just one more year ........ ^^

T303 vs F305

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

>.>


OR!

on the side_
youtube

lalala....a picture

well...actually its more of a scribble..

yay roy morgan doodles lol

wahhhhhh

everyone is almost on break!!!!

awesome

chill

on the side_

thank you for seeing the good in me

today!

i vacuumed my room

it has been months

yay me


^^

belated. =]

happy bday bro

ZOMG ARGH!

AS IF DONT TELL ME YOU LIVE like next TO NICK FUN MENG!

=P

*cough* mark frank barton.. do read =P

Hi All -
a message from our radio manager for those interested in your own show. You need to be a current member AND trained to apply. If there is a problem with your membership number (ie it's not working or you don't remember what it is) please just email me OR call on 9925 4778 - our membership database isn't 100% reliable but I have ways and means of sorting you out so please don't stress.


Yes! There are two summer blocks, sort of. Just pay attention:

From the 22nd of December to the 4th of January the entire station will be fill in shifts

Then from the 4th of January to the 9th February (5 Weeks) SYN will resume regular scheduled programming, with applications and a grid and all that other fancy stuff

So if you would like to be part of the magic that is Summer Block 2009 all you need to do is visit

www.syn.org.au/apply http://www.syn.org.au/apply and fill out the form!

Applications for Summer Block close 19th of December (28 days away)

And we are still need people to fill slots from the 22nd to the 4th, e-mail Tim at radio@syn.org.au radio@syn.org.au if interested!

my stomach is back

because melb uni staff are just.. not thorough...

or

lazy
forgetful
slack
rushed
incompetent
dumb
busy
have better things to do
misunderstood


i dunnoz..
you pick
hahaa..
i choose not thorough =]

Student Number: #######
Name: Miss me

512-330 has not been approved as you are lacking the pre or co-requisites.
You will need to either amend your subject selection or obtain email approv
al from the subject coordinator to enrol in the subject without a pre or co
-requisite. If you obtain this approval from the subject coordinator, pleas
e forward it to me. Please refer to the handbook for further information ht
tps://app.portal.unimelb.edu.au/CSCApplication/faces/htdocs/user/search/Sim
pleSearch.jsp
Regards, her

Dear her,

I'm writing to inform you that by semester two 2009 I will have met the pre and co - requisites of 512 330.

The required subjects I have to complete are:

512-222 Behavioural Neuroscience 2(or equivalent) and 512-220 Quantitative Methods for Psychology 2(or equivalent)

This information is obtained here:
http://www.unimelb.edu.au/HB/2007/subjects/512-330.html

This applies to me as those are the pre and co requisites for students pre-Melbourne Model. I have discussed this in detail with the both my Arts and Science faculties at the beginning of this academic year.

Currently I have completed 512-220 and am enrolled for 512-222 for semester one 2009. Please note that 512-222 (due to Melbourne Model) has been replaced with 512225 Biological Psychology. You may confirm with this information here:
http://www.psych.unimelb.edu.au/courses/undergraduate/index_pre2008.html



Thank you

Regards

me

lol im such a turd
XP

2009 semester 2 = deaTH

1   512225 Biological Psychology                        Arts      
1   512227 Developmental Psychology                     Arts 
1   512350 Brain, Cognition and Behaviour               Sci 
1   672325 Cybersociety                                 Arts


2   512228 Personality and Social Psychol               Arts 
2   512330 Human Psychophysiology 3                     Arts 
2   516305 Neuroscience: Systems & Higher              Sci  
2   534201 Fundamentals of Pharmacology                 Sci  

TODAY IS AN *bleep* BRILLIANT DAY!

slept in

called for work shift tues
with jenny!
^^

yay roy morgan

ate breakfast

1/2 through psych crammage

YAN PING LING GOT HIS Ps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!
SO excited hahahhha

clay is at uni studying

realised why enrolment is stuffed
didnt put down anything for semester two
lolz.. i didnt think we had to plan that much ahead

david is studying

chun hin has arrived SAFE and message from HK AIRPORT!!

messages from karlson ^^

monash pplz are finished and freeeee

its SO SUNNY!

and the day has juuuuuust started

just ONE more exam ONE! ONE ONE MORE =]



yays im going to healsville on thursday(yay)
my boss just called


SICK!!
good thiings happening all day today ^^


haha yays:D
its a lovely day too ^^


^________________^

not the tad worried bout exam
-.-
but should
coz it's the only career path i have at the moment
stupid 75 average to be considered

looking forward to _

tues work roy morgans lol!!!
havent worked in weeeks

wed DAVID JONES BADGE !! BhwhAHAHAH

thurs training?

