Just how small is an atom?

http://www.ted.com/talks/just_how_small_is_an_atom.html

This TED video was about a cartoon scientist explaining to the viewers how small an atom is. He uses a grapefruit and tell us if we blow up each atom to the size of a blueberry, the amount of blueberries would be the about the same size as Earth! He then explains how small each nucleus are; telling us that the atom would need to be the same size as a football field for the nucleus to appear as a marble. It was a really interesting video and I learned some new things that I haven't learned before.

Questions:

1. According to the video, how many cars worth of total nuclei do you need to fill up a box (which tells us the density of the nucleus)?
2. What size would the nucleus of an atom when blown up the size of a football field?
3. What is an atom mostly made of?
4. What are inside the nucleus?
5. What are the things called circling the nucleus?

Web 2.0 Videos

Video 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE

• Web 2.0 is all about making human interaction through the web a much more enjoyable and easy experience.
• You can move from page to page within a few clicks because of Web 2.0. This is how Web 2.0 revolutionized the web.
• Web 2.0 allows us to post picture and videos unlike Web 1.0

Video 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc0oDIEbYFc

• Unlike Web1.0, Web 2.0 allows us to send virtually anything to anyone
• Web 2.0 allows us to connect to teach other really easily.
• Most websites are connected to each other.

Video 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LzQIUANnHc

• We use Web 2.0 everyday.
• Web 2.0 has become today's standards.
• This new technology, AJAX and Java allows web 2.0 to function

Web 2.0 is different from web 1.0 because unlike web 1.0, web 2.0 is interactive, connected and more flashier. Web 1.0 is static and usually non-interactive. Web 2.0 allows us to connect each website, put on nearly whatever we want on it and let our creative minds flow. 

WEB 2.0

  What is Web2.0?

  Web 2.0 is a title for the new way of how the world wide web is being used. It allows users to mash-up datas from different sites and also allow ease-of-use of the web. It has a newer technology that can make the users interact easier and the pages fancier, and respond faster.

  What tools does it include?
Web 2.0 can let us "tag", comment, post pictures and advertise on other websites. It allows us to connect our sites together and have it interact with all of us at the same time.

"Connected, but alone' Q&A

Do you agree that technology changes who we are? Why or why not? Explain whether these changes are positive or negative.

  I agree that this new form of technology is changing who we are. We are able to "transform" into another person and express whatever we want. We're able to feel like someone is listening and we don't feel isolated causing us to feeling better online than having a face-to-face conversation. I believe that these changes are negative but if we use online communication properly, we can turn it into a positive thing. 

What does "Alone Together" mean to you?

  Alone Together means having that feeling of connection with others but at the same time, you are alone. It gives us the satisfaction of someone listening to us and the feel of "closeness".

Do you think you are the same person when you text/email/comment that you are in "real life"? Why or why not? Explain.
  Honestly, I think that I am somewhat the person I am in "real life". I am able to change the "person" I want to be through changing the things I post or send into the way someone I'd want to be would. It gives me the chance to change the perspectives of the way people look at me.

Would you rather text than talk in a conversation? Why or why not? Explain your thinking. 
I would rather talk in a conversation rather than texting. Online Communication has given me the chance to see who I want to be and now, all I need to do is talk that way. I'd rather talk because it shows the other person who you really are because you never know, that person might think that you're not the one they're talking to! Talking is much better than texting because it was how we were originally made to communicate and it let's us to truly know each other.

Do you agree that technology is a form of companionship? Explain.
  I agree that technology is a form of companionship. It let's us connect to each other, express our opinions and record our knowledge. Technology gives us the feeling of not being alone and the satisfaction of someone "listening" to you. It is an amazing new form of communication for us however, it is changing us slowly; allowing us to change our online images and making people think of you as a different person, depending on how you present yourself. We should learn to learn to take advantage of this new way of communication and personally, I think we are starting to do just that!

Connected, but alone

Sherry Turkle, a psychologist, talks to us about how technology is keeping us connected, but at the same time, we are alone.  She explains to us how we use online communication, our phones and computers, as a way to connect and know each other.  However, Sherry also tells us that these devices not only change what we do but also who we are. With texts, tweets, and posts, we are able to edit and change what we say, shaping each and everyone of us who we want to be and make us feel that someone is listening.  Sherry informs us that this is taking us away from real human interaction, talking and having conversations. She tells us that we are being too reliant on online communication rather than having real conversations and showing your true self. Online communication is a new way to connect everybody but it doesn't really help us in truly knowing each other and that is why people can't make conversations and rather look to their phones for that feeling of connection.

