Hardware & Software

I started playing video games before dealing with computers. I started on a Nintendo 64 and Gameboy Color. Let's look at the Gameboy first. I then moved to a Gameboy Advance to Gameboy Advance SP to Nintendo DS to Nintendo DSi XL. For the 64, I moved to a Nintendo Gamecube then to a Wii. We added a Playstation 2 to our collection when we had a Gamecube. Traded that when the Playstation 3 came out. I used to be PS3 all the way, but I switched to Xbox 360 recently and I like both of them.

When it comes to computers, we started with a big clunky Dell desktop. We have a newer model of the Dell but it's still pretty big. My high school when I was a Junior started a laptop program which I thought was the coolest thing at the time. We had these small HP laptops. Once graduating and coming to DSU, I was introduced to the Fujitsu. And I absolutely loved it! It could swivel to both sides, it was a tablet and a touch screen. But during the start of last semester, it became a pile of crap. I watched as my beloved laptop became a nightmarish monster. I never knew if it would work or not. That was when I knew that I needed to make the switch. Now I have a MacBook Pro 13.3' laptop and it's like nothing I have ever used computer-wise before.

I used to have just a small RCA 2GB MP3 player and then moved onto the 3rd Generation iPod 32 GB. I lost my 3rd Gen and bought the (at that time) newest model which was the 4th Gen. I still use my 4th Gen 32 GB iPod to this day.

I have always had a Canon camera, I started with just one of the cheap Canons and it served me well for a few years. This last summer I saved up to buy a Canon Rebel T3 and I absolutely love it!! I've used it several times the past couple months for Senior pictures (and of course, several pictures of my dogs).

I used to have a "dumb"phone and have just recently made the switch to a smart phone. I chose the LG Lucid and it was probably one of the worst mistakes of my life. It was cool at first but now I find myself wishing that I had chosen the iPhone. I'm experiencing some problems with my phone malfunctioning. Mostly not being able to turn it off without having problems turning it back on, sometimes freezing when I try to use apps, and the keyboard not being able to keep up with the speed or register which letters I actually put. Autocorrect sometimes fixes that problem, but I've also had some major Autocorrect fails. It makes so much sense to me now that I should've gone with the iPod because I love my iPod. I think I just wanted to try the Android system and I'm sure not all of the phones are like my Lucid.

For software, I'm quite familiar with Microsoft Office. In high school, I knew very well how to use Adobe Photoshop although I'm finding now I need refresher courses on how to do the most basic functions.

Active: Mac, Nintendo DS XL, iPod, LG Lucid, Canon Rebel and Xbox 360

Inactive: All of the Gameboys, Desktop computer, Nintendo 64, Gamecube, Wii, PS2 and PS3

P.S. I still do like the Playstation, the only reason I switched was for the game Skyrim. PS3 was not able to get all of the DLC packs so I made the switch. I like both Playstation and Xbox.

Concerning New New Media

Have you ever thought about how "into" technology you are? I have never really thought about it before. I have a Facebook account, but I was a bit behind the times. I signed up once I graduated high school in May of 2010 (which I consider smart because I've seen all the drama from high school students that happened - ugh who really cares?). I had an email (which I still use) from when I was 13, but now due to college and requiring random emails for different classes, as well as forgetting a password once or twice, I know that I have 2 Gmail accounts, 2 Yahoo accounts, 1 Hotmail account (can't remember that one), and 1 Microsoft Outlook account. I really only use my Gmail and Outlook though. Back to Facebook - I am highly addicted to it but I'm trying to wean myself away from using it consistently throughout the day.

I have a Pinterest account which started out as just for recipes and now I have too many boards and pins that I look at when I get bored. I have a Twitter account which I use every now and then. I first started with Twitter because I was following tweets from major video game producers and designers to get the latest info. Now I hardly use it - maybe a handful of times a week if that. I have recently acquired a Goodreads account specifically for the purpose of keeping track of books I've read and finding new books to read. 

Next is Youtube and Blogger. I use Youtube about as much as I do Pinterest which is right behind Facebook. Normally for songs or for watching funny pranks to get ideas though (have to compete with my brother so I need all the help I can get). Blogging appealed to me as a writer because it was a way for me to start sharing my writing. I also did it because I wanted to become more confident as a writer. I have two blogs for two classes and one for my own personal writing and thoughts. 

I never really thought about how dependent I am on technology. My phone and my iPod all have apps that connect to the social media sites. Sometimes it's alright to be so involved in the internet and technology but if you aren't staying "safe" online or it takes up most of your day, it's probably not a good thing. Actually scratch that - it is NOT a good thing.

Woo!!

This is my English for New Media blog. Who knows, I may continue to keep it even after this semester. It's a mystery, muahaha!