Technology
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They sure play a kind, welcoming pinball
The advent of the affordable television set and the miracle of pizza delivery has kept gamers inside the last few decades, away from the former ritual of congregation at arcades, pizzerias and the like. But David Morris is on a one-man mission to get leisure enthusiasts off the couch and into the community once again.
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Blocked Out
When users open Instagram on any device, search the name of any Canadian news organization and pull up the related account page, they’re met with a blank screen and the statement “People in Canada can’t see this content. In response to Canadian government legislation, news content can’t be viewed in Canada.”
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Social Media Muzzle
It’s the first week of September. Classes are back in session at the University of Winnipeg. That can only mean one thing: it’s the start of a new publishing year at The Uniter! Actually, that’s only one of many things it can mean. But as managing editor of this newspaper, it’s probably the only one that I would reasonably be writing about.
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The academy will not be automated
“Write a lede for an article about the implications of ChatGPT in the university,” I prompt the chatbot.
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Competition in bits and bytes
Over the past decade, professional video gaming, or esports, have rapidly ascended from basement LAN parties and dank arcades to sold-out stadiums across the globe.
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Ouch, my computer
While working on this week’s issue of The Uniter, I ran into a problem that stopped me in my tracks.
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On the rise of online scams
Pyramid schemes, grifting and scams have been ingrained into our economy, culture and social imaginary far longer than dial-up.
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Be charitable, save food, eat good
The Too Good to Go app launched in the Toronto metropolitan area last summer and was recently introduced in Montreal and Vancouver. Now, Too Good to Go is up and running in cities across Canada, including Winnipeg.
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Time to Renterii!
Renterii, a new item-rental app from a Winnipeg tech startup, all began with a simple mission: to rent a kayak. Launched in summer 2021 by Jordan Smith, Dennis Cheong and Dany Cheong, it is an app where individuals and businesses can list, discover and rent out items.
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Getting active for a good cause
Virtual 5Ks and other races have become increasingly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ability for runners to socially distance, choose their own locations and participate at their own pace have made them an attractive option for beginners and seasoned runners alike.
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Favourite local social media presence
1. wpg_affirmations
2. Winnipeg Wildin
3. Faceplam / mbpolidragrace (tie) -
Favourite local podcast
1. Witchpolice Radio
2. Bikini Drive-In
3. One Great History -
True crime, but make it moral
Girl, You Haven’t Heard?? is a multifaceted true-crime and Black-history project from creator Jayda Hope. It includes a podcast, YouTube videos and a Patreon.
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Winnipeg Twitter hates itself
What are the rules of creating humour from Winnipeg? A tweet from the account @MasonDRM sums it up nicely: “You are only allowed to make fun of Winnipeg if you are from Winnipeg, anybody else & we’ll fight you & steal your bike.”
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Freedom of information at risk with Bill 49
Premier Brian Pallister’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been roundly criticized by the opposition, local news media and community activists alike. But beyond the pandemic response itself, Pallister’s Progressive Conservative (PC) government has also been accused of using the pandemic as cover to push through anti-democratic legislation.
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Winnipeg’s Twitch community hop back online
‘Fantastic’ and ‘supportive’ streaming community stays strong during COVID
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Protest, Activism, Whimsy and Self-Care
University of Manitoba’s School of Art presents exhibit within Animal Crossing
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Bringing the polls to the people
New polling software doubles as market-research tool and social app
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Privacy in the age of COVID-19
A balancing act for universities and other institutions
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The antisocial dilemma
Social media algorithms aren’t mysterious, scheming voices instructing us to do this or that. They aren’t telling us anything new or introducing brand-new behaviours or ideas from scratch.