Addiction, a word defined as a compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal, can also apply to social media. Yes, you heard it here. Don’t ask me if this theory has been proven or if this study is making headlines. Just go with me on this, okay? You see, I know about addiction — not because I’ve ever been high on angel dust or strung out on my mother’s signature corn casserole. No, I know about dependence and compulsion because just last month I found myself with an obsession of sizeable proportions — Facebook.

What is it about that social networking service that seems to have a magnetic pull on me? Is it the fact that I’m able to keep in contact with old friends? Or is the verity that I’m able to share hilarious photos of my life? Or perchance, deep down, I get a satisfying kick out of knowing what people are up to on a day to day basis. Maybe I’ve been watching too much Big Brother. Whatever the reason and whatever my rationale, I’m hooked like a fish…or at least I was.

You see, I had an epiphany last month. I decided to chuck up the deuces and take a well deserved break. So, what was it that prompted me to begin a glorious two-month hiatus from Facebook? Was it divine spiritual intervention or the surefire support of a self-help group? Alas, it was neither. Sadly, there is no Facebook-aholics Anonymous. The reason for my sabbatical was sheer overload.

Let me explain.

I joined Facebook back in the winter of 2005 as a freshman in college. Back then, it was only open to college students — oh, how I wish it wouldn’t have changed. I remember Facebook being fresh and new and hip and exciting. I used it as an effective means of communication with friends that had moved to different cities, and also as a way to learn about some of the different organizations on campus. All in all, I thought it was pretty cool.

And then tragedy struck.

In September 2006, Facebook was extended to everyone…and I mean everyone. This meant that college students weren’t the only ones that could join. No, this signified that adolescent teenagers and old geezers wishing to reclaim their glory days were now perusing my wall, going through my photos and demanding to know why I refuse to ‘friend’ them or ‘like’ their new status update. Suddenly everyone and their mother were on the site informing each other of everything, and it just became too much. Frequent status updates became the norm. Photos of someone taking their own photo while staring at their reflection in their bathroom mirror became average. And checking into places became the new fad.

I’m not a kidnapper, nor do I have the desire to be one, but I’ve got to say that if I did wish to find someone, it certainly wouldn’t be hard. All of this — all of this supreme oversharing — seemed to have a negative effect on me. Ever seen Batman Forever? Remember the scene with The Riddler sitting on his throne while sucking up the brainwaves of every citizen in Gotham? Yeah, that’s how I feel every time I logged into Facebook to be greeted by my news feed filled to the brim with practically every single thing that my friends have done that day. Now with its recent makeover and upgrade, the site has added The Ticker, a new device that features status updates in real time.

Some call it amazing. Others call it stalking.

Look, I know I probably sound like a hater, but I can assure you that I left the Haterade in the fridge. I know that Facebook is amazing. I just feel as though people post too much of their personal business. Forgive me, but I don’t want to know about you and your boyfriend or girlfriend arguing…nor do I want to see your one-hundredth status of the afternoon about how much you love each other. I don’t care to know where you are at every second of the day, and I don’t need to see photos of your infected toe. Why are you listing your phone numbers? Why are you making statuses about personal family drama? I feel as though some people put too much online, and as a result, they become something of a luminary for the world to see…or in some cases, mock and ridicule. In fact, it’s even safe to say that some Facebook posters can be broken down into specific types. You have the drama queen, the love bug, the work hater and the attention seeker. It’s exhausting.

With this being and said and done, I recently decided to do some repair and renovation. Before my blissful sabbatical from Facebook, I changed my privacy settings and deleted a few friends…and by a few I mean roughly 300. I decided to share my face with a different book – novels. Yes, that’s right. I began reading again. Remember reading? That’s the form of entertainment that existed before computers. Has the digital age made us lazy? One could argue that it has. Nevertheless, I decided to spend my break doing some of the things that I like to do such as reading and writing.

I can understand the appeal of Facebook. Trust me. I’d log in at 9 in the morning for a quick scan of what’s new…and then tragically find myself logging off at 12 in the afternoon. I comprehend why people like it, and it certainly helps with boredom — especially for those that may work from home. Still, something’s got to give, right? After all, addiction is ugly. I make my return to Facebook in two more weeks, and I’ll admit that I am looking forward to it. I’m curious to see what my friends have been up to…but if you think I’m sharing my personal business in a box allotted to only a certain number of characters then you’d better think again.

And I could care less who ‘likes’ that decision or not.

- Jaylen C.

Do you believe people share too much on Facebook? Do you fall into that category? Have you ever taken a break from Facebook? Let us know at our Facebook Page…as ironic as that is, our Twitter, or by sounding off in the comments below!

Working in web hosting, I’ve found that trying to explain what it is can really be a chore. Even when explaining the concept to the most technologically advanced, it can still be exhausting, and of course, every time I have to go home for holidays my family asks me for the umpteenth time, “What exactly do you do again?” Here at Surpass, we know there are many people out there that don’t exactly understand what web hosting is. To that end, we decided to craft this blog post to help clear it up. In addition to this, this blog can also be used as a fact sheet to show friends of web hosting resellers that may question them when they’re busy working from home. Hey, it happens! Let’s start with the basics.

What is a Server?

Every website you visit is “hosted” somewhere. This means that the information is on another computer which is called a computer server (server), somewhere for you and other viewers to access on your Mac or PC using the Internet. When you visit a website, you are accessing information on servers in a data center, such as our Orlando Datacenter. Some big websites, like Facebook, have their own data centers full of many servers where they house the information for their website. Smaller websites, like a personal blog, do not own their own servers from which viewers can access their information. Usually these smaller websites pay a web hosting company, such as Surpass Hosting, to rent memory space on a server in their data center. The server is where the information for you website is held or “hosted.” It is a fast computer that is constantly linked to the Internet via a fast connection.

Accessing Information on a Server

When you make a website, you buy a domain name which allows others to find your website. Your domain name is your website’s address. For example, “google.com,” “yahoo.com,” and “surpasshosting.com” are all addresses. When you type in a website’s domain name into your web browser (ex. Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc.) a technology called the Domain Name System (DNS) translates the domain name into an Internet Protocol (IP) address. IP addresses are unique identification numbers that are needed because computers understand numbers, not words. Every device that goes online has an IP address, so even your personal computer and smart phone have one.

