10: QR Coding

The internet is undoubtedly the most phenomenal creation in our era. It is continual and changes within a blink of our eyes. I believe many of you have heard of what QR coding is, and that is what I will be talking about today because it really interests me that technology has indeed come this far.

Just last week during our com125 presentation, one of our group members mentioned about a korean supermarket giant named Tesco who actually utilised this QR coding app and pasted posters of products encoded with a QR code each on various subway stations. Customers who owned a smartphone and downloaded this application called QR Codereader would be able to purchase products on the spot while waiting for the subway without having the hassle to head down to the supermarket. Below is an example of the video that our group has shown during the com125 presentation:

What is QR Coding?

A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a type of matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) first designed for the automotive industry. More recently, the system has become popular outside of the industry due to its fast readability and comparatively large storage capacity. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background.

An example of what a QR code is

Created by Toyota subsidiary Denso Wave in 1994 to track vehicles during the manufacturing process, the QR code is one of the most popular types of two-dimensional barcodes. It was designed to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed.

I foresee that QR coding will now play a big role in our lives as it encompasses the availability of smartphones and most of us here (just in Singapore alone) do own a smartphone, be it blackberry, iphone or even an android phone. Now that supermarkets utilise this phenomenal trend, I believe that in the future, other than the automobile and groceries market, many more businesses of different spheres will utilize them as well. Why is this so? As our society becomes increasingly fast-paced, we are too busy with our own personal lives and work. Most of us would not be bothered to do simple chores such as shopping for groceries, much less going out to the malls to shop. QR coding brings about convenience to potential customers without them having to enter the mall itself. Basically, it is just like an online retail store without the hosting of a website domain.

One downside of this trend is that shops that operates in shopping malls now may lose their business and face reduction in sales. Due to the success of this application, many more people are embracing this miracle, and as time goes by, we are reluctant to head down to the malls to purchase products. Like our lecturer once mentioned, there are both good and bad sides to any founded technology. Maybe that is why technology is never stagnant. Oh how complicated it is.

9: What news channel? Go to twitter for politics!

Anyone remembers this year's general elections? How many of you actually bothered to follow the news and wait for the results patiently for hours? Not for me definitely, I was too busy checking social media websites for the results and surprisingly, I was updated way quickly than the traditional media channels.

Politics has taken an advanced step towards technology, slowly yet steadily. Just by looking at singapore's politics for example, facebook and twitter became the main channels to reach out to our citizens. I came across this article online (extracted from http://asiancorrespondent.com/53134/singapore-elections-nicole-seah-and-the-social-media-effect/) whereby it talks about the young icon for this year's general elections - Nicole Seah. She has gone from unknown advertising agency executive to a national figure as the country’s second most popular politician online after her campaign for the Marine Parade GRC seat in the 2011 Singapore General Elections hit the online sphere via social media.

Miss Seah, who is representing the opposition party National Solidarity Party (NSP), has accrued an impressive amount of support through Facebook, putting her second only to Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew as Straits Times explains:

By 9pm on Monday, the 24-year-old opposition candidate had amassed 18,900 fans compared to Mr Lee’s 54,000 fans. She had earlier that day overtaken previous runner-up Foreign Minister George Yeo’s 18,700 fans, despite the fact that he had a three-year head start.

What made social media so popular for political campaigns? I could only think of a few reasons.

1) A wide network of audiences that a politician could reach just by a tweet or an update of status. Just look at how many people patronise facebook and youtube itself. With the country’s Facebook population of three million larger than the voter pool of 2.35 million, many voters may well interact with and discover new content through Facebook and Twitter instead.

2) Convenient and accessible. As these social media applications are readily available on the web and even on portable mobiles, politicians can update their progress and campaign motives anytime, reducing the high costs that may be needed if they opted for traditional media all the time to garner support.

