june17,2009
DENVER -- Prada, Louis Vuitton and other designer labels, spread out in a brightly lit store with fresh wood floors. If you didn’t see the blue and white sign outside you may not realize you are shopping at Goodwill.
Goodwill is on a mission to change its image and bring in first time shoppers. It is hoping to grab those customers in person and online.
“We have bigger stores, wider aisles, the clothing is sized for easy shopping,” said Rick Berninzoni, vice president of marketing for Goodwill Denver.
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Berninzoni said he knows image is everything and he wants to change the image the average person has of a thrift store.
“We run these stores just like a regular retail (store),” said Berninzoni. “Our motto here is this isn't your grandmother's thrift anymore, this is the new Goodwill.”
“This happens to be my favorite goodwill,” said Laura Grogan, who shops at the South Broadway location.
Grogan has shopped at thrift stores for years. She said she likes the recycling aspect of it and thinks the prices are pretty good.
“We mostly shop for baby items, books, toys and clothing,” said Grogan.
But some shoppers are looking for high end goods at Goodwill prices.
“We strive to put out name brands, big time name brands,” said Berninzoni.
The company hopes to portray itself as a place to buy vintage goods.
“Those are great bargains, especially the ladies jewelry, outstanding,” said Floyd Jones, who was shopping for a lamp shade. “The vintage jewelry for women is outstanding.”
Goodwill said it doesn't want to alienate its low-income shoppers. It just wants to branch out. To do so, the company is going online.
“Our managers are trained to spot collectors items, items of value and we put those items online,” said Berninzoni.
Berninzoni said he hopes to soon sell books online.
For now, Goodwill is teaming up with Dell to offer computer recycling. Customers can drop off unwanted computers at any of its locations. The computer will then be sent off to an authorized recycling dealer where the hard-drive will be shredded.
Goodwill also has plans to open an outlet store at 74th Avenue and Federal Boulevard in Westminster this August. Clothing and goods will be sold by the pound. Anything that does not sell at the retail location will be bundled and sold to third world countries.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Government review calls for basic computer skills training for 11.6 million adults
An independent review by Baroness Estelle Morris published yesterday recommends an entitlement for 11.6 million adults in England to access free training in basic ICT skills.
The review, carried out by Baroness Estelle Morris, was commissioned by Government to assess whether the nation’s basic computing skills needs are being met.
Baroness Morris’s findings indicate there are an estimated 11.6 million adults who lack basic computing skills in England and that the elderly, those socially excluded and those with few qualifications are most at risk of being left behind in a world that becomes ever more digital.
The review, which has also informed Stephen Carter’s Digital Britain report, published yesterday, outlines the importance of digital skills to the health and wellbeing of UK citizens as well as the wider economy. It calls for a more focused strategy to address the skills gap that has been identified.
In advising how best to address the gap in computing skills of adults in England, the review proposes an ‘entitlement’ to digital life skills for all adults made up of:
A social marketing campaign, driven through Stephen Carter’s Digital Britain strategy, to highlight the benefits of getting online;
A helpline and website with online learning models as well as links to a range of resource, provided by broadcasters and other commercial suppliers and
Access to a diverse range of computing skills providers to learn the basic skills needed to get online such as using a mouse and keyboard, using email and using the internet.
Baroness Estelle Morris said:
“We must be ambitious about the level of ICT skills in the community. Increasingly, those who are not ICT literate will find themselves excluded as technology impacts on more parts of our lives.
“The Government set high standards in 1997 and progress has been made. The ICT infrastructure has been transformed and skill levels have increased – particularly amongst the young. We need to be careful though, that we don’t settle for that. It is vital that all citizens, no matter what their age or their background, are given the chance to develop basic ICT skills.
“If this is to happen, the Government needs to have a clearer focus, be less bureaucratic and not as complex. It must work with its partners from the voluntary and private sector to persuade people that they need to learn computer skills and make it easy for them to do so.
“The entitlement proposed in this review is a step towards achieving that.”
Kevin Brennan, Minister for Skills in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, said:
“Being able to use a computer and access the internet is a basic skill for work and life in the digital age. That’s why we already invest £9 million in UK Online, which includes 6,000 centres around the country offering free or low cost access to ICT. I welcome Estelle Morris’s findings and will look seriously at how we can do more to improve basic computer skills for adults most in need – including the unemployed, those at risk of redundancy and older people – as well as those in jobs.”
Stephen Carter, author of the Digital Britain review, commented:
“Digital life skills are a foundation for participation and employability in a digital society. Soon, everyone in this country will be connected to broadband so it is crucial every person has the basic skills and confidence to make the most of the opportunities broadband will bring.
He added:
“I have outlined the importance of Baroness Morris’s findings in the Digital Britain Review and look forward to seeing her recommendations being taken forward for the benefit of those who are in most need of ICT training.”
In making recommendations, Baroness Morris took account of existing funded provision of ICT skills and found there had been a 50 per cent reduction in the number of adults taking up funded ICT training. Although research indicates the number of digitally excluded adults has reduced over time, it is apparent that the gap is widening for those most at risk: adults over 65, those who are socially excluded and those with few or no qualifications.
Government will consider further how it responds to Estelle Morris’s recommendations as the Digital Britain programme is taken forward.
The review was commissioned by John Denham, when Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, and announced in the Learning Revolution White Paper as follows: “To support the growing importance of digital skills at home and in work, we have asked Baroness Estelle Morris to chair an independent review of ICT Skills for Adults to provide a wider understanding of the current position. The review will address both the user skills required to participate effectively in the digital society and the best delivery mechanisms to engage and upskill adults.”
The review, carried out by Baroness Estelle Morris, was commissioned by Government to assess whether the nation’s basic computing skills needs are being met.
Baroness Morris’s findings indicate there are an estimated 11.6 million adults who lack basic computing skills in England and that the elderly, those socially excluded and those with few qualifications are most at risk of being left behind in a world that becomes ever more digital.
The review, which has also informed Stephen Carter’s Digital Britain report, published yesterday, outlines the importance of digital skills to the health and wellbeing of UK citizens as well as the wider economy. It calls for a more focused strategy to address the skills gap that has been identified.
