Computer Science Requires Integrity

Being a computer scientist requires integrity. Most professionals do not have much inside information and access to company resources, but as a programmer, almost everything is accessible. This means that programmers could potentially destroy valuable information, steal secrets, abuse privacy regulations, and cause a slew of other problems. Since the company needs to give this access to the programmers in order for them to do their jobs, integrity is crucial. However, it is not as complicated as it might seem. Since we all have a conscience of what is wrong and what is right, simply following those instincts keeps programmers from trouble. If we can just treat the virtual world of information as we do the physical world, then we won't run into problems that we haven't faced before. We must watch ourselves constantly since the temptation is always so prevalent.

A Great and Marvelous Work

Technology Brings about Progress

When technology is used carefully and effectively, progress is greatly increased. Even though through addictions of various kinds like online gaming, pornography, and social networking technology destroys lives, when it is used correctly it helps us. Without it how would students efficiently gather useful information for their studies? How would the complex global economy interact without technology? How would I be able to get this blog post to the world? When technology is used properly it creates such a boost in productivity that it outweighs its disadvantages. The key is to increase the effectiveness of people's use of the Internet. We can do this by advocating its good uses and warning others about its bad uses. If we want the world to progress in the right direction, we need to start today to help those around us see the potential increase in progress available through technology.

It is just the beginning

The explosion in smartphone use is just beginning. It was only a few years ago that the iPhone did not exist, but now every wireless phone manufacturer has their own iPhone equivalent. The increase in smartphone use has created an explosion in the market for app developers. Now that more people are using smartphones, there is a need for programmers to create useful and enjoyable applications for those phones. The great news for developers is that this is just the tip of the iceberg; it is estimated that the app industry's worth will jump from $4 billion at the end of 2009 to $17.5 billion in 2012. For more information, visit http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20000626-266.html.

The Land of Opportunity

The world is becoming the land of opportunity. Internet access, which is largely responsible for bringing the world opportunity, is spreading from the richest parts of society to even the poorest of nations. As a result, almost anyone can gain instant access to a wealth of knowledge and opportunity. Just as America was the land of opportunity a hundred years ago, the world is becoming the land where anyone can become anything they want to become. People no longer need to move from their homes to better opportunity because with the ever declining price of technology, people can have that opportunity in their homes.

The software industry is a prime example. Anyone can use a computer and program something useful to the world. Because of the need for such software, they can even make money doing it. The tools to do so are cheap if not free to use. That means that the poorest kid could find a computer and make something without having rich parents to give him the opportunity. The education required to make software is so widely available through the Internet that it is questionable whether an aspiring software engineer even needs a college education to be successful anymore. As a result, any self-motivated person in the world can become successful without being in the United States.

Because of increased opportunity, competition drives quality to higher standards. The talent in the world of yesteryear was untapped. Those who had the opportunity set the standard for what quality was. However, now that everyone can participate in the cutting-edge of technology, the quality of what is being produced is higher. As a computer programmer, I’m now competing with programmers all over the world, whereas fifty years ago, I would have only been competing with those near me. It may be intimidating, but it helps the world produce better quality. Because of this, we must all constantly strive to do more, and to become the best even with this new standard of judgment.

It's getting better

Though the system for monitoring the distribution of music on the Internet is not flawless, it is improving. Just a few years ago in order to be completely legal about listening to new music, I pretty much had to buy the album. This was annoying because it was hard to actually get to know new music. This also caused problems for artists since the laws restricted fans from advertising for them. Today, with websites like Pandora, Grooveshark, and other similar music websites, I can legally listen to any music that I want to for free. I may not be getting a copy of the music, but it does allow me to try new things. This is progress in the right direction. Fans can listen to what they want without having to completely commit by buying the music, and artists are advertised better which brings about sales for them. If we as the listeners can refrain from exploiting the system, we will continue to have more freedom in listening to music on the Internet.

The Future of Microsoft

There are many who make the comparison of Microsoft and General Motors. General Motors was the giant, seemingly flawless leader of the automotive industry as is Microsoft in the computer industry today. However, even though Microsoft has seen some decline in its recent history, they have remarkably made up the difference with innovation. When Vista was a failure, Windows 7 made up the difference; when Apple created the iPhone that dominated the smartphone market, Microsoft now responded with the Windows Smart Phone 7. Microsoft's future currently looks secure, and if there are unforeseen problems, Microsoft will continue to be innovative and stay at the cutting-edge of technology. For more information on the comparison of Microsoft and General Motors visit http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/11/06/will-microsoft-become-the-general-motors-of-software/.