Kinect

It has been well over a year since Microsoft first unveiled its plans for a new hands-free gaming system – the Kinect for Xbox 360 – and on November 4th, the plans for the revolutionary technology were finally realized. First announced June 1, 2009, under the code name “Project Natal”, the Kinect has quickly set itself up to take control of the next generation of gaming. Since its launch, the Kinect has already exceeded 2.5 million sales, and with the arrival of the holiday season, the new gadget is expected to be in continued demand.

Don Mattrick, president of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business, said in a statement, “We are thrilled about customer response to Kinect, and are working hard with our retail and manufacturing partners to expedite production and shipments of Kinect to restock shelves as fast as possible to keep up with demand.”

Although preceded by both the Nintendo Wii and the Playstation Move, the Kinect is new in that it requires no controllers, the first and only innovation of its kind. Instead, the Kinect works off a natural user interface which uses microphones, sensors, and cameras to provide full-body 3D motion capture, facial recognition, and voice recognition.

On the down side, the Kinect requires a lot of elbow room to play. Additionally, the voice recognition can be frustrating to use and problems have been reported with the sensors in direct sunlight. Although it may seem relatively cheap at only $149.99, the Kinect only works if its user already owns an Xbox 360 (which itself only retails at $199.99). In light of this, the Kinect may seem like a rather expensive add-on to an already expensive system.

On a larger scale, the Kinect, along with the Windows Phone 7, constitutes Microsoft’s plans to begin to incorporate a natural user interface into many future designs. Future plans may include working this new motion and voice-activated technology in products ranging from video games to vehicles. Unquestionably, the Kinect has changed not only the world of gaming but the technological world as well.
Written by: Emily Smoke

Limewire

Limewire served as a way to download free music for your iPod. This was first noted by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) who represents the eighth major music publisher in New York. After four years in court Limewire was shut down by a federal judge who considered that the program helped users in copyrighting songs and other files illegally.

As an outcome of the ruling, Limewire has to permanently shut down and the company assets are being frozen. Limewire is also facing a $150,000 fine per violation for copyright infringement; the damage of this site could end up costing billions.

Limewire CEO George Searie said in a blog post that the company is “naturally disappointed with this turn of events,” but is “deeply committed to working with the music industry and making the act of loving music more fulfilling for everyone.”

Some Creekview students feel the shutdown of Limewire is for the best. They agree that being able to get songs for free takes away money from the recording companies and the artist. They feel that shutting this sight down was the right thing to do because copyrighting is illegal.

“You’re stealing money from the artist that you are trying to support, that does not make any sense,” junior Rachel exclaimed.

Others, on the other hand, feel that it is no different than getting songs from your friends. They think of it as sharing rather than copyrighting and that it should not be considered illegal. To many, Limewire has given a way for all kinds of artist to become well known in an easier more convenient way for teens and adults alike.

“Friends give you music all the time. I ask my friend to take my iPod home every time he gets a new song, how is that stealing?” asked junior Michael.

How do you work out the difference between what is legal and what is illegal? As of today, in the US, purchasing a CD and putting it on your iPod is legal, but what if you burn a CD from songs that you purchased and you give it to one of your friends. Is that illegal?

As a result of Limewire shutting down, many companies that provide the same types of service feel threatened that they may get shut down.
Written by: Tenniea Martin

No shave November

No-Shave November, a mustache for a cause. The public has viewed male facial hair as everything from a symbol of manliness to a lack of hygiene. Beards have been loathed and honored, but during November they have seen a major comeback.

The Rules:
1. You do not shave in November
2. You DO NOT shave in November
3. If you shave you are out
4. No trimming, no waxing

No-Shave November has turned into a nationwide movement and is currently being spread by word of mouth and through social networking sites. The purpose of No-Shave November ranges from showing off beard growing abilities to raising money for charity.

You may wonder why anyone would want to participate in this hairy challenge. According to one facebook group in support of No-Shave November, there are three main reasons: having the facial hair, gaining a community with males of common interest, and honor. Though this may not make sense to everyone, these reasons make up the gospel for the men of No-Shave November.

Unfortunately for these men, many women are opposed to the idea of dealing with scruffy, unkempt guys for a month. Washingtonpost.com says, “It is not as bad as it seems. As long as the bearded guy maintains proper grooming, the facial hair will not be so tragic.” People.com declares “Besides, some of the best looking guys in Hollywood sport beards all the time, including Johnny Depp and Russell Crowe”. No-Shave November is a proud time in a man’s life.

