Advice to the young ones....

Hey guys! So, my advice to you for your time in CS1300 is:

1) Make sure you have a buddy to do homework with - that way, if one of you forgets how to do a certain step in a program, you can help each other out.
2) Check out the assignment ahead of time and start early. It may take longer than you expect.
3) Speaking of, don't forget to do the homework! It could really negatively affect your grade.
4) The more creative you are, the better!
I hope you learn a lot during your time with Ms. Belisle!

.....and the most outstanding work is:

The final assignment for CS 1300 produced some amazing and innovative websites. My three favorite ones however belonged to:
1) Moira Allen - My favorite thing about this site was the navigational bar. Each hyperlinked icon on the bar was made with pictures that she took, and therefore work as a superb way to showcase her talent as well. I love the way in which the design is simple and allows easy accessibility while at the same time, is pleasing to the eye. The homepage is chic with a single picture (that looks like fashion photography) and a couple simple words to greet the visitor. Moira's page is a true treat and designed with exquisite artistic technique.
2) Alex Holmes - Words cannot describe how much I love this page. The design using cartoons is ingenious. Alex's creativity shines through this website, which makes it all the more fun to browse thru. Looking through this site, it is evident that a lot of work and time went into the construction. I throughly enjoyed looking at this page and think that it could be put on the web for mass public enjoyment. Oh, and as a avid photographer, I ADORED the section with the pictures related to Poi.
3) Sam Elder - I really enjoy the overall premise of this page. I like that Sam put the assignment to good use and created a site that will be used for a purpose continually for years to come. It has good information, a nice layout, and is easy to navigate.

Visit the websites by clicking on the names below!
Moira Allen
Alex Holmes
Sam Elder

Photoshop makes dreams come true.

Please visit my website at www.cs.trinity.edu/~llozano!

I hope you enjoy the site, I put a lot of time and effort into it and went through many "rough drafts" of layout designs until I found one that I liked. To create the site, I used Expression Web to write the HTML code(and adjusted my picture sizes by hand and re-coded the dimensions). I'm most proud of my home page because I think the design was able to be most controlled here, and I like how it turned out simple, but eye-catching. Furthermore, it is the page that kicks off the whole site! If I could have changed anything, I would probably have done my fonts in another manner that was easier. I reality, I used photoshop to create the text captions, saved them as a picture and imported each section onto my page. My biggest technical challenge was struggling with Photoshop to get it to do what I wanted. I wasn't as savvy with the program as I originally thought. Oh, shoutout to Erin Dooley! - she helped me figure out how to finally get different aspects of the program to work how I wanted them to. My website wouldn't have looked nearly as good without her Photoshop help. My bniggest design challenge was figuring out how to design a navigation bar that I liked and looks simple, classy, and cute. I'll probably show my site to people who want to see my photography, or to people who want my help in creating a site for themselves. I don't know if I will make another website in the future for class, but now that I know how, I am helping a family member make one for a business they have over the summer.

Why YOU Should Know How to HTML Code

Attention Web Designers: It is important that you learn immediately how to code in HTML form.
You may be asking why do I need to learn how to HTML code? I can use a software such as KompoZer instead. With the software, I just need to type the information I am inputting in a Word-like document, and my page will be instantly created. But, let me say: Stop right there cyber-wiz! By using a software, it may be efficient but what if you want to personalize your page more than the software will allow? Well, you won't be able to because you will be constrained by the programs knowledge. Furthermore, what if a new and more sophisticated code is developed for writing websites? With a basic knowledge of HTML, it will be simple to build-off of that and add the new coding to create a mind-blowing phenomenal website! Don't hold back your creativity and be lazy by using a program, invest your time and energy into learning HTML code and the possibilities will be endless, and the quality of work will be superior to anything created by a software that could go out of date. HTML code however, will always be around as the cornerstone and building blocks of the internet.

