Baby Beyonce'

I Can't Wait Til 2008

Its Been Real

GOING WILD

Needless to say I use my cell phone ALL OF THE TIME. It is my PDA and handheld all combined in one. I have used it to work on projects with some of my friends as we have planned social outings and events for our Social Club. Just the other day I took my son to an ice cream social and we were lost. I pulled over and whipped out my phone, accessed the internet, found the phone number to the facility on the web, called and got accurate directions. This is just one example of how a wireless device saved me!

In my perspective the advantages of using wireless are endless. The primary advantage of wireless is that you can take them everywhere without limitations. They are convient, small, usually reliable as long as you have battery power.

The Disadvantages include short battery life and keyboards that are not as convient as the standard, due to size.

Use as a colloborative tool include the ability to communicate in real time vs extended time. When planning I was able to "meet" with numerous people in various states simultaneously even when I was at my son's drum line performance. I very well could not take my laptop out and work in that environment, however; I could use my handheld to conduct business.

I also like the write on touch screen which translates my handwriting into a types file. Although, it is sometimes inaccurate, this is another useful tool.

Virtual Worlds & Whyville

Virtual Worlds are vastly taking over the internet. These "zones" are places where people spend countless hours creating faces, personalities, shopping, and even going to spas. Whyville is an online VR Zone specifically designed for preteen girls and boys. It has 1.7 million registered "citizens" that come from all over to learn, create, and have fun together. Whyville is their world. Whyville has places to go, things to do, and of course, people to see. Whyville has its own newspaper, its own Senators, its own beach, museum, City Hall and town square, and even its own economy - citizens earn "clams" by playing educational games.

This website is very applealing, colorful, and engaging. Interaction is done via virtual characters. Initially, this was a bit difficult for me bacuse I had not had any prior experience with Virtual Zones. And I realized that learing the interface of this program would require more time and energy than I was willing to give, however; I do think that the children would be engaged enough to learn it.

The only thing that stood out to me at Whyville was the fact that the environment was truely child friendly. At one point when I was trying to decide on what clothes I wanted, it warned me against trying to show any body parts. That was definately an asset.

Fun & Games

Playing Games online has fastly become a popular trend amoung people across the world. I have not personally participated in playing any games online, however; I did once date a guy who love online gaming as much as I love surfing the net. He would connect his playstation to the television and the enthernet cable to his game. This would lead to hours and hours on onlibe gaming.

I would often come into his house and hear him screaming at the top of his lungs at someone as far away as China. The community of players was formed and they would often challenge one another either as a team or individually.

I do look forward to learning more about online gaming especially as it relates to usage in education and counseling.

Still Weathering The Storm

My power has been out since Wednesday and at this poit they don't know when it will begin to work again. I feel so displaced, I have moved 4 times from one place to another, only until the storm took the power away again. I have not been able to use my laptop (which has been punishment enough) needless to say. Anyway here are some photos I took of my house yesterday.






I have learned to appreciate the small things that I so frequently took for granted!

Kynedra