UnderCover Reporter

A short Screenplay

Link

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pRq2yJeT_L_ydZy4w4xm8JUNQEL4dc4nIMlTvivAyhQ/edit?hl=en_U

YouTube Getting Hollywood Studios to Offer Movie Rentals

For 2 years, YouTube and Google has been trying to get big Hollywood studios to offer movie rentals for their new released movies. Sony, Universal Pictures and Warner Brothers has agreed to the deal, The prices are set to close to the prices of iTunes.

Some studios are already renting movies to YouTube such as Lionsgate, Weinstein Company and independent filmmakers with prices at $2 and $4. Getting deals with these major studios it gives YouTube a bigger advantage on its competition. YouTube gets billions of views each day but movies don't get the same impact.

I don't know if it will be successful because people would rather watch videos on YouTube for free rather than $2-$4, it cost's $1 at Redbox machines and if the prices are like iTunes prices then maybe YouTube will have a chance but personally I would rather get movies the regular way.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/27/technology/27youtube.html?_r=1&ref=technology

Google Lets Users Edit U.S. Map

Google Map maker is a version of Google Maps that was created almost three years ago and is now ready to let its users edit and add to the U.S. map. The Map Maker has been used in 183 countries and regions around the world. When a person adds to the map Google's moderators will approve the edits and they become published to Google Maps.

Users can add roads, bike paths and even pools to their towns and cities. The reason for Map Maker's three-year wait is because Google chose to make it available to other parts of the world that needed more detailed maps.

I think it's a good creation for people who may need directions to certain places where some maps and GPS systems may not be able to give, but one thing they didn't mention is can someone put their address on Map Maker and someone can actually find out where someone lives. The world is a crazy place and people will do anything to stalk, hurt or kill someone. So, the Map Maker is very resourceful for people, as long as it's for good reason.

Link
http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/web/04/19/google.editors.maps.mashable/index.html

Illinois Senator Wants Internet Sales Tax

Dick Durbin, Democratic Senator of Illinois, plans a proposal so that Internet shopping is no longer tax free. There are many states that require online taxing but if a shopper buys from out-of-state they may not have to pay a sales tax which Durbin thinks is unfair and that online retailers out-of-state have a big advantage over local stores. The bill will called, The Main Street Fairness Act, which has been in talks with many politicians across the country last year and most the people who are for the bill are Republican Senators.

Certain states don't have taxes for things and I never realized; In New Jersey, bottled water and cookies are exempt from taxes but bottled soda and candy is. Things can be taxed and other things cannot, I believe in the bill because I think it is unfair to local stores who may lose customers and money because of taxes when the customer can go online and buy products without having to pay a tax. As for me being on the other said as a consumer, I don't think it will benefit me, I could save more money buying online. In all, every place has sales taxes, so why won't the Internet? Everything should be fair..

Link
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20052999-281.html?tag=topTechContentWrap;editorPicks

Radiation From Cellphones May Alter Your Brain

We've all heard about using a cellphone too much or too long can affect your brain but is it really true? Well, In a study published in The Journal of The American Medical Association says so. It says that it is unclear whether there are changes in the brain with an increase in glucose metabolism after using the phone for less than an hour had any negative health or behavioral effects.

Doctors advise cell phone users to use speaker and headsets as much as possible and go to quieter rooms when making calls. With all the recent studies of negative use of cellphones, there is no proof that cellphones are causing any harm. I think researchers and many people find that people are using cellphones entirely too much and think that these devices has some negative health affect but cellphones may not cause any health problems at all.

Cellphones may have glitches just as much as other technology, it's just like with Television saying that "it makes you dumber". Everything has negative sides but does the negativity really affect your health?

Link
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/technology/personaltech/31basics.html?ref=technology

Photo From business-ethics.com

Google's Plan to Digitize Books is Rejected

Google's plan was to digitize every book that has been published and make them available on the internet and a Judge rejected the $125 million decision. The Judge Denny Chin said the plan would make Google be "de facto monopoly" and receiving profits from books without permission from copyright owners would cause a problem. Some authors and publishers agreed with Google's plan because it would give their books a chance to be in the digital world. Overall it could hurt some and Google could the benefits from it all.

I understand Google's idea to put all of its books in the web to benefit the millions of people who need those books for many reasons, but I do agree with the judge that it could cause a lot of problems with publishers and authors who may not know that Google is using their books. I think Google should just leave it alone and people can get access to books the normal way.

link
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/23/technology/23google.html?_r=1&ref=technology

Detroit Plans to Avoid Closing Schools

Previously in Detroit, Michigan, state education officials ordered the financial manager for Detroit public schools to close 41 schools to save money and reduce the city's deficit by $327 million. Now a new plan has been made to keep more schools from closing by getting local and national groups and charter operators to run its schools.

