Factors to consider when buying a Laptop or PC for this course

Price

Affordability in my opinion is the main factor that has to be considered when purchasing a Laptop or PC. You should work out how much you can afford to spend or what you want to spend on a Laptop or PC.  There is a Laptop out there to suit all types of budgets. You could buy a refurbished Laptop or PC that would be allot cheaper than buying a new laptop. Since Laptop and PC prices have dropped dramatically in the last few years you can now buy a new Laptop with all the basics for a very good price, example the new Inspiron 15 by Dell. This computer has 3GB RAM, dual core processor and includes Mcfee Security worth €59, coming in at a total of €372.  If you have an unlimited budget you can purchase a more elaborate computer with better memory and other factors, like a higher version of the same dell computer except with 4GB RAM for €479.

Style

Style is another factor that you should consider, are you into apple computers or the traditional computers? Many students will want to purchase a laptop that will be light and durable to transport around with them most of the time. This was one of the factors that influenced my choice. Some people would be interested in Apple’s Mac Book Air, as it is very light and compact compared to other laptops. This factor would have influenced people in the course who are commuting every day.

Monitor Size

Screen size is a major factor for a lot of students, a lot of people like to have a larger screen as it is easier on peoples eyes if you have to sit in front of the screen for hours doing projects. Mini-Laptops aren’t always suitable for students, even the Mac book Air 13” might be too small, the most common screen size amongst students is the 15” screen, as it is that bit bigger.

Battery

Students will need a Laptop with a good battery life, as when they are on the go they won’t be able to plug in the laptop it is necessary for the battery life to be sufficient. It is also very frustrating if the computer hasn’t a good battery life especially if you’re working on a project for example. 

Keyboard size

The type of keyboard is another factor that students should consider, as some vary they should ensure that the laptop or PC has QWERTY. They should check that the Laptop has this type keyboard, as it would possibly be the one that they are use too.

Refresh Rate

The refresh rate is another important factor. This is very important as it can cause some people irritation. Less people notice any change (60-72Hz) on smaller CTR screens. People may experience discomfort when the CRT screen is larger, they would have to set it to 85 Hz or more. Most people with larger screens find 100Hz comfortable. 

Memory

Computer memory is one of the most important factors that we should consider when deciding to buy a computer. Without having memory the computer would not be able to retain information/data, run operations and output information. It is the key thing you need in a computer. A computer has four main memory categories, primary, secondary, and tertiary and offline storage. It is necessary to look at the Primary storage before you buy a computer, as secondary and tertiary and offline can be updated or purchased after you purchase the computer. 

Primary storage is known to most as the main memory, that is why it is important to by a substantial amount of main memory because it will mean the amount the computer will allow you to store etc. Primary storage also consists of RAM – random access memory. This allows data to be stored and then accessed at random. Primary storage also consists CPU registers; this is a small amount of primary memory, usually about 8-32 registers. If you have allot of paging when working you may need a large amount of RAM to avoid trashing. However if you can’t afford a computer with a large amount of RAM you can purchase RAM at a later stage to increase memory.  On average a student should possibly buy 4GB of RAM for this course, as they might download Photoshop or other large applications that take up large amounts of memory and students on this course will be using and saving allot of images.

Other software and packages 

Other factors to look at are if the computer comes with anti virus protection plan eg. Mcfee or Norton.  While you might get a certain period of time with the purchase of the computer you will eventually end up having to upgrade it and this will cost money. Apple computers come with anti virus system installed and therefore you will never have to pay any additional costs.

These are the main factors to take into account when deciding on what PC or Laptop to buy.

Helpful sites for budding psychologists

Here as some websites i found useful for the course, maybe you will to.

I found this website useful for help with referencing, it answers common questions on referencing. It also gives reading for topics that may relate to something your studying.
http://www.apa.org/

This website is great for helping you to design a good poster as it gives the guidelines/rules you should follow.
http://psd.tutsplus.com/articles/inspiration/teach-yourself-graphic-design-a-self-study-course-outline/

This website is great for people studying psychology as you can type in a definition and the website will give you a simple explanation. It might help you if your unsure about any definitions or concepts.
http://www.alleydog.com/

The Power of technology – Social networking sites

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1153583/Social-websites-harm-childrens-brains-Chilling-warning-parents-neuroscientist.html

Summary

This article is written by David Derbyshire, in the daily mail, 24^th of February 2009. This article is concerned with the impact social networking sites is having on the brains of today’s young people. It argues that social networking sites like Titter, Facebook, bebo and other such websites are negatively changing the brains of young people. They are said to shorten “attention spans, encourage instant gratification and make young people more self-centered” according to this article. The article debates whether Facebook is having an impact on our relationships with other people. It mentions the reasons why people use Facebook, keeping in contact with people and viewing photos etc. Face book is shown to be in leadership with 150 million members while Twitter only has 6 million. It also states interestingly that teenagers spend in total seven hours per day on a computer.

