404!

So my plan is using this image as my template.
It will be a "User" vs. "Error404" and the user is losing with almost no HP, so the menu where you can fight, run, switch pokemon, or search your bag will be substituted with homepage, run, etc.
I just have no idea how to use Dreamweaver and code my idea. :C

"What is this Dreamweaver you speak of...?"

Well it is easy to tell that I have absolutely no experience with Dreamweaver itself.
I've heard of the program and I know what it does, but I've never used it.
I think I opened it once and I clicked random things having no clue what was going on.

Last semester I took FA 332 or whichever is Print and Web Design. So we started using HTML, but the very VERY basics of html. We created a website by using an existing template and changed the headers and added in images (one which was a gif).
We used TextWrangler to help preview what the page would look like.
When I used Gaiaonline, I made posts changing the color of my fonts by using page breaks and symbols such as <a></a>. So I used javascript a tiny bit.

I know our organization (Phi Sigma Pi National Honors Fraternity) has a website for our local chapter using Wix. But I don't know how to change the codes.

My friends forced me to get a MySpace against my parents wishes, but I hardly used it because this was the time society switched their social networking to Facebook. So I abandoned that quickly. I do have a facebook though, which I use to see what people are doing rather than post a lot of stuff.

Yes I have made an html page using CSS and changed color of the text. But that was it. I copied and pasted an existing html page and slightly changed some things, but I am excited to use it more.

Reality and Imaginary: A Look Into the Matrix

The Matrix plays around with the concept what is reality and what is imaginary. There are two worlds in which the humans exist. The Matrix itself is a made up programmed world in which humans blissfully sleep/live in. On the other hand once Neo takes the red pill and discovers the "truth", he finds himself in the real world, which is this post apocalyptic world in which humans were bred as "crops" to become fuel for the AI's that dominate and control society.

The Matrix uses different types of modes in which the Real World and the Matrix are connected and yet different.

One example would the visual representation of the glasses in which, putting the glasses on were a sign that they could "See". They knew the truth about the imaginary world that was a prison and they saw the "truth". If you notice, the characters that are aware of their surroundings are wearing shades whether it was the agents that were trying to track Neo or Morpheus and the crew.

Another visual queue or surroundings (spatial) is that everything in the Matrix seemed to have a greenish tint to it and colors were very bland. They were various shades of grey and the interaction level between people was minimal. Everything around them in the Matrix had vertical or horizontal lines surrounding them. They were hard edges and unwavering. Once the audience steps into the real world, everything is dreary and dark and very apocalyptic. Things are dilapidated, broken, fallen and the choice colors that stand out are red and blue based on the cables running through the ship or the pills that Neo has to choose between. The visual representation of repetition gives the audience a sense of industrial work because humans are seen as "crops" to be harvested and live in the red nasty liquid gel.

One Aural queue that we continuously hear in the movie is the ringing of telephones. This is a link between the real world and the matrix allowing for users to jump between the two. In some regards it is literally a "Wake Up Call" in which Neo and his crew "Wake up" from the Matrix to be unplugged into the reality.

A major part of the movie that makes it so iconic is the slow motion parts where Neo is dodging bullets. This becomes a visual mode in which the viewers can recognize that Neo is outsmarting the program he is occupying and is able to read it and predict the program.

The movie overall was really good and has been a pop culture classic due to the iconic slow motion scenes and the phrase "Mr. Anderson" that is repeated several times throughout the movie.

Food for thought: Some other really good movies that touch on what is Reality and Illusion --> MirrorMask and Pan's Labyrinth are some of my favorites.
I do wish I could remember what the movie was called that was about people that lived in a virtual reality and someone was killing people off...darn...oh well.

Modes

So I completely dropped the ball and didn't realize that our last discussion on modes was suppose to be a blog entry. I know it will be late and probably won't count, but I might as well put something up for my sake.

In class we talked about modes and how that effects the viewer. Grocery stores follow a certain outline and if you notice almost all grocery stores will have fresh produce on the outside of the store, while packaged goods are located in and out of the isles.

The spatial mode we explored was the CUB. Where texts, gestural, and linguistic modes can be lost in translation and left up to interpretation, modes such as spatial and aural modes can say a lot.

The layout of the CUB itself tells a lot about the space itself. It is the center of campus. It is the heart of the campus where everything is conveniently located.

We noted that it's target is not only the students on campus, but for visitors as well. They arrange the noise level based on levels and how each level centers on certain things.

The fourth floor for example is the academic centers. Students can go there to study or get help when they need it.

