WEEK12 On-line Essay

Digital Art and the Implications Faced by Professionals

Digital media is often used to refer to computer-based applications or any other media that is encoded electronically as binary digits or bits (Birkin, 2005). Professional individuals once used their creative skills obtain through years of experience and practice, however, in recent times amateur artists are able to produce sufficient content with little or no experience, due to advancements in technology and the internet. Digital art changes the perception of what art is and as technological expression has developed as a new language, there is concern indicating the degree to which society understands the technology (Prince, 1995). Available though the internet, high quality digital art software and free on-line tutorials, digital art galleries and museums, social media and social networking sites, all encourage self-taught amateur artists to create and publish art at either little or no cost. This immediate availability diminishes the time once associated with learning and acquiring new skills obtained by professional artists. This essay will analyse digital art as one area of creativity within digital media and will discuss the implications of advancement in technology on professional practitioners as a result of the rise in easily accessible amateur art.

Previously, computer art software was purchased and used by skilled, arts educated professionals to create images and art for respective clients. Professional computer illustration studio, Digital Art (n.d) runs a variety of software, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Freehand, Form Z, Strata Studio Pro, Bryce 3D, Poser, and Painter 5 to produce high quality content. However in recent times, numerous websites have enabled amateur artists to download and run professional software and copious amounts of lesser quality digital art software for free or at little cost. Sites such as art.eonworks.com and freeartsoftware.com, provide free art software for anyone to download and use at their own will. Art.eonworks.com is a basic guide for the beginner artist to the less expensive, but quality 2D and 3D tools on the market today (Michalczyk, 2009). This availability, once thought to only be used by professionals has enabled amateurs to produce standard content as it puts art tools of production directly into the hands of these artists hindering the potential success for professionals.

Hatanaka (2007) suggests many professionals in the digital art and design industry emphasize the importance of classical art skills and knowledge as a foundation for creating digital art. Similarly, Hertlein (1977) proposed that formal education increased the ability to produce quickly and spontaneously alternatives in designing, programming, writing, material development and emphasis on inventiveness as a natural gift or quality enhances skill. With the introduction of free on-line tutorials outlining detailed steps and procedures on how to use digital art software, there is less importance focused on art education and fine art skills previously obtained by professionals. Sites such as 5min.com and digitalarttutorials.com present simple, easy to understand video tutorials on how to use popular art software including Adobe Photoshop used by professionals. Digital Art Tutorials (2009) was created with the goal of bringing industry-proven, professional digital art techniques to the masses by leaving out no secrets and issuing instruction in real time, giving unprecedented access into the thought process behind each stroke of the stylus. These tutorials allow aspiring amateur artists to self-teach digital techniques as knowledge of software is acquired.

While professional artists struggle to compete with the influx of amateur artists, digital art galleries and museums initiate further challenges to their financial success. Digitalart.org (2009) allows thousands of artists from all over the world, with a goals to present the finest gallery of digital artwork on the internet and to provide artists with a place to share their digital creations, receive feedback, grow their talent, and interact with other artists and visitors. Similarily, deviantart.com (2009) aims to create an outlet for unknown artists and to represents a breakthrough for the promotion and exposure of otherwise stranded artists. Deviant Art allows amateurs artists to sell their art on-line. Visitors to the site are able to view art and make a purchase if desired. In turn, this allows amateurs to become popular and make a name for themselves by selling their creations. However, this challenges the financial success of that of professional digital artists as clients and admires are able to purchase art on-line and at a fraction of the cost.

Further hindering the success of professional digital artists is the attractiveness of employing the use of social media and social networking sites to showcase art, ultimately increasing the status and popularity to that of unknown artists. Regarding digital art, some of the generic social media sites provide special categories for art content or special groups, including “Digital Art and Mixed Media” and “Art Directory” (Christodoulou & Styliaras, 2008). Moreover, Christodoulou and Styliaras (2008) suggests there are specific sites, which are part the social network category, however, are developed particularly for artists which are termed as online artistic communities or a place for artists to exhibit, get feedback and discus their works. Creatist.com (2009) encourages creation, viewing and discussion of digital art, especially encouraging amateur and first-time artists to submit their works on-line.

