Hola Peeps! Thanks for logging in!
Just in case you've been living under a rock, it's almost Christmas time. In fact, here's the exact time left until Christmas:
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For this weeks blog, pretend I'm giving you $300 with which to buy TECHNOLOGY gifts. They can be for you or for someone else.
Here are the rules:
1. It must be TECHNOLOGY. This would mean it has a power source of some sort. Ugg boots, while terrible cute, are not technology.
2. You must spend all $300, or as close to it as possible.
3. You must post links to your stuff (with prices) so we can all go look.
And don't bother to worry about shipping costs.
You may blog on Tuesday like we do for Think Geek. Please try not to suck the fun out of this for me.
Have a wonderful, RELAXING holiday season! See yall rested and ready to go in January.
Talk to me . . .
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Blog 13 - December 9, 2013
Hi!
So it's time for a topic switch. Know what that means? That's right . . . THINK GEEK WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.thinkgeek.com/
So for credit this week, pick a product and GIVE US THE LINK and then tell us why you love it or think it's abundantly stupid. You MUST PROVIDE THE LINK so that the rest of us can go and look at it.
Your blog should look a little something like this:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/c498/
I'm pretty sure this shirt would give me HOURS of enjoyment. Can you imagine standing in line at Wal Mart, bored to death, when you suddenly remember you're wearing your GUITAR ROCK SHIRT?!? Shut up! Then you could play it and relieve the boredom. And you STILL wouldn't look any weirder than any of the other folks at Wal Marts.
Lanham, 1st period
You must give us the link.You must give an opinion.You must sign and put your class period.
This is one of the RARE times when you can go ahead and blog on Tuesday. Be sure to check back on Thursday during blog time if you do that so you can see what everybody else is shopping for.
Talk to me . . .
So it's time for a topic switch. Know what that means? That's right . . . THINK GEEK WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.thinkgeek.com/
So for credit this week, pick a product and GIVE US THE LINK and then tell us why you love it or think it's abundantly stupid. You MUST PROVIDE THE LINK so that the rest of us can go and look at it.
Your blog should look a little something like this:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/c498/
I'm pretty sure this shirt would give me HOURS of enjoyment. Can you imagine standing in line at Wal Mart, bored to death, when you suddenly remember you're wearing your GUITAR ROCK SHIRT?!? Shut up! Then you could play it and relieve the boredom. And you STILL wouldn't look any weirder than any of the other folks at Wal Marts.
Lanham, 1st period
You must give us the link.You must give an opinion.You must sign and put your class period.
This is one of the RARE times when you can go ahead and blog on Tuesday. Be sure to check back on Thursday during blog time if you do that so you can see what everybody else is shopping for.
Talk to me . . .
Monday, December 2, 2013
Blog 12 - December 2, 2013
Hi!
Soooooo, there's been an idea about a wrist communicator for a very long time. Anybody remember watching those old throwback episodes of Star Trek where Kirk and Spock speak into their wrist?
Yeah, well. We're there now.
This week I want to explore the Samsung Galaxy Gear. I've posted a link to Samsung and a couple links to reviews about the gear (watch thingy). For this weeks credit please give me an honest opinion either about this Samsung Gear specifically, or wrist communication in general. Please don't forget to sign it and check that it posted.
http://www.samsung.com/us/topic/the-next-big-thing-is-here/
http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/technology/review-samsung-galaxy-gear-1.1594824
http://allthingsd.com/20131104/with-samsung-galaxy-gear-the-watch-of-the-future-is-not-quite-there-yet/
Talk to me . . .
Soooooo, there's been an idea about a wrist communicator for a very long time. Anybody remember watching those old throwback episodes of Star Trek where Kirk and Spock speak into their wrist?
Yeah, well. We're there now.
This week I want to explore the Samsung Galaxy Gear. I've posted a link to Samsung and a couple links to reviews about the gear (watch thingy). For this weeks credit please give me an honest opinion either about this Samsung Gear specifically, or wrist communication in general. Please don't forget to sign it and check that it posted.
http://www.samsung.com/us/topic/the-next-big-thing-is-here/
http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/technology/review-samsung-galaxy-gear-1.1594824
http://allthingsd.com/20131104/with-samsung-galaxy-gear-the-watch-of-the-future-is-not-quite-there-yet/
Talk to me . . .
Monday, November 18, 2013
Blog 11 - November 18, 2013
Howdy!
Go check out some of these concept cell phones. You know what a concept is, right?!? It's a product that's in development stages. Sometimes when that product comes to market it looks pretty much like it did in concept. Sometimes the general public will only get pieces or parts of the product.
Anyhoo . . . check out these cell phone concepts. For your directive this week please 1) pick a specific phone 2) tell us which one and 3) tell us WHY you think it's cool.
http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/30-futuristic-phones-we-wish-were-real/
http://www.concept-phones.com/
http://www.designyourway.net/blog/inspiration/37-cool-cell-phone-concepts-you-would-want-to-have/
My personal favorite is that LG Flutter Concept phone. It looks like a sharp-edged boomerang. Like perhaps I could take somebody out with it!
Talk to me . . .
Go check out some of these concept cell phones. You know what a concept is, right?!? It's a product that's in development stages. Sometimes when that product comes to market it looks pretty much like it did in concept. Sometimes the general public will only get pieces or parts of the product.
Anyhoo . . . check out these cell phone concepts. For your directive this week please 1) pick a specific phone 2) tell us which one and 3) tell us WHY you think it's cool.
http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/30-futuristic-phones-we-wish-were-real/
http://www.concept-phones.com/
http://www.designyourway.net/blog/inspiration/37-cool-cell-phone-concepts-you-would-want-to-have/
My personal favorite is that LG Flutter Concept phone. It looks like a sharp-edged boomerang. Like perhaps I could take somebody out with it!
Talk to me . . .
Monday, November 11, 2013
Blog 10 - November 11, 2013
Hola Homies!
Let's jump off into a new topic for a few weeks. Here it is . . . Ready? . . . Wait for it . . .
CELL PHONES!
Hey? Do you remember what it was like NOT to have a cell phone? Yeah. Me either. Seems like I've had one glued to my hand forever. And I'm pretty sure you guys came out of your mommies with one in your hands. It probably looked a little something like this:
For this week please check out the following sites. They all include links to reviews for new cell technology. Please note, on the second one you'll have to click the "View All Photos in Gallery" link to see all the phones.
http://www.geek.com/android/5-android-smartphones-worth-waiting-for-1534820/
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2376171,00.asp
CLICK THE VIEW ALL PHOTOS IN GALLERY LINK
http://www.mobileburn.com/upcoming_phones.jsp
For credit this week you will need to 1)pick one of the phones highlighted on these three links and tell us which phone. 2) Pick a feature on that phone and 3) Tell us why you think that feature is cool OR how you'd use the feature personally.
1) Pick the phone, tell us which one.
2) Pick a feature on that phone, tell us which one.
3) Tell us why you think it's cool OR how you personally would use that feature.
As always, if you can't meet the directives I can't possibly be bothered to write down a 100 in my gradebook.
Talk to me . . .
Let's jump off into a new topic for a few weeks. Here it is . . . Ready? . . . Wait for it . . .
CELL PHONES!
Hey? Do you remember what it was like NOT to have a cell phone? Yeah. Me either. Seems like I've had one glued to my hand forever. And I'm pretty sure you guys came out of your mommies with one in your hands. It probably looked a little something like this:
For this week please check out the following sites. They all include links to reviews for new cell technology. Please note, on the second one you'll have to click the "View All Photos in Gallery" link to see all the phones.
http://www.geek.com/android/5-android-smartphones-worth-waiting-for-1534820/
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2376171,00.asp
CLICK THE VIEW ALL PHOTOS IN GALLERY LINK
http://www.mobileburn.com/upcoming_phones.jsp
For credit this week you will need to 1)pick one of the phones highlighted on these three links and tell us which phone. 2) Pick a feature on that phone and 3) Tell us why you think that feature is cool OR how you'd use the feature personally.
1) Pick the phone, tell us which one.
2) Pick a feature on that phone, tell us which one.
3) Tell us why you think it's cool OR how you personally would use that feature.
As always, if you can't meet the directives I can't possibly be bothered to write down a 100 in my gradebook.
Talk to me . . .
Monday, November 4, 2013
Blog 9 - November 4, 2013
Hi!
So it's time for a topic switch. Know what that means? That's right . . . THINK GEEK WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.thinkgeek.com/
So for credit this week, pick a product and GIVE US THE LINK and then tell us why you love it or think it's abundantly stupid. You MUST PROVIDE THE LINK so that the rest of us can go and look at it.