friday youth group!!! ^^ and more training

sat wAH! BARTON IS TWENTY ^^
another random job interview
zoo
music store hopping
fruit salad?

sun blisssss

life...... yer ^^

on the side_
hmm. i think cold showers
have some kinda hedonic effect
LOL!
there is something fascinating bout watching ya finger nails turn purple then semi black
hahahahha
cold shower: day 8!
just 6 more days
and i win the bet >: ]


oh and anyone want to go rialto at night ??
=]

oops..exam procrastination
lallaala..

Your Birthdate: January 20

You are a virtual roller coaster of emotions, and most people enjoy the ride. Your mood tends to set the tone of the room, and when you're happy, this is a good thing. When you get in a dark mood, watch out - it's very hard to get you out of it. It's sometimes hard for you to cheer up, and your gloom can be contagious. Your strength: Your warm heart Your weakness: Trouble controlling your emotions Your power color: Black Your power symbol: Musical note Your power month: February

what yoga pose are you..

You Are the Bow Pose

You are an open hearted person. You seek connections and make them easily. You are naturally generous - especially with your love and your time. You have a knack for thinking up interesting ideas. You are an inventor and a creator. You approach everything in life with a relaxed attitude. You accept what you can't change.

What Board Game Are You?

You Are Boggle

You are an incredibly creative and resourceful person. You're able to dig deep and think outside the box to get things done. You are a non linear thinker. You don't like following directions You draw your inspiration from the strangest places sometimes. You're constantly inspired.

What Kind of Muffin Are You?

You Are a Cherry Muffin

You are very friendly and sweet. You love to socialize. You have a bit of a fire in your heart, and you secretly love adventure. You are well known for speaking your mind. You tell people exactly what you think. However, you're so nice when you're honest, no one really cares! Even though you're down to earth, you're not exactly the girl or guy next door. You are actually quite worldly and sophisticated. You are well traveled and well read.

LOL! RANDOM
okay i shall stop procrastinating now..

you know ya doomed
when ya say to yourself

"how bad could a multiple choice exam get?"
._.

Hi ________,

Unfortunately we have just finished hiring new staff. However, if you would like to send your CV via email, we will gladly store it for consideration when we are next hiring.

Regards,

IMAX Melbourne

Museum Victoria

GPO Box 666

Melbourne VIC 3001

oh poo

=P

i somewhat hoped that last nights lighting and thunder would be accompanied by eerie orchestral sound waves smashing down from the heavens

on the side_
i really need to stop calling pplz
><

lolz . interview for cotton on.
cheers to rejection again

hmm..should try for a position at acmi

oh.! and no more physiology ever!!
guess it shall be missed. was a well taught subject

decisions

><

make them for me

sad faced || screwed faced

why didnt i get phone numbers off people in physiology lectures

Y_Y

new fav. artist ^^

Michael Angelo Batio

zomg.. a quad guitar ._.!
The Quad Guitar was invented and designed by Michael Angelo Batio. It was built by Wayne Charvel in Southern California. The guitar was originally built in conjunction with Gibson Guitars. Wayne later changed the necks and neck logos to say “Ritz” Guitars which at the time was his new guitar company. The 2 top necks have 7 strings while the bottom 2 necks have 6.





<3 metal hehehe.. another show to tune into in ya free time pplz

Muscially Incorrect
Triple R
"with Simon Lukic....Heavy Metal from Australia and around the World."

your randomness intrigues me

^^

on the side_

woah trippy

states

currently here_

give me 1 week _

give me 2 weeks_

hopefully_

eventually =]

this break is goina be an awesome one
^^

wii bit over media?

click

Flying away by ~myaki-ru on deviantART

@ acmi_ || random

focus on johnnie to

Take an idiosyncratic ride through the always unpredictable streets of Hong Kong cinema with one of its greatest and most prolific filmmakers.

This season of twelve films opens with the Australian premiere of Sparrow, To's tribute to his beloved city, and also includes his (almost) forgotten first film, The Enigmatic Case alongside other rarities and early works.

Thursday 6 November - Sunday 16 November 2008
Full $13 Concession $10
6 Session Package: Full $60 Concession $48

the 48 hour film project 2008

In a wild, sleepless weekend, you and a team will make a movie - write, shoot, edit and score it in 48 hours.