In advising how best to address the gap in computing skills of adults in England, the review proposes an ‘entitlement’ to digital life skills for all adults made up of:
A social marketing campaign, driven through Stephen Carter’s Digital Britain strategy, to highlight the benefits of getting online;
A helpline and website with online learning models as well as links to a range of resource, provided by broadcasters and other commercial suppliers and
Access to a diverse range of computing skills providers to learn the basic skills needed to get online such as using a mouse and keyboard, using email and using the internet.
Baroness Estelle Morris said:
“We must be ambitious about the level of ICT skills in the community. Increasingly, those who are not ICT literate will find themselves excluded as technology impacts on more parts of our lives.
“The Government set high standards in 1997 and progress has been made. The ICT infrastructure has been transformed and skill levels have increased – particularly amongst the young. We need to be careful though, that we don’t settle for that. It is vital that all citizens, no matter what their age or their background, are given the chance to develop basic ICT skills.
“If this is to happen, the Government needs to have a clearer focus, be less bureaucratic and not as complex. It must work with its partners from the voluntary and private sector to persuade people that they need to learn computer skills and make it easy for them to do so.
“The entitlement proposed in this review is a step towards achieving that.”
Kevin Brennan, Minister for Skills in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, said:
“Being able to use a computer and access the internet is a basic skill for work and life in the digital age. That’s why we already invest £9 million in UK Online, which includes 6,000 centres around the country offering free or low cost access to ICT. I welcome Estelle Morris’s findings and will look seriously at how we can do more to improve basic computer skills for adults most in need – including the unemployed, those at risk of redundancy and older people – as well as those in jobs.”
Stephen Carter, author of the Digital Britain review, commented:
“Digital life skills are a foundation for participation and employability in a digital society. Soon, everyone in this country will be connected to broadband so it is crucial every person has the basic skills and confidence to make the most of the opportunities broadband will bring.
He added:
“I have outlined the importance of Baroness Morris’s findings in the Digital Britain Review and look forward to seeing her recommendations being taken forward for the benefit of those who are in most need of ICT training.”
In making recommendations, Baroness Morris took account of existing funded provision of ICT skills and found there had been a 50 per cent reduction in the number of adults taking up funded ICT training. Although research indicates the number of digitally excluded adults has reduced over time, it is apparent that the gap is widening for those most at risk: adults over 65, those who are socially excluded and those with few or no qualifications.
Government will consider further how it responds to Estelle Morris’s recommendations as the Digital Britain programme is taken forward.
The review was commissioned by John Denham, when Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, and announced in the Learning Revolution White Paper as follows: “To support the growing importance of digital skills at home and in work, we have asked Baroness Estelle Morris to chair an independent review of ICT Skills for Adults to provide a wider understanding of the current position. The review will address both the user skills required to participate effectively in the digital society and the best delivery mechanisms to engage and upskill adults.”
Goodwill accepting old computers
7:23 AM CDT, June 16, 2009
MADISON, Wis. - Disposing of old computer parts just got a little easier in Wisconsin. Many Goodwill donation centers in the state started taking old computer equipment this week through the Dell-Reconnect recycling program. Computers, monitors, printers, hard drives, and other parts are now accepted. Maureen Roche at Goodwill Industries of South Central Wisconsin says they'll take any brand of computer in any condition. And, just like any donation, customers can get a receipt for tax purposes.
MADISON, Wis. - Disposing of old computer parts just got a little easier in Wisconsin. Many Goodwill donation centers in the state started taking old computer equipment this week through the Dell-Reconnect recycling program. Computers, monitors, printers, hard drives, and other parts are now accepted. Maureen Roche at Goodwill Industries of South Central Wisconsin says they'll take any brand of computer in any condition. And, just like any donation, customers can get a receipt for tax purposes.
Monday, June 15, 2009
otter - WomanÕs wedding band, laptop computer stolen
Monday, June 15, 2009 3:00 AM
Woman's wedding band, laptop computer stolen
A Salisbury woman reported several items were stolen from her home including a $2,000 wedding band and a $2,000 laptop computer, according to reports from the Rowan County Sheriff's Office.
Kimberly Boiling reported the incident occurred June 8 at 102 Middle Oak Drive.
In other Sheriff's Office reports:
- A & E Automotive reported a June 8 larceny at 215 Kress Venture Dr.
- Hill's Mini Warehouse reported June 8 that someone broke into the warehouse and removed items from storage units at 114 Johnson Dairy Road.
- Cassandra Lisa Coleman reported June 8 a burglary to her residence at 245 Pickler Road.
- Kenneth Lee Myers reported June 8 that a home alarm sounded at his residence due to a broken basement window at 3725 Mellon Dr.
- Christina Elaine Rowland reported June 8 that her car was removed from 1260 S. Main St., Granite Quarry.
- Mondie Nicole Weber, 21, was charged June 8 with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia at 1000 Legion Club Road, Granite Quary.
- Amanda Edinger Edwards reported an assault June 10 at 540 Brown Road.
- Amanda Jane Radford reported June 10 that a gun belonging to a friend was taken from a safe at her residence on Sam Broadway Lane, Kannapolis.
- A Southeast Middle School student was found to have possessed and consumed alcohol on school grounds on June 10.
- Angela Dawn Harris, 30, was charged June 10 with disorderly conduct at 500 Dial St., Landis.
- Cynthia Diane Morris, 41, was charged June 10 with simple assault at 470 Geter Road, Woodleaf.
- Alexis S. Morris, 17, was charged June 10 with simple assault at 470 Geter Road, Woodleaf.
- Mark Randall Edwards, 36, was charged June 10 with assault on a female at 530 Brown Road, China Grove.
- Jared Mario Bryant, 21, was charged June 10 with assault on a female at 16855 Dooley Road, Cleveland.
- Candy Burton Owensby, 30, was charged June 10 with burning of churches and certain other buildings.
- Meosha Parks, 20, was charged June 10 with simple assault at 2420 Airport Road.
- Anthony Matthew Parker, 34, was charged June 10 with assaulting a minor at 155 Flowering Tree Lane, Rockwell.
- Ashley Parker, 21, was charged June 10 with simple assault at 155 Flowering Tree Lane, Rockwell.
Woman's wedding band, laptop computer stolen
A Salisbury woman reported several items were stolen from her home including a $2,000 wedding band and a $2,000 laptop computer, according to reports from the Rowan County Sheriff's Office.
Kimberly Boiling reported the incident occurred June 8 at 102 Middle Oak Drive.
