John A. Logan’s professor teaches electronics via pinball

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John A. Logan’s professor teaches electronics via pinball






Rob Craig John A. Logan College

Rob Craig, an electronics instructor and chair of the John A. Logan College Applied Technologies Department, stands next to a pinball machine – one of many tools he uses to teach and connect with students.




Dinga-ding-ding-dinga-ding. Ching-ching, thump, bumb, thump, ding.

The sounds of a pinball machine may not be what one would expect to hear in a classroom, especially one housing a community college electronics course, but for Rob Craig, an electronics instructor and chair of the John A. Logan College Applied Technologies Department, a pinball machine is the perfect piece of teaching equipment.

“Students are allowed to play on it,” Craig said of the prototype of a machine being developed by Chicago-based American Pinball and provided to the college by an alumnus. “Many have never played real pinball before and they have so much fun, but the beauty of it is, we can open the thing up and take a look. There’s wiring and circuit boards and it’s everything we talk about and do in class.”

To Craig, electronics is about fun. In fact, he said he really “gets into it” and loves bring real-world applications – including pinball – into the classroom. He said that is a feature of many of the electronics, technology and career-track programs at John A. Logan College.

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“It is absolutely vital that we bring people from the industry in to teach,” he explained. “If you have two instructors, both teaching the same material, but one has a decade of experiences in the field versus the other who just came through the education system, I think the impact on students is dramatically different.”

He continued, “The students desperately need someone to paint the picture for them with real experiences, not stuff that they have read, but things that they have lived. Inspiration really hits when a teacher can say, ‘Look guys, let me tell you about a time that this same thing happened in the real world.’ You can’t do that if you don’t have the life experiences.”

Craig brings his own “real world” experiences to the classroom and his students. He worked in in the technology support group for United Parcel Service for nearly a decade and then worked in information technology and cybersecurity for a number of years at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

“I got to see a lot of cool things and it is just awesome to talk about what I’ve seen,” he said.

To further bring the realities of the industrial and work world to students, Craig said his department utilizes a large advisory committee to help instruction keep pace with the needs of employers and to develop networks for students.

One example of the evolution of technology instruction is the artificial intelligence. Craig is in the process of developing a class on it.

“We have to find ways to use it as a tool and not just be a tool for it, if you understand my meaning,” he outlined.

He said he also

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The 7 days that improved Pc gaming eternally

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The 7 days that improved Pc gaming eternally

Tech Tales

This write-up 1st appeared in Computer Gamer magazine issue 384 in May possibly 2023, as section of our Tech Tales collection. Just about every month we converse about the ups and downs of Pc hardware, with a search again on our possess record with the hobby.

Individuals were being fired up in 2004. The most expected Laptop sport there experienced ever been was on its way. Half-Daily life 2’s predecessor had shaken up the video game industry to a diploma that even the last 25 years of hyperbole in the sport press has not pretty received throughout. It was like someone had just flipped a swap: one particular moment there were only Doom clones and stifled yawns, the next, everyone was accomplishing set-parts, true-time storytelling, and turrets. Valve’s FPS was so good that we were even happy to play the lousy impressions of it.

Even in advance of there had been screenshots, the Computer gaming population was enraptured by Fifty percent-Lifestyle 2’s announcement. And then there were being screenshots, and we all mainly melted into burning-very hot hype puree. A strange, Soviet-encouraged dystopian metropolis. Significant ants. A automobile. A motor vehicle! It was all just much too a great deal for us. We scarcely had the online again then, so it didn’t take substantially to overload our circuits.

That was the extremely basis of the recreation of 4D chess Gabe Newell and co were about to enjoy with Half-Existence 2. Most likely September 19, 2003 was a turning point for Valve, when it was manufactured mindful of specifically how on the web the earth had come to be when it was found out that a German hacker named Axel Gembe had infiltrated the company’s inside community and pilfered an early beta version of the recreation. He’d supplied that version to a friend through a actual physical media copy, and that friend had launched it to the net, and… quite a large amount of people were being now actively playing an early, unreleased and fairly cataclysmically broken edition of the most expected Pc recreation in background. Valve was fairly upset.

