Demons - ITV Drama
Maybe we can steal... er borrow, some stuff for our ATV safety game?
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
New Features in Drop.io
We should give Drop.io a try. Maybe over break I'll try it out for a test run.
View Article
Retrieved: 12.19.08
View Article
Retrieved: 12.19.08
3D Spore Creature Sculptures
http://www.offworld.com/2008/12/sporesculptor-opens-for-3d-pri.html
For only fifty bucks, you can get a 3D printed sculpture of your very own Spore creature. There are a few limitations (no long, thin antennae, eyes on stalks, thin legs and huge bodies, etc.) but the end result looks to bee pretty high quality. I think these would make great decorations for the Game Lab!
Digital Photography: David Pogue's Best Photography Tricks (and Ours)
Digital Photography: David Pogue's Best Photography Tricks (and Ours): "Tech columnist David Pogue pulls out 'The Best Photography Tricks of All Time' for anyone shooting digital, including the crafty use of a lampshade:
It turns out that the threads at the top of just about any lamp—the place where the lampshade screws on—are precisely the same diameter as a tripod mount! In a pinch, you can whip off the lampshade, screw on the camera, and presto: You've got a rock-steady indoor tripod."
It turns out that the threads at the top of just about any lamp—the place where the lampshade screws on—are precisely the same diameter as a tripod mount! In a pinch, you can whip off the lampshade, screw on the camera, and presto: You've got a rock-steady indoor tripod."
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Minotaur China Shop
Minotaur China Shop
A very entertaining, funny game about a Minotaur whose only dream is to own his own china shop. You can make money either by being careful, avoiding accidents, and giving customers the fine china items they want,or by breaking as many things as you can until you go into a Minotaur Rage, and let your insurance company reimburse you for the destroyed items. Very funny, and pretty well made.
DUCK [Public Folder]: Opening Titles movie
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Download and watch! It is awesome. From the same animator who did the end credits for 'Lemony Snicket' and the 'Dragon' commercial for United.
Download and watch! It is awesome. From the same animator who did the end credits for 'Lemony Snicket' and the 'Dragon' commercial for United.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Zotero
http://www.zotero.org/
A free, easy-to-use Firefox extension to help you collect, manage, and cite your research sources. It lives right where you do your work — in the web browser itself.
A free, easy-to-use Firefox extension to help you collect, manage, and cite your research sources. It lives right where you do your work — in the web browser itself.
Biggest Full Moon of the Year
Biggest Full Moon of the Year:
"Okay, the Moon is 14% bigger, but can you actually tell the difference?"
perigeetastic!
"Okay, the Moon is 14% bigger, but can you actually tell the difference?"
perigeetastic!
Adobe vs Toon Boom | Cartoon Brew: Leading the Animation Conversation
Adobe vs Toon Boom :
"Adobe and Toon Boom. The latter is currently making a serious run to overtake Adobe Flash as the preferred software package for 2D digital animators. Toon Boom’s new Animate software has an animator-friendly set of features and more importantly, it’s price-competitive with Flash."
Maybe we ought to have a look at Toon Boom's ne Animate? I disliked Toon Boom a few years ago but it sounds as if they are seriously aiming for Flash.
"Adobe and Toon Boom. The latter is currently making a serious run to overtake Adobe Flash as the preferred software package for 2D digital animators. Toon Boom’s new Animate software has an animator-friendly set of features and more importantly, it’s price-competitive with Flash."
Maybe we ought to have a look at Toon Boom's ne Animate? I disliked Toon Boom a few years ago but it sounds as if they are seriously aiming for Flash.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A BeTaMaXMaS
A BeTaMaXMaS
The MOST TOTALLY RADICAL AWESOME Site for Christmas this year. Don't forget to adjust the rabit ears for a better picture.
The MOST TOTALLY RADICAL AWESOME Site for Christmas this year. Don't forget to adjust the rabit ears for a better picture.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Lego Robot Solves Rubik's Cubes Better Than You!
Remember that Lego Mindstorms NXT kit we bought a while back? The one that's been sitting half-built and not-programmed in our lab for over a year now? Well, Hans Andersson has been busy with it, and has built a robot that uses the motors and camera to solve Rubik's Cubes. The machine is pretty fast, and averages around 60 moves per solution. Even better, he has the instructions and source code up for download on his website, linked at the end of this article.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/87991-Lego-Robot-Solves-Rubiks-Cubes-Yes-Really
Friday, December 5, 2008
iPhone a TV gaming device?
Hidden SDK features transform iPhone into TV gaming device
This looks interesting, but I only skimmed the article.
Article Here
This looks interesting, but I only skimmed the article.
Article Here
Thursday, December 4, 2008
.Tel
.Tel Is Just A Featureless Social Network That Costs $10/year
Meh.
in reality it’s just another startup that paid a fee to ICANN for the right to sell you a web page that has all your personal information published on it.
Meh.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Jumpstart Folks announce MMO for kids
Knowledge Adventure, the people behind the JumpStart educational games, have announce JumpStart World, an MMO for kids.
The spaces left in the game development world are starting to fill up.
The spaces left in the game development world are starting to fill up.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
World of Goo on Vimeo
Design Tour - World of Goo on Vimeo
Very cool design deconstruction of World of Goo.
Very cool design deconstruction of World of Goo.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Choose your own adventure on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8rJ1WML60Y
Help Chad, Matt and Rob travel through time and get to their twelve o'clock meeting!
This is a really cool use of Youtube, using some of the newly-added functionality to allow users to click to different videos when the option presents itself. Pretty funny, and very entertaining.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
YouTube goes widescreen!
Youtube has recently switched all of their videos to 16:9 widescreen format. 4:3 ratio videos will still work and have been pillarboxed to maintain the correct aspect ratio. Also added under all videos is a link to the high-definition version of the video, which adds a huge amount of visual quality to the movies. Check it out!
javascript:void(0)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
17 Holiday Gift Ideas for Geeky Kids
Some of the gift ideas look pretty cool.... like the fully automatic stapler with transparent casing that reveals the secrets behind stapler technology & the brew your own root beer kit. 
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/17_christmas_gift_ideas_for_ge.php
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/17_christmas_gift_ideas_for_ge.php
PETA uses games
The PETA Files: Your Mama! (Kills Animals)
from SLASHDOT:
from SLASHDOT:
Cooking Mama is a series of games for the Wii and the DS in which players go through a number of steps to prepare meals using a variety of recipes. Last week, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) created their own Flash-based parody of the game, highlighting the use of meat products by having a more bloody-minded Mama do things like pull the internal organs from a Thanksgiving turkey. Cooking Mama's maker, Majesco, issued a light-hearted response, pointing out the vegetarian meals in the game. PETA then said they plan to continue making parody games as a way of "engaging the public."
Friday, November 21, 2008
2008 Holiday Gift Guide
Curbly's Guide to 2008 Holiday Gift Guides � Curbly | DIY Design Community
Pretty extensive list of gift guides, lists and ideas for a wide range of folk. I already have some good ideas.
: )
Pretty extensive list of gift guides, lists and ideas for a wide range of folk. I already have some good ideas.
: )
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Spinebreakers
Spinebreakers is a site sponsored by Penguin Books which appears to be bringing print publishing up to Web 2.0 sensibilities. It's interesting because traditional print publishers need to keep up if they don't want to become irrelevant, and Penguin Books seems to be doing the right stuff. Between initiatives like Paper Cuts, a competition to get kids to write 100 word essays on what really matters to them and collecting the best ones into a printed volume, to fantastic cover design for classic reprints, they're doing the right stuff.
(And speaking of visual design for book jackets, be sure to check out the Penguin blog, which celebrates print design with articles like this one about designing the covers for a series of horror novel reprints. Good stuff.)
(And speaking of visual design for book jackets, be sure to check out the Penguin blog, which celebrates print design with articles like this one about designing the covers for a series of horror novel reprints. Good stuff.)
iPhone version of "Adventure" Released
Yup. The classic Atari 2600 game Adventure for the iPhone is out, it's free, and it's faithful to the original, right down to the easter egg.
Interestingly, all the commenters on the game are screaming for touch controls (this version uses tilt to move), and the developer has acknowledged this desire and is working on it. It will be interesting to compare the two modes of control for the game.
Oh, and if you haven't played Adventure, it's time. This is the granddaddy of Zelda games, a first-in-class. Despite its blocky, abstract graphics and limited world, it consumed many, many hours of practically every kid who had a 2600, with one of the highest replay values of any 2600 game. What are you waiting for? It's free.
Interestingly, all the commenters on the game are screaming for touch controls (this version uses tilt to move), and the developer has acknowledged this desire and is working on it. It will be interesting to compare the two modes of control for the game.
Oh, and if you haven't played Adventure, it's time. This is the granddaddy of Zelda games, a first-in-class. Despite its blocky, abstract graphics and limited world, it consumed many, many hours of practically every kid who had a 2600, with one of the highest replay values of any 2600 game. What are you waiting for? It's free.
Apartment Therapy Unplugged | X-Biking: Like Wii Fit, But Xtreme
Apartment Therapy Unplugged | X-Biking: Like Wii Fit, But Xtreme: "With the XDream Stationery Bike, you can get graphs to show how your stamina and ability has progressed. But what really makes this different from similar computer generated games is just how responsive the software is to your movements. The interactive aspects are amazing, from responsive gear sand brakes attached to your handlebars as well as laterally-moving handlebars so you literally have to pull yourself right or left to adjust your direction.
The XDream has over 400 workouts and there all sorts of features you can play with such as racing a virtual guide, or changing you fitness level to pro for an extra challenge. Check out more here."
The XDream has over 400 workouts and there all sorts of features you can play with such as racing a virtual guide, or changing you fitness level to pro for an extra challenge. Check out more here."
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Lorem 2: An all-around better Lorem experience.
Need some Lorem... try here:
Lorem 2
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Donec odio. Quisque volutpat mattis eros. Nullam malesuada erat ut turpis. Suspendisse urna nibh, viverra non, semper suscipit, posuere a, pede."
Lorem 2
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Donec odio. Quisque volutpat mattis eros. Nullam malesuada erat ut turpis. Suspendisse urna nibh, viverra non, semper suscipit, posuere a, pede."
Monday, November 17, 2008
OFFWORLD
"Boing Boing Offworld is a hub for gaming culture that cultivates the joy of discovery, sense of wonder, and celebration of innovation that all of us, and you, thrive on. Offworld will mix no-nonsense game reviews with profiles of designers, game industry news with level-headed thinkpieces, HOWTOs with actual games you can play. And of course, community! Gaming is a social phenomena."
