What’s the tweet about Twitter

By MELISSA PILEIRO

Editor-in-Chief

A few years ago, the Internet buzzword was “Myspace.” Not long after, it seemed like every college kid in America was getting a Facebook page. Today, the website of the moment is Twitter, and it’s spreading faster than many of its competitors. The secret might be that while social networking sites like Myspace and Facebook tend to attract only young students, Twitter is intriguing just about everyone. Huge media corporations like the BBC and CNN have it, as do many popular celebrities and even politicians.

The sudden incredible popularity of Twitter has left many people on the outside asking one question: what is it, anyway? Put simply, Twitter’s purpose is to answer the simple question “what are you doing?” in 140 characters or less, about the same amount of space allowed for text messages.

Yup, that’s all there is to it.

So what’s the appeal? For most, it’s a way to keep in touch with family, friends, or colleagues without the clutter and busyness of other social networking sites. The length of individual messages, called “tweets,” is short enough for readers to get all the information they need without having to dig through photos, quizzes, and other friends.

For the media, Twitter adds an interesting new dimension to the way news is exchanged. When the Internet first started to gain momentum in the 90s, journalism was revolutionized as the day’s news no longer needed to wait for evening. Twitter is a step up from this almost-immediate gratification that news websites provide. Twitter can be used to post breaking news headlines long before a story is written.

Naysayers believe that Twitter does little more than support personal narcissism. Using the site might leave your friends wondering why you felt the need to tweet “having my morning cup of coffee” or “going to class.” However, those that use it typically have very specific reasons for tweeting, and are thankful that they can keep others informed in a quick, concise way.

You can follow The Voice on Twitter, too! Check us out at http://www.twitter.com/cccvoice. 

When pigs fly

by Melissa Pileiro

 

It seems hard to believe that just ten days ago Americans were completely unaware of the swine flu. Now, it seems to be the new buzzword, popping up online, on TV, and in print. Of course, most worrisome of all is that the virus is new, uncontained, and spreading.

 The H1N1 virus, commonly known as the swine flu, first made national headlines two weeks ago. The virus is typically restricted to pigs, but what is causing concern is that recently, the virus has mutated and is able to be transmitted to humans. Since swine flu is typically an animal strain, it can’t be prevented just by going to the doctor for a vaccine like the “regular” human influenza. With the mutation being so recent and no vaccine to help prevent it, humans have no immunity to the swine flu. This means that each and every one of us is at risk for contracting and spreading the virus to others.

 Before panicking, however, it’s important to be aware of what the virus is, how it’s spread, and how to keep yourself safe during this time of uncertainty.

 The H1N1 virus was first spotted in Mexico back in March, where it began to spread quickly. Several deaths were reported in the weeks immediately following the outbreak and steps were taken to contain it, but not before travelers and tourists crossed the border to enter the United States. Those in close contact with infected individuals also began to show signs of the swine flu, and it has since then been diagnosed all over the United States. At present it seems to be spreading in localized clusters, but no one is certain how long this will last.

 The worries of the American people are only being heightened by the almost constant media coverage that began shortly after the first signs of human-to-human transmission. The internet is a particular hotspot for swine flu information, but not all of it is accurate. Rumors have been spread via Facebook, Twitter, and other social websites that swine flu is spread through consuming pork, which is not true; you can only catch this strain of the virus from other humans. The Internet has also helped to stretch out of proportion the number of people who have confirmed cases in the United States—226 as of May 4, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC)—and the severity of the disease in general.

 Make no mistake, swine flu is certainly a concern, and Americans should be doing everything in their power to stay informed and inform others while protecting themselves. However, hysteria and spreading of misinformation will do more harm than good. When looking for information online, be careful when choosing which websites to view; in the days immediately following the outbreak, hackers and scammers bought new websites that spread both lies and computer viruses. 

Generally, the best strategy is to stay away from others when you aren’t feeling well, and to always cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often, and stay updated on the latest medical recommendations. If you start to feel feverish, have a headache, upper respiratory tract symptoms (cough, sore throat, etc.), vomiting, or diarrhea, see a doctor as soon as possible.

The forgotten allure of Jersey foods

 

By MELISSA PILEIRO
Editor-in-Chief

 

Summer is fast approaching, and most of us will readily admit to daydreaming during class about our upcoming summer plans. For me, though, there’s one thing about summer in South Jersey that stands out the most: the food.

The Vineland area is well known for its ethnic diversity, and the Greek Festival sponsored by St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox church always draws a crowd. It will be held this year the weekend of May 21 next to the church on Wheat Rd.

  New Jersey didn’t get its Garden State nickname for just anything—this half of the state is famous for its produce. Parts of Vineland are more rural and agricultural than even some sections of the South, and that only works as an advantage to us, whether you’re trying your luck at your own garden or just enjoying the spoils of someone else’s. Jersey tomatoes are a particular favorite, along with summer fruits like blueberries, raspberries and peaches. The 23rd annual Red, White and Blueberry Festival will be held in Hammonton, the blueberry capital of the world, on June 28.

  If you’re looking for summer flavors with something sweet, your best bet is ice cream. The Royal Crown on Rt. 30 is well known for homemade custard and ice cream that’s mixed with whatever fruit is in season at the time. You can also get a twist of more than one flavor, like strawberry and blueberry or peach and black cherry.

  Of course, if you aren’t willing to travel that far for a treat, there are countless ice cream stands in the area to satisfy your sweet tooth. One such place that is both extremely popular and unique to this region is Rita’s Water Ice. Those of us born and raised in the Mid-Atlantic United States might be surprised to learn that water ice isn’t a universal dessert; in fact, people not from this area have been known to mistake water ice for snow cones. Ice cream fans should also be warned that ordering custard in any other geographic region will earn you a sweet, egg based confection, and not the soft serve you’d expect. Don’t ask for rainbow or chocolate jimmies, either—they’re sprinkles.

