EMPIRE gave it four stars as did Total Film. Check out the trailer below.
Also heres a great site for reading about Developmental Psychology for later in are course and also an interesting read before heading in to watch the movie.
Monday 21 November 2011
We need to talk about Kevin.
Yesterday I saw the film "We need to Talk about Kevin" an excellent film based on Lionel Shriver's best seller novel of the same name. Without giving much away its the story of a mother trying to keep her life together following a horrific crime. Some people may find it a tough watch but its worth it and still haunts me and probaley will do for months.
EMPIRE gave it four stars as did Total Film. Check out the trailer below.
EMPIRE gave it four stars as did Total Film. Check out the trailer below.
What to look for when purchasing a Computer !
What to look for when purchasing a computer
Here are some tips and facts that should help you when purchasing a new computer
Monitor
This is the screen of the computer and is essential, but be careful as some computer packages don't always included them. TFT (flat panel) are most popular due to there slim design rather then the older, bulkier CRT monitors. Also when buying a monitor always go for one with the highest resolution your money can buy, high resolution will give a more detailed and sharper picture. A resolution of 1280x1024 should be fine for most users. Also look at the 'response time', the lower the number the better.
Keyboard and Mouse
These are used to navigate the computer. People should not just settle for a mouse which has only the left and right button, but one with a wheel can be very useful for scrolling. Mouses usually use a ball at the bottom to move around but new laser or sensor ones usually last much longer then the older ball versions. There are also a viartity of wireless keyboards and mice which can also be purchased if money allows, but there not essential.
Processor
The processor or CPU is known as the 'brains' of the computer.
The Processing speed is measured in megahertz (MHz) and gigahertz (GHz, or 1,000MHz). The higher the number, the faster the PC. Its also advised to buy a computer with dual-core technology as it offers fast multitasking capabilities (Examples are Intel Pentium) which is a big help for home and at work.
RAM
RAM is temporary memory used by the computer to complete calculations, the higher the RAM the faster the computer. When looking to buy a computer check for at least for at least 512 MB or 1 GB of RAM.
The Hard Drive
The hard drive is memory storage and bigger is better but 80GB is all that would be needed but At least 100GB or more will be needed to store lots of music, games or movie files. Computers with hard drives of around 200gb-500GB are sold relatively cheaply as are add on hard drives now available.
Graphics card
computers by standard are usually supplied with adequate game cards but for hardcore gamers A more powerful card means better quality video graphics and smooth-running games (e.g., NVidia GeForce). Check the back of newer games and it will show at the bottom the required specs. Graphics card also come with additional RAM which is always welcomed.
Operating System
Windows is the most popular and well known with many new computers running on windows 7 (best to avoid windows vista). But there are alternative, many apple products such as the Macintosh selection run on mac os x which are more user friendly and less prone to viruses but have a small learning curve if your coming from windows and not all hardware (games) are compatible with the mac os x. There is also Linux but few computers come with it installed.
Fun facts about the Lion King
everyone loves the Lion King, and i was recently reminded of its brilliance after watching the 3d release which is still availble in limited cinemas (to check out cinema movie times click here!).
While I was scanning IMDb i came across some interesting facts about the movie:
One of the bugs that Timon pulls out of a knothole during Hakuna Matata is wearing Mickey Mouse ears.
There have been rumors that when Simba collapses on the cliff after talking with Timon and Pumbaa about stars, the dust that flies off the cliff forms the letters SEX. In fact it forms the letters SFX, the abbreviation of the special-effects team that worked on that portion of the film. This scene was deleted in the 2011 release.
Originally titled "King of the Jungle", it was supposed to be about African lions living in the jungle until the production team realized that lions don't live in the jungle. Interestingly enough, the phrase "King of the Jungle" is still used on certain T-shirts sold at the Disney Store.
The wildebeest stampede took Disney's CG department approximately three years to animate.
Elton John and Tim Rice were a little shocked when they saw that the producers originally intended to have their (eventual) Oscar-winning love ballad "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" as a duet between Timon and Pumbaa.
The best selling home video of all time, with more than 55 million copies sold to date.
In the end of the scene where Mufasa explains to Simba that the stars are old kings, we can see the constellation of Leo (the lion) in the sky.
