It seems that the most interesting up-and-coming web applications go through a private, invitation-only beta phase before being launched to the public. This was certainly the case with Google Mail, the Yahoo! Mail do-over, and one service that I’m particularly interested in: grono.net. Unfortunately, none of my friends or relatives use that service, so getting an invitation isn’t likely.
There’s obviously a need here that needs to be filled: begging strangers for invitations to web beta’s. I’ve found a few places to share invitations, but by far the most beautiful and appealing is InviteShare.com. What a gorgeous, well-thought-out design.
» Read more …
Courtesy of friend who runs My Yacht is Too Big: you can get a free Angus burger at Harveys before April 28th, 2008.
Image from Photobucket.
In the next few weeks tuition for Graduate students at the University of Guelph is probably going to go up again. As a student, this obviously bothers me. What is that, 14% in three years? 120% in the last 12 years?
Since many of us know the tuition increase is imminent, and aren’t really willing to protest against it publicly out of fear of reprisal, skepticism, or ignorance, we say:
Hey at least we’re not in the U.S. … tuition is like $<xx>,000 per semester!
There is a prevailing belief in Canada that American tuition fees are completely out of reach for the average lower-middle-class student; thus in Canada we have it a little better, and shouldn’t complain about 4% tuition increases.
This is a popular theory amongst students in times when the Administration corrects budget shortfalls with student money rather than public money, and raises tuition. In hopes of affirming the “at least we’re not as screwed as the Americans”-theory of public education management, I decided to do some research.
The results were surprising: tuition at Guelph is definitely not less expensive than at similar U.S. schools.
» Read more …
The University of Guelph Faculty Association (UGFA), the union for faculty on campus, is in a legal strike position on Friday, March 14th, at 12:01am (press release). They’ve been negotiating a new agreement with the University Administration for about 18 months now, and haven’t reached something amicable yet.
It’s tough to find information on the specific outstanding issues, but information from the UGFA at least details what faculty members were voting for when they voted for the strike mandate.
But what are we students supposed to do: Graduate Students who are GTAs, Sessionals, or those of us just attending classes?
» Read more …
