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Self Control

June 22, 2011 By
Steve Lambert, New York, 2007

Image via Wikipedia

Self control is a virtue that is hard to develop. With the rise of social media, self control has become even more of an issue. Working from a computer has many advantages. A person can keep up with the news, play a game or two, visit Facebook, and even tweet.  The problem is small breaks turn into long breaks, and work productivity goes down.

Digital distractions are the fabric of life now. This site dot-dot-dot.org adds ideas, and even more wonderful programs which are useful. The programs are not the problem, but the addiction a person can form with them is. It is so easy to do. Apps, new software applications, friends, and information streams in at a constant rate. It is all good, but distracting.

Now there is a solution to help a person block the digital distractions. The program is called “SelfControl” and Steve Lambert made it to help himself from meandering in social media instead of producing art. Creative people must have blocks of time to focus on creating. As every creative person knows gremlins lurk in the most unsuspecting places calling their name to do anything, but their work. The program is a free open source download at Steve Lambert’s website. Access can be blocked to items such as email. Facebook or Twitter by the user for a predetermined time. All other websites are available for use. Once SelfControl is started it cannot be undone by deleting or restarting the computer. A user must wait until the timer counts down. A little program to help creative personalities focus on what they love to do without any nagging or heinous punishment.

Filed Under: Internet, Technology Tagged With: , ,

Google Chrome has a Microphone

June 11, 2011 By
Google Chrome Icon

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Launching the Google Chrome browser will show in the search box a microphone. If a person clicks on the microphone a small window appears directing a person to speak. If a person speaks then a list will drop with the word the program believes you have spoken and a person can proceed with their search. Great feature.

Scanning the topics here at dot-dot-dot.org shows programs are diversifying to include all segments of the global population. Assisting technology more and more is being integrated into mainstream programs. In the past those needing such assistance had to either pay at great cost or did not have access in their realm of the world. The possibilities are endless with this feature. As our population continues to age there will be need of these types of programs. Arthritis is becoming a major issue across the nation. Its debilitating effects makes the use of hands a painful experience. Having a voice activated search lets a person continue Internet access without affecting their health. Ergonomically, keyboards are not conducive to good wrist health. Carpal tunnel has been on the rise since the use of computers has increased dramatically. This feature would provide some respite from this agony. Young children can now do searches with a word. Handicapped people now have an open invite to search the Internet in a way that works for them.

This feature has been on Google browser for smart phones for a much longer period of time. Keyboards are tiny on a phone so having a microphone helps. Google practices inclusion for all. That leader needs to be followed.

Filed Under: Internet, Technology Tagged With: , ,

Puzzling at Google

June 5, 2011 By
Google Search Coupon: 1 FREE Google Search

Image by Bramus! via Flickr

Wonderful, whimsical Google is always coming up with ways to creatively use their search engine platform. They have done it again with their idea of A-Google-a-Day.

A-Google-A-Day is run by Deja Google platform. This platform lets a person search the Internet as it was before the present A-Google-A-Day puzzle appears. Mysterious I know, but its Google so just pretend it is a time machine going into the past. Besides its Google’s solution for keeping fast reading and lightening quick fingered bloggers from sharing the answer to that day’s puzzle before most of us have had our morning coffee. It keeps it fun like dot-dot-dot.org.

Daniel Russell who created the site states real time updates are excluded. He goes on to explain the purpose of the site is to get Google users to expand the types of text and questions they put in the search box. The Google search engine is capable of handling playful questioning and searching for information in intriguing ways. The term “social layer” comes to mind if Google is moving in the direction of creating fun little things to get people to make full use of the features, and at the same time establish an environment of social interaction.

Recently Eugene Lee at Enterprise 2.0 stated social layering is the process of socializing across applications or more accurately a layer that crosses multiple services. Interoperatbility is the key concept with protocols working together to let people engage socially across tools. The services instead of being separate hubs become part of a rich tapestry in which a user can pick a strand and follow their whims.