Whirled -
Whirled - Games
The gang at Three Rings Design (Puzzle Pirates), has launched a new web-based Flash gaming environment. Whirled, which has been described as “Flash Second Life,” invites animators to upload their creations in the form of avatars and games.
Try Corpse Craft.
The gang at Three Rings Design (Puzzle Pirates), has launched a new web-based Flash gaming environment. Whirled, which has been described as “Flash Second Life,” invites animators to upload their creations in the form of avatars and games.
Try Corpse Craft.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Aggie Almanac story now up
The Aggie Almanac story on the NMSU Learning Games Lab has been posted to the KRWG web site. We should have a link to the video on the web page.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Election maps
Check out these election maps which help visualize what happened during the 2008 presidential elections. Interesting exercise in data visualization.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Tethering with iPhone
Technologizer (via Daring Fireball) is reporting that AT&T is working with Apple on "tethering", which is the process of allowing the iPhone to serve as a wireless modem for laptops, and that it is coming "soon".
Monday, November 3, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Automotive Performance Meter for iPhone
Dynolicious is the first automotive performance meter available for the iPhone and iPod Touch.
Excerpt:
Dynolicious uses the hardware built-in to your iPhone to measure the performance characteristics of your vehicle. No external wires or equipment is necessary, simply slip the iPhone into a cradle or cupholder and go! Retrieved: from website 10.31.08.
Dynolicious
This is neat!
Excerpt:
Dynolicious uses the hardware built-in to your iPhone to measure the performance characteristics of your vehicle. No external wires or equipment is necessary, simply slip the iPhone into a cradle or cupholder and go! Retrieved: from website 10.31.08.
Dynolicious
This is neat!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Web 2.0 Communications
How to Connect the Dots of Web 2.0 Communications
Article Link
The have a great visual for Web 2.0 technologies-The Conversation Prism: The Art of Listening, Learning and Sharing.
Article Link
The have a great visual for Web 2.0 technologies-The Conversation Prism: The Art of Listening, Learning and Sharing.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
MTV MUSIC - Artists - Elvis Costello
MTV MUSIC - Artists - Elvis Costello
Remember when MTV played music? Well, they are finally doing it again. This time on their Site. Check out the link... i have started you off with Elvis Costello... now, talk amongst yourselves.
Remember when MTV played music? Well, they are finally doing it again. This time on their Site. Check out the link... i have started you off with Elvis Costello... now, talk amongst yourselves.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Target Women on Disney Princesses | Cartoon Brew: Leading the Animation Conversation
Target Women on Disney Princesses
"Target Women is a recurring segment on infoMania, a weekly television show on Al Gore’s Current TV cable channel. In each episode, Sarah Haskins takes a look at the ridiculous ways the media reaches out to women."
"Target Women is a recurring segment on infoMania, a weekly television show on Al Gore’s Current TV cable channel. In each episode, Sarah Haskins takes a look at the ridiculous ways the media reaches out to women."
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
SMART Table: You know, for kids
SMART Table: You know, for kids:
"Well here’s the first multi-touch, multi-user device for teaching early childhood skills. Like the surface, you can drag things around the surface and play word and picture games with multiple people just by dragging images around the screen.
The table launches on Thursday and will cost an actually amazingly inexpensive $7,000."
"Well here’s the first multi-touch, multi-user device for teaching early childhood skills. Like the surface, you can drag things around the surface and play word and picture games with multiple people just by dragging images around the screen.
The table launches on Thursday and will cost an actually amazingly inexpensive $7,000."
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Microblogging at Work
Will Microblogging at Work Make You More Productive? - Bits Blog - NYTimes.com:
"Do workers need a new way to communicate? Or will Yammer be yet another inbox to keep up with in an already cluttered digital world?"
"Do workers need a new way to communicate? Or will Yammer be yet another inbox to keep up with in an already cluttered digital world?"
Friday, October 17, 2008
QR Code :::: The Kaywa Reader
The Kaywa Reader
I'm going crazy with the posts but I been finding lots O' cool stuff this morning.
What is a QR? Well.... In simple terms, a QR code is simply a graphic 2D barcode that stores information, such as addresses, URLs, business card info, or anything else. Scanning the code with software on your camera-enabled mobile phone will automatically launch a browser to the specified destination.
I'm going crazy with the posts but I been finding lots O' cool stuff this morning.
What is a QR? Well.... In simple terms, a QR code is simply a graphic 2D barcode that stores information, such as addresses, URLs, business card info, or anything else. Scanning the code with software on your camera-enabled mobile phone will automatically launch a browser to the specified destination.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Social Media Classroom
Social Media Classroom
free and open-source (Drupal-based) web service that provides teachers and learners with an integrated set of social media that each course can use for its own purposes—integrated forum, blog, comment, wiki, chat, social bookmarking, RSS, microblogging, widgets , and video commenting are the first set of tools.
free and open-source (Drupal-based) web service that provides teachers and learners with an integrated set of social media that each course can use for its own purposes—integrated forum, blog, comment, wiki, chat, social bookmarking, RSS, microblogging, widgets , and video commenting are the first set of tools.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Apps Amuck
Apps Amuck is an iPhone developer's site where they showcase the code for 31 iPhone applications in 31 days, building upon the sample code archives from Apple.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Superstruct
KurzweilAI.net
Inventor, futurist, AI theorist and all-round smart person Ray Kurzweil has launched Superstruct - an MMO that aims to find out what life will be like in the next ten years.Players create a profile - who they will be in 2019, essentially - and watch, read and learn about five possible 'Superthreats' to humanity such as famine, political unrest and pandemic.
The player chooses a Superthreat to work on and then collaborates with other players to write a story detailing how we can all pull through. Or not.
It's perhaps stretching the definition of 'game' a little, but it sounds fun and who knows - you might just save the world for real this time.
- from Kotaku
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Found Footage: Writing your first iPhone application - The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
Found Footage: Writing your first iPhone application - The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW): "The removal of the NDA from the iPhone development scene means that a trickle of educational content for would-be developers is rapidly turning into a flood."
InformIT: iPhone Developer's Cookbook, The: Building Applications with the iPhone SDK - $25.59
InformIT: iPhone Developer's Cookbook, The: Building Applications with the iPhone SDK - $25.59: "This is the eBook version of the printed book. If the print book includes a CD-ROM, this content is not included within the eBook version."
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Kung Fu Panda - The Art of the Title Sequence
Kung Fu Panda - The Art of the Title Sequence
Check out the beautiful HD titles and 2D animated dream sequences! I've gone blind from awsomeness!!!!!!!!
Check out the beautiful HD titles and 2D animated dream sequences! I've gone blind from awsomeness!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
20 Excellent AJAX Effects You Should Know - NETTUTS
20 Excellent AJAX Effects You Should Know - NETTUTS: "There are a few special techniques or effects that can spice up just about any web page. These are the top 20 Ajax effects that every web developer should know. They're essential parts of any web developer's toolbox. If you haven't seen them yet, you no doubt will in your future web development endeavors."
Friday, October 3, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Project 10 to the 100th
Project 10 to the 100th:
"Project 10100 (pronounced 'Project 10 to the 100th') is a call for ideas to change the world by helping as many people as possible."
Submission Deadline:
October 20th, 2008
I love this! Like they say, the idea is the thing.
"Project 10100 (pronounced 'Project 10 to the 100th') is a call for ideas to change the world by helping as many people as possible."
Submission Deadline:
October 20th, 2008
I love this! Like they say, the idea is the thing.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Youth Research Sites
I follow a few youth research sites. It helps me track current technology trends. One site that I follow that may be of interest to those in the studio is mobile youth. I think it could be a good resource as we continue to develop for mobile devices such as iphone, or just needing information for presentations or grants.
Enjoy.
http://www.mobileyouth.org/
Enjoy.
http://www.mobileyouth.org/
Have you CHA CHA'ed? It's Cool.
Kailey, my daughter, first alerted me to Cha Cha (242 242) text messaging. She came home with a story of how one of her friends was trying to have a conversation with Cha Cha. Of course I was like, huh?
Anyhow, Cha Cha is a mobile texting information service run by a guild of people who look up information for you. While at lunch this past week a few of my cadre mates and I were in discussion and someone asked about the former capital of Indiana. While some were stumped and others were throwing out possible answers I took the opportunity to introduce Cha Cha. I hadn't used it and wasn't sure it would work, but we decided to try it. I mean we are all ed techies so we might as well embrace it. Low and behold we got an answer and then some additional facts on the first capital of Indiana not just the former capital! Very cool.
So, this got me thinking about how Kailey a high school freshman and her friends were using it. It wasn't so much about the information they were looking up as it was a "game" or quest of trying to test the technology and the system behind the service.
Yes, Cha Cha works and it became our tech tool for the week. Fun!
Want more info? Follow the link.
Cha Cha
Thank you Kailey!
Anyhow, Cha Cha is a mobile texting information service run by a guild of people who look up information for you. While at lunch this past week a few of my cadre mates and I were in discussion and someone asked about the former capital of Indiana. While some were stumped and others were throwing out possible answers I took the opportunity to introduce Cha Cha. I hadn't used it and wasn't sure it would work, but we decided to try it. I mean we are all ed techies so we might as well embrace it. Low and behold we got an answer and then some additional facts on the first capital of Indiana not just the former capital! Very cool.
So, this got me thinking about how Kailey a high school freshman and her friends were using it. It wasn't so much about the information they were looking up as it was a "game" or quest of trying to test the technology and the system behind the service.
Yes, Cha Cha works and it became our tech tool for the week. Fun!
Want more info? Follow the link.
Cha Cha
Thank you Kailey!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Beyond Fun: Serious Games and Media
Introduction | ETC-Press (Beta):
Here is a series of articles on serious gaming from some top academics.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Pictobrowser
PictoBrowser is a free web application that displays Flickr images on websites and blogs.
http://pictobrowser.com/
http://pictobrowser.com/
Mac OS X 10.5.5 released
MobileMe, Time Machine, Spotlight, iPhone, graphics fixes - MacFixIt
I always follow their best practices before installing.
I always follow their best practices before installing.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Pinpoint on cursor
From Tomilee, using pinpoint to create a circle around a mouse for an onscreen demo.
http://www.macchampion.com/pinpoint_download.shtml
http://www.macchampion.com/pinpoint_download.shtml
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
FitBit Trainer
FitBit Trainer: Track Your Exercise, Health, and Even Sleep - Gearlog:
"Step one is to start exercising"
"Step one is to start exercising"
Monday, September 8, 2008
Useful Cheat Sheets for Web Designers - Six Revisions
Useful Cheat Sheets for Web Designers
I love cheat sheets... who can remember all of those key commands?
