Viruses

Sorority rush here at Miami is notoriously known for the spread of viruses it provides since all the rushers and rushees are bringing strands of virus from all corners of the country back to Oxford. This year, as I found myself shaking countless hands I was battling another kind of virus…. and it wasn’t the kind that leaves you standing in line at the health center for hours on end. Instead, the line at IT services. A virus, which called itself "antivirus 2009," downloaded itself onto my computer acting as if it was a virus scanner and alerted me of bogus viruses on my computer then offering me a chance to buy software that would rid those viruses. Being the frugal person that I am, I ignored these "infections" thinking the free virus scanners already on my computer would do their job. But after days of the bogus virus alerts wrecking havoc, flooding my screen until my computer froze, and causing a near crash, I knew something was up with this "antivirus 2009". The thought of my year-and-a-half old computer crashing right before the start of a new semester and the money it would take to replace it left me in tears. Thankfully, with the limited Internet access the virus would allow, I was able to download a scanner that booted the virus into my recycling bin and off my computer where it belongs. Fast forward a week or two and I cannot go on a news website without seeing an article about a computer virus running rampant all over the world. It is likely the same one that I had, however the article clearing states in the title that this virus is a "dud." I suppose that is good to hear. Maybe my passwords and usernames weren't stolen, but I still see some after effects of the virus on my computer even though I now do daily scans to rid of anything I may pick up here or there. My Firefox browser runs extremely slow, is accompanied by random pop-ups, and tends to freeze up, while my Internet Explorer browser works like a charm. I have even tried deleting Firefox and reintalling it but so far have had no success in fixing the problem. Its quite ironic that viruses have that name, because they are about as convient and wanted as a regular virus. And through all of the headaches "antivirus 2009" has caused me I can't help but wonder: Why?! Who sits down and thinks creating a virus that will crash computers all over the world will be fun and a good use of their time? Will there be a point when the Internet/servers/etc. self-destruct because of a supervirus? I hope like some diseases, computer viruses can be eradicated.

There are times when I think technology simply cannot get any better. What sorts of computer software will enhance out computing experience? What is the next cell phone that will be envied by all who do not have it? And how will television evolve past flat screen, high definition TVs? I've thought a lot about the last question since my family purchased an HD TV and I couldn't come up with anything. Recently I discovered an article on CNN.com explaining the future of TV and the newest technology being crafted.
Believe it or not, 3D TV is predicted to be the next big thing! At first I was skeptical. When I think of 3D, I think of it as being reserved for Disney World attractions, not an 'everyday' sort of thing. Besides, I can barely imagine a time past an era that has hardly begun. Most people I know do not even have high definition TVs or have barely taken their our of the box and the TV industry is already preparing something bigger and better. But don't get me wrong, I welcome the new technologies and am eager knowing that I may someday have a 3D home theater in my living room!
Such 3D TVs are already in existence but the issue of wearing glasses is one of the kinks needing to be worked out. Glassless 3D viewing does exist, but not at a quality suitable for everyday viewing. I think that is is important for 3D TVs to have glassless viewing to increase the products appeal. However, I question what effects long term 3D viewing will have on people's eyes. Health issues including headaches and blurred vision can end up being serious problems and is one thing that should be tested before 3D TVs become more of a standard. Straying away from health issues is the problem associated with the broadcasting infrastructure of 3D signals into living rooms across the world, which is in need of a serious update before broadcasting is possible. I see this issue to be a positive in our economy today (and maybe in the future). With the current economic times the constructing of a new infrastructure could be a great way to create jobs.
Overall, I think 3D TV will be an interesting thing to look forward to. While the future of other technological products is not clear, a new way of watching TV will be revolutionary for the world.