Computerized Devices

Here is a list of the computerized devices I used yesterday.
(Just a heads up that this list might be quite extensive as I am a Sony Electronics Ambassador and have many electronics that I used yesterday during a demo)

1. Alarm Clock
2. Electronic Toothbrush w/ timer
3. Cell Phone
4. Laptop
5. PS3
6. Xbox
7. Television
8. Microwave
9. S1 Tablet
10. Bloggie
11. Cybershot Camera
12. Walkman
13. Elevator

I am fully aware that I am an extremely heavy user of technology and essentially depend upon it to go about my daily life. I probably spend close to 80% (very rough guesstimation) of my awake day using computerized devices. I use my computer for every aspect of school from in-class note taking to out of class homework completion. My free time is taken up by watching television, playing video games on Xbox, PS3, S1 Tablet, or my laptop, social media on my laptop, or talking on my cell phone. Basically, unless I am in the shower/bathroom, walking to class (without a cell phone), athletics, or taking a test, I am using computerized devices. Although I do find my heavy use of technology a bit worrisome, I also believe that technology is the future of humanity and feel that ignoring such devices would be a huge mistake and would not benefit me at all in the future.

Computerized Devices

As far as computerized device use in one evening, I would say that I wasn't too surprised with the results. I've had to do a similar project for a different class, so I already knew that I used so many things throughout a day. I used my computer for most of the things that I did, but then there was my ipod, and my cellphone and the car that I rode in. Had I watched any TV last night like I do some other nights it would have been just one more thing on the list. I also thought about things that I had an impact on without using directly, such as the computer that processes my transactions at a store or restaurant.

So many things in a day effect what actions you take and how you do things. I know it's kind of cliche, but it's insane to think that people lived without these types of things for so long. I can't imagine going through my whole life with no access to things that I take for granted now.

Computerized Devices

Last night I recorded every time I used a computerized device, and I found that there were a lot of instances of use in only 1 night. Throughout the night, I was using my iPhone for a variety of things such as web browsing, text messaging, checking social media such as Twitter and Facebook, and also gaming. Another device I used was my Xbox. For a couple hours, me and my friends played video games and even played online versus other people. Additionally, I was on my computer. I was answering emails, surfing the web, I watched a baseball game, and even video chatted with my cousin in Peru. I also spent a part of my night watching TV.

In all, what most stuck out to me was how capable my computerized devices can actually be. For example, my phone is not only a phone, but its also my email, the internet, my iPod, games, social media, much much more.

Computerized Devices

Yesterday evening, my computerized device use spanned both my work life and my free time. I began the "evening" at work. I'm a captioning assistant at CapTel, where we help the hearing impaired make phone calls by providing supplemental text captions to their conversations via a special phone with a screen on it. In the call center, every station is outfitted with a touchscreen computer with speech-to-text software that allows us to listen to the conversation and repeat it into a mic in real-time. During my breaks, I always whip out my iPhone to check my voicemail, texts, email, news, facebook, etc. If I'm hungry, I'll buy something out of the vending machines which all have credit card swipers for cashless transactions. After work, I used my iPhone as an iPod for music listening on the bus, and then came home and opened my laptop to respond to some emails, read some articles for class, and then continue working on a paper. My iPhone was utilized while I wrote my paper to respond to some texts, and then I went to my kitchen and used the microwave to make a burrito. Before going to sleep, my iPhone was used to set my alarm for this morning, and sent out one last Draw Something picture before I fell asleep.

It seems like unless I'm sleeping or showering, if I'm at home, I'm almost always using some kind of computerized device. Even when I'm drinking with friends over on the weekends, I've got my laptop out to play music and look up funny videos, or I've got the n64 fired up playing Mario Cart. I can't imagine a college student being able to go through school without ever using a computer. If someone chose to, does the school even offer enough offline resources to make it possible to reject computer use? My guess is no.

Blog 7: Computerized Devices!

