Pot Luck #55: Getting the Most Out of Facebook

I have had a Facebook account for a while now. I enjoy using the various apps to have fun with. The app I played with for this exercise is the movie app. I enjoy being able to see what new movies are coming out. I also like this app because I can see what my friends have seen and how they rated it. I add new friends every once in a while. I don't feel the need to friend every single person I have ever met. I have not used Facebook regularly until the past few months. It is turning into an efficient way to get in touch with people who I cannot call for various reasons. It is a good tool to use when planning group outings. Everyone can communicate at the same place even if they are not all friends with each other. Overall, I enjoy using Facebook.

The Future of Media #81: Get Out Your Crystal Ball

I think streaming movies directly to your television will have the most influence. I do not think hard copies (DVDs, Blu-rays, etc.) will be thrown by the wayside yet. Personally, I enjoy owning a physical copy of what I have, that way it won't accidentally get erased. Streaming content is an excellent way to gain access to things you otherwise would not be able to see. I do enjoy all the extras that come on DVDs, like the commentaries and making of's. I have used some varieties of streaming videos and the quality is usually good.

I am not an early adapter of technology. I like to wait and see how new things will react with everyday life. It took me 5 years after the iPod was introduced to actually break down and buy one. Now I don't know what I would do without it. I do appreciate new technology, but I like for things to have the bugs worked out before I invest my hard earned money.

#80 The Future of Media: Movies

1. I have used many of the sites listed to watch movies already. I prefer watching movies on a TV but I am willing to watch things on my computer screen if that is the only way to obtain the movie.

2. I use these sites, especially IMDB to keep up with current releases. I enjoy seeing new trailers to preview what is coming out soon. I also use it if I find an older movie I have never heard of. I can find out what the movie is about and who stars in it.

3. At this time, I would not use any of the fee-based services. Too many bills pile up. If I were to one day get rid of cable, I would probably subscribe to Netflix. Overall, I enjoyed this exercise since it fed off of many things I already use.

The Future of Media #79: Television

1. I use Hulu all the time. A lot of my favorite shows are listed there. I find it is a nice substitute for a television (sometimes). I mainly use it when I am somewhere without a TV or if my DVR cuts off the end of a show. I used Hulu all the time before I got a DVR. Many of my favorite shows no longer have full seasons listed. Now they have a rotational schedule (every Monday a new old episode takes the place of the oldest).

2. I have not watched a TV show on my cell phone. I use my phone as a phone and that is that. If rates were cheaper, I may one day get regular Internet access on my phone, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

3. I have never posted videos online. I do not regularly watch any streaming channels.

#30 Spring Cleaing: Take a Load off Our Drives

I did not have very much on any of the drives to clean up. I deleted duplicate files and made sure all the web reporter lists I have were current. I looked around to see what was on all the drives and found things I did not know were there. My z drive is pretty clean and organized. I do not have many things that need to be saved for extended periods. I have used the S drive before. It is very easy to access and save a file on the s drive. I have always tried to keep files on the computer organized. I found this very helpful when I was in school with many different classes all going on at the same time.

#29 Spring Cleaing: E-mail

I have cleaned up my e-mail account. I have created folders and filed everything that needed to be kept. I have deleted everything that I no longer needed and purged the trash bin. I am usually very good about keeping up with my e-mails. If I receive something, I usually handle it within a few minutes or at the very least, some time later that day. I will now have a place to put things to keep my inbox clear for new items only.

#28 Spring Cleaning

I do not really have an organizational system at this time. I like the GTD method because you can start with little things and work your way up towards total organization. I like the idea of figuring out what needs to be done in what order and doing it quickly. I am a horrible procrastinator. I like the idea of using a "bucket" and emptying it weekly. This would ensure that everything that needs to be done will get done promptly. All the ideas GTD present are good ones and I hope I will be able to start implementing some of them in both my professional and personal life.

I tried the Google Calendar application. I think this could be useful because I can look at it no matter where I am (as long as there is Internet) and see what my future schedule will bring.