As tax season is in full force and each company has their own products it is interesting to see what they have to offer. H&R Block offers the money now loan. “You are able to receive your taxes back in ten minutes, 24 to 48 hours or 7 to 10 days. They will also allow you to e-file only (H&R Block, 2009).” Jackson Hewitt also offers you “the option of receiving your taxes back in ten minutes, 24 to 48 hours or 7 to 10 days. They will also allow you to e-file only (Jackson Hewitt, 2009).”
Although their tax services seem to be the same each of these companies offer different methods to receive your refunds. H&R Block will either issue you a check or you can load your money on their Emerald Card. This card is a prepaid MasterCard that is offered to the consumer in order to prevent them from having any additional check cashing fees in order to receive their money. Jackson Hewitt will either issue you a check or you can load your money on the I-Power Card. I-Power card is a prepaid Visa that is also offered to the consumer in order to prevent them from having any additional check cashing fees to receive their money.
Each of these companies offers the consumer the quickest and best way for them to receive their tax refund. Are these products really what are best for the consumer? It depends on how you look at it. If you need money for an emergency and these options are available to you than it could be what is best for you. On the other hand if you do not need your money for an emergency the options of getting your money quickly or putting your money on these cards are quite expensive. You could get more of your refund if you opted for the e-file only option and take your refund check to your bank. I know there are those people who do not have bank accounts for them to deposit their checks into so the options of the prepaid cards are what are best for them. Each of us must make our own financial decisions and it is nice to have these options available to use.
References
H&R Block (2009). Retrieved February 4, 2009. from, http://www.hrblock.com/taxes/products/product.jsp?productId=31
Jackson Hewitt (2009). Retrieved February 4, 2009. from, http://www.jacksonhewitt.com/
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Assignment 1-3
In the article, “Romancing the Screen: An Examination of Moving from Television to the World Wide Web in a Quest for Quasi-Intimacy” by Tracey Bowen, the audience that is being reached is those who are true television buffs. These people are the ones who look forward to their favorite television show every week and want to learn all they can about the actors that are in these shows. These people have found the World Wide Web as their place to find the information about their favorite show as well as joining chat groups or blogs in order to talk to others about the television show.
Tracey Bowen reaches this specific audience by talking about how, “Historically, television viewers have escaped through their own private ‘‘window on the world’’ in ways that transported them to distant places and people through reconstructed imaginings of what their lives could or ought to be. The computer screen however, is the gateway to new forms of negotiation and relationship building by enabling individual imaginations to meet with the collective imaginings of others through various online communities of television fans. These communities develop around particular television program inspired Web sites and the threaded discussions on program-specific bulletin boards (Bowen, 2008).” Therefore the article allows a television fan the ability to see what the entire article talks about how television and the internet have combined to give the viewer a wider range of ways to find out about their favorite shows.
I will take several things away from this article that I may not have thought about before. The first thing I will take away from this article is that there are people that get really involved with television shows. These people feel as if they are one with the characters and can’t wait to see what happens next. Secondly I will take away the vocabulary associated with this article. When I hear someone talking about how they can’t wait to see their favorite show or have visited the web in order to talk with others that like the same television show as them. This article overall has allowed me to think about my own favorite television shows and realize that I can find out more information on them by just searching the web. I also have the ability to speak with others who also enjoy the same television shows as me.
References
Bowen, T. (2008) Romancing the Screen: An Examination of Moving from Television to the World Wide Web in a Quest for Quasi-Intimacy. The Journal of Popular Culture, Vol. 41, No. 4, 2008, 569-590. Retrieved January 15, 2009. from, http://0-web.ebscohost.com.olinkserver.franklin.edu/ehost/detail?vid=10&hid=105&sid=63b0cf4a-07d6-48d0-9dd0-00076e52ad57%40sessionmgr102&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=33158819
Tracey Bowen reaches this specific audience by talking about how, “Historically, television viewers have escaped through their own private ‘‘window on the world’’ in ways that transported them to distant places and people through reconstructed imaginings of what their lives could or ought to be. The computer screen however, is the gateway to new forms of negotiation and relationship building by enabling individual imaginations to meet with the collective imaginings of others through various online communities of television fans. These communities develop around particular television program inspired Web sites and the threaded discussions on program-specific bulletin boards (Bowen, 2008).” Therefore the article allows a television fan the ability to see what the entire article talks about how television and the internet have combined to give the viewer a wider range of ways to find out about their favorite shows.
