Unintentional Video Game Masterpieces

Playing video games is one of the best past times. Many of you have probably enjoyed hours on end playing on video games in your youth. They are not just great boredom busters but you enjoy a lot too and the hours tick by without you noticing. Different video games have dominated the world over the years and certain ones stand out and define a certain era. Alongside it is the rising popularity of specific games consoles that made playing with these games possible for all of us. We may think that game developers always knew what they were doing in developing these iconic games but it appears that we are greatly mistaken. Just like with anything else in this world, some masterpieces were brought to life by accident. Some of these games are not an exception but we can’t deny how much they have shaped pretty much our entire childhood one way or the other.

Without these games, there would be less color in your life and you have little to talk about to friends as well. Some may actually be anti-social for a while and stay cooped up at home while playing with any of these video games all-day and all-night but it apparently has a profound impact to your life that you don’t easily notice at first. You may be surprised knowing that some of the games you loved and played for hours on end weren’t initially the plan but because fate intervenes, they unravel themselves at the perfect time and become a worldwide influence not just to kids who are obsessed in playing with many of these addicting video games but even to bored adults who just want to kill time without losing their sanity.

Games developers usually know exactly what they're doing. They approach a project with a specific vision, and the majority of the time, the finished article doesn't deviate too far from the sketches on the drawing board.

On other occasions, they encounter budgetary issues and creative roadblocks during the development process and are forced to make concessions, in some cases bigger than others, and this can completely reshape the game in question.

These cases are well documented, but there are rare instances where games have been created entirely by accident, in a way that's almost comparable to Sir Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin among his mouldy petri dishes.

There are cases where studio employees have had so much fun with bespoke non-gaming software that they've slapped it with a few bells and whistles and released it for public consumption. Other games started out in a different form until a glitch saw them mutate into something better, like Bruce Banner and the gamma bomb.

(Via: http://whatculture.com/gaming/7-iconic-video-games-that-were-created-by-accident)

Sometimes, these games were brought to life because its own creators had so much fun with it as well that they just felt the need to share it to others so they can also experience everything first-hand. Looking back, it seems amusing you were ever hooked to one of these games but then you actually did. We all go through that phase so it is understandable. An example is the viral game before that is Counter Strike. Its popularity was undeniable and almost every cool boy or guy knew how to play it. Some were even placing bets as to whose team will win the game and play it with their squad.

Japan didn't invent the first computer game. That accolade goes to "Space War!", a game created in 1962 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States.

But ever since then, Japan has embraced gaming culture with an almost unrivaled passion. From the Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog games that became cultural giants, to the Sega Mega Drive and Game Boy consoles which were symbols of their time, gaming was led by Tokyo for decades.

"Without the contributions of Japan, we wouldn't have a video game industry," Blake J. Harris, a video game expert and author of "Console Wars," says. "Or, at least, not one that resembles what we have today in any way.

(Via: http://edition.cnn.com/2017/11/12/asia/future-japan-videogame-landmarks/index.html)

And whether or not some of these video games were accidental masterpieces or not, Japan’s contribution to the entire video gaming industry is undeniable. Video games won’t be so popular if not for the amazing work the Japanese put in on the technology that has even shaped history. Think Mario Brothers, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Pacman, all legends in the field of video games before until now. Like whatever your age is, it is impossible that you haven’t yet heard about them over the years especially if you have kids because they will likely ask one from you if they haven’t yet. Until today, Japan still pioneers mind-blowing video gaming technology that will inevitably gift the world with more amazing games to capture our fancy and time as well whether by accident or not.

Unintentional Video Game Masterpieces Read more on: https://www.iamnotanartist.org

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/unintentional-video-game-masterpieces/

What To Do When Your Data Disappears

These days, we can’t get our hands away from our tech gadgets. Whether it is something as handy as a smartphone or a tablet or iPad or something more sturdy and multi-functional like a laptop or computer, our lives now revolve around these tech innovations and people all over the world can relate to it. If you are some who makes use of computers in your day-to-day be it in school, work, or business, it is inevitable for you to make use of various sheets, slides, forms, and presentations in the many things that you do. However, there are instances when you may inadvertently lose your data for a lot of reasons (internal or external) that may leave you cringing in horror at what and how much you just lost.

Indeed, it is frightening to suddenly be confronted with lost files when you need them the most, like say an hour or two before an important meeting or presentation that means the world to you. But the thing is it can happen many times in your lifetime especially if you are not careful enough when using your computer or too careless to secure your data when you still can. Yes, you can make multiple copies of your files or save them to another device, storage equipment like a flash drive or an external hard drive or save it up in the clouds, you have far more options now that you did in the past. It all comes to doing all these precautions ahead of time to save yourself from all the hassle lost data brings. There are even more options to choose from and it is still possible to retrieve lost files if the damage is not that extensive and you still have time to contact a tech repairman the soonest time possible.

Some users may refresh the computer/removable disk, hoping that the missing file will come back automatically. However, that is not going to happen; and those people will miss the best chance to find recently deleted files by wasting time on this matter. Other would like to hire professionals to do the recovery work for them, but this could be costly and risky.