Detroit is in very much debt and I think finding better ways to stop the schools from closing. Some people may have been upset to find out that over 40 schools are closing but now officials are finding ways to keep schools open by finding others ways of funding so students have a better chance of getting an education. There is going to be a lot of work and changes that will be going on in Detroit for the next few years and schools and education should be one of its priorities to get the state out of debt.

Link
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/new-plan-would-avoid-closing-more-detroit-schools

Schools Get 9 million for Wireless Internet

In Washington FCC officials are giving $9 million to schools so students can get access to internet outside the classroom. The program called "Learning On the Go", will pay for wireless connections for laptops, smart phones and other devices that students can take with them after school ends. The funding will help students who are in low-income families access to books, homework assignments and many other materials for school. The program will help students in 14 states for 2011-2012 school year.

The funding will be for elementary and high school students in New Orleans and wireless cards for high school boys from low income families in Philadelphia and Smart-phone access for students with ADD in Canton Ohio. The money will go to Colorado, Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, Ohio, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama, California, New Mexico and Iowa.

I think it's a great idea to help students because now teachers are asking for papers and projects that students need access to the internet to do. With low-income families the last bill they need to pay is for the internet, so I think it's a great way to help students get access to laptops and internet without having to stay at school or go to the library to do "homework". I'm sure there will be some negatives to the program but in all it sounds like a great idea.

Link
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110308/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_techbit_fcc_wireless_education

The Internet & WikiLeaks Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

The Internet and Wiki-leaks, which are being used more and more by people all over the world and now they may have a chance at winning the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, among 241 other nominees. Eligible nominees can be professors of social science, history, philosophy, law and theology as well as national governments and former winners.

The internet was nominated for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize and is nominated again. The reason internet is nominated this year, is said to be it's huge role in starting rebellion in countries such as Libya, Tunisia and Egypt. The committee doesn't announce the nominees but the people who submit suggestions for the nominees are allowed to reveal them. The winners will be announced in October 2011.

I think it's amazing that something not someone is nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, I think its a great idea to give credit to the Internet and the countless things that it has done for giving people knowledge and freedom to express themselves.
But I really don't understand how the internet can physically win the award; I researched what the winner of the Prize receives and the winner gets a medal, a diploma, the title of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and 10 million Swedish crowns (or over 1.4 million in U.S. dollars). So, how will the Internet be able to accept the award since it physically can't go get it itself? Who will accept the award on the Internet's behalf? We shall find out in October.

Link
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20037751-281.html?tag=topTechContentWrap;editorPicks

Cuban Singer Asks Google and Obama to Give Free Internet

A Cuban folk singer, Silvio Rodriguez, asked President Obama and Google CEO Eric Schmidt to give free internet to developing countries. Rodriguez posted on his blog, "It's a simple proposal: the world is very unequal, and a lot of pain could be avoided with action that could turn into a worldwide qualitative step forward,".

Authorities say that Internet will be for limited use for social purposes and priority would be given to limited users in universities and educational institutions. Many people believe the limitations is for government and authority to maintain control on information and expression.

I believe that all countries should have access to internet because it can be very helpful in learning new and different things, but I don't how helpful it can be when some developing countries don't have the same freedoms as Americans and if some countries can't enjoy the freedoms that us Americans have that we take for granted everyday; then the last thing that developing countries should get is internet. Developing countries should try and receive other types of resources in order to live, learn, and strive.

Link
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110222/tc_afp/entertainmentcubaitusgoogledissident

2011 Senior Winter Ball

Wristwatch Finds New Way to Stay in Use

It is very rare today to see people under the age of 25 to wear wristwatches because people have news ways to figure out the time: Cell phones and laptops. I must admit that I haven't worn a watch since I was in Elementary school and even then I barely wore one. Now i just use my cell phone to look at the time because it's easier and if I have a phone that gives the time. I know I bring my phone everywhere I go, so why have two clocks?

Today since many people no longer find use for wristwatches, many companies are making watches just like cell phones and computers. One new wristwatch called the TickTock is made from a Apple iPod Nano and another watch called AllertaPlus, which is currently being tested is said to be just like a computer and expected to cost $150.

Eric Migicovsky said, "he hopes people will use the devices as an extension to their mobile phones where the watch can offer a third screen of information without someone having to fumble for their phone in their pocket or purse."

Link
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/the-wristwatch-looks-for-a-new-use/?ref=technology

Egypt, Health Care, Republican Candidates

On Slate's Political Gabfest, John Dickerson, David Plotz, and Emily Bazelon discuss whats going on in the world. In a discussion about the situation in Egypt, they discuss how Egypt's leader Mubarak show's no sign of stepping down from being the leader of Egypt, the health care bill being declared unconstitutional and U.S. ambassador to China Jon Huntsman resigning and becoming a potential 2012 Republican candidate.

