Sean Gannon Fall 2017

SEAN

GANNON

PORTFOLIO

2017

Self Evaluation Over this past semester in journalism, I have learned much more about myself and my fellow editors and staff members. I quickly learned who I could and could not rely on and what sort of work to expect from the average writer. The ability to work with others on a team is essential to my job as the Tech editor because if one person does not pull through with their assigned work, my pages and my team suffer as a consequence.

A leader cannot just be anyone. Leaders must be quick learners and adapt to any situation that arises.

During this first semester, there were several instances where my page fell short on word count or graphics and myself and other staff members had to scramble to put some miracle together at the very last minute. As the editor of the Tech pages, I have to ensure that this does not happen again. In order to do so, I need to do

daily check-ups with my writers and photographers to make certain that all of their assigned work gets done correctly and on time.

As far as production skills go, I feel very comfortable with all of the duties that I have taken on. Originally, InDesign was very difficult to maneuver and I honestly had no idea what I was doing but now I am more experienced with InDesign as well as Photoshop. Although InDesign has a steep learning curve, I have now gotten used to the ins-and-outs of the program. Learning Photoshop has been more difficult though, as there are many different aspects other than strictly design like in InDesign.

In order to make a great newspaper, everything has to be done in a timely manner, done properly, and done with a good attitude. Otherwise, there is no point in rewarding someone for doing such a poor job. My theory is that if something like this

is not done in the first place, there should be no opportunity to make it up.

A journalist prides him or herself on their strict code of ethics.

Plagiarism is never acceptable under any circumstances. If anyone were to plagiarize, it could jeopardize the publication and its integrity.

These past few months have had me running around and doing the things I love in journalism. I have done a lot of photography this semester in addition to my writing.

Overall, this semester went very well, considering that I am still a relatively new editor with less experience than all of the more well acquainted editors. Dating one of the veteran editors has certainly helped, by giving her nice jewelry and food I gain more knowledge from her and maybe one day I will surpass her abilities.

Reflection The most significant piece of work that I have One more problem that I faced with the Decemdone over the semester has to be the latest December ber issue was a color scheme and I was forced to make issue for several reasons. As I once again sort of scrama decision; I could either go with a monochromatic bled last minute to put my page together it all came theme, or choose one common and not very thrilling together very nicely. Everything from graphics to writcolor. What I decided to do next may shock you. I chose ing ended up looking flawless in every aspect. to go monochromatic on one page, and choose a color To begin with, I have some of the best staff on the next. This way I could get the best of both worlds. members writing for my page on a regular basis and I The December issue significantly improved know that these few people will never fail me and always my skills in InDesign and Photoshop. I was forced to pull through. Their writing is always spectacular as they get much more creative than I have really ever been in all do research very well and find the perfect person to order to save my page from the sea of white space that it interview no matter the assignment. began as. I designed three graphics to fill my page, that I These writers however, did not turn out to trans- should have had done weeks ago, in a matter of hours. fer their skills to the photography department. While This issue was also one of my best works because they’re not horrible photographers or graphic designit was the issue of the Tech page that did not have anyers, none of them had anything to show me by the end thing to do with cars! Although this issue may have been of production day. In response, I made five separate more difficult than previous months, I managed to pull graphics to fill in the empty space on my page. I made my pages together nicely in the end and improve my a detailed infographic outlining the policy of Net Neucreative skills along the way. trality and the consequences of the repeal and made an interesting graphic to go along with the story, a graphic relating to the solar power story, another strange looking piece of art to go along with the smart city piece, TECH and finally a photo of a few iPhones Smart city rises in the West Loading: net neutrality opinion... connected to the iPhone opinion piece.

Another difficulty I faced was fitting everything on the page correctly because I started out only having four stories and had a literal butt-ton of white space. Now I know Adamson is strangely in love with white space, but House of the rising sun iPhone: the real cost he could not handle the amount that I had. After trying to arrange to articles Outdated (without graphics) on the page, a fifth and appeared out of thin air by some absoobsolete lute miracle. Another one of my writers had pulled through. I was able to sort out a nice white space-to-story ratio in the end.

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

NOVEMBER 17, 2017 ■ 9

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THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

TECH

By GRIFFIN GOLDSTEIN g staff writer

How the FCC ruling could affect your internet experience

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By LUC FLASCHENTRAGER g staff writer

EOPLE across the United States have been fighting for their rights in the case with Net Neutrality, trying to keep the internet free for everyone, meanwhile the government has imposed regulations on this information, which would ruin the values of the United States of America.

According to USAToday, Net Neutrality is the principle that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should give consumers access to all legal content and applications on an equal basis, without favoring some sources or blocking others. This phrase was coined by Professor Tim Wu in a 2002 paper.

In basic terms, these ISPs could make people pay for websites as well as paying for their internet. While everyone already pays for internet, this is paying for the things inside of it, such as paying to go to a certain website, if the user's provider supports the competition.

For example, providers like Verizon and Comcast could make users pay more to use sites that are not a part of their program. As Verizon recently made a deal to purchase Yahoo, they would be able to make customers pay extra to use the Google or Bing search engines.