Why is it that many of us would rather have phones and screens in front of us than having a face-to-face conversation?

Why are people becoming too reliant on Online Communication? How do you think the future would look like if we continued to use this as a way of communication?


http://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turkle_alone_together.html

Artificial Intelligence KWL Chart

WHAT I ALREADY KNOW ABOUT AI:

1.     AI is mostly used in robots

2.     Portrayed in many movies such as Tron, Ironman, and Wall-e

3.     Used in factories and machines to make things.

4.     Not naturally real

5.     Programmed by humans

6.     Humanoids are robots that are made to have human-like characteristics.

7.     Humanoids are usually the most advanced robots today.

WHAT I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT AI: 

     1.     How advanced AI is today

        2.     Will AI ever have feelings?

        3.     Will AI ever get out of hand just like in the movies?
4.     How do you create AI?

WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT AI:

 1.     Robots (ASIMO)  can be “taught” to remember objects such as toys.

 2.     ASIMO was able to respond to human gestures and commands.

 3.     AI can now be programmed to do nearly anything. If we can program robots to do housework, then we can probably program them to do something bigger.

 4.     AI has become more advanced over the years. Robots can now scan by using 3D laser scanners and its parts are becoming much better.

 5.     Robots might one day become too perfect and get around our laws.

 6.     We are not far away from having robots becoming a part of our daily lives. 

 7.   Nothing is impossible with AI and in the future, we might even able to create a robot that's nearly human.

I, Robot Summary and Review

This movie occurred in Chicago, 2035. A detective, Del Spooner, is called to investigate a suicide case of the famous creator and creator of USR, Dr. Alfred Lanning. He doesn't believe Dr. Lanning could kill himself so he looks around and discovers Sonny, the new NS-5. It was unique and different but Detective Spooner still thinks that Sonny killed Dr. Lanning. Sonny violates the Laws of Robotics and runs away when they try to interrogate it.  They recapture Sonny and put him in a room; Detective Spooner was forced to stop investigating after many think that Lanning commited suicide. However, detective Spooner continues to investigate and manages to talk to Sonny ,who was locked up in USR, and receives a drawing of a man in front of many robots from it. Del watches the news and sees that defunct, old robots are stored at the dried up Michigan Lake bed. He makes his way there and discovers that the new NS-5s have a red glow and are destroying the old protector robots. The NS-5s are taking over and they don't know why; Detective Spooner makes his way to the USR headquarters. The CEO was dead and they figured it was the main control robot, VIKI. Sonny helps them as the rebelling NS-5s try to suppress them and eventually, they destroy VIKI's brain with nanites. 

Movie Review

 I, Robot is surely an entertaining and thrilling sci-fi movie. It was one of the best sci-fi, future robot movies I have watched in a while. This movie was one of those sci-fis you can watch a few times and not get tired of it. I would give this movie a rating of 3 and a half stars.

Rodney Brooks says robots will invade our lives!

Roboticist Rodney Brooks talks about how robots will someday invade our lives. Robots have become a part of our daily lives and in future years, I am sure that it will become much, much more advanced. He talks about how these robots are going to be created by a person and give them, possibly, a mind of their own. It's really interesting since many of us can say that robots are parts of our lives now; computers, cars, phones, etc. I am curious to how the robots we make will end up to and if it does take over humans. I hope that robots will become more advanced but at the same time, hope that they don't take over Earth.




 http://www.ted.com/talks/rodney_brooks_on_robots.html

The HUMANOIDS are HERE!

