Google Lets Users Edit U.S. Map

Google Map maker is a version of Google Maps that was created almost three years ago and is now ready to let its users edit and add to the U.S. map. The Map Maker has been used in 183 countries and regions around the world. When a person adds to the map Google's moderators will approve the edits and they become published to Google Maps.

Users can add roads, bike paths and even pools to their towns and cities. The reason for Map Maker's three-year wait is because Google chose to make it available to other parts of the world that needed more detailed maps.

I think it's a good creation for people who may need directions to certain places where some maps and GPS systems may not be able to give, but one thing they didn't mention is can someone put their address on Map Maker and someone can actually find out where someone lives. The world is a crazy place and people will do anything to stalk, hurt or kill someone. So, the Map Maker is very resourceful for people, as long as it's for good reason.

Link
http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/web/04/19/google.editors.maps.mashable/index.html

Illinois Senator Wants Internet Sales Tax

Dick Durbin, Democratic Senator of Illinois, plans a proposal so that Internet shopping is no longer tax free. There are many states that require online taxing but if a shopper buys from out-of-state they may not have to pay a sales tax which Durbin thinks is unfair and that online retailers out-of-state have a big advantage over local stores. The bill will called, The Main Street Fairness Act, which has been in talks with many politicians across the country last year and most the people who are for the bill are Republican Senators.

Certain states don't have taxes for things and I never realized; In New Jersey, bottled water and cookies are exempt from taxes but bottled soda and candy is. Things can be taxed and other things cannot, I believe in the bill because I think it is unfair to local stores who may lose customers and money because of taxes when the customer can go online and buy products without having to pay a tax. As for me being on the other said as a consumer, I don't think it will benefit me, I could save more money buying online. In all, every place has sales taxes, so why won't the Internet? Everything should be fair..

Link
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20052999-281.html?tag=topTechContentWrap;editorPicks

Radiation From Cellphones May Alter Your Brain

We've all heard about using a cellphone too much or too long can affect your brain but is it really true? Well, In a study published in The Journal of The American Medical Association says so. It says that it is unclear whether there are changes in the brain with an increase in glucose metabolism after using the phone for less than an hour had any negative health or behavioral effects.

Doctors advise cell phone users to use speaker and headsets as much as possible and go to quieter rooms when making calls. With all the recent studies of negative use of cellphones, there is no proof that cellphones are causing any harm. I think researchers and many people find that people are using cellphones entirely too much and think that these devices has some negative health affect but cellphones may not cause any health problems at all.

Cellphones may have glitches just as much as other technology, it's just like with Television saying that "it makes you dumber". Everything has negative sides but does the negativity really affect your health?

Link
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/technology/personaltech/31basics.html?ref=technology

Photo From business-ethics.com

Google's Plan to Digitize Books is Rejected

Google's plan was to digitize every book that has been published and make them available on the internet and a Judge rejected the $125 million decision. The Judge Denny Chin said the plan would make Google be "de facto monopoly" and receiving profits from books without permission from copyright owners would cause a problem. Some authors and publishers agreed with Google's plan because it would give their books a chance to be in the digital world. Overall it could hurt some and Google could the benefits from it all.

I understand Google's idea to put all of its books in the web to benefit the millions of people who need those books for many reasons, but I do agree with the judge that it could cause a lot of problems with publishers and authors who may not know that Google is using their books. I think Google should just leave it alone and people can get access to books the normal way.

link
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/23/technology/23google.html?_r=1&ref=technology

Detroit Plans to Avoid Closing Schools

Previously in Detroit, Michigan, state education officials ordered the financial manager for Detroit public schools to close 41 schools to save money and reduce the city's deficit by $327 million. Now a new plan has been made to keep more schools from closing by getting local and national groups and charter operators to run its schools.

Detroit is in very much debt and I think finding better ways to stop the schools from closing. Some people may have been upset to find out that over 40 schools are closing but now officials are finding ways to keep schools open by finding others ways of funding so students have a better chance of getting an education. There is going to be a lot of work and changes that will be going on in Detroit for the next few years and schools and education should be one of its priorities to get the state out of debt.

Link
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/new-plan-would-avoid-closing-more-detroit-schools

Schools Get 9 million for Wireless Internet

In Washington FCC officials are giving $9 million to schools so students can get access to internet outside the classroom. The program called "Learning On the Go", will pay for wireless connections for laptops, smart phones and other devices that students can take with them after school ends. The funding will help students who are in low-income families access to books, homework assignments and many other materials for school. The program will help students in 14 states for 2011-2012 school year.

The funding will be for elementary and high school students in New Orleans and wireless cards for high school boys from low income families in Philadelphia and Smart-phone access for students with ADD in Canton Ohio. The money will go to Colorado, Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, Ohio, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama, California, New Mexico and Iowa.

I think it's a great idea to help students because now teachers are asking for papers and projects that students need access to the internet to do. With low-income families the last bill they need to pay is for the internet, so I think it's a great way to help students get access to laptops and internet without having to stay at school or go to the library to do "homework". I'm sure there will be some negatives to the program but in all it sounds like a great idea.

Link
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110308/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_techbit_fcc_wireless_education

The Internet & WikiLeaks Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

The Internet and Wiki-leaks, which are being used more and more by people all over the world and now they may have a chance at winning the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, among 241 other nominees. Eligible nominees can be professors of social science, history, philosophy, law and theology as well as national governments and former winners.

The internet was nominated for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize and is nominated again. The reason internet is nominated this year, is said to be it's huge role in starting rebellion in countries such as Libya, Tunisia and Egypt. The committee doesn't announce the nominees but the people who submit suggestions for the nominees are allowed to reveal them. The winners will be announced in October 2011.

I think it's amazing that something not someone is nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, I think its a great idea to give credit to the Internet and the countless things that it has done for giving people knowledge and freedom to express themselves.
But I really don't understand how the internet can physically win the award; I researched what the winner of the Prize receives and the winner gets a medal, a diploma, the title of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and 10 million Swedish crowns (or over 1.4 million in U.S. dollars). So, how will the Internet be able to accept the award since it physically can't go get it itself? Who will accept the award on the Internet's behalf? We shall find out in October.

Link
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20037751-281.html?tag=topTechContentWrap;editorPicks