Your blog should look a little something like this:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f47b/
So this is a hoodie from Game of Thrones. and I love it hard-core. Any GoT fans in here? See, it's cool because IT'S A HOODIE and WINTER IS COMING!!!!! Get it?!? Get ?!? *crickets*
Lanham, 1st period
You must give us the link.You must give an opinion.You must sign and put your class period.
This is one of the RARE times when you can go ahead and blog on Tuesday. Be sure to check back on Thursday during blog time if you do that so you can see what everybody else is shopping for.
Talk to me . . .
So it's time for a topic switch. Know what that means? That's right . . . THINK GEEK WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.thinkgeek.com/
So for credit this week, pick a product and GIVE US THE LINK and then tell us why you love it or think it's abundantly stupid. You MUST PROVIDE THE LINK so that the rest of us can go and look at it.
Your blog should look a little something like this:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f47b/
So this is a hoodie from Game of Thrones. and I love it hard-core. Any GoT fans in here? See, it's cool because IT'S A HOODIE and WINTER IS COMING!!!!! Get it?!? Get ?!? *crickets*
Lanham, 1st period
You must give us the link.You must give an opinion.You must sign and put your class period.
This is one of the RARE times when you can go ahead and blog on Tuesday. Be sure to check back on Thursday during blog time if you do that so you can see what everybody else is shopping for.
Talk to me . . .
Monday, October 28, 2013
Blog 8 - October 28, 2013
Howdy!
So one more week of VR stuff, and then we'll move on.
Here are a few more links regarding VR use in the real world.
Links removed. This week we read about the CDC, train conductors, and the pros and cons of real world VR training.
For credit this week you will need to give an informed opinion about the article you read AND provide one fact to prove you read it. Hope you actually read. You have to do both of these things to receive credit. I'm really, REALLY not asking for all that much here. Seriously.
Many, MANY of you received blog zeros last week because you failed to follow all the directives. Maybe I can be less disappointed this week.
Talk to me . . .
So one more week of VR stuff, and then we'll move on.
Here are a few more links regarding VR use in the real world.
Links removed. This week we read about the CDC, train conductors, and the pros and cons of real world VR training.
For credit this week you will need to give an informed opinion about the article you read AND provide one fact to prove you read it. Hope you actually read. You have to do both of these things to receive credit. I'm really, REALLY not asking for all that much here. Seriously.
Many, MANY of you received blog zeros last week because you failed to follow all the directives. Maybe I can be less disappointed this week.
Talk to me . . .
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Blog 7 - October 21, 2013
Sup?
So let's learn about Virtual Reality applications in the REAL world as opposed to the video game industry.
The military has been training soldiers for years using VR. There is a plethora (Dillard's word that means a great big bunch) of info out there on it. Please explore:
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/01/army-virtual-reality/
http://www.defensenews.com/article/20120913/TSJ01/309130003/
http://defensesystems.com/articles/2012/11/15/c4isr-2-networked-training.aspx
http://www.livescience.com/14477-army-orders-virtual-reality-training-soldiers.html
http://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality-military/index.html
In related news, do you ever feel like maybe we're the only country in the world that actually allows this very valuable information about how we train our military to be put online for all the world to see? (This is not your directive for the week, just a question to consider) Sometimes I think it's crazy how much we overshare.
Directive: Choose one of the articles, tell us which one you chose. BRIEFLY summarize and give an INFORMED opinion. Show some EVIDENCE to back up your opinion.
Example:
I chose the VRS article (tell us which article). It talks about the 5 different areas in which the military has started to rely more on VR training in order to avoid death and serious injury (briefly summarize). My opinion is that this will be used to save lives in the future (informed opinion). I thought it was interesting that the article says that the VR training will not take the place of the real life training, but will be used to supplement it (evidence).
As always, I want you to ACTUALLY read and become informed about technology directions and trends. This is not free time, it's MY time.
Talk to me . . .
So let's learn about Virtual Reality applications in the REAL world as opposed to the video game industry.
The military has been training soldiers for years using VR. There is a plethora (Dillard's word that means a great big bunch) of info out there on it. Please explore:
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/01/army-virtual-reality/
http://www.defensenews.com/article/20120913/TSJ01/309130003/
http://defensesystems.com/articles/2012/11/15/c4isr-2-networked-training.aspx
http://www.livescience.com/14477-army-orders-virtual-reality-training-soldiers.html
http://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality-military/index.html
In related news, do you ever feel like maybe we're the only country in the world that actually allows this very valuable information about how we train our military to be put online for all the world to see? (This is not your directive for the week, just a question to consider) Sometimes I think it's crazy how much we overshare.
Directive: Choose one of the articles, tell us which one you chose. BRIEFLY summarize and give an INFORMED opinion. Show some EVIDENCE to back up your opinion.
Example:
I chose the VRS article (tell us which article). It talks about the 5 different areas in which the military has started to rely more on VR training in order to avoid death and serious injury (briefly summarize). My opinion is that this will be used to save lives in the future (informed opinion). I thought it was interesting that the article says that the VR training will not take the place of the real life training, but will be used to supplement it (evidence).
As always, I want you to ACTUALLY read and become informed about technology directions and trends. This is not free time, it's MY time.
Talk to me . . .
Monday, October 14, 2013
Blog 6 - October 14, 2013
Dude . . .
So there's this new high-tech virtual reality headgear that new on the market and gaining popularity. Let's go do some reading:
http://www.oculusvr.com/
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/13/bit-by-bit-virtual-reality-heads-for-the-holodeck/?_r=0
http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/virtual-reality-gaming-nearly-here-we-just-need-right-controller-8C11331493
http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2013-09/hook-me-impractical-virtual-reality-suit-right-now?dom=PSC&loc=recent&lnk=2&con=hook-me-up-to-this-impractical-virtual-reality-suit-right-now
Pick one of the above articles, GIVE US THE LINK and one FACT that was in your article. This is not an opinion piece.
2nd and 7th periods: If it becomes apparent to me AGAIN that you really haven't read the blog and are uninformed as a class we will have blog summary time every Friday for the rest of this year. Get it together.
Talk to me . . .
So there's this new high-tech virtual reality headgear that new on the market and gaining popularity. Let's go do some reading:
http://www.oculusvr.com/
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/13/bit-by-bit-virtual-reality-heads-for-the-holodeck/?_r=0
http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/virtual-reality-gaming-nearly-here-we-just-need-right-controller-8C11331493
http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2013-09/hook-me-impractical-virtual-reality-suit-right-now?dom=PSC&loc=recent&lnk=2&con=hook-me-up-to-this-impractical-virtual-reality-suit-right-now
Pick one of the above articles, GIVE US THE LINK and one FACT that was in your article. This is not an opinion piece.
2nd and 7th periods: If it becomes apparent to me AGAIN that you really haven't read the blog and are uninformed as a class we will have blog summary time every Friday for the rest of this year. Get it together.
Talk to me . . .
Monday, October 7, 2013
Blog 5 - October 7, 2013
Hi!
In preparation for switching topics this week we will visit one of my favorite sites:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/
I love, LOVE this website. It's chock full of stuff for geeky people.
So for credit this week, pick a product and GIVE US THE LINK and then tell us why you love it or think it's abundantly stupid. You MUST PROVIDE THE LINK so that the rest of us can go and look at it.
Your blog should look a little something like this:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/388b/
When you're a computer teacher people ask you all the time to help them. Most days I don't mind. Today ain't one of those days.
Lanham, 1st period
You must give us the link.You must give an opinion.You must sign and put your class period.
This is one of the RARE times when you can go ahead and blog on Tuesday. Be sure to check back on Thursday during blog time if you do that so you can see what everybody else is shopping for.
Talk to me . . .
In preparation for switching topics this week we will visit one of my favorite sites:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/
I love, LOVE this website. It's chock full of stuff for geeky people.
So for credit this week, pick a product and GIVE US THE LINK and then tell us why you love it or think it's abundantly stupid. You MUST PROVIDE THE LINK so that the rest of us can go and look at it.
Your blog should look a little something like this:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/388b/
When you're a computer teacher people ask you all the time to help them. Most days I don't mind. Today ain't one of those days.
Lanham, 1st period
You must give us the link.You must give an opinion.You must sign and put your class period.
This is one of the RARE times when you can go ahead and blog on Tuesday. Be sure to check back on Thursday during blog time if you do that so you can see what everybody else is shopping for.