Written by: Tenniea Martin

The making of oreo cookie turkeys

There is no doubt that Thanksgiving is filled with delicious varieties of food. From yummy mashed potatoes to juicy turkeys, a person can assume Thanksgiving desserts are equal in satisfaction. In contrast, when students were interviewed, many of them thought Thanksgiving desserts have no variety and are not exciting.

“Pies are generic, so I need something that adds a little pizzazz to my dessert,” stated Nicole T (junior).

“Cobblers and gingerbread cookies are boring; I would rather eat something more unique and homemade,” Emily L (junior) argued.

Okay, so we all are not fans of pies and cobblers. How can this problem be fixed?
In any case, chocolate fixes everything. Here is a Thanksgiving dessert that is fun, delicious, and pleasing to stomachs of all ages.

In order to make Oreo Cookie Turkeys, you will need two Oreos, one malt Whopper ball, five candy corns, and any color of icing (choose wisely, it is the color of your dessert’s eyes).
1. To start, half one Oreo so all the crème in the Oreo is only on one side of the cookie. Place the cookie on the table as your base.

2. Place your second (non-halved) Oreo cookie vertically so it is pushed to the back.
3. Squirt some icing underneath the full and non-halved cookie to keep it stable.
4. Next, place your malt Whopper ball against the Oreo that is standing up and slather some icing behind it to keep it from rolling off.
5. Now, take your four candy corn pieces and align them in a row on top of the Oreo that is standing up (near the cream area of the Oreo). You can stick the candy corn into the crème to keep it still or you can use some icing to keep it there.
6. Now, take your 5th and last candy corn to make your nose on your malt Whopper ball, squirting icing underneath it to keep it from sliding off.
7. Lastly, make two dots on your malt Whopper ball, right above the candy corn nose, to make the eyes.

Now that you have created your mouth-watering Oreo Cookie Turkeys, you are ready to make more. Once you have done that, remember to share these tasty treats with everyone. It is sure to bring your Thanksgiving fun to a new level!
Written by: Maida Ahmad

Get fit tips

High school students are often stereotyped as “lazy” and “unhealthy”. Apparently our habits of staying up late watching Tosh.0 or eating an entire bag of potato chips chased down with a two liter of coke are not considered very healthy. It is time we break the mold of what people consider the typical high schooler to be. We need to take a stand, mostly because we have been on the couch all day, but also because we need to change the world’s view of us. We will show everyone that we can be a fit and active generation. Here are some tips on how:

· The first tip is to get off the couch! Go outside and do something. Go for a jog, play basketball or soccer, jump on the trampoline, throw a stick for your dog. (It probably needs a workout too.) Just get out and get active.

· Cut back on snacks and remember to eat a big breakfast. Studies show that it is actually better to eat a healthy breakfast because it helps start up your metabolism and gives you energy to burn calories throughout the day.

· Take up a hobby that will help you get in shape, like rock wall climbing, hiking, running etc. These are fun and great ways to get a workout.

· Pack a lunch to bring to school. We all know that school food is not always the most nutritious, so bring a lunch with healthy food like apples, cheese, and yogurt.

· If you are lazy, then you could purchase a pair of shape up shoes. One of the cutest pairs are the Reebok Easy Tones ($99.99) If you want a more cost friendly pair, check out the Danskin Shape Ups ($20).

· If you are serious about sports, then an easy way to get fit is to join a school sport. Our school offers a wide variety of sports like basketball, soccer, tennis, swim, and track that are starting up soon.

· Another tip for Creekview students would be to take advantage of the fitness classes that are offered here at school. There is Body Sculpting, P.E., Weightlifting, and Team Sports.

· If you subscribe to or buy a magazine like Seventeen, then a great way to get workout tips is to cut out the exercise section found in the magazine. Inside are easy exercises and healthy eating tips.

· A popular workout craze that has swept the nation is yoga. You can buy a yoga video to exercise and relax along with the smooth talking lady on your T.V. screen. Your mom might even have a spare DVD lying around you can borrow.

· If you are really serious about eating right, but you still enjoy going out to a nice dinner, then look online or at restaurant guides. By checking out the meals and finding the healthiest one before you get there, you can be prepared to make healthy decisions.

· Try cutting back on time spent on the computer or in front of the TV. Walk around and keep busy. Clean your room, go outside and make a garden, play on the Wii, or get on a stationary bike and go, go, go! If your working on an extra long school assignment then take a short break and spend 15 minutes doing one of these activities.

· For some of us the only things we lift all day are our heavy books that we lug around school. While this may be considered a strenuous exercise for many of us, we should step it up a notch and try lifting weights (little dumbbells for starters) when we get home. Take them on a walk with you and voila! You can burn over 200 calories.