The main level has a food court, bookstore, a lounge for hanging out where TV's and games are provided.

The senior ballroom and junior ballroom has it's own level where more organized events can be held. There is also a theatre/auditorium, study areas, postal service, student serves, and banking services.

The CUB itself embodies the ideals of students where shopping, socializing, and studying can be achieved.

A Room with Symbols

When sitting in the Compton Union Building (CUB), there is a relaxing, yet energetic feel to the place.

The ethos for the space is variety of things. The lounge where you can play video games or sit in the round couches tell the person to relax and hang out and have fun. Be yourself and enjoy the atmosphere and the people that surround you.

The colors are mostly crimson, white and grey showing our school pride and colors, which connects to us on a pathos level.

Many advertisements that are locked into the CUB often revolve around connecting and getting involved with the campus or advertising to buy food. It goes back and forth between the two telling us how we should spend our time/money in the CUB. A specific part of the CUB; The Quiet Lounge dictates to the viewers that before entering, keep talking minimal and if you have to take a call, keep it outside of the quiet lounge. I often like going there when I'm wasting an hour for my next class or I need to study.

The addresser would the Washington State University and their message is "Stay and hang out at the center of campus". In a way it is the life of campus because it is in the heart of campus and provides food service, a bookstore with school supplies, a good study environment and a connection to the library when students need access to it. The addressies are us; the students and visitors alike. They advertise the cub through Facebook and hold many SEB events at the CUB making it the place to go when wanting to see a movie, watch a band play, go to an Up All Night, or just to chill and hangout with friends.

The kairos for the CUB is the location because it is in the center of campus making it a convenient place to stop and grab a cup of coffee or just to pass through because its the quickest way to your next class.

Not exactly relating to the CUB itself, but when I walk to class I always look at it mathematically. I look at it through hypotenuses. I could take the long way by going straight one direction and turn and go straight in the other direction OR I could take the hypotenuse of that triangle and save myself the time. Which makes sense why people are creating their own dirt path routes across bryan hall in the grass because instead of going down the stairs and along the pavement, they could always just take the most direct route. Its all about vectors.

Pathos this Image!

Before: Look at this happy child eating his watermelon. He's definitely enjoying the juiciness of this delicious fruit and also scared of swallowing the seeds because it might grow watermelons in their stomach. 

After: And now look at him, he regrets this decision completely. He's turning into a watermelon with his bright red cheeks and neon green hands.

The pathos I was trying to convey through this image was turning a seemingly joyful, nostalgic moment   that brings the childhood memories and summer back into an Ironic moment where the watermelon he is eating is becoming him. I tried changing the color of the watermelon to make it seem like he is sucking the life out of the watermelon (turning a white color) and visually transferring to his face.

By the way Cats + Internet = Match Made in Heaven.

Digital Age

Name: Susan Cannarella

Major: DTC and Fine Arts (Studio) Major

Class: Junior

Occupation: Almost Broke College Student

We live in a Digital Age where technology is not only a source of entertainment, but a new pathway to create, communicate, and share. The world seems larger and smaller at the same time. Smaller because we're doing it from a stationary standpoint; face glued to a screen of some sort. Larger at the same time because of the unlimited access to people from around the world and such. 

I'm glad that I'm taking this class because I do enjoy learning more and more about technology today and tomorrow, but it worries me also how technology is going to affect us in a negative way. Such as Instant Gratification where our minds function on short terms.

Ex: Many people that see an post that is more than 2-3 sentences will likely skip it because it's "Too long to read"

or

Ex: Imigur --> Gifs and pictures with 2-3 line statement are meant to instantly give us satisfaction or entertainment and we continuously use them throughout the day to keep us entertained when nothing is going on at that given moment.

I've worked more in the art side of digital technology using a tablet and using photoshop. 

Last semester we did the most basic of basic with TextWrangler and made a web set from an existing format. So I've tapped into the programing side slightly, but not a lot. I did enjoy having a tumblr and posting nothing but cat pictures. 

"New Media" --> New Media is anything that I can relate to sharing and communicating through new mediums. I consider the internet a somewhat new media that speaks to how we conduct online and offline personas. Video Games could also be a form of new media because it's connection to online gaming (Got to love and hate League of Legends for that).  Tablets and cell phones (specifically smart phones) to be in the realm of new media due to the instant access to people and networks.

These blogs honestly are just "Self Rants" that we post publicly for the anonymous to view and criticize. So I can't this will be the cleanest and most professional posts ever.