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Lies

Shown above is My Picture That Lies. I chose a picture of the White House and several pictures of different animals to manipulate and conglomerate. I decided to use these pictures because I wanted to use a location or landmark that everyone was familiar with and import common subjects into the shot. I wanted to make a picture that would cause people to look twice and question what was going on that such a strange situation was captured on film. I also thought it would be funny to make a political statement with whatever I created. I took the pictures off of Google and imported them into Photoshop where I began to create a new work of art.

The picture was manipulated by changing the hue and saturation of the background, altering the opacity of the animals, and adding text into the image. Additionally, one of the most notable image alterations is the combination of zoo animals on the front lawn of the White House. The background was altered because the color was too dark, so adjusting the hue and saturation provided for a more rich and vibrant color. The opacity on the animals was adjusted so that it wouldn't look as though the animals were added from another picture. The text was added so that my idea for the picture would be fully conveyed to the audience. The manipulation was not harmful. It doesn't defame anyone or convey false ideas, but simply pokes fun at politics.

I also did a little bit of research about the increasing problem of digitally doctoring photos that are given to the public as the truth. My picture relates to the article because the article explains about how to tell if images have been spliced, and my picture has indeed been spliced and re-combined. If there were ever any doubts about if the picture I created was real or not, someone could run my picture that lies through the software discussed in the research article and conclude the truthfulness of my work. The article discusses new software that allows the problem of digitally altering photos to be addressed and help in it's demise.

A helpful quote from the article is: "Today’s technology allows digital media to be altered and manipulated in ways that were simply impossible 20 years ago. Tomorrow’s technology will almost certainly allow for us to manipulate digital media in ways that today seem unimaginable. And as this technology continues to evolve it will become increasingly important for the science of digital forensics to try to keep pace. Along with sensible policy and law, and an awareness of the issues involved, it is my hope that the statistical tools that my lab is creating will help the media, the courts, and our society contend with this exciting, and at times puzzling, digital age."

The article I researched is:
Farid, Hany. "Digital doctoring: how to tell the real from the fake." Significance 3.4 (2006): 162-166. Academic Search Complete.
EBSCO. Web. 12 Apr. 2010.

PowerPoint Presentation Reviews

My favorite PowerPoint presentations were those belonging to Travis Halff and Moira Allen. Halff used humor to his advantage while utilizing animation to nicely emphasize his point. Halff's slideshow background was simplistic which allowed for all attention to go to his lively graphics and slide transitions. The use of animation in this presentation was great and kept the crowd interested. Although his content wasn't intellectually deep, his thoughtful design and product choice captured the class' attention and made me want to immediately order a Shake Weight. Oh, and I throughly enjoyed the Rory Davidson accent that Halff used while presenting. Moira Allen's presentation was delightful. I really appreciated the Indiana Jones theme that was made constant throughout the presentation. The font, background, and taglines all complemented one another nicely. I thought that Allen's technique was captivating and entertaining. Although the font was hard to read at times because the orange blended into the background of dirt, her enthusiasm kept the presentation My favorite part of it all was when m demonstrated how musuem curation affects us in San Antonio. Furthermore, after she was done, I wanted to immediately take a trip to the McNay! Nice work, presentation and creativity Moira and Travis!

Beware of the PowerPoint

Dear Classmates,
After reading the articles that Ms. Belisle posted for us, I began to fret that come class time, I would be bored with dreary PowerPoint presentations. But, alas, I remembered that you too were reading the articles, and therefore I would not have to sit through the drone of a horrible presentation. I think that the posted readings are very helpful in identifying major downfalls that can come upon a presentation. To make sure that we don't forget everything that was just read, let me remind you of some key points to avoid in the creation and presentation of a PowerPoint show:
1) Make it simple - people get frustrated and confused if the slides have too many details and distractions, thus the audience subsequently stops paying attention
2) Use video or sound - something to grab your audience's attention and wake them up if they are snoozing is always a good idea
3) Choose fonts well - complicated and numerous fonts frustrate the audience and they stop paying attention
4) Limit bullet points and text - remember, a PowerPoint is supposed to aid you in presenting, you should be doing a lot of the talking while the show keeps your audience engaged in the topic. Don't crowd your slides, you will lose your audience!
5)Spend time sorting your slides - make sure that your presentation has a nice flow and is cohesive. If necessary, use the slide organizer to re-group your thoughts to be more easily understood and comprehended.

