Media Convergence Initiative

Game of Thrones is Returning Tonight for Fourth Season Premiere

Posted on April 6, 2014 by aspiringauthor

After nearly a year of waiting winter is coming yet again and I’ll be at work wishing I was watching what’s left of the Stark, Lannister, Baratheon, and Targaryen houses battle for the Iron Throne. Viewers have seen a lot of intense events occur up until this point, but season 4 is slated to have far more bloodshed. This comes as no surprise as George R.R. Martin is notorious for killing off beloved main characters at will. However, this upcoming season’s catch phrase is “Valar Morghulis,” which in High Valyrian translates to “all men must die.” Readers of the books have said that “The Red Wedding” is nothing in comparison of what is to come.

The readers of the books and the cast of the show have done a good job of keeping things hush-hush about season 4. Not much is known to those of us who have only watched the HBO series. Among the things that are known is the fact that Danaerys Targaryen’s dragons are continuing to grow and are becoming increasingly difficult to control. Emilia Clarke, who plays Danaerys, has stated that the dragons will bow down to no one. Perhaps these beasts may not even react to Danaerys’ famous line “dracarys,” which is the command for the dragons to utilize their fire-breathing power. Without the dragons Danaerys is left with only her “unsullied” fighting for her and the mother of dragons may no longer be deemed much of a threat.

The only other thing that can be guaranteed is the additions of several new cast members as the only thing that George R.R. Martin does more than kill off main characters is constantly add new ones into the mix. There are at least sixteen new cast members taking part in bloodshed that is Game of Thrones season 4.

Posted in Entertainment | Comments Off

Faster Wi-Fi Speeds?

Posted on April 5, 2014 by chelsiesloan

Earlier this week, Qualcomm announced plans for new technology that could triple Wi-Fi speeds in homes, offices, and public networks. As of now Wi-Fi can only sere one device at a time, cycling quickly among different users. This creates slower speeds for everyone when more than one device connects to the network.

“On a network like this, streaming or video chatting can be like sitting in the driver’s seat at rush hour: you’ll get to your destination, but it’s going to take some time,” Qualcomm said.

After seven years of research, Qualcomm will allow networks to transmit data to multiple groups of users simultaneously using algorithms that adapt on the fly to changes in usage. The technology is known as “MU-MIMO,” which stands for “multi-user, multiple input, multiple output.”

Qualcomm plans on selling MU-MIMO enabled chips to manufactures of wireless routers and access points. They will also sell these chips to companies that makes smartphones, tablets, and other consumer electronics.

When both network and user use this technology, it will boost speeds by two to three times. Devices using MU-MIMO networks that are not equipped with the technology won’t be able to use the improvement provided by the chip, but should still gain some benefit.

“Using MU-MIMO is like using the carpool lane: the Wi-Fi Highway doesn’t change, but grouping up with other users lets you go much faster while de-congesting the other lanes,” the company said.

Qualcomm plans to start demonstrating the technology within the next few months before beginning shipments to customers early next year.

Posted in Business, Education, General, Science and Technology | Comments Off

The “Godfather” of House Music Frankie Knuckles Dies at the Age of 59

Posted on April 4, 2014 by joecool12

DJ Frankie Knuckles who was the pioneer of house music died on Monday at the age of 59. Knuckles was also known as a legendary producer and remixer.

Knuckles will be missed by many including me. I thought he was a talented individual who brought so many types of music together including a combination of disco, electronic, soul and synth. Knuckles had gained so much popularity in his music because so many nightclubs played his music on a regular base. He actually was an inspiration to bring house music the a mainstream population of music listeners.

DJ Knuckles won a Grammy award in 1997 as a nonclassical remixer of the year. Going back to his hometown in Chicago, many locals cherished him as a great artist. Chicago’s mayor said, “Over his long career Frankie made his way into the ranks of those artists and innovators who came to this city not just to contribute to a musical genre, but to create one themselves.”