Here is an example of how the process works using surpasshosting.com — you open your web browser and enter the web address “surpasshosting.com” in the location bar (the text bar at the top of your web browser), and the Surpass Hosting website is brought up. You don’t see it, but behind the scenes DNS is translating “surpasshosting.com” into “66.7.204.37” which is the IP address for Surpass Hosting’s website. You could also use the IP address to search for a website. If you copy and paste the IP address into the location bar on your browser, it will bring you to the exact same website for Surpass Hosting. We use domain names instead of IP addresses because they are much easier for us to remember because words are more logical to humans than a set of numbers. Imagine if you had to remember the IP address of every web page you go to everyday. That would be a tough task for anyone.

What does a Web Hosting Company Provide?

A web hosting company provides at least one domain name, and that number increases depending on the service for which you ask. It also provides a data center that is secured where your servers will be hosted with the ones of other customers. The hosting of these servers also includes the power and connection to the Internet that is needed for the servers to run. The rest of the service depends on the type of hosting you want.

Types of Web Hosting

1. Shared Hosting: A client rents space on a server where multiple customers share one server including the same RAM and CPU.
2. Reseller Hosting: A client rents a dedicated server or space on a shared server or Virtual Private Server (VPS) and then rents part of that somewhere else, essentially becoming a middle man between the person creating the website and the web hosting company running the data center.
3. Virtual Private Server (VPS): A client rents space on a server where the resources of one server are divided virtually. One server is still being shared, but the resources are not because each customer has an allocated amount of the resources. So if you have a VPS then you know exactly how much RAM and CPU you are allocated. However, in shared, one person could technically use up all of the resources. This usually does not happen because the hosting company usually will not allow this to happen.
4. Dedicated Server: A client rents one or more servers where you are the only one using that server so you have more control over. It is also more secure because you do not have to worry about another customer’s website being compromised and then leading to yours being compromised as well.
5. Server Colocation: A client rents space in the data center for your servers. You bring in your own servers for the web hosting company to host for you (by providing everything but the hardware). This offers the most control because the hardware is exactly what you want.

What Does Surpass Hosting Offer?

Surpass Hosting offers different plans for all of these types of web hosting through our data center located in Orlando, FL. We also offer shared hosting and reseller hosting in the UK. All of the different plans give you a choice in the amount of memory, bandwidth, and other services that you want. If you need any help deciding which type of hosting is best for you, please feel free to put in a ticket or open a live chat with us using our new live chat. We would be glad to help you.

- Clayton P.

Now that you know what web hosting is exactly, do you believe this is a field that you’d want to explore as a job occupation? Let us know at our Facebook Page, our Twitter, or by sounding off in the comments below!

It’s frequently said that dogs are man’s best friend. To that end, pet owners are typically inclined to take pride in tending to the never-ending needs of their furry companions. As the years have gone by, advancements in technology have become the norm, and practically every aspect of today has been touched by some form of technological encroachment.

Pets are no exception.

Microchips, similar to the ones that some consumers may find in their trusty iPods or reliable Kindles, can also be found in several household animals. Although they do have their practical purposes, some individuals wonder whether or not these chips are beneficial or detrimental to the health of their pets. Let’s weigh the odds, shall we?

Information found on About.com states that a microchip is, by definition, an integrated circuit composed of a set of interconnected electronic components such as resistors and transistors. These things are imprinted onto a very small chip of a semiconducting material – usually silicon or germanium. According to Chat About Technology, Geoffrey W.A. Dummer, one of the founding fathers of the microchip, begin to introduce the idea of one in the early 1950’s. His goal, of course, was to have a small chip capable of storing large amounts of data. Pretty impressive for the 1950’s, right?

Jack Kilby, one of the early pioneers of Texas Instruments, the company that designs and manufactures the nifty calculators that math students so often use to cheat with, later fashioned the very first microchip in 1958. His design, at 7/16-by-1/16 inches, was merely composed of a transistor, other components and a tidbit of germanium. Naturally, Kilby’s tiny device would go on to revolutionize the world of information technology…and the rest is history.

Microchips have proven to be successful in a variety of different ways, but who knew they could also be used to keep tabs on our pets? According to How Stuff Works, more than three million cats and dogs are euthanized at U.S. animal shelters every year. With the help of microchips, some pet owners have been able to prevent their beloved companions from running away from home. Since pet microchipping started in the mid-90’s, more and more people are opting to do it. The chips are no bigger than a grain of rice and are implanted in the subcutaneous tissues of animals via a hypodermic needle.

The microchips found in animals are battery-free and are sealed in a biocompatible glass covered by a sheath to prevent migration. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the chips are activated by a low-power frequency signal emitted by scanners. The chips use radio frequency identification (RFID) technology by utilizing radio waves, and hold information pertaining to the pet. Due to the fact that it has no internal power source, these chips requires a scanner to keep it energized. The standard frequency for animal microchips is 134.2-kHz, and implantation is completely voluntary meaning that owners are given the choice.

So, what are some of the things that may go through an owner’s mind when it comes to microchipping their pets? Well, for starters, is it harmful?

Perchance that depends on whether or not you consider cancer to be detrimental. How Stuff Works states that in 2004, the Food and Drug Administration considered the process to be safe. Nevertheless, since the 1990’s studies have shown evidence that microchips can cause cancerous tumors to develop in rats and mice. Furthermore, the AVMA states that a microchip may induce a foreign-body reaction and tumor formation in species or strains prone to developing tumors. However, that isn’t to say that every pet may experience this. Results may vary.

With that being said, the benefits of microchips in pets may be enough to sway owners. An accepted form of identification is a tattooing procedure that could be painful, in addition to it fading, hence the reason microchips are so popular. The AVMA states that implantation in horses and other livestock allows increased recovery of stolen animals and traceability in the event of a disease outbreak. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, implanted microchips helped identify animals and reunite them with their owners.