I love cheat sheets... who can remember all of those key commands?
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Parallax Scrolling in Web Pages
jParallax is a little jQuery utility that creates parallax effects in the browser. Check out the demos off of the page to get an idea what is possible.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Torque Releases iPhone Dev Prices
It looks like iTorque prices have been released.
For indie developers, it's basically $400 plus $100 per title, plus $749 for the base license for Torque Game Engine. For commercial developers, it's $500 plus $500 per title, plus $1250 for Torque Game Builder Pro. You have to buy one title license when you get the library, so minimums are $500 and $1000 respectively, plus the cost of the base license.
So, we're looking at $1150 + $100 per title for 3D, $1750 + $500 per title for 2D. Seems odd to me, so maybe someone can check my math.
The commercial version of iTorque is available now. They're holding off on releasing the Indie version, apparently, because only seasoned Torque developers can get along without documentation. (Yeah, that's not a good sign.)
Also, you apparently need to have licenses for the "Pro" versions of the two development environments because "there is just simply no way to use iTGB without access to the source code of TGB." Another not-good sign.
Unfortunately, Unity hasn't released their pricing structure yet, let alone the actual dev environment.
For indie developers, it's basically $400 plus $100 per title, plus $749 for the base license for Torque Game Engine. For commercial developers, it's $500 plus $500 per title, plus $1250 for Torque Game Builder Pro. You have to buy one title license when you get the library, so minimums are $500 and $1000 respectively, plus the cost of the base license.
So, we're looking at $1150 + $100 per title for 3D, $1750 + $500 per title for 2D. Seems odd to me, so maybe someone can check my math.
The commercial version of iTorque is available now. They're holding off on releasing the Indie version, apparently, because only seasoned Torque developers can get along without documentation. (Yeah, that's not a good sign.)
Also, you apparently need to have licenses for the "Pro" versions of the two development environments because "there is just simply no way to use iTGB without access to the source code of TGB." Another not-good sign.
Unfortunately, Unity hasn't released their pricing structure yet, let alone the actual dev environment.
StressEraser: a game?
Cool Tool: StressEraser:
"The idea is to create a curving graph of regularity that can be worth 1 or 3 points on the device. A meditation session can total as many points as you want."
I see a game here. I wonder if it is hackable and wireless? If it were, it could make a great breathing game.
"The idea is to create a curving graph of regularity that can be worth 1 or 3 points on the device. A meditation session can total as many points as you want."
I see a game here. I wonder if it is hackable and wireless? If it were, it could make a great breathing game.
BioShock Postmortem
The story of developing BioShock is an epic one and isn't easily expressed in 10 postmortem points.
READ!
An informative look inside at what went right and wrong during the design and development. Some key points:
READ!
An informative look inside at what went right and wrong during the design and development. Some key points:
One of the true successes of BioShock's development was our ability to identify and react when the game was not shaping up to become what it needed to be.I think our success also comes from the iterative process too. Lots of other good stuff to pull from.
we failed to fully exercise the narrative production path in early versions
If there's an over-arching theme of our development, it's that we, like many other developers, believe that ultimate success in this industry comes from iteration. You have to build, evaluate (and have others evaluate) and be prepared to throw things away and rebuild.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Comic announcing Google Chrome
This is a very cool way to announce an application. Google announced the introduction of Google Chrome as a comic (drawn by Scott McCloud, the guy behind Understanding Comics and Reinventing Comics).
It's interesting not only for the technique, but also for the way it describes some of the issues with browser security and development. There are some pretty good visualizations of what garbage collection and sandboxing mean in there. It's worth a read even if you don't intend to use Google Chrome. We could probably take some cues from this for presenting complex educational content in clear ways using comics.
(As a side note, I really liked how the comic uses actual Google engineers and other employees as the characters describing the concepts. If we wanted to do comics like this for our own projects, that would be a fun and unusual way to position NMSU's faculty as experts in the field.)
It's interesting not only for the technique, but also for the way it describes some of the issues with browser security and development. There are some pretty good visualizations of what garbage collection and sandboxing mean in there. It's worth a read even if you don't intend to use Google Chrome. We could probably take some cues from this for presenting complex educational content in clear ways using comics.
(As a side note, I really liked how the comic uses actual Google engineers and other employees as the characters describing the concepts. If we wanted to do comics like this for our own projects, that would be a fun and unusual way to position NMSU's faculty as experts in the field.)
Friday, August 29, 2008
20 Websites To Help You Learn and Master CSS
20 Websites To Help You Learn and Master CSS: "CSS can be both a tricky and easy to learn. The syntax itself is easy, but some concepts can be difficult to understand.
This article features 20 excellent websites to help you 'grok' CSS. There’s a wide range of websites included – from blogs to directory-style lists and websites that focus on one particular topic related to CSS."
This article features 20 excellent websites to help you 'grok' CSS. There’s a wide range of websites included – from blogs to directory-style lists and websites that focus on one particular topic related to CSS."
Making sites look "Web 2.0"
Want to make your web site look all "Web 2.0"? Check out this Web 2.0 how-to design style guide.
Normally, I'd say trying to make your site "look Web 2.0" is vapid, since what people generally mean when they say "Web 2.0" is that it is service-rich. But I have to say, this article impressed me, mainly because the number one suggestion is "Simplicity". Of all the things that characterize the latest design trends in the web industry, the best thing is the realization that a simpler web site is a more powerful web site.
Sure, the article also talks about starbursts, reflections, and cute icons, too, but the site has a lot of good web design advice.
Normally, I'd say trying to make your site "look Web 2.0" is vapid, since what people generally mean when they say "Web 2.0" is that it is service-rich. But I have to say, this article impressed me, mainly because the number one suggestion is "Simplicity". Of all the things that characterize the latest design trends in the web industry, the best thing is the realization that a simpler web site is a more powerful web site.
Sure, the article also talks about starbursts, reflections, and cute icons, too, but the site has a lot of good web design advice.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
SanDisk releases 30MB/s SDHC cards
Clicky for more:
"SanDisk Extreme III SDHC 30MB/s Edition cards are expected to be available worldwide in September. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is U.S. $64.99 for the 4GB card, US $109.99 for the 8GB card, and U.S. $179.99 for the 16GB card.
SANDISK BOOSTS SD CARD SPEED BY FIFTY PERCENT —
SETS NEW SPEED RECORD FOR SD FLASH MEMORY CARDS"
"SanDisk Extreme III SDHC 30MB/s Edition cards are expected to be available worldwide in September. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is U.S. $64.99 for the 4GB card, US $109.99 for the 8GB card, and U.S. $179.99 for the 16GB card.
SANDISK BOOSTS SD CARD SPEED BY FIFTY PERCENT —
SETS NEW SPEED RECORD FOR SD FLASH MEMORY CARDS"
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
WoW on treadmills
[:Mana Energy Potion:] | RL Race Across Azeroth
The guys over at Manapotions.com went to great lengths to estimate the actual speed of their avatars, then built a surprisingly effective apparatus out of some old treadmills, bikes wheels and optical mice (for speed tracking). The results was kind of like the ultimate expression of the Wii "get involved in the game" ethos, except with 1000% more exertion and 97% less fun.
Monday, August 25, 2008
TouchKit: the open source, multi-touch screen developer's kit
The kit:
"But not all multi-touch work is being undertaken on a corporate scale - R&D studio NOR_/D (NORTD) have released a cheap and simple hardware/base software package that gives open source developers all the tools they need to create, run and share their own multitouch applications."
"But not all multi-touch work is being undertaken on a corporate scale - R&D studio NOR_/D (NORTD) have released a cheap and simple hardware/base software package that gives open source developers all the tools they need to create, run and share their own multitouch applications."
My Weight Loss Coach
Ubisoft Montreal's new game in the My Coach line is now out. 'My Weight Loss Coach' comes complete with a pedometer, and it's getting decent reviews too.
My Weight Loss Coach Official Site
IGN review of My Weight Loss Coach
Creation Kits Based on the 80's EA Game Creation Utilities
Here's another potential game development system that might be a good fit with the gamelab kids: the Adventure Construction Kit. It's a GUI-based app that lets you easily build top-down 2D adventure titles, using either GUI-only authoring or scripting for more complicated examples. It's based on the excellent (if primitive) Adventure Construction Set that was released by Electronic Arts in 1985, apparently with the encouragement and mentorship of the original's author. If it's anything like the original, it will be relatively easy to use after a little bit of exploration. It comes with pre-made tile sets for different genres.
The original Adventure Construction Set was itself an outgrowth of the first Electronic Arts game making offering, the Pinball Construction Set, which was itself a groundbreaking title. Apparently, LittleWing, makers of some good pinball sims, are working on their own pinball construction game, and the core language they developed to make it, Ypsilon, has been released.
Both of these construction sets would probably be nice resources to have for the game lab.
The original Adventure Construction Set was itself an outgrowth of the first Electronic Arts game making offering, the Pinball Construction Set, which was itself a groundbreaking title. Apparently, LittleWing, makers of some good pinball sims, are working on their own pinball construction game, and the core language they developed to make it, Ypsilon, has been released.
Both of these construction sets would probably be nice resources to have for the game lab.
iPhone GUI Photoshop resources
So when we finally start working on iPhone games, these Photoshop resources of iPhone interface elements may come in useful for mocking up screens.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Head tracking using the Wii remote
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd3-eiid-Uw
Using the infrared camera in the Wii remote and a head mounted sensor bar (two IR LEDs), you can accurately track the location of your head and render view dependent images on the screen. This effectively transforms your display into a portal to a virtual environment. The display properly reacts to head and body movement as if it were a real window creating a realistic illusion of depth and space.
Using the infrared camera in the Wii remote and a head mounted sensor bar (two IR LEDs), you can accurately track the location of your head and render view dependent images on the screen. This effectively transforms your display into a portal to a virtual environment. The display properly reacts to head and body movement as if it were a real window creating a realistic illusion of depth and space.
Speed Force Wireless™
You know me... I loves me racing games. I like force feedback racing wheels too.