The discussion about Egypt they talk about Mubarak and how he is showing no signs of stepping down as leader of Egypt and that he has assigned new people to his cabinet instead. They also discussed how Mubarak has hired "thugs" to attack protesters and cause more violence but it is said that it is not true and Mubarak isn't involved. Mubarak seems as if he has lost total control over the situation and yet has not found a solution to this problem, like they say " Give the people what they want!"

The big story in America is about the Health care bill and that judges have declared the bill unconstitutional to force Americans to purchase health care. But two democratic judges have declared that there is nothing wrong with the bill and two Republican judges have declared it unconstitutional. It is very obvious that Republicans are not for the health care bill and it shows, How can two parties decide on something that they don't agree on in the first place? Also, how can two decide its unconstitutional and two others decide it isn't? There is a lot that needs to be figured out before something as big as Health care is thrown into the trash.

The discussion of the 2012 Republican candidates is a big topic with Sarah Palin and others that are potential candidates. One is Jon Hutchman, the former U.S. ambassador to China, has chosen to resign and the rumor is he is considering running for Presidency. Some say, "is he just tired of China or is he running for President?" What makes someone. a U.S. ambassador one day and decides to resign all of a sudden? The 2012 election is real important and serious, we'll just have to wait and see...

Link
http://media.slate.com/media/slate/Podcasts/Gabfest/gabfest1.xml

Social Media is Overwhelming

Social media is everywhere and people cannot live without it, it's like a child. People use Twitter, Facebook, Google, Youtube and Skype and many other types and communication every day and it has become overwhelming to keep up with it all. Media users have busy schedules and trying to handle all the information and communication that's been thrown at them, is a task all in its own.

Media companies and providers realize how much people are using technology and how often and they wonder how people may be able to handle it all.There are new ways and new applications to try to make it all easier; Social media has become normal to life when you eat and sleep you have to tweet, utilize Facebook and etc.

People will continue to use social media and there will be more and new types of social media that will be created in the future and users will continue to take them all on, along with their already existing media. Organization is need throughout life so, of course there will be some sort of organization in media.

Link
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-02-01-tech-overload_N.htm

Râmnicu Vâlcea, Romania: A Town of Online Crime

In a town of 125,000 people in Romania, it has a small percentage of scam artists who make a living by doing just that, scamming. For many years, people of Râmnicu Vâlcea have found easier ways of making money by scamming people outside their country, by fake ads and auction sites by getting people to transfer money to them. After a riot for anti-government in 1989, the country began to change with people making their own ways of living. The town is booming with clothing stores, expensive car dealerships and men posing as businessmen, but are just online scam artists.

It is becoming very normal for people to take on a "career" as a scam artist, young men are learning to become scam artists themselves because it seems simple. The FBI of Romania has been investigating and tracking down scam artists, but con-artists are finding ways around it and are still scamming many victims.

Today, millions of people around the world are being scammed out of their hard earned money by believing and trusting strangers on the internet, people should be more careful with the internet because its an easy way to get money out of anyone and not get caught. Someone can easily become wealthy and make a career by stealing your money.

Link
http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/01/ff_hackerville_romania/

Protests in Egypt

For four days in Egypt, the Egyptian people have been protesting to get the Egyptian president out of office because they are not happy with the government. Protesters have been using twitter, facebook and videos to get their messages to to fellow Egyptians and other parts of the world. As the government continues to ban uses of social media Egyptians are still finding ways to communicate and also being assigned curfews Egyptians are not following orders where protests have been violent with many being killed and injured. Time will only reveal how this issue will continue, but it shows how much of an impact that media has on many different parts of the world.

A 3D printer for edible food

For a group of scientists and students at Cornell University in New York have created a 3D food printer that uses frosting or chocolate as (it's ink) to be placed upon cookies or cupcakes. The printer is connected to a computer, so all you have to do is tell the printer what you want and how you want it.

As a school project, students and Prof. Hod Lipson started the project in 2007 after the University's Fab@Home venture, formed in 2005, where students learn how to make their own do it yourself versions of machines in a timely manner. The 3D printer is being used at the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan and is currently not being sold but will be soon.

This new 3D printer will be priced at $1,000 to $700 in the near future and its assembled version can be purchased online for around $3,300. Technology is growing bigger and faster and not only is it affecting our communication but now it's affecting our eating and cooking. Who would have thought to be in the sanctity of their own home and making specialized cupcakes for their friends and family without having to worry about making them perfect?.....

Link
money.cnn.com/2011/01/24/technology/3D_food_printer/?npt=NP1

Welcome

Hello Everyone this is Candace and welcome to my blog. I will discuss everything occurring in media today with technology, current events, education and even entertainment. The world is changing and growing everyday with the good, bad and the interesting. I am here to enlighten you on current topics that is going on around the world. Hope you enjoy!