Parting is such sweet...summer joy.

I can smell it in the air: barbeque, freshly cut grass, chlorine and insect repellent. Ah, summer.

for me anyway.

For you dear readers, by now it is fall. Wind, leaves, and freshly sharpened pencils, and once again, education. You have just taken your seat in the CSCI 1300 classroom, waiting for the course to commence, and you might be wondering...well, maybe nothing depending on the time of day (wake up 8:30-ers!). However, for the majority of you, you're wanting to know what the heck to expect to get from 3 months in a computer lab. So, as my last blog post...I shall advise you:

-Be prompt (it's easier to know what's going on if you're on time...trust me)
-Be thorough (make sure to double check stuff, Xcel and HTML coding can be sneaky)
-Be creative (it is design based...)

and you're good.

and the Moira goes to...

The year is coming to a close, meaning the closing of this blog. Sad days are a comin', I know. Before that time comes, I'd like to give a few shout outs to some pretty awesome classmates with some sweet websites...an awards blog of sorts I'd say: The Golden Moira Awards (oh wow) to be specific.

and the Moira goes to...Oh! It's a three way tie!

Come on down Alex Holmes, Larissa Lozano, and Amanda Patterson!

Alex had the coolest navbar (original hand drawn cartoons!), Larissa had the best web layout (really professional/uniform design), and I felt like I got to know Amanda the best just by looking at her webpage (pretty awesome from what I can tell, and I'm jealous of the trip to Europe!)

congrats kids, feel special.

I have a website...and I'm not pretentious.

Please visit my website, I'll give you a gold star and everyone likes those.

This week, I used the program Expression Web to create a personal website to share with my family and friends. When first starting, I was really confused by the process of web creation, making it difficult for me to do the assignment. However, once I got the hang of it, it turned out to be pretty easy to complete and have fun doing. I made a five page website, but I'd have to say I'm most proud of my gallery page because it took me a while to figure out how to make the photos fit the table and remain aesthetically pleasing, which proved to be my greatest technical challenge as well because I couldn't get the pictures to center within their cells. In regards to design, the biggest challenge I faced was deciding what I wanted to do, pretty much that there were too many little web design ideas floating around in the ole' noggin. In hindsight, I would have spent more time learning the ins and outs of Expression Web to make my site look even more impressive. I think that if I were presented with the opportunity to utilize technology and creativity in my future academic endeavors, I wouldn't hesitate to whip out my skills and pump out another cyber gem.

yes, I'm proud of it.

Pinnochio Photography

I chose to super-impose Mickey Mouse onto the working floor of a massive sweat shop with the Disney World slogan above him so as to convey the rightful criticisms towards the Disney company. I manipulated it by cutting Mickey out of a Disney World snapshot, and placing him behind the viewing rail of the sweatshop. Then I changed the saturation and vibrance of the photo to make it duller and appear older (roughly 60s photography) to show that Disney sweatshops have been in existence since the beginning of the enterprise. The manipulation is indeed harmful as it depicts the Disney company in a very negative light, showing that even a supposed family oriented corporation can be socially corrupt. Anyone who sees this would take the slogan as sarcasm due to the contrasting emotions of the two photos, showing Disney's obvious acknowledgement of their wrongdoings (Mickey smiling). Many would at least believe the purpose of the photographic alterations.

You would think that my manipulation proves that modern technology has caused people to constantly question what they see...well you'd be right. However, images have been altered for quite some time. In the article I read, the author (Browne) emphasizes the fact that though technological advancement may have provided the masses with the ability to forge photos, the ability to do so itself has existed since the creation of photography. "But in the end, a doctored photograph's ability to deceive seems to depend chiefly on the willingness of the viewer to accept a picture as truthful." This holds true for all images, the power to manipulate a photo is nothing compared to the power within that power to manipulate a person (photo finagling to the second power!) and if the person does note concede, the power of the photo is lack luster.

Works Cited!

MALCOLM W., BROWNE. "Computer as Accessory to Photo Fakery." New York Times 24 July 1991: 6. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 12 Apr. 2010.

HTML Power Rangers

Prior to my enrollment in CSCI 1300, I had absolutely zero experience with HTML coding. I always associated it with the green numbers from The Matrix streaming down into the endless depths of cyber space...now I associate it with cats. I was able to create an entire webpage by my own hand...using words. It amazes me that we have that power of creation these days, with the ability to create virtual images and communication sources through the click of a few keys. However, technology has advanced even beyond this power and mighty morphed into ultra-"just click the mouse button" megatron programs that take over the nitty gritty for you. I'm not sure about all you readers (a small portion of my CSCI class...), but I enjoy the nitty gritty! It's like a piece of art, whether it be a full on Monet (Clueless anyone?) or a macaroni lanyard/keychain I made at summer camp, it makes me feel accomplished to have known that after finishing a project, I have created absolutely every single bit of it on my own. So keep that in mind the next time you decide to take a shortcut friends, don't forget your roots be an HTML Power Ranger!

