Reflection 022711

This week we worked on the Critter labs. I had somewhat of a problem at first understanding the act() method for these. I looked for the file which actually stores the act() method. Then I saw in the power point what I was looking for and I understood. I am having a bit of trouble understanding what to do. As a designer, I understand that looking at a blank page is one of the worst things to do for your creativity. Without inspiration or example, your results will come out jumbled an unorganized. For the most recent labs, sometimes I am confused and don't know what to do. I have been studying my AP review book and that has been helping.

Music Making :

Music Making Software: An inside look
There are many choices available for the creation of electronic music. Personally, I use Fruity Loops Studio 9 and Reason by Propellerhead. Others use Ableton Live or Cubase. Here's what I use:

Fruity Loops 9:
Fruity Loops is easy, but if you know what you're doing (which I do after quite a bit of experimenting) you can make professional sounding songs pretty easily. With the right sound packs and plug-ins. Fruity loops uses loops (no way, right?) to organize songs.

Reason:

Reason 6 is the latest version of the Softsynth software by Propellerhead. A softsynth takes MIDI data and turns it into whatever sound you'd like. Easy to use and easier to wire through Fruity Loops, this software is one of the key elements that I use for creating my music.

Replacement Blog 02062011 :: Share

This blog is a replacement of Blog 02062011 Share.

This week I have been using a software called Illustrator a lot. I know you've noticed (sorry!) and I 've been making a lot of cool stuff. I learned of this software in E-Zine. Since I heard about it, I obtained a copy at home and have been constantly working on improving my skill. Here's an example of one thing you can do with this software (made in 5 minutes as an example).



As you can see, it's really cool stuff. I'm thinking about being a designer in college. I've been working on logos for FFS, the project I blogged about earlier.

So long, and for now:

Process Completed.

Blog replacement 02062011 :: Class Reflectiom

This is a replacement blog for 02062011 Reflection.

This week we worked on Critters. Critters are an extension of Bug which is an extension of the Actor class. Critters still Act, but these entities affect other beings in the grid. These Critters sometimes change the color of other Actors, or make things rotate, or just remove them from the Grid World altogether. These Critters also move in a wacky way, in whatever direction they choose. This makes it annoying to try and test them out, as they move in random directions. Getting them next to the rock I'm testing out is sometimes tedious and i end up just hitting run and putting it to the max.

Blog Replacement 01302011 :: Share

This is a replacement blog for 01302011 Share.

Recently, I've been spending my free time (that is, the time I don't spend on homework or at lacrosse)on mixing and making music. A friend and I have started a project, we've named it FFS. We don't have much gear yet, but he's got huge speakers and I've got some software. I have my midi fighter, which I blogged about earlier. We are also buying this: http://www.amazon.com/Hercules-DJ-Control-MP3-e2/dp/B002HH9TO2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1297884989&sr=8-1 . This is actually really cheap for a product of its kind. For a while we plan to just play other people's music, but eventually we will start working in our original compositions. The idea started when I was at a party with said friend, and we both noted that we could do much better than the DJ playing. One thing lead to the next and now the project is up and running.

Blog Replacement 01302011 :: Class Reflection

This is a replacement blog for 01302011 Class Reflection.

This week, we worked on Sort/Search. This takes an array and organizes it from least to greatest. If you want it to be the other way around, then you can just arrayName.reverse(). This is really useful because it makes the arrays really have a purpose. You could not take 4 different integers that aren't in an array and organize them by greatest to least. Arrays are really useful for this reason.

Search is also helpful, as you can find the location of a data point after you sort the array in any way you choose. Sort/search really makes arrays useful.

Replacement Blog 01162011 :: Share

This is a replacement blog for the empty space of Share 01162011.

You may know Borders from book shopping, looking for gifts, or gift cards you've received on holidays. Have you been shopping there recently? Probably not. Borders filed for bankruptcy, and although they are not closing all stores, they are closing 30% of them. That means that the friendly neighborhood gift store may not be there the next time you need some candles or a book for a friend.

The reason Borders is failing is because of what the book industry is rapidly becoming : digitized. The Amazon Kindle, among other readers, are becoming increasingly popular and common. Physical books are becoming unpopular, and Borders stayed on the physical book and gift industry even after it was too late. Borders did not come out with any kind of e-Reader or e-Book sales. This is the reason the much loved bookstore is now only 70% of what it used to be.

original article:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/borders-files-for-bankruptcy-plans-to-keep-operating-but-close/

Replacement Blog 01162011 :: Class Reflection

This is a blog to fill in the empty space of blog 01162011.

In class this week I believe we worked on Arrays? Yeah. Arrays are just ways to store integers and strings, and any other kind of data. The way Arrays store information is that they assign a certain kind of data to a point in them. Then if you need to reference that data you can just ask the array to give it to you.

This could be useful for long lists of data. Instead of having to code for multiple names of data points, you can just reference a point on an array.

Reflect: Gridworld

This week we worked on more gridworld. Gridworld has never been a huge issue for me. I was a little confused on how to use ArrayLists to get the job done, and the random thing has always baffled me. I used the regular gridworld commands instead of using an ArrayList I just used the command. I was rewarded with a program that did the exact same thing, used less code, and had none of the intended content. Programming is supposed to be about the easiest way to execute a goal. I think these labs are a confusing example, because this I don't see how ArrayLists would make my job easier as a program, and if they don't make it easier to program, why would I use them?

Share: 2/8

The Superbowl was on Sunday, one day that most Americans look forward to almost as much as thanksgiving. There's just as much food to be had (although instead of turkey there's wings and nachos) and considerably more drinking. The advertisements are always interesting as well - my favorites were the popular Darth-Vader Volkswagen ad (http://superbowlads.fanhouse.com/?sem=1&ncid=AOLSPR00170000000009&s_kwcid=TC|10781|watch%20super%20bowl%20ad||S|b|6519997760) and the bud lite kitchen renovation ad (http://superbowlads.fanhouse.com/2011/bud-light-hack-job/). My favorite Superbowl ads ever were the overstock.com ads, where shock value was the humor, with statements like "We wanted you to remember our name, so we tattooed it on the foreheads of kids at this elementary school".

Reflection 01232011

This week we are working with Array Lists. An arraylist is just an array with the capacity to add or remove array spaces. Unlike plain old arrays, you do not have to initiate the array while defining a size. With an array, you have a set grid of numbers which are then called by whatever you are doing. In ArrayLists, you can make the code add more numbers and spaces in the ArrayList, as well as take them away. These Array Lists are useful because say you had a growing database of information, and didn't want to create a directory too small to contain all of the information you would have in the future. Creating a method using an Array List will enable the program to make new information storing places, as well as remove old information that you have no need for any more.