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Second Life Becomes a Solution to Economic Problems Within Businesses

2009-11-15T22:29:00.000-08:00

Imagine, being able to hold a conference for an entire corporation in a secure, tropical atmosphere, free of cost. Seem impossible?

The economy downfall has made a lasting impression in the business world. Top executives have to squeeze and slash travel budgets for conferences and meetings in these harsh times. Linden Lab, the creator of the virtual world, Second Life, launched their beta program today that will help relieve this problem.

The new beta program, Second Life Enterprises, is designed to run within the company network. It provides security similar to their intranet. This exciting new program utilizes advanced 3D visual, audio and text tools to enable users to upload media files, documents and customized content.

Mark Kingdon, CEO of Linden Lab, describes the motive behind Second Life Enterprise.

“We’ve worked very closely with our enterprise customers to develop a solution that would fit seamlessly within their existing networks while also solving real business challenges,” explains Kingdon.

More than 1,400 organizations around the world, including large enterprises, educational institutions, government agencies and the US Military, currently use Second Life to hold meetings, conduct training and prototype new technologies more efficiently and cost effectively.

Administrators are given the ability to regulate who may access the meeting areas as well as the frequency that one is allowed to access these areas. Administrators can also permit users to use their real names as their avatar.

Douglas Maxwell, program technology lead for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Metaverse Strategic Initiative, further explains the significance of the secure network Second Life Enterprise offers.

“Hosting the Second Life Enterprise on a secured network allows us to conduct training, concept of operations exercises, and collaborative engineering activities using sensitive information in safety,” said Maxwell.

Starting at $55,000, Second Life Enterprise may be a solution to economic problems within a corporation.

Woman Lost at Sea

2009-11-04T02:28:00.000-08:00

The crisp air on her skin on a summer morning in Bristol Bay, Alaska never felt better. Feeling the splash of the ice-cold water on her face as the fish come flying off of the net; her hands stinging from the ripping the remainder of the fish from the net

For the past eight summers, the smell of salt water and fresh fish feel like home to Maggie J. Vincent, a senior at Washington State University.

While some students work at fast food restaurants during the summer to pay for college, Vincent prefers working at a commercial fishing company in Alaska.

“When I was younger, I enjoyed hearing tales of my fathers experiences in Alaska,” Vincent said. “As a child I looked forward to the day that I would be old enough to share in these life experiences first hand.”

However, according to Vincent, spending your summers on a boat in Alaska isn’t a trip to the beach.

“When you’re not pulling up the net and picking fish, you are taking a nap, eating or cleaning the boat,” Vincent said.

A typical day is based on teamwork, according to Vincent. With only four other crewmembers, the group has to take shifts in order to keep a balanced rotation.

More crewmembers were required as the amount of fish caught in the net increased. If vast amounts of fish are caught in the net, the net is ‘smoking’, according to Vincent. If the net is ‘dragging’, it means there is a small amount of fish caught.

“It’s not about the money,” Vincent said. “The life lessons I’ve learned from working at the commercial fishing company make all the difference.”

Vincent has encountered many memorable experiences over the past eight summers in Alaska.

One of her most memorable moments was on the Fourth of July in 2004. Vincent was crossing from her boat to another boat when she hallucinated and fell face first into the tender.

“After a three hour drive to the clinic to get stitches in my chin, I spent the night tonguing the area where my front tooth used to be,” Vincent said.

“Lack of sleep was definitely a factor in my hallucination,” Vincent said. “I probably had five hours of sleep over the course of three days.”

Very few women work in the commercial fishing industry as crew and even less work as skippers.

“The hardest part about working in the commercial fishing industry is when it comes time to pull up the net and try to pull the fish out of the ‘gill net’,” Vincent said. “It’s hard, fast-paced and exhausting.”

“Working in Alaska has taught me a lot about independence and maintaining a good work ethic,” Vincent said.

Vincent plans to continue working at the commercial fishing company in Alaska for as many years as she can.

Frontline: "What's happening to the News?"

2009-11-03T15:36:00.000-08:00

I was shocked after viewing the Frontline piece. The opening couple of minutes demonstrate the change in values of the reports. In the time of Edward R. Murrow, there was much more focus on getting all the news as unbiased as possible to the people. These types of reports "were known as heros, but today.. they are in a crisis". It's as if all the reporters' morals have just flown out the window when they have to decide between money or moral values.

In-Class Research Exercise

2009-11-01T23:49:00.000-08:00

Crime Stats:

-In 2007, Pullman, WA, had 5 reported hate crimes, whereas most similarly small cities in the state of Washington had around 3. However, compared to Seattle, who had 28 hate crimes, Pullman appears to not have a problem with the number of hate crimes. The most common type of hate crime that was reported was hate crimes related to race (4 race related hate crimes were reported in 2006 & 2007).

Follow the Money:

-Christine Gregoire was the Washington State governor candidate that received the most political donations in 2008. She received $12,002,778.