You know, cause it mighty morphed.

Playing favorites...

After watching my fellow CSCI 1300 classmates present PowerPoints on their academic interests, I have to say I was quite impressed. Not only were they able to speak coherantly at 8:30 in the morning, but they did so with gusto and in some cases the power of persuasion. Two presentations stood out to me amongst the rest, that of Miss Larissa Lozano and young Mister Travis Halff. Larissa did an amazing job, combining her powers of design and emotional transference into one solidly convincing presentation. Let's just say, I still have a strong affinity for musuem education but I'd work with Larissa on immigration policy anyday, and her color scheme was lovely to boot. In regards to Travis' presentation, twas an absolute delight. He had the entire class in rapture, displaying his marketing and advertising talents, many were left wanting a Shake-Weight (object of marketing strategy) and were itching to go out to the nearest "As Seen on TV" shopping aisle. The design was a little all over the place, but it worked, allowing us to focus on his manufactured British accent.

All in all, both were quite successful. Golf clap.

Power Plays in PowerPoint

Technology has become an essential in terms of contemporary communication, i.e. this blog. However, in order to present information in a...presentation format...the program PowerPoint is often used.

To be a successful PowerPoint player:

1. Don't use the cheesy images you find in clip art...they aren't gouda.

2. Don't be wordy; the slides are a guide, not a script. Verbatim readers are boring and ANNOYING.

3. Aesthetics are key, choose an appropriate font that's legible.

4. Themes can be distracting and dull or enhance the ideas of the presentation (do that...)

5. Take time to practice, you'll be well-versed in the flow of your slideshow and therefore feel more confident!!!

So whether it's a presentation on the national fiscal policy in regards to departmental spending for your economics class or a persuasive attempt to change your parents' fiscal policy in regards to your spending money, PowerPoint can be utilized for an effective outcome.

Oh Clarence...

My picture is about the confrontation of the individual and reality. It encourages accepting yourself for who you are as unique amongst the majority, and to not fear the differences.

snaps.

Academic credibility...say wha?

Tuesday, 8:30 A.M., Sleep deprived college students. Go.

Chris Nolan, a Trinity University Librarian came into our CSCI class to preach the power of website evaluation. He showed us just how easy it is to find credible scholarly sources on public search engines like my old pal Google. Though we've been close friends for what seems like a decade...or actually a decade, I found out through Mr. Nolan that Google has a smart twin, Google Scholar. The website searches for specifically peer evaluated articles from venerated journals and such, making research a little bit less hectic when trying to find sources at 3 A.M. without caffeine. Even more surprising are the capabilities of Google's cyber twin and its connection to local research networks, including Trinity Library! I can now look up an article online and then see if Trinity has it in stock! I also didn't know prior to the info session what the "cached" link was beneath every Google search result (displays a screen shot of what the webpage looked like the last time Google indexed it) or that when typing in the search bar you can specify the type of domain or even what country you'd like information from, and all you need is a colon. I plan on using Google Scholar the next time I write a paper, it's legit.

Transformed Photos: More Than Meets The Eye

I chose to evaluate the above photo of Clement Hurd, the illustrator of the beloved children's book Goodnight Moon. When the book was originally published in 1947, Hurd had a cigarette in his raised right hand, the photo was edited when the publishing company, HarperCollins, republished the book in 2005. Their reasoning for such alteration was for the harmful influence it could have on young children to see an adult in the children's book industry smoking, essentially to promote lung health. Though HarperCollins may have doctored the photo in more ways than one,

I don't see it as harmful or helpful, mostly because children don't generally look to the personal habits of children's book illustrators of the past for life lessons. Oh, and it makes him look like he's trying to impersonate Marlon Brando in The Godfather.

CSCI:CLT (and other acronyms)

Previously on CSCI,

The class was given a tour of the AT&T Center for Learning Technology, guided by Robert Chapman. Nothing too dramatic, definitely interesting.

The CLT is home to many computers, of both the PC and Mac varieties, allowing users of opposite technology styles to become apt in Apple and proficient at PC. However, it is the software available to the student body that was previously unbeknownst to me that was most shocking...they have everything. If ever I need to edit a photo, video, or music, or pretty much anything my little heart desires, the CLT is the place to be. Before our formal introduction, I had taken quick glances in awe and wonder on my way to hole up for exam study sessions on the first floor, but never before did I know its capabilities! I plan on becoming a regular in the CLT, my Mac skills are lacking and I have a yearnin' for some learnin'...too much?

