UNBSJ Manager of Student Technology Wayne tells you all you need to know about this clash of the operating systems.

I had always been an adamant supporter of Microsoft Windows. From Windows 3.11, Windows NT, Windows 95 through to Windows XP, I had always been a Windows user. I knew nothing else.

The Mac Operating System was strange to me but those who used it seemed to love it. Mac users would gravitate towards each other like members of some sort of cult. They praised their Macs and took turns poking fun at Windows and Window’s users.

Finally, two years ago, after 10 years in the IT industry including a variety of technical roles, I did it. I bought a Mac and made the operating system switch. What seemed unthinkable to me just years before had become reality: I was now a member of this cult of Mac users.

The history of the operating systems war, Macintosh versus the IBM Compatible Personal Computer (PC) is well documented. What is more important to us as computer users is to ask what system makes sense for us. For me the answer had always been simple. As an IT Manager executing technical roles a PC was of critical importance. The software I needed to test and analyze networks ran on PC. It was clear I needed a PC.

The issue became complicated when I took on a less technical role and my computing needs changed. Instead of writing code and executing technical programs, my needs were much more straightforward. Word processing, creating presentations and sending and receiving email were now the focus of my computing needs and for the first time the choice was less clear. These basic computing needs should sound familiar because these are the core needs of any university student.

Let’s face it – both a Mac and a PC meet these core needs and it boils down to personal preference, and cost, as to which one you choose.

Mac has done very well lately due to a number of factors. The phenomenal popularity of the iPod has given a tremendous boost to the bottom line and has created a buzz around Apple products. At the same time, Microsoft’s latest major release, Windows Vista, (before the current Windows 7) was not well received by the general public and many users took this opportunity to try out Apple for the first time.

These factors, combined with the sleek and stylish line of Apple products, has positioned Apple above 10% market share, for computer sales, for the first time since these statistics have been kept.

Which operating system works for you is your own personal choice. While many users are perfectly happy using Windows, many are not, and for those users, Apple is there to offer an alternative. Both operating systems are capable of running the standard Microsoft Office suite of applications, which includes Word, Powerpoint and Excel.

Both hardware platforms run on an Intel based processor, which means that you can run Mac OS and Microsoft Windows on the same machine. Files can be seamlessly transferred between Mac OS and Window’s machines effortlessly. No configuration changes, no file conversion necessary. If you are running the same program on both platforms the files will work just fine.

The key factor I believe sets Mac OS apart is the inclusion of high quality bundled software. The iLife suite of programs, which includes iPhoto, iTunes, GarageBand (and more) is included with every purchase of an Apple computer. The scope of this software is too broad to go into depth here but to put it simply: this suite permits users to create, edit and publish a wide variety of digital content including photos, music and video without purchasing any additional software. The iLife suite is a must have for users looking to create high quality content at an affordable price.

The quality and ease of use of this software sets it apart from Windows and this makes the Mac worth the extra cost — and there is higher price tag. Apple retails marginally higher than PC’s in both the laptop and desktop categories. Are they worth the extra money is the question you need to ask yourself.

I have made the switch from Microsoft to Apple, and have been very satisfied in doing so, but this switch is not for everyone. There is a technology learning curve and an additional cost in being among the still small percentage of the public to use Mac OS. While I feel the additional cost and learning curve is justified, it is clearly not for everyone. Do your homework before you spend. Identify what your needs are, and find the computer that best suits those needs.

Wayne Hansen is the Manager of the Student Technology Centre and a regular contributor to the Baron. He can also be heard on “Departures”, CFMH 107.3, on Sundays at 2PM and Thursday evenings at 6PM.

A bi-weekly eye-witness report on the inner workings of your Student Representative Council

By Simon Jack

The Student Representative Council meeting on November 6th was, as always, a thrill-a-minute exercise in daredevil antics and excitement. Friends were made, enemies crushed ruthlessly, and tears shed.

Of course, I didn’t see any of this. But I’m sure it happened, nonetheless. You can tell, when you’re a reporter.

Still, despite the furious subtle back-and-forth between people through raised eyebrows, bored expressions and vacant gazes, the actual discussion was brief and confined to only a few topics.