Society will change and the art world will change as computers make it possible to create works easily, though easy art is not appreciated as much as art that uses the essence of the machines in innovative expression (Prince, 1995). Modern times have allowed many amateur artist vast amounts of popularity and followers as their art works are published on-line. Through the use of easily acquirable software, tutorials on how to use this software, digital art galleries, museums and social media networking sites, little known artist are able to cut the time of formal art education using self-taught methods to produce creations of standard quality. The internet has put the tools of digital art into the hands of the everyday computer user, disregarding the formal knowledge and skills once taught to professional artists in the industry. This advancement in technology has permitted amateurs to enter the field, thus challenging professional artists at their craft and hindering financial success and popular status.

Reference List

Alt, T. (n.d). What we are. Retrieved October14, 2009, from http://www.digitalart.com/whatweare.html

Birkin, G. (2005). Art, digitality and consciousness. C&C’05, 1, 279-282.

Christodoulou, S. P. & Styliaras, G. D. (2008). Digital art 2.0: art meets web 2.0 trend. DIMEA’08, 349, 158-165.

DeviantART. (2009). Prints shop. Retrieved October15, 2009, from http://shop.deviantart.com/wallart/?qh=__in:digitalart

Digital Art Organisation. (2009). About digitalart.org. Retrieved October17, 2009, from http://digitalart.org/info.about.php

Digital Art Tutorials. (2009). About us. Retrieved October16, 2009, from http://digitalarttutorials.com/

Free Art Software. (n.d). Digital art- graphic design software. Retrieved October 15, 2009, from http://freeartsoftware.com/

Hatanaka, T. (2007). Integrating digital art practice and art history studies. ACM, 10, 1-4.

Hertlein, G. C. (1977). Computer art for computer people- a syllabus. ACM Siggraph Computer Graphics, 11(2), 249-254.

Michalczyk, D. (2009). Digital art tools for beginners. Retrieved October14, 2009, from http://art.eonworks.com/articles/digital_art_tools_for_beginners.html

Prince, P. D. (1995). Digital art: the new literacy, a personal view of the evolution of art issues. ACM Siggraph Computer Graphics, 29(1), 30-31.

The Creatist Digital Art Gallery. (2009). Welcome to the creatist digital art gallery. Retrieved October 16, 2009, from http://www.creatist.com/

Art Work

Ariman, T. (2009). Beauty spirit. Retrieved October20, 2009, from http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Beauty-Spirit/55702

Brussels, D. (2009). Scotchgard. Retrieved October20, 2009, from http://thedesigninspiration.com/photos/scotchgard/

Seveso, A. (2009). The three graces. Retrieved October21, 2009, from http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Grazia-Graziella-e-Grazie-al-Cazzo/92789

Stallaert, K. (2009). Fashion for walls. Retrieved October20, 2009, from http://thedesigninspiration.com/photos/fashion-for-walls/

Rationale for WK12 Essay

For this assesment item I have chosen to investigate topic 3:

3. Digital media put the tools of production into the hands of the everyday computer user making it incredibly easy to produce content. These creative skills used to be something that people worked to develop. Now it appears that amateurs can produce content of a fair standard within a relatively short period of time. Where does this leave 'professionals' and highly-skilled artists? Choose one area of creativity and discuss some of the challenges facing practitioners vs amateurs in producing digitalcontent.


For the purpose of the essay I have chose digital art as one area of creativity to disscuss.

Week12 On-line Essay

Assesment item 3 (on-line essay)

The requirements of the assesment is to post the essay into my blog, although I am not quite sure how easy it is to view the formal formatting. As a result, I have uploaded a pdf file of my essay onto google documents.

Here's the link: http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B5jdBs2TpYz5ZjQ4ZjU3MDMtNmQ1My00ZWE2LTgxZTMtN2RmM2YwN2U1NTFi&hl=en
Hopefully the link works, fingers crossed.

