A tech-savvy commenter speculated that after “clearing their cookies” (a term we’ll define for the computer illiterate in just a minute), voters can change their personal survey ID number to someone else’s, which in theory would mean that anyone would be able to vote multiple times.  Bwog’s on-call computer whiz kids Hans E Hyttinen and […]

When we analyzed Public Safety’s newly released Annual Report, a few commenters noticed the curious absence of hate crimes in the year 2007. 2007, you’ll recall, was the Year of the Hate Crime — with graffiti in SIPA, Lewisohn, and a half dozen meetings in response to the incident. So what’s with the row of […]

Welcome back to Ask Bwog, a feature in which we answer burning questions about such disparate topics as Juicy Campus (ha, remember that?), PBK, and how to become gainfully employed by celebrities. We return this week with an important question about the Lerner ramps and Your Safety. One CC senior, who is not fond of […]

In light of CCSC’s recent crusade against juicycampus.com, Bwog wanted to know if it were really possible to ban a website from the campus server. Apparently, it’s not. Resident computer expert and Bwog Web Master Zach van Schouwen explains why in the following bullet-pointed list: It’s expensive. They don’t have an existing filter in place, […]

Because we know you haven’t heard enough about Phi Beta Kappa lately, Bwog investigates how one becomes a member of the illustrious society in the first place. The bad news? There doesn’t seem to be any magic formula for becoming a member of the elite squad known as Phi Beta Kappa. According to the PBK […]

Bwog wishes all a happy end of classes and a grudging welcome to reading week! While writing a paper this weekend, one B&W editor wondered aloud whether there was any way to highlight text in Word and change the case of the selected text. As per usual, Master of Word Zach van Schouwen was standing […]

Anonymous passerby wants to know why there’s a tent filled with blankets in front of Barnard’s Lehman library. This morning, Bwog inquired about the painted, comforter-filled tent. Three girls manning the table behind the tent explained that the tent was symbolic of a call for discourse about academic issues concerning Barnard to take place on […]

Bwog wanted to know why winter break is an absurdly long (some might even argue unnecessarily long) 31 days this year. Bwog Webmaster and calendar analyst extraordinaire Zach van Schouwen points out several factors that contribute to augmentation of 2007’s Winter Break—which is a seven day increase from last year’s reasonably-sized 24 day break.   […]

This week’s question for Bwog comes from Daily Editor David Iscoe who wants to know if hitting an electronic device such as a computer is a good way to get it to work? David requests an engineer’s advice. Lucikly, webmaster Zach van Schouwen was on hand to answer David’s question. “The master walks in to […]

AskBwog: Special Double Useful Question Edition The first of this week’s questions comes from Bwogger Maryam Parhizkar who wants to know where she can convert her loose change into dolla dolla bills, yall. The Bank of America on 107th and Broadway  has change-converter machines that are free for anyone to use, regardless of whether they […]

  Everyone’s favorite Morningside newspaper is taking a midterms hiatus, so no QuickSpec today. There will, however, be Ask Bwog. Bwog will be taking on questions about anything—Columbia-related or not. For instance, “Why does Lerner 4 smell like vomit?” or, “Why does the M104 smell like vomit?” both make excellent queries. Send questions to bwog@columbia.edu […]

As Columbia undergrads, we tend to think the University centers around us. But beyond even the mélange of colleges, graduate schools, professional schools, medical schools, and two theological seminaries that congeal in the average student’s imagination as the greater Columbia University lies a sprawling network of 212 (I counted) research institutes and centers, about 160 […]

Each Friday, Bwog will be airing a new feature:  .  Ask Bwog about Columbia, college life, or anything else…we’ll find you the expert and post the results.  This week, one of our staffers wondered about the accuracy of the cardio machines up at Dodge. He looked to Stacy Toner, the aptly-named acting coordinator of the Personal Training Program at […]

Bwog, So suppose someone has left you candies and such on your door for Christmas, Valentines, etc. Problem is, you don’t know who this person is, and you have a strong suspicion that the candies aren’t actually intended for you, but someone else with a very very similar name. What should you do? ~Anonymously Confused […]

Dear Bwog, A wise man once said, “You’re not hardcore unless you live hardcore.” Even the fact that I’m quoting Tenacious D should give it away – I’m the least hardcore person to ever exist, ever. I’m politically lukewarm; I like whatever music my roommate likes; I can barely put pepper on my food, let […]