Python

Our ICT 12 class will soon be starting a new unit called Python. If you are interested in learning about the computer programming language of Python, visit the following website, run by our ICT 12 teacher, Mr. Vogel: 

http://www.myndrs.com/python/

Twilight

Twilight a vampire/romance novel written by Stephanie Meyer. It is a story of a young girl, Isabella "Bella" Swan, who falls in love with a vampire, Edward Cullen. There are three other novels that follow after Twilight -- New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. 

I went to watch the advance screening of Twilight on Thursday, November 20, 2008. As anticipated I was watching it, I was a bit disappointed. The best part was towards the ending of the movie. Although, the beginning was pretty funny, considering everyone in the whole theatre was laughing. But all in all, I do recommend everyone to watch it! 

Pearl, Curve, and Bold are a few of Blackberry's latest device models. Just recently, Blackberry created a new model: Blackberry Storm. The Blackberry Storm isn't like any other Blackberry's, it has a special feature similar to Apple's iPhone, they're both touch-screen. It was announced that Storm was too arrive before the holidays, but it seems that software and hardware don't quite mesh up in this product. Therefore, it is not a glowing endorsement of the touch-screen technology in the Storm. 

Here is a thorough review on the Canadian product: 

http://www.pcworld.com/article/154212/blackberrys_storm_awkward_and_disappointing.html

Trism for the iPhone: Game Makes Big Dollars

Steve Demeter is the creator of the new game, Trism, available for iPhones. Trism is similar to the puzzle game Bejeweled, but Trism requires the player to tilt their iPhones to place the triangular piece. With the price at $2.99, over a couple of months Demeter has managed to make $250,000 from the simple game. 

Here is the link to the CNN article for more information: 

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/11/18/iphone.game.developer/index.html

OLPC XO

The innovative idea for the "One Laptop Per Child" (OLPC) program was founded by Nicholas Negroponte, to give children in developing countries an educational opportunity that they would never have. Last year, the students of Notre Dame Regional Secondary fundraised to purchase an OLPC XO. They purchased two units, one of which went to a student in a third world country. 

On November 17th OLPC will launch their Give One, Get One campaign. There are many ways how everyone can help: 

1. Tell 100 friends. 

2. Bring your laptop to work or school. 

Hopefully, by telling your friends and family about the Give One, Get One campaign, they will want to help. Surprisingly, there are about more than 100,000 members with XOs around the world. 

For more updates on One Laptop Per Child, check out the following links:

http://www.laptop.org

http://support.laptop.org

http://youtube.com/olpcfoundation

Lest We Forget

Here at Notre Dame Regional Secondary Vancouver, BC, a Remembrance Day service is held each year in honour of those who fought and died for our country. Just like in previous Remembrance Day ceremonies, we had two men play their bag pipes. Also, students in Acting 11 and 12 performed a scenario of World War I. Notre Dame Concert Choir and Band students performed various songs that related to Remembrance Day, like Amazing Grace. Mr. Scott prepared a video of the experiences many veterans faced and reenactments of what happened during the war. A red poppy is worn to remember those who sacrificed their lives for each and everyone of us. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month marks the end of World War I.

The photos below were taken during the Remembrance Day service:

Visual Basic

On November 4th, we started a new programming language called Visual Basic. We started the new language with a Hello World program. We used various tools such as the "command" button and "label" control.