Reporter Online | Author: Emily Mohlmann

Saving Jaws

Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Should we save the sharks?


Lee Fitzgerald

Sharks. They cause hearts to pound, fear to spread, and people to run. Thanks to films like “Jaws,” “Deep Blue Sea” and “12 Days of Terror,” sharks have gained a bad rap, but as an apex predator they are animals that need our help in conservation.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed 307 shark species, 50 of which are listed as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered. Out of all marine wildlife, sharks hold the greatest percentage of the IUCN’s Red List of threatened species. To give you a sense of scale, since 1972, the population of bull shark and hammerhead populations have fallen by 99 percent.

Adding to the problem, sharks have remarkably long gestation periods, with the frilled shark taking 3.5 years. Additionally, most sharks only give birth to one or two pups, which can take over seven years to reach maturity. All of this combined makes it difficult for shark populations to recover from overfishing. As Ransom Meyers, a marine biologist at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, noted, “If you go to any reef around the world, except for those that are really protected, the sharks are gone. Their value is so great that completely harmless sharks, like whale sharks, are killed, for their fins.”

One of the easiest things that can be done to aid in conservation is education. By teaching people across the globe that sharks are not out to eat them and are vital to the ecosystem, we can begin to save them. While television programs like those featured during Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” aim to educate and inform, they also do harm with shows like, “Day of the Shark 3” and “Shark Bite Beach.” These shows profile shark attacks and in turn only feed the fear of sharks.

In 1916, a shark killed two people and seriously injured another in Mattawan Creek, N.J., and just days before two more were killed off the Jersey coast. This incident triggered a massive shark hunting expedition in New Jersey. Gunfire and explosives washed over the Jersey shore, killing thousands all in hopes of catching one fish. Little did they know that, on average, sharks kill only 10 people worldwide each year; and you have a greater chance of being struck by lightning than being bitten by a shark. The 1916 attack changed public perception forever, inspiring “12 Days of Terror” and serving as the basis for “Jaws.”

The shark fin trade and hunts for “man-eaters” have devastated shark populations.

Today, over 100 million sharks are killed each year, mostly for their fins. In 2010, Congress passed the Shark Conservation Act, which bans shark finning in United States waters. This was a major improvement from just two years before, when shark finning was still legal and the only requirement for fishermen was to land both a shark’s body and fins.

But more needs to be done. The United Nations Law of Sea Convention requires any member country with a coastline to create laws that regulate fishing. Shark finning actually violates the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and goes against their International Plan for the Conservation and Management of Sharks. Some countries will not adhere to these policies, so the most recommended compromise is to require fisherman to land the body of the shark, along with the fins. This would make it illegal to be in possession of only shark fins, and at the same time, limit the amount of fins they could fit on a boat. While compromise is a step in the right direction, any fishing of sharks could lead to damaging effects.

As apex predators, the decline of sharks is detrimental to the ocean as a whole. The effects are already apparent; along the East coast, shellfish populations and water quality are declining due to the near extinction of blacktip and tiger sharks. Shellfish filter the water, and the big sharks eat and control the populations of smaller sharks and other animals that consume the shellfish. Without this natural balance, the smaller animals over-consume the shellfish, restricting food supply for humans. In tropical ecosystems the decline of tiger sharks is reducing the number of tuna, because the sharks are not around to eat the tuna’s main predators. Similar scenarios will play out across the world if something is not done now to protect the sharks.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of Reporter.

Brick Beat: Master of Architecture Program Approved

Sat, 07 May 2011 10:00:00 -0400

In the fall of 2011, RIT will gain a new program: Master of Architecture. Dennis Andrejko, formerly from the University at Buffalo, will chair the program, which will emphasize sustainable architecture. Andrejko, who is “honored to be selected to take a lead role,” is known for his focus on sustainability in architecture and energy-conscious design. Andrejko is scheduled to begin his position July 1.

In addition to sustainability, the program is set to focus on urbanism and integrated learning and practice; students willwww spend studio time learning about construction technologies and materials. The degree is a collaborative effort between the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences and the Golisano Institute for Sustainability.

Conceived in 2007, the program is designed for students who hold bachelor’s degrees in areas other than architecture. However, those who do hold a Bachelor of Architecture — which is not offered by RIT — will likely be able to apply credits from their undergraduate courses toward the completion of the degree. It is scheduled to take students three years to complete the degree.

The New York State Board of Regents recently approved the program. Next, it must receive accreditation from the National Architectural Accrediting Board, which can only be accomplished once the first class graduates.

Student Government

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 04:43:27 -0400

Transfer Senator Debate Continues

At the April 15 Senate meeting, Student Government (SG) continued their discussion on the possible addition of a transfer student senator. Tim Maher, College of Applied Science and Technology Senator, believes the best route is to create a transfer student office instead of a senator position. He spoke with various people around campus and the administration about the creation of an office, and found that “everybody is willing to do it, and it sounded like everybody thinks it is a great idea; but nobody has actually done anything about it, or has the ability to do anything.” One of the biggest obstacles appears to be manpower. “They need more people to be able to handle the paperwork that comes with it,” Maher said.

Maher believes having an administrative member take the lead is the best way to initiate the creation of the office. According to Maher, Marian Nicoletti, the senior associate director and director of transfer admissions, is willing to head the project. Unfortunately, no one has been willing to talk to her about it. Maher suggests the support of an SG Transfer Senator would help Nicoletti to reach more people and further the creation of the office.

Transfer students need more resources to ease their transition into RIT. Michelle Caporali, Student Athlete Advisory Committee representative, said transfer students don’t want to be lumped in with freshmen; and they just “need to know where to go, and who to talk to.”

Further discussion was tabled until Week 8.

Scoreboard Donation for New Ice Arena

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 13:31:07 -0400

Another donation has rolled in for the Tigers’ new hockey arena. Alumnus and Trans-Lux Corp. CEO J.M. Allain, a 2003 multidisciplinary graduate, has announced plans to donate a 1 million scoreboard to the new arena.

Trans-Lux Corp. is a top supplier of programmable electronic information displays. The center-hung electronic scoreboard will be state of the art, though exact specifications will not be known until plans for the arena are finalized.

Allain, who grew up in Canada, always had a love for hockey. His fondness for the sport continued when he came to RIT. “The tradition of hockey at RIT has always been great, and I’m proud to support this new effort to enhance the game experience for both players and the students,” said Allain. “It means a lot personally to more closely align myself with the university and become an integral part of the planning for this new building.”

Allain’s donation is in support of Tiger Power Play, a campaign that hopes to raise 15 million toward the cost of construction of the new arena. The first donation to the fund was a 1 million gift from alumni Stephen Schultz, a 1989 computer science graduate, and his wife Vicki, a 1994 business administration graduate.

