Week 6: Clear

Photo by: phradaka
Open Source software is, typically, freely distributed software and source code. The first time I ever came across a piece of open-source software was when I was introduced to the Linux OS. At the time I had known some computing "revolutionaries" (this was in the late 90s) who espoused the use of this OS as it challenged monopolies held by Microsoft.

The went on to explain that more and more open-source software would continue to show-up (and they were spot on in that prediction as even Google went on to create a slew of open source software mimicking many programs offered commercially; they're open-source program office now homes 250,000 open source programs being created as we speak). They likened the concept to the ability to use manual transmission in a car: it gives you slightly more control over how the engine works. Likewise, the use of command prompts, among other things, allowed them to use their computers in whatever manner they would like.

Linux was created by Linus Torvalds, and was based off of Unix and the GNU project. However, as no free kernel (which connects application software to the hardware in a computer, as seen in Prof. Olsen's layer cake analogy) was available at the time, he set off on creating his own. The code in Linux is allowed to be manipulated and redistributed (hence, open-source), and has led to the many different forms of Linux available to us today.

Week 5: Clear

Multimedia use is now simply becoming a standard tool in many industries. I understand this well as a student studying journalism. The new rule of the day: when posting content online, use multimedia tools. Those who don't, are losing an audience.

This being the case, I am not surprised to find out that the same concepts are being used for presentations. Furthermore, no one in higher education should be surprised: since my first day of classes in 2007, any presentation has required links, video, audio, or images along with or in place of text. After all, what is the point of PowerPoint? If we didn't require these tools, we would still be using projectors and pieces of paper, right?

One thing that I did notice was missing, however, was interactive content. Things like polls, FAQs, animated maps, 3D tours, etc. to further their understanding. I do agree, it doesn't have as much place in a presentation, but under the right circumstances it could be an amazing addition. After all, it is the future of multimedia!

Here is a link to the journalism 2.0 blog, in case you are curious as too how multimedia affects journalism. Also, a full, free .pdf can be found here for the book of the same name.

( photo from http://www.kcnn.org/resources/journalism_20/) 

Week 4: Clear

Distribution channels are very clear to me. I can understand it in terms of my work history in retail, by understanding how many of our goods came from multiple sources in a direct distribution channel. Furthermore, I can understand it through my observations of my step-father's business Amedank Holdings, which in its current state is a auditing and weatherization (in conjunction with The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient services provider; however, originally it was a distribution company that collected goods from multiple "green" companies and sold them through a web site. Finally, the products were shipped from their home.

In both cases we are dealing with the final firms of a distribution channel; however, the products supplied came from multiple sources  --and especially in the case of my step-father's company-- and often products came through a chain of multiple firms.

 All rights reserved by johanvm

WK 3: Clear

Source:Google Images>lounge.cigarfamily.com

4G, while it is a burgeoning technology, is a joke. Though I have heard talk about this since after the technology first came out, it was proven by the 2011 "PC World" test. Essentially, this test can be taken to show that 4G from most of the cellular companies (excepting Verizon) has no proven download rate that is higher than those 3G services that they already supply. Of course the reason for this is infrastructure: they have not built a strong enough system to provide the proper increase in service, according to the lecture, given by my professor, that I watched today.

Furthermore, this idea of 4G being a semi-lie is backed up by journalist John Dvorak, for the Market Watch website, who states that according to the International Telecommunications Union (the industry's standard maker), "The industry itself says that 4G will not be a real technology and available to the public until at least 2014."

Of course, this technology will continue to improve and, at some point, will deliver the promised speed increase-- and probably revolutionize smart phones-- but not yet. It is important to state, however, that those who use 4G for media on their smart phones are happy with any increase to speed. Though this may be true, are we still perhaps paying to much for this new "improved" service?

Chris Baldwin vs. The World: My Avatar Creation Experience.

In creating my online avatar, I sought an avatar editor that fit my tastes and attitude. Eventually, I found the Scott pilgrim Vs. The World avatar editor, a promotional tool on the movie's web site. And though I'm no lover of Hollywood promotional tools, I do have a deep affinity towards this movie in particular.

I love this movie and the graphic novels that inspired it due to the nature of its content. It takes place in a Toronto (Canada) around a group of video game/anime/music (typically 90's grunge/alternative and punk/post-punk rock) fan boys and band members. They encounter those they like to mock (hipsters, ultra-pretentious vegans, jocks, ignorant people, preps, etc.). Furthermore, it touches on themes of how such people relate to each other: sarcasm, apathy, friendly bullying, and the complexities of love in such small social circles. More than anything the movie brings the [video]gamer's imagination, culture and sense of humor to life in a mainstream medium.

