Saturday, March 19, 2011
Movie Maker
This is the first time I'm using the movie maker, and it is really interesting! This is a tribute to my idol, Kobe Bryant. Hope you guys like it!
Multimedia : Iphone
Today, when parents walk into their children's room, they no longer see their kids playing “Donkey Kong”, “Super Mario” or even “Pacman”. They also no longer see huge game consoles connected to a huge television and controllers on their children's hands.
We are no longer living in the era of “Nitendos” or “Sega” and with the help of ever improving technology, the convergence of multimedia enables us to do so many things with one single device, the IPhone.
Although I do not own an IPhone, I am really impressed by its multiple functions as a phone. It is no longer use just for calling and texting, but it gives a computer-like experience like as if we are using our laptops with our mobile phones! Surfing websites, music library and even games, you name it, you got it! Thus, I wish to talk about IPhone games as it has brought gaming to a whole new level.
As mentioned earlier, it’s no longer “Super Mario”, and then what is it now? I would say it is the “Angry Birds” because the fact that a non IPhone user knows about this game, it must be really popular and addictive. I tried playing the game once using my friend’s IPhone; I was hooked like a teenager to his first puff of cigarette.
In this game, players take control of a flock of birds that are attempting to retrieve eggs that have been stolen by a group of evil green pigs. On each level, the pigs are sheltered by structures made of various materials such as wood, glass and stone, and the object of the game is to eliminate all the pigs in the level. Using a slingshot, players launch the birds with the intent of either hitting the pigs directly or damaging the structures, which would cause them to collapse and kill the pigs. In various stages of the game, additional objects such as explosive crates and rocks are found in the levels, and may be used in conjunction with the birds to destroy hard-to-reach pigs.
Despite the game play, I am still impressed by how multimedia enables us to play games with our mobile phones. Without consoles, television, wires, controllers and even game cartridges, we are able to use our fingers to play our favorite games, anywhere, anytime. In addition, it enables us to constantly “change” our games or applications in our mobile phones. If we are talking about game consoles, I used to pile up all my old games cartridges in my store rooms. I no longer play them but it takes up so much space in my house. Unlike the convention way, IPhone allow users to delete the games or application when it is no longer needed. Thus, thanks to the rise of technology, we have the luxury to experience it today.
We are no longer living in the era of “Nitendos” or “Sega” and with the help of ever improving technology, the convergence of multimedia enables us to do so many things with one single device, the IPhone.
Although I do not own an IPhone, I am really impressed by its multiple functions as a phone. It is no longer use just for calling and texting, but it gives a computer-like experience like as if we are using our laptops with our mobile phones! Surfing websites, music library and even games, you name it, you got it! Thus, I wish to talk about IPhone games as it has brought gaming to a whole new level.
As mentioned earlier, it’s no longer “Super Mario”, and then what is it now? I would say it is the “Angry Birds” because the fact that a non IPhone user knows about this game, it must be really popular and addictive. I tried playing the game once using my friend’s IPhone; I was hooked like a teenager to his first puff of cigarette.
In this game, players take control of a flock of birds that are attempting to retrieve eggs that have been stolen by a group of evil green pigs. On each level, the pigs are sheltered by structures made of various materials such as wood, glass and stone, and the object of the game is to eliminate all the pigs in the level. Using a slingshot, players launch the birds with the intent of either hitting the pigs directly or damaging the structures, which would cause them to collapse and kill the pigs. In various stages of the game, additional objects such as explosive crates and rocks are found in the levels, and may be used in conjunction with the birds to destroy hard-to-reach pigs.
Despite the game play, I am still impressed by how multimedia enables us to play games with our mobile phones. Without consoles, television, wires, controllers and even game cartridges, we are able to use our fingers to play our favorite games, anywhere, anytime. In addition, it enables us to constantly “change” our games or applications in our mobile phones. If we are talking about game consoles, I used to pile up all my old games cartridges in my store rooms. I no longer play them but it takes up so much space in my house. Unlike the convention way, IPhone allow users to delete the games or application when it is no longer needed. Thus, thanks to the rise of technology, we have the luxury to experience it today.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Keep your computers "healthy"
As I am typing this post, I am hearing vacuum-like noise from my CPU, as if it is hinting me that there’s something wrong and need me to do a regular checkup on my computer. I have to admit, it’s been a long time since I last checked the “health status” of my computer.
