By: Timothy Salley
BLUE BELL, PA--The Webster‘s Dictionary definition of copyright goes as follows: “The exclusive legal right, given to an originator or an assignee to print, publish, perform, film or record literary, artistic or musical material, and to authorize others to do the same.”
Copyright infringement occurs when someone other than the copyright holder copies the “expression” of a work. This means that the idea or information behind the work is not protected but how the idea is expressed is protected.
Seemingly since the beginning of time, artists of all types have been hit with major, if not minor, cases of copyright infringement. As an originator and creator, you own more than just the rights to reproduce works filed with the U.S. Copyright Office and infringement can occur with each right.
These rights include:
• The Right to Derivative Works:
This is the right to modify work to create new works. New work that is based off of an existing work is “derivative.” Copyright infringement here occurs if someone releases or remixes a song that you made without your consent.
• The Right to Distribution:
This is the right to distribute works to the public by sale, rental, lease or lending. Infringement occurs here when file-sharing web services violate distribution rights held by record labels.
• The Public Display Right:
This is the right to show a copy of the work directly to the public by hanging up a copy of the work in a public place, displaying it on a website, putting it on film, etc. Infringement occurs here if the someone other than the copyright holder offers a work for public display.
As media creators, our jobs are to understand and protect our rights to our personal works and not let copyright infringement take a toll. In understanding the many rights you obtain as a creator, specifically as an artist, whether you desire to be a logo designer or a musician, there are clear precautions you must take with protecting your work in order to sail smoothly within any mass media industry.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
News Values + Montco Radio = Great Concept
By: Justin Krauss
BLUE BELL, PA--News values in journalism and in every form of media are very important when it comes to storytelling. It is what defines your story. News values help writers get their news quickly, accurately and honestly.
In the twenty-first century, there have been many new ways in which people hear, see and read their news; including the internet, social media, newspapers, radio, television and magazines. According to the Associated Press, “In all media, we insist on the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior when we gather and deliver news.”
Actualizing news values also means that authors do not plagiarize anything and that they “strive to identify all the sources of our information.”
There are seven basic steps that can help guide authors in writing a news article. They are impact, timeliness, prominence, proximity, bizarreness, conflict, and currency.
For students who are looking into being journalists, news values are very important for you. As a media student, you don’t want to be caught with plagiarism. You need to make sure you follow the basic guidelines and principles that the AP Statements of News Values offers. They need to follow AP guidelines so they can have an honest and accurate news article.
One of Montgomery County Community College’s most popular media outlets, Montco Radio, which is an internet radio station, a new show was recently started in which they are going to be broadcasting local news, news about Montco and will be promoting other Montco Radio shows.
This show would have lots of news value in it. But even though most shows are just doing music, they still have to use news values, especially if they have some interesting news about music that their listeners might find interesting.
In my opinion, if Montco Radio had a weekly show about news, what would make people listen to it is if it were satire. If the show was structured like Jon Stewart’s “Daily Show” or Stephen Colbert’s “Colbert Report,” people would listen because it would incorporate news values and comedy.
News Values are everything when writing a news article. News values determine whether an article is worthy to be distributed. News values are what get a story onto the airwaves, into a newspaper and on the internet.
BLUE BELL, PA--News values in journalism and in every form of media are very important when it comes to storytelling. It is what defines your story. News values help writers get their news quickly, accurately and honestly.
In the twenty-first century, there have been many new ways in which people hear, see and read their news; including the internet, social media, newspapers, radio, television and magazines. According to the Associated Press, “In all media, we insist on the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior when we gather and deliver news.”
Actualizing news values also means that authors do not plagiarize anything and that they “strive to identify all the sources of our information.”
There are seven basic steps that can help guide authors in writing a news article. They are impact, timeliness, prominence, proximity, bizarreness, conflict, and currency.
For students who are looking into being journalists, news values are very important for you. As a media student, you don’t want to be caught with plagiarism. You need to make sure you follow the basic guidelines and principles that the AP Statements of News Values offers. They need to follow AP guidelines so they can have an honest and accurate news article.
One of Montgomery County Community College’s most popular media outlets, Montco Radio, which is an internet radio station, a new show was recently started in which they are going to be broadcasting local news, news about Montco and will be promoting other Montco Radio shows.
This show would have lots of news value in it. But even though most shows are just doing music, they still have to use news values, especially if they have some interesting news about music that their listeners might find interesting.
In my opinion, if Montco Radio had a weekly show about news, what would make people listen to it is if it were satire. If the show was structured like Jon Stewart’s “Daily Show” or Stephen Colbert’s “Colbert Report,” people would listen because it would incorporate news values and comedy.
News Values are everything when writing a news article. News values determine whether an article is worthy to be distributed. News values are what get a story onto the airwaves, into a newspaper and on the internet.
My Experience with Copyright Law and Social Media
By: Matt Hawkins
BLUE BELL, PA--Have you ever had an idea that you thought would make you rich or famous? What if that idea had been stolen from you? How would it affect you? Copyright infringement is a crime in the United States because, whether it is and idea or a product, it is stealing and taking credit for something that didn’t originally belong to the person who put into the public.
However, when I was a kid I ran into a similar problem with a major toy company, Mattel. Their main products are Hot Wheels and Barbie. When I was in fourth grade, I would buy, play and collect Hot Wheels. My favorite sets were the ones that came in the 5-pack. I came up with an idea that Mattel could make a 5-pack train set because after years of buying Hot Wheels cars, I hadn’t seen any trains. So I drew and designed the trains on a piece of paper, giving each one a style.
I then asked my mom to mail my completed drawings to Mattel to see if they would take them or not. I didn’t here anything from them for a long while until one day I got a letter back from them. The letter said they were glad to see I was so interested in their product. However, they were not allowed to take any ideas from outsiders; I would have to work for them. Despite the rejection, it didn’t stop me from buying, playing with or collecting Hot Wheels cars.
Fast forward to now. I still collect Hot Wheels cars but only the ones that are worth a lot of money. My ideas and inspirations have changed over the years with my growing reputation on Instagram, eBay and YouTube; my ideas cannot be taken because I have made a name for myself.
On Instagram, I am known for my custom painted Transformer toys and I have sold a few for $100 dollars or more. With eBay, I have been selling for two years now and I have a 99.9 percent positive feedback rating. As for my YouTube presence, I do stop motion videos, under the name “AznKidMatt,” with my Transformers toys and I have thousands of subscribers.
On Instagram, my followers know who I am and have pointed me to people who copy me claiming they made my videos or did my custom paint jobs. I use a digital watermark on my custom paint pictures so no one can screenshot it and claim it as their own.
As for Mattel, a about a year ago, I was at WalMart and saw some Hot Wheel cars. To my surprise, I saw these new two packs of trains next to them and I thought to myself, “They took my idea.” I can not confirm that, I’m just going on the belief of great minds think alike. I was not an employee of Mattel so my idea could not be spread. The technology was limited back when I was in fourth grade but now anyone can share their ideas and thoughts.
I have a few new ideas I can’t wait to reveal on Instagram, eBay and YouTube when the time is right.
BLUE BELL, PA--Have you ever had an idea that you thought would make you rich or famous? What if that idea had been stolen from you? How would it affect you? Copyright infringement is a crime in the United States because, whether it is and idea or a product, it is stealing and taking credit for something that didn’t originally belong to the person who put into the public.
However, when I was a kid I ran into a similar problem with a major toy company, Mattel. Their main products are Hot Wheels and Barbie. When I was in fourth grade, I would buy, play and collect Hot Wheels. My favorite sets were the ones that came in the 5-pack. I came up with an idea that Mattel could make a 5-pack train set because after years of buying Hot Wheels cars, I hadn’t seen any trains. So I drew and designed the trains on a piece of paper, giving each one a style.
I then asked my mom to mail my completed drawings to Mattel to see if they would take them or not. I didn’t here anything from them for a long while until one day I got a letter back from them. The letter said they were glad to see I was so interested in their product. However, they were not allowed to take any ideas from outsiders; I would have to work for them. Despite the rejection, it didn’t stop me from buying, playing with or collecting Hot Wheels cars.
Fast forward to now. I still collect Hot Wheels cars but only the ones that are worth a lot of money. My ideas and inspirations have changed over the years with my growing reputation on Instagram, eBay and YouTube; my ideas cannot be taken because I have made a name for myself.
On Instagram, I am known for my custom painted Transformer toys and I have sold a few for $100 dollars or more. With eBay, I have been selling for two years now and I have a 99.9 percent positive feedback rating. As for my YouTube presence, I do stop motion videos, under the name “AznKidMatt,” with my Transformers toys and I have thousands of subscribers.
On Instagram, my followers know who I am and have pointed me to people who copy me claiming they made my videos or did my custom paint jobs. I use a digital watermark on my custom paint pictures so no one can screenshot it and claim it as their own.
As for Mattel, a about a year ago, I was at WalMart and saw some Hot Wheel cars. To my surprise, I saw these new two packs of trains next to them and I thought to myself, “They took my idea.” I can not confirm that, I’m just going on the belief of great minds think alike. I was not an employee of Mattel so my idea could not be spread. The technology was limited back when I was in fourth grade but now anyone can share their ideas and thoughts.
I have a few new ideas I can’t wait to reveal on Instagram, eBay and YouTube when the time is right.
Does Privacy Exist?
By: Ciara Cipriano
BLUE BELL, PA--As the expectation for education rises, students have found themselves surfing the web in order to develop their work and complete their assignments. As they find themselves searching for sources, applying for jobs and networking through social media, they often forget that the internet tracks and documents their every move. Since we rely on the internet for so much of what we do, we have come to a point where we have to ask ourselves, "Is there really such thing as internet privacy?"
Internet privacy has been described in many different ways due to its relation to online users as well as the technologies and techniques that are being used. According to Definitions.net, internet privacy is categorized into Non-Personally Identifiable Information and Personally Identifiable Information.
This information “involves the right or mandate of personal privacy concerning the storing, repurposing, provision to third-parties and displaying of information pertaining to oneself via the internet.” But what does this mean to students and how should they protect themselves?
There are two big differences between Non-Personally Identifiable Information and Personally Identifiable Information. Non-Personally Identifiable Information is known as the information that is documented based off of a website's visitor activity. This information creates interactions based off of an individual’s search activity or pages viewed. Although this information may seem somewhat invasive, it is typically gathered through site visits and selections which are typically geared towards marketing and sales tactics.
Personally Identifiable Information is a very different story. According to "Media Today," Personally Identifiable Information is known as “the name, portal address or any other information that allows tracking down a specific person who owns a device.” This information enables outside sources to locate individuals, ultimately putting them at risk to those outside sources. Often it is also unintentionally revealed through social media, search engines and databases and has the power to jeopardize an individual’s personal life, education, career and, most importantly, safety.
Overall, in order for students to avoid these common situations, there is something they must know. An internet user’s foot print is everywhere. So don’t put anything online that you wouldn’t put on an open post card and always remember, there is no such thing as internet privacy.
BLUE BELL, PA--As the expectation for education rises, students have found themselves surfing the web in order to develop their work and complete their assignments. As they find themselves searching for sources, applying for jobs and networking through social media, they often forget that the internet tracks and documents their every move. Since we rely on the internet for so much of what we do, we have come to a point where we have to ask ourselves, "Is there really such thing as internet privacy?"
Internet privacy has been described in many different ways due to its relation to online users as well as the technologies and techniques that are being used. According to Definitions.net, internet privacy is categorized into Non-Personally Identifiable Information and Personally Identifiable Information.
This information “involves the right or mandate of personal privacy concerning the storing, repurposing, provision to third-parties and displaying of information pertaining to oneself via the internet.” But what does this mean to students and how should they protect themselves?
There are two big differences between Non-Personally Identifiable Information and Personally Identifiable Information. Non-Personally Identifiable Information is known as the information that is documented based off of a website's visitor activity. This information creates interactions based off of an individual’s search activity or pages viewed. Although this information may seem somewhat invasive, it is typically gathered through site visits and selections which are typically geared towards marketing and sales tactics.
Personally Identifiable Information is a very different story. According to "Media Today," Personally Identifiable Information is known as “the name, portal address or any other information that allows tracking down a specific person who owns a device.” This information enables outside sources to locate individuals, ultimately putting them at risk to those outside sources. Often it is also unintentionally revealed through social media, search engines and databases and has the power to jeopardize an individual’s personal life, education, career and, most importantly, safety.
Overall, in order for students to avoid these common situations, there is something they must know. An internet user’s foot print is everywhere. So don’t put anything online that you wouldn’t put on an open post card and always remember, there is no such thing as internet privacy.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Internet and Privacy
By: Shabana Aqil
BLUE BELL,PA--Media industries are using internet privacy as their opportunity to bring advertising money into their businesses. According to Joseph Turow, in our society we have become so interactive that it has become a major problem. We have the ability to access information like e-mails, Facebook, Twitter and our bank accounts on our portable devices. Having our information so readily available allows employers and the government access to personal information, gain more knowledge of who we are and learn more than we would like them to know.
The concern about privacy became recognized in the 1970’s when companies like Experian, Equifax, Acxiom and Choice point began to sell personal information, allowing marketers to use their universal database to pursue potential customers. When the World Wide Web was put into mass use in the 1990’s, marketers immediately used the internet to their advantage, accelerating privacy concerns to a feverish pace. Marketers were now able to instantly access personally identifiable information to acquire names, postal addresses and other details that helped them find a specific person and target that person’s most personal desires.
