Gaming Invasion: Level 2

Welcome to the beginning of Level 2 of Gaming Invasion. In this level, I will explore some of the games that I have been playing lately due to the smart phone game explosion! The introduction of downloadable games for cellphones has created a whole new genre for game designers to explore, and with any new genre, a challenge for innovation. I will focus on two games in particular, 7 Little Words & Cut the Rope. Before getting into the objectives of the games and dissecting them, I feel like I should cover the limitations associated with cellphone games.

The most obvious limitation to a game using a cellphone as the console is the display size. Unlike with the now more traditional console based games using a television for monitoring, the average game must work with a screen around the size of an ipod, or smaller, in order to reach the majority of potential consumers. Of course, Nintendo released the Gameboy many, many years ago, but unlike a self contained system like a Gameboy, game designers are challenged to design games that can operate on multiple interfaces. In other words, Nintendo always knows their games will be played on their system whereas cellphone games must be compatible across a variety of phones, operating systems, and tablets in order to be successful. User interface is also very important, and cellphone games cannot overload the phones processor or resources to where it destroys the phones general functions or battery life. These are just a few of the many challenges faced by cellphone based game design.

The first game I'd like to review or dissect is the amazingly simple game (which is free) 7 Little Words. The concept is extremely simple, and borrows ideas from crossword puzzles, but it puts a new twist that makes it very fun. The game lists 7 clues, and then 20 "blocks" containing 2-3 letters. The object is to figure out the 7 words using the blocks which can only be used once each. It is an amazingly simple game, but I do love it for its simplicity. I do not have to devote my direct attention while playing the game as there is no real-time aspect. I can take as long as I want to guess a word. I find myself generally playing this game the most while performing some other action like attending class or having a conversation. I love this game because I actually learn new words when playing it and I can multitask while playing it.

The second game I play a lot is called Cut the Rope, and it is a bit more complex, but it is still simple enough to figure out within a minute or two at the most. The object is to make a piece of candy, attached to a string, hit 3 stars and then "deliver" it to a frog. Yes, it sounds very ridiculous, but it is very addictive and challenging. I'm not going to get into all of the variables, as it becomes more and more complex as you progress through the game. What I love about this game is the real-time strategy required to play it, and the fact that it is highly entertaining and you honestly feel a sense of accomplishment when you beat a level you've been stuck on for a while.

I cannot even imagine where the cell-game genre will be in the next 6 months or year, but it is a new and very exciting genre of game design. Even my mother plays games on her phone.

Games in Class vs. Pick 3

In class this past Thursday, I played two games, Trigger and Ticket to Ride. I found Trigger to be much more challenging than one would anticipate due to the constant use of negatives and double negatives in the questions. It was a very different game but I enjoyed playing it. My group barely had time to play Ticket to Ride because we had to refer to the rules online as the hard copy was missing from the game box. It seemed to have a good amount of strategy requires and I would like to play it again.

These games I believe fall into the "fun" category if you will (with a touch of education). They definitely have more teaching potential than the games we created during our Pick Three assignment. Trigger could be easily modified to a specific subject, and use more factual questions pertaining to that subject. For example, they could be historical facts, and the player would not only have to be the first to answer, but if the statement was false they would have to answer why it was incorrect. I really can't say how educational Ticket to Ride could be because of the very little playtime we had with the game.

Trigger had some great Player vs. Player interactions, in that you had to be the first one to slap the "target" as well as be correct. As a penalty for answering incorrectly, you would lose a card. Cards essentially kept you in the game, so it did become very competitive on a Player vs. Player basis. There was a ton of Player vs. Game Interaction, in each round, a question was read from a card and a player would have to slap their hand down, their right hand for true, and their left hand for false. The Player vs. Game interaction was somewhat competitive as well because it required you to think on your feet and respond as quickly as possible to the questions, which in some cases, were very confusing to answer as either true or false.

In general, I find Player vs. Player interaction more fun as opposed to Player vs. Game interaction. In my opinion, when a game becomes competitive, a game becomes fun. The actual game is essentially a forum or grounds in which the competition takes place. The game must be clear, concise, and easy to pick up in order to be truly enjoyable. My favorite board games can usually be completely understood after the first game. I really find it annoying when it takes hours to grasp the rules and/or goal of a game. I'd rather do something constructive than "study" a game in order to "have fun" playing it.