For this last post I wasn't planning on having much to report; last night I only watched a movie. But during the 2 hours of watching the film The High Cost of Living (2 hours I wish I could have back) I realized actually just how much computerized objects I have to use even when I'm not really doing anything. I watch movies through my xbox where I can log onto my netflix account and stream movies straight to my TV. The one downside to watching movies this way is that I don't have my own netflix or xbox live accounts both are requirements in watching. I have been able to use my roommates accounts for both which has been my loop pole all semester. However I learned last night accounts can't be simultaneously logged in and when my roommate decided to watch a movie in his own room I got kicked off of streaming. With less than 30 minutes left in the movie I was anxious to find a way to finish the movie. Naturally when faced with adversaries like such, I default to facebook. After spending another hour on other various media site I decided to find a solution to finishing my movie. An ehow helped me set up my wireless TV that enabled me to stream netflix straight from my TV without using the xbox as a medium.

And of course who can watch a movie these days with out being on their phone. I got an Iphone this past week so for the majority of the movie I was playing with it, frivolously downloading any free app I could find.

Computerized objects were the entire source of my entertainment for my sunday night. With out computerized objects I would not have been able to start, procrastinate, and finish my movie last night. Even nights where it doesn't seem like I am doing much I still am constantly using and consuming information almost entirely from computerized objects.

Computerized Items In One Evening

I've always knew that I depended on the use of technology in many of my everyday activities. However, after this participation, I have really just realized how useless I would become if I didn't have these technologies.

To start out this evening, I was using my iPhone to communicate to my project partners where to meet and stuff to bring. I used my computer to watch a movie on my TV, played through my laptop, connected with a HDMI cable. I used my Xbox to play some video games and talk to my friends online. Later, I used my iPhone to listen to music while I walked to the union. I used an elevator to go to my meeting room, and used my iPad to read articles off of it and to take notes. I then used my iPhone to map out how to get to my friends house using the bus system. At my friend's house, I continued to use my iPad to play some games while we waited for our food. I then used my iPad to search for some online prices for things I needed to buy, and also used my iPhone to find the next bus route to go home on. After I got home, I used my car and drove to the library in the pouring rain and hopped on a computer to type papers and do homework.

Overall, my day has been focused on mainly my phone and iPad, with some other electronics dispersed throughout my day and evening. This is a pretty average night of computerized items usage. It's crazy how much I depend on my iPhone to complete tasks. That's the one computerized item I would really have a hard time living without. It's crazy to think that just a few years ago, there was no such thing as a "smartphone". Technology is moving so fast. I'm excited to see what the near future will bring to computerized items that will be integral in our everyday lives.

Computerized Devices

I had the busiest day yesterday, and after keeping track of the computerized devices that I used, I was surprised to see how much I rely on computerized devices. This Saturday I had to participate in an academic session about political issues in East Asia. First, I used a projector and my laptop for presentation, and my iPod and speakers to do a special performance. In order to check out a laptop I let the workers in the College library swipe my student ID card. After the event I went to have dinner where I gave my credit card to the workers to swipe. After that I got a text message from my friend telling me to come over at her place, so I went and dialed the keypad at the front door to get in to the apartment. I don't even remember how many times I took out my cell phone to check my Facebook and Twitter. It is just amazing how much my daily life relies on digital technology.

Evening Computer Use

My computer use last night isn't terribly interesting since I was at work for most of the night.  But while at work, most of what I did (working the front desk at a hotel) relied almost solely on the computer.  When I got into start my shift, it was clear just how reliant the hotel is on computers when the servers went down for about a half hour, leaving us unable to make a room key.  Outside of that, while at work, I used the computer in the massive Xerox machine, a calculator as well as on my cell phone and iPod that kept me occupied on my break.

When I was driving home, I fired up my car, which has, at least to some extent, a computer in it and turned on my satellite radio receiver.  On the way home, I made a quick stop at an ATM to grab some quick cash before heading home.  When I got home, I fired up my computer and TV to check and email and vegetate for a little before going to bed.

I've never really realized how reliant I am on computers on a daily basis, especially since my computer broke down last week and I was computerless.  It's amazing how ubiquitous this technology is, how prevalent it is, and in how many devices it has been integrated.  It's crazy to think how far technology has come in just five years, and it leaves me fascinated to think where we may go in the next 5-10 years as well.

