Aaron's Blog

60 Minutes- Cyber Bullying

2008-04-13T19:48:00.003+10:00

This evening, 60 Minutes in Australia features a special report on the cyber bullying and the effects that it is having on children, their parents and the wider community.

In a world that is controlled by the wider media we know as the internet, these offenders are becoming more and more common around classrooms, schools and your local community. Once upon a time there was a way to escape that hell these people put on children, but now it can continue 24/7 in every home, around the world.

I choose to feature a news post dedicated to this issue as it can effect us all, especially to people that spend their lives and time on the computer. Bulling via the internet, your mobile phone or social network is not uncommon, but there are ways to prevent it happening to you.

Make sure you report any offenses to the website or mobile service provider. This way, the organization is aware of the issues at hand, and will deal with the offenders within the space of the bullying.
Make sure you have strong passwords and password protection on all your networks. Bullies that are computer literate can could gain access to your network and inflict more harm.
Block or Delete any users that abuse you in any form

Parents need to take a proactive approach to this form of bullying. Parents have little to no understand about the communities we all engage in online, its a virtual world. But by been proactive to take the approach of accepting these worlds and finding out more is a step in the right direction. By saying "You don't need Myspace, turn it off" is NOT going to help!

In Australia, our laws when it comes to this form of abuse are fucked. They ain't going to help anyone that is abused via the internet. As young Australian's growing up in this digital age, we need to shape the way our laws are been proactive when it comes to this issue!

Unfortunately, we all have played a part in the problem in the past, but now its time to play a part in the solution.

30 Great Web Designs

2008-03-20T12:39:00.000+11:00

With this been my last post before Good Friday, I thought I would share some of the great designs in Web. I came across this website about 2 months ago, and its always refreshing to head back there every couple of weeks to see what people are doing out there on the internet.

Here is what we all should be aiming for when it comes to Web Design.

Have a Happy Easter and a good and well deserved break. I am going away for a couple of days, but will be back on Monday with even more information, great web designs, and as the fan boy I am... more Apple Stuff!!! (There is word on the street we could be seeing another big Tuesday announcement this week)

Enjoy!

30 Great Website Designs

Apple Researching 3D Stereoscopic Displays

2008-03-20T12:30:00.006+11:00

After our visit to the "Virtual Room" at the Melbourne Museum last Monday, this little gem has just popped into my Inbox. Although there is not factual information behind this apart from the patient, it looks like Apple may be creating Steroscopic displays. How long will this take before it comes a mainstream consume item, only time can tell, but just image been able to branch into a 3D world at a consumer level?!!?

Here is the latest patent information from Macrumors.com

A new patent application from Apple details how to implement a 3-dimensional stereoscopic display. While 3d images have been around for years, Apple points out that computational power has advanced to the point where these true 3d images can be rendered and animated in realtime. Apple specifically explores the implementation of "autostereoscopic" systems that don't require the viewer to be wearing special glasses or goggles.

Apple believes its system addresses issues found in previous implementations of 3d and involves tracking the observer to ensure proper rendering of the 3d image regardless of where their exact position. Their system involves real time modulation of left/right sub images to be projected to the observer's left/right eyes individually. Apple also claims it can accommodate multiple observers to provide "a unique and personal 3D visual experience to each individual observer, with each visual experience (i.e., projected image) selectively being similar or different from the others, as desired."

As with all patent applications, we're uncertain when this will make its way out of the labs and into consumers hands, but Apple appears to be continuing to explore alternative interfaces for consumer use. What's interesting is that this is not the first time we've heard of Apple exploring stereoscopic displays. In 2002, Apple was said "to have other flat-panel technologies cooking in the labs, including stereoscopic displays."

Its time to Geek out..... Safari 3.1 is here... with new Webkit

2008-03-18T12:17:00.002+11:00

Apple today released a new version of there popular web browser, Safari with many many more features under the hood. Safari now renders pages 1.9 times faster then IE7 and runs Javascript a whoping 6 times faster then any other browser on the market. But what is of more interest to web designers and developers is the support of the next generation of web standards such as CSS3

What is CCS3?