Beyond the Bricks 04.08.11

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Virginia Tech Fined for Communications Delay

Virginia Tech, the college at which 32 people died in a 2007 shooting, has been issued the maximum possible fine for its failure to communicate the danger of the shooting to the campus community in a timely matter. The 55,000 fine was imposed by the Federal Education Department. Mary E. Gust, an official in the Department’s Office of Federal Student Aid who wrote a letter detailing the fine, said, “Virginia Tech’s violations warrant a fine far in excess of what is currently permissible under the statute.”

On April 16, 2007, Virginia Tech student Seung Hui Cho shot and killed two students in a dormitory. Campus police responded to the scene at 7:24 a.m. Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger was notified of the situation at 8:11 a.m. An hour and 15 minutes later, the campus was e-mailed about the incident, but administration did not advise students to take any safety measures or mention that anyone had died. Not long after that message was sent, Cho continued his spree, killing 30 more students and faculty.

Virginia Tech maintains that it has done nothing wrong and is planning to appeal the fine.

Facebook Brewing Movie Rental Service

After an experimental agreement with Facebook, Warner Bros. Entertainment has added five new titles to their Facebook movie rental service. The movies are available for purchase using Facebook credits. The cost is between 30 or 40 credits, or about 3 - 4. Following purchase, the rental is available for 48 hours. Users can pause and resume at any point while continuing to comment and interact with other users.

Warner Bros. began testing earlier this month with “The Dark Knight.” The five new additions are: “Inception,” “Life As We Know It,” “Yogi Bear,” “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” and “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.”

Syria now in the Fight Against its Government

Syrian president Bashar al-Assad said in January that his country would not fall into political turmoil like Tunisia and Egypt. He did, however, recognize the need to reform Syria “to open up the society.” “If you do it just because of what happened in Tunisia and Egypt, then it is going to be a reaction, not an action; and as long as what you are doing is a reaction, you are going to fail,” he explained.

Now, southern cities like Daraa are being confronted by security forces. Emergency laws that restrict public gatherings and allow arrests “on the grounds of national security” are currently in place. Forces are firing live ammunition and teargas into the air in an effort to control protesters. Confrontations in Latakia led to the death of at least 12 people.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Assad to reform this country in turmoil.

Rochester Priest Suspended After Sex Allegation

Reverend Vincent Panepinto, a Catholic priest who has served in Rochester and Elmira churches since 1967, had his priestly faculties withdrawn due to allegations of sexual abuse.

The allegations concerning a minor arose during the late 1960’s. The Catholic Diocese of Rochester has investigated and found the accusations to be credible.

Panepinto has been placed on leave and is no longer allowed to practice public ministry in any capacity. He previously served as chaplain at several New York prisons and Our Lady of Mercy High School.

Hockey Players Go Pro

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Two players from the men’s hockey team are moving on to bigger and better things.

Andrew Favot, a fourth year Marketing major, signed a contract last month with the Elmira Jackals of the East Coast Hockey League. Favot, who was a captain of this year’s team, will be joining his former teammate Jared DiMichiel, who was RIT’s goaltender.

Third year Business major Tyler Brenner has also signed a deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League as of last month. He will be reporting to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League.

Brenner joins the ranks of two other Tigers in giving up his NCAA eligibility in favor of a professional contract. In 2007, Steve Pinizzoto signed with the Washington Capitals, and in 2010, Chris Tanev signed with the Vancouver Canucks.

Both Brenner and Favot earned spots on the 2011 All-AHA teams. Brenner took second team honors, and Favot third. On Jan. 3, Favot and Brenner were named 2011 AHA Players of the Week.

Brenner and Favot served as forwards on RIT’s hockey team this year, and both players helped the Tigers earn their fourth Atlantic Hockey Association season title in the past five years. Brenner was nationally ranked seventh with 26 goals and 15 assists, while Favot led the Tigers in scoring with 43 points on 30 goals and 13 assists. Favot was also the fifth player to score his 100th career point since RIT moved to Division I.

Forecast 04.08.11

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Friday 8

Breezeway Battle of the Bands
CLK. 7 p.m. - 12 a.m. Spend your evening listening to local bands as they battle it out for a chance to record their music. You’ll also be helping Phi Kappa Tau support Hole in the Wall Camps for children suffering from serious medical conditions. Cost: 5.

Saturday 9

Rochester Tartan Day
Main Street Armory, 900 E. Main St. Noon - 8 p.m. Stop by the Armory and become Scottish for the day. Enjoy bagpipe and Celtic music as well as Scottish food and drink. Cost: 10.

Sunday 10

“Auto Immune Response”
George Eastman House, Curtis Theatre, 900 East Ave. 2 p.m. Photographer Will Wilson will discuss his images of a post-apocalyptic Navajo man and the toxic environment he inhabits. A Q&A session will follow his presentation. Cost: 6, or included with museum admission.

Monday 11

Idol Finale
lovin’cup. 8 p.m. Walk the red carpet as the last two Idols compete in the finale. See who rocks the most in their effort to win a recording session in hopes of becoming the next big hit. Cost: Your beverage for the night.

Tuesday 12

Rochester Public Market
280 N. Union St. 6 a.m. - 1 p.m. As the weather grows warmer, head downtown to scoop up fresh produce and other products from local vendors. Or just enjoy a walk around. Cost: Whatever you buy.

Wednesday 13

Redwings vs. Iron Pigs
Frontier Field, 1 Morrie Silver Way. 7:05 p.m. Take a mid-week break at the ball field. Watch the Rochester Redwings as they take on the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. Try not to get mustard on your pants. Cost: 7.50 - 11.50.

Thursday 14

ritGA Spring Drag Show
Al Davis Room, SAU. 8 - 11 p.m. Come see your peers and local drag queen professionals perform in this yearly favorite. Cost: Free.

Accident Sends Three to Hospital

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

On March 23, a two-car accident occurred on the south portion of Andrews Memorial Drive near the intersection of Wiltsie Drive, causing the road to be shut down for around two hours.

Megan Burgess was driving westbound on Andrews Memorial Drive when she lost control of her vehicle in the snow. She crossed the centerline and collided head-on with an eastbound vehicle driven by Joshua Delfalvero.

Public Safety arrived first on the scene followed by the RIT Ambulance. Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene to investigate as traffic and accidents are not under Public Safety’s jurisdiction.

Initial rumors indicated a bus was involved in the accident and a student was ejected through the windshield, which was not the case.

