2.0 for 20

I have to say that I was pleasently surprised with the 2.0 for 20 experience. It was a lot more fun and a lot less frustrating than I had anticipated. I quickly shed my "I don't have time for this" attitude and donned an "inquiring minds need to know" one, and got going.

The biggest surprise for me was the extent of virtual living. I never would have guessed that so many people spend so much time living a life that is not their own...so to speak. I enjoyed making an avatar and could have spent an entire afternoon creating images. It is a lot like playing Barbie.

I was disappointed with some of the social network sites. Many of them had "groups" that were non functioning. My Space had too much on the page for my taste and Eons is a big pain to stay connected with. As for the personal website save pages, such as del.icio.us,I found them useless. However I can see how some people would need them. Facebook has become my next best friend. In fact I found my best friend from childhood on that site! We now correspond everyday and I can not imagine my world without him.


I could rant on and on about how other people use computers, spend their time, and interact with each other but to what end. I think the best lesson we can learn is that everyone uses, views, and interacts in their own way and at their own comfort level in Computer Land much the same way they do in Non-computer Land. Viva la virtual!

Badminton....Anyone?

Games are fun whether you are playing alone or with others. Every experience is educational so I guess you could say it's all good. I am concerned about the crossover from game world to reality. If you spent your adolescence/young adulthood buried in gaming the world may come as quite a shock to you. Many jobs have no clear cut goals, you are expected to find your own tools to solve problems, challenges and success can be nebulous, you usually don't get do-overs (second chances), and nobody gives you an M&M for doing what you are paid to do. Some days nobody gives a Bo Diddly what you do right. Good luck to you future employers, it's gonna be a bumpy ride. I won't get going on the games that involve violence because I would be on my soap box from now 'till Sunday!

What Would The Map Makers of Lascaux Think?

I have to say that Google Earth is a wonder. Marco Polo would have loved it and Christopher Columbus could have used it. It has a lot more detail than the maps of Lascaux caves! I have traveled all over the world to look at maps and now I can sit at home and travel all over the world looking at a map. I was relived to notice that my house cannot be seen because of all of our trees. I was pleasantly surprised to see the waves on the ocean and the ridges in the sea floor. I am hoping to spot a whale. This tool really sets off a dichotomatic discussion in my head. I love the detail/I love my privacy.

Hey Babe

Here I am in all my splendor! Could I be the woman..er..cartoon..of your dreams? As fun as it is to play paper dolls and relive a piece of childhood I do have other things to do with my time. I think that the virtual world is interesting and weird. It would be a better use of time and resources if part of the virtual culture was to power all of these computers via physical exercise. I have concerns regarding "real" social interaction. It is one thing to speak in pretend land and another to face actual people. Do people who spend time everyday in virtual land interact with real people the same amount of time each day? When I was a child we played in the woods. We inappropriately called ourselves cowboys and Indians (my brothers and I are some Native American), we shot pretend guns and arrows, we spoke with stupid accents. We interacted with real people. I think that I had the richer childhood.

Tools. continued

Yes! Got both documents to publish. As you can see they are very important. It is a good idea to start planning for a trip early.

CRUISE TO MEXICO

1. Leave Seattle
2. Arrive San Diego
3. Leave San Diego
4. Cruise
5. Cruise some more
6. Go zipline
7. Go kyaking
8. Go swim with dolphins
9. Go dune buggy riding
10. Arrive San Diego
11. Leave San Diego
12. Arrive Seattle
13. Add layers of clothing

Hammers & Nails & T Squares, Oh My

I am all over the tools and applications sites. They have made my committee life so much easier. We no longer have to worry about who has word or mac or works or tin cans on a string. We can communicate! This is the best thing since 8 track went to cassette tapes! I did send my self 2 documents and only 1 came. I think this is my fault so I will try again.