AIDS BREAKTHROUGH!!!! (Article Review #2)

Article Title: 
Gamers solve puzzle which stumped scientists for years and could hold key to curing AIDS

Article Author:
Laurie Whitwell

Article Publication Date:
September 19th, 2011

URL: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2039012/AIDS-cure-Gamers-solve-puzzle-stumped-scientists-years.html#ixzz1ZmHwgvb5
 
Article Summary: 

A team of gamers were given a task by scientists to crack the mystery on the AIDS-like virus of rhesus monkeys. Their job is to find a molecular structure of the enzyme which would lead to development of drugs to stop the virus in its tracks. A solution was found in under 10 days by the gamers.

Relevance to Class:

The foldit players are just like Information Architects mentioned in this article. They design a chemical key that matches a lower energy state for the molecule which is information for biochemists about a particular enzyme. They both create information for the user to grasp.

Key Quote:

Seth Cooper, a UW computer scientist who is Foldit's lead designer and developer, explained. "Games provide a framework for bringing together the strengths of computers and humans."

ATTACK WATCH!!! (Article Review #1)

Article Title:

Attack Watch, new Obama campaign site to ‘fight smears,’ becomes laughing stock of conservatives

Article Author:
Elizabeth Flock

Article Publication Date:
September 14th, 2011

URL:http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/attack-watch-new-obama-campaign-site-to-fight-smears-becomes-laughing-stock-of-the-internet/2011/09/14/gIQAspHDSK_blog.html


Article Summary:

Attack Watch is a website that has been set up by Obama’s Campaign Team to help him win in 2012. People who support Obama would submit reports to AttackWatch.com that are based on negative remarks on the president from both republicans and conservatives. These remarks would be dismissed with facts.

Relevance to Class:

This website serves more of a user purpose. It’s their duty to find a negative remark from a conservative or republican. Then site would provide facts to dismiss the negative remark, thus providing the users with content. The context of this website is to actually help Obama win in 2012.

Key Quote:

“This site is a tool providing our supporters with the facts they need to fight back against lies and distortions about the President’s record,” Hogan said.