So, what’s the future hold for microchip technology? Mashable reports that IBM has started perfecting new technology to replace silicon chips, and that Intel is working on the next generation of computer chips to be found in PCs and Macs. Mashable states that the smaller the chips become, the greater their processing frequencies. Oy vey.

It seems microchip technology is an everlasting one. While it may have its pros and cons, when it comes to microchipping pets, it’s really up to the owner. Careful consideration and research always helps, but some individuals just may prefer to go with their gut. Smart thinking? Who knows?

Then again, all dogs go to heaven, right?

- Jaylen C.

How do you feel about microchipping your pets? Do you find microchips to be beneficial?  Let us know at our Facebook Page, our Twitter, or by sounding off in the comments below!

It is common knowledge that trends tend to come and go. When it comes to cellular phones, this gem of wisdom certainly holds true. Once upon a time, being able to send and receive text messages was the big thing. Later, video messaging was the norm. Flip phones became sliders and Razors were replaced with Androids. Needless to say, a revolution was on the horizon. After the smart phone boom, individuals started to embrace the next major technological craze…apps, nifty software applications that have essentially changed the way some of us entertain ourselves and conduct business. The fact of the matter is that apps are booming, and practically everyone with a smart phone or tablet has downloaded the software.

While most applications can be advantageous such as Expensify, FreshBooks and Teaspiller, three business related ones that landed on one of Mashable’s top five handy apps lists, or others designed to satisfy those of us who are addicted to Facebook, some can leave a few individuals scratching their heads. It seems that for every app that is beneficial, there is an equally useless one. So, are there too many apps? Are some apps pointless? What are some of the worst apps of all time? Let’s analyze a few, shall we?

When it comes down to the good, the bad, and the ugly, it could just be a matter of opinion. Apps dealing with GPS navigation, augmented reality, and social media tend to be popular. However, there are several applications that have graced the top worst lists of several technology publications…on a continual basis. Take iNap@Work for example. An app that helps employees get away with sleeping in their respective cubicles by playing the sounds of clacking on a keyboard or stapling paper is just downright wrong. A technology article in the Montreal Gazette cited iFart as another lame app. As if the name isn’t a giveaway itself, this naughty application plays a plethora of sounds resembling flatulence.

Sheesh. What’s next, belching?

As a matter of fact, yes. Beer Belch is a fairly new app dealing with potty humor and features three different burp levels. It enables users to keep a Bavarian beer-guzzler chugging down the booze until he lets out an enormous belch. Perhaps it’s an efficient way to pass the time for those that work from home.

InfoBarrel.com stated that it is good to have balance between good apps and bad ones, and listed five apps as the worst of the worst. Among them were iStrip Pen, an iPhone app costing a dollar that lets users strip down a girl to her undergarments, and CalmCandle, an app that features a candle flickering constantly for just five dollars. Furthermore, the folks at InformationWeek.com went on to comprise a list of the top ten Android app flops including some names you may recognize such as Adobe Flash and GMail. Others on the list included apps to add a fake mustache to one’s face. You see? There really are some meaningless apps out there.

Having said that, it begs the question…why do some people enjoy this stuff?

Christopher Abraham may have the solution. A photographer and graphic designer working out of Tallahassee, FL, he said he believes some individuals are addicted.

“People have grown accustomed to them,” said Abraham, who owns a smartphone. “People use apps every day for different uses…GPS, shopping, weather, gas prices and a lot more. There are thousands if not millions of apps – some good and some bad. I don’t think people can distinguish between the good ones and the bad ones. Some people can’t even live a day without their smartphone and don’t mind using apps that are utterly pointless. I try to avoid the lame ones at all costs.”

Marrita Royster-Crockett, a broadcast journalist based in Miami, is of the same opinion. She said she believes people are simply hooked on apps, whether they are useful or pointless, because it’s still the new thing.

“It’s still cool to say to someone, ‘Hey, I have an app that can tell me how many miles I’ve walked,’” she said. “While I can’t see the charm in that, some people can get a kick out of it. However, I think that we are spending more time communicating with a screen rather than a face. We are losing the ability to openly communicate with one another. Furthermore, we are relying way too much on our apps and as a result, are losing the ability to problem solve on our own.”

While both Abraham and Crockett may have hit some key points, it is still up to individuals to decide what apps are worthwhile. While some people may view some apps as another reason as to why the digital age has made some lazy, others may find them to be utterly intriguing. It’s all in the eye of the user. Although there are applications that do come in handy, it seems that there are just as many inane apps debuting every week. To that end, it’s good to know which ones to avoid.

Perhaps that would be an app worth downloading.

- Jaylen C.

Do you own a smart phone? If so, what apps do you have? What apps do you avoid? Let us know at our Facebook Page, our Twitter, or by sounding off in the comments below!

After sitting in a cubicle all day, many individuals working in corporate America start to dream of finding a job that allows them to work from home. I worked from home for six years before migrating my way back into a nine-to-five position. I’m happy to report that the shine of the corporate world hasn’t worn off and I enjoy getting up and heading downtown every weekday.  How is this possible, you ask? Easy. Working from home, as glorious as it seems, can really make you crazy.

