Technology
In Atlanta last April, a woman named Raquel Nelson, with her three children in tow, jaywalked. They were hit by a car and her four-year-old son was killed. Astonishingly, she was convicted of vehicular homicide, although public outrage has helped her secure a new trial.
This is an extreme example of something we see in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and around the country: blaming the victim when our automobile-dominated transportation system, which is inherently lethal, kills or injures someone just trying to walk from one place to another in the urban environment.
Raquel Nelson did nothing wrong when she jaywalked. In all likelihood, the motorist driving the car that killed her son was breaking the speed limit. But even if, although I find this hard to imagine, the driver was doing everything they could reasonably be expected to do, the proper conclusion in that case is that no one is to blame. It is just another tragic instance in which our insane transportation system proved to be far too dangerous.
Sorry, Ruby. I know you wanted to write about this topic in the upcoming year, but looks like the town and UNC are a little ahead. :)
UNC School of Information and Library Science to partner with Town of Chapel Hill
Posted Date: 6/27/2011
The Town of Chapel Hill is poised to benefit from a grant received by UNC-Chapel Hill's School of Information and Library Science to increase the digital curation workforce, focusing on the public information and the integration of public policy with information technology.
Durham Tech’s Orange County Campus Hosts Sustainability Technologies Fair
Interested in solar technology? Learn more during Durham Technical Community College’s Sustainability Technologies Fair. The event will be held on Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Durham Tech’s Orange County Campus in Hillsborough. Beginning this fall, the Sustainability Technologies program will offer both the Solar Photovoltaic certificate and the Renewable Energy diploma. Visitors can view solar technology demonstrations and talk to solar technology professionals. Some representatives from locally-owned solar installation companies include Strata Solar, Southern-Energy Management, and Sun Dogs Solutions. Visitors may also participate in 30-minute sustainability and renewable energy workshops led by Durham Tech instructors. Other highlights: - Enjoy live music from local high school bands using an amplification system powered by solar energy;
- Learn about the new Sustainability Technologies credit programming at the Orange County Campus;
- Find out how to apply for financial aid and admissions for Summer Term 2011 and Fall Semester 2011 courses;
- Enjoy a delicious meal prepared by one of our locally owned and operated food truck vendors
The Solar Photovoltaic certificate is designed for licensed electricians, those pursuing an electrical degree, and those who are working in facilities services under the supervision of an electrician. The certificate instruction includes both energy use analysis and solar photovoltaic system installation.
The new Renewable Energy diploma includes electrical and math courses for students without previous electrical experience. The diploma program includes work experience with a local company. The renewable energy diploma may be completed in five semesters. This new program will position Durham Tech and Orange County as leaders and models in the state for developing innovative and practical green training programs and initiatives.
For the most up-to-date event information please go to the event webpage:
For more information, contact Carlo Robustelli at 919-536-7238, ext. 4202, or robustec@durhamtech.edu.Date:
Saturday, April 30, 2011 - 10:00am to 2:00pm
Location:
Durham Tech's Orange County Campus, 525 College Park Road, Hillsborough NC
Last week The Carrboro Citizen reported on Orange County leaders congratulating themselves on making major technology improvements over the past two years. "“Today’s servers are tomorrow’s mainframes, and we do have to have that kind of continuous upgrade of systems,” board Vice Chair Steve Yuhasz said." He's right of course, but it sounds like many of the changes were to internal infrastructure, so it's hard for us average residents to tell the difference. I'm wondering what technology OP readers would like to see the County improve?
One improvement that I did notice was the update to the web-based GIS system. Mostly it caught my attention because the County's site was down and/or malfunctioning for a while following the upgrade. It is now easier to use than before, which I would characterize as a step up from requiring a graduate degree to use, to merely requiring a lot of patience and guesswork.
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