Reflective Journal Entry 1

For my first journal entry I would like to talk about technology that I am learning about in my courses that are making my life easier. Over the past several days I have been learning new and interesting technology through my studies. I have realized I have been surfing the web on the slow lane for the past few years when there has been tools at the edge of my fingers tips to help me all this time. I troll many technical, gaming, automotive, vector, photo and other websites always looking for new and exciting information and material. I frequently browse a select few of them every day. Every time I visit these sites there has always been a certain symbol or logo on them, that I have always overlooked. It is a small symbol, but bright in color so it does catch the eye every time. I was not totally oblivious to this symbol. I knew what it stood for, but I never knew how it could change my life in an instance.

I recently watched a video on RSS that was put up by my instructor.  After watching the video it was like turning a light on in my head. I had that “duh” moment in my life, where I knew I have been doing something wrong for so long it made me feel so stupid. I also realized in that split second other applications that I could use that one little symbol for. It would be a great tool to teach aspiring photographers, videographers, web designers, and graphic designers to just name a few I personally know that it would benefit. Take for instance the up and coming graphic designers. Teach them how to use RSS and how they can google say different web sites that have free hints, tips, tricks and techniques. They could subscribe to those sites and constantly get new information and material to help them learn to become better and better. This would be a very versatile tool to have in one’s toolbox. Like someone great said one point in time, “give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he will eat forever…” or something like that. I think you get where I am trying to go with this. Here is the link to the video I watched on RSS. It is from a group called Common Craft. They do an excellent job with all their videos. I also just watched a video on Sharepoint, a piece of software I have heard before, but never knew what it did or what it was for. I do know now though thanks to these guys and gals.

http://www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_english