I’ll preface this article with, I am not for or against either Flash or HTML5; unlike most, I just want to present the information and wait to see what happens.

I’m sure most of everybody that develops or designs websites for a living, or is just up to date with internet technology knows about the massive debate over Adobe’s Flash and HTML5 technology. HTML5 is toted as the “flash killer”, tens of thousands of site posts/comments and Tweets alike have flooded the internet with messages like “R.I.P Flash”, “Goodbye Flash”, among other illogical two to four word statements pronouncing the death of Flash. Lack of flash support for the iPad and iPod has even furthered the debate.

What we know: HTML5 can DO ALOT, it will change the way we design for the web, develop for the web, and interact with the web. The same thing happened from HTML3 to HTML4, and even to lesser steps like HTML4.1 and on to XHTML 1.0. You can now develop full games, embed sound and video, overall, just do a lot more with the browser by essentially rendering things dynamically all without the need for browser plugins. Many people don’t even know what they are talking about when they say HTML5 will kill flash, because when in fact, everything is actually being controlled by JavaScript and used in the new HTML5 <canvas> element. Maybe JavaScript (with some help from HTML5) killed flash!

Even with the prevalence of things like Flash and JavaScript over the years, older technologies like full Java-based web applications still exist on the web, as does other “nasties” like  applets, embedding video formats directly, shockwave applications, and WildTangent games. It didn’t kill them, they are still there; albeit, very few and far between, why would Flash be any different? Considering 80% of online videos are Flash, millions of games are Flash, millions of websites are Flash, millions of advertisements are Flash – Flash will not go away; furthermore, Flash is so prolific in terms of market share, even if it wasn’t updated for years, it would still live on indefinitely like the rest of the nasties.

But the fact is, Flash will be updated, Adobe is not giving up, and will continue to push the limits of Flash, which at it’s current form can still do a lot more than HTML5 and JavaScript, and far easier too. The codebase and API library that is available for Flash developers is MASSIVE, Actionscript 3.0 is more extensive (especially in the visual department) than JavaScript is. Did C++ kill C? Did C# kill C++? Technologies and languages, like that found in Adobe Flash have been learned by millions of people. Do you really think every single one of those people will say, “Oh well, time to port over 300 of my flash games over to JavaScript + HTML5”.

If Adobe Flash is ever in jeopardy or in dire need, I’m sure we will see Adobe opening up Flash completely and getting a <flash> tag in HTML5.x or even HTML6 for that matter.

In typical fashion, here’s a new list of websites that I am currently obsessed with, but, unlike the others so far, this one is strictly about sites I visit to tickle my funny bone (is that even a proper expression?). Anyways, here we go:

Lamebook

One part funny, one part face palm goodness and one part loss of hope for humanity, there’s something for everybody here, especially those who use Facebook. It’s also good for those who absolutely hate Facebook; you can definitely reassure your hatred by visiting this site. It’s a site focused towards showcasing stupidity/lameness/funniness on Facebook, which means there’s lots of updates and content, it’s never-ending!

People of Walmart

A lot like the entry above, this one also makes me want to lose faith in humanity. If you think you’ve spotted a weirdo in Walmart, you ain’t seen nothing yet! A website about showcasing the weirdos, the rednecks, the racists, the uncouth, the overweight, the nonesensical people that shop at Walmart, meet, the People of Walmart.

Don’t Even Reply

Nobody likes a troll, but in rare cases, those trolls can be quite funny if they manage to trap somebody in their web of forced instigation. This is a blog about one man (who is a really big asshole to people) replying to ads on Craigslist. I have cried from laughing so hard from this site. The mean, hatred filled comments and replies he sends to unwilling participants makes for a great read, does that make me sound like a bad person?

The Daily WTF

This one is a little geeky and sometimes the code can go even over my head, but for the most part it’s a great read especially for the more nostalgic stories about computing in the “old days”. A site dedicated to “Curious Perversions in Information Technology” although it does delve into web design and development as well which is right up my alley at least.

This is why you’re fat

A great site to read before a lunch or dinner, not really though. This site is all about showcasing fattening meals and weird creations including things like deep fried Twinkies on a stick, deep fried chocolate cake and ice cream, or more recent favourite, the Chicken McNugget baked pie with sauce. Basically anything deep fried (sometimes even double deep fried) and rediculous is on this site somewhere. Great design too!

Originally written October 5th, 2006

Since when is it appropriate to wear a filthy, stained white shirt that looks to be covered in the remnants of lunch from a constant seven days of wear out in public? Let’s not even get into mentioning those 10 year old Budweiser sweatpants with holes in all the wrong places. Like was this ensemble seriously the best that he had for a public display? I mean, you would think that he would have a cleaner dirty shirt to wear out so at least he didn’t look as bad as he smelled.

