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Show Wednesday, September 20, 2006 Page 4 Business & Technologies The Signpost Laptop distractions By Neal Midgley correspondent | The Signpost They're sleek, slim, sophisticated and lifesavers with multimedia capabilities thai are sometimes distracting. While taking courses this semester, Weber State University students see more laptop computers in use than at any previous time. "I never used to see students using laptops," said Ben Johns, a sophomore at WSU. "I'm definitely seeing it more now than in my previous schooling." With an endless amount of entertainment only a mouse click away and accessible from nearly anywhere on campus, thanks to the wireless service on campus that gives students free access to the Internet, some students may find such activities distracting them from paying attention in their classes. Some distracted students have even found ways around professors' watchful gazes. "It takes a lot of guts to play Warcraft while the teacher's talking," Johns said. Such distractions are more affordable than ever, too. According to ZDNet.com, laptop sales now often surpass sales of desktops. Decreases in the cost of laptop manufacturing English teaching major Brian Fendrick works on homework with the aid of his laptop in Lampros Hall. Students and professors have mixed opinions aboul the use of laptops in the classroom. Computer games and chat services could be distracting students from their lessons. and laptops' sizes, increases in laptops' performance and longer battery life have all helped facilitate this increase in laptop use, even among dirt-broke college students. Now, instead of only using a desktop when at home or in one of the computer labs, some WSU students have the ability to tote their laptops next to their textbooks. "Laptops have a portability factor, and that's one reason I love them," said Jeff Nicholson, a sophomore at WSU. "Students with laptops don't want to sit around in the computer lab." In addition to the portability, laptops facilitate the learning process for many students. "1 think it's a good idea," Johns said. "It's a whole heck of a lot easier to take notes." Laptop computers allow students to perform many tasks in addition to homework, and some of those tasks might offer distractions. Thanks to the improved portability of laptops, students can easily communicate with each other just about anywhere through instant messaging services. In addition, now that laptop computers can often match their desktop counterparts in terms of raw power, they allow students to download and listen to music, watch movies and play games. These activities make up a small portion of the vast number and variety of media and communication-related tasks computers can perform. "I think it's a good investment," Johns said. "There's no distraction. It can become a problem, but most professors can handle them. If it works for you, then great." Laptops may sometimes provide a convenient guise for students that allows them to appear as if they are busy taking notes while in class. "I've seen a few other people usinglaptops in class, and they're probably chatting," Nicholson said. "However, I can multitask. I can be listening and chatting at the same time. Most people can probably do the same." Computer science students use laptops for many of their classes, so i hey may have an even easier timr getting sidetracked from their Indies. "Sinemost computer science SUMUTUS are heavily involved with computers, it is common to see the students have compul'Ts in class," said Drew Weklmaii, WSU computer science instructor, in an email interview. "I really haven't questioned what the students are doing with the computers. Por all I know they could be working on a programming assignment for another class." Nicholson said he had not seen loo many laptops in his introductory computer science course. Despite their inherent abilities to make students' lives easier and more entertaining, both inside and outside the classroom, some students may still find their cost a challenge. "Everything in the computer world is more affordable, even laptops," Nicholson said. "They're still quite a bit up there, though." You can reach reporter Neal Midgley by calling 626-7624. Nano criticism By Lynnette Kroczka sr. b & t reporter | The Signpost \tn. Open Sept. 15 -16ft22-23 Sept. 29 thru HALLOWEEN ". Closed Sun-Tue li' A iV : 1W0W&15WSC. We*! I Haven i? . 5:30 p to 10:00 pin (Wftff $ T t o ) . £30 pm to BMnlglt (Frt % &Q |otline: (800) MY MUMMY -cr Li) www.myspace.com/haunted_utah Rotj" Weber State University students can enjoy their music on their terms, with easyto-use iPod's and MP3's. But student consumers are asking the question: Is smaller really better? Many people are shocked by the not-so-positive criticism received by Apple's secondgeneration iPod Nano, which was released on September 12, 2006. With new features like a sturdier aluminum case, thinner body frame, battery life increase, gapless playback and quick scrolling, it's hard to believe that not even a week after its release, the complaints started rolling in. By far the best known of all portable music players, the '^y::w^yw^' Fill \\ back up. Nano is the newest and smallest version of the iPod family. In pictures and in packaging it looks like the iPod Mini, but once out of the box and into the hand, the differences make themselves known. Apart from the size difference, one of the best features is the navigation system, which remains the same as before; using the revolutionary scroll wheel. No other music player can compare with the Nano as far as use goes. "My iPod goes with me everywhere," said joAnn Biddle, a sophomore at WSU. "I like that I don't have to carry CDs around. But then I also dislike that I don't have enough memory to have all my CDs on it, and that there isn't an easy charging access to plug it in." There are some downsides to this new iPod Nano. One is that it still can't play video, which makes sense due to the small screen. There is still no sound recorder or radio system, but it can show images, allow the user to play games, have access to an organizer and a stopwatch. This new edition also brings extended storage and battery life, more then twice the music capacity, has a brighter display screen, is perfect for viewing album art and up to 25,000 photos; all included for the same price as the previous generation. This seems like good news for the students who want more memory on their iPod's. The new models are now available on-line through the Apple Store, Apple retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. The new 2GB iPod Nano model in silver is available for Sl-19, the new 4GB models that come in silver, pink, green, and blue are available for $199, and the new 8GB model in black is available for $249. All the models include redesigned ear bud headphones, and a USB 2.0 cable. As a result, the complete package might make a large, but worthwhile dent in a college student's wallet. The new iPod Nano is more compact than the original and comes in the same variety of colors as the iPod Mini. However, according to recent buyers, these new and improved aluminum cases which come in several colors, including silver, pink, green, blue and black; are not nearly as durable or as blemish-free as they may appear in the packaging. What do blemishes have to do with anything, you may ask? There are those who have written to the company with complaints of small, microscopic bubbles or scratches in the paint of their new iPod. These minor defects in no way effect the performance of the system, so what difference does it make? As long as students can have their music played their way, there is no problem. This new and improved Apple iPod Nano fits the criteria for now, but we should and do expect the geniuses at Apple to come out with the latest model that will take us one step further into technology. You can reach reporter Lynnette Kroczka by calling 626-7624. |