February 2008 Archives

PART I:  For my piece of old communication technology, I chose my broken LG Chocolate phone by Verizon.

PART II:  The object at hand that I have just discovered is a very confusing archaeological find.  The object has a number keypad on it, so it seems to be similar to the ancient telephone.  However, there are many additional features to this discovery that contradict and complicate the "telephone" theory.  For starters, the object has no cords or wires that plug into a cable like the telephone used to have, this archaeological discovery also has a screen, similar to the ancient computer, only much smaller in comparison.  Another observation is that there is a similar button feature on the front that resembles that of the Apple ipod or Microsoft Zune MP3 player.  Lastly, the "telephone" is red and rectangular, which is unfounded. 

PART III:  After considering all of the unusual and somewhat confusing features of this odd and mysterious red rectangular box, I have developed a hypothesis about what a use of it possibly could have been. Basically, I believe that this device had some sort of sophisticated communication purpose that was not necessary to getting through daily life. I infer that this object had the capability to access a music data base found in cyber space, which was connected via the mini computer inside of it.  The numbers were then used to enter the numeric code of the song the person desired to hear.  The MP3 player type buttons on the front served as volume controllers.  The sole purpose of this device was for the individual to communicate with the data base and receive music for his or her own pleasure and leisure, for "...something is convenient only if it is suitable to one's personal comfort and ease" (Culture + Technology, 29).  The music was not a crucial part of the individual's life, and there were other ways to obtain it.  However, this way proved especially convenient, and there was a wider range of music that could be accessed.

PART I:  Find, photograph, and explain the apparatus on an MTD bus that tracks the bus in real-time so that the electronic signs know when it will arrive.

PART II:  In the Champaign-Urbana area, MTD busses now have state of the art technology that enables passengers to know the exact time his or her respective bus is to arrive and depart.  The busses have scheduled arrival/departure times, but in times of inclement weather, delays are more possible.  Schedules are also delayed or changed when routes are re-configured.  MTD has 14 STOPwatch locations in the Champaign-Urbana area that track the vehicle in real time due to a GPA tracking system.  The GPS system is found inside the bus near the driver that resembles a triangular computer device that has the capability to connect to several sources outside the vehicle for passenger convenience.  I found out the location of the GPS device by calling the MTD bus system and asking around until someone could answer my questions.  I was then directed to the MTD website for further information about how passengers are informed about schedules, and how the GPS works with it.   One such system, known as STOPwatch.PLUS, informs passengers how many minutes they have to wait via plasma or LCD screens at certain bus stops that include the time, weather conditions, and date as well.  Other bus schedule alert information includes STOPwatch.TEXTMSG, a text messaging system that enables the passenger to text a code to MTD and receives a message including the precise departure time of the vehicle, and STOPwatch.WAP that gives free bus times through web enabled devices such as PDA and mobile phones.   STOPwatch.WIDGET is another system web enable device that tracks real time bus information throughout the day and can be left open on computer desktops for convenience. STOPwatch.WEB allows similar bus tracking capabilities the widget has, but is paired with MyRIDE to allow thetransportation information to be accessed from your favorite web browser, creating convenience for the traveler with limited time who needs to check a schedule quickly.  The STOPwatch.WEB can be added to internet favorites to increase the speed at which real time bus schedules are accessed.   Lastly, STOPwatch.JOURNEY allows passengers to enter their intended departure site and time online and receive arrival information including time and routing directions that are also tracked in real time.  

PART III:   In my  opinion, the GPS tracking device found on the MTD busses can be viewed from a cultural determinist point of view.  Busses were not arriving on schedule because of weather and traffic delays.  Such delays were inconvenient to passengers who had to wait, and this in turn was bad for business.  In order to meet customer needs more appropriately and help develop business, the GPS system was incorporated into busses in order for real-time to be tracked.  Now passengers are aware of the precise time his or her bus is supposed to arrive, which saves the passenger unnecessary waiting time.