Then there’s the people with the ripped pants and clothing revealing parts of them that shouldn’t be revealed. This mostly goes for the fatter types of people, but do you seriously think that over-tight tank top makes you look good? Some of the fat hanging off the sides of these people oddly resembles dough from a bakery. I’d sometimes just like to cut it off and see if I could bake a pizza or something. And do they seriously think nobody will notice the giant hole in the ass of their pants? Especially when they bend over to get the freshest milk at the local supermarket, struggling to grab the newest milk cartoon at the back. You’re probably going to drink it all that night anyways when you eat a whole box of cookies in your sad, depressive state.

The makeup is another issue with a lot of these 80’s rejects hanging around the stores. Ya, maybe it was alright to douse your face with green and blue eye shadow and wear the hugest earrings you could find to cover up your bruises, 15 years ago. But nobody wears makeup like that anymore, except maybe models on the runway, but face it, your no model. Can you look at the calender every once in awhile and realize that it’s not 1985, and you aren’t listening to Cyndi Lauper anymore (well maybe you are, and that’s the problem). And what’s with the pants of these women? I find it hard to believe anybody had that high of pants in the 80’s and 90’s, but I guess it has to be true. These women put Steve Urkel to shame.

Originally written June 30th, 2007

Everybody is a hypocrite. How can you ever possibly live without saying a contradiction? Of course, people change, and so does their mindset from that specific time of their life. This isn’t exactly what I am referring to, but it could be the only one true excusable interference with this outlook, well if you are looking for an excuse that is…

In this sense there is two types of people. (#1) The ones that realize their opinions and beliefs may contradict each other, but strive to be neutral in any sense, and (#2) those whom choose to ignore that their opinions and beliefs may be contradictory and claim they aren’t. The thing that strikes me as the most funny is the excuses to those who choose to claim that they are not contradictory. What are they trying to prove? They definitely are already a hypocrite in your mind, and unless you actually really respect the person you aren’t going to listen to their excuses anyways, after all you just called them a hypocrite, which isn’t at the top of the list of respectful things.

There is also the speech versus action debate; wherein, people can say one thing and become incongruous to their statements. This is the most popular form of hypocrisy. Most of this, I think, relates to the given circumstances at the time of speech and action. A person might say they will never do drugs, but under circumstances they might do it, unwillingly, or cognitively through a pressured instance. Perhaps I am picking on a easy target there. I guess I could of went with no sex until marriage, religion or a myriad of fallible statements that change depending on the circumstances. Don’t say never if you don’t know, and you don’t ever truly know, so don’t say never anyways, well unless you are the second type of person, then who cares, I think you’re a liar anyways.

Maybe there is a third type of person. One that does whatever they want without the fear of doing something contradictory. One that is truly detached from social standards, social or peer criticism, social acceptance. And in that very sense, this third type of person could have all three deficiencies built within their fiber. Perhaps they are the biggest hypocrite. Perhaps I am the biggest hypocrite? Hell, isn’t me writing this article contradicting some of what I said, did, said I did, said I said? Of course it is, but there’s the difference, the dissociation with the others. I realize this foundation.

Everybody is a liar, deal with it, don’t think you’re above reproach.

A new post on this site? Weird, I know! Too bad it’s another list. Following a previous theme on this blog, here’s another round-up about another 10 websites I couldn’t live without. This list will also contain websites previously mentioned if they still are integral to my job and life. Here we go!

Brand New
A very unique branding and logo development website. It features all the new brands and re-brands coming out. The writer is very intelligent and even though a little harsh sometimes, (in fact, all of the commentators seem to be quite “snooty” as well) it does not detract from the overall service of showcasing all the new brands out there.

Gizmodo
A very cool site showcasing all the new devices, gadgets and “gizmos”. There’s web stuff, technology and more. It is part of the GAWKER network and also features sites like the all popular Kotaku and Lifehacker which is also included in this post.

Planet Half-Life
As most of you know that read this, I am a very huge gamer – as if you couldn’t guess by the domain. I am obsessed with the Half-Life series and have been since I was 13 years old when I got the original Half-Life in 1998 and fell in love. Even though the site has dwindled in updates in the recent years, it is still a good source of community, information and news within the Half-Life community.

Photoshop Disasters
A great source of laughter, questioning, and sometimes even results in a “face-palm”. Although the owner/writer sometimes misses the mark (he also likes to joke about it), it’s still a great resource for a good laugh then and again.

etc.
As posted in my previous post, this has made it on the list again. The writer does a great job of rounding up the best resources for web designers and developers. I find something new every time I look on the site, which is good because I check it about once every week which fits within the updates of the site quite nicely.

