Washington State University officials recently announced the release of a 3D rendering of its flagship Pullman campus for the virtual world program, Second Life®.
Second Life® is a virtual world program developed by Linden Lab®. Second Life® users live as avatars in the program, converse with other members, make money and attend college. Many colleges have Second Life® campuses including Harvard, Princeton and Stanford. The virtual colleges offer students the chance to attend classes form around the world via the internet.
“People can login from around the world or Pullman,” WSU professor Brett Atwood said. “Students attend just like in a real classroom, the instructor is at the podium and the screen can run Powerpoint and video presentations.”
Washington State University working with The Center for Distance and Professional Education (CDPE) wanted to create a virtual campus for WSU students worldwide, according to CDPE media production manager Brian K. Maki. Students worked with CDPE staff to develop the virtual campus. Several WSU professors are already planning on incorporating the virtual campus in their curriculum.
Jitesh H. Panchal, an assistant professor with the School of Mechanical and Materials engineering announced he will use the virtual campus to supplement fall semester lectures. Edward R. Murrow College of Communication dean, Dr. Lawrence Pintak used Second Life for a virtual newsroom project at the American University in Cairo. Atwood has also announced he will use the virtual campus in his journalism and pr classes in the fall of 2009. The virtual campus will give professors the chance to collaborate on various projects, according to Atwood. While officials are excited and enthusiastic about the new virtual world, there are some aspects that students might find unfavorable.
“Its not for everybody,” Atwood said. “In certain situations, such as distance degree learning, this offers more or less a replica of the community building and classroom environment.”
Critics often point out the processing power required to run the program, according to Atwood. At minimum, Second Life® requires Windows XP® or Vista®, a cable or DSL connection and graphics drivers for Windows users. Students who do not have the proper infrastructure to run the Second Life® program will be required to update their computers. Also, some students might find the format and character controls confusing at first, Atwood said.
“I’m not sure if I would feel comfortable in a virtual classroom,” WSU student Ryan Zentz said. “I can see where the program could benefit education, I just don’t see myself liking it a lot, I think I would prefer the online class programs we already use.”
The new virtual campus is in the experimental stages, Atwood said. WSU officials hope to see how interaction within Second Life® could benefit higher education.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Ethics
1. I believe Smith had to differentiate between what was legitimate news and what wasn't because the whole story relied on it. If West wasn't molesting children, or at least pursuing them, then there wouldn't be a story. Smith and others at the paper were trying to dig up and in essence bait West into doing something that may have been out of character. If west hadn't taken the bait then it wouldn't have made a good story.
2. Bill Morlin had to use the fake username on gay.com after finding out about the incident from his 20 year old source. He thought it was necessary to dig deeper to uncover West's activities. Morlin couldn't create the fake name on his own, because it would violate the paper's code of ethics.
3. The paper published so many articles because it was such a juicy story, surrounded by controversy. People love reading about controversy. More controversy in a story directly equates to more income for the newspaper.
4. I really don't think anyone directly benefited from the West stories. West lost friends, lost credibility and his position as mayor was recalled, his life was destroyed. The Spokesman-Review looks like they had conducted a witch hunt. while they made alot of money from the stories, I think sources and others involved with the newspaper will be way more cautious about what they say. The only people who will benefit from these stories are past and potential victims of West.
5. The Lynch story seems to stretch the limits of legitimate reporting. The story is based on alot of theories and not much else. So Lynch goes to a park to ride his bike? thats one explanation for why his car was at the park so much. It seems that the paper is trying to make something out of nothing. This type of reporting based on theories and unsubstantiated evidence could really taint the paper's reputation. I would expect the paper to come up with cold hard facts before publishing that story, rather than just throwing out a bunch of events that could possibly be linked. The article read like a reporter's notes, NOT a final story. I don't think this story should have been allowed to run until everything they inferred was proven.
2. Bill Morlin had to use the fake username on gay.com after finding out about the incident from his 20 year old source. He thought it was necessary to dig deeper to uncover West's activities. Morlin couldn't create the fake name on his own, because it would violate the paper's code of ethics.
