Big Name Companies are Lovin’ this time of Year

By Simon Zimmerman-

March Madness is no longer about basketball, to large businesses that is.

Large companies like Coca-Cola, Unilever and AT&T are using a new marketing strategy, this strategy is social media.

Since the majority of games during the three week stretch are watched on live streaming websites online, using social media is a great way to advertise big-name products.

“I think its a really smart idea, during the tourney everyone is online so the companies are bound to get some views,” said senior Mark Curtin.

Last year during the tournament, over 11 million hours of live streaming games occurred which gave viewers plenty of time to see the vast amounts of advertising being displayed on those websites.

Coca-Cola looks to market during the NCAA tournament. Photo courtesy of Coke Products

Coca-Cola in fact, is spending 18 percent more, this year compared to last year, on their tournament budget for social media. This year they will have a social media site called the Coke Zero Social Arena. On this site, viewers can go and get professional commentary and chat with other fans.

Other well known brands, like Reese’s, are using the social networking behemoth, Facebook, to advertise its product. Reese’s is sponsoring a half-court basket for $1 million at next years march madness tournament.

AT&T and Unilever’s Dove is doing the same thing with using Facebook to advertise during the tournament.

Some students at Penn Manor think it is sort of strange to advertise products that have nothing to do with the tournament or basketball at all.

“I understand why companies like Coke or Reese’s would advertise on social networking sites but Dove? That just doesn’t make sense,” said Senior Dan Elliot.

As long as these colossal companies are getting their names across, it doesn’t matter what revenue they are targeting.

Woodshop – a Hidden Paradise for Students

By Brandon McCormick & Eric Gerlach –

Woodshop – a little known class – but it’s beloved by many students.

When selecting school courses, not all students opt for the hands-on classes. But there is a select group of students who know what one of their electives will be each year. These students, without question, will have a woodshop class in one of their blocks.  Tyler Dommel, for instance, is a four-year veteran of wood shop.

Tyler Dommel posing with his project - Photo by Matthew Soto

“I took woodshop all four years,” Dommel said, “It will help me (create things) in the future,” said Dommel.

In the upper level classes, students are able to choose what they want to build with teachers, Matt Soto, permission.

Last year Dommel made a coffee table and this year he is making a TV stand. These projects he will be able to keep for a lifetime.

“My most successful project is my coffee table,” said Dommel, “but my TV stand this year will be equally as nice.”

The Cabinetry II class is the most advanced class of wood shop that Penn Manor offers. Some students who take this class joke around to other Penn Manor students that cabinetry II is an AP class, in more specific terms, “AP Wood.”

Kyle Musser has been taking woodshop classes for two years.

“I would recommend this class because it helps you think,” said Musser.

Musser plans to continue taking cabinetry classes to reach the “AP Wood” level.

Soto, the woodshop teacher, claims his favorite part of the class is the creativity and using the machines.

Matthew Soto helps a student cut wood - Photo by Eric Gerlach

“There are a lot of potentially dangerous machine that we need to be skilled in using,” said Soto.

Even with the potentially hazardous machines students use, Soto provides a safe class says Kyle Kann, another four year veteran.

“He keeps a safe work environment,” says Kann. “He runs a tight ship.”

Kann claims the most irritating part of the class is taking the safety quizzes before the students can use any machines. Although he understands the reasoning, everyone needs to be certified for each machine to ensure the safety of themselves and everyone in the shop.

“It’s something hands-on you can do during the day, and I’ll get something to keep at the end of the year,” said Kann.

Since the shop is tucked away in the lowest level of the school some students aren’t even aware of it.

Student working on their woodshop - Photo by Eric Gerlach

“I’ve never taken woodshop,” said Brandon Schuman.

Schuman has decided to stay away from the hands-on class claiming he doesn’t enjoy working with wood. He admits it would be an enjoyable class for some students.

“It gives appreciation for hard work and enhances their ability to be good craftsmen,” said Soto. “They have the enjoyment of making something they can take home with them.”

The class even takes part in “doughnut Friday.”  If everyone is progressing in their project the class enjoys a quick snack before heading off to second block.

Almost all “AP Wood” students agreed, others should take part in this hands on class, although they don’t mind keeping the secret to themselves.

Microsoft Kinect Sales Skyrocket

By Eric Gerlach & Evan Shertzer

Some people use it for fun, others use it for exercise. Either way, a lot of people are using it

Recently, the Xbox Kinect passed 10 million sale milestone. According to digitaltrends.com, the Guiness Book of World Records has named the Xbox Kinect “The Fastest Selling Consumer Electronics Device.” Within in the first sixty days, Microsoft sold over eight million units.

Two gamers test their skills on the Xbox Kinect - Photo from bytefish.com

At Penn Manor, there are few students that own the Xbox Kinect, like freshman Ethan Barley.

“I used to use it a lot,” said Barley, “it is good for working out and it is a lot better than the Wii. The Wii sucks.”

The Xbox Kinect is made up of a microphone, console, sensors, and 3D camera.  The 3D camera picks up the human’s motion and depth allowing you to control the images displayed on the TV screen.  This new technology was presented and released by Microsoft in November of 2010.

