UT 101: Move-in help
Aug 13th
With tomorrow marking the big freshman move-in at UT, I thought I would pass along a few recommendations to hopefully make your move a little easier.
- The dorms offer carts to help you move. You will need an ID (driver’s license or student ID) for them to hold. There are not a lot, so before you even start unpacking the car, send someone in to get on the list for a cart.
- If you can handle it, take the stairs. Especially if you live on the lower floors. The elevators end up with quite a wait, both up and down.
- Try to have everything organized, so that you can take fewer trips. I recommend investing in some large plastic tubs. They are very sturdy and reusable, which is good, because you will move several times during your college career. When you finished moving, have your parents take them home and store them until your next moving adventure in May.
- It is always hot on move-in day. Be sure to drink plenty of water and try to have a meal before you get to campus. No one wants to start their UT career off hanging out at UT Medical Center.
- Look for campus organizations helping people move. They are a great way to find out some information about the happenings around campus. Besides some good information, these folks do a really good job moving your stuff for you! If you are interested in greek life, be sure to find a guy in a shirt with Greek letters on it to help you move.
Good luck with move-in tomorrow! Be sure to tune in to future UT 101: Freshman Orientation posts in the near future. See you on campus!
A Phi at UT Got a Facelift
Aug 9th
In preparation for a new school year, A Phi at UT got a little (more like major) retheming last night during a procrastination session. I figured that after a rather dormant summer and with my upcoming UT 101: Freshman Orientation series, it was time for some new energy around here.
Anyway, as my readers, I would like your opinion on the changes. Browse around the site and let me know what you think by voting in the poll below.
Also, feel free to voice more than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in the comments below, or by contacting me through email or on twitter.
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Loading ...UT 101: Freshman Orientation
Aug 8th
As a fraternity man, every year I have the opportunity to impart a great deal of what I consider ‘practical knowledge’ upon the entering freshman class. My advice ranges from where to buy your books, to finding good eats on The Strip, to locating the sorority dorms. My years at UT have provided me with a variety of valuable information about my great school, and I almost consider it a duty to pass on my knowledge to the newest Vols.
For the 2010 entering class, I have decided to go digital. My helpful guide, UT 101, which introduces newcomers to life at The University of Tennessee, is getting a new series of posts specifically aimed at incoming freshmen. The collection is called UT 101: Freshman Orientation. I hope to pass along some good web-based resources, along with my general knowledge, which will not only help freshmen adjust to college life at UT, but enjoy themselves as well.
The first posts will hopefully go live within the next few days, so be sure to follow me on twitter for updates, or check back here on the website in UT 101.
iPad Included in Tennessee Tax-Free Holiday
Aug 3rd
The annual Sales Tax Holiday is coming this weekend to stores in Tennessee. The “holiday” provides families a chance to save on school necessities like clothing, school supplies, and computers. A complete list of eligible items is available on the Department of Revenue Sales Tax Holiday website.
However, this year has a new addition to the tax-exempt list–Apple’s popular iPad. Labeled a netbook, the iPad likely made its way on the list due to the thousands of textbooks that can be purchased and viewed with the device.
Being a bit of an Apple nut myself, I have started to take some interest in the iPad as a textbook, and possibly, the sole device I need to lug (hardly) around campus. The idea of a thin and lightweight iPad to replace several larger, heavier books and a MacBook Pro is quite appealing considering a small messenger bag could replace a backpack of necessities that is already at its lightest possible configuration.
There are disadvantages as well, and I hope some research throughout the rest of the week can help me make a decision in time to benefit from the Tax-Free Weekend, should I choose to give the iPad a shot.
Just a reminder, the Sales Tax Holiday officially begins at 12:01 a.m on Friday, August 6th and ends Sunday, August 8th at 11:59 p.m. Happy shopping!
What is After Twitter? Well, I Got My Answer
Jul 22nd
Nothing. Twitter has absolutely no worthy successors at the moment. In fact, readopting foursquare was all my search led to.