Week 10 Lecture

Gaming?? I'm really sorry, but I have little to no interest in this topic, despise it being hugly popular. It just dosn't appeal to me. I don't consider it wasting time, more like each to their own lol. That is why I was suprised to hear that 41% of Pc gamers are actually women. For some reason this does not seem right but who knows what people do with their free time, a lot of girls might be closet gamers.

In short, it was hard to stay focused and into it, but I can appreciate what this technology does for other people.

Course Evaluation

New Communication Technologies was not exactly what I had expected. I just came out of a year and a half of doing a bachelor of psychology, so to come into a course like this, it was a dramatic change that's for sure. I was so used to having rigid and strict criteria to follow, whereby I knew exactly what was needed and what was expected by me as a student.

So to come into tutes everyweek I found it different and at first very hard to adjust to. I was so used to being lectured by a tutor, telling exactly what was needed (as psychology is more science and maths based). So there was nothing arbitrary about it. Going to class and having to 'feel out' and 'self learn' was definately something I needed to get used to. I felt so silly sometimes having to constantly ask for help in tutes as I could see everyone around me busily working away.

As for the lectures, there was a lot of content to get through and a lot of readings (which isn't a bad thing at all, I don't mind reading for some strange reason). Sometimes it seemed like it was a lot of content for one week, then it jumped to a completely new topic the next. I can understand the rationale though, as it is new communication technologies, whereby everything changes about every second. It's good to see how educational institutions, like the university, understand that things are forever changing and try to adapt to the demands from the world.

All in all, I believe I have learnt things, even though at times I just wanted to give up and delete y blog, that will remain with me for a long time. Like blogging for instances, I never thought that in a million years I would write a blog. It was just never something that I ahd been interested in. But having done it as part of the course, I have a new appreciation for people who do this type of work as a living. It is so tedious and time consuming and an easy trigger for frustration.

I believe that the teaching team really know their craft and enjoy their work. They seem passionate, which shows when they are lecturing. I have sat through so many lectures where the lecturer just reads from their slide show. So it seems these guys really know what they are on about, and it makes it so much easy to learn.

"Clean-Feed'

What is the 'Clean Feed'?

"The Australian Federal Government is pushing forward with a plan to force Internet Service Providers [ISPs] to censor the Internet for all Australians. This plan will waste tens of millions of taxpayer dollars and slow down Internet access.
Despite being almost universally condemned by the public, ISPs, State Governments, Media and censorship experts, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy is determined to force this filter into your home." (ref: http://nocleanfeed.com/)

From what I can gather, the govt has pretty much kept the details under wraps about how they will proceed with this notion. So it seems a lot of people feel like they are being left in the dark about the technicalities of it all. People are in uproar as there seem to be more than a few issues with clean feed. Including, technical issues (where they will draw the line), free speech concerns and its bad policy.

Honestly, I believe like most things, they have got it wrong. It might seem great on paper, but when put into action, I don't believe it will be effective. Nor will the govt be able to implement it completely (ie. hackers will get smarter and will only bypass it). It will never be 100% effective. Yes, it is a good idea, to keep children from harms way, but they are not just talking about children, more like the entire population. So where will it end? How old do you have to reach before you can fully have your freedom and the right to do so as you please?


What place does censorship have in democracy???
It has no place, democracy is the right for everyone to have a say. If the government censored the biggest information provider in the world, it would be a huge hypocracy.

I believe censorship is hard in a democratice society. I understand the reason in which some people think that it is a major benefit, in keeping children safe from what they are able to see online, but it's not really realistic. There are already parental monitoring programs available for parents to download or purchase and install on their home computers for their families safety. To me, the things that people do, write, produce for online material, is personal expression. To take aaway that right is not a democracy at all.

Cencorship has always been a problem in the past. For example books. There are a number of well written amazing books which have been banned in schools around the world as the education systems deem then to be inappropriate. But I've read the list and half the books on that list are not even that bad. Some of my favourite books I had read in my own time when I was in high school are on the list of the top100 banned books in America for the school system.