Finally, back to my experience. I found this editor simple and fun. Obviously it is not a complex editor, but it does a good job customizing a character that fits in the manga-style medium of the property's original format. I really do look similar to myself, and at the same time similar to a typical type of character seen in the manga or video game; however, I'm sure this wouldn't work for just anyone, due to the aesthetic costume style being similar to some very specific American music subcultures. The only major problem I had with the editor was that I was forced to make my beard brown and my hair red when, in reality, it is the other way around. In the end, I give this editor "Epic" status even though the facial color scheme was a "Fail".

On a side note, "grad student" doesn't exactly fit, but it was the closest I could find.

Wk. 2 Muddy(?) Blog Post, "Personal Computer."

I am not completely sure that I found this muddy, per se, but that I wanted to understand it more: the crystal oscillator. I especially found the terms to be interesting. One reason I was intrigued, was because of this concept of a crystal being used in so many devices (LCD screens, watches, and computers). Another reason is because "new-age" metaphysics uses similar terms when discussing the powers of crystals (resonance, vibration, etc.). First, I found the Wikipedia page for crystal oscillator: which describes it both simply and also enters into the more complex components.

Then, I looked into the metaphysical components of crystals. I surprised, though I vaguely remembered, that it was an IBM research scientist named Marcel Joseph Vogel, who was responsible for bridging the gap between computer science and metaphysics with his theories and the creation of the Vogel crystal. A man made crystal that supposedly has special properties regarding healing and meditation.. Though it is true that crystals has a place in metaphysical ideologies long before Mr. Vogel, what he did in bridging the scientific/metaphysical gap is akin to what some modern quantum physicists are doing with their theoretical science and metaphyisical spirituality (as can be seen in the film "What the (Bleep) Do We Know"

Finally, I was interested in the modding of internal clocks in computers. I think modding has become more and more common, as I have recently witnesses in the video game community (hackers ruin FPS's by the way). So, I looked for examples of modded internal clocks (crystal oscillators) in PC's and video game consoles.

The first two are more complicated, the last ones, having to do with different types os gameboys are more fun. This type of modding can be done to many electronic devices including controllers, music software, gaming systems, and more.

How to overclock a Nvidia graphics card:
http://youtu.be/qGQvmiRHSnw

and a PC CPU via BIOS:
http://youtu.be/bpwcQH-AATE

A modded crytal oscillator (in this case by simply replacing with a faster one) on an original Game Boy:
http://youtu.be/q9BgDMTfbyY

This link will show you the effects of this type of mod on a Nintendo DSI lite:
http://youtu.be/Z4WQg_XIddM

Wk:1 Muddy Blog Post; "Getting Started"

One issue that I found was a little "cloudy", in the intro to this class, were the issues surrounding the "fair use" principle, though I suppose it is sufficient when stating those guidelines will not be followed pertaining to this class; however, what I am more concerned with is the creative commons (not just the site but the concept). I imagine that when using images found on sites like wikipedia, those files are considered in the creative commons or protected by fair use.

Another factor that wasn't clear, was how do we properly cite images, graphs, or other data into our blogs? Do we follow guidelines we are familiar with, such as APA, or MLA. Indeed, this is a big concern when discussing the fact that improper use could affect our grades. It is especially confusing, when traditional blogging/bloggers tend to use widely dispersed images from the Internet without a second thought to who owns the image. There is a great sense, perhaps due to tumb1r, 4chan and space ghetto, that such images are ever-present in the public online space of the Internet, and therefore, belong to or can be used by all.

What is the uncanny valley?

The uncanny valley refers to a psychological hypothesis in modern 3D digital animation and robotics often attributed to Masahiro Mori , though its ideological roots can be found as far back as Sigmund Freud. The theory proposes that when an animated or robotic model replicates a human being to almost near perfection, it can too closely resemble a human being. At this point, when a human observes the model, they will feel revulsion. Moreover, the human reaction occurs on a gradient scale, so that as a model becomes more human-like, the observer has a more positive reaction; however, after a certain point, the human reaction quickly changes to a strong sense of revulsion. For example, C3P0 elicits a positive response from most people familiar with Star Wars, but many people react negatively to porcelain dolls (which completely freak me out, by the way) As seen on this graph from wikipedia.org, a sharp dip, or "valley" signifies the sudden shift in emotional response.