Netiquette

Netiquette is networking etiquette. Netiquette affects everyone that uses the internet. Some examples of good netiquette are: helping your friend out with a grammar mistake POLITELY, correct grammar, being nice and friendly to whom you are speaking to through the internet. Some examples of bad netiquette are: tOgGlInG cAsE lIkE tHiS OR TYPING IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE YELLING, flooding, flaming, being mean about a mistake (grammar, spelling, etc. etc.)

Social Networking and my Digital Footprint

Social networking is websites that have ways to share (memorabilia, pictures, media, etc), they allow you to communicate with friends who live in the same community to all the way across the world, and they also build on social relations among the people that use them. Social networking sites include Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Tumblr, Pinterest, etc. (ON THE INTERNET) A digital footprint is a term to describe the trail, or the "footprint", they made online. Social networking can affect your digital footprint because any of the social networking sites that you go to, are imprinted onto your digital footprint. Any of the things you post, say, or share on the social networking sites can be traced from your digital footprint by anyone also. This can include on Facebook, Twitter, through some e-mail, and other forums.

File Sharing and Mp3... Legal, or Not?

File sharing is legal. True or false? True! Peer-to-peer file sharing is legal. True of false? False! Some people may think that these are the same exact thing and don't understand why some types of file sharing is illegal... They're wrong. These are not the same things. Here's the deal: you can file share, as long as you're using the mp3 as your own personal use. Consequently, if you're using the mp3 file for you AND others... this is where illegal work comes into play! Yes, it's illegal to share your share of a share. Confusing, right? Mp3 is legal, file sharing is legal. Peer-to-peer is illegal. Taking one file from the internet and giving it to another person for free (or even for a profit) is illegal. Think about it, it loses money from artists, is technically stealing merchandise from the internet, and is just a bad idea! Do not download free music! That is illegal. BUT WAIT! There's a catch! Some artists may put a free, low-quality, sample of their music on their own websites. That's okay to download! The artists are okay with it. But, that's the only way downloading free music from the internet will be legal. Period.

Viacom Vs. YouTube

"Massive intentional copyright infringement" was what Viacom said was taking place on YouTube, owned by Google. Media giant: Viacom sued YouTube, as a whole, for 1 BILLION dollars!!! Tremendous amount of money in which you would like to acquire from a lawsuit, right? Wrong. Judges favored YouTube in this case, and here's the basics of the suit. The July 1st ruling gave Viacom access to records of what people watch on YouTube, which is owned by Google and is the most popular video site on the Web. YouTube users publicized Viacom content that was copyrighted for Viacom media (and with permission, others, etc. etc.) only. Although Viacom LEGALLY won the lawsuit, YouTube was NOT sued for 1 billion big ones because YouTube had many valid points about the case. One of the opinions that were favored from YouTube was made clear; YouTube does not always have control over what their users put on their website! Over a million users use YouTube each day, and everything cannot be controlled.

Big thanks to my source: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/03/21/viacom-v-youtube-google-a-piracy-case-in-their-own-words/

How my Project Went

As you may or may not know, we did a presentation, power point, brochure, and research sheet on a one country of our choice and we were graded on it. My project, in my opinion, turned out well! My favorite part of my project was learning more about Brazil and presenting the information I collected to my classmates. Brazil is a truly awesome country. Although I thought I did well, there were some weak points in my presentation. I probably was not loud enough, so my voice was probably cracking and quite inaudible. If I were to work on that, I might have had a perfect presentation. Getting up in front of people and speaking has no effect on me; in fact, it's one of my favorite things to do.

The Start of the New Year

My highlight of 2011 was either when I went to Chicago for my 6 monthly check-up for my knee, and hearing my doctor say that it's in good enough shape to run again on it OR the 2011 softball season. We were 15-1. Almost undefeated and new record for Bedford girls Jr. High softball!!! That was cool. My low point of 2011 was when I fractured my knee, I couldn't play softball after that, nor could I play lacrosse, and I wasn't allowed to run. It was a sad day in the Jan house... I think I put everyone in a terrible mood from my depressing look on my face. :-( If I could do anything differently, I would go back and not hurt my knee the way I did. My goals for 2012 are to 1) stay healthy and fully recover my knee, 2) keep my grades up to make my dad proud, and 3) become a better, more generous overall person. Nothing else really matters to me :) If I were given $100,000 to start this new year, I would spend it in numerous ways. To begin my spree, I would hand $20 over that I owe to my younger brother, Hayden. Left with a beautiful $199,980 to spend, I would give at least $10,000 to multiple charities, hoping to help a resolution of being a better person. $50,000 would be given to my dad, Jeffrey, while I would intend to renovate my new house so we can finally move in!!!!!!!!!!! All the other money that I'm left with would be put to college funds, and some spending money for myself. :)