Filed Under: Internet, Technology, WWW Tagged With: , ,

Role Playing Video Games

May 8, 2011 By
Final Fantasy III for the Nintendo DS, a singl... 

Image via Wikipedia

Role playing video games are amongst some of the most popular games on the market today. Commonly referred to as RPGs by those in the know, they allow gamers an escape from the hustle and bustle of the real world.

A role playing video game is similar to a real life role playing game. A person plays a game in a fictional setting. The player takes on the role of a character in this fictional setting and then goes about fulfilling the goals of the specific game. Role playing video games are based on the structure of pen and paper role playing games, but of course they have an added visual element. The video versions still have the classic role-play qualities of intricate storylines and involved character development.

The main appeal for many to the world of role-playing games is the quality of immersion. Many gamers like that they can immerse themselves almost completely into another world. Many gamers have developed long lasting friendships with fellow game players; some have even met their spouse via role-playing games that are able to be connected to the internet. For many who are deemed by society as socially awkward, it has opened up a whole new world of socializing where judgment takes a backseat.

The games are mostly set around mythical or science fiction based storylines and involves some sort of quest involving exploration. Dungeons and Dragons is a classic role-playing game on which most of them are based. It is also a game that is loved by many people. Another popular role-playing game today is World of Warcraft.

 

 

Filed Under: Computers, Internet, Technology Tagged With: , ,

Why Not Just Use the Internet to Watch Television?

March 20, 2011 By

For years video programing such as sitcoms and dramas have only been available through broadcasts either through the airwaves or a cable hook up. Today there are other options and for some people the question is no longer whether or not they need a connection to the television provider.

Today it is possible to watch many of your favorite television shows over the world wide web. It is possible with the technology today that the shows you love to watch on your television can be viewed over the Internet and displayed on the same TV monitor you have been watching those shows on already. Of course you need the proper hardware connections but watching your shows can be simply done without a charge for cable service.

There are many networks that make available their TV shows on their websites. Sometimes not ever show is made available this way but many of them are. One needs to visit the network websites, such as NBC, CBS, ABC and so on to gain access. Most of these websites have a tab that says “Full Episodes” or “Video” and through these links you can view all the available shows and which particular episodes are available.

In addition to the networks making their shows available there are also services that will stream the shows to your computer. Websites such as Hulu can stream many shows to your computer for free. In addition to this free service there is a pay service that will allow you to stream even more shows to other electronic devices. No need to be at the TV at the exact time to see your shows anymore.

Filed Under: Internet, Technology Tagged With: , ,

Gambling Online

March 13, 2011 By

Luck be a lady tonight? Gambling has been a part of American popular culture since the founding of the republic. George Washington sponsored and sold lottery tickets, which were often used in place of taxes in early America. Buying a lottery ticket might have gone toward a good cause such as a new road or another public program in Washington’s time, but that is not the reason why American are intrigued by games of chance. It is the chance to win.

When Nathan Detroit sang a plea for luck in the famous musical “Guys and Dolls,” it struck a chord with many gamblers. The favor of the dice or the luck of the cards means the difference between success and failure for active gamblers. Gambling used to mean traveling to an area where it was legal. In the United States, this usually meant traveling to a gambling Mecca such as Nevada or Atlantic City. The growth of riverboat gambling and the expansion of gambling on Indian reservations has allowed more people to engage in the hobby of risking a few dollars for a reward, but the greatest change for gamblers has been the addition of Internet gambling.

Gambling online brings the casinos to the gambler. It eliminates the expenses of buying an airline ticket or renting out a hotel room, while providing gamblers with access to the same amount of games that they could find at a traditional physical casino. The graphics and features of online casinos have even improved to provide more or a feel of actually walking into a casino. Gambling at an online casino provides players with the opportunity to focus on the games instead of the glam. For serious gamblers the location of the game matters less the opportunity to play and win. Rather than wasting money on a trip, online gambling offers players with limitless opportunities to play and win.

Filed Under: General, Internet Tagged With: , ,