Computers and Stuff

Last evening, I used many computerized devices: my phone to check the time, my laptop to surf the interwebs, and my Kindle to read the third installment in The Hunger Games trilogy.
But I also encountered other computers in less conspicuous places. I drove a car, which uses many computers, to go to a restaurant, where I didn't use as many, unfortunately. Inside the restaurant, the only computer I really used was when paying with a credit card, but I wish I could've used more because a computerized waiter probably would've been better at refilling my water in a timely manner.
Because I had a car in Madison, I had to use a parking garage, which had an automated system for giving a parking pass when I entered and for receiving payment when I exited. 
When I got home from the restaurant I used the microwave to heat up some oatmeal for a late-night snack. Then I retrieved some milk from the refrigerator to wash it all down before drifting off to sleep, with my alarm clock staring at me with its piercing red numbers. My last bit of computerized usage that evening was turning on my fan and letting the medium speed oscillate over me as I had a nightmare about computers taking over the world.
I use computers a lot and, really, it's hard to imagine life without all of them. I think eventually they will be a part of literally everything we do and use, and I hope they will just improve the efficiency of everything.

Computerized Devices Post

          I decided to keep track of which computerized devices I used yesterday evening. I knew I was going to be doing a variety of things, so I thought this would be a good night to keep track! To start the evening, I went to Target to grocery shop. First off, I got in my car and turned on my GPS/navigation system in order to see exactly how traffic was flowing, especially since there was a musical at Memorial Union last night. In doing this, I looked down and noticed my gas gage showed that I was almost on "E". While I didn't think about it initially, this also was some sort of computerized device, as clearly it automatically adjusts.  The entire dashboard must be a computerized device?! I was already two devices down, or maybe many more, before I even left the parking lot. 
          Once I got to Target I shopped around, and even used one of those "scanners" in order to price check something - let's just say I'm a coupon queen! This must be linked up to some sort of computer in order to provide the price almost immediately. When I went to check out my groceries I used my credit card, which upon use, my phone buzzed and it was my Wells Fargo application telling me I had made a purchase. This specific purchase clearly used the "scanner" to check out, the credit card machine, my phone going off, and then my Wells Fargo online being changed. Alone, a single minute resulted in using four devices. 
          When I left, I headed back to my apartment and off for a jog. I used my iPod for music and then went into my Nike app to record the distance and time of my workout. Upon completion, the app sent this information to my iPhone as well as to my computer Nike account so I had the information logged. Again, a short time resulted in using so many devices!
          After this, I went to this musical at Memorial Union. I went in with my ticket, which they needed to put through a machine in order to record attendance and ensure that it was valid. This went through a computerized system as well. Throughout the entire musical I was taking photos and videos on my iPhone, and also realizing how many computerized devices must go into making a performance like that possible! When the show was over, I texted my friend, who was a director, and went home to my apartment. Devices, devices, devices!
          I decided to surf the internet a bit. I got on my iPad to do this. Once surfing for a period of time, I decided to go into iTunes and watch an episode of Glee. I feel asleep doing this, so that was the end of my tracking of computerized devices. I was quite surprised by how much I not only used technology in such a short period of time, but also by how many computerized devices I had used. I'm really excited to compare my use of over 15 computerized devices with how many other people use. Just think about this... Five years ago I would not have used half these devices! What's coming next???

Computerized Devices in an Evening

Last night, I kept track of all of the computerized items I used or encountered. I started off my evening by going out to dinner. Before leaving, I looked up the address of the restaurant I was going to online so that I could enter it into the GPS in my boyfriend's car. Right there, that is two computerized devices, not to mention the computer system in the car itself.

At the restaurant, there was a wait. Our names were entered into some kind of computerized system. We were given one of those buzzers that vibrate and light up when it was our turn. I'm not positive, but I'm sure that is turned on by the same computerized system that our names were entered into. We paid for dinner with a credit card, so it had to go through the reader and be accepted by the system.

After dinner, we went bowling. We again paid with a credit card, so it had to go through the reader and be accepted by the system. Then, we entered our names into a computer device that kept track of whose turn it was and kept score for us. Some kind of system also knows when to knock over the bowling pins and replenish them; I'm sure this is computerized in this day.

