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SOUTH BEND, Ind., June 16 /PRNewswire/ — Does the name Ben Hahaj ring a bell? Maybe not, but thanks to a new product called Priority Time, he will soon be ringing school bells all across the nation with just a simple computer program.
As owner of Priority computer Services, Inc. of South Bend, Indiana, Ben Hahaj recognized that many schools needed to upgrade or replace their antiquated bell systems — old systems that needed specialized training or a technician to service and that were often disrupted by power outages and weather delays and were just plain difficult to use. Hahaj has designed a solution that makes changing the school bell schedule as easy as making a PA announcement. With an ordinary computer, there can be complete control over any bell system. Secretaries no longer have to agonize over dealing with the bells.
Priority Time offers flexibility and creative applications never available in old-fashioned school bells. “If tomorrow’s schedule is disrupted by a weather delay,” says Hahaj, “the entire day’s schedule can be changed with a couple of clicks from a mouse. And the next day’s bells can be changed back just as easily. Or — instead of a bell sound today, it could be a foghorn or a train whistle! The school song. Anything.
“And principals can now be in two places at the same time! They can record the PA announcements now, and then play them back later automatically. No one will know if they are there or not! This system is adaptable to a wide variety of applications.”
Priority Time is also adaptable to a wide variety of businesses. Schools, factories, summer camps, churches, retail stores and restaurants are all potential users of this product. It can be used anywhere scheduled audio is needed and it runs on most of the same PCs found in any of these establishments, guaranteeing a simpler workday for the person in charge of bells, whistles, announcements … or talking the secretary down from the ledge.
There are two versions of Priority Time: the “Audio Version” that works through any PA or paging system and the “Serial Controller” version that uses a small device to control new or existing bells, horns or buzzers.
A reseller program with generous discounts is available.

You can visit for information and pricing.

Contact:
Ben Hahaj
Tel.: 866-661-9049
Cell: 269-591-0630
e-mail:
This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit .
Priority computer Services, Inc.

REDMOND, Wash., June 12 /PRNewswire/ — DigiPen Institute Of Technology, a leader in game development education, has developed two premier game design degree programs to be launched in the Fall 2008 semester at their Redmond campus. The four-year programs, a Bachelor of Arts in Game Design (BAGD) and a Bachelor of Science in Game Design (BSGD), mark the growth of the game industry and its need for more game content creators with solid programming and artistic knowledge. Admissions are currently being accepted for Fall 2008 matriculation.
DigiPen has been a leading source of new game industry talent in software engineering and art for over 19 years. “DigiPen is committed to address all aspects of the game production pipeline. We have excelled in computer Engineering, Real Time Interactive Simulation and in Production Animation. Today, after many years of research that included consultation with professionals from the game industry, we are announcing two new degrees that we believe are very much needed by the industry. With these programs, DigiPen completes yet another area of its game education pipeline,” explained Claude Comair, Founder and President of DigiPen.
“Both of our new programs offer education in level design and game play design. Additionally, each of the two game design programs focuses on either programming or art,” said Jen Sward, current Chair of the Game Software Design and Production Department and lead developer of the programs. “We developed the curriculum based on the goal of creating great game level designers who are also capable programmers and environmental artists. The combination of those skills makes a graduate very versatile in our industry.”
DigiPen graduates have already demonstrated their skills in game design and innovation, including the seven DigiPen alumni who went on to create Portal at Valve, and through DigiPen’s graduates who have worked at companies such as Nintendo, Monolith, Activision, ArenaNet, Bungie among many others.
“We worked very closely with current industry designers, discussing the needs of graduates and the hiring requirements they have,” continued Sward. “We felt strongly that designers need to have additional skills beyond straight game mechanics or story telling. Designers need to be able to code or script events or artificial intelligence, place and tune enemies, tune weapons or other entities within the game. On the other hand, designers can also be more artistically inclined, in which case they need skills in texturing, creating urban, rural, fantastical or science fiction environments. To achieve this, we created the two programs: the BSGD which has a high programming and technology component, and the BAGD which has a high artistic and architecture component.” The two new programs focus primarily on creating Level Designers with game design skills for all media, and secondarily focus on the technology or artistic side of design.
When asked about DigiPen’s new degree programs, Doug Lombardi, VP of Marketing at Valve, creators of best selling games and leading game technologies, commented that “DigiPen is leading the academic community by providing a starting point for those wishing to pursue a career in the country’s fastest growing entertainment industry. From the Valedictorian of DigiPen’s first graduating class to the seven graduates who produced 2007’s Game of the Year, Portal, DigiPen has become a leading source for finding new and talented employees at Valve.”
Beginning this September, DigiPen will be utilizing the Nintendo Wii and DS Development systems they received from Nintendo for students to use in some of their classes.
About DigiPen Institute Of Technology
DigiPen Corporation was established in 1988 in Vancouver, BC as a computer simulation and animation company. In 1990, DigiPen started teaching dedicated programs in 3-D computer animation and game development in 1994. In 1998, DigiPen Institute of Technology moved to Redmond, Washington where it has been a leading educational institution offering four-year degrees in Real-Time Interactive Simulation (game programming), Production Animation, computer Engineering, Game Design, and a two-year master’s degree in computer Science, 2-week exploratory programs for students in grades 5 and higher, and continuing education courses for industry professionals. Located near approximately 70 game companies, DigiPen is focused on preparing students for careers in the digital interactive entertainment industry and beyond. In September 2008, DigiPen will be matriculating the first cohort of students into its brand new design degrees as well as launching a branch campus in Singapore. For more information about the college or to apply for the September 2008 intake, please visit: .
CONTACT:
Angela Kugler
DigiPen Institute Of Technology
(866) 478-5236 or (425) 558-0299
Fax: (425) 558-0378

