Author Archive

Apr 10

Translating Social Media into Real Life

Screen shot 2012 04 10 at 1.38.20 PM Translating Social Media into Real Lifeby Bethaney Wallace

Anyone over the age of 20 can remember a time before humans were completely reliant on computers. Classrooms may have been integrative, but in an Oregon Trail type of way – where students would wait their turn to play the survival game on one of the room’s few computers. Now though, most schools have computers on a one-one basis, allowing each student to play any number of games (educational, of course) on their own time. The obvious draw here is that students can learn valuable life skills online, and then use them once away from the computer. (When it’s math or deductive reasoning, great; when it’s cursing or how to buy Legos online with your parents’ credit card, not great.)

But it’s not just children that are learning from social media; it’s all ages. By interacting, commenting, and clicking on new links, social media users are translating their newly learned skills into real life every day.

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Posted in social media

Apr 02

B-Sides: When the CAPTCHA Challenge is Too Tough

Screen shot 2012 04 02 at 2.25.10 PM B Sides: When the CAPTCHA Challenge is Too Toughby Bethaney Wallace

With everything good in this world, there is a bandit out to disturb what should be enjoyed openly. The Hamburglar challenged Ronald McDonald in his quest to share unhealthy yet delicious foods. Darth Vader and Two Face turned evil after receiving unfortunate face injuries. And almost any character who owned a mask meddled in episodes of Scooby Doo. But the modern day villain, one who is nearly impossible to catch, are Internet bots, stealers of information and hackers of computers. ( Read more )

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Posted in B-Sides, Business

Mar 26

Phones of the Future

by Bethaney Wallace


Screen shot 2012 03 26 at 12.01.34 PM Phones of the FutureTechnology and electronics are advancing faster than even be documented. By the time a new a new TV or computer is purchased, it’s a mere months before the newest model has come out, dwarfing the former in comparison. At the rate electronics are growing, it doesn’t take a rocket surgeon to figure out that number will only multiply. Our capabilities, as Buzz Lightyear would say, will soar to infinity and beyond.

A few months ago I was at a family gathering, learning about family history and generational gaps, a normal topic for the ages. My grandmother told me a story, about her own grandmother (my great, great grandmother) on the invention of the train. Her lifetime, she told my grandma, had seen so much, that there was no way the world could possibly keep up. She’d seen indoor plumbing, the electric iron, TVs, and automobiles have made a huge transformation. Clearly, the rest of the world would never see what she’d seen; they’d see more.

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Posted in Et cetera, Mobile

Mar 20

An Actual New Kind of Search Engine

About a year ago, I wrote about my disdain for Bing, an aversion that still holds true. Their searches are irrelevant, the ads seem to mock, and Bing’s self-righteous nature only makes me dislike it even more. (In case you are wondering, I’m team Chrome.) But, thanks to a newly released search engine, I have a new respect for those reevaluating the original engine-y model. This new model, Blekko, is a search engine that eliminates the spam and paid search results. A search engine that doesn’t pull up spam? What a novel idea. No more jumping to the top of the line just because you’ve got money; Blekko is not swayed by socioeconomic status.Screen shot 2012 03 20 at 2.53.30 PM An Actual New Kind of Search Engine

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Posted in Featured, Search Engines, SXSWi

Mar 06

B-Sides: Online Communication Now for Purchasing Drugs

by Bethaney Wallace

Screen shot 2012 03 06 at 9.51.40 AM 300x283 B Sides: Online Communication Now for Purchasing DrugsOver the years the Internet has worked as a segue for many people. It combines schedules, brings old acquaintances together, helps sell unwanted goods. But, according to several news reports, the websites are taking it a step further and helping those of all moral standards. They’re acting as a medium for illegal narcotics to be marketed and exchanged. Or more specifically, they’re helping head shops hustle their merch. No more alley lurking and telephone booth squatting; now drugs change hands through a simple web message.

But, what’s even more noteworthy than this upcoming practice (after all, there was the Craigslist killer, are we really surprised by drugs?) is that the media is having a heyday. Constant reports, articles, grilling politicians about law restrictions – it’s as though the reporters think the social media drug trade is government funded. Why is the public surprised when technology lives up to its capabilities?

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Posted in B-Sides, social media

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