culture around the world. Scientists around the world believe that all humans are connected in some way.

The Genographic project is a five – year study to establish the world’s largest collection of DNA, mapping out how mankind pas populated the planet. With this research and data, everyone on earth is one step closer to solving the secrecy of human existence on this earth.

Could this project have been done 100 years ago? 50 years ago? 25 years ago? To be honest, I don’t even believe it could have been created 25 years ago. I don’t believe we have the equipment, or technology to go through with the project. However now that we do, we can go through with the project. We have created the technology needed to figure out the question we have and give those answers. However, the question is, how much time do we have to come up with this answer?

Indigenous people of today are disappearing or dying, and they are the key to this project. The reason is because their genetic identities are isolated. They have DNA that is mixed with people from all around the world. With out these people there would be no Genographic project. The geonographic has caught a lot of attention and intested the world, it would be upsetting knowing that the project could not go through because a lack of information (indigenous people). This project would solve the mysteries of our human society.

WHEN WAR MEETS VIDEO GAMES

1. Why are war video games so popular now?
2. "If it's not realistic, it's not worth playing," is a quote in the article. Do you think realistic war games desensitive people to the horror of war or is it just fun?
3. What do you personally think of war video games?

“If it’s not realistic, it’s not worth playing.”

I do believe everyone would agree with this quote above. Every gamer has their own preference and looks for certain aspects and a certain degree of realism. There are several war games out there from Call of Duty to Socom II and Rainbow Six. I have played all theses games before and talking from a gamer’s perspective, it does give you the rush that a gamer would look for and that’s why I believe war games are really becoming popular.

Within war games it gives the gamer the sense of accomplishment or in other terms “mock – glory” when you have completed a campaign or section of the game that was really tough for the gamer. I believe gamers just really look for the ultimate rush within games, that’s why game makers put everything they got into it and are always topping what they have previously created. Gamers look forward to that, and its working.

War games such as Call of Duty does a great job in showing people that play the game what happened in key wars, it shows footage of World Wars and doesn’t make it looking like all happy and golly, because it isn’t. A lot of men died in the World Wars, it makes the game realistic and reflects what war was really like. I do believe it does give the gamer a good sense of how it was at the time and would have a thought about it.

Everyone has their own perspective on the topic of “Does war games desensitize people to the horror of war? I believe it would desensitize a gamer, but I would not know to what extent. War games are very realistic to a point where you are there. Judging from the game Call of duty on X – Box 360, as bombs go off your controller rumbles and etc. so you you have that sence of a bomb going off. However the only unrealistic thing that comes from war games is that people keep on playing and they die, they just restart, it isn’t like that in real life, however how can you imitate that in games? Another point I would like to point out is that gamers sometimes ten to forget these games lose the catastrophic effects that are in war, for example the emotional side of war, when one of your close friends die in war, when you see your friend die and get blown up right in your face. I believe the gamer would not feel that way ever while playing. However they may later on realize the effects of war on everyone.

Personally, I love games in general; war games are also on the list. War games I believe do not desensitize me, yeah while playing the game and shooting people does give you that thrill and rush however when I’m done it makes me realize the hardships the men and women had when they go into war. Depending on the gamer, it would give them a sense of hardships men and women went through.

Reading in Cyberspace?!

Reading in Cyberspace?!?

In your journal answer the following questions:
1. What effect will this library-based digitization have on Google’s relationships with publishers?
2. How have Google’s competitors, such as Yahoo! or Microsoft, respond to this challenge?
3. What impact could this project have on the access to information?
4.Will librarians be threatened by the new development?
5. What do you think?

What is Google? Google is an online website that runs on unique combination of advanced hardware and software. It is a program that was meant to make our search experience to be more efficient and incredibly fast.

Google began in January of 1996 as just a research project. People of Google believed that the relationships between websites would produce better results than other techniques, where other search engines at the time would search and give results according to how many times the search term appeared on a page.

Google has experienced many various controversies over the years. Their Book Search (library – based) has created them problems with publishers and authors. I believe that would weaken the relationship between Google and publishers. Google has put effort into digitalizing millions of books and make full text searchable. Publishers do not believe that what Google is doing is “fair use” thus, having the thought that it should be illegal.

Google has three categories of books contained in its index:

1. Books who are not under copyright and are assessable to the public.(books in print)

- These books, Google can fully display so it can be read online

2. Books that are under copyright and are available to the public.

- The publisher controls how much of the book is exposed/displayed.

3. Books who are under copyright and are not necessarily available in print.

- Google is only allowed to show “snippets.”

Google has been profiting from the book fragments, publishers believe that this is going against the law of “fair use” thus being illegal. This controversy has weakened the relationship between Google and publishers.