3) Direct communication between politicians and the public because of the platform to allow free comments from the public. Social media serve to offer a breath of fresh air where comment is freer in which during election, parties and politicians like Nicole Seah herself readily accesses a platform that allows direct two-way communication with the public, free of restriction and interferences. That way, as a general member of the public, we would feel more connected to the political issues that exists and are to come and may feel the genuine sincerity between parties.

In conclusion, politics is a complicated arena, and in order to move further and beyond your peers in this battle field, it is inevitable that technology plays a part in escalating these advancements and ensuring survival. After all, it is about persuasion and winning, isn't it?

8: Online stores that sell food. Say what?

I remember mentioning about how I was sourcing for the different types of online retail stores for our com125 group project, and I came across something very interesting to me. People would often think that online retail stores usually sell retail products like clothes and shoes, and maybe electronics or cars. Basically things that we use. However, have we ever thought about the existence of online retail stores that actually sells things that we consume? Food for example? As for me, I am a self proclaimed compulsive shopper and throughout my entire experience with shopping online, I have not come across online shops that sell food online and that is why I find this particular online retail store really interesting.

(Warning: the pictures make you really hungry.)...

This blog shop that I am about to introduce sells CUPCAKES. Yes, I am not joking, edible cupcakes. (And coincidentally, after i found out, it was started and owned by my own cousin. :D)

So this is how their website layout is like, simple and easy to make.

And these are examples of cupcakes they make (most of which are customised cupcakes). The advantage of this is that customers get to customise their own cupcake and they are able to choose from a variety of designs and flavours they desire. So you can order cupcakes for a certain occasion and they can even customise them for you!

Here is an example of the flavour palettes they offer, how refreshing!

Also, to add on to the idea of convenience, all you have to do is to order online and then these pretty cupcakes will be delivered to you at wherever you want. Oh how internet business is thriving, so much so that food is readily available at the comfort of your own space and time. (:

Here's the website: www.pixiecupcakes.blogspot.com

Pictures credits to www.pixiecupcakes.blogspot.com

7: Ever thought about the bad sides of google?

Google oh google, an era we live whereby everyone of us has contact with this miracle technology. Almost everybody has used google, have you ever heard of anybody who has not touched google before? Google maps, google documents, gmail etc. The list is endless...

What has made google so fascinating and successful? People say google is easily accessible and convenient. At a touch of a button, you go from clueless to knowledgeable. How to get from point A to B? Google. Lets do our group project where everywhere's convenient! Google documents! Google google google. Our lives are surrounded by google because it becomes a part of our everyday lives. The interesting thing about this week's blog post is that have we ever stopped and paused for a moment and think about the annoying characteristics of google? I came across this video on youtube (a stand up comedy about google):

Even though it seems like a joke, but I actually agree with what he says. Sometimes, to every good thing comes a bad side. Even though google has always been there for us, sometimes we get too reliant on technology that we forget what we are capable of. To pause and slow down is all it takes. (I am not saying google is a bad thing though.)

As for our group project (our group is doing on e business), we have been allocated different aspects of e business and I was assigned to do research on the different types of online retail stores available on the internet. Why? The reason being that I love to shop online and i do so regularly. The research has been going well and good and I am surprised to find new online retail stores that I have not visited before. I can now shop and do work at the same time. Life has never been better.

6: My own video made!

This week's all about making and editting your own video. So I have attempted to edit my own video. (The quality may suck though).

This video is simple, short, and is just a recollection of the two most memorable events that happened for me in 2010.

5: Why squeeze on the sofa when you have internet TV?

Looks familiar? All that limited space, all that angst, all that discomfort...

Squeezing on the sofa couches to secure yourself a seat when a certain programme airs on the television is now a passe thing, why squeeze when you now have access to internet TV?

Internet TV has a few kinds, mainly websites that uploads old episodes of shows that have been already aired live on TV broadcast stations but you have missed it because of some reasons OR websites that create their own kind of programs, programs that you cannot watch on TV. Let me show you some examples.

