The Great Debate

Macintosh vs. Windows.  It's a topic that is sometimes more strongly debated than politics or religion.  While there are plenty of hardcore Apple fans, PC fans are also quite prevalent.  Still, there are many that don't care what computer they use.

When people look at purchasing a computer, they will normally look by price range.  If your an Apple fan, you should know that you're not going to get anything for under $1,000.    On the contrary, most PCs are under $1,000.  Macs are pretty high-end computers, therefore selling for a higher price.  But if you were to compare a windows computer with similar high-end specifications, it's price is usually lower.  The market for computers running Windows is also much larger than computers running Macintosh.  Apple only offers a few different computer choices, while the PC world has hundreds of different options to fit your need.

Most Apple fans argue that their computers don't get viruses.  But in reality, this is just slick marketing by Apple.  Hackers want to infiltrate the largest number of users.  Since the number of PC users is quite large compared to Apple users, a viruses on PCs are more prominent.  But since the number of Macintosh users is growing, they should realize that they are not completely immune to hackers.

Macintosh is also quite a bit more easy to use than the Windows operating system.  But with Windows 8 being released, it makes the computer a bit more simple for new users.  But I still believe that Macs are more slick and easy-to-use.

The largest problem with Macs, is it's compatibility with other products and programs; as well as it's ability to be repaired.  The amount of software available to Macs is out shadowed by the millions of programs available to PCs.  PCs are also much more compatible with gaming.  Much of the computer gaming market is aimed at PCs rather than Apple products.  The biggest issue (I believe) with Macs, is the fact that they cannot be easily repaired.  Apple fuses their computer casings shut.  Although this offers a sleek look, it doesn't offer the same access to it's internals.  So if you need a new hard-drive in your Mac, you should probably just start looking for a new computer, or bring it to a special Apple Genius Bar and pay quite a bit to have them repair it.

As most of the people reading this have probably realized, I'm a PC fan.  I tried not to be biased, but it's quite difficult for me.  But in reality, really the only difference between the two is personal preference.  If someones an Apple fan, a PC fan isn't going to convince them to change their ways and vise versa.

The 4th Kind

The inevitable is happening.  In winter of 2013, Sony plans to release the PlayStation 4.  I never really thought a new console would ever even be needed.  I mean, how much better can the PlayStation 3 get?  Somehow they've found a way by adding several features that allow for a better experience for gamers.

The hardware in the PlayStation 4 is quite impressive.  It outmatches most High-End PC's RAM.  With better Random Access Memory (RAM) the PlayStation 4 will be able to play faster games, have greater Internet connection speeds, multitask, and not crash as much.  All models of the PS4 will also have a large hard drive to allow for more storage of games.

The PlayStation Network will also be getting a face lift with the new console.  The network will allow for you to use your real name, rather than a nickname like Buttercheese12.  This will allow for more of your friends to find you.  The PS4 will also be allowed to link to Facebook and other social media, so more of your friends will be automatically added to your system. A complaint about the PS3 was that only 100 friends could be added to your account.  This isn't the case with the new system.  With a larger storage drive, more friends will be allowed on your account.  PSN (PlayStation Network) will also be more popular and fun.  A share button is featured on the controller.  This allows players to take a screenshot or video of their game play whenever they want.  Then they can save their picture/video or upload it to different social media websites.

The most talked about change on the PS4 though, is it's controller.  A headphone/microphone jack is located on the controllers. Each system will come with a headset.  A touch pad is also a new feature on the new controllers.  It functions as an extra button, as well as has dual-touch input.  This will allow for fun, easy games that can be played with friends (like iPad games).  A light bar is located on the top of the controller.  This indicates different players as well as has some cool uses.  Different players are indicated by different colors on the LED light bar.  The sensor in the light bar also makes multiplayer gaming much easier.  The Console will detect where the controllers are located, and then place those people in the best spot on screen.