Talk to me . . .
Monday, September 30, 2013
Blog 4 - September 30.2013
Hola!
One more post about the video game industry, and then next week we'll be moving on to some other technology. If there's a particular technology you're excited about and want me to do some research on, let me know.
So I found this New Scientist article that was published last December that talks about the new gaming systems coming THIS year. It specifically talks about the nextgen of Wii (the U) that is supposed to take all the clutter off the TV screen. It also highlights the PlayStation Vita (a portable playstation) that allows you to play away from home and then plug in your Vita and pick up right where you left off.
Please read the following article. I'll post directives on Wednesday.
Edit: To receive credit this week you will need to give an opinion on one of the three video game technologies mentioned in the article. This is YOUR OPINION about one of the three technologies. This is not a fact hunt. To receive credit this week you must advance the discussion in some manner. A that's cool or an I don't care won't earn you credit.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21628965.500-2013-smart-guide-nextgeneration-video-games.html#.Ukmu1Mso6M8
Talk to me . . .
One more post about the video game industry, and then next week we'll be moving on to some other technology. If there's a particular technology you're excited about and want me to do some research on, let me know.
So I found this New Scientist article that was published last December that talks about the new gaming systems coming THIS year. It specifically talks about the nextgen of Wii (the U) that is supposed to take all the clutter off the TV screen. It also highlights the PlayStation Vita (a portable playstation) that allows you to play away from home and then plug in your Vita and pick up right where you left off.
Please read the following article. I'll post directives on Wednesday.
Edit: To receive credit this week you will need to give an opinion on one of the three video game technologies mentioned in the article. This is YOUR OPINION about one of the three technologies. This is not a fact hunt. To receive credit this week you must advance the discussion in some manner. A that's cool or an I don't care won't earn you credit.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21628965.500-2013-smart-guide-nextgeneration-video-games.html#.Ukmu1Mso6M8
Talk to me . . .
Monday, September 23, 2013
Blog 3 - September 23, 2013
Howdy!
This week we are continuing our theme of video game design / testing / other nerdy stuff.
I noticed in last week's article that one of the ways to work your way into the design world was to become a video game tester. Doesn't that sound like quite a life to have? Sit around all day long drinking caffeine and eating Cheetos, playing games and getting paid? Ahhhh . . .
In reality it's way more of a whipping than that. IF you get there early enough on any particular day to actually get a job.
Go here, read this. It's still one of the best articles I've seen about video game testing.
http://www.seattleweekly.com/2007-07-11/news/testing-video-games-can-t-possibly-be-harder-than-an-afternoon-with-xbox-right/
As always, read today. Blog Thursday.
Edit: Tell me whether you'd want to do this job or not (after reading the article and becoming informed) and WHY. You must do both things to get credit.
Also? Two people blogged on Tuesday. Those entries were deleted. Please always READ MY WORDS (which specifically said not to blog on Tuesday).
Talk to me . . .
This week we are continuing our theme of video game design / testing / other nerdy stuff.
I noticed in last week's article that one of the ways to work your way into the design world was to become a video game tester. Doesn't that sound like quite a life to have? Sit around all day long drinking caffeine and eating Cheetos, playing games and getting paid? Ahhhh . . .
In reality it's way more of a whipping than that. IF you get there early enough on any particular day to actually get a job.
Go here, read this. It's still one of the best articles I've seen about video game testing.
http://www.seattleweekly.com/2007-07-11/news/testing-video-games-can-t-possibly-be-harder-than-an-afternoon-with-xbox-right/
As always, read today. Blog Thursday.
Edit: Tell me whether you'd want to do this job or not (after reading the article and becoming informed) and WHY. You must do both things to get credit.
Also? Two people blogged on Tuesday. Those entries were deleted. Please always READ MY WORDS (which specifically said not to blog on Tuesday).
Talk to me . . .
Monday, September 16, 2013
Blog 2 - September 16, 2013
Hola Homies! Thanks for logging in !
So lets get this party started. I want to kick off our blog topics by spending a couple weeks thinking about video games. How they've advanced. What it takes to become a designer. What it takes to become a tester.
This is probably pretty ironic as my hard-corenerds gamers will be out today as Grand Theft Auto #158237 came out at midnight and they're probably all at home playing it. Heh.
Anyway, today I want you to follow my link and read. Thursday I will ask you to post a fact from the story (other than from page 1).
This will be the norm for us. Read on Tuesday. Blog on Thursday.
Comments put up before Thursday will be deleted so you'll just have to do them again anyway.
Go here. Read.
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/video-game-designer1.htm
Talk to me . . .
So lets get this party started. I want to kick off our blog topics by spending a couple weeks thinking about video games. How they've advanced. What it takes to become a designer. What it takes to become a tester.
This is probably pretty ironic as my hard-core
Anyway, today I want you to follow my link and read. Thursday I will ask you to post a fact from the story (other than from page 1).
This will be the norm for us. Read on Tuesday. Blog on Thursday.
Comments put up before Thursday will be deleted so you'll just have to do them again anyway.
Go here. Read.
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/video-game-designer1.htm
Talk to me . . .
Friday, September 6, 2013
Blog 1 - September 9, 2013
Hola Peeps! Thanks for logging in.
Let me 'splain how this will work:
Every Monday morning I will post a discussion question relevant to technology. You will have the entire week to post a short blog answering the question. It's very simple . . . you either advance the discussion or you don't. It's either a 100 or a 0. You can also respond to a thought posted by another user to advance the discussion. Every Sunday evening I will check off names. So you have from Monday AM to Sunday PM. Grading closes at 6pm Sunday. The first ten minutes of class on Tuesday will be devoted to reading the blog, and the first ten minutes of class Thursday will be devoted to answering the blog question.
Here are the things that this discussion is NOT:
This is not a social forum. All you guys have Facebook / Twitter for that stuff. Holla at your friends on those sites.
This is not a place for you to ask me questions about your grade. Please remember that EVERYBODY will see all of your communication on this site. If you have questions about grading policies, etc. please see me before or after school, before class or on my conference period (5th). Barring that, please email me at rlanham@nacisd.org.
This is not a place for you to air grievances of any kind. Bad language, derogatory comments and intolerance of any kind will not be accepted. These will result in blocked usage for you, and zeros on weekly discussions for the remainder of the year.
What this discussion IS:
This is a place for us to explore how technology is affecting our daily lives. You guys are digital natives (meaning you were practically born with a cell phone in your hand) and you are not accustomed to thinking about life before this technology came along. I would also bet that most of you haven't given a lot of thought to where this technology is going either. Well, that's what I want to do here.
Also, almost every college classroom has some online portion as well. In other words, when you get to college even though you're sitting in a traditional classroom your professor will expect you to go online and participate in some sort of ongoing discussion on something like Blackboard.
One more thing:
To the best of my knowledge we are still the only classroom in the district to use blogging as part of the classroom learning. Occasionally our Principal, Superintendent, and others from the district will be blogging with us. All eyes will be watching as this district prepares to incorporate more technology into everyday learning. Please keep that in mind. Let's have fun, but please be responsible.
Here's what you need to do now:
Make sure you ALWAYS leave your name and period in your comment. By posting this first time you are agreeing to:
1. ALWAYS read my words. You should never just log in and click links. Doing that will cause you to miss the questions that I want addressed.
2. Comment in the correct section for the week.
3. Understand that you get one (1) makeup blog for the YEAR. Because this blog is available 24/7/365 from any computer in the world, I don't allow more than one makeup. Go home and bookmark it. Go to the library and bookmark it. Bookmark it on your smart phone. Always remember that if you're absent on Thursday when we comment, you'll need to get it taken care of before Sunday at 6pm.
OK, questions?
Talk to me . . .
Let me 'splain how this will work:
Every Monday morning I will post a discussion question relevant to technology. You will have the entire week to post a short blog answering the question. It's very simple . . . you either advance the discussion or you don't. It's either a 100 or a 0. You can also respond to a thought posted by another user to advance the discussion. Every Sunday evening I will check off names. So you have from Monday AM to Sunday PM. Grading closes at 6pm Sunday. The first ten minutes of class on Tuesday will be devoted to reading the blog, and the first ten minutes of class Thursday will be devoted to answering the blog question.
Here are the things that this discussion is NOT:
This is not a social forum. All you guys have Facebook / Twitter for that stuff. Holla at your friends on those sites.
