Life Without Satellite v.2 - Week 2

Totally cut the cord now for the past two weeks and we are still alive. I think you just get so used the convenience of cable/dish, etc., but we are getting more accustomed to the changes. Purchasing Amazon Firesticks definitely made the change easier. Combined with the Sony Playstation Vue app and programming has made the transition much easier. Vue is available on either the Roku or the Firestick as an app. Firestick has a "guide" similar to what your are used to on cable and/or dish. Amazon...

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LIfe Without Satellite - a New Beginning.

This is hopefully the FINAL installment on my trek into life without cable. Being the Geek that I am...I knew that I could get all of the channels that I pay close to $100 for with DirecTV online-I actually do not watch much TV. My son, Connor, suggested Sony Playstation Vue for an alternative to satellite. They offer a free trial, so I went for it. He suggested the Amazon Fire Stick to access the Playstation Vue network since I do not have a Playstation. The Firestick offers a "guide" similar...

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Life Without Satellite TV....the FINAL? Chapter

So.... I lasted more than a year WITHOUT satellite television.  I attempted to survive only with media content from the Internet.  As stated in my previous posts I began using a program called "Boxee" that I installed on my MacBook computer. This past week, Boxee reported they will not be continuing to update their software and will focus on other products.  This news pretty much was the final chapter in this experiment...

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Life Without Satellite TV - part 2

It has been almost one month since I "cut the cable" and ditched my satellite television provider, DirecTV...and yes, I am still breathing.  No major depression or withdrawal in the Peterson home yet. I am continuing to use my homemade "Boxee Box" to access various Internet video feeds and it is working like a charm.  I was going to purchase a Roku player, but honestly, I have not seen the need to.  We have become accustomed to watching television programs one day later than it is...

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"Cutting The Cable"...or how I ditched my satellite company.

Let me say this up front:  I have been a DirecTV customer since 1993 and I have loved their product for all of those years.  I had always felt that I have been on the "cutting edge" of technology, and when I purchased the dish (yes, back then you had to purchase the dish) I was proving just that.  My friends and family were amazed at the clarity of the image and the massive amount of channels available. Fast forward to 2011.  I still feel I am on the cutting edge of technology...

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Phishing?

You may or may not have heard about "phishing."  These scams find ways to get you to a page that looks like the login to a financial institution or other site where knowing your credentials can benefit them in some way. Many times the "hook" comes in the form of an e-mail that appears to be from a trusted source. Also in the e-mail is a call to click a link to go to a site that is made to look like the one you know. The link below will take you to a site where you can take a "phishing" quiz. ...

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What if???

What if the school did not filter anything on the Internet?  What if we allowed cell phone use in school?  What problems can you imagine if we did this?  Should we allow cell phone use in school?  What would be an appropriate cell phone policy? Lots of things to think about this week.  Let me know your thoughts.  Have a great weeke...

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Ah..the dreaded WHITE LIST.

As some (or most) of you know, when a student is on the ineligibility list, they are placed on a "white list" on their laptop so that they may only access certain educational web sites.  This week I want you to discuss your feelings about the white list:  Is it effective?  Does it motivate students to get their grades up?  These are just a few items you could discuss.  Have a great weeke...

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What is your first memory of technology?

This week I want you to think back as far as you can and recall what is your first memory of technology.  Your generation is thought of to be "Digital Natives" - that is you have GROWN UP with technology around you and don't know anything different.  My generation is thought of to be "Digital Immigrants" and that we did not grow up with it.  Talk about your earliest memories of technology and how you think that shapes who you are tod...

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No texting at dinner!

Read the following article and comment about your feelings. No texting at dinner! Parenting in the digital era by AP: Yahoo! T...

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Comment On Your Classmates Blog Pages!

This week I want you to view my Photo Blog page: http://mrpetersonphotos.blogspot.com/ and look through the "Digital Design Blog List" on the left side of the page.  I would like you to post comments on 5 of the students' blog pages of your choice giving them some feedback on their Photos or Photoshop work. Be honest in your comments telling them what you like and what you do not like!&nb...

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Why do we Facebook and Twitter?

EVERYBODY seems to be on Facebook and Twitter these days.  Why do you think that is?  Ashton Kutcher has more that 1 million followers on Twitter.  What is the appeal of these "social media" sites.  Why do YOU use Facebook or Twitter?  If you do not use Twitter, Google it and see what it is all about.  Have a good weeke...

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What's new in Technology?

This week for our blog, I want YOU to show me something NEW in technology.  It can be gaming, cell phones, computers, anything that relates to technology news.  Put the link on your post and tell a little about it!  Have a GREAT THREE-DAY weeke...

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Texting and Driving-NOT a good idea.