The article highlights the concerns of Neuropsychologists and psychologists have about social networking sites doing more damage than having positive impacts. The article mentions a neuropsychologist from Oxford University, who said that constant exposure might have the power to “rewire the brain”. This appears to stem from the fact TV shows and computer games are at such speeds that it impacts the brain, in ways we don’t necessarily realise. They believe that children will need constant reassurance of their existence and that technology will mean that people’s brains will be similar to small children’s state of mind, as they are captivated by loud noises and action. Another concept is the idea that children/ young adults will live in the moment. The article also mentions a Professor who is concerned with young peoples exposure to technology, resulting in low attention levels amongst young children. The professor questions whether or not instant messaging etc. will overcome face-to-face communication.

The article goes on to discuss the increase in autism. They are not positive whether or not this current issue is due to increase in awareness and the increase in diagnosis, or whether or not it is due to the amount of time people spend in “screen relationships”. The Psychologists argue that we are changing the way we think because of modern technology. An educational psychologist claims children shouldn’t be allowed use computers until they are seven years of age. They also mention the “fight or flight” psychological concept, as she reckons that it triggers this in our brains rather than developing our own reasoning. The author of Toxic Childhood, Sue Palmer, mentions that before they start engaging in social networking, they should learn to make and engage in real relationships with people.

Opinion

In my opinion Facebook is a fantastic and cost efficient way to communicate with people who may be living far away from you, I use Facebook to keep in contact with all my school friends. Personally I don’t see a major problem with living in the moment as I think it might be no harm, as we will learn to enjoy that moment instead of missing the moment because we are living in the future. I t might also mean that we wouldn’t stress as much if we weren’t consumed with the future. However I do feel it’s important to plan in order to use our time constructively. I think concept that fast TV shows and computer games have the ability to rewire our brains and result in poor attention spans makes allot of sense. However I think that face-to-face communication will always win as most people love the physical interaction and find it more intimate. I do agree with Sue Palmer who believes that we shouldn’t join social networking sites until we have learnt to make and engage in real relationships, I didn’t Facebook until this year and it has been no loss in my life not to have it until now.

Anonymity and trolling online

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/opinion/30zhuo.html

Summary

This article is based around anonymity and trolling on the Internet. It shows how anonymity causes trolling. The article’ Where Anonymity Breeds Contempt’ by Julie Zhuo, product design manager at Facebook, is from the New York Times 29/11/11. It gives the example of Chilean Miners and how trolls left unsociably acceptably comments “We’re just trying to make the world a better place one brainwashed, ignorant idiot at a time.” It gives other heart breaking examples of trolling today, like Alexis Pikington a seventeen-year-old girl from Long Island who tragically committed suicide. An online tribute page for Alex Pikington was set up in her memory however trollers posted insensitive comments one in particular about “hangings”. The article also refers to another case in California, another teenage girl, eighteen years old Nicole Catsouras who died in a car crash. This case was slightly different as anonymous trolls set up a false tribute page online, they posted disturbing photos of her “disfigured body”. Disturbingly they even went to the extent of emailing her dad a taunting message “Hey,daddy,I’m still alive”.

 It also discusses how anonymity encourages uncivil behavior, it explains “the online disinhibition effect” this a term to describe how anonymity can even change the behaviors of people who would normally be civil dramatically. It talks about how Victims of trollish comments are now accessing “legislation”. The Legislation helps with “stalking, bullying and harassment” on computer-mediated communication, It gives examples of models such as Carla Franklin. She convinced the judge that you- tube should be forced to reveal the troll, who made a comment belittling her.

 The article also discusses ways to lessen the extent of anonymity online and in effect reduce the amount of trolls on the Internet. They gave examples where some social networking sites are now taking measures to reduce anonymity and trolling. Some block anonymous users, their users must also register using their full name and correct email address. Others have introduced an  “audition system” whereby new commenters have to go through an audition system in which their first few comments are checked by a mediator, only then are others allowed view. Another example is where they implemented that users rate each other peoples comments, these are then published on “clout” which is a “global reputation system”. This allows mediators control and eliminate trolls. It also gives the example of Facebook and how a user is responsible for what they do, as people have real names and their comments are published beside them.  However it points out that anonymity cannot be fully ruled out as people can use fake names and email addresses. The article states that social pressure works on most trolls, as they don’t have the confidence to say their comments to people face to face.

Opinion

I feel very sympathetic towards victims and the victim’s family of trolling. I feel that the comments trolls post is socially and morally not acceptable. I agree that anonymity increases, activates and encourages trolling on the internet.  I think that the online disinhibition effect is very true because we have the opportunity to act in a different manner and not be held accountable. I tend to agree with the article that we can not fully combat anonymity but that measures should be taken to reduce it so that there wont be as many trolls on the internet and in effect protect the average person using the internet. This article shows us that us that anonymity online holds the key to combating trolling.