"Zap to do Three-Wheeled Car in 2009: Zap, the electric car company based in Santa Rosa, Calif., is adding another electric car to its lineup"
By Michael Kanellos Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Published: January 31, 2008
http://www.news.com/Zap-to-do-three-wheeled-car-in-2009/2100-13833_3-6228614.html?tag=nefd.lede
In recent years, and definately recent months, Americans seem to be becoming more concerned with ways to protect the environement, at least in theory if not in practice. Because of this movement, there has been an increase in the production of more environment-friendly products, such as electric cars. While the latest model from Zap which will debut in 2009 is not the first of its kind entirely, it is different because its a high speed model which sits on only three wheels. The model is called "Alias" and will have a "top speed of over 100 miles an hour and go 150 miles on a charge, according to Zap." The sophisticated electric tricycle, however, will come at a price of $30,000.
The company has decided to make their electric model at three-wheeler because of the decrease in weight of the vehicle; because it is lighter, it will be able to travel further and last longer on a single charge that previous electric cars.
In the article, the author boasts that these three-wheeled vehicles will reach the market faster than possibly expected because they are technically considered motorcycles. Because of this classification there is "less safety testing." While this view is presented as an advantage, I think it quite the opposite. A vehicle that functions so differently from the majority of the cars on the roads today should be subject to vigorous safety tests in order to insure maximum security to its drivers and passengers. The electric cars may be beneficial to the environment, but what good is that if they turn out to be harmful to human beings' safety on the road.
The company will begin work on the Zap-X later this year which is an electric SUV. Because America appears to be obsessed with gas-guzzling SUVs hopefully this will be an economically-friendly way to satisfy the craving.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
"Information Navigation 101"
"Information Navigation 101: New programs teach undergraduates how to use the Internet and the online card catalog in search of the best sources"
By Andrea L. Foster
In the article, "Information Navigation 101" by Andrea L. Foster, the author argues that although today's college-aged students may appear to be technologically savvy, they are seriously lacking knowledge when it comes to using resources in the library to find appropriate academic information. Frances A. May, a library coordinator of user education and outreach states, "'students think they know more than they do.'" While this comment may seem harsh, I think it holds a great deal of truth. There are many avenues of research that most students have not even begun to tap into.
Foster informs the reader of the dramatic increases in digitally available text over the last several years and indicates that because of the increase "students are drowning in information." As a college student, I find this to be a very true statement. There seems to be so much information existing literally at my fingertips that it can become overwhelming to even think of sorting it all out. The entire process can become frustrating and as a result many students are turning to Google and Wikipedia for the easiest answers. While Google and Wikipedia remain constant references of my own (because I feel like I am at least somewhat capable of determining relevancy and authority), I think it's also important to understand other systems of "information navigation."
The article goes on the discuss a "kind of instruction [that is] occuring at colleges all over the country as part of 'information literacy,' a growing librarian-led movement to make students more adept at locating and evaluating electronic data." I experienced such instruction on more than one "class field trip" to the library during my college education. Although with each session (they were the same lesson repeated) I was able to get a better grasp on the concept of navigating, in my now senior year of college, I feel that I have only just now gained a level of understanding that could truly be useful to me in research projects. It may have been more effective if, instead of only one library session per class per semester, there were follow-up sessions. This way the information would not have to be so condensed into one 50 minute session. However, the ideal is not always the attainable. Its unrealistic to think that on top of all other duties, librarians should also make time to become full-time teachers university-wide.
By Andrea L. Foster
In the article, "Information Navigation 101" by Andrea L. Foster, the author argues that although today's college-aged students may appear to be technologically savvy, they are seriously lacking knowledge when it comes to using resources in the library to find appropriate academic information. Frances A. May, a library coordinator of user education and outreach states, "'students think they know more than they do.'" While this comment may seem harsh, I think it holds a great deal of truth. There are many avenues of research that most students have not even begun to tap into.