Delfalvero and his two passengers, Leonard Smith and Michael Kelsey, suffered injuries in the crash. Smith, after striking the windshield, was found bleeding profusely, suffering from multiple lacerations and fractures. The first Public Safety officer on the scene, Margaret Goodwin, is credited with saving his life. Delfalvero suffered head pain and had no memory of the accident. Kelsey reported shoulder pain. Smith and Kelsey were not using safety restraints. All three were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Burgess complained of knee pain at the scene but refused treatment. She showed no signs of intoxication and was not on her cell phone at the time of the accident. She was cited for not traveling at a reasonable and prudent speed for the weather conditions.

Beyond the Bricks 03.25.11

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 01:55:10 -0400

Protesters Rally Against Immigration Law

Protestors gathered outside the Indiana Statehouse on March 15 to show their opposition to an immigration bill making its way through state legislature.

The bill is similar to one that Arizona passed in 2010. Sponsored by Republican Senate representative Mike Delph, it would punish businesses that hire illegal immigrants as well as permit law enforcement to ask a person for proof of their immigration status if suspicion arises.

Delph said, “We take the handcuffs off law enforcement and allow them to help federal law enforcement with enforcing the law.”

Protestors of the bill disagree. They feel the law will result in racial profiling and a hostile environment.

The bill was passed by the Senate and is now in the House.


Melissa Huang

U.N. Considers No-Fly Zone in Libya

On March 17, the United Nations voted to protect the citizens of Libya. The 10-0 vote calls for an immediate cease-fire and sanctioned the use of a no-fly zone. Five members of the Security Council abstained from voting.

This resolution comes several weeks after much debate over the issue. There was initial support within the council for economic and political sanctions, and the delivery of food and supplies; but many questions remained about the no-fly zone.

India’s ambassador, Hardeep Singh Puri, questioned, “Who will implement the no-fly zone? Who would provide assets for it?”

Part of the reluctance arose from the Arab League’s statement that there should be “no foreign intervention” regarding the no-fly zone. The council held to this, approving the use of anything aside from “foreign occupation” to end attacks on heavily populated civilian areas.

The zone is intended to protect civilians; however, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said events on the ground might have made the zone irrelevant. Lebanon’s U.N. ambassador responded with “nothing is too late, but may not be enough.”

Adobe Gives into Apple

On March 8, Adobe announced Wallaby - an experimental tool for developers that will allow them to drag and drop Flash files to have them converted to HTML5. For now Wallaby is only able to convert animated Flash banners, and does not support ActionScript, movies or sound.

Since 1980, relations between Adobe Systems Inc. and Apple have not been the most amiable. Most notably is Apple’s refusal to put Adobe’s Flash on its mobile devices. Flash is largely used to create interactive websites, as well as adding video and animation.

Apple offers a YouTube dedicated app, which converts the videos to a viewer-friendly format. Many websites that have not created an iOS mobile version still have blank spaces when accessed on the iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch.

Adobe has been pushing Apple to adopt Flash, but Apple has maintained their stance, citing its overall poor performance on Mac computers. But now, Apple will never hear Adobe’s pleas again; Adobe has finally given in.


Melissa Huang

Companies Offer Free Communication to Japan

On March 14, AT&T and Verizon both announced they would allow free calling and text messaging to Japan in the wake of the recent earthquake. This applies to both landline and cell phones. Wireless customers will not be billed, but customers calling on an AT&T landline are required to contact customer service in order to receive the credit on their bill.

AT&T will honor this retroactively from March 11 through the end of the month, while Verizon is extending the free service until April 10.

Shortly after the phone giants made their announcements, other telecommunication companies began to follow suit, offering free calling, texting and JapanTV. Sprint, T-Mobile, Cricket, Comcast, Dish Networks, and Cox Communications have all jumped on board.

In a press release, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets Senior Vice President of Voice and Data Products Mark Collins said, “Connecting with family and friends is most important at times like this - we want to make it as easy and worry-free as possible for our customers.”

Forecast 03.18.11

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400

March 18

Maple Sugaring Weekends
Cumming Nature Center 6472 Gulick Rd. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Head into the great outdoors to see where maple syrup comes from. Enjoy a sample of 100 percent maple syrup and end the journey with a sausage and pancake breakfast. Cost: 10, or 3 without the meal.

March 19

Call of Duty: Black Ops Tournament
SDC-1300 and 1310. 12—9 p.m. Prepare for battle as you take on others in this competition presented by the Electronic Gaming Society. Will you emerge victorious? Cost: 5.

March 20

Open Mic
Boulder Coffee, 100 Alexander St. 6:30 p.m. Head downtown and end your weekend with a good laugh from local comedians and a cup ‘o joe. If you’re an entertainer yourself, grab the mic and get the crowd going. Cost: Free.

March 21

lovin’cup Idol
lovin’cup8 p.m. Come out to see Idol hopefuls compete in a Disney/theatre themed night of singing and entertainment. Cost: Adult beverage of your choice.

March 22

“Composing New Music”
Ingle Auditorium, SAU. 8 p.m. Join David Liptak, a professor at the Eastman School of Music, for an exploration of what it means to create new music and how music excites the imagination. Cost: Free.

March 23

Salsa Wednesdays
Tango Caf, 389 Gregory St. 8 p.m. — 12 a.m. Take a mid-week break and have a go at salsa dancing with a free “try it” lesson from 8 — 8:30 p.m. Then, join open dancing until midnight. Cost: Free.

March 24

Rochester Twestival
Easy of East, 170 East Ave. 6 — 10 p.m. Use your social media skills for social good. Take part in music, food, and raffles all while supporting the Rochester YWCA. Cost: 10 advance; 15 at the door.

Love Potions

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:54:00 -0500

Would you like to taste our delicious fruit nipples?


Emily Mohlmann

Aphrodisiacs - foods, herbs or aromas said to enhance sex drive and performance - have been around for centuries. The term comes from the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite. The first aphrodisiac that Greeks consumed were parts of Aphrodite’s sacred totem animal, sparrows, including their heart and brain.

Up until the 18th century, most aphrodisiac recipes were created by Galen, a Roman physician. He theorized that warm, moist food and heavily-peppered fare would serve as good aphrodisiacs. During this time, there was little distinction between lust and sexual function. As a result, consuming aphrodisiacs was long thought to cure impotence and infertility.

People consumed food shaped like thighs or genitals, such as mandrake roots and oysters, in order to increase their fertility. Malnutrition was rampant, which affected fertility and the ability to perform, so aphrodisiacs of the time were foods with high nutritional value. By consuming these nutritionally rich foods, amour returned.

Today, we know aphrodisiacs can’t cure infertility or impotence. Users of modern aphrodisiacs instead bank on the ability to increase lust or sexual desire.