After bowling, we drove home and went on the internet on our laptops. We ended up watching Netflix on my television by using my Roku system as well. All throughout the evening, my boyfriend and I were using our cell phones to text, and my boyfriend used his iPhone to check on things online.

In a simple evening, it looks as if we directly used twelve computerized devices. I'm sure there are way more though that haven't even crossed my mind! It's hard to imagine everything that is computerized when it is something that we're just so used to now.

Blog Post 7-Computerized Devices

It's truly amazing how many computerized devices we use in a single evening. I actually had to consciously try and keep track of everything I used because I really just don't think about it. So here is what I came up with:

Obviously my cell phone is the most utilized and most important computerized thing that I own. I have a smartphone now, which is really great, so I can check basically anything I want, from Facebook to emails to movie times.

My laptop is another thing I use pretty much everyday. Today I've mostly used it for internet searches, Skype, checking email, and working on homework for school. I don't really use my laptop for much of anything else than those few things.

My iPod is something that I use quite frequently but it is not something that I really make sure that I carry with me (such as my cell phone). I like to listen to music on the way to class but if I forget it, it's not the end of the world.

Earlier today when I was working out at the gym I noticed that I was running on a computerized treadmill. It was one of those newer versions that you can plug your iPod into and it charges it and you can pick and choose your song from the screen on the treadmill. I do like the idea of these treadmills but sometimes just trying to figure out how to start a workout machine that has all that stuff on it is too complicated and I don't want to fuss with it when I'm trying to workout.

One last computerized device that I used today was an Apple TV. My parents just got one a few months ago and I came over to their house today and was so excited to use it. It is really a cool device and it's awesome how you can go onto the internet from the remote control or pick out any Netflix movie that you want to watch! Very cool.

So all in all I use computerized devices every single day, throughout the entire day. It is just crazy to think that this was probably not true about 10 years ago.

Participation 7 - Computerized Stuff

When I first thought about this blog post assignment, I for some reason thought it might be kind of tricky. Not that it's hard to just log the things you use, but I use computerized devices so much that I don't even think about it when I do. Needless to say I kept tabs on the things I used last night, and I guess I wasn't surprised by how much computers/electronics have become a part of my life without my knowing it. The first thing I used (and the computerized thing I use the most) was my laptop. My laptop goes with me pretty much anywhere on campus, but in the case of last night, it went to the library with me.

While I was on my way to the library and during my stay, the next device I used was my iPhone. This probably gets used as much as my laptop, but for different purposes of course. I don't really have any games on there anymore so it's mostly just used for texting and internet now.

At the library I needed to print a document so I ended up using one of their computers and printers. Yet another device (or two?).

I had sort of forgotten about it, but I also listened to my iPod most of the time, which I guess is a computerized device. So I'm up to 4 things.

For just one night, using 4 different computerized devices didn't seem like much, but compared with the 0 computerized items I used in my childhood, I can definitely see times have changed and computing seems to be a central part of life, at least for a student/young adult.

Computerized

In an evening, I have discovered that there are several essential computerized objects in which I utilize.  First and foremost is my cellphone.  It is the one computerized thing that I constantly require access.  As this is 2012, it is a smartphone and is utilized more so for the everyday facebooking, tweeting, and emailing essentials.  I rarely use it as what it was originally intended.  I never call unless I desperately require and instantaneous answer.  

The next thing I am constantly consuming is my laptop macbook.  I love this thing.  It makes everything easier and is an amazing excuse for not getting my homework done.  Yet I am not so obtuse as to not realize that this amazing machine will likely die out in the near future.  An example?  I foresee tablets as the future and essential computer.  I will admit, that is my next computerized object I use.  

I have a Kindle Fire which I absolutely love.  It's amazing for reading on and just doing quick searches on.  Although it's not necessary to carry around, I still do… 

Finally, I also have an iPod.  Another favorite for consuming music and conveniently avoiding unwanted attention.  This is mainly what I use my iPod.  It gives me an excuse to why I may not have heard someone.  "I'm sorry I was just in the zone". It works every time.  

With the expanding options for computerized objects, I am curious to see who will come out as the victor.  It's its own personal Hunger Games.