There you have it.  Those are the changes to the system I noticed.  I'm not too hip on the idea of a new console.  Mainly because I don't want to have to buy a new one and leave my PS3 in the dust.  I never really thought gaming could get much better than it already is, but I guess I was wrong.  Sony has figured out a way to make it better, your move Microsoft.

Who isn't Scared about Windows 8?

Several months ago, Microsoft released their new windows operating system: Windows 8.  It seemed all sleek and shiny when I first saw the commercial.  But when I finally thought about it, I was almost frightened. Since I first started using computers often, I've always been familiar with Windows Vista or Windows 7, as most windows-people are.  But the appearance of this new operating system seemed like a completely different way to use a computer.

I decided to look up how the system works and what features it has.  The screen that scared me the most, was the screen with all of the tiles.  This is essentially a newer, more simplified version of the 'Start' menu.  It contains shortcuts to the applications the user chooses.  If someone doesn't want to use this menu, they can just hit the 'Desktop' button the classic Windows Desktop will appear.

When an application is run, it appears fullscreen.  There is no Windows Sidebar/Toolbar to get in the way.  To get back to other applications that are running all one has to do is scroll the mouse to the top left corner of the screen, which reveals all of the running applications.  Different programs can also be run next to each other side by side.

In reality, there is really nothing to be worried about when it comes to Windows 8.  The system is a little different from it's predecessors, but in less than a month of use, users will be using it's shortcuts to their full capabilities.  Still scared?  You can always change the settings to make the system run almost the same as Windows 7.

Video Killed the Radio Star

On August 1st, 1981, at 12:01 a.m.  you could have turned your television to MTV and heard their first song they aired: "Video Killed the Radio Star."  It was the start of a new era in television.  A TV station that played music videos all day long was unheard of until now.

MTV was originally an anagram for "Music Television."  At the start, it played only in New Jersey.  30 years ago, their music videos were quite sub-par to anything created recently.  Usually it was just pictures or video of the band playing.  Eventually, fans began to grow tired of the channel's repetitiveness and wanted something different.

In December of 1983, fans did get something different.  Micheal Jackson's 'Thriller' video appeared on MTV.  This kicked off a new part of music.  Not only were artists writing music, but also performing in videos.  A lot of people feared that MTV was corrupting their teenagers.  MTV censored language videos to try to keep away from this reputation.  They also had shows about politics, racism, drugs, AIDS, poverty, and violence.  Some artists chose not to make videos because they believed it would corrupt the youth.

Eventually, people wanted more.  In 1991, MTV aired it's first reality TV show, 'The Real World.' This began to shy MTV away from music, and into reality TV.  Since then, shows like 'Pimp My Ride', 'Jersey Shore', and 'Buckwild', have been extremely popular.

Now if you just wanted a formal idea of MTV's history, you can stop reading here.  The rest is my opinion on the subject.  Why is it still called "MTV?"  Music Television is dead, they should call it RTV, or Reality Television.  What really angers me is the fact that back in the 80's, MTV was attempting to not corrupt the youth.  Now I think teenagers lose brain cells when they watch shows like Jersey Shore, Teen Mom, or Buckwild.

I really wish that there was a TV station that played only music videos.  People might think this is too "old-school" because of online radio and YouTube.  "Internet Killed the Video Star," could be the new hit.  But radio is still around, so why can't we still have Music Television?

Printing in the Third Dimension

Most people have probably heard of 3-D printers, but most people don't know how they work or what their full potential is.  For those of you that have not heard of these inventions, they are machines that can essentially print out a 3-Dimensional item using a file created from Auto Cad software.  Although the idea has been around since the 70's, it is just now beginning to reach its full potential.

The traditional way to craft an item is to use a subtractive process.  This is where you start with a block of your material, let's say aluminum, and carves it down into your desired shape.  Unlike this traditional manner, 3-D printing uses an additive process.  The printer lays down the desired material in layers, creating your product.  Several different materials can be used that are similar to metal, rubber, plastic, lumber, and pretty much anything else you would want to create something out of.  Below is a video of a vase being 3-D printed.  It is not in real time; the actual printing probably would take a couple hours.

