Networks and Communication

There's no doubt that the technology we have at our fingertips is helping us communicate.  Fortunately, people are finding new ways to use these state of the art methods.

My parents recently sold their home and moved in with me (ugh, i know...).  Fortunately it's temporary and I'll have my "safe place" all to myself soon enough.  In these past few days i have learned that they use Skype an awful lot.  We have family over seas and Skype is a fantastic way to communicate for free over long distances.  Nikelle Snader's article on Skype and the classroom gives us a small glimpse at the unique ways this program can enlighten children.  3rd grade students in New York were able to have a Skype chat with a penguin researcher in Antarctica and ask her questions about her research and her lifestyle in such a harsh climate.

I recently read that it was possible to route a door buzzer to your cell phone.  Many condos have locked front doors and need a person to buzz you in through a land line located in the apartment.  Apparently now it's possible to have that signal transferred to your cell phone.

If you give people enough time, they'll find a different (and mostly useful) way to take advantage of a technology.