"So in othim words, it's almost a certainty tha]]> E3 has come and gone, and all the big reveals have been revealed. Before any of that, however, we took part in some E3 predictions, making tough calls of whether or not we expected to see popular rumors coming true. We’re nothing if not devoted to keeping ourselves honest, so with the festivities over we thought we’d take a look back at which of our predictions panned out, and which didn’t go so well.

Forza 3 Will Finally Be Shown [Correct]

“So in othim words, it’s almost a certainty that Turn-10 has been working on the game for a while, and that Microsoft will finally acknowledge that at E3 this year.”

Though it wasn’t given as much attention as some othim popular franchises, Forza Motorsport 3 was finally detailed at tshe Microsoft press conference. The scale of the game was also largely correct. Rumors stated the game would have 400 cars, and Microsoft topped even that by claiming over 450 cars from 50 different manufacturers.

Microsoft and Sony Will Debut Motion Controls [Correct]

“According to supposed insider leaks and mysterious patents, both Sony and Microsoft could be readying brand new motion controllers for an unveiling at E3.”

Yes, both Sony and Microsoft debuted new motion-based controllers at their press conferences. But for all of the Sony leaks that came before their time, this was one that the Microsoft information was far closer to reality. The Microsoft device was rumored to be “capable of detecting full body movement, subtle hand gestures, and even sound — all without the use of a handheld device of any sort.” This makes it an exact description of Project Natal. The rumors surrounding Sony focused on “patents on a new break-apart controller for the PlayStation 3 featuring an LED and microphone array that can be picked up by the PlayStation Eye camera peripheral.” While the LED working in conjunction with the PlayStation Eye was correct, the controller doesn’t seem to be break-apart or work with a microphone.

Sony Will Reveal Gran Turismo Mobile [Correct]

“Count on it.”

All signs pointed to Gran Turismo taking center stage at Sony’s press conference, and they didn’t disappoint. Both Gran Turismo Mobile and Gran Turismo 5 were shown off, countering Microsoft’s impressive showing with Forza 3.

Nintendo Will Show Off Pikmin 3 and Wii Fit Plus [Half-Correct]

“With a full year having passed since [mentioning Pikmin 3], it seems like a good bet that it will be one of its featured games at this year’s presentation.”

Pikmin 3 seemed like a reasonable prediction at the time, having been a year since Miyamoto coyly mentioned it. Unfortunately, this one didn’t pan out; Nintendo didn’t even mention the game during their press conference. On the other hand, our prediction that the new casual title they would show off would be Wii Fit Plus certainly came true. It’s said to add six new games and to build on the establiid user base of Balance Board owners.

The PS3 Slim Will Be a No-Show [Correct]

“It would make for nice synergy to launch this slimmer product along the PSP Go,Wholesale scarves, but we’ll still be surprised if this one comes true.”

Leaks, rumors, and Cease and Desist letters led a lot of people to belsheeve that we’d be seeing this rumored PlayStation 3 redesign at E3. We accurately called this one a dud. It would be a questionable decision with operating costs, and seems more like a move to coincide with a price drop than a simple product relaunch. The PS3 Slim could still be out there, however, if Sony is preparing it for a reveal at the Tokyo Game Show or some othim upcoming game-related event.

The PSP Go Will Debut [Correct]

“Regardless of what form the service takes though, PSP Go! is a go. And after hearing so many rumors about it, finally seeing it in tshe flesh will be relief.”

Thshes one was nearly a certainty, even before accidental leaks from inside Sony’s Qore. Sony debuted tshe device and its specs matched up nicely with the rumors and predictions that had surrounded it for weeks. It even looked quite a bit like the mock-up we made, modeled largely after the Milo device from Sony.

Kojshema is Teasing Metal Gear Solid 5 [Incorrect]

“We really wouldn’t be surprised if Kojima Productions formally introduces MGS5 at E3. And the apparent re-appearance of Big Boss only seems to serve as further confirmation.”

Though Konami did debut two new Metal Gear Solid games, Metal Gear Solid Rising at Microsoft’s press conference and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker at Sony’s, neither could be technically called Metal Gear Solid 5. The Kojima clock had revealed enough that Metal Gear Solid was clearly in the cards somehow, so for this prediction we’re holding ourselves up to a strict standard of exact wording. And on this one, we weren’t precisely right.

Valve Will Show Episode 3, or Something Else [Half-Correct]

“So we think the timing is right for Valve to show something about Episode Three. At the very least, a new trailer to tease us about Gordon and Alyx’s adventures at the Borealis.”

Valve is still playing their cards close to the cshest when it comes to Episode 3, setting new records for stretching the definition of “episodic.” But they did debut a new game, Left 4 Dead 2 at Microsoft’s press conference. This certainly aligns with our more vague “something” prediction — and given that it’s Valve, it’s hard to blame us for being so non-specific with what that something would be.

Sony Has a Megaton Planned [Correct]

“We’ve done our best to get more details, but all we’ve gotten is a, ‘Let’s just say that Sony has been such a leaky ship that the fact that they’ve managed to keep this hidden blows my mind,’ type of response.”