VBS.TV
VBS is a network of documentaries and other obscure, cool and sometimes plain-weird videos. I fell in love with this website because it has become like an alternative to cable for me, which is good, because I haven’t had cable for almost 2 years now. GOOD RIDDANCE! There’s plenty to watch, and there’s plenty of subculturism to go around.

Kotaku
Another gaming-related resource. Where would any gamer be without the all seeing gaming eye that is known as Kotaku? Seriously, if you are a hardcore gamer, or even somebody that games you need to bookmark this site, read it, live it, DIE WITH IT!

Smashing Magazine
Another one that has been mentioned on a previous post but still remains to be the ultimate source of web design and development to me. Overall, it’s a great inspiration and a great way to keep on trends on the web which is important in my line of work.

FilmDrunk
The always lewd and rude writer and Vince Mancini keeps it in check with his movie blog that keeps me updated on all the newest movie-related news. His sarcastic and facetious style of writing ensures you a laugh with a side of celebrity gossip, movie news and everything else “Hollywood”.

Lifehacker
Like I stated above, here’s another gem from the GAWKER network. This one is focused more on saving money with a dash of technology. Like Gizmodo there’s plenty of news within the website and technology sector but this is more focused on “hacking your life”, which means getting the most out of your life and paying/costing you less for it.

Hmm, It seems I have missed a couple sites off my speed dial. I guess that means there will be another update sometime in the future!

Not that I write here a lot anyways, but I would like you to check out my other “new” blog project entitled Medicine Hat Media. It features art, music and general Medicine Hat events and “media”. Here’s the link: Medicine Hat Media. So, again, this isn’t a real post; however, I was thinking about ranting about a couple things… in which case, this site will be the perfect host! More to come… eventually :(.

Nope, this isn’t a real post, just an update to the site after the move to the new host. There was some errors not finding actual permalink articles, so those have been fixed. I also made the site 100% XHTML 1.0 Strict validated! Woo…

I know I barely write anything here anymore, but I thought I would share this list. Who doesn’t love a good list?

I work professionally as both a designer and web developer. This list of 15 links are websites/blogs I frequent on a daily basis for inspiration, how-to’s and generally sites that stave off the boredom. This list isn’t in any specific order.

QBN
http://www.qbn.com/
QBN is a great source for both design job postings and inspiration. There’s new featured sites/articles daily and also a big community showing off other links and interesting art-design related content.

Bittbox
http://www.bittbox.com/
Bittbox is all about finding good (and mostly free) resources for designers. It’s not quite updated everyday, but it’s still good to check it out everyday in case something new is posted. Whether you’re looking for good fonts, stock textures, stock vectors, and much more, there is tons of it on this site, usually for free.

Uncrate
http://uncrate.com/
Uncrate is all about the newest stuff. Whether you’re into furniture, gadgets, music, cars, this site has all the newest cool “things” that are available to buy.

Subtraction
http://www.subtraction.com/
Subtraction is a blog written by Khoi Vinh, a very inspirational designer working at NYTimes.com. Not only can this guy design but he can also write, very well (better than me). It’s not always updated daily, but there is a huge, and I mean HUGE archive section on his writings. Topics range from Art, Design, Computers, Net/Pop Culture, Web Design and more.

Yay! Monday!
http://yaymonday.com/
Yay! Monday! is a weekly collection of websites, art, photography, design and video by Chris Kalani. He didn’t dig my UNDATA project, but i’m not bitter.

Design Observer
http://www.designobserver.com/
Design Observer is definitely a good read, when you are in the mood to read. The articles here are top notch; expert writing staff. The topics vary quite erratically, but they are always interesting and they always make me think at the end of the read. This site also has a huge archive of writings.

Design You Trust
http://designyoutrust.com/
Design You Trust is a design blog for the masses. Any designer or artist is able to register and post a new blog about their own work, work they find inspirational or pretty much anything design or art related. Despite the freedom expressed here, the posts seem to be all very good (save a few), and very inspirational.

A List Apart
http://www.alistapart.com/
A List Apart is another one of those good, top quality reads, especially for those in the web design field. Expert writing staff. The archive on this site is also huge. “For People Who Make Websites”.

The FWA
http://www.thefwa.com/
The “Favourite Website Awards” is a daily updated website that features… websites. Lots of the websites featured on this site are top notch inspirations. Many are very flash heavy; the site itself is made in flash. This website has a great archive, and it’s fun to view what was hip in web design a few years ago.

