Minutes of the 2010 AGM were approved and the focus quickly moved on to financial reports and upcoming projects.

In financial matters, Council’s been diligent about keeping things in top shape. As the message from President Barbara Rielly notes, 2010 brought an increase in membership and higher revenues ?beyond [Council’s] very conservative predictions.? Council has invested those funds carefully, and the interest generated will help keep current services in place as well as expand offerings, such as new web services for AUSU clubs and societies. Thanks to careful planning and a budget surplus, Council ?sees no need to increase . . . student fees in the foreseeable future.?

As well, Sarah Kertcher, VP Finance and Administration, noted that the working relationship with auditors Kingston Ross Pasnak is excellent, and a unanimous vote saw the firm appointed for the 2010/11 fiscal year.

One key note in the financial report is that surplus funds were used to purchase bonds, and a question raised during the AGM concerned a drop in those bond amounts. As Sarah explained, those investments are tied to market changes and can be expected to fluctuate. Following a brief question period, the financial statements for the 2009/10 fiscal year were approved in a unanimous vote.

Next up was an item sure to interest AUSU members: the Priority Activities and Planning Report, presented by Bethany Tynes, VP External and Student Affairs.

There’s been plenty of action around existing projects and proposed ones, and one major advance has been the success of AUSU’s complaint tracking system. In order to track complaints effectively (and increase success in resolving them), AUSU has been logging data into a secure database. As the Activities Report notes, AUSU provided AU with the ?first report from the database? in 2010, and results are positive. Not only are certain high-volume complaints beginning to fall, but AUSU has secured a long-anticipated meeting with the Tutors? Union.

Another interesting project Council’s been working on is called OrgSync, a software system that will free up a lot of the administrative time that goes into managing AUSU clubs. Although the clubs are popular with students, Council may spend far more hours than anticipated if a club finds itself without leadership. This can also delay new clubs from starting, and Council reports that OrgSync will ?allow clubs to be more self-maintaining, and . . . give all members an opportunity to contribute.?

OrgSync could also be tied in with AUSU’s Points Program, a service That’s been in development for some time. The OrgSync installation is complete, so watch for the upcoming announcement on the AUSU website.

Bethany also gave an update on some of AUSU’s current programs, and there were definitely some surprises. One of those was the sharp increase in the licence cost for the popular SmartDraw program. As the Activities Report notes, the program has been ?both cost-effective and a value-added benefit to members,? but in late 2010 Council learned that the cost was set to jump by 500 per cent. Tamra Ross, AUSU Executive Director, explained that Council has negotiated a reduced interim price and renewed the licence for another year, but they’re looking closely at whether or not to continue the program after that.

In other news, another successful Tutor of the Year contest wrapped up recently, and results will be announced soon. And if you love your AUSU Planner/Handbook, there’s even more good news on that front. Not only will the service continue, but Council has negotiated a much lower cost for printing.

One program that hasn’t met with the same enthusiasm is the AUSU Career Centre, and low participation means Council will look at whether to continue offering that service.

Following the reports, the AGM was adjourned and an open question session began. One question touched on an item in the Activities Report: student price cards. Although interest was low when AUSU first offered the discount cards a few years ago, the selection available with the cards is now much more diverse and Council is looking at introducing them again. One attendee noted that it might be a repetition of discounts that could be obtained through the AU MasterCard. However, the discount cards could still be an option for members who don’t opt for a university MasterCard.

And finally, the question was raised regarding how proposed changes to Canada’s Internet billing system might affect AUSU’s online services, as well as things like downloading digital textbooks, uploading assignments, etc. Council’s following that issue closely, but as of this writing it appears usage-based billing may not be approved after all.

For those who couldn’t dial in to the AGM, there’s one last thing worth mentioning, something you wouldn’t have found on the agenda: the sense of cohesiveness and energy on Council. While we’re knee-deep in textbooks and essays, It’s understandable that there’s not always time to get to know Council members or read meeting minutes. But as the 2011 AGM showed, AUSU is hard at work for its members, improving on current services and planning new ones.

To find out more or get updates on AUSU projects, visit their homepage. And if You’re an AU student who likes to plan ahead, make a note now to attend next year’s AGM. You’ll be glad you did!

