Of Netbooks and Tablets

Sometimes when I'm sitting at the computer at home, my bother wants to go online and do his usual Facebook browsing, crop harvesting, and funny video watching. Unfortunately for him, I'm sometimes busy editing a video, or working on something for school, or in the middle of a Skype call and can't really get off the computer until I finish whatever I'm doing. He gets annoyed, and grabs my netbook to browse instead. My netbook's starting to become old and slow, and I think it'll be time for an upgrade in the next few months.

Lucky for me, the tablet device market is gonna be booming this year. None of this "iPad is an original device" crap. Hush it, Jobs. It isn't revolutionary, and it sure as hell ain't magical. Also, I'm kind of tired of the Apple-centricity of today. I've heard so many people either talk about how cool the iPad is or how it's just a big iPod Touch. Not once have I heard anyone say that the Samsung Galaxy Tab looks like a big Droid, or the BlackBerry PlayBook is simply a blown up BlackBerry Storm.

ANYWAY. I've been thinking that once my netbook is obsolete, I might want to replace it with a tablet of sorts. One that supports Adobe Flash, has both back and front facing cameras, and whatever novelites are out there that I've yet to think about as necessities in gadgets these days. Because GOD FORBID I can't collect my rent or harvest my crops from CityVille on a tablet device.

What I'm trying to say is: I want a Motorola Xoom. It was probably the sexiest gadget to come out of CES this year.

Quick overview of the specs: Dual-core processor, Android 3.0 (Honeycomb), front and rear-facing cameras, camcorder, Adobe Flash Player, 10.1-inch widescreen HD display, supports Wi-Fi, 1280x800 screen res.

Let me just say that THE SCREEN SIZE AND RESOLUTION ARE BIGGER THAN MY NETBOOK. I want. I just hope it doesn't cost millions of dollars.


Slightly-related fun fact: A few nights ago, I had a dream in which I owned an iPad that could project video onto my wall. It was really cool. Developers and hardware manufacturers: GET ON THAT.

COMPUTER ELECTRONICALLY MONITORED AT ALL TIMES

That’s what it says on a laminated card that’s taped to the right side of my monitor right now. I’m at school, see. Just finished my project a few minutes ago, but I still have some time to kill before I head off to class.

I feel like I’m being watched by the Department of Homeland Security, like on Little Brother.

I wonder if they’ll kick me off.

As the sign says, these computers are FOR ACADEMIC USE ONLY!! If I do, fuck it. I’ll just head to class early, I suppose.

Since I’m being monitored and all, does this mean someone right now is reading every single word I type? In real time? That’s so cool.

It’s a shame no one’s kicking me off for not doing academic work on here.

This turned out to be a lot less exciting than I thought it was.

Maybe if I write something provocative in huge bold text.

GAY HORSE SEX

Anyway. I should head to class now. The clock on this computer seems to be a few minutes ahead, and I now have less time to kill than I thought I did.

Happy new year, eveyone. /6dayslate

Let's talk about net neutrality, guise.

I don't know a much about government, law-making, or politics, so take everything I say with a grain of salt. (I should let you know now that I hate that expression.)

Earlier today, the FCC approved new net neutrality regulations "designed to prevent large telecommunications companies from squashing competitors." My initial reaction to the headlines were "YAY NET NEUTRALITY," because the media makes it sound like a total party, man. All talking about how it's a measure for the rights of the little people posting content on the internet.

Corporations and groups of people have banded together to support net neutrality and what it represents. Everyone loves the idea of a free and open web. A medium in which one can express one's speech, creativity, talents, and nonsense. Net neutrality would mean that no ISPs are allowed to charge users to access certain websites and services, while making other lesser known websites slower or inaccessible. A lack of net neutrality would allow for a tiered internet in which one would have to pay extra to access other content (or websites), kind of like today's cable television models.

When the FCC voted for net neutrality today, it led us a step closer to the ideal model for a free and open web. But let's keep in mind this is just as much a victory as it is a loss. While I'm glad the government is making rules in regards to the equality of access to information online, the internet should stay free and open as it (sorta) is now. This law can mean more government control of online content in the future. If enough people that actually know how the internet works are making these laws and regulations, it can turn out to be a positive shift. For now, I really don't want large corporations to fuck with my internet experience. Let the trolls troll and the amateur content creators spread their work.

At this point, I don't know much about the FCC's regulations. It may have been no big deal at all. Or could have been something huge. Once I get around to it, I'll write a follow-up. Just wanted to get the topic going. What do you guys think about net neutrality?

A few days ago, before (and after) the midnight release of "Tron: Legacy"

Earlier today, my mom told me to clean my room AND CLEAN IT WELL.

Me: lolwut. Why can't I just halfassedly clean it, like I usually do?
Mom: Your aunts and cousins from Mexico are coming over. They're sleeping in your room.
Me: But... what if they find stuff I have in my room that I don't want them to see?
Mom: Pft. Like what?
Me: My vibrator
Mom: O_O
This should have probably been posted on Tumblr. Oh well.
(Note: This all happened in Spanish. Even the "O_O" part.)

---

While we're at it, I'll post a bonus one that was all ready on Tumblr. My mom and I have wonderful talks:
Brother: 10 DAYS TO HARRY POTTER, MOM.
Me: WOOOOOOO!!
Mom: Ugh. What horror.
Me: Psh. I'm gonna start saying that every Sunday before church.
Mom: You're dumb. You need to start thinking about real things, like God. Harry Potter hasn't taught you a thing. You can't obsess over something that isn't real.
Me: But you can?
Mom: What?
Me: ...nothing.

trufax

I don't blog much.
There is a Back to the Future marathon on VH1 right now.
I may watch Tron with Joseph later tonight.
I have been using Foursquare a bit more recently.
It's only because the internet on my phone is faster.
I wonder if the AP Style Book has removed the capitalization of "Internet" yet.
This song is funny if you're into Harry Potter, wrock, and DFTBA Records artists:

I should shower soon.

In which I talk about YouTube Partnership and the Liker Chain

Dogs + Cats > Fireflies

The world needs more as brilliant and emotive as this one.

The description reads:

i hate this song so i add dog and cat to see if it makes it better. it help a bit i think. i also playd really bad piano.

I'm glad this person decided to add dog and cat. It definitely help a bit, I think. Why can't Owl City be this amazing?