Social Networking

What are some ways (corporate and otherwise) that these technologies can be used?

     One way that we can incorporate technology is through the political environment. Technology have made politician to expand their audience through social network. Social media is a great tool to you into mainstream headlines. In this article, How Obama Tapped Into Social Networks' Power, by David Carr, he describes how President Barack Obama, help broaden his message through social media. At first, people were skeptical about his idea because he wondered "if social networking, with its tremendous communication capabilities and aggressive database development can help to defeat all his opponents. Our President, defined all the odds, "by bolting together social networking applications under the banner of a movement, they created an unforeseen force to raise money, organize locally, fight smear campaigns and get out the vote..." (Carr, 2008). As a result, he defeated the monstrous Clinton machine in the primaries and toppling John McCain for the presidential seat.
      This usage of technology in a political environment can be crucial to help determine a winner. Politicians rely heavenly on donation to help fund their campaign. It is a inexpensive way to market yourself and to spread your message. Also, they're capable to generate millions amount of information from supporters and communicate with them almost instantly. I believe that it's pretty much fair game because the technology is out there for your advantage. But, it all boils down to the politician, if this is the best approach to get him elected. 

What are the benefits of these technologies to society?

     Technology can help out society in various ways. We can use technology to help crackdown individuals abusing the law. In this article, In India, Using Facebook to Catch Scofflaw Drivers, by Heather Timmons, she describes, how India's traffic police officers have enlisted themselves onto Facebook to help combat dangerous driving. This method of attack allows residence to post "photos of their fellow drivers violating traffic laws" (Timmons, 2010). These photos allows to them to give these drivers summons for their reckless judgement on the road. This page on Facebook helps people to express their views and suggest changes to their traffic problems
     I believe this approach works best in this situation because it can reduce drivers from breaking any further traffic regulations. Drivers will need to be more vigilant because its not only the traffic officers they need to deal with. The authorities should continue build on this approach because in India, it's probably the most dangerous country to drive in. With so much congestion in the streets it all leads to fatalities. Even though, this social networking site if a great tool, rules will continue to be broken due to the shortage of traffic officers in the city. But, it's a great start in the right direction for India, to help combat their traffic woes.

Is there a "dark side"?

     Yes indeed there is a dark side of the usage of technology. There are those individuals that seek to cause harm to another person. Likewise, not only individuals but companies are collecting sensitive information from online users without consent. Some of these companies lack of sort of security defenses to prevent hackers from intruding their database and stealing vital information. We must hold this companies accountable for the lack of cybersecurity. Furthermore, we need to find ways to prevent of security breaches.

Blogs vs. Wikis

How can blogs be used for collaboration?

     Well definitely, Blogs can be used for collaboration and its a powerful tool. But we fail to harness it's full capability because were simply to occupied with other important activity. Blogs can be used to make new friends through online interaction. It can be used for coordinating and publishing events with fellow relatives or friends. By exploring, engaging, and communications are the key ingredients of expanding your audience on or offline. Furthermore, it can also spread awareness throughout the community about related issues such as domestic violence, health concerns, suspicious activities and many more.
     In the article Brooklyn Blog Helps Lead to Drug Raid, by Michael Wilson, he illustrates how a simple blog from a local neighborhood located in Brooklyn, allowed cops to initiate a drug raid at a suspicious apartment. This blog allowed bloggers within the community to express their thoughts about the suspicious activity that was going on inside the apartment. People were outrage about what they were seeing such as fighting, loud noises, selling drugs and many ridiculous unethical behavior. These bloggers had to put an end to this mayhem and contacted law enforcement to intervene. As each day pass, they were recording every "daily activities in detail". Eventually, as law enforcement had enough evidence gathered against these suspects, the police finally went in to arrest these individuals.
     After reading this article it definitely opened my eyes of how powerful this tool can be. People were tired of seeing crackheads selling drugs and unlawful suspicious activities taken place in the neighborhood. These bloggers communicated with each other on a daily basis and reported their finding to law enforcement. As I stated before, this is a perfect example that shows us how powerful blogs can be used for collaboration.

Can you think of a new use for a wiki that has not been done yet?

     After thinking about it, I think it's possible to create a wiki to sell your own sell. I don't think its best option because there are better alternative plan to conduct your business. But, for the non tech-savvy individuals that have no prior knowledge in coding, this option can be a benefit. In the article, How To Use Wikis for Business, by Ezra Goodnoe, she states how conventional project management tool cannot replicate the same circumstances of collaboration and engagement that wikis create. Wikis are inexpensive, easy to implement without hard coding it and  "they don't require a massive software rollout". They are easy to design and work well with existing network infrastructures. Wikis are definitely easy to organize your content and don't really require stylist techniques. You can create a wiki and design it to your desired preference. Also, you're able to put up your own items to sell, just like how Amazon and EBay conduct their business. But, you better have an unbreakable password to prevent unauthorized users to access your account.

Social Media Security Concerns

     My topic proposal that I will be discussing how Social Media is causing a security concerns on society. Social networking has changed the way we interact with people across the globe. While social networks, such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter have generated a deep impact on our lives and also creating a high risk for security threats. Millions of people worldwide have use these social networks to keep close communication with close relatives and friends. Likewise, you can be allowing yourself to attract unwanted people that you don't normally associate with for the wrong reasons. I will be illustrating several security concerns that normally happens to users on social media and to help you stay safe online.

I've composed a list below of several social media security concerns such as:

1. Invasion of privacy
2. Identity stolen or Stolen accounts
3. Social Scams
4. Abduction or Kidnapping
5. Malicious attacks