According to the people with something to sell, privacy’s a thing of the past. Nobody wants it anymore. If you aren’t posting photos of yourself or sending tweets about your personal grooming habits, You’re going to be left out.

Left out of what, I’m not sure, unless they mean endless hours scrolling through repetitive news feeds (post this to your status if you care!), or a lucrative deal for your own reality show.

But I’d argue that, when it comes to the things that really matter, people still have a healthy aversion to taking off the public mask and freely sharing their private beliefs and opinions.

It’s hardly scientific, but here’s a clue: the overwhelming numbers of people who remain anonymous when posting online comments.

You can check it out for yourself. Go to just about any major online news site, choose a story, and scroll down to the comments section. One example is a Globe and Mail headline about the latest on the BP oil disaster. Despite the 96 comments that had been posted at the time, only four people had used real names. And only one of those was a full name; the rest just used an initial.

A New York Times article on the same subject continued the trend. Of the first 75 comments (there were nearly 150 at that count), only 5 appeared to use genuine full names, although even those could be pseudonyms. All the rest were purely the product of invention?things like HappyHamster67 and MintMaster. (And yes, I made those up, so apologies if That’s actually the name on your birth certificate.)

Which all seems a little confusing. On the one hand, people will go on sites like Facebook and post endlessly about what movie they saw or what colour their bra is. They’ll use Twitter to very publicly keep legions of followers updated on what they ate for breakfast.

So why not use your real name when You’re commenting on a YouTube video or weighing in on the latest headlines? If we really aren’t concerned about privacy, what’s the big deal?

The difference, I think, is that all that Facebooking and tweeting and blogging is a lot like playing dress-up. It’s not so much about people’s real selves?truly tossing privacy to the wind?as it is about trying to trot out our most amusing, witty personas. A giant cocktail party, if you will. Everyone wants to seem interesting and attractive, or at least to be associated with the interesting, attractive people.

The more attention you can attract, the better. Even if that means appearing a little silly and dancing around with a lampshade on your head. But virtual pokes and Farmville chickens don’t really matter?and everyone at the party knows it. It’s safe to share those things. It’s all in the spirit of fun, and it lets us keep our public masks firmly in place.

But ask people to reveal the things that do matter?how they feel about immigration or religion or politics?and everybody suddenly clams up and starts using fake identities. Those are the kinds of topics that attract some of the most heated commentary, and It’s rare that you’ll find someone willing to openly lay claim to their opinions.

You could argue that Facebook and Twitter users aren’t the ones posting comments. But with over 400 million Facebook users and some 100 million on Twitter, odds are good that there’s a fair bit of overlap.

So while It’s true that social networking sites have created a seismic shift in whether it’s socially acceptable to discuss your underwear, it seems we aren’t willing to let the mask slip too far after all.

The cliff I’m talking about is a metaphorical one, but It’s no less daunting: this week’s issue marks the end of my time as Managing Editor at The Voice, and the leap into a full-time writing career.

For all the thrilling possibilities that holds, the decision is bittersweet. During my three years as Managing Editor, I’ve learned so much more than I ever imagined about writing. It’s a direct result of editing: learning to immediately recognize good writing, spotting clunky phrases a mile away, and honing the instinct to know why a piece of prose has that magical quality even though it breaks every rule in the book.

For a writer, spending serious time on the other side of the editing desk can offer insights worth their weight in gold, and I leave carrying a bag bursting with doubloons.

I’ve also been fortunate enough to have an Editor-in-Chief who knows just how to strike a balance between structure and freedom. Tamra has an uncanny talent for calling up answers to arcane questions about copyright or Photoshop without blinking, and a store of editing knowledge that goes on for days. Yet there has always been the support and freedom to experiment, to suggest, and to make my own mistakes (yes, I still cringe at the thought of that horrid orange title graphic that seemed like such a good idea at the time.)

There have been unexpected delights as well. While I counted on developing a rapport with Voice writers, I didn’t expect to forge friendships that feel as though they run much deeper than email should allow. I hope there are at least a couple of writers who are smiling as they read this, and who know that our friendship and mutual fascination with words doesn’t end here.