On the flip side of this, Chrome users may have to pay for use of the Bing and Yahoo engines.

The fight for net neutrality is, in some ways, a battle for first amendment rights. Freedom of speech, and the right to access information freely. America was built on this principle and without this, the United States would not be what it is today.

Placing these regulations on the internet is not allowing the freedom of information. A large ISP could disallow users to go to any websites to that are against their particular political or religious belief.

Taking this almost to an extreme, large enough ISPs could influence an election. If a party were to pay one of these ISPs, they could regulate users visits to websites that are going against their party, or only allow them to see advertisements for their delegate.

Many small companies are supporting the policy of net neutrality. They argue that without strong regulations disallowing companies from charging for these services, they could slow their content or charge them for access to their audience and if only the currently successful companies are able to continue without these roadblocks, there would be no way for improvement in this technological world.

Some on the other side of this have argued that more regulation deters investment into a better internet.

In order to keep the internet and information free, anyone can sign the hundreds of online petitions along with the thousands of others who have voted to restore Net Neutrality.

The benefits and drawbacks of having solar power

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By KASSIDY WHEELER g staff writer

OLAR power is an alternative form of energy that is widely debated. Although it is beneficial towards the environment, people have problems with the rather costly pricing.

In Arizona, a six kilowatt solar panel can total from 10,000 to 16,000 dollars.

However, fossil fuels can harm the environment.

“Solar power is the future, it’s going to save us because it’s sustainable,” said Greg Torre, a junior.

Solar energy is a renewable resource that we can harness from the power of our sun and use it to power things like our homes. To harness this energy, solar panels use photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into energy. It is the most widely used renewable energy resource, and is being used to combat greenhouse effects because solar power is non-polluting. Currently fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas are people’s primary source of energy, however, these fossil fuels are bound to run out as early as 2088 without preservation.

“I think Solar Power is good especially in areas like the Southwest where there is a lot of sun,” said Taj Nadesan, a junior.

Depending on the size of the solar power system based off of kilowatts the

price will vary. For example, based on a national scale, a three kilowatt system will cost $7119 with federal tax credit while a 12 kilowatt system will cost $28,476 with federal tax credit. Prices in Arizona are slightly cheaper at around $26,000 for a 12 kilowatt system and $5,000 for a three kilowatt system.

“I think alternative energy in cars is something we could use in the future, but I think the producers have to make it more cost effective to the consumers,” said Doni Nasr, a Spanish teacher.

A French company called Venturi created a car that utilizes solar energy, however it is only capable of achieving a top speed of 28 miles per hour and it only can run for about eight miles. The issue is companies have not yet figured out a way to fully optimize the use of solar power in cars, because the energy not powerful enough at times.

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Dec. 14

BELMONT A HUGE PROJECT

W SEAN GANNON

Opinion: Is that fancy, new iPhone really worth the cost?

By KASSIDY WHEELER g staff writer

Apple is one of the most prevalent technology producers in the world. Their rival companies are other producers such as Samsung, Google, and LG. The debate over whether Apple products are worth purchasing has been on going for a long time and with the recent release of the iPhone X at a very expensive price, it has people questioning if the cost is worth the quality of the product.

Depending on how long somebody has used a company's product, they may want to continue purchasing that technology providers products as long as they are used to the feel of them, their data is stored with that company, and their other device ports are more compatible with that companies products.

Some prefer Samsung products because of the way they are used to using them or seeing them. Same goes for Apple, Google, or LG. In the end most products have some feature that is their major selling point and another product will lack that one feature but exceed in another

Arizona, best known for the Grand Canyon and its intense heat, will gain a new landmark, making it an even hotter place to visit.

Billionaire and CEO of the computer company, Microsoft, Bill Gates, and the investment firm, Belmont Partners, has set a goal to build a “smart city,” and has put down $80 million for its development. He has purchased 25,000 acres (40 square miles) of land just short of an hour west of Phoenix in an area called West Valley. It is roughly the size of Tempe and will have enough space for about 160,000 people.

area. Many companies products are only worth buying if it feels right to the consumer.

Upgrading to the iPhone X depends on which iPhone generation people currently own. If they have an iPhone 6 or anything before that phone came out, upgrading to the iPhone X is a must. If the price is too high, the iPhone 8 is always a great alternative. These phones run iOS 11, Apple’s latest and most powerful operating system, the camera is mindblowing, and the phones run very smoothly. The iPhone X has much higher resolution, a larger screen with OLED Super Retina HD display, and a stunning dual 12 megapixel camera.

Apple has been a competitor in the computer industry for some time now. Windows and Mac are very different systems, Apple creates its computers operating systems, hardware, and software. This way the computer is able to run smoother and be more compatible with more Apple products, as opposed to Microsoft, who only makes an operating system and other essentials such as mouses, keyboards, peripherals, video cards, and CPUs.