DigiPen Institute Of Technology

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Nearly 200 tech-savvy students today demonstrated their talents at the 4th annual Middle School computer Fair, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Berks County Intermediate Unit.
“Our world is more connected than ever and it is essential that our students have the skills necessary to succeed in this changing environment,” said Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak. “The students who compete in the Middle School computer Fair are given the opportunity to demonstrate the high-tech skills that are going to help them succeed in the globally competitive economy.”
Students from across Pennsylvania, in grades 6, 7 and 8, advanced to the state level by qualifying in a school district and intermediate unit competition. More than 750 students participated in the competition at some level.
The categories for competition were desktop publishing, multimedia, graphic design, digital movie, logo design, and Web page design. Projects were scored using rubrics developed to assess skills in each area. Judges included staff from PDE, participating intermediate units, local colleges, and technology businesses.
Students exhibit their projects at the computer fair and the top performing students are selected. An awards ceremony at the State Museum recognizes the winners, who receive trophies and gift certificates.
For more information on these efforts, visit . Additional information on the computer fair can be found at .
2008 computer Fair Winners

Student Names School District IU Project Title Placed Category

Jennifer Ahern, Saint Anastasia 25 Simply Life 3rd Desktop
Julia Clay, School Publishing
Jessica McTaggert

Gia Bitonti, California Area 1 Duke’s 2nd Desktop
Breanna Lincoski, Middle School Restaurant Publishing
Kadie Clancy

Priyanka Nadar Harrisburg 15 Children’s Book 1st Desktop
Academy Publishing

Andrew Bloomsburg Middle 16 The Lego Music 3rd Digital Movie
Zimmerman School Video

ReJeana Governor Mifflin 14 The Dog Days 2nd Digital Movie
Goldsborough Middle School

Jack Huang Parkland - 21 Searching for 1st Digital Movie
Matthew Stein Springhouse MS the Middle
Ground:
Formation-U.N.

Stephanie Daniel Boone 14 Rairingomara 3rd Graphic Design
Walters Area MS v. Shippomaru

Blake Mudry, California Area 1 Global Warning 2nd Graphic Design
Gia Bitonti, Middle School
Boyd Stinnett

Priyanka Nadar Harrisburg 15 Anti Smoking Ad 1st Graphic Design
Academy

Eilish Miller, California Area 1 computer Fair 3rd Logo
Kim Sears Middle School Logo

Devin Hilliard, Homer-Center 28 Middle School 2nd Logo
John Cook, High School computer Fair
Jon Gibbons Logo

Cassandra Greater 18 2009 Middle 1st Logo
Yalch, Nanticoke School Computer
Kelly Kreitzer, Area Ed Cntr Fair Logo
Brittany
Suglaski