There have also been writers who, although they submit only occasionally, are always so charming and professional that just seeing their name in the inbox never fails to bring a smile to my face. I’ll miss them.

And what of the Voice readers, the ones we do it all for? They have been the invisible presence guiding each decision, big or small. Will they be inspired or angered by a certain article? Have we shown them both sides of an issue in an editorial? Have I done the best I can for them each week? I’ll miss them, too?for their comments, their suggestions, and their loyal readership that makes the magazine possible.

Not that every moment has been fabulous, mind you. There have been memorable nights spent staring endlessly at the graphic library because the perfect cover image simply didn’t exist. At least, not until I stumbled across it at two in the morning, bleary-eyed and muttering savagely about finding a nice, dull job tagging sharks off Australia.

Though there may have been a few uncertain moments along the way, one thing is for sure: Voice readers and writers are in very capable hands with Christina M. Frey, the new Managing Editor. I could try to describe her warmth, enthusiasm, and skill to you, but here’s a better idea: search the Voice site and read some of her many articles and AU student profiles. With talent to spare, She’s sure to take the magazine in exciting new directions!

So, back to the edge of that cliff. Will I plummet to the bottom? Or catch an updraft and soar? Only time will tell. But now I must bid you so long and farewell, because the time has come to leap.

Convocation. For many, It’s the end of a long journey; a celebration that signifies completion. But as graduands, family members, and special guests came together to celebrate AU’s Convocation 2010, there were abundant reminders that every ending brings exciting new beginnings.

The weather seemed made to order as the AU campus sprang to life: a steady stream of cars filled the grounds, the tempting aromas of a Continental breakfast filled the air, and graduands connected with fellow students?many for the first time outside emails and discussion boards!

And amid the many congratulations and reflections on the long journey to graduation, there was another popular topic: plans for the future. As AU President Dr. Frits Pannekoek noted in his opening remarks, AU students possess a unique blend of ?vision, planning, and dedication,? and those qualities will serve them well long after convocation. Some grads were busy discussing further studies (or are already enrolled!) while others looked forward to vacations with family or simply reading books for pleasure, not for research.

A fitting backdrop was on display as grads and guests arrived for the ceremony: AU’s new Academic and Research Centre (ARC). Construction is well underway on the Centre, and visitors stopped to admire it and imagine the possibilities the new facility holds.

The main event, though, was inside the spacious auditorium, which quickly filled with guests and a sense of anticipation!

From as near as Athabasca to as far away as Hong Kong, the graduands had all travelled their own paths for this special day. But preparations weren’t finished yet!

Following breakfast in the airy tent, graduands needed to register, receive their gowns, be briefed on the procedure for the ceremony?and, of course, pose for countless photos!

All eyes were on the graduands as the procession began and, in keeping with AU’s role as a distance university, the audience extended to viewers around the world through the live webcast.

The webcast is a recent addition to convocation and the quality improves each year, making it a welcome opportunity for those who can’t attend in person. One thing that would improve the webcast experience is the option of downloading a PDF copy of each day’s program, both as a keepsake and to make it easier to watch for the appearance of that special grad.

On Thursday, June 10, the Kokopelli Choir led the procession with a vibrant performance, followed by greetings from Dr. Pannekoek; Jeff Johnson, MLA for Athabasca-Redwater; and Barry Walker, member of AUGC since 2004 and chair since 2009.

The degrees awarded on the first day were: Master of Distance Education, Master of Arts ? Integrated Studies, Master of Counselling, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of General Studies (Applied Studies), Bachelor of General Studies (Arts and Science), Bachelor of Health Administration, Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations, and Bachelor of Professional Arts.

As always, one of the most popular features of convocation was each grad’s brief bio, read as they crossed the stage.

And although AU prides itself on breaking down barriers to education, each grad’s words revealed another important aspect of the experience: earning a distance degree is just as tough, and often tougher, than attending a bricks-and-mortar school.

Along with full-time studies, many grads worked full- or part-time, raised families, volunteered, and travelled. They studied in airports, on buses, and on business trips and holidays. Throughout, they set their own study schedules, arranged exams, and kept themselves motivated to reach this milestone.

Overwhelmingly, they thanked friends, family, fellow students, and AU staff and faculty?another reminder that distance education can bring unexpected challenges that sometimes require unique solutions from many sources.

