to 29’er or not to 29’er

In the last couple of years there’s been a new trend in mountain biking; the 29’er.  The 29’er refers to the 29 inch wheel and tire set rather than the typical 26 inch affair.  They have been around awhile so I’m starting to feel more confident that they will be more than a passing trend.  I’ve been contemplating a new bike for the last year or so and have been seriously considering going with a 29’er.  The initial investment is more, as they’re still new, but if that’s the future of mountain biking it may be worth it to jump into the new technology early.   The benefits are there; larger wheels mean smoother, hence faster, rides, the increased size and rotational mass also means you’ll carry more speed downhill and on flat surfaces.  I’ve also spoken to sales and bike mechanics at numerous different stores, they all say it’s where all mountain biking is going, I still have my reservations, are they just trying to sell the bikes?  I don’t actually know anyone who rides a 29’er so I don’t have any biased reviews to go by, however I’ve read forum and the reviews seem to be mixed.  So at the end of the day, I’m pretty much in the same boat as when I started; to 29’er or not to 29’er.



Convergance of Media

The inception of high speed internet has absolutely changed the way all media is viewed and distributed.  The ability the internet provides to share media with just about the entire developed world instantly is both beneficial and detrimental.  An independent artist can share their work for free or profit from where ever they are, with only basic computer skills.  This allows anyone with the inclination to be a musician or writer and allow the world at large be the judge.  This instant ability to share media also allows large corporations to share media instantly 24 hours a day 7 days a week; no need to get people down the record store anymore.  The flip side to that coin is, that independent artist puts something online and later finds out they infringed on a copyright and find themselves in "a whole heap of trouble"; did I just infringe on "The Dukes of Hazard"?  Also, with media so readily available the large corporations have to contend with computer savvy people finding holes in the law and/or their digital media rights and sharing it with everyone. With the convergence of media blurring the line between the TV, radio, and the PC, more responsibility falls on anyone who chooses to share media on or offline.

Last month while I was in Alaska, which was a surprisingly short 6 hour flight, I did some of the best mountain biking EVER!  Amazing singletrack, killer views, and lung busting elevation - what more could you ask for.  From the condition of the trails everywhere I went it was obvious they are well maintained and used plenty.  I thought we had some great trails here in Massachusetts, and we do, but they’re not in the same league.  The fast windy portions  allowed just enough speed to be gained that it was fun but you didn’t need to slow down to take the corner and the jumps were spaced and sized perfectly as well.  During long climbs I tend to focus on my rhythm, form, and my line, but doing that on Alaskan trails is doing a disservice to yourself. Seemed that everywhere you looked was a scene from a commercial.  So, after almost filling my camera with pictures and videos before I reached the top on day one mountain one, I decided do pick my shot more wisely, only pictures with me, or someone in my group in them.   

It seems to me that the general consensus is that the internet can be both a powerful communications tool as well as a detriment to those who misuse it. The internet has absolutely changed the way we communicate, Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Skype, Facetime, plain’ol email (which I believe is now considered “snail mail”)etc… We can communicate much more easily, share photos and videos, and video chat. Personally, the internet hasn’t brought my family closer but, does allow us to see and know what’s going on in each other’s lives a lot better. Personally, I prefer a phone call whenever possible. I only use email or other means when it’s more convenient, like at work. At my office email is king. People email co-workers sitting right behind them. To some extent I believe people feel a sense of power by the anonymity of email, with sarcasm or copying others on an email. Additionally with smart phones and always being connected it’s very easy to share photos and videos instantly, which can also provide problems of its own. I’ve read stories of people sharing inappropriate photos amongst themselves and them then being leaked or accidently put up online. The internet can help us stay connected to friends and loved ones much more easily but should be used as a tool and not the rule.

The internet has enhanced our lives in so many ways. Using the internet allows students access to an almost unlimited amount of information, from dictionaries and thesauruses to encyclopedias and novels, all are available day or night and instantly. Additionally, with today’s high speed internet students are able to listen to audio, watch video and communicate with instructors and fellow students, via email, chat, or even video chat. While a lot of these resources require some sort of subscription (payment) to access I would imagine there are just about as many that are free. As with an open-source system such as the internet you can’t believe everything you read and therefore must consider the source before using or quoting any information found on the internet. In addition to being an excellent research tool the internet also allows students in geographically separated areas access to courses and instructors, as well as allowing students to tailor the time they spend doing course work around their schedule. Personally, attending school would be very difficult if it weren’t for the internet, in fact if it weren’t for the internet I probably wouldn’t be completing a bachelor’s degree. In summary the internet provides much more flexibility and options for students.

Hello, my name is Jason.  I currently work as a central office technician for Verizon Wireless.  I’ve completed an associate degree from Springfield Technical Community College, and after attending a few other four-year institutions decided to complete the I.T. program at UMass Lowell with a minor in management.  Since completing the associate degree I’ve been taking all my course work online, which is great for time management but can prove extremely difficult for unfamiliar subjects, I have a pre-calculus course next semester that I’m not looking forward to.  I am taking Exploring the Internet at UMass Lowell mainly as a degree elective, but also to learn more about and how to better use the internet.  I feel as I have a pretty good grasp in using the internet, but there’s always more to learn, and if not it’s always good to brush up on the fundamentals.  I’m currently serving in the Air National Guard, prior to that I served as an infantrymen in the Army Guard and five years on active duty in the regular Army.  I’ve spent quite a bit of time overseas and done a fair amount of travel stateside.  When I’m not working or studying, I love to go mountain biking, rock climbing, or the Crossfit gym.