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Archive for August, 2011
17 inches of gaming!
Aug 28th
Razer Blade
2.8GHz Core i7-2640M CPU and GeForce GT 555M graphics replete with 2GB of GDDR5 video memory. All that graphical horsepower will splay your exploits on a 17.3-inch LED 1920 x 1080 full HD panel with an HD webcam nestled above. Rounding out the package is 8GB of RAM, three USB ports (one of the 3.0 persuasion), HDMI-out and a 60Wh integrated battery. And it could all be yours for $2,799 when it debuts in Q4 of this year.
Steve Jobs steps down as CEO
Aug 25th
Its and end of an era and the beginning of a new one. With Steve Jobs stepping down as CEO there seems to be a wave of emotions and rumors circulating the internet. The future of Apple and Steve Jobs’ health are the topics we are seeing. We cannot deny the technology that Apple turn out and the success they have found. I would like to believe that they will continue their success but only time will tell. One thing is true, it is going to be interesting to see what (if any) changes Apple might make and the decisions in the coming years.
I have the highest respect for their product and the overall quality even though I am not a member of the Apple & Mac cults. I am sure there are many overly dedicated Mac users sitting in silence today but you need to understand that this industry is a child of constant change. This is just another step. And also remember that it’s the people that make the company and not just one Man or Woman.
No More WebOS!
Aug 19th
From: Lifehacker
A little over a year after buying Palm, HP announced today that it will “discontinue operations for webOS devices, specifically the TouchPad and webOS phones.” It’s a sad day for everyone who was rooting for this mobile platform underdog—and especially webOS device owners.
Although HP’s press release says the company “will continue to explore options to optimize the value of webOS software going forward,” owners of the TouchPad and smartphones like the Pre 3 probably don’t have much to look forward to in terms of future development and support—at least from HP.
HP is also looking at spinning off its personal computing systems group, getting out of the hardware game altogether it seems. There’s not much else known except the brief announcement, but for more commentary and background you can check out Mat Honan’s post on Gizmodo. Photo remixed from originals from HP and Georg Preissi / Shutterstock
Optical Illusion
Aug 18th
Two tiles, seemingly different colors from one angle are actually the same color in different lighting. I don’t get it at all. What’s the trickery here? Is it the shadowplay? The lights? The tiles? I don’t know
Facebook May Lead to Psychological Disorders in Teens
Aug 9th
FROM: Tomsguide.com
Source: American Psychological Association
Is Facebook slowly eating your brain? Probably not, but it can have a negative impact on teens and young adults according to a recent study.
In a presentation entitled “Poke Me: How Social Networks Can Both Help and Harm Our Kids,” Larry D. Rosen, PhD, a professor of psychology at California State University, Dominguez Hills, reported that teens who frequently use Facebook show narcissistic (self-love) tendencies. Even more, young adults who have a “strong Facebook presence” show signs of additional psychological disorders including antisocial behaviors, mania and aggressive tendencies.
“While nobody can deny that Facebook has altered the landscape of social interaction, particularly among young people, we are just now starting to see solid psychological research demonstrating both the positives and the negatives,” he said.
Rosen’s findings were presented during the 119th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association. In addition to the psychological disorders, his presentation revealed that Facebook can be distracting and can negatively impact learning. Studies have even shown that middle school, high school and college students achieved lower grades if they accessed Facebook at least once during a 15-minute study period.
“Daily overuse of media and technology has a negative effect on the health of all children, preteens and teenagers by making them more prone to anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders, as well as by making them more susceptible to future health problems,” reads a press release from the American Psychological Association.
But as the saying goes, there are two sides to every coin: Facebook use may have its negative side effects, but there are also positive aspects in using the popular social website. According to Rosen, young adults who spend more time on Facebook are better at showing “virtual empathy” to their online friends. Social networking can even help introverted adolescents learn how to socialize without having to leave the screen.
For parents, he added that it’s a waste of time trying to monitor their kids’ social networking activities. In fact, communication is the “crux” of parenting: talk for one minute and listen for five.
“If you feel that you have to use some sort of computer program to surreptitiously monitor your child’s social networking, you are wasting your time. Your child will find a workaround in a matter of minutes,” he said. “You have to start talking about appropriate technology use early and often and build trust, so that when there is a problem, whether it is being bullied or seeing a disturbing image, your child will talk to you about it.”