3. The paper published so many articles because it was such a juicy story, surrounded by controversy. People love reading about controversy. More controversy in a story directly equates to more income for the newspaper.
4. I really don't think anyone directly benefited from the West stories. West lost friends, lost credibility and his position as mayor was recalled, his life was destroyed. The Spokesman-Review looks like they had conducted a witch hunt. while they made alot of money from the stories, I think sources and others involved with the newspaper will be way more cautious about what they say. The only people who will benefit from these stories are past and potential victims of West.
5. The Lynch story seems to stretch the limits of legitimate reporting. The story is based on alot of theories and not much else. So Lynch goes to a park to ride his bike? thats one explanation for why his car was at the park so much. It seems that the paper is trying to make something out of nothing. This type of reporting based on theories and unsubstantiated evidence could really taint the paper's reputation. I would expect the paper to come up with cold hard facts before publishing that story, rather than just throwing out a bunch of events that could possibly be linked. The article read like a reporter's notes, NOT a final story. I don't think this story should have been allowed to run until everything they inferred was proven.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Frontline: News War
The News War from PBS' Frontline shined an interesting light on American journalism. As with everything else in the country, it seems that the world of journalism has been turned upside down by money. On television, news outlets report horribly on horrible news issues or they just create their own news. This drive to boost ratings has brought on alot of heat from critics. The segment about CBS' coverage of a scandal involving the president is a perfect example of what is going wrong with American tv journalism. CBS ran the report without substantiating the claim. This was a fatal mistake that permanently tarnished their reputation. CBS was uncovered by an internet blog, an up and coming media outlet.
In terms of blogging and other internet news sources it seems that mainstream media outlets loathe their very existence. It seems that bloggers have taken the spotlight off of television news. Many believe that bloggers and other "citizen journalists" do not have the resources to reliably report legitimate news. Another concern is that bloggers simply cruise the internet and add links from other outlets to their news blogs. They cannibalize other sites and gather the juiciest headlines, rather than putting in the work to report something original on a regular basis. Again, the mainstream news sources seems to be migrating to the internet because of money concerns. Television news media has seen the potential in the internet. The print journalism industry has also taken notice to the rising trend of internet reporting.
In the field of print journalism, it seems that the newspaper is nearing its end. There have been drastic measures taken to "cut their way into the future", driven yet again by money. Newspapers, much like television news, is turning to the internet to save them. Online newspapers and their attempts at "hyperlocalism" are a last ditch effort to save a dying breed of reporting.
In terms of blogging and other internet news sources it seems that mainstream media outlets loathe their very existence. It seems that bloggers have taken the spotlight off of television news. Many believe that bloggers and other "citizen journalists" do not have the resources to reliably report legitimate news. Another concern is that bloggers simply cruise the internet and add links from other outlets to their news blogs. They cannibalize other sites and gather the juiciest headlines, rather than putting in the work to report something original on a regular basis. Again, the mainstream news sources seems to be migrating to the internet because of money concerns. Television news media has seen the potential in the internet. The print journalism industry has also taken notice to the rising trend of internet reporting.
In the field of print journalism, it seems that the newspaper is nearing its end. There have been drastic measures taken to "cut their way into the future", driven yet again by money. Newspapers, much like television news, is turning to the internet to save them. Online newspapers and their attempts at "hyperlocalism" are a last ditch effort to save a dying breed of reporting.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
How the world receives its news
Livestation provided a very interesting take on global reporting. In the U.S. our options for good, reliable news is very limited. Media giants always seem to be pointing the finger, blaming each other for being too "liberal" or too "conservative" We barely get the chance to stray from mainstream American media. LiveStation gives viewers a chance to to see news from around the world. The BBC for example, handles news as it is supposed to be handled. The BBC presents the news in a very objective matter, leaving political tissy fits by the wayside. This lack of overt political commentary came as a pleasant surprise. Next I watched Al Jazeera English. The channel seemed very fair and balanced. I admit that I did not start watching Al Jazeera with an open mind. Like many Americans, I believed that Al Jazeera was anti-American in their operations. While many of the stories revolved around Arab interests, it reported those stories fairly. I found that my assumptions were untrue and that Al Jazeera was not anti-American. Next I watched Russia today. This news source seemed closely tied to the Russian government. In one of the promos, the announcer talked about how "we are coming into the future" and how "we are going to get there", I can only assume that "we" referred the government. I decided to go to their website and found that most of the news was related to politics and the great things Russian president Dmitry Medvedev is doing for the country. Next I watched Press TV. At first it seemed very fair and balanced. Then I watched the ticker at the bottom of the screen. Everything on the ticker was about war in Pakistan, war in Palestine, assumptions about the US or crickett. It is obvious that the channel has the benefit of its own country in mind, giving me a clue that it is probably government run or at least heavily influenced by the government.