Much of the land of the new city, projected to be called “Belmont,” after its parent company, is going to be used for residential and commercial units. 80,000 acres are planned to be used for houses and apartments, 3,800 acres for commercial, retail, and office buildings, and 470 acres for public schools. Belmont Partners stated that it planned to build “a forward thinking community with a communication and infrastructure spine that embraces cutting-edge technology.”

The cutting-edge technology and innovation is going to be the main attraction of Belmont. It is designed as a sort of utopia of the 21st century, ultra high-speed internet, data centers, new manufacturing technologies, and autonomous vehicles for a public transportation system.

“Technologies such as self-driving cars and smart buildings are growing when you look at prototype products from various companies such as Mercedes and Google. There is really no other possibility then for smart cities, and smart technology as a whole, to grow in popularity and application”, said Harrison Connell, a senior.

Some people are confused as to why Bill Gates ant Belmont Partners chose for the smart city to be located in Arizona. It may seem like a strange choice when there are other, more popular, places where the heat will not be a problem for construction. It will definitely be a drastic change in Arizona’s culture and atmosphere.

“More people would likely move here and visit then before. Also it will boost state revenue through the construction process and tourism,” said Andrew Dine, a senior.

CHEAP ARIZONA

Arizona was chosen for its low land prices, a recent increase in the population, its solar energy potential, and its supportive policies for autonomous vehicles. The price of the land was about $7,500 per acre, which is a cheap price for land so close to a city. The result of these cheap prices would be affordable standard of living for the city’s residents, and given the population boom in Buckeye from 6,000 people to 60,000, there will be no shortage of them.

Another benefit is Arizona’s intense exposure to sunlight, seldom interrupted by bad weather, making for the ideal conditions for solar-based means of harnessing energy. The area in which the city is going to be located is ideal and convenient for development.

“The section of Arizona is essentially a ‘clean slate.’ There is nothing in this area and it is near Palo Verde nuclear plant”, said Dave Dine, an Arizona Resident and intellectual.

Arizona’s autonomous vehicle-friendly policies are another plus for Belmont’s development.

Since the policies are so relaxed, there should be little to no legal trouble at all with the development of the transportation system.

By LUC FLASCHENTRAGER g staff writer

The day after you get it, your phone is becoming old fashioned

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Cell phone users have become rampant with theories of intentional obsolescence with recently released smart phones as older versions with outdated operating systems become slower over time.

As new phones are released, companies must come up with ways to sway consumers into purchasing the latest and greatest on the market. Many people believe that to do this, companies make their older phones slower.

OLD PHONES NOT UPDATED

Many publicly-posted studies have shown that this is true. With new phones coming out, the software is improving, along with the storage capacity of the devices.

However, updates to old phones are put aside. As everyone gets the new tech, companies deem it unnecessary to update the older versions.

These updates do not hurt the phones themselves, but it makes them dramatically slower. No new updates means that when prob-

\ SEAN GANNON

lems arise the companies will not bother to fix them because they will just tell the consumer to buy the newest device. The older versions do not have nearly as much processing power and much less storage.

“Every time there's something new coming out my phone seems go get slower and slower every week, it's like they're forcing us to get the new stuff,” said Austin Englebrecht, a senior and iPhone user.

As it gets closer and closer to the limit, these older versions get slower and slower. While this may not be quite as intentional as it seems to be, the same problem is occurring.

While this is a large underlying problem for many people, there is one major issue that doesn't have to do with software.

“I think it's all about money, it's the bottom line and that line is the most important thing in business,” said Matthew Scott, a film teacher and tech guru.

HIGH COST PHONES

This does seem to be the case.

With the new iPhone 8 and iPhone X, pricing has been a major conversation piece, and now the X coming in at $999 makes it even more so.

This newest installment in the Apple community is, as they always are, the “latest and greatest” on the market. What you really get for all that extra cash is the real question.

As with all new tech, there is more storage, they are faster, and the new operating system just seems to work perfectly. Now however, many are starting to believe that nothing much is better, just the quality of the older items continue to diminish over time.

The thing is, this does not happen to everyone. Apple users have it the worst, which is apparent even in the 7 that should not be outdated yet.

“I'm not too sure what the big deal is about really, my Samsung phone works just as well as it did when I first got it,” said Isaiah Shipley, a senior and Samsung user.

SEPTEMBER F U T U R I S T I C F E A T U R E S NEW TECH OFFSHORE CHANGES THE GAME E.T. can do more than just phone home now. Kassidy Wheeler delves into new technology models releasing this fall.

N

EW phones from major technology industries such as

Apple, Google, and Samsung dropped this fall, and are supposed to be technologically superior compared to other phones that have launched in the past. Kassidy Wheeler makes the call.

One highly anticipated phone is the iPhone X, set to release on October 27.

“It looks more renovated and you can see the entire screen across the entire phone which looks cool,” said Jacob Hullet, a sophomore.

The iPhone X will have a full screen display, OLED screen technology, removal of the home button, a facial recognition camera, a glass backside, and wireless charging. Although, the price will be $999, and the phone will still be without a headphone jack. Apple also released the iPhone 8 which became available on September 22. The iPhone 8 will be very similar to the iPhone X except it will have a home button.

