8 Opinion — On the Digital Front Podcasting on the Rise JEREMY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER Peet-to-peer networks have been known to transfer data across the In- ternet at increasingly efficient speeds. Meanwhile, recording industries see transferring this data - specifically music files as massive widespread theft. A while ago in the United States the number of people receiving lawsuits from the recording industry surpassed the 10,000 user count. Does this mean that all content on the Internet is pir- ated material fit for deletion? Not exactly, There is a new wave of digital content that anyone can search for, download and enjoy without the fear of being hunted down by big business. This is called ‘podcasting’: typically, it is a show that is registered under a Creative Commons license (located at http:// www.creativecommons.ca). Effectively, most of these licenses state that you may download, view, and sometimes even change the content if you so wish to do so - so long as you give credit to the original author and that the work is put under an identical license. Unlike regular television, where everything is regulated to different de- grees, the Internet offers much more freedom to creators. In fact, Robert X. Cringely, host of “Nerd TV” (http:// www.pbs.org/cringely/nerdtv), said, in one of his interviews, “It's the Internet, you can [swear if you want]’, giving the Internet a close resemblance to the lax regulation of HBO, Other good podcasts include “The Scene” (www. welcometothescene.com) and _ the great many shows that can be found on Kevin Rose's “Revision3” website (revision3.com/system/). Of course, this begs the question, “Where do I find these ‘podcasting’ things?” The an- swer is simple: check out www.odeo. com, www.ourmedia.org, or even www. apple.com/podcasting. While this seems all well and fine, BELINDA LI A UNBC student enjoys a free podcast outside in the Agora between classes, UNEBC students seem to be cautiously optimistic. “It’s good that there is the freedom,’ one UNBC student said, but warned that it was a waste of time, be- cause this freedom is unregulated and therefore unreliable. Another was more optimistic, saying, “It's cool.’ “Pod-casting is an upcoming tech- nology of choice for popular use, and therefore has potential as an instruc- tional tool,’ explained Lynda Williams, E-Learning Project Manager for the Centre for Teaching and Learning at UNBC. “Imagine, for example, down- loading lectures or presentations by fellow students onto your iPod or laptop to listen to while you jogged or washed dishes.” The centre posted its first podcast August 16, on its blog, Thinking Out Loud (http://ctl.unbe. ca/tol/index.html); as well, the centre owns an iRiver recorder that can be borrowed by faculty or students who wish to use it for academic work or experimentation, Although podcast- ing hasn't been around for very long in terms of a business model, it has been expanding a lot. How popular can podcasting get? The BBC once reported that Xiang Xiang, a Chinese singer, reached 1 bil- lion downloads-ef her own music.“Te's unprofitable to publish a song on the Internet,’ says Xiang Xiang, “for there's no money. It’s purely a kind of com- munication. I get feedback and sug- gestions or comments on my work and then I can make changes.’ Is podcasting worth it? Seeing as there is no extra fees associated with podcasting, you can be the judge of that. Editorial Measuring the Valu BELINDA Lf 4 may not agree with what you have to say, but} will defend to the death your right to say it.” ANDREW KURJATA NEWS EDITOR It’s fitting that a study measuring the economic impact of CNC and UNBC on Prince George's economy would be conducted by a PG born and raised UNBC economics student. Tara Bogh _is the third-year student behind the report, which she researched and pre- pared over the course of a four-month co-operative education work term with Initiatives Prince George. Though the study itself was not her idea, it fell to her to come up with a format for it by reviewing similar projects that have been done throughout Canada and the United States. In doing this she iden- tified common themes of the studies and decided which ones would be ap- plicable to Prince George. Aided by an e Of Education | advisory committee and armed with research from UNBC and CNC, she looked at information such as enroll- ment and employment statistics and came up with a way to translate these figures into dollar amounts generated by post-secondary education. But she also stresses that the benefits go be- yond pure economics. As said by many others, having post-secondary institu- tions in Prince George encourage more northern residents to pursue educa- tion beyond high school. “Economic benefits is just the beginning,” she says. Her own case typifies this fact: she had worked in Prince George for a number of years with no plans to move before coming to UNBC. “I wouldn't even be in university if not for UNBC.’ ~ Voltaire The opinions expressed in editorials or letters to the editor that are submitted to Over the Edge are not the opinions of Over the Edge or UNBC. The views expressed in a letter submitted to Over the Edge are the views of the original authors, and therefore, do not reflect the views of Over the Edge, or its staff. Over the Edge welcomes your submissions to our opinion section. Due to the high volume of letters we receive, we would appreciate it if letters were kept at 500 words or less. To submit a letter to the editor e-mail over-the-edge@unbc.ca. September 28, 2005 + Over the Edge National Défense Defence nationale Options make all the difference No matter what your university education, you can enjoy a career with a difference in the Canadian Forces. * Engineers * Physiotherapists * Social Workers * Pilots * Doctors * Nurses * Pharmacists * Naval Officers To learn more, contact us today. Les options font toute la différence Peu importe la nature de vos études universitaires, vous pouvez béneéficier d'une carriére différente dans les Forces canadiennes. « ingénieurs * Physiothérapeutes * Travaiiieurs sociaux/ travailleuses sociales * Pilotes * Médecins * Infirmiers/ infirrniéres * Pharmaciens/ pharmaciennes + Officiers de marine Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements, vyeuillez communiquer avec nous dés aujourd'hui. Strong. Proud. Today’s Canadian Forces. . Découvrez vos forces dans les Forces canadiennes, 1 BOO 856-8468 WWW. FOTCHS.GC.ce