Fruits of the Womb

Bananas possess an obvious shape, but it’s an invisible ingredient that increases desire. Bananas contain an enzyme called bromelain, said to increase male performance. They also contain high amounts of potassium and vitamin B, necessary for sex hormone production.

Strawberries, known as fruit nipples, have long been considered symbols of love: They’ve appeared in art and poetry since 200 B.C. The enormous amount of seeds, representative of fertility, is thought to have inspired their identity as an aphrodisiac. But appearance isn’t everything: Like bananas, strawberries contain potassium, vitamin C, folic acid and iron; all of which are said to boost libido.

To ease that full feeling after a romantic meal, indulge in some digestion-aiding pineapple. It will not only leave you feeling less bloated, but this vitamin C rich fruit fights impotence.

Liquor, Chocolate and Carrots?

Of all aphrodisiacs past and present, alcohol has never left the list. Most people are well aware of alcohol’s relaxing effects, and this is exactly what makes it a good aphrodisiac. However, a line from “Macbeth” contains this appeal to moderation: “Alcohol increases the desire, but takes away the performance.”

The Aztecs considered chocolate the “nourishment of the Gods.” Luckily, today chocolate is available for mortal consumption. The Aztec emperor, Montezuma, is said to have drank 50 goblets of melted chocolate a day in his quest to sleep with 600 women. Instead of nutritional value, the chemicals in chocolate are said to affect neurotransmitters in the brain. They increase serotonin and phenylethyalanine levels, which control your mood and cause you to fall in love.

Beyond improved vision, carrots may improve male bedroom performance. Their phallic shape has made them a staple since ancient times, and Early Middle Eastern royalty would consume carrots to aid in seduction. They’re high in vitamins and betacarotene, which have a positive effect on sex hormones.

Additives

On top of foods that can be consumed alone, there are ingredients that can be added to any dish to spice up passion.

Garlic, mostly known for causing bad breath, is believed to increase sexual desire, as well as blood flow, which is beneficial in the treatement of impotence in men. To avoid being the only one covered in the clove’s perfume, it’s advisable that both partners partake of it together.

The almond is a long-standing symbol of fertility, and has been considered an aphrodisiac since biblical times. If you’re looking to pique your lady’s interest, have her eat some or find a scented candle. The scent is what is believed to arouse women. Like many aphrodisiacs, almonds are high in vitamin E and considered the “sex vitamin.”

So, the next time you plan a romantic dinner for two, try incorporating one or more of these foods in the mix. You just might end your night in the bedroom.

A Harmless Threat

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 09:49:10 -0500

E-readers will not kill books.


Melissa Huang

It’s been a long time coming, or so it seems, that magazines, newspapers, books and other printed materials would meet their demise during the digital age. After all, records and cassettes fell victim to CDs and MP3s, so it’s only logical the written word shares a similar fate, right? While many may think this, I think it’s safe to say, “Not so fast.”

Currently, several major U.S. book retailers including Barnes and Noble, Amazon and Borders all have e-readers or electronic devices that hold digital “e-books.” In addition to these literary powerhouses, many electronics companies have joined the fray including Sony, Velocity Micro, Pandigital and Spring Design. Many of these companies offer several models of e-readers, making for plenty of options (and competition) in this market.

So why don’t we see more people walking around with e-readers? For starters, reading on a Nook, Kindle or Kobo is nothing like reading an actual book. I have used several of these devices, and they cannot compare to physically flipping a page, folding a corner or - while bad for your eyes - reading in low light. While e-ink technology and non-backlit screens help reduce eye strain and glare, making it possible to read in direct sunlight, this is about as close to mimicking a real book as e-readers will get.

Some will argue these are minor complaints, given that you can store thousands of e-books in one condensed digital package. But that’s what makes it a lot riskier. One wrong move may send your e-reader into a tizzy. If you drop a paperback or spill your drink on it, all you have to do is pick it up, brush it off or take a blow dryer to it. Books are 100 percent portable without the nagging 20th century worry of, “Where is an outlet so I can charge it?” While most e-readers on the market have options to back up your e-books, not all do so automatically. If you don’t ensure this feature is set up, you could be out hundreds of dollars when your device breaks. And how often are you actually reading more than a book or two at once? Unlike a fuel-efficient car, you break even over time; you have to pay for the e-reader and for each additional book you download. You’re only saving space, not money, with these devices.

But that is only one part of the cost argument. Every book purchased for an e-read has to be “new” - digital downloads don’t come in “used” versions. There is no going to a used book store and scoring a copy of that 20 hardback for 0.99. Although some libraries offer digital rentals, they expire after a set period of time. When your rental is up, the e-book disappears from your e-reader, unlike a physical library book that remains on your coffee table. And while it may rack up late fees, it’s still there for you to finish. If you can’t finish the book in the time allotted, you have to go through the process of borrowing it again, but you’ll be out of luck if another reader scoops it up before you do. As with physical library books, the library can only loan out as many digital copies as they have purchased.

It’s clear that the print world isn’t in danger yet, and I don’t think it will be soon. There was talk that the internet would kill print, and yet papers still show up on millions of doorsteps every morning. E-readers are a fad that will become yesterday’s news as technology continues to advance. Besides, what would we do with our bookshelves?

Recipe Review: Coconut Cookies

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 22:46:00 -0500

A quick and easy recipe.

Rating: DIG IT!

Cookies are one of those foods that come in endless varieties, but somehow rarely venture beyond the standard flavors like chocolate chip and sugar. It’s time to step out of the box and bite into something a little different.

As a lover of all things coconut who had just found an obscure brand of coconut cookies in the market, I decided that I had to find a recipe for them. Resigning myself to the fact that I would never find them again, I set out to make my own.

Ingredients

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/3 cups flaked coconut

These cookies start off like most others: preheat the oven to 350 degrees and combine the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda and salt) in a bowl and set it off to the side. Next, in a medium bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla until the mixture is light and fluffy.

Like most college students, I don’t have the luxury of a good stand mixer, but these cookies are incredibly easy to whip up by hand provided you’ve softened the butter - about 30 seconds in the microwave on low power is enough. Unlike most other cookie recipes, this one requires about half the amount of butter and sugar, making it not only easier to mix by hand, but healthier too.

After your wet ingredients are thoroughly mixed, it’s time to gradually blend in the flour mixture. Again, if you’re doing this by hand, it’s easiest to mix in small amounts of the flour mixture (around half a cup works well) at a time. Once that is fully blended, it’s time to add the star of the show: the coconut.

The first time I made the recipe, I stuck to the recommended amount of coconut. Unfortunately, the end result was similar to generic chocolate chip cookie recipes wherein you don’t get enough chips in each cookie. The second time around, I added an additional half cup of flaked coconut, which struck the right balance.

