I just wanted to use this post to highlight some of the key points from the first day/day zero of the National Communication Association 94th Annual Convention in San Diego. 1.) Follow the Boy Scout rule, "Be Prepared": I had every intention to keep a hardcore Twitter stream with the...
I talked with one of my friends, and I found out something shocking. I've had many computers. The majority of them have simply died on me (5 out of 9, what can I say? I'm hard on computers). However, another point that has come to light is that it was...
I went back home after teaching on Monday. My wife looked angry. This is never a good sign. We had some small talk. Then, she asks me a question that shocked me… "why are you listed as single on Facebook?" Huh?!? I rush to my laptop to check my status ,...
Ping.fm is just one example of a "modular distributed conversation" application designed to work with multiple social media services. (illustration/Courtney Engle Robertson) I've been using Ping.fm for almost a month and what I noticed that the service allows me to form my thoughts without worrying about how it may fit...
Many times I am forced to use a locked computer that has limited access online and zero ability to add software that I need for other projects. This point of frustration is why I believe initiatives such as the Open Source project and, more importantly, Portable Apps will be a vital...
It seems that Apple, Microsoft, and Google are shying away from rigid, structured operating systems as the future of their respective companies. Apple and Microsoft have essentially spelled out that their next version of their OS (Snow Leopard and 7) would be the last traditional OS they would offer. Both...
One of my friends (Drew) has a fantastic blog that presents the critical issues of politics. The "Pseudo Body Politic" has the right balance of analysis, insight, and humor. Mainly, I'm jealous of his ability to write every day. So, I've been inspired by his work. Since the election is...
First of all, the Association of Internet Researchers held a fantastic conference this year at the IT University of Copenhagen. The building is indeed an architectural work of art and is a beautiful complement to the learning that occurs in this institution. I feel that sharing what I've learned during...
It's about 8 am, and I'm crossing my way thru the dark inside of the Easton Towne Center. My MacBook in one hand attempting to connect to the WiFi and the other hand used to open the door to the outside courtyard. I can hear the mass of humanity from...
The last three months of the research process will be the virtual ethnography research method. I will talk to ten students from each of the universities based on the interview pool or if there is attrition in the pool, a new group of students from those who took the survey...