Educational Mini-Game Review x4!

Free Rice! is a fun little Quiz game that rewards the player with the donation of Rice through the World Food Programme. The game doesn't seem to have a specific target age group, but I would guess somewhere around the over fifteen crowd due to some vocabulary words that are not used very often until the High School/College level. The designers are attempting to teach the player meanings of word, basic interface interactivity, and that a single person can make a difference in the world. The last point, of course, is more conceptual, but nevertheless does not take anything away from the user experience. I feel the game is successful through an education standpoint in that it teaches you definitions to words you may not regularly encounter. I would say the game could be improved by have different quiz categories, but on second look I noticed you can change the quiz topics to different subjects. 4/5.

Pirates of the Preamble, oh my . . . A quiz based game with the premise that Pirates have buried the Preamble to the constitution in ten separate states. It asks questions dealing with civic knowledge and the constitution in order for you to find the missing pieces of the Preamble. Interesting premise, horrible game. I believe this may be helpful in a High School Civics or American History class, possibly, but some of the facts are really pointless and obscure. History buffs may enjoy it, but I had to restart about 6 times before completing the 10 questions. It could be improved by creating some type of meaningful play/reward other than just seeing a piece of the Preamble appear on the side of the screen. Oh yeah, the Pirate "accent" was also incredibly annoying. 1/5

Medical Mysteries is a game designed for people who care about science, obviously, and playing spinoffs of classic games in a "scientific" setting. I'd imagine the target age group would be High School and up, and it attempts to teach the player the different types of agents that can cause illness/disease, that this information is crucial to learn because of the premise, and that it is important to shoot the right cure at infectious agents falling from the sky. Yeah, I am being completely serious, I hated this game, and I feel like they ripped off George Lucas' droids. 1/5

INNOV8 2.0 (Created by IBM) is an educational simulation game comprised of 3 mini-games. Smart Traffic, Smart Supply Chain, and Smart Customer Service. I played Smart Traffic, in which you help a city lower congestion and pollution levels by using Business Process Management. The target age group put around the College level because it takes a good bit of logic and reasoning in order to balance different planning goals. The concepts being taught are action/reaction based and the delicate balance between cost and efficiency with traffic control. I really loved this game and I'm going to continue playing it! 5/5

Non-traditional Comics

Today I read two non-traditional comics that were both very interesting. Both used different techniques and were a browser based experience. I am uncertain of the title of the first (in another language) so I'm just going to refer to it as Twitch. The other comic I read was Scott McCloud's The Right Number, Part 1, and Part 2. I believe both of these works, although very non-traditional should be referred to as comics. No, panels are not laid out on a central page, but there is a consistent panel to panel type experience.

Twitch was far more experimental in my opinion, but it was a little over the top. Aside from the language barrier, it didn't seem to flow very well with the different sizes/framing done with panels. The audio/visual effects were interesting, but I feel that it was more about the effects than telling a story. Obviously if I spoke the language it would be a richer experience, but through visual images alone I feel like it could be summed up in one sentence. A girl sees a creepy looking guy with blood on him and he jumps towards her, the end.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Right Number from both a narrative and design standpoint. The panels were usually the same size, but sometimes they would be subdivided. It had a very interesting plot and I wish there were more parts that I could read. It used limited effects, but at the end of Part One when his eyes move it really emphasized the character's thoughts. Honestly, I loved this format because I am often times confused as to the order of reading with graphic novels. When a panel is presented by itself, I think it is much more straightforward, and I don't end up spoiling "what happens next" by glancing at the artwork on the page.

I believe The Right Number was highly successful while Twitch left much to be desired. It was not so much the format, but more the chaos created by having so many different things going at once. When I read a comic/graphic novel, I want to read a story and not see what someone can program through javascript. Definitely check out The Right Number because it is a very unique and interesting comic. I'd pass on Twitch.