A few weeks before the film opened, Elton John was given a special screening. Noticing that the film's love song had been left out, he successfully lobbied to have the song put back in. Later, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" won him an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
The first Disney animation movie to be dubbed into Portuguese in Portugal rather than Brazil.
One of three Disney movies to win a Golden Globe for Best Picture. The other two areBeauty and the Beast and Toy Story 2
The team working on the movie was supposedly Disney's "team B", who were "kept busy" while "team A" worked on Pocahontas, on which the production had much higher hopes.
Originally the film was going to be about a conflict between lions and baboons, and Scar was going to be the baboon leader. Rafiki, the only baboon in the film, was instead going to be a cheetah.
While I was scanning IMDb i came across some interesting facts about the movie:
One of the bugs that Timon pulls out of a knothole during Hakuna Matata is wearing Mickey Mouse ears.
There have been rumors that when Simba collapses on the cliff after talking with Timon and Pumbaa about stars, the dust that flies off the cliff forms the letters SEX. In fact it forms the letters SFX, the abbreviation of the special-effects team that worked on that portion of the film. This scene was deleted in the 2011 release.
Originally titled "King of the Jungle", it was supposed to be about African lions living in the jungle until the production team realized that lions don't live in the jungle. Interestingly enough, the phrase "King of the Jungle" is still used on certain T-shirts sold at the Disney Store.
The wildebeest stampede took Disney's CG department approximately three years to animate.
Elton John and Tim Rice were a little shocked when they saw that the producers originally intended to have their (eventual) Oscar-winning love ballad "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" as a duet between Timon and Pumbaa.
The best selling home video of all time, with more than 55 million copies sold to date.
In the end of the scene where Mufasa explains to Simba that the stars are old kings, we can see the constellation of Leo (the lion) in the sky.
A few weeks before the film opened, Elton John was given a special screening. Noticing that the film's love song had been left out, he successfully lobbied to have the song put back in. Later, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" won him an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
The first Disney animation movie to be dubbed into Portuguese in Portugal rather than Brazil.
One of three Disney movies to win a Golden Globe for Best Picture. The other two areBeauty and the Beast and Toy Story 2
The team working on the movie was supposedly Disney's "team B", who were "kept busy" while "team A" worked on Pocahontas, on which the production had much higher hopes.
Originally the film was going to be about a conflict between lions and baboons, and Scar was going to be the baboon leader. Rafiki, the only baboon in the film, was instead going to be a cheetah.
Sunday 20 November 2011
GPS Saves the World — But Who’ll Save GPS? (summary of article 2)
He cited the recent confrontation with Lightsquared, a mobile broadband player, endorsed by the Obama administration and offers to next generation wireless service known as LTE nationwide in the U.S, to be a direct treat to the future and stability of GPS.
The problem is that the it sites in the same spectrumas GPS who's by design low signals would easily be effected. A spokesperson for Lightsquared reported that tests had been conducted which shows with a few alterations that the problem of interference could be addressed and that the GPS community where blowing it out of proportion.
But Parkinson is not convinced and also cites the companies plans to increase it's signal from 1.5 kW to 15 kW and no tests have yet been conducted at those higher levels.
At the presentation he told the audience that,
“15 kW is a very powerful L band signal,” he said. “It’s not something a man particularly wants to stand next to, if he wants to have children at some time in the future. (Laughter)”.
“I’m not kidding. That’s comparable to microwave ovens.”
But there are other treats such as the increased use of illegal and cheap GPS jammers used by drivers who are paranoid of being watched by F.B.I. These interfere with GPS guidance of aircraft and have already been proven the cause of a GPS guidance failure at Newark international airport. Solutions to this problem would be a lessening of the use of unwarranted tracking by law enforcement.
Other causes of damage to GPS are due to major solar activity which interferes degrades GPS signals, particularly in equatorial regions. Solutions to this include layering GPS with new satellite tracking systems and the setting up of more base stations in the southern hemisphere.
The article goes on to mention new improving technologies, but GPS remains essential for the military and commercial aviation navigation systems, automated agricultural machines, consumer mapping services in cars, and the tracking of wild endangered species among other uses.
