An interesting video I found online

Project Adam is a new deep learning project from Microsoft that uses machine learning to accomplish different complex tasks. The one that they are most proud of is distinguishing breeds of dogs through image recognition. Not just basic breeds like:  corgi, lab, retriever, but specifically what type of corgi, lab, retriever. Microsoft has actually Project Adam is better than Google's deep learning program Google Brain. The future is obviously Skynet.

Disintermediation

From Google's dictionary response:

1. reduction in the use of intermediaries between producers and consumers, for example by investing directly in the securities market rather than through a bank.
2. 
   
3. Companies like Travelocity, Priceline, and other travel agencies are just one example of this disintermediation. We as a people are moving further and further away from needing the "middle-man" which in my opinion is one of the best things that could happen for consumers. While we miss out on interacting with a real human being we can leisurely use services for a much cheaper cost. If you take Moore's law into account this is only going to become easier for other services so I only see this growing in the future. 

Dot.com to Dot.bomb

I was about twelve years old when the dot.com bubble burst and at the time it did not affect my family. My father worked as a machinist for a manufacturer that makes airplane parts and my mother was a secretary at a composite company. So learning about the madness that was the dot.com bubble I must admit was both a bit scary and promising.  I hope to in the future take advantage of such a bubble or at least ensure my future business ventures do not succumb to one.

Is a Virtual Community Really a Community?

I would argue that a virtual community is a real community. I am apart of one. shoryuken.com is a website for people that enjoy playing fighting games like: Street Fighter, Marvel Vs Capcom, King of Fights, etc. I have met a total of about 50 members of SRK in real life and I have communicated with thousands. We share match-up knowledge(character x vs character y), tech info on arcade sticks, and anything else you can relate to fighting games. All of our communication exists on an online forum and while there are tournaments and meetups where players will actually leave the virtual world we are mostly a virtual community(esp for those who can't afford to travel).

What would I NOT buy online?

Pants. This is the only thing I could think of that I would not buy online. As long as I am able to read reviews or take a virtual tour (if needed), and a reasonable return policy, then I will buy ANYTHING online. Except pants that is. I need to try them on, I will buy shirts and other things I wear online though.

A visit from Brian Forth from Sitecrafting

Brian Forth from Sitecrafting came into class and explained the history of his company and what he delivers to his customers. The most interesting thing about Brian's story was learning how his company began to gear towards consulting and not just service. It's funny to hear stories about customer's that approach Sitecrafting don't know "what to order" or have plans that will not fit their budget like becoming the next Amazon.com overnight. It really seems like the best thing you can do for a customer who wants a web solution is to tell/show them what they really want.

A visit from Chris Richardson of Internet Identity

Chris Richardson came into class from Internet Identity to share with us what his company does and explain what attacks are going on against companies that they work for, and also your average consumer. It was interesting to learn as a CSS student that most software is rushed to the point that even big companies release products with vulnerabilities. Obviously not everyone is perfect, but the way Chris described it was that they usually did not care. I've always taken pride in my work, but I'm sure in the future a company will be pushing deadlines and my team will likely create vulnerable software also. Bummer.