With nearly 1,500 grads in AU’s class of 2010, That’s a lot of hard work and dedication!

On June 11, the degrees awarded were: Master of Health Studies, Master of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing, Master of Science ? Information Systems, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Systems. And on the final day of convocation, June 12, degrees were awarded in the Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Administration, Bachelor of Commerce, and Bachelor of Management programs.

Several special degree recipients were on hand as well. On June 10, an honorary Doctor of Laws was conferred on Hon. Raymond Charles Lee ?in recognition of his dedication to the preservation of Chinese Canadian history in Alberta and the integration of Asian Canadians into the mainstream of Canadian society.?

On June 11, an honorary Doctor of Science was conferred on Bill St. Arnaud ?in recognition of his technical leadership in the design of Canada’s national research network and his tireless efforts to promote the effective use of this network.?

And on June 12, an honorary Doctor of Laws was conferred on Dr. Lawrence Lessig ?in recognition of his outstanding work in advocacy and support of fair copyright legislation.? Dr. Lessig is ?a strong advocate of fair use, open access and open source.?

Other special presentations included the induction of Joy Romero and Dr. Dominique Abrioux into the Order of Athabasca University.

But when all was said and done, when the amazing sounds of Epsilon’s voices had faded and the piper had led the final procession from the stage, Convocation 2010 remained a celebration of each new grad’s personal achievement. A reminder that no matter how far away the goal may have seemed when they started, or how many obstacles arose along the way, hard work, persistence, and motivation brought them to this milestone?and will play a big part in tomorrow’s plans.

The Voice offers its warmest congratulations to the graduates of 2010!

The first was an article about fathers being present at their children’s births. A bunch of New Age baloney, according to an article in The Telegraph. Fathers are pretty much useless for anything other than the conception, assembling the crib, and driving to the hospital. And whatever you do, keep them away from the prenatal classes. They’ll just get underfoot and they don’t want to be there anyway.

The second incident was a passing comment about the unique bond that mothers have with their children. A relative noted with supreme confidence how it was so very true that, because women carry the unborn child, they automatically have some kind of inscrutable lifelong bond that a father can’t even imagine. ?Just like animals in the wild,? the wisdom went. ?The way a mother bear defends her offspring so ferociously.?

To put it politely, hogwash. To start with, the argument falls apart the minute you start talking about mother bears. The image of a female bruin fighting tooth and claw to protect her young is a romanticized one. I wouldn’t want to test the odds, but It’s not uncommon for a mother bear to ?try and warn you off or escape and collect her cubs later,? rather than stay to fight.

And even with this mythically maternal creature, the bond between mother and offspring has a fairly short shelf life. The cubs are cared for until they’re around two, but when the female is ready to breed again all bets are off. The cubs are driven away?and you can bet the mother will compete just as ferociously with them when it comes to food or territory for her new litter. It’s normal animal behaviour seen in most other species, including humans sometimes. So much for the magical, mystical bond of motherhood.

Yes, pregnancy and labour are experiences that men can’t have. But the kind of outdated thinking I encountered recently made me realize that modern men are stuck firmly between that proverbial rock and a hard place.

On the one hand, they’re supposed to be caring and empathetic partners, plus deeply involved with their children on an emotional level (unlike the stereotype of yesterday’s stoic breadwinner). On the other hand, we perpetuate the myth of the supreme, unassailable bond that only mothers can have. Dads can go through the motions, but they aren’t actually allowed in the club.

The truth is that there are lousy parents of both sexes, and great ones as well. For every mother who would throw down her life for her children, you probably don’t have to look far to find a father who would do the same. Maybe, instead of Father’s Day or Mother’s Day, there should simply be a Parents? Day. Because arbitrary body parts have nothing to do with healthy relationships or good parenting skills. Those come from the heart.

Left out of what, I’m not sure, unless they mean endless hours scrolling through repetitive news feeds (post this to your status if you care!), or a lucrative deal for your own reality show.

But I’d argue that, when it comes to the things that really matter, people still have a healthy aversion to taking off the public mask and freely sharing their private beliefs and opinions.