So while I do think that censorhip has its place, it only really works in theory. Like a lot of things, I mean communism, in theory, seems like the best way to run a country whereby all individuals are equal. But when applied to real life, eg. Russia and China, the theory fails dramatically. You can not account for people, their own individualism and corruption. It's just too hard and too broad. Censorship will always have its critics.

few topics

So... about your last speech...

I sent Mr Lawlor an email via his contact page on his website concerning my thoughts on his last speech.

Here's the link to his contact page which I used: http://www.peterlawlor.com.au/southport/pages/contact-peter.php

Speaking In Parliment

The last time my local representative spoke in Parliment was the 15th of September 2009 (for the 16th Sep tute).

The link: http://parlinfo.parliament.qld.gov.au/isysquery/17fa38a3-0120-4469-9ef6-1d3b926bcec2/24/doc/Peter%20Lawlor%20spk%20Southport%202009_09_15_39.pdf#xml=http://parlinfo.parliament.qld.gov.au/isysquery/17fa38a3-0120-4469-9ef6-1d3b926bcec2/24/hilite/

Government Representatives

3. Local, State & Federal representatives.

So my first instincts would have me answer this question like this: local rep: Peter Lawlor, State: Anna Bleigh and Fed: Kevin Rudd. However talking to my dad one night about this question he told me my head was up my ass and that I'm completely way off track. Obviously the guy is ancient, has lived here all his life, and is good friends with Peter Lawlor (who has been at alomost everyone of my family functions since I can remember) so I decided to go with him on this one.

Local Rep:
Councillor Dawn Crichlow, OAM
Division 6

Contact details
Phone (07) 5581 6280 Mobile 0414 180 677 Fax (07) 5581 6899 Email gbrown@goldcoast.qld.gov.au
Councillor Crichlow is available at her office 47 Nerang Street, Southport, Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.

State Rep:

Peter Lawlor

MP for Southport & Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading

Peter Lawlor

PO Box 340

Chirn Park

Queensland 4215

Tel: 5532 5068

Fax: 5532 0394

email: southport@parliament.qld.gov.au

Federal Rep:

Mr Stuart Robert MP

Electoral Division of Fadden (QLD)

Parliament House Contact

PO Box 6022

House of Representatives Parliament House

Canberra ACT 2600

Tel: (02) 6277 2106

Fax: (02) 6277 8441

Online: Contact Form

Week8: Political Participation via the Internet

1. E-petition
I decided to sign a petition to save the koalas from extinction in Southeast QLD on the Queensland Parliament Petitions website. If anyone would like to sign as well, it can be found on this site: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/EPetitions_qld/CurrentEPetition.aspx?PetNum=1260

Here is the confirmation page:
http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/EPetitions_qld/Confirmation.aspx?PetNum=1260&lIndex=-1

2. Respond to a professional blogger
I often read the blogs at Ask Sam on the Sydney Morning Herald.com (she does a weekly feature in the print paper).

I responded to this blog story as I found it to be a very interesting debate: http://blogs.smh.com.au/lifestyle/asksam/archives/2009/09/high_heels_turn_on_or_turn_off.html

However, I am still awaiting my commect approval from the site. But here's the link anyway: http://blogs.smh.com.au/movabletype/mt-comments.cgi

3. What is Barak Obama upto...?
For the most up-to-date information on the American President, I'd suggest checking out his official twitter page: http://twitter.com/BARACKOBAMA

However, today 16th September but the 15th in America (as we are a day ahead) the President did about 8 000 different things. So I limited it down to about 3.

1- Obama to AFL-CIO: Remember where we came from economically
In promoting his economic record today, President Obama is stressing something we'll probably hear more about as election time approaches in the months ahead: The economic record he inherited. "Let's just take a stroll down memory lane," the president said...

2- Obama: Economy and car companies are coming back
President Obama continued his latest campaign today, stumping to persuade Americans that the embattled economy and the government-run car companies are turning around. "Now, we still have a long way to go," Obama told autoworkers at a General Motors plant...