Logitech & Gaming & Wii™ & Speed Force Wireless™
Logitech & Gaming & Wii™ & Speed Force Wireless™
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Interview with Paul Farley
iPhone 3G Game News, Games for Mac from Apple
Originally we pitched it internally as a standard J2ME/BREW mobile game over a year ago. At the time we put it on the back burner because we didn’t feel we could do it justice on the platform and doubted how appealing the concept would be to potential publishers or phone operators. It’s very difficult to launch games on mobile right now without a large brand or license attached, so we agreed to return to the idea once either the market shifted or the technology improved. The iPhone addresses both of those issues with the technical performance of the device and the open nature of publishing direct to the appStore. This allows Tag to take an original game to customers direct and gives them, not the phone operators, the opportunity to make it a hit if they like it.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Open-source multi-touch: Touch�- The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
Open-source multi-touch: Touch�- The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
Pretty cool... they even provide a link building your own FTIR input device . It does not look easy or cheap but still awesome.
http://lowres.ch/ftir/
Pretty cool... they even provide a link building your own FTIR input device . It does not look easy or cheap but still awesome.
http://lowres.ch/ftir/
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Alternative Controllers
When we were doing the Scratch training w/ the kids, we talked about creating custom controllers for exercise games. I was looking at force sensors among other things. I found some info on creating fabric bend sensors. Check out the link. We could make a fun installation w/ a suit you wear to control a game.
Fabric bend sensor
Here is another
Flexible Fabric Pressure Sensor
I think a great museum installation could be made w/ these and other ideas we have had.
Fabric bend sensor
Here is another
Flexible Fabric Pressure Sensor
I think a great museum installation could be made w/ these and other ideas we have had.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Turn Dieting Into an RPG
Games Without Frontiers: Fun Way to Lose Weight:
Interesting article that compares Weight Watcher's online point counter to an RPG. I also liked McGonigal's mention of game language and system.
"This puts me in mind of the talk that Jane McGonigal -- a brilliant and pioneering alternative-reality game designer -- gave at this year's South by Southwest conference. She argued that game designers ought to put their skills to use in the real world by reshaping dull, everyday activities into fun challenges. Why not a game that gives you points for walking your dog or jogging?
'Games are an incredible language and system. They should be everywhere,' she said. 'Why are we making games only for the bound pages for a computer screen or console? Why aren't we doing that to help people navigate and understand the world around us?'"
Interesting article that compares Weight Watcher's online point counter to an RPG. I also liked McGonigal's mention of game language and system.
"This puts me in mind of the talk that Jane McGonigal -- a brilliant and pioneering alternative-reality game designer -- gave at this year's South by Southwest conference. She argued that game designers ought to put their skills to use in the real world by reshaping dull, everyday activities into fun challenges. Why not a game that gives you points for walking your dog or jogging?
'Games are an incredible language and system. They should be everywhere,' she said. 'Why are we making games only for the bound pages for a computer screen or console? Why aren't we doing that to help people navigate and understand the world around us?'"
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Eloquent JavaScript
Contents -- Eloquent JavaScript:
Understated and awesome, the Eloquent Javascript is a nice tutorial on the language that I am having fun learning with. One of the most impressive features is the built in compiler. You can mangle the sample code right there on the fly. Very neat. Check it out.
Understated and awesome, the Eloquent Javascript is a nice tutorial on the language that I am having fun learning with. One of the most impressive features is the built in compiler. You can mangle the sample code right there on the fly. Very neat. Check it out.
Valve Software's Chet Faliszek talks about playtesting
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=19523
Valve Software is the development studio behind the hit game Portal, as well as Half-Life 1 & 2, Team Fortress 2, and the soon-to-be-released Left 4 Dead. In this interview with Gamasutra, Chet Faliszek (the writer for Left 4 Dead) talks about Valve's approach to playetesting and its importance in helping deliver a quality final product. Apparently, Valve often begins playtesting their games as little as 1 week into the development cycle.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
10 colour contrast checking tools to improve the accessibility of your design
http://www.456bereastreet.com/archive/200709/10_colour_contrast_checking_tools_to_improve_the_accessibility_of_your_design/
Zooming
When you are in Safari, hitting [command and +] or [command and -] will make your webpage larger or smaller.
In your system preferences, in the keyboard/mouse panel, under 'trackpad', you can click the "zoom while holding _____" and select a button to hold down. Then, to zoom, hold that key button down, and place two fingers on the track pad and move them up to zoom the whole screen larger and down to make the whole screen larger.
In your system preferences, in the keyboard/mouse panel, under 'trackpad', you can click the "zoom while holding _____" and select a button to hold down. Then, to zoom, hold that key button down, and place two fingers on the track pad and move them up to zoom the whole screen larger and down to make the whole screen larger.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Flip Video Codec Now Works With iMovie
Thanks to Daring Fireball, news comes that the Flip video codec can now be used with iMovie using last month's iMovie update and the new version of the Flip video codec downloaded from the site.
Convert Youtube and Myspace Video to MP3! Only at VidtoMP3.com
VidtoMP3.com
Like KeepVid, this Site will take a URL but it instead just converts the sound to mp3. Handy dandy if you want that piece of sound from a video on YouTube or MySpace.
Like KeepVid, this Site will take a URL but it instead just converts the sound to mp3. Handy dandy if you want that piece of sound from a video on YouTube or MySpace.
Science, The Eyes, and Better Pictures
I liked this short article on how scientific research on the way we look at the world can improve our photography. Short depth of field, good contrast, lines, faces and shiny things, just to name a few. I like the reasoning behind though.
The Photographer's Guide to the Eye
"SURPRISE
In principle: Surprise is the strongest known attractor of human attention. The Bayesian Theory of Surprise provides a mathematical framework for quantifying the degree of incompatible data in an image. The scientific definition of surprise? A relationship between objects that changes your beliefs about the world.
In practice: Depict the unexpected, whether you stumble across it
(a good reason always to have a camera with you) or set it up."
The Photographer's Guide to the Eye
"SURPRISE
In principle: Surprise is the strongest known attractor of human attention. The Bayesian Theory of Surprise provides a mathematical framework for quantifying the degree of incompatible data in an image. The scientific definition of surprise? A relationship between objects that changes your beliefs about the world.
In practice: Depict the unexpected, whether you stumble across it
(a good reason always to have a camera with you) or set it up."
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The Video Game Name Generator Independent Game Design Contest
A while back CCmade a post on this blog about a video game name generator that would randomly generate hilarious titles for you. Well, the Independent Gaming Source recently ran a game design competition based on names created by the generator. 48 playable games are available for download.
http://www.tigsource.com/features/vgng/index.html
http://www.tigsource.com/features/vgng/index.html
Torque for iPhone
This showed up on TUAW today - the Torque game engine has been ported to the iPhone. Since Torque is available for Mac, PC, Wii, and Xbox as well, this might be a good choice for our next-generation game development platform.
Monday, July 28, 2008
StupidFilter
omfg! if U P05t N 733T H4XX0RZ, StupidFilter PWNS U!!!1!!1!! o noes!
Translation: If you post comments that use idiotic hacker "leet" speak, or otherwise make comments that you can tell are stupid just from the structure and presentation, rather than from content, StupidFilter is gunning for you. It's a project to allow computers to detect stupid comments so they can be filtered.
My favorite bit from the FAQ: "Isn't filtering stupidity elitist?" "Yes. Yes, it is. That's sort of the whole point."
Translation: If you post comments that use idiotic hacker "leet" speak, or otherwise make comments that you can tell are stupid just from the structure and presentation, rather than from content, StupidFilter is gunning for you. It's a project to allow computers to detect stupid comments so they can be filtered.
My favorite bit from the FAQ: "Isn't filtering stupidity elitist?" "Yes. Yes, it is. That's sort of the whole point."
Friday, July 25, 2008
Usability testing with Silverback
A new app called Silverback might be just the thing for doing educational game testing. It runs on a Mac, and does simultaneous screen capture AND capture of the video camera, along with visual click tracking, to produce a video file that captures peoples' reactions and behavior while testing an application. You can even use a Mac remote to add bookmarking and pause and resume sessions.
As a bonus, 10% of the $50 cost is donated to save the gorillas.
As a bonus, 10% of the $50 cost is donated to save the gorillas.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Fixing The Education Digital Disconnect One Video Game At A Time
FAS Launches Immune Attack:
Interesting article on the Immune Attack game. The developer's Site has a wicked cool funkadelic video about the game. It looks like lots of fun but is Windows only. I'll put the EXE on the PC down in the game lab if you want to play it.
"FAS's interest in games emerged from research that shows advanced learning technologies, such as video games and computer simulations, can help address one of the nation's most pressing needs -- strengthening education and preparing workers for 21st century jobs."
Interesting article on the Immune Attack game. The developer's Site has a wicked cool funkadelic video about the game. It looks like lots of fun but is Windows only. I'll put the EXE on the PC down in the game lab if you want to play it.
"FAS's interest in games emerged from research that shows advanced learning technologies, such as video games and computer simulations, can help address one of the nation's most pressing needs -- strengthening education and preparing workers for 21st century jobs."
Friday, July 18, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Versioning Smackdown
Cornerstone passes Versions on the way to yesterday's finish line
We were just recently speaking of versioning software. Just came across this here post.
We were just recently speaking of versioning software. Just came across this here post.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Make a Book of your Blog (or anything else!)
I LOVE it when people make great software that is easy to use and Mac-ish. I've also wanted to make a hard bound book of Alex' blog.
Booksmart from Blurb is the answer. It is a free software download, and a great program at that, to create all sorts of books-- cook book, journal, photo, text, etc. My favorite feature allows you to log into a blog program, and BookSmart gets all the blog entries and can autopopulate it into a hard or softbound book. They also have some great video tutorials.
In addition to pulling all the text and photos from your blog, it fully integrates with iPhoto, making drag and drop a breeze.
Supercool!
Booksmart from Blurb is the answer. It is a free software download, and a great program at that, to create all sorts of books-- cook book, journal, photo, text, etc. My favorite feature allows you to log into a blog program, and BookSmart gets all the blog entries and can autopopulate it into a hard or softbound book. They also have some great video tutorials.
In addition to pulling all the text and photos from your blog, it fully integrates with iPhoto, making drag and drop a breeze.
Supercool!
Selecting colors by emotional tone
Particletree just posted a review of a book called Color Image Scale.
A Japanese "color psychologist" wrote this book which provides sample color palettes organized together to look good, but takes it one step further by indexing these palettes by their emotional tone, such as "romantic," "cool casual," or "modern."
This is a brilliant idea, because you can browse for color palette ideas based on the feel you want your colors to bring to your project.