Once your dough is mixed, drop it by teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Place the drops about three inches apart. Bake for eight to 10 minutes. Keep in mind, however, that these cookies cook fast; I’ve found that the baking time is closer to eight minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.

Biting into these gets you a buttery coconut taste. These coconut cookies are thin, soft and chewy, and they spread out while baking. They are just as good served fresh from the oven as they are a few days later. The coconut helps them retain moisture so store the extras in a Tupperware, and they’ll keep their softness for at least a week. If Almond Joys or Mounds are among your favorite candies, it’s worth it to try a batch with chocolate chips for an extra bit of goodness. The recipe yields about 50 small to medium sized cookies.

Nutritional information per serving:

Calories: 76
Total Fat: 3.6g
Cholesterol: 13mg

Recipe taken from http://allrecipes.com.

Building a Budget

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 04:49:19 -0400


Griffin Moore

We’ve all experienced it. The moment we pull out our wallet to make sure we have enough for that slice of pizza, only to find out it’s as empty as a keg after your birthday blowout. You think to yourself, “I swear I just had 20, where did it go?” The questions and accusations go round, but ultimately, it all comes back to you spending it on something you can’t remember.

A budget can help you avoid just that: the lurching feeling of suddenly running out of money or not making this month’s rent. As college students with limited income, it’s even more pertinent to have your finances planned out.

While there are multiple ways to budget and keep track of your money, one of the simplest ways for college students who are consistently attached to technology is to use a computer. Without spending a chunk of your cash on a fancy program, the easiest method is to set it up in a spreadsheet program.

The first step in creating a budget is determining how much money you pull in every month. This can be from parents, a job or a loan; just don’t include sources that don’t come in regularly like a surprise check from Grandma or that 20 you found on the ground. For added security, you may want to encrypt the file you create.

With the ubiquity of debit card use, it’s difficult to see what you’re actually spending when you hand over that piece of plastic. The next step is to look at your paper or online bank statements to see how much you’re spending, what you’re spending it on, and where you’re spending it. Break your spending down and categorize expenses as either fixed or variable. Items like car payments, insurance, rent or credit card payments would be considered fixed expenses because they’re generally the same amount every month. You can also think of fixed expenses as essential expenses. Variable expenses include entertainment, groceries, eating out, gas and general shopping.

On top of these two types of expenses, you need to include wiggle room for emergency expenses. Injury, illness or car problems could leave you in a lurch with more bills to pay or less income. It’s a good idea to budget an amount each month to save for unexpected situations.

Placing all this information in a spreadsheet will allow you to easily see that you spent 200 on groceries instead of that 80 a month you thought you were spending. Totaling both your income and expenses allows you to see if your outflow is greater than your inflow. If it is, you have a problem; if not, you’re in good financial shape.

The next step is to see where you can cut down your expenses. Do you really need to grab Wendy’s for dinner every other night? Are you getting your money’s worth out of your unlimited Netflix plan, or could you step down to a cheaper one? The goal here is to make your income greater than or equal to your expenses. In your budget, delegate certain amounts for your variable expenses, and then see if you can cut these back even further.

If you use your debit card often and continue to struggle with seeing where your money goes, start each week by withdrawing your weekly budgeted amount. Take the cash and place it in designated envelopes for groceries, entertainment, bills, and other expenses that need to be paid that week. When the money is gone from the envelope, that’s it until the following week.

The last piece of good budgeting is to make sure you hang on to receipts. This enables you to see a more detailed account of where your money is going. Store receipts in an accordion folder organized by month so you can go back and review your expenses and see where improvement is needed. Remember, the most important thing is resisting temptation and sticking to your budget.

Net Neutrality Extended

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 14:53:07 -0400

In addition to the seven principles already listed here, there are two more important things to note in Google and Verizon’s net neutrality proposal.

The first is the principle on network management. This allows for ISPs to reduce or mitigate the effects of congestion, ensure the security and integrity of the network, guarantee service quality, and address traffic that is unwanted or harmful to users — basically, day-to-day operations of a network. It requires ISPs to be open with (and transparent about) their networks, but still allows for management in order to provide the best service.

The second is the principle on regulatory authority. This gives the FCC exclusive authority over broadband internet. However, it does not allow the FCC any authority over internet applications, content or services.

To add to the fifth principal regarding ISPs offering differentiated online services, the proposal allows these services to make use of and access internet content and, most importantly, allows for the prioritization of traffic. The principal also requires the FCC to publish an annual report on the effect of these services on standard internet. It would also be required to report any services that threaten internet access or evade consumer protections listed in the proposal.

The proposal ultimately leaves the FCC with little power to change rules in the future, and puts wireless broadband outside the reach of net neutrality. Those with net neutrality-related problems would be forced to go to internet governance bodies that have yet to be named. Other controversies over the past several years may have already proved the FCC never had a fighting chance anyways.

In 2009, Time Warner attempted to institute a tiered pricing plan in several major cities, including Rochester, which sparked yet another net neutrality-related controversy. The plan was to charge customers based on their consumption - much in the way pay-as-you-go cell phone plans charge by the number of minutes used. Their reasoning was to reduce the strain on the broadband network from people who download and stream movies, TV shows and music. However, Time Warner shelved the plan only two weeks later. In a statement, C.E.O. Glenn Britt said they wouldn’t continue because “it was clear from the public response over the last two weeks that there is a great deal of misunderstanding about the plans to roll out additional tests on consumption-based billing.”

AT&T, a company known to have network problems since the introduction of the iPhone, has also sided with Google and Verizon. In a statement titled “Wireless is Different,” AT&T details the differences between wired and wireless networks and what they’re doing to meet the growing demand. But they make sure it’s known that there is only so much they can do by saying, “We are constantly striving to increase the efficiency of our spectrum resources, but the amount of available spectrum in any given market is finite. And while we regularly split cell sectors and add additional cell towers, there are very real limits placed on cell site construction by zoning and local approval boards.”

A recent ruling may be the largest blow yet to net neutrality supporters. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled last month that the FCC does not have the power to enforce net neutrality after the FCC tried to stop Comcast from filtering Bittorrent on its network. Comcast challenged their authority and ultimately won since the FCC currently only has the power to enforce fair pricing and access over common carriers - or public utilities like the public switched telephone network - not over information services (what the internet is classified as under U.S. law).

The FCC has no plan to sit back and watch, though. Just after Verizon and Google’s proposal was released, an FCC statement noted, “It is time to move a decision forward - a decision to reassert FCC authority over broadband telecommunications, to guarantee an open internet now and forever.” For now, consumers will have to hold their breath and see what happens as these internet giants start to rumble.