Even though Knuckles died at an early age, he has left behind great artists that got far in their career from the influence of his music. Knuckles does earn the title of “The Godfather of House Music” because he was the individual who paved the way for the underground scene into mainstream for house and electronic music, which even current artists who focus on trap and twerk music could possibly use techniques that originally came from DJ Knuckles himself.

Rest in peace DJ Frankie Knuckles and possibly some unreleased music will be showcased to the fans of Knuckles or just even house music itself.

Posted in Entertainment | Comments Off

Final Four Weekend is in Full Swing in Arlington, Texas

Posted on April 4, 2014 by arlen spitalnik

With April beginning, the last round of the NCAA March Madness tournament, known as the “Final Four”, has finally arrived! As people rue their busted brackets, they move toward placing bets on which team will win it all. This year, the four teams who have survived up to this point are the Florida Gators, Wisconsin Badgers, Connecticut Huskies, and the Kentucky Wildcats.

In the first game, the No. 1 overall seeded Florida Gators (36-2) will take on the No. 7 seed Connecticut Huskies (30-8). The Huskies handed the Gators one of their only two losses all season on Dec. 5, 2013; the Gators have not lost a game since, winning 30 in a row. The biggest factor for Connecticut will be their highly-touted Point Guard, Shabazz Napier. Averaging 17.4 Points Per Game (PPG), Napier has carried the Huskies past very tough teams throughout the tournament, including Michigan State and Villanova. This should be a very intriguing matchup.

In the second contest, the No. 2 seeded Wisconsin Badgers will battle the No. 8 seed Kentucky Wildcats. Over the past few weeks, Wisconsin has consistently reminded people why they should be taken seriously. The Badgers knocked off American University, Oregon, Baylor, and the No. 1 Arizona Wildcats. However, the Wildcats of Kentucky are looking to prove themselves to be a legitimate threat as well. Kentucky has stacked their resume with notable wins over Kansas State, Wichita State, the defending national champions of Louisville and last year’s runner up, Michigan. Kentucky’s “big three”: Julius Randle, along with twins, Aaron Harrison and Andrew Harrison, will make things very difficult for the Badgers with their quick-transition attack. This will also be a tough one to pick.

Both games will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, April 5.

Posted in Sports | Comments Off

Bank’s CEO Got His Biggest Paycheck in Six Years Goldman’s Blankfein Awarded $23 Million for Work in 2013

Posted on April 4, 2014 by kelly casas

Goldman Sachs Group Inc delivered its top executive his biggest paycheck in six years. Lloyd Blankfein, Goldman’s chairman and CEO, received $23 million in salary and bonus for his 2013 performance. He is also eligible to earn another $6 million if the firm hits certain targets over several years, according to a securities filing.

Even without the long-term award, Mr. Blankfein’s compensation exceeded what his counterparts at the five other giant U.S. banks earned. But as the firm’s executives and board members have argued, Goldman’s returns remained ahead of its peers as well.

Mr. Blankfein’s pay has climbed as the firm successfully cut costs, despite a tough trading environment that crimped results at what had been the Wall Street firm’s primary profit engine: its fixed-income, currency and commodities business.

“Mr. Blankfein continued to demonstrate impressive leadership, drive and a keen focus on serving our clients and inspiring our people,” the Goldman board’s compensation committee wrote in Friday’s filing. “He successfully navigated the competitive landscape this past year, driving our commercial performance.”

Mr. Blankfein’s pay package was his largest since the financial crisis. He received $70 million for his work in 2007.

In 2013, he earned a $2 million salary. Restricted shares worth $14.7 million and $6.2 million in cash comprised his year-end bonus.

Goldman executives’ annual long-term incentive grants are paid out at the end of a predetermined, multiyear period, if certain goals, including the firm’s return on equity, are met. A year ago, top executives, including Mr. Blankfein, received awards valued at $5 million.

Gary Cohn, Goldman’s president, and Harvey Schwartz, its finance chief, each received $21 million in salary and bonus. John Weinberg, a vice chairman, was paid $18.5 million. J. Michael Evans, another vice chairman who retired in February, collected $15 million.