Here, let me count the ways:

• Yes, you do get to toss your alarm clock and work in your pajamas. However, I missed not being able to wear all of my cute outfits and there’s no one to show off my new shoes to on Monday.  Maybe this is just a girl thing. Your wardrobe starts to consist of stretched out jog pants and holey t-shirts.
• You never see anyone, unless the UPS guy stops by. It gets kind of lonely. That’s when I would offer to meet a client at Starbucks just to get out of the house.  Sure, you could go shopping or something, but the guilt knowing you should be working gets to you.
• You also get to hang out with your dog all day, but this causes them to be really co-dependent and they hate it when you go anywhere without them. The same can be said for children. Children have no concept of work separation. You are at home therefore they can bother you.
• I had to convince people that yes, I have a real job. Just because I can take you to the airport at 2:00 in the afternoon on a Tuesday doesn’t mean I don’t have a “real” job.  I worked harder than most individuals with a nine-to-five occupation when I worked from home. I would get up every weekday morning, make coffee, and sit down to work at 8:30 in the morning and work until the work was done.  And no, I can’t be at your house to wait for a plumber while you’re at your “real job.”
• If you work for someone else then your entire competency is based on numbers because your employer can’t see you spending 10 hours a day busting your hump. Therefore you have a tendency to overwork just to look as good as your slacker peers at the office.
• Also, if you own your own at-home business, there is no one else to delegate to, or blame and no real vacations.  There’s no one to do your job if you want to be in the Caymans for two weeks. No power lunches, no open bar holiday parties, no birthday cake in the conference room, no free coffee, no camaraderie.
• There is also no one to bounce ideas off of. You get your own counsel and that’s about it. You can ask the dog but she doesn’t care. Without the interaction of a team of other people you start to feel kind of dumb, or mad scientist brilliant. It’s bizarre. You know how a great intelligent conversation can leave you feeling smarter, more well informed? Yeah, none of that. Plus, your competitive spirit dies.
• Discipline is key when you work from home. It’s really hard not to say “aw to heck with it” to your Excel spreadsheet and do laundry, or go to the Dollar Store. So in order to be successful you have to have the discipline of a Buddhist monk. It’s way too easy to sleep late or skip days all together. Plus, the TV will suck you in, even with all of the horrible daytime programming.
• The separation of work and home is a balance that most corporate folk take for granted. At work, you can’t see your dirty tile floors so there’s no need to fuss about mopping them. When you work outside the home, you can generally leave most of your work on your desk at 5:00. I did my best trying to designate an area specifically for work that I could walk away from at the end of the workday. Unfortunately, my work computer was my only computer, so if I wanted to play a game or look at Facebook – there’s that spreadsheet staring me in the face.  Imagine never leaving where you work.
• Post-it notes cost money! This is not an issue for the corporate person…there is always a stack in the copy room. They’re expensive, like $5.99 for two packs!  That goes for laptops, manila folders, mailing labels and copy paper…oh and don’t get me started on printer cartridges and label maker tape!
• When your other half gets home after their hectic day, all they want to do is stay in, eat dinner, and watch TV. Meanwhile you’re dying to get out, see people and go places. You’ve started to go completely batty. The first strains of Paul McCartney’s Band on the Run starts echoing through your brain. “Stuck inside these four walls…”
• Your spouse expects a clean house and hot meal when they get home, because “you’ve been home all day.” I think that many work-from-home professionals are viewed as Oprah watching, bon-bon eating, couch potatoes with all of the time in the world. (Someone actually said that to me once). In fact, juggling everything at once gets super hectic. Work from home dad and marketing specialist Michael Gray suggests “get a slow cooker and learn how to use it, it’s a lifesaver especially if [you] have kids.” Becki Bayley, a work-from-home mom and entrepreneur says “choosing between cooking dinner and meeting a deadline is never easy” and “you [have to] love the folks that ask you to do other things because, you’re home anyway…”
• Lastly, the fridge is always, RIGHT THERE. So it’s easy to go get some string cheese or an apple. More likely it’s last night’s leftover cream pie, or Bacos right out of the jar. Easy access to food means weight gain. Then you start signaling the end of your day with a nice adult beverage, or two. Hello, 30 new pounds.

So before you take that work-from-home job, think about whether you have the personal balance, discipline, self-motivation and thick skin it takes to do it. Would I work from home again? Sure, if I could get away from it all by spending at least three days a week at the office.

- Vikki F.

Is there some craziness we missed? Let us know at our Facebook Page, our Twitter, or by sounding off in the comments below!

Competition is definitely the word when it comes to sports. For ages, individuals have awed and marveled at nimble sportspersons taking to a court or field to display their athletic prowess. Competition can also be used to describe the realm of information technology. However, what happens when both technology and sports are combined together?

The folks at EA Sports seem to be keen on answering that particular question. With a global headquarters in California, Electronic Arts Incorporated, commonly known as EA, was founded in 1982. As one of the leading global interactive entertainment software developers, the company knows a thing or two about creating suitable content – especially substance that is sports related.

So, what’s the newest techno fad that EA is cooking up?

Well, it was recently reported that EA Sports and ESPN’s Emerging Technology team have partnered up to create and display a new virtual technology device dubbed GameView. Presented by college football analyst Desmond Howard at Full Sail University, this new form of technology utilizes augmented reality which has been creating quite a stir lately. With GameView, sports analysts and commentators are now given the ability to control and execute football plays by the use of three-dimensional related technology. According to PRWeb, GameView takes place on an amazing 70-inch touch screen built into a tabletop. The football players of your favorite teams are generated by 3D and are able to run whatever play the analyst chooses for them. If that isn’t impressive enough, analysts can also rotate the field for accuracy, zoom in for precision, and telestrate to break down maneuvers.

With this newfound technology, the minds at ESPN said they wish to bring fans and sports enthusiasts deeper into the game in an effort to allow them to understand the choices made by coaches and players. It may just feel as if they are on the field themselves.

Sounds like something out of Epcot, right?

Well, if this new device holds up, some wouldn’t be surprised if Disney did indeed come knocking. Still, inquiring minds want to know how all of this dazzling stuff works. ESPN and EA Sports haven’t exactly gone into detail, but clever nerds and technology experts alike know the basics of 3D and augmented reality. According to Technically Personal, high-quality 3D can be achieved with polarized glasses. However, with GameView, glasses are obviously not needed.

To see three-dimensional objects without glasses is scientifically called autostereoscopy. Insiders have stated that this form of technology isn’t exactly new. In fact, it was invented in 1985. Still, it holds up rather well considering that ESPN is now utilizing it for sports watchers. Perhaps the same can be said about augmented reality which has been around for a while now and has gained in popularity within recent years if reports on Mashable are any inclination.

On hand to test out the new technology for ESPN and EA Sports were a group of eager Full Sail students and faculty. There isn’t any word on when it will make its debut, but it isn’t a coincidence that it was tested just in time for the Super Bowl. With GameView, audiences can gear up for more thrills and action, and that, in turn, will make for an incredible experience.

