By Maria Asselin-Roy, Staff Reporter ouglas college students can easily help the reading culture in Uganda—ultimately helping out the country as a whole by increasing literacy rates. If you are a student who is interested in supporting the development of a pronounced reading culture in Uganda, then you can help make a difference by simply attending a pub night and/or buying a pen or book at the Douglas library. The Douglas College Library, Faculty of Child, Family, and Community Studies, and the Coquitlam Public Library are all supporting and advertising this action for a good cause. On Thursday, March 24, students can attend the L2L Pub Night at Woody’s Bar and Grill, on 935 Brunette Avenue in Coquitlam. Tickets cost $20 and include a burger and some beer or wine. Students can purchase their tickets at the CFCS office in room 2826 at the New West campus, or at the Library at either New West or David Lam. If you are unable to attend pub night and are still looking to help out, you can still support the public library in Busolwe, Uganda by purchasing a book or a pen at either Douglas library. Douglas will be collecting donations until March 30. You can find out more at http:// ’ busolwepubliclibrary.yolasite.com Is social media making us anti-social? Another look at Facebook By Jenn Markham ecently in the Tri-City News it was reported that a computer teacher at Pinetree Secondary was challenging his students to stay off Facebook for a week, and blog their progress. Students had varying degrees of success from not making it, to being successful and picking up the phone and hanging out with people in person more. The Other Press has published a few stories about Facebook lately as well. As a social networking site that was designed for college and university students, it’s an important question to ask. The Other Press asked the student body and here’s what they said. ; “In terms of being able to communicate with people outside the internet, I think Facebook is a hindrance” said Reija Roberts. “It seems like more and more people have phone anxiety, and people are a lot more comfortable telling you things or confronting you online where it’s ‘safe’. It allows people to be 4 cowards.” Another student, Arienne Mulligan, said “I think that depends on how you interact normally. I am a very social person, and find that I use Facebook as a positive addition to my friendships. It’s a way for me to tell them they’re funny (example: liking their status) or share something that I found that would also interest them.” Kennedy Kierans considers herself a regular user because “Facebook is the only social media site I spend any time on. Some days I’m there for several hours, playing apps and chatting with friends. I don’t spend that kind of time every day, but I do log in every day.” She also said “in my experience, people are more likely to say something rude or hurtful online than they would face-to-face.” Of the students asked, they all used Facebook and recognized the anti-social effects. Keeping off for a week is an interesting challenge if you’re looking to test your reliance. iPad 2: Why students love it and what Apple is coming out with next Maria Asselin-Roy Staff Reporter pple claims “Once you pick up A: iPad 2, it’ll be hard to put down.” Apple has yet again come out with something that is thinner, faster, and lighter than the previous model. According to Apple, the second model of the iPad is 33 percent thinner and about 15 percent lighter, making the device more comfortable to hold. This newer model has two cameras instead of one, allowing for both FaceTime and HD video recording. It has the same ten-hour battery life, but with a dual-core A5 chip, , basically meaning that there are now two cores in the chip so the iPad can do twice the amount of work at once. Since the iPad 2 came out in stores in the USA, more copies have been sold than the original iPad. The iPad 2 is scheduled to come out in Canada on March 25, and Apple is expecting similar sales. Many of those who have already bought it in the States have been students, and it appeals to students for a number of reasons. Due to the new fancy chip, multitasking is much easier and smoother. Apps load faster, and even the hard drive is up to nine times faster. According to reviews, students found it very simple to keep track of all of their school assignments while also using the iPad for their personal life such as FaceBook, online games, etc. The iPad 2 has tons more features and updated apps that are fantastic for students. First of all, the increasingly popular iBooks has been coming out with electronic course content—perhaps replacing the thirty or so pounds of textbooks that most students have lying - around their homes or on their back. The iPad can also be used in class for note taking, as it is super light and the keyboard is relatively simple to use. Although, if you are lacking skills with touch screens, Apple has come out with accessory keyboards to attach to your iPad for those who prefer an actual keyboard. The two cameras in the new iPad are great. The camera on the front of the screen would be substantial for talking to your parents or talking to your friends who may be studying abroad, as it provides a cheap way to talk. The back facing camera could be useful for recording a part of a lecture, this being both beneficial and discreet because most laptops do not have a back facing camera. The iPad 2 also comes fully equipped with the new iMovie and GarageBand, both working at a higher speed than previous versions with more features. Both of these apps make fantastic presentations and class projects. Another great feature for the iPad 2 is the dock connecter adapter which you can buy for an additional $40 or so. With this device, you can mirror your iPad’s screen on a TV or a projector. With this function, you can present a class presentation by swiping through slides, drawing and giving examples on a virtual chalkboard, and zoom in and out of pictures. Students found it so useful in fact, that some universities in the states are giving them to students to help with their studies. The University of Kentucky for example, is giving students and-staff their very own iPad 2, with a free 18 month trial from Apple. This is because at the University of Kentucky, technology is the main focus, and the iPad 2 is an excellent way to use technology for educational purposes. The director of the school claims that “The iPad 2 offers a bundle of capabilities that enhance its performance _ as an educational device.” It is almost certain that more universities and even high schools in the near future will be receiving similar devices as a part of their tuition or school supplies. What will Apple come out with next? It is a question that students everywhere are asking, as it seems that Apple comes up with a better model almost monthly. In July, the iPhone 5 will be available in stores. Mac OS X 10.7 also known as the Lion will also be available in the summer of this year. The Lion is a device for desktops and laptops and includes “the iOS homescreen- style Launchpad, full-screen apps, auto-save and auto-resume, auto-hiding scrollbars, and more.” There will also be improvements to Apple’s AirPlay, MobileMe, and iTunes streaming.