Hot air

(Impression credit score: Valve)

Coincidentally, this transpired exactly 1 week following Valve introduced Steam, a new on the internet video games hub developed to make it a lot easier to continue to keep Counter-Strike 1.6 patched up to day and to prevent cheaters. Within 7 days, the most significant sport in the world experienced leaked on to the world-wide-web and was staying circulated for totally free, and its developer had released an on the net software that would subsequently grow to be Personal computer gaming’s de facto dwelling for a long time. It may possibly very well be the most crucial week of the 21st century. And a person miracles if the two functions have a further romance than sheer happenstance.

Because—and this is entire conjecture, let’s be obvious about that—if Fifty percent-Life enthusiasts were online plenty of to have situated and downloaded a hooky beta of

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AMC’s FearFest Returns With 700 Hours Of Horror Programming

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AMC’s FearFest Returns With 700 Hours Of Horror Programming

It really is September, and you know what that implies: the so-termed “Spooky Season” is upon us! Summer’s on its way out (until you live in Texas, in which summer months lasts until eventually around mid-December), Halloween’s on the horizon, and it can be time to begin setting up your annual horror movie marathons.

Not absolutely sure what to observe this yr? No dilemma! AMC Networks and the good individuals at Shudder have you included with this year’s FearFest, a enormous programming celebration featuring about 700 hrs (!!!) of killer horror articles, which include brand-new flicks, returning faves, and additional than a several classics.

Consider it away, press launch:

AMC Networks announced currently a monster-sized return of AMC’s “FearFest,” its prolonged-functioning horror and genre programming party, with over 700 hours of movies, sequence and specials to be curated by Shudder, AMC Networks’ streamer for horror, thrillers and the supernatural, for the incredibly initial time. “FearFest, Stunned by Shudder” will develop into September and across AMC Networks’ full portfolio of networks and streamers about the two-thirty day period celebration.

“Countdown to Fearfest” starts on AMC currently, September 1 with Shudder’s 101 Scariest Horror Movie Times of All Time every single Friday at 11:00 p.m., major into a primetime takeover the past week of September showcasing legendary horror motion pictures each and every night of the week like the Scream and Halloween franchises as effectively as Stephen King classics like The Shining and Firestarter. 

October will then kick off wall-to-wall protection, which includes a mix of supporter-favourite horror movies as very well as new programming from Shudder.  AMC will keep on to host new Shudder videos and collection each individual Friday night top up to Halloween, including a double-feature of Shudder’s V/H/S franchise on Friday, October 6, and the co-premiere of Shudder’s Creepshow Year 4, from Government Producer Greg Nicotero (The Going for walks Useless), alongside AMC+ and Shudder on Friday Oct 13.

But which is not all: this year’s FearFest will also include things like the return of some favorites:

AMC will also rejoice iconic horror classics all time, such as the 45th anniversary of Halloween with a new The Previous Travel-In with Joe Bob Briggs specific on Tuesday, Oct 10 at 10:00 p.m., the 50th anniversary of The Exorcist paired with its 101 Scariest Movie Times of All Time episode on Friday, September 29 at 8:15 p.m., and the 55th anniversary of Rosemary’s Little one followed by the Cursed Movies documentary on Monday, Oct 2 at 8:00 p.m. 