Caroline Van Northern York 15 Laminitis in 3rd Multimedia
Pelt County - Horses
Northern MS

Lunda Philadelphia 26 A Tribute to 2nd Multimedia
Saimesier, - Grover Philly’s
Felicia Walker, Washington Finest
Hoang Bui

Lance Lyons Frazier Middle 1 Green Power: 1st Multimedia
School Saving Our
Planet

Nathaniel Coatesville 24 The Black 3rd Web Page
Keegan, Area - North Death Design
Jonathan Webster, Brandywine MS
McElory Collin

Ben Dallastown 12 Coral Reefs 2nd Web Page
Holtzapple Middle School Design

Ron Miller Frazier Middle 1 Coal Mining 1st Web Page
School in Southwest Design
PA

CONTACT:
Michael Race
(717) 783-9802

Pennsylvania Department of Education

PITTSBURGH, April 22 /PRNewswire/ — Amazon.com founder and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos will be the guest speaker at Carnegie Mellon University diploma ceremonies for its Tepper School of Business and School of computer Science during the university’s commencement weekend, May 17-18.
(Logo: )
Bezos will speak to business school graduates receiving master’s and doctor’s degrees at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 17 at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, 4141 Fifth Avenue in Oakland. He will receive an honorary doctorate in science and technology during the 11 a.m. university-wide commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 18. At 1 p.m., Sunday afternoon, he will speak to graduates of the School of computer Science at the Carnegie Music Hall, 4400 Forbes Avenue in Oakland.
In 1994, Bezos created a business model that leveraged the Internet’s unique ability to deliver huge amounts of information rapidly and efficiently, and founded Amazon.com Inc. Today, it is the leading online retailer.
Before heading west to start Amazon.com, Bezos worked at the juncture of computer science and finance, helping to build one of the most technically sophisticated quantitative hedge funds on Wall Street for D.E. Shaw & Co.
He also led the development of computer systems that helped manage more than $250 billion in assets for Bankers Trust Company.
“Tepper School graduates around the world are renowned for their innovations within the intersection of business and technology, so it is a special privilege to host a leader whose vision both reflects and inspires our own school’s mission,” said Kenneth B. Dunn, dean of the Tepper School of Business.
“We are pleased that Jeff Bezos, an executive with a deep understanding of how computer science is transforming our world, will be sharing his insights with our graduates this year. Much of Amazon’s success stems from the sophistication of its computer and networking technology and we are proud that Amazon has hired a number of our students over the years to help build that technology,” said Randal E. Bryant, dean of the School of computer Science.
Some 58 alumni of Carnegie Mellon work for Amazon, including 16 with degrees from the School of computer Science.
About Carnegie Mellon: Carnegie Mellon is a private research university with a distinctive mix of programs in engineering, computer science, robotics, business, public policy, fine arts and the humanities. More than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students receive an education characterized by its focus on creating and implementing solutions for real problems, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation. A small student-to-faculty ratio provides an opportunity for close interaction between students and professors. While technology is pervasive on its 144-acre Pittsburgh campus, Carnegie Mellon is also distinctive among leading research universities for the world-renowned programs in its College of Fine Arts. A global university, Carnegie Mellon has campuses in Silicon Valley, Calif., and Qatar, and programs in Asia, Australia and Europe. For more, see .