Firstly the xinmsn website (everyone familiar with this website?). What does xinmsn do? This website uploads every episode of local programs the day right after it was broadcast live on TV.

They have videos on different tabs (e.g channel 5, channel 8) and label each show and episode accordingly which makes it easier for us consumers to catch up on whichever show we prefer. The only limitation that i've found out about this website is that they only cover local shows, I am not sure about overseas shows, however usually people watch those from youtube and many other torrents.

The other website that I would like to introduce would be clicknetwork.tv. This website produces different kind of short internet shows, whereby every episode is only a roughly 8 minute video log. The best thing about these shows is that they are not produced by local media stations which means that they are only available to view on the internet!

These are some screenshots of available episodes that you can watch. There are shows that cover beauty products, shopping etc. There are even episodes that cover the new of that particular week. Most of them are really funny, so those of you who have not tried exploring such mediums, GO! You're missing out on a lot. The website is http://www.clicknetwork.tv.

I cannot believe that I am never squeezing on the couch just to secure my seat during my favourite show ever again. Yay to technology.

4: Why you no guts and be keyboard warrior?

I have always been curious. Why dosome people not have guts in reality but behave like a total opposite virtually? Keyboard warriors (we "dearly" call them) is the bane of our virtual society, I swear. Ever had an experience with such people? I have, and not a pleasant one, but it was pretty entertaining.

Here is an example of irritating people with raging hormones on the internet who only has sex on their minds. Its plain disgusting.

Wait for it, wait for it. There's more of it coming.

And what do they do all day? Spam your websites with disgusting comments that are revolving around sex or how ugly you look etc. Just ask popular famous bloggers for example and all of them can be pretty irritated with such people. My question is why do people actually do such things BEHIND THE COMPUTER SCREEN? Really?

Maybe because they are bored of their own mundane lives that they have to just do something to ruin other people's ego. Maybe because the celebrity looks like this:

Wow, like a sexy goddess right?

And they look like this.

I swear its all about the ego thing, and worse still, people actually entertain such keyboard warriors on the internet. The thing about such people is that they need attention, and where to get attention other than the vast internet which has millions of live traffic. I remember how our lecturer once mentioned that you can be anyone you want to be on the internet, you can even create someone you wished you were but you can never be in reality. So if you look like a troll, wouldn't you wish you had attention that you usually cannot have? Honestly, I do not know what goes on in their minds, but I'd figured as long as its attention, it should suffice for them. Plus, some celebrity bloggers actually RESPOND to their stupid comments. If some famous star responds to your voice, thats a real big achievement right?

We can never stop the growing of such disgusting keyboard warriors but then, its really pointless to really act like one. I stay by my viewpoint, respect others and they will respect you too.

3: Blogshopping101 (from a shopaholic's perspective)

Ever visited a blogshop before? What is a blogshop? It is actually an online website created by one or more people who do retail businesses online. So that basically means that shoppers like you and me skip all the downsides of retail shopping (e.g the crowds, the dreadful transportation we have to go through to get to that particular shop) and get to buy our desired products to our convenience. How cool is that? I believe you guys out there would have visited blogshops at least once right? Let me share with you guys what happens when you blogshop online (to the benefit of those who do not have prior experience to online retail therapy sessions).

1) You visit random blogshops, and preferably ones that you have patronised before or heard recommendations from your friends. Well, lets take a look at one blogshop that I always frequent.

www.tracyeinny.com.sg (one of the blogshops that is a recipient of the successful entrepreneur awards). On a side note, that huge "storewide 20% sale" banner is very very VERY distracting.

As online shops usually have this factor of anonymity that hinders the level of credibility between the relationship of the shopper and the seller, credentials such as awards or recommendations from previous buyers do help to increase the level of credibility. Based on past experiences, I can safely say it is quite safe to do online shopping and usually, I get the products that I ordered (in a good condition as well). However, even so, blogshops always has that risk of being cheated by the seller. Why? You wouldn't know the sellers' personal details, so how are you going to chase back for your money if he/she refuses to reply your emails? Think smart. So the safest advice that I can give would be to ask the seller as much questions as you possibly can before you make your order and then your payment.

