Google Loons

What the heck is a Google Loon? Sounds pretty loony right? Well that's where part of the name comes from, because the idea is pretty loony. It is also called Loon because it is based on balloons. What in the world? What is Google up to now?

In order to provide Internet to more rural areas of the world that do not have access, Google has created balloons with equipment for wireless networks that float up in the stratosphere. Users have an internet antenna attached to their building. The balloons communicate with each other through the balloon network, then with equipment on the ground connected to an Internet service provider, then finally to the global Internet. Each balloon is said to provide internet to people on the ground who are within 25 miles, with hundreds of people being able to connect at a time. The data coverage is said to be on par with LTE 4G networks.

These balloons have been designed to withstand many different weather conditions and are solar powered. The Loons also contain GPS tracking devices as well as sensors that monitor the environmental conditions of the atmosphere. Google has developed an algorithm that predicts wind patterns and then steers the balloon accordingly. Google also has an operations system called Mission Control, which sends directions to the balloons every 15 minutes and can alter the path every minute. They use these directions to alter their altitude in the stratosphere so that they can catch winds that are moving in the direction they need to go. So in a way, they are solar and wind powered! Pretty neat!


References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Loon
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/google-loon5.htm

Fake Facebook?

If you have been perusing Facebook at all this election, you may have seen some pretty bizarre articles like "Pope Francis Shocks the World, Endorses Donald Trump for President" or "WikiLeaks CONFIRMS Hillary Sold Weapons to ISIS". Pretty crazy right? Why are these fake articles popping up on your newsfeed?

Well, to start off, companies like Facebook tailor what they share with you based on what they think you like or may be interested in. How would they know what you like? How would they know that what you NEED right now is an online quiz that will tell you what breed of dog you would be? Facebook uses trackers, which "share information intended to record, profile, or share your online activity." There can be as many as 228 trackers watching your internet activity at any time. This is because when you go to a page, a company like Facebook will request to see your activity and a piece of Javascript code allows Facebook to run code and track you. The code can write cookies and make more requests for information.

There are a few problems with the way this Facebook algorithm works based on "engagement". First, many think this is an invasion of privacy. It's a little creepy when you are shopping for sneakers online and Facebook gives you a bunch of ads for the same exact sneakers you were just looking at on a different site. However, this is also an incredible way to advertise. If there is an algorithm that can provide companies with information they can use to advertise their product to a specific individual who they know would be interested, why would they not take advantage of that?

Another problem with this "engagement" algorithm is that is creates something called "filter bubbles". Because Facebook can track what you read, they will continue to feed you things they know you will like. As a result, you are only being exposed to information, articles, and opinions you agree with. These "filter bubbles" perpetuate your own biases. If you mostly click on conservative articles, Facebook will slowly stop showing you liberal posts, and vice versa. Also, if you click on one fake article that catches your eye, they might keep feeding you fake articles. Sites that create this fake content continue to do so because they know people are clicking in it-- in fact, they're tracking it.

Spooky!!

References:  
http://www.businessinsider.com/this-is-how-facebook-is-tracking-your-internet-activity-2012-9#curious-how-else-you-are-being-tracked-online-11
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/facebook-s-problem-is-more-complicated-than-fake-news/
https://www.ted.com/talks/eli_pariser_beware_online_filter_bubbles
https://www.ted.com/talks/eli_pariser_beware_online_filter_bubbles#t-166917

GPS

If anyone appreciates a good GPS, it's me. I've lived in my hometown for most of my life and I still need directions sometimes! Some may call it pathetic but I just consider it taking advantage of some pretty cool technology! Woah! How does this technology work?

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. The GPS is actually the 27 satellites that orbit the Earth and the thing we use for directions is the GPS receiver.  The receiver uses a mathematical technique called trilateration, in which it finds at least 4 of the satellites, finds the distance from each, and figures out its location in 3-dimensional space. It creates spheres around designated points, based on where the satellites above you are and how far away from them you are. Where the spheres intersect is where you are (see below). The receiver figures this out by using radio signals from the satellites.

To calculate the distance between the GPS receiver and the GPS satellite, it starts off with the satellite. At a specific time, the satellite starts transmitting a pseudo-random code and at the same exact time the receiver starts running the same exact code. When the satellite's code gets to the receiver, it will be lagging behind. The receiver takes the length of this lag, multiplies it by the speed of light, and determines how far the signal traveled. 

The receiver has the predicted location of the satellites at any given time stored in an almanac.  Once the receiver has calculated your location, it plugs the latitude and longitude into map files stored in its memory, making GPS usage more user-friendly. GPS receivers can also track your location as you move, constantly in communication with the satellites. This can provide you with information about your speed, how far you've traveled, how long you've been traveling, your ETA, etc. How rad is it that we can communicate so quickly with satellites that are orbiting the Earth?! The answer is super rad!!

References: 

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/travel/gps.htm

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/33637/how-does-gps-in-a-mobile-phone-work-exactly

Twitter

These days, everyone is connected through some sort of social media. Unless you've been living under a rock, you probably know what Twitter is. This social network allows its users to share their thoughts and feelings in 140 characters with all of their followers. Pretty rad huh? Keep reading to find out how Twitter works to keep us connected!

Twitters API is based off of the RepresentationalStateTransfer (REST) architecture. This architecture is more of a philosophy than a strict, written out plan- it doesn't describe specific arrangement of resources. It is a collection of methods for addressing and accessing data that allows it to work with most Web syndication formats. Twitter is most compatible with Really Simple Syndication (RSS) and Atom Syndication Format (Atom). This means that the app gathers information form one source and distributes it to various locations; like how it collects data from you (your tweet) and distributes is to other locations (your followers' newsfeed).

These Web syndication formats only have a few lines of code, which can be embedded in the code of a website. Users can subscribe to receive updates in their "feed" and whenever the administrator updates the web page, the users are notified. Twitter uses this strategy so that you, the user, can receive updates whenever other users update their web page, or tweet. Something that makes Twitter unique it that "by allowing third-party developers partial access to its API, Twitter allows them to create programs that incorporate Twitter's services." Very cool!!

References:
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/social-networking/networks/twitter2.htm