Joseph Turow states, “If there is no registered information available, marketers can display ads that peaks an individual’s interest.” Through the information provided, this marketing tactic is then linked to internet cookie data. This data enables marketers to get personally identifiable information.
As student media creators, we should have the right to know who has access our personally identifiable information and whether we want that or any information out for the public to use.
Privacy advocates say that there are two ways to monitor your personal information. The first way is known as the opt-out approach. By selecting this option, marketers are permitted to collect personal information from consumers as long as they inform them of what they are doing and give them the opportunity to refuse. Another way to keep your information safe is known as the opt-in approach. By using this option, marketers cannot have the ability or right to collect information about you unless you explicitly indicate that it is all right for them to do so.
We have the right to have privacy. Don’t let anyone know more than they have the right to know.
BLUE BELL,PA--Media industries are using internet privacy as their opportunity to bring advertising money into their businesses. According to Joseph Turow, in our society we have become so interactive that it has become a major problem. We have the ability to access information like e-mails, Facebook, Twitter and our bank accounts on our portable devices. Having our information so readily available allows employers and the government access to personal information, gain more knowledge of who we are and learn more than we would like them to know.
The concern about privacy became recognized in the 1970’s when companies like Experian, Equifax, Acxiom and Choice point began to sell personal information, allowing marketers to use their universal database to pursue potential customers. When the World Wide Web was put into mass use in the 1990’s, marketers immediately used the internet to their advantage, accelerating privacy concerns to a feverish pace. Marketers were now able to instantly access personally identifiable information to acquire names, postal addresses and other details that helped them find a specific person and target that person’s most personal desires.
Joseph Turow states, “If there is no registered information available, marketers can display ads that peaks an individual’s interest.” Through the information provided, this marketing tactic is then linked to internet cookie data. This data enables marketers to get personally identifiable information.
As student media creators, we should have the right to know who has access our personally identifiable information and whether we want that or any information out for the public to use.
Privacy advocates say that there are two ways to monitor your personal information. The first way is known as the opt-out approach. By selecting this option, marketers are permitted to collect personal information from consumers as long as they inform them of what they are doing and give them the opportunity to refuse. Another way to keep your information safe is known as the opt-in approach. By using this option, marketers cannot have the ability or right to collect information about you unless you explicitly indicate that it is all right for them to do so.
We have the right to have privacy. Don’t let anyone know more than they have the right to know.
Watch What You Say
By: Serenity Lopez
BLUE BELL, PA--Practically everyone that can access the internet has, or has had, a Facebook account. Facebook allows us to connect with long-lost friends, share pictures of a recent vacation and to share ideas with your peers. It also provides a place for people to bully or threaten others, as well as a place to spread one's own racist or discriminatory values to a wide audience.
Facebook and other social media sites are extremely new and we are still learning how to exercise our First Amendment rights without stepping on someone’s toes. Beyond a girlfriend getting mad at her boyfriend for posting a picture with another girl and family members fighting because one saw pictures of a dinner they were not invited to, there are serious problems with Facebook and our First Amendment rights.
In 2010, Anthony Elonis was prosecuted after having posted what were believed to be threats against his wife on Facebook. Elonis’s wife had recently left him and as an aspiring rapper, he took to Facebook for solace and posted rap lyrics that were explicit and violent. His wife saw these posts as direct threats and took them to the police. Elonis argued that they were meaningless song lyrics, however the court thought otherwise. Elonis was sentenced to 44 months in prison.
Another case involving Virginia Sheriff Deputy Daniel Ray Carter Jr. showed that simply pressing the “Like” button was another form of exercising his First Amendment right. A group of fellow deputies were not happy with the reigning Sheriff, so they took to Facebook so show their displeasure. They “liked” the Facebook page of Jim Adams, the man running against incumbent Sheriff B.J. Roberts. When Roberts won, he then fired Carter and five others.
Carter took the case to court saying that it was unjust to fire him and cited his First Amendment rights as his defense. In 2012, the case was rejected becasue the court did not agree that pressing the “Like” button on Facebook was a form speech, thus not covered by the First Amendment. This ruling was changed the following year. In 2013, the court decided that pressing the “Like” button was in fact covered by the First Amendment because it could be seen as a form of assembly.
Facebook gives us a great freedom. We may think that there are no consequences to what we post but we must be careful what we say and know our rights.
BLUE BELL, PA--Practically everyone that can access the internet has, or has had, a Facebook account. Facebook allows us to connect with long-lost friends, share pictures of a recent vacation and to share ideas with your peers. It also provides a place for people to bully or threaten others, as well as a place to spread one's own racist or discriminatory values to a wide audience.
Facebook and other social media sites are extremely new and we are still learning how to exercise our First Amendment rights without stepping on someone’s toes. Beyond a girlfriend getting mad at her boyfriend for posting a picture with another girl and family members fighting because one saw pictures of a dinner they were not invited to, there are serious problems with Facebook and our First Amendment rights.
In 2010, Anthony Elonis was prosecuted after having posted what were believed to be threats against his wife on Facebook. Elonis’s wife had recently left him and as an aspiring rapper, he took to Facebook for solace and posted rap lyrics that were explicit and violent. His wife saw these posts as direct threats and took them to the police. Elonis argued that they were meaningless song lyrics, however the court thought otherwise. Elonis was sentenced to 44 months in prison.
Another case involving Virginia Sheriff Deputy Daniel Ray Carter Jr. showed that simply pressing the “Like” button was another form of exercising his First Amendment right. A group of fellow deputies were not happy with the reigning Sheriff, so they took to Facebook so show their displeasure. They “liked” the Facebook page of Jim Adams, the man running against incumbent Sheriff B.J. Roberts. When Roberts won, he then fired Carter and five others.
Carter took the case to court saying that it was unjust to fire him and cited his First Amendment rights as his defense. In 2012, the case was rejected becasue the court did not agree that pressing the “Like” button on Facebook was a form speech, thus not covered by the First Amendment. This ruling was changed the following year. In 2013, the court decided that pressing the “Like” button was in fact covered by the First Amendment because it could be seen as a form of assembly.
Facebook gives us a great freedom. We may think that there are no consequences to what we post but we must be careful what we say and know our rights.
ESRB: It Works, Except When It Doesn’t
By: Dave Leva
BLUE BELL, PA--Assuming common sense and good parentage, you wouldn’t sit your toddler down to watch “The Godfather” with you. It’s an incredibly graphic film, clearly not meant for a human being of that age (it’s still a fantastic film, but I digress). The Motion Picture Association of America’s film rating system makes sure your little one doesn’t see a film like this. Video games developers do the same thing, with the ESRB rating system.
The Entertainment Software Rating Board is still a pretty recent innovation. It is only about 20 years old. But the role of game ratings in the video game industry is vital. They keep incredibly graphic video games away from kids that aren’t supposed to be playing them. Wouldn’t it be nice if this actually worked?
I worked at GameStop for over a year, between the 2012 and 2013 holiday seasons. It was a highly stressful job, especially when hot new games or gaming systems were launched, but I enjoyed working there. One thing that always peeved me, though, was selling M-Rated games. The ESRB’s “M for Mature” rating is like a movie’s R-rating: 18 and older.
I’d have a little boy walk up to the counter holding the new Grand Theft Auto V; this kid clearly wouldn’t hit puberty for a few more exits on the road of life. This is a game with seven Content Descriptors to tell you what’s inside. Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Nudity, Mature Humor, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content and Use of Drugs and Alcohol. That’s seven big red flags for the parent who, when I tell them all this and ask if they’re sure this is right for their child (as was my job), shrugs and says, “Yeah, I guess.”
The ESRB ratings don’t mean anything to parents anymore. It’s just become something to keep the kids distracted. The moment the retailer sells the game, rating law goes out the window with it. And just how do you regulate something like that? You can’t tell people what to do in their own homes. The system works just fine, and yet, it doesn’t work at all.
BLUE BELL, PA--Assuming common sense and good parentage, you wouldn’t sit your toddler down to watch “The Godfather” with you. It’s an incredibly graphic film, clearly not meant for a human being of that age (it’s still a fantastic film, but I digress). The Motion Picture Association of America’s film rating system makes sure your little one doesn’t see a film like this. Video games developers do the same thing, with the ESRB rating system.
The Entertainment Software Rating Board is still a pretty recent innovation. It is only about 20 years old. But the role of game ratings in the video game industry is vital. They keep incredibly graphic video games away from kids that aren’t supposed to be playing them. Wouldn’t it be nice if this actually worked?
I worked at GameStop for over a year, between the 2012 and 2013 holiday seasons. It was a highly stressful job, especially when hot new games or gaming systems were launched, but I enjoyed working there. One thing that always peeved me, though, was selling M-Rated games. The ESRB’s “M for Mature” rating is like a movie’s R-rating: 18 and older.
I’d have a little boy walk up to the counter holding the new Grand Theft Auto V; this kid clearly wouldn’t hit puberty for a few more exits on the road of life. This is a game with seven Content Descriptors to tell you what’s inside. Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Nudity, Mature Humor, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content and Use of Drugs and Alcohol. That’s seven big red flags for the parent who, when I tell them all this and ask if they’re sure this is right for their child (as was my job), shrugs and says, “Yeah, I guess.”
The ESRB ratings don’t mean anything to parents anymore. It’s just become something to keep the kids distracted. The moment the retailer sells the game, rating law goes out the window with it. And just how do you regulate something like that? You can’t tell people what to do in their own homes. The system works just fine, and yet, it doesn’t work at all.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Scarlett Johannson, a Book and How to Avoid Defamation
By: Thomas Kraft
BLUE BELL, PA--Defamation is defined as damaging the good reputation of someone; also known as slander or libel. When one party defames another, said party can be brought to court and sued where, if found guilty, they will typically pay damages to the defamed while sometimes also facing punitive repercussions depending on the severity of the defamation.
The most recent of defamation cases was with actress Scarlett Johansson and French novelist, Grégoire Delacourt, who used Johansson’s likeness in his most recent novel, "La Premiere Chose qu'On Regarde" (The First Thing We Look At). Although the character in the book was only described as looking like Johansson she felt that her presence in the book was inappropriate as this particular female character had many affairs. For these reasons, she sued the author.
The judge ruled in Johansson’s favor demanding she be paid for lawyer fees and damages which was only 10 percent of what she originally requested. How did she win the case, you may ask?
It’s simple, really. She’s a large public figure and her likeness is worth something. In legal terms, however, she sued Delacourt for making false claims about her private life and exploiting her image. The judge threw out the latter charge because there wasn’t sufficient evidence to uphold the claim of exploitation.
So, how can you avoid being sued for defamation? One author, Michael Crichton, depicted one of his characters, Mick Crowley, almost identically to New Republic columnist Michael Crowley after Crowley bashed one of Crichton’s novels in a column. There was only one brilliant thing that Crichton decided to do. He described the character Mick Crowley as having a small penis. That way, if Crowley had sued for defamation, he would be admitting to having a small penis. An interesting, yet effective, loophole to say the least.
Another effective way to avoid a lawsuit for defamation is to simply leave major public figures out of your fictional stories and stick straight to fact with non-fictional stories about them. The only way that someone would have a case against you for defamation is to slander or libel his or her name for something that didn’t happen.
BLUE BELL, PA--Defamation is defined as damaging the good reputation of someone; also known as slander or libel. When one party defames another, said party can be brought to court and sued where, if found guilty, they will typically pay damages to the defamed while sometimes also facing punitive repercussions depending on the severity of the defamation.
The most recent of defamation cases was with actress Scarlett Johansson and French novelist, Grégoire Delacourt, who used Johansson’s likeness in his most recent novel, "La Premiere Chose qu'On Regarde" (The First Thing We Look At). Although the character in the book was only described as looking like Johansson she felt that her presence in the book was inappropriate as this particular female character had many affairs. For these reasons, she sued the author.
The judge ruled in Johansson’s favor demanding she be paid for lawyer fees and damages which was only 10 percent of what she originally requested. How did she win the case, you may ask?
It’s simple, really. She’s a large public figure and her likeness is worth something. In legal terms, however, she sued Delacourt for making false claims about her private life and exploiting her image. The judge threw out the latter charge because there wasn’t sufficient evidence to uphold the claim of exploitation.
So, how can you avoid being sued for defamation? One author, Michael Crichton, depicted one of his characters, Mick Crowley, almost identically to New Republic columnist Michael Crowley after Crowley bashed one of Crichton’s novels in a column. There was only one brilliant thing that Crichton decided to do. He described the character Mick Crowley as having a small penis. That way, if Crowley had sued for defamation, he would be admitting to having a small penis. An interesting, yet effective, loophole to say the least.
Another effective way to avoid a lawsuit for defamation is to simply leave major public figures out of your fictional stories and stick straight to fact with non-fictional stories about them. The only way that someone would have a case against you for defamation is to slander or libel his or her name for something that didn’t happen.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Sources and Social Media
By: Kevin LaTorre
BLUE BELL, PA--The exact definition of a confidential source is a right accorded to journalists under the laws of many countries as well as international laws. Confidential sources are also described as protective sources, reporter’s privilege or confidentiality of sources.