2) You trust your instincts when you browse through columns of available products. If your instincts are usually wrong, never try blogshopping please.

As you can see from the picture above, these websites can only offer you a few pictures of their products, and that also means you can only trust your instincts, whether or not it looks good on you and vice versa. Those who need to try and test the products before purchasing them should not be advised to blogshop. This is the downside of internet shopping. You may end up buying more than you need to, and things that actually may not even suit you. Trust me, everything on online stores seems perfect. I am a shopaholic, I know. At times like this, shopping at regular retail stores seems to be a better choice. An interesting note that i find is that most blogshops import clothes that are of free sizing, so what happens to those who are plus sized? Something worth to ponder?

And then..

3) you submit an order form

4) Make online payment via credit card

5) get your goods delivered to your house

ALL OF THESE WITHOUT MOVING AN INCH OUT OF YOUR HOUSE. COOL OR WHAT? (:

2: Social Media and our relationships

Its amazing what social media has done to impact our lives. What is social media? Its a variety of website applications that people can sign up for to widen or keep up with their relational networks. An example of such websites are the popular hyped up ones like facebook and twitter. These websites let you create, maintain, build or even destroy a relationship. Furthermore, you can create an anonymous or real identity, both of which exists in such websites. So who are the "real" people and who are the "fake" people in your social circle? You will never be able to sort them out, in my opinion. Such are the powers of social media.

I remember I used to have a girlfriend who had a virtual relationship online with another guy and both of them had never met in person. She once told me that she felt like this guy understood her more than anybody else in her social circle did and that she was really happy being with him. Understood her? Really? So what happens to the people surrounding her throughout her life, people who actually knew her in person? Then, suddenly this knight in shining armour appears and voila, she found her soulmate within hours. My question here is that has social media actually redefined our idea of a relationship? Yes, I daresay. Honestly, I felt like slapping her back to reality but I didn't eventually.

People no longer experience the innocence and joys of building a proper relationship, thanks to the wonders of social media. Everything seems to be fast forwarded to a particular stage both parties agree to be in. I add you on facebook, I talk to you for a couple of hours and hey, I feel like you understand me a lot and I start to like you for real. Lets get together and be romantically involved, we say to one another. Hello to a new cyber relationship. I missed the days that things weren't so sped up, when time slowed down for us to enjoy the beauty of what a relationship really is. Do we even get a chance to experience the wonders of it all? No, and we'll probably never will.

1: The Introduction to the Internet

Who, here, orders food and books their movie tickets on the web? Who, here, buys their clothes and even sometimes, daily necessities online? Who, here, spends hours everyday without fail on the internet (and by that, I include internet usage on your mobile smartphones)? That sounds very much like me, and I'm sure for most of you out there as well. However, on a side note, I honestly proclaim that I do not have internet addiction. That is a totally different story altogether.

I missed the old television sets, the manual radio where we had to adjust the antennae for good reception etc. Whatever happened to these vintage media appliances that kind of annoys us sometimes? Humans are just this complex, we miss the old and yet cannot let go of the new. By that, I mean that even though we miss our old ways of communication, we are not ready to let go of this miraculous profound technology - The Internet. We are unable to give up the perks of the internet that we enjoy, be it accessibility or for convenience's sake. However, through it all, these are all what makes us appreciate the internet and its existence. This blog will therefore discover and further appreciate what the internet has to offer to us.

Perhaps what i'm saying is subjective to my opinions, but i definitely can say that most of us cannot live without the internet. Look at me for example, Im writing this blog entry (which uses the internet) and blogshopping at the same time (which also uses the internet). See how convenient this is? I love it, the internet I mean, and of course the endless amount of clothes i've been buying online as well. :)