Few days ago, I’ve just learnt that there are a few symptoms of computer virus attack. Firstly, your computer will start to slowdown, secondly, it will shut down by itself and lastly, it will crash. I then realized that recently, I need at least 15 minutes just to start up my computer and it takes really long to load my websites. I guess I am oblivious to all the symptoms that my computer is having, thus, I am certain now that my computer is really “sick” and it is invaded by viruses. However, what kind of virus? Research was done and I subsequently found out that there are a fair bit of different computer viruses like “Trojan Horses”, “Worms” and “Zombies”
The “Trojan Horses”, as majestic as it sounds, it is not really a good idea to have that in your computer system. Unlike other viruses, “Trojan Horses” need to be installed in your computer in order for it to work its “magic”. This may be achieved by someone having physical access to your computer or in the more common way by you downloading and installing a seemingly harmless piece of software. Once it’s being installed, it acts as a function which remembers the key that you typed. Imagine, every password you typed on your computer, credit card numbers, e-mail passwords or even passwords of your bank accounts, are recorded by the “Trojan Horses” . Hackers then are able to retrieve personal information from you or even “steal” your money from your bank accounts.
Secondly, it is the “worms” virus. Unlike normal virus, it has the ability to replicate itself, and generally do not require human interactivity to do so. “Worms “copy themselves from computer to computer rather than file to file like most viruses, and because they require no human help to do so, they can spread much more rapidly through a system than a normal virus. Usually, it arrives in an email with an attachment, tempting users to open it. Once it is open, “Worms” will start wiggling and spreading through your computers.
Lastly, it is the “Zombies” virus, just by the name of it; we know it is not something we want in our computers. The “Zombies” itself doesn’t cause any damage to the system; however it serves as an aid for hackers as they simply trigger it to attack one’s computer system. Similar to “worms” it arrives in emails and tempts users to open it.
So how do we prevent those imbeciles?
I would say that there are a few precautions we can take and it will lower the risk of getting those viruses. Firstly, we should “build’ a firewall, software which will block out harmful sites which may contain viruses. Secondly, we need to constantly update our anti-virus software as it definitely serves as an “anti biotic” for our computers and the ability to eliminate the viruses. Lastly, we take responsibility by not opening emails which contents that we are not sure of. As long we are discipline to not get tempted, we are doing our computers a big favour.
Few days ago, I’ve just learnt that there are a few symptoms of computer virus attack. Firstly, your computer will start to slowdown, secondly, it will shut down by itself and lastly, it will crash. I then realized that recently, I need at least 15 minutes just to start up my computer and it takes really long to load my websites. I guess I am oblivious to all the symptoms that my computer is having, thus, I am certain now that my computer is really “sick” and it is invaded by viruses. However, what kind of virus? Research was done and I subsequently found out that there are a fair bit of different computer viruses like “Trojan Horses”, “Worms” and “Zombies”
The “Trojan Horses”, as majestic as it sounds, it is not really a good idea to have that in your computer system. Unlike other viruses, “Trojan Horses” need to be installed in your computer in order for it to work its “magic”. This may be achieved by someone having physical access to your computer or in the more common way by you downloading and installing a seemingly harmless piece of software. Once it’s being installed, it acts as a function which remembers the key that you typed. Imagine, every password you typed on your computer, credit card numbers, e-mail passwords or even passwords of your bank accounts, are recorded by the “Trojan Horses” . Hackers then are able to retrieve personal information from you or even “steal” your money from your bank accounts.
Secondly, it is the “worms” virus. Unlike normal virus, it has the ability to replicate itself, and generally do not require human interactivity to do so. “Worms “copy themselves from computer to computer rather than file to file like most viruses, and because they require no human help to do so, they can spread much more rapidly through a system than a normal virus. Usually, it arrives in an email with an attachment, tempting users to open it. Once it is open, “Worms” will start wiggling and spreading through your computers.
Lastly, it is the “Zombies” virus, just by the name of it; we know it is not something we want in our computers. The “Zombies” itself doesn’t cause any damage to the system; however it serves as an aid for hackers as they simply trigger it to attack one’s computer system. Similar to “worms” it arrives in emails and tempts users to open it.