Any person that does not mind giving out information that relates to a fact or story but doesn’t leave his or her name is known as an anonymous tipper. This kind of confidential source could give out a fact for a story that can be from an unofficial source, will not give any credit for the journalist to credit and it can also lead to false pretenses. Journalists working on a story who get facts from an anonymous tipper that can give out false information often has the potential to lose to their job. Worse yet, the story the journalist prints may turn out to be false or force authorities to catch the wrong suspect.
Student media creators should know about this important issue. I had a chance to interview Dave Aston, the Editor-in-Chief for the Montgazette, on the subject of confidential sources. He explained, “That people who use Facebook, Twitter, and other media sites are all in danger because people these days can give out false stories without anyone citing their own work which can lead to photos being edited and words being altered.”
This is a major problem because users can say the person who received the information from is a confidential source. In reality, the user just posted a fake story, claiming that an anonymous tipper gave the information when it was really their own thought put on the internet for pure entertainment.
Stories featuring confidential stories can gain wide popularity. Buzzfed.com published a story that was put on Facebook claiming, “[President Barack] Obama ran over [former president] Jimmy Carter with his car last night.” Cracked.com also wrote that, “The iPhone 5 would have hologram projection.” This was ranked as a Top Five story and was put all over social media. It turned out to be fake. Far too often people still believe any story is true because they don’t look for any primary or secondary sources or photos of that story.
BLUE BELL, PA--The exact definition of a confidential source is a right accorded to journalists under the laws of many countries as well as international laws. Confidential sources are also described as protective sources, reporter’s privilege or confidentiality of sources.
Any person that does not mind giving out information that relates to a fact or story but doesn’t leave his or her name is known as an anonymous tipper. This kind of confidential source could give out a fact for a story that can be from an unofficial source, will not give any credit for the journalist to credit and it can also lead to false pretenses. Journalists working on a story who get facts from an anonymous tipper that can give out false information often has the potential to lose to their job. Worse yet, the story the journalist prints may turn out to be false or force authorities to catch the wrong suspect.
Student media creators should know about this important issue. I had a chance to interview Dave Aston, the Editor-in-Chief for the Montgazette, on the subject of confidential sources. He explained, “That people who use Facebook, Twitter, and other media sites are all in danger because people these days can give out false stories without anyone citing their own work which can lead to photos being edited and words being altered.”
This is a major problem because users can say the person who received the information from is a confidential source. In reality, the user just posted a fake story, claiming that an anonymous tipper gave the information when it was really their own thought put on the internet for pure entertainment.
Stories featuring confidential stories can gain wide popularity. Buzzfed.com published a story that was put on Facebook claiming, “[President Barack] Obama ran over [former president] Jimmy Carter with his car last night.” Cracked.com also wrote that, “The iPhone 5 would have hologram projection.” This was ranked as a Top Five story and was put all over social media. It turned out to be fake. Far too often people still believe any story is true because they don’t look for any primary or secondary sources or photos of that story.
Defame Me Not!
By: Matt Mashaintonio
BLUE BELL, PA--We hear about it all the time, a big celebrity is suing some tabloid for “defamation of character,” but what does that really mean? The real question is “what is defamation?”
Joseph Turow in his book Media Today defines defamation as, “a highly disreputable or false statement about a living person or organization that causes injury to the reputation that a substantial group of people hold for that person or entity.” In simpler terms, this means that deformation is when someone either says or prints something that is false about a person or organization that can harm their reputation. There are two types of deformation as I alluded to above. There is libel, written defamation, and slander, spoken defamation.
All people are vulnerable to defamation but the general population is split into two different factions, public figures and private people. Public figures are seen as people who are of the public and open themselves up to defamation. For example, politicians, actors, professional athletes and authors. Private people are people like you, the average person who is not in the public eye.
You might think that you will never be a victim of defamation. But let’s say you were reading an article in your local newspaper that says you were involved with a group of students from your school that broke into the school’s computer lab and stole a computer. Now you are associated with a crime you did not commit, you are now a victim of defamation.
According to the Associated Press Style Book, there are five things you would need to prove to win your defamation case:
1. A defamatory statement was made. (You were one the students that stole a computer.)
2. The defamatory statement was written, or said, as fact not opinion. (The newspaper said you were definitely involved and that there is no speculation about it.)
3. The defamatory statement is false. (You have proof you were visiting a relative in a different city at the time of the theft.)
4. The defamation statement is about the plaintiff. (The newspaper was talking about you.)
5. The defamatory statement was published with the requisite degree of fault. (The newspaper checked their facts and said you were definitely there, or just lied about which students were there.)
Now, there is another side to this coin. What if you are the one that says the defamatory statement? Then what do you do? My number one suggestion is to make sure it never happens.
As media creators, we have a duty to only report on the truth. Fact check everything you can before you send your article to print. Have someone else double check your facts and sources. If you are unsure of something, don’t print it.
Stop defamation before it happens.
BLUE BELL, PA--We hear about it all the time, a big celebrity is suing some tabloid for “defamation of character,” but what does that really mean? The real question is “what is defamation?”
Joseph Turow in his book Media Today defines defamation as, “a highly disreputable or false statement about a living person or organization that causes injury to the reputation that a substantial group of people hold for that person or entity.” In simpler terms, this means that deformation is when someone either says or prints something that is false about a person or organization that can harm their reputation. There are two types of deformation as I alluded to above. There is libel, written defamation, and slander, spoken defamation.
All people are vulnerable to defamation but the general population is split into two different factions, public figures and private people. Public figures are seen as people who are of the public and open themselves up to defamation. For example, politicians, actors, professional athletes and authors. Private people are people like you, the average person who is not in the public eye.
You might think that you will never be a victim of defamation. But let’s say you were reading an article in your local newspaper that says you were involved with a group of students from your school that broke into the school’s computer lab and stole a computer. Now you are associated with a crime you did not commit, you are now a victim of defamation.
According to the Associated Press Style Book, there are five things you would need to prove to win your defamation case:
1. A defamatory statement was made. (You were one the students that stole a computer.)
2. The defamatory statement was written, or said, as fact not opinion. (The newspaper said you were definitely involved and that there is no speculation about it.)
3. The defamatory statement is false. (You have proof you were visiting a relative in a different city at the time of the theft.)
4. The defamation statement is about the plaintiff. (The newspaper was talking about you.)
5. The defamatory statement was published with the requisite degree of fault. (The newspaper checked their facts and said you were definitely there, or just lied about which students were there.)
Now, there is another side to this coin. What if you are the one that says the defamatory statement? Then what do you do? My number one suggestion is to make sure it never happens.
As media creators, we have a duty to only report on the truth. Fact check everything you can before you send your article to print. Have someone else double check your facts and sources. If you are unsure of something, don’t print it.
Stop defamation before it happens.
Monday, November 24, 2014
Copyrights, Pirates and Borg! Oh, My!
By: Morgan Killian-Moseley
BLUE BELL, PA--Copyright law is a tough subject to deal with. On one hand, if someone creates something that makes the world better, they should be allowed to reap the rewards. Ideas are never fully protected by copyright. So if someone uses their work without any gain by the so-called “pirate”, I don’t think that should be prosecutable.
But what constitutes an idea, exactly? Is it something that just stays in somebody’s head forever? That I doubt, because most ideas have gotten out already and have changed the world. If an idea is something that can be tangible, why should it always be copyrighted, kept away from those without the money to pay for it?
Small portions of some software is used for free under fair use regulations, with the expectation that you’ll buy the full version. But some people don’t. They just keep taking free trials of something else. Some other people can’t afford to buy computers, period; so they have to rely on the kindness of others.
The entire idea of copyright is money. Only if you profit will you do something good, the Founding Fathers said. What we need to do is take the money out of the equation. In “Star Trek: First Contact”, in the 24th Century, human society had evolved to the point where currency no longer existed, and humanity worked to better itself. Having taken a trip back to 21st Century post-apocalyptic Montana to stop the Borg from changing history, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, played by Patrick Stewart, explains to a surprised Lily Sloan, played by Alfre Woodard, that very fact.
Lily can’t understand how currency doesn’t exist. But it needs to be done. If people want to be better, they need to become equal and the thing that holds society back the most is money. Money is power, and those who have it, abuse it. Therefore, if people are pirates who “steal” music, then in the words of Robbie Rotten from Lazy Town, “do what you want, (because) a pirate is free.”
BLUE BELL, PA--Copyright law is a tough subject to deal with. On one hand, if someone creates something that makes the world better, they should be allowed to reap the rewards. Ideas are never fully protected by copyright. So if someone uses their work without any gain by the so-called “pirate”, I don’t think that should be prosecutable.
But what constitutes an idea, exactly? Is it something that just stays in somebody’s head forever? That I doubt, because most ideas have gotten out already and have changed the world. If an idea is something that can be tangible, why should it always be copyrighted, kept away from those without the money to pay for it?
Small portions of some software is used for free under fair use regulations, with the expectation that you’ll buy the full version. But some people don’t. They just keep taking free trials of something else. Some other people can’t afford to buy computers, period; so they have to rely on the kindness of others.
The entire idea of copyright is money. Only if you profit will you do something good, the Founding Fathers said. What we need to do is take the money out of the equation. In “Star Trek: First Contact”, in the 24th Century, human society had evolved to the point where currency no longer existed, and humanity worked to better itself. Having taken a trip back to 21st Century post-apocalyptic Montana to stop the Borg from changing history, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, played by Patrick Stewart, explains to a surprised Lily Sloan, played by Alfre Woodard, that very fact.
Lily can’t understand how currency doesn’t exist. But it needs to be done. If people want to be better, they need to become equal and the thing that holds society back the most is money. Money is power, and those who have it, abuse it. Therefore, if people are pirates who “steal” music, then in the words of Robbie Rotten from Lazy Town, “do what you want, (because) a pirate is free.”
Saturday, November 15, 2014
The Values of News
By: Alexandria Somers
BLUE BELL, PA--The first thing I do before getting in a relationship is find out if the person is honest, trustworthy, and loyal. This doesn’t just go for romantic relationships, this is a standard for any relationship I get into.
Who would want to have relations with a liar? The only thing you gain out of a relationship with a liar is patience. I am a full time college student, I work two jobs, and play sports; I don’t have time to waste. I look for the same things I look for in a relationship in the media that relays me the news. Telling the truth and the whole truth is a concept all Americans are aware of, so getting the truth from the media is expected. Throughout the day, my time is valuable.
If I so happen to walk past a television that has the news on, or if I’m in my car listening to the radio newscast, I expect to hear truthful and informative news stories. Having News Values protects the media and gives it credibility. With the knowledge I am gaining from the news, it will give me a better understanding of the world and what is going on around me.
The Wikipedia definition of News Values, sometimes called news criteria, as determining how much prominence a news story is given by a media outlet and the attention it is given by the audience.
The Associated Press stated that they insist on the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior when they gather and deliver the news. This ensures that I am informed correctly and not ignorant to important information I should know as an American consumer. The great general manager of the AP, Melville Stone stated in 1914 that, "the thing [the news] is striving for is a truthful, unbiased report of the world's happenings … ethical in the highest degree”.
As a communications major at Montgomery County Community College, I am very critical when I interview people for a primary source. There are many rules and guidelines I have to abide by so that my work is credible and informative. Visiting sites such as www.ap.org is a great way to hone in on what standards and practices need to be followed to make writing and research better.
There are so many different ways of how information can be displayed, such as, Anonymous Sources, Audio, Bylines, Datelines, Fabrications, etc. which can be learned by the way the Associated Press presents its stories. News Values is a critical topic that all media creators need to understand and apply.
BLUE BELL, PA--The first thing I do before getting in a relationship is find out if the person is honest, trustworthy, and loyal. This doesn’t just go for romantic relationships, this is a standard for any relationship I get into.
Who would want to have relations with a liar? The only thing you gain out of a relationship with a liar is patience. I am a full time college student, I work two jobs, and play sports; I don’t have time to waste. I look for the same things I look for in a relationship in the media that relays me the news. Telling the truth and the whole truth is a concept all Americans are aware of, so getting the truth from the media is expected. Throughout the day, my time is valuable.
If I so happen to walk past a television that has the news on, or if I’m in my car listening to the radio newscast, I expect to hear truthful and informative news stories. Having News Values protects the media and gives it credibility. With the knowledge I am gaining from the news, it will give me a better understanding of the world and what is going on around me.
The Wikipedia definition of News Values, sometimes called news criteria, as determining how much prominence a news story is given by a media outlet and the attention it is given by the audience.
The Associated Press stated that they insist on the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior when they gather and deliver the news. This ensures that I am informed correctly and not ignorant to important information I should know as an American consumer. The great general manager of the AP, Melville Stone stated in 1914 that, "the thing [the news] is striving for is a truthful, unbiased report of the world's happenings … ethical in the highest degree”.
As a communications major at Montgomery County Community College, I am very critical when I interview people for a primary source. There are many rules and guidelines I have to abide by so that my work is credible and informative. Visiting sites such as www.ap.org is a great way to hone in on what standards and practices need to be followed to make writing and research better.
There are so many different ways of how information can be displayed, such as, Anonymous Sources, Audio, Bylines, Datelines, Fabrications, etc. which can be learned by the way the Associated Press presents its stories. News Values is a critical topic that all media creators need to understand and apply.
Journalists' New Friend: Social Media
By: Christopher Calvano
BLUE BELL, PA--Almost a quarter of the time Americans spend on the internet is used on social media and networking sites. This is almost nine times the amount they spend on new sites. With this in mind, using social media correctly can get news across to a larger audience.
