The Journey Begins...

Since last week, I have begun the slow journey of learning how to create the basic components that can be combined into a solid piece of media. In doing so, I have been reflecting on the films, websites, and other visual creations that I really enjoy, and have been thinking about them with a new appreciation. Im beginning to wonder how things work instead of just enjoying them for what they are. Now, this can be a good thing or a bad thing. On one hand, my curiosity may bring me to discover new tricks of the trade, and I can gain a great amout of knowledge to add to my personal technology tool-kit. On the other hand, will I be able to just simply enjoy anything at face value again? I have in mind my film student friends. For example, after finishing Shutter Island, they were more concerned with the camera angles, and lighting and special effects than actually just enjoying a movie. Bringing me to my first important question. If I figure out the "how" behind the "cool"... am I still gonna think its "cool"?


Websites for reference:
http://www.awn.com/articles/article/shutter-island-vfx-method-madness

Personal Technology Toolkit

Since my last PC got a virus which completely ended its existence, I ended buying a PC every two years and bought a Macbook pro last October. It has allowed me to think about different technologies in a new light. I never wanted to get an iPhone or a Mac because I just didn't understand why one was better than the other. When I was 17 I wanted an iPod like the rest of the world, my dad (an IT specialist and loyal PC owner) bought me a Zune. Having anything Mac was just not an option. Now that I know both, I feel that one isn't particularly better than another, they are just different. (although Mac's don't get viruses and crash like my last 3 computers) I was really intimidated when first learning about everything from Snow Leopard to Safari, but its just a new way of doing things. When I think about the knowledge I have when it comes to web technology, I feel like its an unexplored area thats just like me figuring out the Mac. I feel like it took me a long time to switch because I was so comfortable using PC that I didn't want to travel outside my comfort zone. So, this is a main motivator for me exploring web design. I have always been interested in it, I just am intimidated. I'm ready to upgrade my toolkit.

Why I joined Facebook

I joined Facebook in college when it was just a fun website where you could add everyone who was in your dorm. Since then, Facebook has opened its doors to over 400 million users and has let me keep in touch with relatives I would normally not even talk to. Since then I have added Twitter to my digital arsenal, and I made a correlation of the fact that its just like the Facebook status update bars but simplified. Also, I liked that you could tag others as part of your update, which Facebook picked up on and added as well. Now I can keep both statuses in sync. I also had no idea that when I joined Facebook, it would be a great way to keep in touch with my Mom. My parents moved to northern Wisconsin last year, and even tho I don't always call her and let her know whats going on in my life, she knows exactly what i'm up too (for better or worse) because of checking out my profile and status. I would be open to joining more sites in the future because of the positive experience I have had with my first social networking site.

Facebook Statistics:
Average user has 130 friends on the site
Average user sends 8 friend requests per month
Average user spends more than 55 minutes per day on Facebook
Average user clicks the Like button on 9 pieces of content each month
Average user writes 25 comments on Facebook content each month
Average user becomes a fan of 4 Pages each month
Average user is invited to 3 events per month
Average user is a member of 13 groups