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I don't believe the illegal use of GPS jammers are a big of a problem in europe, and especially in Ireland where mistrust for law enforcement is less the that on average in the U.S.
But Lightsquard remains a treat as the European commission has loudly apposed to its operations
(according to avweb.com) concerned it will interfere with its developing Galileo satellite-based navigation system and GPS.
Sunspots also a treat but i don't think there would be much that could be done to prevent damage in the case of excessive solar activity. As i am reminded of the advanced tsunami defense walls in japan which where costly and in the end, of little defense and only offered fake reassurance of safety.
(according to avweb.com) concerned it will interfere with its developing Galileo satellite-based navigation system and GPS.
Sunspots also a treat but i don't think there would be much that could be done to prevent damage in the case of excessive solar activity. As i am reminded of the advanced tsunami defense walls in japan which where costly and in the end, of little defense and only offered fake reassurance of safety.
Death of Television ? (summary of article 1)
While watching a movie on TV i was reminded of an article that I had read, it had said that there has been a reported drop in US pay TV market subscribers for the first time in history, most analysts blame the recent economic downturn but many agree other factors such as the increased popularity of on-demand offerings that are available over the internet also contribute to this drop.
Nielsen, a company that tracks US television viewing habits have reported a drop in ownership in tv's from 98.9% to 96.7%. But as DVD sales drop, Netflix, a subscription service which mails out DVD's has been dramatically growing larger in recent years. Also (according to IMS Research) there is a predicted increase of 7.8 million sat alight television subscribers between 2010-2015 (in the U.S).
Apple recently released 'Apple TV' which allows users to stream content from itunes or websites (such as youtube), directly too there television. Google has also released a similar service.
When Neil Gaydon, chief executive of pay TV technology developer Pace, was asked about the future of the tv, he pointed out to the rise in subscription figures of his companies satellite services as evidence of televisions health and later states that other internet services such as youtube only offer another service, not an alternative or replacements. He later goes on to also point out at google/apple tv poor take off sale figures, he believes that,
"The challenge to pay TV is greatly exaggerated”.
But he recognizes that recent events have woken television providers to develop hybrid services.
Not everyone agrees with Neil Gaydon, Suranga Chandratillake, founder of blinkx, a video search engine. He believes that in the future there will be a greater increase in the popularity of on-demand services which have access to internet, but believes television will live on in a new form. But wont survive in its current.
He sites the growth of Netflix as proof that consumers are willing to pay for reasonably priced services. And don't necessarily have to be free. But revenue could also be earned through advertisements on websites that provide the on-demand content.
Television is changing,
Average TV size in the US in 2009 is 46", will be 65" in 2015
Mobile has seen a 53% increase in video viewing over the past year
By 2015, some 463m TV sets worldwide will be capable of accessing video via the internet, 36% of those in the EU
Christopher Schouten who works for Irdeto ( a global software security and media technology company) believes that some linear content which tv provides, will always be in demand. Such as sport matches and reality tv shows such as Xfactor which he states a large majority of people prefer to view it in real time then as of later on.
Illegal downloading remains a threat to the industry with many seeing piracy as a competitor. But giving consumers what they want for the right price acts as a deterrent to turning to piracy sites.
Paul O'Donovan, of technology research specialists Gartner predicts that “the pay TV market will change from the multiple channels we have today because out of 300 channels available, most people only watch seven, but dip into others." which strengthen the belief that consumers prefer on demand content and the population of 'TV traditionalist' is falling.
To view full article go to : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13377164
I agree with many statements and the overall message of the article.
I think TV will live on but in a different form. I myself am subscribed to a digital satellite service, SKY+, and frequently use the 'on-demand' service and recording of live TV services, but this would be more common with my generation who have grown up with computers and no how to use piracy sites or legal on-demand sites such as '4od', unlike my parents who do not use the internet to view there shows. My parents do use the recording service provided by SKY+ but are more inclined to rely on the television guide.
But i find myself, in a weird way, taking a break from the internet to watch television, where with less choice its sometimes easier to settle for something, sometimes I find myself thinking for hours on what to watch on the internet and then finding a version that works. Its hard work sometimes.
