You Won't Be Disappointed!

These three blogs are all MUST SEES in their unique ways. The first one located at the top is "Nature vs. Nurture" which is a blog that questions how behavior is shaped and acquired. This is one of my favorite blogs due to its insightful blog posts and deep analysis of each topic discussed. Nature vs Nuture does a great job informing its readers of the history behind the debate along with various psychological aspects that deal with personality traits and family relationships. The blog surrounds science and psychology which are two things I am currently studying giving this blog an extra thumbs up!

Interested in an informative and entertaining blog? Mediabully is definitely your winner. Mediabully's blog titled, "The Media Told Me to Do It" never bores and always grabs your attention by diving into unique ideas and thoughtful engagement of media issues. If you ever thought serious and funny could never be combined, well, you're wrong because Mediabully uses a humorous tone without losing focus and manages to develop a very successful deep, thoughtful engagement. I enjoyed visiting this blog frequently to see how videos were incorporated into discussion along with developing questions that have never crossed my mind before about the media. Buckle up because this blog will blow you away!

The last blog I recommend viewing is "untitled" which is a unique name perfect for its unique blogs. With the drinking age being a popular blog topic, this particular one caught my attention from the rest due to its originality and focus on an aspect of the drinking age that was never touched on deeply. Untitled discussed the attitudes and cultural aspect of college drinking. It points out that changing the law to alter the age will not do much if practices and attitude towards drinking are still kept intact. A syllogism untitled created made perfect sense when stated "bad=cool," "drinking=bad," "therefore drinking=cool." This explains how age is just a number and the mind will still categorize drinking as cool causing the issue of underage drinking still exist.

Future Predictions

What does the future hold for PC lovers and Mac lovers?

Currently, there is a cult of mac and windows 7 obsession stirring in the air. All of the hype and upgrades that continue to prosper frequently has made a huge impact on the society's opinion of technology as a whole. In my opinion, the future holds both PC and Mac racing to improve and outshine the other by constantly taking risks and updating their platforms. The race and adrenaline will eventually cause not only the producers but consumers to crack. The public may be overwhelmed by all of the new updates causing them to not have the ability to successfully use it to its full potential.

For example, the older generation are still confused with how to simply email and listen to the next track on iTunes. Although the constant changes of technology continue to soar and confuse some it is still a beneficial necessity in our everyday lives. Even though the older generation does not fully comprehend how to use a particular part of the modern technology, it has aided them in their lives where technology is located all around them. Technology is also improving its abilities to be learned more easily by making things simpler for the older generation since they did not have the same advantages as us who have grown up with technology ever since we were little.

The photo of an advertisement for the fight between Mac and PC shown above describes how it is sold out which signifies that the battle is popular and the urgency to see who finishes on top is boiling.

Annotated Links

From all of the countless research which information was actually useful?!?

The various YouTube videos scattered throughout my blog were extremely helpful for myself to learn about the different platforms and arguments of both PC and Mac, however, the links below are the readings that helped me tie things together that I was uninformed by in the videos. In other words, the links below were the cake batter or bulk of information while the short clips of videos and cartoons were sprinkles that made the information come to life.

1. This link helped categorize the platforms of both PC and Mac in a easy and efficient way to analyze the various aspects of each. It compared PC and Mac among eight categories that throughly evaluated both platforms. Various examples and insightful information are listed for each category such as performance, features and design to name a few.
2. The "Mac vs. Pc: An Unbiased Review" site listed three evaluation categories that could help you decide between purchasing a Mac or Pc which consisted of evaluating your needs, evaluating your wallet and evaluating your wants. These three evaluations did a fantastic job narrowing down all aspects into three broad categories. The evaluatons concluded that the deciding factor between choosing a Mac or Pc is not due to the popularity ratings but the individuals own necessities and pleasures.
3. The "TechCrunch" article developed a metaphor relating PC and Mac with a Toyota Camry and a Porshe. This creative metaphor developed a deep analysis of PC and Mac that could easily be overlooked. The article stated, "They're just two different cars that cater to different markets" and "...they represent the two different goals that most Windows-based PCs have (market share) versus Apple's Mac computers (high-end revenue share).
4. A Windows guru spends two weeks with a Mac? This article definitely caught my attention and curiosity to see what the Windows expert Preston Gralla had to say about Apple.
5. This review by a new Mac user shares 17 good points about a Mac and 17 bad points about a Mac along with other features visited. You should definitely check this out if you are on the fence about switching over to a Mac.
6. An article titled "Truth in Advertising: An Analysis of Apple's Mac Vs. PC Ads" was extremely helpful and brought up intriguing arguments. It relates the battle between PC and Mac to a historical standpoint of the beverage wars between Coca-Cola and Pepsi. This relationship between the two makes perfect sense when the author, Robert Vinciguerra, pairs Pepsi with Apple together with their lost of the older generation while Coca-Cola Classic or PC continued to bite off that part of the competition away from Apple or Pepsi. This site also brings up the fact of unethical or misleading advertising which is important in analyzing some YouTube videos of Mac vs PC. The YouTube videos titled "Better Results" and "Surgery" only concentrates on partial truths to make Mac stand out and seem like it has no imperfections. The ads such as these given were claimed to be "no deeper than their humorous intent."