Two Wrongs Don't Make a Copyright

People don't like to be copied, we seem to have an imagined grandeur in our head that everything we create is entirely original and because of that, we are unique. Yet, our uniqueness truly isn't all that original, we tend to...borrow. For instance, my previous blog entries are examples of my self-proclaimed originality, but their very existence prevents them from being unique. There are an endless supply of bloggers on the internet who display the same type of sass, and inevitably someone also used Webster's format to define themselves. This isn't to sound pessimistic, as we are all entirely different combinations of a lot of different experiences but also a lot of shared sources. Though for the most part unintentional, we can't help but copycat. Enter legal system.

Copyright was first created to enforce individual rights, the idea being that larger quantities of ideas would disseminate because persons felt secure knowing that their intellectual property would be just that, theirs. Cultural development ensued and the world was better for it...in 1790. Nowadays, it has become supremely difficult to create much of anything as there is a vast amount of copyright red tape inhibiting growth and change, a lot of which covers really common ideas. Musicians often are confronted by this, as there are only so many chord progressions within the musical realm, and so many protected by law from use without payment first. Though the Fair Use Provision act has allowed many to overcome this difficulty, many still struggle in achieving self expression, persecuted by a lower case letter C. I think that through the creation of new regulations such as Creative Commons, we can once again become a developmental society, not worrying about impinging or infringing but just creating.

Two Wrongs Don't Make a Copyright by Moira Allen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

wordle

Yay Wordle!

My Trinity Network Diagram

Though one may think a tour involving staring at stacks and stacks of computer equipment is boring, the CSCI tour of Trinity's Server room was quite a trip...I found out how copper wiring and glass tubes allow me to update my Facebook status. In all seriousness, the tour was very informational and gave me insight into the complexities of modernity. Plus, being surrounded by all the technological machinery made me feel like I was on a space shuttle...or in the Bat Cave. Essentially, the tour was great because it made me feel like Batman in space. Grand success I'd say.

Tip Top Tech Shape

In the last CSCI class, Joe Hatch (Senior Analyst in the User Support Area) gave great advice for computer owners/users and a whole lot for me to put on my "Computer To Do List". While I am not qualified in any way to be giving technological advice, I think that the most helpful bit of information for all computer users is to update their computers on a regular basis and download CCleaner. Turns out my modem was running slowly because it was snacking heavily on cyber cookies, so I put it on the CCleaner diet. It only took about a minute and a half to get my computer back to its original healthy internal physique by ridding it of roughly 1,450 MB. I promptly phoned NBC to recommend a Biggest Loser: Laptop edition, I had to leave a message.

Main Point: Get CCleaner, it does a computer body good.

Getting to know you: The CSCI 1300 Class and I

I've come to the conclusion that everyone I will be spending my 8:30-9:45 time block with on Tuesdays and Thursdays, are pretty awesome...I commented on Travis' and Kevin's blogs. Oh the joys of blogging.

Until that time block,

Moira

P.S.

For those who aren't familiar with Rodgers and Hammerstein, this blog's title is a reference to a song from the musical The King and I (picture)...Go culture!

Mo Fa Sho

Moira [Moy-ruh]

-noun

1.A wordy and whimsical young woman

-verb

1.To dance like no one is watching, despite an evident audience

2.To introduce oneself on a blog by means of a dictionary format

3.To display extreme favoritism towards Nutter Butter cookies in the snack food aisle (For those on a scavenger hunt...SECRET FACT!)

-adjective

1.lacking in stealth

2.to be adequate in the area of technology; can function on low level programs

Synonyms: Unconventional, enthusiastic

That's just what I found in Webster's...

My name is Moira Allen. I am a San Antonio native, I enjoy playing tennis, drawing, reading David Sedaris and Chuck Palahniuk novels, collecting rocks, and I can wear a spoon on my nose for roughly 38 seconds. I am currently a student worker at the Admissions Office and I am about to become quite involved on campus in PAWS, Art Collective, RUF, and Club Tennis. I plan on double majoring in Anthropology and Art & Art History in order to become a museum curator and/or a photojournalist for National Geographic. I am an avid photographer, and therefore have experience with various photo editing programs including some minor knowledge of PhotoShop, though I'm quite excited to get acquainted with other computer software.

I'm not sure how to end a blog entry so, [insert pleasantry here]

email me here