School, Computer Technology, Web.2.0, and more

School's back in. Looks like it will be a busy quarter. Not necessarily because of schoolwork, but because in addition to my CS course load I can't help but load up on side projects to make extra $$$ and gain experience...ah well. A few things I've been thinking about lately:

-Are we ultimately failing in our use of computer technology? It seems like the aim of computers was to help us work more effectively, thereby freeing us up to indulge in more enlightening pursuits. The work week should have been sliced down to perhaps 25hrs a week with 40 being a firm cap. Instead 40 hours a week is the absolute bare minimum anyone I know works, with some reaching up into the 100hr work week...doesn't sound very progressive or fulfilling to me.

-This whole Web 2.0 thing is simultaneously ridiculous (just how long...can you be beta?) and incredibly powerful (user-generated content ftw). On the one hand there's a great deal of potential, but it seems to be suffering horribly from "bandwagon fever." Either way though, it's shaking things up and making people think differently, which is generally a good thing. Plus we get nifty Web 2.0 logos!

-There was something else, but I can't remember what it was. More later.