3- Obama and Kanye West: It's hard for presidents to be 'off the record'
Today brings another reminder of how hard it is for presidents to be truly "off the record" -- not in this media-saturated world, not when he describes controversial singer Kanye West as "a jackass." Obama thought he was speaking privately...


For all the details and more information about the President and everything thing he completes in his day head to this site: http://www.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/archive/2009/9/1

Week7: Review of Freeware Apps

For this tasks I chose to download and use the free Sudoku Portable application available from: http://portableapps.com/apps/games/sudoku_portable

I’ve never really been into playing games like this, but a lot of people seem to be really into it so I decided to give it a go. My dad used to do Sudoku in the newspaper and my sister sometimes mucks around with it.

I found it really hard. I didn't understand half the time what I was actually meant to be doing. But I guess that’s just my own ignorance (I'm not really good with crosswords either). But the application was really fast and easy to use when I actually knew what I was doing. I can see why it is so addictive to people, because once you get started you just really want to find a way to finish it.

Fictitious News Report for: 'ireport'

I filmed a friend for this task. As you can see he is a great actor (excuse the sarcasim), but I'd rather him than me.

I uploaded the video to ireport.com. Heres the link: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-332447

Furthermore, I tried to upload my ireport to the class blog (newsuploader2@gmail.com) but for some reason the settings where completely different on my home computer and I couldn't access the blog to upload it.

Week6 Polyvore

I've actually used Polyvore before when updateing my myspace. They have good images. You can search for absolutely anything. You can mix and match and put them with backgrounds. So when I had more time on my hands I used to put together a whole bunch of my favourtite products, clothes and accessories and then upload them onto my myspace because it was cute, well it was to me at the time. So here's an example:







I like plain white backgrounds, just makes it look fresh. So above was a set I made ages ago. and below is one I made today. My style hasn't chnaged that much, which is good to see.

Week6: Google Map

View

I absolutely love cupcakes for some strange reason. So here's some locations of my favourite 3 desinger cupcake stores on the Gold Coast. My number one store would have to be Cupcake Parlour in Broadbeach. You can't go past their fairfloss and green apple cupcakes. Check them out: http://www.thecupcakeparlour.com.au/

Week5 Internet Short Film -3

This silent film attempts to depict the old school silent films. It incorporates the music, and language on the screen, even the lines which run up and down in the film.

It’s kind of quirky, in that it has a twist, whereby the male lead makes a mistake and sends an email to that of a new widowed lady. She believes that the message is from her husband, which she buried earlier that day. As a result, she dies herself, as she truly thinks her husband has gone to hell and that she will be joining him the next day.

Even the end credits as in the old film format.

Week5 Internet Short Film -2

This short film is really cool in that it is based on the genre of n0ir (which we learnt in the week 4 lecture as being stylish Hollywood crime dramas of the 40’s). I like how it is in black and white and captures that 40’s vibe, with the use of costumes and design. It makes it look old school chic.


The use of close-ups in the beginning of the film depicts the male lead in internal conflict with himself. There are a lot of varied shots which it cuts to, with the lead remembering certain events of war. It shows his struggle with adapting as his past experiences still hunt him.

To express his emotions, he turns to dance.

The music again, keeps with the time of the 40’s, using old school big band music.

Week5 Internet Short Film -1

This short film is directed by Herbert Midgley, who is said to be a short film internet legend.
His story is about a whirl wind romance, whereby the character Katy finds it hard to find love. By chance, she meets her ‘dream guy’ and falls instantly in love.

However, it is not to be, as Jess (the dream guy) has an affair.

Katy is heartbroken. This is where she turns to her philosophy college professor. He offers her peace with German philosopher's Arthur Schopenhauer theory about 'The Will of Life'.

-

After watching the short film, I decided to look up Arthur Schopenhauer. He was an amazing man, who wrote numerous essays on love, sex and reproduction. A huge intellectual in his time. I read his biography which is available on: http://www.egs.edu/resources/schopenhauer.html

Scavenger Hunt

The scvaneger hunt without using google is by far one of the most time consuming things i have eve done. Hopefully some of these answers are correct.


