Life & Technology

A side effect of a study by Professor Michael Abramson of Monash University, has shown that when texting, kids who rush are a lot more inaccurate in their spelling.

This should come as no surprise – after all, the medium is rushed anyway. What it brings up is the wider question as to whether technology is dumbing down the next generation of kids, as well as making them lazier.

I’ll go out on a limb and say no. What technology has done is made communication faster. Whether you go from the manual typewriter, dial phone, through to the electronic typewriter and press-button phone, and now the word processor/computer and mobile handset – all these innovations have increased the speed of contact. This is not a bad thing. This is good in both your personal and business world. No more mucking around, waiting around for things to occur – now it happens in real time. In fact, to some people it has become a pain, because now there are no excuses for not getting something done ASAP.

Yet there are concerns that the English language is suffering. Words have been bastardised and abbreviated, so unless you were born in the late 80s or early 90s, some of the communications you receive can leave you scratching your head. But, like all things, language is malleable/changeable, with new words entering the lexicon all the time, and archaic phrases dropping out. After all, we no longer say “thee”, “thou” or “doth” any more.

SMSing causing a change in language doesn’t necessarily mean people are becoming dumber, it just might mean changes are afoot, and depending on how you feel about the English language, it is either a good or a bad thing. I’m pretty sure technology can take some responsibility for this occurrence, but it is hardly the end of the world.

Clip courtesy of the Nine Network Australia

 

2009 is the year of digital TV, with Channel 9 rolling out its latest channel – GO! – that is aimed at the 19-39 demographic. Had a chat to Cam on the Weekend Today Show on Saturday about the new channel and digital technology.

 

 

I know I’ve mentioned this a few times on my blog and the Cybershack website, but I need to reiterate it again – in order to receive digital television you will have to have a television with a digital tuner built into it, a set top box, or a PVR such as a Beyonwiz, iTopfield or TiVo unit.

 

 

I would also suggest you make sure it is an HD set top box, and not SD (SD) – HD means you get better pictures and better sound. Also, if you get an SD-only box you won’t be able to watch HD channels, which means you’ll miss out on extra channels and services. You will also need to scan your digital tuner to pick up new channels. This is really easy. You hit the Set-Up button on your remote and it will scan the channels and pick them up for you – it should take about 10 minutes.

 

 

So, there you have it – digital television at the touch of a couple of buttons.

Clip courtesy of the Nine Network Australia

Microsoft BlueTrack Mouse
This is a handy little device that goes on most surfaces, which makes it handy for around the house, or for those who work on the move with a laptop, but like to use a mouse. It can be used on granite bench tops, timber floors and even the carpet. It works on any PC and operating system including Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7 and Macintosh operating systems and connects to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port.

 

So how does it work? Well it has a light beam that is more than four times as large as the average laser beam used in today’s mice, which enables it to capture a larger image. It will be available at most CE retail outlets.

 

RRP
$89.95

 

Chuckle Buddy
This little fella is designed to keep young kids amused. It uses motion technology, which makes it laugh when you walk past it and its tail allows it to roll around the floor. It can get a little addictive if you get a case of the giggles and comes as a dog or a monkey. It can also be used to surprise guests who sit down only to be laughed at by the little Chuckle Buddy. You can get Chuckle Buddy through this website.

 

RRP
$34.95

 

Kiss Axe Guitar
Endorsed by Kiss bassist Gene Simmons, the axe guitar is the ultimate accessory for Guitar Hero aficionados. Compatible with the Wiwi, PS2 and PS3, the guitar will allow all those Kiss Army fanatics to copy their heros as they rock out to Rock and Roll All Night. It has a 30ft range, which allows you to run around the lounge doing your best Simmons’ impression, while it is said to have a battery life of more than 40 hours. The guitar will be available at most gaming outlets (or can be ordered through them). The guitar is available through EB Games and Target stores.

 

 

RRP
$109