Student Financial Assistance

Guest Susan Montague addressed the Council on the subject of the University’s Student Financial Support Strategy. Ms. Montague has been tasked with determining student’s financial needs and providing the university with a report on the subject so that the university can better address those needs and encourage donors to do so. She asked the council for their input on what those needs were.

VP External Celia McDermott pointed out the difficulties of student debt, while President Melissa Colwell explained how she found that many students are forced to cut back their attendance to cover costs find those costs increasing because of the need to pay back student loans, which places them in a difficult position. Ms. Montague agreed, and mentioned to the council that part-time student support for both UNB campuses totals only twenty-five-thousand dollars. VP Student Affairs Leah Richardson mentioned that the university’s insistence that students pay for parking seems unreasonable.

The council generally agreed that they would be able to come up with more ideas given some time to consider, and so Ms. Montague left them with her contact information (which she also agreed to provide to you, loyal Baron readers): montague@unb.ca. She invites comment from any and all students on what they see as needs which should be addressed. The report will be compiled in December, so e-mail her soon.

Student Survey
After Ms. Montague had left, discussion turned to the Council’s ongoing project – the survey of student needs. Each councilor was asked their views on what needs and issues were facing students that the student council could take action on.

Residence Representative Brenna Hodgins suggested that the cafeteria’s closure at 6 was hardly convenient for residence students, and that there is currently insufficient residence parking.

Athletics’ Representative Colin Rouse suggested that further exposure for athletic events would be greatly appreciated.

Arts Representative Amanada Sadleir mentioned the variety of ongoing problems with Aramark and the possibility of regular transport between the Saint John and Fredericton campuses, so that students could take advantage of opportunities on both.

Science Representative Taryn ONeill explained that the library’s early closure on weekends is detrimental to student study efforts, and that the cafeteria’s charging for debit card use is indefensible.

Science Representative Katie Ellsworth also suggested that student parking could be made free – and that the perennial idea of a student bus pass could be combined with this program for a choice between either a free bus or free parking pass. She also mentioned the idea of working water fountains, which was met with great approval from all.

Arts Representative Isaiah Richardson suggested further cooperation with New Brunswick Community College and their student government, and free campus parking after 6PM, while the VP External mentioned larger issues like expensive textbooks and issues surrounding graduate student copyrights. VP Finance Jake Beal suggested that longer gym hours in the various workout rooms and the weight room would be a good idea.

International Representative Isaac Asonya proposed what may have been the most interesting idea. He suggested a common free time in the campus schedule (an idea which he says has apparently been raised before with the university). A common free time would consist of a few one or two hour blocks every week which are not scheduled for classes – thus providing clubs and sports teams with times when they could schedule meetings and practices with the assurance that all members could attend without interrupting academic life (it would also allow students an actual opportunity to eat, which class scheduling this year has handily avoided). All the ideas were noted by the President, who still hopes to present the survey in the new year.

All in all, the survey appears well on track, though the ideas proposed raised the concern that, quite simply, the SRC may get responses back from the students just in time for graduation. This year’s student council, like many past student councils and many other student organizations, faces the problem that a large portion of the movers and shakers disappear each year. The student government this year may end up producing a report that the next government will have to act upon, and it’s an open question whether that government will do so.

Meeting adjourned

Finally, the council asked for an update from the finance committee, which the VP Finance Jacob Beal reported had not yet met, because there “wasn’t really anything to talk about”. The President suggested they do so soon, and the meeting was adjourned.

Simon Jack is a Baron staff writer and commentator on the CFMH radio program Anarchy Later

Baron columnist Candace Dawn Aulenback explains how to be fashionable without freezing.

Your nose is running. Your ears are laced with ice.  In addition, your toes feel like they are about to fall off.  All this torture because you decided that you have to wear practically nothing in order to look good. You realize that you did this to yourself because you thought winter wear would cramp your style. But worry no more, because with these tips you’ll be feeling warm and looking good.