Journalists can use social media to locate leads and sources for a story, such as witnesses or other individuals directly related to an event. Photos and videos of events that are posted and shared via social media can also be useful in reporting. The instantaneous nature of social media also allows news stories to be published without the delay of print lead times as well as allow reactions to stories to be seen more prominently.
However, social media and networking sites should be used as a supplement, rather than a replacement to traditional reporting tools. It is important to fully verify sources that come from the internet because anyone can add information to social media. Not all of it is accurate and, many times, stories can be published before all the facts are known.
As a result of this, in addition to attributing online sources, one must verify sources claiming to be official by contacting the companies or organizations they claim to represent.
In addition, one should not use social media sources as a sole source of information when other methods can provide more information. Tweets are sweet, but real news comes from interviews. Instead of just quoting a tweet form a prominent or important individual, contact them directly and ask them for in-depth details.
Another thing to consider is privacy. Although many social networking sites have privacy settings that allow users to control who sees what, anyone who can see a post can share it with others. Likewise, anyone who receives an email can forward it, so it is important to take these facts into consideration when reaching out to sources via social media.
Social media can be a powerful tool for journalists in terms of outreach and collecting sources as long it is used correctly, is accurate, is relevant to the story and respects the privacy of others.
BLUE BELL, PA--Almost a quarter of the time Americans spend on the internet is used on social media and networking sites. This is almost nine times the amount they spend on new sites. With this in mind, using social media correctly can get news across to a larger audience.
Journalists can use social media to locate leads and sources for a story, such as witnesses or other individuals directly related to an event. Photos and videos of events that are posted and shared via social media can also be useful in reporting. The instantaneous nature of social media also allows news stories to be published without the delay of print lead times as well as allow reactions to stories to be seen more prominently.
However, social media and networking sites should be used as a supplement, rather than a replacement to traditional reporting tools. It is important to fully verify sources that come from the internet because anyone can add information to social media. Not all of it is accurate and, many times, stories can be published before all the facts are known.
As a result of this, in addition to attributing online sources, one must verify sources claiming to be official by contacting the companies or organizations they claim to represent.
In addition, one should not use social media sources as a sole source of information when other methods can provide more information. Tweets are sweet, but real news comes from interviews. Instead of just quoting a tweet form a prominent or important individual, contact them directly and ask them for in-depth details.
Another thing to consider is privacy. Although many social networking sites have privacy settings that allow users to control who sees what, anyone who can see a post can share it with others. Likewise, anyone who receives an email can forward it, so it is important to take these facts into consideration when reaching out to sources via social media.
Social media can be a powerful tool for journalists in terms of outreach and collecting sources as long it is used correctly, is accurate, is relevant to the story and respects the privacy of others.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Social Club Brings New Horizons to Adults with Asperger’s Syndrome
By: Christopher Calvano
BLUE BELL,PA--Life with Asperger syndrome can be challenging. For those who don’t know, Asperger’s Syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder characterized by difficulties in social and communication skills.
While there are many services for children with autism spectrum disorders, the challenges they face often continue into adulthood.
The New Horizons Club located in Montgomery County seeks to bridge that gap and provides help for adults with Asperger’s to build social connections, and learn to live independently.
The club’s membership mainly consists of adults ages 18-40 from various regions in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Monthly meetings are held in the Montgomery County Human Services building on the fourth Tuesday of every month.
These meetings and social outings give members opportunities to expand their social horizons and meet with like-minded people that would not be possible outside the group.
BLUE BELL,PA--Life with Asperger syndrome can be challenging. For those who don’t know, Asperger’s Syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder characterized by difficulties in social and communication skills.
While there are many services for children with autism spectrum disorders, the challenges they face often continue into adulthood.
The New Horizons Club located in Montgomery County seeks to bridge that gap and provides help for adults with Asperger’s to build social connections, and learn to live independently.
The club’s membership mainly consists of adults ages 18-40 from various regions in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Monthly meetings are held in the Montgomery County Human Services building on the fourth Tuesday of every month.
These meetings and social outings give members opportunities to expand their social horizons and meet with like-minded people that would not be possible outside the group.
“Before I was a member I was not very open to making new friends,” says New Horizons member Liz Yuhas. “Now I am. The group has given me a new sense of confidence not only in the group but outside of the group. It has given me the confidence to talk in front of a group about my disability, to reach out to customers in my job and the ability to distribute communion at church.”
Paul Gever, the facilitator of the group since 2005, has noticed many changes since he started. “When I first began leading the group, meetings were to me, oddly quiet,” says Gever, who noted that over time members began to learn to converse more freely. “Now I can’t get them to shut up!”
In addition to monthly meetings the New Horizons Club holds many social events. Such events include attending sporting events, movies, and festivals; events hosted by members such as holiday parties, super bowl parties, and book clubs; and vacations, most notably to Avalon and Knoebels Amusement Resort.
Another side effect of the club’s success, says Gever, is that some members “have made enough lasting friendships in the group that they now simply do their own thing. Obviously, we miss those folks who have moved on to what are for them greener pastures, but we have to celebrate them as their successes are truly our successes.”
Despite this, the club continues to grow and is always encouraging new members to join. “You could have the ability to make new friends and memories,” Yuhas says. “You can try new things and have a new appreciation for them. To see if you like the group you can come to a meeting or two.”
The club will be holding its sixth annual beef and beer fundraiser on Friday, November 21, 2014 at North Penn VFW Post 676 in Glenside, Pa. Montgomery County Community College students and others are welcome to attend.
For more information on the New Horizons Club visit www.newhorizonsclub.org or facebook.com/NewHorizonsClub.
Students React to Harassment Against Female Games Developers and Critics
By: Dave Leva
BLUE BELL, PA--“Some very scary threats have just been made against me and my family. Contacting authorities now.” Anita Sarkeesian, a feminist games critic, posted this update on her Twitter account in late August, in response to a wave of threats of murder and sexual assault. She wasn’t alone; independent game developer Zoe Quinn suffered a similar torrent of threatening messages, after her ex-boyfriend posted on a forum about her alleged relations with five other men in the games industry. And while these serious harassments have only caught public notice within the past month, such actions have been occurring for far longer.
“This is nothing new,” says Montgomery County Community College Assistant Professor Jason Wertz. He explains that male gamers have shown horrendous behavior online and at conventions for years, and many times he’s witnessed them firsthand. Such behavior, says Wertz, is often ignored within the industry, and that it’s “good to see [this issue] addressed” by the media in recent weeks. But the media alone can’t stand against this harassment.
Wertz says he’s begun to speak about harassment against women in the industry in his classes, focusing upon the positive aspects of diversity. He wants to make the next generation of developers more aware of the issue, and make them advocates for a more diverse industry. Wertz says that women need better representation not just in the games themselves, but in the whole realm of games as well, and that such changes would benefit everyone. He also explained that those behind the harassment and resisting progress are angry about the changing environment of the games industry, as if going through the stages of grief in an attempt to process it.
BLUE BELL, PA--“Some very scary threats have just been made against me and my family. Contacting authorities now.” Anita Sarkeesian, a feminist games critic, posted this update on her Twitter account in late August, in response to a wave of threats of murder and sexual assault. She wasn’t alone; independent game developer Zoe Quinn suffered a similar torrent of threatening messages, after her ex-boyfriend posted on a forum about her alleged relations with five other men in the games industry. And while these serious harassments have only caught public notice within the past month, such actions have been occurring for far longer.
“This is nothing new,” says Montgomery County Community College Assistant Professor Jason Wertz. He explains that male gamers have shown horrendous behavior online and at conventions for years, and many times he’s witnessed them firsthand. Such behavior, says Wertz, is often ignored within the industry, and that it’s “good to see [this issue] addressed” by the media in recent weeks. But the media alone can’t stand against this harassment.
Wertz says he’s begun to speak about harassment against women in the industry in his classes, focusing upon the positive aspects of diversity. He wants to make the next generation of developers more aware of the issue, and make them advocates for a more diverse industry. Wertz says that women need better representation not just in the games themselves, but in the whole realm of games as well, and that such changes would benefit everyone. He also explained that those behind the harassment and resisting progress are angry about the changing environment of the games industry, as if going through the stages of grief in an attempt to process it.
Montgomery County Community College students are also reacting to these threats, as well as the under-representation of women in the games themselves. “The lack of female protagonists means they don’t have an interesting story,” says game development student Rachel Shaw. Without female role models in games, the female demographic as a whole is ignored, she says, or worse. Another student, Lindsay Mergner, also says as much: “Watching women needing to be rescued made me think that women were useless, and video games reinforce that idea.”
The extra media attention to the threats against Sarkeesian, Quinn, and others has brought these deep-seated issues back to the surface once more, and with hope will encourage all involved in the games industry to take action against the misogyny surrounding the medium they love. But ultimately, according to Wertz, the vessel for change rests upon the shoulders of developers and those directly involved in the game-making process. “It’s our job to say ‘Look, that behavior’s not acceptable,’” he said.
In time, those sharing his sentiments can change the course of the medium’s progress towards the future, and the students of Montgomery County Community College’s game development program will surely hold great influence in that change.
Friday, October 31, 2014
MCCC Mustangs ties HACC in Slugfest
By: Kevin LaTorre
BLUE BELL, PA--It was a great day for a soccer game as the Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) Mustangs tied the Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) Eagles 1-1 on Sept. 9 at Central Campus in Blue Bell, Pa. The weather was comfortable, cloudy, and windy at times, which turned out to be perfect weather for a soccer game.
MCCC looked to have their third conference win as they finished their fifth game in seven days. Coaching for MCCC in his second year, was Obed Arango. Key starters for MCCC were Sophomore Jeremiah Garcia, Sophomore Austin Messner, Sophomore Sebastian DeRosa, Freshmen and leading goal scorer for MCCC, David Massanga. In net for MCCC was Freshman Andrew Toro.
MCCC took the first tap of the game as they had a great start by getting the first shot on net in the first minute. The pressure continued for the as they earned two corner kicks fifteen minutes later. HACC made the first substitution in the 20th minute. MCCC continued to dominate possession, however; the HACC took advantage to have fresh legs most of the first half and substituted whenever needed, which proved to be a positive as HACC capitalized on a penalty kick in the 36th minute. Sebastian DeRosa committed the foul in the box and gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead going into the half. Freshman Goalkeeper Andrew Toro made stellar saves to keep the game at 1-0.
“I wasn’t happy with the team’s effort with sloppy passing and communication,” Arango said, “We need to do a better job of passing the ball on the ground to open more space on the wings.”
A more dominate second half for MCCC offense as they continued to pressure the ball against HACC defense. A corner kick was earned by MCCC in the 83rd minute, as Freshman Felipe Silva took the corner kick placing a perfect ball and Freshman David Massangna scored on the header to equal the score 1-1. The defense for MCCC let up only three shots during the second half. MCCC almost found a game winner but Massanga missed on a wide open net and Freshman Wilson Gonzalas missed on back to back shots with minutes remaining. The game was forced into overtime.
Overtime consisted of two ten-minute half’s.
In the second overtime, it was HACC who had the best chance to win the game as a shot from inside the eighteen ringed off the crossbar with minutes remaining. The game ended in a 1-1 tie in double overtime.
BLUE BELL, PA--It was a great day for a soccer game as the Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) Mustangs tied the Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) Eagles 1-1 on Sept. 9 at Central Campus in Blue Bell, Pa. The weather was comfortable, cloudy, and windy at times, which turned out to be perfect weather for a soccer game.
MCCC looked to have their third conference win as they finished their fifth game in seven days. Coaching for MCCC in his second year, was Obed Arango. Key starters for MCCC were Sophomore Jeremiah Garcia, Sophomore Austin Messner, Sophomore Sebastian DeRosa, Freshmen and leading goal scorer for MCCC, David Massanga. In net for MCCC was Freshman Andrew Toro.
MCCC took the first tap of the game as they had a great start by getting the first shot on net in the first minute. The pressure continued for the as they earned two corner kicks fifteen minutes later. HACC made the first substitution in the 20th minute. MCCC continued to dominate possession, however; the HACC took advantage to have fresh legs most of the first half and substituted whenever needed, which proved to be a positive as HACC capitalized on a penalty kick in the 36th minute. Sebastian DeRosa committed the foul in the box and gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead going into the half. Freshman Goalkeeper Andrew Toro made stellar saves to keep the game at 1-0.
“I wasn’t happy with the team’s effort with sloppy passing and communication,” Arango said, “We need to do a better job of passing the ball on the ground to open more space on the wings.”
A more dominate second half for MCCC offense as they continued to pressure the ball against HACC defense. A corner kick was earned by MCCC in the 83rd minute, as Freshman Felipe Silva took the corner kick placing a perfect ball and Freshman David Massangna scored on the header to equal the score 1-1. The defense for MCCC let up only three shots during the second half. MCCC almost found a game winner but Massanga missed on a wide open net and Freshman Wilson Gonzalas missed on back to back shots with minutes remaining. The game was forced into overtime.
Overtime consisted of two ten-minute half’s.
In the second overtime, it was HACC who had the best chance to win the game as a shot from inside the eighteen ringed off the crossbar with minutes remaining. The game ended in a 1-1 tie in double overtime.