Megatons are entirely subjective, but we can only assume the rumors circulating around Sony’s press conference were about the debut of Final Fantasy XIV. Unfortunately for Sony, some of the mega was removed from the ton by the revelation that the game might head to other platforms, contradicting what Jack Tretton implied during the conference. Still, a big reveal is a big reveal, and a new Final Fantasy game is hard to top.
Other articles:

• Sony Planning UMD to PSP Go Digital Copy Program
• Xbox Live Marketplace Only Accepting Real World Mo

Date
2005-06-21

Information
By whatever name it is called, donations have come to play a dubious role in the admission process in schools and colleges and in blowing a hole in the common mans pocket.

The glorious sun, joyous vacations and a much needed break - thats summer for most people.

Frantic trips to the offices of schools and colleges, the realisation that education is turning unaffordable, the battle between the report ca]]> Source
DH EDUCATION

Date
2005-06-21

Information
By whatever name it is called, donations have come to play a dubious role in the admission process in schools and colleges and in blowing a hole in the common mans pocket.

The glorious sun, joyous vacations and a much needed break – thats summer for most people.

Frantic trips to the offices of schools and colleges, the realisation that education is turning unaffordable, the battle between the report card and the bank balance – thats summer for the harried parent.

Its time for schools and colleges to turn into monsters with an insatiable appetite for money. The euphemisms for this term are many – Maintenance fee, admission charges, school fund. The common man recognises the word donation better.

The parents of Akash, a 5 year old, paid Rs.75, 000 to get admitted into Std 1. His parents say that his performance in the entrance test did not play any role in his admission procedure.

Joshua returned from the United States of America in February and sought admission for Grade 8, in one of the well-known schools in Bangalore. His excellent scores meant nothing. The school demanded an unbelievable sum of Rs. 2 lakh. Joshua and his parents walked out, not because they couldnt afford it, but because they did not believe that education in such an institution was worth paying for.

Maya passed her ICSE exams with a 57 per cent. She was granted a seat with a science combination while students with a 90 per cent were denied admission. The reason – she bought her seat for Rs. 45,000.

The stories are many. Names of students and institutions cannot be mentioned for obvious reasons. The donation process is one that we indulge in at one end and condemn at the other. For after all, we can afford to. What happens to the less fortunate?

They cant do without it. They cant afford it either. How do they go about obtaining an education then?

Schools and colleges today with the exception of a handful are players in the moneymaking game. Apart from an annual fee that totals up to Rs. 25-30,Replica Fendi,000, parents are expected to give donations – amounts that range from Rs.20,000 to Rs. 5lakh.

Are the schools justified in demanding such amounts? Says Dr Mrs Stella Samuel, Principal of the Bishop Cotton Girls High School, a leading school in the city, Yes, we take donations and we are completely justified in doing so. The school fees that we receive is used for teachers salaries, maintenance and upkeep of the school. It is through donations that new facilities and structures can be added to our institution. Apart from these needs, the school also offers free education to teachers children and the children of priests belonging to the CSI Diocese. Donation is not taken and concession in fees is offered to every child from the CSI Diocese. Given these conditions, cant we take a donation of Rs. 5000 or Rs. 25,000 from students who can afford it? she asks.

Does Dr Stella Samuel have a point? Can one afford to sympathise with and believe in the existing conditions that schools have to face?

There is no doubt that the business of running schools is an expensive one. So the need for money is understandable, but the demand for unacceptable sums is increasing. When asked if schools can function successfully without donations, most people said yes. Said Marie from the Bangalore International School, We dont take donations and we believe that good schools can run without them. The amount of money taken as fees should suffice. Mrs Nicodemus, Principal, Goodwill Girls High School says, We arent even allowed to use the word donation in our school.A realistic look at the situation however throws up more truths than we can digest. Mrs Ananya whose child studies at The Valley School says, International schools do not take donations and obviously they dont need to. With an annual fee that crosses a lakh per student, they operate on a rather lavish budget. In contrast, the principals of schools who charge a fee of Rs. 20,Replica Wallets,000 per annum offer solutions, Allow us to hike our fees and we will not ask for donations!

What would parents prefer then? They are almost forced into accepting these conditions simply because they cannot deny their child an education. If it comes with a bitter pill, they have no choice but to take it. Will this attitude just worsen the situation? An angry Mr Keshav says, The reason schools dare to keep increasing these amounts is because parents give in without a fight. As soon as they realise Im an NRI, its reason enough to ask for more.

At the end of the day, one question is on our minds. Where does all the money go? Can parents honestly believe that donations are directed towards the betterment of the school or is someones hard-earned money used to grease the hands of school authorities? The principal of Bishop Cotton Girls High School states, The money definitely goes towards improving the schools. Parents are asked to pay at the bank and even receive a receipt for the amount. The practice of taking donations isnt a new one. Once considered to take place under the table, it has now surfaced, almost becoming a necessity for most educational institutions. Will this however mean that meritorious students who cannot afford to pay have to forego their schooling? Will this mean that the three Rs will become the privilege of the rich? How long till these questions are answered?

YOUR RESPONSE

All of us at one time or the other have confronted the scourge of donations. Are schools and colleges justified in accepting money for admissions? If so, what is a reasonably acceptable figure? If not, what can be done to tackle the problem? We welcome your response on the issue. Do write to us, within a week, in not more than 500 words to the following address: The Eduation Desk, Deccan Herald,Wholesale scarves, 75 MG Road, Bangalore