NCT 2 : Online Networking Sites

Alamak Chat, Chatroulette, Omegle and many more.

Sounds familiar? They are actually social networking sites which allows you to talk to almost anyone in the world. Tools that we need? Just a wireless connection and a laptop will do.

These sites are so easy to use. There is no need to sign up for an account. Just log in, and the interface pops out. 

I tried one of the sites once with my friends. However, I didn’t expect things to get so ‘dirty’. Apparently, the site allows one to see who you’re chatting with, with the usage of webcams. The bad part of it was that suddenly this guy came online and exposed his private parts! I don’t know about others, but to me, this can get really offensive and crude. To me, social sites are meant for pure platonic friendships, get to know people, that sort of things. SO I REALLY DIDN’T EXPECT THAT TO HAPPEN.

But, I can’t label all social sites as bad. There are many advantages to it. Firstly, you get to expand your social circle. I do have friends whom I got to know over this kind of sites. And they are decent people, just the kind you would want to befriends with. Secondly, you can be exposed to the various cultures all over the world. Like I mention earlier, these sites allows one to talk to almost anyone in the world. Imagine talking to a person all the way from Germany, Arab, South Korea? Would that not be interesting?

However, there are disadvantages to these sites. Firstl, you don’t really know who you’re talking with. Sure, you get to see them on the web cam interface, but are they really who you’re talking with? There might be online predators lurking around, so one would not want to tamper with them. Secondly, online scams. There are cases where people are influenced to provide information in which these scammers can use them to ruin your reputation. Thirdly, privacy issues. As much as we are friends with this person, we cannot exactly divulge everything to them. You never know when they might just turn against you.

Overall, social sites, are fun to use yet we must always be on our guard. For me, I won’t reveal personal information unless I really know them(:

Social sites : At Your Own Risk.

(:

New Communication Technologies : Minority Report

Ideas that may seem impossible back then is apparently turning into a reality.

For example, touch screen interfaces. Back then, no one would actually believe such advanced technology would exist. But voila, 10 years down the road, such technology exists! IPads, IPhones, Portable tablets and the likes.

The movie, Minority Report starring Tom Cruise is indeed an awesome one.

Throughout the movie, I was exposed to the many ideas of advanced technology the producers had in mind back in 2002 (where it was first released).

Firstly, I was deeply intrigued by the various applications. One of which is the motion/movement sensor whereby Cruise was using it to navigate through files.