This is not a place for you to ask me questions about your grade. Please remember that EVERYBODY will see all of your communication on this site. If you have questions about grading policies, etc. please see me before or after school, before class or on my conference period (5th). Barring that, please email me at rlanham@nacisd.org.
This is not a place for you to air grievances of any kind. Bad language, derogatory comments and intolerance of any kind will not be accepted. These will result in blocked usage for you, and zeros on weekly discussions for the remainder of the year.
What this discussion IS:
This is a place for us to explore how technology is affecting our daily lives. You guys are digital natives (meaning you were practically born with a cell phone in your hand) and you are not accustomed to thinking about life before this technology came along. I would also bet that most of you haven't given a lot of thought to where this technology is going either. Well, that's what I want to do here.
Also, almost every college classroom has some online portion as well. In other words, when you get to college even though you're sitting in a traditional classroom your professor will expect you to go online and participate in some sort of ongoing discussion on something like Blackboard.
One more thing:
To the best of my knowledge we are still the only classroom in the district to use blogging as part of the classroom learning. Occasionally our Principal, Superintendent, and others from the district will be blogging with us. All eyes will be watching as this district prepares to incorporate more technology into everyday learning. Please keep that in mind. Let's have fun, but please be responsible.
Here's what you need to do now:
Make sure you ALWAYS leave your name and period in your comment. By posting this first time you are agreeing to:
1. ALWAYS read my words. You should never just log in and click links. Doing that will cause you to miss the questions that I want addressed.
2. Comment in the correct section for the week.
3. Understand that you get one (1) makeup blog for the YEAR. Because this blog is available 24/7/365 from any computer in the world, I don't allow more than one makeup. Go home and bookmark it. Go to the library and bookmark it. Bookmark it on your smart phone. Always remember that if you're absent on Thursday when we comment, you'll need to get it taken care of before Sunday at 6pm.
OK, questions?
Talk to me . . .
Monday, May 6, 2013
Blog 28 - May 6, 2013
It's That Time!
Last blog of the year. ::sigh::
One of the things I like to do at the end of the year is post some of the strange things that have come out of some of our mouths in this room.
Things like (from my mouth):
1) Could the record please show that Andy Landeros just used the word "fiddlesticks?"
2) Caymon! Where are those fingers going? (About Delton's pic restore)
3) Tomorrow I will love you again. Today I am tired of you. (Me to Hailey W.)
4) Yes, you have to have a door in your building! How do you get in the school in the morning? (Me to Brody)
5) Brody! Stop fighting me! This'll go much easier if you'll just quit fighting me! (Trying to take over his computer)
6) I don't trust a brother. (To Taylor)
7) Your mom. (Me to Gavin Every. Single. Day of his life)
8) I'm ok with "pop my pills." (Me to Kalyn re: music editing)
9) McClendon! Work FASTER! (Every single day to Thomas)
10) Don't you put somebody on that streetcorner! (Me to class about perspective building drawing)
11) Play around in those curves. (Me about photo restore)
12) Birdie! That rapper is stoopid! What's a hoodalum? How do you even spell that? You don't just get to make up words!
13) You know what Furbies do? They get held. (Me to Eric)
14) Nick! You're like a transformer. Let's call it The Distractacon.
15) Nick! If you'd READ THE MANUAL you'd know!
16) Eric! We're gonna have a seance. We're gonna hold hands and light candles and try to figure out what I was in a past life.
17) Me to 2nd period: It is not a party in the back of this room! If yall are gonna party you can party in the fishbowl!
From yall's mouths:
1) Mrs. L, what am I playing with? (Kolten)
2) That is so good it might get you pregnant! (Gavin)
3) You mess with one Burmese you get the whole python. (Again, Gavin. Who talks A LOT)
4) That shirt is sexy (Faith to Geetha)
5) I'm at a low point in my life right now. (KeyDasha regarding Pen Practice)
6) I hate all these pictures. (Faith)
7) Why is the WiFi sketchy down here in hell? (Kevin. Which was actually me acting like I was being Kevin)
8) Could you come back here with your toes? (Maryori)
9) Look at the butt! (Mikaela)
10) Why is his hand there? (Maryori)
11) We have to film Nick on Monday because he's sick and he's a delicate flower. (Ivette)
So for your blog credit this week, I want you to do one of two things: 1) Log in and give me your favorite memory from class. OR 2) Log in and leave a piece of advice for next year's class (ala Ms. Christian).
Talk to me . . .
Last blog of the year. ::sigh::
One of the things I like to do at the end of the year is post some of the strange things that have come out of some of our mouths in this room.
Things like (from my mouth):
1) Could the record please show that Andy Landeros just used the word "fiddlesticks?"
2) Caymon! Where are those fingers going? (About Delton's pic restore)
3) Tomorrow I will love you again. Today I am tired of you. (Me to Hailey W.)
4) Yes, you have to have a door in your building! How do you get in the school in the morning? (Me to Brody)
5) Brody! Stop fighting me! This'll go much easier if you'll just quit fighting me! (Trying to take over his computer)
6) I don't trust a brother. (To Taylor)
7) Your mom. (Me to Gavin Every. Single. Day of his life)
8) I'm ok with "pop my pills." (Me to Kalyn re: music editing)
9) McClendon! Work FASTER! (Every single day to Thomas)
10) Don't you put somebody on that streetcorner! (Me to class about perspective building drawing)
11) Play around in those curves. (Me about photo restore)
12) Birdie! That rapper is stoopid! What's a hoodalum? How do you even spell that? You don't just get to make up words!
13) You know what Furbies do? They get held. (Me to Eric)
14) Nick! You're like a transformer. Let's call it The Distractacon.
15) Nick! If you'd READ THE MANUAL you'd know!
16) Eric! We're gonna have a seance. We're gonna hold hands and light candles and try to figure out what I was in a past life.
17) Me to 2nd period: It is not a party in the back of this room! If yall are gonna party you can party in the fishbowl!
From yall's mouths:
1) Mrs. L, what am I playing with? (Kolten)
2) That is so good it might get you pregnant! (Gavin)
3) You mess with one Burmese you get the whole python. (Again, Gavin. Who talks A LOT)
4) That shirt is sexy (Faith to Geetha)
5) I'm at a low point in my life right now. (KeyDasha regarding Pen Practice)
6) I hate all these pictures. (Faith)
7) Why is the WiFi sketchy down here in hell? (Kevin. Which was actually me acting like I was being Kevin)
8) Could you come back here with your toes? (Maryori)
9) Look at the butt! (Mikaela)
10) Why is his hand there? (Maryori)
11) We have to film Nick on Monday because he's sick and he's a delicate flower. (Ivette)
So for your blog credit this week, I want you to do one of two things: 1) Log in and give me your favorite memory from class. OR 2) Log in and leave a piece of advice for next year's class (ala Ms. Christian).
Talk to me . . .
Monday, April 29, 2013
Blog 27 - April 29, 2013
Hiya!
Moving on to a new theme, I would like to talk about military technology.
Does anybody but me think it's crazy how the media manages to put our military business out on front street?
Back during WWII no one was allowed to talk about troop deployment, new technology, etc. I remember my mom saying that she would get letters home from my dad when he was in the war and they would have lines blacked out with big magic marker where he might have told her anything in the letter that could give away his location.
Now we have CNN and everybody knows what's going on the very minute it's happening.
*stepping off soap box now*
So along those lines, go view this Kiplinger article and click through some of the coming military technology. For credit this week you will pick one of these technologies and tell us how it can save lives in the field. "It's cool" will not garner you any credit. Not now, not ever.
Read Tuesday, blog Thursday.
http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/business/T043-S001-9-amazing-military-technologies-of-the-future/index.html
Talk to me . . .
Moving on to a new theme, I would like to talk about military technology.
Does anybody but me think it's crazy how the media manages to put our military business out on front street?
Back during WWII no one was allowed to talk about troop deployment, new technology, etc. I remember my mom saying that she would get letters home from my dad when he was in the war and they would have lines blacked out with big magic marker where he might have told her anything in the letter that could give away his location.
Now we have CNN and everybody knows what's going on the very minute it's happening.
*stepping off soap box now*
So along those lines, go view this Kiplinger article and click through some of the coming military technology. For credit this week you will pick one of these technologies and tell us how it can save lives in the field. "It's cool" will not garner you any credit. Not now, not ever.
Read Tuesday, blog Thursday.
http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/business/T043-S001-9-amazing-military-technologies-of-the-future/index.html
Talk to me . . .
Monday, April 22, 2013
Monday, April 15, 2013
Blog 26 - April 15, 2013
Hi!