Wear a hat. This sounds silly, but a hat brightens up any outfit and 50 percent of your body heat escapes from your head. Wearing a hat will enhance your outfit while keeping you toasty. A knighted beret is my hat of choice but everyone is different. A fedora, a tuque or even fancy ear muffs will suffice.  Just remember to cover your ears and you’re all set!  Wear a scarf with your hat. A scarf and hat go hand in hand. A scarf will keep your neck warm while providing you with a classy style. Mix it up with a patterned scarf and a solid color hat.

Wear leggings or panty hose. So you just bought a cute pencil skirt and you still want to wear it in the colder months. Pair with a pair of dark panty hose and it will give you a classy look. Many of us associate panty hose with younger years of being a child and your mom fitting you into pantyhose that were itchy and made you feel like an old lady. However, these days with your own style they look just right. Your legs stay warm as well which is an added bonus and you can get them in a variety of colors.

Buy a nice coat. One thing that I have come to learn is that you should splurge on a nice coat. A coat is something you have to wear everyday – especially in our minus 40 weather. So you might as well like it. No one can bust out their 1999 Columbia coat and still feel like they look semi-good. A warm pea coat will not only look good but keep you warm.

Find a nice pair of knee high boots. Boots go with anything whether it’s a pair of jeans or a skirt. They never go out of style and a good pair will be good for years. For the blistery mornings invest in a pair of ugg boots. Yes they are ugly but your toes will thank you. When the heart stopping mornings hit us pair the boots with a pair of wool socks and your feet will not even notice that they have just trampled through 15 feet of snow.

These tips seem like common sense but after walking through campus I see young ladies walking around thinking that they are ready for beach whether. So be smart ladies and bundle up! Before you know it we will be into bikini season. A warm body is a nice body!

Candace Dawn Aulenback is a volunteer columnist with the Baron.

The collapse of the Berlin Wall was not a victory of the democratic west, it was the failure of communism in practice.

By Rafal Szymanski

Twenty years ago, the Berlin Wall fell, which caused November 9 to become a symbolic day for the German people. Live coverage from Germany showed magnificent concerts, a ceremonial domino toppling, mass rallies, impassioned speeches, and, undoubtedly, fireworks! It was a celebration based on feelings: of accomplishment, remembrance, and victory.

I watched the news coverage of this anniversary. The German chancellor Angela Merkel ended her speech by mentioning the many casualties that came as a result of this wall. It is a nice gesture to remember: those that died trying to escape or fighting to tear it down.

Merkel herself held back tears while uttering these words and I found myself lost. Although it is important to remember all victims of war and the after-effects of them, no mention was made to the purpose of the wall, or the circumstances that surround it. I found it grotesque to actively abstain from even mentioning the reasons for this crisis.

We are misinformed because we are not given an objective account to what led to the Wall’s demise. We are led by our emotions to feel for the 136 documented victims of the Berlin Wall. Yet no mention was made to remember why Germany was divided in the first place.

At the time the wall was erected, Germany was a nation whose history had revealed it as a constant war-monger due to having waged two World Wars. World War I acted in allowing Germany to specialize in becoming the most effective war machine in the world at the time In World War II, the country had a hand in the death of 110 million people – including the carefully planned and executed extermination of 6 million. At the Potsdam Conference in 1945, Roosevelt and Stalin arranged for the division of Germany following the war. While West Germnay enjoyed liberation and democracy, the East found themselves under the rule of Russia’s Soviet Empire.

Winston Churchill himself said that history is written by the victors. Even though the creation of the wall was not an Allied decision, it was a decision made by one of the victors. Those that lived under the repression of communism understand the harsh cruelty of these words and the reality that follows them. Churchill’s statement benefits those living in the western post-war world while sentencing those behind the Iron Curtain to decades of sanctioned slavery.

The Berlin Wall is seen by the western world as oppressive and unfair. It was not something that was built to benefit Germany, but to prevent it from devising a “three-peat”. The division of Germany was a result of world fear. Fear of Germany once again revolting against peace and starting yet another World War. Germany waged both World Wars in the past. Europe would not take another war. In a way, the world did not have a choice, Germany, a misbehaving member in the European family, had to be punished. Its division was its punishment.

The anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall was undoubtedly covered by the media. The day was filled with countless references to the US President Ronald Reagan demanding Gorbachev to “tear down that wall.” Coming from Europe, it almost made me laugh at how much emphasis was put on Reagan all throughout the day.