In other Sheriff's Office reports:
- A & E Automotive reported a June 8 larceny at 215 Kress Venture Dr.
- Hill's Mini Warehouse reported June 8 that someone broke into the warehouse and removed items from storage units at 114 Johnson Dairy Road.
- Cassandra Lisa Coleman reported June 8 a burglary to her residence at 245 Pickler Road.
- Kenneth Lee Myers reported June 8 that a home alarm sounded at his residence due to a broken basement window at 3725 Mellon Dr.
- Christina Elaine Rowland reported June 8 that her car was removed from 1260 S. Main St., Granite Quarry.
- Mondie Nicole Weber, 21, was charged June 8 with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia at 1000 Legion Club Road, Granite Quary.
- Amanda Edinger Edwards reported an assault June 10 at 540 Brown Road.
- Amanda Jane Radford reported June 10 that a gun belonging to a friend was taken from a safe at her residence on Sam Broadway Lane, Kannapolis.
- A Southeast Middle School student was found to have possessed and consumed alcohol on school grounds on June 10.
- Angela Dawn Harris, 30, was charged June 10 with disorderly conduct at 500 Dial St., Landis.
- Cynthia Diane Morris, 41, was charged June 10 with simple assault at 470 Geter Road, Woodleaf.
- Alexis S. Morris, 17, was charged June 10 with simple assault at 470 Geter Road, Woodleaf.
- Mark Randall Edwards, 36, was charged June 10 with assault on a female at 530 Brown Road, China Grove.
- Jared Mario Bryant, 21, was charged June 10 with assault on a female at 16855 Dooley Road, Cleveland.
- Candy Burton Owensby, 30, was charged June 10 with burning of churches and certain other buildings.
- Meosha Parks, 20, was charged June 10 with simple assault at 2420 Airport Road.
- Anthony Matthew Parker, 34, was charged June 10 with assaulting a minor at 155 Flowering Tree Lane, Rockwell.
- Ashley Parker, 21, was charged June 10 with simple assault at 155 Flowering Tree Lane, Rockwell.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Man faces child porn charges
A Lake City man was arrested by the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and faces charges for allegedly downloading and offering to share child pornography images online, according to police reports.Blake Andrew Hauss, 18, 143 NE Howard St., was charged with sexual performance by a child (two counts) after Columbia County Sheriff’s Office detectives and Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents executed a search warrant at the Howard Street address. He is being held in the Columbia County Detention Center without bond.According to information released from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the search warrant was the result of a six-month, online undercover operation.Reports say during the investigation sheriff’s office detectives found a computer that was allegedly downloading and offering to share child pornography online and the investigation led officers to the Howard Street home.
“During the search a computer and other computer-related items were seized,” said Columbia County Sheriff’s Office public information officer Sgt. Ed Seifert. “The seized items will be sent to the FDLE’s crime lab for further examination.”Detectives with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office as well as Special Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are members of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.“Possession, viewing, transmitting or manufacturing child pornography is a crime,” Seifert said. “If you want to report someone for having child pornography either on their computer or some other device, you may report this information to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office at 752-3223 or report it to the Cyper Tip Line at ncmec.org
“During the search a computer and other computer-related items were seized,” said Columbia County Sheriff’s Office public information officer Sgt. Ed Seifert. “The seized items will be sent to the FDLE’s crime lab for further examination.”Detectives with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office as well as Special Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are members of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.“Possession, viewing, transmitting or manufacturing child pornography is a crime,” Seifert said. “If you want to report someone for having child pornography either on their computer or some other device, you may report this information to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office at 752-3223 or report it to the Cyper Tip Line at ncmec.org
Monday, June 8, 2009
Home computer injuries are rife
Home computer-related
injuries have increased more than sevenfold, with children hurt most often, data reveal.
Over 78,000 patients were treated for such injuries in US hospitals between 1994 and 2006, and 93% of the trips, bumps and falls occurred in the home.
Over the 13-year study period the injury rate increased by 732%, which is more than double the increase in household computer ownership.
The findings appear in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Children under five had the highest injury rate, mainly due to falls after tripping over cables or head injuries from falling monitors.
Make sure computers are well-positioned so they cannot be pulled over by inquisitive children
A spokesman from Rospa
Similarly, in the UK computer-related accidents in the home sharply increased from around 800 in 1995 to more than 1,800 in 1999 and 2,100 in 2002 - the latest figures available.
A third of the incidents in 2002 involved a child under the age of 15, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa).
Although most result in minor bumps and bruises, some injuries can be more serious.
One case in 1998 involved a six-year-old boy who was burned by a fire caused by spilling a drink on a computer.
Avoidable
Lead researcher of the US study, Dr Lara McKenzie of the Nationwide Children's Hospital Center for Injury Research and Policy in Columbus, said: "Future research on acute computer-related injuries is needed as this ubiquitous product becomes more intertwined in our everyday lives."
She said more information was needed on the types of computers and equipment used, the layout of these systems, and the furniture used to store them in order to develop household-safety practices in this area.
"Given the large increase in acute computer-related injuries over the study period, greater efforts are needed to prevent such injuries, especially among young children."
A Rospa spokesman said: "Whenever a piece of equipment or activity such as home-computing becomes more popular, the number of people being injured in related accidents does tend to increase.
"In fact, we noticed a particular rise in computer-related home accidents towards the end of the 1990s as computers became 'must have' items.
"Accidents always happen more easily when you're rushing, so if you're carrying a computer do take care to look where you're going and don't try to lift too much equipment in one go.
"Make sure computers are well-positioned so they cannot be pulled over by inquisitive children. And, as with all types of electrical equipment, watch out for trailing cables."
injuries have increased more than sevenfold, with children hurt most often, data reveal.
Over 78,000 patients were treated for such injuries in US hospitals between 1994 and 2006, and 93% of the trips, bumps and falls occurred in the home.
Over the 13-year study period the injury rate increased by 732%, which is more than double the increase in household computer ownership.
The findings appear in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Children under five had the highest injury rate, mainly due to falls after tripping over cables or head injuries from falling monitors.
Make sure computers are well-positioned so they cannot be pulled over by inquisitive children
A spokesman from Rospa
Similarly, in the UK computer-related accidents in the home sharply increased from around 800 in 1995 to more than 1,800 in 1999 and 2,100 in 2002 - the latest figures available.
