Video Conferencing

During the week I took part in my first ever video conference. My class met our counterparts in Florida and briefly introduced ourselves to our respective teammates.

I would usually consider myself pretty adept when it comes to assimilating new technology and experiences, but the video conference caught me off guard. The main reason for this was because the I could see myself on screen as well as the class in Florida, which I found both distracting and unsettling. In addition, I wasn’t prepared to have an impromptu discussion with my teammates, which, coupled with my own distraction, caused many a lull in the conversation.

The main lesson I learned from the video conference was that informal meet and greet sessions are less effective than a more structured meeting. In a learning environment, especially if a large number of people are involved, it is important that everyone involved be fully briefed on the content and parameters of the conference. While the use of video can have benefits over a text or audio only conversation, there is a risk, as I have now discovered, of the visuals causing a distraction to the proceedings. On the other hand, audiovisual communication enables learners/listeners to better understand the information they are receiving, by allowing the teacher to make use of techniques such as tone-of-voice and physical expressions, as part of the learning process.

Although I had mixed feelings about my first video conference, I feel that it was a worthwhile experience. Certainly, I would be better prepared to participate in a video conversation in the (distant) future.

Resurrection

With the advent of a new college semester, this blog has become useful once again. The subject of the blog, while still remaining within the realm of digital media, will now focus more on technology and learning as related to e-learning. My aim is to make at least two posts a week, covering what I am learning both from class and research.

and finally….

Well, it’s been an interesting experience to keep a blog for the last few months, but now the experiment is over. So, how did it go? Overall I found blogging to be fun, as long as you’re talking about something you have an interest in. In the beginning, I was just talking about digital media related topics, something that, while interesting, wouldn’t have been my first choice of topic. However, as time went by, I tried to find a particular niche to talk about; computer games. Once I had my topic, I found it much easier to focus my efforts.

There were three major subjects that came up during the course of this blog. First, my own feelings towards different aspects of video games, such as graphics, and how these things have changed. I still feel that this quest for realism is having a negative aspect on other aspects of game development, most notably, story. Another big development was OnLive’s announcement of a cloud computing experience that would render console gaming a we know it obsolete. It seems like the technology to make this venture a mass market success is still a way off, especially the bandwidth needed to feasibly run high end games with minimal lag. And finally, I’ve tried to promote some of the more unique PS2 games that many people seem to have neglected over the history of the console. With the PS2 price drop and the announcement of future backwards compatibility for certain models of PS3, gamers will hopefully get a second chance to experience many of these great games.

The future? Well, while this blog was certainly a worthy experience, I feel that perhaps I’m not suited to this sort of thing. I can just about manage the occasional twitter, and the word limit helps keep me focused and to the point. Although I could see myself perhaps using this blog to cover hobby related topics, each in short bursts of a couple of weeks. Lately I’ve been playing a lot of the old Games Workshop tabletop game, Necromunda. I’d love to start keeping track of how my gaming group progress over the months. Might be a summer project for me.

In any case, the time has come to sign off. Thanks to anyone who actually read this,

N

With the power of tought!!

(From the Guardian Website)

The scientist in question is Adam Wilson, a biomedical engineering doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He used a machine called the BCI 2000 to send the tweet. The BCI picks up activity in the brain (the process is known as electroencephalography/EEG). Each letter of the alphabet is highlighted in turn, and when the required letter is highlighted, the BCI detects the spike in brain activity, thus selecting it. The participant can then, letter by arduous letter, type out a message. Slow, but hell of an invention. This invention could be of huge benefit for anyone suffering from types of paralysis, allowing them a level of communication previously unavailable. One of those rare Sci-fi inventions that always brings a smile to my face, I’ll be keeping an eye on how this progresses over the next few years!

Tweet thoughts

It seems like twitter has really come into the public eye over the last year. There certainly have been no shortage of articles on the web about it. Many of these range from peoples’ opinions, to tweeting and following etiquette. We’ve had Ashton Kutcher beat CNN in the race to one million followers, Demi Moore help foil a suicide attempt and even Oprah joined the site. That last one really shows how far Twitter has made it into the main stream.

As a micro blogging service, I certainly enjoy the short bursts of information, as well as the fact that I don’t have to see my page filled with peoples photos and constant status updates. In general, the facebook style status changes tend to die out fairly quickly, and instead I get to see people interacting with other, which is where the real genius of this site lies.

I don’t want to come across as evangelising the service, just highlight its merits. There is a certain freedom in the 140 character limit that I find forces people to just get to the point, something I feel has always been lacking from other social networking sites, which I tend to lose interest in after a while. Another advantage of the site I like is that I feel encouraged to follow people I don’t know, as well as companies and the occasional celebrity. Twitter to me is like a lake of information. There’s enough to get lost in, so just cup your hands, draw out what you can, and look at what’s in front of you.

Where does it go from here? Hard to say really, but I’ll trow in my few cents. Twitter search was the first indication of how the service can have a semblance of order. adding ‘#<topic>’ at the end of a tweet so people can search for all the posts relating to a specific topic. Likewise, the @user function makes it easy to find any replies directed at you. If I were to hazard a guess, I’d imagine that more ways of specifying how you receive your feed, and subdividing it into categories might be one development. It seems like any new technology goes through a period of unchecked expansion for a while, then a system of control emerges. I guess we’ll see how Twitter develops over the next 6-9 months

Is that a NES in your…………..hand?