In preparation for switching topics this week we will visit one of my favorite sites:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/
I love, LOVE this website. It's chock full of stuff for geeky people.
So for credit this week, pick a product and GIVE US THE LINK and then tell us why you love it or think it's abundantly stupid. You MUST PROVIDE THE LINK so that the rest of us can go and look at it.
Your blog should look a little something like this:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/388b/
When you're a computer teacher people ask you all the time to help them. Most days I don't mind. Today ain't one of those days.
Lanham, 1st period
You must give us the link.You must give an opinion.You must sign and put your class period.
This is one of the RARE times when you can go ahead and blog on Tuesday. Be sure to check back on Thursday during blog time if you do that so you can see what everybody else is shopping for.
Talk to me . . .
In preparation for switching topics this week we will visit one of my favorite sites:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/
I love, LOVE this website. It's chock full of stuff for geeky people.
So for credit this week, pick a product and GIVE US THE LINK and then tell us why you love it or think it's abundantly stupid. You MUST PROVIDE THE LINK so that the rest of us can go and look at it.
Your blog should look a little something like this:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/388b/
When you're a computer teacher people ask you all the time to help them. Most days I don't mind. Today ain't one of those days.
Lanham, 1st period
You must give us the link.You must give an opinion.You must sign and put your class period.
This is one of the RARE times when you can go ahead and blog on Tuesday. Be sure to check back on Thursday during blog time if you do that so you can see what everybody else is shopping for.
Talk to me . . .
Monday, April 8, 2013
Blog 25 - April 8, 2013
Hiya Peeps!
Continuing along the house of the future, let's talk about some future kitchen technology.
Back in the day, they thought our kitchens would be WAAAAAAAY further advanced than they are today. I found a you tube video to check out. It also includes more about the Monsanto house:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiACOLuYlJ4
These videos make me LOL. I don't know about YOU, but I'm ALWAYS that dressed up when I'M in the kitchen. Also, I randomly break out in song and dance.
I do dig that rotating see-through oven though . . .
So for blog credit this week, go visit this site.
http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/category/home-gadgets/kitchen/
Pick a piece of new kitchen technology and give us an opinion. Please make sure you tell us which product your talking about.
As always, read Tuesday. Blog Thursday.
Talk to me . . .
Continuing along the house of the future, let's talk about some future kitchen technology.
Back in the day, they thought our kitchens would be WAAAAAAAY further advanced than they are today. I found a you tube video to check out. It also includes more about the Monsanto house:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiACOLuYlJ4
These videos make me LOL. I don't know about YOU, but I'm ALWAYS that dressed up when I'M in the kitchen. Also, I randomly break out in song and dance.
I do dig that rotating see-through oven though . . .
So for blog credit this week, go visit this site.
http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/category/home-gadgets/kitchen/
Pick a piece of new kitchen technology and give us an opinion. Please make sure you tell us which product your talking about.
As always, read Tuesday. Blog Thursday.
Talk to me . . .
Monday, April 1, 2013
Blog 24 - April 1, 2013
Howdy Peeps!
Go here and watch these two house of the future videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DJr8QwgLEA&feature=fvst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Cf7IL_eZ38&feature=fvst
Watch Tuesday, blog Thursday. Please give me some thought.
For credit this week pick any house feature on one of the videos and give us an opinion. Tell us how you would use it. Tell us why you think it's stupid. Please give me some thought.
Talk to me . . .
Go here and watch these two house of the future videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DJr8QwgLEA&feature=fvst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Cf7IL_eZ38&feature=fvst
Watch Tuesday, blog Thursday. Please give me some thought.
For credit this week pick any house feature on one of the videos and give us an opinion. Tell us how you would use it. Tell us why you think it's stupid. Please give me some thought.
Talk to me . . .
Monday, March 25, 2013
Blog 23 - March 25, 2013
Hola Homies!
More on the house of the future . . .
Popular Science has been exploring future technology pretty much since time began. Over the years there have been MANY instances of new home technology. Both inside the home, and the home in general.
Please READ the following article. You remember reading don't you? You know, that thing your parents and teachers taught you to do long ago? Yeah. Do that. And then click on the photo gallery and view the 10 photos of alternate housing developments.
For credit this week you will pick one of the featured housing developments, tell us which one, and give at least one reason why it wouldn't work.
As always (unless we're on ThinkGeek) read Tuesday, blog Thursday.
The following article is from Popular Science:
Paul Nelson, a modernist American architect and renowned Francophile, imbued his work with a "quality of mechanical lyricism," as described by British architect Kenneth Frampton. His cagey design for a suspended steel house featured upper rooms that hung from the ceiling and connected by ramps. The structure itself was supported by U-shape tubular steel arches, and although you can't see it in this black-and-white photo, the steel mesh was covered in diamond-shaped glass panes that were opaque from the outside. The kitchen, laundry, and other service rooms (we'll assume that means a garage), were located on the ground floor, while the bath and bedrooms were at the top. The study, living room and recreation facilities could be found in the middle.
To solve the housing crisis, the Federal Public Housing Authority (FPHA) briefly distributed stopgap homes, or temporary shelters that provided the would-be homeless veterans with a place to live while they looked for permanent quarters. Residents of the Navy's Homoja village in Annapolis lived in 20-by-48-foot steel Quonset huts. Homes were compact and came with only the most basic furniture. Best of all, families paid only $1 a day for rent.
Elsewhere, surplus Army barracks were being converted into veterans' housing, while Congress moved 100,000 stopgap housing units (leftover from the war) to new sites. These houses were of light frame construction and could be dismantled for shipment. As cheap and convenient as those structures sounded, city planners were concerned that these units would either turn into slums or that they would compete with private housing. Stopgap housing advocates stood their ground, though, insisting that states and localities construct temporary housing or else neglect the millions of veterans coming home from the war.
According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the house of the future would be plastic, mass-produced and shaped like a cross. The basic floorplan would consist of a core and four "wings." The kitchen, bathrooms and furnace would be housed inside the core, while the plastic wings would hold the bedroom, dining, office and recreational areas. The entire structure would be mounted atop a pedestal, making the house look as if it were floating above ground.
So, why plastic? Firstly, it's low-maintenance. To clean your house, hose down the walls. To repair cracks or patch the room, slap some cement into the wounds an consider the job done. Of course, there were a couple of problems, the biggest one being that plastic can become deformed when exposed to heat. MIT did assure us, however, that the designs were experimental, and the purpose of a plastic house was to help designers evaluate plastic as a standard building material
The filmy plastic air bubble was easy enough to erect. It required no frame and was supported entirely by air. Like a greenhouse, it trapped enough solar heat to let temperatures rise to around 80 or 90 degrees. You can even add a small electric heater to keep things toasty on gloomy afternoons.
To inflate the air house, we wrote, use a small blower (vacuum cleaners and hair dryers work if you're desperate) and let it run continuously. A self-balancing vent on the side of the dome controls the airflow by opening and closing according to the rise and fall of pressure.
Bubble Buildings: May 1973
About a decade after we sang praises for the air bubble sun port, Goodyear actually tested a residential air structure for family use. David and Vickie Schumacher, pictured above, participated in Goodyear's experiment by liveing in this part translucent, part transparent home. Some areas, like the living room, had a floor, while others were left as grass and dirt. Although the Schumachers enjoyed the sunlight and how they could watch the rain falling on the roof, they found the open space and lack of privacy unnerving. David also professed to suffering from "bubble fever," which is like reverse cabin fever.
After returning to Princeton to finish his graduate studies, David organized a non-profit student housing group to develop designs for a residential campus contained within an air bubble. In his proposal, students would live within stackable "roommettes," which could be connected and transported like blocks within the air structure.
Computerized House: January 1980
"He's a butler, babysitter, companion--and sometimes a nuisance," we wrote when describing Breslin, a computerized house that could do everything from talking to the kids to controlling the garage door. He could tell the time, predict the weather, print out bank balances and communicate with other computers to retrieve news headlines or information from the homeowner's address books.
Breslin, who was programmed by Bill Hawkins, was a personal project more than a commercial venture. That didn't mean others wouldn't feel inspired and follow suit, though. In this article, Hawkins described how Breslin would follow one of four preprogrammed schedules, which would tell him when to turn on and off the lights, and how to adjust the temperature. Despite being a computer, Breslin had a deeply personal relationship to his owner. In the morning, he would wake Hawkins up by reading him his appointments and turning on the radio.