By the time of Reagan’s speech, given in June 1987, the political climate in Europe was much different than our media portrays. The “Red Scare” that frightened the western world was weakening. Communism no longer wielded the same power and influence it once did. Gorbachev had no other choice but to cede and allow for the wall to collapse. It collapsed like the very system it represented did. The reason for this was the slow but constant degeneration of the communist ideology and power in Europe, not the rest of the world. Obviously, pressures from democratic countries did strain and weaken the crumbling pillars of Communist Russia and it would be unethical to say that they had no part in it, but they were not the main factor.

It is disturbing to neglect two major factors: the local nationalistic movements, and the papacy. Pope John Paul II was a catalyst for the collapse of communism. Without his support, there would not have been a successful Solidarnosc movement in Poland. In the Kremlin, and the media, Gorbachev himself stated the extent of the Pope’s influence in the fall of Communism.

The Pope’s visit in 1979 gave the people this support. Without Poland as an example to the world (that Communism can be defeated) it is hard to say if other Soviet satellite countries would do the same. It was the unending uprisings, revolts, upheavals in Communist occupied countries that proved to be too much for an unwelcomed foreign doctrine. That is what Communism was, an alien doctrine imposed upon mass populations by force.

The collapse of the Berlin Wall was not a victory of the democratic west, it was the failure of communism in practice.

Rafal Szymanski is a Staff Writer for the Baron.

UNB Saint John’s contractual arrangement with Aramark Canada Ltd. has meant massive headaches for organizers of campus club events, says the Baron editorial staff.

Last week one of the members of the Baron staff went to the Regional. When stopping in the hospital cafeteria, he noticed a noticeably high number of UNBSJ students standing in line, sitting, and eating. After wondering, ‘why is everyone here?’ The answer he received from the students was pretty simple: it is cheaper for UNBSJ students to eat better food at the hospital than in their own campus cafeteria.

This is, of course, an obvious consequence of a monopoly – a situation where one producer is able to set otherwise unreasonable business terms due to lack of competition. Here on the UNBSJ campus the student population holds just such a relationship with Aramark Canada Ltd., the corporation which runs the cafeteria here at the university.

Food here is on campus is so expensive because the University signed a contract with Aramark which gave them exclusive rights to sell food on campus. What this means not only that other competing businesses cannot be set up on University property, but that any campus club which wants to hold an event involving the purchase of food must buy it from them.

After doing some research, the Baron has learned that various clubs trying to organize events with food on campus have had perplexing or frustrating dealings with Aramark. Certain aspects of these frustrations become quite understandable when examined.

Firstly, allowing one company to set the terms for any campus event where food is purchased has led to an environment where clubs are forced to pay hefty financial fees that can prevent clubs from holding the events they want. Secondly, rules and regulations that are put in place limit the size and quality of our events. Thirdly, when rules and regulations are met, Aramark sometimes still denies university clubs the permission to host events, giving the impression that decisions are being made in an arbitrary manner. With no other options, these are the services we are forced to accept, as unreasonable as they are.

Aramark is a company that provides us with everything we ask, but at what price?

Furthermore, the Baron has learned that cost estimates for three different functions, all having different menus, nevertheless had very similar prices. All prices include china and tablecloths – that must be provided by Aramark.

UNBSJ Life-Link recently requested an expense estimate for a fund-raising event held on Nov. 21, 2009 that benefits our students and the city of Saint John. It is a buffet dinner with music and entertainment that is held to raise awareness and, more importantly, money that is urgently needed to help those that need it the most. The menu was simple, consisting of curried chicken, vegetarian lasagna, rice pilaf, rum cake, salads and coffee/tea. The cost of this dinner is projected at 24.99/plate.

The Multicultural Society at our school is hosting a Grand Fiesta on Nov. 28, 2009 that showcases the multitude of ethnic and racial groups in our community. The menu includes a wide assortment of different cuisines including mulligatawny soup (with crusty bread), thai fishcakes, chicken tikka masala, porc guisat amb fuita seca, gomen sega, coca con pimientos roajs caramalizados, char sui pork, herb and garlic potatos, pinenut and honey tart, and a fruit punch station. The cost of this dinner is, inexplicably, also projected at 24.99/plate.