A third of the incidents in 2002 involved a child under the age of 15, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa).
Although most result in minor bumps and bruises, some injuries can be more serious.
One case in 1998 involved a six-year-old boy who was burned by a fire caused by spilling a drink on a computer.
Avoidable
Lead researcher of the US study, Dr Lara McKenzie of the Nationwide Children's Hospital Center for Injury Research and Policy in Columbus, said: "Future research on acute computer-related injuries is needed as this ubiquitous product becomes more intertwined in our everyday lives."
She said more information was needed on the types of computers and equipment used, the layout of these systems, and the furniture used to store them in order to develop household-safety practices in this area.
"Given the large increase in acute computer-related injuries over the study period, greater efforts are needed to prevent such injuries, especially among young children."
A Rospa spokesman said: "Whenever a piece of equipment or activity such as home-computing becomes more popular, the number of people being injured in related accidents does tend to increase.
"In fact, we noticed a particular rise in computer-related home accidents towards the end of the 1990s as computers became 'must have' items.
"Accidents always happen more easily when you're rushing, so if you're carrying a computer do take care to look where you're going and don't try to lift too much equipment in one go.
"Make sure computers are well-positioned so they cannot be pulled over by inquisitive children. And, as with all types of electrical equipment, watch out for trailing cables."
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Can Computer Nerds Save Journalism
Word to those who think the Internet spells the end of traditional print media: "hacker journalists" have arrived to save the day. (Read "The State of the Media: Not Good.")
A cadre of newly minted media whiz-kids, who mix high-tech savvy with hard-nosed reporting skills, are taking a closer look at ways in which 21st century code-crunching and old-fashioned reporting can not only co-exist but also thrive. And the first batch of them has just emerged from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
They've just completed a new master's program at Medill — with scholarships from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation — aimed at training programmers in basic journalism so they can better understand how technology is impacting the industry and trying to engineer change down the road. Medill isn't the only higher education institution blending computer programming and journalism; at other schools such as the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of California, Berkeley, traditional J-school programs are incorporating a dose of tech-thumping. Spurred by the success of content-driven Web sites such as Digg, which creates a front page of news stories based on what readers deem most popular each day, the brains behind these new programs are trying to capitalize on ways in which sophisticated programming can make the delivery of news more accessible.
Programmers and journalists may seem like strange bedfellows; many criticize the internet for the layoffs, buyouts and bleeding bottom lines that characterize the news business today. But, as emphasized by a report released last month by PriceWaterhouseCoopers and the World Association of Newspapers, traditional news outlets must "cross the digital abyss" if they wish to survive. The problem, of course, is scraping together the capital to invest in new technologies. (Read "How to Save Your Newspaper.")
These kinds of forecasts prompted Rich Gordon, director of digital innovation at Medill, to convince the Knight Foundation in 2007 to start funding the new curriculum. Recognizing that traditional news platforms are struggling to keep content relevant online, Gordon, the former new media director for the Miami Herald Publishing Co., approached the problem a different way. "Instead of media organizations always playing catch-up, the objective should be for them to incorporate data in new and different ways from the very beginning," Gordon says, noting that, in addition to Digg, Web sites such as ProPublica, EveryBlock and PolitiFact have achieved this goal successfully. "It makes perfect sense to have programmers involved with this effort from the very beginning."
One of Medill's new graduates, a 31-year-old software developer named Brian Boyer, starts in June as the inaugural "News Applications Editor" at the Chicago Tribune. In this job, Boyer will be writing applications for the paper's Web site to accompany investigative reports and present data to readers in formats such as searchable databases and interactive charts. "The forms of journalism might be changing, but the role of the media to inform the public and hold government accountable remains the same," says Boyer, who coined the phrase "hacker journalist" to describe this new breed of newsman. "That's where technologists can help."
Coursework in Medill's new program is rigorous. For most of the first three academic quarters, students take classes at the school's Chicago campus that emphasize news reporting, content creation and the needs of media consumers. In the final quarter, scholarship recipients team up with students from more traditional journalism backgrounds and develop an application or service that addresses specific problems; Boyer was part of a team that built a prototype to improve readers' experience when posting comments on the Cedar Rapids Gazette. In an e-mail, he said of their News Mixer project: "It is, IMHO, still the only application that explores the full potential of Facebook Connect."
At the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, a three-year-old program in "computational journalism" helps computer science majors study how journalists gather, organize and utilize information, then take these workflows and see how technology can make the processes easier. Says Professor Irfan Essa: "We're trying to get people aware of what computations and software programs can do for their day-to-day work. This kind of thinking has enabled technology to streamline workflows in dozens of other industries. There's no reason it can't work in journalism, too."
Meanwhile, the journalism school at the University of Missouri has started introducing graduate-level journalism students to programming with computer-assisted reporting that delves into the basics of database management. Similarly, the University of California, Berkeley, requires students in its graduate school of journalism to take a six-week, boot-camp-style course in Web development, during which they are taught the basics of XML, HTML and other coding languages commonly used on Web sites today.
"While the core skills of journalism will always be solid reporting and clear writing, it's not just about storytelling anymore," says Berkeley's director of new media Paul Grabowicz. He adds that although some old-school media companies may be "slow" or "hesitant" — or too broke — to hire techies, they will be forced to do so in order to compete with more entrepreneurial ventures.
Boyer, the original hacker journalist, prefers to put it differently, likening the paradigm shift to the old adage that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. "If the source of the tumult in the news business is technology," he says, "then journalism needs more nerds."
A cadre of newly minted media whiz-kids, who mix high-tech savvy with hard-nosed reporting skills, are taking a closer look at ways in which 21st century code-crunching and old-fashioned reporting can not only co-exist but also thrive. And the first batch of them has just emerged from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
They've just completed a new master's program at Medill — with scholarships from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation — aimed at training programmers in basic journalism so they can better understand how technology is impacting the industry and trying to engineer change down the road. Medill isn't the only higher education institution blending computer programming and journalism; at other schools such as the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of California, Berkeley, traditional J-school programs are incorporating a dose of tech-thumping. Spurred by the success of content-driven Web sites such as Digg, which creates a front page of news stories based on what readers deem most popular each day, the brains behind these new programs are trying to capitalize on ways in which sophisticated programming can make the delivery of news more accessible.