A Japanese "color psychologist" wrote this book which provides sample color palettes organized together to look good, but takes it one step further by indexing these palettes by their emotional tone, such as "romantic," "cool casual," or "modern."
This is a brilliant idea, because you can browse for color palette ideas based on the feel you want your colors to bring to your project.
VLC
Master Your Digital Media with VLC
Anyone using VLC? I downloaded it so I could view multiple media formats but I did not know it could do some of this! I had not opened it in a while. Time for another look.
Anyone using VLC? I downloaded it so I could view multiple media formats but I did not know it could do some of this! I had not opened it in a while. Time for another look.
What is this Django Business?
Get Started With Django
WebMonkey has a good intro and tutorial on how to get started building Web apps w/ the Python based Django. It is not a CMS but it looks as if it could build one.
I am not a Web programmer but if I were asked to learn... this is the kind of thing I would explore.
WebMonkey has a good intro and tutorial on how to get started building Web apps w/ the Python based Django. It is not a CMS but it looks as if it could build one.
I am not a Web programmer but if I were asked to learn... this is the kind of thing I would explore.
Monday, June 30, 2008
PixelPerfect
Photoshop Tutorials
Some high end digital retouching for Photoshop and Illustrator. Looks really cool.
Some high end digital retouching for Photoshop and Illustrator. Looks really cool.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Chat Client for all (MAC version)
http://www.adiumx.com/
Adium is a free instant messaging application for Mac OS X that can connect to AIM, MSN, Jabber, Yahoo, and more.
Adium is a free instant messaging application for Mac OS X that can connect to AIM, MSN, Jabber, Yahoo, and more.
Office for Mac - Easy Access to Downloads and Updates | Mactopia
Office for Mac "Open XML File Format Converter for Mac 1.0
Open XML Converter allows you to convert Open XML files that were created in Office 2008 for Mac or Office 2007 for Windows so that you can open, edit, and save them in earlier versions of Office for Mac.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Touch Screen Macs made easy?
Troll Touch
I know that y'all were looking for a kiosk solution. Came across this and thought it might be what you were after.
I know that y'all were looking for a kiosk solution. Came across this and thought it might be what you were after.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Download Firefox 3
Firefox web browser
The new version is out and it is pretty cool. The Intrepid Girl Reporter has a field guide to the new browser. It is a big step.
The new version is out and it is pretty cool. The Intrepid Girl Reporter has a field guide to the new browser. It is a big step.
Monday, June 16, 2008
2008 XO conference reporting
May 2008 Country Workshop
10:30 Welcome Nicholas Negroponte, Chairman, One Laptop per Child
10:45 OLPC Operational Strategy Chuck Kane, President, One Laptop per Child
11:00 Future and XO 2.0 Nicholas Negroponte
and much more with video!
10:30 Welcome Nicholas Negroponte, Chairman, One Laptop per Child
10:45 OLPC Operational Strategy Chuck Kane, President, One Laptop per Child
11:00 Future and XO 2.0 Nicholas Negroponte
and much more with video!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Skip brainstorming on the next Game Lab session
Here's what we should do instead of brainstorming at the next game lab session.
Instead of brainstorming, we should use the Video Game Name Generator to generate a name, and then make the kids design it.
For example, here's the name I got: Super Polka Commander. Oh, yeah.
Instead of brainstorming, we should use the Video Game Name Generator to generate a name, and then make the kids design it.
For example, here's the name I got: Super Polka Commander. Oh, yeah.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Walk All Ways
An Omnidirectional Treadmill Means One Giant Leap for Virtual Reality
Here is another team from Michigan.
Check out the video in action at the bottom of the screen.
“In the virtual environment you have flight simulators, car simulators, but the most natural way of locomotion for humans is walking and this was practically impossible,” says Marc Ernst, the coordinator of the CyberWalk project at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics.
Here is another team from Michigan.
Check out the video in action at the bottom of the screen.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
College@home list of top 25 educational games
College@home's list of the top 25 sims and games for the classroom
I don't see Science Pirates on that list, so the data may be flawed.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Posts from Mac 101
Mac 101 at TUAW
Lots of great stuff here. Probably lots you already know, but there is bound to be sumfin' new for ya.
Lots of great stuff here. Probably lots you already know, but there is bound to be sumfin' new for ya.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Give an Old TV a Rerun
Popular Science:
"turn it into a monitor for an iPod video, a security-camera feed or an external display for a PC"
"turn it into a monitor for an iPod video, a security-camera feed or an external display for a PC"
Friday, May 16, 2008
Twitter: Future Outlook
As you all know I tried twittering a conference. Point blank I didn't like it. Maybe because I felt like I was reporting rather than sharing. I was sending out a barrage of information and it felt intrusive. Key points only next time. If there is a next time. Hmmm…
Businessweek one of my favorite technology sources has this interesting article and the projected growth of twittering.
Why Twitter Matters
Businessweek one of my favorite technology sources has this interesting article and the projected growth of twittering.
Why Twitter Matters
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Pixel Bender Toolkit - Adobe Labs
Pixel Bender Toolkit - Adobe Labs:
This is the same thing that ships w/ AfterEffects! The new Flash will be able to leverage it so ,we can create custom filters, f/x, and blends.
Here is a tutorial to get started with. I know what I am doing over lunch!
This Pixel Bender Toolkit Preview Release 3 includes a high-performance graphics programming language that Adobe is developing for image processing, named Pixel Bender (previously codenamed Hydra), and an application to create, compile and preview Pixel Bender filters and effects. The toolkit contains a specification for the Pixel Bender language, several sample filters, and sample images provided by Pixel Bender team members.
This is the same thing that ships w/ AfterEffects! The new Flash will be able to leverage it so ,we can create custom filters, f/x, and blends.
Here is a tutorial to get started with. I know what I am doing over lunch!
Flash Player 10
Adobe Labs - Flash Player 10
Cool! The next gen of the player is here. It is just in Beta right now but the effects look pretty wicked (1980s!).
Flash Player 10 beta packs a slew of new developer-centric features, but the most visible change for users will be the speed boost, which comes from new hardware acceleration tools that can offload some rendering tasks to your graphics card rather than relying solely on the CPU. That means your favorite sites using Flash interfaces will be much snappier.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
THP training System
Nury Tec's THP2 Training System makes the Wii Fit seem a bit childish - Engadget
This looks pretty interesting too. I'm wondering if it is open source.
This looks pretty interesting too. I'm wondering if it is open source.
Family Trainer from Atari
Atari takes on Wii Fit with floor mat-based Family Trainer game - Engadget
Whaaa? Log jumping count me in.
Whaaa? Log jumping count me in.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Learn 35 Languages for Free in iTunes
Learn 35 Languages for Free in iTunes
The extensive library of courses span over 35 languages, from Arabic to Yiddish. Each course comes as a convenient podcast which you can subscribe and put on your iPod or iPhone.
To get the entire list of language learning podcasts, hit the browse button on the lower-right corner of your iTunes window—it’s the icon that looks like an eye. Then browse to the Podcasts/Education/Language Courses directory.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
"How to Prototype a Game in Under 7 Days" Printer Friendly
Gamasutra - Feature
Not really a technology but I thought a good article on rapid prototyping. Here is the cutout list to give you an idea of what is inside
Not really a technology but I thought a good article on rapid prototyping. Here is the cutout list to give you an idea of what is inside
Handy Cut-Out List!
Setup: Rapid is a State of Mind
- Embrace the Possibility of Failure - it Encourages Creative Risk Taking
- Enforce Short Development Cycles (More Time != More Quality)
- Constrain Creativity to Make You Want it Even More
- Gather a Kickass Team and an Objective Advisor – Mindset is as Important as Talent
- Develop in Parallel for Maximum Splatter
Design: Creativity and the Myth of Brainstorming
- Formal Brainstorming Has a 0% Success Rate
- Gather Concept Art and Music to Create an Emotional Target
- Simulate in Your Head – Pre-Prototype the Prototype
Development: Nobody Knows How You Made it, and Nobody Cares
- Build the Toy First
- If You Can Get Away With it, Fake it
- Cut Your Losses and "Learn When to Shoot Your Baby in the Crib"
- Heavy Theming Will Not Salvage Bad Design (or "You Can't Polish a Turd")
- But Overall Aesthetic Matters! Apply a Healthy Spread of Art, Sound, and Music
- Nobody Cares About Your Great Engineering
General Gameplay: Sensual Lessons in Juicy Fun
- Complexity is Not Necessary for Fun
- Create a Sense of Ownership to Keep 'em Crawling Back for More
- "Experimental" Does Not Mean "Complex"
- Build Toward a Well Defined Goal
- Make it Juicy!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Qipit
Copy and share documents
Copy documents, whiteboards and handwritten notes with your camera phone or digital camera to store, fax, email or publish!
- Turn documents, notes and whiteboards into digital copies (PDFs)
- Email or fax qipit digital copies via email, your online Qipit account, or right from your phone
- Store all of your paper documents and notes as digital documents for easy archiving and sharing
- Tag your qipit documents for easy searching and sorting
- Publish and share your documents on the web
Cool Tool: Mac Laptop Power Cord Tip
Cool Tools
You can use the power cord from a Sony Playstation, easily available for 6 bucks, instead of the cord Mac gave you. That is a pretty cool tool. Scroll down and also click the link on: Tips for Conference Bloggers too.
You can use the power cord from a Sony Playstation, easily available for 6 bucks, instead of the cord Mac gave you. That is a pretty cool tool. Scroll down and also click the link on: Tips for Conference Bloggers too.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Adobe - Open Screen Project
Adobe - Open Screen Project
Looks like Adobe has opened the FLV and SWF format...
Today, they lifted the licensing restriction on both the SWF and FLV/F4V specifications. It also looks like they are releasing the protocols so that it can be embedded on any device.
Smoove moove.
Looks like Adobe has opened the FLV and SWF format...
Today, they lifted the licensing restriction on both the SWF and FLV/F4V specifications. It also looks like they are releasing the protocols so that it can be embedded on any device.
Smoove moove.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Its been brought!
Namco announces We Cheer for (wait for it) ... Wii - Joystiq
It looks like a hit to me.
It looks like a hit to me.
Not interested? How about multiplayer modes supporting up to four cheerleaders? Still not interested? How about a workout mode that tracks how many calories you've burned? Yeah, we didn't think that would help either ... we're most looking forward to the customizable outfits and shoes also. Oh-kay, let's go!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
TED.com
Couple of my profs really like this site.
