Short Stuff

In response to public demands against violence on television, US TV executives have developed a TV rating system that would alert parents to programs containing violence, sex or rough language. The ratings are divided into six age-based categories, similar to movie ratings. Children's programming would be labelled either TV-Y (for shows acceptable for all ages) or TV-7 (for shows with some violence or other material unsuitable for children under seven). Other fare would be classified as TV-G (for all audiences); TV-PG (parental guidance suggested); TV-14 (not suitable for children under 14); or TV-M (for mature audiences only). The ratings would be made by the producers and distributors of the shows, and would be printed in newspaper TV listings so parents could use them as a guide for shielding certain progams from their kids. The codes can be used in conjunction with the V chip technology, a programmable electronic blocking device that is scheduled to be installed in new TV sets starting in 1998. However, child advocacy groups as well as US Christian lobby group Family Research Council and the National Association of Evangelicals say a better system would include content descriptions so parents could decide what is objectionable, not producers. 79% of parents said they preferred a system that specifies the objectionable content, according to a survey released by the Media Studies Center. US President Clinton expressed cautious support for the new ratings and urged that they be given a trial period of 10 months. A Canadian rating system is expected later in the year.--
Time, Family Research Council and National Association of Evangelicals

David & Goliath is the latest CD-ROM book release from Etica Entertainment. For use on computers running Windows or Mac version 7.0 or higher with a double speed CD-ROM drive, the storybook (for children ages 3-8) portrays on screen an animated version of the biblical story with narration. Using a mouse, users can click on dozens of objects on the screen to play different parts of the story. It sells for $54.95.--
High Hope Sales

The 250-voice Mennonite Oratorio Choir, directed by Canadian Mennonite Bible College music professor Rudy Schellenberg, attracted 1200 people to hear a concert Dec. 11. The performance included pieces by Mozart and Leonard Bernstein and featured seven soloists who are either students or alumni of CMBC or Concord college. They were Cynthia Buhler, Marni Enns, Melinda Enns, Xin Wang, Rob Hermann, Rick Mueller and Kris Kornelson.--
CMBC release

Intel and Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. are developing the idea of the Family Room PC. A PC-TV would use a large-screen colour monitor and a TV tuner that transforms the PC into a "smart TV". Families then will be able to plug the monitor into their surround sound speakers and play movies from digital video discs. Other Family Room PCs will offer telephone message centres, e-mail, video conferencing--even wireless devices such as keyboards and joy sticks that will let groups of people play games, watch TV or surf the internet together. Though manufacturers estimate the product will cost $3,500 to $5000 US at the outset, they expect prices to drop in a short time. But there are problems besides the price. It's built around the Windows95 operating system, and people may not want to wait for a TV to "boot up". The system could crash during favourite programs. And although VCRs and other appliances will be attached to the unit in the beginning, such currently commonplace items could eventually be obsolete. The Family Room PC isn't a new concept. A version released in May 1996 by another company was met with limited interest.--
Baltimore Sun (quoted in Youthworker Update)

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