The 40th anniversary of the Dental Hygiene Program: Yesterday, Today and Future
By: Ju-hyun Park
BLUE BELL,PA--Have you heard about the Dental Hygiene Program at Montgomery County Community College? Or, have you ever been to the Dental Hygiene Clinic in the Science Center building of the College? If not, I would like to share a few highlights of the program.
Since 1973, the Montgomery County Community College Dental Hygiene Clinic has been providing the public with comprehensive preventive dental hygiene services. Dental hygiene means the state or practice of keeping the mouth cavity in a healthy condition by a regular program of brushing and flossing the teeth combined with periodic examinations by a dentist.
The Dental Hygiene Clinic at Montco is well equipped to offer high quality services. In addition to skilled staff, Jenny Sheaffer, director and professor of the Dental Hygiene Program, shared what is available in the Dental Hygiene Clinic. “15 A-dec dental chairs, chairside computers to facilitate the creation of electronic health records for patients, digital x-rays, intraoral cameras, ultrasonic and caries detection devices.”
Professor Sheaffer also mentioned the list of required courses, if students are considering the curriculum. “The Program of Study includes courses in basic sciences, social sciences, general education, and Dental Hygiene courses. Dental hygiene courses include both didactic and clinical courses. As part of their clinical courses, students develop their clinical and assessment skills by treating patients in the Dental Hygiene Clinic through four semesters,” she said.
Eun Kyoung Han, a dental hygiene student at Montco, said, “I am very happy to be in the dental program and use the equipment to learn. Professors and instructors are very helpful, and they are always behind us.”
Dental hygiene student, Jenna Moyer, is also very happy with professors and the dental program. “I am enjoying the dental program, and the professors always provide good information, and the biggest benefit is the clinic in the college,” she said.
For these reasons, Montco has produced many students who graduated from the Dental Hygiene program in the past 40 years.
Professor Sheaffer said, “Since 1975, the first graduation year, the program has graduated over 700 students. The employment rate of our dental hygiene students has been very good, approximately 98 percent. Graduates are primarily employed in part and full-time positions in private dental offices.”
The prospect for students who want to be a dental hygienists is very bright also.
According to U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental hygiene is one of the fastest growing occupations. Employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow 38 percent from 2010 to 2020.
Professor Sheaffer also spoke about the future of the program,
“In two years, the Dental Hygiene Program will be moving into the Health Science Center along with all of the healthcare programs at the college. The current Physical Education building will be renovated to house the Health Science Center on Central Campus. As part of the move, the size of the program will be expanding, both physically and in terms of the number of students accepted into the Dental Hygiene Program,” she said.
The Dental Hygiene Program at Montco has grown substantially and it is still growing with passionate professors and a well-equipped Dental Hygiene Clinic on campus.
BLUE BELL,PA--Have you heard about the Dental Hygiene Program at Montgomery County Community College? Or, have you ever been to the Dental Hygiene Clinic in the Science Center building of the College? If not, I would like to share a few highlights of the program.
Since 1973, the Montgomery County Community College Dental Hygiene Clinic has been providing the public with comprehensive preventive dental hygiene services. Dental hygiene means the state or practice of keeping the mouth cavity in a healthy condition by a regular program of brushing and flossing the teeth combined with periodic examinations by a dentist.
The Dental Hygiene Clinic at Montco is well equipped to offer high quality services. In addition to skilled staff, Jenny Sheaffer, director and professor of the Dental Hygiene Program, shared what is available in the Dental Hygiene Clinic. “15 A-dec dental chairs, chairside computers to facilitate the creation of electronic health records for patients, digital x-rays, intraoral cameras, ultrasonic and caries detection devices.”
Professor Sheaffer also mentioned the list of required courses, if students are considering the curriculum. “The Program of Study includes courses in basic sciences, social sciences, general education, and Dental Hygiene courses. Dental hygiene courses include both didactic and clinical courses. As part of their clinical courses, students develop their clinical and assessment skills by treating patients in the Dental Hygiene Clinic through four semesters,” she said.
Eun Kyoung Han, a dental hygiene student at Montco, said, “I am very happy to be in the dental program and use the equipment to learn. Professors and instructors are very helpful, and they are always behind us.”
Dental hygiene student, Jenna Moyer, is also very happy with professors and the dental program. “I am enjoying the dental program, and the professors always provide good information, and the biggest benefit is the clinic in the college,” she said.
For these reasons, Montco has produced many students who graduated from the Dental Hygiene program in the past 40 years.
Professor Sheaffer said, “Since 1975, the first graduation year, the program has graduated over 700 students. The employment rate of our dental hygiene students has been very good, approximately 98 percent. Graduates are primarily employed in part and full-time positions in private dental offices.”
The prospect for students who want to be a dental hygienists is very bright also.
According to U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental hygiene is one of the fastest growing occupations. Employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow 38 percent from 2010 to 2020.
Professor Sheaffer also spoke about the future of the program,
“In two years, the Dental Hygiene Program will be moving into the Health Science Center along with all of the healthcare programs at the college. The current Physical Education building will be renovated to house the Health Science Center on Central Campus. As part of the move, the size of the program will be expanding, both physically and in terms of the number of students accepted into the Dental Hygiene Program,” she said.
The Dental Hygiene Program at Montco has grown substantially and it is still growing with passionate professors and a well-equipped Dental Hygiene Clinic on campus.
Friday, October 24, 2014
The Lastest and Greatest iPhone
By: Matt Hawkins
BLUE BELL, PA--The saying goes “bigger is better” or at least that’s the case for the new iPhone 6. This new phone unlike the other iPhone models come in a much bigger size. Its dimensions are 4.7 inches diagonally, about .7 inches larger than the previous iPhone5, and if that’s not enough, Apple has come out with an even bigger iPhone called the iPhone 6 plus. This iPhone model measures 5.5 inches diagonally; both are very thin and have round edges which makes them kind of slippery.
Some new integrations that the iPhone 6 has is the dual domain pixels which provides wider viewing angles when looking at the screen. With the latest iPhone 6 models, they worked on one of the most popular features the camera. They added a new exposure control that lets you adjust pictures before you take them.
Another new camera feature they added is the optical image stabilization, which is suppose to help you when you move your hand. With so many people relying on the iPhone to take video they added a new cinematic video stabilization, which auto focuses nonstop while the video is recording.
One of the new features that both the iPhone 6 models have is the new Apple Pay. This is a faster, easier, more secure system to paying for things using just your iPhone. You will be able to pay for all sorts of things, perhaps, even tuition if you are a college student, without even waking up your iPhone or having to type in your shipping information. The Internet speed and multi-tasking capability is a lot faster.
Due to the massive size of the new models, Apple has introduced a new feature called “reachability,” which is basically a one-handed remote. This feature makes the display slide down to the bottom to make it easier to reach; however when in that mode, you cannot access the keyboard which makes it kind of useless.
Not so appealing might be when using in landscape both models of the iPhone 6 are nearly impossible to text on because the screen is so big. Compared to the other leading brands of smart phones, the iPhone 6 could have had more to do with the size of the screen, like give it a better zoom feature or stylist pen, but instead, they just made it a bigger screen.
Along with the release of the iPhone 6 and the six plus, comes an even newer device that will support the phone—it’s called the Apple watch. You can use this just like the iPhone 6.
The iPhone 6 plus can still fit into an average-sized pocket, even though it’s almost twice its size from the iPhone 5. Due to the style and thinness of the newly designed IPhone 6 models, it makes them more fragile and, quite frankly, a bit slippery.
Bottom line, there are some neat new features, which are great ideas and neat innovations, but it also creates a few glitches as well. You can have the latest and greatest device out there, but is it really that great? You decide.
BLUE BELL, PA--The saying goes “bigger is better” or at least that’s the case for the new iPhone 6. This new phone unlike the other iPhone models come in a much bigger size. Its dimensions are 4.7 inches diagonally, about .7 inches larger than the previous iPhone5, and if that’s not enough, Apple has come out with an even bigger iPhone called the iPhone 6 plus. This iPhone model measures 5.5 inches diagonally; both are very thin and have round edges which makes them kind of slippery.
Some new integrations that the iPhone 6 has is the dual domain pixels which provides wider viewing angles when looking at the screen. With the latest iPhone 6 models, they worked on one of the most popular features the camera. They added a new exposure control that lets you adjust pictures before you take them.
Another new camera feature they added is the optical image stabilization, which is suppose to help you when you move your hand. With so many people relying on the iPhone to take video they added a new cinematic video stabilization, which auto focuses nonstop while the video is recording.
One of the new features that both the iPhone 6 models have is the new Apple Pay. This is a faster, easier, more secure system to paying for things using just your iPhone. You will be able to pay for all sorts of things, perhaps, even tuition if you are a college student, without even waking up your iPhone or having to type in your shipping information. The Internet speed and multi-tasking capability is a lot faster.
Due to the massive size of the new models, Apple has introduced a new feature called “reachability,” which is basically a one-handed remote. This feature makes the display slide down to the bottom to make it easier to reach; however when in that mode, you cannot access the keyboard which makes it kind of useless.
Not so appealing might be when using in landscape both models of the iPhone 6 are nearly impossible to text on because the screen is so big. Compared to the other leading brands of smart phones, the iPhone 6 could have had more to do with the size of the screen, like give it a better zoom feature or stylist pen, but instead, they just made it a bigger screen.
Along with the release of the iPhone 6 and the six plus, comes an even newer device that will support the phone—it’s called the Apple watch. You can use this just like the iPhone 6.
The iPhone 6 plus can still fit into an average-sized pocket, even though it’s almost twice its size from the iPhone 5. Due to the style and thinness of the newly designed IPhone 6 models, it makes them more fragile and, quite frankly, a bit slippery.
Bottom line, there are some neat new features, which are great ideas and neat innovations, but it also creates a few glitches as well. You can have the latest and greatest device out there, but is it really that great? You decide.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
The Brendlinger Library and Game of Thrones?
By: Matt Mashaintonio
BLUE BELL--Do you like Game of Thrones, Orange is the New Black, Godzilla, The Hunger Games, or classic films? Do you like to listen to audio books on your drive to school because you don’t have time in your hectic life? Do you want materials other than boring textbooks to help you study for an exam?
What if you could get all of that for free here at Montco? Well you can!
Students and faculty here at Montgomery County Community College pass by this hidden secret every day. The Montco Audio Visual (AV) Library is available for students and faculty and is located on the second floor of the library.
“I feel like the AV library is hidden,” said Mary Lou Neighbour one of the AV librarians, “we have a lot of great material for educational purposes, and we have a great film collection too…we get the best of all different types of films and TV shows.”
The library is more than just a place to do research for an essay or print out papers you might need for class. There is the AV library where students can take out DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks for either class work or personal use.
The AV library holds over 5,000 DVDs including movies and TV shows, from classics to new releases. “Some students have said they no longer need their Netflix subscriptions because we have so many DVDs available to our students,” said Neighbour.
The AV library also houses over 2,000 CDs all ranging from jazz, classical, rock and rap. Also hundreds of audio books are available for students to take out any time.
“I have used the AV library to supply documentaries for my class.” said Professor Lorrain Jonas, an English professor at Montco. “Last year, I wanted to use the documentary Race to Nowhere in class, but the library did not have it . . . so I asked the AV library to order it for me classroom use, and they were happy to do so. My problem was easily solved. ”
A communication student, Jeremy Bierson, states, “As someone who has limited internet access, it made it really easy to access some of the great films in cinema history.”
For other students wishing to stream films on-line, there are over 20,000 educational films available through the library website. Just visit “Films on Demand.” This data base has films on and subject a student could want to know about and can be an interesting source for and essay, or just for entertainment.
Up to three videos and DVDs can be taken out for one week with one renewal and CDs and Audio Books can been taken out for three weeks with one week renewal.
“Of course, I have used the library to do research and for class, but I also use the library to take out books, movies, and series of personal interest,” said Professor Jones. “They have a good selection of current DVDs, and as you know I am now enjoying and making my way through four seasons of Call the Midwife!”
For more information, check out the AV library website or go to the AV library located on the second floor of College Hall, beyond the staircase by the windows. If you have any questions, any of the librarians will be more than happy to assist you.
BLUE BELL--Do you like Game of Thrones, Orange is the New Black, Godzilla, The Hunger Games, or classic films? Do you like to listen to audio books on your drive to school because you don’t have time in your hectic life? Do you want materials other than boring textbooks to help you study for an exam?
What if you could get all of that for free here at Montco? Well you can!
Students and faculty here at Montgomery County Community College pass by this hidden secret every day. The Montco Audio Visual (AV) Library is available for students and faculty and is located on the second floor of the library.
“I feel like the AV library is hidden,” said Mary Lou Neighbour one of the AV librarians, “we have a lot of great material for educational purposes, and we have a great film collection too…we get the best of all different types of films and TV shows.”
The library is more than just a place to do research for an essay or print out papers you might need for class. There is the AV library where students can take out DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks for either class work or personal use.
The AV library holds over 5,000 DVDs including movies and TV shows, from classics to new releases. “Some students have said they no longer need their Netflix subscriptions because we have so many DVDs available to our students,” said Neighbour.
The AV library also houses over 2,000 CDs all ranging from jazz, classical, rock and rap. Also hundreds of audio books are available for students to take out any time.