  The majority of South Jerseyans can’t imagine a summer without at least one trip to the Boardwalk, be it in Ocean City or Wildwood. No matter where your favorite location is, though, most don’t deny that eating your way through is often the most fun. Mack & Manco’s pizza is usually a resounding favorite, and if you don’t live down the Shore, there’s still hope—most of their locations will deliver. For dessert, there’s always the infamous salt water taffy—not made with salt water, ironically—fudge, or even deep fried Oreos. The latter might sound a bit sketchy, but go ahead and take a risk; it’s like eating chocolate flavored funnel cake.

  Some people might feel like South Jersey is boring and offers very little. This summer, I’d like to challenge you to expand your horizons—you’ll be amazed at how many interesting things to see (and taste!) you’ll find.

 

Mack & Manco’s pizza is a favorite of the Wildwood Boardwalk.

 

Tomatoes are a staple of Jersey foods, and provide for a number of cool, tasty dishes.

Facebook: friend or foe?

By   Melissa Pileiro

Editor-in-Chief

 

 

At CCC and other college campuses around the country, it’s extremely rare to enter the library or computer labs and not find someone browsing Facebook.com.

Founded in 2004 at Harvard University, the social networking site was originally open to Harvard students only, and then to the greater Ivy League. Soon it was available to all colleges, and all high schools shortly after that. Today, anyone over the age of 13 can create a Facebook, and the inclusive strategy seems to be working: the website now reports that over 175 million people are active worldwide.

What exactly is it that has people so engrossed in Facebook? For many, the website is a tool for keeping in touch with old friends, especially those from high school. The fastest growing demographic on the site is not college students as would be expected, but actually those in their 30s and up. While those from Generation Y typically use the website to update old friends on their lives, it is also extremely popular for work-related business and networking.

The role that social websites play in the current job market is a crucial one. Employers can easily run a Google search on a prospective employee, and because most users are listed under their full name, their Facebook page is usually one of the first listings to appear. With the right tools, the employer can then view details about the applicant’s educational history, past careers, and even photos.The ability to post photos and videos is a favorite feature for many Facebook users, particularly those who express an interest in photography or modeling. CCC sophomore Kristina Kanakis had been using the site for several years when she decided to promote her own photography through an on-site group. One year later, the group has over 100 members, and Kanakis is looking forward to shooting her first wedding this summer. “I’ve been taking pictures since I was old enough to hold a camera,” she said, adding that she’s thrilled to be gaining opportunities—and potential models—through the website.

Ashley Sorantino, a  CCC sophomore, uses her Facebook to network with photographers and other models like herself. Modeling off and on for the past three years has given her ample wisdom about working under different conditions, not all of them ideal. Today, Sorantino doesn’t pull punches: her profile lays out clearly what she will and will not do during a photo shoot. This usually helps to ensure that only the people that respect her wishes will contact her for work. 

Unfortunately, not everyone employs the same wisdom that Ashley does in promoting a positive self-image. It is becoming increasingly more common to hear stories on the news or radio of a college student fired from his or her workplace because of their Facebook’s content. Wild images of partying or drinking, as well as presenting the employer in a bad light, are often to blame for these terminations. Many people don’t realize that everything they do online leaves a virtual footprint of sorts, even if the profile is set to “private.” The best solution to avoid trouble is a simple one: never post anything to your Facebook page, be it images or text, that you wouldn’t want your grandmother to read. Considering the rapid growth of the website expected in the coming years, she may be doing just that.

Super Mario Galaxy a must for fans

By MELISSA PILEIRO

Editor-in-Chief                  

Video games, whether you play them or not, are a staple of American culture. Even non-gamers can recognize characters like Pac-Man, Zelda, and Donkey Kong. However, none of them are as well-known or loved as everyone’s favorite plumber, Mario.

It might be because the Mario series has been one of the longest lasting—Super Mario Bros. first debuted for the Nintendo NES in 1985, and has produced nearly a dozen games since. Beyond its prominence, though, the simple controls coupled with tricky levels are what make the games so much fun.

At the end of 2007, Nintendo released Super Mario Galaxy for its wildly popular Wii system. Fortunately for gamers, Galaxy isn’t your typical Mario game. Once again, Princess Peach has been kidnapped by Bowser, but this time they take to the skies in a huge way. With the help of a new ally named Rosalina, Mario travels through 45 different galaxies in search of the princess, with other puzzles and challenges to complete along the way.

What makes Galaxy unique from its predecessors is the role of gravity in gameplay. Rather than just moving in one direction like in the original games, or even on one planet, each level finds Mario moving from planet to planet. Each planet has its own gravity, and Mario needs to navigate its surface while occasionally walking sideways or upside down, all while dodging enemies. It might sound complicated, but with so many galaxies to explore, there’s plenty of time to get adjusted (take this from someone who is, admittedly, an amateur gamer). Other new features include power-ups that let Mario walk on water and lava, disappear, crawl up and walk through walls, and even fly.

The appeal in this game is that while it has all of the classic elements players have come to expect from the Mario series, it’s different enough to be both interesting and exciting, which is a must. There are plenty of extra lives and checkpoints to make the game forgiving, but its challenges give even the best gamer something to think about. Combine all of that with the game’s numerous awards (including Game of the Year 2007 from multiple publications) and positive reviews, and Super Mario Galaxy is definitely worth getting into.