SWE - Winter 2009 - (Page 55) ENGINEERING WORLD MARIAN KOSHLAND SCIENCE MUSEUM The Marian Koshland Science Museum has launched an online, interactive exhibit, “Lights at Night,” that provides a navigable, astronaut’s-eye view of the Earth at night using satellite data that span a decade. increased as the area’s population and economic fortune has grown. Viewing the stark differences between light use in North Korea and South Korea tells a different story about poverty and economic prosperity in the two countries. In addition, users can even spot such details as the lights from fishing vessels off the coast of Asia. Visit Lights at Night at www.koshland-science.org, along with interactive versions of the Koshland’s other exhibits. Video Conferencing vs. Face-to-Face A study in a journal of the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences concludes that although videoconferencing has become a billion-dollar substitute for flying business people to meetings, it leaves distant participants less likely to make sound judgments about speakers viewed on a screen. Atmospheric Administration, Lights at Night allows users to zoom in on one particular region of the world or view the entire Earth to see energy use in each of three different years: 1993, 1997, and 2003. Several features allow for comparisons between specific years. For example, viewers who hone in on Northern India can see how energy use has The researchers find that attendees of videoconferences must work harder to interpret information delivered during a conference than they would if they attended face-to-face. A field study of medical professionals reveals differences in information processing: Participants attending a seminar via videoconference are more influenced by the likeability of the speaker than by the quality of the arguments presented, whereas the opposite pattern is true for participants attending in person. Videoconferencing may not be appropriate for decision making when some stakeholders are present face-to-face and others attend via video because the two groups are likely to process information differently. Videoconferencing equipment may be improved by the addition of features that reduce cognitive workload, such as support for turn taking, audio localization, and personal distance location. PHILADELPHIA GAS WORKS Career Opportunities PGW is the nation’s largest municipally owned natural gas utility. Established in 1836, PGW provides natural gas energy service and solutions to more than 500,000 residential and commercial customers in the City of Philadelphia. We offer our innovative Engineering and Information Technology professionals a rewarding career in various departments. PGW offers competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, deferred compensation and tuition assistance. Employees of PGW are required to establish and/or maintain domicile in the City of Philadelphia. To learn more about PGW and current employment opportunities, please visit our website at: www.pgworks.com Philadelphia Gas Works - Organizational Development Department 800 West Montgomery Avenue – Philadelphia, PA 19122 Safe. Reliable. Service. SWE WINTER 2009 55 http://www.koshland-science.org http://www.pgworks.com http://www.pgworks.com
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