“I have used the AV library to supply documentaries for my class.” said Professor Lorrain Jonas, an English professor at Montco. “Last year, I wanted to use the documentary Race to Nowhere in class, but the library did not have it . . . so I asked the AV library to order it for me classroom use, and they were happy to do so. My problem was easily solved. ”
A communication student, Jeremy Bierson, states, “As someone who has limited internet access, it made it really easy to access some of the great films in cinema history.”
For other students wishing to stream films on-line, there are over 20,000 educational films available through the library website. Just visit “Films on Demand.” This data base has films on and subject a student could want to know about and can be an interesting source for and essay, or just for entertainment.
Up to three videos and DVDs can be taken out for one week with one renewal and CDs and Audio Books can been taken out for three weeks with one week renewal.
“Of course, I have used the library to do research and for class, but I also use the library to take out books, movies, and series of personal interest,” said Professor Jones. “They have a good selection of current DVDs, and as you know I am now enjoying and making my way through four seasons of Call the Midwife!”
For more information, check out the AV library website or go to the AV library located on the second floor of College Hall, beyond the staircase by the windows. If you have any questions, any of the librarians will be more than happy to assist you.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Will Recent Terrorist Acts Against Journalists Impact the Study of Journalism?
By: Shabana Aqil
BLUE BELL, PA--The world of communications has lost another journalist. Steven Sotloff traveled to Turkey and was captured by Islamic State in Iraq and Syria(ISIS) at the border of Turkey and Syria in late August. Sotloff is the second journalist ISIS beheaded this year. Unfortunately, Sotloff isn’t the first victim of this horrible act of terrorism. In fact, there have been countless victims within the last 13 years.
Is it therefore a risk to work in media? How much has or will the field of Journalism decline? Are more college students looking into other fields of media because of a fear for safety?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts will have a 13 percent decline in the next eight years because students are finding other ways to get news or not tuning in to the news at all. A random sampling of students around the college community about their thoughts of Steven Sotloff’s tragic death revealed that a majority of the students were unaware of the story and the journalist.
According to Professor Allen Schear, assistant professor of communication here at Montco, the recent events of ISIS or the death of Sotloff would not be the reason that the journalism industry would decline or prevent more college students from studying journalism. Professor Schear says, “The beheading by ISIS has not deferred journalists from reporting the news. War and civil strife have been reported since Roman times and will continue to make news no matter how difficult or gruesome the story.”
Case in point: one COM student shared her hopes to further her education in Communications and hopefully travel the world for the news media industry. She feels that “although Sotloff as well as other reporters have died at the hands of terrorists, they pursued their careers with passion.”
Professor Schear also shared an old adage from the late war photographer Robert Capa, “if your photographs aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.”
BLUE BELL, PA--The world of communications has lost another journalist. Steven Sotloff traveled to Turkey and was captured by Islamic State in Iraq and Syria(ISIS) at the border of Turkey and Syria in late August. Sotloff is the second journalist ISIS beheaded this year. Unfortunately, Sotloff isn’t the first victim of this horrible act of terrorism. In fact, there have been countless victims within the last 13 years.
Is it therefore a risk to work in media? How much has or will the field of Journalism decline? Are more college students looking into other fields of media because of a fear for safety?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts will have a 13 percent decline in the next eight years because students are finding other ways to get news or not tuning in to the news at all. A random sampling of students around the college community about their thoughts of Steven Sotloff’s tragic death revealed that a majority of the students were unaware of the story and the journalist.
According to Professor Allen Schear, assistant professor of communication here at Montco, the recent events of ISIS or the death of Sotloff would not be the reason that the journalism industry would decline or prevent more college students from studying journalism. Professor Schear says, “The beheading by ISIS has not deferred journalists from reporting the news. War and civil strife have been reported since Roman times and will continue to make news no matter how difficult or gruesome the story.”
Case in point: one COM student shared her hopes to further her education in Communications and hopefully travel the world for the news media industry. She feels that “although Sotloff as well as other reporters have died at the hands of terrorists, they pursued their careers with passion.”
Professor Schear also shared an old adage from the late war photographer Robert Capa, “if your photographs aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.”
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Changing the Game of Violence
By: Alexandria Somers
BLUE BELL, PA--Ray Rice, a professional football running back, is no longer with the Baltimore Ravens and is suspended indefinitely by the NFL.
On March 27, 2014, Rice was arrested and indicted for third-degree aggravated assault. The Ravens were forced to do the right thing, after a video was released by TMZ revealing what happened in February inside a casino elevator in Atlantic City, according to USA Today.
Rice punched his then fiancée, now his wife, rendering her unconscious and then dragged her by the hair out of the elevator. A few months after the incident, Rice and his wife Janay Palmer sat in a news conference, where his wife apologized for her “role” in the incident. After reviewing the videotape, her role looked to be as if she was the victim.
Victims of domestic abuse often are in difficult situations. There is help if you are in an abusive relationship. “If people are not willing or able to leave a situation, I would encourage
them to get therapy to begin to figure out what their best course of action would be,” said Dr.
Stephanie Yoder, Director of Clinical Services at Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital in Fort
Washington, Pennsylvania.
“It starts young,” says Kristin Fulmer, a counselor at Montgomery County Community College. Rice could have underlying psychological problems that led to this incident. While this is not an excuse for his actions, there are other assessments that need to be conducted to effectively evaluate and treat a volatile situation. “There are many underlying causes for abusive behavior,” states, Dr. Yoder. “No matter if you are a celebrity or not, domestic violence is not to be tolerated, no matter what the circumstance.”
There are outreach groups that you can contact if you are going through abuse in a relationship. Montgomery County Community College, for instance, has counselors in the student success center like Kristin Fulmer, who students can talk to about any problems. If you are a victim of domestic abuse, you can visit www.mc3.edu, select Campus Life and under the drop down list, select sexual misconduct, for more information.
BLUE BELL, PA--Ray Rice, a professional football running back, is no longer with the Baltimore Ravens and is suspended indefinitely by the NFL.
On March 27, 2014, Rice was arrested and indicted for third-degree aggravated assault. The Ravens were forced to do the right thing, after a video was released by TMZ revealing what happened in February inside a casino elevator in Atlantic City, according to USA Today.
Rice punched his then fiancée, now his wife, rendering her unconscious and then dragged her by the hair out of the elevator. A few months after the incident, Rice and his wife Janay Palmer sat in a news conference, where his wife apologized for her “role” in the incident. After reviewing the videotape, her role looked to be as if she was the victim.
Victims of domestic abuse often are in difficult situations. There is help if you are in an abusive relationship. “If people are not willing or able to leave a situation, I would encourage
them to get therapy to begin to figure out what their best course of action would be,” said Dr.
Stephanie Yoder, Director of Clinical Services at Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital in Fort
Washington, Pennsylvania.
“It starts young,” says Kristin Fulmer, a counselor at Montgomery County Community College. Rice could have underlying psychological problems that led to this incident. While this is not an excuse for his actions, there are other assessments that need to be conducted to effectively evaluate and treat a volatile situation. “There are many underlying causes for abusive behavior,” states, Dr. Yoder. “No matter if you are a celebrity or not, domestic violence is not to be tolerated, no matter what the circumstance.”
There are outreach groups that you can contact if you are going through abuse in a relationship. Montgomery County Community College, for instance, has counselors in the student success center like Kristin Fulmer, who students can talk to about any problems. If you are a victim of domestic abuse, you can visit www.mc3.edu, select Campus Life and under the drop down list, select sexual misconduct, for more information.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
“The Buzz” on Montgazette and USAToday
By: Dave Aston
BLUE BELL, PA--No, it’s not a change to our beloved Buzz Update. It is something new and game changing from a collaboration of USAToday and its partner colleges. “MCCC: The Buzz,” as it will be known, is a new news app that brings together the digital versions of USAToday, USATodaycollege.com and the Montgazette.
Starting September 17, 2014, Montgomery County Community College will be the first community college to pilot this groundbreaking smartphone application. Michael Montana, Regional Sales Director for USAToday and MCCC’s Campus Readership Program contact, says this app will enhance the program and bring it to the “next level” to get the paper into every student’s hands.
Montco’s Campus Readership Program is part of a national program that began with Penn State University in 1997. It’s purpose, like this new app, was to, as Montana terms it, “make students more globally aware, civically engaged and media literate.” The Campus Readership Program now spans more than 400 campuses nationwide.
In this first phase, access to “MCCC: The Buzz” will have no restrictions. To download the app, students just go to the app store of their respective smartphones, search for "MCCC: The Buzz," and tap the install button. Montana says the reason this app is being made so easily accessible is to follow through with the existing mission of the Campus Readership Program: Get the news in the hands of every student. This app will now let every Montco student, including Virtual Campus students, Culinary Arts Institute students, former students, alumni, faculty and others, access USAToday and the Montgazette 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
While nothing for future phases of “MCCC: The Buzz” is finalized, the next phase of this app may include Google, Facebook or MCCC student identification login.
BLUE BELL, PA--No, it’s not a change to our beloved Buzz Update. It is something new and game changing from a collaboration of USAToday and its partner colleges. “MCCC: The Buzz,” as it will be known, is a new news app that brings together the digital versions of USAToday, USATodaycollege.com and the Montgazette.
Starting September 17, 2014, Montgomery County Community College will be the first community college to pilot this groundbreaking smartphone application. Michael Montana, Regional Sales Director for USAToday and MCCC’s Campus Readership Program contact, says this app will enhance the program and bring it to the “next level” to get the paper into every student’s hands.
Montco’s Campus Readership Program is part of a national program that began with Penn State University in 1997. It’s purpose, like this new app, was to, as Montana terms it, “make students more globally aware, civically engaged and media literate.” The Campus Readership Program now spans more than 400 campuses nationwide.
In this first phase, access to “MCCC: The Buzz” will have no restrictions. To download the app, students just go to the app store of their respective smartphones, search for "MCCC: The Buzz," and tap the install button. Montana says the reason this app is being made so easily accessible is to follow through with the existing mission of the Campus Readership Program: Get the news in the hands of every student. This app will now let every Montco student, including Virtual Campus students, Culinary Arts Institute students, former students, alumni, faculty and others, access USAToday and the Montgazette 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
While nothing for future phases of “MCCC: The Buzz” is finalized, the next phase of this app may include Google, Facebook or MCCC student identification login.
Does this exciting new smartphone application seal the immediate doom of the paper versions of either USAToday or our beloved Montgazette? Jenna Klaus, Montco’s Assistant Director for Civic and Community Engagement, echoed by Montana, says an emphatic, “No.” Despite the decline of paper consumption of the news, both Klaus and Montana say that this app will increase engagement in the news, which is the ultimate goal. Klaus says that “MCCC: The Buzz” will allow students and faculty instant access to Montco news to “use [in] classes, for personal growth, knowledge and education.”
Creating stories for “MCCC: The Buzz” will not change the Montgazette’s editorial process. Nor will USAToday alter what is published for the Montgazette, they will just house MCCC’s content. As Michael Montana puts it, “[USAToday] is for free press.”
“MCCC: The Buzz” will launch an exciting new era for Montco’s newspaper publication. The app will now allow students to contribute to the news, making it easier for them to get involved. Eventually, “MCCC: The Buzz” will integrate user-generated content, commenting, sharing of articles and other social media-like attributes.
Perhaps the best part of this app will be the impact it will have on Montco’s students. It will give them an outlet to more easily interact with news events, share their own news and engage their world in a whole new way.
UPDATE: As of the writing of this article, it was unknown that MCCC: The Buzz would not be ready for distribution. As of October 1, 2014, USAToday is still working on the app and hopes to have it released soon.
UPDATE: As of November 5, 2014, The Buzz: MCCC, as it is now called, has gone live! Download it now from App Store on your iOS device or Google Play on your Android device.
Creating stories for “MCCC: The Buzz” will not change the Montgazette’s editorial process. Nor will USAToday alter what is published for the Montgazette, they will just house MCCC’s content. As Michael Montana puts it, “[USAToday] is for free press.”
“MCCC: The Buzz” will launch an exciting new era for Montco’s newspaper publication. The app will now allow students to contribute to the news, making it easier for them to get involved. Eventually, “MCCC: The Buzz” will integrate user-generated content, commenting, sharing of articles and other social media-like attributes.
Perhaps the best part of this app will be the impact it will have on Montco’s students. It will give them an outlet to more easily interact with news events, share their own news and engage their world in a whole new way.
UPDATE: As of the writing of this article, it was unknown that MCCC: The Buzz would not be ready for distribution. As of October 1, 2014, USAToday is still working on the app and hopes to have it released soon.
UPDATE: As of November 5, 2014, The Buzz: MCCC, as it is now called, has gone live! Download it now from App Store on your iOS device or Google Play on your Android device.
Friday, July 11, 2014
The Other Side of Montco Radio
By: Rachel Stehman
BLUE BELL, PA--With the help of Matt Porter, Senior Producer and Technical Services Manager, I spoke to three former Montgomery County Community College students whose lives were changed by participating in Montco Radio.
Kerri Hughes had a lot to say about Montco Radio. “My experience with Montco Radio has honestly been a life highlight for me. Meeting new people, gaining new experiences, and really having a focus on what I wanted to do. Montco Radio gave me something to be proud of and honestly, it meant a lot to me even on a...personal level.