I will take several things away from this article that I may not have thought about before. The first thing I will take away from this article is that there are people that get really involved with television shows. These people feel as if they are one with the characters and can’t wait to see what happens next. Secondly I will take away the vocabulary associated with this article. When I hear someone talking about how they can’t wait to see their favorite show or have visited the web in order to talk with others that like the same television show as them. This article overall has allowed me to think about my own favorite television shows and realize that I can find out more information on them by just searching the web. I also have the ability to speak with others who also enjoy the same television shows as me.
References
Bowen, T. (2008) Romancing the Screen: An Examination of Moving from Television to the World Wide Web in a Quest for Quasi-Intimacy. The Journal of Popular Culture, Vol. 41, No. 4, 2008, 569-590. Retrieved January 15, 2009. from, http://0-web.ebscohost.com.olinkserver.franklin.edu/ehost/detail?vid=10&hid=105&sid=63b0cf4a-07d6-48d0-9dd0-00076e52ad57%40sessionmgr102&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=33158819
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Weekly Written Analysis 4
As I am a person who has never embraced technology and thought that snail mail and pencil and paper are the way to go because they are reliable. It is amazing to me that I cannot read a map. That is what makes a GPS system so great. It enables those of us who never took the time to learn to read a map to get where we are going the chance to take a trip without getting lost.
“The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) developed by the United States Department of Defense.” (Wikipedia, 2009) What the GPS does is it takes a receiver and calculates the position that is received by a satellite high above the earth. This signal therefore shows the precise location of where the receiver is therefore it is able to give directions to the location that is put in by the user.
Although many people use the GPS in order to give them driving directions, emergency personal use GPS to be able to locate people when they are in distress. GPS has been installed in a number of cell phones allowing the user to be located in case of an emergency. Saving thousands of lives that may have otherwise been lost because they could not tell the operator their location.
What an excellent invention the GPS is. It keeps us from getting lost and allows us to be found if we are lost. Although afraid of technology this is one type I am glad I embraced. Being able to travel and find where you are going without having to stop and ask for directions in a place that you are not familiar with makes traveling a lot less stressful. With the uncertainty of the world that we live in today it is nice to know that we can stay in the safety of our cars and still get directions to our destination.
References
Wikipedia (2009). Global positioning system. Retrieved January 28, 2009. from, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System
Picture Reference
Wikipedia (2009). Global positioning system. Retrieved January 28, 2009. from, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Weekly Written Analysis 3
The radio used to be what was available of the airways of close to where you lived. Now with satellite radio we are able to hear radio stations from all over the country. How does this type of radio work? “With SIRIUS Satellite Radio, you can listen to what you want, when you want, wherever you are. You get over 130 channels, including 100% Commercial-Free Music from every genre, plus Sports, News, Talk and Comedy — all with crystal-clear, coast-to-coast coverage, all in one place and all at your fingertips.” (Sirius Satellite, 2009)
Finding its signal from satellites is what makes Sirius have such a wide range of channels. Satellite radio may be installed in vehicles or on portable radio devices. Satellite radio is also available on the internet and on satellite television. One of the nicest things about satellite radio is the amount of things that you can listen to. It allows you to hear a wide variety of music as well as listen to other forms of entertainment.
I think that satellite radio is something that anyone who enjoys a large variety of music should invest in. It makes finding your favorite music much easier. You don’t have to worry about losing signal because you are out of the stations tour wave length. Satellite radio has a down fall though. This down fall is the monthly fee that you must pay for the service. Unlike local radio stations, where it is free to receive their waves on your car radio.
Satellite radio may become the radio of the future. It may be the only way you can listen to the radio in your car. If this happens hopefully it will be free to the listeners just as the radio is now. But think of all the interesting things that we can listen to with the satellite technology.
References
Sirius Satellite (2009). What is Sirius? Retrieved January 19, 2009. from, http://www.sirius.com/getsirius
Picture References
Sirius Satellite (2009). What is Sirius? Retrieved January 19, 2009. from, http://www.sirius.com/getsirius
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Weekly Written Analysis 2
The days of cell phones being a device that just makes phone calls have come and gone. Now cell phones can be used for everything from a calendar to searching the World Wide Web. This is the case with the BlackBerry. It offers a wide range of services for its users and allows them to keep connected with the touch of the finger.
