MX : reading response 103-115

The idea that we are all imprisoned to screens whether it be the classical, dynamic, or real-time screen is very interesting and overlooked. Although after about 2 hours of looking at the screen I have to get up a move because most parts of my body are asleep. Why are we stuck in an immobile state to the screen. We see what each type of screen wants us to see and agree with it following the narrative. In this narrative it dictates what and when we get to see certain things. In virtual reality we may feel as if we are moving or in the actual space but we seem to be lacking a correspondence to the actual environment. When VR took the idea of the mouse and placed it on some ones head we magical merged the VR with reality. This seems silly and back for the eyes. I think I like this immobile state because I don't like being in a reality that isn't real. I like the balance of realization and the narrative the is provided. Its not always about your perspective but rather the cinematographers. I do think 3D movies are pretty radical though, but still super intense on the eyes.

What strikes me as interesting about representation and simulation is how we combine these. The fresco enters a new kind of perspective that tries to simulate the environment into reality. This representation of images and other media seem to be creeping more and more into our environment. Although we still remain imprisoned to them even if they become mobile. This really bothers me because not only will we be imprisoned to them but the opposite seems just as sketchy. If VR and other screen based media become mobile when could we escape them. Maybe I'm old fashioned but some of the best things in life are completely removing ones self from the screen and enjoying the real physical world.(such as riding a bike) if this ever or is a simulation I would find it interesting to compare it but I doubt VR will ever be as enjoyable as the real thing. I see VR as more of a training exercise to avoid injury or emotional shock that could be resourceful and save money. Other than that I'm not down with mind games.

MX : reading response 94-103

I agree with the fact that the screen creates a simulation of what is being pictured. When we see something that doesn't fit to the screen size we become highly distracted. Now we have options to customize this by either dimming the background to cut down on this distraction or to even full screen most things. Although we sometimes elude this in leisure time due to loading on certain websites and networks but anytime during long periods of concentration or presentations this illusion is a must. Channel surfing also crossed over into surfing the web! I really like the analogy of widows acting as flipping through channels or watching them simultaneously.

I was also really fascinated with the history of the screen outside the television. It makes me wonder what other technology will stem from our current efforts in military technology. ( hopefully something constructive )

When the reading talked about using a pen to interact with the screen this reminded me of making up technology for our community websites. Although every user would have to obtain them to participate but the advantages are endless. The experience of going beyond the typical screen based image could really evoke a sense of virtual reality through the idea of the third dimension that changes to the user.

This article is very informative and makes me question how long the screen will be around. Can any surface have the potential to do what the screen does now or even could light alone hold this virtual reality? good stuff!I do think people are so accustomed to the way the TV screen works right now with minor innovations but the monitor is still in its beginning stages. I cant even comprehend the technology used in the military and the progress that is being made. Will we ever escape virtual reality once it moves beyond the screen?

MX : reading response

This article really helped me understand the evolution of media contained in an interface. What was once viewed just as a tool to complete a task to the entertainment in our leisure time. I thought the idea of the content and interface for new media merging together was something I want to do with my project. Where the layout and graphics and tightly woven together with the content. Wether your making a static or interactive based website all the content preexists, But the idea of new media artworks having data created at the point of interaction brings another level to the interface. I think this idea brings a lot to our culture and how we interact with everything. When we talk to people or send people messages we cant predict beforehand the evolution and the interaction taking place.

The human computer interface describes how we use tools like the keyboard and monitor or other physical forms to interact with the computer. When Apple came out with their interface in 1984 it already had metaphors set in place such as the trash can that sits on the desktop. Maybe I'm stubborn but this language has never crossed my mind as why and I think its here to stay. Today you can change the completely change the appearance of your whole computer but the titles for actions and devices will seem to always maintain their original names. (i.e. folders, desktop, trash can)

"...the computer was still largely thought of as a simulation of a typewriter, paintbrush or drafting ruler-in other words, as a tool used to produce cultural content that, once created, would be stored and distributed in the appropriate media-printed page, film, photographic print, electronic recording. By the end of the decade, as Internet use became commonplace, the computer's public image was no longer solely that of a tool but also a universal media machine, which could be used not only co author, but also to store, distribute, and access all media." (69)

now having the ability to access all media the interface plays a huge role in how we interact with it. When watching a video on my computer I now have the option to have it pop out, dim the window, or enlarge it to my viewing pleasure. This makes my interaction with new media more engaging with the click of one button. On top of this software is available to download movies to view at a later date. I can then edit this movie and make it my own in response. This is why so many knock off videos are possible these days with so much access to media.

Printed Word.

The role that type plays in computer media is extraordinary. Not only is it housed to be read but also makes up the formatting of websites. It can also facilitate the interaction with the computer and user by displaying computer errors. If flash didn't give me the slightest clue to what I was doing wrong I would be doomed way before I even started! thank you error messages. This is also seen through the corrections that the computer makes for you when your typing. I can now instantly see when I have typed something wrong and correct it immediately.

CINIMA

Cinema is now becoming more prominent in displaying information due to the media-rich environment that new generations are constantly surrounded by. One of the biggest forms of cinema is the camera which we now adapted its grammar in how it operates. (i.e. zoom, tilt, pan, track) Even the rectangle frame that derived from western painting is assumed to extend beyond it into reality. From the these attributes virtual realities took form and transformed the 2D model of video games into 3D. I think this shows how we can now investigate and discover new things not allowed by only two dimensions.

"Rather than being merely one cultural language among others, cinema is now becoming the cultural interface, a toolbox for all cultural communication, overtaking the printed word."

I see why this is so important to video games but completely replacing the interface seems a bit much. I actually don't see this overtaking the printed word outside of video games. Obtaining information for me online requires reading the printed word. Since when will there be a virtual reality for wikipedia with a character talking to me about something. Maybe someday soon we will all be stuck in second life. Maybe I don't see the advantage to having our lives rooted in virtual reality when I can see metaphors that are currently being used such as hyperlinks that navigate us through information. I can see it being useful in certain applications such as how google maps or flight simulations but the uses of cinematic qualities in this passage seemed a little over enthusiastic in how this is the future or all interfaces.

Human Computer Interface

The HCI is reforming other media both on the level of content and form. Print and cinema being social means to communicate are now being adapted into other forms and thus taking its own meaning.

"if we simply mimic the existing conventions of older cultural forms such as the printed word and cinema, we will not take advantage of all the new capacities offered by the computer: its flexibility in displaying and manipulating data, interactive control by the user, ability to run simulations, etc." (93)

Who knows what's further up the road but we can predict that no longer will cinema and word be looked at the same when placed inside of an interface. I think I went to live in a different country I might feel my past being a big part of my life but everything will soon take on new meanings and forms as if something has just been discovered. What else is there to discover in interfaces and what forms will they take?

MX : wireframes

labels are anchored into the biggest block on the right that functions as the home page button.

choosing a category will highlight projects associated to them while still allowing other projects to still be linked.

clicking on triangles bring up larger images.

This design uses my last name as the nav bar that will rotate out links accordingly.

when a letter is rolled over it displays the category title. when you click it changes out the projects. when you roll over the rectangles they will bring up a title and discription.

clicking on a bar will bring up a large image with more views located on the second set of triangles. when clicking on the bar to the left it will bring you back to the roll over stage of all the projects in that category. you can navigate by clicking on the arrows at the bottom.

a color coded periodic table holds all projects and a roll over activates the project description large and overlays the image when rolled over. when rolled off it will be removed and show the complete image.