Ann Schumann

Apple has become the #1 choice in laptops for students

admin — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 03:58:06 +0000

Apple MacBooks are now the leader in student laptop purchases. This is an exciting change, and makes me hope that one day businesses will make the same choice. Unfortunately, I don’t think that will be happening anytime soon, because PCs are just more cost effective. If only Apple could offer a significant business discount like they do for students, and turn my dream into a reality. Yes, Macs are predominantly known for their multimedia benefits, but I think what is most compelling is their ease of use (intuitive style). The ease of use feature of Macs could really impact the productivity of employees in a positive way and isn’t that important to businesses?

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/igeneration/apple-overtakes-dell-hp-as-student-laptop-choice/5822?tag=mantle_skin;content

Review of Google’s “Call Phone”

admin — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 02:54:54 +0000

I just tried out Google’s Internet phone service.
On one side are the benefits -
1. It’s FREE to any phone (in the U.S.).
2. You get to carry on a conversation hands free (good for multitaskers).

On the other side are the disadvantages -
1. The person on the opposite end of the line might complain about noisiness and echoing.
2. If you don’t tell people ahead of time that you will be using Google to call them, they may not pick up because they don’t recognize the number on caller ID.

I most likely will stick to my cell phone for most conversations but it is a nice perk to have as a gmail user, especially in these tougher economic times when everyone is looking for ways to save a little.

Google’s “Call phone” set to challenge Skype’s Internet phone service

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 05:18:13 +0000

Soon Gmail users will be able to make free phone calls to any phone in the U.S. (at least through 2010). I’ve already downloaded Google’s voice and video plug-in on my Windows 7 laptop, but my Power PC Mac OS 10.4 doesn’t support this feature (darn!). Once this feature officially launches I will be sure to try it out and give you my opinion in a future post.

Sign up now for the National Power IT Down Day – 8/27/10

admin — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 05:18:50 +0000

It is the 3rd annual Power IT Down Day this Friday. I just signed up at http://www.poweritdown.org/ and everyone that owns a computer should too. Turn off your computer, monitor and printer at work and at home (if you can) and save some power. It is also for a good cause – sponsors of this event are donating money to the Wounded Warrior Project. Check it out.

The Web is not dead.

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:23:20 +0000

A recent article in Wired proclaimed that the Web is dead. I disagree. I think consumers are always enamored with the newest, latest thing and right now Apps are what people are going crazy for. Apps are what make reading tolerable on the smaller screens of smartphones and iPod touches, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the web browser is now dead. I would much prefer to use a browser on my desktop or laptop to read the news, shop online, or even write this blog. I like the convenience and mobility that Apps provide, which I definitely use on my iPod touch when I am traveling or on vacation, however on a daily basis Apps do not persuade me from using my browser any less on my desktop or laptop. Maybe it’s my background in graphic design, in that I’ve gotten used to using computers with large screens, but I think digesting all the information that the Internet has to offer is much easier on a widescreen desktop computer than a small 3.5″ screen.

http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/08/ff_webrip/

Will eBooks soon be replacing textbooks?

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:28:56 +0000

I just read an article on CNN.com about how the iPad will be tested as a learning tool on college campuses this fall. I think this is very exciting news. I do not own an iPad but I can see the advantages of having one, especially in an academic environment where you are constantly having to carry big heavy books to class. I had never read an eBook until this summer, when I signed up for an online course. It takes some getting used to and I did find myself printing out some of the text so I could read it in paper form, but I think more and more colleges will be offering eBooks in the future, regardless of whether the course is taught online or in class. I think it is so important in today’s world to keep up with technology no matter what field you go into. Therefore, I think introducing iPads to college campuses is a positive thing, because it will help students develop the technical skills and competitive edge they need as they prepare to enter today’s job market.

If you want to read more on this topic here is a link to the CNN article I mentioned:

The iPad goes to college this fall

“I love technology, but not as much as you, you see. But I still love technology.”

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:30:11 +0000

Hello Internet Community,

I thought I’d start my blog out with a quote from one of my favorite movies — “Napoleon Dynamite.” In the movie Kip sings it at his wedding — I think that is taking it a bit far — but I get where he’s coming from. Technology is something I have grown to love, or at least highly like. I am towards the end of Generation X — so my introduction into technology came rather late — my first e-mail account was freshmen year in college. From there I was hooked. I majored in Art with a Graphic Design concentration because I loved learning new software and all its intricacies. This past year, my curiosity in technology has led me to go back to school and get an Associate’s degree in IT Networking. I am about halfway through the coursework and it has been highly challenging, but worth it. I heard from someone working in the IT field that networking is like learning another language, and I didn’t really know what he meant by that, but now I do. The concept of subnetting — at first, seemed impossible to grasp, but after a couple weeks I finally had the “a-ha” moment. During this past year in school, I’ve been able to take apart and reassemble computers, configure routers and switches in a lab, and overall have become more comfortable in this new area of technology. I look forward to learning even more this fall!