· Get a friend to work with you! You will have so much more fun if there is someone to talk to and share the pains of workout cramps with.

· Join a gym. Some gyms only ask for an annual fee in exchange for you being able to use all of their high end equipment. Once there you can also get a personal trainer, join classes, or work out solo if you choose. Some gyms in the Canton area include Bally Total Fitness, Gold’s Gym, Anytime Fitness, and Curves.

· Take up a creative hobby like martial arts, Tae Kwon Do, or dancing. These are all major calorie burners and will help build up muscle.

· No matter what you choose to do for your exercise, make sure it is something you enjoy. If not, you will not be motivated to work hard.

· If all else fails, then just try sleeping. For every hour you sleep, you can burn up to 45 calories.

By: Jordan Gates

Red

In an industry filled with quick-paced action and quirky comedy, Robert Schwenke‘s Red is an oddity, combining both in an over the hill take on the age-old spy theme which appeals to young and old alike. The movie opens with a look into the retired life of Frank Moses (Bruce Willis), in which he spends his days phoning the Office of Pension Services, but the pace quickens as Moses’ house is invaded one night by a team sent to kill him. From there, Moses and three fellow retirees who have been marked “RED” (Retired, Extremely Dangerous) follow a string of murders in search of the truth behind their sudden jolt out of retirement.

Along with Willis, an all-star cast including Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, and John Malkovich, brings a somewhat weak script to life on screen. The characters are genuine, relatable, like an old friend you might meet on the street – or perhaps more appropriately, the grandparent you wish you had. The humor feels neither insincere nor overdone. Even Malkovich, known for his exuberant style, once again exhibits his unique ability to play the part of a crazy person with almost disturbing sincerity. But then, one has to wonder how much acting really enters the equation.

As much as the characters are a credit to the movie, the plot, while not detracting from anything, adds little. The end in particular, leaves much to be desired. Although nothing should complete a movie like a shot of Helen Mirren in an evening gown wielding a machine gun, the result is ultimately unsatisfying.

Red preys on that inborn fear which affects even the youngest and most virile of its audience – the fear of old age. But rather than leaving the audience to simply wallow in visions of lackluster retirement, the film shows us that getting old can be cool too.

By: Emily Smoke

The Mysteries of Creekview's Vending Machines

It is not a surprise when you see students crowded at every vending machine in the school. When the bell rings signaling the class change, students’ race to the vending machine to obtain their favorite treats. Some adults question the addiction, but only students usually know why the treats are so important and lame. The big question is this: is the food in the vending machine even healthy, or are students devouring junk food that will have appalling affects on them in the near future?

The vending machines of Creekview High School include a large variety of snacks. Some of these include Planter’s Peanuts, Elf’n Animal Crackers, Powdered Dolly Donut Gems, Poptarts, Mrs. Freshley’s Original Jumbo Honey Bun, Rice Krispie Treats Original, Multigrain Granola Bar, Kellogg’s Fruit Snacks, Sweet n’ Salty packs, and Nature Valley Oats n’ Honey granola bars.

When asked what snack was a student’s favorite, many varied responses were given. The snacks with the highest praise consisted of Poptarts, Powdered Dolly Donuts Gems, and Mrs. Freshley’s Original Jumbo Honey Bun. Ironically, these three choices also contain the highest fat content and the most amount of calories. Poptarts contain 190 calories, from which 50 calories are from fat. Also, Powdered Dolly Donut Gems consist of 230 calories, with 11 grams from fat. If these nutritional facts do not make you sick, then listen to this: Mrs. Freshley’s Original Jumbo Honey Bun, a snack highly rate by students, contains 590 calories! So why is it that nothing healthy, like a granola bar, was chosen as a favorite? Is it because it’s not drowning in honey? Or is it because it is not rolled in powdered sugar or covered and stuffed with icing? Many students replied an answer that was not shocking at all.

“It’s good and it keeps me awake. The nutty snacks won’t do that,” one student proudly stated.
So, it is true. Teenagers consume these snacks that are high in sugar content to receive more energy. They are the only things that will keep them from falling asleep in class. Also, they want something that actually tastes good, so they can enjoy it.

So, what snack should you eat that is healthy, tasty, and pleasing to that grumbling stomach? The answer is Nature Valley Oats n’ Honey granola bars. Yes, this snack is not the lowest-containing treat in the vending machine, but with 190 calories and a delicious taste, it will take the hunger out of you. So the next time you visit the vending machine, keep in mind the dozens of snacks that will be pleasing to your mouth, but not so pleasing to your future.

By: Maida Ahmad