Last year, the African Caribbean United club held an end-of-the-year Extravaganza that introduced African and Caribbean culture to our community. The menu included pepper pot soup, mango and black bean salad, codfish cakes, gomen sega, chicken tagine, red beans and rice, fried sweet potatoes, corn break, rum cake, and coffee and tea. The cost of this event was 18.75/plate.

Something does not add up. There must be cost variations when it comes to differing menus (unless these prices are simply pulled out of a hat and Life-Link got the short end of the stick).

This past week, a club approached Aramark to host a potluck group meeting. There were certain criteria that the club had to guarantee for this event to take place. Firstly, the event can not exceed 30 people. Secondly, the food had to be prepared at home, not bought at another provider. Thirdly, the composition of the event members had to be UNBSJ faculty or students. All of these criteria were met, yet the club was denied permission to host the event. Rules exist for a reason, as unfair as they may be, but if followed, there should be benefits.

Unfortunately, Aramark functions as an entity that wields its power seemingly arbitrarily and in an extremely unfair fashion. The rigidity of their rules makes it difficult for students to get anything done. The extremely high prices limit the type of functions clubs can host. The seemingly arbitrary price-fixing creates a hostile atmosphere that frustrates students. If we as a University community want students to get involved, we must recognize that Aramark’s current behavior is hurting this goal. If they fail to change, they will stifle future student involvement.

A bi-weekly eye-witness report on the inner workings of your Student Representative Council

By Simon Jack

UNB’s Student Representative Council held their first two official meetings this October. Over the course of those meetings, student representatives discussed a variety of initiatives and seemed eager about the prospect of working for students.
So far, Student Council meetings have been a blur of efficiency, cooperation and concern for student needs. Despite the horror this instills in me as a sensationalism-seeking journalist, it has been quite impressive to watch the Student Council in action.

The SRC have discussed a variety of projects, most of them hardly the thrill-a-minute stuff that exciting journalism is made of. However, they’re most definitely your tuition dollars at work, and thus, with gritted teeth, I must cover them (and pray desperately for someone to be so stupid as to blow their budget on cocaine).

Changes to Student Council

A number of changes to the Student Council itself have been proposed (and are working their way toward becoming reality). The addition of two new council seats is intended. The addition of a Media Representative to the Council is intended to help represent the voices of student radio and of the student newspaper. Likewise, the addition of a Non-Traditional Students Representative would make it easier for the Council to deal with the needs and concerns of non-traditional students (most notably mature students).

A more minor change is a proposed addition to the duties of the VP External. The current VP External (Celia McDermott) also sits as the Student Representative on the Alumni Council. The Alumni Council has suggested that the Student Representative position on that body be made a permanent part of the duties of the VP External. The SRC feels that this is a natural extension of the duties of the VP External, and intends to acquiesce.

Student Discount for Local Businesses?

Business Representative Peter Clifford has proposed that the SRC look into obtaining a discount for UNB students with local businesses. NBCC Moncton and the University of Toronto, for example, provide their students with a variety of discounts at things like restaurants and realtors. The SRC intends to approach Saint John businesses to ascertain the possibility of getting such a discount for UNBSJ students.

Student Survey

President Melissa Colwell spoke forcefully and passionately on the need to move forward with the SRC’s planned survey of student needs. Councilors are to bring forward ideas for what the council can and should do to engage and help students at the next meeting. These ideas will be used to produce a survey for the student body, the results of which the council will use to determine where they should direct their efforts. President Colwell encouraged the councillors not to confine their thinking, but to consider ideas such as University Bus Passes, meal plans, social events and more. The SRC plans to distribute the survey online.

NB Liberal Association Youth Commission

Arts Representative Amanda Sadleir proposed the SRC help fund a bus so that students might find it easier to attend the NB Liberal Association Youth Commission, part of the Liberal Party Policy Conference being held in Fredericton this November. The Commission, held on the night of the 13th, is a panel discussion where all youth are welcome to raise questions and concerns for the panel (which will include a variety of Liberal luminaries, to say nothing of Michael Ignatieff possibly speaking).

