Pic by @jeremysjacob

Follow @techaccino for semi-instant updates, and check out last week’s column for a Spring Weekend playlist.

In a relatively surprising move, Mark Zuckerberg announced yesterday that Facebook plans to buy photo-sharing site Instagram for $1 billion. (Did you really think they would go public just to make some cash?) Since it went live in October 2010, Instagram has garnered over 30 million users (most of whom are already on Facebook) and multiple “App of the Year” awards thanks to its ease of use and hamster stylized photos. By joining forces with the largest social networking (and photo sharing!) website, it hopes to expand its user base and bask in share Facebook’s revenue.

So what’s in it for you? [Read more →]

Though we hardly need another reason to think that Professor Tricia Rose is cool, she has once again reinforced the notion that actually showing up for lecture will reap rewards. Instead of lecturing this morning, she surprised class attendees of her Hip Hop Culture(s) class with up-and-coming rap artist and role model from New Orleans Dee-1. The first half of class consisted of an interview with the young LSU graduate from New Orleans East, followed by an exclusive performance of some of his more well-known songs. [Read more →]

Extra, extra, read all about it! In the space where candy could once be purchased according to weight (no, not Lil Jo’s – J&J’s Candy Bar), Mike’s Calzones has set up shop. The new food joint at 288 Thayer Street opened Monday afternoon, boasting a menu of (gasp!) calzones, starters, wraps, subs and salads at an affordable, college student price.

The list of calzones offered is extensive, ranging from “Veggie Lovahz” to “Chicken Bacon Ranch” and beyond (word on the inside, however, is that “Buffalo Chicken” is where it’s at). If you can’t find love in their calzone options, you can always design your own calzone with mozzarella and a choice of four “toppings” (I instead might refer to these as “stuffings”).

Mike’s is open Sunday-Thursday 10am-10pm and Friday and Saturday 10am-11pm. We all know that the pizza cone couldn’t find its place up on College Hill, but I think the more portable calzone may be solid competition for the Nice Slice and Antonio’s crowd. Let’s give it the old college try and give Mike a chance, shall we?

President Simmons released a letter to the community today recommending against restoring the ROTC program on Brown’s campus. This position comes after the release of a June 30, 2011 report by the Committee on ROTC which recommended reconsidering the complete ban of ROTC. The report specifically suggested that the University reach out to the Department of Defense to expand currently available off-campus ROTC opportunities for students. Find the full text of Ruth’s letter here, and check out the Herald website for full in-depth coverage.

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