Programmers and journalists may seem like strange bedfellows; many criticize the internet for the layoffs, buyouts and bleeding bottom lines that characterize the news business today. But, as emphasized by a report released last month by PriceWaterhouseCoopers and the World Association of Newspapers, traditional news outlets must "cross the digital abyss" if they wish to survive. The problem, of course, is scraping together the capital to invest in new technologies. (Read "How to Save Your Newspaper.")
These kinds of forecasts prompted Rich Gordon, director of digital innovation at Medill, to convince the Knight Foundation in 2007 to start funding the new curriculum. Recognizing that traditional news platforms are struggling to keep content relevant online, Gordon, the former new media director for the Miami Herald Publishing Co., approached the problem a different way. "Instead of media organizations always playing catch-up, the objective should be for them to incorporate data in new and different ways from the very beginning," Gordon says, noting that, in addition to Digg, Web sites such as ProPublica, EveryBlock and PolitiFact have achieved this goal successfully. "It makes perfect sense to have programmers involved with this effort from the very beginning."
One of Medill's new graduates, a 31-year-old software developer named Brian Boyer, starts in June as the inaugural "News Applications Editor" at the Chicago Tribune. In this job, Boyer will be writing applications for the paper's Web site to accompany investigative reports and present data to readers in formats such as searchable databases and interactive charts. "The forms of journalism might be changing, but the role of the media to inform the public and hold government accountable remains the same," says Boyer, who coined the phrase "hacker journalist" to describe this new breed of newsman. "That's where technologists can help."
Coursework in Medill's new program is rigorous. For most of the first three academic quarters, students take classes at the school's Chicago campus that emphasize news reporting, content creation and the needs of media consumers. In the final quarter, scholarship recipients team up with students from more traditional journalism backgrounds and develop an application or service that addresses specific problems; Boyer was part of a team that built a prototype to improve readers' experience when posting comments on the Cedar Rapids Gazette. In an e-mail, he said of their News Mixer project: "It is, IMHO, still the only application that explores the full potential of Facebook Connect."
At the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, a three-year-old program in "computational journalism" helps computer science majors study how journalists gather, organize and utilize information, then take these workflows and see how technology can make the processes easier. Says Professor Irfan Essa: "We're trying to get people aware of what computations and software programs can do for their day-to-day work. This kind of thinking has enabled technology to streamline workflows in dozens of other industries. There's no reason it can't work in journalism, too."
Meanwhile, the journalism school at the University of Missouri has started introducing graduate-level journalism students to programming with computer-assisted reporting that delves into the basics of database management. Similarly, the University of California, Berkeley, requires students in its graduate school of journalism to take a six-week, boot-camp-style course in Web development, during which they are taught the basics of XML, HTML and other coding languages commonly used on Web sites today.
"While the core skills of journalism will always be solid reporting and clear writing, it's not just about storytelling anymore," says Berkeley's director of new media Paul Grabowicz. He adds that although some old-school media companies may be "slow" or "hesitant" — or too broke — to hire techies, they will be forced to do so in order to compete with more entrepreneurial ventures.
Boyer, the original hacker journalist, prefers to put it differently, likening the paradigm shift to the old adage that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. "If the source of the tumult in the news business is technology," he says, "then journalism needs more nerds."
Many more check out library
Free computer access, Harry Potter parties and cheap coffee.
At the Allen County Public Library, patrons want it all, and they want it now.
“It’s just a totally different world than 20 years ago. There are so many things people expect the library to provide now. It’s not just books, …” says Rosie Stier, manager of Little Turtle branch.
And many of those things are expensive, such as Blu-ray discs, Wii and Xbox 360 games and audio books on CD, some of which can cost about $100 a title.
“With today’s world, with everybody living on a tight budget, (patrons) obviously want the things the library has to provide. … Why not use your tax dollar as best you can?” Stier asks.
That’s why circulation in the downtown art, music and media department has increased in the past few years, from 11,000 items to 18,000 items a week, manager Stacey Pearson says.
“That is a really clear sign to me that people need entertainment that’s free, because they’re not working,” she says.
The other hot commodity is information that’s free, provided by librarians as quickly as possible.
Despite staff and budget cutbacks, those who work in the library system try to meet everyone’s demands, even when those demands might seem a bit unreasonable.
Some patrons don’t understand that even the wondrous Internet still requires time and skill to find a particular fact or gather a large amount of information.
Stier, who’s been a librarian since the 1960s and at the Little Turtle branch since 1990, has plenty of examples, including one woman who called an hour before closing on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend.
She wanted “a rough synopsis of the philosophy of all the U.S. presidents, and their years in office … and how their presidency stacked up against the Constitution. And she was upset when I said, ‘I can do that for you, but it’s going to take me a little time.’ ”
Stier offered to do the research and call her back the following week.
“No, she wanted it now. … They just think you can go on the Internet and it’s right there,” Stier says.
And it is, in some cases. Other times, not so much.
“Of course, information is just overflowing with the Internet,” Pearson says.
“Filtering through that information is what we try to help people with. There are limitations – we can’t give people legal information; we can only show them where they can find it,” Pearson says.
Obviously, many patrons do their own research or need to look for jobs and complete unemployment forms.
“That’s really stressful. Many people, especially those over 50, aren’t always computer savvy,” Stier says. “You get them started and they have lots of questions and they get frustrated easily.”
At Eckhart Public Library in Auburn, computer use has jumped 55 percent in the past year, and new patrons have increased by 26 percent.
“We are really the community center; people are coming here for everything,” operations manager Chris Grogg says.
They come to get tax forms, look for online love, update their MySpace page, download music and more.
In a 2007 survey of public libraries, 73 percent reported their facility was the only place in the community with free computer and Internet access, according to the American Library Association.
Last year, the Auburn library opened a separate location for teens a block away.
“They have been wonderful. They treat that as their place. Before, teens were always welcome; now, we have embraced them,” Grogg says.
That’s also the philosophy at the Young Adult Services department at Allen County Public Library.
“We try to market to them, not just ‘tolerate’ them,” manager Mari Hardacre says.
Here, cardboard cutouts of pirate Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) line up against one wall. Large orange and purple sofas dot the room. A bookshelf is filled with board games.
