If I were a professor I would not allow graphing calculators for simplicity's sake. No worrying about functionality or wireless issues. Maybe even mandate a certain model of cheap calculator. They are like $18 dollars these days, nothing compared to the price of a book. No phones. Also for simplicity's sake, I would just include a reference page for formulas that are needed for the exam. No worrying about people making their own cheat sheets and the like. But part of me likes calculators. You'd be surprised at how many students aren't even able to use the advanced TI-89 calculator functions when they have them. It rewards nerdy behavior to let people use calculators, especially when they have to show their work anyway. As others have mentioned, when in the real world aren't you able to use access reference material?

Usually, you get no credit. And even if you get credit, it's not credit other institutions would accept. With that said we should be pushing distance learning. Modern universities are like country clubs and they unnecessarily raise the cost of education. The solution is to test people rigorously and in person so that other institutions and employers will take the experience seriously. Community colleges are in the best position to offer online courses for the basics.

Chrome has been sucking for me lately. Slow displaying Yahoo Mail and has problems displaying pdfs with the adobe plugin.

I'm not seeing an awful lot of support for the arguments being made by the naysayers. I look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the job outlook for the sciences is average to good depending on the specialty. Contrast that with my current field, law, where competition is described as intense. Complaints about science I've read here include long hours and low pay. I hear many of the same complaints in law and consulting, which is where some commenters are suggesting people go instead. Work in general is not fun. There are few easy and well-paid jobs anymore. Smart people should try to align their interests, personality and values to their career and hope for the best. At least you will get some satisfaction with that strategy.

Correct. This is not that big of a deal. Wish them luck in collecting this money.

I got a phone number from ATT. It previously belonged to someone who had collection agencies all over them. Some of them left phone numbers so that I could call them and tell them that it was no longer the debtor's phone number. But most of them would never identify themselves and just hang up if I tried to explain anything. For these guys, I just answered the phone by saying, "you are being recorded, please state your identity." (I only have the number for DSL so I didn't have to worry about freaking friends out. Can I get rid of my ATT phone line and still have DSL? At the time is required.)