Answers:

1. In 2008, the world's heaviest pumpkin was weighed in America at 1,528 lb, which is about 693kg in kilograms (Guinness World Records, 2008).

I found a video on youtube about this pumpkin, however, an error message kept appearing when I tried to embed the video, so here's the link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxg16hm0xsA


2. I'm going to take a stab at this question and say that the best way to contact Lilly Allen is on Twitter. She's always tweeting about what she's doing, and had gotten herself into a couple of fights with other famous celebrities on Twitter as well. Follow here at http://twitter.com/LilyroseAllen

3. A giraffe’s tongue is about 21 inches (53 centimeters) long (How Stuff Works, 2009).

4. When I saw the word 'glycomics' I imediately thought of sugar. Every women's magazine encourages girls to eat foods that have a low glycemic index, meaning they have less sugars and the sugar that is in them is realsed slower, rather than a massice sugar high you get from eating lollies. So my conclusion is that glycomics must be the study of sugars, their properties and how they affect the blood sugar level in the body.

The term 'seagull manager' refers to a type of management where a manager only speaks to emplyees when critiquing their work. Acting like a seagull and only diving in to pass criticism and then quickly leaving again, somewhat like a seagull who dives quickly for food. (Word Spy, 2009).

5. David Cronenberg's first feature film was in 1969 called Stereo. Debbie Harry, a.k.a Blondie, starred in his horror film Videodrome (Internet Movie Database, 2009).

6. The original 'Hacker's Manifesto' was a small essay written by Mckenzie Wark in 1986 (Harvard University Press, 2009)

7. " The answer lies 30 years ago or more when the use of exchange names as part of the telephone number was still popular in the USA. Dials had letters as well as numbers and the first 3 letters of the exchange name were dialled followed by numbers. An example might be CENtral 78978. You dialled CEN 78978 or, using all numbers, 236 78978.
It so happened that 5 on the dial corresponded with J K and L and you can’t make any English place names using any combination of J, K and L as the first 3 letters. So the 555 code was allocated to service levels such as Directory Assistance, Operator, Repair Service, etc.
Due to the "low fill" of the 555 code, Hollywood was encouraged to quote 555 numbers in their productions to prevent real subscribers being harassed by members of the public trying out the numbers quoted on the screen. Generic and satirical advertisements and commercials often used 555 numbers. In the early days of exchange names the prefix KLondike-5 was used as this exchange did not exist" (Mark Cuccia, 2009).

8. The cheapest way these days is highly most likely by traveling on a plane.

9. I Got You Babe- Sonny & Cher. http://www.popculturemadness.com/Music/Number-One-Songs-60s.html

10. The band that Stephen Stockwell plays in is the Black Assassins. Their homepage can be found on http://www.blackassassins.net/


Reference List

Guinness World Records (2008). World's Biggest and Heaviest Pumpkin Record 2008. Retrieved on August 19 from http://www.worldamazingrecords.com/2008/10/worlds-biggest-and-heaviest-pumpkin.html

How Stuff Works, (2009). Giraffe. Retrieved on August 19 from http://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/giraffe-info.htm

Word Spy (2009). Seagull Manager. Retrieved on August 19 from http://www.wordspy.com/words/seagullmanager.asp

Internet Movie Database (2009). David Cronenberg. Retrieved on August 19 from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000343/

Harvard University Press (2009). Hacker's Manifesto Mckenzie Wark. Retrieved on August 19 from http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog/WARHAC.html?show=reviews

Mark Cuccia (2009). Code 555 and the Movies. Retrieved on August 19 from http://www.telephonecollecting.org/code.htm

Shot Composition Task

So I missed this weeks tute on shot composition so I don't really know what I am required to blog about. So here are a few of my own pictures (with a friend of mine as the model hahaha) on what was mentioned in the lecture about shot sizes:

VLS

MS

MS

LS

ECU

CU

BCU

Update of Previous Post

Just wanted to make an update on the post about the 'languge of the screen'. I didn't realise what was going on in the tute, so after the lecture on thursday, after everything was explained, I know realise what was needed for the blog content. Too bad my tute can't be after the lecture huh!!