Hopefully these links will help you like they did for me in clearly understanding the huge debate between buying Mac's or Pc's!

Mirror Mirror On The Wall...

After reflecting upon all of the work and time spent on this blog project, I have learned a great deal about not only my topic but myself as a thinker. I have gained an enormous amount of information about the battle between Mac and PC. It is no longer just a silly commercial on the television but a real debate between two superheros of computer technology constantly challenging the other in attempt to make themselves look better. I developed my knowledge through all of the YouTube videos that demonstrated the media's huge influence on the platforms and its way of persuading the audience.

The knowledge I have gained through this entire blog project has influenced my thought processes of how to argue effectively and to look at both ends of the spectrum to successfully have a reasonable conclusion.

If I had more time I would have been able to dive deeper into this debate between PC and Mac to try and find the psychological aspect of choosing either or.

I tried my best to have effective clarity in my writing and ignore any possible confusion to my readers.

I tried to add a little twist to my tone in writing by having a more casual tone but with important information mentioned as well. I included several quirky and comedic toppings here and there to spice things up. The last thing I wanted to do to my readers was bore them. I also wanted them to become fascinated and interested in finding the cure for the battle between the two supercomputers or have a better understanding of how they choose their technology. Technology has had such a huge impact on our lives today that I think it is absolutely necessary to have a little bit of understanding that the decision to choose between various options is important to make your technology mindset correct to your needs and wants.

I do believe that my blog has reflected what has gone through my mind during my blog writing because of the insightful links and videos I have interlaced in this particular blog to make the information an easier less textbook like adventure.

While commenting on other blogs I did incorporate the "compliment sandwich" by always stating something positive first while critiquing respectively.

Overall, I have tinkered with the part of my brain that enjoys the new innovations of technology and gained knowledge that has successfully highlighted stereotypes, media advertisements and societal factors of purchasing the "perfect" laptop. However, a "perfect" laptop does not exist because in an earlier post "perfection" was known as "impossible." Every single thing in life can be improved in some shape or fashion no matter how perfect they may seem from the exterior. While choosing the ideal computer do not go for perfection, instead, go for your best friend that will treat you right in any problem you face in life. That best friend will never crash on you and will always keep you on the right track!

Round of Applause to Mac's Creativity!

As seen in the video above, Apple has transformed our lives with its exquisite creativity and imagination. The famous iPod and iPhone are currently two things I could not live without. The overall Mac atmosphere is very impressive and grabs your attention immediately. Could you remember what it was like without iPods and iPhones existing?! I think your head would spin if you really sat down and could not play a track off of your iPod and had to settle for a CD. I think all of us would go a little insane. I give a round of applause to Apple for its delightful breath of fresh air and its never ending surprises that we all drool over! Just keep riping Apple!

Cartoon

This cartoon was posted by a splitreason blogger who desperately asks for bloggers opinions of Mac and PC platforms to create some sort of solution. The cartoon above demonstrates how both PC and Mac have their pros and cons and comparison between the two can undoubtedly last forever. Mac is all about iThis and iThat whereas PC's strive on simplicity. Both ads of PC and Mac can be convincing and persuasive causing their popularity and hype to rise. In the end, it all bottles down to personal preference and necessity of the individual.

Flaws Exist in Everyone

A portion of NatureNuture’s comment stated “Like all other new things, there has to be something wrong...everything is not perfect.” This caught my attention because it brings up the fact that perfectness does not exist in either PC or Mac shown in the video above. Technology continues to grow along with its imperfections. Our world is full of creating mistakes and learning from them to eventually become successful. To end the battle of Mac vs Pc would be similar to ending the modernization of computer technology. Mac and Pc both have several components of each other blended into their own while simultaneously accusing the other of "stealing ideas." In a way I believe Mac and Pc help each other contribute ideas to each other to improve their individual weaknesses such as Mac's lack of compatibility and Microsoft programs whereas Pc lacks extreme success in "thinking outside the box" to create something amazing.