It’s hardly scientific, but here’s a clue: the overwhelming numbers of people who remain anonymous when posting online comments.

You can check it out for yourself. Go to just about any major online news site, choose a story, and scroll down to the comment section. One example is a Globe and Mail headline about the latest on the BP oil disaster. Of 96 comments that had been posted at the time, only four people used real names. And only one of those was a full name; the rest just used an initial.

A similar New York Times article on the same subject continued the trend. Of the first 75 comments (there were nearly 150 at that count), only five appeared to be genuine full names, although even those could be pseudonyms. All the rest were purely the product of invention?things like HappyHamster67 and MintMaster. (And yes, I made those up, so apologies if That’s actually the name on your birth certificate.)

Which all seems a little confusing. On the one hand, people will go on sites like Facebook and post endlessly about what movie they saw or what colour their bra is. They’ll use Twitter to very publicly keep legions of followers updated on what they ate for breakfast.

So why not use your real name when You’re commenting on a YouTube video or weighing in on the latest headlines? If we really aren’t concerned about privacy, what’s the big deal?

The difference, I think, is that all that Facebooking and Twittering and blogging is a lot like playing dress-up. It’s not so much about people’s real selves?truly tossing privacy to the wind?as it is about trying to trot out our most amusing, witty personas. A giant cocktail party, if you will. Everyone wants to seem interesting and attractive, or at least to be associated with the interesting, attractive people.

The more attention you can attract, the better. Even if that means appearing a little silly and dancing around with a lampshade on your head. But virtual pokes and Farmville chickens don’t really matter?and everyone at the party knows it. It’s safe to share those things. It’s all in the spirit of fun and it lets us keep our public masks firmly in place.

But ask people to reveal the things that do matter?how they feel about immigration or religion or politics?and everybody suddenly clams up and starts using fake identities. Those are the kinds of topics that attract some of the most heated commentary, and It’s rare that you’ll find someone willing to openly lay claim to their opinions.

You could argue that Facebook and Twitter users aren’t the ones posting comments. But with over 400 million Facebook users and some 100 million on Twitter, odds are good that there’s a fair bit of overlap.

So while It’s true that social networking sites have created a seismic shift in whether it’s socially acceptable to discuss your underwear, it seems we aren’t willing to let the mask slip too far after all.

The first item was about renewed calls to get rid of the lowly penny. Last month, the standing Senate committee on national finance ?announced it would begin a study on the costs and benefits of the penny, including the possibility of eliminating it.? The second story came as a bit more of a surprise. With no public announcement, Air Canada has made the move to credit-card only cabins. As of May 1, your cash, debit cards, and traveller’s cheques can’t be used for on-board purchases (though there are still some exceptions).

So what’s the big deal? After all, Australia and New Zealand removed their one- and two-cent coins more than 10 ten years ago and the sky hasn’t fallen. New Zealand even got rid of its five-cent coins in 2006 and Australia will probably follow. Hurrah for going cash free, you might think. While everyone’s at it, let’s just eliminate annoying, bulky coins altogether and eventually do away with paper currency. Debit, credit, and gift cards are fast and convenient to use, and Canadians already pay for 31 per cent of transactions with credit cards (cash is used 29 per cent of the time).

But will we feel the same when our payment options are limited to two or three major companies that can raise fees knowing consumers have no options left?

Just for fun, let’s look at how much credit cards already increase prices. First there are the annual fees that you pay directly, plus interest charges. On top of that, merchants pay ?two to four per cent of the sale price in various transaction fees,? like the merchant discount rate and interchange fees. Got a ?premium? card? The credit card companies charge merchants even more when you use it. Then there’s the cost of renting the terminals you swipe your card in.

Paying with cash costs merchants time and money too, but you might be surprised at the difference. Buy a $36.50 item using cash and it will cost the store 25 cents to process the sale. Using a credit card? The store just got hit with 82 cents in fees. Which means you just did too?on the price tag. (Debit card costs are only 19 cents for the same sale amount.)

Right now, consumers have a choice, and a growing number of merchants are pushing for standardized discounts to customers who pay cash. In a cash-free society, what would that choice be limited to?

