Duke University Students Receive iPods 308
DSLAMngu writes "Freshman students at Duke University received their complimentary/paid for (however you want to look at it) iPod portable music players on Thurday. This deal was previously mentioned on /. here. After waiting in line, I eventually got my Duke-engraved iPod at about 9:00 PM with the rest of the freshmen at Brown dorm. I've written about the experience at my blog, and also included a copy of the Program Agreement and some photos of what the students received."
Re:The significance (Score:1, Informative)
From the program agreement from the article...
Text of iPod Program Agreement (Score:5, Informative)
Duke University
iPod First-Year Experience
August 19, 2004 - May 2005
Program Agreement
Overview
Duke University is issuing first-year undergraduate students a 4th generation Apple iPod as part of a one-year pilot program between Duke and Apple, Inc. designed to encourage creative uses of technology in education and campus life. The Center for Instructional Technology, Division of Student Affairs, Office of the Provost, Office of the Executive Vice President, and the Office of Information Technology are the Duke sponsors. Throughout the academic year, faculty and students will be encouraged to experiment and develop innovative ideas uses [sic] for the iPod in the classroom and in campus life.
Student agreement
The student is responsible for the care of the iPod and keeping it in good working condition. A student whose iPod device malfunctions should first access online technical support resources (www.duke.edu/ipod). If students are unable to resolve an issue, they may contact the OIT Help Desk. Through an agreement with Apple, each iPod is covered by a special one-year warranty. If the Help Desk cannot resolve the issue and the iPod is under warranty, the Help Desk will provide the student with a replacement at no cost. In the case of theft, negligence, or damage to the iPod, students are financially responsible for replacing the iPod.
During the academic year, faculty and others will provide students with content for academic and personal use on the iPod. Students may also receive free "song codes", which allow them to download content from Apple's iTunes Music Store. Students must use the song codes for their intended purpose and may not sell them. Each student is responsible for understanding and adhering to copyright laws. For details, visit www.oit.duke.edu/security/user/usercopyright.html
The iPod remains the property of Duke University until the end of the spring 2005 semester, at which time the student becomes the owner. If for any reason the student is not enrolled at Duke University during the 2004-2005 academic year, he/she must return the iPod to the university in good working condition.
Terms and conditions
I have read the Program Agreement and agree to abide by the terms and conditions herein. I acknowledge that the iPod remains the property of Duke University until the end of the 2005 spring semester. If for any reason I am not enrolled at Duke University during the 2004-2005 academic year, I will return the iPod to the OIT Help Desk in good working condition.
Re:Lectures as MP3? (Score:2, Informative)
Yes. From the original article: [duke.edu]
And a word to the wise (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Dupe alert! (Score:2, Informative)
In it you'll find the sentance "This deal was previously mentioned on
Re:Recording lectures. (Score:1, Informative)
I speak from personal experience - broke my hand one semester, and had to use a tape recorder (it was mid-90s). I sat up front so the cruddy mike could pick up the lecturer and they didn't even bat an eyelid.
Guess it's just something about the UK - maybe they're all paranoid/greedy over there or something
Re:A double whammy for comcast and the RIAA! (Score:5, Informative)
do not visit the website linked (DSLAM's blog) - it plays music.
You have been Informed.
Official Website... (Score:4, Informative)
http://www.duke.edu/ipod/ [duke.edu]
Re:eBay (Score:2, Informative)
Thought it was not educational but.. (Score:3, Informative)
on the other hand you could record your lectures and listen to them later even if you were zoned out during the class. And you could intentionally fall asleep with it droning in your ears for accelerated (hypnotic?) learning.
Seriously though, I saw my brother's laptop when he was at Harvard Business School. There, they are serious about outfitting students for business and of course everyone is paying a lot for it. But, there is a web portal site that has *everything* on it, and I dare say it could hold audio of lectures if they wanted it.
Well more power into the students' hands is a good thing, though I heavily dislike the idea that it is Duke's property while they are at Duke. That is total bullshit. I would be interested in hearing some of the lectures though if Duke doesn't mind..
Re:Creative uses? (Score:2, Informative)
disgruntled tarheel
Re:The significance (Score:3, Informative)
Design (Score:3, Informative)
And about the bg music; for a couple months I had the volume for my music cut in half when I cut it all together, but suddenly decided that lots of people had a mute button within easy reach of their keyboard. Bad assumption I guess, assume makes and ass out of you and me etc., but I can see where you guys are coming from. I have done web work with usability before, bringing a large portion of the NASA National Space Science Data Center website (about 500ish pages) up to government-mandated Section 508 compliance and have felt a small twang of guilt once in a while about all the JavaScript, the bg, the music, and the weird text. Just realize that I believe that certain contexts allow for bending of the usual usability rules (gaming sites, pop culture pages, the personal blog sites of teenagers) when the intended audience is very focused.
Point is, I would much rather have my page look terrible than look like yours. I hope you can understand.
Peace
nice critique... (Score:2, Informative)
A "cut corner" as in "a measure taken where the consumer receives less value"? Or a "cut corner" as in "a measure taken where the new packaging performs just as well, but reduces costs - which in-turn trickle down to the consumer"?
In spite of your conclusion that the previously used styrofoam was "awesome", do you really think that Apple would decide to use a less-than-secure packaging medium, and risk a huge increase in the amount of units that arrive to the consumer in a damaged state?
Re:so what.. (Score:3, Informative)