Ranting and Raving about everything from Entertainment to Gadgetry. Official blog of Vinny "Gamings Nirvana" Parisi

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Random Ramblings: It's Finale Time! So Goodbye, Good Luck(!) and Good Riddance

Ahh the Spring Finale.  A both wonderful yet heartbreaking couple of weeks for any devoted series fan.  On one hand, audiences are treated to the final resolve of an entire seasons worth of drama and mystery.  On the other, for shows that are being renewed, it is a withdrawal-inducing "Farewell, until we meet again."  Within these next two weeks, we will see finales for a show that's only just begun, a show that's survived thanks to it's dedicated fans, and a show that's lingered for far too long.  Specifically, I'm talking about Traffic Light, Chuck, and Smallville (in that order.)

Farewell, Traffic Light, you will be missed
Traffic Light is (was, as Fox confirmed it's cancellation) a fantastic comedy starring "That guy who was pretty funny in Scott Pilgrim"  (Nelson Franklin.)  While the series managed to finish strong with some absolutely hysterical final episodes, the poor ratings were just too much to bear and Fox had already planned on canning the show halfway through its airing.  This is one I'm going to miss just because of the great cast, consistently witty dialogue, and Seinfeld-esque situational humor that made for some very entertaining television.  Goodbye, Traffic Light, I hardly knew ye.


Now on to what has most definitely become my favorite series over the past few years, Chuck.  I apologize to Bones, while I love you equally as much, you're the child I never have to worry about, your renewal is always a shoe-in.  Chuck is the child that's always in my thoughts because of the constant need to worry about its livelihood.  While the series should never have made it past the second season, according to ratings, the fans have pulled together for the past two years and made enough noise to force NBC to reconsider.  Now, as Chuck finishes its fourth season with a Finale on Monday, the fans are anxiously awaiting to hear NBC's announcement pertaining to the Lovable Intersect's fate.  Coincidentally, NBC will make said announcement on Monday, meaning we will have to wait until the day the episode airs to find out whether we're watching the Season or the Series Finale.  Chuck, I've loved you since the pilot, and you haven't disappointed me since.  I, along with what seems to be the entire world (Seriously, how is this show always in danger?) wish you Good Luck.  Hopefully, we will see you back next season, with your stunning new bride!

C'mon, Team Bartowski! We need a Season Five.  Here's to hoping.
Lastly, and those who know me knew I'd have something to say about this one, it is finally time for Smallville to end.  No extensions, no exceptions.  The 2-Hour finale airs tomorrow, Friday the 13th, at 8:00 PM EST.  In case you were wondering: Yeah, Tom Welling is finally putting on the suit, he's finally going to fly, and we're finally going to hear that classic music as we hear him announce to the world he is Superman.  I'm honestly not sure how to describe my relationship with Smallville. 

The most apt way to describe it would be to call the show a cruel mistress in a toxic relationship.  For a while everything was going great, it felt like we were happy and in love.  We could take on the world and nobody could take away our sunshine.  Then one day, tragedy struck.  What should have been a fatal accident, Smallville's planned ending after 7 seasons, ended in what at first felt like a miracle.  The show lived again and would continue for a few more years.  But I'll be honest, Smallville, after the accident you were never the same.  You just didn't feel right, it's like you crept back into my life after I'd already made peace with your death.  The continuity had to take a beating, the plots were hollow and joyless, and characters that shouldn't exist had to be written in for the sake of keeping things fresh.  To make matters worse, after awhile you just stopped caring, letting cameo appearances from other DC heroes take the spotlight while your overall story arc faded into obscurity. 

In short, this goodbye was a long time coming, and I'm finally ready to let our relationship end.  You hurt me more times than I'll ever admit, and it stings even more to know that even after extending your life far past what was intended, you're still only going to give me five minutes of "Up, up, and away" while you begin your fight for "Truth, Justice, and the American way."  I know this is what you planned all along, and after seven seasons that would have felt right.  But Smallville, you should have become Metropolis a long time ago, and Superman should have been a part of the last three seasons.  Plans change, but your crappy idea for a finale has stayed the same.  So, Smallville, to you I say Good Riddance.  I won't regret our time together, because you've become too big a part of my life, but I will regret not saying this sooner.  It's over.  It's finally over.     

Caption This: X-Men First Class, could it actually be good?

You guys know the drill, this picture is just begging to become a Gif.  But while interwebbers everywhere are deciding on how to best optimize this future meme, it's up to us to provide a clever caption.  Here's what I came up with off the top of my head:

Caption 1:
Charles Xavier:  Stop looking at me.  I can't go if you're both watching.

Caption 2:
Banshee: Umm, Charles? Is everything okay?

Charles: Quiet Sean! I'm trying to listen.

Mystique: What do you hear, Charlie?