Net Neutrality

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400

How the Verizon/Google Proposal Changes Everything


Jack Reickel

Imagine if your internet speed and website access were dictated by how much you paid your internet provider. Sound ridiculous? It’s not.

Companies including Verizon and Google are actively trying to make this a reality.

In the United States, there is a de facto tradition of network neutrality - or net neutrality. This means that telecommunication companies generally offer the same rate to everyone, regardless of what sites they frequent or how much bandwidth they consume. However, there are no legal restrictions if companies decide to change this. For example, some internet service providers (ISPs) block certain ports to prevent consumers from hosting servers without a business account.

On August 9, Google and Verizon released a joint policy proposal detailing what they believe would allow the internet to remain public while giving network operators the freedom to manage their networks. Keeping two goals in mind - that users should be given the choice of what content, applications and devices to use, and that investment and innovation to support underlying broadband infrastructure should be encouraged - Google and Verizon put together seven main points.

First, the ISPs would not have the right to block any consumer traffic as long as the consumer is sharing legal content.

Second, ISPs would be forbidden to prioritize traffic or discriminate against any type of content in any way that would harm users or the competition.

Third, ISPs must be completely transparent about the services included in their plans, the capabilities of their services, and how its network is managed.

Fourth, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), an independent U.S. government agency that is directly responsible to Congress, would have the authority to enforce the outlined policies on a case-by-case basis and fine a company in violation up to 2 million.

Fifth, ISPs would be allowed to offer differentiated online services (for example, Verizon’s FIOS TV) as long as they do not interfere with traditional internet service and access.

Sixth, with the exception of transparency, the policy would not apply to mobile and wireless networks.

Seventh, the funding provided by the Federal Universal Service Fund should be used to build better networks and services.

Now, before you panic, this is just a proposal. The FCC would have to adopt Verizon’s and Google’s plan as law.

If you haven’t been following the net neutrality drama for the past several years, you may be asking yourself why this contract between Verizon and Google is such a big deal. In the present, it may seem insignificant but, as technology progresses, wireless broadband - used by smart phones, iPads, GPS units, netbooks, and mobile hot spots - will be the defining technology for the next generation of devices.

Verizon and Google are only the latest in a line of net neutrality-related controversies. With no real laws or governing body over the internet, multiple companies in the pursuit of money have tried to make changes to their networks. The FCC, so far helpless, has been forced to fight from the sidelines.

Eat This Not That

Fri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Exploring the healthier options of on-campus eating.

Your stomach is growling. You’re hungry, and you just want to eat. You order the first thing that sounds good to your roaring stomach. But do you stop and think of how many calories or grams of artery clogging fat is inside that meal? Chances are, probably not. Reporter hopes that the next time you order that double bacon cheeseburger, you’ll think twice and grab a garden burger instead.

Breakfast

It’s always tempting to eat grab-and-go foods for breakfast, but they aren’t always the best choice. After all, why eat a muffin when you can get a hot breakfast for half the calories and fat? If you must have an on-the-run breakfast, try a scone rather than a bagel or muffin. A blueberry or cranberry-orange scone makes an excellent on-the-go breakfast. It’s portable, it’s delicious, and it has roughly 1/3 the amount of fat.

Gracie’s

Eat This:

Two whole-wheat pancakes and four ounces of scrambled eggs. For 256 calories and 10.09 grams of fat you can get a hot breakfast. It may take you a few minutes longer to eat, but it’s worth it for the variety of nutrients you’ll gain.

Gracie’s

Not That:

Triple Berry Muffin. Don’t let the berry in its name fool you into thinking that this is a healthy choice. With 471 calories and 26.35 grams of fat, you might as well be eating a chocolate bar.

Crossroads


Victor Prado

Eat This: Scone

Similar to a biscuit, a scone has 249 calories and only 9.45 grams of fat. They’re low in sodium and sugar, and also pack 6.03 grams of protein.

Crossroads


Victor Prado

Not That: Bagel

Bagels come in with 340 calories and 4.13 grams of fat. Yes, they contain less fat than a scone, but bagels can contain up to 590 milligrams of sodium. And don’t forget the additional calories and fat from butter, jam or cream cheese you’re likely to add.

Lunch

When it comes to lunch and dinner, there are so many choices available. As a college student, all too often you do not have the time to stop and think about what’s going to be better for your health. A good rule of thumb to follow is this: chicken or a veggie burger is usually going to be healthier than beef.

RITz


Victor Prado

Eat This: Island Breeze Wrap

This 482-calorie wrap laced with chicken and fruit is a healthy choice with only 6.61 grams of fat. And it even packs a solid 33.53 grams of protein.

RITz


Victor Prado

Not That: Chicken Club Wrap

This wrap comes with 795 calories. And unfortunately, its whopping 59.09 grams of protein is not enough goodness to offset the 37.73 grams of fat and 1,571 milligrams of sodium it also contains.


Victor Prado

Eat This: Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich

When you head to the grill at the RITz, try out this sandwich, which contains only 338 calories and 3.87 grams of fat. You can’t beat this sure fire winner.


Victor Prado

Not That: Traditional Burger with Cheese

A cheeseburger is rarely the healthiest option. This one contains 527 calories and 23.52 grams of fat - 36 percent of the recommended daily value. Definitely pass on this one.

The Commons

Eat This: Reuben Melt

If you just can’t kick that hankering for a greasy meal, we’ve got you covered. This gooey sandwich is high in calories and fat, but not the worst thing you can find. With 759 calories, 40.22 grams of fat, and 2914 milligrams of sodium this should not be a daily staple.

The Commons

Not That: French Dip Platter

With 1,092 calories and 44.26 grams of fat, you’ll nearly max out on daily-recommended amounts. Having a lower sodium amount than a reuben, 1635 milligrams, is about the only “advantage” you’ll find to this sandwich.

Crossroads


Victor Prado

Eat This: Garden Burger with Cheese

This garden burger contains 467 calories and 10.15 grams of fat. It’s low in cholesterol at 15 milligrams and contains 29.18 grams of protein.

Crossroads


Victor Prado

Not That: Black Bean Garden Burger with Cheese

This burger comes in with more calories, 527, and fat, 13.57 grams than its original counterpart. It also contains 1,349 grams of sodium - about 200 more than the garden burger.

Drinks

In the coffee versus tea debate, coffee takes the gold over a bottle of iced tea. Always be on your guard with iced drinks and juices; they taste good for a reason - all that extra sugar. But if you can’t pass up a good juice blend, look for no-sugar added options that are 100 percent juice.

