Computer Literacy Class

Over the past school year, I look back and have enjoyed learning about the different Microsoft Office programs.  Having the opportunity to learn how to create documents through Word, spreadsheets through Excel, and presentations through Power Point has been an asset that will last me a long time.  I have also been excited to learn how to use the online programs through Google and Blogger.  These are all things that I will use in my future, no matter what career I choose to do.  This is a class I would highly recommend a high school student should take.  It has a lot of good information that will help with your future plans.  It has been a great learning experience.

 

http://www.clker.com/clipart-computer-literacy.html

Career Exploration

Over that past two weeks, I have learned a great deal about how to locate a job online, apply for a job, write a resume, a cover letter, and most importantly, how to prepare for an interview.  I especially found the information pertaining to the resume and the interview to be the most helpful.  I will be ready when it is time for me to apply for my next job. I was surprised to find the scores I had on the surveys we filled out.  In some areas, I am strong; whereas, other areas, I need to improve.  I did learn that I am more qualified for some areas than I gave myself credit.  This is a website I will visit again in the future as it would be helpful to see if I have improved over time.

http://americasfuture.org/events/deciphering-the-job-search-process/

 https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/apply-and-track/track-your-application/interview-invitations

No matter whether online or offline, mean is mean

I think it's easier to be mean to someone online rather than offline.  You can "hide" behind a computer.  For the person you are being mean to, they do not know who is on the other end that may be sending messages, writing posts, or posting pictures that are in bad taste.  Two people can appear to be friends at school but when one of them is home on their computer, they can show how they really feel.  We should remember that even when we are online, we should be acting as if the person is standing in front of us.  They do have feelings.  We should treat them with respect in the same manner that we would want to be treated.  You never really know what affect you may have on someone when you say something that does not seem important to you but it very important to them.  No matter whether online or offline, being mean is still being mean.

 

http://gambarwallpaper.co/

Ethical Computer Use

People who illegally download or copy music, movies, games, etc. should be punished because it is illegal.  If someone were to break into your house or vehicle, they could be prosecuted for breaking in and for stealing from you.  It would be considered illegal because they broke into somewhere or something that did not belong to them and then they took or stole something.  Illegally downloading or copying music, movies, games, etc. is no different except in the physical sense, it may not be a physical act of stealing, but it is still stealing.  With illegally downloading or copying, you are "physically" stealing from someone else because you are not paying for it.  You don't actually break into anything but you are taking what does not belong to you.   Illegal is illegal, no matter if it is a physical act or a computer act.

 

http://www.wggb.com/2012/08/24/cape-cod-burglary-suspect-complains-of-heavy-haul/sep-01-000005_flatbed_web/ 

 

 http://www.thembj.org/2009/12/three-strikes-against-illegal-downloading/

Think Before You Post It Online

When I was younger, my mom always told me to think before I speak because I might say something I should not or something I said might hurt someones feelings.  Same thing is true with regards to the Internet, and just like words, once it's posted online, it can't be taken back, it's there forever.  A few good points to take when posting on the Internet, is to stop and think before you actually post it.  Think about how it will sound to your mom, your friends, your teacher, a future boss.  Is it non-offensive?    Is it truthful?  Is it positive?  If it is a situation that is negative that you are responding to, walk away for a few minutes and refresh yourself.  If a response is required, keep it neutral, not challenging.  If a response is not required, ignore the situation.  Take the high road and ignore trouble, it will keep you from "looking like you have egg on your face", seeming stupid for something you have done.

http://www.duckandcover.cx/forums/viewtopic.php?t=26002

Even the Turkey Government Wants to Know About Twitter

Government agencies from around the world ask Twitter for data on specific users.  This has increased by 40% from last report in July, 2014.  The last request came from more than 50 countries, with Turkey having the most requests.  Turkey made requests after anonymous Twitter users posted in 2014, recordings that were leaked implicating Recep Tayyip Erdogan, president of Turkey, of sweeping corruption allegations just before local elections were to be held.  Erdogan was able to ban Twitter service throughout Turkey for a short time until it was deemed unconstitutional.  Twitter did not comply with the request.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/09/twitter-reports-surge-in-government-data-requests/?ref=technology&_r=0

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2015/02/09/technology/09bits-erdogan/09bits-erdogan-master315.jpg

Dangers of Unsafe Passwords

Dangers of Unsafe Passwords

Using the same password for everything opens up the opportunity for a hacker to access any accounts you may have.  If you use the same password for social media, email, and online banking, any of these can be accessed if a hacker knows the password.  It's not safe to use a short password on different accounts because shorter passwords are easier to guess for hackers.  They keep trying different words until they guess the correct one and then they have access to all accounts that use it.  When you use an unsafe password and your email account is hacked, you are also compromising your contacts with a potential scam attack by them thinking they are receiving an email for you, not realizing it's actually a hacker pretending to be you.  Use safeguards to protect yourself and others, do not use the same password for all of your accounts.

http://macgroup.org/blog/2012/08/06/the-dangers-of-using-the-same-password-for-everything/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/adriankingsleyhughes/2012/08/04/the-dangerous-side-of-apples-icloud/