I believe video games can have a negative affect on society. Most video games can be come addictive which will lead to a lot of lost time which can be used to be doing something productive. Because of video games, the motivation to do homework is now basically nonexistent. Before, people did homework so they can have a sense of accomplishment in which they finish their homework. However, nowadays, people can play video games to feel like they accomplished something easier, and possibly faster.
However, video games can be quite a positive experience when growing up. In video games, you could potentially learn many things that you learn later in life, albeit in painful ways. Due to video games giving a virtual reality, people could experience doing new things through video games, allowing people who are physically unable, or time constricted to experience new things.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Review: League of Legends
League of Legends
For a while now, I've been playing this Strategy game called League of Legends. This game is roughly based on DotA, a custom map of the Real time strategy (RTS) game, Warcraft 3: Frozen Throne. This game is a hybrid of a Tower Defense and Hero Arena game.
Gameplay
Gameplay wise, this game is quite newbie friendly, which includes a nice tutorial game in order for people to learn how to play the game. However, many people who have played DotA before can easily adapt to this game, as it is quite similar to it.
Graphics
The graphics are quite up to date, with a cell shade style. However, due to this, many older computers may not be able to run it at full speed.
Sound
In this game, many heroes and units have individual sounds so that you can hear when they're coming. Also, some of the unit responses are quite neat, but could potentially be stuck in your mind for quite a long time. the announcer and the music are pleasing, bringing a nice atmosphere to the game.
Presentation
right when you load it up, it's quite easy to learn as it has it's own tutorial level in which the user can learn how to play. Overall the interface is quite clean and straightforward, but could use some more options for modifying the user interface.
Replay value
I believe this game has quite a potential of reaching DotA's status, as it's quite fun and competitive, but also newbie friendly. This game has quite a large friendly userbase that's really eager to help. Also, with the matchmaking system, you'll never play the with the same people twice, unless you arrange your own team with your friends.
Score : 87 / 100
Great upcoming game, but still not complete, as it doesn't have that many game modes yet, and lack of voice chat feature.
For a while now, I've been playing this Strategy game called League of Legends. This game is roughly based on DotA, a custom map of the Real time strategy (RTS) game, Warcraft 3: Frozen Throne. This game is a hybrid of a Tower Defense and Hero Arena game.
Gameplay
Gameplay wise, this game is quite newbie friendly, which includes a nice tutorial game in order for people to learn how to play the game. However, many people who have played DotA before can easily adapt to this game, as it is quite similar to it.
Graphics
The graphics are quite up to date, with a cell shade style. However, due to this, many older computers may not be able to run it at full speed.
Sound
In this game, many heroes and units have individual sounds so that you can hear when they're coming. Also, some of the unit responses are quite neat, but could potentially be stuck in your mind for quite a long time. the announcer and the music are pleasing, bringing a nice atmosphere to the game.
Presentation
right when you load it up, it's quite easy to learn as it has it's own tutorial level in which the user can learn how to play. Overall the interface is quite clean and straightforward, but could use some more options for modifying the user interface.
Replay value
I believe this game has quite a potential of reaching DotA's status, as it's quite fun and competitive, but also newbie friendly. This game has quite a large friendly userbase that's really eager to help. Also, with the matchmaking system, you'll never play the with the same people twice, unless you arrange your own team with your friends.
Score : 87 / 100
Great upcoming game, but still not complete, as it doesn't have that many game modes yet, and lack of voice chat feature.
Monday, May 17, 2010
What are computer games?
In my opinion, Computer games are interactive activities that one can do on a computer. This activity could potentially decrease productivity by -1000%.
Jokes aside, I believe computer games are a great way to step away from reality, allowing us to exercise the creative part in our brains.
I believe a good game is a game that has high replay value, good graphics, and easy control schemes and game mechanics. Furthermore, I believe that to have a high replay value, it must have multiplayer.
Games with multiplayer always gives the player a different experience playing with other people, whether it's local 4 player to online with thousands of people playing at once.
Also, in my opinion, a bad game is a game that is released too early in order to finish development. Usually this happens when people are trying to make money too fast, causing the game to be underdeveloped, or recycled ideas, namely Guitar Hero. Also, a bad game uses graphics as its main attracting point. I believe that the gameplay is the most important part, while the graphics and environment are just to supplement it.
