Fair(ey) Use?

As soon as I opened the link of the New York Times article, Artist Sues The A.P. Over Obama Image, I quickly sided with the artist. As a painter myself, I have often used photographs to help me create a piece. I, however, do not believe I am violating copyright rules because the image I create is usually so vastly different than the original image. 

Mr. Fairey's lawyer, Anthony T. Falzone, believes that his client only "used the photograph as a reference and transformed the image into a 'stunning, abstracted, and idealized visual image that created powerful new meaning and coveys a radically different message from that of the shot Mr. Garcia took." I agree with this statement. Looking at the photograph and then looking at the painting, I feel two different emotions are being conveyed. In the photograph, it looks like President Obama is looking at someone outside of the image. In the painting, it appears that Obama looks hopeful and ready to tackle on any problem or issue. I also do not believe the artist thought his image would become so popular and stir up so much controversy. Although Mr. Fairey's work was not a technical use of the Fair Use policies, I feel that he did not violate any copyright laws. He merely looked at an image of Obama to help him create his abstract work. 

CLT- Center for Learning and Technology

I have visited the A T & T Center for Learning and Technology several times this past school year. I come to CLT because I have a difficult time using Adobe Photoshop and needed to use the program to make flyers for Amnesty International (a club I participate in on campus.) Taking a tour of the facility with my Computer class was an eye-opening experience. 

The Center for Learning and Technology is located on the first floor of Coates Library. When you first walk into CLT you see large Mac monitors and Windows monitors. This main area is referred to as the Studios at CLT. This is the area I have always worked in because the computers have audio/video editing stations, web/graphic design stations, and more. 

Next, we were shown the Media Presentation Lab. This room has a large monitor, a Smart Board system, surround sound, and more. The lab is mostly used for video conferences, movie showings, and class presentations. I have watched the Motorcycle Diaries in the Media Presentation Lab for my Political Science classroom. Here is a picture of my friend, Bets, in the Media Presentation Lab: 

Next, we were shown the Innovation Studio which has a large Smart Board and a projector.

 This room is most often used for training but students are always allowed to work in the room when it is not in use. In this picture, we see a student working on homework in the Innovation Studio: 

Attached to the Innovation Studio is the Digital Sound Lab, which is equipped with incredibly cool sound equipment. Any student can go into the lab and record any type of audio. In this picture, I am testing the equipment:

Any student can rent equipment from CLT: from digital cameras to video cameras to projectors! This was very helpful information because I need a video camera for my Sociology class project. I was so glad that our computer class took a tour of the CLT facilities. Here is a picture of me and our tour guide, Greg: 

Blog #2

Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is a set of rules that restricts the way the network can be used. The network users are required to follow the rules. By having an AUP, network users at schools or companies are clear on what can and cannot be allowed with the network's use. By following the rules, users avoid damaging the hardware by means of crashing a system or introducing viruses.

I found my high school's AUP (Hockaday): http://www.hockaday.org/ftpimages/90/download/download_group1082_id241651.pdf

Hockaday had extremely strict rules regarding the rules and regulations of Internet on campus. For one, almost all entertaining websites were blocked during school hours. Even AOL and Gmail were blocked during the day! The following is an excerpt of my high school's AUP:

By using Hockaday-provided Internet and e-mail access, students knowingly and voluntarily consent to such usage being monitored.  Hockaday may conduct monitoring on a periodic basis in order to assure compliance with Hockaday policies and/or to investigate conduct or behavior that may be illegal or adversely affect members of the Hockaday community or the School itself.  The results of monitoring activities and information obtained through them will be disclosed only to appropriate levels of Hockaday Administration.  If a student is discovered to be accessing or publishing objectionable material, the student’s parents will be notified. 

I remember a sophomore girl last year left school after Hockaday found e-mails of her telling her friends she wanted to commit suicide. 

The CIPA is a law passed by Congress that ensures schools or libraries that receive funds for Internet access or internal connections from the E-rate program follow certain types of requirements. For one, they may not receive discounts offered by the E-rate program unless they have Internet safety policies that filter Internet access to photos that are obscene, pornographic, or harmful to minors. Schools and libraries must also certify that they are educating minors properly about online behavior. Schools are required to enforce a policy to monitor online activities of minors. 

I used my school's networks very often in high school. We had an emailing system called First Class (which I much prefer than Tiger's Lair!) We had our files on a shared server and we also saved them on a our personal computers so we had all of our files saved in two places. This was especially helpful when my computer crashed my senior year and I was able to retrieve most of my files. 

My parents did not have access to practically anything. Although they could log into Hockaday's personal website with the username "parents," they did not have access to my email or my personal computer. I really appreciated that our school made such a distinction between parents and students. In this regard, they treated us as adults. My parents received my grades through the old-fashioned mailing system and were updated on our school's news through email. 

Looking back at my years in high school, I feel pretty awful about all of the times my classmates and I tried to bypass the Internet filters set up by our school. When a classmate found a proxy, word got around quickly. However, the computer department at our high school could also track our Internet use so the proxys were usually blocked within a few days. As a teacher, I would be upset if my students were using these methods to go on blocked websites during school hours. The filters are there for a reason! Not to mention, students at my school pay thousands of dollars for an education, not for Facebook or PerezHilton. Although I never went on these websites during class, I did check my email and surf the web. Looking back, I wish I had paid more attention to the teacher rather than what was on my computer screen. 

All about me!

Hello! 

My name is Sasha and I'm from Dallas, Texas. I am hoping to double major in Business and Art History. I have such a vast array of interests. I love painting, drawing, reading, shopping, playing the harp, learning languages, volunteering, and, of course, learning about computers. ;)

I am an Iranian Muslim. Although I was born and raised in Dallas, I only learned English as a third language when I was ten years old. I attended a French school (Dallas International School) for 8 years and only spoke French with my peers. For Middle and Upper School, I attended Hockaday-- an all girls private school. 

On campus, I am involved in Muslim Student Association, Amnesty International, Phonathon, and tour guiding. I have also been rushing since the rush process started and I hope to join a sorority. 

At the start of my freshman year, my high school required all students from 6th-12th grade to purchase a Toshiba laptop. We were required to bring our laptops to most of our classes. My biggest concern is that we learn practical information that can be used in the work force. I would also like to learn more about Apple. 

My primary interest in education is deaf education. 

I really enjoyed the Time Person of the Year article. Even though some could consider the chosen person a cop out, I believe the article was very informative. I, myself, have spent countless hours on YouTube and Facebook.