-For the first leading gubernatorial candidate, Christine Gregoire, the industry that contributed the largest donations (aside from the candidates' own political committees) was from the Lawyers and Lobbyists industry, who gave a total of $381,414 during her campaign. For the second leading gubernatorial candidate, Dino Rossi, the industry that contributed the largest donations was from the Lawyers and Lobbyists , who gave a total of $74,127 during his campaign.

-The Forestry & Forest Products industry donated the most money to the Republican party.

-The Lobbyists & Public Relations industry donated the most money to the Democratic party.

Google's Patent Search:

-Digital Video Recorder: http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=eEk2AAAAEBAJ&dq=%22Digital+Video+Recorder%22&num=100

-Social Networking: http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=fVsGAAAAEBAJ&dq=%22Social+Networking%22&as_psrg=1&num=100

-Automobile:http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=E9lrAAAAEBAJ&dq=Automobile&as_psrg=1&num=100

“Homecoming Events Includes More Than Greeks and Residents of University Dormitories”

2009-10-19T01:51:00.000-07:00

“I am a 5th year senior and this was the first year I participated in any of the Homecoming events or competitions,” Adam H. Franck said.

“I really wasn't aware of involvement opportunities until this year and as far as I know the talent show was really the only thing open to the non-Greek, non-university dorm demographic that includes myself,” Franck said.

According to Stephanie A. Caron, executive board member of the Student Entertainment Board, Homecoming participation is significantly less for non-Greek students who live off-campus than students who live in residence halls or in the Greek system.

“[Homecoming] participation is equal with the number of residence halls students to Greeks,” Caron said. “However the majority that is lacking is definitely off-campus students,” Caron said.

According to Caroline M. Pratt, a senior at WSU, most Greek-affiliated students agree that Homecoming focuses more on the freshmen than on all students.

“During my freshman and sophomore year I competed in almost all of the Homecoming events, but over time I have decreased my participation,” Pratt said.

Caron disagrees with the idea that the Homecoming events revolve around freshmen.

“It’s not necessarily a matter of age but a matter of living situation.” Caron said. “If you’re not living on-campus or in the Greek community participation is low.”

“I think SEB could reach out better to off-campus non-Greek students by letting them know that you don’t have to be in the Greek system or in a dorm to be a part of Homecoming events,” Franck said. “I think that most people not in these categories feel that events, such as the lip sync or talent show, are competitions for the Greek community and they are not welcome to attend or participate.”

In spite of this, several student organizations on the fourth floor of the Compton Union Building formed the group “the Seven Dynamite Centers” to compete in different Homecoming events, according to Caron. The Seven Dynamite Centers drew much attention to the off-campus students who would not normally participate.

“I think the Seven Dynamite Centers are the beginning of something,” Caron said. “Getting student organizations that tend to be made-up of off-campus residents would be a really good step forward for getting more people involved.”

According to Caron, there is high volume of Homecoming participation; therefore SEB is not concerned with increasing numbers of participants.

However, SEB does intend on creating different opportunities to increase the variety of students participating in the Homecoming events, according to Caron.

“Overall, Homecoming focuses on one group: Cougars,” Caron said. “Our ultimate goal is to encourage cougar pride at WSU and to build-up school spirit for the big Homecoming game.”

Special Leads

2009-10-05T08:40:00.000-07:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/05/fashion/shows/05lohan.html?ref=fashion
Lead: “PAS possible,” said Fabien Baron, the noted French art director shortly after the Emanuel Ungaro show on Sunday. “Call the fashion police!”

In the first article, it starts off using a quotation lead. I feel that this type of lead works well for this type of news story. The quotation, although humorous, jumps us into the eyes of the noted French art director, Fabien Baron. I like this lead because it catches your attention, and makes you want to read more. I feel like this lead could be go in different direction as well by using a quotation found later in the news story, "We love Lindsay Lohan -- as an actress," said Baron. "Period." I feel that this jumps into the story, gives the main idea and it makes you want to read more. Another specialty lead that might capture the attention of the audience more could be a feature lead or contrast lead, discussing how people love Lindsay Lohan and how she's an actress, and then say how Baron thinks she is better as just an actress. That way the readers will understand Baron's concern.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/health/04meat.html
Lead: Stephanie Smith, a children’s dance instructor, thought she had a stomach virus. The aches and cramping were tolerable that first day, and she finished her classes.

In the second article, it starts off with a feature lead. I feel that this type of lead gives the reader a wholist (and graphic) idea of what it is like for Smith. This lead approach, although rather graphic does entise readers and capture the attention of their audience. I feel that this type of lead is most appropriate for this particular news story. Although, a quotation or contrast lead might be strong as well.

Second-day story lead on missing Angela Melissa Norton

2009-09-30T08:44:00.000-07:00

As the search continues for the missing 4-year-old streches into the second day, police start to question neighbors.

International News with a focus on Al Jezeera English on Livestaion

2009-09-30T00:48:00.001-07:00

1. How effective do you think the internet will be for Al Jazeera as it attempts to reach a U.S. audience?

Due to the bias and stereotypes most Americans make towards the middle east, I feel that the internet is the most appropriate method to reach out to the United States audience. This is because most Americans would probably reject the television station that would broadcast Al Jazeera. The internet has integrated into a place where most people find their news, because it's quick and easy. Just look at youtube and livestation, their popularity and number of viewer are exponentially rising each day. The internet is a great way for Al Jazeera to reach the U.S. audience.