Touchdown.

- Jaylen C.

Are you excited about GameView? Does it sound like something worthwhile? Let us know at our Facebook Page, our Twitter, or by sounding off in the comments below!

Working in marketing, an important part of my job is to monitor social media activity. In addition to this, on my downtime, I like to catch up with friends and family on Facebook.  I spend more time than the average person does looking at Facebook, so maybe I just see more odd behavior.  Here are the 40, yes 40, species of Facebookers that I have discovered (other than the normal ones like you and me of course).  I humbly confess to the ones I am guilty of perpetrating.

1)      The Spoiler – The poster who unthinkingly blurts out reality show results or movie endings without thinking… “OMG I can’t believe they eliminated Kelly from SYTYCD!” …thereby completely negating the fact that you had it DVR’d. It’s because of these people that you have to avoid Facebook until you catch up on your show. Profile Picture: The actor they are told they look like.

2)      The TMI person – The one who shares inappropriate and disgusting information not fit for polite society. Amused or impressed with their own bodily functions, or with odd predilections, these are the folk you hide to avoid feeling dirty or nauseous.  Profile Picture: Their inappropriate tattoo.

3)      The Drama Queen – Everything is a tragedy in this person’s world…from ruining a favorite shirt to a disagreement with the boss.  This person’s world is always about to end and no one feels emotion like they do. You can’t POSSIBLY understand, so don’t bother commenting. Profile Picture: A shot of them with their ex cropped out.

4)      The Debbie Downer – Every post is “boo hoo hoo.” This person can’t muster any joy whatsoever and they live to make you feel bad too.  Their cat is ill, their rent went up, and no one loves them. Makes you wish there was a digital Binky. Profile Picture: A crying angel with black wings.

5)      The World Traveler – There is one simple reason we dislike this person: photos of shopping in Peru, coffee in Venice, rock climbing in New Zealand, and whale watching in the Pacific Northwest. They make us all jealous with their nifty exploits and as much as we hate it, we’re fascinated and look at every photo. Profile Picture: Them atop Mt. Whatever.

6)      The Cryptic One – This person always leaves you wondering what the heck they mean. They post things like, “That’s it, I am finished!” With what? Your boyfriend? Your homework? Your sandwich? Then when someone responds asking for clarification, they never respond. This type of behavior does not make them mysterious. Instead, it just makes them irritating. Profile picture: A close up of their eye.

7)      The Passive Aggressive – This person’s mean spirit is directionless and shows in posts like, “I wish she would just shut up” or “I just hate some people… you know who you are.”  They don’t actually name a suspect. Instead, they just throw it out there untagged so that they don’t have to deal with any actual repercussion of the statement. Profile Picture: The evil look they think is smoldering sexiness.

8)      The Gross Poster – This person is always posting abused dogs and motorcycle accident victims, usually on the premise of preventing animal abuse or texting while driving.  The gross and macabre intrigue them. Unfortunately there are some things you just can’t un-see.   Profile picture: Their infected toe.

9)      The Gamers & Pollers – Their feed is filled with bonus points and farm gifts and high scores. Either that or they’ve revealed their cuteness level today or figured out their Vampire name. Without anything really interesting to say, these folks use Facebook as a conduit into their made up little world. Profile Picture: A screenshot of their Café.

10)   The Quoter – Every. Single. Day. An inspirational quote or affirmation. A bible verse or horoscope. Frankly, we don’t care what your tarot cards said today. Really, really, don’t care. Profile Picture: Their horoscope sign.

11)   The VeeJay – This person will post not one, not two, but 15 YouTube videos in a row because they want you to know what they are jamming to. They think their taste in music is so awesome it trumps anything you could be possibly listening to. Similar to The Spotify except their posts take up more visual real estate on your page. Profile picture: A shot of them in earphones and sunglasses.

12)   The Lovebug – “Brad and I have been together 2.5 months! Happy Anniversary BabyBoo <3 xoxo” These people are making you candy-coated sick to your stomach. This is only compounded when the other side is the same way. While you may expect this from the teen set, there are way too many adults that do this too. Profile Picture: The two of them of course.

13)   The Mommy – When a person’s profile and wall exclusively contains pictures of their baby/children. No adult pastimes, no pictures of them. Just every exploit of their darling child and every photo the camera can hold. Profile picture: The kid.

14)   The Mundane – “Mopping the floor.” “Need Milk.” “Doing Laundry.” If you ever wanted some reading that will put you to sleep, just check out this person’s wall. Not only boring but usually repetitive as well. If you’re just going to post the same thing every day, don’t. Profile picture: Webcam shot of themselves.

15)   The Work Hater – This person is known for a few key phrases: “My boss sucks.” “Is it 5:00 yet?” “TGIF” “Longest day ever.” Who knows what they do after 5:00 PM each day. Profile Picture: Tropical Beach/Their Happy Place.

16)   The Reposter – Repost this if you agree!!  Um, we all hate cancer, we all love our children, but we don’t have to repost everything you ask us to.  Most of the time these folks don’t really have original content and are content being Yes Men.  Profile picture: From four years ago.

17)   The Check-In – Makes it easy to stalk their every move. Everywhere you go, everyone you’re with, everything you’re doing, goes on Facebook. Profile picture: Them and eight others at favorite restaurant (80% guilty).

18)   The Cross-Platform – Facebook status updates contain hash tags because they are posting the same thing on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Linkedin. Gets annoying if you follow them on more than one media. Status always less than 140 characters. Profile Picture: Headshot from work.

19)   The Lurker – Never posts, never likes, never comments, but always seems to know exactly what you are up to when you run into them at the bagel shop. So you know they are looking at everything. Profile Pic: Same one since they started Facebook.

20)   The Status Hijacker – The person that always jumps in with a non sequitur response to your post. You say: “MMM, tacos for dinner!” and your mom chimes in with “How’s your new cat doing?” Many times this is due to newbie confusion, other times it’s an attention issue caused by too much Facebook. Profile picture: Phone self-portrait.