Friend or Foe?

This picture collage is representative of the various emotions that can be displayed throughout a friendship, and it offers advice on what action to take when a relationship may not be going well.

Finding High Quality Information On The Internet

Last class, Chris Nolan, Assistant University Librarian at Trinity University's Coates Library gave a presentation that concentrated on commonly used search engines and the information that can be found with their usage.
Something new that I learned pertained to the order that results are displayed after a search is conducted. How can one website appear on the first page of results when another is on page fifty-three? Mr. Nolan said that this can occur if a website puts a common search term in their encoding, or fills their first paragraph with words that are common search terms but unrelated to the site's actual purpose.
The most surprising thing he said was that when a search is conducted, the results showing up may not be a website, but could be information on a spreadsheet or another document saved onto a computer. The search engine is able to use those files and construct an answer in the form of a result webpage.

Manipulating The Public Through Media

I chose this picture of a British Soldier in Basra, Iraq, because I think that it shows that what the public is exposed to may not always be the truth - especially when the topic is controversial, such as the war. The photo, taken by Brian Walski of the Los Angeles Times, is actually two separate photographs doctored together to make a new, more captivating image. In one of the original pictures, the soldier has his hand up, but the civilian 's head is turned away. In the other original picture, the soldier's hand was down, but the civilian is facing the soldier. When these two images were spliced, and then combined, the result is a photograph that makes it seem as though the anxious civilian is not following instructions of the soldier who is trying to keep him safe.

This picture was originally published on the front page of the Los Angeles Times in April 2003. After the Times figured out that the image had been manipulated, Walski, a 30-year old veteran of the journalism business, was fired per the company's policy against altering news content. Walski claimed that he combined his images in order to improve the composition. It is clear though, when examining the photographs that each image conveys a different theme to the viewer. Walski's interpretation deliberately created a biased opinion in support of the invasion of Iraq. This manipulation makes it seem as though the citizens of Iraq are under incompetent and need the military to protect them.

To see the original pictures in comparison to the doctored image, check out this site: Doctored and Original Images Side-by-Side

Edit Your Heart Out

I had passed through the CLT (Center for Learning and Technology) at Trinity University once before Thursday (February 18, 2010), but never stopped to find out what all the computers and equipment in the room were designated for. Robert Chapman, the Instructional Support Manager for the Center, greeted the class and took us on a tour of the facility. Chapman, is in charge of TLearn and many other internet operations within the University. On the tour, he pointed out many technological resources that are available for the Trinity community. The Center is equipped with numerous Macs and PCs that may be utilized for Photoshop, Adobe, movie editing, and other high performance computer software. Chapman also explained that there are cameras that are readily available for rental use, as long as there is written teacher consent. Although equipment that leaves the Center must be checked out, the computers and software are open for any Trinity student to use for either academic or social purposes.
My knowledge about CLT was nonexistent before Mr. Chapman's tour. Now, I know that I can readily access software to edit my photographs and make them seem more professional and flawless. Furthermore, if I want to make a movie with my friends in the dorm, we can take all our footage to the Center and piece it all together to be cohesive. Not only can I use the resources in CLT for personal reasons, but I can also complete my academic projects on the computers there to give them a professional look. I know that my laptop does not the the ability to accomplish projects as nicely as if they were done on upscale machines such as those located in the Center. Needless to say, I will be making many trips in the future to the Center for Learning and Technology.