Since people have become more accustomed to 3-D printing, great things have been made.  The more useful items have been working human organs and bones, gun parts (as well as guns), robots, and even a car!  But we all know that they can also be used for items that are much more fun: statues, figurines of anyone, wearable clothing, and clocks are just a few items that people have developed.  In the near future some are even planning to create buildings.

Most of us have probably seen this piracy ad.  It's actually kind of funny because, now you can with 3-D printing.  The problem with 3-D printing would be copyright issues.  Say you don't like the color of your new shoes.  Those shoes you bought could be used in a 3-D scanner, and printed in a different color.

The use of 3-D printers has grown exponentially in the past year.  How long will it be until they are used in daily life?

The Cure is Near

For the first time, researchers have cured a baby born with HIV.  Don't get too excited though, a complete cure has not yet been discovered, this is what they call a 'functional cure'.   This is because the virus does not completely disappear, but it is reduced to a low enough level to where the body can control it.  

The treatment was nothing invasive or complex, it was as safe as a commonly available antiviral drug.  The difference however, was the dosage and timing; which began less than thirty hours after her birth.  "Prompt antiviral therapy in newborns that begins within days of exposure may help infants clear the virus and achieve long-term remission without lifelong treatment by preventing such viral hideouts from forming in the first place," said lead researcher Deborah Persaud, of Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore, Maryland.  She also said it was the first time this feat was achieved in a baby.  

Although a cure for this deadly disease is almost here, this virus may be the next step for curing another one-cancer.  A genetically modified form of the HIV virus was implanted in cancer patients to re-program their immune systems to fight cancer cells.  This has proved successful, curing 2 of three patients as well as weakening the cancer in the third.  

Discovery News

Is it really the "Devils Lettuce"?

Most people have a strong stance on the use of marijuana.  Most people that aren't users are strongly against the use of it.  Most people that are users are totally for it.  I am a special occasion- having never used it (I know it's hard to believe, people tell me I look stoned all the time), but being totally for the legalization of marijuana as well as hemp.  

"Marijuana! Heavens, oh yeah. It’s just the stupidest law possible, given history. You don’t stop people from doing what they want to do, so forget about making it unlawful. You’re just making criminals out of people who aren’t engaged in criminal activity. And we’re spending zillions of dollars trying to fight a war we can’t win! We could make zillions, just legalize it and tax it like we do liquor. It’s stupid."  Now who do you think would say something like that? Some washed-up hippie? Wrong, this quote was spoken by the famous Morgan Freeman. (Huffington Post)  This quote pretty much sums up my ideas of the marijuana legalization.  Marijuana is just as (or less) addictive than alcohol and tobacco.  Also, no deaths have been attributed to pot.  While thousands die each year from tobacco and alcohol overdose as well as relateable incidents (car crashes, etc.).    Johnny Depp makes a perfect case: "I'm not a great pothead or anything like that… but weed is much, much less dangerous than alcohol."

The most beneficial part of legalizing the plant, would be for hemp.  Hemp is a larger, courser plant with less THC content (active drug in marijuana).  Uses of hemp include: clothing, nutrition, body care (lotions etc.), paper, fuel, plastic alternatives, and a variety of other items.  Using hemp would be a good way for people to become less fossil-fuel dependent.  Instead of cutting down the forests for paper, hemp could be used since it only takes months for a field to grow.   

I'm not saying that you should think the same way I do, but if you are against the use of weed, it wouldn't be "required" for you to use.  If recreational use was taxed and limited like alcohol (21 age limit, no public use),  I don't think it would be too harmful to people against it's use.  Even if recreational use wouldn't be allowed, I definitely think hemp should be legalized.  Canada has allowed it (hemp), and several countries have followed.   In the words of Thomas Jefferson, ""Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth & protection of the country."