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Free Online Computer Tafe Courses

Study: HBCUs Took in a Third of Black College Students Displaced ...

About one third of the 9,600 HBCU students displaced in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina found a higher education home at other historically black colleges and universities throughout the country, according to a new study by Atlanta researcher Mike Weaver.

In many cases, it meant that the HBCUs accepted the students without the benefit of their financial aid because they had already paid to attend their home institutions, Weaver told BlackAmericaWeb.com.

"If it weren't for HBCUs, many of the students who were displaced by Katrina may not have gone to school at all," Weaver said. "We are our brothers' and sisters' keeper. That is what HBCUs have done traditionally. Hurricane Katrina brought out the best in HBCUs."

A total of 67 HBCUs received students who fled from Dillard, Xavier and Southern University New Orleans.

RadioShack and Powered Launch Free Online Consumer Electronics ...

Each course will be moderated and taught by subject matter experts from across the country, including award-winning authors, technology leaders and technology professionals. Powered, which worked with RadioShack to develop and host the course content at the new RadioShack Learning Center, is a provider of online consumer education programs for some of the world's leading brands, including HP and Sony.

"Customers give credit to RadioShack for its knowledgeable sales associates who help them understand new technologies and select the best solutions for their individual needs," said Cara Kinzey, RadioShack's senior vice president-information technologies. "We are now bringing that distinctive world-class customer service to online shoppers as well."

Kinzey said certain subjects regarding technology can appear daunting to some customers, so allowing them to gain a measure of comfort using a self- paced online course is a convenient solution.

August 19th, 2008 09:14 AM

An Intro To OpenSim, the Apache of Virtual Worlds

ajohnj1 writes with an excerpt from Ostatic: "You've probably read a bit about OpenSim, the BSD-licensed virtual world server, and recent news that IBM and Linden Lab are working to make Second Life and Open Sim interoperable. Besides that project, what's Open Sim about, who's working on it, what are they doing with it, and how do you get involved as a developer and participant? Here's a starter's guide."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

August 18th, 2008 11:40 PM

OLPC Physics Game Jam For an XO

Brian Jordan writes "For 48 hours during the weekend of August 29-31 at the OLPC Physics Game Jam Boston, game developers will compete in teams of 2-4 to design and implement a physics-based game for the One Laptop per Child XO laptop. There are prize categories for indie, professional, and remote developers (Ludum Dare style). In addition to OLPC/Jam-related swag for all participants, one team will win an XO laptop. Participants should have some game development experience, but we'll be going over the development process during the event — read below for details. If you'll be in the Boston area this weekend, or want to participate remotely, sign up before August 22. If you're a graphic artist, sound designer, musician in the Boston area, or want to be a volunteer, get in touch." Click the magic link for details of the crash course in game programming being offered.