“To see where Montco Radio has gone [gives] me so much pride. Being the station manager at the time was such a wonderful experience. Winning Club of the Year and being awarded by the Board of Trustees was due to all the members and mentors: Matt [Porter], Morgan [Betz], Jeff [Asche]. My own work ethic...was molded [into] what it is today because of Montco Radio.”
Paul Vidas speaks highly of Montco Radio. “Montco Radio was a fantastic experience. The best part of it was the people. I got to make connections that will last me a lifetime. I hosted various shows on Montco radio and I simply adore the connections I made while there. Through Montco Radio I made lifelong friends.”
Nick Minnick says, “Montco Radio was instrumental in my career path. I spent two years at Montco, [from] 2001 [to] 2002. During that time I was fortunate enough to produce the weekly public affairs show. That experience directly led...to an internship at a local radio station.
“Fast-forward twelve years and I am a successful Account Manager with 102.9 WMGK! Without my experiences at Montco, I never would have had the opportunity to get into this field. And it all started for me because I saw a class that would enable me to work on [in] radio. I [am grateful] to Montco and my professors...Matt [Porter] and Neil [Goldstein] who helped guide me down this...path [to professional radio].”
BLUE BELL, PA--With the help of Matt Porter, Senior Producer and Technical Services Manager, I spoke to three former Montgomery County Community College students whose lives were changed by participating in Montco Radio.
Kerri Hughes had a lot to say about Montco Radio. “My experience with Montco Radio has honestly been a life highlight for me. Meeting new people, gaining new experiences, and really having a focus on what I wanted to do. Montco Radio gave me something to be proud of and honestly, it meant a lot to me even on a...personal level.
“To see where Montco Radio has gone [gives] me so much pride. Being the station manager at the time was such a wonderful experience. Winning Club of the Year and being awarded by the Board of Trustees was due to all the members and mentors: Matt [Porter], Morgan [Betz], Jeff [Asche]. My own work ethic...was molded [into] what it is today because of Montco Radio.”
Paul Vidas speaks highly of Montco Radio. “Montco Radio was a fantastic experience. The best part of it was the people. I got to make connections that will last me a lifetime. I hosted various shows on Montco radio and I simply adore the connections I made while there. Through Montco Radio I made lifelong friends.”
Nick Minnick says, “Montco Radio was instrumental in my career path. I spent two years at Montco, [from] 2001 [to] 2002. During that time I was fortunate enough to produce the weekly public affairs show. That experience directly led...to an internship at a local radio station.
“Fast-forward twelve years and I am a successful Account Manager with 102.9 WMGK! Without my experiences at Montco, I never would have had the opportunity to get into this field. And it all started for me because I saw a class that would enable me to work on [in] radio. I [am grateful] to Montco and my professors...Matt [Porter] and Neil [Goldstein] who helped guide me down this...path [to professional radio].”
Taking Strides To Minimize Montco’s Carbon Footprint; Who Knew?
By: Irene O’Connell
BLUE BELL, PA--Since 2007, the President’s Climate Commitment Advisory Council, or PCCAC, has been taking strides to minimize Montgomery County Community College’s carbon foot print with its Sustainability Initiative. The Sustainability Initiative is Montco’s plan to move toward becoming a “green” campus, extending the life of our planet.
As part of its commitment to sustainability, Montco has implemented many improvements to reduce its carbon footprint. Among the many programs in place, the college partnering with Zimride,{a .} In addition to this, Montco participates in recyclemania, has installed solar panels on the main campus in Blue Bell and wind turbines on the west campus in Pottstown. The overall plan is to move to a carbon neutral campus as an in-depth, innovative, structured plan by removing and reducing waste and establishing eco-friendly alternatives.
The Sustainability Initiative is seeing success and has earned Montco many awards over the last few years. Including the 2014 climate leadership award along with five other institutions across the country from a national non-profit organization called Second Nature. However, many Montco students are seemingly unaware of the college’s commitment to sustainability.
Many of Montco’s students are surprised to find out that Montco is taking significant action to reduce the college’s carbon footprint. Some students seem not to realize that they’re walking to class on a “green” campus without taking steps toward minimizing their own carbon footprint.
Assistant Professor of Communications and Coordinator of Speech Communication & Public Relations Tom Donlan is also a member of the PCCAC here at Montco. As a member of the committee, he spreads information about sustainability efforts to the students in his classes.
The ongoing issue, he explains, is not enough students are exposed to the information regarding the Sustainability Initiative. “The problem is making students aware of what the college offers for students committed to ecological endeavors. This will always be a significant obstacle at a commuter school.”
Many of the students here at Montco are coming and going with one mission in mind: get to class, do the work specific to that class and go home. Usually students are coming from or headed to work. Students aren’t actively looking for extracurricular activities to participate in so unless it hits them on the head, students may enroll and graduate without ever knowing that Montco is doing its part to extend the life of the planet.
“I would like to see more students exposed to sources of information [about sustainability] in their courses,” Donlan says. “Knowledge is power.”
BLUE BELL, PA--Since 2007, the President’s Climate Commitment Advisory Council, or PCCAC, has been taking strides to minimize Montgomery County Community College’s carbon foot print with its Sustainability Initiative. The Sustainability Initiative is Montco’s plan to move toward becoming a “green” campus, extending the life of our planet.
As part of its commitment to sustainability, Montco has implemented many improvements to reduce its carbon footprint. Among the many programs in place, the college partnering with Zimride,{a .} In addition to this, Montco participates in recyclemania, has installed solar panels on the main campus in Blue Bell and wind turbines on the west campus in Pottstown. The overall plan is to move to a carbon neutral campus as an in-depth, innovative, structured plan by removing and reducing waste and establishing eco-friendly alternatives.
The Sustainability Initiative is seeing success and has earned Montco many awards over the last few years. Including the 2014 climate leadership award along with five other institutions across the country from a national non-profit organization called Second Nature. However, many Montco students are seemingly unaware of the college’s commitment to sustainability.
Many of Montco’s students are surprised to find out that Montco is taking significant action to reduce the college’s carbon footprint. Some students seem not to realize that they’re walking to class on a “green” campus without taking steps toward minimizing their own carbon footprint.
Assistant Professor of Communications and Coordinator of Speech Communication & Public Relations Tom Donlan is also a member of the PCCAC here at Montco. As a member of the committee, he spreads information about sustainability efforts to the students in his classes.
The ongoing issue, he explains, is not enough students are exposed to the information regarding the Sustainability Initiative. “The problem is making students aware of what the college offers for students committed to ecological endeavors. This will always be a significant obstacle at a commuter school.”
Many of the students here at Montco are coming and going with one mission in mind: get to class, do the work specific to that class and go home. Usually students are coming from or headed to work. Students aren’t actively looking for extracurricular activities to participate in so unless it hits them on the head, students may enroll and graduate without ever knowing that Montco is doing its part to extend the life of the planet.
“I would like to see more students exposed to sources of information [about sustainability] in their courses,” Donlan says. “Knowledge is power.”
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Friday, July 4, 2014
Amid Falling Support, the Paper Still Finds Its Place
By: Kevin Lund
BLUE BELL, PA--Despite discouraging reports, like those from the Pew Research Center, print newspapers have several advantages over online news sources. Pew’s study mentions drops over the past decade in the numbers of people who read a daily print newspaper.
Columnist Stu Bykofsky of the Philadelphia Daily News says, “[The advantage of newspapers] on newsstands and in honor boxes everywhere around the Delaware Valley [is] they are seen by everyone. The headlines are [visible] even [to] those who don't care."
He sees that the disadvantage of online news is in the discovery of the news. “When [the news] is online, you must make a conscious choice to find it. And you do that alone, in your room or at your desk. [There] are millions of websites to choose. Few develop critical mass."
Bykofsky also touches on the backbone of online news. Namely, the lack of profitability of online advertising. "Publishers generally have been unable to find enough advertisers who'd be willing to pay enough for online advertisements," he says.
Of the successful news websites, many of them are simply online versions of a print newspaper. For example, The New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal. In fact, only two percent of people in a 2013 Pew survey claimed the internet was their only "regular news source.” The average person also spends just seven minutes a day reading online news as well.
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett sees potential in newspapers. He has acquired 28 daily newspapers in the past few years, and says they should transition away from an advertising-dependent business model. He believes the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette serves as an example of how local newspapers can be successful if the public is asked to pay for them.
Online news consumption hasn’t rendered print newspapers obsolete yet. People continue to find uses for them everyday. Only time will tell if print newspapers can hold their own as the internet becomes the news business’ medium of choice.
BLUE BELL, PA--Despite discouraging reports, like those from the Pew Research Center, print newspapers have several advantages over online news sources. Pew’s study mentions drops over the past decade in the numbers of people who read a daily print newspaper.
Columnist Stu Bykofsky of the Philadelphia Daily News says, “[The advantage of newspapers] on newsstands and in honor boxes everywhere around the Delaware Valley [is] they are seen by everyone. The headlines are [visible] even [to] those who don't care."
He sees that the disadvantage of online news is in the discovery of the news. “When [the news] is online, you must make a conscious choice to find it. And you do that alone, in your room or at your desk. [There] are millions of websites to choose. Few develop critical mass."
Bykofsky also touches on the backbone of online news. Namely, the lack of profitability of online advertising. "Publishers generally have been unable to find enough advertisers who'd be willing to pay enough for online advertisements," he says.
Of the successful news websites, many of them are simply online versions of a print newspaper. For example, The New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal. In fact, only two percent of people in a 2013 Pew survey claimed the internet was their only "regular news source.” The average person also spends just seven minutes a day reading online news as well.
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett sees potential in newspapers. He has acquired 28 daily newspapers in the past few years, and says they should transition away from an advertising-dependent business model. He believes the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette serves as an example of how local newspapers can be successful if the public is asked to pay for them.
Online news consumption hasn’t rendered print newspapers obsolete yet. People continue to find uses for them everyday. Only time will tell if print newspapers can hold their own as the internet becomes the news business’ medium of choice.
Summertime Music Electrifies Phoenixville
By: Brent Hoyer
BLUE BELL, PA--At the end of every spring semester, Montgomery County Community College students leave campus with their plans for summer. Most students have vacation plans or work so they can pay off their student loans. For some, summer fun is right around the corner in Phoenixville, PA.
Summers in Phoenixville include the township’s Summer Music Series. Every Friday, except the first Friday of the month, between June 13 and August 29, 2014, Phoenixville will fill the air with music. This gives Phoenixville a “life of it’s own,” says Ashley Gabrick, a bystander of the band Electrified.
There is music everywhere you turn, whether its at Molly Maguire’s, The Pickering Creek Inn, the Children’s Plaza, or any old corner of Phoenixville’s main drag. “It’s just a really nice place to come and relax if you’re looking for something to do,” Tyler Smith, a glass blower for the Phoenixville Smoke Shop, said.
Phoenixville’s Summer Music Series Fridays are not for any specific age group. The township attracts people from all walks of life and of any age from the very young to the very old. Even, kids and teens can have a great time exploring the unique shops and restaurants that line Phoenixville’s main drag. Some restaurants that sell alcohol allow underage patrons into the venue to watch the bands perform until later in the night when it becomes adult only.
Phoenixville is without a doubt a town of good vibes to create a one-day vacation in middle of a long summer.
BLUE BELL, PA--At the end of every spring semester, Montgomery County Community College students leave campus with their plans for summer. Most students have vacation plans or work so they can pay off their student loans. For some, summer fun is right around the corner in Phoenixville, PA.
Summers in Phoenixville include the township’s Summer Music Series. Every Friday, except the first Friday of the month, between June 13 and August 29, 2014, Phoenixville will fill the air with music. This gives Phoenixville a “life of it’s own,” says Ashley Gabrick, a bystander of the band Electrified.
There is music everywhere you turn, whether its at Molly Maguire’s, The Pickering Creek Inn, the Children’s Plaza, or any old corner of Phoenixville’s main drag. “It’s just a really nice place to come and relax if you’re looking for something to do,” Tyler Smith, a glass blower for the Phoenixville Smoke Shop, said.
Phoenixville’s Summer Music Series Fridays are not for any specific age group. The township attracts people from all walks of life and of any age from the very young to the very old. Even, kids and teens can have a great time exploring the unique shops and restaurants that line Phoenixville’s main drag. Some restaurants that sell alcohol allow underage patrons into the venue to watch the bands perform until later in the night when it becomes adult only.
Phoenixville is without a doubt a town of good vibes to create a one-day vacation in middle of a long summer.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Faces Of Mental Illness Creating Art on Montco’s Campus
By: Shabana Aqil
“Montgomery County Community College is proud to present a public art project, The Face of Mental Health Recovery,” Diane Haar, Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Partnership on Work Enrichment and Readiness, or POWER, Program says of the I’m the Evidence Mental Health campaign. This campaign celebrates individuals recovering from mental illness and their supporters. Part of the campaign is an exhibition displaying their photography and their stories in Parkhouse Hall at Montco’s Central Campus.
During the workshop, people from our community who are recovering from mental illness and people from their support networks learn photography, the art of self-portraits and sharing their personal stories the public.
“One in four people in the United States live with mental illness,” says Sue Walther, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of Pennsylvania. “People are also able to recover and live full lives.”
Creating art on Montco’s campus helps build an understanding of the impact these stories have by addressing and helping to correct the misunderstandings and stigmas that too often surround mental illness.
The exhibit will be on display from June 19 to July 9, 2014.
