Everything Digital

It is not a mystery to anyone that digital is the way that everything is moving toward. Courses are being taught digitally, music is being downloaded digitally, conferences are conducted online, and much much more. As this is happening it seems that everyday there is a new way to convert an older analog version to something digital and easier to access. It might be hard to remember having DVDs and CDs, but I am only 21 and I know those discs were definitely a part of my childhood. I remember awaiting the day when the newest *NSYNC album was going to be released and saving up my money, or begging my parents, to buy it that day. Sadly those days are long gone, and people are welcoming this new digital format according to another blog by the Digital Crave Contributor.

According to this article, there is a company titled Murfie that is serving as a green option for users to send in their old CDs and DVDs, with a kit they provide, and have them converted to a digital format of the users' choice. I have to give it to Murfie on this one. This has the potential to be an incredible targeted marketplace that could thrive if the right audience is targeted, and if the conversion can be done in a timely fashion. People have become so eager to have everything in digital formats so they do not have to deal with the hassle of losing or scratching a disc. The only problem with digital space is that the storage is automatically limited by what either a computer or some other form of storage can hold.

I personally enjoy keeping the CDs and DVDs I have bought over the years because I think they hold some type of sentimental value. I just think about how down the road, when I look back at a CD I can physically hold and remeber exactly where I bought it, what the cover looks like, and the time of my life that the music was played during, I think that will have more meaning than a digital file that could be erased. I know that actual discs can get lost or scratced or cracked just as easily as technology can fail, but to me there is something so special about holding an artifact in your hand, even if it is your first *NSYNC CD.

To read the entire Digital Crave blog, visit http://shopping.yahoo.com/blogs/digital-crave/those-old-cds-dvds-204847150.html

Wikipedia

As I sat in class soaking up all the information regarding Wiki sites, all the things started running through my head about how unreliable my professors had told me that Wikipedia, in particular,was. The lecture continued and editing these entries was discussed as an aspect that users could do themselves, but also that there was an overseeing editor that would essentially have the say of what got published on the web. Hearing these things gave me mixed reactions about Wikis as a whole. In one sense, I got a peace knowing that there was an "all-powerful" editor, but on the other hand I got this uneasy feeling that anyone could post information and when someone else goes to search that subject they will most likely make the assumption that the information is accurate. While there is a sceptical aspect about using Wiki sites, I do think that they serve as a useful tool for a starting point in the research process.

While discussing Wiki sites, the example was given of the Colorado State University site so I decided I would visit it and explore what was offered. One aspect of Wikipedia that I find especially useful is the 'Contents' page that is listed in the center of the page. Instead of having to scroll through every part of the page, it is made very easy to find exact information about the subject. Also within each aspect of information are links that lead to other sites that are strictly dedicated to that highlighted word or subject.

One of the most fundamental and useful tools that I think Wikipedia has to offer is the sidebar snapshot that is provided on the right side of the page. This serves as an area where quick facts can be obtained without even having to look through the actual document text. For CSU specifically, it provides the location, the number of students, the founding date, the school colors and the mascot. Along with this information some of the categories are linked so they will take the user to an additional site, that will most likely be a privately administered site rather than open to the public for editing.

The overall consensus about Wikipedia I was able to reach after learning and exploring Wikipedia is that it is a reliable source to an extent, and that further research may be necessary prior to findings on Wikipedia. It is not a bad place to start but it is not the most effective for scholarly work.