And an area in the back features a large-screen TV and colorful mood lighting for video game parties and anime movie nights, plus booths with tables for those who bring in snacks.
Yes, eating is allowed in the main library these days, except for the computer areas and genealogy department.
“We consider this to be a ‘third space’ for teens,” Hardacre says. (The first and second spaces are home and school or work.)
The monthly event calendar is crammed full with meetings for chess club and book clubs, “Guitar Hero” or gaming gatherings, craft days and poetry/rap slams. The young-adult department also has a blog and a Facebook page.
For the most part, the teens are good patrons, but they’re not above a prank every now and then, such as the time someone baked a library stapler into a cake, then brought it in to share and photograph.
Sure, it’s all fun and games, until someone takes out his teeth.
That happened to Pearson many years ago when she was working in the periodicals department.
The library kept some of the more expensive magazines in a separate area and required identification from patrons who wanted to read them.
One day, a man wanted to read Billboard but didn’t have an ID. So he popped out his dentures instead. Pearson decided it was a fair trade.
“We figured he’s got to have his teeth” and that he wouldn’t leave without returning the magazine and reclaiming his unusual deposit.
Moments like that make the job interesting, says Pearson, who’s been a librarian for more than 20 years.
Once, someone left a kitten in the book return box at Little Turtle branch, back when the boxes weren’t attached to the building. The cat found a good home and is still alive, Stier says.
One ongoing trend is related to the weather. When it’s really hot or really cold, there are plenty of patrons, including kids, who stop in just to appreciate the indoor climate.
“There are so many people that flow through our buildings; … we still have some characters,” Stier says, chuckling.
And whenever they’re there, some kids need help finding something to do, which often results in long computer wait lists in the afternoon.
While the downtown library has plenty of programs for all ages, that’s not something all branches can replicate, with their smaller staffs and budgets.
“Some of us just can’t stretch that thin. It’s hard to make your money touch all of those bases to make everybody happy,” Stier says.
At Auburn’s Eckhart Public Library, staff members have decided to invest most of their materials budget in books, which means they add to their DVD collection only when movies are donated, Grogg says.
If a popular title gets “lost” – a growing problem – then they might buy a replacement.
And the periodicals collection has changed a bit over the years, too.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
How to remove Antivirus System Pro (Uninstall instructions)
Antivirus System PRO is rogue antivirus/antispyware program, new version of Spyware protect 2009. Like other fake antispyware programs, it uses fake alerts and false positives to trick you into buying the software. Antivirus System PRO usually installed itself onto your computer without your permission, through trojans and browser security holes.
During installation Antivirus System Pro configures itself to run automatically every time, when your computer starts. Immediately after launch, Antivirus System Pro starts scanning the computer and list a lot of threats to trick you to buy the paid version of the rogue. All of these threats are fake, so you can safely ignore them.
While the Antivirus System Pro is running, your computer will display fake alerts, an example:
Windows Security alertWindows reports that computer is infected. Antivirus softwarehelps to protect your computer against viruses and othersecurity threats. Click here for the scan your computer. Yoursystem might be at risk now.
Also Antivirus System Pro will install a Internet Explorer BHO module (iehelper.dll) that will hijack Internet Explorer and randomly shows a “Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage. Needed Powerfull PC Protection” warning page (uses fake address security.microsoft.com), instead of the site you are trying to browse to:
Internet Explorer Warning - visiting this web site may harm your computer!
Most likely causes: The website contains exploits that can launch a malicious code on your computerSuspicious network activity detectedThere might be an active spyware running on your computer
What you can try: - Purchase Antivirus System PRO for secure Internet surfing (Recommended).- Check your computer for viruses and malware.- More information
The warning is fake and should be ignored! Antivirus System Pro can be safely removed from your computer along with any other trojan infections if the proper steps are taken. If you are a non-techie computer user then this method of removing Antivirus System Pro and any associated malware from your computer is for you.
During installation Antivirus System Pro configures itself to run automatically every time, when your computer starts. Immediately after launch, Antivirus System Pro starts scanning the computer and list a lot of threats to trick you to buy the paid version of the rogue. All of these threats are fake, so you can safely ignore them.
While the Antivirus System Pro is running, your computer will display fake alerts, an example:
Windows Security alertWindows reports that computer is infected. Antivirus softwarehelps to protect your computer against viruses and othersecurity threats. Click here for the scan your computer. Yoursystem might be at risk now.
Also Antivirus System Pro will install a Internet Explorer BHO module (iehelper.dll) that will hijack Internet Explorer and randomly shows a “Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage. Needed Powerfull PC Protection” warning page (uses fake address security.microsoft.com), instead of the site you are trying to browse to:
Internet Explorer Warning - visiting this web site may harm your computer!
Most likely causes: The website contains exploits that can launch a malicious code on your computerSuspicious network activity detectedThere might be an active spyware running on your computer
What you can try: - Purchase Antivirus System PRO for secure Internet surfing (Recommended).- Check your computer for viruses and malware.- More information
The warning is fake and should be ignored! Antivirus System Pro can be safely removed from your computer along with any other trojan infections if the proper steps are taken. If you are a non-techie computer user then this method of removing Antivirus System Pro and any associated malware from your computer is for you.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Airbus A330 Computer 'Susceptible to Interference'
A recent near-fatal incident involving a similar Airbus A330 could provide clues as to the cause of the Air France crash.
Last October, a Qantas A330 plunged 650 feet in a few seconds after a computer malfunction which was possibly triggered by electrical interference.
More than 50 people were injured in the incident which happened suddenly at 37,000 feet over Western Australia.
Click to view photos.
The air data computer, which is supposed to correct mistakes by the pilot, sent the A330 into a very steep dive. The computer mistakenly thought that the pilot was trying to climb too fast, when in fact the aircraft was level and cruising normally.
The pilot managed to regain control and pull out of the dive but not before all those not strapped in had been thrown around the aircraft.
One theory being investigated is that signals from a nearby military communication station interfered with the air data computer.
Last October, a Qantas A330 plunged 650 feet in a few seconds after a computer malfunction which was possibly triggered by electrical interference.
More than 50 people were injured in the incident which happened suddenly at 37,000 feet over Western Australia.
Click to view photos.
The air data computer, which is supposed to correct mistakes by the pilot, sent the A330 into a very steep dive. The computer mistakenly thought that the pilot was trying to climb too fast, when in fact the aircraft was level and cruising normally.