TED
From the site:
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Since then its scope has become ever broader.
or YouTube videos tedtalksdirector
TED
From the site:
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Since then its scope has become ever broader.
or YouTube videos tedtalksdirector
Participatory Cultures and Media
Participatory culture is the big thing in education research. It stems from the situated learning theories (learning theories), with constructivism being the precursor. There are better definitions of how this relates to education and how to incorporate them into classrooms at New Media Literacies Blog.
Henry Jenkin's group has started a blog that you may be interested in.
New Media Literacies
Henry Jenkin's group has started a blog that you may be interested in.
New Media Literacies
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
World of Goo
Joystiq reviews and has posted a gallery of images for a great looking WiiWare game called World of Goo.
I must play this. This is the kind of thing I would like to try for our fitness games.
I must play this. This is the kind of thing I would like to try for our fitness games.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Windows on your Mac
Slimming down Windows for virtualization or Boot Camp - The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
Seems like a a good lifehack.
Seems like a a good lifehack.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Alternatives to Director
With the release of Director 11, the "doom and gloom" crowd has been prodded awake, and the mailing lists are awash with people unhappy with Adobe about the recent release. The new physics engine is causing concerns, and there are reports of awful artifacting in text rendering.
So despite spending a lot of time on a Director-only list, these people are talking about alternatives to Director development. Here are some of the ones that are being suggested.
So despite spending a lot of time on a Director-only list, these people are talking about alternatives to Director development. Here are some of the ones that are being suggested.
- jMonkeyEngine is an open source 3D Java gaming engine. I had trouble launching applications in it, but apparently, it's being used to create some MMO-ish and other games, including Bang! Howdy.
- Project Darkstar is Sun's gift to MMO developers, an open source SMUS replacement that is scalable.
- Unity is still getting a lot of attention by this crowd as a powerful alternative, and it has proven its chops with games like GooBall. This seems to be where the people who are jumping are jumping the most. There is a lot of anxious hand-wringing from the Windows crowd about how the IDE is only available for Mac, of course, but, well, I have little sympathy.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Audible for Kids site
Thought this was cool! Audible now has separate kids site. It used to be and I am sure still is available through the main Audible site, however, this may encourage more usage. I have been using audio books with my girl since she was a tot. I have used audible and of course the public library audio books. I think they are great for road trips or just story time (downtime). This has only encouraged her appreciation for books as we make almost weekly trips to Thomas Branigan. She also works in her school library and has been invited to the state librarians conference this month being held on campus to share how she is integrating technology and reading.
kids.audible.com
kids.audible.com
Monday, March 31, 2008
Social Bookmarking
Social Bookmarking is an online tool for gathering, organizing and sharing Internet bookmarks. It eliminates having to email bookmarks and not having access to your bookmarks if you use a home and office computer.
This simple YouTube video describes Social Bookmarking:
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Asaph Microblog
Asaph is a microblogging utility that integrates with bookmarklets to make it easy to capture and collect photos and pithy quotes.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The Cappucino Maker Everyone Wants
This *is* technology. I think this may be the fun gadget everyone wants for the department... latte's or cappucino with (literally), the touch of a button. The milk container sits in the fridge. When you are ready, you get out a cup, put in a coffee pod, put in the milk container and hit the button. The bad news? It is $800. (Jeanne, are you reading this?)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
10 Firefox Extensions plus one
This isn't the usual list of extensions that everyone is used to using, but 10 add-ons that many may not know about, but can be very useful for everyday web browsing. I haven't tried any of these but some of them look like it would be helpful
http://www.webupon.com/Browsers/10-Killer-Firefox-Extensions-That-You-Probably-Dont-Know-About.91442
Another one that isn't mentioned in the web site above, Color Tabs. It comes in handy if you have multiple tabs open in the Firefox window.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1368
http://www.webupon.com/Browsers/10-Killer-Firefox-Extensions-That-You-Probably-Dont-Know-About.91442
Another one that isn't mentioned in the web site above, Color Tabs. It comes in handy if you have multiple tabs open in the Firefox window.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1368
Monday, March 10, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
We have been playing with Twitter in house for a couple of days. I had personally been avoiding Twitter, but I do know quite a few people on it from class including profs. On a personal level I still don't see my need to Twitter as high. However, in a recent article it's made me understand the value to academia from an instructor perspective. I probably would use it more if I had a phone with a keyboard. I am not that fast at texting, but I have a 13 year old who keeps me active with it. A new phone is on my to do lists.
Micro Blogging with Twitter
http://campustechnology.com/articles/59315/
An interview with the author
http://www.campustechnology.com/articles/59315/
I am cross posting as I do try to maintain a blog of my own so sorry if you get this twice.
Micro Blogging with Twitter
http://campustechnology.com/articles/59315/
An interview with the author
http://www.campustechnology.com/articles/59315/
I am cross posting as I do try to maintain a blog of my own so sorry if you get this twice.
AppleInsider | Steve Jobs pans Flash on the iPhone
AppleInsider | Steve Jobs pans Flash on the iPhone
Ouch! I hope that Adobe proves Jobs wrong. I think they ought to be working on that middle product. They have been strong advocates of mobile devices and i think it would be short sighted of them to just sit tight on Flash Lite.
Ouch! I hope that Adobe proves Jobs wrong. I think they ought to be working on that middle product. They have been strong advocates of mobile devices and i think it would be short sighted of them to just sit tight on Flash Lite.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
AJA Video - Serial Digital Video Interface and Conversion
AJA Video - Serial Digital Video Interface and Conversion
Io HD is the only device in the world that supports Apple ProRes 422 and Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) in hardware, enabling true 10-bit editing on an Apple laptop.
Io HD is the only device in the world that supports Apple ProRes 422 and Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) in hardware, enabling true 10-bit editing on an Apple laptop.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The 2008 TIA Toy Fair | Popular Science
The 2008 TIA Toy Fair | Popular Science
Toys! I want the microscope to go and the bug vacuum and the dinosaur and the....
Toys! I want the microscope to go and the bug vacuum and the dinosaur and the....
Monday, February 25, 2008
iTunes 7.6.1: a surprisingly problematic update - MacFixIt
iTunes 7.6.1: a surprisingly problematic update - MacFixIt
Problems... so be wary of updating just yet.
Problems... so be wary of updating just yet.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Soundsnap.com: Find and Share Free Sound Effects and Loops
Soundsnap.com: Find and Share Free Sound Effects and Loops
Freebie sound fx? Audio editors may find this of interest. Check out the free online library of audio and sound effects at www.soundsnap.com . It is community powered, similar to Youtube for audio. News article at: http://www.dv.com/news/news_item.php?articleId=196603761
Freebie sound fx? Audio editors may find this of interest. Check out the free online library of audio and sound effects at www.soundsnap.com . It is community powered, similar to Youtube for audio. News article at: http://www.dv.com/news/news_item.php?articleId=196603761
How WiiWare Changed Square Enix | Game | Life from Wired.com
How WiiWare Changed Square Enix | Game | Life from Wired.com:
I wish I could have been there to ask a few questions on their development process. I wanted to learn more about below...
I wish I could have been there to ask a few questions on their development process. I wanted to learn more about below...
"Another thing they did differently was to use a script language called Squirrel, and a middleware library from Nintendo called NintendoWare. 'At Square Enix, we don't... use other people's code, but since we were aiming for a Summer 2007 launch, I had to streamline the development process,' said Shiraishi.
NintendoWare, he said, was 'awesome' -- they had the basic game elements on screen in three months with only one programmer -- Shiraishi himself."
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The Associated Press: Microsoft Giving Away Developer Software
The Associated Press: Microsoft Giving Away Developer Software
I'm a student! Not a huge Microsoft fan though. I would still like to look at the tools they have.
I'm a student! Not a huge Microsoft fan though. I would still like to look at the tools they have.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Director 11 Announced
Finally, Director 11 has been announced.
Unfortunately, the new version does not include an update to the 3D engine's capabilities (we all kinda figured that, from statements made earlier), but it does include a new physics engine from Ageia, which is good news since the Havok physics engine wasn't being supported.
Unfortunately, the new version does not include an update to the 3D engine's capabilities (we all kinda figured that, from statements made earlier), but it does include a new physics engine from Ageia, which is good news since the Havok physics engine wasn't being supported.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Ning Social Network
Ning
Create your own social network it can be public or private. This has been around for awhile, but sounds as though it's picking up speed.
They were discussions of it in my class and it came through on the serious games listserve as well. What I think is cool about Ning is that you can house more that one type of collaboration tool under one roof
• the network (similar to Facebook)
• Blogs
• Forums
• Videos and Podcasts
• RSS Feeds
Again, haven't used it but I will be joining the Serious Games group on there to check it out.
Create your own social network it can be public or private. This has been around for awhile, but sounds as though it's picking up speed.
They were discussions of it in my class and it came through on the serious games listserve as well. What I think is cool about Ning is that you can house more that one type of collaboration tool under one roof
• the network (similar to Facebook)
• Blogs
• Forums
• Videos and Podcasts
• RSS Feeds
Again, haven't used it but I will be joining the Serious Games group on there to check it out.
Jing Project
This is kind of a neat tool. You can screen capture on your computer (movie) and then share it via Screencast.com or your own server. It a free little app I haven't tried it but how many times have we needed screen capturing software at the last minute and didn't know what to use.
We do have SnapZpro it the studio, but this is free and from the demos looks pretty nice. Nice tool for school or maybe profs and Extension.
Visit Jing
We do have SnapZpro it the studio, but this is free and from the demos looks pretty nice. Nice tool for school or maybe profs and Extension.
Visit Jing
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Flash on iPhone is just around the corner | Gear Live
Flash on iPhone is just around the corner | Gear Live
Could it be? It was just a matter of time but they sure are taking their time.
Could it be? It was just a matter of time but they sure are taking their time.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Level Up : Exclusive: Level Up Gets the Jump On Masaya Matsuura's Majestic Message For the 2008 D.I.C.E. Summit
Level Up : Exclusive: Level Up Gets the Jump On Masaya Matsuura's Majestic Message For the 2008 D.I.C.E. Summit
Good interview with Matsuura with some interesting talk about Major Minor's Majestic March, Wii Music, and his thoughts on Guitar Hero.
Good interview with Matsuura with some interesting talk about Major Minor's Majestic March, Wii Music, and his thoughts on Guitar Hero.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Apple - Pro - Tips - Get Instant Maps
Apple - Pro - Tips - Get Instant Maps
Great new feature in Leopard... also, don't forget to check the Pro tips on Apple's Site.