Drink This: Coffee (16 ounces)

With only five calories in a 16-ounce cup, this is no liquid meal. Nine milligrams of sodium and a half a gram of protein give this hot beverage the ability to keep your eyes open, but not much more.


Victor Prado

Not That: Lipton Tea (16 ounce)

A similarly sized tea brings in 208 calories and 49.14 grams of sugar. If you like tea, avoid the iced variety.

Drink This: Pepsi (16 ounce)

Pepsi over juice, you say? With 192 calories and 52.40 grams of sugar this soda is better in calories and sugar, but keep in mind it does lack other nutrients.

Not That: Dole Juice (15.2 ounce)

This bottle of juice contains 254 calories and 63.34 grams of carbohydrates. Fifty-five of those are grams of sugar.

Medical Marijuana

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400

The legality behind this alternative remedy.


Joanna Eberts

When asked to picture a marijuana user, the first image that comes to many people’s minds is not that of a person on their deathbed or a person with cancer. But that may soon change. You’d better get used to the idea of medical marijuana, because it’s here to stay.

he term “medical marijuana” does not refer to a substance that is in any way special or different from recreational marijuana. It’s the same plant, grown the same way; the difference lies only in its use. Marijuana users who smoke or ingest cannabis in some form to combat pain and discomfort are considered to be medicinal users. Most commonly, medicinal users are terminally ill patients, with diseases such as AIDS or cancer. Chronic pain patients, those suffering from an injury or a disease like fibromyalgia, have also found marijuana use helpful.

As of 2002 there are, according to the United States Government Accountability Office, the following are allowable conditions for medical marijuana use: Alzheimer’s disease, anorexia, AIDS, arthritis, cachexia, cancer, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy and other seizure disorders, glaucoma, HIV positive status, migraine, multiple sclerosis and other disorders characterized by persistent muscle spasticity, severe nausea, chronic pain, severe pain, wasting syndrome, and any other illness for which marijuana provides relief. Of these, the list of what is allowable varies between states. For instance, Alzheimer’s disease is only recognized as an allowable condition in Oregon; Wasting syndrome is only recognized in Hawaii. California is the only state to allow the blanket condition of “any illness for which marijuana provides relief.”

Despite state recognition, it is still not legal under federal law to possess marijuana for any reason. Marijuana is classified as a “Schedule One” substance. Schedule One substances don’t have any accepted medical uses in the United States and are considered to have a high potential for abuse. Other commonly recognized substance included on the list are names such as heroin, ecstasy, and forms of morphine and methamphetamine.

The federal government is hesitant to legalize marijuana. Asked why that might be, Nancy Adams, the Executive Director of Monroe County Medical Society (MCMS), pointed to the worry of abuse.

“I think they have some concerns about being able to control it ... The federal government just worries that there is going to be some state law that goes into effect that is too liberal,” said Adams, weighing in the implications of pro-medical marijuana legislation. “They’ve got to figure out the best way to tax things and make money off it.” Both Adams and MCMS share in their support of medical marijuana legalization.

For New York, change might be on the horizon. Legislation is in the works to add the Empire State to the ranks of 14 others that have legalized the use of medical marijuana. California was the first state to do so in 1996, followed closely by Alaska, Oregon and Washington in 1998. The remaining states - Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Vermont - have legalized the medicinal use of marijuana since 1999, with New Jersey making the most recent switch in January, 2010.

There are two bills, A. 9016 and S. 4041-B, in the state Senate that intend to legalize medical marijuana in New York. The bills, championed by Senator Duane and Assemblyman Gottfried, would allow seriously ill patients to use marijuana as an acceptable medical treatment without the risk of criminalization. While Adams acknowledges that there are other illnesses, she said, “the legislation is pretty specific about a life-threatening illness. One would have to make the argument that if it’s a chronic condition that the patient still fits the criteria.” The bills also do not allow for patients or caregivers to grow their own marijuana. Instead, they would be dispensed medical marijuana from state-registered and regulated entities.

The bills will also call for regulations on doctors similar to what other states have. “The physician actually doesn’t even write a prescription,” said Adams. “They certify that the patient qualifies for this and the patient has to work through a department of health process to get the substance.” This is mainly because federal law prohibits doctors from writing prescriptions for illegal drugs, including marijuana. Virginia currently has a bill in their senate that would allow doctors to write prescriptions for medical marijuana. However, if this legislation is enacted, it would do little good until if doctor prescriptions are approved by federal law.

The proposed registry in the bills would help to protect the patient if they were to get arrested. Affirmative defenses, or approvals to be in possession of the drug, are available in 10 of the 14 states that have current marijuana legislation. An affirmative defense does not protect against arrest, but it does protect against conviction on marijuana charges, assuming the patient is in compliance with the state laws on allowable amounts. Some states, however, require that you are registered in order to enact this defense. Those states are: Alaska, Vermont, New Mexico and New Jersey.

With so many states already allowing medical marijuana use and others with pending legislation it is easy for misconceptions to form. “I think the most common misconceptions are that patients can start growing it themselves, or they’re going to have large quantities of marijuana on hand that might be used by someone else,” said Adams. This is not the case. New York’s law would allow for 2.5 ounces of useable marijuana and a reasonable amount of unusable marijuana (e.g. leaves that have not been cured) to be in a patients possession.

While some may argue that medical marijuana is no big deal because there are stronger legal drugs available to patients, it is still a touchy subject in society and within medical communities. Currently there is a pill available, Marinol, which is made of synthetic THC and is FDA approved. Marinol is considered ta legal form medical marijuana according to the DEA website. However, Adams feels there is still more research to be done. “Right now the way this works best is for the patient to actually smoke the marijuana.” Concerned with the harmful effects this use can have on a patient’s lungs, Adams went on, “If more research can be done so that we can figure out another way to deliver it, whether it’s with a patch or in an oral form, I think that would be beneficial.”

The turmoil on both sides of the issue around the country leaves it hard to say if medical marijuana use will be legalized this year in New York. The resistance from the influence of public opinion leaves the the fate of this bill up in the air. The full Senate will vote on the issue in the next couple weeks.

“Unfortunately, I’m not sure I even give it a 50-50 shot,” said Adams. “We’ve got some good folks representing us, we’ve got the support of the state medical society, so hopefully I’ll be presently surprised.”

Ipad Talk

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Did the iPad suffer from premature production?

With the seemingly endless media coverage of the good, the bad and the ugly of Apple’s new iPad, most everyone should know what it is. Sifting through the information leads to one question: Is all this hype going to stand up against the shiny silver case? In a word, no.