Gaming Invasion: Level 1

Games are a great way to distract us from life. Virtually every person in their life has been told to "quit wasting your time playing games and be productive!" You may hear this every hour, daily, weekly, monthly, or once in a blue moon. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you've heard this phrase, or something to the same affect before in your life. Welcome fellow gamer to a multiple-level game entitled "Gaming Invasion". Ok, yes, you've probably called my bluff and I should've title it "Please Read My Blog", but it just didn't have the same ring to it. ANYWAYS, this is the first entry (aka level) in my blog series dedicated to explaining how far games penetrate into our lives. If you feel that you are exempt from this aspect, think again you ripe little n00b (slang for newbie, as in new to a game and inexperienced) because you are about to get PWNED!

Since this is only level one, I am going to stay away from any sort of technical terms and go for the easy kill. Life is a game. Cliche? Perhaps, but take a moment to think about it. Life requires planning (strategy), and the choices you make effect the outcome of your life. Yes, some choices, such as what to do with that five minutes after waking up may not effect your life goals. But, there is a real-time effect nonetheless. Actions create outcomes. Jumping off a porch while drunk may effect the next three months of your life, even if it seemed like such a great idea at the time.

If you are still reading at this point, I am guessing I managed to get your attention, and I will award you +3 karma points. Now, let's think real hard, make your brain work, and think of the physical controls you interact with, and the mechanism you use to create interactions. It's hard, I know, thinking requires effort, but here is the spoiler. You play the game! Your mental and physical actions interact with the world. There are some set rules, such as laws, sociological rules, and "world rules" also. Never forget, gravity is not always your ally! Gravity is great when you want to move a beer from a can to your red plastic cup, but it can definitely be a bitch when you decide to try and land a solo keg-stand! Stay alert, be prepared, trust no one. You may proceed to level two when I make my own choice on whether or not to write a second level. GLHF!

Meaningful Play?

This past Thursday in my Game Design class, we participated in a classroom game with very simple objectives. We were split into teams of four and given a pack of bendable straws and a roll of scotch tape. Our goal was to create the highest possible structure that could stand on its on for at least three seconds, and the team that won the game would receive candy during next class.

It was a very fun experience, and this composition has to do with whether or not we experienced meaningful play through the game/exercise. Rules of Play basically defines meaningful play as the relationship between action and outcome which are both discernable and integrated into the overall context of the game. In the case of the Straw Tower game, I feel that we did in fact experience meaningful play, and I was amazed at how such a simple concept could create so many different variables into account.

From a basic overview of the game, it has many elements which created a unique experience. It required communication and almost necessitated that one or more individuals on each team to lead the others in the creation of the tower, either by demonstration or by explaining something as simple as how to easily fit two straws together. Time was also a factor, so it was almost essential to divide the work among different people, with each person completing a specific task.

Through the scope of meaningful play, action and outcome were obviously easily visible. Taping and connecting straws together showed an immediate physical result, and it was also integrated into the larger context of the game. The decisions made during the beginning of the game effected the end results. If the base for the tower is too big, you run out of straws. If the base is too small, you end up with a potentially beautiful tower that immediately falls on its side, thus disqualifying you and preventing your team from winning the game.

It's amazing how simple, yet at the same time complex, a game can be created with such few rules and materials. Next time you feel bored at home or have some friends over, throw straws at them and try your hand at this clever game!

Games, Games, Games . . .

Games and video games have always been very popular ways to pass time, learn, socialize, and even to just take a nice little break from reality. Today in America and around the world, there are huge subcultures revolving around video games with immense numbers of participants usually participating in playing together via the internet.

I have been brainstorming ideas for a semester long blog series on a certain aspect of games, board games, video games, and/or an aspect of the underlying industry. I have yet to decide on a thesis for this research and composition, but I do have several ideas I am currently taking into consideration.

My initial idea would be to research and examine the use of games in a business setting in which they are used as a tool to essentially train and inform an employee of the expectations and responsibilities of their position. I feel as though it may not be a juicy enough aspect of games to keep a fresh and entertaining blog series with such a narrow scope of such a large an interesting industry. The second idea that came to mind is to examine the use of games in order to teach real-time strategy in a way that could apply to real world scenarios, such as the use of video game training for the military and/or law enforcement. I believe this could be much more interesting, and my Uncle actually works at a private firm that works with the government on various homeland security and military strategies and scenarios. I feel he could be an excellent resource in informing me first hand as to just how useful games can be as a way of gaining a basis of background experience to possible upcoming real world experiences.