21)   The Rain On Your Parade – The minute you announce your promotion or your scheduled trip to Cancun, here comes Rain, ready to inform you that your new job means more taxes, or regale you with the odd rash they got in Cancun. Heaven forbid you are expecting a baby or getting married because this person will gladly remind you of real life by commenting, “But aren’t you in foreclosure?”  Profile Picture: Suspiciously evil grin.

22)   The Misspeller – Whoever taught this child in the second grade needs to be fired. Not only are they misspelling words, they are using the wrong homonym.  Makes you want to correct them, so bad but you resist the urge because there are so many of them. Profile photo: Species too varied to specify.

23)   The Bored One – Always bored, always saying “I’m bored!” which is toggled by “Text Me!” and “What’s everyone doing?” Profile Picture: The latest third party photo manipulator.

24)   The Attention Seeker – The Seeker always posts to specifically get you to ask them what’s wrong or if they’re OK. They are always confused and feeling sad and needing someone, anyone, to post and let them know they’re a good person, a great friend, and the sun will shine tomorrow.  Profile picture: Them. Sad.

25)   The Comedian – Nose, meet milk. This person always has you laughing with original stuff.  Whether they’re musing about things or pointing out the funny in everything, these folks are the joy of Facebook and we need more of them. Profile picture: A straight face.

26)   The Sick & Tired – We are all sick and tired of hearing from the person who is always sick and/or tired. Their feet hurt, their throat’s dry, they think they caught the office bug. They better go lay down.  Profile picture: Their feet in front of the TV.

27)   The Facebook Jock – Follows every game, every league and does their best impression of an ESPN broadcaster, keeping you updated on scores and offering their opinion of each athlete’s game.  Profile picture: In team colors at team game/match.

28)   The Food Photographer – Whether the gourmet meal in front of them is home cooked or served up at a restaurant, this person is forced to photograph the chow for posterity. This only serves to make those stuck on the computer very hungry. Profile picture: Last night’s filet with red wine reduction (100% Guilty).

29)   The Crusader – This one is looking to garner your vote, or to get you to sign a petition or boycott a major brand because they get their goods overseas.  The crusader is always trying to right a wrong. Profile picture: Them with a sign at a protest.

30)   The Musician – Posts about their new CD that you’ve heard about but never seen as well as their upcoming gigs and snippets of the band “live.” Encourages you to visit their MySpace page. Profile picture: Them with their instrument of choice.

31)   The Ferris Bueller – Set up a Facebook page in 2010 because someone said they should. Responded to your friend request long after you forgot you requested them. Nothing on their wall except invites to farm.  Profile picture: Default grey and white Facebook person.

32)   The Political Commentator – This person thinks they are on Meet The Press and that their point of view is so righteous and so correct that they must share it with everyone. This person can be from any political party, but you will know which one by the type of propaganda they distribute.  Profile picture: Candidate of choice.

33)   The Addict – A person who is stuck to Facebook constantly throughout the day and posts every five minutes, be it on their wall, your wall, your pic, his pic, her pic. They take up your notifications dropdown.  Profile photo:  A pic from last night (70% Guilty – Social Media is part of my job, eh?).

34)   The Shadow – The person compelled to comment on every comment you post, every picture you upload. It’s like they can’t help following you around everywhere you go on FB…kind of like a lost little dog. Profile Picture: A picture of them… and you!

35)   The Emcee – This person finds it necessary to comment every moment or two throughout an awards ceremony, performance or reality show.  “Can you believe what John is wearing?” “I think they should get rid of Lily!” Profile Picture: Favorite celebrity.

36)   The Narcissist – Constantly uploading pictures of themselves, mostly photoshopped. Most are of certain body parts. Abs for guys, chests for girls. Every chance to show off their perfect hair and strike a pose.  Profile picture: The bathroom mirror pic.

37)   The Host – The event planner of the group is always inviting you to tons of events even if you’ve never been to one. Always has 2500 or more Facebook friends and knows everyone. Yeah, everyone. Profile picture: Tux or evening gown.

38)   The Fan Girl – And to be fair, fan boys. The person who is just 100% obsessed with some singer, actor, or the character from a show. All of their musings, posts, thoughts and photos are about this person. They link to articles about them. They would “die” if they ever met them, etc. Profile photo: The crush.

39)   The Marketer – Doesn’t matter if you like their business page or not, this person still uses their personal page to promote their business all of the time. You want to demand they use a business profile but they don’t know the difference. So you get to see their restaurant specials, or real estate listings, like it or not.  Profile picture: The 3/2 they’re trying to sell. (20% Guilty, I post my blogs to my Facebook)

40)   The Couple – You have to wonder if this couple is inseparable or if one or the other couldn’t care less about social media. Their name is always AmyAndRob Jones, or similar. When a birthday notification comes up, you’re not quite sure whose birthday it is so you don’t post.  Profile picture: Amy, Rob, the kids, the dog and the cat.

As you can see, I was forced to fess up to more than one of these behaviors. I normally only photograph food I make, but I think it looks good and I do it to one-up my friend Larry who posts some amazing looking grub 1200 miles away. I try to keep my posts to under three a day, and try to be conscientious of my audience. Luckily, a few hundred people continue to think I’m cool. *Posts to Facebook*

So, what type of Facebooker are you? Did I miss one?

- Vikki F.

Let us know at our Facebook Page, our Twitter, or by sounding off in the comments below!

What is reality? Now, there’s a question that shouldn’t require much thought. However, in this day and age, a query that simple could generate some unusual responses. You see, 2012 has officially arrived and already nerds and researchers alike are all abuzz regarding a fairly new sensation sweeping the world of information technology, and it has nothing to do with Apple.

Believed to have been coined in the 1990’s, the term augmented reality typically deals with video related elements that have been augmented by computer-generated sensory. These elements can either be a direct, indirect or live view of real-world environments such as luxurious forests, gleaming lakes, dazzling cityscapes or conventional people going about their everyday lives. While ordinary to the normal eye, things become rather interesting once augmentation is added by sensory input such as graphics, video and sound.