Charles: It's tough to say.  I'm only getting bits and pieces but one thing is for sure, Raven, this baby doesn't like staying in one place.  His telepathic energy is fading in and out.

Banshee: Then what's with that look on your face?

Charles: Oh, Nothing.  I just finally know what a real girl feels like...

Mystique and Banshee:  *slowly turn toward Charles.* C'mon Charles, not in the new uniform.


On a related side-note: The film is actually shaping up to be quite good.  With a supposed running time of 140 minutes, we might actually get a well thought out and carefully crafted X-film that's worth watching.  And if all else fails, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender will totally own the roles of Professor X and Magneto.  In short, I may have to eat my words because I initially wrote this off as total garbage but the trailers have managed to convince me this is worth a view in theaters before passing judgement.  June 3rd can't come fast enough.  Hehe, see what I did there?  I apologize... that was a terrible pun, even by my Spider-Man standards. 

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Important Stuff... and Stuff: Spotlighting Technology and it's effect on the Disability Community.

By VINCENT PARISI

NEW JERSEY- Dawn Carvalho, 32, sat in her “Career Achievement” class listening to her fellow students give presentations on the post-college career they’d like to be successful in.  She often records class lectures, but on days like today her recorder dies early and she forgets the charger.  Luckily, there’s no lecture today.  The class is asked to write down some compliments and constructive criticism about the presentations.  As each of her classmates come up to the podium, she asks for their names.  When jotting down her comments she writes on the strips of torn construction paper handed out by the professor, her face leaning in just inches above the desk.

Dawn Carvahlo, 32
A School of Social Science and Human Services major, Carvalho will graduate at the end of the Spring 2011 semester with a degree in her concentrated major of Community Health.  She’s legally blind.

“I only lost my vision about ten years ago so I was still trying to be independent on whatever vision I do have left.  Now I’m realizing, stop being so ‘independent’ and take advantage of what I could get help with,” she said.
   

Carvalho is a registered student with Ramapo College’s Office of Specialized Services, the O.S.S.  Using the new and amazing technology the school provides, students like her with documented disabilities can have access to software and innovative gadgets to facilitate completing daily tasks that would otherwise prove difficult or frustrating.  There are a variety of different technologies that accommodate a wide range of both learning and physical disabilities.

Understanding the Facts

Under the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Ramapo College is committed to providing individuals with disabilities equal opportunities and access.  The law guarantees that individuals who are otherwise qualified for educational programs cannot be denied access to college programs and services simply because they have a disability.

According to the U.S. census data, 18 percent of New Jersey’s population ages 5 and up have a disability.  That’s almost 1.4 million people.  Out of those estimated numbers, over 900,000 are between the ages of 16 to 64, 17 percent of the total within that age group, while more than 411,000 are over the age of 64 with the remaining 66,000 being between 5 and 15-years-old.

Missy Long, an academic advisor for the O.S.S.,  understands just how important the ADA and the Assistive Technology used on campus are.

“I assist students with helping the college provide them with what are called ‘reasonable accommodations,’ which the college legally have to provide.”  Long explains, a wheelchair user herself.  “But even beyond that the college really includes having access to people with disabilities in our mission as well, so the college is really committed to this population.”

There are over 350 students registered with the O.S.S. on campus.  Out of those, about 20 percent of the students actively use the lab.

Technology in Action
To make sure the students have access to the correctly formatted and ready-to-use technology, Ramapo looks to Kevin Rutan.  The Assistive Technology Specialist for the O.S.S., Rutan spends his time in the Assistive Tech Lab, actively engaged in learning about the latest technologies to further aid students.  He also provides technical support and answers any questions about the myriad forms of optimized technology provided on campus.  The types of programs vary in functionality, such as the Zoomtext software for enlarging text on a computer screen or the popular Dragon Naturally Speaking program which allows for speech-to-text.  Among others, Rotan described a device which helps dyslexic students read.

A screenshot of Kurzweil 3000
“We have a program called Kurzweil 3000 which is mostly used for students with learning disabilities or Dyslexia or various difficulties reading,” he said.

Kurzweil has the ability to read textbooks to students and also comes with a number of useful study-skill tools pre-installed.  The technology is not just for online-only books though, students can scan textbooks and download them onto computers; the software will still be able to read the text with ease.  Students have the option to search for key words or important terms and the program will begin reading from those selected words, even highlighting words or sentences at a time if the student prefers.




A new approach in developing Assistive Technology Rutan noticed is to make the products accessible to a universal audience.  A prime example of this is the Dragon program.

“We have a program called Dragon Naturally Speaking, which basically converts speech to text,” Rutan added.  The Dragon software has a number of useful features, however.  The software adapts to each user with every use, which happens when students create specific profiles for themselves and use the program frequently. 