In short, they attempt to both convince the youth of Canada to vote Liberal and through consultation with the youth figure out just what is needed to get the youth of Canada to vote Liberal. There will apparently be pizza and beer (demonstrating conclusively that the Liberal Party may not be what they once were, but they still know what people like). If you would be interested in attending, it would be a good idea to contact Ms. Sadleir at d6fd0@unb.ca.

Multicultural Grand Fiesta

VP Student Affairs Leah Richardson has asked the SRC to help fund a Multicultural Grand Fiesta. The Multicultural Grand Fiesta is intended to involve the various cultural student groups on campus as well as some other organizations and interested participants. It will be a gala event offering a variety of foods and drinks, with an equal variety of multicultural entertainment. The Grand Fiesta will be held on the 28th of November, at 730PM, in the Baird Dining Hall, and tickets should be on sale as you read this.

UNBSJ Student Representative Council meetings are held at 2:30 PM in the conference room in the SRC offices, every second Friday (the next meeting will be held November 6th). Students are welcome to attend. The SRC website can be found at unbsrc.ca

Simon Jack is a Baron staff writer and commentator on the CFMH radio program Anarchy Later.

UNB Scholarships & Bursaries for Part-time Students: If you are a part-time student, in 3 or fewer courses per term, you may qualify for a bursary (based on financial need) or scholarship for part-time students. Eligible applicants must not have been full time in the last 12 months. Applications are available online at www.unb.ca/scholarships/parttime.html or outside office G15 in Oland Hall.

External Scholarships: There are numerous scholarships and bursaries offered by different organizations and businesses (that are external to anything UNB offers). These require separate applications and have various deadlines. For a listing of external scholarships and awards, visit www.unb.ca/scholarships/external.htm

Featured External Award: Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Scholarship for Study in Second Official Language Award – Are you a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident who wishes to study at an institution in which your second official language is predominant? If so, this award could be for you! Visit www.aucc.ca for more information on this award.

Special Announcements

Money Matters Website: UNB’s Money Matters website has had a make-over! Visit www.unb.ca and click on “Money Matters.” Here, you will find up-to-date information on all things related to money, including everything from tuition and housing costs to scholarship and student loan information.

Are you receiving New Brunswick Student Loans? If so, your Confirmation of Earnings Form is due by November 15, 2009. Please note that if this form is not sent, you WILL NOT receive your loan funding in January. Forms can be downloaded at www.studentaid.gnb.ca.

Are you receiving a loan from another Province? If so, you may be required to submit proof of summer employment before your January loan will be released. In Nova Scotia, for example, a Pre-Study Report is required and, in Newfoundland, an Income Confirmation Form is required. Other provinces also require similar forms. Therefore, it is imperative that you check with your provincial student aid office to find out if such a form is necessary.

By Andre Rochon

“All over the world,” said former UNBSJ professor Fern Bennett, “people are standing in solidarity to demand that government creates better policies so that we can eliminate poverty.”

Bennet was speaker at the “Stand Up Against Poverty” event at Kings Square on Friday October 16th 2009. Over 100 people gathered in the brisk autumn cold to emphasize the millennium development goals created by the United Nations to end poverty by 2015.Attendees included UNBSJ students, union members, high school students and other Saint John residents.

The purpose of this event was to gain awareness of poverty around the world, within Canada and Saint John. The following pledge was read allowed to all attendees as they stood in a symbolic show of support:

“We are standing now with millions of people around the world on this historic day, to show our commitment to the fight against extreme poverty and inequality. We only have six years left to the 2015 deadline to realize the Millennium Development Goals.

“Today, we Stand Up together to say to our leaders: Act now to achieve and exceed the Millennium Development Goals. Commit to bold leadership at the G8/G20, to combat extreme poverty, transform global economic and financial systems, tackle the impact of climate change on poor countries and eliminate poverty in Canada.

“We will continue to Stand Up, not just today but every day, to say: No more Excuses, End Poverty and Inequality Now!”

Afterward, there was a demonstration when students from St. Malachy’s High School were poked by someone in a grim reaper costume in coordination with drum-beats symbolizing someone in the world dying from extreme poverty. As was explained: “all around the world, every three seconds somebody dies due to poverty related issues.”