So how do we prevent those imbeciles?
I would say that there are a few precautions we can take and it will lower the risk of getting those viruses. Firstly, we should “build’ a firewall, software which will block out harmful sites which may contain viruses. Secondly, we need to constantly update our anti-virus software as it definitely serves as an “anti biotic” for our computers and the ability to eliminate the viruses. Lastly, we take responsibility by not opening emails which contents that we are not sure of. As long we are discipline to not get tempted, we are doing our computers a big favour.
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Is E-Learning really effective?
Today, with the advancement of technologies, we are able to do things with much ease. As mentioned on the previous post, we are able to shop at home with the help of technology and we might as ourselves this question, “what else we can achieve at home without even leaving the house?” I then started to wonder that since I always felt that going to school is a hassle, why we can’t attend school from home.
In Singapore, we are actually exposed to “E-Learning” whereby students will attend a short lesson from home digital media. However, the whole concept of “E-Learning” is to allow students to explore the usage of digital media, and students eventually still need to attend school. Now, the question is, “If students purely participate in the program of E-Learning and no longer attend school, will it be effective for the students?”
Similar to E-Commerce, E-Learning will definitely provide similar advantages to the students. In terms of time saving, students no longer need to travel to school and spend the whole day in school studying. Students could also save money as they tend to no spend more at home as compared when they are in school. In addition, I believe that only the really determined students who can fight off distractions will be beneficial to this program. Thus, implementing E-Learning will help students develop independence and maturity as they learn how to prioritize, not be distracted and not procrastinate.
However, as impressive as it sounds, I believe that traditional learning in school is more than just receiving knowledge from a teacher. It consist the art of public relation which we learn in school through out our lives. Public relation is something that we need to experience ourselves and it can’t be taught by anybody, certainly not from digital media. We learn public relation through the interaction with friends and whenever we are stress from school work, friends will be there to give you emotional support. What happens when we have zero face to face communication with friends when we adapt E-Learning? I don’t think that the society will be any close to being cohesive. In addition, although E-learning might be allowing students to be more independent, it doesn’t provide a physical disciplinarian to monitor the students. I read about the “Milgram Experiment” when it talks about people obeying orders when there is a physical presence monitoring them. Thus, students participating in E-Learning will probably tend to procrastinate more than students who are attending schools.
In conclusion, as much as technology is able to ease our lives, I do not wish to forgo the chance to “learn” public relations as I think that public relations will help you through life more than any other things.
In Singapore, we are actually exposed to “E-Learning” whereby students will attend a short lesson from home digital media. However, the whole concept of “E-Learning” is to allow students to explore the usage of digital media, and students eventually still need to attend school. Now, the question is, “If students purely participate in the program of E-Learning and no longer attend school, will it be effective for the students?”
Similar to E-Commerce, E-Learning will definitely provide similar advantages to the students. In terms of time saving, students no longer need to travel to school and spend the whole day in school studying. Students could also save money as they tend to no spend more at home as compared when they are in school. In addition, I believe that only the really determined students who can fight off distractions will be beneficial to this program. Thus, implementing E-Learning will help students develop independence and maturity as they learn how to prioritize, not be distracted and not procrastinate.
However, as impressive as it sounds, I believe that traditional learning in school is more than just receiving knowledge from a teacher. It consist the art of public relation which we learn in school through out our lives. Public relation is something that we need to experience ourselves and it can’t be taught by anybody, certainly not from digital media. We learn public relation through the interaction with friends and whenever we are stress from school work, friends will be there to give you emotional support. What happens when we have zero face to face communication with friends when we adapt E-Learning? I don’t think that the society will be any close to being cohesive. In addition, although E-learning might be allowing students to be more independent, it doesn’t provide a physical disciplinarian to monitor the students. I read about the “Milgram Experiment” when it talks about people obeying orders when there is a physical presence monitoring them. Thus, students participating in E-Learning will probably tend to procrastinate more than students who are attending schools.
In conclusion, as much as technology is able to ease our lives, I do not wish to forgo the chance to “learn” public relations as I think that public relations will help you through life more than any other things.
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