FLOWER SHOW EXHIBIT: WHERE HAS ALL THE WATER GONE? -- Students in the landscape architecture and horticulture departments at Temple Ambler are presenting a 2003 Philadelphia Flower Show project that could change how people think about the use of household water. "I don't think many people think about what happens to the water they use in their houses after it has disappeared down the drain," says Temple Ambler professor Skip Graffam, one of the coordinators of an exhibit entitled "Graywater Gardens." "The idea is to change attitudes about water usage, to add the idea of water re-use to the mainstream way of thinking." In addition to displaying an abundance of plants that require less water, "Graywater Gardens" will detail how water used for cleaning may be recycled and used for watering plants and gardens. The Flower Show will run March 2-9 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The display will re-create an indoor and outdoor environment, with a working washing machine, sink system and shower system inside, and lush garden areas with walkways of porous paving outside. On Thursday, Feb. 27, from 1 to 4 p.m., members of the media are invited to catch a glimpse of the work students have put into this year's exhibit.
IS LINUX CLOSING THE WINDOWS ON MICROSOFT? -- Lindows, an inexpensive Linux-based computer operating system now being offered to consumers through retailer Wal-Mart, is starting to get the attention of computer giant Microsoft, says Temple computer and information science instructor Peter Cook. "A few weeks ago Bill Gates was at a conference and acknowledged the fact that Linux is severely cutting into their business," says Cook, an expert in consumer computer technology. Cook says many of Lindows' programs look similar to those of Microsoft's popular Windows," However, many of the features will be different. But, he adds, Lindows is able to operate many similar types of software and Web browsers. "You'll still have all the bells and whistles with Lindows, they just won't be the same as Microsoft's." One way Linux is able to save consumers money, says Cook, is by charging a flat-fee $99 for use of all their software, as opposed to Microsoft, which charges a licensing fee for each type of its software that is used. Cook also points out that "Lindows has software for everything." And if you're worried about how your home computer with Lindows will work with your Windows-based office computer, relax. Cook says that most of the Lindows office programs are compatible file-wise with Microsoft.
EXPERTS AVAILABLE TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE WAR WITH IRAQ -- The Office of News and Media Relations has brought together diverse faculty experts reporters can contact to comment on many issues pertaining to a possible U.S. war with Iraq. Whether you're looking for someone to talk about the stress of renewed terror threats, the protective qualities of duct tape, rising gas prices or U.S. foreign policy, you can find a source at http://www.temple.edu/news_media/nmr0302_570.html. New experts may be added in the weeks ahead, so check back regularly. And if you don't have access to the web, contact NMR for a copy of the latest release.
OVER A BARREL NOW, SIGNS SAY GAS PRICES COULD BE LOWER LATER THIS YEAR -- Consumers now facing high gasoline prices are afraid that prices will go even higher. However, it is easy to see what the experts who trade oil on the futures market think about gas prices over the next 12 months, says Frederic H. Murphy of Temple's Fox School of Business and Management. "Deliveries of oil for March are around $37 per barrel," says Murphy, an expert in the energy industry. "However, a contract for December delivery is now selling for around $23.50." Murphy says this indicates that the pros who bet their own money on the price of oil are saying the price will come down dramatically over the remainder of the year. "People point to historically low inventories as a measure of future problems," contends Murphy, who says the shortfalls are as much a result of the strife in Venezuela, as anything. "But equally important is the fact that inventories are low because the oil companies do not want to hold expensive inventory when they can buy 'financial barrels' more cheaply in the futures market to cover their future needs."
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