Anti-poverty activist Reverend Marian Lucas Jeffrey spoke next, and told a story of her trip to South Africa. While working she was helping a single mother who was diagnosed with AIDS, unable to feed her hungry child and grandmother. She gave a care package and after they left they received a call asking how they knew what their prayers were.

“A billion people are hungry everyday and it’s too common,” said Jeffrey. “It is common here too. Back in Canada, in an institution listening, to two men speak, one said to the other: ‘do not eat too much while you’re here, here your stomach may stretch and then when next week when you’re out of here you’ll be hungry and it will hurt.’”

“That’s the face of poverty in this country and around the world. And we must end hunger now!”

UNBSJ student Dauda Mansaray, an executive with World University Service of Canada, talked about the significance of the event.

“We have so many international agreements on different issues, one is the 1948 Geneva convention on the prevention and punishment on the crime of Genocide and the Refugee convention of 1951 about the status of refugees have all been defaulted.”

Mansaray explained the purpose of this event: “We are saying here to our governments in office that the agreements should be backed up with concrete actions and that actions can be achieved. That is what the millennium development goals are about, is the cooperation of all governments to work on these goals, achievable goals. If governments cooperate and be committed they can be achieved.”

Andre Rochon is volunteer writer with the Baron.

Some people might be thinking, “Why did Barak Obama get a Nobel Peace Prize? He hasn’t even done anything yet! ” Valid though this may be, there are a number of other people who deserve it even less than he does. Counting down, my top five are:

5. Wangari Maathai, 2004

Maathai won her Prize for “her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace,” presumably from her work with the Green Belt Movement she founded. Basically, they plant trees. While planting trees in Africa likely does improve the economy, replenish fuel sources and stop erosion, which may lead to reduced poverty, which in turn might reduce conflict, it’s not like she ended a war or stopped Saddam from getting The Bomb. Furthermore, she might be a crazy conspiracy nut. It is alleged she has said AIDS is a Western plot to kill Africans. Maathai denies she ever said this, but clarified by pointing out everyone knows where AIDS comes from and “it did not come from the monkeys.” She is right, though. It was those damn dirty apes!

4. Cordell Hull, 1945

Mr. Hull was FDR’s Secretary of State and got his Nobel Prize for his work helping to establish the UN, amongst other things. However, his record as a diplomat has one serious black mark. In 1939 the SS St. Louis left Germany with nearly a thousand Jewish refugees. Roosevelt considered taking in some of them, but Hull and a group of Dixiecrats were so opposed they threatened to not support his 1940 presidential run. The Americans tried to get Cuba to take the refugees, but talks failed. They returned to Europe and over a quarter of those on board died in the Holocaust. But we shouldn’t be too quick to point fingers; Canada turned them away, too.

3. Theodore Roosevelt, 1905

In a rare moment of not spreading violence around the world, Teddy took some time out in 1905 to negotiate peace between Japan and Russia earning himself the Nobel Prize in the process. Pretty much the rest of his career involved spreading war, rather than peace. Ted first came to national attention after he resigned his desk job in the Department of the Navy to lead a group of volunteers who came to be known as “Roosevelt’s Rough Riders” in the invasion of Cuba. Despite their name, only Teddy had a horse, and even he got off and walked when the horse got tired before he did. And they still won! After he became president he still walked around armed and was a champion boxer. When not killing people himself he had the American Army violently suppress a rebellion in the Philippines, including the use of concentration camps.

2. Yasser Arafat, 1994

Sharing his Prize in 1994 with Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin for their Oslo negotiations, Arafat’s appearance on this list shouldn’t be a surprise given that he was a terrorist. Unlike that wuss Hull, he was willing to kill Jews himself, not pass it off on the Nazis. Comparisons to Nelson Mandela, who was also labelled a terrorist, are not fair. Mandela at least tried to be peaceful, called for democracy and was at least a little more subtle if he ever called for killing all the white men. Arafat started as a guerrilla and his stated goal was the destruction of Israel. Also, Mandela achieved his goal without starting a war or ethnic cleansing, whereas the Palestinians are more fenced off and divided than ever. History likes a winner.