The 48 Hour Film Project is the largest time based film competition in the world and this year Victorian filmmakers are invited to take part.

For more information, or to register or join a team, visit http://www.48melbourne.com.au/

Fri 26 Sep, 7pm
Creative Market
ACMI Function Space
A networking & information event giving you the opportunity to meet team leaders and other filmmakers and to join teams.

Fri 24 Oct, 6pm
48 Hour Kickoff Event
Atrium, Federation Square
Teams will be given a Genre, Prop, Sentence and Character and sent off to create a film in 48 hours.

Sat 1 Nov, 7pm
Sun 2 Nov, 6pm
Screenings
BMW Edge, Federation Square
Two days over which all the films will be shown. Fri 7 Nov, 6.30pm
Awards Night
ACMI Cinemas
The twelve 'City Best' movies screen in the Awards Night.

on the side_

SECURE YOUR PLACE AT THE HARBOUR TOWN
SHOP TILL YOU DROP EVENING!

. 5.30PM - 9PM THURSDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2008
· Fashion parades
· Brand direct stores on sale every day
· Specialty stores with the latest fashion,
homewares and accessories
· Collections from Australian and international designers
· Exclusive Harbour Town VIP shopping card providing fabulous discounts and
special offers · Shop to WIN GREAT PRIZES including an Audi A3, a family holiday and cash to spend
at Harbour Town.


CLICK HERE TO RSVP: http://www.21-19.com/waterfrontcity/rsvp.html

i want to sleep and not wake up for a loong looooong time

x_x

and i think i need it



!


if life was a drawing
i want an eraser

but that would mean playing God

no

"...music is the only language the world understands...."

hmm.. reallllly now??

._.

a little look at spore....

Spore trailer

Video games are a complex medium rooted in action, continuously developing at the limitation of current technologies. Due to vast components such as physical, social and mental aspects, when it comes to video games Galloway’s, ‘Gamic Action, Four Moments’, provide a stable starting point for video game analysis. These elements borrow the ideas from film analysis such as the on screen (diegetic) and off screen (non diegetic) happenings which contribute to the overall narrative. His notion of machine and operator acts are further split into diegetic and non diegetic acts, each contributing to the process of game play. Naturally, to deconstruct a video game to four distinct concepts, there is room for overlap and limitations arise. All concepts shall be further explained in relation to the video game Spore (2008).

Spore is designed to pull aspects from God game, real-time strategy (RTS) and life simulation genres to form a unique experience whereby the operator begins as a single cell organism, evolving into a complex creature conquering the various stages of evolutionary life and history.

The stages are of linear fashion beginning at cell stage, travelling to creature, tribal, civilization and the climax, space stage. The game highlights the aspect of creativity as survival depends on operator (player) acts. That is, how the operator creates their character, whether or not it has eyes, limbs, claws etc dictates it’s movements and how the rest of the game progresses.

This game begins with non diegetic operator acts. Galloway defines these actions as part of a subjective algorithm separated into set-up actions and configuration actions of great importance within game play. The opening of Spore reflects the first, as operators proceed through preference settings, choosing to be either herbivores or carnivores, game difficulty (easy, medium, hard) and naming of their creation. Although these actions seem trivial the diet choice is critical as food is required to grow and advance through the game. At such an early stage, this isn’t apparent to the operator but the choice of herbivore means that for most of the game it’s desirable and easier to befriend and ally other species whilst carnivore is to hunt. Being a carnivore is of slight advantage as you are able to eat other species you attack therefore another food source, having the possibility of faster narrative progression.

A clear example of non diegetic operator acts in Spore is expressed in the creature segments. Every time the operator chooses to evolve their creature it brings up a separate interface dedicated to manipulating, creating and testing one’s design. The degree to which one can manipulate the creatures appears endless, as the elements maybe retracted, elongated, inflated, narrowed, rotated and multiplied but at the expense of DNA points which are gathered during game play. These actions are all governed by the operator and then interpreted by the software, as seen in the ‘test mode’.

Depending on which type of addition onto the creature it dictates how it would move. Certain limbs are suited for different abilities and have their advantages in the fields of healing, speed, charge, power etc. The aim for the player would be to manipulate this in such a way that would be most beneficial to their current situation in the game.

