Students attract employers at “New Wizards” technology show

By Galya Dimitrova

The sixth annual showcase for creativity in technology and computing “New Wizards” took place in Coventry University campus yesterday. Many people came to the Engineering and Computing building to see the best of the latest innovations produced by students in different courses, such as Computer Science, Game technology and Multimedia Computing. Their work was demonstrated both in an exhibition and on a twenty-minute video presentation.

Benedicta Bamkole, the social media coordinator for the event, said:

“I was in the show last year and I showed my art work. Even though it had nothing to do with computing, I got approached by a games company to do their interface. So anybody could come and offer you any role. We just let the employers see what the students can do and choose their potential employees.”

“New Wizards” is a perfect opportunity for students to expose their talent to future employers, as the show is attended by representatives of many leading companies such as BBC, Blitz Games Studios, Tesco Mobile and many others. Yesterday, for the sixth time, the guests could embrace the latest technologies and products invented by the young promising students who participated in the showcase.

The film show presented the visual work that students have to offer in areas such as 3D modelling, games design and digital animation at its best.

High-Tech For Uni – Essential For The Modern Student

By Galya Dimitrova

University life has never been cheap but nowadays it has become even more expensive than it used to be. Along with paying high tuition fees, modern students need heaps of additional technological devices (laptops, tablets, BlackBerries etc.) to do a real high-quality work. But what is the price they pay for keeping up-to-day with the latest high-tech wonders?

According to the insurance provider Endsleigh the average student spends nearly £2000 of belongings for university. Endsleigh’s 2012 Student Possessions Study, carried out with the National Union of Students, surveyed a sample of 2072 students across England, who on average estimate their hi-tech belongings to be worth £1981. The portable gadgets seem to have totally replaced the home based PC; whether for their unique design or for the convenience of taking them along everywhere, laptops take the lead as the most popular item among students (86% of them own one), closely followed by smartphones, where collectively Android handsets (31%) lead the way, followed by iPhone (26%) and BlackBerry (21%). iPhones, however, proved the most popular amongst their owners with over half (52%) considering it their most prized possession, as opposed to BlackBerry and Android owners (24% and 22% respectively).

The situation in Coventry University is not much different as everywhere else. All of the random students asked what gadgets they took to uni answered they have a laptop and a large part of them stated they own a smartphone as well.

The research also shows that international students spend far less for their gadgets than their UK colleagues. The average sum UK students pay for all their technology is approximately £1500. Whereas the sum that foreign students spend rarely exceeds £1000.

“I own a phone that I have had since 8^th grade. I bought my laptop from Romania, a very cheap one…around £250”, says Ioana Zaraf, a Romanian studying Journalism and Media.

Students also revealed the importance of gadgets for keeping in touch with family while at university. 79% of students say they have taught their parents how to use social media with Skype proving the most popular (56%) and 37% saying they have taught mum and dad how to use Facebook. Surprisingly, 46% say that they have taught their parents to use e-mail.

Sara Newell, Manager Student Markets at Endsleigh said:

“It’s clear that tech-savvy student’s gadgets play an important part in their university and personal lives; from reading textbooks, to taking photos, to watching TV, to playing games, to staying in touch.  As lifestyles become more mobile, the ‘must have’ items have become more portable. Our research shows just how much you rely on a few gadgets, and how easily the value of your possessions accumulates.”

She also stressed the importance and benefits of insurance when high-tech items become a part of your everyday life:

“It’s important to remember that items which are lighter and smaller are prone to loss or theft and that’s why students are more likely to need to take advantage of insurance. The chances are you’ll have your smartphone and laptop out and about with you every day so only having cover while you’re in your room simply isn’t enough. Arranging insurance specifically tailored to your lifestyle takes just a few minutes, but the benefits last an awful lot longer.”

So far researches show that although 1 in 5 students have their computer lost, stolen or damaged  at some point during their time at university, 58% did not ‘back up’ their university work. This means that in a case of theft, damage, etc, 1 in 5 students may lose their stored data for good.

Liam Burns, NUS President, said:

“Taking precautions against theft and damage can provide you with valuable peace of mind and ensure that you are not left out of pocket at a time when money can be particularly tight.”

Despite the high prices and the risks, buying high-tech devices is essential and inevitable – they are more flexible, enable your work and have all the modern software you need. It would be easier for you if start saving money in time so in the end you buy exactly the gadgets you wish not just old models or second-hand ones. Once you have got them, it would be wise if you stick to the Endsleigh’s top tips to keep your possessions safe:

1. Ensure that you check the security of your accommodation when you arrive and raise any safety concerns with the landlord/halls of residence immediately
2. Always make sure the doors and windows to your room/flat are locked when you leave
3. Make sure valuables are not left in full view if leaving them unattended any length of time
4. Try not to draw attention to valuable possessions when walking around the town or campus
5. ‘Ensure your gadgets and your items in your room are protected with insurance specifically tailored to student’s needs’

However, since it is always possible to lose your devices or become a victim of theft, Endsleigh have come up with a solution how students can still continue with their studies and stay in contact with their parents. They have introduced their 24 hour laptop and mobile phone insurance to ensure students stay connected and keep studying.