1. Henry Kissinger, 1973

Kissinger “won” his award for his work on the Vietnam Peace Accords. The irony of this might be best shown through analogy. Suppose you inherited a house that was on fire. Then you spread the fire to all the neighbouring houses. When the fire is too difficult to control, you then put it out leaving the neighbourhood more or less destroyed. Meanwhile, you encourage your friends to drop Argentinean left-wing dividends out of helicopters into the ocean. Wait, that last part wasn’t a metaphor. In any case would you be a hero? Is Kissinger? Apparently several people on the Nobel committee didn’t think so either, because his Prize made them resign in disgust.

In summation, Mother Theresa got lucky I only counted to five.

Jesse Wilson is a volunteer writer for The Baron.

Everything you need to know about wireless computing on the UNBSJ campus

By Wayne Hansen

Two years ago the Information Technology units at UNBF and UNBSJ embarked on an ambitious project to deliver comprehensive wireless services to students, faculty and staff on both campuses.
This was the first major, bi-campus, collaborative project between UNB’s ITS departments and the result was the wireless network we use today. I recently sat down with UNB Saint John’s, Network and Communications department, to discuss the wireless infrastructure on the UNBSJ campus and what that means for us as users.

A key component of the wireless network is mobility. That is the ability for students to move between campuses without having to change laptop configurations. Also, students have the ability to move throughout this campus while maintaining connectivity.

Stephen Gamblin, Network and Communications Manager, states that “network connectivity in the quad was not a priority, there just are not enough sunny days in the year to entice students into computing there”. Instead the focus was maintaining a high level of coverage within the walls of the buildings.
The system is also designed with self-service in mind. Students can connect to QuickStart@UNBSJ and proceed to get directions on configuring their laptop for the available wireless networks, Guest@UNB and Wireless@UNB.

While both of these networks offer complete campus coverage, the security settings on Wireless@UNB are a little tighter and allow students to use a wider variety of Internet applications. This higher level of security is why connecting to the UNBSJ network can be a little more complicated then connecting to publicly available WiFi spots, such as hotels and FreeSpots. Additionally, these security settings ensure that only members of the UNB community use the network.

A major difference between the Guest and the Wireless networks is that while the Guest network simply needs a WEP passphrase, the Wireless network needs a SecureW2 client. While installing the this client may be an extra step in configuring a laptop for the Wireless@UNB network, according to Stephen Gamblin, “it offers students a much higher degree of Internet security with data being encrypted on every transaction”. This means, as a network user, you can be confident that the data you transmit is relatively protected. Most computer savvy users can manage to configure their own laptop, but if do you run into issues, the Student Technology Center is always there to help.

Another exciting initiative now underway is to make UNBSJ part of EduRoam. What this will mean for our users is that they will be able to visit other institutions across Canada, and across the globe, and authenticate to those wireless networks using their current UNB credentials (login ID, PIN).
According to Andrew Xu, Data Communications Analyst, “UNB will be the first University in the Maritime region to participate in EduRoam”. Testing has recently been completed with the University of British Columbia (UBC) and this technology should be deployed soon. You can find out more at EduRoam.org.
While laptop computers are the predominant devices that students configure for this network, they certainly are not alone. Laptops, PSP’s, iPod touches and iPhones are all able to connect to the wireless infrastructure at UNB. To configure your iPod touch, or iPhone, simply visit UNB.CA/Helpdesk. The self-service menu there can deliver a script that will complete the entire configuration you need to have your iPod connect. Other devices may need some manual configuration, but the process is intuitive enough, that students should be able to get them to connect as well.

Wireless computing has become almost ubiquitous for most users but most publicly available systems leave much to be desired. UNB’s wireless network offers a stable, safe, secure and mobile networking environment for students, faculty and staff. While configuration of your device, for this network, may take more time than publicly available networks, the effort is worth your while.

UNB ITS has taken steps to make certain that your data and credentials are as secure as possible while providing the mobility that users demand. This is provided while keeping an eye on the future for more interesting developments such as EduRoam. This is a difficult balance to meet but through a bi-campus, collaborative effort, UNB Wireless delivers.

Wayne Hansen is the Manager of Student Technology and a regular contributor to the Baron.