Honest and Courageous

“People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built.” — Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady

Add comment June 15th, 2007

CNN and YouTube Bring Debates to E-Masses

As a testament to the mainstreaming of Web 2.0 technologies, CNN is hosting two 2008 presidential debates with YouTube. In a move that recalls the Nixon-Kennedy debate of the 1960s, the first to be broadcast on television, the live forum will feature video questions, submitted to YouTube, that will be broadcast and answered by the presidential candidates on CNN. CNN’s Anderson Cooper will moderate the two-hour debates and pose follow-up questions.Specifically, CNN and YouTube will partner on the Democratic debate to be held at the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina on July 23. The Republican Party will get its turn at a Florida debate on September 17. CNN will produce the televised events and will choose the questions used in the debates. Selected YouTube users will be among those in the live audience. YouTube is already calling for users to submit their questions at its site.

Click here to read the rest of this story on NewsFactor.

Add comment June 15th, 2007

Computer Problems Still Plaguing Space Station

Cosmonauts on the International Space Station are still troubleshooting a problem with Russian computers that provide backup altitude control and adjustment for the station’s orientation.According to NASA, commands were sent early Friday morning to start the computers, but only one part of the central computer booted up. The plan is now to leave the computers turned off to allow time for Russian Mission Control Center teams to compare notes and develop a new strategy.

Dr. Moira A. Gunn, a former NASA scientist and engineer, said the computer woes could stem from any number of problems. But she said her experience tells her it’s a power issue. More specifically, she said she suspects a power spike might have burned out a component that makes the computer boot.

“If lightning hits your house and something is wrong with your computer system, then you know it won’t boot up but you are not sure what you fried,” said Gunn, who is program director for the Information Systems Program in the College of Professional Studies at the University of San Francisco, and author of “Welcome to Biotech Nation.” “This case doesn’t seem like a malfunction,” she continued. “It sounds to me like they fried something.”

Click here to read the rest of this story on Sci-Tech Today.

Add comment June 15th, 2007