Another phone coming this fall is the Google Pixel 2. The phone’s release date is rumored to be October 5. The phone is said to include a 2560x1312 screen resolution, a 5.6-inch display, and a curved screen.

“I think phones could probably go less physical and more digital,” said Christian Ramirez, a junior.

Many phones are beginning to have advanced voice recognition software and less tangible features such as the removal of the home button on the iPhone X. Samsung launched the Galaxy Note 8 on August 23. This phone's features includes expandable memory, water and dust resistance, and the new infinity display that offers more screen space. The camera on the Note 8 also has dual pixel sensors, optical zoom, and a dual camera with dual optical image stabilization.

HOTTEST HURACÁN

“I think mostly for the Samsung it will be protected when it gets wet, like when you accidentally jump in the pool or get pushed in the pool and have your phone on you,” said Johna Jacobson, a Spanish teacher.

Samsung marketed the fact that the phone is dust and water resistant very heavily in early September of 2017. They launched several commercials that showed the phone being able to function after the phones sustained heavy water and dust incursion.

Although the Note 8 has already come out, Samsung plans to release the Galaxy S8 mini which comes out in late 2017.

TWITTER POLL CONDUCTED ON SEPT. 14 OF 100 PEOPLE

W SEAN GANNON

A LAMBORGHINI

HURACÁN LP 610-4 with a Liberty Walk wide-body kit posted up at Cars and Coffee on Aug. 5. Cars and Coffee is a car meet held on the first Saturday of every month. Car enthusiasts from all across the Arizona come to this monthly car meet at the Scottsdale 101 Shopping Center where. Scuderia Southwest, the company that runs this event rents out over 500 parking spaces for people to park and show off their car.

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The USS Gerald R Ford contains the pinnacle of Navy technological advancements which will be seen in the coming months. The new Ford class of carriers were planned out months, if not years ago, and are already outdated.

“Since it takes so long for ships to be built, when they are sent on their first mission they are already behind the technology of the time,” said Dallan Foster, a Petty Officer Second Class of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

(USNSCC) and junior.

With the time it takes to plan out, build, test, and commission a new ship, technology has advanced so far that it will be out of date as soon as it partakes on it's maiden voyage.

Saying this, there are new ships, boats, and submarines that are being planned out constantly, with only a vast minority every actually seeing the light of day.

The Ford is a special case. It is one of few that was planned and went through the entire process, and has now been commissioned into the Navy fleet, and it is already showing its colors. With the new class of Forc carriers, never before seen technology is making its way into the US military.

This carrier is the first of its kind. It comes equipped with three nuclear reactors on board in order to power and run it, with previous carriers only having the capacity and need for two.

Along with this comes the power distribution system required in order that no one system becomes overloaded with the vast influx of power from these reactors.

“The introduction of the new Ford Class of aircraft carriers is a huge step forward in Navy technology, and will affect Navy operations around the world,” said Alex Retz, a Seaman Apprentice in the USNSCC and junior.

This carrier has been forecast by Navy Officials to place the US Navy at the point of the most technologically advanced and largest force in the world for much of the foreseeable future.

The USS Indianapolis, after 72 years, was finally found over three miles below the ocean’s surface. It was found by a civilian search party, which took so long because the distance it sank was so far.

“That would make it like looking for a football field at the bottom of the Grand Canyon with binoculars on a foggy day from an airplane three miles up,” said a US Navy Senior Enlisted Sailor who wished to remain anonymous.

This discovery puts to rest one of the most destructive events in the Navy’s history.

Luc Flaschentrager staff writer

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SEPTEMBER 2017 intrigue

OCTOBER tech

Mochas and Mercedes

Engines roar and onlookers point cameras at every vehicle possible as car fanatics gather for monthly event Cars and Coffee.

Held on every Saturday of the month, Cars and Coffee is an event that has grown over time. Previously held at Gainey Ranch, the event has outgrown its old home and relocated to the Scottsdale 101 Shopping Center.

ONE OF 2,721 MERCEDES SLS AMG produced. This 6.2 liter V8 supercar was posted up at Cars and Coffee on

September 2.

4 KATELYN REINHART

Let’s Talk Tesla 509Tesla’s pursuit of cleaner, cheaper cars has become a promised reality. Electric cars are no longer a dream of the future, they are here and real.

Since the company's founding in 2003, Tesla motors has been utilizing all of its resources to create cars with motors that hold with the visions of Nikola Tesla's works. This effort has set Tesla apart.

Most modern vehicles, which have been the only option for years, hold combustion engines.

These engines generate power through combustion of fuel or gas. Combustion engines produce methane, which then in the atmosphere, traps greenhouse gasses, holding the sun's heat for longer periods of time than what is normal.

Electric engines offer an alternative form of energy that reduces the methane output from cars dramatically.

According to an article published by the U.S. Department of Energy, “Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and all-electric vehicles (EVs) typically produce lower tailpipe emissions than conventional vehicles do.”

