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:

2. Before:

After:

asdfasdgfsg

asgasfgadfg

asfgadfgadfg

asdfgadfgadfg

3. Before:

dsfgdsfgdf

gadfgadfgdfg

asgasdfgadfg

asfgasfgadfg

afsgadfgdg

sdgasdgf

sdfasdgfadfg

SFGADSFGDFSG

ADFGADFGADFG

ADFGADFGADFG

After:

asfgaf

asfgafgadfg

adfgadfg

asfgadfgadfg

adfgadfgadfg

adfsgadfg

dfasdfasdf

sdfasdfsadf

sadfasdfasdf

asdfasdfasdf

4. Before:

afgadfgadfg

DSFGADFGADFG

sfgsdfgd

asfgadsfgasdfg

adfgadfgadfg

GFADFGADF

SDFASDFASDF

SDFASDFADSFG

ASDFASDGFASDG

ASGAFSGAFG

After:

ADFGADFGADFSG

ADFGADFGADFG

ADFGADFG

adfsgasdfg

adASFGADFGADFG

ADFGADFGDFG

ADFGADFGADFG

ADASDFASDF

SAFGADFGADFG

ADFGADFGADFGADFGFGADFGADFGfgadfg

adfgadfg
5. Before:

ADFGADFG

ADFGADFG

After:

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.