by Roger Santos
So here we are at the start of a new year and many things have changed – new classes, Professors, and babies…babies? That’s right, congratulations to Sophie and Fritz on their new additions. Also, congratulations to the chapter for winning the Gold level Student Chapter Award for HFES for 2007. See page 5 of the HFES bulletin to see professor Andre receiving the award.
The bulletin will now be sent out in html form so people can read it directly from their inbox. This way we might actually garner some readers - “might” being the operative word. Check out the new quick tips, reminders and links section of the bulletin for some useful info. But if you want to visit the chapter website all articles will also be available there. In this issue of the newsletter we have some really cool articles so be sure to check them out. Check out the new quick tips, reminders and links section for some useful info. In this issue of the newsletter we have some really cool articles so be sure to check them out.
I’d like to take a moment to say a word about the recent loss of Kevin Corker. After taking ISE 212 with him I was really looking forward to working with him this coming spring semester for the project class. From 212, I knew there was so much to learn from him. The promise of working with and learning from him was something that I eagerly awaited. I can only imagine what I could have gained by working with him.
When I first met Kevin, I was sitting with Freund talking about entering the program. I remember Kevin walked in wearing a Hawaiian shirt, a thick beard and just seemed full of energy as he welcomed me to the program. He stayed a short time because he was busy, but as he left he was excited to have me there and said he looked forward to working with all of us new students. I think that was the defining moment where I knew I was in the right program and with the right teachers. I’ll never forget this moment in my career and I’ll always remember Kevin that way – full of life and always sharing his positive energy. Needless to say, the program has indeed lost a great teacher and it will be hard to think of the program being the same without him.
February 5th, 2008
Posted by
rdscleaners |
issue_4.1, newsletter |
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by Jamie Miller
As of July 1, 2008, Californians must use a hands-free device to talk on their cell phones while driving. I recently purchased a Bluetooth headset to make sure that I was prepared for this new law. The Plantronics 520 headset was highly rated so I thought it would be a good choice. After I charged the headset, I immediately started to familiarize myself with it. Although the headset only had one button, I didn’t think anything of it at first. I didn’t have a clue how to use the headset, so I started reading the manual.
I turned to the page that listed the headset controls. I quickly realized that a single button was supposed to perform the following nine different tasks: turn on the headset, turn off the headset, answer a call, reject a call, end a call, make a call, adjust the volume (the button moves back and forth), transfer a call from the headset to the phone, and transfer a call from the phone to headset. Even after reading the list, I figured this was normal for all headsets. After all, how else would a manufacturer be able to provide customers with the functionality they desire and keep the size to a minimum?
Unfortunately, the answer is to reduce the number of buttons. Plantronics crams nine functions into one button by pairing the functions with different tones, and making the user press the button three different ways (short, long, and left and right). After using this headset for awhile, I now know that even performing simple tasks can be difficult.
For example, I was trying to make a call by using voice dial. I pressed the button, a beep signaled in my ear, I spoke the name, but nothing happened. I repeated this two more times to no avail – all while driving. Finally, I realized I needed to hold the button down longer to hear a lower tone, which signaled voice dial. I’ve also had issues with trying to turn off the headset and figuring out how much charge is left on the battery. (The light indicator is also supposed to indicate 11 different states of the headset!)
Overall, I like the headset; however, there is definitely room for improvement. Even for someone who is technically inclined like me, the complexity is a bit much. The headset is compact, but there is definitely room for more than one button. Ideally, I would like to have one button for on/off and second button for calling functionality. For now, I’ve learned the essential functions I need to use the headset, and I will probably not use it to its full potential. As for the light indicator, there is no way I will be able to remember all of the 11 states, and quite frankly I don’t know that I want to learn them all. The different light patterns will just have to remain a mystery.
February 5th, 2008
Posted by
rdscleaners |
issue_4.1, newsletter |
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