Nielsen, a company that tracks US television viewing habits have reported a drop in ownership in tv's from 98.9% to 96.7%. But as DVD sales drop, Netflix, a subscription service which mails out DVD's has been dramatically growing larger in recent years. Also (according to IMS Research) there is a predicted increase of 7.8 million sat alight television subscribers between 2010-2015 (in the U.S).
Apple recently released 'Apple TV' which allows users to stream content from itunes or websites (such as youtube), directly too there television. Google has also released a similar service.
When Neil Gaydon, chief executive of pay TV technology developer Pace, was asked about the future of the tv, he pointed out to the rise in subscription figures of his companies satellite services as evidence of televisions health and later states that other internet services such as youtube only offer another service, not an alternative or replacements. He later goes on to also point out at google/apple tv poor take off sale figures, he believes that,
"The challenge to pay TV is greatly exaggerated”.
But he recognizes that recent events have woken television providers to develop hybrid services.
Not everyone agrees with Neil Gaydon, Suranga Chandratillake, founder of blinkx, a video search engine. He believes that in the future there will be a greater increase in the popularity of on-demand services which have access to internet, but believes television will live on in a new form. But wont survive in its current.
He sites the growth of Netflix as proof that consumers are willing to pay for reasonably priced services. And don't necessarily have to be free. But revenue could also be earned through advertisements on websites that provide the on-demand content.
Television is changing,
Average TV size in the US in 2009 is 46", will be 65" in 2015
Mobile has seen a 53% increase in video viewing over the past year
By 2015, some 463m TV sets worldwide will be capable of accessing video via the internet, 36% of those in the EU
Christopher Schouten who works for Irdeto ( a global software security and media technology company) believes that some linear content which tv provides, will always be in demand. Such as sport matches and reality tv shows such as Xfactor which he states a large majority of people prefer to view it in real time then as of later on.
Illegal downloading remains a threat to the industry with many seeing piracy as a competitor. But giving consumers what they want for the right price acts as a deterrent to turning to piracy sites.
Paul O'Donovan, of technology research specialists Gartner predicts that “the pay TV market will change from the multiple channels we have today because out of 300 channels available, most people only watch seven, but dip into others." which strengthen the belief that consumers prefer on demand content and the population of 'TV traditionalist' is falling.
To view full article go to : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13377164
I agree with many statements and the overall message of the article.
I think TV will live on but in a different form. I myself am subscribed to a digital satellite service, SKY+, and frequently use the 'on-demand' service and recording of live TV services, but this would be more common with my generation who have grown up with computers and no how to use piracy sites or legal on-demand sites such as '4od', unlike my parents who do not use the internet to view there shows. My parents do use the recording service provided by SKY+ but are more inclined to rely on the television guide.
But i find myself, in a weird way, taking a break from the internet to watch television, where with less choice its sometimes easier to settle for something, sometimes I find myself thinking for hours on what to watch on the internet and then finding a version that works. Its hard work sometimes.
Films that our out NOW!
These are trailers to films currently out in cinema if your interested!
Arthur Christmas : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMiyMkS1DNY
Contagion : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sYSyuuLk5g
In Time : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdadZ_KrZVw
Johnny English Reborn : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXQSfSu1Y0s
Justice : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gAhXgYaIOw
Midnight in Paris : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYRWfS2s2v4
The Adventures of Tintin : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_eIXyAKV_w
The Ides Of March : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McCt-_yYLpo
For loads of trailers on future films a good site to check out would be Apple Trailers
heres the link : http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/
Arthur Christmas : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMiyMkS1DNY
Contagion : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sYSyuuLk5g
In Time : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdadZ_KrZVw
Johnny English Reborn : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXQSfSu1Y0s
Justice : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gAhXgYaIOw
Midnight in Paris : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYRWfS2s2v4
The Adventures of Tintin : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_eIXyAKV_w
The Ides Of March : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McCt-_yYLpo
For loads of trailers on future films a good site to check out would be Apple Trailers
heres the link : http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/
Thursday 17 November 2011
Psychology in Films
Psychology and movies have gone hand in hand for years. They truely began to appear with greater frequency by the late 1960s. Movies such as "Good Will Hunting" and "One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest" (both oscar winning films) depicit the 'patient' and psycharatrist/psychologist relationship.