Some of the services available to the BlackBerry user are “email and text messaging, phone, browse (internet), organizer, BlackBerry instant messaging, GPS, BlackBerry maps, media player, SurePress touch screen, blue tooth, SureType, tethered modem, camera and video recording, social networking and corporate data access.” (BlackBerry, 2009) What does all of this mean to someone who does not currently own a BlackBerry? It means that in this ever changing world where being able to have a phone in your pocket is a must, for most people the extra items that used to be carried can go away. Your cell phone is now an all-in-one device for space saving convenience.
Space saving technology is what makes items like the BlackBerry desirable to its users. The business men and women of corporate America use the BlackBerry to keep them current on what is going on with their jobs when they are away from the office. Others use the BlackBerry to keep up with the stock market or to keep in touch with family and friends. I personally use the BlackBerry in order to keep up with my day to day life. It helps keep me organized with what I need to do today as well as what I need to do in the future. I am able to keep up on what is going on at school with access to the Wide World Web.
Having access to what is going on in the world around us is what makes the BlackBerry such an excellent device to own. The BlackBerry with its many different options keeps the users of the device continually wanting more from the product. The BlackBerry keeps its users coming back by listening to what they want. The BlackBerry is a good choice for anyone who needs an all-in-one device.
References
BlackBerry (2009). Retrieved January 14, 2009. from, http://na.blackberry.com/eng/devices/features/
Picture Reference
BlackBerry (2009). Retrieved January 14, 2009. from, http://na.blackberry.com/eng/devices/features/
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Icon Analysis
What is an icon? Someone or something that people can look up to or respect. I have chosen three icons that mean something to me. First, I chose Barack Obama. He has made himself known for being the first African-American to become president of the United States. Not only will he serve as the first African American president he was the first African-American to be president of the Harvard Law Review. Secondly, I chose Hillary Clinton. “In the 2008 presidential nomination race, Clinton won more primaries and delegates than any other female candidate in American history.” (Wikipedia, 2009) She is also the first First-Lady to be appointed to a cabinet by any presidential administration. Lastly, I chose Oprah Winfrey. Her talk show is the highest-rated talk show in the history of television. “She has been ranked the richest African American of the 20th century, the most philanthropic African American of all time, and was once the world's only black billionaire.” (Wikipedia, 2009)
I chose these icons because they show that the world over time can change. Being African-American or a woman does not hinder your ability to accomplish great things with your life. These icons have been able to show that with hard work and dedication anything can be accomplished. They are not afraid of the challenges that come with the careers they have chosen. They do not let lives troubles get in the way of their dreams.
What these icons mean to me is that my son will be able to grow up in a country that has shown that it is not afraid of change. The color of your skin or your gender does not make you less important than anyone else. He will see that both his mother and father can run a country or be a great success in the television industry. He will be able to learn that tolerance is important to make a success of whatever you chose to do in your life.
References
Wikipedia (2009). Hillary Clinton. Retrieved January 13, 2009. from, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Rodham_Clinton
Wikipedia (2009). Barack Obama. Retrieved January 13, 2009. from, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama
Wikipedia (2009). Oprah Winfrey. Retrieved January 13, 2009. from, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oprah_Winfrey
Picture References
Wikipedia (2009). Hillary Clinton. Retrieved January 13, 2009. from, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Rodham_Clinton
Wikipedia (2009). Barack Obama. Retrieved January 13, 2009. from, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama
Wikipedia (2009). Oprah Winfrey. Retrieved January 13, 2009. from, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oprah_Winfrey
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Weekly Written Analysis 1
Remember the days when video games were just a move of the thumb with no form of exercise. Things sure have changed in the video game industry. The invention of the Nintendo Wii has brought fun and exercise together. What types of gamers buy gaming systems such as the Wii and is the Wii a safe fade or is it something that will cause long term side effects to its users?
First let’s look at what types of gamers there are and what types of people the Wii is designed for. Based on an article by Chris Kohler, the first type of gamer is the “hardcore gamer”. This type of gamer is someone who is into video games no matter what kind of gaming system it is. They enjoy video game systems before they become popular to the rest of the world. Next is the “casual gamer”. The casual gamer is someone who thinks video games are great but do not own very many of them. They don’t play often but when they do it is for hours. There is the “expanded audience”. These are the people that are being targeted by Nintendo to purchase the Wii system. This targeting is done through games for all ages. The final gaming category is “kids”. Like young adults kids also enjoy gaming. Companies like Nintendo target this demographic with games that feature their favorite cartoon characters.