As of the time of writing this blog, I am leaning toward my second idea for this blog series, however, I will continue brainstorming in an effort to potentially find a more enticing topic.

My Darly, My Dear & Puddles for Emperor

I recently read two graphic novels which were created by two friends of mine, My Darling, My Dear by Joel Heslop and Puddles for Emperor by Ashley Hawkins. They were both a pleasure to read, Joel's graphic novel used photographs for illustrations while Ashley's used what appeared to be Ken Dolls (not certain).

My Darling, My Dear was put together very well, and was basically a sentimental type scrapbook which showcased the events prior to their engagement. It was great to see photographs for every frame, as it gave it a very polished overall look. I already knew some of the back story between them, as Joel and I have been friends for over four years now. There is a strong use of frame layouts which are used very appropriately to help tell the story of their blossoming love for each other. The only thing negative in my opinion is that there are two frames that somewhat break from the overall structure. The two I am referring to appear on page 10, they are cut out photographs with no backgrounds, so they seem to me to be a tad bit out of place. Overall though, super kudos to Joel Heslop for creating such a cool graphic novel/scrapbook to remember the events with him and Brandi!

When I saw the cover of Puddles for Emperor, I could not help but break out into hysterical laughter. Seeing the image of a Ken doll on the cover of what looks like a political campaign poster was amazing, to say the least. It is a very comical tale of an ex-frat boy running for Emperor as opposed to President of the United States simply because he believes that the President has become more of a figurehead with a tight lease and no real power. The use of color balance to show the two sides of the competition turned out to be very helpful in guiding the reader to which side of the political campaign was being depicted. Placing the dolls on top of photographic backgrounds created a very cool and interesting visual texture. The first frame on page 28 was the only image that I feel did not fit well, only because the people talking were not replaced with dolls, but other than that I think it's a great, and it is also very comical (pun) graphic novel. Kudos to Ashley!

Kyle Cooper: Master of the Title Sequence

The use of typography in Kyle Cooper's title sequence for Spiderman 2 is very subtle because the overall composition is so complex. After the initial fifty-five seconds, the type becomes static. Obviously, this was done in order to balance the hierarchy between the imagery and the credits, but it is done so in a way that keeps the sequence interesting and engaging. There is a ton of masking and motion in the sequence, and I feel that if the typography also moved it would be less integrated with the sort of frame based motion. One thing I really like is that the typography never appears in the same place twice, and it also appears in a couple different formats. This helps keep the viewer engaged and interested in the sequence. Sometimes names or roles are left-aligned while other times they are offset. I believe this title sequence encompasses the power of typography in motion graphics while being fully integrated into the piece as a whole.

I find a good deal of inspiration from examining this title sequence as it shows ways in which typography can be positioned and arranged in different ways to remain interesting and hold the viewer's attention. For my own work, I feel I can draw from this sequence if I ever create an intro or title sequence that encompasses a large array of imagery and typography. I do not feel the handling of typography to be very applicable to my kinetic typography project, however, because of the lack of imagery set by the basis of the work. I do admire the transitions and masking effects because of the way the sequence flows together. I also like the fact that Cooper breaks the precedents he sets towards the end of the sequence when the type remains through his frames.

All Whites Guaranteed Work

Tonight I read Are whites racially oppressed? by John Blake. I feel that the article does not clearly communicate a message, and that it is simply a collage of quotations in order for CNN to appear unbiased. Among the cluster of quotes I identified a two key points that I would like to respond to and voice my opinion about.

