Things you may NOT want to buy online

Some things it seems are fine to purchase online. I just bought a few books for my daughter online, (arrived today in fact). I purchased a T shirt for my brother. Things that we can be confident about the quality, or we can feel comfortable about the exchange or refund policy, then our money or purchased product is fairly safe.

Now I will say that I do not think it was a safe decision on the part of my good friend N***** D******. I really feel I should keep her name private but I promise you this is a true story.  One night as her husband slept soundly. N***** strolled through EBay and found a car. (In Texas). She purchased the car and paid to have the car shipped from Texas to Olympia sight unseen. Of course the car was not exactly what she had hoped for not to mention the shipping expense. A lesson I believe very well learned.

I think I will stick with purchasing music, books, well known cosmetics and clothes that are true to size from reputable companies. Never a car.

Derek Young's visit to T INST 207

As Derek Young visited class T INST 207 on Wednesday, I found his perspective and internet use intriguing. For once it was not frightening at all. As it turns out, Derek uses the internet for exactly what I thought it should be used for. Networking, business, independent contracting. In many instances an individual might work at one career, on many different jobs doing what they love for many different people. An individual might choose to work from home, or if they like, choose to travel the world.
Derek opened my eyes at the tremendous opportunities out there for someone talented enough to be in the field of technology.
My previous posts expressed my increasing fear, the lack of anonymity, and the continuous exposure as technology progresses. However, Derek's lecture was very matter of fact and provoked no fear in me at all, but intrigue, the positive side of the internet I suppose.
Perhaps there is hope for me after all in this world of technology.

Scavenger Hunt

 Andrew Fry's Tinst 207 class Living and Working in the Virtual world, Wednesday we were assigned a Scavenger Hunt.
I was grouped with Carl, Amber and Colin, with a list of nineteen items to find throughout the internet.
It is amazing and exciting to think of all that can be done and found on the internet, right at your fingertips, all over the world without leaving your seat. To me, all that can be done on the internet is amazing. Truly. My sister can move the security cameras that are mounted on her home with one finger on her cell phone screen from Scotland in order to look around her house to make sure that all in well in Hawaii.
However, fear has raised it's ugly head once again. Number nineteen of the scavenger hunt was the question " What is my middle sister's married name?" All the class had to go on in order to find this name was the name of our professor Andrew Fry. Within the hour 1 group in the class had managed to find it. The professor's middle sister's first and married name. She may have no knowledge that we are able to find her current name.
This is phenomenal. But once again the breech of security or intrusiveness of finding an individual that may not want to be found. What about the loss of anonymity. Or is there such a thing any longer? I began this class hoping to ease my fears about the internet, when in fact that may not be possible.
Perhaps I need to just accept the ugly truth It's already out there. And that our anonymity is already gone.

Epic

Customer Service, or Controlling?


After viewing the film EPIC, I was further scared out of my wits. The time where companies such as Amazon, become so knowledgeable about my life that they can suggest items for me that I might purchase based on past purchases has come. If a company such as Amazon were to merge with another giant, for instance Google, whom I utilize on a daily basis, imagine the customer service I would see then. Products coming at me based on what I Google, which at first glance seems convenient.
However, if these companies were to merged and use this to my disadvantage, well that would be frightening in my opinion.
To gain knowledge about me based on my every keystroke, sites that I visit, things that I inquire about.
And what about providing me with a "customer service" card number? Would that customer service card number be necessary for each and every purchase? Would I be able to purchase without the number? What other stores are linked in to this for my furthered "convenience" ? Grocery? Gas?  And would I not be allowed food or gas if I did not have my number? Who holds these numbers with my personal information? Where is it?
I find this all very frightening, and controlling. To me it almost sounds like cyber stalking under the guise of "customer service". Call me paranoid, but where does the intrusion end? It's all very fun and exciting, flattering even. Until someone gets hurt. Watch the film and decide for yourself.

Eric Hanberg

Eric Hanberg, the author of The Lead Cloak and many other books he has shared with us, is a very interesting gentleman. He certainly made me aware of the many possibilities of the internet. Maybe frightened me even further. Although, I suppose having an account breached or an identity stolen could happen on the internet or with a folder full of hard copies lost, as I have done, providing my bank account info with my mother's maiden name, social security number, driver's license etc.

You can swat someone just the same through the internet as calling the police on a physical neighbor.

I just don't know if I am ready to be so exposed to the extent that Eric is. Once you are out there, you are "out there". He seems to be able to be out there and utilize the internet to his ultimate benefit. Where I have just dipped my toe in and am not quite ready to jump in. I feel this girl may need a bit more convincing or perhaps will need a violent shove to get her there.

The Machine is Us us/ing Us

My thoughts on the film "The Machine is Us us/ing Us" are that the film gives us much to consider. The film is incredibly thought provoking. With technology changing so quickly, I wonder, where is this information going? Who is governing this information, and how do you retract that information if we so choose.
With these things considered, we still continue to use the internet. Even with the rapid unregulated progression of the internet, we can not live without it. I think you either get on board or be left behind. It is a frightening thought to be forced to utilize something with the fear of the unknown.