Foster informs the reader of the dramatic increases in digitally available text over the last several years and indicates that because of the increase "students are drowning in information." As a college student, I find this to be a very true statement. There seems to be so much information existing literally at my fingertips that it can become overwhelming to even think of sorting it all out. The entire process can become frustrating and as a result many students are turning to Google and Wikipedia for the easiest answers. While Google and Wikipedia remain constant references of my own (because I feel like I am at least somewhat capable of determining relevancy and authority), I think it's also important to understand other systems of "information navigation."
The article goes on the discuss a "kind of instruction [that is] occuring at colleges all over the country as part of 'information literacy,' a growing librarian-led movement to make students more adept at locating and evaluating electronic data." I experienced such instruction on more than one "class field trip" to the library during my college education. Although with each session (they were the same lesson repeated) I was able to get a better grasp on the concept of navigating, in my now senior year of college, I feel that I have only just now gained a level of understanding that could truly be useful to me in research projects. It may have been more effective if, instead of only one library session per class per semester, there were follow-up sessions. This way the information would not have to be so condensed into one 50 minute session. However, the ideal is not always the attainable. Its unrealistic to think that on top of all other duties, librarians should also make time to become full-time teachers university-wide.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
News Article #2
"Facebook Makes a Friend on Wall Street" By Seth Sutel
January 30, 2008 7:48 am
TechNewsWorld
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Facebook-Makes-a-Friend-on-Wall-Street-61438.html
TheFacebook.com began as an online community comprised of college students enabling them to chat, join groups, share photos, etc. TheFacebook appeared to be an immediate success and apparently this continues to remain true, as reported in the news story "Facebook Makes a Friend on Wall Street" by Seth Sutel early this morning.
The online community, which has fairly recently opened membership eligibility to everyone, not limiting itself to college students, now includes hundreds of available applications allowing the users to individualize their page and providing new ways for the users to interact with one another. The latest application? It's called "SeenThis?" and its sponsored by the Wall Street Journal Online, Facebook's newest "friend." According to Sutel, the feature "will allow readers to see which Journal stories are popular among that user's Facebook friends," serving as a type of recommendation to the user, hopefully prompting them to visit the article online or purchase a copy of the Journal, a method of advertising that has been proven successful by companies such as Amazon.com. Sutel reports that Daniel Bernard, the general manger for Wall Street Journal Online explained that each Facebook user will have to opt to have the application; it will not start immediately on its own.
Another application that will be available is "widget" defined by Sutel as "a small, self-contained application that does a specific task." In this case it will show "video and other material from Cnet and other providers." This widget will be visible to others who visit the pages of those who do use the widget, hopefully enticing even more users to add the application.
I think its a great way for the Wall Street Journal online to advertise. It's helpful for its users and it will probably also be beneficial for the company. As a user of Facebook, however, I'm a bit overwhelmed at the hundreds of different applications that are available. I have even stopped using them. I think it would have been more effective if it had come along a bit earlier in the game.
January 30, 2008 7:48 am
TechNewsWorld
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Facebook-Makes-a-Friend-on-Wall-Street-61438.html
TheFacebook.com began as an online community comprised of college students enabling them to chat, join groups, share photos, etc. TheFacebook appeared to be an immediate success and apparently this continues to remain true, as reported in the news story "Facebook Makes a Friend on Wall Street" by Seth Sutel early this morning.
The online community, which has fairly recently opened membership eligibility to everyone, not limiting itself to college students, now includes hundreds of available applications allowing the users to individualize their page and providing new ways for the users to interact with one another. The latest application? It's called "SeenThis?" and its sponsored by the Wall Street Journal Online, Facebook's newest "friend." According to Sutel, the feature "will allow readers to see which Journal stories are popular among that user's Facebook friends," serving as a type of recommendation to the user, hopefully prompting them to visit the article online or purchase a copy of the Journal, a method of advertising that has been proven successful by companies such as Amazon.com. Sutel reports that Daniel Bernard, the general manger for Wall Street Journal Online explained that each Facebook user will have to opt to have the application; it will not start immediately on its own.