With such a wide range of people playing on the Wii system the question is does it have a long term effects on the physical health of these gamers? The New England Journal of Medicine (2007) stated that, “a healthy 29-year-old medical resident awoke one Sunday morning with intense pain in the right shoulder. He did not recall any recent injuries or trauma and had not participated in any sports or physical exercise recently. He consulted a rheumatology colleague. The Patte's test was positive, consistent with acute tendonitis isolated to the right infraspinatus”. So as it goes with everything too much of a good thing can be bad. Enjoy your Wii gaming but enjoy it in moderation to prevent injury to your tendons.
References
Kohler, C. (2007). The "Wii bubble" and the four types of gamers. Retrieved January 9, 2009. from,http://blog.wired.com/games/2007/06/opinion_the_wii.html
The New England Journal of Medicine (2007). Acute Wiiitis. Retrieved January 10, 2009. from,http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/356/23/2431
First let’s look at what types of gamers there are and what types of people the Wii is designed for. Based on an article by Chris Kohler, the first type of gamer is the “hardcore gamer”. This type of gamer is someone who is into video games no matter what kind of gaming system it is. They enjoy video game systems before they become popular to the rest of the world. Next is the “casual gamer”. The casual gamer is someone who thinks video games are great but do not own very many of them. They don’t play often but when they do it is for hours. There is the “expanded audience”. These are the people that are being targeted by Nintendo to purchase the Wii system. This targeting is done through games for all ages. The final gaming category is “kids”. Like young adults kids also enjoy gaming. Companies like Nintendo target this demographic with games that feature their favorite cartoon characters.
With such a wide range of people playing on the Wii system the question is does it have a long term effects on the physical health of these gamers? The New England Journal of Medicine (2007) stated that, “a healthy 29-year-old medical resident awoke one Sunday morning with intense pain in the right shoulder. He did not recall any recent injuries or trauma and had not participated in any sports or physical exercise recently. He consulted a rheumatology colleague. The Patte's test was positive, consistent with acute tendonitis isolated to the right infraspinatus”. So as it goes with everything too much of a good thing can be bad. Enjoy your Wii gaming but enjoy it in moderation to prevent injury to your tendons.
References
Kohler, C. (2007). The "Wii bubble" and the four types of gamers. Retrieved January 9, 2009. from,http://blog.wired.com/games/2007/06/opinion_the_wii.html
The New England Journal of Medicine (2007). Acute Wiiitis. Retrieved January 10, 2009. from,http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/356/23/2431
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Popular Culture Blog
What is popular culture? Popular culture in a sense is what a particular group of people or a country encompasses in the immediate and contemporary elements of their lives. “Pop culture offers a common ground, as the most visible and pervasive level of culture in a given society.” (Petracca, M. and Sorapure, M., 2007)
What does popular culture mean to me? It means that as a society we like things that are current. For example in our society the most popular singers and actors or technology is what everyone wants.
The understanding of past popular culture is relevant in helping us understand where our society is headed. This affects our businesses in many ways, understanding how or why these products work or why they are popular keeps businesses going. How these products will help us be more efficient in our business will help us to better serve our fellow man to make our lives less stressed and more productive.
A current popular culture artifact is the iPod touch. The iPod technology is used for a number of different things. It is a portable media player and Wi-Fi mobile platform designed and marketed by Apple Inc. “The iPod Touch has the iPhone's multi-touch interface, with a physical home button off the touch screen.” (Wikipedia, 2007) All iPod Touch models include the applications Music, Videos, and Photos, iTunes, Safari, YouTube, Calendar, Contacts, Clock, Calculator, and Settings.
The advanced technology of the iPod enables iPod touch to respond to both touch and movement. It also it to find wireless networks and connects you to the Internet. With all that the iPod Touch has to offer it is no wonder why so many people want to have it. The iPod allows the user to complete a number of tasks with one device. You can check your email, listen to music, watch videos or play games. What a wonderful space saving invention.
The advanced technology of the iPod enables iPod touch to respond to both touch and movement. It also it to find wireless networks and connects you to the Internet. With all that the iPod Touch has to offer it is no wonder why so many people want to have it. The iPod allows the user to complete a number of tasks with one device. You can check your email, listen to music, watch videos or play games. What a wonderful space saving invention.
Petracca, M. and Sorapure, M. (2007). Common culture. Reading and writing about American popular culture (fifth edition).
Wikipedia (2007). iPod touch. Retrieved January 8, 2008. from,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod Touch
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