FamilySearch's March of Progress (Rewrite)

Family history research was a difficult and slow process in the past.  I haven't done much myself, but my mother has for as long as I can remember.  In my younger years, I observed her using microfilm, CDs, and ancient-looking programs.  Those days are over from what I've seen of FamilySearch's current version.  I've recently read several articles about the Church's progress in making genealogical research easier through technology.  As a web developer, it was interesting to see FamilySearch's progress.  For some time it seemed the Church's technology department had second or even third level order of ignorance about taking full advantage of available technologies.  It's only recently they have improved and made websites which are easy to use.  I hope to see this trend continue.

Come to the Nerd Side, we have pi (Rewrite)

It's funny to compare the early days of nerds working on computers in garages with today where those skills are fairly common. I've felt for sometime that people from all walks of life will learn to program as computers become more ubiquitous. I believe I'm an example of this trend. While I have interests that would be considered nerdy (who doesn't anymore?), I don't consider myself one. Computer science wasn't on my radar until I took an introductory course and found I enjoyed it. With websites such as Code Academy, Code School, and the one in this article, many people without formal training may find themselves in the same position I did. All this came about because a handful of nerds turned their passions into something that can be used and enjoyed by everyone.

http://www.wired.com/2014/09/exercism/

Paypal Pounces on Apple Pay (Rewrite)

It seems PayPal is unhappy having a major contender in the online payment field. It reminds me of the discussions we've had in class about technological revolution. Technology industries must adapt or fade away when better technologies are developed. Since Apple is entering PayPal's industry with something only marginally different, the situation is not exactly the same, but the effects are. The linked article points out that Apple has a better public reputation than PayPal, which means the public should be more likely to use Apple's service. Not only that, but Apple's service is accepted at brick-and-mortar retailers while, to my knowledge, PayPal is not. I believe that PayPal will become irrelevant unless they find a way to outdo Apple Pay or figure out a way to exist alongside Apple's new service.

The Silver Lining of Technological Advancement (Rewrite)

Hello and thanks for checking out this blog.  Here I'll be sharing my thoughts and observations on topics we cover in my Ethics and Computers in Society class.

Technology can be a double-edged sword, as Neil Postman details here. I agree with much that Postman said, but I believe there is a silver lining to technology: it furthers the work of the Lord. I believe that the lack of technologies we enjoy today, particularly communication and transportation technologies, contributed to the onset of the Great Apostasy.  Present technology allows everyone to receive the same messages from the prophets and apostles which keeps doctrine pure.  Computers are giving us easier access to scriptures, better genealogical research tools, and more ways to share the gospel.   While new technology can be harmful when improperly used, it also gives us better tools in the service of the Lord.