Friday, May 3, 2013

List of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Aspects of The Internet.

The following links are articles that contain both positive and negative examples of use of the internet along with a description of each article:


  • http://chargerchant.com/wordpress/the-internet-the-good-the-bad-and-the-why/
    • This article explains why the internet is both good and bad. The good can consist of websites for good causes such as fundraising and support websites. Google also is a great example because it provides completely free, endless amounts of information. 
  • http://www.brudirect.com/index.php/Hot-Topics/good-and-bad-sides-of-internet.html
    • This is an article about a 12 year old boy who is constantly being cyber bullied. Although he dislikes this feeling, he has mixed views. He believes that cyber bullying is terrible and it needs to stop. He states that violent games on the internet are a problem too. He also believes there are many positives such as social media and entertainment.
  • http://blog.tdstelecom.com/news/the-internets-terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad-week/
    • This is an article that purely shows the ugly in internet use. In one week, two major cyber crimes have been committed. Firstly, an internet company known as Spamhaus was hacked, becoming to be one of the biggest cyber attacks in history. But it doesn't stop there. In the same week, an internet cable submerged deep into the sea was cut by divers. As a result, millions were affected with slow internet speed. This just goes to show that many are very cruel and commit ugly cyber crimes.

Kurt Hinrichs

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Cell Phones and Privacy

Prepaid cell phones. Thats what many cell phone companies and governments around the world are in the process of banning. Should they stay legal? Or should they be banned in order to lower crime rates? Many criminals around the globe are using prepaid contracts to commit crimes and avoid law enforcement agencies. Since there is no name on file and no records of calls, criminals can affectively steer clear of the law and remain on the run. Many argue that it is the consumer's right to remain anonymous, while others believe that prepaid cell phones should be banned all together. I firmly believe that prepaid cell phones should be registered with the government to prevent crime. If the criminal has a registered phone, he/she will think twice before committing another crime. I believe that privacy is a privilege not a right when it comes to this.

Location Tracking

Location tracking is a fairly new strategic way to ensure that humans of all ages and disorders, and animals are safe. A chip can be planted under the skin of any human or animal no matter what the age or gender. The benefits are clear. Knowing where your child or animal is at all times can provide a sense of relief and confidence. If a child or animal is abducted or decides to leave home, they can be easily and affectively traced and found. It can also be used in the mentally handicapped and the elderly in case become disoriented and lost. However there is an underlying question. Is this method morally correct? There are several factors that hinder my opinion. I believe it depends on several factors such as whether it is being used in an animal or human. If it is being used on a human, I think the age should play a role in the guardian's decision. I believe that a tracking chip should only be used in children under the age of 14, elderly that become confused and delusional, and the mentally handicapped. If it is placed in a child, I believe it should be extracted from the skin at age 14. In terms of animals, I think it is a beneficial decision. I am also a supporter for GPS tracking shoes for the above groups.

Introduction

Hey, my name is Kurt Hinrichs and I am re-admitted freshman at UNH. This blog is dedicated to my CS 408 class and will include my personal thoughts and opinions. I am very interested in how the internet affects the world surrounding us. Looking forward to hearing from you all!