Grab a coffee, and stay informed! wherever, whenever!

with online newspapers, you can stay informed with your hometown/worlwide news anywhere, and even on the beach!
The convience of online newspapers is great, you can read your paper online for free (almost all of the time). This way you can stay informed with the news and compare stories.
This can be done with a regular old computer, or the use of Apple Iphone applications, such as the New York times updates. This is a great form of e-business that allows traditional news sources to stay up-to-date and competitive, and for consumers to stay intrigued.

Google knows ALL!

Google knows it all! They know what you are searching, what you are looking at, the videos you are watching, creepy eh!
Well Google dashboard has been introduced for your online convenience, and provides information you may be interested in. Google will also give you the option and information for any of their 20 products including blogger, g-mail, etc.
In a Toronto Star article, Google states they are thrilled to be the first Internet company to do something like this.
Google is letting you know all the information they have collected about you as an Internet user. This is an interesting idea, as they are relieving the skepticism about Internet providers knowing ALL about you, so they are being upfront and sharing the information!

Google is reinforcing the saying, "Google it" by providing these services, even the opportunity to view a calender with the links you "googled" on a specific day!

I think its a great idea to keep all your information up to date and organized, especially if you utilize numerous Google products. its all about Internet convenience!

Do we REALLY want privacy?

Do Social networking sites, the Internet, and text messaging enable intimacy? Technology anthropologist Stefana Broadbent debates that these e-business initiatives do enable intimacy. They allow for people to connect at any place and time. She completely disagrees that schools and workplace ban the use texting and Facebook"ing". She states that these should be accessible as they break down the divide of work and personal life that was created during the Industrial Revolution.

These E-business venture(Facebook and texting), have exploded as people have MANY contacts on their phones but only on average of 80% only contact 4 people, and Facebook the average friends is 120, but only contact about 6. The need for friends on your list has added to the rapid spread of social networking, and texting.These sites and services allow for people to more easily contact the core group, creating a closer tie to them.

To argue with Stefana Broadbent, the question of do we want this divide to be broken down is questioned. Yes, these sites and applications allow us to better contact our friends and family at any time of the day which is nice, but does everyone want this?
Researchers from the University of Guelph studied the details of Facebook creating jealousy and suspicion in sexual and romantic relationships, (http://www.uoguelph.ca/news/2009/02/post_176.html). This study states that because Facebook allows for information to be accessible, and people to be contacted at any time creates issues. Although, regardless these aspects do not stump the growth of social networking. In this case we can become closer to the core group, but also to people we would not usually contact on a regular basis (this being good or bad).

Below is the Link for the ted video. The divide is up for debate, do we fight to keep it, or allow to be contacted at any place or time!

If the average amount of youth text messages is 80 a day, it is more believable that privacy is not what everyone really wants.
http://www.healthnews.com/family-health/child-health/average-teen-output-eighty-text-messages-day-3194.html

ONE STOP SHOP!!

A shopping list to Wal-Mart may consist of a wide array of good such as shampoo, milk, a new shirt, cds, frames, art supplies, and now it can even include a coffin!

Wal-Mart and Costco are now offering the sale of Caskets online to undercut competition.
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_constraint=121828&ic=48_0&search_query=casket (the link to the Wal-Mart Casket sales)
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?prodid=11009034 (The link to Costco's Casket sales)

In a Toronto Star article it states that Wal-Mart is attempting this to boost their online sales, against competitors such as Costco.
Wal-Mart has decided to use the avenue of E-Business to introduce the sale of a new product. These are not sold in stores and strictly sold online alongside Costco! These goods are not allowed to be returned, due to restrictions.
Think of the costs Wal-Mart is saving as they are not required to keep a large selection in stock, and are able to be shipped all throughout America reaching a large market.

Here is a report on Costco and Wal-Mart Selling caskets: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRLoCTmuHS0