Internet - Saturday April 22, 2006, Room BSC-202E
10:15 am to 11:10 am
VoIP For Dummies - How to Choose the best VoIP Plan
by Joe Budelis, Persimmon Telecommunications
Abstract :
Many think that VoIP is the future of voice phone service. The presentation will discuss what VoIP offers and, practically speaking, what it can do for you. A little history will be given and pros and cons of some current implementations will be indicated. At the very least, from this presentation, you will learn many of the things that you might wish to consider when you decide to go with a VoIP service.
Bio :
Joe Budelis performed IT or Business consulting with such diverse assignments as Senior Financial Analyst, SAS Data Analyst, Business Infrastructure Manager, and Data Base Administrator. Currently, Joe assists businesses to find cost-effective Telecommunications solutions; primarily consulting on, and selling, such services as T1 and DS3 voice and data, high speed internet access and VoIP phone service. For more information see his blog at http://joebudelis.blogspot.com Joe has a Harvard Ph.D. in Decision and Control.
11:20 am to 12:15 pm
Will Your Next Computer Be an HDTV?
by Alfred Poor, Alfred Poor's HDTV Resource Center
Abstract :
15 years ago, buying a personal computer was a confusing challenge. You were confronted by bewildering jargon and acronyms, misinformed sales staff, conflicting claims, unfamiliar brands, and rapidly-changing technology, which made it difficult to make a knowledgeable decision about an expensive investment that had to last five to 10 years. These same circumstances describe the HDTV market. High-definition and digital television are about to dramatically alter what we watch for entertainment and education, as well as when and where we watch it. The personal computer revolution has made an entertainment revolution possible, as processing power has become nearly "too cheap to meter." And we have "personal computers" all over the house: personal video recorders, large-screen displays, home networks for entertainment content, and even fascinating new uses for the Internet. This fast-paced presentation will explore everything from current and near-future display technologies to IPTV ? Internet Protocol television ? that will forever change our home entertainment landscape.
Bio :
Alfred Poor is editor and publisher of "Alfred Poor's HDTV Resource Center" at http://hdtvprofessor.com where he writes a daily "HDTV Almanac." He is also author of the self-published "Professor Poor's Guide to Buying HDTV," which explains and compares HDTV display technologies. He is also Senior Research Associate with Pacific Media Associates, specializing in HDTV market research, and is Chairman of the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Society for Information Display. Alfred is co-host of the Personal Computer Show, heard Wednesday evenings on WBAI in New York, and online and via podcast at www.pcradioshow.org. He is also author of "Alfred Poor's Computer Cures", a question and answer column that has run in Computer Shopper for more than 12 years. He is a former Contributing Editor and Lead Analyst for Business Displays for PC Magazine, where he has been a freelance writer for more than 20 years.
12:25 pm to 1:20 pm
The Many Faces of Google
by Joel May, UMDNJ (Retired)
Abstract :
Google is arguably the most popular as well as the most powerful search engine available. But did you know that, in addition to searching the web, Google can do calculations, provide dictionary definitions, check airport and flight status, track FedEx and UPS packages, scan L.L. Bean catalogs and more? This presentation will show you how to use all the powerful features of this great search engine.
Bio :
Joel has spent most of his adult life teaching, first the University of Chicago and, subsequently, at UMDNJ. He's been using computers since 1961, the Internet since 1974, PCs since 1979, and the World Wide Web since 1994.
1:30 pm to 2:25 pm
Blogging for Fun, Profit, or Influence
by Jon Deutsch, Opinion-Aided Publishing
Abstract :
Blogging has become a modern "new media" phenomenon powered by the Internet and simple online software. Blogs can be used for fun, politics, business, news, and just about anything else you can dream up. It's an exciting time for the web, as blogs finally fulfill the original web promise: that anyone can create a "homepage." Political blogging is quickly changing the rules of the game in media, as some "bloggers" have become so influential that special press passes were issued to them at the Republican and Democratic conventions in 2004. This talk will take the audience through a brief history of blogging, show examples of different types of blogs available (including the presenter's blogs), and even provide instructions on how each member in the audience can create their own blog!
Bio :
An Internet "guru" since 1992, Jon Deutsch has focused most of his career on harnessing The World Wide Web for fun and profit, and is currently Director, Global Web Communications for a local Fortune 1000 company. Jon is also skilled in personal electronics, music composition, political messaging, and globalization issues. Jon has a degree in Computer Science from the University of Delaware, and is pursuing his Masters in Organizational Dynamics at the University of Pennsylvania.
3:40 pm to 4:35 pm
iTunes for iDiots
by David Ciotti, The College of New Jersey
Abstract :
Downloading, ripping, burning, converting, transferring, everything you always wanted to know about iTunes but were afraid to ask.
Bio :
David Ciotti works for the School of Engineering at The College of New Jersey. He has been the Macintosh Technical support for Mercer County Community College and has taught Troubleshooting and maintaining your Macintosh for CompuMaster.