Cascading Style Sheets level 3 is the next generation of style sheets which allow effects, animation and much more. Without going deep down into the CSS3, this allows designers and developers to integrate things we were once doing in Javascript into the CSS code itself, resulting in faster load times, and hardly any accessibility issues (into the future I might add)

The only issue with CSS3, is right now, its ONLY supported by Safari 3.1 and WebKit. Firefox 3 and IE8 will more then likely support all these standards when released later this year.

For the time been , its nice to see Safari so far ahead of the other browsers on the market, but at this point in time, with only >5% market share, is there any real need?... well at least us Mac users can have a better and faster browsing experience for the time bee.

Links

Apple's Safari 3.1 Press Release

Webkits Website

Safari Website

IE8 Beta Download Website

Revision 3 - Vector and Rasterized Graphics

2008-03-17T12:10:00.002+11:00

Recently, Tekzilla on the Revision 3 network has been running some great segments on Vectors GFX vs Rasterized GFX. For all your n00bs out there, this may be a great starting point when designing a logo vs a banner, which program to use, Illustrator or Photoshop, or even just to touch up on your skills in either program.

I have attached one link to the video on the Rev3 network, and one to a great website which turns Rasterized GFX into vector based images... yes, it does cost, but from my experiences with the website, it works better then the Live Trace function of Illustrator

Here are the link...

Tekzilla Episode 23

Vector Magic - Online Software

Alpha Testing of HRAFF Website

2008-03-16T20:47:00.002+11:00

From tonight, I have began doing some simple browser tests before the completion of the index page takes place early this week. This is the first time I have launched this new site, so there are still a WHOLE lot of issues that need to worked out. Some of the graphics still need some slight adjusting, but overall, this is the look and feel of the completed website.

We are well on track on getting this website completed within the next fortnight. Also, we have already started adding in some Script.aculo.us frameworks. At the moment, you can see this functionality where the thumbnails of the Movies are. Click on the first thumbnail to see the implementation of the Shadowboxing.

Click here to view alpha version of HRAFF website.

Worst Designed Website on the Internet

2008-03-15T20:36:00.003+11:00

As a website designer, I have come across was pretty awful websites. From poor designed, to just plain right shit on a screen, these websites are horrible. What is worse to know is that these sites still remain out there, knowing we have the tools, frameworks and programming skills to make some of these sites look and function beautifully.

I have recently come across this link with the WORST (and I mean worst) website on the internet. If you really want to see how not to design as website, this is a perfect example!

Click here to view.

Cheers

Script.aculo.us Javascript Framework

2008-03-14T20:25:00.000+11:00

Without the use of Flash during the first project, we are now limited to the way that we add in animation and simple effects through animation. Enter in AJAX.

AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML), or Ajax, is a group of inter-related web development techniques used for creating interactive web applications. A primary characteristic is the increased responsiveness and interactivity of web pages achieved by exchanging small amounts of data with the server "behind the scenes" so that entire web pages do not have to be reloaded each time there is a need to fetch data from the server. This is intended to increase the web page's interactivity, speed, functionality, and usability.

Script.aculo.us is a Javascript framework that allows AJAX functionality. Script.aculo.us allows web developers to load dynamic content into a page without having to reload. The base framework allows for plugins to create many other awesome little effects to give your website the edge over the competition.

I have added some links to the right hand side for further information into Script.aculo.us and some of the many plugins.
Enjoy

Youth Human Rights Video

2008-03-12T20:23:00.002+11:00

Just completing some research into my concept for the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival and came across this trailer. It covers the many difference articles of Human Rights, and the overall feel is something I am trying to get at through my concept

Enjoy

About Human Rights

2008-03-09T13:10:00.005+11:00

The first project at Monah this semester for MMD students is to create a website for the upcoming Human Rights Arts and Film festival. This festival is held at the end of the year and is a platform for address the issue of Human Rights. It time that we all had a chance to speak out about the issues of Human Rights, but I thought I would introduce you to the issues at hand first.