So, what is this new phenomenon? Why is it so cool?

Well, for starters, augmentation is a pretty nifty affect, one that takes effort from those that may believe that the digital age has made us lazy. Take for example, a photo of a space shuttle lifting off. By augmenting and enhancing the flames from its exhaust, one could give off the affect that it’s actually going into space right in front of your very eyes. Augmenting an image of a river stream could create ripples on top of the water while augmenting a picture of clouds in the sky could make them appear as if they are literally moving.

Augmentation is certainly an interesting technique. However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be used to enhance photographs. Quite the reverse, it’s been used in advertising, and could be a great way to market yourself to little or no cost. Furthermore, it can  also be used in video games, GPS devices and even sports telecasting. That’s right…the yellow first down line seen in football games is an example of augmented reality. Fascinating, right?

Nathalie Precil certainly seems to think so. A photographer living in Florida, Precil said she finds augmented reality to be very helpful especially when watching sports.

“While watching football, you don’t even have to think about where the first down line is [because] augmented reality clearly displays the line for us. It’s helpful because there’s no guessing,” she said. “I think it adds excitement to the game because you can clearly see the line that the player is reaching for. It also helps me a lot when using my GPS and traveling from city to city.”

Precil isn’t the only one who appreciates the benefits of augmented reality. On the contrary, Paul N., a web developer, said he has played with a form of it through Adobe Flash, and said he believes it can be great when used in the classroom.

“I’d say it would be great to see AR introduced to some form of learning or education,” he said. “I think it’d help conceptualize a lot of things that kids have trouble with learning. Some people are visual learners and some people are hands on learners. By mixing both in a form of a game, I think it would help to narrow the gap between different kinds of students and learners. I think augmented reality has major potential to be a major game changing technology in the future.”

Indeed it does. Just how big has it become?

Well, according to mashable.com, there are augmented reality apps for the iPhone including one that enables players to shoot photos of their friends in the face with laser beams, and WorkSnug, an app that locates Wi-Fi hotspots for people to work on their respective laptops. There are even user reviews regarding the atmosphere, noise levels and power provisions.

Wow. And to think I thought augmented reality had nothing to do with Apple.

The phenomenon has become so big that there are even conventions dedicated to it including the third annual Augmented Reality Event being held this May in California and will include seminars on the latest AR innovations, engines and tool and how to fun and build a successful augmented reality start up. With that being said and done, it may be safe to say that this sensation won’t be going away any time soon. In fact, since it managed to miss our top ten list for 2011, perhaps it’ll end up on our 2012 compilation. And why wouldn’t it? Augmented reality has practically revolutionized the way people view the world, and with enhancements being discovered and perfected every day, chances are that’ll only get better.

And that’s real.

- Jaylen C.

How do you feel about augmented reality? Is it something that fascinates you? Where do you see it headed in the future? Let us know at our Facebook Page, our Twitter, or by sounding off in the comments below!

An age-old aphorism states that all good things must come to an end, and so it is that 2011 has come and gone. However, forgotten it won’t be. You see, the thing about 2011 is that it’s certainly memorable for its slew of technology related events. It is a fact that technology is constantly evolving. For every facelift for Facebook and three-dimensional treatment for video games, there is a plethora of other incredible technological advances. To that end, we here at Surpass have taken the liberty to comprise a list of not only the best gizmos, but the top ten technology events of the year exclusively for your enjoyment. Buckle up your seatbelts because here we go!

10) The Rise of the Kindle Fire Kicking off our countdown is this new popular device! Who knew a tablet computer version of Amazon’s beloved Kindle e-book reader would be so phenomenal? Apparently the creators did, and they’ve been smiling all the way to the bank. Released in November, the device may have sold as many as over two million in just a month according to reports found on cnet.com. Naturally, that amount could have doubled by now. Furthermore, with features that rival an iPad such as a state-of-the-art dual-core processor and nifty apps including Netflix, TweetCastle and Angry Birds, the Kindle may be here to stay.

9) The Qwikster Failure This one will definitely go down in history. Netflix may be the world’s leading Internet subscription service when it comes to viewing shows and movies, but it caught fire after the company announced that it would relegate its DVD rental service to a new entity called Qwikster.  According to The Wall Street Journal, it would have heaped inconvenience on top of a previously announced 60% price increase. This undoubtedly ruffled a few feathers regarding the users. Video streaming may be the future of television, but DVD-by-mail service as a separate business was dead on arrival. As a result, Qwikster was qwikly (pun intended) shut down on October 10.

8 ) The AT&T Merger Flops While not as controversial as the Qwikster debacle, the AT&T merger did turn a few heads. When it was announced in the early half of 2011 that communications giant AT&T would possibly be merging with T-Mobile, there were some individuals that complained. Why was a merger needed? What’s the point? Didn’t AT&T acquire Cingular already? Well, folks who didn’t want to lose their T-Mobile contracts received their wish in December when it was announced that AT&T and T-Mobile couldn’t find a buyer for assets to bring their merger into fruition. Techcrunch.com stated that AT&T placed the blame on the FCC and the U.S. Department of Justice. Whatever the case, rolling over minutes isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

7) The iPhone Pandemonium Now, here’s a good one! You’d have to be living under a rock not to know what an iPhone is. It seems Apple comes out with these new things every single year. However, the new 4S, released in October, created quite a frenzy. Everyone just had to have one. What is it with nerds and gizmos? CNN reports indicated that four million were sold during its first weekend. Wow. Perhaps it pays to be an Apple product. Speaking of which…

6) The iPad 2 Hits the Scene Next up on the list is another Apple item that left its mark on 2011 – the new and improved iPad. What is it about this device that has so many consumers going crazy? This technology writer just doesn’t know. Isn’t it just a laptop in tablet form? (Seriously. Let me know. I’d love to read your responses.) Nevertheless, since its debut in March, the iPad 2 has been met with a positive reception due to an improved performance and a sleeker design. However, will it be able to go up against the Kindle Fire? Only time will tell.

