The new IOS 6 just came out recently for the Iphones and I am a bit skeptical.  The new programs are, from my understanding, primarily made for the new Iphone 5 that’s coming out.  What’s holding me back from upgrading is that my Iphone 3G is already slow enough, why would I upgrade knowing the new programs will probably make it even slower? It was not built with the intent to run these new programs because they were not even developed when my Iphone came out.  My thinking is that this is actually Apple’s intent.  I think they want you to upgrade to the latest programming so it will make you phone slow.  Is it just me or is it a coincidence that shortly after the new upgrade comes out that a new “faster” version of the Iphone comes out.  To me this is just apples way of making people want the “new and improved” Iphones.  I smell a conspiracy if you ask me.  This blog has got me thinking even more now, but one thing is for certain, there is NO way I am upgrading.  I am keeping my Iphone for as long as I can

I am not the kind of person that likes to be on their phone all day, in fact I hate when it goes off when I am trying to have a conversation with another person because it is embarrassing.  I don’t like to be constantly notified about “Suzie liked your Facebook status” or “Your friend Charlie challenged you on Words with Friends” it only wastes my time.  There are certain things that I do want to be notified about however, for instance when I receive a text of a phone call, besides that I would rather not know until I check certain apps.  Information, technology and communication can be overwhelming and unwanted at times but there are those moments when the little things that bug you become your saving grace. 

In August of 2012 hurricane Isaac made landfall on the coast of southern Louisiana near The city of New Orleans.  My family has lived just outside New Orleans in a town called Slidell for most of their lives, my mother, the middle of 6 girls and a boy, was the only one that moved away. Their rich culture and pride for the city showed in how they had banded together to recover from hurricane Katrina in 2006.  But many were not ready to deal with another hurricane anytime soon. Despite their wishes another one was fast approaching.  In 2006 when Katrina hit, communication between the family was scarce and we didn't hear from many until a few days after the storm. With the power outages and landlines down there was just no way to get in contact with anyone.

This was not the case this past year.  For a year prior to Isaac my family had been communicating through a Facebook group dedicated to the close family.  They had been posting announcements and pictures to spread the word to everyone quickly and frequently.  Frequently being the key word because they often drove my crazy with notifications blowing up my phone on a daily basis.  Despite my bad attitude towards the group my opinion was completely changed when the hurricane came through.  The power went out shortly after the storm hit and the land-lines shortly after.  With no way to communicate we began looking for anyways to get messages out to everyone.

The Facebook group proved to be a quick and easy way to alert everyone simultaneously of information about whereabouts and if everyone was safe. When the worst of the storm came through we received a message from my grandmother, "Me and Pepere are okay but we have some water coming into the house from the canal."  Within an hour my grandparents were drinking coffee at my aunts house safe and sound.  My uncle had seen the message shortly after it was posted and drove his Johnboat down to their house to get them.  I won't go as far as saying their life was in grave danger and Facebook saved their lives but it definitely was fast enough so that we were able to get them out of any dangerous situations.

My opinion of Facebook and Facebook groups has definitely changed.  Now a days I don't mind so much if my family blows up my because I have a new found respect for technology and communication. It may cause unwanted irritation but when it comes down to it, it provides a great service to help us, if needed, keep each other safe.