Web Designer Wall
http://www.webdesignerwall.com/
Web Designer Wall is all about showcasing the latest “web trends” in a very informational fashion. The tutorials featured here are very personalized, which is probably the reason it doesn’t get updated frequently, but when it does, the articles are always great. A website by Nick La.

Cool Hunting
http://www.coolhunting.com/
Cool Hunting is a good resource to find out all the new and “cool” design and art related things going on. The items shown are usually very design/art culture orientated. It’s kind of like a mix between Uncrate and Design You Trust, two sites also featured on this list.

Smashing Magazine
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/
Smashing Magazine is one of those must-reads for any graphic or web designer. There’s tons of inspirational material, design resources (most of them free), and lots and lots of lists about many different subjects.

etc.
http://www.fortysomething.ca/mt/etc/
etc. Is probably one of the best web resources out there. This site loves lists, tons and tons of useful lists on CSS, HTML, JavaScript, Web Development Tips, and etc. (pun intended). Don’t let the sub domain address fool you, this is one serious web site.

Good-Tutorials
http://www.good-tutorials.com/
Good-Tutorials is a website dedicated to, well you guessed it… tutorials! There’s thousands of tutorials on here for lots of different software and languages including CSS, HTML, JavaScript, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, and more. I know there’s lots of good tutorial websites out there (another pun intended) but I prefer this one due to how the main page is layed out.

N.Design Studio
http://www.ndesign-studio.com/
Another one by Nick La focusing on blogging and a section of tutorials and freebies concerning mostly Illustrator and Dreamweaver. Make sure you check out the Design Resources page.

Well that’s it for now. I’m sure there’s lots more out there that I should of added, but didn’t. Maybe I’ll post some images later.

PART 1
Look, before I even get started. I am not a Microsoft fanboy and I am not a Apple fanboy, and I don’t hate either of their operating systems either. I am just a person that uses both Windows and Mac OS on a frequent basis for graphic design, web design, gaming and even just surfing the net. I hear people almost everyday praising Mac/Apple computers, whether it’s my teachers, co-workers, friends or family. These people can all have one of these statements applied to them:

1. They have never been familiarized to a Windows PC, and refuse to be.
2. They use a Mac to check emails and surf the web.
3. They don’t even own or use a Mac at all, they just repeat what they have heard.

1. They have never been familiarized to a Windows PC, and refuse to be.
There exists some real die-hard fans of Apple out there that have never really touched a Windows PC in their life because they are convinced it doesn’t work as good, as fast, as fluid, or even work at all. Some of these people only use one reason, and one reason ONLY to why they use Macs over Windows PCs. Some of those reasons include:

• Mac <OS 10,9,8…> is so much easier to use and more user friendly than Windows.

You’re just being blinded by the graphic user interface and the hardware exterior. Let’s face it, Mac’s interfaces through computing history usually look better than their Windows counterpart. The presentation and overall look of the monitors and hardware exterior is also much more appealing then the standard PC (non-gaming that is). But instead of making up fake excuses, just go out and say it, “I like the way they look”, because even the newest Mac OS is not any easier than XP or even Vista. It’s the same damn thing and you know it, there’s just different methods of doing the same thing.

• Microsoft stole Windows architecture from Apple, and continue to copy them to this day.

Of course, there’s variations to this claim, but it’s still a pretty stupid reason not to use something, even if it is true. We import lots of things to our country from different places all over the world, for examples spices. At one time, thieves may have stole these spices and brought them back for trade. Does that mean you shouldn’t use pepper because it was stolen and traded at one point in time? A pretty weak analogy, I know, but it’s a pretty weak claim too. Microsoft continues to do what works, what the users want; if they didn’t then we would all be using Macs right now.

• Macs don’t get viruses or spyware.

That’s weird that there’s tons of virus protection software out there for Macs then, isn’t it? The most popular PC-based scanner and protection software usually also have a Mac version. That’s really strange, isn’t it? Look, it’s true that there’s less of a security risk on Macs because virus programmers usually want to create the biggest impact on the public, so why would they go with 10% (actually 7.6% as of June 21st, 2007) of the computing population over 90%? The percentage is rising though. Let’s see how the Mac stands up against security issues at 20% or 30%. I think Microsoft is doing a real good job at controlling security at 82.4% of the market share, especially with their advancements in Vista.

2. They use a Mac to check emails and surf the web.
These are possibly the worst type of Mac users of them all. Of course you love Macs if all you do is read email and surf the web, because that’s generally all it’s good for (don’t get mad yet). I mean, even with emulating software (weird that there’s tons of emulators out there for Macs to run Windows applications and games, but not many Windows to Mac emulators) you are not going to be able to run millions of useful applications and games. And while on the subject: It’s emulated, so it’s not going to run at a full Windows speed, if it actually runs at all.