Another application that will be available is "widget" defined by Sutel as "a small, self-contained application that does a specific task." In this case it will show "video and other material from Cnet and other providers." This widget will be visible to others who visit the pages of those who do use the widget, hopefully enticing even more users to add the application.
I think its a great way for the Wall Street Journal online to advertise. It's helpful for its users and it will probably also be beneficial for the company. As a user of Facebook, however, I'm a bit overwhelmed at the hundreds of different applications that are available. I have even stopped using them. I think it would have been more effective if it had come along a bit earlier in the game.
"Are Librarians Totally Obsolete?"
The article "Are Librarians Totally Obsolete?" by Will Sherman gives "33 Reasons Why Libraries and Librarians are Still Important." In a culture in which the internet seems to rule all, many people are thinking that at some point there will no longer be a need for libraries or librarians. This article proves the contrary, giving 33 valid reasons why this will never be the case. The reasons are believable and substantially supported, easily convincing the reader of its argument.
One important point made in the article is that libraries and the internet are not the same thing. I think it is great to point out a fact that although obvious is often overlooked. Because libraries and the internet are not the same thing, it would be impossible for one of those to replace the other. There may be people who believe that the internet is an updated, more efficient form of the library. This is not the case. The internet is just a different way to gather different types of information (not "better" or "more accurate" information, just different). It is important to remember that libraries are integrating the internet as an additional form of research; the two are working together, not against one another.
One of the reasons that I found interesting, and even a bit humorous because of the should-be obviousness of the idea. Reason number fourteen states, "We just can't count on physical libraries disappearing." Well of course we can't! Not only because of their importance in filing and preserving important archives and various forms of information, I can hardly imagine a time that the internet will be able to replace everything a library provides. A computer screen will never be able to replicate the atmosphere, the reliability, the comfort, or many other aspects of a library. I believe that there will always be a need in our society for libraries.
One important point made in the article is that libraries and the internet are not the same thing. I think it is great to point out a fact that although obvious is often overlooked. Because libraries and the internet are not the same thing, it would be impossible for one of those to replace the other. There may be people who believe that the internet is an updated, more efficient form of the library. This is not the case. The internet is just a different way to gather different types of information (not "better" or "more accurate" information, just different). It is important to remember that libraries are integrating the internet as an additional form of research; the two are working together, not against one another.
One of the reasons that I found interesting, and even a bit humorous because of the should-be obviousness of the idea. Reason number fourteen states, "We just can't count on physical libraries disappearing." Well of course we can't! Not only because of their importance in filing and preserving important archives and various forms of information, I can hardly imagine a time that the internet will be able to replace everything a library provides. A computer screen will never be able to replicate the atmosphere, the reliability, the comfort, or many other aspects of a library. I believe that there will always be a need in our society for libraries.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
"Hackers Target Aspiring Internet Scammers: A new phishing kit puts wannabe scammers against seasoned fraudsters" By Jeremy Kirk, IDG News Service - January 23, 2008
InfoWorld reporter Jeremy Kirk recently published an article describing a growing and innovative internet scam. This new scam is targeting other, less experienced hackers. A skilled group of hackers, calling themselves “Mr. Brain,” has developed a series of easy-to-use software packages which permit its users to replicate the websites of well-known brands. The purpose of these mock-websites is to deceive the internet users who find them into giving out their personal information such as bank account numbers, credit card details and social security numbers. In the article, this type of deception is referred to as “phishing.” Some of the major brands that have been targeted and replicated within the software are Bank of America, eBay, PayPal, and HSBC.
In addition, Mr. Brain is distributing this software completely free of charge. Researchers soon discovered the motive for this suspicious “charity.” Paul Mutton is the internet services developer at Netcraft, and during an interview with Kirk revealed that further research conducted by Netcraft, which is a security company in
I think its astonishing the lengths that people are willing to go to in order to steal what rightfully belongs to someone else. These Mr. Brain hackers have obviously spent a lot of time, thought, energy, and probably someone else's money into figuring out how to develop this software, advertise it, give it away, and then use it for their own gain. It's also amazing that there are so many people who are readily putting this software to use.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
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