Facebook Mistakes

Recently social networking site Facebook made the decision to redesign their site. The major change in this new look was a twitter-like news feed hosted on every user’s homepage. With little notice that the change was coming many users were very disappointed. Upon logging in they discovered that they were no longer seeing the Facebook that they knew and loved. Immediately the users began emailing and it appears that Facebook is responding to their outcry. In the days following the change thousands of emails were sent requesting the site go back to its old look. Facebook has decided that it is going to redesign the new layout to allow users more control over what they will be seeing when they log in. With these changes users will no longer be forced into the new Facebook and will be able to use the Facebook that they want to use.

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Netflix Connects with Facebook

Recently Netflix announced that it would be partnering with the new Facebook connect program. Facebook connect is a program implemented by Facebook which allows users to connect their facebook page to other accounts they have across the web. The partnership with Netflix will allow users to post recent movie ratings to their facebook page. This will allow the user’s friends to see the ratings they have given to movies in the user’s newsfeed. Right now users can choose to send all ratings to the news feed or make on a choice by choice basis. Many developers are beginning to adopt facebook connect and Netflix is a great highlight to how well the system can work. Users can now easily share their movie preferences and entice their friends into trying Netflix. Netflix users can link their account to face book at http://www.netflix.com/facebookconnect.

Student Art Exhibition

Every year the University of Maine holds an art exhibition for any students who have taken an art class over the course of the year. This show, held at the end of the academic year, highlights the best student works from art classes. The show that will cover the 2008 - 2009 school year has begun preperations. Any students who have taken art classes over the year are elligible to apply to the show. Any students who wish to enter work should drop it off at Lord Hall on Moday the 23rd or Tuesday the 24th. Entries can be dropped off on these days between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Also, Large statues are to be left in the sculpture studio. Judgement on the artwork will be made over the days following submission and final decisions on the art work will be made sometime after. Every year this provides a great opportunity for art students to showcase their work and get an opportunity for the general public to see their work.

Newfangled Collaboration

With the end of the year approaching many students are finishing up there capstone experiences for school and preparing to graduate. One group of students from the New Media department are showcasing their capstone on Monday March 23, 2009. This project entitled "Newfangled Collaboration", created by Ken Lozier and Ashley Senecal aims to combine several live performances with technology. One act that will be featured will be performance from Umaine dancers who will be equipped with sensors to interact with the backdrop. There will also be a performance from the Umaine improv troupe. The performances begin at 7:00 p.m. in DPC 100 and admission is free.

Media Beat

For CMJ 236 I decided to follow a beat of media on campus. For this beat I decided that I would follow media classes and programs, as well as student groups related to media such as the Maine Campus or the Maine Channel, and see what was going on within these programs. My interest in this stems from my studies in the New Media program. I have always had an interest in media studies and this gives me a chance to examine its relevance on the campus.

My first assignment, covering the recent open house put on by Umaine’s intermedia graduate studies program, helped me add some direction to my beat. I intend to continue to cover interesting media classes and events going on this campus.