Week 2 - Tutorial Task

a) Refer to blogroll

This video by the creators of the television show 'Mythbusters' gives a quirky insight in to Moore's Law.

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The web application, or group of applications, I have chose to examine is referred to as 'Auction Sniping'.  I found this through the imaginative method of listening to my tutor as she used it as an example.  This is the process of posting the winning big on an auction at the last possible moment, achieved either manually or with the assistance of a wide variety of software accessable online.  Whilst auction sniping is frowned upon and is often the source of great fustration, it is not illegal and programs such as 'AuctionRaptor' are very readily available for a small fee and are sometimes even free.  Whilst I think this program is obviously beneficial, I think it is something that should be used sparingly, if at all.  This is because although it is not illegal, it does take advantage of the system in with a method that is only used by few, leaving the other less computer savvy people at a disadvantage.

For more information, refer to https://www.auctionraptor.com/?source=adwords&gclid=CObAuOS0sqoCFYVLpgod5hQF8A

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Facebook -

• How long have you been using this communication technologies?
• For about two years now, give or take.
• What influenced you to start using this particular technology?
• I created a Facebook account mainly in response to the fact that most people I knew were already using Facebook to do such things as organise social events, and if I didn't have access, I would be at a disadvantage. 
• Is privacy an issue for you when using new technologies?
• Not really as I am of the view that unless the information in question is being obtained illegally, you are responsible for the posting of any personal information online.  There are certain exceptions to this, such as Facebook changing its privacy settings without notifying their users which results in all posted information being visible to the public regardless of what settings the user previously had enacted. 
• What do you think about companies like Facebook and Google who collect information about their users? 
• I am of the opinion that it is just intelligent business, as long as the 'data mining' does not delve into grey areas, such as the story about the man's search records directly effecting his health insurance.

I use programs and services such as Facebook and Skype to keep in touch with family over long distances, for example, my sister currently living in Japan.  I am happy to email and IM my sister, but I know that the experience of face to face talking, provided by Skype, is greatly valued by my parents.  When that telltale sound of a phone call over Skype goes off, my house turns into a mad rush to talk to my sister!