First and foremost, during this economic recession, many whites have joined the unemployment lines. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but how is unemployment a race related issue? I have never seem a sign or clause stating something to the effect of "In America, all whites are guaranteed work." I feel entitled to the freedom of making a racial comment, especially because of the amount of spin encompassed in the article, so here it is: Generally, the problem I see with unemployed white individuals is not the fact that they cannot find work, but more so the fact that they are unwilling to do the work available to them. Of course there are innumerable variables, but it seems whites generally feel entitled to "better jobs" than those that may currently be available to them, and I see many people willing to throw up their hands and sit on unemployment rather than to actively seek employment with a job that may seem degrading to them. This issue reminds me of my High School days. I have never had a teacher that did not advocate the importance of post-secondary/higher education. I feel that everyone, at some point, was told of the higher job security available to them through higher education. However, it seems to me that white America is simply getting scared and blaming their problems on "racism" instead of working hard to achieve the ends they desire.

In response to the fact that there are minority only scholarships: think for a moment how many more scholarships are available from private sources. I have seen employers ignore applications submitted by African Americans simply because of their race. In the white American hysteria currently taking place, how many times do you think white owned companies award scholarships to individuals of an actual minority group? I feel as if white Americans are simply becoming scared that they may lose the majority control of America and are trying to secure their dominant position in the stratification system.

Drupal and Theme: Together, in Focus, at Peace

Creating a custom theme in Drupal is a web designer's worst nightmare. The usual approach of "Hey, I'll just change the existing code to make it look how I want" will result in the subconscious compulsion to stab yourself in the face . . . repeatedly. Luckily, there is a solution! Not just for a limited time, always with free shipping, plenty of free bonuses in stock, and all for the constant special price of just $0! And you do not have to call now! (or at all)

Meet Zen, the most boring theme you will ever see. Upon first glance you might thing, "wow, this just sucks!" However, I suggest reading the documentation before judging this theme by its aesthetic qualities. Upon reading the documentation, you will understand that it is supposed to suck, and it does it beautifully. Zen is a blank slate free of imposed CSS properties and adulterated, incest, and three-eared inhabitants. Ok, maybe that description is a little extreme, but if you have any coding experience I believe that it is the easiest way to convey the message.

Source

The Zen theme, the body, shows the default markup generated by the mind, or in this case Drupal. The best part of Zen, however, is that it goes above and beyond the users expectations. Instead of manually searching, creating, and typing each html class and innumerable parentheses, the work has already been done, and damn well! Main classes are even commented out with CSS properties that you can simply copy & paste! As far as I am concerned, Zen is the only way to go, it's technically the best choice, it will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, it will save you time (which = money), and it will fulfill your spiritual emptiness.

Hank Moody is my Hero

Source

After giving a lot of thought to my favorite character, I finally decided my favorite is Hank Moody from Showtime's Californication, who is played by David Duchovny. Hank Moody is an extremely complex yet simple man. He is a writer living in Los Angeles who is constantly trying to hold his life and family together while always falling "victim" to his vices. He is a blatant and honest charmer who is irresistible to women and magically falls into scenarios the average man would love to be "subjected" to.

His role is that of the hero, but there is no actual clear villain from my perspective. Hank Moody is his own worst enemy. He is antagonized by his own alpha male disposition and the temptations associated with it. He gets caught up by his vices and suffers the consequences, but he does take responsibility for his actions. He is the lead character and the show revolves around his daily encounters and missteps. No matter how much shit hits the fan, Hank always has a comical remark to help lighten the mood.

So far, the greatest black mark on his record is the unaware statutory rape of a 16 year old girl, who initiated the encounter, and actually turned out to be the daughter of his ex's fiance. Hank has a inclination of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but he has such a charismatic and comical personality that makes it hard for anyone to stay mad at him, especially those with two X chromosomes. Hank Moody is my hero

The Application of Knowledge

Currently, my favorite television series is Breaking Bad. The entire show is set up in a serial format which is basically a requirement for me to enjoy anything shown on television. The show is beautifully written and a breathe of fresh air among the midst of bland, repetitive, and predictable shows. I will attempt to briefly sum up the premise of the show. A chemist who left his research in order to raise a family is diagnosed with stage III lung cancer. He feels he must provide for his wife and son after his inevitable death, and he ultimately decides to cook methamphetamine.

The main character of the show, Walter White, is an amazingly complex character. He is a high school chemistry teacher who moonlights as a producer of methamphetamine and constantly stumbles while "learning the business." He must keep this source of income secret from his family, and especially from his brother-in-law, a DEA agent who he often comes dangerously close to while working his "second job." The complexity of the story cannot be fully conveyed through words, but Walter White is another example of the concept I refer to as the NEW American Hero. Circumstantial justification is awesome, well, unless your in remission.