You may have heard about this article, but it is a real eye-opener about the dangers of "texting and driving."  Please read the article and write some of your thoughts after reading it. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10296992-94.html?tag=mncol Also, please place you "Digital Design" Blog link on this post for me to link to (example:  http://mrpetersonphotos.blogspot.co...

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Welcome Back to School!

Okay, some of you are probably not TOO excited to be back, but hey, what can you do? This week I just want you to tell me what you want to learn in whatever class you are taking and what are some of the goals you have for your learning in here. Remember-Please use complete sentences and REAL words...avoid texting slang...LOL, BRB, OMG, etc.! Have a good weekend and see you on Mond...

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Your laptops so far....

I thought it would be good time to "sound off" about your MacBooks. How are things going so far? This week I want you to take some time to blog about what you LIKE and what you DO NOT LIKE about your MacBooks. Be specific and take some time to do this to help us make this program even better next yea...

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Nobody SAYS, "I Love You Anymore?"

This is an interesting video from ABC news. Watch it and write about your feelings about it. I thought this was appropriate for Valentine's Day!http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6844...

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Too Much Technology?

As I was searching for something to blog about....I read HUNDREDS of articles about tech news. Sometimes it overwhelms even me, so I decided to go a different way with the blog this week! I talk a lot about all of the "new and exciting" things going on in the world of technology....but can TOO much technology be bad for you? Do you ever get sick of the "next new thing?" Do you long for a time where life was more simple without all of the advancements we have in technology? Do you remember when...

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Favorite Movie Growing Up...

For this week I want you to think back to when you were a little kid! What movie did you just love and made your parents watch all of the time! Why did you like this movie so much? As you are making projects this year, the movies you have watched in your past will definitely influence the way you make movies, so it is good to identify what movie styles you like.So, list some movies you LOVED growing up and a short reason why on each one.Have a great weeke...

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New Semester!

Simple blog this week. You need to write about what you want to accomplish this semester in whatever class you are taking. Digital Media can talk about projects they would like to do, etc.Have a good weeke...

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YOU find some tech news to share!

This week I want you guys to find something "tech" newsworthy to share with everyone. It can be anything that deals with technology in the news recently. Have a great weeke...

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ahh...the power of the text message!

Read the following and blog about your thoughts.Doctor Performs Amputation By Text MessagePeace Corps Online writes "Vascular surgeon David Nott performed a life-saving amputation on a boy in DR Congo following instructions sent my text message from a colleague in London. The boy's left arm had been ripped off and was badly infected and gangrenous, there were just 6in (15cm) of the boy's arm remaining, much of the surrounding muscle had died and there was little skin to fold over the wound. "He...

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A mother faces 20 years for harassing teen on MySpace.

You may or may not have heard about this story, but it is pretty interesting. Watch the video at the link here: http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6297216 and write about what you think about th...

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Will you take the bait?

"Phishing" is defined as the criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.See how much you know about "phishing" by taking this quiz below and then blogging about what you find out about how much you know...or don't know.http://www.sonicwall.com/phishi...

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How has technology influenced your generation?

A digital native is a person who has grown up with digital technology such as computers, the Internet, mobile phones and MP3. A digital immigrant is an individual who grew up without digital technology and adopted it later.Blog your feelings about this stateme...

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This Quarter Went By Fast!!

This week's blog is pretty simple. Write a few lines about what you thought about the first quarter...the good and the bad. What you liked or disliked. What you did that you are proud of, etc. Have a great..COLD? weekend.Mr....

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"I hate this stupid Internet re-router."

This was a quote heard by several students at OHS. Internet filters are required to make this 24/7 laptop program successful, but students have differing views on them. What do you feel about the school's filtering system and do you think it is necessary? What should our policies be on playing games/Facebook, etc. during school hours?Thanks...have a great weeke...

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Think your parents can't limit how fast you drive...well then read this!

Ford feature will let parents set limits for teens The company will roll out a new feature on many 2010 models that can limit teen drivers to 80 mph, using a computer chip in the key.Read the article and write about what you think about this technolo...

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Are you "GoogleAble?

One in five employers research job applicants on the WebPlease read the following article and blog about what your feelings are about it. Have you ever thought about what shows up if you are "Googled?"http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/yoon/1123/one-in-five-employers-research-job-applicants-on-the-web/Makes you think, doesn't it?Have a good weekend.Mr....

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What's new in technology?

This week, I want YOU to list something here that involves something that is new in technology recently. It could deal with anything related to technology: cell phones, video games, computers, etc. You just need to summarize what you found and where you obtained the information. DON'T CUT AND PASTE-YOU WON'T RECEIVE CREDIT.Than...

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