1. I think that the internet will not play a role in Al Jazeera's success with a U.S. audience. I think that many Americans see Al Jazeera as a negative entity. For example, whenever a prisoner was beheaded on film, news outlets would report that the video was given to Al Jazeera. I think this gave people the wrong idea that Al Jazeera was somehow tied to what happened. People have a negative view of Al Jazeera as though it's "their" media, not ours.
2. I think Al Jazeera should definitely broadcast in the US. It would be going against our own views on free press not to. The media should have the right to report all news and express all opinions regardless of what those may be. It would be wrong for us not to allow them to broadcast in the US. If viewers don't like what they have to say then don't watch their newscast.
3. I really don't see any difference between how Al Jazeera and American news outlets report news. One difference I would note is that Al Jazeera, much like other foreign news sources, has more in-depth international news.
4. I think that Al Jazeera adheres to their code of ethics very well. In the hour I watched, everything seemed fair and balanced. As I have already stated, most of the stories were about the Arab world. During one of the stories about a shooting in Gaza involving an Isreali settler, the news outlet gave people on both sides of the issue a chance to speak. This was the most telling story I watched and it led me to believe that Al Jazeera adhered to their code of ethics well.
1. I think that the internet will not play a role in Al Jazeera's success with a U.S. audience. I think that many Americans see Al Jazeera as a negative entity. For example, whenever a prisoner was beheaded on film, news outlets would report that the video was given to Al Jazeera. I think this gave people the wrong idea that Al Jazeera was somehow tied to what happened. People have a negative view of Al Jazeera as though it's "their" media, not ours.
2. I think Al Jazeera should definitely broadcast in the US. It would be going against our own views on free press not to. The media should have the right to report all news and express all opinions regardless of what those may be. It would be wrong for us not to allow them to broadcast in the US. If viewers don't like what they have to say then don't watch their newscast.
3. I really don't see any difference between how Al Jazeera and American news outlets report news. One difference I would note is that Al Jazeera, much like other foreign news sources, has more in-depth international news.
4. I think that Al Jazeera adheres to their code of ethics very well. In the hour I watched, everything seemed fair and balanced. As I have already stated, most of the stories were about the Arab world. During one of the stories about a shooting in Gaza involving an Isreali settler, the news outlet gave people on both sides of the issue a chance to speak. This was the most telling story I watched and it led me to believe that Al Jazeera adhered to their code of ethics well.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Calling Home: Communications Abroad
The sights and sounds of a foreign country are alluring to many adventurous college students. Studying abroad is a great opportunity for students to experience true independence far from home. The excitement of unlimited freedom is inevitably followed by an often crippling malady, homesickness. Lack of communication with family and friends can often expedite the onset of homesickness. Luckily for the student fortunate enough to study abroad, there are many reliable, affordable options for contacting loved ones in the U.S.
The first option is the old faithful, tried and true cell phone. While this method is often more expensive, the cell phone is a very reliable form of instant communication. Pay as you go phones are available for purchase in stores around the world, making accessibility a breeze. The reliability of pay as you go phones rely heavily on the number of minutes a user has bought for the phone, according to Andrew Michels, a student at Washington State University.
“Buying a cell phone was extremely easy,” Michels said. “You could go into the phone store and put more minutes on the phone at a kiosk, it was like using an ATM machine.”