Yes, Even Extras on CSI

What generally pulls us to the stories, books, tv shows, and movies that we like? Characters. This is entirely debatable of course, as with most any thought, but I find characters to be the most important part of a narrative. An amazing premise is an amazing premise, but without strong characters it can easily fall apart. When "reading" in to characters it is often important to consider viewing them from a semiotic stance. Characters are not real, they are not authentic, and they are not meant to be. They are constructed from discourse and are meant to be read and interpreted by the viewer as signs or icons. They hold ideological meaning and are key to communication within a narrative.

All characters serve some type of purpose, yes, even extras on CSI. Sometimes they are merely constructed to show that there is a population, but in doing so their purpose is to communicate to the viewer that people are around. However complex a character is, they usually tend to fall within a range of archetypes/roles. Some are very obvious but others must be deeply examined to truly grasp their significance and purpose. The most common roles are that of the hero, villain, donor, dispatcher, false hero, helper, princess, and father. To simplify the correlation between characters and character roles, I tend to think of a character as the "person" and their role as essentially their purpose, reason, or place in the narrative.

[caR_s0n + Scher

This evening I looked through the hillmancurtis's artist series of videos, and I found two very interesting artists that have very unique approaches to using typography. David Carson creates stunningly expressive designs through various unorthodox typographical techniques. Carson's approach pushes typography beyond the standard rules of written english, and he has an amazing ability to transmit emotion and hierarchy through his diverse deconstructionist style. I believe he is a master of communicating and creating visual interest within his work.



Paula Scher begins her projects by pulling in information in order to create a visual solution that accentuates the dynamics of the project. Scher generally has a more orderly approach within her design when compared with the work of David Carson. She also pushes the envelopes of typography and the ability to illustrate with typography. She has a very hands-on approach to design and emphasizes concepts over process based work.

Naked Browser vs. Flex (kind of)

My previous blog entitled Appage (3 bonus points if you caught both puns) discusses the decline of the web browser and the increase in the use of applications. Today, I was introduced to a new software development kit known as Flex, an application created to develop and deliver rich internet content which is based on the Adobe Flash platform.

I was instructed to do a hands-on comparison of ebay with a traditional web browser versus a Flex application browser sidebar. I found this to be somewhat contradictory because a sidebar does not stand alone and function outside of a web browser. Through my understanding, Flex is capable of functioning by itself in place of a web browser, but what the hay, I'll put on my anti-argumentative goggles and compare the two. So now that I've got my goggles on, we're comparing apples to apples.

The web browser version of ebay is very user friendly and easy to navigate. I have no complaints with this user experience although the sidebar does have one clear advantage over the naked web browser. With the Flex based browser sidebar, the functionality and purpose are also very user friendly and obvious. It is very clear why it was developed for an auction and real-time based hub of commerce. It basically displays only the information that pertains to what you are potentially purchasing. In this case, the current price, how much time it will be in auction, and in some cases the ability to simply purchase the item for a firm price. This information if valuable to the user, and is easier to have viewable than to simply bookmark the pages in a browser. Also, seeing a pair of wire drum brushes I've been wanting to get is definitely tempting me to bid . . . I think it's a win-win situation for ebay.

Minimum + Maximum Hue

So first off, I decided to take a slightly different approach to finding motion graphic examples that have a strong use of colors. I found this video to be pretty inspiring as far as how much of a dramatic effect color can have on perception.

I really enjoyed this motion graphic because it showed the immense communicative capabilities of value. The entire video fits well with the tonality of the song, and it is very interesting and explores some cool concepts. It definitely leaves a lasting impression.

The second motion graphic I found was very intriguing, and used almost the entire visible color spectrum without looking like a kaleidoscope.

I found this video to be very interesting because it was obvious that it was showcasing many different things, yet it remained cohesive by sort of creating sections through the use of color, optical texture and design elements. It was also very interesting that, until the very end of the video, it seemed to be a random collection of motion graphics.

Analyzing Texts Blindfolded?

