jQuery

I think jQuery is an interesting application for our webpages because it really allows us to modify and customize our page with only a few lines of code. As said before, it takes a basic page and converts it into a more pleasing visual for the reader to see. Allowing for dragging, resizing and color background are only a few items that can be done with this application.

Although some of the other application ideas are interesting, I think it would be cool if we had something on our page that allowed the user to view their current local news, such as main events and even a app that includes their local temperature and weather.

Another idea that could be implemented into our webpages is something that alerts us of important dates and or times. For instance, school work due dates, doctors appointments, reminder notes etc. Maybe have something flash up on the page allowing the user see and view the note. I know these days are busy, so having a friendly reminder of an upcoming event is always useful. 

Total Body Fitness

If I had to develop a website, I think I would like to create something that shows total body fitness. You would plug into the program what your goals are such as nutrition. For me this is the most difficult to maintain and stay consistent with. From here, the program would compute to show where your problem areas are and what you can do to improve on as far a nutrition. Maybe showing you percentages in a graph on total fats, proteins, and carbs. Also problems areas such as too much salt or not enough water intake for the day. The second part of the website would develop statistical analysis on workout performance. Not only will it show what you have done, but what you can do to improve based off of goals. I think keeping track of where you are not only helps you understand where your weak points are, but it keeps you motivated to do better. Although it may be a little tedious when it comes to inputing the values either everyday or once a week. I do, however, think it would benefit because it gives you a strong visual of where you stand. Maybe another feature could show you compared to your friends. Many ideas can become of this.

JavaScript

I thought this weeks assignment was interesting because it allows for interactive display rather than having just a static website. I think people like to see change and more interaction because it allows the user to enjoy the website more so than a basic static page. Like the other webpages we have developed, each week they get more and more interactive, transitioning from a basic stative page, up to a very interactive site. Allowing for personalization, such as adding your name and the page answering by saying hello Blake for instance allows the user to connect better with the page. I think it allows the user to feel more personal with the website. Although, without knowing the codes and their order, like previous, it would be difficult to develop. I think the addition of Javascript with HTML gives a much better presentation to the user. People like dynamic sites, and I think the addition of Javascript allows the user to see a more dynamic interaction. 

Week 7 HTML Form

Week 7's post was interesting. It seems more complicated than it really is when it comes to creating these forms. Although it did take me awhile to figure out why my forms page was not showing up on the website. After about 30 minutes of transferring data to filezilla and searching through the HTML to see what I had done differently, finally I realized that I put a capital F for my forms folder. I guess that is all it took for it to not recognize it. Some of the comments that were left wanted me to have an actual image as a background. I thought that would look much nicer, but could not seem to figure out how to do that. I will have to go back through the HTML forms to see if I can learn to embed a background image. 

Navy SEAL Canine's

I have always found it interesting to hear about technology that our military has developed. More importantly, when it is directed towards special operations. An article that found discusses not only the mission to get Osama Bin Laden, but the techniques and tools that were utilized for the direct action mission. One of the coolest "tools" used, and a more non-traditional sense, is the use of the canine. Some of the breeds used are Labs, Belgian Malinois, and of course German Shepherds. The cost for a fully trained dog is upwards of 50,000. The article continues to discuss that these dogs are put through a 2-3 month training cycle where they learn how to detect explosive devices and drugs. Some of the dogs can even sniff out the enemy form up to 2 miles away. Their most basic job is to defend the handlers from attack. One of the most important things that I read is these dogs are equiped with titanium canine teeth, to not only withstand from breaking but greatly increase the integrity of the tooth. They are also equipped with tactical body armor, just like the SEALS. Other more specialized missions, they can also equip a waterproof assault suit. Some other technology that they carry is wireless cameras which allows the handler to see what is ahead of them and radio communications to pick up any radio traffic and or enemy speech. The article also suggests but not proven that these cameras can see through certain walls or barriers. More and more of these dogs are used throughout military and police operations in the world. They have become a vital asset for safety and deterrence, plus they are a man's best friend. 

Google Translate

A great translation web application that I find very useful for those of you that are learning a language is called Google Translate. The great thing about it is you can type in a word or sentence on one side and the other will display the specific language translation that you picke. Not only does it show the text, but if you click on it, it will show other ways to write the word or sentence. For example: father in Arabic can be Abb (اب), or Walyd(والد). It will show you both ways. Another great part of the application is there is a speaking icon that will actually pronounce the word. I always find it difficult and time consuming to search through a dictionary, when you have access to other great resources. An interesting little fact was over the weekend Iranian President Ahmadinejad congratulated Russian President Putin for victory in the election. A message was posted on an Iranian website and translated through Google translate.

www.translate.google.com






Student Feedback:


Blake - This app was a great suggestion and it will benefit me a lot. I have a cousin who is a priest who lives in Italy and most of his posts on Facebook are in Italian and I can't ever understand them. I just copied and pasted one of his posts and instantly got a translation. It has about
65 different languages too. Very user friendly.

The Internet

It’s interesting how the Internet can change our lives. You can do just about anything online, from dating to researching for papers. Some day, libraries may become obsolete, paper could be a thing that our posterity looks at an 80’s hair cut or a VHS player. I try to look back at what I did before computers and have difficulty remembering a time that I actually wrote a paper by hand. I remember my first email account on America Online and being so excited every time I heard the noisy log in and, “You’ve got mail.” I look back at that and laugh because now it’s become torturous to check emails and it’s so exciting to get real letters in the mail from friends (not bill collectors). The times are changing and I’m not sure how I feel about it. Society is so worried about productivity and getting things done yesterday, I feel that we’re starting to lose sight of living life and enjoying the moment. Everything now is about instant gratification and rushing to finish so we can move on to the next project. I feel bad for kids growing up now; you would think you were throwing them into a pack of hungry wolves by telling them to go outside. It’s a shame they won’t experience a lot of the things I did when I was growing up. College looms over nearly every child’s head these days, which is a good thing, but the focus shifts from enjoying childhood to getting the best grades and going to the most prestigious university so you can ensure a grand future of working yourself nearly to death for the almighty dollar.