2. Based on your own observations, do you think that Al Jazeera English should be allowed to broadcast in the U.S.?

Considering the first amendment of our constitution is the freedom of religion, press and expression, I feel that the U.S. should allow Al Jazeera right to broadcast. After viewing over an hour of Al Jazeera, I did not see anything indicating a bias towards hating Americans. We have all been misled to assume that Al Jazeera broadcasts support Anti-American efforts. In fact, they do a good job of just sticking to the facts.

3. What, if anything, do you notice about Al Jazeera's approach to telling news? How is it different than U.S.-based TV news outlets that you have experienced?

Surprisingly, Al Jazeera does a better job of keeping to the fact than most American stations. Just look at CNN news, the news words their broadcasts in a way that leads towards the network's liberal persona. For the most part, the broadcasting is unbiased. I mean I'm sure that had I been watching this station several years I'd see more of the bias. It's also fascinating to me that the actual footage of the broadcast are far less glamourous as they are in the United States. If you watching KING 5 new, you will see the news anchors and reports fully done-up in makeup and the sound and picture is perfect. However, watching Al Jazeera you can see that the broadcasts are much less informal and not as "hollywood". The clips seem to lack the perfect sound and picture that the United States news stations have.

4. While on the Al Jazeera site, be sure to check out the network's published Code of Ethics. Based on your observations, do you think they are adhering to them?

I feel that Al Jazeera does follow most all of their Codes of Ethics. The one thing that I noticed was that a lot of the reports interviewed victims. As a result, we see more of the victims side. This goes against their commitment to be entirely unbiased. However as we all know, it is nearly impossible to be ENTIRELY unbiased. But overall, I feel that Al Jazeera adheres to the majority of their Codes of Ethics.

2009-09-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Police and FBI agents searched the home of a Yale University animal research technician Tuesday night and led him away in handcuffs to the cheers of neighbors in a search for evidence that might tie him to the slaying of a graduate student.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,550622,00.html?test=latestnews

The news story directly above is a strong example of what a summary lead should look like. Each of the five W's are clearly stated.

News Flash... Three Story Ideas That Will Captivate Pullmanits

2009-09-13T23:04:00.000-07:00

Topic Number One: "Will Tom, Travis and Mark disappear in a blink of an eye or reunite for the long-hall?" In the article I will talk about the possibility of Blink 182 coming out with a new album or what their future plans will be. I will discuss their concert and recap on it. My sources will be their manager, a VIP from the concert, and hardcore fans.

Topic Number Two: "Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus... who will be victorious?" In the article I will talk about the competitive retail stores and what is happening to the sales of each due to the new addition of a Neiman Marcus in Bellevue. My sources will be managers/employees from the stores as well as customers.

Topic Number Three: "Are the actions Pullman police have been taking legal?" In the article I will talk about the complaints of students from Washington State University with regards to unfair treatment from the police in Pullman concerning alcohol and drugs. My sources will include several victims of police assault, police officers, and witnesses.

Chev-wrong or Chevron?

2009-09-01T22:51:00.000-07:00

Although Chevron may be a household brand, its name has become increasingly popular over the last 10 years, especially in Ecuador. After over two decades of oil refining in Ecuador, Chevron allegedly left behind billions of dollars worth of damages to the Amazon Rainforest. After viewing the two opposing videos on the topic, it is very hard to say who is correct.

In the first video, a 60 Minutes special, it contained an eclectic group of interviews. These interviews included views from Chevron consultants, Steven Donziger (the Plaintiff’s lawyer), Sequoyah Indians, the judge for the case, the EPA, and residents from the surrounding area. The video showed many vivid images of the damages that were left behind. It also stated that Chevron thinks it’s only responsible from 40 percent of the clean up. This is because Chevron was 40 percent partner with Ecuador’s oil company, Petroecuador. However, scientist proved that a near 100 percent of the oil that was being used was from Texaco, which was bought by Chevron. In response, Chevron denied the claim and stated that it was the “biggest falsehood they’d ever heard”. After being asked who made the pits, Chevron said that the consortion was responsible and that Texaco was the operator but the Consortion partners had selected Texaco to operate the oil fields.

In the second video, a video constructed by Chevron employees, it contained a marginalize group of interviews. All of the people, excluding one person, that were interviewed were Chevron consultants. This misinforms the public due to the obvious biases. The video showed many images of the areas that Chevron had cleaned up. The video claims that most of the health problems from the people are due to the widespread bacteria in the drinking water from raw sewage. It also claims that all the pipes leading into the Rainforest were analyzed by a toxicologist and determined to be nothing unnatural to the environment and harmless. The Chevron employees believe the Ecuadorian government is trying to “re-write the past” and that the judge has a bias towards Chevron to begin with. The validity of the arguments is skewed because Chevron consultants presented all of the information