Cheats also are of non diegetic operator acts and may be involved in this creature creator stage. The software is programmed to automatically assign features symmetrically i.e. attachments to both sides of the body. But if operators desire otherwise an asymmetric cheat is entered in after bring up the console window by the physical typing of [Ctrl] + [Shift] + C whilst the game is running. Cheats as Galloway noted are just as important to the game as other components and shouldn’t be neglected. One of the more popular cheats “moreMoney” involves adding to your game currency thus provide convenience and is helpful when buying items to add to the operator’s design.

The later non diegetic operator act involving configuration at site of play is of particular relevance during the Tribal stage which is very similar to RTS games. Here the more familiar the operator is to the keys to press the greater the chance of defeating or befriending other creatures. Taking the example of allying with other creatures, players are required to mimic their actions. This process is machine driven as one has to comply and reach their goal amongst this set of rules (i.e. the type of action and the time frame in which it must occur) but it results in operator acts.

Acts of configuration may be coupled with diegetic operator acts which involve move acts and expressive acts of varying intensities. Move acts being changing the position of the creature and camera which may be executed through the keyboard or the mouse in Spore. The field of view changes amongst the different game stages, beginning as a bird’s eye view in cell stage, to chase camera in creature stage (creature acts as an avatar, camera following behind it) and back to bird’s eye view for the following stages as there are continuously more creatures, colonies, planets the operator is required to manoeuvre and control both in diegetic (on screen) space and non diegetic (off screen) space. There is no edge scrolling until space stage, where the field of view is restricted by the instructions given to the movement of the creature. However, there are other means to explore areas of non diegetic game space; this is through the interface which is similar to a heads up display. There is a map the operator may click to look at the other areas of terrain however, cannot interact with it until the tribe or creature has migrated over to that space.

Expressive acts enable or unlock actionable objects. In the case of Spore, the unlocking of features for creatures, vehicles or buildings may be obtained by attacking or socialising with NPCs, completing missions or breaking fossils found. They range from simple operator actions such as a mouse click to complicated configuration and interaction between mouse, keyboard and feedback from the creature attacked.

On the other end of the spectrum are machine acts – actions exhibited from the game software, running the game. Many games involve cut scenes which provide insight to character development or promote narrative progression. These are considered to be diegetic machine acts. Spore, contains many cut scenes which many provide the option to the operator of being skipped. Galloway states these moments of animation are “momentarily irrelevant” where the “operator is forgotten” (pg 11). This analysis may be too harsh as despite the operator not necessarily being able to intervene, they’re still involved, watching and anticipating following machine acts. After every stage, the operator is rewarded with a short animation of the creature actively cheering and dancing along with text congratulating their achievement. Thus, promoting more game play and time invested into furthering narrative progression. The longest cut scene is of last stages of the game where one has journeyed into the center of the galaxy. Compared to all the other little achievements tackled along the way the last event is rather poor leaving gamers which the feeling of ‘that’s it?’ If Galloway’s statement were true, then this cut scene wouldn’t have evoked an emotional response from the operator. The ultimate item is claimed to be a ‘staff of life’ but in comparison to planet blasters that allow you to blow up entire planets along with the inhabitants or refrigeration rays that ice over planets destroying or improving ecosystems, it doesn’t provide a greater spectacle. The fun in Spore, arises out of experimenting with numerous tools, creature features and weapons obtained to explore the galaxy.

An important diegetic machine feature in games is the ambience act whereby the game itself is still running but the player is absent. This isn’t a relevant feature in Spore, as the game is constantly running if left on the main screen and not editor modes. Example: Civilization stage, where every minute the operator gains game currency at a set rate depending on how they placed factories or mines they are built in the town. Enemies are constantly attacking and the health of your town would decline rather quickly if left alone without the non diegetic operator act of pressing the pause button.

Missions are guided by the software but operators are given the option to accept. Much of the game is guided by tutorials that allow for the operator to become familiar with the interface before proceeding further. These instructions on pop up screens may be considered to be non diegetic machine enabling acts as they have a positive impact on game play.

The machine provides useful details to the operator such as increasing health at each stage the creatures level up on the process bar. In tribal and space stages real time alerts pop up on the side screens, separate from the visual game world providing information about upcoming attacks or gifts received from neighbouring colonies. An essential aspect of Spore is the idea of community to advance through stages. The machine dictates the number of creatures one can have in a pack when they attack together. Once, your creature goes into war, the rest of the creatures in your pack attack accordingly without the need for further operator actions. Essentially the machine is playing the other creatures for you and is on your side. This brings up Galloway’s emphasis of cybernetics: the fusion of organic elements (the player) with non organic elements (the machine) in gamic action. The degree of connection in the relationship has direct effects on the actions involved in video games.