The hype has been building since the much-anticipated January 27 unveiling by Apple’s co-founder and CEO, Steve Jobs. With Jobs touting it as a “magical and revolutionary product,” the whispers began. Maybe it wasn’t going to be so amazing after all. For one thing, the iPad looks like an iPhone that was hit by the ray gun in “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid.” In typical Apple style, it lacks anything other than size to differentiate it from the iPod Touch or iPhone. The interface doesn’t help, either; again, it mimics the iPhone and Touch, on a slightly larger scale. In fact, the operating system is iPhone OS 3.2. Superficial problems? Yes, but the design and interface foreshadow what’s to come.

Following the announcement of the iPad, there was initial confusion over what market it would fall into, and what would do. “Tablet,” “netbook,” “e-reader,” and “mobile device” are all terms that have all been thrown around to categorize the iPad, though Apple says, “it’s a whole new kind of device.” Without a concrete category, consumers are having trouble understanding what it is good for, and what they can reasonably expect to do with it. Maybe Jobs’ no market research philosophy is starting to fail him.

With all the excitement in the air, consumers have overlooked major faults of the iPad, sometimes even after buying it. There are over 2,500 iPad-specific apps, and most of the 150,000 existing iPhone apps will work with the iPad. And that’s great... until you go to open two at once and realize that you can’t. The term “tablet computer” is a little misleading, especially when it can’t multitask. (The iPhone OS 4.0 update this fall is expected to address the multitasking issue, but for now, you’re stuck.) You may say that is okay; how often do you really need to have more than one program open? But think. When writing a paper, you generally have two or three programs open: one to write in, one to do research in, and possibly one you use to talk to your buddies. Still okay?

Die-hards will fight this and say, well would you really be writing a paper on the iPad? The answer is yes; if owned, some portion of a paper or presentation is likely to be conceived on the iPad. Most students carry their laptops around all day every day, simply because they’re always doing work. A MacBook Pro at 5.5 pounds gets tiresome quickly, especially when combined with a textbook and everything else needed for a day on campus. With the 1.6 pound iPad being the lightest in the Mac family (a MacBook Air is nearly twice the weight at three pounds), it is going to be looked at as Apple’s solution to the netbook, and it is going to be carried all the time.

The second largest mar on its silver case is the lack of a USB port. Sure it has the familiar iPod and iPhone dock connector, but what good does that do when you have to buy additional accessories in order to do anything other than charge it and sync with iTunes? After all, iTunes doesn’t accept Word documents. The standard means for getting photos or any other document on an iPad is via email, unless you use Apple’s iWork.com or purchase Apple’s adapters. And don’t forget - those adapters won’t be available until later this month. While this may not be a hassle for some, it is viewed by others as Apple trying hard to control the content you receive.

The explosion of the netbook market left many Apple users craving the debut of the highly rumored tablet and probably pushed Jobs into a shorter than anticipated timetable. The resulting product is unimpressive. In the end, it’s several hundred more dollars in Apple’s pocket, and an Apple geek holding an oversized iPod.

Be the Dinosaur: Life in the Cretaceous

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:19:01 -0400

Exhibit Museum 10


Animatronic dinosaur at the Rochester Museum and Science Center.
Emily Mohlmann

Stepping into the Rochester Museum and Science Center, you might think you’ve landed in a confused child's playhouse. The bottom floor is filled with interactive displays, and a simulator ride stating that children under the age of eight must ride with a parent. There is also an exhibit on the underground railroads and glaciers and wooly mammoths. Overall, it looks like Chuck E. Cheese exploded in the natural history museum.

Fear not though, at the top of three flights of stairs, you’ll enter a world where the adults seem to out number the children. Ascending the stairs, you’ll travel through the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, in the form of interactive stations. Filled with coloring pages, fossils and magnifying glasses, it may be difficult to let your inner child pass by.

The more you read the displays, the more you’ll realize Jurassic Park didn’t tell the whole truth &8213; who knew Velociraptors had feathers? Progressing forward by following the “meet the dinosaurs” signs, you’ll reach a set of disappointing animatronic dinosaurs tucked down a small hallway. A wood cut out next to a nest of moving baby brontosauruses allows you to place your head in the action and pose for a picture while the large, but not life size, mom looks on.

Moving down the hall, you’ll come to a stegosaurus trying to climb a rock and, across the way, a crazy-eyed alligator-esque dino. Overall, the animatronics were lacking, making only slight movements, and surrounded by a nearly non-existent environment. Though this might have been because, as later learned, the interns put them together.

Moving across the way, you’ll enter the real action. Greeted by flowing plants and a clear sign with glowing words &8213; think teleprompter &8213; you’ll gather instructions to begin your journey in becoming a dinosaur.

Looking around the room, you’ll see a lot of stations with no clear path lined out. This was the most frustrating part of the exhibit. As my companion and I moved into the room, we picked a random station and started there, but not without first touching the Tyrannosaurus Rex skull to see if it was real. (It wasn’t.) We learned about what dinosaurs ate at the first touch screen station we went to, but it was a lot of reading and we just wanted to get into the action. As soon as two “Be the Dinosaur” simulator pods opened up, we hopped in to get a blast from the past.

The simulation was easily the best part of the exhibit. It could be described as a first-person shooter game, but instead, you’re a dinosaur with vicious teeth and the power to eat and fight anything you come across. With a joystick, a few buttons to perform actions and clear instructions, it’s really easy to get a hang of. You move about the world as it was in the Cretaceous period. The trick is, you have to keep your dinosaur alive. This entails having to find water and a food source based on what kind of dinosaur you were. Both carnivores and herbivore dinosaurs were available, but you couldn’t pick which ancient lizard was yours. As your dinosaur wanders around, its energy, thirst, health and hunger change based on the interactions your dinosaur has. These are denoted by little symbols on the bottom of the screen. The world is huge, and you certainly aren’t given enough time to explore it all either. The most unfortunate part of the simulation is that it ends either when you die or after a predetermined amount of time &8213; though there is no clock ticking to show you when.

Each experience is different. The first time, I played as a Tyrannosaurus Rex and made it out alive with out ever finding any other dinosaurs; I kept myself alive solely on water. Not quite realistic. The second time, Mr. T-Rex drowned in a river; apparently they were not good swimmers. The third time, I managed to find some dinosaurs to chance around, but I never managed to make a meal out of them.

Is this exhibit for everyone? The short answer is no. It involves a lot of reading, which may have been why the adults were doing the simulations and the kids stuck to the dinosaur costume area. As a 21-year-old college student, I didn’t feel out of place in this exhibit, but upon wandering the rest of the museum I did. If you like dinosaurs and video games, it’s a fun place to hang for a couple hours. Otherwise, you might be better off staying out of the Cretaceous.

Be the Dinosaur: Life in the Cretaceous runs until May 4. 12 or 10 with student ID.