“I have a hybrid engine, a prius. I am inclined to help the environment in my daily life, so when the 12

The larger venue acts as a haven to fans of any type of car, with more than 500 parking spots saved for the vehicles on display.

Being such a large event, everyone from elderly sportscar owners to aspiring Hot Wheels racers in strollers are able to attend.

“You see a lot of different people.

People who have no idea about cars and then there are people who could tell you whole history of a specific model of car,” said Robert Spence, a car enthusiast and owner of Instagram account azcaroftheday.

Cars and Coffee welcomes each different type of person who shows up and it is apparent that while they may all come from different backgrounds, they all have common interests in the cars there.

“The smell of gas and exhaust alone make it a great place for anyone who likes cars, from mechanics to kids,” said Ethan Pennington, a soph-

omore and car show regular.

Just as there are many different types of people who regularly go, there is something for everybody.

Cars of all shapes and sizes fill the parking spaces, with entire sections often designated for certain styles of cars. The large collection of automobiles offers variety that can be greater accomplished at the new venue, with rows upon rows of passion project or new purchases to be shown off. As a decently popular monthly event, it offers experiences that would be very difficult to get elsewhere.

“It’s a lot different at places like car dealerships, which focus more on sales. Of course people can come and look at the cars, but it is kind of an unspoken rule that if you aren’t going to buy something you can’t spend the whole day there. There is an unspoken rule about photography too,” said Wesley Winter, a junior and previous employee at a Toyota dealership.

Where dealerships do not encourage photography, Cars and Coffee has thrived because of the free publicity. Many regulars at the show make sure to bring their cameras to capture glimpses of the exotic cars. These aspiring photographers played a part in the popularity of the event, which was spread around by word of mouth and the sharing online. Photography proves to be a part of the culture of the show, with many of the attendees carrying cameras at their hips as they browse the car selections.

Katelyn Reinhart spotlight editor

Aidia Neilson gives the ins and outs of the newest in electric cars.

technology came out and was affordable I had to jump on it,” said Elissa Ericson, a dance teacher.

Like all new technology, Teslas (and all electric cars) are currently quite a bit more expensive than the alternative petroleum powered cars. A 2017 Tesla Model S Sedan begins at $69,500. Still, many drivers consider it worth it.

“The cars are more than worth it, considering what drivers will save in gas money. Not to mention what you’ll be saving environmentally,” said Sam Kulliver, a senior.

The pros are undoubtable but not all reaching. Tesla shareholders are feeling the expenses more heavily than any buyers. Bernstein analyst, Toni Sacconaghi elaborated on The Barron's July projection, “Despite a $60 billion market capitalization, Tesla has never had a cash flow positive year.”

Looking up, a redeeming projection from Bloomberg predicted that by 2038, electric car sales will level, if not overtake, traditional car sales.

Impatient buyers worry not, Sacconaghi noted that within the next 10 years, electric engines will cost relatively the same price as it would to build combustion engines.

The 2017 Toyota Prius Hybrid is estimated at

$23,475. Hybrid cars use a both an internal combustion engine and a battery electric drive system, which cuts back on the car's pollution emissions.

“The way to really save the environment is to switch to diesel motors. You can put more miles onto them, which means less vehicles will have to be manufactured, and factories will not run as much as they do now. Also, diesel motors don’t use gasoline, they use fuel, and they get better mileage than gas motors,” said Kacey Myers, a senior who works in his family’s auto body shop.

Electric engine technology has created a multifaceted conversation, indirectly causing opinions from all corners of the market to rear their heads.

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Aidia Neilson Staff Writer

OCTOBER 2017 intrigue

NOVE

apshot phy THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

TECH

Cars of the future

NOVEMBER 17, 2017 ■ 9

Very fast and very expensive cars hit the road

By GRIFFIN GOLDSTEIN g staff writer

POP SHOTS

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ON A MISSION

What to look for in buying a SLR

By MAJA PEIRCE g staff writer

The best and most efficient camera to get these days is a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) but the decision really comes down to the brand you wish to purchase.

The three components that define a great DSLR are their manual controls, picture quality, and exchangeable lenses.

“We have a lot of DSLRs in the classroom. We mainly have Canons. We have Canon T3i’s, Canon T6i’s, and Canon T2i’s” said Luke Scott, the film teacher.

Nikon and Canon, the largest competitive DSLR cameras on the market right now, have key differences.

The Nikon D850 meets speed with high resolution. The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV adjusts itself to fit it’s photographer’s needs and has many sensors to do so.

“I don’t know a ton about Canon and Nikon differences, but I have just noticed from my experiences that Canon is a bit more userfriendly and easier to operate. I would not be opposed to using a nice Nikon though.” said Sophia Hancock, a senior and photographer.

Nikons are known for their speed and make great action shot cameras. The latest Nikon DSLRs use a new sensor design so there’s no optical low pass filter. This means that there is one less thing that light has to travel through

New concept cars are always a popular attraction at major auto shows. Car companies make prototype cars and present them to audiences to test out new looks and designs to help decide whether or not they will put them into production.