Here, we have a better suggestion –using the reliable data recovery software. We’ll recommend a popular one to you and then talks about the data recovery rates you care about.

Ensure Data Recovery Rates by Getting Professional Software

In addition to data recovery chances, you may also care about those things: how does data recovery software work, what are the data recovery process steps, etc. We plan to talk about them one by one.

Loved by lots of people, MiniTool Power Data Recovery provides high-quality disk data recovery service and helps to ensure the data recovery success rate. By using it, you can regain your lost files in only three simple steps.

(Via: http://www.mobilecomputingtoday.co.uk/6728/tips-ensure-enhance-data-recovery-rates-dramatically/)

Backing up your data is the most obvious precaution you can take but some miss out on this especially if their gadget is new. But what can you do then? For starters, there are also data recovery softwares you can purchase and install on your computer as your safety net for situations like this. When faced with data loss, don’t panic just yet even if you already want to cry your heart out. Compose yourself and analyze what just happened. There are various ways you can lose a file, so determine first what your problem is so you can think of a possible solution to the problem.

Before you do anything else, check the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (macOS) to see if your files are there. If so, a right-click or a copy-and-paste is enough to restore your files to their former spot, and you can breathe easy again.

If your files are nowhere to be seen, check other places they might have been backed up to, like a photo library on the web (especially if you've wiped photos from your phone). You can restore your files without too much difficulty from Microsoft OneDrive and Apple iCloud, for example, if you're using those built-in services.

And by the way we fully recommend setting up OneDrive or iCloud—or a similar service like Dropbox or Google Drive—to automatically make backups of your most important files on the web. If your laptop should get stolen, your house should burn down, or you should accidentally delete a week's worth of work, you can restore files from the web interface on all of these platforms.

(Via: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/a26197/how-to-recover-deleted-files/)

A little common sense and being quick to act on these scenarios can help you get your lost data back especially when luck is also on your side. Most of the time, the first place you can check for anything missing on your files is the recycle bin. If it’s not there, it just means that you missed setting up a backup system on your computer especially if it is an older model. If nothing worked and you weren’t able to install a software recovery system as well, your last bet is to contact a professional to help you out. Not all of us has the technical know-how when it comes to complex computer issues so rather than aggravating the problem, just prepare your wallet and hire an expert before you cause more damage than there already is.

What To Do When Your Data Disappears is courtesy of IAMNotAnArtist.org

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/what-to-do-when-your-data-disappears/

Sleep Loss Caused Trains To Collide

Human beings have needs. Some are luxuries while many are basic necessities that we all need in order to live. Aside from food, clothing, and shelter, sleep is also a basic need that makes us function well in society. Aside from its restorative properties, one feels better and more alert after a good night’s sleep. Whether you are still a young child, a student, or an adult with work and other responsibilities, sleep is crucial in enabling us to do things efficiently most of the time. Unfortunately, because of the many distractions that we now have in the form of smartphones, other tech gadgets, and the mere existence of the web, we continually lose sleep day in and day out because of our own doing.

Meanwhile, some suffer from more serious and troublesome medical conditions like sleep disorders and the outcome may at times be disastrous. One of the most recent tragedy is the collision of two NY trains that resulted in the death of one individual and injuring over 100 passengers of the unfortunate trains. According to investigations, undiagnosed sleep apnea is the culprit why such a misfortune happened.

Two commuter train crashes in the New York City metropolitan area are being blamed on undiagnosed sleep apnea, according to an announcement yesterday from the National Transportation Safety Board. Investigations have determined that the conductors in both accidents—a September 2016 New Jersey Transit crash in Hoboken, New Jersey, that killed one person and a January 2017 Long Island Railroad derailment in Brooklyn that injured more than 100—fell asleep on the job due to the chronic condition.

Sleep apnea is a very common condition, and it’s easy for doctors to spot, says Allan Pack, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology. (Dr. Pack was not involved in the investigations above, and has not evaluated the train conductors.)

But even though knowledge about the condition is growing, says Dr. Pack, many people don’t realize they have a problem—and so it frequently goes undiagnosed and untreated. Here’s what he wants people to know about sleep apnea.

(Via: http://www.health.com/sleep/sleep-apnea-train-crashes)

Aside from the deadly breathing pauses sleep apnea sufferers face each day, the continuously interrupted sleep they experience on a daily basis is a major bummer that left many chronically sleep-deprived for a long time. It’s too bad for people who have to work with machines and equipment that may endanger their lives or that of others or drive vehicles that can pose a hazard in the streets. It’s simply what happened to these trains that collided with one another. Most of the time, people ignore the symptoms and go on with their lives not knowing how much of a danger they are to the people around them because they lack sleep that can help them fully-function at work.

The board plans to hold a Feb. 6 meeting on the September 2016 crash in Hoboken, New Jersey, that killed one person and injured more than 100 others, and the January accident in Brooklyn that left more than 100 people with non-life-threatening injuries.

Both engineers had no memory of the crashes and were severely overweight. The Centers for Disease Control says being overweight puts individuals at a higher risk of sleep apnea.