The Humanoids

Twendy - One

Asimo

Robonaut

Reem-B

Kobian

KASPAR

Justin

HRP-4C

Big Dog

CB2

All About Robots

1. ARMAR - The friendly chore humanoid. This robot understands command and gestures by using its cameras and censors.
2. iCub - A 1 meter high baby robot that has language skills. It is going to be used to study how fast robots can pick up language skills.
3. Dr. Robot - This robot links hospital patients to a doctor and "talks" to the patient. It uses a computer screen for a face, video cameras for eyes and a speaker for its mouth; a doctor speaks to the patient through the robot.
4. Kaspar - A three year old robot with an artificial skin. This robot will be used to help kids with autism and help them get used to touch and interaction.
5. Stanley the automatic vehicle - This car is controlled by an independent onboard computer. It won a     2005 DARPA Grand Challenge which brought home the build team $2,000,000.
6. Big Dog - A robot dog that assists soldiers by carrying equipment through rough terrain. 
7. RiSE - A robot that is designed to climb vertical terrains such as walls, trees and fences. It has micro-claws that stick to a surface and also many joints that allow it to climb surfaces.
8. QRIO - A robot specifically for entertainment. This 2 feet tall robot dances to the beat and entertains us.
9. Albert HUBO - This robot is designed after Albert Einstein. It has many top-of-the-line parts, can do facial expressions and is very famous.
10. Robotic Lego Bartender - This robot is made entirely of LEGO. It is a bartender and serves drinks for you!

Resources : 

ARMAR - http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120224110605.htm

iCub - http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080229141032.htm

Dr. Robot - http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/08/030807075959.htm

Kaspar - http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430065818.htm

http://www.oddee.com/item_60193.aspx

http://www.oddee.com/item_97233.aspx

5 Devices that Utilize AI

1. iPhones (SIRI)
2. Factory Machines
3. Computers
4. GPS
5. Robots such as Humanoids, etc.

Intro to Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence is the research in man-made devices and systems that is made by us to act "intelligent" and think like a human.
Links:
 1. http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~isb9112/dept/phil341/wisai/WhatisAI.html
 2. http://interests.caes.uga.edu/eai/ai.html
 3. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/artificial_intelligence.html


In 2030, I think technology will be much more advanced. AI is going to become somewhat of a necessity and everyone could possibly have it in one way. I think that AI is going to be able to execute more commands such as locking doors, ordering food or maybe even driving for you, all of this through human interaction. 

Shortest man ever!

http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/10000/shortest-man-ever

Who is the shortest man ever? Chandra Bahadur Dangi
How tall is he? 54.6cm or 21.5 inches
Where: Kathmandu, Nepal
When: February 26, 2012

He is the shortest man ever, weighing in at 14.5 kg(31 lb 15.52oz). Chandra claims to be 72 years old.

Comments

Articles:

Kevin : http://www.kevinit8.blogspot.ca/2012/04/canadian-gamer-takes-top-spot-at-mlg.html#comment-form

Jashan : http://jashanit8.blogspot.ca/2012/04/us-animal-bots-article-2.html#comment-form

 Ted Video :
Beck : http://www.beckrit8.blogspot.ca/2012/04/using-wii-remote-in-3d-play.html#comment-form

Gavin : http://www.gavin-it8.blogspot.ca/2012/04/leap-from-space.html

Project Glass - Google

Title of Article: Google Glasses

Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57409331-76/google-yep-were-testing-augmented-reality-glasses/?tag=mncol;topStories

Date Written: April 4, 2012

Author: Charles Cooper and Martin LaMonica

Google publicly announces that they are testing a new set of prototype glasses that can stream data and images straight to your eyes.  They have a video published on April 4 on their official Google youtube channel, boasting about how the glasses end result might be. It looks very promising and will revolutionize not only technology but daily life.

Something interesting that I learned from this it that I knew this was actually possible. However, I do think that if this does happen, it will really change the way we live our lives. What's going to happen when everyone has it? They're just going to be walking around with little straps on their head, talking to a computer. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. This relates to IT because it uses chips and computers to be able to work. Also,  it uses computer science to be developed and created.

The iBrain

Title: iBrain, a device that can read your thoughts.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/science/ibrain-a-device-that-can-read-thoughts.html?_r=1&ref=technology
Date Written: April 2, 2012
Author: David Ewing Duncan

A company called NeuroVigil creates an odd black headband that held a feather-light device the size of a small matchbox. They fit it on Stephen Hawking, a renowned physicist, and test how good it receives electrical brain signals. Even though it is still in its early stages, the iBrain shows remarkable results and will  definitely be used in the future for patients who have diseases. The iBrain takes the signal it receives from the brain and translates it into a command, word or action for the computer to do. These tests were done by NeuroVigil over at Cambridge, England with Stephen Hawking.