So, why did my micro-blogging search crash and burn? The big reason, there were no worthy Android apps–or Mac for that matter. There were some other reasons as well, but in the end, I do most of my micro-blogging on my HTC Droid Incredible, and without a quality Android app, my attempts to trial there services quickly came to a halt.
But, in case you are interested in some details, here are my brief thoughts:
brightkite – The UI was just garbage; the online profile was confusing and poorly laid out. There was an Android app, and I did not think it was very impressive; constant notifications from my zero friends made sense. Not! Brightkite was the most promising, but it was basically foursquare with a crappy interface.
meme – Simply annoying. There was no Android app, and the online profile always conflicted with the Yahoo account I use for work. Meme was another instance of a confusing UI as well. Note to meme: Get rid of the Yahoo credentials!
Jaiku – Like I said in my original post, this was Google’s first venture into micro-blogging back in 2007. I would say pretty much completely obsolete/dead at this point.
In conclusion, I have to point out that the lack of users definitely did not help during testing of these micro-blogging services. However, unlike the earlier days of twitter, there just was not that natural movement like these three services were going anywhere. So, in the end, twitter is still king, and foursquare is back on the books!
Tweet on!
-767
Look out for the Whale!
What Comes After Twitter?
Jul 14th
I certainly have no idea what the next big micro-blogging service is going to be. However, today I got the itch to find some alternatives to twitter, and perhaps, stumble upon the next big thing. Do not get me wrong, I am pretty addicted to my twitter account, but flying whales and my desire to be on the forefront of Web 2.0 have me wondering what else is out there.
Today, I started my journey with three new services, which I have almost no clue about. My profiles, along with a quick bit about each service is below, so if you feel the urge to experiment, come join with me on my quest to find the next twitter!
brightkite – Seems to be a mix of twitter and foursquare. It looks the most promising at the moment! Oh, and they have an Android app, which I will surely use while I try this out.
meme – Yahoo’s attempt at the micro-blogging scene. I have spent the least time with this service today.
Jaiku – Google’s 2007 venture into micro-blogging, which would seemingly have been killed off by Google Buzz. Already my least likely to be followed since there is no Android app.
Please remember, these are initial reactions. I have only spent about an hour total with all three. More testing and more services are sure to come.
Also, I will do my best to not only update this story in the near future, but A Phi at UT as well…
USA to the Round of 16
Jun 23rd
Congratulations to our boys over in South Africa for a great World Cup win in game three of the Group Stage! It has certainly been a crazy trip so far, and after Donovan’s 91st minute goal today, the drama was all worth it!
For those of y’all looking ahead, we have some other crucial matches to follow today in order to find out who we play in the Round of 16. Since we won today, we are the top of Group C, and we play the runner-up of Group D. Here is how Group D currently stands going into the third Group Stage match.
Group D finishes up as today’s final matches, which are Germany vs. Ghana and Serbia vs. Australia. Most analysts have Germany and Serbia winning, with Germany winning the group and Serbia as the runner-up who would play the United States.
The analysts do not settle the score, so be sure to tune in to ESPN and ESPN2 at 2:30 EST to find out who the red, white and blue will take on in the next round! You can also view the matches online on ESPN3.
U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!
World Cup 2010: USA vs. England
Jun 12th
Today, in the Group Stage, the United States faces off against England in their first match of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa! The build-up to today’s match has been extraordinary in the States, and many believe World Cup 2010 may be the year for soccer (futbol) to make it to the mainstream in the U.S.
Back to the match. We are definitely the underdog to a highly ranked British side. An upset today against the highest ranked team in our group would put the U.S. soccer team in an even more favorable position to make it past the Group Stage; the rest of Group C, Slovenia and Algeria, should prove to be much easier matches.
Coverage starts at 1:30 EST on ABC, with the match starting at 2:30 EST. You can also view the game online on ESPN3 and through several other live feeds if your internet provider does not have a deal with ESPN. Go USA!
U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!