“I’ve played it twice. It was fun and enjoyable,”  said freshman Brad Underkoffler, “I would like to play it again.”

The Xbox Kinect does have a somewhat hefty price attached to it: $150. It may seem like a lot of money to a high school student, but Underkoffler tells us it’s worth it.

“It costs a lot, but it really is worth the money,” said Underkoffler.

The Xbox Kinect and Console - Photo from digitaltrends.com

The Kinect breaks the sterotype that video games are an unhealthy habit for kids. You’ll still get a workout. Multiple Kinect compatable games involving fitness, like The Biggest Loser and EA Active 2, have been published.  These games help players stay active and healthy. And the games are a big benefit for those who are uncomfortable working out in front of others at school or at their local gym. Plus, if the weather doesn’t allow you to go outside, the Kinect allows you to still get some exercise.

“Without the Kinect, I would probably get fat,” Barley said.

In short, its innovative concept and impressive hardware make Microsoft’s newest toy a revolutionary device, bringing new possibilities to the gaming community.

Apple’s iPad 2 – a Thumbs up from Penn Manor Students

By Eli Marcelino and Cheyenne Weber

The iPad 2 was released today and is thinner than ever.

Should you get one?

“I think it’s awesome. I like it because it is thinner than the iPhone 4,” said Erin Patterson, a Penn Manor sophomore, who also added, “I really want one.”

The New Realease of Apple: iPad 2. Photo courtesy of http://www.devicemag.com

Nearly $5 billion worth of iPads have been sold  since its launch, and a quick glance at the history of the iPhone, which launches a new model every year, suggests that we should expect to see the iPad 2 right around the first anniversary of it’s predecessor’s launch.

According to published reviews,  the new features the regular iPad doesn’t have are…

1) Longer battery life

2) Thinner and lighter though not a major consideration since iPad as it is is already quite light.

3) Faster processor – Run applications at lightning speed.

4) Camera – Great for taking videos and pictures. Why carry another camera or video recorder when you have your iPad 2.

5) Video Conferencing – Using a tablet for video conferencing would be an awesome experience. The right user experience would probably demand 2 cameras – one front and the other back.

6) HDTV connection – Connect the iPad 2 to your TV and project what is on the iPad 2 on the screen there.

“I think it will have more technology than the first one, and I also hope that it could have Broadband Internet,” said Roxana Perez, a Junior.

The original iPad came in six different variations and the new iPad 2 comes in 18 different variations.

The good news is that the iPad 2 costs just what the original iPad did.

“The base-model Wi-Fi editions cost $499 (16GB), $599 (32GB), and $699 (64GB). Both sets of Wi-Fi/3G models cost $130 more than their Wi-Fi counterparts,” said Snell.

There’s no price difference for white or black models.

The iPad 2 also has 512MB of RAM—twice that of the original iPad—and a 200MHz bus speed, likewise twice that of the original.

Is it worth getting?

“The iPad 2 is an improvement on the original iPad in numerous ways, it’s still an evolutionary product, not a revolutionary one. If you’re happy with your current iPad, there’s no reason to dump it just because there’s a shinier, newer one. (This is not to say that millions of people won’t do just that. I mean: shiny!) If you’ve invested in iPad accessories such as a dock or case, keep in mind that you probably won’t be able to use them with the new iPad,” said Macworld’s editorial director Jason Snell.

New Wireless Network Lightsquared may affect GPS signals?

By Cheyenne Weber

Recalculating.

Millions of GPS units are sold around the world and direct people to their destination they intend to go.  But maybe not so much in the future.

Two basic technologies consumers depend on – high speed internet and global positioning devices are on a collision course as companies vie to upgrade connections.

Lightsquared is working to upgrade internet connections across the nation. Image courtesy of IT Geek Blog

A new high-speed wireless network called Lightsquared 4G is being installed across the nation to upgrade internet connections but the signals could block GPS signals, cause them to lag and interrupt service, leaving GPS users lost. This could even affect aircraft which are flying by a GPS system.

“The bigger conflict puts two of the most popular consumer technologies against each other: the growing wireless networks that power iPads and smartphones, vs. the network of GPS satellites that enable much of the same technology,” said Alan Levin, a technology writer for USA Today.

According to Leving, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants the LightSquared Network to hook up 100 million customers by the end of 2012.  At the same time the FAA – Federal Aviation Administration is raising concerns about the possible interruption to GPS systems.

A cell tower has more than one transmitter to handle the calls and texts but more towers and more signals from internet services may interfere with established GPS signals.

That could lead to serious problems for drivers and airlines, said the FAA.

Although representatives from LightSquared say “it has filters that prevent its signal from interfering with GPS devices, others are not so sure.

Example of How GPS connection works. Image courtesy of Riggosrag.com

In fact, a group has formed calling itself “The Coalition to Save Our GPS” has formed to protect the GPS signals.  A member will testify soon to the House Commerce Appropriations Subcommittee on the issue, said Levin.

“The company has no interest in harming GPS because it is essential to the very smartphones on its networks,” said LightSquared’s executive vice president Jeff Carlisle.

Levin reasoned that the FCC gave Lightsquared a go-ahead to start their network because of the amount of jobs it will create and to force more competition into the broadband services industry.