Language of the screen refers to the movies and television when describing shots and sceens used.

ECU- extreme close up

WS- wide shot

MS- mid shot


Atleast now I kind of understand what is going on.... maybe.

Movie Task

For the movie task I chose to analyse one of my favourite movies, The Holiday. I know this is a chick flick, but I don't care. So here goes....

Who
The story focuses on the two main charters, Iris and Amanda (Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz respectively), who are two single women wanting to leave their hectic lives behind to escape for a much needed vacation. As a result, the two both meet men they never thought they would have fallen for. Enter Jude Law and Jack Black who play Graham and Miles.

What
Both women essentially switch homes and cars to escape the rat race of their own lives, both professionally and romantically.

When
During the English winter and the Californian Summer.

Where
The movie takes place in Surrey, England and L.A. California. However, at the end of the movie both women and the men are seen spending Christmas in England.

Why
Amanda wants to get over a bad break-up behind and put it in the past quickly as does Iris, who also wants to escape a bad fling, where in which she was the other.

How
By logging on to a website where you can exchange with another individual there home, car and the contents of their house for a vacation.

Above: Cameron Diaz and Jude Law who play Amanda and Graham

Above: Iris and Miles, played by Kate Winslet and Jack Black

Language of the Screen

Explanation of the following computer related acronyms: ECU, WS & MS


ECU- EISA Configuration Utility (Tom's Guide, 2009)

WS- wait state
"A wait state is a situation in which a computer programmer or processor is waiting for the completion of some event before resuming activity. A program or process in a wait state is inactive for the duration of the wait state" (TechTarget, 2009).

MS- Microsoft (Real Knowledge, 2009)


Reference List

TechTarget (2009). Definition of 'wait state'. Retrieved August 12, 2009 from http://whatis.techtarget.com/wsearchResults/1,290214,sid9,00.html?query=wait+state

Tom's Guide (2009). EISA Configuration Utility. Retrieved August 12, 2009 from http://www.computing.net/answers/windows-31/eisa-configuration/11159.html

Real Knowledge (2009). Computer Related Acronyms. Retrieved August 12, 2009 from http://www.real-knowledge.com/acro.htm

Internet Timeline, Part 2 Lecture 2

Part two of the week 2 lecture content focused on the history and timeline of the advancement of the internet.


The Internet Timeline:

The History of Computing, Part 1 Lecture 2

Lecture two saw a guest lecturer provide information on the history of computing. It was interesting to hear from someone who really knew his stuff and who also shared his personal experiences concerning the growth and movement of the internet and the personal computer.

The History of Computing:

19th Century produced the origins of the adding machine and particularily the works of Charles Babbage, the inventor of the first digital computer. He was later able to sketch out the logical structure of the modern computer.

The 1950's saw the first commerically produced computers by IBM. These machines where thought to be very large and expensives devices used for the military, government and the corporate world.

The 1970's saw the development of concepts, including the mouse, the graphical user interface and pull-down menues, which we take for granted today.

In 1975 the first personal computer (PC) released.






Shortly after, the famous company Apple was created by Steve Jobs and Steve Wazniak.








Competition was fierce as IBM teamed up with Bill Gates's Microsoft systems to try and occupy a maximum position within the booming marketplace. As a result, IBM and Microsoft took off and dominated the market.




1998 saw the rise of Apple once again with its release of the Apple iMac, which has turned their losses dramactically around.

In 1991, born out of a need for an inexpensive operating system, a Finnish programmer named Linus Torvalds created the GNU/Linux system. This Free operating system has quickly spread across the world.

Edited Images

Just simple edit on the previous images posted on convergence technology.

1. Before:

After:

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Convergent Technology

Here's another interesting find. This video explains the theory of technology convergence.

Below is a short video outlining convergence in technology, and what the future has to hold concerning these technologies. It is quite interesting as the speaker really seems have a great understanding about this technology.

