"an astounding 45-minute wait for ... 90 seconds of flying through the air.. . My husband and I launched our own commando operation, trying to distract our poor boys from the most popular attractions. Let's just say we spent an inordinate amount of time clambering around the line-free Goofy's Playhouse and Donald's Boat."
For the whole story:
http://www.npr.org/2011/01/01/132529557/disneys-new-attraction-the-happiest-lines-on-earth
We've all been to those theme parks where the long lines drain the excitement from the adrenaline-provoking roller-coasters, but if you haven't had that experience with young boys age 11 and under, the line hasn't been nearly as draining. Their impatience makes you more impatient. They get bored and restless more quickly than you do. Then, they try to find things to occupy their time like food (which you better not run out of) or video games (hope the battery doesn't go dead) or climbing rails (last resort if there is no food or video games and you have to hope that they don' t fall off). This generation (that I am glad to be a part of) is indeed impatient. If my cell phone doesn't get me to the internet fast enough, I say it's time for a new one with more space. We do need constant entertainment; that's why my cell phone is in my hand about 85% of the day (and that may be an understatement). It's just the way we are. I wouldn't say it's good and I wouldn't say its bad; it's a fact of our lives. Technology and society complement one another. They push each other forward. If a society is impatient, technology is created to accommodate that societal flaw. Sometimes societies have to catch up to the technology. In Web Tech, we've talked about this many times. I am glad Disney is adjusting to our lifestyles. Now, our video games can be played in the cat on the way back to the hotel or home and they can provide us with the entertainment. I hope Carowinds and King's dominion catches the hint. Right now, Disney does have the happiest lines on earth.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
French Device Could SolveParking Woes
As always, there are pieces of a story that stick with you more that others. Here are those pieces that stuck with me:
"New technology being tested in France, lets drivers find free parking spots in real time. The technology, which uses cell phones, is being developed together with the French space agency. There is a downside, however, the system also tells the authorities when your meter has expired."
We've talked about the pros and cons of various technologies in our class, Web Technologies. No device is going to have great benefits without having some flaws. If you know you have a system that tells authorities when your meter expires, don't let your meter expire. It's that simple.Majority of the time, you have other things to do anyway so this device just may be the motivation people need to make their day productive. No one wants to spend an hour looking for a parking space. It's frustrating and has to be one of the greatest wastes of time ever. holiday shopping was a pain: crowded malls and shopping centers and no parking spaces. I would love the device. I get stuck in malls when I know I should probably on my way home so I can get schoolwork done. I know the device would help me. If I get a ticket, I'll have to pay for that instead of a new pair of shoes. (Not a good situation)
"A piece of French technology may put an end to headaches with parking. This new device can help drivers locate free spots by contacting them on their cell phones. The technology was developed to deal with a slightly harder problem. It was first developed to help send scientific equipment to the planet Venus"
I would like to know specifically who would be contacting me. Would they be using photographs, text messages, or a phone call? How fast would the device work (Can't have anyone else taking my parking spot)? How far away can I be from the parking spot before it is detected? The general idea sounds nice. Its amazing how the devices we use here were first created to solve much more difficult problems. Science and technology are wonderful in that way; you can be exploring one thing and find the answer to another.
"New technology being tested in France, lets drivers find free parking spots in real time. The technology, which uses cell phones, is being developed together with the French space agency. There is a downside, however, the system also tells the authorities when your meter has expired."
We've talked about the pros and cons of various technologies in our class, Web Technologies. No device is going to have great benefits without having some flaws. If you know you have a system that tells authorities when your meter expires, don't let your meter expire. It's that simple.Majority of the time, you have other things to do anyway so this device just may be the motivation people need to make their day productive. No one wants to spend an hour looking for a parking space. It's frustrating and has to be one of the greatest wastes of time ever. holiday shopping was a pain: crowded malls and shopping centers and no parking spaces. I would love the device. I get stuck in malls when I know I should probably on my way home so I can get schoolwork done. I know the device would help me. If I get a ticket, I'll have to pay for that instead of a new pair of shoes. (Not a good situation)
"A piece of French technology may put an end to headaches with parking. This new device can help drivers locate free spots by contacting them on their cell phones. The technology was developed to deal with a slightly harder problem. It was first developed to help send scientific equipment to the planet Venus"
I would like to know specifically who would be contacting me. Would they be using photographs, text messages, or a phone call? How fast would the device work (Can't have anyone else taking my parking spot)? How far away can I be from the parking spot before it is detected? The general idea sounds nice. Its amazing how the devices we use here were first created to solve much more difficult problems. Science and technology are wonderful in that way; you can be exploring one thing and find the answer to another.
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