Month: January 2011

So, if you haven’t heard the news about metered Internet use, you should!

Right now, you pay a flat monthly fee for Internet use – This is a fee that doesn’t change no matter how much, or how little you use it. However, the CRTC is making a move to change this. They are proposing that ISPs (Internet Service Providers) put a cap on monthly downloading amounts. This amount could be as low as 25GB per month, and if you go over your monthly limit, you’ll be charged extra per GB you download (from $1-4/GB).

Technically, this would be like cell phone plans – If you don’t go over your limit, you won’t be charged extra.

Why should you care?

1) How many of you watch TV on the internet? “According to Netflix Canada, high-definition streaming requires about 2GB of data/hour, while standard-definition streaming requires 1GB/hour.” (Banerjee 2011)

According to the data above, if you’re over your monthly limit that could mean an extra $2-8/hour for HD, and $1-4/hour for standard definition.

2) Most University students today (myself included) are required to complete readings online, as well as submit assignments, and research for papers. This can be time consuming, (and now, it appears, paycheck consuming.)

If you’re interested in this topic, I’ve included an interesting video and newspaper article below.

Strombo Talks About the Impending Metered Internet

How much is that data plan going to cost you?

Additionally, if you’re against the idea of metered Internet use, please sign the petition.

Thanks,

Katy

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the 2011 UBC Student Leadership Conference. This was attended by over 1000 students! Just before the opening ceremonies, I got a chance to snap this photo from the Chan Centre:

The opening speaker was Drew Dudley, who talked about how changing someone’s life can be as simple as giving someone a lollipop. In his case, he brought two people together with a lollipop, and that simple gesture changed their lives – they ended up getting married!

After the opening ceremonies, students dispersed to attend different featured presenters and workshops all over campus. These included talks about sustainability, food insecurity, and even LEGO! Lunch was provided by the SLC, and afterward, students had two more sessions of their choice. The great thing about the SLC is that you can customize you schedule to fit your interests.

After that was the closing ceremony, including the closing keynote speakers, The Buried Life. Dave did a little breakdance, and they talked about how they started the project. Most of them were still in University at the time, and they felt a little lost and overwhelmed, as some students can feel. They wondered if what they were doing was what they really wanted to do in life. (As a side note, Dave gained 45 lbs in his first year in Uni!) Then they related what they were doing to the idea of leadership, which was the topic of this year’s SLC. Sometimes you don’t seek out leadership, or even realize what you are doing is changing people’s lives, but just by doing what you think is right can be life-changing to others.

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