Convergent Technology

Technological convergence is the inclination for different technological systems to change and advance forwards towards performing similar tasks.

Modes of communication and information are continually reforming to the enduring demands of technologies.

Convergence in this instance is defined as the interlinking of computing and other information technologies, media content and communication networks that have arisen as the result of the evolution and popularisation of the Internet as well as the activities, products and services that have emerged in the digital media space.

Many experts view this as simply being the tip of the iceberg, as all facets of institutional activity and social life such as business, government, art, journalism, health and education are increasingly being carried out in these digital media spaces across a growing network of ICT devices.

Also included in this topic is the basis of computer networks, wherein many different operating systems are able to communicate via different protocols. This could be a prelude to artificial intelligence networks on the internet and eventually leading to a powerful superintelligence via a Technological singularity.

Technological Convergence can also refer to the phenomena of a group of technologies developed for one use being utilized in many different contexts. This often happens to military technology as well as most types of machine tools and now silicon chip (wikipedia, 2009).

UA-767PBT A&D Bluetooth Blood Pressure

UA-767PBT was designed based on the UA-767 Plus, which is clinically proven in accuracy. It has inherited some advanced features from the original model, but has extended capability since it is equipped with Bluetooth® wireless communication technology, giving it extended and advanced capabilities.

Features:

Bluetooth Class 1
CE0700 compatible
128bit encryption of data for protecting patients' privacy
Higher compatibility with various Bluetooth receivers
Built-in real time clock
Irregular Heart Beat Indicator
Extra large 3-line display for easier reading of results
One-touch measurement
SlimFit comfortable cuff

A&D Bluetooth Scale

UC-321PBT was designed based on the UC-321PL, which has a 200kg(450lb) capacity with a fine resolution of 100g(0.2lb). It shares some characteristics with the UC-321 Precision Personal Health Scale series. Extended capability of wireless communication is provided by Bluetooth®.

Features

Bluetooth Class 1
CE0700 compatible
128bit encryption of data for protecting patients' privacy
Higher compatibility with various Bluetooth receivers
Built-in real time clock
100g resolution up to 200kg capacity
Very low profiles
Rugged construction
Motion tolerance
kg / lb selection

GT40 and NIKE Collaboration

An athlete training to drive the Nike ONE uses a physical resistance simulator, that mimics the vehicle’s controls, along with the digital simulation within GT4 to train their muscles and mind for specific tracks and competition scenarios, explains Frank, it’s the ultimate in convergent technologies.

Their new EMC2 vehicle?the Nike ONE, uses the next generation of the E-Suit combined with heel mounted Microcaps and internal Microbatts to power its HEP drive (Human Energy Potential) with speeds up to 230 MPH. Because the vehicle is powered solely by an individual's personal energy reserves, transferred to the Microbatts from prior training sessions, combined with their ability to create energy on-the-fly, a new breed of athlete has arisen. Intense mental focus, combined with the need for tremendous physical stamina and a unique blend of fast/slow twitch muscle fibers, make those who master the Nike ONE amongst the most respected athletes on the planet.

Convergent Audio Technology JL2 Signature Mk 2 Stereo Amplifier

Using 6550s to produce a claimed 100 watts, the Convergent Audio Technology JL2 Mk 2 stereo amp conveys the notion of a medium-power amp that will drive more speakers than its SET counterparts, but won't be up to the task of powering tough loads or filling a large room. Its triode circuit implies a warm, fluffy midrange with obvious reduction of top-end sparkle and low-end grunt. Its "sweet" and "forgiving" midrange-centric presentation, will "heighten involvement" and "bring listeners closer to the music." On paper, it's a "solid," "conventional" design, if rather "blasé."

A little investigation proves that the JL2 Signature Mk 2 is much more than it appears to be." "When was the last time a stereo amp used 16 6550C output tubes to deliver a mere 100 watts per channel? The six driver tubes are common: one 12AX7, one 12AU7 and one 6922 per channel." The output transformers "weigh 27 pounds each and could be used in amplifiers that output much more power than the JL2 Signature Mk 2.