3D...Virtural Word

Today I got to experience a 3D, virtual world at the Envision Center @Purdue.
Before we got started on this amazing experience, this guy (I forgot this name..... :<) asked us to imagine our lifestyle in 5 years later, then he went on and told us to imagine that we each wanted to buy a vacuum cleaner for our apartment. But we would like to see it in real life and be able to actually lift it and see how much it weights. Or we would also like to see how it really works, and figure out if this vacuum cleaner really works well or not. If we wanted to do all that today, we can not get all the information we want based on the vacuum cleaner because we can only see the images and read off the internet about its advantages of the vacuum cleaner. But he reminded us that in 5 years later, we might actually be able to put on 3D glasses & gloves, and experience the vacuum cleaner, as if it is right in front of us. We can also feel the weight and see how well it sucks up the dirt's. Soon we will be living in a virtual world, and Samsung already took a small step by developing the 3D LCD TV.

Each and one of us had the chance to wear the 3D glasses, (which are worth about $500 each) and experienced a simplistic real-time walk imagery at a Lab. (3D lab setting they have created).

At first, I felt a bit nauseous because my eyes and brain weren't use to it I guess... But after awhile I got use to it and it was really fun. The staff there also told us that they have created a Purdue University bell tower setting, where you are at the top of the bell tower looking down. It takes awhile to create a new setting, but imagine you being on top of the eiffle tower, at a beach, or at the grand canyon mountain at Las Vegas?

Today it got me thinking... maybe in 5 years, virtual world will be a common thing. It could change the way we communicate with one another online. For example, lets say I was on ma and chatting with a guy i hardly know. I can see his profile picture, but it is not clear and I am not sure if he lied about his height or not. What if hes really short? What his profile picture is fake? But when we are in a virtual world maybe we are able to put on our 3D glasses (which is cheaper by then), and talk to the person online as if he/she is right in front of you. Then it would be so much easier to see how/what the person looks like and even the height of the person. The way we communicate with others will defiantly change over time -- in a good way! :)

But here's a thought: Do you think technologies are killing the way we communicate? Let me know!!!

Do you judge someone based on their pictures??

Nowadays many of us are trying to find jobs, and many of you guys might be going to interviews. Has anyone asked you or your permission to look at your facebook pictures?
One of my friend who had an job interview this weekend told me that during the interview, they asked if they were allow to see his pictures on facebook? Immediately my friend told them that he didn't want to be hired by a company that judges him. Of course his appearance and lifestyle is a lot different during the weekends...at a party with girls.

When I heard this story, I thought about the rumor how employers are paying facebook to see private profiles and pictures. Employers are doing this to see what their new or existing employees do in their time away from work to make hiring or promoting decision. I have heard this rumor number of times, and that is why I tend to select pictures that only seems appropriate. I don't think I would ever post something ridiculous or outrageous stuffs. Therefore, if the company was to asked if they could see my profile, I would have said yes. This is because I have nothing to hide, and it might be good for them to see my fun and outgoing side.

This shows how much online social networking sites are playing a big role on our lives. It is even effecting on our social but work life as well. If employers are able to view private profiles, do you think it is unfair? Unethical? Simply wrong? -- I do think so. People set their profile to private for a clear reason; they don't want strangers looking at their lives and judging them. That is why some people don't accept people ("friends request") when they don't know that person. I feel like it is a bit creepy when a stranger, someone I completely have no connection with, adds me on facebook.

Few years ago, when facebook was not so popular, companies would not have asked such question during the interview and using facebook (or other social networking sites) to decide whom they hire.

One of my friend who got a job in Japan recently told me that she had to close her facebook for awhile. The reason behind this was someone in the company had looked her up on facebook. But apparently her facebook profile was not set to private, and therefore, people at her work place were able to look at the pictures.. in other words, the wild side of her. In America, it is normal for college students to become out of control sometimes... I mean common, we are in COLLEGE!
But it seems like most of the people in Japan thought it was a bit too much. So they told her to take off the pictures because it was not good for the company's reputation. She was angry and confused but she had to follow the rules, otherwise, she would have been fired or she may have given her boss a bad impression.

All these stories I hear makes me wonder, is it really necessary for them to check your private profile and decisions/judgments based on pictures? I feel like pictures and facebook accounts are my private life. But again, some might think differently. What do you guys think? Share your thoughts :-)



Also I found an interesting article about this topic, "Employers Look at Facebook, Too" -CBS, take a look because the article makes interesting points--click here

You can also take a look at a short video clip. "Sharyn Alfonsi spoke to Tim DeMello, CEO of Ziggs, an online search platform for professionals" --click here

Enjoy!

Online dating :)

Today I just wanted to talk about internet and online dating websites. These are some of the topics I have been involved in other classes (like COM456 and COM491) as well.

For one of my communication classes, we had an discussion about online dating.
In a busy culture like ours, people just don't have the time to meet people when they are working, parenting, studying, and so on. My roommate and I been talking/gossiping about how and where we are suppose to meet men when we graduate. But nowadays, online dating websites like eharmony, match.com, and chemistry are the most common and fastest ways to meet new partners. Where would dating be without the web?