Goldman granted Mr. Cohn a long-term award worth $6 million. Mr. Schwartz received a $5 million award, while Mr. Weinberg got a $4 million grant.

Posted in General | Comments Off

A Couple Was Murdered After Their Facebook Relationship Status Was Changed

Posted on April 3, 2014 by rboniniv

Police say China Barber and Gus Bennett were victims in double murder-suicide. Barber’s estranged husband allegedly shot them, then himself. Bennett had updated his relationship status on Facebook days before the shooting.

Bennett, 20-year-old China Barber and Barber’s estranged husband, 23-year-old Robert “BJ” Sprinkle, were all dead. Mobile police said in a press release that the case was being investigated as a double homicide and suicide. Sprinkle has been identified as the shooter. Police responded to an apartment complex near the University of South Alabama at approximately 4:45 a.m. on December 10 following a report of multiple people being shot.

Officers found Barber and Sprinkle deceased at the scene. Bennett was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from gunshot wounds. Police described the case as a “domestic situation” and said they were not looking for any additional suspects in connection with the shootings.

Barber and Sprinkle had married last December, but police said they were separated. “We know all three were known to each other,” Mobile Police Department Public Information Officer Ashley Rains said Tuesday, but she could not release any additional information about a possible motive in the case.

According to a relative of Bennett, he and Barber had both been friends with Sprinkle. “There is no one left to be mad at. There is no place to put the blame,” Bennett’s sister-in-law, Elyse Bennett, wrote in a letter posted by HLN affiliate WALA. “We loved all three of them and I know that Bj will now be looked at as a monster, but I already forgive him. Even with this huge gaping hole in my heart and in my life I know that Bj had to have been in so much pain.”

Posted in Business, Crime, Education, Environment, General, Health, Odd News | Comments Off

I believe DeSean Jackson should have signed with the Carolina Panthers. What are your thoughts?

Posted on April 2, 2014 by christie jauch

It was only a matter of time as for where the Pro-Bowl receiver would end up playing. Many people thought he would go to a team such as the Carolina Panthers because they have some inexperienced receivers on their roster. CBSSports.com reported around 8:38 a.m. this morning that DeSean Jackson agreed to a 3-year, $24million dollar contract that included $16 million guaranteed. Some people around the world say that this is a no brainer for the six foot speedster whose former team was the Philadelphia Eagles. In my opinion, I believe he should’ve signed with the Carolina Panthers.

The Carolina Panthers are in need of receivers and lack experience when it comes to the receivers corps. The receivers that Carolina currently has on their roster are Toney Clemons, Jerricho Cotchery, Tiquan Underwood, and Kealoha Pilares. Some of these receivers that Carolina has either hasn’t caught their first ball yet or they don’t have any game experience at all. The only receiver that could be relied on if there was a game tonight is Jerricho Cotchery. Having DeSean Jackson would give Carolina some more experience at wide receiver as well as veteran leadership.

Jackson would get the football thrown his way a lot because he’s a play maker. Not only that, the Panthers finished the season 12-4 last year and are seeking to win a Superbowl. Head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers has did a tremendous job bringing in players he wanted and coaching them up to play at their highest level. The Panthers already have a solid quarterback in Cam Newton, and he’s proved himself to be one of the best quarterbacks in the league. If DeSean Jackson signed with the Panthers, I feel he would’ve enjoyed playing for them.

Posted in Entertainment, Sports | Comments Off

The Reasons Why Frozen Passed $1 Billion Dollars at Box Office

Posted on April 1, 2014 by bri yost

Disney’s Frozen climbed to the No. 1 spot at the box office in its sixth week in wide release, and its lingering success has taken the animation past $1 billion dollars at the world wide box office. What made this movie such a phenomenon? There are four reasons.

It’s classical. Frozen brought back the classic Disney spirit, standing out for its old-fashioned story, fantasy like setting with a lonely princess in a castle and her kingdom under a dreadful spell. It’s textbook storytelling and a nice throwback to the classic tale that kids have always enjoyed and adults have fondly kept deep inside.