Learning their speech patterns and unique style of speaking makes the software more accurate when converting speech to text.  Another useful feature is the ability to set up hot-keys and shortcuts for other applications.  Students can use Dragon to browse the Web or open up other programs with simple speech commands after training the software to do so.  This is enormously helpful with activities such as note-taking and researching information.

The Latest and Greatest

One of the newest technologies to become available is a device called a Smartpen.  Rutan was available to demo the technology and list all of its most useful features.  The Smartpen is used with a special notebook containing “Dot Paper.”  Students can use the Smartpen to take notes on this paper while simultaneously using the built-in microphone to record a lecture.  Then, when students are reviewing the notes afterwards, they can simply touch the point of the pen to a word in the notebook and the recorded lecture will being playing from that designated point. 

The Smartpen can play music with this hand-drawn piano
The accompanying Smartpen computer software is also capable of transferring data. The students can plug in the Smartpen via a USB port and can transfer all the notes they’ve taken into a document viewable on the computer.

Additional features include the ability to translate words into different languages by tapping individual words written down as well as using the computer’s “search” feature to find words that were written by hand and transferred onto the screen.  Rutan even drew a small piano in the notebook and could actually use the drawing to play different keys, showing off his ability to play the Indiana Jones theme song.

The Smartpen is developed by Livescibe, and comes in a variety of memory sizes with additional accessories available.  A 2 Giga-byte (GB) Smartpen runs about $99.99, while the 4GB model retails for $149.99.  The largest size currently offered is an 8GB which is available at most electronics retailers for $200.00.  In addition, accessories include extra notepads that are relatively inexpensive; a 4-pack of single-subject notebooks can be purchased for $19.99 and replaceable ink cartridges which cost $5.99 for a 5-pack including 4 black-ink cartridges and a single red-ink cartridge.  This is another example of Assistive Technology with universal appeal, especially for writers and journalists.  

While keeping up with all this cutting-edge technology may seem expensive, Ramapo College manages to find a balance.  Most of the software is usable for years at a time before needing an upgrade, and devices such as the Smartpen are only bought in small quantities at first until the hardware proves effective.  As with anything else, the budget for the O.S.S. is far from ideal, but the school manages thanks to various grants and by prioritizing purchases of new software.

Taking the “Dis-” out of “Disabled”
Carvalho lost her vision ten years ago when her optic nerve was affected by Multiple Sclerosis.  She feels the term “Disabled” connotes a falsehood about the community at large.  She points out that many of the people she’s met, including fellow students as well as her husband who is also blind, are entirely “able.”  The fact that companies are now developing these technologies with the intention of being universally helpful, facilitating anyone’s life regardless of a disability, gives the idea substantial merit.    

“Like a television screen if the cable gets bent or twisted or something and the inside wire gets unconnected you get that fuzzy screen.  That’s what’s happening to my optic nerve,” Carvalho said, in an attempt to describe the process.
     
She uses a mix of both computer software and other physical technologies when on campus.  Inside the classroom, she relies on her tape recorder. 

“In class, that’s my notes.  Instead of writing down notes like you ‘sight-ees’ can do, I have my little voice recorder,” she jokes.
 
The tape recorder, an Olympus (I’ll find the exact model number,) transfers all of her recorded class lectures to her computer where she can then listen to them at any time.  Carvalho makes sure to notify the students in class that she uses a tape recorder, telling them that if it any time a student feels uncomfortable about the recording she is more than willing to pause it or turn it off.
When reading from a textbook or filling out a worksheet,  Carvalho relies on the Tech Lab’s CCTV.  This closed-circuit television is capable of magnifying text and projecting it through a television screen panel. 

“I refer to that as my ‘eyes’ in a sense,” she said.  “I can read my books from there.  It can go from different formats such as black-on white, to different colors like an orange-text-on-black-background, to make it easier on the eyes.”  The CCTV also has different magnification levels, capable of going all the way up to 12x zoom.

Wishful Thinking, a Look into the Future
Looking forward to the future, the Smartpens seem to be the biggest development.  With applications being built for future updates, including additional translation options and further PC software integration, this device will be the biggest advancement announced thus far. 

Conceptually, however, there are some ideas the community wished would soon become reality.  Carvalho’s friend Vivian Lerias, a senior who manages to work through a learning disability while studying to become a Social Worker, had one idea in particular.  “I wish that there were some type of tape recorders that could change the audio into text when you plug them into the computer,” Lerias said.  “If it had the ability to transfer the information to text it would be so much better.”

“Oh yeah, that would be great,”  Carvalho agreed.  “I think everybody would like that.”

Carvalho and Lerias, graduating students at Ramapo
 With developers pushing to make their products appeal to a more universal audience, the line between those who use assitive technology out of necessity and those who use it out of convenience is rapidly fading.  With some luck, this will hopefully change the way people think about the disability community.  With all the major advancements in technology allowing more people to live better lives, the term “disabled” seems a little dated, don’t you think?