Great new feature in Leopard... also, don't forget to check the Pro tips on Apple's Site.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Text to Speech
iSpeak It (Download here) $19.95 USD
Taken directly from the read me file (for educational purpose only):
It's a common problem, you have so much to read but not enough time to read it all. Well, now you don't have to. With iSpeak It you can take any document and convert it into an AAC/MP3 in iTunes using your Mac's built-in text-to-speech capabilities. From there you can listen to it at your leisure or, better yet, transfer it to your iPod and listen to it on the go!
iSpeak It is a file-to-audio converter that serves as a perfect companion to the iPod or iPhone. iSpeak It loads Word, PDF, Pages, RTF, AppleWorks, text and HTML documents. It downloads news, weather forecasts, driving directions, and arbitrary web pages as well as RSS feeds. iSpeak It then uses the Mac's text-to-speech engine and iTunes to convert the text into an MP3/AAC track. And if that wasn't enough you can always select any text from web pages, your e-mail messages, etc and load them into iSpeak It using it's Services menu item.
PDF processing requires pdftotext — a free download
I only used the trial version because I wasn't sure if I could handle the computer voice. With the new Tiger OS for Mac there is supposed to be a more natural sounding voice I believe it is Alex so it may be tolerable. I will try it again soon.
Taken directly from the read me file (for educational purpose only):
It's a common problem, you have so much to read but not enough time to read it all. Well, now you don't have to. With iSpeak It you can take any document and convert it into an AAC/MP3 in iTunes using your Mac's built-in text-to-speech capabilities. From there you can listen to it at your leisure or, better yet, transfer it to your iPod and listen to it on the go!
iSpeak It is a file-to-audio converter that serves as a perfect companion to the iPod or iPhone. iSpeak It loads Word, PDF, Pages, RTF, AppleWorks, text and HTML documents. It downloads news, weather forecasts, driving directions, and arbitrary web pages as well as RSS feeds. iSpeak It then uses the Mac's text-to-speech engine and iTunes to convert the text into an MP3/AAC track. And if that wasn't enough you can always select any text from web pages, your e-mail messages, etc and load them into iSpeak It using it's Services menu item.
PDF processing requires pdftotext — a free download
I only used the trial version because I wasn't sure if I could handle the computer voice. With the new Tiger OS for Mac there is supposed to be a more natural sounding voice I believe it is Alex so it may be tolerable. I will try it again soon.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
CiteUlike
We have been exploring tools for assembling a lit review for exercise games. Recently we set up and played with CiteUlike. I was looking at sciencemag.org and i noticed they had it built right into the navigation. Here is a pic.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Game Development - Mac
Browsing Demos :. GarageGames
GarageGames has released version 1.7 of their Torque Game Builder, which allows programmers to create games for almost any platform from within an OS X interface. This latest release improves the editors for link points and collision polygons, as well as a new editor for vector objects and new t2dSceneObject methods. If you know what all that means, then you could probably program a better game than I could.
But the good news here is the one of the cheapest and best tools for game developers is now better than ever. Demos and trials of the tool are available on GarageGames' site, and licenses are as cheap as $100 for independent game developers.
GarageGames has released version 1.7 of their Torque Game Builder, which allows programmers to create games for almost any platform from within an OS X interface. This latest release improves the editors for link points and collision polygons, as well as a new editor for vector objects and new t2dSceneObject methods. If you know what all that means, then you could probably program a better game than I could.
But the good news here is the one of the cheapest and best tools for game developers is now better than ever. Demos and trials of the tool are available on GarageGames' site, and licenses are as cheap as $100 for independent game developers.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Citation Tracking Software
In order to track research papers and other scholarly works for our upcoming games bibliography, we've been talking about using a social bookmarking site for citations, but it doesn't appear to be social enough. There's no simple commenting functionality to allow collaborators to comment on the value of the work.
So I imagine we're looking at some locally hosted solutions, unless someone finds some other social bookmarking sites for citations. There are two existing solutions that we could adopt fairly quickly: Document Database and Aigaion.
Unfortunately, they both suffer from a rather unfriendly presentation which does not appear to promote discussion and collaboration on the development of a bibliography. I imagine we're going to end up rolling our own if we want something good. (And we'd have to do that anyway if we wanted to roll it into our site.)
The nice thing is that all of the sites mentioned above can export to BibTEX, the LaTEX standard for marking up bibliographic data. So if we use one of the above systems to start with, we should be able to at least export the references to a custom solution we create (if not the notes) by creating a site that parses BibTEX data (which shouldn't be too difficult to do, considering how simple the format is). We could get started gathering the research this way rather quickly, but a truly social site would take time to develop.
So I imagine we're looking at some locally hosted solutions, unless someone finds some other social bookmarking sites for citations. There are two existing solutions that we could adopt fairly quickly: Document Database and Aigaion.
Unfortunately, they both suffer from a rather unfriendly presentation which does not appear to promote discussion and collaboration on the development of a bibliography. I imagine we're going to end up rolling our own if we want something good. (And we'd have to do that anyway if we wanted to roll it into our site.)
The nice thing is that all of the sites mentioned above can export to BibTEX, the LaTEX standard for marking up bibliographic data. So if we use one of the above systems to start with, we should be able to at least export the references to a custom solution we create (if not the notes) by creating a site that parses BibTEX data (which shouldn't be too difficult to do, considering how simple the format is). We could get started gathering the research this way rather quickly, but a truly social site would take time to develop.
google-toolbox-for-mac - Google Code
google-toolbox-for-mac - Google Code
The code provided is a good start, and the Google Mac Team has said that "more interesting and complex classes" will eventually be added. Sample code is always nice to have, so the Google Toolbox should come in handy. Even better, it's completely free, and has been licensed under the Apache License 2.0.
The code provided is a good start, and the Google Mac Team has said that "more interesting and complex classes" will eventually be added. Sample code is always nice to have, so the Google Toolbox should come in handy. Even better, it's completely free, and has been licensed under the Apache License 2.0.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
TUAW Interviews Mike Lee of Delicious Monster, looks at Delicious Library 2 - The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
TUAW Interviews Mike Lee of Delicious Monster, looks at Delicious Library 2 - The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
This looks like it has some of the new features we were after.
This looks like it has some of the new features we were after.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Quick tips for dealing with different document types
Here are a couple of quick tips for those who have to deal with several different document types. These tips mainly apply to different word processing documents.
The first tip should help anyone who has ever had trouble opening a document sent to them by someone else. If that person has a newer version of Microsoft Office than you do and forgot to save down to an older version, then you will not be able to open the file. Uh-oh! Looks like you're going to have to ask for a different version of the file, right? Wrong!
Google has a new service called Google Docs (docs.google.com) that can save you from looking like some un-tech-savvy schmoe who can't even be bothered to upgrade to the newest word processing software. This is a web-based word processing service, allowing you to upload files of numerous file types, edit them online, and save them to your computer's hard drive in your choice of formats - .doc, .pdf, .rtf, and many more.
Obviously, this is still pretty new. It's nice because it accepts several different formats, and it's free. Also, it will automatically save your files every few minutes. And, since your documents are stored on Google's servers, you can access the files from anywhere with an internet connection. However, it's not nearly as functional as traditional word processing software - the interface feels more like a website still than a word processor. If you need a quick fix for an unsupported file type though, this might just save your life. Or job. OK, maybe all it will save you is a few minutes work, but that's still pretty useful.
The second tip has to do with filling out PDF forms on your computer, and is specifically for mac users. I have to fill out PDF forms fairly often, and I am always frustrated when Adobe Reader won't save the data I fill out into the form. Every time I open the form, I have to start from scratch and fill out everything again. However, if you open the PDF using Apple's free preview software (the software that comes with you computer), you can fill out the forms AND save all the data in them! And to think, Adobe wants you to pay for their upgrade in order to do this.
Goodbye laptops!!!!
Check out this link http://361degrees.wordpress.com/2006/10/22/amazing-technology-from-japan-but-can-you-guess-what-it-is/
Whadja think??
Whadja think??
Technology Review: The Authority on the Future of Technology
Technology Review: The Authority on the Future of Technology
Check out MIT's tech review site. Tons of great articles on emerging technology in various fields like: bio, nano, info, etc
Scroll down and you will find a link to their podcasts which uses an interesting technology by itself called Audiodizer.
Those people at MIT are too derned SMRT!
Check out MIT's tech review site. Tons of great articles on emerging technology in various fields like: bio, nano, info, etc
Scroll down and you will find a link to their podcasts which uses an interesting technology by itself called Audiodizer.
Those people at MIT are too derned SMRT!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Influencing perception and communicating value.....
So what does that mean ?
It's all over the web. It's all over tv and radio. It's here there and everywhere.
Your thoughts....
It's all over the web. It's all over tv and radio. It's here there and everywhere.
Your thoughts....
Flip Ultra Digital Camcorder
I received my Flip Ultra last night, but didn't have time to play with it. I brought it in to work today for show and tell. We played with it in the multimedia area this morning and the video quality was amazingly good. I was hoping for that so it wouldn't have to go back.
I am calling it my mommy cam. I bought it so that I can upload video for my family to view since we are in different cities. Another plus for me my daughter loves snorkeling and there will be an underwater case available shortly. She has also been wanting her own video camera and this is a great starter cam. I will test it through the rest of the week and let you know how it goes.
The camera itself is for basic video. You know those, I wish I had a video camera moment (for me a.k.a. mommy cam). Although, I am sure sports enthusiasts, YouTubers and other hobbyists will enjoy the ease of use and the quality.
Features:
• 2GB drive that holds an hour of video.
• USB Flip plugs directly into your computer. (640x480)
• Editing software on the camera incase you don't have access to video editing software
• Uploads directly to YouTube or AOL Video
• Loads directly into iDVD
• You can grab clips, but quality is not that of a high pixel still.
Cons:
• No expansion memory slots
• So far I have not been able to put the clip directly into iMovie. You can however open up QuickTime Pro and export to Mov and then bring it into iMovie.
• 2X zoom
If you are interested in buying one make sure it is the Ultra series, which has better audio and video according to the reports and reviews I have read.
Flip Ultra Amazon Link
TheFlip.com
Connie adds that they are available at the big electronic places like BestBuy and Circuit City the list is on the company site.
I am calling it my mommy cam. I bought it so that I can upload video for my family to view since we are in different cities. Another plus for me my daughter loves snorkeling and there will be an underwater case available shortly. She has also been wanting her own video camera and this is a great starter cam. I will test it through the rest of the week and let you know how it goes.