Open Your World Through Windows

"If a window of opportunity appears, don't pull down the shade."

-Tom Peters

In our world today lies PC haters and Mac haters who are constantly fighting against each other as seen in the video below

The video displays the harsh competition between PC and Mac that never seems to end with their individual pros and cons that are always present in the media in the numerous commercials, advertisements or articles. The stereotype of PC=serious and Mac=fun is an unfair statement since both have qualities of "serious" and "fun" components. However, fierce competition always seems to prevail over reconciling differences. The competition compares PC and Mac by 8 categories: design, display, features, performance, battery, software, warranty/support and price. The decision of which one is better is not necessarily in the hands of who wins the battle and receives a gold medal. Instead, the winner title belongs to whichever the customer is cheering for on the sidelines.

It is PC and Apple’s responsibility to not only make their platform impressive but their advertisements as well. Apple has the knowledge that a large number of consumers are permanently tied to Windows due to their profession giving them the smart decision to target younger generations with catchy slogans such as “Hi, I’m a Mac and I’m a PC.” Their creativity skills in marketing and appeal attract the young public’s eye. However the topic of price and affordability always comes into the light where PC seems to leap over Mac’s pricing ranges.

The competition indeed has brought a lot of controversy onto the table but has also benefited product improvement. The constant urge to rise above the other has challenged both PC and Mac to constantly update and bring new technology into our lives. PC has always been user friendly while Mac continuously innovates technology in a way we’ve never seen before. Mac has brought iPod, iPhone or iAnything truthfully. After analyzing numerous sites of Mac vs Pc competition, I’ve come to the conclusion that there is a cycle that continues to rotate of Pc and Mac catching ideas from one another as they go and incorporating them on their own platform. PC has recently come out with Windows 7 which features similar aesthetic purposes that Mac strives and can download iTunes without ownership of a Mac. Mac has also stolen the Windows Office programs that were extremely needed due to past disappointment of owning a Mac without Microsoft Office and having a difficult time functioning a simple word document.

While Mac tends to be more expensive and brainstorming new ideas. PC keeps it simple by taking Mac innovations and making it their own style in a more affordable way to all types of income levels. However, some are willing without any hesitiation to pay more to have a better looking, cutting edge MacBook but eventually those features find their way into the PC world. This affordable world attracts more people thereby making the new technology more accessible and a common standard.

The gossip of Mac being free of viruses and PC containing all of them is due to the fact that PC’s architecture and global popularity attracts the more malicious attackers or activities.

Windows 7 Sneak Peek!

Wondering why Kylie is so pumped for Windows 7?

Click HERE to take a tour of Windows 7

before it makes its debut on October 22nd!

Which new features of Windows 7 were you most impressed with? Were there any that didn't impress you at all?

Do "Rotten" Apples Exist?

This PC vs Mac commercial shows PC suffering a terrible virus while Mac appear perfectly content and immune to any viruses.

Is it true that PC's get more viruses than Mac's? The answer is "Yes."

Although, the computer hope website displays four reasons why this is true which are shown below.

1. “Newer Macintosh operating systems, such as the Mac OS X, is built on the Unix kernel, which is one of the oldest and most secure operating systems available.”

2. “Microsoft Windows is used by a lot more users. Because more users use Microsoft Windows, it is a lot better of a target than Apple Macintosh computers.”

3. “Most of the virus writers are familiar with the IBM platform and Microsoft Windows, and therefore are only going to be able to create a virus for that platform.”

4. “Many of the tools and scripts used to help users create viruses or other malware are designed for Microsoft Windows.”

The list above supports that since Microsoft Windows are most commonly used more viruses occur since the system is an easier target to attack.

However, "rotten" apples have been discovered as Apple's enormous growth in the market has made it more of a target according to msnbc.

In an article titled, "Macs no longer immune to viruses, experts say," a 29 year old British chemical engineer Benjamin James was surfing the web just like any ordinary computer user would be when suddenly an abrupt force was taking over his computer also known as a virus. So Benjamin James was obviously using a PC since its never unusual right? The answer to that question is “NO” the real victim was a Mac who is seen in the spotlight as innocent and virus free.