The pilot managed to regain control and pull out of the dive but not before all those not strapped in had been thrown around the aircraft.
One theory being investigated is that signals from a nearby military communication station interfered with the air data computer.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Windows 7 Clearly Better Than Vista
About a month ago, Microsoft came out with Windows 7 RC. RC stands for release candidate and it is the almost-finished version that will be for sale sometime in the future. I have been running it on my netbook computer I got last Christmas. The netbook is a very good, small, low-cost computer that I wrote about at the end of last year. Basically, it isn't quite powerful enough to run Windows Vista so it comes with XP.
So with some apprehension, I rebuilt my netbook from the ground up with Windows 7. After I finished the rebuild, I held my breath, uttered a prayer and started the computer up. Guess what? It has worked perfectly ever since. It runs Windows 7 very fast, and all of my software and hardware continue to work. Yea! This is great news since Vista failed both of those tests when it first came out. The wireless connection to home and office started working immediately, and I can't really find much to complain about.
If you have been putting off buying a computer due to fear of Vista, fear no longer. I energetically approve of this latest and greatest operating system from MS. Most of the smarter and more famous Windows geeks are happy about this upcoming operating system, too.
It looks and acts similar to Vista. If you have used Vista in the past you will be right at home when you switch; although, the speed increase will both surprise and delight you. If you are coming from the XP operating system it will take a little getting used to, but the learning curve shouldn't be too bad and will be worth it.
Off and on during the next few months I will be talking about some of the new things in W7, but I may wait for it to actually get into the market. If you are brave and want to play with it before it comes to the stores, you can. Just Google, "download Microsoft Windows 7" and you may download it from MS through July 2009. A neat thing is that you will get updates to this RC and be able to use it to run your computer until June 1, 2010. Basically they are giving it away for about a year. Microsoft has not announced how much it will cost.
As to when it goes on sale, Microsoft has been stating for the last week or so that it will be available before Christmas. I have heard others say anytime between August and November, but only MS knows for sure... maybe.
Contact Ron Doyle at ron@doubleclicks.info.
So with some apprehension, I rebuilt my netbook from the ground up with Windows 7. After I finished the rebuild, I held my breath, uttered a prayer and started the computer up. Guess what? It has worked perfectly ever since. It runs Windows 7 very fast, and all of my software and hardware continue to work. Yea! This is great news since Vista failed both of those tests when it first came out. The wireless connection to home and office started working immediately, and I can't really find much to complain about.
If you have been putting off buying a computer due to fear of Vista, fear no longer. I energetically approve of this latest and greatest operating system from MS. Most of the smarter and more famous Windows geeks are happy about this upcoming operating system, too.
It looks and acts similar to Vista. If you have used Vista in the past you will be right at home when you switch; although, the speed increase will both surprise and delight you. If you are coming from the XP operating system it will take a little getting used to, but the learning curve shouldn't be too bad and will be worth it.
Off and on during the next few months I will be talking about some of the new things in W7, but I may wait for it to actually get into the market. If you are brave and want to play with it before it comes to the stores, you can. Just Google, "download Microsoft Windows 7" and you may download it from MS through July 2009. A neat thing is that you will get updates to this RC and be able to use it to run your computer until June 1, 2010. Basically they are giving it away for about a year. Microsoft has not announced how much it will cost.
As to when it goes on sale, Microsoft has been stating for the last week or so that it will be available before Christmas. I have heard others say anytime between August and November, but only MS knows for sure... maybe.
Contact Ron Doyle at ron@doubleclicks.info.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Satyam Computer Names New Manager For Australia, New Zealand
MUMBAI (Dow Jones)--India's Satyam Computer Services Ltd. (500376.BY)
said Monday it has named Venki Prathivadi its manager for operations in
Australia and New Zealand.
Prathivadi has replaced Deepak Nangia, who resigned for personal
reasons, the software exporter said in a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange.
Prathivadi was most recently Satyam's delivery director for an Australian
telecommunication services provider, it said.
-By Ameya Karve; Dow Jones Newswires; +91-22-6145-6121; ameyaanil.karve@dowjones.com
said Monday it has named Venki Prathivadi its manager for operations in
Australia and New Zealand.
Prathivadi has replaced Deepak Nangia, who resigned for personal
reasons, the software exporter said in a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange.
Prathivadi was most recently Satyam's delivery director for an Australian
telecommunication services provider, it said.
-By Ameya Karve; Dow Jones Newswires; +91-22-6145-6121; ameyaanil.karve@dowjones.com
‘Uncle Sam wants you’ call to computer whizzes
MELBOURNE, Fla. — The government’s urgent push into cyberwarfare has set off a rush among the biggest military companies for billions of dollars in new defense contracts. The exotic nature of the work, coupled with the deep recession, is enabling the companies to attract top young talent that once would have gone to Silicon Valley. And the race to develop weapons that defend against, or initiate, computer attacks has given rise to thousands of “hacker soldiers” within the Pentagon who can blend the new capabilities into the nation’s war planning. Nearly all of the largest military companies — including Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon — have major computer-related contracts with the military and intelligence agencies. The companies have been moving quickly to lock up the relatively small number of experts with the training and creativity to block the attacks and design countermeasures. They have been buying smaller firms, financing academic research and running advertisements for “cyberninjas” at a time when other industries are shedding workers. The changes are manifesting themselves in highly classified laboratories, where computer geeks in their 20s like to joke they are hackers with security clearances. At a Raytheon facility here south of the Kennedy Space Center, a hub of innovation in an earlier era, rock music blares and empty cans of Mountain Dew pile up as engineers create tools to protect the Pentagon computers and crack into the networks of countries that could become adversaries. Prizes such as cappuccino machines and stacks of cash spur them on, and a gong heralds each major breakthrough. The young engineers represent the new face of a war President Barack Obama described Friday as “one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face as a nation.” The president said he would appoint a senior White House official to oversee the nation’s cybersecurity strategies. Computer experts say the government is behind the curve in sealing off its networks from threats that are growing more persistent and sophisticated, with thousands of intrusions each day from organized criminals and legions of hackers for nations including Russia and China. “Everybody’s attacking everybody,” said Scott Chase, a 30-year-old computer engineer who helps run the Raytheon unit here. Daniel D. Allen, who oversees work on intelligence systems for Northrop Grumman, estimated federal spending on computer security now totals $10 billion each year, including classified programs. That is just a fraction of the government’s spending on weapons systems. But industry officials expect it to rise rapidly.
