Comments week #14 Readings

Dustin's blog
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=1693482552938456993&postID=5501171602175938206&page=1

Jake's blog
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=633484337573796975&postID=1786636238241762083&page=1

Readings week #14

This weeks readings were about the future uses of libraries and cloud computing. I was unfamiliar with this term and confused after reading the article. Again this is a term that can mean many different things depending on which money making entity is using it. I felt that the video did a much better job of explaining the concept since it wasn't trying to sell you a certain service at the same time. The video compared computing with cloud computing to obtaining electric energy by accessing the electrical power grid, liken cloud computing with utility computing. SaaS--Software as a service and HaaS--Hardware as a service are two types of possible cloud computing services, which would connect ones computer to software and hardware as an online utility. I discovered that I already cloud compute since I use an online security suite. Who knew?
A further discussion on the leveling of the playing field since businesses could reduce capital costs didn't really sell me on the idea of cloud computing. In light of the current economy I don't trust the business world to do anything for the common man with their savings. As an individual I wondered if I want to subscibe to another monthly bill for access to the cloud. I don't have cable tv and only started to pay for internet access when I started school. I also considered the fact that many people today do not have electricity. Will cloud computing do anything but exacerbate the digital divide?
This brings us to the last reading about the future of libraries. I felt this was an overly optimistic view of the future as well as the future of libraries. Again, in light of the current economy I wonder where the financing for all these technological developments will come from. And, I admit it, I would hate to see the end of the book.

Week #13 Muddiest Point

Why it is illegal in the United States to use 128 key encryption? Isn't the purpose of encryption to protect privacy? Is the US government less interested in privacy and more interested in spying on its law abiding citizens?

Reading Comments Week #13

Dustin's blog
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=1693482552938456993&postID=9057758121596538993&page=1


Maggie's blog
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4657309357315020681&postID=4495916162585289725&page=1

Muddiest Point Week #12 Revisted

After viewing the class presentation on Sunday morning I was wondering why so little class time was spent on podcasts? I am familiar with blogs and wikis because of school assignments but I know little about podcasts.

Muddiest Point week #12

No video was posted so its difficult to have a muddy point from class. This week's topic was social software. I looked through the power point slides but it left alot to be desired without a video or audio presentation. The university is closed for the holidays so I assume no one was there to post the video before the muddiest point due date.

Readings week #13

2 readings and 1 video for this week. The 2 readings were 2 websites.
No Place To Hide Website--Robert O'Harrow, Jr. and the Center for Investigative Reporting
This website has many links. The website presents multimedia investigations by news organizations working together concerning the government's expanded surveillance authorities and activities in the wake of September 11, 2001. The government uses private data collection to watch its citizens in the name of security. This site also comments on the passing of inaccurate information among government agencies.
Electronic Privacy Information Center Website
Another website with many links devoted to privacy and security issues in an electronic age. This site discusses the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and "Total or Terrorism Information Awarness" (TIA). TIA sought to establish a "grand, virtual, centralized database" by using data mining or knowledge discovery tools in order to deter terrorism. Law enforcement was suppose to be given access to private data such as the financial, medical, communication, and travel records of individuals without a suspicion of wrong doing or a warrant. This agency's funding was eliminated in 2003, but, according to this site, this did not end this type of government activity. Data mining by the government using private information databases continues.
The video was title "Is Privacy Dead" by Jeffrey Rosen. Some good points were made by Mr. Rosen concerning the design of technology to both protect privacy and aide security. He stated that surveillence issues are not technological issues but political and cultural issues. He also talked about the US governments data mining activities. He also compared policies in place in Britain and the US. He used examples of "naked machines" at Heathrow and Phoenix airports and the use of surveillance cameras through Britain. Interesting ideas on democratic and heirarchal thinking as well as classification and exclusion and cultural differences. It was interesting that cameras in Britain have not deterred crime.