The whole purpose of Google is to increase the access to people that need information. People can research and find books that they desire, without getting out of the comfort of their own home. It would also help out book lovers, with what Google is doing, showing snippets of a book, they are showing the readers what the book is kind of like, so they would have an idea of what they book is like before they buy it. I also believe it is a great idea, where it gives consumers an Idea of what it is about, so they can ask them self if they are really into the novel.

I do not believe that Google is a threat to Librarians. The only full text displays of books are books that are no longer in print. Also the books that are available in a library or in book store, Google only gives snippets of the book. Liberians are not getting replaced; Google is just helping out the book lovers out there with their developed technology. Librarians should not be threaten or scared because what threat is there to be afraid of?

I do believe that what Google is doing is illegal and is within the fair use law. However would I ever use the Book search program of Google? I doubt it, I’m not all that of a book lover. It would not be all that useful to me, for some reason I can not just sit down and read a book, I rather watch it if its on video. Its not like I don’t read books though, it’s just that not a lot of books interest me.

1.The article suggests that iPod video lectures are effective for '"kinesthetic learners", who tend to be hands-on, active, and require frequent breaks." Do you think that you would learn well using an iPod? Why or why not?

When iPods first came out it swept the world. Everyone wanted one. It took over people’s lives, since mostly everyone wanted one and that was all that was on their minds. iPods took over the market, then our lives, and now our education.

After reading the article about York University, I thought deeply about this concept. Being a Mary Ward student, I believe having the lectures on a video iPod is not toono different from what the program is at Mary Ward. Mary Ward is a self – directed school. You learn to become more independent since you teach yourself, and if you need the extra help from your teacher it is available to you, you have the freedom to make your own choices and be assertive, putting your education in your own hands. It is great for people that are hands on, active, and would like to have breaks here and there.

iPod video’s are one form of modern day technology, and with modern day technology comes its advantages and disadvantages. Modern - day technology doesn't only have a positive impact on the world, or just a negative impact, technology all around us has a good and bad side to it.

Personally, iPod videos’ for education putting your lectures on a device can be a great advantage to people who are already adapted to something similar to the Mary Ward system. The person is able to use their time wisely, work hard on what has to be done, and have great management skills. Being a Mary Ward student has taught be to be that type of person, coming to Mary Ward in Grade 9 from elementary, the different environment and system was hard to get use to, however I managed. Imagen someone that isn’t use to that whole new system, where everything is given to you and is guiding you the whole way, it would be hard.

If I were to ask myself if having my lectures on a iPod video is something for me? I would say yes, being in Mary Ward I’m use to working on my own, not constantly needing a teacher by my side. It always gives me the advantage of listening to the lectures that I need. In Mary Ward, we have scheduled lectures/seminars, honestly I don’t go to all of them because I believe I do not need them, but then again there are certain lectures/seminars I need for certain course, but I just do not have the time to go to them. I can use the iPod video for this problem. Where ever I am I can listen in and see the lecture on my iPod video, it is a great advantage for people on the go.

Even though having your lectures on a iPod video is a great idea, it has it’s disadvantages too. A person that may not be all used to the whole self-discipline system, but understand the importance of getting your work done, they may not have the skills to mange their time so that they are being more productive and not just procrastinating leaving it off to the last minute.

Beign a Mary Ward student in Grade 10 already adpeted to the new system, chosing where I want to go, what classes/course I’d like to work on, when I need and have to see my teachers, when I want to hand in my work. The majority if Mary Ward students are currently doing this today. I believe my transfer from high school to university, would be a smooth one because since all that is being done in university is already being done in Mary Ward, the whole system and how things are done. However for instance, a non – Mary Ward student goes from high school to university not already adpeted to the new system, I believe their transfer from high school to university would be harder on them. They're not used to the system and they have too much freedom on their hands. So I believe, iPod videos are only for certain people, I’m not saying its only for Mary Ward students, but for people that are always on the go, that have a lot of things to do in a day. However, I think having your lectures on a iPod video is only effective if that person is being more productive then just using it because their lazy and would be procrastinating.

2. An advocate for "v-casting" through the iPod says that: more interactive and more self-directed." Do you think that Mary Ward, with its commitment to self-directed learning, should embrace such technology for education? What are some advantages or disadvantages?