Jokes aside, I believe computer games are a great way to step away from reality, allowing us to exercise the creative part in our brains.
I believe a good game is a game that has high replay value, good graphics, and easy control schemes and game mechanics. Furthermore, I believe that to have a high replay value, it must have multiplayer.
Games with multiplayer always gives the player a different experience playing with other people, whether it's local 4 player to online with thousands of people playing at once.
Also, in my opinion, a bad game is a game that is released too early in order to finish development. Usually this happens when people are trying to make money too fast, causing the game to be underdeveloped, or recycled ideas, namely Guitar Hero. Also, a bad game uses graphics as its main attracting point. I believe that the gameplay is the most important part, while the graphics and environment are just to supplement it.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Lightsaber Render
Lightsaber Renders
Done using Blender, and a lot of time.
It took about 20 minutes each to render, And the Blade is missing in the mirror render due to Halo effects not able to shown on raytraced surfaces.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Lego Block Render
Final render of my Lego Blocks.
Not to self, rename EACH single mesh, and stay away from smooth rendering.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Operating Systems
Questions:
1. What is an operating system and what is its purpose?
software that controls the execution of computer programs.
2. What operating system do most computers come preloaded with?
Usually windows 7, and leopard on macs.
3. Besides personal computers, what other devices have operating systems?
Cell phones, ipods, and many other mobile systems.
4. Do all computers have operating systems? Explain
an os usually comes preloaded with an OS, however, a computer can exist without an os, take a calculator for example.
5. What are the three most common operating systems? Are there other operating systems? Explain.
Windows
Linux
Mac OS X
there are many others that are usually variations of Linux. Also, Google chrome OS just came out, so the battle for OSes has just begun.
6. What is one reason why operating systems are coded rather than physical circuits?
so that it can be easily upgraded and fixed.
7. What are the two main functions of an operating system?
controls the allocation of hardware resources, and controls the execution of programs.
8. What are the four types of operating systems?
Real time
Single User, Single task
Single User, Multi task
Multi User
9. What are the first actions the computer takes when you power it on?
"Boots Up", starting the OS.
10. What is the bootstrap loader? What is its function?
to load the Operating system.
11. How does the OS manage the processor?
the OS uses the system kernel that helps bridge connections with software and hardware in order to manage the system's resources
12. What does an operating system do when two processes are multi-tasking?
It manages system resources for both of them to run at the same time. However, the OS keeps running the tasks until the processes are "waiting"
13. What is thrashing?
A term used when more and more computer resources are being used in order to do less and less tasks.
14. What is virtual memory management?
"Tricks" the program into thinking that there is additional memory. However, this memory is physically allocated and could result in an overflow on the hard drive.
15. What is a driver?
A program the tells the computer how to interact with a peripheral device.
16. How can input/output capabilities of a system be enhanced?
getting a better more efficient central processing unit.
17. How do application program interfaces make it easier for programmers?
Helps the user easily interpret how to use the program visually.
18. What is a UI and GUI?
UI = user interface
GUI = graphical user interface
19. Why is Linux being open source significant?
Can be modified to will. Also, allows many bug fixes to occur faster.
20. What are some other devices that run on Linux?
Tivo, Linksys routers, and some mobile devices.
21. What are 3 things you found interesting about operating systems that you did not know before?
I did not know that many other devices such as Tivo and linksys routers run on Linux.
I also didn't know there were 4 different types of Operating Systems.
I also found it interesting that there are only 4 main operating systems that people use.
22. What is a question that you still have about operating systems?
With the emerging operating systems, how will program functionality and technological advances hinder the development of operating systems?
1. What is an operating system and what is its purpose?
software that controls the execution of computer programs.
2. What operating system do most computers come preloaded with?
Usually windows 7, and leopard on macs.
3. Besides personal computers, what other devices have operating systems?
Cell phones, ipods, and many other mobile systems.
4. Do all computers have operating systems? Explain
an os usually comes preloaded with an OS, however, a computer can exist without an os, take a calculator for example.