Since this was the year 1980, you can imagine how much work went into creating Bresin out of an IMSAI 8080 computer. His actual "Home" program was just 52 kilobytes and could load into the computer using the North Star Disk System. A Lear Siegler terminal let Hawkins send and receive data through that system.
Autonomous Dwelling Vehicle: April 1980
"Was this the American home of the future--this cross between a submarine and a World War II Quonset hut, this metal half-sausage afloat on a sea of mud?" we asked, when we saw Ted Bakewell II and Michael E. Jantzen's Autonomous Dwelling Vehicle. It certainly espoused the aesthetic and conservation technologies of 1980s house-of-the-future concepts, but its inventors insisted that the house-vehicle hybrid was more of a mobile home than anything. The structure was light enough to be towed long distances. It could float on water and be carried around by a helicopter. As a conservationist, Jantzen helped ensure that the house could run without fossil fuels and hookups to electricity, gas, water, and sewage. As you can see on the left, solar photovoltaic panels generated the structure's power.
The inside of the structure was quite roomy, and if anything, resembled the inside of the air-bubble structures from a decade prior. The home included a dining area, bedroom, bath and food-service area. While preparing meals, the inventors cooked on a renewable fuel stove. A tiny refrigerator could use outside winter air and a solid-state thermionic device to stay cool. The toilet, meanwhile, was of the waterless waste-composing type.
Dynamic House: April 1984
Now this is a house we'd love to live in. Professor Charles Owen from the Illinois Institute of Technology worked with a team of students to design a prefabricated house that could adapt to the weather, expand and contract, program indoor environments, and order around robotic servants that could do your chores. Solar-hydrogen-wind-turbine modules on the roof would generate energy while windows would automatically adjust to to sunlight. The computer-generated designs focused not on houses as a whole, but on on components that could even be installed into existing structures. Pictured at left is the entertainment center, where a family can enjoy programs on a holographic TV set. Other rooms of the house contain moving walls and panels that for enclosing bedrooms or bath areas. Although his design is advanced even for the year 2011, Professor Owens and his team were confident that people would be able to use their technology by the mid-1990s.
Home of the Year 2000: May 1982
When it came to houses, we dreamed big in the 1980s. We predicted that by the year 2000, Americans would favor clustered townhouses over the typical suburban house-and-yard model. The houses would draw most of their energy from renewable sources, and families will trade luxury showers for "miserly shower heads" and low-flush toilets. As we run out of land space, we'll move our housing underground, "to take advantage of Mother Earth's even temperature."
John R. Hagley of the Battelle Columbus Labs said that by the year 2000, houses would plug heating, cooling, plumbing and electricity into one power unit. Futuristic insulation and glazing materials, like electrochromic gas, would conserve energy even further. Aside from environmentally-friendly materials, residents could enjoy technologies like flat-screen TVs and voice-command family computers.
More on the house of the future . . .
Popular Science has been exploring future technology pretty much since time began. Over the years there have been MANY instances of new home technology. Both inside the home, and the home in general.
Please READ the following article. You remember reading don't you? You know, that thing your parents and teachers taught you to do long ago? Yeah. Do that. And then click on the photo gallery and view the 10 photos of alternate housing developments.
For credit this week you will pick one of the featured housing developments, tell us which one, and give at least one reason why it wouldn't work.
As always (unless we're on ThinkGeek) read Tuesday, blog Thursday.
The following article is from Popular Science:
Going by our archives, the only thing more hyped-up than flying cars and humanoid robot assistants were cool futuristic homes -- homes that could converge their walls to create new rooms, that could adapt to any environment, and that could play with your children while you took an afternoon nap. In terms of functionality, houses of today haven't changed much over the past fifty years. We still use good old brick, marble and cement as building materials. We still turn the microwave and TV on by our ourselves. For the most part, we still do our own chores. So what happened?
The future that never was makes our Roombas and plasma TVs sound a little quaint, doesn't it? We're happy to report, though, that we have plenty of reasons to feel content with our non-computerized houses. In April 1956, a group of researchers at MIT tested plastic houses, the draw being that plastic walls would be easy to hose down on cleaning days. A couple of decades later, Goodyear began testing air-bubble houses, which would situate your family within an unnervingly spacious translucent dome. These days, neither sound particularly appealing, given their vulnerability to natural disasters and local hooligans.
Dismally enough, we predicted in 1982 that in order to conserve natural resources, people living in the year 2000 would be forced to use low-flush toilets and "miserly" shower heads. As much as we love robots and computer-controlled appliances here at PopSci, we'll profess to choosing hot showers over talking microwaves any day of the week.
In some cases, we dreamed too big, perhaps spiraling into ideas that were decades ahead of their time. In the early 1980s, a band of designers at the Illinois Institute of Technology predicted that by the mid-1990s, we'd be using computers to build fully computerized, shippable, energy-efficient modular housing units. Microprocessors would control the appliances and adjust the ambiance, while robots would hang the laundry. Humans, meanwhile, would lounge around the indoor spas (alas, still not a standard feature) in between watching programs on holographic television sets.
Hanging House: February 1939
Paul Nelson, a modernist American architect and renowned Francophile, imbued his work with a "quality of mechanical lyricism," as described by British architect Kenneth Frampton. His cagey design for a suspended steel house featured upper rooms that hung from the ceiling and connected by ramps. The structure itself was supported by U-shape tubular steel arches, and although you can't see it in this black-and-white photo, the steel mesh was covered in diamond-shaped glass panes that were opaque from the outside. The kitchen, laundry, and other service rooms (we'll assume that means a garage), were located on the ground floor, while the bath and bedrooms were at the top. The study, living room and recreation facilities could be found in the middle.
Floating Homes: March 1941
Now here's a solution to overcrowding. During the early 1930s, several Miami residents built floating homes in Biscayne Bay, where renting an acre's worth of water space cost a mere dollar. Residents built their houses on atop pilings. Some people even constructed sharkproof swimming pools by enclosing small areas with underwater fences. At its peak, the Biscayne Bay neighborhood boasted 27 houses, which were used a summer getaways and fun places for dinners and fish-frys.
Sadly, the idea never really caught on, and the neighborhood went into decline once the novelty wore off. Its location 10 miles from the downtown Miami shores meant that residents had no access to electricity. They needed to transport their own light sources to stay there at night. Exposure to the elements and the susceptibility to hurricanes took their toll on the buildings, and eventually their number dwindled to seven. These days, the area is called Stiltsville, and the buildings are owned by the National Park Service.
Stopgap Housing: March 1946
To solve the housing crisis, the Federal Public Housing Authority (FPHA) briefly distributed stopgap homes, or temporary shelters that provided the would-be homeless veterans with a place to live while they looked for permanent quarters. Residents of the Navy's Homoja village in Annapolis lived in 20-by-48-foot steel Quonset huts. Homes were compact and came with only the most basic furniture. Best of all, families paid only $1 a day for rent.
Elsewhere, surplus Army barracks were being converted into veterans' housing, while Congress moved 100,000 stopgap housing units (leftover from the war) to new sites. These houses were of light frame construction and could be dismantled for shipment. As cheap and convenient as those structures sounded, city planners were concerned that these units would either turn into slums or that they would compete with private housing. Stopgap housing advocates stood their ground, though, insisting that states and localities construct temporary housing or else neglect the millions of veterans coming home from the war.
Plastic House: April 1956
According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the house of the future would be plastic, mass-produced and shaped like a cross. The basic floorplan would consist of a core and four "wings." The kitchen, bathrooms and furnace would be housed inside the core, while the plastic wings would hold the bedroom, dining, office and recreational areas. The entire structure would be mounted atop a pedestal, making the house look as if it were floating above ground.
So, why plastic? Firstly, it's low-maintenance. To clean your house, hose down the walls. To repair cracks or patch the room, slap some cement into the wounds an consider the job done. Of course, there were a couple of problems, the biggest one being that plastic can become deformed when exposed to heat. MIT did assure us, however, that the designs were experimental, and the purpose of a plastic house was to help designers evaluate plastic as a standard building material
Air-Bubble Sun Port: January 1961
All right, you can't live day in and day out in an air house, but for just $50, it can become a charming addition to your home. We proposed using it as a game room, a photo studio, a pool cover, or an outdoor family playroom that would let you picnic out in the yard even in the dead of winter.
All right, you can't live day in and day out in an air house, but for just $50, it can become a charming addition to your home. We proposed using it as a game room, a photo studio, a pool cover, or an outdoor family playroom that would let you picnic out in the yard even in the dead of winter.