Cell phones present a well known platform for use, making them an overall easy option for anyone traveling abroad. While phone minutes are fairly cheap, students studying abroad might find that internet access is cheaper and sometimes offered for free at cafes and hotels. WSU student Tamra Princevalle found that the internet was the most affordable option for communicating with those still stateside when she studied abroad in Thailand.
“While phone minutes cost around ten American dollars for 45 minutes, the internet was only 15 hours for 15 american dollars,” Princevalle said. “Almost everyone else in our group from WSU uses Skype to call home and friends.”
Skype has reinvented international communication. Released in 2003 by The Skype Group, Skype is a computer program that allows users to contact each other worldwide for free. Skype offers users free video chat, instant messaging and discounted phone calls. Skype’s user interface is extremely user friendly and the video chat option enriches the overall experience of calling home. Skype was the best option for reaching home while traveling in Europe, according to Michels. There are also text based instant messaging options that do not offer video chat.
Many students are familiar with Facebook.com, a social networking site that also has an instant messaging feature. Facebook allows users to update photos, post on walls, keep friends and family up to date and instant message. The reliability of using Facebook chat relies on the users’ timing and their abilities to sync their site usage. While these are both excellent options for reaching home via instant message, Email is another reliable medium for international communication.
Email users can email text, pictures, sound bytes and video messages. The potentially long turn around time for emails make this form of communication less appealing than other options. The lack of instantaneous communication makes email more of a last resort for students, Princevalle said.
If travelers are unable or unwilling to bring their computers abroad, internet cafes are popular around the world, Michels said. For a small fee, patrons can rent time on a computer to access the internet.
The first option is the old faithful, tried and true cell phone. While this method is often more expensive, the cell phone is a very reliable form of instant communication. Pay as you go phones are available for purchase in stores around the world, making accessibility a breeze. The reliability of pay as you go phones rely heavily on the number of minutes a user has bought for the phone, according to Andrew Michels, a student at Washington State University.
“Buying a cell phone was extremely easy,” Michels said. “You could go into the phone store and put more minutes on the phone at a kiosk, it was like using an ATM machine.”
Cell phones present a well known platform for use, making them an overall easy option for anyone traveling abroad. While phone minutes are fairly cheap, students studying abroad might find that internet access is cheaper and sometimes offered for free at cafes and hotels. WSU student Tamra Princevalle found that the internet was the most affordable option for communicating with those still stateside when she studied abroad in Thailand.
“While phone minutes cost around ten American dollars for 45 minutes, the internet was only 15 hours for 15 american dollars,” Princevalle said. “Almost everyone else in our group from WSU uses Skype to call home and friends.”
Skype has reinvented international communication. Released in 2003 by The Skype Group, Skype is a computer program that allows users to contact each other worldwide for free. Skype offers users free video chat, instant messaging and discounted phone calls. Skype’s user interface is extremely user friendly and the video chat option enriches the overall experience of calling home. Skype was the best option for reaching home while traveling in Europe, according to Michels. There are also text based instant messaging options that do not offer video chat.
Many students are familiar with Facebook.com, a social networking site that also has an instant messaging feature. Facebook allows users to update photos, post on walls, keep friends and family up to date and instant message. The reliability of using Facebook chat relies on the users’ timing and their abilities to sync their site usage. While these are both excellent options for reaching home via instant message, Email is another reliable medium for international communication.
Email users can email text, pictures, sound bytes and video messages. The potentially long turn around time for emails make this form of communication less appealing than other options. The lack of instantaneous communication makes email more of a last resort for students, Princevalle said.
If travelers are unable or unwilling to bring their computers abroad, internet cafes are popular around the world, Michels said. For a small fee, patrons can rent time on a computer to access the internet.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Abandoning Furniture Could Be a Pricey Mistake
Leases are up and students are beginning to move into new houses and apartments. Many will have nowhere to put unwanted furniture. So, where should unwanted furniture get discarded? Not on Pullman streets, city officials warn.