But in one way it deviates from the original stories, featuring two princesses. Despite how the world has changed and what the media portrays, girls still love princesses and two are better than one. Both princesses are different in temperament with Anna being the enthusiastic romantic extrovert and Elsa being the proper, elegant, and magical loner. This appeals to a big variety of girls.

Next would be the funny sidekick. It was hard not to love the adorable snowman who seemed to endlessly spout out funny remarks appealing to both young kids and adults. The structure usually consists of your two main characters and the sidekick. Movies like Shrek, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid are structured in this way. It has been awhile though since this has been seen in recent animations. Most animations usually switch out this character for a lovable animal pet like Samson in Sleeping Beauty or Pascal in Tangled. It was a classical element that was nice to see used again.

Lastly is obvious, the music. The Broadway singers did both the voice acting and singing which often is not typical of animation films. It has been a recent trend, however, being previously done in Tangled and brings life into the movie. The songs “Let it Go” was loved by all and is even played on local radio stations. The magic of Disney mixed with the outstanding skill of Broadway could not have been a better match.

It has widely been understood that Disney’s branch Pixar has been known to make the better animations of late but with Tangled and now Frozen its exciting to think that classic Disney is making a comeback.

Posted in Audio/Video, Entertainment | Comments Off

Crab Walker Lurks the Depths

Posted on April 1, 2014 by jessica_houts

Recently developers and scientists released the “Crabster CR200” which it’s purpose is to walk the deepest depths of the ocean floor and discover new terrain. Developed by the Korean Institute of Ocean Science and Technology the Crabster’s model was made after crabs that grip the sea floor. Scientists saw that precious underwater aircraft with a propeller was no match for the current and tide changes. The Crabster which is controlled and operated by people mimics the shell of a crab and is able to move in stormy and uneven seas. Since this model is still going under tests it’s current speed underwater is 10 cm/second which will eventually increase with upgrades. Researchers are still improving its stability in rough terrain and in strong currents.

The “Crabster CR200″ is a scientific breakthrough for underwater research. This model has revolutionized the previously known propelled watercraft and will be able to search new depths. Hopefully researchers will have more flexibility and time for discovery. One researcher states that ” the CR200 can conduct seabed mapping, survey and inspection of wrecks, pipelines, ecosystems and pollution down to a 200-meter depth”. Also this watercraft will eventually help with locating underwater resources, pipelines and oil spill incidents. One of the main reasons this vehicle helps underwater exploration is that this would take the place of divers in dangerous situations. All in all this watercraft sets the bar for underwater explorations and will provide a better way of doing so.

Posted in Science and Technology | Comments Off

Tempers Flare as Busch Wins in Martinsville

Posted on April 1, 2014 by dougcampbell06

Visiting a short track for the second time in three weeks, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series provided the season’s sixth different winner in as many races. Kurt Busch was able to recover from an early pit road incident with Brad Keselowski to pass Jimmie Johnson with under 20 to go for the race lead and the win. Tempers flared between Keselowski and Busch, former Penske Racing teammates, after contact on pit road destroyed Keselowski’s front suspension. Keselowski felt the 2004 series champion hadn’t done enough to avoid the contact and proceeded to harass Busch with his damaged car for a lap before he returned to the garage.

Last week’s winner at Auto Club, Kyle Busch, started from pole and led the opening 16 laps before eventually fading to a 14th place finish. Busch’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammates faced mixed results as well, with Matt Kenseth finishing in 6th and Denny Hamlin struggling to a 19th place finish. Hamlin returned to the seat a week after a piece of metal in his eye sat him out for the Auto Club 400 and had a dismal day by his own standards at a track that he has had four prior wins at. Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. looked to be in prime positions to take the win late before Kurt Busch’s late charge back through the field, however the Hendrick duo still came home with second and third, respectively. Joey Logano had another strong run to come home in the fourth spot, his third fourth-place of the season. Rounding out the top five was Marcos Ambrose, as the native Australian took his second top five on a short track this season. Ambrose finished fifth at Bristol two weeks ago.