The information below is just the start..

In learning about human rights, we learn about ideas of respect, fairness, justice and equality. We learn about standing up for our own rights and about our responsibility to respect the rights of others.

There are a number of basic rights that people from around the world have agreed on, such as:

the right to life
freedom from torture
other cruel and inhuman treatment
rights to a fair trial
free speech
freedom of religion
rights to health, education and an adequate standard of living.

These human rights are the same for all people everywhere – male and female, young and old, rich and poor, regardless of our background, where we live, what we think or what we believe. This is what makes human rights ‘universal'.

Rights also describe what is lawful: that is, some rights may be laid down in law. Australia has anti-discrimination laws that are about you being treated fairly in certain circumstances regardless of your age, gender, sexuality, ethnic background, disability, religion or some other central characteristic.

In many situations, though, rights exist but are not covered by law. These rights are often called moral rights and are based on people's sense of what is fair or just.

Respect for human rights helps build strong communities, based on equality and tolerance in which everyone has an opportunity to contribute. In this section you can find all you need to know about human rights, with links to help you explore specific issues in more detail. Just as importantly, you can also find out how to help promote human rights in your school and community.

Contact Me

2008-03-09T12:54:00.000+11:00

If you wish to get in contact with me, you may do so using the below information.

Aaron Meredith
Postal Address: Suite 409, 91 Murphy Street, Richmond, 3121, Vic

Work Number: (03)94214700

Mobile: 0434342310

Email: aaron@anem.com.au

1960s Braun Products Hold the Secrets to Apples Future

2008-03-04T20:58:00.002+11:00

Now, I know what some of you are going say, but I think the heading says it all. Design is not just limited to something we draw or create on a monitor, Design is all around us, everyday in every way.
In recent years, Apple has become the leader of design in more fields then one. An Interesting article came out a while back on Gizmodo comparing Apple's Jonathan Ive's design to that of the famous Dieter Rams. Although you may of never heard of Dieter, he has inspired many of the products we all use today, including the iPod.

I wanted to share with you the thoughts of this great man, and his design philosophies.

Source: Gizmodo

1960's Braun Products Hold the Secrets to Apple Future

Jonathan Ive - Something to think about

2008-03-04T20:46:00.002+11:00

In 1998, the computer industry was filled with bland, unmarketable products, enter Apple Computers Inc. From a one time king of the industry, to the launching stock, Apple had been there, and done that. It took just one day for the fortunes of this famous fruit to be turned around. Enter Jonathan Ive, a British designer, who's design team singly handily changed the fortunes of Apple. In this 10 years at the helm of Industrial Design, he has created such products as the original iMac, Powerbook, iPod, iMac G4, Macbook Pro, iPhone and Macbook Air.

Some of the points Jonathan makes in the below video is suitable for all designers. He is truly a master of what he does (It just may be my fanboyism coming out) and he has changed Apple forever.

Please enjoy his only video interview in the last 5 years.

Logo Design Trends 2008

2008-03-02T21:37:00.001+11:00

Logos are the ultimate mark of distinction and everyone loves them. We see logos everyday - on the highways, on consumer goods, on the Web and in the institutions and organizations we support. Read about the different types of logo designs here and learn what principles and techniques are used to create them.

Click Here to see the latest in logo design for 2008

Welcome and Enjoy

2008-03-01T13:46:00.003+11:00

G'Day all and its finally good to be blogging back on the internet again.

Its been a while since doing this sort of thing, but as per University course assessment, you will see a lot more of me around.

Give me a couple of days and I should be up and running with anything that interests me. Right now, its all revolving around the iPhone, but thats shore to come and go once I receive mine this week.

Incase you haven't seen it, I have included a link to the best Youtube Video of the week. Its the "Im F***** Ben Affleck" Video by Jimmy Kimmel.

The Design stuff will come once I start sorting through all the stuff I have found over the summer break, but would love to share some of my hints, tips and tricks with everyone over the next year.

Cheers!