In Canada, Visa and MasterCard currently dominate the industry with a combined 80 per cent share. In the US, card-issuing banks rake in more than $40 billion each year in ?swipe fees? alone. The fees are set by credit card companies?and they’re fighting hard against consumer protection bills to limit them. You have to wonder how high those fees would get if consumers had no alternative ways to pay (you can choose lower-cost debit cards now, but that will change with the credit companies? push into the market.)

Is it time to bid farewell to the one-cent coin? Probably. But as we slowly move closer to a cash-free society, we’d be smart not to mistake all that shiny plastic for pennies from heaven.

For the over-20 crowd, those awkward photos and videos had mercifully limited exposure, mostly reserved for good-natured teasing at family gatherings. But today’s kids aren’t as lucky.

It’s part of an interesting dichotomy That’s evolved. On the one hand, thousands of parents eagerly post the embarrassing antics of their kids on the Internet. A notable example is a young boy named David, whose father uploaded a YouTube video of David groggy and disoriented after a dental visit. It not only went viral and has been widely parodied, but the father has since posted a follow-up video explaining that he took the clip to show David’s mom (hardly an explanation for why he posted it online for the world to see).

In a more recent clip, a young boy begins to sing along in the family car. When his father makes a thoughtless comment, the boy dissolves in tears. Another example is a boy of about six or seven, dancing and lip-synching to Britney Spears in his room. His mother captured it on video and It’s now available for mass consumption.

Yet at the same time, schools and parent groups are alarmed at the rising cases of cyberbullying?the use of social networking sites and other electronic forums, like email, to spread embarrassing and hateful messages. In January, 15-year-old Phoebe Prince hanged herself after vicious bullying by kids at her school, much of it online. In 2006, 13-year-old Megan Meier killed herself after an incredibly cruel online hoax by a schoolmate’s mother, Lori Drew.

Obviously, bullying has been around since long before the world went digital. And vicious classmates will find any excuse to single out a target. But why would parents deliberately expose their children to the mockery of millions?

It’s doubtful that the average parent posts photos and videos with that intention. For most, It’s a desire to share personal moments with family and friends. But for some strange reason people still have difficulty with the concept that, unless It’s a password-protected site, they’re exposing those personal moments to the entire world. And not just today, but for years to come.

What happens when your cutely awkward six-year-old starts high school and that once-amusing viral video comes back to haunt her? Or your teenage son is subject to taunts because his classmates come across that YouTube clip of him imitating Britney Spears?

In a society where mockery seems to have become a national pastime, when It’s the norm for reality-show audiences to gleefully ridicule contestants, It’s one thing for an adult to jump into the fray. It’s quite another to send kids the message that their private, possibly embarrassing, moments are fair game too.

Although the new council hasn’t officially taken the helm yet, some newly elected councillors were at the meeting, ready to learn the ropes.

Several items on the agenda dealt with financial matters, and one notable example is AUSU’s decision to start an investment plan. The move will see a certain percentage of AUSU funds placed into risk-free investments, with a minimum of $75,000 kept in reserve for operating expenses.

In other finance news, The Voice will have a separate bank account set up for its operations. The decision is in keeping with the goal of increased autonomy for The Voice.

And in the Executive Director’s report there was an update on the possible new staff position, with discussion centring on making student liaison a focus for the role. That fits well with news from the Vice-President Finance and Administration, Sarah Kertcher, who noted that AU’s projected enrolments for the next two years are over 9,000 graduate students and more than 64,00 undergrads.

don’t forget?the AUSU Annual General Meeting takes place April 6 at 5:00 pm MST. See you there, from the gallery!

SyncMyPix downloads your friends? pictures from your favourite social networking site and synchronizes them to corresponding contacts on your Android-based phone.

His work has won him a free Nexus One, Google’s new phone, ?thanks to a new program from Google that rewards developers with a new phone for developing popular apps,? Neil explains. Part of the program’s criteria is for developers to have ?an application with 3.5 stars or higher and more than 5,000 downloads.?

So far Facebook is the only option to use the app with, but Neil is busy expanding and refining his app. Recently, he shared the scoop on its development with The Voice.

For readers who may not know, can you give us a brief description of what Android is and how you got involved?