Five Billion Voices: Eric Schmidt in Conversation

 By Galya Dimitrova

There are not that many people left on the planet that don’t know what internet is. There are even less ones who do not use it daily at work, at school, at home, on the road – everywhere.  The latest research shows there are approximately 2 billion people using internet and everything it can offer. Is the number going to increase? What would be our benefits from using the world wide web? Will people from the third world get a better approach to internet in the future? Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt shared his views on the future of Google and its role and impact on its users.

According to Eric the 2 billion online users will increase up to 5 bln in the years to come.

“More people are going to join us – they are going to be blogging, tweeting, using  Facebook and Google’s products,” he said.

With the increasing of the users it is logical that the quality of the technology and online information will improve as well. This is another issue Eric is determined of – the new smart phones for example will have powerful modern brousers which will make them more attractive and more convenient to use. He said that the total number of global phones is approaching 5 billion.

“The next generation will love their smart phones more than you do. Their smartphone will be how they are educated, how they get entertained.

For people who have nothing , they will be something”, he claimed.

As an example he gave the “aspiring middle class coming from poverty” like many people from India, Tunesia and Africa.

One of Google’s goals is job creation. Eric is determined that innovation can increase job opportunities which gives lots of people the chance to increase the quality of their living. That is why using all the tools and focusing on job creation is vital for them.

Another issue  is sponsoring education. After all, Google is the quickest way to access world’s information. Eric also sees it as a tool for self-education and satisfying curiousity. To him the best way to reach out to people is by “openness and transparency”. He firmly believes in open structure which will contribute for “people finding what they like or not.”

“Don’t you think Google will do better job if we have a better information, with your permission of course, of who you are?”, he asked.

There is one more important thing about internet that Eric pointed out – “a tool which expresses all the hatred of the government”.

“Even people who have monopolic power are sensitive to shame and embarrassment”, he said.

With the help of internet and the open society we live in, every citizen can use politicians’ fear of embarrassment and clearly state what they want to be improved and how. So this is an important benefit.

Finally internet can be used as a tool for stimulating the nature of globalization.

“People always want to forestall its power”, said eric”but it isn’t going to work. Globalization is here to stay”.

And since our future and technology depends on its progress, the main benefit we can get from it os helping each other rather than living in a prejudging society.

Modern Piracy – On Internet Tides

By Galya Dimitrova

We are all have favourite movies, books, songs, games etc. and we are all anxious to have the latest of the media products as soon as they come out. But often we are also unwilling to pay for these things and in fact, we no longer have to – Internet has enabled access to the newest, most interesting and awaited pieces of media. It has made it immediate and free. The problem is, authors of these artifacts gain nothing out of this because uploading it all around the web is in most cases illegal and violates copyright.

The question about internet piracy has gathered head but although it is widely discussed, clear answer to how to be handled still does not seem to exist. What are the best ways to approach the problem? Can it be handled at all? Should people who upload and download illegally be regarded as criminals? A panel including TV writer Graham Linehan, Artfinder Spencer Hyman, UK MMF* chairman Brian Message and BPI** Chief Executive Geoff Taylor had their say on the matter at Google Tent Event which took place last month.

A Time To Talk

” Twenty years ago there was a campaign in The Independent for cheaper CDs. They did it for a few weeks and the response from music industry to that request was “no”. Now the consumers are also able to say “no” when they are asked to stop downloading things for free”, said Graham Linehan.

Throwing some more light on the case, he added that according to New York Times 40 bln music files have been shared illegally up to that moment. With their number increasing every second, it is not surprising that “creators lose hope to make a profit from their creations”.

Web piracy has excisted for long enough and yet there seems to be no solution to the problem so far. Brian Message agrees with that and yet he suggests we start with “moving beyond the problem and start talking to these people”. He and his colleagues belive that what is needed is redirecting their attention from piracy to creativity and innovation. According to the panelists talking about copyright and legislation is a certain way of establishing strong relationship with the fans.

“The great thing internet does is giving you a whole new opportunity for reaching out for people. ” added Brian. “It’s a baffling thing that no one talks about it. Technology should enable us do it. For me piracy is just a sigh we don’t do it creatively.”

All of the panelists supposted the idea of establishing 1:1 relationship between artists and consumers and agreed that they should all have one aim – spreading innovation and creativity across the spectrum.

“Just fans”

Today we are used to labelling everything. That is how regular visitors of sites such as Pirate Bay have been characterized as “pirates” and even “criminals”. But this is not the way they are regarded by Graham who stated he is against the term “piracy”:

“They do that not because they disrespect the codes, but because they want to get the products before there is legal access to it.

“I see them as fans. I love those people. They are great. Let’s give them a chance.”

But before it is moved to the point of turning online pirats into contributors, the panelists would like to work on getting one important message across:

“You have to respects artists’ wishes and rights”, stated Spencer. “If people want to interact – great. We can enable that. But the original artist should make some profit out of it.”

So what is the way of eliminating piracy or at least ease it up? The panelists proposed a simple step which, however, is probably the base – education. Apparently many of the online pirats do not realise that their beloved actors, performers, etc. lose a reasonable amount of their income namely because of illegal downloading. That is why the step for giving them a proper education actually makes sense. Almost all internet problems could be tacked by establishing the right educational framework which is engaging and informative in the same time. In that particular case it would bring benefits for both parties – more fans for the artists and creative involvement from fans’ side.

*MMF – an organisation that represents over 450 of the UK’s front line music artist managers who in turn represent over 1000 of the country’s top artists.

**BPI – the association representing British major and independent record labels.