Managed to beat temptation there, close one. So here we have an unusual product, definitely one for the retrophiles out there. The ‘FC Mobile II‘ allows you to play your old NES games through the 2.5″ screen, or through your TV by means of an output connector. Also included are two wireless controllers and a wireless gun controller.

It’s great to think that anyone with a few games lying about, but no working console can now pick up right where their childhood left off. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that there will be a SNES version in the not too distant future. The only real weakness of the package is the amound of batteries required: 4(AA) for the console,  two (AAA) for the controllers and three(AAA) for the gun. The console does have an ac adapter, so for home play that cuts down on some of the hassle, but some sort of connection for the controllers would have been nice. Maybe for the next version…

Retrospective review – Ico

I recently got my hands on a second-hand copy of Ico, much to my delight, as I’ve been lookng for a copy for some time. It’s also incredibly difficult to give my opinion of the game as a game, because it is one of those rare  creations that truely stands apart from the crowd. In a market dominated by sequels and casual pick up and play types, Ico brings something new to the table.

The protagonist is a  young boy (Ico), who is imprisoned inside an abandoned fortress because he is born with horns. Inside the fortress, he meets a young girl called Yorda, whose mother wishes to use her as a means to extend her own life. Ico resolves to rescue Yorda from this fate and the two set about looking for a means of escape. Throughout their journey, Ico must defent Yorda from the shadow creatures that dwell within the castle. The game is a surreal experience, with minimal dialogue and bloom lighting(which was unique at the time).

The game recieved great critical reception, but poor commercial success, further diminishing my faith in gamers. While you won’t be battling aliens from wherever or some poor foreign soldier, Ico presents you with a minimalist story, that relies on subtle effects from the audio and lighting, as well as good use of camera angles. Even if puzzle games with very minimal combat aren’t your thing, I would urge anyone who hasn’t, to play this game. I’m not saying you’ll experience the gaming equivalent of the second coming, but it’s worth experiencing a true example of innovation and master crafting in the gaming industry, of which there are sadly few

Viewtiful Joe 2

An alternate title for this post might be “Why don’t you own this already?”. Viewtiful Joe 2 is another must have if you’ve recently taken advantage of the PS2 price drop.

For those not familiar with the series, you play as Joe and his girlfriend Silvia, who battle their way through movie land to rescue Silvia’s father, Captain Blue. The game is reminiscent of the beat-em-ups of old, with levels being a side-scrolling affair, though not always a linear path. You gain ‘viewtiful points’ for defeating your foes, and get more points for a more stylish fight (you are in movie land after all). Timing is another important part of each fight. A well timed dodge can give you the advantage over a particularly tough foe, so paying attention is important. Gameplay has some innovative features aside from the stylish moves list. You can use certain ’special effects’  during fights, which can slow down or speed up time, as well as zoom in dramatically. Aside from giving you greater rewards for using them, there are certain puzzles that can only be solved by clever use of the special effects.

Graphics are highly stylised, with the cel shading being highly appropriate for this type of game. Character designs are quirky and anime inspired, bordering on caricature at times, but in a good way.

The boss battles are where the game really shines though. Each one is highly challenging, but fun nevertheless. My only complaint would be that as a beat-em-up, the gameplay is somewhat limited, but that comes with the territory. Still, what it does, it does well, and there can be no argument that Viewtiful Joe 2 is a massively fun game, with more quality in its first level than many “next gen” titles have in their entire muddy looking story

Killing Time 2: Videos and such

So, aside from playing the occasional flash game during my ‘productive’ phase of the day, I also like to indulge in some other forms of entertainment. Video streaming is another great way to forget about any pesky deadlines that might be stressing you out. As everyone moves to faster internet connections, the amount of video content on the web has increased. I think its been one of the best changes in how we approach our computer in the role of entertainer. Here are some of my favourite sites

1.Youtube

An obvious choice, but there’s so much content available here, and it hasn’t been ruined by advertising yet, so enjoy it while you can. Its only real weakness: the unbearable amount of anime music videos that pollute each search you enter if there is so much as a hint of an electric guitar involved.

2.Newgrounds

Newgrounds is one of the better known flash sites on the internet. They have an ever growing selection of flash games and videos. You’r pretty much guaranteed to find something to entertain you here

3. I Am Bored

This site compiles various pictures anc videos from across the web, all for your entertainment. Be warned though, not everything is work safe

4. Cracked

The one site I consistently visit (and spend far too much time on). Cracked features a host of writers, each posting various articles, lists and videos for your amusement. There’s possible too much on offer here, as I really do find myself opening half a dozen tabs at a time, and promising myself I’ll get back to work “after this next article”

5. College Humor

Full of videos to enertain your friends with, just leave it til after work hours (y’know, just in case)

The ultimate accessory?

What’s this? A handbag incorporating NES and C64 chips, complete with two NES controllers attached by velcro. You can read the full story over at Engadget. Great example of ingenuity coupled with patience and a sense of fun. Its actually got me thinking about a future project or two. Perhaps a SNES in a rucksack or LED tetris jumper. Though powering the thing is always an issue….as well as trying to wash it.