The filmy plastic air bubble was easy enough to erect. It required no frame and was supported entirely by air. Like a greenhouse, it trapped enough solar heat to let temperatures rise to around 80 or 90 degrees. You can even add a small electric heater to keep things toasty on gloomy afternoons.
To inflate the air house, we wrote, use a small blower (vacuum cleaners and hair dryers work if you're desperate) and let it run continuously. A self-balancing vent on the side of the dome controls the airflow by opening and closing according to the rise and fall of pressure.
Bubble Buildings: May 1973
About a decade after we sang praises for the air bubble sun port, Goodyear actually tested a residential air structure for family use. David and Vickie Schumacher, pictured above, participated in Goodyear's experiment by liveing in this part translucent, part transparent home. Some areas, like the living room, had a floor, while others were left as grass and dirt. Although the Schumachers enjoyed the sunlight and how they could watch the rain falling on the roof, they found the open space and lack of privacy unnerving. David also professed to suffering from "bubble fever," which is like reverse cabin fever.
After returning to Princeton to finish his graduate studies, David organized a non-profit student housing group to develop designs for a residential campus contained within an air bubble. In his proposal, students would live within stackable "roommettes," which could be connected and transported like blocks within the air structure.
Computerized House: January 1980
"He's a butler, babysitter, companion--and sometimes a nuisance," we wrote when describing Breslin, a computerized house that could do everything from talking to the kids to controlling the garage door. He could tell the time, predict the weather, print out bank balances and communicate with other computers to retrieve news headlines or information from the homeowner's address books.
Breslin, who was programmed by Bill Hawkins, was a personal project more than a commercial venture. That didn't mean others wouldn't feel inspired and follow suit, though. In this article, Hawkins described how Breslin would follow one of four preprogrammed schedules, which would tell him when to turn on and off the lights, and how to adjust the temperature. Despite being a computer, Breslin had a deeply personal relationship to his owner. In the morning, he would wake Hawkins up by reading him his appointments and turning on the radio.
Since this was the year 1980, you can imagine how much work went into creating Bresin out of an IMSAI 8080 computer. His actual "Home" program was just 52 kilobytes and could load into the computer using the North Star Disk System. A Lear Siegler terminal let Hawkins send and receive data through that system.
Autonomous Dwelling Vehicle: April 1980
"Was this the American home of the future--this cross between a submarine and a World War II Quonset hut, this metal half-sausage afloat on a sea of mud?" we asked, when we saw Ted Bakewell II and Michael E. Jantzen's Autonomous Dwelling Vehicle. It certainly espoused the aesthetic and conservation technologies of 1980s house-of-the-future concepts, but its inventors insisted that the house-vehicle hybrid was more of a mobile home than anything. The structure was light enough to be towed long distances. It could float on water and be carried around by a helicopter. As a conservationist, Jantzen helped ensure that the house could run without fossil fuels and hookups to electricity, gas, water, and sewage. As you can see on the left, solar photovoltaic panels generated the structure's power.
The inside of the structure was quite roomy, and if anything, resembled the inside of the air-bubble structures from a decade prior. The home included a dining area, bedroom, bath and food-service area. While preparing meals, the inventors cooked on a renewable fuel stove. A tiny refrigerator could use outside winter air and a solid-state thermionic device to stay cool. The toilet, meanwhile, was of the waterless waste-composing type.
Dynamic House: April 1984
Now this is a house we'd love to live in. Professor Charles Owen from the Illinois Institute of Technology worked with a team of students to design a prefabricated house that could adapt to the weather, expand and contract, program indoor environments, and order around robotic servants that could do your chores. Solar-hydrogen-wind-turbine modules on the roof would generate energy while windows would automatically adjust to to sunlight. The computer-generated designs focused not on houses as a whole, but on on components that could even be installed into existing structures. Pictured at left is the entertainment center, where a family can enjoy programs on a holographic TV set. Other rooms of the house contain moving walls and panels that for enclosing bedrooms or bath areas. Although his design is advanced even for the year 2011, Professor Owens and his team were confident that people would be able to use their technology by the mid-1990s.
Home of the Year 2000: May 1982
When it came to houses, we dreamed big in the 1980s. We predicted that by the year 2000, Americans would favor clustered townhouses over the typical suburban house-and-yard model. The houses would draw most of their energy from renewable sources, and families will trade luxury showers for "miserly shower heads" and low-flush toilets. As we run out of land space, we'll move our housing underground, "to take advantage of Mother Earth's even temperature."
John R. Hagley of the Battelle Columbus Labs said that by the year 2000, houses would plug heating, cooling, plumbing and electricity into one power unit. Futuristic insulation and glazing materials, like electrochromic gas, would conserve energy even further. Aside from environmentally-friendly materials, residents could enjoy technologies like flat-screen TVs and voice-command family computers.
Talk to me . . .
Monday, March 18, 2013
Blog 22 - March 18, 2013
Howdy!
Hope you guys had a good Spring Break. I know I needed some downtime. We can make it to the end, right? RIGHT?!?
Shifting gear, lets talk a bit about up and coming technology for our homes. I LOVE this topic. I'm one of those house show geeks. I can watch HGTV for hours on end. I love seeing the trends in the home construction world.
So in preparation for blogging this week, please visit the following sites. To receive credit this week you'll pick a feature that has been highlighted on one of the following pages, tell us which one and give us your opinion. Oh, and sign it.
http://www.cedia.org/technology-trends/looking-ahead-home-technology-in-2016
http://www.mhealthtalk.com/2012/09/smart-home-technology/
http://www.wtop.com/256/3209813/Hot-new-home-technologies-plug-in-to-your-lifestyle-VIDEO
http://www.cnbc.com/id/41179915
Talk to me . . .
Hope you guys had a good Spring Break. I know I needed some downtime. We can make it to the end, right? RIGHT?!?
Shifting gear, lets talk a bit about up and coming technology for our homes. I LOVE this topic. I'm one of those house show geeks. I can watch HGTV for hours on end. I love seeing the trends in the home construction world.
So in preparation for blogging this week, please visit the following sites. To receive credit this week you'll pick a feature that has been highlighted on one of the following pages, tell us which one and give us your opinion. Oh, and sign it.
http://www.cedia.org/technology-trends/looking-ahead-home-technology-in-2016
http://www.mhealthtalk.com/2012/09/smart-home-technology/
http://www.wtop.com/256/3209813/Hot-new-home-technologies-plug-in-to-your-lifestyle-VIDEO
http://www.cnbc.com/id/41179915
Talk to me . . .
Monday, March 4, 2013
Blog 21 - March 4, 2013
Howdy Folks!
In preparation for switching topics this week we will visit one of my favorite sites:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/
I love, LOVE this website. It's chock full of stuff for geeky people.
So for credit this week, pick a product and GIVE US THE LINK and then tell us why you love it or think it's abundantly stupid. You MUST PROVIDE THE LINK so that the rest of us can go and look at it.
Your blog should look a little something like this:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/ee85/?srp=1
I think I need this desk defender. On those days when I don't have enough caffeine and you folks get too close to my desk I could make you BACK OFF! (Can you tell the caffeine isn't circulating yet?)
Lanham, 1st period
You must give us the link.
You must give an opinion.
You must sign and put your class period.
This is one of the RARE times when you can go ahead and blog on Tuesday. Be sure to check back on Thursday during blog time if you do that so you can see what everybody else is shopping for.
Talk to me . . .
In preparation for switching topics this week we will visit one of my favorite sites:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/
I love, LOVE this website. It's chock full of stuff for geeky people.
So for credit this week, pick a product and GIVE US THE LINK and then tell us why you love it or think it's abundantly stupid. You MUST PROVIDE THE LINK so that the rest of us can go and look at it.
Your blog should look a little something like this:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/ee85/?srp=1
I think I need this desk defender. On those days when I don't have enough caffeine and you folks get too close to my desk I could make you BACK OFF! (Can you tell the caffeine isn't circulating yet?)
Lanham, 1st period
You must give us the link.
You must give an opinion.
You must sign and put your class period.
This is one of the RARE times when you can go ahead and blog on Tuesday. Be sure to check back on Thursday during blog time if you do that so you can see what everybody else is shopping for.
Talk to me . . .
Monday, February 25, 2013
Blog 20 - February 25, 2013
Hiya!
More medical technology this week. Here's a few more articles about robotic advancement in the medical field:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Human-Body-Spare-Parts-the-Robotic-Ankle-60825.shtml
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081205100137.htm
Yeah, I know the butt thing is weird but there's some other really good stuff in here. PS? LOVE me some Mental Floss.