As the home of the best in horror all calendar year round, Shudder will debut a quantity of highly anticipated  new flicks and series each and every 7 days in September and Oct, including Alicia Silverstone-headlined thriller Perpetrator (September 1), the subsequent installment in the V/H/S franchise, V/H/S/85 (Oct 6), the remarkably predicted When Evil Lurks (Oct 27), a new time of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, and new specials from The Previous Push-In with Joe Bob Briggs

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The Finest Gaming Gadgets of the Calendar year

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The Finest Gaming Gadgets of the Calendar year

Top rated 10 Gaming Keyboards for Enhanced Gameplay

In the world of gaming, getting the correct gear can make all the distinction. From high-performance graphics playing cards to lightning-rapidly processors, avid gamers are constantly on the lookout for the hottest and finest gizmos to increase their gameplay. One particular critical piece of products that typically will get overlooked is the gaming keyboard. A fantastic gaming keyboard can greatly strengthen your gaming experience, delivering you with a lot quicker reaction situations, customizable keys, and a relaxed typing expertise. With that in head, we have compiled a checklist of the top 10 gaming keyboards of the calendar year.

First on our record is the Razer Huntsman Elite. This keyboard functions Razer’s new Opto-Mechanical switches, which give a more quickly response time than traditional mechanical switches. It also has customizable RGB lights and a relaxed wrist relaxation, building it a wonderful alternative for players who want both style and functionality.

Next up is the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum. This keyboard features Cherry MX Speed switches, which are identified for their quick actuation and very low profile design and style. It also has 8MB of onboard storage for preserving customized profiles, as very well as devoted media keys for effortless obtain to audio and online video controls.

For gamers on a spending budget, the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is a fantastic choice. This keyboard functions Cherry MX Crimson switches, which are known for their easy and linear sense. It also has a compact style, building it best for gamers who require to help you save room on their desk.

If you are looking for a wi-fi selection, the Logitech G915 Lightspeed is truly worth considering. This keyboard utilizes Logitech’s Lightspeed wi-fi know-how, which provides a lag-no cost gaming expertise. It also has minimal-profile mechanical switches and customizable RGB lighting, earning it a fashionable and functional choice.

For players who choose a more compact keyboard, the Ducky One 2 Mini is a best decide. This 60% keyboard has a minimalist design and style and characteristics Cherry MX switches. It also has customizable RGB lighting and a removable USB-C cable, building it a excellent alternative for avid gamers on the go.

One more excellent option for compact keyboards is the SteelSeries Apex Professional TKL. This keyboard capabilities SteelSeries’ OmniPoint switches, which allow for for customizable actuation points. It also has a detachable magnetic wrist relaxation and customizable RGB lights, earning it a versatile alternative for players.

If you are a fan of mechanical keyboards, the Das Keyboard 4 Experienced is a leading selection. This keyboard options Cherry MX switches and has a sleek and qualified design and style. It also has devoted media controls and a crafted-in USB hub, building it a terrific selection for each gaming and productivity.

For avid gamers who want a much more unique keyboard, the Razer Tartarus Professional is value contemplating. This keypad functions Razer’s Analog Optical switches, which deliver adjustable actuation points. It also has customizable RGB lights and programmable

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Congress must seize the option to double down on quantum technologies

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Congress must seize the option to double down on quantum technologies

5 years ago, Congress passed the National Quantum Initiative Act (NQIA). In the yrs considering that, exploration on quantum entanglement won the Nobel Prize in Physics and applications that after seemed difficult now appear to be inside get to.  

For all those apps, world-wide non-public expense in quantum startups has surged, reaching $2.35 billion in 2022. Having said that, the U.S. government will have to improve its commitment to this vital know-how, broadening the investments from basic science to supporting engineering and engineering. 

With the NQIA thanks for reauthorization on Sept. 30, we urge Congress to prioritize this legislation.  

While AI continues to capture headlines and national attention, the world-wide race to quantum know-how carries on apace, with programs in conversation, computation and sensing that guarantee to revolutionize our world.  

Quantum computation will enable us to solve complications that are unable to be solved on classical computer systems — enabling these genuine-world gains as greater agriculture yields and the growth of new vaccines, medicine and professional medical solutions.  Quantum sensing will permit better precision timing than GPS devices with implications for navigation, defense programs and economical networks.  And while widely used encryption will be rendered susceptible by quantum computing, quantum conversation promises bodily secure communication.  