Specking from experience, being a Mary Ward student, I know how hard it was in my first year at Mary Ward. It was hard getting use to the new system, I felt like everything was coming at me hard, all theses course with loads of work, and I didn’t know what to do about it. I was already somewhat use to managing my own time, and knew how important doing my school work was. However it still was not enough. A few months in the year I got use to it, learned how to mange my time better, learn to ask questions and see my teacher on a daily bases. However it was still very hard, and if the whole concept of having an iPod to watch my lectures on , instead of going to the lectures, where there is a teacher, I believe I wouldn’t have the same connection I do now with my teachers, I would be seeing less of them , and I would think I would be a bit intimidated to go up to them to ask questions. If Mary Ward where to use iPod video’s for lectures, I believe there should be a restriction, it should only be for the seniors, and maybe for grade 10’s too. Being in grade 10 I know some people that are use to the system, but just do not have that commitment that a senior would have. The seniors I would think would have the contentment, and already adapted fully to the new system that no other high school has.

This idea is great for people that have a lot of things to do in different courses that can only do so much in a day, to a point where they do not have the time to go to certain lectures, or missed them. This concept is also great for people on the go. However it also has its disadvantages, the teacher-student contact would not be the same, ther would be a lack of confidence or trust in the teacher.

Are Wii the Children of the Revolution?

Are Wii the Children of the Revolution?

There has been quite a bit of hype surrounding the new Ninetendo Wii gaming system. Some say that the Wii's ability to "democratize" gaming for people of all ages and abilities is revolutionary. Do you think this is a true technological revolution or just hype? Please defend your opinion.

Personally, I want a Nintendo Wii. Before It came out in Canada, I read up on some articles on the new Nintendo Wii. I think is it a a true technological revolution. The intentions of Ninetendo in creating the Wii was not primarily to compete with sony with their PS3 or with Xbox with there 360, but it was to get everyone playing, not only children, teenagers and some parents. It was ment for the whole family to play, to play together and have fun. I believe Ninetendo had a goal where they would build a counsel where everyone would be able to play, and not think that oh this to too complicated or uninteresting. In saying so, I think that is where their remote controls came in. The Wii remote, and the Nunchuk. These remotes are wireless. They can sense motion and and is integrated for the game play, it is how the games of the Wii are played. It makes the player active. I believe since the player is not just sitting down pushing bottoms, it would be more exciting and fun. You are moving around and being active interacting with the movments that the character is doing on the screen.

modern - day communication technology having a prostive or negative impact on the world

The topic of modern - day communication technology having a prostive or negative impact on the world brings up exciting debates between many people. Trying to decide wether it is a good or bad impact on the world today. Everyone has different views on technology, however everyone should know that to technology there is not only one side to it. Modern - day technology doesn't only have a postive impact on the world, or just a negative impact, technology all around us has a good and bad side to it.

Chatrooms are being used alot in the socitey we live in today. Chatrooms is one example of moder-day technology that has a good and bad side to it. Chatrooms like msn, allows you to talk to any of your friends or family anywhere in the world without physical contact. They give you fast contact to your friends and family. However you are text messaging them, and that can cause some problems. People that use msn sometimes use shortcuts, like "LOL" meaning "Laugh out loud" or "BRB" (Be Right Back). Using such short cuts would have a great affect on your writing skills and you might end up writing like that when you write your essay or someting for school, where you are soppose to use proper english. That being one negative impact on us, another is that your privacy maybe be lost,your security can be at risk, and can sometimes be a distraction.

Cellphones are morden - day technology that is used by a number of people in the world, the major of people in the world has a cellphone. Cellphones give people the opportunity to call anyone anywhere in the world. No matter where you are, on the public transit or somewhere in the forest, you can always make a call to whom every you want. Pointing that out, cellphones can also be a great emergency tool. If you are in trouble or in danger, you can make a call to 911 or whoever that can help you. However, even thought it may seem like cellphones are a great piece of technology to have around, it also have its disadvantages. Cellphones can also be misused and trigger off a bomb or so. With cellphones, people would have an opportunity to stalk you with the right equpitment. People can trace and pin point where you are and listen in to your conversation.

As you can see, technology has its fair share of likeable and unlikeable things. Instead of arguing whether modern-day communication technology is a good or bag thing, we should just accept the consequences or advantages that come with it because it will most likely never change, at least not right now.

INTRODUCTION

My Name is Ryan Raneses. "rey fuerte" i bet your wondering what is the whole meaning behind that. Well, it means "strong king." The name Ryan means "king" or "little prince". WIthin this course i'm hoping to learning alot about Media Arts, the different programs/software that is used, and why companies do certain things to their ads (the purpose for it ). Well since this is only an Intro to my Blog i'll cut it here. I hoping for a fun and worth while year in this course and i can't wait to see what Ms. Largo in store for us. (Field trip.*cough cough* some where nice and far *cough* New York? *cough*) haha ; )