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/working-robot-pictures.htm
http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/robot-similar-human-being
And from Time Magazine (great pick-up Chelsea N!):
For credit this week, chose any one of these articles and give me a fact contained therein. As always (unless we're on ThinkGeek) read Tuesday, blog Thursday.
Talk to me . . .
More medical technology this week. Here's a few more articles about robotic advancement in the medical field:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Human-Body-Spare-Parts-the-Robotic-Ankle-60825.shtml
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081205100137.htm
Yeah, I know the butt thing is weird but there's some other really good stuff in here. PS? LOVE me some Mental Floss.
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/working-robot-pictures.htm
http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/robot-similar-human-being
And from Time Magazine (great pick-up Chelsea N!):
For credit this week, chose any one of these articles and give me a fact contained therein. As always (unless we're on ThinkGeek) read Tuesday, blog Thursday.
Talk to me . . .
Monday, February 18, 2013
Blog 19 - February 18, 2013
Hiya!
So the post last week about the prosthetic arm got me to thinking about prosthetic eyes. And then last week on the news I heard a little snippet about a new bionic eye that can lead to vision for adults who have been sightless because of a disease called RP.
Here's a link to an Endgadget story:
http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/15/fda-clears-argus-ii-bionic-eye-for-sale-in-the-us-video/
Here's a link to the ABCNews story:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/technology-helps-genetic-blindness/story?id=18519504
Here's a link to the manufacturers website:
http://2-sight.eu/en/how-is-argus-r-ii-designed-to-produce-sight-en
How cool is this? Seriously!!!
For credit this week I want YOU to do some research on medical technology that can enhance eyesight. You will find an article pertaining to eyesight technology and POST a link and give us a fact from your article.
I DO NOT want websites / ads for surgery centers. That is not research! If the name of an eye hospital comes immediately after www. I'm not gonna accept it.
Yes, I realize this requires some actual work.
As always, read Tuesday blog Thursday.
Here are the rules: 1) You CANNOT use anything from Page 1 of Google or Bing or any other search engine. You MAY use pages other than the first page. 2) If someone else has posted a link then it's off limits. 3) If you post a link at the same time as someone in your class then the second one published has to go again.
Remember for credit I must GET A LINK to a story no one else has used (and not from page one of any search engine) and it MUST be accompanied by a fact from your article.
Talk to me . . .
So the post last week about the prosthetic arm got me to thinking about prosthetic eyes. And then last week on the news I heard a little snippet about a new bionic eye that can lead to vision for adults who have been sightless because of a disease called RP.
Here's a link to an Endgadget story:
http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/15/fda-clears-argus-ii-bionic-eye-for-sale-in-the-us-video/
Here's a link to the ABCNews story:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/technology-helps-genetic-blindness/story?id=18519504
Here's a link to the manufacturers website:
http://2-sight.eu/en/how-is-argus-r-ii-designed-to-produce-sight-en
How cool is this? Seriously!!!
For credit this week I want YOU to do some research on medical technology that can enhance eyesight. You will find an article pertaining to eyesight technology and POST a link and give us a fact from your article.
I DO NOT want websites / ads for surgery centers. That is not research! If the name of an eye hospital comes immediately after www. I'm not gonna accept it.
Yes, I realize this requires some actual work.
As always, read Tuesday blog Thursday.
Here are the rules: 1) You CANNOT use anything from Page 1 of Google or Bing or any other search engine. You MAY use pages other than the first page. 2) If someone else has posted a link then it's off limits. 3) If you post a link at the same time as someone in your class then the second one published has to go again.
Remember for credit I must GET A LINK to a story no one else has used (and not from page one of any search engine) and it MUST be accompanied by a fact from your article.
Talk to me . . .
Monday, February 11, 2013
Blog 18 - February 11, 2013
Hola Homies!
So this story really caught my attention last week on CNet:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-27083_3-57559675-247/brain-implants-let-paralyzed-woman-move-robot-arm/
Dude! This chick can control a robotic arm using her thought! Do you know what a ginormous deal this is? She is a quadraplegic and hasnt had movement in her limbs for YEARS. How frustrating that must be.
Here's a link to the article about the microchip that made it all happen:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57436475-76/paralyzed-woman-moves-robotic-arm-using-thought-alone/
Here's the research article published in the medical journal:
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2812%2961816-9/fulltext
Here's a news piece on the robot arm. Somebody remind me to show it in class. Ignore the Star Wars references (nerds!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9ZCJ6Nzmxg
So for credit this week go to one of the articles and pull out a fact you find amazing. As always, READ TUESDAY BLOG THURSDAY.
Talk to me . . .
So this story really caught my attention last week on CNet:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-27083_3-57559675-247/brain-implants-let-paralyzed-woman-move-robot-arm/
Dude! This chick can control a robotic arm using her thought! Do you know what a ginormous deal this is? She is a quadraplegic and hasnt had movement in her limbs for YEARS. How frustrating that must be.
Here's a link to the article about the microchip that made it all happen:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57436475-76/paralyzed-woman-moves-robotic-arm-using-thought-alone/
Here's the research article published in the medical journal:
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2812%2961816-9/fulltext
Here's a news piece on the robot arm. Somebody remind me to show it in class. Ignore the Star Wars references (nerds!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9ZCJ6Nzmxg
So for credit this week go to one of the articles and pull out a fact you find amazing. As always, READ TUESDAY BLOG THURSDAY.
Talk to me . . .
Monday, February 4, 2013
Blog 17 - February 3, 2013
Hola Peeps! Thanks for logging in!
Hey let's do some medical technology!
Here's a really cool article I found on CNet. For this week, scroll down through some up and coming medical technology, pick a product and give us an opinion AND a fact.
Read Tuesday, post Thursday.
Remember, to receive credit you have to give us an opinion AND cite a fact. As always, you can do some internet research and see if the product turns up anywhere else. If you get a hit please post the link.
http://news.cnet.com/health-tech/
Talk to me . . .
Hey let's do some medical technology!
Here's a really cool article I found on CNet. For this week, scroll down through some up and coming medical technology, pick a product and give us an opinion AND a fact.
Read Tuesday, post Thursday.
Remember, to receive credit you have to give us an opinion AND cite a fact. As always, you can do some internet research and see if the product turns up anywhere else. If you get a hit please post the link.
http://news.cnet.com/health-tech/
Talk to me . . .
Monday, January 28, 2013
Blog 16 - January 28, 2013
Howdy Folks!
So CES is in the books again this year. Here it is by the numbers:
3,250 - The number of technology companies that showed up in Las Vegas to debut their new tech toys.
150,000 - The number of technology professionals who attended the show.
35,000 - The number of attendees who came from other countries to attend the show.
20,000 - The number of new products that were launched at the show.
1,920,000 - The number of square feet the show took up.
45 - The number of years the show has been running.
(Source: cepro.com)
How cool is that? It TOLD yall it was a Big Deal!
So for credit this week go pick one of the top 10 new products from this year's show and speak about it intelligently. As always, read Tuesday and blog Thursday. Also? That's cool won't earn you credit. Please speak to us about the product. Give us a fact. Go see if you can find reference to it somewhere else on the internet. When is it coming to market?
So again, for credit this week you must do TWO things: Tell us which product in that list you're talking about AND give us a fact about it that you find interesting.
Talk to me . . .
So CES is in the books again this year. Here it is by the numbers:
3,250 - The number of technology companies that showed up in Las Vegas to debut their new tech toys.
150,000 - The number of technology professionals who attended the show.
35,000 - The number of attendees who came from other countries to attend the show.
20,000 - The number of new products that were launched at the show.
1,920,000 - The number of square feet the show took up.
45 - The number of years the show has been running.
(Source: cepro.com)
How cool is that? It TOLD yall it was a Big Deal!
So for credit this week go pick one of the top 10 new products from this year's show and speak about it intelligently. As always, read Tuesday and blog Thursday. Also? That's cool won't earn you credit. Please speak to us about the product. Give us a fact. Go see if you can find reference to it somewhere else on the internet. When is it coming to market?
So again, for credit this week you must do TWO things: Tell us which product in that list you're talking about AND give us a fact about it that you find interesting.
Sample:http://www.techradar.com/us/news/world-of-tech/10-best-new-products-from-ces-2013-1124170
I'm so digging that Samsung Youm. It has flexible plastic instead of glass so it's not breakable. Finally! A cell phone I can actually put in my pocket!
Lanham - 1
Talk to me . . .
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