Friday, May 29, 2009
HCSO to have Internet predator investigator
By CARY ASHBY - Reflector Staff Writer Saturday May 30 2009, 12:08am
The Huron County Sheriff's Office will be joining forces with the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) to investigate and arrest Internet-based child predators and suspects involved in child pornography.
Capt. Ted Patrick said there is no specific deputy in mind right now for the responsibility, but the sheriff's office is seeking someone who is "computer savvy." The deputy, whose work load will be based on calls from the community, is expected to receive free training sometime this year."We hope to get in classes this summer," Patrick said.The sheriff's office hopes ICAC will provide a free computer for the online investigator to use."They'll be doing regular road patrol as well," Patrick said. "Once the training is completed and the computer is in place, we'll have it up and running."Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason created the Ohio version of ICAC in 2000 through a Department of Justice grant. Because the task force covers the entire state, each member of ICAC has access to its database.
"You share information with all 88 counties. ... They (ICAC) will help you with any investigative help you may need," Patrick said.The sheriff's office isn't the only area law enforcement agency to partner with ICAC.The Wakeman Police Department has used part-time Officer Josh Rice as its online investigator since 2006. He uses a laptop computer owned by the department funded by the Wakeman Eagles 4354. As of December 2008, Rice had investigated about 40 Internet child pornography cases, resulting in numerous convictions.Norwalk Police Detective Dave Pigman, also the department DARE officer, has been the ICAC liaison for his agency since late 2006. Pigman said he has submitted multiple cases to the Huron County Prosecutor's Office as well as other Ohio authorities, the latter of which have netted convictions."I used to have a lot more time to do it," he said, adding he has been working his current case for the last week.For Pigman, some of the advantages of ICAC is being able to contact similar online investigators across the United States. The task force membership also allows him to use Net Smartz, an Internet safety program for multiple grades in schools and I Safe, a community-oriented program.Also partnered with ICAC is the Erie County Sheriff's Office and Perkins Township Police Department.Detective Sgt. Jared Oliver and Detective Nick Kotsopoulos use an Erie County computer dedicated to online investigations. Their work has resulted in convictions of defendants living in Brook Park, Vermilion and Berlin Heights."We do it as time permits," Oliver said.
The Huron County Sheriff's Office will be joining forces with the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) to investigate and arrest Internet-based child predators and suspects involved in child pornography.
Capt. Ted Patrick said there is no specific deputy in mind right now for the responsibility, but the sheriff's office is seeking someone who is "computer savvy." The deputy, whose work load will be based on calls from the community, is expected to receive free training sometime this year."We hope to get in classes this summer," Patrick said.The sheriff's office hopes ICAC will provide a free computer for the online investigator to use."They'll be doing regular road patrol as well," Patrick said. "Once the training is completed and the computer is in place, we'll have it up and running."Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason created the Ohio version of ICAC in 2000 through a Department of Justice grant. Because the task force covers the entire state, each member of ICAC has access to its database.
"You share information with all 88 counties. ... They (ICAC) will help you with any investigative help you may need," Patrick said.The sheriff's office isn't the only area law enforcement agency to partner with ICAC.The Wakeman Police Department has used part-time Officer Josh Rice as its online investigator since 2006. He uses a laptop computer owned by the department funded by the Wakeman Eagles 4354. As of December 2008, Rice had investigated about 40 Internet child pornography cases, resulting in numerous convictions.Norwalk Police Detective Dave Pigman, also the department DARE officer, has been the ICAC liaison for his agency since late 2006. Pigman said he has submitted multiple cases to the Huron County Prosecutor's Office as well as other Ohio authorities, the latter of which have netted convictions."I used to have a lot more time to do it," he said, adding he has been working his current case for the last week.For Pigman, some of the advantages of ICAC is being able to contact similar online investigators across the United States. The task force membership also allows him to use Net Smartz, an Internet safety program for multiple grades in schools and I Safe, a community-oriented program.Also partnered with ICAC is the Erie County Sheriff's Office and Perkins Township Police Department.Detective Sgt. Jared Oliver and Detective Nick Kotsopoulos use an Erie County computer dedicated to online investigations. Their work has resulted in convictions of defendants living in Brook Park, Vermilion and Berlin Heights."We do it as time permits," Oliver said.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Lottery game stops temporarily for computer error
The Iowa Lottery’s “Big Beepin’ Deal” promotion was shut down on Sunday, Monday and almost half of Tuesday because of an operator error on the lottery’s computer system.Any Iowa Lottery player who made a qualifying purchase in the promotion on those days can receive a $20 bonus by mailing their tickets to the lottery, said Iowa Lottery Chief Executive Terry Rich
Because it would be impossible to identify
everyone affected, the Iowa Lottery is extending the offer to all players who made a qualifying purchase during the affected time, Rich said.The Big Beepin Deal promotion began May 3. For every 20th purchase statewide of a $10 Powerball with a Power Play ticket option, the lottery terminal makes a beeping sound like a car horn. The customer wins $20 cash on the spot.Scientific Games, an Iowa Lottery computer vendor, has agreed to compensate the Iowa Lottery for the additional expense, which is estimated at $100,000, said Iowa Lottery Vice President Mary Neubauer. After the error was discovered, corrections were made to permit the promotion to resume at 11:28 a.m. Tuesday, Rich said. More than 5,000 qualifying purchases were made while the promotion was prevented from running.
Because it would be impossible to identify
everyone affected, the Iowa Lottery is extending the offer to all players who made a qualifying purchase during the affected time, Rich said.The Big Beepin Deal promotion began May 3. For every 20th purchase statewide of a $10 Powerball with a Power Play ticket option, the lottery terminal makes a beeping sound like a car horn. The customer wins $20 cash on the spot.Scientific Games, an Iowa Lottery computer vendor, has agreed to compensate the Iowa Lottery for the additional expense, which is estimated at $100,000, said Iowa Lottery Vice President Mary Neubauer. After the error was discovered, corrections were made to permit the promotion to resume at 11:28 a.m. Tuesday, Rich said. More than 5,000 qualifying purchases were made while the promotion was prevented from running.
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