Imagine going into class to discuss and interpret an image being projected onto a white screen, but the projector has decided to burn up prior to when class is being held. Logically, this would lead the Professor to change gears and transfer to another topic. However, the Professor instead asks what you think about the image. Obviously, you cannot see the image due to the technical difficulties with the projector, so you simply stare at the screen. The Professor not only wants to know what the image looks like, but also asks you to interpret and analyze the image. Sorry, but your WWJD bracelet isn't transmitting any messages to your brain, so you must simply reply that you have no idea because you cannot see the image.

Basic logic and rationality is needed in order to interpret a text. Without any background information, it is not possible to classify an image as a star. You can see the shape, but you don't have language, therefore you don't have words, so it could only be interpreted as something to look at. The same logic applies to a classroom in which a particular subject matter is taught. You must have background information in order to make concise and educated interpretations.

It was important to spend a week study hermeneutics because it is essential to studying media. We must first have a foundation of knowledge and information in order to use the art and science of interpretation. Otherwise, we are simply analyzing a text, blindfolded.
(If you made it this far you just gained 5 karma points!)

The Decline of Websites

One reason I believe smaller websites are at an extreme disadvantage, in terms of patronage, is because of a viewers past experiences. Inevitably, everyone has seen one of those amazing, mystical, glowing websites that could possibly induce vomiting or seizures. Please view example one:

 

It seems to me that many web "designers" simply forget the primary function of a website: to display information. If a viewer cannot discern where links and/or primary navigation are, they are more likely to simply leave the website than to continue searching. Many graphic designers can create amazing print design, but they often struggle when learning web design. usabilityfirst.com sums up my own personal beliefs and observations as to the root of this phenomenon. "While there is a surface similarity between print graphic design and website graphic design, website design is much closer to product or industrial design than print design." When practicing web design, the designer must balance usability and design in order to create a highly functional website that intrigues a viewer to browse around.

Appage?

First and foremost, "App" is an abbreviated form of the term application. Applications, in computer terminology, are basically a code created in order to fulfill a certain task, and they rely on an existing operating system and coding language. In short, apps can be used interchangeably with the term program in computer terminology.

Personally, I have always preferred the term program, but recently it has shifted in popularity a bit. Generally, program refers to something that runs on your computer, and app refers to something that runs on any other device. This is not very logical, as I have always thought of apps as what they are, applications, which are programs. But, apparently now thanks to multimedia capable cell phones, iPods, and iPads, among many others, it is much more amazing and hip to refer to them as apps. I feel this is simply because it sounds like a new and exciting term. Even the computer illiterate understand what a program is, but apps appear to be some new and mystical technology. Nevertheless, programs are applications, and applications are programs.

Now that this sleek and sexy application craze has taken root, basic web browsing on a computer is seeing a large decline. Arguments have also been made, with substance, that apps will eventually replace the web, but that they will, however, not destroy the amazing phenomenon we know as the internet. Here is yet another confusing use of computer terminology.

The internet is a connection of computers that link to servers which have the ability to exchange information globally. It is much easier to think of the internet as phone lines, or now with even more increases in technology, a cellphone tower. The internet is the hardware required to transfer the information. The web, however, is made up of servers that host the content accessed by the user, and usually many sites link to one another, hence the name web. The web is the content, and the internet is how the content is accessed.

Visiting the web has declined, but through the use of apps, the traffic on the internet has increased. This may seem puzzling at first, but basically, apps are generally not used without accessing the internet to update or retrieve information. With the exceptions of simple calculators and games, apps usually rely on retrieving information for the user to see.

I do not feel that the web will disappear, but I do find that many people are being mislead due to the terminology. It is hard to create profits from websites, however, if you can deliver someone the content they want no matter where they are, they will most likely take advantage of it. But how does this create profit and fund capitalism you ask? (hopefully) well, rather than waiting to get to a computer, wouldn't it be nice to be able to pull out your cellphone on the bus and see how your friends are doing? Maybe your bored and just want to read something to pass the time, entertainment is worth a couple dollars right? Well then jump on the bandwagon and stay connected 24/7! All the cool kids are doing it, and besides, you don't want to be a square now, do you kid?