Carnegie Mellon

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Hundreds of high school students from across Pennsylvania gathered today at Dickinson College for the 10th Annual High School Computer Fair, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Chester County Intermediate Unit.”Pennsylvania students are getting a unique opportunity to perfect their technological skills,” said Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak. “Through this computer fair and various other departmental programs, such as Classrooms for the Future, our high school students are going to graduate with the skills necessary to succeed in today’s globally competitive economy.”Nearly 250 students from 91 Pennsylvania high schools competed in categories such as animation, desktop publishing, digital movies and graphic design to compete for cash awards up to $500. The winners were announced at an afternoon awards ceremony.The event showcased how computers can be used to unleash creativity, convey information and enhance learning. The annual event was started by several intermediate units that decided to expand the event as the demand for technology increased and evolved.Each student entry was accompanied by a project summary, which included project objectives, vision, overall purpose and a list of the software applications and additional equipment needed to complete the project. Judging was done by professionals from business, industry, government and higher education.In order to compete at the state level, students had to place first at their regional fair hosted by their local intermediate unit. More than 1,400 students competed at the regional level.For more information on these efforts, visit . Additional information on the computer fair can be found at . Editors Note: A list of the award recipients is below: — Armstrong CountyChristian Heilman, Freeport Area School District, Information Based Web Page DesignKellie Johnson, Freeport Area School District, Curriculum-Based Web Page Design — Beaver County Jamie Karczewski, Blackhawk School District, Computer Fair Logo — Berks CountyJose Jimenez, Berks Career and Technology Center, Text-Based Desktop Publishing — Bradford County Daran Carlin-Weber, Sayre Area School District, Animation — Carbon County Brittany Krieger, Weatherly Area School District, Multimedia Presentations Laura Tomko, Weatherly Area School District, Multimedia Presentations — Centre County Max Besong, Bald Eagle Area School District, AnimationEduard Pinkevitch, Bellefonte Area School District, Multimedia Presentations Eric Soble, Bellefonte Area School District, Multimedia Presentations Dan Trowbridge, Bellefonte Area School District, Multimedia Presentations — Chester County Collin Miller, Downingtown School District, Digital Movie — Clearfield CountyTaylor Gearhart, Moshannon Valley School District, Curriculum-Based Web Page DesignBrenna Saupp, Moshannon Valley School District, Curriculum-Based Web Page Design — Columbia County Jessica Burns, Central Columbia School District, Graphic Design — Cumberland CountyBrandi Albright, Cumberland Perry Area Vocational Technical School, Computer Fair LogoJessica Ding, East Pennsboro School District, Text-Based Desktop PublishingBrittney Furber, East Pennsboro School District, Text-Based Desktop PublishingLake Ober, Cumberland Perry Area Vocational School, Information Based Web Page Design Ashley Reath, Cumberland Perry Area Vocational School, Graphic Design — Delaware CountyJoseph Hooker, Rose Tree Media School District, Information Based Web Page DesignMax Nachamkin, Rose Tree Media School District, Information Based Web Page Design — Elk County Brianna Bush, Ridgway Area School District, Computer Fair Logo Lacey Gosnell, Ridgway Area School District, Computer Fair Logo — Indiana CountyAshley Marshall, Indiana County Technology Center, Text-Based Desktop Publishing– Lackawanna CountyTony Cosentini, Old Forge School District, Information Based Web Page Design R.J. Davis, Old Forge School District, Curriculum-Based Web Page Design Mark Marsico, Old Forge School District, Information Based Web Page DesignSteven Pawlikowski, Old Forge School District, Curriculum-Based Web Page Design Nick Remish, Old Forge School District, Information Based Web Page Design Xiao Ye Zheng, Old Forge School District, Curriculum-Based Web Page Design — Lancaster County Josh Koch, Manheim Township School District, Digital Movie Nik Korablin, Manheim Township School District, Digital Movie Ben Meeder, Manheim Township School District, Digital Movie — Lebanon County Ethan Derr, Eastern Lebanon County, Curriculum-Based Web Page Design — Luzerne County Vito Perugino, Wyoming Area School District, Digital Movie — Lycoming County Samuel Derr, East Lycoming School District, Graphic Design Abigail Hess, East Lycoming School District, Text-Based Desktop Publishing — Montgomery County Adrian Ferr-Varvoutis, Colonial School District, Animation Lauren Herbert, Colonial School District, Animation Tina Phu, Colonial School District, Animation — Northampton County Mitch Rozetar, Wilson School District, Animation — Philadelphia County Hao Jie Liu, School District of Philadelphia, Computer Fair Logo Ryan Griffin, School District of Philadelphia, Graphic Design Soronn Pin, School District of Philadelphia, Computer Fair Logo — Tioga County Sara Gaballa, Southern Tioga School District, Multimedia Presentations Colleen Meringer, Southern Tioga School District, Multimedia Presentations — Wayne CountyDanielle Kelly, Wallenpaupack Area School District, Multimedia Presentations — York County Marissa Lawson, Central York School District, Digital Movie Billy Rayner, Central York School District, Digital Movie Mike Rotell, Central York School District, Digital Movie CONTACT: Michael Race (717) 783-9802Pennsylvania Department of Education