Old couches and dilapidated desks have a way of appearing on Pullman sidewalks around the end of the year. Many real estate companies have leases that start and end in June. Students are all moving at the same time and many do not know what else to do with their furniture. This practice leaves Pullman looking dilapidated.
“I usually come here a lot during the year,” Pullman visitor Egan Woolf said. “During the late spring and early summer I definitely notice more furniture in yards and sidewalks, it makes College Hill look trashy.”
Aside from making the streets look shabby, discarding furniture could cost you. Furniture left on public property is treated just like littering, Sergeant Daniel Dornes said. Littering fines can range from $50 to $5000 and up to one year in jail. Some people might think the city will take care of discarded furniture. While the city has codes in place to deal with discarded furniture, the residents who leave their furniture on public property will have to pay to clean it up. Students might think that discarding their furniture on private property might keep them from getting fined. That is not the case, according to Sgt. Dornes.
“Most of this type of accumulation usually piles up on the rental property, in and around dumpsters, rather than on the public sidewalks or streets,” Sgt. Dornes said.
Pullman City Code defines discarded furniture as a type of "Public Nuisance" and prohibits it on private property if within view from other private property, or public property, Sgt. Dornes said. A first offense of the city Public Nuisance code is a Class two civil infraction and could cost up to $150, and a second or any subsequent offense is a Class one civil infraciton which could result in a fine of $250, according to Sgt. Dornes.
There are a couple alternatives to leaving furniture on the streets or on private property.
The first option is dumping unwanted furniture at the Whitman County Solid Waste Transfer Station. The facility is open 8am-5pm Monday through Saturday. The contact number is (509) 334-2400. This option is the most reliable option, but requires transportation to get to the transfer station. The station is located six miles north of Pullman.
The second option is to sell the furniture online. While Ebay.com is a good way to sell smaller items, the shipping price on large furniture makes this option less attractive. Ebay.com also requires a membership and a Paypal account, a requirement that may deter potential sellers. Craigslist.com is another site that provides an easy way to sell items. Craiglist doesn’t require an account and serves local areas, eliminating the need for shipping.
Old couches and dilapidated desks have a way of appearing on Pullman sidewalks around the end of the year. Many real estate companies have leases that start and end in June. Students are all moving at the same time and many do not know what else to do with their furniture. This practice leaves Pullman looking dilapidated.
“I usually come here a lot during the year,” Pullman visitor Egan Woolf said. “During the late spring and early summer I definitely notice more furniture in yards and sidewalks, it makes College Hill look trashy.”
Aside from making the streets look shabby, discarding furniture could cost you. Furniture left on public property is treated just like littering, Sergeant Daniel Dornes said. Littering fines can range from $50 to $5000 and up to one year in jail. Some people might think the city will take care of discarded furniture. While the city has codes in place to deal with discarded furniture, the residents who leave their furniture on public property will have to pay to clean it up. Students might think that discarding their furniture on private property might keep them from getting fined. That is not the case, according to Sgt. Dornes.
“Most of this type of accumulation usually piles up on the rental property, in and around dumpsters, rather than on the public sidewalks or streets,” Sgt. Dornes said.
Pullman City Code defines discarded furniture as a type of "Public Nuisance" and prohibits it on private property if within view from other private property, or public property, Sgt. Dornes said. A first offense of the city Public Nuisance code is a Class two civil infraction and could cost up to $150, and a second or any subsequent offense is a Class one civil infraciton which could result in a fine of $250, according to Sgt. Dornes.
There are a couple alternatives to leaving furniture on the streets or on private property.
The first option is dumping unwanted furniture at the Whitman County Solid Waste Transfer Station. The facility is open 8am-5pm Monday through Saturday. The contact number is (509) 334-2400. This option is the most reliable option, but requires transportation to get to the transfer station. The station is located six miles north of Pullman.
The second option is to sell the furniture online. While Ebay.com is a good way to sell smaller items, the shipping price on large furniture makes this option less attractive. Ebay.com also requires a membership and a Paypal account, a requirement that may deter potential sellers. Craigslist.com is another site that provides an easy way to sell items. Craiglist doesn’t require an account and serves local areas, eliminating the need for shipping.
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