Categories
-Multimedia 7.4 No Secrets: Computers and Privacy 7.5 Inventing the Future: Embedded Intelligence and Ubiquitous Computing Chapter 7 Database Applications and Privacy Implications

Singing the Praises of Big Data?

Most of us have an uneasy relationship with big databases: We take advantage of the convenience and freedom they bring to us, but we don’t really like the fact that they know so much about us. Singer/songwriter Vienna Teng captures the tension that exists between those contradictory feelings in her beautiful, slightly chilling Hymn of Acxiom. We’ve included a YouTube video with the song’s recording as well as links to an article telling the story behind the song, and a page with lyrics. All three are highly recommended.

Vienna Teng Sings about Surveillance in ‘Hymn of Acxiom’
Lyrics for ‘Hymn of Acxiom’
Key words: databases, big data, privacy, surveillance
Icon: crosscurrents

Categories
-Multimedia 6.4 Multimedia Authoring: Making Mixed Media 9.3 Internet Issues: Ethical and Political Dilemmas

Are You Listening to the Internet?

ap_thompson_largeEvery day millions of people share text, photos, music, and video on the Internet. But until recently, there hasn’t been much interest in sharing non-musical sound. According to Wired contributor Clive Davis, we may be entering a new age of Internet audio. How does that sound to you?
wired.com/opinion/2013/08/ap_thompson/

Categories
-Multimedia 1.4 Computer Connections: The Internet Revolution 5.0 Doug Engelbart Explores Hyperspace 6.0 Tim Berners-Lee Weaves the Web for Everybody 9.2 Inside the Web

Where Did the Web Come From?

In this five-minute TED talk, Ian Ritchie gives one of the best short answers to this question we’ve seen. At the same time, he confesses to making a multi-million dollar misjudgment. Fascinating and fun.
[ted id=1244]

Categories
-Multimedia 14.2 Programming Languages and Methodologies 6.1 Focus on Computer Graphics 9.2 Inside the Web Chapter 9 The Evolving Internet

Facebook Painting

CloudCanvas is a surprisingly powerful graphics programs in the form of a Facebook app. Like Photoshop, CloudCanvas contains both bitmap and vector graphics tools.
Unlike most web apps, Cloud Canvas is built entirely with HTML 5 technology that requires no special browser plugins to use.
apps.facebook.com/cloudcanvas

Categories
-Multimedia 14.1 How People Make Programs 4.1 Processing with Programs 5.6 Statistical Software: Beyond Spreadsheets Chapter 14 Systems Design and Development

Algorithms Everywhere

Computer programs are designed using mathematical/logical constructs called algorithms. This fascinating TED talk by Kevin Slavin shows and tells how algorithms are finding their way into all kinds of unexpected places in our world, for better or for worse.
ted.com/talks/kevin_slavin_how_algorithms_shape_our_world.html

Categories
-Multimedia 10.5 Human Questions for a Computer Age 8.5 Interpersonal Computing: From Communication to Communities

Is There Social Life After Death?

What happens to your online identity after you die? This short TED talk explores this question and suggests some answers.

Categories
-Multimedia 10.3 Security, Privacy, Freedom, and Ethics 7.4 No Secrets: Computers and Privacy 9.3 Internet Issues: Ethical and Political Dilemmas Chapter 7 Database Applications and Privacy Implications Chapter 9 The Evolving Internet

Is the Internet really a force for freedom?

The Internet is a powerful tools for promoting democracy and freedom worldwide. But many governments severely restrict many Internet activities to maintain security and stability. In this powerful TED talk, Rebecca MacKinnon explores the question, “How do we make sure that the Internet evolves in a citizen-centered manner?”
[ted id=1188]

Categories
-Multimedia 10.1 Online Outlaws: Computer Crime 10.2 Computer Security: Reducing Risks Chapter 10 Computer Security and Risks

Behind the Front Lines in the Virus Wars

In this TED talk, Mikko Hypponen tells us about–and shows us–a variety of malware species, from the earliest PC viruses to today’s high-tech organized crime menace.
[ted id=1192]

Categories
-Multimedia 6.2 Dynamic Media: Beyond the Printed Page 8.7 Social Networks

Social networks and multimedia come together to produce something unique and beautiful

Eric Whitacre’s virtual choir combines social networks and multimedia to create a unique and beautiful new work of collaborative art.
[ted id=1110]

Categories
-Multimedia 13.3 E-Business 2.0: Reinventing Web Commerce 8.7 Social Networks

The Social Media Revolution: an Animated Exploration

Few people doubt that social media are changing our world, but what does that really mean? This animated video presents a rapid-fire sampler of facts and figures that drive home the point: It’s happening, and it’s happening fast.