Android is an open-source software platform for mobile devices. It includes a Linux based operating system, middleware and key applications, such as an Internet browser, email client, etc. Since the platform is open-source, third parties can build software based on Android to operate their products. For example, HTC sells a number of phones that run their own customized versions of Android. Since Android is licensed under the Apache Software License, third parties are free to make proprietary enhancements to Android without being required to release their code to the open-source community.

This combined with the high level of quality of the Android platform has made it very popular with a number of handset makers. Android initially started as its own entity, Android, Inc. But, now, it is owned and maintained by Google. Some examples of the most popular Android phones are the HTC Dream, HTC Magic, HTC Hero, HTC Nexus One, and the Motorola Droid.

I got involved in Android around the time I finished up with the Google Summer of Code program last year. I had about a month before beginning courses in September, so I decided to buy an Android phone with the intention of using it to develop applications. Android was attractive to me because of the low cost of entry to application development. The SDK (software development kit) is free and the cost to distribute applications in the Android Market is a one-time fee of $25. In contrast, Apple charges $99/year to distribute applications in the Apple App Store, and your applications are subjected to a review before they are published. So, it is possible that, after a lot of hard work, an application could be rejected for distribution. So the low cost of entry to development and the ability to publish my applications directly were huge selling points for Android.

What are some of the main features of SyncMyPix, and how can readers find out more about it?

SyncMyPix is a simple and easy-to-use application that makes it easy to attach pictures to the contacts on your phone. So when a friend calls, or you call a friend, you can see their picture displayed on your phone. It is a tedious operation to manually set pictures for individual contacts, so SyncMyPix makes the process automatic.

It can automatically set pictures for your phone contacts by matching friends from your favourite social networking website (currently SyncMyPix only supports Facebook) with the contacts you have on your phone. There are several options, but the default method uses diminutives for potential matches. For example, Robert matches Bob, Michael matches Mike, etc. This is helpful because people normally don’t name the contacts on their phones the exact same way they appear on social networking websites. In addition, since matching is not always 100 per cent accurate, SyncMyPix allows manual corrections.

The application has a screen that allows you to view sync results, view pictures, crop pictures using face detection, match unmatched contacts, and make changes to existing matches. Going along with the theme of doing things easily and automatically, SyncMyPix can update pictures in the background at scheduled intervals.

SyncMyPix is available for download in the Android Market. In addition, I have set up a Google Code website providing additional information and bug tracking.

Do you have plans to expand the social networking sites it will sync with?

A great thing about open-source is that popular projects tend to attract people that want to contribute. Recently, I had an individual interested in adding a German social networking website. They seemed very motivated, so it is possible that more social networking websites are just around the corner. It’s exciting seeing people take an interest in improving something that I’ve built from scratch. I welcome new contributors and hope to see more in the future.

Is this the first application you’ve developed and/or made available?

I’ve developed other applications, but this is the first application that I’ve made publicly available. It started out as an experimental way to try Android development. The more I worked on it, the more fun I had developing it. So, I was motivated to turn it into something useful.

Why is open-source software (and supporting its developers) so important?

In my opinion, open-source software is important because it fosters education and innovation. Since code is available for the entire world to view, everyone can learn from it and everyone can contribute to it. This encourages a free flow of ideas among an audience with varying degrees of expertise, thus creating an excellent environment for creative problem solving.

In addition, information sharing eliminates redundancy because problems that have already been solved do not need to be solved again. Free open-source software also provides an opportunity for organizations to reduce costs while maintaining a high level of quality. Schools, for example, can give their students access to different types of software that would otherwise be very difficult to provide due to costs, licensing, etc. And, since open-source software is typically free, students can easily use the same software on their computers at home.

Are there any other open-source projects (either independent or through mentoring) you’ll be working on soon?

I contribute to a media player called Banshee from time to time. My most recent contribution was the addition of a search feature called ?typeahead find?. In addition, I continue to keep my Summer of Code work up-to-date. It’s an extension to Banshee that allows users to share their music libraries with their instant-messaging friends. I’ve just recently joined a new project called Banshee Community Extensions. Basically, It’s a one-stop spot for things that extend the functionality of Banshee. I’ve contributed to the project by adding my extension.

Of course, I also hope to bring new Android applications to the market in the future.