To get involved in I’m the Evidence campaign, visit their website itecampaign.org.
“Montgomery County Community College is proud to present a public art project, The Face of Mental Health Recovery,” Diane Haar, Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Partnership on Work Enrichment and Readiness, or POWER, Program says of the I’m the Evidence Mental Health campaign. This campaign celebrates individuals recovering from mental illness and their supporters. Part of the campaign is an exhibition displaying their photography and their stories in Parkhouse Hall at Montco’s Central Campus.
During the workshop, people from our community who are recovering from mental illness and people from their support networks learn photography, the art of self-portraits and sharing their personal stories the public.
“One in four people in the United States live with mental illness,” says Sue Walther, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of Pennsylvania. “People are also able to recover and live full lives.”
Creating art on Montco’s campus helps build an understanding of the impact these stories have by addressing and helping to correct the misunderstandings and stigmas that too often surround mental illness.
The exhibit will be on display from June 19 to July 9, 2014.
To get involved in I’m the Evidence campaign, visit their website itecampaign.org.
Money and Media Have Issues
By: Dave Aston
BLUE BELL, PA--All campus media must drop itself under the umbrella of all key media issues. Whether it is a Montco Radio broadcast and an issue of slander or CAPG and an issue of digital manipulation, the need to be wary of these issues will never go away.
Libel and slander, which are simply written and spoken versions of defamation, have caused many businesses and individuals to lose serious amounts of money. The famous libel case of New York Times Co. vs. Sullivan highlights such a large loss. Before the New York Times brought its case to the Supreme Court, Sullivan had already won a 500,000 dollar judgment in Alabama. This case is chump change in comparison to a 2012 slander case that won casino mogul Steve Wyn 20 million dollars.
Censorship, though in modern times doesn’t garner millions of dollars in judgments, is another core issue for media creators. We want our creativity but we must be self-censors or we can lose our livelihoods in the blink of an eye. According to the American Library Association, many cases in the early twentieth century were criminal not civil. Nonetheless those criminal cases still led to a loss of money for those convicted.
Digital manipulation, the ability to modify images and videos with computer technology, goes hand-in-hand with defamation. When images are manipulated significantly beyond their original, the individuals involved often sue for damages. However, digital manipulation can also come in the form of records alteration. A case involving Warner Brothers and Clint Eastwood was one such example. In the end, it was determined that Warner Brothers had manipulated the information stored on the data disks and also had submitted fraudulent documents.
These issues fall under one major issue that guides proper judgment and justice in all matters, including media. Fair trial. Fair trial is the legal concept “that people can be sure that [judicial] processes will be fair and certain.” A violation of fair trial means the wrong party can be awarded damages or have a rightful case thrown out.
In all aspects of media, like life, on campus or not, we encounter these issues everyday. To maintain the livelihoods we want to pursue and build the reputations we want in the media industry, we must keep our eyes on all of them. That way, our creativity doesn’t lead to poverty.
BLUE BELL, PA--All campus media must drop itself under the umbrella of all key media issues. Whether it is a Montco Radio broadcast and an issue of slander or CAPG and an issue of digital manipulation, the need to be wary of these issues will never go away.
Libel and slander, which are simply written and spoken versions of defamation, have caused many businesses and individuals to lose serious amounts of money. The famous libel case of New York Times Co. vs. Sullivan highlights such a large loss. Before the New York Times brought its case to the Supreme Court, Sullivan had already won a 500,000 dollar judgment in Alabama. This case is chump change in comparison to a 2012 slander case that won casino mogul Steve Wyn 20 million dollars.
Censorship, though in modern times doesn’t garner millions of dollars in judgments, is another core issue for media creators. We want our creativity but we must be self-censors or we can lose our livelihoods in the blink of an eye. According to the American Library Association, many cases in the early twentieth century were criminal not civil. Nonetheless those criminal cases still led to a loss of money for those convicted.
Digital manipulation, the ability to modify images and videos with computer technology, goes hand-in-hand with defamation. When images are manipulated significantly beyond their original, the individuals involved often sue for damages. However, digital manipulation can also come in the form of records alteration. A case involving Warner Brothers and Clint Eastwood was one such example. In the end, it was determined that Warner Brothers had manipulated the information stored on the data disks and also had submitted fraudulent documents.
These issues fall under one major issue that guides proper judgment and justice in all matters, including media. Fair trial. Fair trial is the legal concept “that people can be sure that [judicial] processes will be fair and certain.” A violation of fair trial means the wrong party can be awarded damages or have a rightful case thrown out.
In all aspects of media, like life, on campus or not, we encounter these issues everyday. To maintain the livelihoods we want to pursue and build the reputations we want in the media industry, we must keep our eyes on all of them. That way, our creativity doesn’t lead to poverty.
Change is Upon Us
By: Mathias Stangl-Riehle
BLUE BELL, PA--Change happens all the time. Climate change is something that should not be happening all the time. Montgomery County Community College offers a course that goes in depth into the fundamentals of climate change, green house gasses and opportunities for how we can help slow down the adverse effects of climate change.
This course, “The Science of Climate Change,” is taught each fall at Montco's West Campus in Pottstown by Professor Robert Kuhlman. Rob, as he is known fondly by his students, has a passion for teaching about climate change. He explains that he believes climate change is "probably the single most important science [and] technology topic faced by the next generation of humanity on a global scale." Rob Kuhlman’s strong belief makes this course an important one and should be considered by any student interested in science or in need of a science elective.
“The Science of Climate Change” needs to be taught at both campuses and during both semesters. Sadly, Professor Kuhlman is currently the only instructor for this course. I feel that another instructor needs to learn the material and teach this course at the Main campus in Blue Bell.
Rob pointed out another reason that this course is not offered on both campuses. “Student demand hasn't been all that strong,” he said. Student demand for this course must be greater. We, the students of Montgomery County Community College must realize “The Science of Climate Change” is an extremely important topic. Climate change effects us every day. It will have a big impact on us in our future if we do not start learning its harmful effects now.
BLUE BELL, PA--Change happens all the time. Climate change is something that should not be happening all the time. Montgomery County Community College offers a course that goes in depth into the fundamentals of climate change, green house gasses and opportunities for how we can help slow down the adverse effects of climate change.
This course, “The Science of Climate Change,” is taught each fall at Montco's West Campus in Pottstown by Professor Robert Kuhlman. Rob, as he is known fondly by his students, has a passion for teaching about climate change. He explains that he believes climate change is "probably the single most important science [and] technology topic faced by the next generation of humanity on a global scale." Rob Kuhlman’s strong belief makes this course an important one and should be considered by any student interested in science or in need of a science elective.
“The Science of Climate Change” needs to be taught at both campuses and during both semesters. Sadly, Professor Kuhlman is currently the only instructor for this course. I feel that another instructor needs to learn the material and teach this course at the Main campus in Blue Bell.
Rob pointed out another reason that this course is not offered on both campuses. “Student demand hasn't been all that strong,” he said. Student demand for this course must be greater. We, the students of Montgomery County Community College must realize “The Science of Climate Change” is an extremely important topic. Climate change effects us every day. It will have a big impact on us in our future if we do not start learning its harmful effects now.
So You Want to be a Game Designer?
By: Alexandra Dooley
BLUE BELL, PA--Few people have a chance to get their dream job. One of the hardest and most sought-after fields is game design. It may be difficult area to get into, but not impossible.
In 2013, CNN made a list of the best jobs and on that list was that of video game designer, which made the fifteenth spot. CNN said there were a total of 520,800 people were already employed in the game design industry in 2013 and the number is expected to rise by 27.6 percent in the next ten years. The average salary for a game designer is around 72,000 dollars. Depending on where he or she is working, it could be more.
Game design is a wonderful job for creative and artistic people but it takes time, research, and money. The job of a game designer is to create worlds to explore, tell stories, and set goals for players to reach. A game designer has to sit at a desk and work on a computer many hours a day, working on codes, creating prototypes and deciding what kinds of actions players must take. This job that requires a keen eye for detail, patience and a tolerance for heated caffeinated beverages.
In the being of 2014, thirteen new games were released for the PlayStation alone, with six more to be released later in the year. Independent game developers have released their own games, pooling their funding via Kickstarter.com, a crowd-sourcing website. Some independently-developed games include “Hyper Light Drifter”, “ROUNDABOUT”, and “Gods Will Be Watching.”
The life of a game designer is a tough one at times but many enjoy their work so much that the good outweighs the bad. Despite their hard work, some game designers’ work never makes it to market. There have been many games that have been pulled from stores or never get finished due to lack of funding. But as the game designer I interviewed put it, “It’s hard work but [it is] worth seeing people play what you worked so hard on.”
BLUE BELL, PA--Few people have a chance to get their dream job. One of the hardest and most sought-after fields is game design. It may be difficult area to get into, but not impossible.
In 2013, CNN made a list of the best jobs and on that list was that of video game designer, which made the fifteenth spot. CNN said there were a total of 520,800 people were already employed in the game design industry in 2013 and the number is expected to rise by 27.6 percent in the next ten years. The average salary for a game designer is around 72,000 dollars. Depending on where he or she is working, it could be more.
Game design is a wonderful job for creative and artistic people but it takes time, research, and money. The job of a game designer is to create worlds to explore, tell stories, and set goals for players to reach. A game designer has to sit at a desk and work on a computer many hours a day, working on codes, creating prototypes and deciding what kinds of actions players must take. This job that requires a keen eye for detail, patience and a tolerance for heated caffeinated beverages.
In the being of 2014, thirteen new games were released for the PlayStation alone, with six more to be released later in the year. Independent game developers have released their own games, pooling their funding via Kickstarter.com, a crowd-sourcing website. Some independently-developed games include “Hyper Light Drifter”, “ROUNDABOUT”, and “Gods Will Be Watching.”
The life of a game designer is a tough one at times but many enjoy their work so much that the good outweighs the bad. Despite their hard work, some game designers’ work never makes it to market. There have been many games that have been pulled from stores or never get finished due to lack of funding. But as the game designer I interviewed put it, “It’s hard work but [it is] worth seeing people play what you worked so hard on.”
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
CENSORED: Who is Spinning the World Wide Web?
By Paige Murray and Andre Wilson, III
BLUE BELL,PA--The First Amendment allows us many privileges. Most relevant to college students and media creators alike is the right to freedom of speech.
Many Supreme Court cases have upheld this right. Cox vs. Cohn, for example, determined that Georgia could not prevent the press from releasing materials that are considered to be public record. The Miller vs. California case there was overruled state laws allowing distribution of pornographic materials not contributing to art or science.
Today, however, there are few federal laws regulating social media websites as heavily as traditional media like radio and television. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other sites have the power to remove content that users or website administrators deem “inappropriate.”
Senior Producer and Technical Services Manager at Montgomery County Community College and self-proclaimed social media guru Matthew Porter says, "We rely mostly on self-censorship. Compared to other countries, we have the most freedom and can personally block and remove things from our social media sites that we don’t want to see.”
Freedom of speech in many countries on the other side of the globe is extremely limited. China is being challenged by the} popular search engine BING for providing only government-sponsored search results for phrases like “Dalai Lama.”
Similarly, Russia’s President Vladimir V. Putin locked-off access to internet websites to visiting athletes. They were barred primarily from websites that Sochi claimed had "offensive” material as defined by President Putin. It was later discovered that some the information blocked were websites containing photos of homosexual couples.
In a CBS news interview with Google executive Eric Schmidt said that in the next few years, censorship on the internet will be nearly impossible in our country because of breakthroughs in [the way software is implemented on the internet]. Nonetheless, the boom in the numbers of internet censorship investigators shows that in every country, some content may be hiding where we least expect it.
We have good reason to uphold our First Amendment Rights. But as Matt Porter put it, "We should be less worried about our government and more worried about other people and private organizations."
BLUE BELL,PA--The First Amendment allows us many privileges. Most relevant to college students and media creators alike is the right to freedom of speech.
Many Supreme Court cases have upheld this right. Cox vs. Cohn, for example, determined that Georgia could not prevent the press from releasing materials that are considered to be public record. The Miller vs. California case there was overruled state laws allowing distribution of pornographic materials not contributing to art or science.
Today, however, there are few federal laws regulating social media websites as heavily as traditional media like radio and television. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other sites have the power to remove content that users or website administrators deem “inappropriate.”
Senior Producer and Technical Services Manager at Montgomery County Community College and self-proclaimed social media guru Matthew Porter says, "We rely mostly on self-censorship. Compared to other countries, we have the most freedom and can personally block and remove things from our social media sites that we don’t want to see.”
Freedom of speech in many countries on the other side of the globe is extremely limited. China is being challenged by the} popular search engine BING for providing only government-sponsored search results for phrases like “Dalai Lama.”
Similarly, Russia’s President Vladimir V. Putin locked-off access to internet websites to visiting athletes. They were barred primarily from websites that Sochi claimed had "offensive” material as defined by President Putin. It was later discovered that some the information blocked were websites containing photos of homosexual couples.
In a CBS news interview with Google executive Eric Schmidt said that in the next few years, censorship on the internet will be nearly impossible in our country because of breakthroughs in [the way software is implemented on the internet]. Nonetheless, the boom in the numbers of internet censorship investigators shows that in every country, some content may be hiding where we least expect it.
We have good reason to uphold our First Amendment Rights. But as Matt Porter put it, "We should be less worried about our government and more worried about other people and private organizations."
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