The camera itself is for basic video. You know those, I wish I had a video camera moment (for me a.k.a. mommy cam). Although, I am sure sports enthusiasts, YouTubers and other hobbyists will enjoy the ease of use and the quality.
Features:
• 2GB drive that holds an hour of video.
• USB Flip plugs directly into your computer. (640x480)
• Editing software on the camera incase you don't have access to video editing software
• Uploads directly to YouTube or AOL Video
• Loads directly into iDVD
• You can grab clips, but quality is not that of a high pixel still.
Cons:
• No expansion memory slots
• So far I have not been able to put the clip directly into iMovie. You can however open up QuickTime Pro and export to Mov and then bring it into iMovie.
• 2X zoom
If you are interested in buying one make sure it is the Ultra series, which has better audio and video according to the reports and reviews I have read.
Flip Ultra Amazon Link
TheFlip.com
Connie adds that they are available at the big electronic places like BestBuy and Circuit City the list is on the company site.
Education Wikis - Engage, Collaborate & Educate | PBwiki.com
Education Wikis - Engage, Collaborate & Educate | PBwiki.com
I have not used it yet but i was thinking of testing it out for one of my classes.
I have not used it yet but i was thinking of testing it out for one of my classes.
plasq.com - Doozla - Play to Learn
plasq.com - Doozla - Play to Learn
I really like the look of this new drawing application for kids.
"Doozla is the new paper and crayon. But digitized! Start from a blank canvas or use one of the included color-in images, back- grounds or use your iSight to capture an image!"
I really like the look of this new drawing application for kids.
"Doozla is the new paper and crayon. But digitized! Start from a blank canvas or use one of the included color-in images, back- grounds or use your iSight to capture an image!"
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Zooming In and Out on your desktop for Mac
Barb mentioned the zoom feature for your Mac Desktop. I found it by accident and it was quite annoying, because I didn't know how to zoom out. You know how hard it is to search the web or help at 300% +? Ok, maybe it wasn't that high, but it sure seemed like it. I found it in help after some major eye strain and returned it to normal.
Gerritt knew of this right off the bat. He's so tech savvy. : )
Hold the Control key down and with two fingers on the track pad slide up to zoom in and slide down to zoom out. Must use two fingers and must keep control held down.
You can use the scroll wheel on the mouse for the same effect. Hold control and use the scroll wheel up or down.
It is a pretty cool feature when you don't find it by accident. I thought my screen went out of commission. : )
Gerritt knew of this right off the bat. He's so tech savvy. : )
Hold the Control key down and with two fingers on the track pad slide up to zoom in and slide down to zoom out. Must use two fingers and must keep control held down.
You can use the scroll wheel on the mouse for the same effect. Hold control and use the scroll wheel up or down.
It is a pretty cool feature when you don't find it by accident. I thought my screen went out of commission. : )
What am I to do with my social network?
Examples of how they are being used.
1. Social Networking with friends and family. Still by far the largest use.
2. Professional networking and promotion of expertise.
3. University are using it as a recruiting and admissions tool and it's gaining popularity.
4. Organizations within universities are using them to promote themselves.
5. Professional organizations are using them.
How am I using it? Well, since it was a requirement I am leaning more toward a professional tool. I haven't done anything major so far and probably won't. I have been connecting old Ag Commers mainly students who are now in professional ranks. Just connected with Tim last night. They are all doing great by the way and some thank Ag Comm tremendously for their success. Of course all my professors are on it and I am building my NMSU community slowly. Will it last after graduate school? I don't know. Maybe it's something that can kind of live on it's own and be attended occasionally. I know that is not the intended use, but I can't tell it is too early for me. Check back in 2012. LOL.
1. Social Networking with friends and family. Still by far the largest use.
2. Professional networking and promotion of expertise.
3. University are using it as a recruiting and admissions tool and it's gaining popularity.
4. Organizations within universities are using them to promote themselves.
5. Professional organizations are using them.
How am I using it? Well, since it was a requirement I am leaning more toward a professional tool. I haven't done anything major so far and probably won't. I have been connecting old Ag Commers mainly students who are now in professional ranks. Just connected with Tim last night. They are all doing great by the way and some thank Ag Comm tremendously for their success. Of course all my professors are on it and I am building my NMSU community slowly. Will it last after graduate school? I don't know. Maybe it's something that can kind of live on it's own and be attended occasionally. I know that is not the intended use, but I can't tell it is too early for me. Check back in 2012. LOL.
Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and the new contender Orkut
Email is for old people and MySpace is so yesterday
Wait a minute, I use email on a daily basis it's how I work. That was my response in class when we were told email is for old people. The response I got from the twenty year olds, was yeah that is understandable. What! Wait a minute are you saying I am old? They said, not extremely, but you are using old technology. If you want to connect with us you have to use what we know and use. They even had the nerve to ask if I knew how to text message. Thank goodness I have a thirteen year old, I was able to say yes. I upped them with my Wii. Then they upped me with their iPhones and well you get the picture.
I had to bite the bullet and create a Facebook page, it was something I have been avoiding. One, I didn't feel as a 30 something that it was a place for me. You hear about teenagers and college students using them daily. Secondly, it was just another online mechanism that I wouldn't maintain properly and I don't.
MySpace has always been a space with Advertising associated with it, it probably is the largest space for teenagers.
Facebook does have a huge college following it was after all started specifically for the college community by a couple of college kids. Facebook just started advertising and it received a huge backlash from its users, so much so that people bailed the network all together in protest. Facebook quickly fixed that with an option to stop the advertising on your page. I have yet to find that button. Tells you how much time I spend on it.
The next big thing on the horizon is Orkut by Google. This network is exploding and is massive in Brazil where it is being tested.
LinkedIn is the professional community. Want to network on a professional level without all the music, hoopla, games and advertising. This is the place for you, it's all about credentials here.
By the way if you don't want people on your personal site set it to private. If you are trying to promote yourself professionally then I would suggest leaving it open or create a group rather than a personal space. An open space means dealing with all the riffraff that comes your way. Just decline no one knows who you are declining.
I have to mention most people trying to create a web presence have more than one social networking space. One thing we have been asked repeatedly in class is, How can you call yourself an ed technologist if you don't use the technology that students are using to communicate with? They have a point. So start text messaging and check out the social networking sites experiment with it. You'll be surprised with the professional connections and who in your profession is already connected.
Wait a minute, I use email on a daily basis it's how I work. That was my response in class when we were told email is for old people. The response I got from the twenty year olds, was yeah that is understandable. What! Wait a minute are you saying I am old? They said, not extremely, but you are using old technology. If you want to connect with us you have to use what we know and use. They even had the nerve to ask if I knew how to text message. Thank goodness I have a thirteen year old, I was able to say yes. I upped them with my Wii. Then they upped me with their iPhones and well you get the picture.
I had to bite the bullet and create a Facebook page, it was something I have been avoiding. One, I didn't feel as a 30 something that it was a place for me. You hear about teenagers and college students using them daily. Secondly, it was just another online mechanism that I wouldn't maintain properly and I don't.
MySpace has always been a space with Advertising associated with it, it probably is the largest space for teenagers.
Facebook does have a huge college following it was after all started specifically for the college community by a couple of college kids. Facebook just started advertising and it received a huge backlash from its users, so much so that people bailed the network all together in protest. Facebook quickly fixed that with an option to stop the advertising on your page. I have yet to find that button. Tells you how much time I spend on it.
The next big thing on the horizon is Orkut by Google. This network is exploding and is massive in Brazil where it is being tested.
LinkedIn is the professional community. Want to network on a professional level without all the music, hoopla, games and advertising. This is the place for you, it's all about credentials here.
By the way if you don't want people on your personal site set it to private. If you are trying to promote yourself professionally then I would suggest leaving it open or create a group rather than a personal space. An open space means dealing with all the riffraff that comes your way. Just decline no one knows who you are declining.
I have to mention most people trying to create a web presence have more than one social networking space. One thing we have been asked repeatedly in class is, How can you call yourself an ed technologist if you don't use the technology that students are using to communicate with? They have a point. So start text messaging and check out the social networking sites experiment with it. You'll be surprised with the professional connections and who in your profession is already connected.
What up with Social Networking?
Jeanne asked what up with social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook. She's skeptical about their uses. I thought I would start with a brief explanation of where social networking is going and why. We are studying and creating global networks through my doc program, it's a requirement.
The big thing in business and education currently are communities of practice. I will give you the most widely used definition of it introduced by modern social learning theorist Lave & Wenger. These are the social learning guru's of today who believe in situated learning by actively being involved through a community environment (co-participation).
According to Etienne Wenger (1998), a community of practice defines itself along three dimensions:
What it is about – its joint enterprise as understood and continually renegotiated by its members.
How it functions - mutual engagement that bind members together into a social entity.
What capability it has produced – the shared repertoire of communal resources (routines, sensibilities, artefacts, vocabulary, styles, etc.) that members have developed over time. (see, also Wenger 1999: 73-84)
So the social networking sites are way of building a community of practice (interests). It's a tool (artifact) used in the practice. These people do meet up or collaborate in real life at conferences, through grants, research and projects. These networks and collaborative efforts may have been a result of joining an online community. It's having a global presence that is important and the web is the best way for reaching beyond the immediate realm of your workplace. Going beyond your workplace to a national or even international presence. By doing this you are not limiting your expertise you are expanding your possibilities for greater success.
The big thing in business and education currently are communities of practice. I will give you the most widely used definition of it introduced by modern social learning theorist Lave & Wenger. These are the social learning guru's of today who believe in situated learning by actively being involved through a community environment (co-participation).
According to Etienne Wenger (1998), a community of practice defines itself along three dimensions:
What it is about – its joint enterprise as understood and continually renegotiated by its members.
How it functions - mutual engagement that bind members together into a social entity.
What capability it has produced – the shared repertoire of communal resources (routines, sensibilities, artefacts, vocabulary, styles, etc.) that members have developed over time. (see, also Wenger 1999: 73-84)
So the social networking sites are way of building a community of practice (interests). It's a tool (artifact) used in the practice. These people do meet up or collaborate in real life at conferences, through grants, research and projects. These networks and collaborative efforts may have been a result of joining an online community. It's having a global presence that is important and the web is the best way for reaching beyond the immediate realm of your workplace. Going beyond your workplace to a national or even international presence. By doing this you are not limiting your expertise you are expanding your possibilities for greater success.