5) The Stop Online Piracy Act This one is a biggie, and a bit more serious. The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) is a bill that was introduced in the United States House of Representatives in October to implant copy-protection technology into PCs. It expanded the ability of law enforcement and copyright holders to put an end to online trafficking in counterfeit goods and copyrighted intellectual property. The bill would make unauthorized streaming of copyrighted content a crime, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison for 10 pieces of music or movies within six months. Sheesh. Needless to say, this sparked quite an outcry in regards to the new legislation. Then again, that’s what happens when the government threatens Internet privacy and freedom.

4) The Dawn of Google+ While some people may question just why Google+ was needed when Facebook is around, others have embraced the new social networking site as a hot commodity. Since its June launch, Google+ has gained a slew of users and even had an impact on the graphic redesign of Google’s search engine. While there isn’t anything drastically different that separates Google+ from Facebook, there is an advantage that the former has…it seems to work better for business. Google+ pages can be displayed in search results along with the photo of the user as well as their employment status (EXP: John Doe, Managing Editor for The Cyber Gazette) and favorite links. Pretty awesome, right?

3) Anonymous hacker group Mysterious is definitely the word when it comes to this group. Spread around the world yet connected through the Internet, this group of hackers has been very active in 2011 including releasing emails of corruption and fraud from Bank of America, attacking the Playstation Network, and taking down the websites of the Orlando, Florida Chamber of Commerce. Yikes!

2) The Introduction of the Facebook Timeline Radical redesigns are nothing new when it comes to Facebook. After all, the site is known for changing it appearance practically every year. However, this new redesign definitely has some people talking. Timeline is being touted as a new way for users to tell their stories. It organizes every event in chronological order and allows users to take a vivid trip down memory lane. Launched around the end of September, Timeline is Facebook’s most bold redesign yet. One can only wonder what’s to come.

1) The Death of Steve Jobs Number one on our list belongs to a man who is known as the pioneer of the personal computer revolution. As one of the founders of Apple, Jobs oversaw the creation of many gizmos and gadgets including some of the ones that we use today. Does the iPhone ring a bell? It was October 5 of this year when he died at the age of 56, and although he may be gone, you can rest assured that his legacy will live on forever.

And there you have it, folks! Those were the top ten technology items and events of 2011. With 2012 on the horizon, it may be safe to say that we can expect a new wide variety of devices, gadgets, thingamabobs and gizmos that will undoubtedly top the ones of 2011 and be nothing short of entertaining and enjoyable!

- Jaylen C.

Did we miss anything on our top ten list? What are you looking forward to in 2012? Let us know at our Facebook Page, our Twitter, or by sounding off in the comments below!

Laziness, a word defined as being resistant to work or exertion, or merely disposed to idleness, is something that many Americans deal with on an everyday basis. In fact, it may be safe to say that everyone has a moment of sluggishness from time to time. This could be especially true for those that have become slaves to technology…not that there’s anything particularly wrong with that. After all, technological doodads and gadgets have helped revolutionize the way that many individuals go about their day to day activities. However, has the digital age turned people lazy?

Now, there’s a million dollar question!

Analyze this: before the rise of Playstations, Kindles, iPods, iPhones and iwhatevers, some people did things a tad bit differently. For starters, many individuals purchased their tangible novels from actual bookstores to be displayed proudly on bookshelves in their homes while others obtained albums from music stores as opposed to simply downloading singles on iTunes. Before the upsurge of videogames, there were some children that opted to go outside to play with friends, and before the abundance of digital mobile apps, some people could actually hold a decent conversation with one another instead of being distracted by the sleek cellular devices in their hands.

The arrival of the digital age has been a hot topic on some media websites as well as a subject discussed amongst businesspersons and nerds alike. While the benefits of new devices such as tablets, smartphones and 3D television sets have undoubtedly left their mark in the world, they’ve also seemed to have brought on another interesting affect…a wave of lethargy.

So, with that being said and done, what in the world has happened?

Well, the folks at Mibba may have figured it out. According to them, the digital age may have made some of us physically and mentally lazy. The article states that with streaming now available on cell phones and laptops, some people have become physically lazy in that they will no longer go to the cinema. Furthermore, it also stated that individuals can now talk to loved ones with the push of a button on their respective cell phones instead of just getting up and walking to the landline telephone in the hallways of their homes. Perhaps it’s true. Maybe all of these innovations have made us indolent.

If that’s not enough, some of these innovations could be costing us money. Forbes recently comprised a list entitled “23 Ways that your Laziness is Costing you Money.” Featured on MSNBC, the list incorporated two things related to technology including ordering premium video on demand. It turns out that production companies like Warner Brothers, 20^th Century Fox, Universal and Sony have yet to offer certain movies on-demand before 60 days of their theatrical run. According to the piece of writing, the films cost around $30 for a 48 hour period which is practically a 150 percent markup. Perchance it’s better to get up, get dressed and head to the local movie theater as opposed to being lazy.

Speaking of which, laziness can also come into play regarding smartphones. Additionally, the Forbes story also listed not comparison shopping with a smartphone as a way to lose cash. If you’re one of the individuals who just had to upgrade to one of these devices, it may be wise to utilize its features including free mobile apps enabling shoppers to find savings on items.  In a world consisting of some folks who simply like to keep up with the Joneses (or Kardashians), there are those that add apps just to have them and never utilize their potential due to the fact that they just don’t feel like opening them. Laziness? You be the judge.

While some folks may argue that the digital age has made some slothful, others respectfully disagree. An article found in The Glacier stated that the digital era is actually rather helpful despite being labeled as the bane of our society’s intelligence. Despite all of Facebook’s changes and facelifts, users are being taught how to communicate with other people. According to The Glacier, by making mistakes such as handling drama and other personal issues over Facebook, it could be possible to learn what is and what is not socially acceptable.

Perhaps that’s one way to spin it. Either way, make no doubt about it, the digital age has arrived and just like those wretched iPhones, it isn’t going away anytime soon.

- Jaylen C.

Do you think that the digital age has made us lazy? Or do you believe that it hasn’t had an affect at all? Let us know at our Facebook Page, our Twitter, or by sounding off in the comments below!