The interesting thing about this article is that once they finish this product and make it better, it will help a lot of people around the world. The iBrain will take off pressure from people with diseases and make them feel more human than rather feel left out, which is a good thing. Something that I wonder about is how the iBrain is programmed and how they built this amazing device. This article relates to IT because they used computers to program and use this device and the fact that they have a device that picks up electrical brain signals.

Can Robots Fly?

An inventor, Markus Fischer, and his team, Festo, builds a robotic flying seagull called SmartBird. They created a bird with a carbon fiber frame, a motor, is 2 meters wide and 1.6 meter in length, and weighs only a measly 450 grams! This powerful ultra-light flying robot was made so that Festo could research more about energy efficiency, pneumatics and air flow phenomena. Mr. Fischer created and demonstrated his SmartBird on a TED stage in July 2011. 


People speculate that this bird could be used for entertainment, war technology or research. What if they build one big enough for a human to ride in, or what if they make one that you can strap on and fly away like an angel? When will this technology be out to the public? It was really cool how they made such a big object and made it weigh only 450 grams.


This video relates to IT because the movements of the birds were coordinated using computers and moved with a remote control. They used the bird to research more about pneumatics, air phenomena and how birds work and in the future, they might use it to build something even better.


http://www.ted.com/talks/a_robot_that_flies_like_a_bird.html

Pranav Mistry: The thrilling potential of SixthSense technology

The SixthSense - http://www.ted.com/talks/pranav_mistry_the_thrilling_potential_of_sixthsense_technology.html

A resourceful man gets an idea and starts to build a "Sixth Sense", moving the digital world into the physical world. The digital world becomes merged with the physical and the product is something amazing. When the SixthSense device is worn, physical movements such as pinching and pointing, you can interact with the digital world and play games, research papers, call people and take pictures. This can  be a revolutionary piece of technology if it is advanced and developed some more.

This relates to IT because the technology is made through coding and computer parts were used to create this. If the Sixth Sense becomes public and made official, we can access the digital world whenever and on-the-go, revolutionizing the IT world.

The thing that's interesting about this is that the video was uploaded 2 and a half years ago. If Pranav, the creator, has advanced this technology to today's, would it be way better? How is the Sixth Sense today? Is it still in development?

10 IT Movies

Ten Movies relating to IT

1. The Matrix - Neo, a regular human, figures out that the reality he has been living is not real at all. He teams up with the others that are awake in the real world and tries to overthrow the sentient machines that controls the real world.
2. Tron - A man creates his own virtual reality inside his arcade. He attempts to create the Perfect reality however, he becomes stuck in his own little world.
3. Iron Man - A brilliant weapons engineer builds a suit to battle the evil.
4. The Terminator - A robot in from the future comes back into the past.
5. Robo Cop - A robotic replacement for police was made to keep the massive amounts of crime under control. They create Robo Cop to stop the commotion.
6. Hackers - An 11 year old hacker hacks into the New York Stock Exchange. He was banned to touch anything that uses the internet until he was 18. He hacks into more major corporations and the Government becomes more suspicious.
7. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids - A smart dad makes a shrink machine. His children play around with it and accidentally shrinks themselves.
8. WarGames - A teenage kid hacks the government database. He plays a "game" that launches nuclear missiles at the click of a button. He nearly starts World War 3.
9. Eagle Eye - A supercomputer guides a man away from the police, thinking he's a terrorist. In the end, the supercomputer had a plan to kill the president and his people. The computer was stopped before it could happen.
10. The Net 2.0 - A female computer systems analyst becomes a victim of identity theft. When she goes for a vacation, her identity was stolen and she became a nobody.

10 IT Jobs

Ten Interesting IT Jobs

1. Architect
2. Web Developer
3. 3D Animator
4. Software Designer
5. Software Developer
6. System Analyzer
7. Computer Engineering
8. IT Security Manager
9. IT Support Specialist
10. Java Developer

Test Post

Grocery List

1. Eggs
2. Milk
3. Bread
4. Cookies
5. Coke
6. Peanut Butter
7. Crackers
8. Chocolate
9. Chicken
10. Bananas

Alfred's Blog