5. What are the three most common operating systems? Are there other operating systems? Explain.
Windows
Linux
Mac OS X
there are many others that are usually variations of Linux. Also, Google chrome OS just came out, so the battle for OSes has just begun.
6. What is one reason why operating systems are coded rather than physical circuits?
so that it can be easily upgraded and fixed.
7. What are the two main functions of an operating system?
controls the allocation of hardware resources, and controls the execution of programs.
8. What are the four types of operating systems?
Real time
Single User, Single task
Single User, Multi task
Multi User
9. What are the first actions the computer takes when you power it on?
"Boots Up", starting the OS.
10. What is the bootstrap loader? What is its function?
to load the Operating system.
11. How does the OS manage the processor?
the OS uses the system kernel that helps bridge connections with software and hardware in order to manage the system's resources
12. What does an operating system do when two processes are multi-tasking?
It manages system resources for both of them to run at the same time. However, the OS keeps running the tasks until the processes are "waiting"
13. What is thrashing?
A term used when more and more computer resources are being used in order to do less and less tasks.
14. What is virtual memory management?
"Tricks" the program into thinking that there is additional memory. However, this memory is physically allocated and could result in an overflow on the hard drive.
15. What is a driver?
A program the tells the computer how to interact with a peripheral device.
16. How can input/output capabilities of a system be enhanced?
getting a better more efficient central processing unit.
17. How do application program interfaces make it easier for programmers?
Helps the user easily interpret how to use the program visually.
18. What is a UI and GUI?
UI = user interface
GUI = graphical user interface
19. Why is Linux being open source significant?
Can be modified to will. Also, allows many bug fixes to occur faster.
20. What are some other devices that run on Linux?
Tivo, Linksys routers, and some mobile devices.
21. What are 3 things you found interesting about operating systems that you did not know before?
I did not know that many other devices such as Tivo and linksys routers run on Linux.
I also didn't know there were 4 different types of Operating Systems.
I also found it interesting that there are only 4 main operating systems that people use.
22. What is a question that you still have about operating systems?
With the emerging operating systems, how will program functionality and technological advances hinder the development of operating systems?
Monday, April 12, 2010
Networking
LAN - Local Area Network:
a network that is confined to a relatively small area.
Examples: Home networks, LAN Parties, etc.
WAN - Wide Area Network:
a network that connects major businesses, corporations or organizations in a relatively large area.'
Examples: Government networks, School network, etc.
-------------------
Unshielded Twisted Pair Cable - about 100 meters
Coaxial Cable - about 1000 feet for SD broadcasts. 300 feet for HD
Fiber Optic Cable - about 2000 meters.
----------------------
Router - Bridges connections within a network. "Translates" information into a usable network connection.
Bridge - Enables communication between devices on a network, and combines them to other networks
Switch - Allows peer to peer connections with devices on a network.
------------------------
Peer to Peer : it enables users to share files with each others computers. Limewire or any other peer to peer downloading client is an example.
usually cheaper, but relies on the security and speed of each others computer. Can have latency issues.
Client / Server : Uses a dedicated file server for functions in a network.
Download sites such as megaupload, mediafire are examples.
Usually more reliable, and faster, however it's pretty expensive and needs to be maintained.
a network that is confined to a relatively small area.
Examples: Home networks, LAN Parties, etc.
WAN - Wide Area Network:
a network that connects major businesses, corporations or organizations in a relatively large area.'
Examples: Government networks, School network, etc.
-------------------
Unshielded Twisted Pair Cable - about 100 meters
Coaxial Cable - about 1000 feet for SD broadcasts. 300 feet for HD
Fiber Optic Cable - about 2000 meters.
----------------------
Router - Bridges connections within a network. "Translates" information into a usable network connection.
Bridge - Enables communication between devices on a network, and combines them to other networks
Switch - Allows peer to peer connections with devices on a network.
------------------------
Peer to Peer : it enables users to share files with each others computers. Limewire or any other peer to peer downloading client is an example.
usually cheaper, but relies on the security and speed of each others computer. Can have latency issues.
Client / Server : Uses a dedicated file server for functions in a network.
Download sites such as megaupload, mediafire are examples.
Usually more reliable, and faster, however it's pretty expensive and needs to be maintained.
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