Other films such as Stanley Kuprick's "A Clockwork orange" can test our moral views with the experimental corrective treatment the protagonist is forced to indure, which involves repeated viewings of unspeakable acts which gives him pains which are then triggered again if he tries to commite a violent act. This is used to prevent him from commiting violent crimes. In the film, following a presentation of a temptation test, where which Alex (the protagonist) restrains because of the triggered pain, the priest inturrupts and say;
"Choice! The boy has not a real choice, has he? Self-interest, the fear of physical pain drove him to that grotesque act of self-abasement. The insincerity was clear to be seen. He ceases to be a wrongdoer. He ceases also to be a creature capable of moral choice."
This raises the etical questions on psychological treatments, though the treatment in the film is fictional, is it better to correct the beaviour rather then treat the cause of the behaiour. Ethics has recently been brought up in Research & Stats and in Perception & Ergonomics and my thoughts have turned to this film, I now look back at films with a new psychology perspective which covers a vast amount of films.
Famous films such as "Reighn on me" which dipict the protagonist suffering PDSD following 9/11, "Rain Man" stars a main charector whom has Autism and "Lars and the Real Girl" dipicts the struggle of the protagonist over coming a Delusional disorder.
One of my favourite films "12 Angrey Men" can aslo be read as a 'illustration of Social psychological concepts' as a group of 12 strangers of a jury must decide and agree whether the accusied is guilty or innocent.
According to 'All-about-psycholog.com' There was much concern (and still is) over the portrayl of psychologist and the portral of people suffering psychological disorders, so in 1998, members of the media psychology division of the American Psychological Society established a Media Watch Committee to examine the way psychologists, particularly therapists were portrayed in movies, television shows and books which survives to this day.
Films ask all the questions and many of which connect with the same questions psychologist ask but where the answer is not always certain, films have the ability to make us ponder who we are, why we are and what is right or wrong.
A short list of excellent psychological films can be found here; http://www.smccd.edu/accounts/merrill/PSYCHOLOGY%20AND%20MOVIES.htm
And heres a really interesting article on 4 Cliché Movie Moments Explained by Psychology that you should also check out!
Other films such as Stanley Kuprick's "A Clockwork orange" can test our moral views with the experimental corrective treatment the protagonist is forced to indure, which involves repeated viewings of unspeakable acts which gives him pains which are then triggered again if he tries to commite a violent act. This is used to prevent him from commiting violent crimes. In the film, following a presentation of a temptation test, where which Alex (the protagonist) restrains because of the triggered pain, the priest inturrupts and say;
"Choice! The boy has not a real choice, has he? Self-interest, the fear of physical pain drove him to that grotesque act of self-abasement. The insincerity was clear to be seen. He ceases to be a wrongdoer. He ceases also to be a creature capable of moral choice."
This raises the etical questions on psychological treatments, though the treatment in the film is fictional, is it better to correct the beaviour rather then treat the cause of the behaiour. Ethics has recently been brought up in Research & Stats and in Perception & Ergonomics and my thoughts have turned to this film, I now look back at films with a new psychology perspective which covers a vast amount of films.
Famous films such as "Reighn on me" which dipict the protagonist suffering PDSD following 9/11, "Rain Man" stars a main charector whom has Autism and "Lars and the Real Girl" dipicts the struggle of the protagonist over coming a Delusional disorder.
One of my favourite films "12 Angrey Men" can aslo be read as a 'illustration of Social psychological concepts' as a group of 12 strangers of a jury must decide and agree whether the accusied is guilty or innocent.
According to 'All-about-psycholog.com' There was much concern (and still is) over the portrayl of psychologist and the portral of people suffering psychological disorders, so in 1998, members of the media psychology division of the American Psychological Society established a Media Watch Committee to examine the way psychologists, particularly therapists were portrayed in movies, television shows and books which survives to this day.
Films ask all the questions and many of which connect with the same questions psychologist ask but where the answer is not always certain, films have the ability to make us ponder who we are, why we are and what is right or wrong.
A short list of excellent psychological films can be found here; http://www.smccd.edu/accounts/merrill/PSYCHOLOGY%20AND%20MOVIES.htm
And heres a really interesting article on 4 Cliché Movie Moments Explained by Psychology that you should also check out!
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