I've been looking at eharmony commercials (check them out!) on youtube, and whenever I look at their commercials, it makes me want sign up for eharmony. The voice of the commercials were very caring, nurturing, and hopeful...so for some reason, I have some sort of "trust" towards eharmony and match.com, just because they are well known websites, and their commercials are very effective and believable.
But can you really find true love or your soul mate through the internet? -- what do you guys think? Has anyone experienced this before?
This is all so new to me yet, so I can't not imagine falling in love with someone through a dating websites. But I do think that I find someone that has all the attributes I am looking for more easily.

It's funny how the internet has transformed the way we date. No one would have imagined this day would come. But believe it or not, internet is the new way to meet/date people now, whether it is good or bad. We often talk about "privacy" and how you might lose your identity through use of internet. I feel like not many people really care about those things when they are online. I never think about losing my identity or someone breaking into my account and so on. But it hit me when the guest speaker talked about how there might be 30 something viruses in my computer - but you just don't know about it. Also, someone in my other class (COM491) talked about how someone hacked into one of his professors email account, and sent out an email to all the students saying class was being canceled. So that afternoon, no one showed up to lecture.

Recently, I read an article about students fall in to online scams so easily. It is important to remember how easy it is for men and women to fake stories in order to get money from you.

From hearing all these stories and thoughts, it scares me. My name, pictures, address, and phone numbers are all posted online, and there is a possibility that anyone can access that information. But I never take cautious steps or think twice when I am posting something personal on websites.

Today my final thought is -- Let's all be careful and we all should use caution when looking for services or sites like craiglists, facebook, and twitter.

The GOODS & BADS of 3D

Recently there was a news on the negative effect on 3D movies, especially the movie Avatar.
I would like to start off by asking a question -- Has anyone experienced headaches or eyestrain while watching a 3D movie?

Well, it seems there were many complaints about the discomfort and headache while viewing Avatar in 3D.

I have to admit, while I was watching Avatar in 3D, I did feel sort of dizzy. I thought watching it on 2D was way better and easier to watch. I watched it in 3D with my parents, and I thought my parents would enjoy the cool effects of it, but they just gave up. They decided not to wear the glass but then the dizziness made it worse for them. So they just put it on and slept.... Yes, this is how uncomfortable they felt.

In on of my blogs I mentioned about 3D movies, 3D TVs coming to the home this year and I wrote how great it would be... ironically, some experts are calling for more research into the possibility of eyestrain associated with 3D viewing. So I guess 3D TVs at home is not that great after all.

According to Allan Sullivan, senior research scientist at the Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories in Cambridge, MA, stated that dizziness and discomfort happens because "Your eyes must remain focused on the display, but must converge at the depth--either in front or behind the display--where the image from each eye overlaps correctly." (Sullivan)

It is known that many people can view 3D without experiencing any strain at all, but minor eye problems might be amplified slightly by watching 3D.

Also, is seems like the conflict may be worse on smaller screens. This means 3D TV's at home is the worst idea. It's good that we find out now, less harm is done.

I would like to ask you another question -- would you avoid 3D in the future?
Share your thoughts :)

Are you ready?

Just when you think there is nothing else to come up with, more and more and more technologies comes out.

I've always wanted an iPhone, but since I am graduating in May, I decided to wait till I am in Korea. In Korea, few months ago the iPhone was released, and from what I heard, many people have changed their phones to iPhone...

Just when I thought it would be using iPhone soon... I hear that the NEW iPhone 4G is on its way!!! This means...I would have to wait longer to use an iPhone because I want to buy the NEW iPhone just like everyone else who are anxiously waiting for it to release!!!

The exact date is not confirmed yet, but it is planned to release around June - July 2010.
I hear that the NEW iPhone is in HD... :) and it is going to be loaded with cooler apps and features. ->

Here are some new features of 4G iPhone

A new, sleeker body design.

OLED screen.

Multi-Tasking. (use multiple functions at once without going in and out of apps)

iChat camera (on the front so you can have video chat!!!)

32G (basic) and 64G of memory. Your sure to never run out.

Removable Battery.

Hi Definition Camera.

Hi Definition Camcorder.

Hi Definition audio.

Messaging light.

True GPS built in

....and so on.

In Korea, many people use features like video chat, and I always had fun using it because you are able to see and communicate at the same time with your friends/families/spouse. It's really fun but some people say they hate the fact the video chat feature is built into their phones. This is simply because when your significant other don't trust you when you are out, your partner will force you to do the video chat wherever and whenever they want. So that your partner could check and make sure you are at some place safe, and where they want you to be. Therefore, sometimes features like video chat destroy your privacy and get you in trouble (!!!) but it could be fun and useful in many ways....


Let's all hope that they make iPhone available to all networks. Some people are deciding whether to leave ATT and join Sprint/Verizon networks, or the other way around. There is a rumor that many people are planning to leave ATT because of ATT's lagging on app restrictions like GoogleVoice, Skype and so on. But we never know -- it's just a rumor for now.