Porsche is one of the most well-known and respected car companies in the world. They are known for their luxury and high performance cars. Their latest concept car, projected to be put into production in 2020, is the Mission E.

before reaching the sensor.

Canons have a high image resolution because they have a greater amount of megapixels.

The latest Canon DSLRs are honed in on the idea of improving megapixels. Their latest camera was brought down to 50 megapixels which creates high resolution photographs.

“I like using my 17-50mm zoom in order to get a closer shot,” said Derek Hetzel, a junior and photographer.

Many DSLRs can attach certain lenses in order to zoom in on a subject or to change the lighting of a photograph pre-editing.

Before digital cameras such as DSLRs came around, film cameras were extremely popular and now, they are making a retro comeback.

Film is split into two categories: polaroid and film cameras. Brands of 35 mm film cameras include old Nikon cameras, Old Canons, Olympus, Leica, Pentax, Yashica, and Minolta. The length in millimeters that is generally attached to the hip of a film cameras name, describes the length from the front of the lense to the light sensor within the camera.

Since a camera’s sensor is photosensitive, light photons are gathered into the photosites. There is one photosite for each pixel. The more light there is, the more photons are collected and a brighter

This model is run completely on electricity without sacrificing any of the performance expected from any other Porsche model. It has an estimated cruising range of 300 miles, a top speed of 155 miles per hour, and a zeroto-60 time of about 3.5 seconds. It is currently listed at $85,000, and essentially fills the gap between the $70,000 Tesla Model S 60 and the $99,000 P100D. The Porsche Mission E is expected to disturb the Tesla Model S sales, as it is right around the same price range and stands as another tempting option for buyers seeking electric cars.

“I think there are many benefits to switching to electric cars, be it for the environment or just the pure joy of cars, because companies like Tesla prove that electric cars can be fun and fast without having massive engines that make huge amounts of power”, said Austin Engelbrecht, a senior and sports car owner.

One of the more impractical and expensive, but very attractive concept car is the Hennessey Performance Venom F5. It has yet to be tested, but its top speed is projected to be 301 miles per hour, which would comfortably earn it the title of the world’s fastest production car, beating their own unofficial record from the 270 mil-perhour Venom GT and the official record holder at the time, the 261 mileper-hour Bugatti Chiron.

Later in November, 2017, both cars would be topped by the Koenigsegg Agera RS, which unofficially reached a top speed of 284 miles-per-hour, and 277 officially.

There is a slight technicality when judg-

ing which company held the record: when testing the top speeds of these cars, the drive them down and back on a mile-long straightaway and average the two top speeds from both runs. The Venom GT did hit 270 milesper-hour, but only did one run, so it is considered an unofficial record.

HENNESSY VS. BUGATTI The two companies have been battling for the world’s fastest production car title for ages, and there is no end in sight: their cars keep getting faster and faster. Some believe Hennessy will have locked down the title for good while others think that Bugatti can most easily come back. Now with Koenigsegg in the picture, it is possible that both companies have a new competitor to worry about.

“I believe Bugatti has the money and resources to develop or fine-tune their cars to be able to scream to higher speeds with their new ideas,” said Chandler Thomas, a senior and car enthusiast.

Most people enjoy the endless race to build faster cars, but for some, the competition between the two, and now potentially three, companies has grown old and tiring to watch.

“The Venom F5 is an amazing vehicle. All kinds of performance, but when is enough really enough? I’m sure they will continue to battle it out. Who knows, at some point a new contender may enter the arena and blow them all away”, said Kent Thomas, a car collector.

Both manufacturers continue to come out with mind-blowing models and designs, and continue to push the limits of human ingenuity.

THE ALL NEW FORD GT BEING SHOWN OFF AT CARS AND COFFEE SCOTTSDALE BY THE OWNER, CHIP BECK.

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MBER TECH THE BASICS OF CAR MAINTENANCE: part one

10 â– NOVEMBER 17, 2017

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

Oil change 1: Check oil weight located on oil filler cap (EX: 10W-30) 2: Empty oil from drain plug underneath car 3: Remove oil filter 4: Line threads of new oil filter with old oil 5: Replace oil filter 6: Replace drain plug 7: Fill proper amount of oil (EX: 5.5 US QT) 8: Turn on engine to cycle oil

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Change a tire 1: Loosen lug nuts using tire iron, each diagonally from each other

2: Use jack under frame to lift wheel off the ground 3: Take each lug nut off using tire iron, each diagonally from each other

4: Remove tire and place in rear of car 5: Place new tire on wheel bearing 6: Replace lug nuts and finger tighten, each diagonally from each other

7: Lower car back to the ground and remove jack 8: Use tire iron to tighten all lug nuts, each diagonally from each other

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DECE TECH

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

NOVEMBER 17, 2017 ■ 9

Loading: net neutrality opinion...

How the FCC ruling could affect your internet experience

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By LUC FLASCHENTRAGER g staff writer

EOPLE across the United States have been

fighting for their rights in the case with Net Neutrality, trying to keep the internet free for everyone, meanwhile the government has imposed regulations on this information, which would ruin the values of the United States of America.