The disorder, characterized by shallow or interrupted breathing during sleep, often goes undiagnosed and can leave sufferers fatigued during the day, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

The safety board said the brakes were working on the New Jersey Transit train traveling at 8 miles (13 km) per hour 38 seconds before the crash. The train then accelerated to 21 mph at impact, twice the speed limit, and emergency brakes were applied one second before the crash.

(Via: http://www.reuters.com/article/usa-trains-crash/u-s-safety-board-train-crash-engineers-had-sleep-disorders-idUSL2N1M21A5)

The engineers on-board those trains were later diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and obese as well. They admitted not remembering anything before the crash even if they were traveling at twice the normal train's speed. Hence, the rest of the engineers likewise underwent sleep testing and some of them turned out to be suffering from sleep apnea as well and are now getting treated. They don’t even have to try CPAP if they don’t like it since there are other options in the form of anti-snoring mouthpieces that mimics the effect of CPAP and save them from the woes of sleep apnea. We may underestimate the power of sleep but the lack of it can have a number of crazy and terrible consequences, which in this case led to the untimely demise of one unfortunate passenger.

Sleep Loss Caused Trains To Collide is courtesy of The I Am Not An Artist Blog

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/sleep-loss-caused-trains-to-collide/

Australia Won’t Be Making Cars Anymore

The world resources shift from one place to another. And we are not just talking about natural resources of a specific land or territory but any type of resources that we now use. Industries all over the world can relate to how the rise and fall of the global market affected their businesses. The sun is not always shining and when it does not, it can mean a certain doom to someone. Despite the rapid rise in the world’s population, there are markets that crash because the supply and demand have shifted or that someone else has taken over their target market.

It is the plausible explanation why the Australian auto manufacturing industry just bid everyone goodbye. For a long time, Australians had been making their own cars but sadly, it has come to an end and countless employees suddenly found themselves without a job to bring in the bacon. Even foreign car brands have been shutting down production over recent years and the people are partly blaming the government for the death of the car manufacturing industry down under. The factors highlighted were high production costs, the high Australian dollar, and the continuously diminishing local market all contributed to this problem. The particular car brand, Holden, is synonymous to Australia. But foreign car makers are unbeatable and the Aussie domestic makers are nowhere near their scale.

There has been a car industry in Australia for almost as long as there have been cars. Friday’s closure in Elizabeth, a suburb of Adelaide, left many questioning why the government did not step in and save the country’s once-vibrant auto industry, when auto manufacturers in the United States and elsewhere received big bailouts to stay afloat.

Auto plants in Australia have slowly been closing over the last several decades, with Ford, Toyota and now Holden, a General Motors subsidiary, shutting their manufacturing operations over roughly the last year.

Some blame the industry’s demise on the government’s refusal in 2013 to come to the rescue of the country’s automakers as they were battered by a high Australian dollar, high production costs and a shrinking domestic market.

Union officials estimated about 30,000 people lost their jobs as a result of the recent closures. In the area north of Adelaide, which has at times had South Australia’s highest unemployment rate and where Holden was the largest employer, nearly 1,000 people were left looking for work as a result of the automakers decision to cease production.

(Via: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/20/world/australia/holden-automaker-factory-closes.html)

When one door closes, a window opens. Aussies can hold on to that saying even if many of those who were laid off are saying that they are having a hard time looking for a new one while it seems next to impossible for the older workers to even snatch a job at all. It is one dim reality they have to face because their industry failed to meet global standards. Those who took their Holden cars on the streets to show off understand pretty well that this is an end to an era of Australian car-making and they probably won’t be able to revive this industry anymore anytime soon.

The closures mark the end of home-grown icons such as the Holden Commodore and the Ford Falcon driven by Mel Gibson in the original “Mad Max” movie. But they also strike an economic blow, especially in the rust belt state of South Australia, where recent signs of recovery haven’t been enough to stop people leaving in droves.

"It is clear that the automobile industry is a very significant industry that once it is gone, will leave a very deep economic gap, an investment gap and an employment gap,” said John Spoehr, a professor of economics and director of the Australian Industrial Transformation Institute at Flinders University in Adelaide. “Holden injects a billion dollars plus into the South Australia economy. So its loss is going to be very significant.”

(Via: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-19/death-of-australian-car-making-leaves-chasm-in-blue-collar-towns)

The parade is the last thing Holden car owners can do to commemorate the contribution of this car brand to the Australian economy and identity. Vintage may be out for many but it is for these proud owners who appreciate the contribution of Holden not only to the county but to their lives. Now, the people are hoping that the government will intervene and help everyone affected move on from this experience especially the ones who lost their jobs because of the closure. And we are not just talking about the ones working in the plants but even those of companies providing products and services to this plant for years. There’s this domino-effect that will have more implications for the country’s economy if the state won’t be able to clean up their mess this time.

Australia Won’t Be Making Cars Anymore was initially published to The IANAA Blog

source https://www.iamnotanartist.org/australia-wont-be-making-cars-anymore/