Our achievements in offering on quantum’s likely is dependent on two primary inputs: investment and expertise.   

Financial investment, of program, is more than pounds. The NQIA has accomplished a commendable job of placing obvious U.S. priorities and facilitating cross-sector and multidisciplinary coordination. The proposal to commit in new quantum accelerators and testbeds is welcome, as is the mandate to strengthen NIST’s role in science and normal placing. Doing so will incubate promising quantum investigate and progress routines and placement the U.S. to steer the training course of quantum innovation. 

The new Countrywide Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee (NQIAC) report called for, and we agree, increased versatility in the use of funding, allowing researchers to remain agile in pursuing new, emerging avenues of study. Signaling extended-phrase determination (the present legislation ends in 2028) and fully funding NQI routines and quantum parts of the CHIPS and Science Act are necessary.  

Strong bipartisan assist for quantum investigate and improvement will carry on to catalyze private and college expense and spur start-up action. The College of Pittsburgh — where by a person of us is the founding director of the Institute for Cyber Law, Policy and Safety and the other is vice chancellor for exploration infrastructure — recently announced a $11.6 million investment decision to build the Western Pennsylvania Quantum Details Main, delivering researchers with state-of-the-artwork instrumentation. We are very pleased to perform our component in the “whole-of-country,” all-palms-on-deck push to produce quantum systems for the American men and women – and to assure that the gains are not restricted to company passions.   

The expertise piece is a lot more complicated. Funding by yourself, no subject how substantial, simply cannot generate the quantum workforce the nation desires. We are in the method of schooling a quantum workforce the

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Hundreds in Wake Forest drop their telephones and electronics for an afternoon “unplugged”

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Hundreds in Wake Forest drop their telephones and electronics for an afternoon “unplugged”

WAKE FOREST, N.C. (WNCN) — Various people grabbed their garden chairs and picnic blankets when picking out to depart their mobile phones and other electronics powering Sunday afternoon.

The 12th annual “Wake Forest Unplugged, Get Connected” celebration at Carroll Joyner Park introduced people and citizens collectively to hook up even though also disconnecting with their devices.

Individuals of all ages took advantage of the no cost occasion that provided live songs, food stuff trucks, online games and various other enjoyment routines.

Chair of Wake Forest Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board, Danny Hupp stated the group started the event numerous many years in the past to give citizens a minute to love a beautiful day and become engaged with their surroundings and community.

“Get off your mobile telephones, get off your tablets… it’s tough with how factors are now times but we can have some entertaining without the need of acquiring to be on social media,” claimed Hupp.

Whilst the Town of Wake Forest carries on to expand, Hupp reported he and many others want to deliver a lot more for people to develop into healthier, energetic and associated. In addition to 12 parks, Wake Forest has about 15 miles of greenway for people to investigate and get pleasure from.

Ruben Wall, the Director for the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Sources office, mentioned the function continues to provide a big group just about every yr.

“We spend most of the time on these telephones and laptops and matters and I think it’s critical for little ones and households to just action absent, take pleasure in character and have entertaining like we utilized to again in the day,” he added.

Wall reported the outside gathering was also an prospect to collect suggestions from the general public.

“We have 12 parks and one particular detail that we’re performing this yr is starting the system to kick off a new masterplan to seem at how we can make our amenities superior,” stated Wall. “For the subsequent 12 months, we’re going to have what we call “play it forward,” where citizens can present input on how they want their parks to seem, what they want in the long run, how they want their parks to expand.”

By scanning a QR code, taking a study and composing down suggestions on data boards, Wall explained the section hopes to listen to from people.

“It’s crucial that the citizens inform us what they want, these are their amenities, they belong to them,” he claimed. “We just take care of them.”

Wall explained Sunday’s function was an prospect to give residents a moment to unplug, but also make community.

“You know, we all went by some thing with COVID and now we’re back again out experiencing ourselves, and I feel we have a unique appreciation for what we have and the features that we have below in this town.”

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