According to USAToday, Net Neutrality is the principle that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should give consumers access to all legal content and applications on an equal basis, without favoring some sources or blocking others. This phrase was coined by Professor Tim Wu in a 2002 paper.

In basic terms, these ISPs could make people pay for websites as well as paying for their internet. While everyone already pays for internet, this is paying for the things inside of it, such as paying to go to a certain website, if the user's provider supports the competition.

For example, providers like Verizon and Comcast could make users pay more to use sites that are not a part of their program. As Verizon recently made a deal to purchase Yahoo, they would be able to make customers pay extra to use the Google or Bing search engines.

On the flip side of this, Chrome users may have to pay for use of the Bing and Yahoo engines.

The fight for net neutrality is, in some ways, a battle for first amendment rights. Freedom of speech, and the right to access information freely. America was built on this principle and without this, the United States would not be what it is today.

Placing these regulations on the internet is not allowing the freedom of information. A large ISP could disallow users to go to any websites to that are against their particular political or religious belief.

Taking this almost to an extreme, large enough ISPs could influence an election. If a party were to pay one of these ISPs, they could regulate users visits to websites that are going against their party, or only allow them to see advertisements for their delegate.

Many small companies are supporting the policy of net neutrality. They argue that without strong regulations disallowing companies from charging for these services, they could slow their content or charge them for access to their audience and if only the currently successful companies are able to continue without these roadblocks, there would be no way for improvement in this technological world.

Some on the other side of this have argued that more regulation deters investment into a better internet.

In order to keep the internet and information free, anyone can sign the hundreds of online petitions along with the thousands of others who have voted to restore Net Neutrality.

The benefits and drawbacks of having solar power

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By KASSIDY WHEELER g staff writer

native form of energy that is widely debated. Although it is beneficial towards the environment, people have problems with the rather costly pricing.

In Arizona, a six kilowatt solar panel can total from 10,000 to 16,000 dollars.

However, fossil fuels can harm the environment.

“Solar power is the future, it’s going to save us because it’s sustainable,” said Greg Torre, a junior.

Solar energy is a renewable resource that we can harness from the power of our sun and use it to power things like our homes. To harness this energy, solar panels use photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into energy. It is the most widely used renewable energy resource, and is being used to combat greenhouse effects because solar power is non-polluting. Currently fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas are people’s primary source of energy, however, these fossil fuels are bound to run out as early as 2088 without preservation.

“I think Solar Power is good especially in areas like the Southwest where there is a lot of sun,” said Taj Nadesan, a junior.

Depending on the size of the solar power system based off of kilowatts the

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iPhone: the real cost

House of the rising sun OLAR power is an alter-

Dec. 14

price will vary. For example, based on a national scale, a three kilowatt system will cost $7119 with federal tax credit while a 12 kilowatt system will cost $28,476 with federal tax credit. Prices in Arizona are slightly cheaper at around $26,000 for a 12 kilowatt system and $5,000 for a three kilowatt system.

“I think alternative energy in cars is something we could use in the future, but I think the producers have to make it more cost effective to the consumers,” said Doni Nasr, a Spanish teacher.

A French company called Venturi created a car that utilizes solar energy, however it is only capable of achieving a top speed of 28 miles per hour and it only can run for about eight miles. The issue is companies have not yet figured out a way to fully optimize the use of solar power in cars, because the energy not powerful enough at times.

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Opinion: Is that fancy, new iPhone really worth the cost?

By KASSIDY WHEELER g staff writer

Apple is one of the most prevalent technology producers in the world. Their rival companies are other producers such as Samsung, Google, and LG. The debate over whether Apple products are worth purchasing has been on going for a long time and with the recent release of the iPhone X at a very expensive price, it has people questioning if the cost is worth the quality of the product.

Depending on how long somebody has used a company's product, they may want to continue purchasing that technology providers products as long as they are used to the feel of them, their data is stored with that company, and their other device ports are more compatible with that companies products.

Some prefer Samsung products because of the way they are used to using them or seeing them. Same goes for Apple, Google, or LG. In the end most products have some feature that is their major selling point and another product will lack that one feature but exceed in another

area. Many companies products are only worth buying if it feels right to the consumer.

Upgrading to the iPhone X depends on which iPhone generation people currently own. If they have an iPhone 6 or anything before that phone came out, upgrading to the iPhone X is a must. If the price is too high, the iPhone 8 is always a great alternative. These phones run iOS 11, Apple’s latest and most powerful operating system, the camera is mindblowing, and the phones run very smoothly. The iPhone X has much higher resolution, a larger screen with OLED Super Retina HD display, and a stunning dual 12 megapixel camera.

Apple has been a competitor in the computer industry for some time now. Windows and Mac are very different systems, Apple creates its computers operating systems, hardware, and software. This way the computer is able to run smoother and be more compatible with more Apple products, as opposed to Microsoft, who only makes an operating system and other essentials such as mouses, keyboards, peripherals, video cards, and CPUs.