Mr. Jason Hardin: Trinity University's Copyright Guru

On February 11, 2010, Jason Hardin, Manager of Access Service at Trinity University gave an informative presentation about copyright issues in the realm of technology. He covered everything from the history behind copyright law, to the wording of the statute, to what the exact United States mandates prohibit. Mr. Hardin further adressed an issue facing every college student in America: illegal music downloading. He stated that he believed motion picture and music recording industries are suing college students at an increasingly common rate because downloading illegally since they have a limited budget, but an ever-present desire for new music.

In order to minimize the amount of students that find themselves in this dilemma, Trinity University has enacted the Higher Education Opportunity Act (2008). Provisions that fall under this act are:

1) There must be an annual disclosure made to students regarding campus and copyright policy, 2)There must be a plan developed to combat un-authorized file sharing

3)Must implement a system to provide alternatives to illegal downloading

So, what is a college student in need of the latest song supposed to do? In Mr. Hardin's vast opinion on copyright infringement, he suggests steering clear of any illegal downloading. Even though it's accessible, easy and free, in the end, it just isn't worth it. And, I have to say, that I agree. In the long run, it will be cheaper to buy the song for $1.29 on iTunes, instead of risking getting caught in a messy lawsuit of illegal downloading and forced to pay $1,290 per song acquired.

Mr. Jason Hardin: Trinity University's Copyright Guru by Larissa Lozano is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Wordle

Check out Wordle.net for some word design fun!

My Trinity Network Diagram

I hope this helps everyone become aquainted with the way the cyber system works around Trinity. Happy computing!

The X Factor

In class on Thursday, I was enlightened by Joe Hatch - Senior Analyst in the computer user support area for Trinity University - about the dangers of the internet and how to safeguard my computer from cyber attacks. The lecture covered information ranging from hackers to cookies taking up room on my hard drive.

Through his discussion, I began to evaluate my own computer usage and decide how to best integrate his advice into my digital ventures. In my opinion, the most hopeful tidbit of advice Mr. Hatch gave was in regards to how to fix slow computer performance easily, quickly, and on your own. He suggested that Mac users refer to the website: theXlab.com to clean out their computers. The site also functions as a guide to troubleshoot and fix problems.

Computers, Cakes, and Snowboarding, OH MY!

Elizabeth Vick blogging about her affinity for cakes made me wonder if I would have excelled in culinary school....hmm... one of these nights, we will need to have a watching/cooking/decorating marathon. Perhaps a cake in the shape of a computer to be reminiscent of the class in which we met? Meanwhile, Alex Holmes caused me to have a mixed emotion of jealously and shame. The fact that I have no athletic talent whatsoever in any sport involving snow (when I come from one of the most widely visited slopes in the nation) makes me sad. Although, I am quite impressed with his acquired skill. (.....And maybe I am a wee bit wishful that I can become him someday.)

How Very Nice To Meet You

Hey ya'll. I'm Larissa Lozano and I came to San Antonio from the Land of Enchantment - New Mexico. Specifically, Albuquerque.

Academically, I'm a Psychology major and I'm hoping to round that out by double majoring with Spanish and minoring in Political Science. On campus, I am a member of Phi Alpha Delta: the Pre-law co-ed fraternity. I also mentor a fifth grader named Miguel at Lamar Elementary.

Outside of school, I love to relax by hanging out with friends and when I go home, my family. I absolutely love photography, traveling and dancing. Speaking of, my secret fact is that I started dancing when I was four and a half, and for the subsequent twelve years, I was part of three performing troupes (at separate times). I have a tremendous love for the stage - being on it and attending productions.

I'd like to think that I'm very computer savvy, but in reality, my beliefs are false hopes. I was on Yearbook Staff in high school, and my job was to place pictures in layouts. At the end of the year, I designed several senior pages for my friends (a page that each senior gets to customize to represent themselves that go in the back of all the books) using Photoshop and InDesign. However, I probably forgot everything, seeing as I was positive that I would pass the Computer test, and well, I failed. I can navigate the internet fairly well, but I'm excited to learn and hopefully remember how to do a lot of new things on the computer.

I guess thats all for now,

Au revoir!

llozano@trinity.edu