However, with this ideology Galloway chooses to ignore the potential of “interaction” whereby, the player may bring forth their own interpretation to the game play. By refusing to incorporate this theory it also leaves out the notion of immersion one has with their game revealing a limitation to the four axes model. The operator is more than actions inputted into a machine therefore; the operator’s intentions are to be examined for a more detailed analysis of video games (Whalen 2004). There are many paths to take as there is no one ideal goal in Spore. It may be perceived that the goal is to reach the center of the galaxy as it’s the most difficult to do, find the planet earth, collect all the times, or finish the stages as fast as one can. This game has an online element which invites and enables players to directly upload material onto Youtube and their creatures onto the Spore website. Although, this is a single-player game, there is still a large aspect of community outside of the game which in turn motivate different gamic operator actions. Players are able to download other creatures invented by others as their NPCs and involve them in their games. Due to this interaction from an online community one of the many goals not initially intended by the developers but initiated by the players is the idea of replicating already existing characters in the digital media/culture e.g. Pixar animation character Wall.E (2008), GN-001 Gundam Exia (2008) etc.

Small competitions arises as to whom can create the most accurate replication of characters and that itself is rewarding for certain groups of players.

Many aspects of games involve limited action expressed through codes and rules of the software. However, there isn’t a category in which this aspect could be appropriately placed as the last quadrant to be mentioned in Galloway’s model is disabling non diegetic machine acts related to unwanted network lag or freezes in the game etc, which are equally as irritation to the operator. During civilisation stage, the operator’s actions of where to build houses, factories and entertainment are limited to certain nodes within the town plan. They may not be placed wherever one desires. Also the software dictates how successful the operator is in the plans as the machine response to the locations of buildings of the operator with a meter ranging from sad to happy.

The happier the inhabitants are the more game currency one gains.

Space stage contains the largest area for potential gamic action but movements are constricted by ring surrounding one’s spaceship. As the player journeys closer to the center of the galaxy the circumference of movement retracts increasing difficulty of game play. Major movements are also restricted to star hopping or planet hopping. Total freedom in space isn’t allowed.

Another aspect of video game analysis which is left unattended in Galloway’s findings is the concept of playing the same game but through a different machine or platform. Spore may be experience through PC computers (which this close reading has been structured around), Nintendo DS or mobile phones. Clearly the gaming experience is altered when one proceeds form on platform to the next. As, the machine is changed the cybernetic relationship between the operator is altered and certain actions executed in previous state of the game may be non applicable.

Ultimately, Galloway’s model provides a basic deconstruction of action moments in gaming. However due to these distinct quadrants limitations arises that do not incorporate aspects of the entire gaming experience. Such limitations may be seen within the online communities in Spore, the alternate motives behind players and the variation between platforms.

REFERENCES :

Galloway, A (2006). Gaming: Essays on Algorithmic Culture. Minneapolis:University of Minnesosa Press.

Whalen, Zach, 2004. Play Along – an Approach to Videogame Music (online). (Cited 2 Novemberr 2008). Avalilable from http://www.gamestudies.org/0401/whalen.

FILMOGRAPHY:

Mobile Suit Gundam 00, created by Hajime Yatate and Yoshiyuki Tomino, 2008

Wall.E, Pixar, 2008

GAME:

SPORE, 2008, Electronic Arts

ummm

trying to study as usual

so animations / videos / tutorials

but its really hard when everything some the comp speakers sound like its coming from chipmunks

anyone know how to reset the system?

its so difficult to learn with high pitched squeals outlining the functions of the brain

Y_____Y

i dont want to read the text book ~

FIXED thanks DAVID

i have learnt the meaning of tragic

it is v. complex

and at times overwhelming

with zillions of different stimuli to initiate it

and many more to vary it

with the possibility of triggering other nodes of emotion i.e. insanity

im feeling

im learning

but am i growing?

!

i want an origami shoe
><"

Aussie Artists <3

http://www.alexchudnovsky.com/

just click it!!!

amazing classical guitar compositions !!!

hmmmmmm...i wonder......

...

nah..




...

tempting

=P



zips!!!!

on the side_
http://famouschris.com/
neat blog
havent read it
but it has photos!
of food some guys eats everyday or whenever he posts
and its interesting