Week 10 writting assignement

There are many many organizations that I have given way to much info out to in the past. A lot of times you don't even think about it until they have your info. For example I can think of countless times I have written my e-mail down on things, or filled it out on a form for some company, say to get a free magazine or enter a raffle. But that is also just minor info that one could probably find in a phone book.
The Internet has taken shopping to an entirely new level these days, one where we don't even have to leave the comforts of home to buy something we need. Because of this so much of our important private info is spread all over the web. It is kind of scary to think how many web sites I have typed all my credit card info onto, and also how many of these web sites store this info for later use.
I definitely think the type of organization effects how comfortable I am at giving out my information. If it is a big , well respected organization, lets say like itunes, I have no problem typing pretty much anything they tell me to type onto there application. I am very trusting of big well known corporations, which I feel is true about a lot of people. I don't think I have given my social security number out that much, but I guess there is the bank, my credit card company, the school, and probably a few close friends might know or have had access to it. I would never give out my social security number, credit card number, or anything else that is important information to some small company I had never heard of. The smaller and less established of a company the less I trust them. I don't think I would ever type my social security number into anything online unless I was applying for a job or school. I try and limit the amount of info I give to marketers, for example any kind of gimmick that I let myself be drawn into I try to always give fake information.

Week 9

I think that there it is a very ethical struggle weather or not it is ok to steal music from the Internet. One would debate if it IS stealing if it is file sharing. However since I found out that the artists aren't actually the ones profiting from the record sales at all, that it is all the record company, I feel even less moral conflicted about downloading songs for free from the Internet. I feel like the record company is entitle to there fair share of the musicians profit but at the same time I don't think they are going bankrupt anytime soon. Even if people are not going out and buying CD's they are still downloading the music from itunes, which the record company is still profiting from.
It is defiantly a grey area with file sharing, and weather it is ok to burn a friends CD so you don't have to go out and buy it. I don't really know if I believe it's wrong or not though. I certainly do it, but that doesn't make it right. I guess I feel that if the artist is willing to take the risk and put there stuff out there then they are going to have to be prepared for the consequences. Plus if it were my music I would just want as many people as possible listening to it and appreciating it. Record sales are very important, but I think popularity matters even more. These two things used to be linked together, but not necessarily any more. Getting your art out there is the biggest struggle, and if it gets out there and recognized then the fight is won. Plus the record company already paid you up front, so your set!

Week 7

This week we learned through a set of intersting articles what an RFID is. RFID stands for radio frequency identification, it is a tinny microchip that listens for radio waves. When it hears them it responds and sends back a signal. These chips can be used to track people through the objects they surround themselves with. For example they are thinking of putting these chips in peoples clothing and food bags.
Two potential benefits of RFID's are: 1. RIFD's can reduce theft a great deal, one retailer estimated it would save them $50 billion dollars a year in theft. 2. Another advantage to RIFD's is the convenience. One day shoppers might just be able to go pick the item off the shelf and not have to wait in line to purchase it. The RIFD would just send a single to there account and doc the money from there secure RIFD account.
Two privacy concerns are:1. It can be used to abuse peoples rights and freedoms. This new technology allows us to see where any person is at any given time, that can be dangerously abused if not handled by responsible people. For example if someone wants to find out if there spouse is cheating on them they can petition to get there RIFD records. Or say a burglar is casing a alley to see if there is any expensive electronic wear near by, they can just check the RIFD signals in the area.