This virus was the very first “rotten” apple found in the Mac OS X operating system. I guess this displays how you should never judge a book or a “MacBook” by its cover. Apple may look sweet and fresh from the outside but inside can embrace worms crawling throughout it. Daines states that, “It just shows people that no matter what kind of computer you use you are still open to some level of attack,” which points out that viruses can rot anywhere and as time goes on the rotting increases. According to experts, this “rotting” of Apple is more dangerous recently with its growing market share and adoption of Windows microprocessors that are making Mac another target option.

The virus that Daine’s Mac suffered from rotted his Apple by deleting various operating system file and damaging several new files and applications. The virus was also contagious to 10 people on Daine’s buddy list while instant messaging.

According to a computer security consultant, Neil Fryer, “A lot of Mac users are in denial and have blinders on that say, ‘Nothing is ever going to get to us,’ and Fryer bluntly disagrees with them.

Previously I showed you bloggers why PC’s get attacked by viruses more than Mac’s and now I will show you the warning signs Mac’s are receiving as they face the reality of being a growing target displayed below:

· The SANS Institute, a computer-security organization in Bethesda, Md., added Mac OS X to its 2005 list of the top-20 Internet vulnerabilities. It was the first time the Mac has been included since the experts started compiling the list in 2000.

· This week, SANS updated the list to warn against flaws in Safari, the Mac Web browser, which the group said criminals were able to attack before Apple could fix it.

· The number of discovered Mac vulnerabilities has soared in recent years, with 81 found last year, up from 46 in 2004 and 27 in 2003, according to the Open Source Vulnerability Database, which is maintained by a nonprofit group that tracks security vulnerabilities on many different hardware and software platforms.

· Less than a week after Daines was attacked in mid-February, a 25-year-old computer security researcher released three benign Mac-based worms to prove a serious vulnerability in Mac OS X could be exploited. Apple asked the man, Kevin Finisterre, to hold off publishing the code until it could patch the flaw.

As shown above, the warning signs are very intimidating and Apple must take serious precautions before it is too late. Before we know it bloggers, viruses might be taking over Apple one MacBook at a time causing a disgusting rot odor streaming across the world and PC’s taking over Mac’s with their infinite number of protection programs.

Using a PC is so easy even a 4 1/2 year old could do it..

The tug of war between ads of MAC's and PC's continue to be persuasive but which one pulled stronger than the other? I've had previous experience using PC's as a child in elementary school all the way to UNC Chapel Hill on my current labtop. Maybe theres a reason why we used PC's in computer classes growing up..easier AND more affordable? In the video shown below an extremely adorable 4 1/2 year old girl displays how easy it is to use a PC.

According to Kylie, sending a picture to your family is ridiculously easy.. all you need to do is plug "the thingy" or camera cord in the proper port and click upload. To make the picture "much better" you just need to click auto-adjust and its magically better! After Kylie made the picture of her pet fish Dorothy "much better" with a single click, she simply clicks "send" so her mommy and daddy can see it.

PC's excel in giving you easy tools and the only concern you need to worry about is how far you want to go with your PC. You do not have to worry about learning new techniques that should not be given a second thought. The only concern you need is where you decide to go on your PC. The possibilities are endless and your fingertips lead the way to an unforgettable ride of pure adventure.

PC's are a G.R.E.A.T D.E.A.L:

G-reat quality

R-eliable

E-asiness

A-ffordable

T-echnical support

D-elivers

E-fficiency

A-ll software/games are compatible

L-ots of options!

Why pay more for unwanted confusion and no difference in hardware?

PC vs. MAC

Bloggers ..have you decided whether you're a MAC or PC?

The competition between MAC's and PC's have always interested me as a current Tarheel at UNC-CH. Before college began I had to face the difficult decision of purchasing either a sleek MacBook or a reliable school laptop. My great interest in photography and art bumped heads with the tools needed to succeed in college. The never ending ads and commercials have influenced teens like myself enormously. The struggle to choose between education and fun has challenged not only myself but friends and family as well.

The pros and cons of either PC's and MAC's are being recognized but what about it's huge effect on society? The war between these two strong opponents have influenced our society due to technology's continuous impact on our lives today. Modernization continues to grow and our lives are centered around keeping up with the whirlwind of new technology blossoming every second. The persuasive marketing the commercials and ads possess have control on society's decision to purchase one or the other.