While I’m at it, let’s dispel another thought. Most people think that all graphic designers, animators, movie makers or any type of creative professional at all use Macs. Sure, that was how it was a long time ago; unfortunately the stereotype stuck. All Adobe/Macromedia (now Adobe anyways) work for both operating system now, interchangeably. The only thing different is the hotkeys and some of the interface; which are all based around the keyboard for Macs because they refuse to get out of 1980 and supply a default two or three button mouse. Hell, even some Adobe programs only ever seen light on Macs in the most recent Creative Suite, like Adobe Premier Pro CS3 (which is hailed to be better than Apple’s Final Cut Pro).

For one last comparison, let’s take a look at Maya, a very powerful 3d animation program (used at Pixar). You need a very powerful computer to be able to run and render in Maya. You will not be able to run this program effectively on your standard Mac computer, because Mac computers don’t innately come with good video cards (because of no gaming support), and will not be able to run or render Maya, or very poorly. Yet, on the Windows-based PC side, any computer with 1GB of ram or a decent video card will be able to run it. Supposedly one of the minimum requirements for Maya is also a three button mouse, which I found hilarious.

3. They don’t even own or use a Mac at all, they just repeat what they have heard.
Look people, you have never used a Mac, you have never owned one. You probably really want to buy one, because in all honesty, it’s the cool thing to do, and they look so damn nice. But really, is it worth it? Is it worth the extra thousand dollars to be so non-conforming that you end up being an even bigger cliche? But please don’t think you know anything about the Mac OS, because you don’t.

–

Sure, buy a mac if you want to read a PDF, if you want to surf the web, and maybe even to match with your iPod. Buy a Mac if you want to design, make movies, or do anything. Because, in the end, it’s the same thing as a Windows PC, just more trendy. It has faults, it is fallible, just like Windows, just like Linux, just like you. Stay tuned for part 2 where I write about designing on a Mac.

Originally written July 12th, 2006

This article, although fairly dated by now still features some interesting thoughts I had at the time and I have updated this article slightly specially for view on Conviction Conjunction. Here’s a self proclaimed logical retort on all the critics of the new age “emo”, “emotional”, “screamo”, or otherwise hardcore music. It starts like this:

Get off your throne of intolerance and take a look at what emotional music actually is. The term “emo” in terms of music is actually a fallacy within itself. What music isn’t emotional? Every song should have some type of emotional response on the artist or on the listener, otherwise the “artist” hasn’t really done their job? That’s why they are called artists. Think about any song, then think about how that makes you feel, that’s an emotion tough guy. Okay let’s move on…

You might be saying well, all emo music is gloomy, depressing and only deals with the bad things about life. Sure the trend may be set that way. But artists do what works, what corresponds with the current trends of today, otherwise we would never had “eras” of different music. Although, in contemplation I think we as a musical culture are getting very diverse in that aspect. Think about the 70’s. What do you think of when you ponder on the music from that era? Disco and rock and roll probably come to mind. What about the 80’s? Lot’s of pop rock, synthesizers and hair metal. What about lately? Hmmmm… rap is pretty big, there’s lots of dance music, lots of techno, brit pop is also very “in” right now, emo is slowly dying off but still in the race or evolving into something new. But sure, emo music was definitely a big part of the 2000’s and LOTS of bands capitalized off that.

In a phrase to cut these lips: emotional music if anything is more real than any other music (spoken like a true emo). We have all been hurt, we have all shed pain. Why can’t these ideals have their own soundtrack? What right do you have to listen to Shikira and say that emo music is too depressing. Shikira’s songs, like a lot of other popular dance artists are driven on other (although quite relative) emotions. All music is emo, all music is emotional. We are are humans, we have emotions, why try so desperately to cover them up? Nihilists i’m looking at you… naw just joking.

That’s another thing, the emo music scene itself also contains another misclassification called “emos” who are the people that listen emo music. Emo people listening to emo music. Can anybody say blatant over exaggerated generalization? I mean, we don’t call people that listen to power metal, “power metals”, or what about rap, we even refer to them as “rappers” or “gangsters”, definitely not “raps”. Why aren’t the people that go to rave clubs called emos? I mean, they are happy, they are always signing and dancing (usually under the influence, but besides the point). Last time I checked happiness was an emotion, which “emo” is supposedly short for.

Hate the scene, hate the music, you’re only driving closer to the ideals and stereotypical notions you applied to what is emo. Hypocrite.