MBER 10 ■ NOVEMBER 17, 2017

THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS

TECH

Smart city rises in the West

By GRIFFIN GOLDSTEIN g staff writer

Arizona, best known for the Grand Canyon and its intense heat, will gain a new landmark, making it an even hotter place to visit.

Billionaire and CEO of the computer company, Microsoft, Bill Gates, and the investment firm, Belmont Partners, has set a goal to build a “smart city,” and has put down $80 million for its development. He has purchased 25,000 acres (40 square miles) of land just short of an hour west of Phoenix in an area called West Valley. It is roughly the size of Tempe and will have enough space for about 160,000 people.

BELMONT A HUGE PROJECT Much of the land of the new city, projected to be called “Belmont,” after its parent company, is going to be used for residential and commercial units. 80,000 acres are planned to be used for houses and apartments, 3,800 acres for commercial, retail, and office buildings, and 470 acres for public schools. Belmont Partners stated that it planned to build “a forward thinking community with a communication and infrastructure spine that embraces cutting-edge technology.”

The cutting-edge technology and innovation is going to be the main attraction of Belmont. It is designed as a sort of utopia of the 21st century, ultra high-speed internet, data centers, new manufacturing technologies, and autonomous vehicles for a public transportation system.

“Technologies such as self-driving cars and smart buildings are growing when you look at prototype products from various companies such as Mercedes and Google. There is really no other possibility then for smart cities, and smart technology as a whole, to grow in popularity and application”, said Harrison Connell, a senior.

Some people are confused as to why Bill Gates ant Belmont Partners chose for the smart city to be located in Arizona. It may seem like a strange choice when there are other, more popular, places where the heat will not be a problem for construction. It will definitely be a drastic change in Arizona’s culture and atmosphere.

“More people would likely move here and visit then before. Also it will boost state revenue through the construction process and tourism,” said Andrew Dine, a senior.

CHEAP ARIZONA Arizona was chosen for its low land prices, a recent increase in the population, its solar energy potential, and its supportive policies for autonomous vehicles. The price of the land was about $7,500 per acre, which is a cheap price for land so close to a city. The result of these cheap prices would be affordable standard of living for the city’s residents, and given the population boom in Buckeye from 6,000 people to 60,000, there will be no shortage of them.

Another benefit is Arizona’s intense exposure to sunlight, seldom interrupted by bad weather, making for the ideal conditions for solar-based means of harnessing energy. The area in which the city is going to be located is ideal and convenient for development.

“The section of Arizona is essentially a ‘clean slate.’ There is nothing in this area and it is near Palo Verde nuclear plant”, said Dave Dine, an Arizona Resident and intellectual.

Arizona’s autonomous vehicle-friendly policies are another plus for Belmont’s development.

Since the policies are so relaxed, there should be little to no legal trouble at all with the development of the transportation system.

Outdated and obsolete The day after you get it, your phone is becoming old fashioned

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By LUC FLASCHENTRAGER g staff writer

Cell phone users have become rampant with theories of intentional obsolescence with recently released smart phones as older versions with outdated operating systems become slower over time.

As new phones are released, companies must come up with ways to sway consumers into purchasing the latest and greatest on the market. Many people believe that to do this, companies make their older phones slower.

OLD PHONES NOT UPDATED Many publicly-posted studies have shown that this is true. With new phones coming out, the software is improving, along with the storage capacity of the devices.

However, updates to old phones are put aside. As everyone gets the new tech, companies deem it unnecessary to update the older versions.

These updates do not hurt the phones themselves, but it makes them dramatically slower. No new updates means that when prob-

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lems arise the companies will not bother to fix them because they will just tell the consumer to buy the newest device. The older versions do not have nearly as much processing power and much less storage.

“Every time there's something new coming out my phone seems go get slower and slower every week, it's like they're forcing us to get the new stuff,” said Austin Englebrecht, a senior and iPhone user.

As it gets closer and closer to the limit, these older versions get slower and slower. While this may not be quite as intentional as it seems to be, the same problem is occurring.

While this is a large underlying problem for many people, there is one major issue that doesn't have to do with software.

“I think it's all about money, it's the bottom line and that line is the most important thing in business,” said Matthew Scott, a film teacher and tech guru.

HIGH COST PHONES This does seem to be the case.

With the new iPhone 8 and iPhone X, pricing has been a major conversation piece, and now the X coming in at $999 makes it even more so.

This newest installment in the Apple community is, as they always are, the “latest and greatest” on the market. What you really get for all that extra cash is the real question.

As with all new tech, there is more storage, they are faster, and the new operating system just seems to work perfectly. Now however, many are starting to believe that nothing much is better, just the quality of the older items continue to diminish over time.

The thing is, this does not happen to everyone. Apple users have it the worst, which is apparent even in the 7 that should not be outdated yet.

“I'm not too sure what the big deal is about really, my Samsung phone works just as well as it did when I first got it,” said Isaiah Shipley, a senior and Samsung user.